Time for a change...

I've been playing around with this idea for quite some time but the timing was never right (due to my order book being full/current projects) and there were still some small details I needed to figure out.

I've become aware that time is very precious and there are so many things that I wished I’d done or wished I could do. There is only me that can control what I do and when so its time now that I took the bag by its straps (see what I did there lol) and steered myself in a slightly new direction.

The only way that I can see that I can do this is to change how I work. I feel like I no longer have the time to sit and make stock for my website and facebook page. Its actually counter productive for me as I always feel like I'm rushing to get things finished and feel under pressure to constantly keep things ‘stocked up’. Now if I was an empire and had people working for me and had a production line this wouldn't be a problem. But since its only me, with my sewing machine, in my home studio with one pair of hands, I have a full time job, a house, a Mr.Bagladee and three kitties to look after, its a lot of pressure for me to put on myself…..and believe me I do.

I don't want to be churning out stock at the speed of light because I think I need to. I've never done this, if you ask my other half or my family they will tell you the hours that I sit, cutting out patterns, fabric, sewing, pressing, hand stitching, unpicking and restitching to make sure that everything I make is as perfect as I can physically make it. This then either eats into my time that I should be doing other things, family things, and then because I can't sit and craft (as I love to do) I then get frustrated with myself for not being “organised” enough. I'm sure you’ll agree with me that there are just not enough hours in the day! Which is why I've decided that how I spend those hours needs to be carefully thought out. I want to spend as much time as I can making the things that I love and that really makes me happy.

So here it is then…….

As from today there will be no more “stock” made, please don't be sad, this will be a good thing. It will mean that from now on I will be making one off bags and selling them as they are made. They will be new and old designs but with extra little bits added to them making them all that little bit more special. They will be a tiny bit more expensive, but they will be worth it. I will be selecting special fabrics, which also means I need to have a clear out!! I will also be making a wide variety of styles which means that you will see lots of different makes from me.

I will also be leaving little slots throughout the year for people to grab to have their own tailor made bags, but I will be keeping these to a minimum.

There is something a little bit different in the pipeline for my Gingerbread men decorations but more about that later, you will still be able to order these as normal for the time being.

I will of course plan in a “Market Night” maybe twice a year in which I will make a small selection of items that will be up for grabs, one being before Christmas and one maybe mid year.

Hopefully this will mean that I can get back to enjoying what I love to do which is create beautifully, well made bags and accessories for you to give a new home to and love as much as I did making them.

Now I am armed with a new direction, sketchpad, notebook and diary I'm ready and raring to take on 2015. Thank you for all your continued support and encouragement, without you I’d just be a woman sat in her creative space sewing, you make me Bagladee and for that I'm eternally grateful. x

PS. For those interested there are a few ready to post items in my For Sale album on Facebook.

Let it snow

Even if it was a day late we eventually got some white stuff. Within about an hour we had a good covering. My poor Mam and step Dad had to drive back to Durham in it.

I'm pleased to say that they got home safely. 

This morning it's a beautiful scene, all white and beaming sunshine. So we might just have to go for a walk around the lakes whilst its all looking pretty. 

Bows

This Christmas I decided to try and make my own bows to go with my gift wrapping. After careful deconstruction of one of the foil paper ones you can buy in the shops, I found that construction was pretty easy.

It was just a case of figuring out how wide/long loops to make to get the right size bow. After a couple of attempts I came up with a medium size which was perfect. 

Think I might write a little tutorial for these as they are so easy to make and can be used for birthday, anniversary gifts also. What do you think? 

Festive treats

Can you believe how amazing this macaron snowman is!! My friend at work makes the most fantastic cakes and he brought these into work on the last week. The filling was white chocolate mousse and it was absolutely delicious. Sad to say I bit his head off ;) 

And we seem to have been indulging in quite a lot of these too!!! I was going to say complete with flake but they were scoffed before I got a chance to put them on the top. We had to make do with crumbs lol :D

Well it is Christmas after all.

Oh Christmas tree...

Oh how I do love putting the tree up at Christmas! We always have a real one and this year we went for this handsome fellow.

