Bubba Chenille Purses at BiDM

Miriam from Bubba Chenille has been sewing up a storm in preparation for the upcoming BrisStyle Indie Designer Market on the 4th September! Strip patchwork purses have been on the agenda and are a new addition to the popular Bubba Chenille range. Made from vintage chenille with vintage fabric linings these versatile little purses are sure to be a big hit. The hardest decision will be deciding what you are going to use it for.....make-up, coins, pencils???

To check out all of Bubba Chenille's awesome products drop into the BrisStyle Indie Designer Market

Saturday 4th September, 9-2pm

St Augustine's Church Hall and Grounds

Racecourse Rd, Hamilton

The crafty world of Chi Designs

This week the BrisStyle team caught up with Chi from Chi Designs, the perfect place to stock up on gorgeous handmade bags, clutches and accessories.


How would you describe your work?
I try to create bags and accessories that I would be happy to use myself. I spend a lot of time sourcing unique materials and fresh ideas to keep things interesting. I create a limited range of each design to keep items one-of-a-kind.


How did your Etsy shop come into being?
I began sewing as a hobby in March 2009 to fill in my spare hours. After making many mistakes and learning how to sew through many online tutorials; I found I was able to create a few bags that others really enjoyed. I opened my store on Etsy to spread the enjoyment and to fill my creative void.


Who or what inspires you?
I am continually overwhelmed and inspired by the work of the crafty folk found in Brisbane and interstate. The young design community is constantly surprising me with the interesting work that they create around me. And I am constantly pushing myself to emulate the wonderful creations I find daily on Etsy and Australian design blogs.


Can you describe your studio / work area?
I work full time, so my creative work area can be found wherever and whenever I can find the time to fit it in. At any which time; you can find fabric, pins, scissors and glue in my bed, by my TV, in our study and on my balcony.

What is your favourite thing in the shop at the moment?
I love my Love Clutch design, at the moment. It is designed using an organic hemp/cotton blend fabric by Umbrella Prints. It is bright and cheery and makes you think about love!


Check out more from Chi here
Website
Shop
Blog
Facebook
Etsy

Pretty in Pink

In honor of legendary 80s filmmaker John Hughes (who sadly passed away recently) we are this week paying tribute to what is possibly one of the best known films of the 1980s - Pretty in Pink. But before I leave you drooling over this gorgeous selection of pinky prettiness, I'll leave you with a little quote from the movie. Hands up those who remember this scene.

"We don't have none of this stuff in the boys room! Wait a minute! We don't got none of this... we don't got doors on the stalls in the boys room, we don't have, what is this? What's this? We don't have a candy machine in the boys room! "

Duckie (from the movie, Pretty in Pink)

Children's Belt - Pink Daisy
By Hip Brown

1940s Pink Musk journal
By Jellygnite


Scuse me while I kiss the sky
By Hey Harriet


Pink Passions pendant
By Shazzabeth

Organic Pink Bird Purse
By Little Mary Moo


Pretty in Pink ruffle pants
By Bettsy Kingston

March Giveaway Winners!

Congratulations Le of 'Le@Third on the Right' and Karin of Nordic Craft

The random number generator decided that Le is the winner of the Little Diva Crafts kids apron and beautiful card/coin purse;



and Karin, you are the winner of Bubba Chenille's gorgeous chenille zip pouch.


Could both of you please send us an email with your postal address to brisstyleteam@gmail.com and Christine and Miriam will pop your items in the mail for you :)

And thank-you to everyone who entered. Don't forget, we will have another double giveaway starting on 1st April, so check back to get your entry in for that one, and enjoy reading about our featured members at the same time. Keep watching this space, and we'll be back in only seven days with more BrisStyle excitement!!

March Featured Members and Giveaways!

Due to the overwhelming response to the first monthly BrisStyle blog member feature and giveaway, we will now be offering twice the fun each month, with two featured members and TWO giveaways to be won. This month it is Miriam from Bubba Chenille and Christine from Little Diva Crafts who have agreed to give us an insight into their crafty lives, and who are giving away some fabulous goodies as well. Don't forget to leave us a comment to go in the draw for these two wonderful giveaways!

****

Introducing BrisStyle member...



NAME: Christine Poole

ETSY SHOP NAME: Little Diva Crafts

1. Can you please describe the items you are giving away to one of our readers?

Little Girl’s Craft Apron

Every little girl needs somewhere to keep her pencils and scissors etc when she’s being creative, so why not in her very own frilly apron!

Coin/Card Purse

This funky little purse measures 10cm x 9cm and is big enough to keep your money, license, credit cards etc in your back pocket on a night out. Or if like me, you have kids and rarely get a night out, any little girl would love this purse to play with. The fabric is Amy Butler French Wallpaper in Duck Egg with the lining in Red and White stripe.

2. How would you describe your work?

Unique, varied and funky.

3. How did your Etsy shop come into being?

I bought the fabulous book “Softies” and started making lots of them for my kids and as presents. Then I thought I’d design my own softies, who are now known as The Imbi Family. My sister had previously introduced me to Etsy and I thought that would be a fantastic place to start selling my “family” and many other creations.

4. Who or What inspires you?

Most of my inspiration comes from fabric. There are so many beautiful fabrics out there with the most delicious colour combinations and patterns that I really have to stop myself buying them all.

