Sunday 25 July 2010

You could have a steam train, if you'd just lay down your tracks...

Hello
I hope all is well with you.
I wanted to show you a few handbags I have made using vintage French linen. I am so happy to be able to use this exquisite, mostly hand woven fabric with it's slubs and imperfections...perfect, I would say! I am trying to build up some stock for The Wear House, Ludlow and for homespun fair, Portscatho, Cornwall on 8th August next. Homespun is such a lovely Fair, great atmosphere, great setting! What more can I say...it's set in Cornwall!
Anyroadup...here are a few shots of some of the bags...






One wee small purse ...
and these Corset Suspender Brooches...


I have quite a lot to celebrate at the moment, with opening my little shop and having you lovely folks stopping by and leaving comments, so I thought I would have a small 'giveaway'. If you would like to leave a comment, for any reason, even if it's just to say 'hello'.....I will put the names in a hat, next Sunday and pick a winner. The winner will receive a Suspender brooch (not yet made??!!!) and a brand new copy of 'Cloth', pictured below. I am really taken with 'Cloth', it's fab :-)and finally, Billy Button Nose....he is six months old now and an absolute darling. We all love him so very much and he has made us very happy.....


thanks so much for stopping by. x

55 comments:

Julie Shackson said...

What a lovely blog; hope you don't mind, but I'm putting a link on my website/blog! www.julieshackson.com

The Cloth Shed said...

Ingenious!! What a great use for those suspenders..... I often find them in old button boxes and shame on me....I throw them away!!!
Must check out the magazine Cloth...quite appropriate for me I think....
Julie x

carole johnston said...

Hi,The bags are just great and just when we think "what will someone think of next" you come up with the suspender brooches,they are really good. You have been working hard,hope the fair goes very well just wish we could come. I would love to go in the give away but being in Australia it is a bit much for postage so good luck ladies. Carole

sylviesgarden said...

I love the birdie bags! So adorable.
x

Jane said...

I love everything you make and marvel at your creativity Viv. I visit your blog regularly and your creations just get better and better. I particularly love your birdies. As for Billy Button Nose, he is adorable and would be my choice of companion if I could have one.
Best wishes
Jane

Grace Sherriff said...

I was reading your post thinking your suspender brooches are so cool and innovative, and then when I got to the part where there is the chance to win one I was a little giddy to say the least :)

Your work is so inspiring I love it all!

Take care, Grace

www.style-on-the-run.com

The Patchwork Heart said...

beautiful bags, so clean and fresh! Do you have a drop feed on your machine to do this machine embroidery?
Heather ~ The Patchwork Heart ♥

meplusmolly said...

Beautiful as always Viv!
Wishing you all the best of successes with the new shop and the fairs too. I haven't heard of Cloth so will be off to check it out now! ;0 x

Lyn said...

When we went to Ludlow in June we went into a lovely shop (I bought a few bits and bobs!)but it was closing down and moving to the Wear-house. We said next time we go we will call in, I hope to see your lovely bags next time we visit.
Billy Button nose is a cutie!
love
Lyn
xxx

Sue said...

Hello Viv, love those suspender brooches :-)
I want to ask you a question - do you know of any interesting handmade craft fairs this autumn/winter? Other than the ones you've advertised on the sidebar, obviously... I'm looking for one to do. x

carole brungar said...

I am loving your bags! Practical, gorgeous, what more could you want? Mmmmm, I know, if I win, could I swap the brooch for Billy??? Please???
lol Carole

kirsty said...

I love your new makes - see you really soon xx

mano said...

you have such a wonderful blog with so beautiful works - it's a great pleasure to stop here!

Gorgeous Things said...

Suspender brooches - what a great idea, they're fab! But, how are you going to keep your stockings up now? Let me know if you do a give away of Billy Button Nose - he's such a darling!

A Mermaid's Tale said...

So I'm not the only one who collects suspender attachments! Mind you, mine are still sitting in my inspiration cupboard awaiting use in some creative project... what a lovely idea to make little brooches out of them, they're so sweet! See you in Portscatho soon!

~*~Patty S said...

a bit of a new comer, Kiwi Carole sent me :)
Your creations are fabulous and what a lucky person to win one of your unique brooches ... thank you for the chance.
Your doggie certainly is precious
very best wishes from the USA

Nearly there Claire said...

You really are a clever girl you know! I love all your 'gear'...as for that little Billy Button Nose...well he is just a poppet! Keep up the fantastic work hun...you're doing great! xxx

claire said...

Hey Viv, great start to my week, your giveaway. As always I love your new bags. The fairs you mentioned sound great, certainly wish I wasn't a 20 hour plane flight away.
Being a broochy kinda gal, please enter me in your giveaway, if it's open to O/S visitors.
Have a great week

Linda Jo said...

You know I love everything you do! Pick me!!!!

Cowboys and Custard Mercantile said...

You are such a clever sausage! You never fail to delight with your new creations Viv.

You could have an aeroplane flying
If you bring your blue sky back.

MXX

BBN is a bit of a heartbreaker isn't he!

Anonymous said...