My theme is always red and green, very traditional I know and we have a mish mash of baubles. Some are shop bought and some are handmade. Sadly there are no gingerbread men on the tree as I just never have time to make them for myself.

But I do rather adore these stag head decorations Mr.B bought me this year. Maybe now my order books are closed I can sit and make some gingers for our tree! 

I'm most definitely on Christmas Countdown now......not long to go! :D

Party time!!

First time in a long time I've been on a works Christmas party and I had a fabulous time. 

Now the day job is over until the new year it's time to get ready for the big day. Turkey is sorted and veg ordered, presents are being wrapped this afternoon, there has even been a little bit of festive crafting. Can't wait to get the table set for Christmas dinner! 

Getting that Christmas feeling?

Where have you been? Well where do I start! As my order books are now closed I've been off enjoying the festive season like no year before. With no Christmas craft fairs planned in I was able to visit Lincoln Christmas Market. Even though it was about an hour away in the car it was worth it. 

Everything was so Christmassy, given the fact I drank way to many samples of festive tipples I was definitely "Merry" :D  

I left with some goodies for us, elderberry port, some homemade chutney and a cute ceramic robin ornament. This really got me in the Christnas Spirit. What was next on the list??? Oh yes, works (dayjob) Christmas party....

Christmas goodies

Before I get the paint out to get cracking on with some more decorating I thought I'd just pop by and tell you about my day yesterday at the Christmas Market at The Round House, Derby. 

We decided to buy VIP Tickets as we hadn't been before and it sounded like the perfect way to experience the Market first time round. I have to say I was very impressed right from the start. VIP parking was right in front of the entrance and the stewards in the car park were very helpful and friendly. 

It was all very well planned and the layout was very good. There were 3 seperate rooms full of handmade treats. I liked the fact that the ratio of handmade to mass produced (there were a couple of gift shop stalls selling well known brands) was biased towards handmade. And the standard was very impressive. 

The tickets also included prosecco and cake in the VIP area which was beautifully decorated and a goody bag packed full with samples and leaflets from the sellers. We felt very important indeed as we were given VIP lanyards to wear which also entitled us to 10% off and additional offers to a large selection of the stalls. 

Later on in the afternoon after we had sampled an Artisan Toasties from one of the food stalls we visited the Vintage tea room. All of the ladies were dressed suitably vintage and were very efficient in a very busy pop up tea room. 

I had such a lovely day, I got to catch up with my friend Andrea and spend my well earned pennies on some fantastic handmade gifts. Oh and bought myself some goodies too. 

Can't wait til next years Market already, I'll be sure to reserve my VIP Tickets again. I definitely recommend if you live in the area of Derby or neighbouring counties you should make the trip, it's the best Christmas Market I have been to.  

Exciting!!

Oh I've only just realised I missed last Saturday's post!! We had a visit from my Dad so we had a nice relaxing weekend, no decorating and no work.

Still working my way through my gingerbread army, this weeks parcels have been jetting off to USA, Canada, Australia and a few for the UK.

I'll be taking the day off tomorrow to go to the Christmas Market at the Round House in Derby with my friend Andrea.

I'm so excited to be going to a Christmas Market as a buyer rather than a seller. I cant remember the last time I did.....

I've been saving my pennies up so that I can buy some Christmas presents and of course support designers and makers like myself. They even have a vintage tea room and a Prosecco bar!!! I've started to feel a little Christmassy this week, well its hard not to when you're making Christmas decorations, so this will really get me into the festive spirit.

Maybe I will even think about signing up for next years ;)

It's all in the planning...

Normally I am oblivious to everything at this time of year, frantically prepping and making stock for up and coming Christmas fairs. But not this year. I decided it was finally time I took a little step back and actually enjoyed the festive season.

So this week I have planned in my remaining holiday allowance at the day job and started popping dates into my diary. We really want to have the majority of the decorating finished before Christmas so that will be many a weekend spent in overalls. 

Ironically tomorrow is mine and Mr.B's 12th Anniversary and in those twelve years we have only spent one of those having Christmas in our own home. Now since we have this beautiful home to accommodate everyone we are having both mine and Mr.B's parents here for Christmas. I'm sure it will be chaotic and stressful at times but I am so looking forward to it. 

