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Cécile

Vintage wool

This gorgeous 100% wool is genuine French vintage. The main colour is purple but you can see some yellow, orange, red, green and blue! I bought it years ago in a market in France with my grand-mother. I have had it for about 14 years and it followed me around in the UK. It finally found its purpose in a new smaller version of the Reine bag.

I love outsourcing fabrics. I always choose them with my heart and I get really excited when I find them! I don’t usually know what I am going to do with them straight away but I can’t stop myself buying them. And actually that’s what I love, the fact that one day, I will find its purpose.

To be continued...

Cécile

Bye bye!

This Reine bag has found a new owner in Monika! She needed a large bag where she can put all her bits and pieces but most importantly, she wanted a colourful bag and store her black one in the cupboard for good. Mission accomplished!

Magical Tree

Hello,

This tree is in Ashdown Forest where we had a lovely walk 2 weekends away. It was truly magical as when we approched it, we were suddenly struck by its size and magesty. Its branches were reaching the skies.
I believe at nights, creatures are gathering at its foot.....
It will be busy out there tonight...
Cécile

Raspberry, mint and chocolate

(It could well be a yummy dessert recipe)

Hello all,
I made this raspberry and mint Mademoiselle bag some weeks ago and did the matching purse yesterday:
The main fabric is a bright raspberry cotton and the lining and appliqué are Daisy Chain fabric collection created by Amy Butler.
I love reproducing the same design/appliqué on the matching purse and other accessories: that’s my style!
The bag should be added on my website very soon: www.minxybags.co.uk
Cécile

Cheese Please!

Hello all,

I took this picture for Christmas 2007 in France: this is the plate of cheeses the restaurant served us.
I counted 36 different cheeses (10 of which are goat's cheeses), yes, you've read it correctly!
But usually they serve you 4-5 pieces maximum, otherwise, I believe it's considered greedy!

I love cheese and my favorite of all is goat's cheese. They do a blue cheese from where I am from that you can find in most supermarkets, it's called "Bleu d'Auvergne".
Have a try, it's really nice!

Cécile

2nd week back to work

Hello all,



All my work habits have come back so quickly I feel like I have gone back ages ago. I have had lots of support from my colleagues and some were genuinely happy to see me which feels really nice. But most of them were couching and sneezing so inevitably, I got sick…


The commuting has been horrendous as they’re doing road works all over the place but luckily I listen to the French radio France Inter so I am up to date with the news, politics and culture.


On a more positive note, I have given myself monthly targets for my little business to make sure I keep on track. I have made sure they are achievable so I meet them all at the end of the month!


Come on! I can do it! : )

Cécile

Trio of Flowers

Hello all,

What a gorgeous day! Not a cloud in the sky! I wish it could last all winter ( maybe it's a bit too much to ask ; )

I made these 3 brooches using only 4 colours, the turquoise one is a genuine vintage woven fabric, the red one is a cotton mix, the silver a faux leather fabric and the heart is in black felt.
I used beads so they shine in the light!

Cécile

Cornwall Pictures

Hello all,
As promised, here are a few pictures from Cornwall. Enjoy and have a lovely Sunday!

 Mevagissey beach

 Mevagissey harbour

 Tintagel beach

 Polperro - fairy shop

 Sunny Padstow

 Looe

Lizard Point - beach

Lizard Point

Cornwall

Happy Holidays

Hello all,

We had a fantastic time to Cornwall! The weather was great, much better than I expected. It rained only at night and we had only one grey day. We stayed in a flat in Mevagissey overlooking the harbour, it was so peaceful... The food was great, we had Cornish pasties of course, fish and chips but the best for me was ice cream!

Tomorrow is my first day back after a 6 month sabbatical leave, it's going to be a bit weird but habits will all come back very quickly. It's going to be tough not to sew/design all day, I was used to it!
I will come back with pictures from Cornwall very soon!

Cécile

Holiday soon!

Hello all,

Only 2 and half days and we are off to Cornwall for 10 days! We are so looking forward to this holiday.
I really hope the weather will be alright (The worst is the rain really...). We will stay in Mevagissey with a view on the harbour. There is so much I want to see and I will seek for inspiration (it shouldn't be too hard, Cornwall is so beautiful)... I have been there about 6 years ago and I have great memories. I shall be coming back with lots of pictures that I will of course share with you.

Cécile

Vintage Buttons

Hello all,

Been to Lewes with Ben yesterday to find a present for his sister. I wasn't planning to buy anything but came across those gorgeous vintage buttons in an antique shop! Obviously I couldn't resist!

They are made in metal, glass and plastic. Some ideas are starting to pop in my head for their use....we'll see what they shall become...

Cécile

New Clutch, New Purse

Hello all,

That's it! we have started a new month. I like September probably because we always go on holiday at this time of year...

I have created a clutch bag which I am really proud of and new purses which match the bags.They both have very feminine shapes with their beautiful curves!

Cécile

finally done..well almost!

Hi all,

I finally put my new bags on my website! I can tell you it was hard work and let me say sorry first, it is not perfect. I have an issue with the descriptions: the font, size are not right...it's all over the place...I hope I can fix it soon...

Enjoy!

www.minxybags.co.uk

New home

Hi all,

This gorgeous and colourful bag has found a new home and it's on its way to Reunion island off the coast of Madagascar!

Hope Barbara will love it as much as I did to make it!