What a novel way to use suspenders...genius! It's the sort of thing that would go down with a wow at the V & A.

Marigold Jam said...

Brilliant bags and what a fun idea to use the suspenders for brooches - love them and they are also a trip down memory lane to times before tights!!

Good luck with all your projects.

Jane x

A time to dance said...

How can you tantalise me with bags...you know how much I love them...they are wonderful wonderful...now my lovely friend I am on a mission, I have been nagging lovely dog Daisy and now I will nag you...hair accessories...your lovelylieness attached to hair clips...what do you think??? I would love some, my hair is so long now ( and it has blue in it for the holidays) I would love some clips, in the style of the brooches.....nagging over...love H

Anonymous said...

Wondeful work again Viv, Love the new bag
Give Billy Button Nose a hug from me he his so cute!

Pam x

The Little Vintage Company said...

The bags are gorgeous!! Haven't heard of Cloth magazine, will have to look it up!
Tamzin X

Scented Sweetpeas said...

Ooh those birdies on your bags are just so cute! What wondeful makes.

Gina said...

I love those vintage linen bags Viv... gorgeous!

Andi's English Attic said...

The suspender brooches are so much fun, and as always your birds make me smile (and BBN of course!) xx

andrea creates said...

Very nice!
lovely bags , and a cute puppy too :)

Whitney-Anne Baker said...

the suspender brooches are just inspired!!

sea-blue-sky & abstracts said...

Hi Viv, how are you? Just love the wonderful 'birdy' bags and never cease to be amazed at your inventive ways. Good luck with Homespun. Lesley x

Flaming Nora said...

How clever, I used to have a job lot of suspender clips, but I threw them away thinking there was no use for them in this day and age. That'll learn me!

Twiglet said...

Great bags and those suspender brooches are brill!

thevintagemagpie said...

Hi Viv, such gorgeous bags.. just beautiful. I haven't seen that mag in the shops yet.. I will sniff it out this week. Billy Buttonnose is just as heartstopping as ever. Hope you all well and congrats on the shop!!xxx

found and sewn said...

Love your blog!Your work is beautiful, I really like the little purse.

Linda Zimmerman said...

Love the bags! The birds are adorable.

Lynne said...

Your birds are delightful. What a novel way to use the suspenders.
Lovely Billy Button Nose.

Clare said...

Oh Billy you are the sweetest pup in the world! Love your bags and brooches Viv they're super.

LOVE STITCHING RED said...

Hi Viv, just wanted to say how gorgeous your bags are! Good luck at Portscatho and sorry I'll miss it yet again (a wedding this time!). Lots of love, Carolyn x

Unknown said...

oooohhh... I just love your handbags & wish I had access to all the vintage lovely linens like you do... We are so "young" over here in western USA... :o( just absolutely charming!!!

please include me in the drawing!!

Tina Peacock said...

Love your work as always! All the best for the fairs coming up & Billy Button Nose is just adorable. My heart will always be with Yorkies as I had my lovely Thomas who was my absolute baby (who has long since passed!). Xx

Trixie@ the vintage bothy said...

I went into some high street shops today, I don't often, I was looking at some of the necklaces which were using odd beads and strips of pink chiffon, and I didn't buy because I know that I can make similar but better with original fabric and beads. I think your brooches are way ahead of "trends"! I also threw away some suspender thingies, I should have saved them for you. The new bags are gorgeous aswell, I love to see your work, sorry I don't mean to sound overly gushing!
Tracey

JP said...

love the bags - that linen really works with your style

Denise Felton said...

I want to be...your sledgehammer...

Jackie said...

Good heavens look at all these comments. I just wanted to say how much admiration I have for you know I know how tricky that purse making is!

Vintage Sandy said...

How cute are those brooches and your bagsare great love 'em please enter me in your giveaway...thanks

Gill said...

I love the bags!
Is there a secret to your freestyle embroidery or is it just pracise makes perfect???

Gill

Sharon Lovejoy said...

Viv dear, I am smiling as I write this. I LOVED the work, especially when I see birds walking across lovely, nubby, handwoven textiles. I wish I could attend this forthcoming craft fair.

Sending love across the miles,

Sharon Lovejoy Writes from Sunflower House and a Little Green Island

Greedy Nan said...

My 'cloth' must be suspended in the post somewhere as it's not arrived yet ... your things are as always quite lovely so would be delighted to win your giveaway.

BusyLizzie said...

thank you for your blog comment. Lovely to see you at Ardingly. We had a very good fair.. no famous customers as far as i can remember.. but walked past Peter Gabriel at the weekend, which is a coincidence (in view of your chosen post title!) xx

green phoenix said...

I love your new bags, you're going from strength to strength!
Great about the shop too

xxx

Judy said...

Hello,
Love reading your blog and having a virtual look around the Wear-House. I am going to have to make a trip from Somerset to Ludlow sometime!

Ticking stripes said...

Loving the suspender brooches Viv! Good luck in Portscatho!

Tina Gilmore said...

Oh Viv, those handbags are to die for, i really must have one, i do hope they're in your shop when i visit...!!! xxxx

Anonymous said...

I love your little birds...i follow you!!!