Can you believe at 34 years old I have never cooked a turkey? I know how shocking is that!!! Well they say there is a first for everything but at least I will have my Mam here to bail me out if it all goes a bit wrong :) Writing this post I have just realised how excited I am for Christmas it's been such a long time since I have been. 

Anyway enough waffle about the festive season. Since it's Saturday morning it's cup of coffee and To Do list writing. Have a lovely weekend whatever to have planned. See you next Saturday! :D

Summer

As you already know we have two fury babies in our family who have made many appearances on my blog over the years. Well three weeks ago this little lady came to live with us. Her name is Summer and she is two years old.

Due to circumstances at her previous home she felt she no longer wanted to stay there and was visiting our garden all day, every day. After a long chat with her owner she asked if we would consider taking her in. She was very thin from not going home to be fed and on quite a few occasions she would sit staring at our two through the window. 

How could I say no to this adorable little face?!? That's right I couldn't and she moved in on the Sunday. 

There's been a few grumbles to the other cats in the first week or so but that has subsided and they are all quite content to eat their food and snuggle on the sofa together. 

Oliver still thinks he's ruler of the roost and needs telling every now and then that girls don't really like to wrestle but I'm sure in time he will get the message.

Three cats! Well I never thought this would happen but all three came to us as they needed homes so we of course obliged and let them in. I love my fury babies :)

Don't tell him I said this but Mr.B is totally smitten with Summer and she seems pretty hooked on him too. Not bad considering he always said he never wanted cats :D I knew he'd come round eventually.  

Edge stitching heaven

Ok so this week I have been busy finishing another custom order. This one is a Mama bag but I've made a few adjustments to the original design. The strap on this one is slightly different having two square 'rings' rather than just the one with the slider. This also means that each side has it's own tab making the bag even more sturdy along side with an extra layer of sew in interfacing. I was thinking of putting a zip closure on the opening but since all the pieces were already cut I will have to stick with the magnetic fasteners for this one. 

I was actually thinking of moving on from this design but it still seems to be popular and everytime I make one I really enjoy doing do. So maybe it will stick around for a little while longer yet :)

Also this week I managed to get my hands on one of these little babies! I've been looking for one for a while but couldn't find one for my old or should I say vintage Janome. It's an edge stitching foot. Now not blowing my own trumpet but I would consider my edge stitching to be very neat but as a bit if a perfectionist when I saw you could get one of these I thought I've just got to have one. So here it is. 

Can't wait to see how 'perfect' it makes my edge stitching. 

Sweet and gingery...

I definitely know Autumn is here when the leaves are starting to really turn with reds and gold, the sun low in the sky and these little guys making an appearance once again.

I'd never get tired of making them. And days like today are perfect, no day job, Mr.B is at work, it's just me and the three kitties (did I mention we have a new member of our family), the sun is shining and the day is ALL mine :) 

I can never make enough of them, they fly out like hot cakes, or should I say biscuits. So if you would like any for your Christmas tree this year be sure to get in quick. I can also embroider names on the back of them if you wish, they make fab gifts that will last for years to come. 

Next...

Back in the swing of things it's time to tackle that list of custom orders I still need to complete. Lots to do so lets get cracking. 

First on my list is a Mama bag made from this very gorgeous vintage floral fabric, I've made one of these in this fabric before but this will be the last one I make. 

I'm also working on some gingerbread men decorations in between. I so love making those little guys :) After this bag is finished it will be a campervan fabric bag. Can't wait to get started in that one! 

Studio

Finally 'Sophia' (my very beautiful Singer) has mad it out of her storage case and into my studio. I still had to pinch myself lifting her into my shelving unit that I hadn't dreamt it and yes, she was mine!!!!! 

I still haven't manage to get round to painting my studio, even though I've had the paint for quite some time. We still have lots of other things to finish in the house before I can get started. I'm also on the lookout for some frames for some pieces of art work I want to put up and some kind of comfy but compact chair I can sit in when hand sewing. I'm so eager to get started!!! Can't wait to see what it looks like when it's finished. 

Weekend...

Saturdays seem like a great day to write a blog post. The chaos of the week is over and we have the weekend to look forward to. 

