Great ideas come from small things

After a weekend of creating journals  I've come up with some great ideas. It all started with a simple idea from my sister, cut a strip of fabric gather it and stitch it down.... here's the result

I added some buttons and my own artistic license to the idea and voila ..........The Tuxedo Ruffle A6 visual journal slip cover.

This got me thinking about the gathering strips so I tried another one with different denim... that wasn't as successful so out came the quick un-picker and I headed off in the direction of pleats but this time with a twist, I added a zippper and the Zip It A5 visual journal slip cover with fully functional cover pocket was born.

I followed the path I was already on and the Pleated Denim A6 Visual Journal cover was created

Then finally the pleated panel evolved into a pin tucked pocket  for the final cover of the weekend

The Belt Up A6 visual journal cover, the pin tucked  panel is a pocket and I've added the button and belt closure for a little added detail.

All of this had led to some great ideas for bags. I've just finished a new tote bag. Which idea do you think was my inspiration?

All will be revealed soon.............

iheartcharlie retail launch

The latest designs from iheartcharlie were recently launched at 'love the beast' in Margaret River. These are some of the latest Tote bags and Pouches available.

Tote Bags:

 

April Messenger

Darcy Pink

           Darcy Chocolate

   Jennifer

      
 

Gerty

  

  Valentine (dark blue)

 

Valentine (light blue)

 

                           Harriet                           

Pouches:

 

Pouches in order of appearance :- Amelia , Dotty, Fanciful, 

April, Marnie & Valentine

All of these designs have been individually hand crafted by me. I love what I do and take great pride and care I all my creations. They are all designed as one of a kind or limited additions.

New designs will be appearing soon in my etsy shop.

love the beast

 

Last Friday saw the opening of a new shop in Margaret River. love the beast is the creation of Susan Elton. This amazing store will stock the work of Australian designers, artists and craftspeople. I'm ecstatic that she has chosen to stock the creations of iheartcharlie. I captured a few photos at the opening party to share with you. 

This is one of my favourite parts of the shop... check out those awesome hand bags and journals.

Another favourite fixture is this one. The window in the old door is the perfect space to display those iheartcharlie pouches

I can't claim any credit for these very cute critters.

 

And introducing the very talented Mr Oliver Hull.

 The lady herself, Susan Elton, thanking all those who helped her with the fit out.

A cow of a day

Cowparade heads to Margaret River this year and my sister has been chosen to participate along with one of her friends. I've been lending a helping hand doing something I've always wanted to do.... that is paint a cow pink. Here's a sneek peek

 Sorry shes blushing!!!

This is Eco Rave Cow. She'll be on display in Margaret River along with 79 other cows. I'll show you more later once the cows have been unveiled at the official opening on February 27th. Until then you'll just have to try and imagine what she's going to look like. Here's a hint ... mirror, glitter and something else that you'll never guess.

Stay tuned..............

It must be Christmas !!

My sister and I found this little scene on the back roads between Margaret River and Busselton.

It kind of speaks for it self

Bag Addiction

I love handbags.... actually I love big handbags. They're so useful for storing and carrying some of the contents of your life. No matter what the bag size I always seem to be able to manage to fill it. I usually start out with very good intentions when I get  new bag, "this time I'll only carry the bare essentials". But before you know it I'm out of control and the bag is full again..... I love to collect them

Occasionally my bag fetish extends to making them. This week has been one of those weeks, I've been busy sewing bags. I've made a promise to myself that they will not end up in my collection and that they will be sold in my Etsy shop.

This is the first of the bags. It's created using off cuts from previous projects. The outside is hemp denim and it has an interior lining of a brown stripe poly cotton blend. It has a pin tuck detail on the front and a centre seam on the back.  It's a good size you can fit the essentials and a few extras in it. This one is listed in my store iheartcharlie.etsy.com

This is number 2, it's the same style bag but this time with pleats all the way around and it has a band.  This one will be Etsy listed soon.

Number 3 still in my head I share it with  you when it comes to fruition.

Life in a South Western Town part:1

My home is in the Margaret River region in Western Australia's southwest. The area is not only  famous for it's wine and surf but is also home to some very interesting and talented people.

Today was the Annual Cowaramup Christmas Fair, which features stalls from local artisans and crafts people. I headed out there with some friends to check out what was on offer. My very talented friend Jo was there with her amazing hand painted pots.

  I couldn't leave with out purchasing one and it took me quite a while to make my final choice. But as usual I ended up with the first one that had caught my eye. As soon as I got home I was off to the nursery to purchase a succulent for my new pot. 

  Later in the day it was time for a drive through the Boranup Forest. I stopped at my favourite spot and took the opportunity to get the camera out of the case and take it for a walk. The Karri trees are truly breathtaking and it's difficult to capture this in a snapshot.

On a previous visit I was honoured by the presence of a very friendly local magpie, who seemed to like having his picture taken. He wasn't there today but I'm hoping he was sitting in a nest protecting the next generation. 

this image Friendly Magpie is available for sale at www.iheartcharlie.etsy.com