So first, the update. I haven’t been posting really for quite a few weeks. Apart from that quick flash of images I posted recently. Have you missed me? I’ve definitely missed you.

My eldest daughter has been a bit unwell for the past 4 weeks or so, and I’ve been over there pretty much nine to five, Monday to Friday, taking care of her, and her baby. The latter is a very sweet labour of love; my grandson is adorable. Unfortunately, my daughter hasn’t been feeling the best, and although I adore hanging out with her, it’s hard as her mother to watch my girl be ill. Luckily, the medicine is kicking in, and she’s on the mend. It’s not over yet though, and I’m down to half days instead of full ones over at her house.

Zaida Moshe and Austin

Today, she decided to try to do the whole day on her own. I haven’t heard from her, and it’s lunch time, so I hope she makes it through OK. She’s amazing, you know. Never once – at least not when I’ve seen – has she lost it, gotten crabby, down, or anything remotely like that. She’s taken it all in her stride, mostly with a smile and a laugh.

Well, that’s where I’ve been. I have done some sewing though, that’ll I’ll have to show you. The bag I showed you in my last post was made mostly by catching 15 minutes here, 10 minutes there, a full half hour here. I also made these, in the same way. Although they really didn’t take much time at all.

I'm calling this my 'iPad Slipcase, or "Travel-Light" Bag'	My little "dumpling" make-up pouch
	Finally, a new earphones pod! Yay!

You did notice that all the above pieces match my Winter Nest Satchel, yes? All in the same beautiful Ink & Spindle and Kristen Doran fabrics, yes? Now it’s like I have a whole personalized, matching range of accessories for my handbag.  Handles one of my obsessions. Know what I mean? I love it! What patterns did I use? Well, the iPad slipcase is my very own creation. The Dumpling Make-up Pouch is by Michelle Patterns. And the earphone pod is by Erin Erickson. You’ll find more detailed images of these items here:

1. iPad Slipcase, or “Travel-lightly” Bag

2. Dumpling Make-up Pouch

3. Earphones Pod 02

4. YSG! Winter Nest Satchel

You can also find them all on the Bags Pouches Purses page, along with my other finished bags and things.

So now, you’ve read all the way to here. Thank you! But now, you’re wondering… “Didn’t she say something about some exciting news? Very exciting, even?” OK, here it is…

On 1st  July, I’ll be launching my brand new business. I can’t tell you what it’s called, because then you’ll just do a search and find my very un-ready site. Not cool, know what I mean? However, I will tell you that I’ll be stocking all of Nikki Mallalieu’s “You SEW Girl!” products. Patterns and bag hardware. All of it! Including two beautiful brand new patterns that Nikki’s launching. I know you can already get some of Nikki’s patterns around town, and some shops even sell some of her hardware. I’ll be stocking everything, so you can pick up whatever you need right from my online store! I’ll be starting my shop with Nikki’s products, because I love them so much, and because since she went wholesale, unless it’s convenient for you to hop over to Northcote, you might find it a bit tricky finding the products you want. I decided I’d help you out, and stock it all for you. Please let me know if you’re excited about this too! Leave me a comment.

I’m going to be offering a pre-launch incentive, so stay peeled to this site (or subscribe if you haven’t already done that), and I’ll be letting you know when you can hop over to check out the new store and how to qualify for the before-the-launch special discount.

See you soon!
x Helene

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Hi everyone, sorry, no time to write too much today. Couldn’t wait to show you though, so pictures only today. Large tote & satchel pattern by You Sew, Girl! Fabrics are by Kristen Doran (front flap) and Ink & Spindle (main bag fabric). Click on the images to enlarge. Hope you like.

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But I think you’ll agree with me. It all happened when I pulled out the pattern to read up on what other bits and pieces I needed, ie. apart from fabric. And there it was, in plain black and white:

YOU WILL NEED
80cm x 115cm medium weight, woven fabric

You see what I mean? The Parson Gray fabric I’d settled on yesterday for my new bag, while gorgeous, wasn’t medium weight, was it. And so, the search started all over again. I began to rethink my decision about my beautiful Ink & Spindle fabrics, and the other, yes – medium weight fabrics I’d bought. They’re divine. I love them. I really shouldn’t shy away from using them, even for this project. Even though my bag will be travelling hard some of the time. I’ll just have to be really careful while I’m overseas, and make sure to keep my new bag safe.

So, there I am, pulling out my gorgeous organic medium weight fabrics, and …I found it! The perfect, I mean perfect combination! Check it out…

My new bag has a name now, too... Winter Nest Satchel. Like it?

It’s Ink & Spindle‘s gorgeous, discontinued Lace Fans in Dark Red on Tamarillo, with Kristen Doran’s Winter Nest Panel for the flap. How divine! Agree?

Now I can’t wait to get started! Must pop into Nikki Mallalieu’s to pick up some hardware.

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remember this?