Although we will be spending the weekend carrying on with decorating I have managed to start making some gingerbread men decorations. Since I haven't made any since just before the dreaded 'C' word last year ;) I'd forgotten just how much I love to make them. 

I've also almost finished the pattern draft for the new bag I'm going to be making. Hopefully the supplies I've ordered will be here soon so that I can get making. 

So tonight I'm actually going to try making Chicken tagine, the last time I attempted this it ended in disaster so fingers crossed it turns out OK. 

I'd love a patterned serving tagine like this one, but I just can't seem to find anywhere that sells them. Maybe I need to take a trip to Morocco? No that would be fab! But not very realistic :D

1st's

So last week saw my Great Nephew celebrating his 1st Birthday! I can barely believe how fast this last year has gone. And he has grown so much over that year, given that he was was born premature and was so tiny and fragile it's amazing to see how strong and happy go lucky he is. 

I love to give presents and a gorgeous little boys birthday was so much fun to buy for, in the end I decided on this gorgeous silver helicopter money box.

Whilst googling I found this cute website called www.my1styears.com they have the most adorable gifts for babies. They even give you the option of adding personalised ribbon to your gift and they come in a gorgeous 'Tiffany' style gift box, yes I know I nearly squealed when I saw this. Fabulous!

Also this week saw my first return to the studio in quite a long time. It felt good, I felt more organised and motivated of what I want to acheive to move forward. I wrapped up the winners giveaway prize from my week off, tidied up and started drawing out a pattern for one of the new bags. Hopefully this is the start of new chapter. 

Staycation...

Where have I been do you ask? Well, as always I feel like life is a speeding bus and I'm running behind trying to jump on the back. Failing terribly, but hey ho here I am.

So this last week both Mr.B and I have been off work. We have spent the whole week, with a few treats inbetween, making improvements to our home. We've only waited two years for the privilege of calling it ours.

 

This was my first task, to fill, sand and paint the ground floor banister. What do you think? 

We're almost at the end of our break from our day jobs and we've managed to get quite a lot done but there is still so much to do. Rome wasn't built in a day, so I will take comfort in the fact that we have plenty time to get everything done. 

Before we started working on the house I was having a sewing block, I was really struggling to motivate myself. Taking a step away from sewing completly really has helped. I think sometimes you need to take a break and focus on something totally different. Next week I plan on getting right back into it by cracking on with the new patterns I've designed. I purposely put these on the back burner til it felt right again. 

It feels right so I'm getting back on that crafty horse and cracking the whip ;) 

That feeling!

Feeling really excited this morning, no not just because I have a day off from the day job. I have finally made a decision of where I am taking Bagladee and it involves closing my order books until September.

As most people I always feel like I never have enough time to get everything done, including all those boring house work activities that need doing. And when all you want to do is spend your spare time doing creative things everything else seems to just annoy you, right?

Sometimes its good to take a step back and re-assess what you want and this is exactly what I am doing.

We have a list as long as our arm of all the DIY jobs we want to do to our 'new'ish' home. Now I say 'new'ish' in this context because for those of you who know buying this house was no piece of cake and turned out to be 20 emotional months of exhausting to-ing and fro-ing between solicitors/developers/mortgage company/western power. Now its FINALLY ours we really do want to put our stamp on it. It wont take us long and its just really cosmetic stuff that we have planned but we really want to focus on getting it all done so that we can enjoy the end of the year and go into the new year starting a fresh, maybe have a holiday along the way at some point. That certainly will be a long time coming as we have forfeited holidays for the last 3 years to get here!

So what do I have planned for Bagladee? Well specifically I have two new designs in my head that I need to get onto paper and then transfer into an actual drafted pattern. This will also include a purchase of some new hardware, metal 'o' rings, sliders, twist locks and also some new zips and a lot of new skills which I'm working on. I'm really going to push myself on these two bags. This is the main reason I feel excited, now who wouldn't??? I love supply shopping, it will also mean that I will be going through all of my fabrics and having a clear out, so watch out for some bargain bags of fabric that will be up for grabs.

Now I know photos have been very thin on the ground from me but I promise there will be some more soon. Maybe even some before and after photos of our DIY projects? What do you think?

