I know that the kids have only been back to school a month and that The Boys are still wearing shorts to school (heck, I’m still in my flip-flops), buuuuuut……there’s no escaping the fact that Christmas is just around the corner.
For those of us who like to give handmade gifts to our nearest and dearest, if we haven’t at least started thinking about what we’re going to make by now, panic sets in.
I actually have made a start, if a lot little later than previous years, but I also have quite a few commissions already this year – yay, thank you, dear customers, for not leaving it until the last minute to place your orders!
I LOVE Christmas commissions, well, any commissions at all, really, as they give me an excuse to be creative and make something when I’ve got no other excuse to sit at my sewing machine – and they enable me to legitimately delay the boring stuff like housework:)
I was asked to make six coin purses, each one personalised to the recipient, so I started the fun part of the design process by choosing fabrics.
One request was for an adult who likes butterflies, so this is quite a grown up purse.
A lining of floral bouquets seemed appropriate for the butterfly theme, and the whole was brought together with a lilac zip and zip pull.
Next up was a little girl who loves Hello Kitty, so I teamed a funky flower print with a cat appliqué.
I decided to pick out the pink and add a pink mini-gingham lining and pink zip.
The next request was something for a “girly” girl, so I went to town with the florals with a flower motif appliquéd onto a small floral print.
A more subtle leaf print lining tones down the busy effect and a love heart zip pull continues the feminine feel.
The brief for the next purse was quite specific; it had to be a grey star on a blue background for a girl who likes the Dallas Cowboys – this is my take on it.
More stars on the inside and a love heart zip pull soften the design a little.
“Cupcakes” was a fun brief to interpret and I found a print that looked like it had ready-made sprinkles on it!
A cherry red zip and pull bring together the red accents in the design, with more “sprinkles” on the inside.
The final brief was “Sparkles” and had me stumped for a while – until I looked down at my engagement ring.
Is that sparkly enough do you think?!
A mini-star print provides more sparkles on the inside.
So here they all are, each one individual to its recipient.
I’ve certainly had a great time coming up with a suitable design for each brief.
What a thoughtful commission – to tailor something specifically to six different individuals. They’ll love them, I’m sure, and appreciate the lengths that this lovely lady has gone to, to find them each something unique.
October 6, 2016 at 11:18 am
Adorable stocking fillers! Nice to have Christmas commissions but then I never need to find an excuse to sit at my sewing machine – any old reason will do 😉
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October 6, 2016 at 11:21 am
Me too, I’ve always got something on the go and who wants a show home for a house anyway?!
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October 6, 2016 at 12:38 pm
Well, I’d like one but it’s never gonna happen. Unless I get a maid 😉
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October 6, 2016 at 11:20 am
Lovely! Those are so cute!
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October 6, 2016 at 11:22 am
Thanks; I’ll probably make one to give to my #stitchingsanta recipient. Mustn’t personalise it too much though, in case it’s obvious who it’s for:)
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October 6, 2016 at 11:24 am
What lovely little gifts. 😊
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October 6, 2016 at 11:30 am
Thank you, and fun to make, too:)
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October 6, 2016 at 12:47 pm
What a lovely idea and brilliantly executed. I like the cupcake one best! It’s cake!
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October 6, 2016 at 1:21 pm
Ha ha! You’re a cake person then?
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October 6, 2016 at 12:50 pm
They all look adorable but my favorite ones are the blue one with the star and the one with the cupcake! Very joyful!
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October 6, 2016 at 1:23 pm
Thank you so much, I rather like the cat one, I think. Must be the bright colours that do it for me.
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October 6, 2016 at 12:53 pm
Love them and what thoughtful gifts. Where can I purchase the pattern. Thank you
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October 6, 2016 at 1:24 pm
There’s no pattern, I just made them up. If you google “coin purse tutorial”, I’m sure you’ll have plenty to choose from. Good luck!
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October 6, 2016 at 1:07 pm
Each & everyone is gorgeous x
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October 6, 2016 at 1:25 pm
Thanks Roma, they’re sweet, aren’t they?
