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Sunday, 25 December 2016

Monday, 23 May 2016

Private collection

We’re off on our holidays soon and as usual it’s a cruise. I wouldn’t say we like them but this will be our eighth and we’ve got another three booked... Instead of the usual cruising the Mediterranean we’re heading north – a round trip starting in Copenhagen and sailing to the land of the Midnight Sun.

I usually like to try and make a new dress for one of the formal evening. However with my back not being very good I haven’t been able to.

What I have made though are a couple of bags for my private collection (it’s basically bags I made just for me but ‘private collection’ sounds much better).

Norway bag

Norway bag

I wanted a bag that I could use for when we went ashore. As I would be in Wizzy* it needed to be small enough to lie between me and his arm rest, have plenty of room inside, yet not be too big that it impedes me when I’m wheeling him.

A couple of years ago my mam bought me a lovely suede shoulder bag which fitted the above criteria except it’s getting on a bit. I made a note of its vital statistics and designed a new bag from that.

Norway bag

 As I had some black leatherette lying around in my fabric box I used that for the main part of the bag and some light blue cotton fabric for the lining.

You can never have enough pockets in bags so there's one both front and back and each compartment has an internal zip pocket.

Norway bag

Norway bag

One of the problems of walking with Stickies is you can't carry a clutch bag as your hands are otherwise engaged, so I also decided to make two formal drawstring evening bags that I could slip over my wrist.   

Drawstring evening bagDrawstring evening bag

The bags were very easy to make and as I had plenty of leftover fabric from previous evening dresses I made them out of that.

Till the next time.

Gertie xx

*Wizzy is the name of my wheelchair

Sunday, 8 May 2016

The passing of time

It’s true what they say – the older you get, the more time passes by so quickly. I can’t believe my last post was January.

As I mentioned last time my physical health still isn’t good. The pain management clinic I was attending suggested I try a course of acupuncture for my back.

I’m not a big fan of alternative medicine (it’s all a bit too hippy and new aged), however my back pain was horrendous so I was willing to give it ago. I had about 12 sessions and it did ease the pain a little, though how it works is still a mystery to me.

I certainly don’t like this getting old business – seven changes of sweaty bed clothes every night is not funny!!!  I’m still waiting for my HRT to kick in as it’s supposed to be the wonder pill for all things menopausal so anytime now would be good....

Trying to fit in sewing whenever my back is having one of its very rare pain-free moments and when I’m not exhausted, has been few and far between. However I did manage to get some made for Gertie’s Bags and I’ve even got a product – beach bags.

Large beach hut print beach bag, holiday bag, vacation bag, extra large tote bag by Gertie's Bags

 Large beach hut print beachLarge multi-coloured spiral bag, holiday bag, vacation bag, extra large tote bag by Gertie's Bags

They should all be up on Etsy and eBay in the next few days.

Till the next time

Gertie xx

Sunday, 31 January 2016

Catching up

Do not adjust your set as they used to say in the 'olden days'..... It really is me!!!!

So, what have I been up to since I last reported in (I'm not counting the bake of the month entries).

The sale of my handmade bags on eBay and Etsy has been coming along nicely.  I’ve been busy replenishing Gertie’s stock and also coming up with news designs. These should be online in the next week or so.

I’m still trying to get the hang of social media for Gertie’s Bags. At times like these I wish I were a teenager!!!!

Back in the summer we had a break in Stratford upon Avon. It’s a great place to simply chill and recharge your batteries. Whilst we were there I did my usual pilgrim visit to the two fabric stores in the town. I also paid a visited to a fabulous fabric shop just outside of Solihull. My poor credit card got a serious workout that day!!!! 

Sadly my physical health not been good. The pain in my back has got worse so that has had a knock on effect everything I do. Plus the dreaded ‘change’ has started early so that’s causing huge problems as well. Give me the hormonal teenager any day. At least they didn’t have night sweats, hot flushes, insomnia, tiredness, exhaustion etc, etc.... 

Till the next time.

Gertie
xx