Right I am off to pop the kettle on again and get cracking on todays 'to do' list then maybe a spot of supply shopping on the net ;) *punches the air* YES!!!!!!!

Making changes...

I know what you're thinking, coffee and toast at this time of the day, surely its lunch time? Well I suppose in the natural order of the day it is. However I was up at the crack of dawn, the call of the two fury ones always poses a threat to a weekend lie in. I don't mind so much seeing their cute little faces blinking back at me as I dish out their breakfast is enough to make me melt. Yes, I am a cat lady.

Usual boring chores are out of the way, another benefit of getting up early, all washing done and out on the line (please don't rain!), reasonable tidy up, a shower and a lot of thinking!!

I have been mulling things over a lot recently. We're coming to the end of a 20 month wait to finally have closure on our house, settling into my new job with  more prospects on the horizon, what crafting means to me and where I see my little business going (I do this one more than the rest, it seems to be a constant struggle in my mind) and just life in general. Maybe I tend to think about things too much and I'm definitely one of life's worriers. I've never been a person for looking back or worrying about things I've done, I always think the past is the past you cant change it so there's no point in spending your time worrying about it. I do like to plan though on a big scale and I have lists galore of things I want to do. So if anything my energy is focused on the things I am yet to achieve.

Chris and I have spent the last three years trying to get to where we are now, getting away from where we lived previously was the main focus but that in turn had an effect on all aspects of our lives. Finally all that is sorted and we look like were getting back to what we call normal.

I don't need to sit here and explain to you all how much I love to craft and how important my little business is to me. But I definitely think that I am going through a changing cycle and that I no longer want to work to specific constraints that I have previously set myself. Its almost like I want to start a fresh, reinvent myself. Do you know what I mean?

I'd like 'Bagladee' to become more fluid....when I say this what I actually mean is that I want to get away from 'making stock' and move more into exploring my creativity. You will have to excuse me if I'm not explaining things more clearly, it is mapped out in my head its just difficult to transfer into words. In the beginning I started Bagladee with the intention that everything would evolve and change so as not to stay stagnant. I'm not saying that I'm feeling 'stagnant' but I am craving pushing things further and into new territories.

So moving on from this I have decided to host an event on my facebook page to sell some of my stock to make room for 'new projects'. On Friday 27th June, my event will be held between 7-9pm and will be called "Make me an offer". There will be a wide variety of items up for grabs, a chance for me to clear the decks so to speak for moving forward.

One aspect I've not figured out yet is my website, what does this change mean for my little piece of web space? Maybe once I have settled into this new phase the answer will come naturally. So I hope you will all stick with me through my journey........lets see where it takes me!

Pearls, sausages and waffle....

So whilst my sausage casserole is cooking nicely in the oven I thought I'd stop by, yes I do have some lovely photos for you to.

But first a little bit of waffle :D Week number 3 in the new day job.....still loving it, its very busy and a little bit un-organised (on my part) but I'm starting to find my feet now. It makes such a difference liking my job, My head is constantly buzzing with ideas and I'm not as tired as I was in my previous job. Big tick!

This week we have also had to have our lovely garden dug up to move an electrical cable, very long and boring story, but the main thing is that its almost done and hopefully it wont be too long before the grass grows again. I've had a week or so aimlessly wandering around (in my mind) as to what to make, I always feel like that after I've completed custom orders. I think the discipline of working to someone else's specifications keeps me focused but as soon as that's complete I seem to drift about for a short amount of time. Maybe its just my way of re grouping my thoughts etc.

Any way want to see some of the orders I've been working on???? Yeah, OK then....

I absolutely love this clutch bag, I was asked to make something with a shoulder strap in black so it could be worn with many different outfits. 

It was for a 60th Birthday and needed to have soemething 'pearl' on it. So I bought these gorgeous pearl and rhinestone buttons which give the bag a very classy look.

I wanted to pick something fun for the lining inside (I cant resist putting patterned fabrics somewhere) I found this monochrome floral print in my stash.....

What do you think??? 

I received a lovely thank you card from the lady who ordered it for her Mam who loved it.

I have lots of these frames in stock so I'm off to see if I can order some duchess satin in bright pink :D well you know me, I do like brights!!

Friday already?