The first time I used my YSG! Large Tote 01 was at our regular family lunch at my sister-in-law’s. One of my darling nieces couldn’t stop admiring it, and I just love her so much that I said, “Great, it’s yours! Just let me go home and empty it out, and I’ll give it to you next time I see you.” It was so worth it, just to see her face light up that way. She was just so crazy in love with it, I reckoned it should belong to her. She told me later on how everyone at work admired it, and how proudly she said to them, “My Aunty Helene made it.” Ach! So worth it. I adore her.

Anyway, so now I don’t have a nice-sized bag to haul all my stuff in, and what with my trip to Israel coming up at the end of May, and my new iPad and all, I really do need to make myself another one.

Every few days, I stand in front of my fabric cupboard and ponder. What fabric should I use for this bag? Then I take out some possible contenders, play with them a little. And then put them back in the cupboard. Nup. Not it yet. Hmm. Look online some more for inspiration. You know the routine, right?

Anyway, I finally today settled on my fabrics. I wanted something darkish. Something that wouldn’t show the dirt so much as I lug it around the globe. I’d crossed out the gorgeous Ink & Spindle fabric

ink & spindle - acacia

I’d bought (expressly for this project), mainly because I think it’s too gorgeous and has too many light-coloured areas, and I thought it might come back a bit shabby, and I’d never forgive myself. A two-week period is much to short a bag-life for such gorgeous fabric.

kristen doran - winter nest

Similarly, I dismissed the beautiful panel I’d bought from Kristen Doran. Again, expressly for this purpose. Again, too precious, and too light.

But I do really like this fabric. It fulfils all my criteria. It’s dark, so it won’t show the dirt so much. It’s cost-effective (compared to the organic pieces above). It’ll look really great, and I don’t have to spend more money on getting extra fabric to match for the main part of the bag, and the lining and all.

I do have a couple of decisions to make still. Like, which fabric will I use for the main part of the bag, and which for the panel on the flap? And which of the lighter fabrics will I use for which part of the lining, and pockets? Still, I reckon that’ll sort itself out pretty quickly. It might be as simple as which fabric I have enough of.

beautiful, stylish, and very multi-purpose, David Walker's Curious Nature fabrics

I also have to decide on what features I want to include. So far, here’s my list:

• front flap in a contrast fabric
• key finder tab
• metal bag feet – I need to find them still, anyone have a source in Melbourne?
• adjustable strap for either across-body or shoulder wearage (is that even a word?)
• magnetic closure for the flap, possible with a mock belt buckle on top
• large zippered pocket on one side of the lining
• open divided pockets on the other side of the lining
• pocket on the front of the bag, under the flap, for easy access for my mobile phone
• zippered pocket on the outside back of the bag, just for extra things like my passport and tickets

OK, that’s about it for now I think. Should be good as a travel bag, don’t you think? Hopefully I can even fit a spare pair of undies and other essentials in there somewhere, just in case my plane gets delayed, or my luggage disappears for a bit.

So, what do you think? Sound good? Have I forgotten anything? Or mis-thought something? Would love to hear your thoughts.

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Well, he gave me an iPad for my birthday! Moshe was more excited about giving it to me than I was to receive it. And I was very excited to receive it! He got me one with the lot – 64gb, 4G ready, all juiced up, as he said. And see the little speakers and a neat attachment thingy that’s for getting my photos off my camera and onto my iPad? They’re from Gita. I was so spoilt this year.

Gee, look who's on the screen! Yay! It's Austin! Took me all of 4.32 secs to load him up!

The very next morning, we went out and bought one of those brilliant Apple concertina covers. After much deliberation and many trips up and down the escalators at Chadstone, I picked the red leather version. A portion of the proceeds from every red cover purchase goes to the Global Fund to fight AIDS in Africa. So, done. It’s perfect. Slim, multi-functional (also serves to clean the screen beautifully), and well… it’s red.

However, it doesn’t cover the back, only the front screen. Hmmm. A problem. But no, not really, right? Here’s how I handled that issue…

The front - it's that gorgeous piece of Ink & Spindle fabric I bought last year	Recognize the lining? That's right, it's from my Japanese Fans quilt! I love it!
And there's my iPad peeking out! It fits nicely even with the red Apple cover on, although I tend to leave it off when I pack it away	I was so annoyed that I didn't have a nice thickish roll of round elastic in my drawer, until I remembered that set of hair elastics I didn't like much! bingo!
And here's the back. How gorgeous is that fabric! You should feel it, so soft to the touch. Perfect!	I padded it all out with beautiful bamboo batting, which gave it a really nice loftiness, without being too thick or bubbly. If you want to see more of the outer fabric, here’s a link. It’s Lara Cameron’s stunning Leuca in Red Orange & Stone.

I love the slimline design, fits easily and unobtrusively into my handbag. You wouldn't know it was there!

Now, what did I give Moshe for his birthday? I’m glad you asked. You know we share our birthday, yes? Both on the same day, three years apart? Well, I managed to finish the top of the quilt I’m making for him. He liked it. I think. I think he was way more into how excited I was about my new iPad than he was into his quilt. I don’t have any good photos yet to show you of Moshe’s quilt, but I will soon.

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