I also get inspiration and ideas from my children and the things they love and need.

5. Can you describe your studio / work area?

I would love my work area to be beautiful, organized and inspirational but unfortunately it’s not! (yet anyway). I currently use my computer desk, sewing board and dining table and keep all of my things in the study.

6. What is your favourite thing in the shop at the moment?

My Diva Dresses – I’ve got more on the way too as I’ve recently received more beautiful fabrics.

7. Do you have any other places that people can view/purchase your work?

Little Diva Blog
Markets Online (Australian online selling place)
Facebook "Little Diva" - Beautiful handmade gifts for your little girl (mostly...)

I will also have my own website up and running soon with links to my online stores, details of upcoming markets etc. It will be www.littlediva.com.au

***

Introducing BrisStyle member...

NAME: Miriam

ETSY SHOP NAME: Bubba Chenille

1. Can you please describe the item you are giving away to one of our readers?

Pink and brown chenille zip pouch

This is my new creation especially for this givaway, hope you like it... I have a few of these as they are soooo handy. Here are some uses: camera, small bag (will hold lippy, mirror, cards, cash, tissue and keys) make up bag, small sewing project, really the list is endless. It measures 8.5" x 5.5" or for the young ones 22cm x 14cm. The lining is the same as the third fabric from the top, all are 100% cotton.



2. How would you describe your work?

Spur of the moment! I get an idea and I go for it. It also has to be "quick" or I lose interest.

3. How did your Etsy shop come into being?

I wanted to try and sell my items amongst other handmade sellers and to "get out there" this is the best online store. I sell at markets also, mainly The Handmade Expo, a relatively new market for handmade only.

4. Who or What inspires you?

Clever crafters and sewers and there are trillions of them!

5. Do you ‘reduce, reuse, recycle’ as part of your creative process? If yes, how is your art / craft eco-friendly?

Anything that has chenille incorporated in it has come from pre-loved chenille, I am now a self confessed chenille-a-holic! I try to use chenille in all of my items, somtimes though I fall for fabric that I simply don't have the chenille to match but I still need to make the item... oh well!!

6. Can you describe your studio / work area?

My "design studio" is the third bedroom, no you can't look (a fabric bomb has gone off in there!) No bed of course, just sewing table, cupboards, shelves and storage boxes and not much floor!!!

7. What is your favourite thing in the shop at the moment?

The pink striped tote. I had a brain snap, and is made from a Mercer and Reid teatowel, with hot pink chenille trim. I'd rather be making bags than doing the dishes...


8. Do you have any other places that people can view/purchase your work?

Madeit (Australian online selling place)
Bubba Chenille Blog

Thank you Christine and Miriam

The rules:

Simply leave a comment on this post to be in the running to win one of these two fabulous giveaways. Be sure to leave a way for us to contact you. If you don’t have a blog, please include your email address. Only one entry per person. You may enter twice if you mention this giveaway on your blog. If you choose to do this, please pop back after posting to your blog and include the url address to the post it was mentioned on here in the comments. This will count as your second entry. International folk are welcome to enter. BrisStyle members and their immediate families (ie: husbands/partners, dependent children, and their computer savvy pets) are excluded from entering all BrisStyle giveaways. A name will be randomly drawn on the 25th of this month and the winner will be announced on the blog on that same day.

The very best of luck to you all!

Get carried away with BrisStyle

Cart your belongings around in style with these gorgeous handmade bags, clutches and wallets from some of our talented BrisStyle members.

Petite Purple Wallet
by Love, Janie Lou
$22
Shop in style with this cute and quirky wallet stitched up in soft pastel prints. Made from cotton fabrics and embellished with a vintage button and trim, this wallet includes a zippered pouch for coins, a pocket for notes, and three slots for cards and licenses.


The Hazel Grouse Handbag
by Pedrosprout
$40
The Hazel Grouse is fully lined and has a pocket on the front. Made from Japanese cotton fabric and a little wadding.


Red Partridge Backpack
by Sharlzndollz
$60
The Red Partridge Backpack is created from 100% cotton and corduroy fabrics sourced from fully cleaned vintage sources, and finished with a variety of machine embroidery, applique, and buttons. The Red Partridge design I have created as a homage to the Seventies. The design is completed in felt that has been machine stitched onto the bag and embellished with buttons.


Fiddlestick Field Shoulder Bag
by Beckybean
$57
This bag is made using the gorgeous fabric from Hollabee, with the beautiful leaf fabric being hand screen printed with environmentally friendly, solvent free inks on a cotton/linen blend. Also used in this bag is a recycled upholstery sample, and some new 'burnt orange' coloured cotton quilting fabric.


Library, Toy or Diaper Bag
by Hot Fudge
$22
Now here is a nostalgic bag which is sure to delight parents and grandparents as well as little children. One of the best gifts you can give a child is the love of reading. Whether they join the local library or use their school/kindergarten library, they will love keeping their books in this colourful bag.


Pineapple Princess - Vintage Jumble Clutch
by Ruby Red Studios
$22.50
I have designed this range of clutches so you can max out the contents - keys/mobile phone/make-up/ipod/money/and all your girly stuff. They are made from quirky boucle vintage Italian upholstery fabrics and lined with other collected salvaged material pieces. I have used a chunky zig zag stitch to compliment the vintage work already on the fabric.