Woah where did that week go??? Maybe it was starting the week on a Tuesday, maybe it was because I started a new job or maybe it was because I was frantically learning everything I could before the end of today from the lady who is leaving to go on maternity?

Anyway it has flown by and here we are Friday again :)

My first week in my new job has been great......wait a minute did I just say great??? Oh yeah I did!! I know I can barely believe it myself. I think its going to take me a couple of weeks to get settled but I'm certainly enjoying it so far.

I feel like my head is no longer 'fuzzy' and I can finally cut off work life from home life! Lets hope it stays that way.

I'm currently working on some more fabric boxes and I have some photos of last weeks custom orders (still yet to be edited). Hopefully I will get those done to show you this weekend. Getting the itch to buy some new fabric but I must resist as I have a load in my stash that I've been planning on using for aagggeeesssssss...! Best get cracking, have a lovely weekend, where ever you are :)

Em xxx

Bank holidays are the best, right?

*does a little dance*

Its that time again.....bank holiday weekend! Woop!

Now these are my type of weekends, extended ones. We don't really have anything planned other than I told C that we must spend at least one day doing something different other than, gardening/painting/cleaning/working. I still have no idea what we're going to do! What do you have planned, is it weather permitting? I know British bank holidays are usually renowed for being gloomy and rainy but Saturday and Monday don't look too bad according to the weather reports, however there is a chance of rain on Sunday :(

Oh well I will enjoy the looooonng weekend whatever the weather.

I do have some little news. Now you all know that I have a day job, right? And for those of you who have been reading my blog over the years will know I have worked there for 10 years, most of it has been OK but lately I have not been enjoying it so much and wondered what the future had in store for me and whether or not I was brave enough to take the plunge and try something new. A little while ago an internal position came up in a completely different department and I decided to take a punt and apply.......I was interviewed and many, many weeks later (Monday) I was offered the job! I start on Tuesday!!

My previous job was customer interfacing (I work for a VERY big company) and now I will be working as a Stores Co-ordinator in the Stores Office. It is very different to what I have previously done but I am so looking forward to the challenge, in fact this is the first time in quite a few years that I have felt enthusiastic about going to work. I'll still be ploughing ahead with Bagladee, but I think this new position will make me a lot happier in my work life, which if you've gotta do a day job it would be quite nice if you didn't hate going to work everyday wouldn't it?

So I'm going to enjoy the weekend and see what next week brings. I have a little bit of sewing to do but I'm keeping that for Sunday for a few hours before lunch.

Whatever you have planned this weekend I hope you all have a lovely time. Now time to go and put some more coffee on and toast some crumpets. Yum!

Happy Easter!

We've spent a lovely weekend relaxing with my parents, eating good food and chatting. I am yet to make a start on our chocolate eggs but I'm sure later on this evening when we get home I will manage to make a hole in a few ;)

A long weekend ahead...

Today was the start of a very long weekend for me, no day job now until next Wednesday!! *punches the air*

So ashamedly I have spent most of the day in my PJ's, in my defence I have done ALL the ironing and made some lemon and vanilla cupcakes, oh yes as well as vacuuming the house. So not bad for having a day off.

I've also been busy adding some new items to my website, including these gorgeous clutch bags and trying to get through the mountain of emails that have been building up this week. We're travelling up north tomorrow to spend a couple of days with my parents and then I intend to spend Monday and Tuesday working on some custom orders. Over the past week my order book has started to fill up fast. They all seem to be varied projects too which I like so cant wait to get started. 

Going to try really hard not to spend the weekend scoffing chocolate eggs but I just cant guarantee that will happen so lets not mention it on Monday ;) 

Have a great Easter everyone xx

They're back...

 THE EASTER BUNNY EGG COSIES ARE BACK!!!!!!

Those of you may remember these egg cosies from wayyyyy back 2 years ago, well they are back again and I couldn't resist making some myself. These cuties are available to buy for £8 they come gift wrapped and include your choice of chocolate egg (creme egg, lindt egg or kinder egg). Postage is included in the price. Just contact me if you're interested.

They come in pink....

Lime green....

Turquoise....

Lilac...

Yellow....

and of course white!! 

