It has been a very up and down month. My post below had me at the start of the month focussed on preparing for the Newtown Festival. That fell away when, after so many months of searching, we found a house we liked. We made an offer on a house which was accepted - settlement was due to occur the weekend of the Festival. I was so excited about the house and was dreaming of finally getting some space and room to play. It would have been a blank canvas to create in. However, the sale sadly fell through due to a defect in the foundations. I spent quite some time just being totally deflated and depressed. I guess it’s a lesson for those of us not very experienced in these things … never get your hopes up.
And then this week, all of that was put into perspective. Our poor wee country was rocked by yet another terrible earthquake. Poor Christchurch, already at its wits end after a big one in September and hundreds of aftershocks, suffered a destructive earthquake that has crippled the city. My heart goes out to everyone effected, whatever the reason may be: whether it be property damage, financial worries, physical injury or the tragic loss of someone. I think everyone in New Zealand carries the burden with them this week as the news rolls in of more impact, more loss and more dead. It is surreal to try to plod on with your own life as normal, knowing not far away people are in turmoil and countless lives have been lost. We all grieve for those poor people like you or I who were leading just another day at the office - eating their lunch, shopping for shoes - who never got to complete their day. It makes you very aware of everyone's fragility, and that the comfort that we award ourselves by the routine of life can be snatched away so quickly. Tell your friends and family you love them and give as generously as you can!
I have taken the plunge and booked a stall at the Newtown Festival taking place on 6 March. I went to this Festival last year and it was a lovely sunny day and full of life. I am super excited about this as well as horrendously nervous. However, my New Year's resolution is to take the leap --- and so I am.
I have been gradually stockpiling a bounty of stall items with this very thing in mind and so am now conscious that there is a date that needs to be met and stuff that needs to be sold.
I had a bundle of these cute wee purses I had made for the occasion. I really liked the contrast between the natural mottled outer and then the bright funky inner linings. I also thought it might be quite nice to have a broach on the outside. It means you bring some colour to the outside, link to the lining fabric, but you can also use the broach however you want or our even pin it to your jacket if you feel like it. I really like the fact that when you look at the broach you are forced to really appreciate the print of the fabric and also the weave, which tends to get lost when you look at fabric on a larger scale. It makes the fabric the attraction.
On a whim I listed some of these items on my felt shop and I was totally delighted that they have been snaffled up. I was so pleased that people liked the purses too (sometimes its easy to labour under a misconception that everyone will like your style but actually they don't).
However, with those purses flying out the door, my stockpile is now low - I only have two left. Eeek. So I shall have to whip up a few more. I've opted to make a few out of some material I found at the fabricabrac sale - it’s a deep rich
brown with a thick weave and is quite dramatic. I have enough to make 4 purses from this fabric so excited about that. I might have to resist putting them on felt when they are done.
Just thought I'd share a couple of cute photos. A friend asked me to take some photos at her daughter's fourth birthday - that's you lovely Liv. Typical girls but oh so sweet. The concentration and focus applied to Musical Chairs and Cut The Chocloate Block was awe inspiring.
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I took the patchwork idea and applied it to a messenger style shoulder bag. These are using some old stretchy denim fabric I had around (and would not use for clothing) and some home décor scraps. They have the main pocket and a front pocket. I quite like them. 
I also tried a couple in a one colour option with a little printed picture on them. I think these might be my favourite - they came out looking quite good. The fabric is actually thermal lined curtains so will be nice and sturdy and is a really good weight for this bag.
I made a few more purses in the same style as the ones I'd sold on Felt. Two with the blue lining and two with the white. I might make some more if I have time ….. 
I also have a few wee gift bag type ones. I made these after noting that lots of the girls at work had their handbag and then another little bag for their shoes, or book or lunch. They were using shop branded bags but I thought it would be nice to have something small you can fold up. They are made from simple calico but I printed various types of pictures on the pocket.
