It would appear that my last post was way back in May. I. Do. Not. Know. Where. The. Time. Has. Gone. I really really don’t. Anyway I have completely forgotten how to upload pics and get them onto the blog so when my husband has time he will have a look and remind me, and then hopefully I’ll be up and running again. I do have a lot of stuff to post as I have been quite busy.

I got some money for my Birthday which was the end of February, and I went to lunch with my friend Nona, to Rye. Whilst there I decided I needed to pop into M&M, as I wanted to check out their scissors or Tailors shears if you will. Now I wouldn’t normally spend over £50 on scissors but sometimes you just have to go for it. And when you have some birthday cash there really is no excuse. Also Nona was very helpful in talking me into the more expensive pair rather than the smaller less expensive pair. I was able to try them out before buying, as they gave me a piece of scrap fabric to cut up. I found them rather heavy and was unsure if I needed something so apparently tough and robust, I mean its only fabric! The scissors that I had been using appeared to have a nick in one of the blades, which meant I couldn’t take long cuts in the fabrics, which was quite frustrating ( these weren’t a cheap cheap pair, but certainly not expensive either) I thought they should’ve been a bit better than they were.  So back to the heavy, expensive, but rather lovely pair. I was still undecided, but between Nona and the very lovely shop staff, I was persuaded. I parted with my Birthday money, but felt quite happy.

I also bought some gorgeous jersey fabric, in grey, navy and khaki green. I’ve been after some jersey fabric for a while now and this stuff felt simply divine. So soft . I bought a new tape measure too, as my previous one came out of a cracker. Not to say it was rubbish, it had held up well, but some of the numbers were coming off, and I fancied a new one.

I have to say that the scissors are amazing, I love them. The first time I used them they did make my hand ache and my thumb got sore (I was cutting the fabric for the FLIPPING HUGE baby bag though, so I did an awful lot of cutting). They really are heavy, but I’m used to them now and don’t find them too heavy anymore. They feel sturdy and you can feel the quality. I occasionally pick up my old scissors by mistake (which I’ve kept for cutting threads and suchlike) and when I’m not expecting to pick them up, but am expecting my Merchant & Mills ones, the old pair feel so cheap and light. All in all I’m very happy I took the plunge.

March has been a pretty productive month for me. I’ve made quite a few bags for which people have paid me good money, can’t say I’m not happy about that. And I’ve also made some tops for myself.

This is a FLIPPING HUGE baby bag! You could put several babies in it and it still wouldn’t be full! The person who had it though, was very happy with it.

Knitting bag no 3.

A very colourful bag. Went to a good home.

Beach bag No1.

Reversible. Also went to a good home.

Beach bag No2. I made another 2 like this, all similar. None exactly the same

inside out! Or outside in!

Two together.

Lovely labels. Made by Amanda.

One of my lovely friends made this for me for my birthday. It also contained some money which I spent on some more gorgeous jersey fabric from Merchant & Mills. But more on that later. I love this card and the saying “may your bobbin always be full” is very close to my heart. I love a full bobbin and get a little anxious when it starts to get to the end.

My very dear friend Amanda is my biggest cheerleader. Amanda has been so encouraging and keeps insisting that I can sell my bags, I’m always a little sceptical thinking she’s just  biased because she’s my friend. But there’s a little part of me that keeps thinking it would be so fab if people were to buy my bags and maybe just maybe that might be a possibility! I started thinking of a name for my brand (ooh get me, “BRAND”) maybe getting a little ahead of myself, but you have start somewhere. I eventually come up with essj. It’s a play on my old initials which used to be sj. So we then decided I needed a website and as essj.com has gone we had to re-think and my husband came up with essj creative.com. This was available and we nabbed it.

I then looked into labels for the bags, found a site which let you play with fonts, motifs and colour. I settled on a design and ordered some. This is still a work in progress and subject to change.

Labels!

how it looks in a bag.

Just thought I’d share with you some of the fabrics I’ve used so far and some fabrics that I’ve not used yet, but am looking forward to using.

grosgrain webbing I use for straps.

made a top from this.

This became Kristina’s dress.