If you want to make your own follow this link here.

I haven't done this in ages...

Just talk.....

Now I know that will sounds peculiar to people who know me, but I really cant remember the last time I came here and just talked?

Yes its lovely that I post photos on here of all the things I make, and that people stop by every day to take a look at those photos, which I appreciate more than you know.....but, there is almost no interaction any more. This makes me sad as there used to be so much. Could this be because of the introduction of Facebook? I remember back in 2008 when I started my blog that Facebook never even registered on my radar, I know it had been going since 2004 but it just wasn't that popular here in the UK. Now its part of most peoples day to day life!

I now follow and read all my blogs through Bloglovin' so I try to read and comment as much as I can, its important to me to keep in touch with all the people I met when I started out blogging. This was the main reason I started to blog, I wanted to be part of the crafty community in blog land and all the encouragement and support it gave me to start up my business and keep it going.

Could it be because I stopped talking about myself? I think that pretty much happened after we moved house. We've been moved about a year and half ago now....really that long??? I cant believe how fast the days and weeks are flying by.

Things are very different now.

We have a lovely house, where we can actually sleep at night, those of you who knew what we went through at the last place we lived with our asbo neighbours will know how important this fact is to us. Its quiet and peaceful and we really have 'settled' into the house. Things with my day job are evolving and I can see that my priorities in life have taken a shift.

Its never been 'make as much stuff as I can to make as much money as I can' its always about the enjoyment of the process for me and making items for people who really do appreciate what goes into producing something handmade. I've never professed to loving my day job, its a means to an ends, it means we can live in this gorgeous house and have relaxing holidays in nice places. Bagladee is where I can let my creativeness run wild and go on a journey of self discovery and feed my creative spirit. Those of you who craft will understand this. I could quite happily sit in my studio all day long and create, it doesn't matter to me so much if no one ever bought anything, its fantastic if they do but its more than that to me. Its knowing that these hands that I'm typing with can take something as simple as a metre of fabric or piece of felt and turn it into something 3D and beautiful without anyone showing me how or using other peoples instructions/patterns.

The mind is a wondrous thing and different people are good at different things, I've never been great at anything academic (anyone will tell you that of me) but one thing I am good at is applying myself, I will always do something to the best of my ability and due to being very stubborn will never give up on something I do.

That's why I know that no matter what I make and who (if anyone) buys the things I make, Bagladee will always be here. Which is why its important to me to keep my blog going so I can document my journey and the creative paths I have taken and will take in the future. Its not that I am constantly seeking approval from you all its the constructive criticism that I thrive from, comments and interaction make that possible, that is how my creative process evolves, reading feedback and other peoples opinions. After all the things I make are for other people.....see a need fill a need.

Well if you have stuck with me through this post, thank you and well done for not a) falling asleep or b) closing your browser because you were bored stupid ;) For those of you who do take the time to stop by and read my blog and comment, a huge thank you to you all! I promise from today I will post more about me and life and be more than just a blog with photos.......

Hope you all have a wonderful Sunday, see you very soon x

New mini's...

These little cuties are now listed on my website, they may be a smaller version of my usual size clutch bags but they are surprisingly spacious. I can get my smart phone, purse, keys, lippy, eye-liner, pack of tissues and pretty much anything else I can squeeze in ;)

At £20 I think they are a real steal.....unique one off clutch bags.

www.bagladee.com

Box it up....

Perfect solution to pretty storage! These storage boxes I actually designed for myself quite some time ago. I had asked my lovely friend Rachel to make me a sewing machine mat for my work desk out of some very gorgeous sewing themed fabric. Since there was quite a decent amount of fabric left over I made 3 storage boxes for all my threads.

So here they are available for you all to pretty up your workspace/dressing table/bathroom, or you can fill them with goodies and give away as gifts. 

Of course there is a sewing themed set for you sewing ladies out there, but only one set available.

All the box sets have been added to my website here FABRIC STORAGE BOXES

I'm currently working on a special order for some Office storage boxes for a lovely lady called Kirstin, which include a very large version of these fabric boxes. I'll show you some photos once they are finished.

And if you are reading this Rachel, my sewing mat is still one of my most prized possessions in my sewing room :D thank you xx