Made by Loulabelle... made by you

So, here is an exciting development... I've just completed my first batch of patterns for the trapeze sling tote that I designed for the bag workshop.

They'll be available for sale in the next few days from Darn it and Stitch in Oxford and I'll also be listing them in my online shops.

Fly my pretties, fly...

Vintage glitz and a Christmas Fix

I had a stall at the Woodstock Town Hall craft fair last Sunday. It was a pretty slow one, so I would have felt a bit downhearted were it not for the lovely ladies on the stalls around me.

I've decided to build up a collection of special Christmas tree decorations - one a year - and this glass angel is the first. I wish I had the name of the lady who made them so I could link to her website, but we were so busy chatting that I forgot to ask.

And, my extra special treat was this ever-so-glam vintage brooch which was donated to me, in the spirit of good karma. There's a couple of stones missing and the catch is broken, but it'll still be fabulous-dahling on my winter coat.

Fill your Boots!

Selected Made by Loulabelle bags are now available on CharlieBoots.com, alongside her own clothing line. I'm so pleased to be involved in this great new ethical fashion label - all Charlie Boots pieces are limited to 10 per design and use ethically sourced materials wherever possible (organic, sustainable, fair trade or vintage).

And, as an added bonus, 2 of my Lola bags have now taken part in a proper fashion shoot - with real models and everything! Check them out...

Oh, how I wish I could do a 'London look' like that - I just end up appearing vaguely lobotomised!

UK Handmade craft profile post

The third of my craft profile series features decoupage - check it out on the UK Handmade blog. (forgot to mention it earlier, so the moment may have passed slightly!)

Psychobilly Decoupage Coffee Table by Nova & Lorsten

Vintage Postage Stamp Bangle - Desert at Dusk by TalithaAstrellita

Vintage Owl Domino Brooch by it's the little things...

Decorative Birdhouses by Kate Brunt

Mona' s Marvellous Chocolate Cake

This chocolate cake recipe is a family favourite. I don't know where it comes from originally, but it was always credited to great aunt Mona. The marvellous bit comes from the fact that it's super super easy and always comes out deliciously moist - seriously, you can't fail! If I'm just making one to have at home then I don't always bother with icing, but you can't beat a cocoa buttercream or ganache topping for extra indulgence.

I'd got a spare one in the freezer which I took into work today - okay, so the decoration leaves a lot bit to be desired, but it was 6.30am and I'd not had coffee yet!

Ingredients:
5oz self raising flour
6 oz caster sugar
6 oz soft margerine or softened butter
3 oz drinking chocolate
3 large eggs
3 tblsp boiling water

Preheat oven to 180C/ 350F

Grease and line a 7" cake tin.

Mix all ingredients together until pale and fluffy. Pour into the cake tin. Bake in the oven for 1 hour or until a skewer inserted in the centre comes out clean.

Yum yum!

Work in Progress Wednesday

A new batch of upholstery fabric scraps came my way recently, so this week I'm working on a set of mini chain purses with the pieces that immediately caught my eye. I like working on this style - there's a fair bit of hand tacking to be done with the bias binding so I can cosy up on the sofa with the TV and still be industrious!

Autumn feels well and truly underway now - perfect for crocheting something snuggly. Here's a sneaky peak of a secret project I'm working on... ssssh, it's a gift, so don't tell!

Tutorial Tuesday: Mobile Phone Pocket

I am officially rubbish at mobile phones. I can’t do text speak, I can’t work out how to send a photo and until recently, I was constantly missing calls while I scrabbled round in the bottom of my bag trying to find my phone amongst the jungle of tissues, receipts and baby snacks. So, I decided to take matters in hand and add a mobile phone pocket to the next bag I made. There are a number of different ways to do this, but I think this is the simplest method.


These instructions are for a pocket that will fit a mobile phone up to 2” 1/8 / 55mm wide, but could easily be adapted if your phone is a different size.

You will need to make your pocket and attach it to one of the bag lining pieces before constructing your bag

Step 1: Cut out an oblong of fabric 5 3/4 “/48mm tall and 4 1/2 “/115mm wide to coordinate or contrast with your bag lining.

Step 2: Turn under and press 1/4”/6mm on all 4 sides of the oblong. To make this super quick, use this brilliant tip from Florence of Flossie Teacakes and use a piece of card with lines drawn at 1/4"/6mm intervals as a pressing guide.


Step 3: Turn under and press a further ¼”/6mm on one of the narrower edges of the oblong and top stitch or zigzag the turning in place. This is now the top edge of your pocket.

Step 4: Measure and mark a line ¾”/20mm in from each long edge.

Step 5: Fold and press along these lines so that the long edges are now folded under at the back of the pocket.


Step 6: Carefully stitch a line of topstitching about 1/8”/3mm from the folded edges you have just made along each long side.

You have now created a permanent “crease” in the pocket as shown in the picture below.

Step 7: Now for the fiddly bit: Work out the desired position of your pocket on one of your bag lining pieces. Keeping the long creased edges of your pocket folded under, place the pocket on your lining piece in the desired position. Mark the position of the long creased edges by placing a pin at the top and bottom – as per the picture.


It’s important to be as careful and accurate as possible here, or you may end up with a wonky pocket – and no one wants that!

Step 7, Part 2: Now, carefully unfold the creased edges of the pocket, keeping the pin markers in place. Align the long edges of the unfolded pocket with the pin markers and pin in place. Repeat on the other side. You should now have something that looks like this:



Step 8: Carefully stitch the long sides of the pocket in place about 2/8”/6mm from the edges.

Step 9: Nearly there! Now, to finish the bottom of the pocket, line up the creased edges so that they sit exactly on top of the long edges you have just stitched to the lining. Pin in place. You will need to create a sort of pleat with the sides of the pocket folding inside the pocket itself.


Step 10: Carefully stitch the bottom of the pocket in place – about 2/8”/6mm from the edge.


Now slip your phone into the pocket and marvel at how cosy it looks all snuggled up in its own little handy home!