Bon voyage!

Cécile

Sale ends soon!

Hi all,

The 50% off on my bags ends the 15/08/2010 so you have 9 days to grab a bargain!

Check out my website on www.minxybags.co.uk

In the meantime, enjoy your weekend,

Cécile

BCTF 2011!!

Hello all,

I will be exhibiting at the British Craft Trade Fair in Harrogate next year! I am so excited and proud to be part of this amazing event.
It will be from the 3rd to the 5th of April 2011 so it gives me a fair time to get prepared,

I have been watching the event for a few years dreaming of taking part one day but now the time has come! Oh it's brilliant I am so thrilled!!

Cécile

Star Flowers

Hello all,

I actually don't know the name of those flowers but they are so pretty, I wanted to share them with you,

Cécile

Magic gone wrong...

This pretty fairy was cooking when suddenly, a wrong spell and cakes and fruits became alive!

The birthday cake on the right is not very impressed, the banana on the far right is well upset while the tiny strawberries in the middle are off! The cakes on the left are jumping around!

A bad spell can happen to anyone, really! ; )

(oh and by the way, it's one of my drawings),

Cécile

new bag with matching make-up purse

Hello all,

Here is a new Marquise bag made with a Kaffe Fassett cotton fabric called Milleflori. the side and handle is make with a French purple cotton fabric. I added some purple felt spots at the front of the bag. The lining is apple green as well as the zip.

I love this green fabric, it's so fresh!

Cécile

Venice...

Hello,

Last year in July, we went to Venice for a long weekend and I absolutely loved it!

It is an amasing place, it's beautiful everywhere! Every street, every corner is to be discovered.

It is busy but like any big town. Bare in mind it is very expensive as well but the pizzas are definitely a must! Something I love is that there are no cars, no motorbikes, only boats! You are constently surrounded by water and it is quite easy to get by as the touristy places are always indicated but you walk a lot though...We had a wonderful weather and I highly recommand it, there is no other place like Venice.

Cécile

Featured and Invited

Hello all,

Last week, I was featured in Em’s blog sweet cotton threads! Such a lovely surprise! Thank you Em!
Em has been featured lots of talented people on her blog for some time now so have a look and enjoy:
http://sweetcottonthreads.blogspot.com/2010/07/feature-minxy-bags.html


I was also invited a month ago by Bella from Lookville (San Fransisco) . Lookville is a community where you share fashion tips and advices. How exciting!
Cécile

Colours!

Hello,

I went shopping and met my friend for lunch in Brighton today. I was eating my seafood sandwich on a bench in town centre and suddenly I realised that most of girls/women were wearing dull grey, black, brown, beige handbags... Nothing original or different...Usually it's easier to wear colours during summer...I found it pretty sad...
so, I came up with a slogan for my bags and accessories:

BRING SOME COLOUR IN YOUR LIFE!

I might need to work on this but something out there is missing and I know what... ; )

Cécile

Bracelet and matching earrings

Hello all,
I wanted to try something different than handbags. I did this bracelet (1st photo) about 3 years ago and I wanted to use this gorgeous black lace again.
2 weeks ago I went to London and bought lots of fabric, this pink silk called “sugar pink” was begging me to use it. So I did this bracelet. I sewed glass beads on top and it closes with a black button and a hook.
I love making jewellery with fabric but it is quite complicated as it’s all tiny and delicate: that didn’t stop me and I did this matching pair of earrings: I am quite happy with the result!
I won’t be stopping there: I am going to make a brooch and probably a necklace…I have to think of those 2…
By the way, I looked at the definition of cuff and bracelet in the dictionary and that’s what it says:
Cuff: end of a sleeve.
Bracelet: ornamental chain or band for the wrist.
I’m not really sure which one to employ…that’s all the subtlety of the English language.
If you know please share it with me,

Final note: today is the 14th of July so it’s the national day in France. It’s bank holiday of course and tonight people will celebrate with fireworks and music (and sometimes shows and displays): lucky them!

Cécile

Standen and William M.

Hello,

Last Thursday, I went to Standen Victorian house (West Hoathly Road, East Grinstead, West Sussex RH19 4NE) where there is an extensive collection of William Morris work so if you are a fan, then you have to go!
Hangings, carpets, curtains, wallpapers in the house are all William Morris. Such a great place to visit. The gardens are beautiful too but I suggest you wait for a few weeks as the back of the house is under a scaffolding…

I was a bit disappointed as I thought they would sell William Morris fabrics...You can find lots of William Morris gifts though.

For more pictures, go to: http://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/main/w-vh/w-visits/w-findaplace/w-standen/w-standen-photo_gallery.htm

Cécile

Turquoise bag: done!

Hello,

As promised, here are 2 pics of the turquoise bag.

It is made with a genuine English turquoise vintage woven fabric. The lining is made with a cotton fabric with turquoise and green flower print called Botanic Pop by Jackie Shapiro.

I couldn't help myself but to make a heart brooch as well: I sewed little glass beads on it and added a navy blue ribbon around.

Cécile

Sunny Picnic

Hello!

Last week, the weather was sooo nice, my boyfriend and I went for a picnic in the Downs after work,

We were accompanied by sheep, bees, rabbits and pheasants. It was so relaxing and the view was amazing...Such an easy thing to do which makes a great evening out!

I strongly recommand it!

Cécile