My first post

Still trying to get to grips with how this all works, so thought I'd start off by putting up photos of my current projects! As usual, I have a million things going on at once – pressure is mounting as we’ve only got 7 weeks left before our baby (aka The Bean) is due. For some reason I have it in my head that everything MUST be perfect before The Bean arrives when really s/he will be completely oblivious and would be perfectly happy sleeping in a drawer (who wouldn't?).

Anyway, current projects are:

• Finishing the dining room decoration
• Converting my sewing room/our spare room into the nursery
• Making cute baby stuff for Bean
• the latest batch of bags I’m working on for the madebyloulabelle shop

Let’s start with the bags!

I’ve got a big cupboard full of fabric, trims and other bits and pieces, so thought I’d go through the whole stash and make a batch of Esther clutches:


I really love the clean, curvy shape of this clutch and think it looks really cute tucked under an arm – this time though I’m adding to the design with a detachable chain strap and then they can be worn ‘hands-free’ as well.

Looking at the pile of fabrics I ended up with, there are 2 definite themes emerging – day-time kitsch with cute cotton prints and a slightly more summery feel (it is still August after all)....

and evening opulence with upholstery weight brocades and satins and a more autumnal feel...

I can’t wait till they’re all made up and I'll have a big old stack of them to feel proud of. These ones will fasten with a simple magnetic snap, but I think I might try out a brief-case style tongue clasp on the next batch.