Foxy Loxy Giveaway

I'm having a Foxy Loxy giveaway.  I have three purses and a washbag to giveaway.  Pop over to my facebook page to find out how one of them could be yours!

I can't believe I forgot to show you these!!!

I have been getting so carried away with things just recently that I forgot to show you the bags I made with the fabric I told you about in this blog post!

So here are the bags I made with my Foxy Loxy fabric...

...and the fabric with the pear design.

Both are now for sale in my shop.  

Playing around with fabric design

I have always had an interest in fabric design and printing, but unfortunately missed my opportunity to follow this path earlier in my life.  I would love to go back to school to study, but instead I have been doing a little playing around with images for pleasure.  

A few years ago I discovered a company based in America called Spoonflower, that provide a service to enable you to create fabric, with your own designs without having too commit yourself to spending large amount of money.  I loved this idea, and it has been at the back of my mind since.

But, where do you start?  I have many sketches of images I think I might like to use at some point, but wasn't sure how to create a design from them, and then I came across this book.

by Laurie Wisbrun

Oh how I love it.  Not only does it gives detailed and step by step tutorials, showing you how to design patterns both by hand and digitally, it gives an insight into different printing methods, has fabulous images, interviews with designers and feels lovely to the touch!

So, with my book by my side, I started exploring Photoshop and Illustrator (both of which I only have limited knowledge, and would have been totally lost without help from Google!!), and had a little play around.  This was the outcome:

I cleaned up the sketch that I had done  for the template for my Foxy Loxy cushion (a Christmas present I made for myself, upcycling two pairs of trousers my sister had given me!), which I later used on my Foxy Loxy Journals. 

I learnt how to create a straight block repeat pattern, and after having a play around with some colours, this is what I ended up with.

After I had done that I thought I'd have a go at a half-drop repeat, and found a pen drawing I'd done years ago, that I had used on a card design while I was making cards (as Foxy-S Designs!).

I'm really please with the outcome and I'm looking forward to creating something from them, although I haven't fully decided what yet.  I may have to make another Foxy Loxy cushion so the the original Foxy Loxy cushion doesn't get lonely!

What do you think?  Washbags?  Cushions?

Fantastic Mr Fox Giveaway

I am going to be giving one of these lovely Foxy Loxy Journal covers to one lucky person.

It is made from black linen, has a fantastic Mr Fox appliqued (using a mixture of hand stitching and machine stitching) on the front...

... and comes complete with a hardback A5 sketchbook (white 150gsm cartridge paper).  A perfect size size for carrying around in your bag ready to create fabulous sketches, or write important notes you need to remember!

 

Once you have filled your pages, you can remove the sketchbook and add another.

Can you resist having this little fellow as your companion?!!

Okay, this is what you need to do to get your 'name in the hat'.  It is pretty simple.  Pop over to my facebook page and 'like' me, then share the Loula Belle At Home: Fantastic Mr Fox post on my facebook page with all your friends.  You must do both of these things to qualify!

Do you want an extra chance to win it?  You can gain an extra 'name in the hat' by doing one of the following (if you do both you will get two more 'names in the hat'!):-

1.  Follow me on my journeys in blogland by clicking on the follow button on the right hand side.

2.  Tweet about it by clicking on the tweet button at the bottom of the post.

The giveaway will finish on Friday 27th January.  I will announce the winner on Saturday 28th January. Please note that the winner will have to contact myself to claim their prize within 48hrs (let me know if you know you are going to be away!).  If this is not done, I will choose another winner.

Good luck everyone!

p.s.  These are also be available to buy in my shop.

I'm really looking forward to 2012...

... but first, I would like to wish you all a very Happy New Year, and hope that 2012 brings you all health and happiness.

I would also just like to remind myself and share with you some of the things we have managed to fit in over the Christmas period. My house (and head) is in turmoil, and I am looking forward to the calm that will envelope the house once school is back.

During the build up to Christmas, we made...

... some lovely gifts of Hokey Pokey in some lovely origami boxes (you can find out how to make them here)...

... lots of mince pies, which my children love...

... and 'stained glass' Christmas Tree biscuits which we make and then share with the children's friends... 

Making Christmas Crackers also seems to be becoming a bit of a tradition in our house.  This year we ended up making paper hats (my sister was insistent that we should have them!?!) and writing jokes to put in them too (I think I enjoyed this bit the most, I'm not a fan of jokes, but the children has some corkers and they think they are soooo funny!). 

Since our visit from Father Christmas, we have battled with boxes and tried and tested presents.  The Tinker has spent a large amount of time making cars and planes out of lego with his daddy.  He is fantastic, I thought it might be a bit too difficult, but this is his 'city', he spent ages making this and when my husband 'borrowed' a piece he  noticed it was missing straight away!?!

The Fairy got a sewing book and has spent the past couple of days making and asking me if I have any fabric (!?!).  This was yesterdays creation, and she wanted to go to sleep at 7pm so she could try them out!!

So, what have I been doing in between Christmassy activities, chasing around after children, and making food?

Well, I have some lovely new cosmetic bags.  Most of last years have been sold, and I have some fantastic new fabrics. These are the first ones for 2012.  

Also, meet Foxy Loxy.  A fox I hope to use in some fabric later in the year, but that developed into some immediate projects. 

Firstly in a cushion that I made using a couple of pairs of trousers, my sister had given me a few years ago...

 

... and secondly in a book cover.  I have a small pile of these waiting to be photographed and put up for sale.  They have a lovely drawing book in them which are perfect for doodling, and also for writing things you don't want to forget.  I'm going to buy myself a diary to put in mine as I am determined to be organized this year.  We also have a family planner, so I have no excuses!?!  One of these lovely books is destined for a new home as a gift to one of my followers as a New Year gift, so keep your eyes open and ears close to the ground!

Oh, and before I depart from this rather long winded post.  Father Christmas came early for me (wearing a Royal Mail outfit!).  He actually came on Christmas Eve with this lovely gift (well, it wasn't a gift but I was very excited opening it!).

It looked intriguing...

... and inside were these fabulous vintage fabrics.

 I can't wait to use them!  But first I have a pile of fabric waiting to be made into some beautiful pinnies as lots were bought for Christmas gifts.