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October 6, 2016 at 4:38 pm
Made all the more special with your personal touches 🙂
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October 6, 2016 at 1:08 pm
Derr that should have have been each & every ONE 🙂
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October 6, 2016 at 1:25 pm
I see you’re a stickler for correct English, too:)
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October 6, 2016 at 1:22 pm
Wow what lovely thought out interpretations. You have done an awesome job on each one! I am positive they will love them.
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October 6, 2016 at 1:27 pm
I’m glad you like them – let’s hope they’re well received🎁
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October 6, 2016 at 3:19 pm
You make such lovely things Sheila!.
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October 6, 2016 at 6:58 pm
Thank you Sandra, it was a good commission to get.
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October 6, 2016 at 3:22 pm
They are all lovely but I really like the Hello Kitty one!
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October 6, 2016 at 6:59 pm
Thank you, hopefully they each suit the person they’re designed for.
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October 6, 2016 at 3:23 pm
Gorgeous and cute and, of course, beautifully made.
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October 6, 2016 at 6:00 pm
Gaaah! Bekki – You have one of your sheep for your avatar now – I must get my hands on one, sooo cute.
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October 7, 2016 at 10:14 am
Thanks for spotting him – thought it was time I took that hat off 😉 As for Gaaah! Hang on in there, the website will be up very soon. September turned way more manic than I ever expected. I know I said it last week, but I really will get the website up next week.
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October 6, 2016 at 7:00 pm
Thanks Bekki, that’s very kind of you:)
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October 6, 2016 at 6:32 pm
So cute! I love the applique details. I’m going to have a go at that myself. The recipients will love them!
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October 6, 2016 at 7:01 pm
Oh yes, do have a go, they’re such a personal little gift and fun to make!
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October 6, 2016 at 7:06 pm
Six really fab little gifts, they will be much loved and used, I think, by their recipients ~ your lovely lady is going to be thrilled 🙂
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October 7, 2016 at 8:11 am
My Lovely Lady has sent me a lovely message of thanks, so I’m pleased (and relieved!) that she likes them. I’m sure you know that feeling:)
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October 9, 2016 at 11:09 pm
Artisans always have a moment, or to, of holding their breath 😉 But, That’s wonderful!!…. though I’m not surprised, everything you do has a great outcome and lovely finish ~ I knew she would be thrilled 😉
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October 6, 2016 at 9:42 pm
These are so cute, love the butterfly one 🙂
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October 7, 2016 at 8:12 am
Thank you, I was going to do a butterfly appliqué, then I remembered this wonderful butterfly print fabric and it won over.
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October 6, 2016 at 9:53 pm
These are just lovely. I particularly like the Hello Kitty one – so cute 😊
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October 7, 2016 at 8:12 am
Doesn’t every little girl love Hello Kitty? Well, and big girls:)
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October 7, 2016 at 5:19 am
I love them all! I need to hurry up to keep up with you lol 😀
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October 7, 2016 at 8:13 am
Thank you, I’ve still got huge amounts to do so it was nice to get one thing ticked off the list, at least:)
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October 7, 2016 at 7:33 am
How lovely,great idea
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October 7, 2016 at 8:14 am
Thank you, it was a nice commission to have.
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October 7, 2016 at 12:03 pm
These are absolutely gorgeous. Each one with their own individual idea and design, perfect for each one receiving them. So pretty, it makes you feel you also need one at least. 🙂
I probably need to start thinking around Christmas gifting soon. 🙂 Thanks for the gentle reminder.
Have a great weekend. 🙂
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October 8, 2016 at 3:28 pm
It’s so nice to be able to let loose your imagination to come up with a suitable idea for individuals, although it is hard to part with them sometimes:)
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October 8, 2016 at 9:54 am
Gorgeous! I love the butterfly one 🙂
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October 8, 2016 at 3:29 pm
Thank you – who doesn’t love a butterfly?
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October 8, 2016 at 9:30 pm
Lovely little gifts and a great way to use up left over fabric
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October 9, 2016 at 11:10 am
Thank you and you’re right – great stash busters.
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October 10, 2016 at 2:41 am
Those are very cute!
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October 19, 2016 at 3:49 am
Love the cupcakes especially!
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October 19, 2016 at 11:14 am
Thank you:)
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November 16, 2016 at 4:49 pm
Oh I love this idea. Great for all the neighborhood kids that are always around. Thanks for the idea!
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