Little Protege

A little customer of mine takes violin lessons. Her mom spotted the felt bags I made last year featuring the little violin-playing girl. She asked if I might be able to make one for her daughter. I didn't have the material anymore but I did have this laminated fabric in my stash.

The laminated fabric was very hard to sew .... I have a "Teflon" foot attachment for my sewing machine so it doesn't stick. That was a struggle to fit. I had to use my old sewing machine and unscrew several parts... quite a frustration late at night.

The thing about this fabric is it's plastic so you can't iron it. You can't pin it or the holes will show, and errors cannot be unpicked because again the needle holes will show.

I do think it's a really cute bag and Biggie agrees but I don't think I will attempt this kind of project again.

Here you can see I have "appliquéd" an image of the girl and her violin. I used extra thick thread to make it stand out. I like this part best.

My print out on the wall is by artist Denise Holmes from the Feed Your Soul free art project.

Little Mum

I've been working on a fun new project. My friend Brenda asked me to create a bag which functions like a nappy/diaper bag for dolls.

Brenda's daughter will be five soon and loves to play mummy. This bag will house her doll's clothes and accessories. I've made an elasticised pocket inside to keep their bottles or hair brushes in.

The deep gusset (10cm) creates a very roomy bag but I didn't want the bag to be so wide at the top. I tapered the side seams so the tops finishes about 3cm wide.

It's a very comfortable bag with an adjustable strap. If necessary Brenda could carry this bag on her shoulder. It closes with velcro.


Brenda runs a very successful business called Natural Star. Fantastic hand-knitted baby hats and cardigans made from organic wool in New Zealand. We connected via Etsy but Brenda's handknits are available in several retail outlets across New Zealand and Australia. Drop her a line for more information.

Holiday by the sea?

Today it's a holiday, Marine Day I believe. It's raining and so muggy we're just chilling at home. Not chilling though really. It's too hot. We are still going strong on left overs from the party. That's the best thing about parties - tons of food and all of it a bit special or out of the ordinary.

I am sewing, Mr. is reading and the kids are playing with some new toys. It's Little Guy's birthday this week so he got some presents early, while his Dad is home to see.

Speaking of birthdays. One of my customers from Mee a Bee posted some gorgeous pictures of her little man's birthday on our facebook page. It was his birthday so Vanessa wrapped his gifts in Mee a Bee bags. Gus is the cutest little button you've ever seen with a shock of blonde hair. Go and have a look! Mee a Bee on Facebook - scroll down or click the photo tab. Thanks Vanessa!

For Little Tiki

For Little Tiki, originally uploaded by Mee a Bee.

Kim is so pleased with her bags I wonder what she will say when she sees this one for her little boy! It's double-sided piratey fun on the outside and cool denim with anchors on the other side, inside or out, depending on his mood.

Viva Frida

Viva Frida, originally uploaded by Mee a Bee.

These bags are for my friend Kim at StickyTiki. Kim sent me this wonderful fabric printed with images by (or inspired by, not sure) Mexican artist Frida Kahlo. She asked me to do some Mee a Bee magic with it. I have created mum and bub bags for her! Kim's daughter is named after Frida Kahlo, isn't that cool? I hope you love your bags Kim!

The larger one is actually adult sized - the strap can be adjusted to fit anyone. The little one will be perfect for little Miss.

Open Home for Chatty Cafe

I'm all dollied up ready for the party today. It's the Chatty Cafe open home event - twenty people are due here in about half an hour. I have spent the morning preparing. My home looks lovely, the food is gorgeous and moi? beyond words :) I am even wearing a DRESS!

Have a nice afternoon.

In case you are new to my blog, Chatty Cafe is my conversational English class. I "teach" English over coffee and homemade cake about once a week. I have about 50 people on the books but today I am welcoming my most regular chatters and my three baby sitters to say thanks before we close us shop for summer.

Biggie's school holidays started yesterday. He's gone to the mall with his brother and then they're heading over to visit their grandparents. It's a kid-free afternoon, yaye!

Another favorite this week

This week the lilac jolly roger messenger bag for toddlers has been picked up twice for feature.

It's currently in one treasury (live until Sunday) which Cyn named Purple Reign. Cyn is a huge supporter of Etsy and the handmade community. Thanks so much!

This morning I got a lovely email from Theresa about this same bag. She's featuring it in her Friday Feature on her blog. So kind, thanks Theresa. Theresa's shop is Studio618, we met her last week, I hope you took a look at her beautiful hand -inscribed jewellery.


This evening, in addition to baking a chocolate cake and swimming half a kilometre I have been working on a bag in the same design but black for a funky little boy. My husband likes to sing a little ditty in the evenings "64, 64, 64 hours a day" - that's how many hours he thinks I work. He's not far off so it's a good thing I love it all.

An apple a day this week!

I connected with Melinda from Here we Go Loopy Lou the other day. I have fallen in love with her great cards -which have FREE shipping right now.

AND Melinda has done a little surprise feature on Mee a Bee on her blog. Thank you Melinda.

I love seeing which bags are people's favourites. Melinda picked the Apple Totes.

The little Apple Tote Bag was also Little Mimoo's favourite and is pictured on her blog in action. Thank you Tina.

The little flat apple tote made it to the front page of Etsy when it was picked out by Admin this week. Have you seen the price on this bag? It's on sale.

The green one was picked by Things Olde and New for her treasury, One Bad Apple. AND by Two Knit for her treasury: here

There are so many apple bags at Mee a Bee, fresh for summer:

Red Apples
Green Apples
more Red Apples

At last, the last one!

Today is the last Chatty Cafe for the term - before the summer holiday closure - it's too hot to bake and clean. I've made Donna Hay's Melt n Mix Chocolate and Coconut cake. It was exhausting to bake last night since it's so muggy but I am so ready to eat some ... mmmmmm, yuummmmy.
See ya later