I’ve made cushions & bags from this lot.

Lining for bags. Melody Miller for Kokka.

another lining for bags. Ellen Lucket Baker for Kokka fabric I believe.

this will turn into a top. Melody Miller for Kokka again.

this will turn into bags.

When my hubby and I were in my sewing room working on Kristina’s top, I mentioned that I really need to get a radio for my room. I love listening to the radio and usually put it on downstairs where I can hear it when I’m ironing, but once back in the sewing room I can’t. And thats really frustrating, especially when I’m in the middle of listening to something interesting. So about a week later a parcel turns up, and it turns out its for me. My lovely husband surprised me with this gorgeous digital radio, not only does it sound good, but it looks REALLY good too! I love it, and now when I’m in my sewing room I can listen to all the radio I like.

Look how gorgeous it is!

Here’s Amanda wearing the bag.

Hubby and I are off for a little weekend get-a-way. To Ipswich! Yep thats right Ipswich. I’m not overly excited about Ipswich as such but I am looking forward to getting away for a few days. The reason for going to Ipswich is a Christmas present from a very dear friend. It was an activity gift for two, and you get to choose which activity you want to do. We chose a trip on a Thames sailing barge and it sailed from Ipswich harbour, so thats where we’re going. We booked for 3 nights at the Holiday Inn, I would’ve been happy with 2 as I wasn’t particularly excited about Ipswich. However, we had a brilliant time! Ipswich marina/waterfront is lovely and we do love looking at boats. The weather was amazing, it was so hot. The Friday was hot and humid and the sky was very very ominous looking, which in itself was fabulous. I love dramatic weather. The sky did decide to release its entire contents on us, but luckily we were on the boat by now so could take shelter. We had a lovely 2 hour cruise down the river Orwell (it did dry up for the most part, and the sun came out). we had a ploughman’s lunch, with an apple and blackcurrant crumble for pudding, all of which was delicious. There was a bar on board and we enjoyed a couple of pints of beer too. Unfortunately there wasn’t enough wind to get the majestic sails out so it was motor all the way, but it was still enjoyable.

Look at that sky!!

Just before it thundered and all the rain fell out of the sky

View of the waterfront from the barge.

So calm, so peaceful

A pretty boat.

The next day was a little breezier but still warm in the sun. And we decided to head out in the car and explore Suffolk a bit. We started off in some village somewhere, sadly I can’t remember the name, we had breakfast, and I had the best smoked salmon and scrambled eggs I’ve ever had in my life! Seriously! BEST EVER! And the chef looked like a young Ethan Hawke. We then pootled off and ended up in Aldeburgh. A gorgeous town nestled right on the coast, with houses literally a stones throw from the beach. We ambled along the seafront for a couple of hours, then got back in the car, and we found ourselves in Southwold. Another lovely place that I didn’t expect to enjoy. We walked through the town and along the coastal path, then went down to the beach and walked along and admired all the beach huts, so pretty (I forgot to take pics). Southwold pier is a delight, and so much classier than some other piers I’ve been on. I am kicking myself for not taking pictures of that either. After our stroll round Southwold we then drove back to Ipswich where we had dinner and enjoyed the Harbour view once again.

On its own, middle of a car park!

Fishing boat, Aldeburgh beach.

Sunday was our last day and we drove down the coast to Harwich, I believe it was Harwich anyway. We could see Felixstowe across the water. We had another walk and then some lunch in a very nice pub, with some fabulous views. Then it was time to head home. I was pleasantly surprised by Ipswich and the surrounding areas of Suffolk, and had a really really good time. We visited some lovely places and the scenery was quite breathtaking in places. I’d quite happily go back.

To keep this post inline with the sewing blog that it is, I will post a picture of me wearing the top and bag  I made. I felt quite proud to be wearing two things I made myself . The top was perfect for the hot, humid weather as it was so light and comfortable to wear. I shall definitely be making more for this summer. The bag was also pretty perfect for my needs, big enough for me to put my rain coat in when not needed and plenty of room for all the other stuff I tend to carry. So all in all I was a happy bunny.

me with bag before we set off.

A very proud me!