Uk Bag designers

The blog which I have created about designers in the UK who make handmade bags is slowly beginning to build up into a nice little resource directory for those who want to buy handmade. Sometimes its easier to go and buy things of the shelf from one of the many over exposed stores that line every high street, but isn't it nice when you can buy an item that you know is exclusive.
http://handmadebagsuk.blogspot.com/

Thank you as well to Little Black Duck who wrote a lovely post- bag ladies unite, about both me and the new blog!

Cushion

I've added a cushion to the store that I made at the weekend. I took the pattern idea from a book called Sew Easy by Jane Cumberbatch. There are lots of fun projects in there including a large laundry bag which I fancy attempting and adding my laundry girls print on.

I've added lots of new goodies to my etsy site ! ! ! !

A week away does the world of good.

i had such a fantastic week on my holidays last week. I spent a few days in London, visiting galleries, eating cake, drinking coffee, attending life drawing classes, eating more cake, taking the eurostar to Paris, shopping and so much more. I'm yet to develop the pictures as I didn't have the digital with me and had to buy a single use camera, which felt a little like going back into the dark ages. Whilst everyone was snapping away, I had to click and wind on, but hey ho.
Whilst in London I visited the - China Design Now Exhibition, which was really interesting and well worth a visit. I also went into the most amazing fabric shop- The cloth House, on Berwick street. They actually have two stores, and it was the newest one which I was totally in awe at. It had such a beautiful collection of linens and vintage ribbons that I have ever seen, and the coolest sales assistant, who was dressed in a trendy 40's style.
Fortunately the day we traveled to Paris the weather was glorious, and it took a while to adjust to the sunlight. We took the batobus(river boat) along the seine and enjoyed fantastic views of the Eiffel tower, Notre Dame and all the other popular scenes from the water. We also spent hours walking the street of Monmartre whilst enjoying the best creme brulee icecream I have ever eaten.

Clutch bags

I've made a selection of clutch bag styles which I've just added to the website. I'm not sure yet when they will go on sale, as I will be away next week, YEY! Lucky old me! Fingers crossed if all goes to plan, I'll be spending a couple of days in the big smoke visiting lots of gallerys and many shops, and then a day in Paris. I can't wait, and I'm going to take my camera so I can take lots of pics which I will blog when I get back.

Jolaby

I've recently been asked by Jo at Jolaby to have a collection of my purses for sale at her new boutique Dare Boutique in Huddersfield. The shop will be opening on 2nd June, but if you can't get there visit the fantastic website www.jolaby.co.uk which has some fantastic bag designs.

Pleats Please

I found this dress in Zara and just had to buy it to wear out for the weekend! I love the pleated front, and I'm thinking of trying out something similar with a clutch design as I have bought some large clasp frames that look really funky. So much to do, so little time to do it in!

Well at the moment I seem to be spending all of my time making purses (I will upload some new images very soon!) so it was a welcome relief to escape the sewing and design this card for a request.

Tigerprint mention

Those lovely people over on the tigerprint blog have mentioned my website. How fantastic! They design a lot of the card collections for Marks and Spencers, and I'm always having a little look in store to see what they've been upto and so I was thrilled to get a mention.
As a fan I decided today to post an entry for the monthly card design competition that they promote, this months theme is fashion illustration.
You can view my entry and the blog entry @
http://tigerprint.typepad.com/tigerprint/2008/05/vicky-riley.html

Wedding invites now available to buy

Today the new site
www.vickyrileystationery.com website has gone live and are for sale at notonthehighstreet.

The new www.vickyriley.com site

I've been promising myself that I will have a new site up and running for so long now that I can't wait to get the final bits done and dusted. The majority of it is up now although there are lots of silly spelling mistakes and I need to add in some links to where you can buy the items from.

Purses

I've finally managed to finish the collection of new purses that i've been working on lately. I have drawers full of bits of fabric, buttons, lace and ribbons, so i've decided to put them to good use and make something a bit creative out of them. Let me know what you think.

Its been a while . . . . .

but I'm back!!!!! What a fab day its been today, the sun is shining and it finally feels like life is really good again. And i've also been working on lots of bits that I need to tell you all about, new websites, new goodies and new plans.

A bit of fun!

girl with a bun
Originally uploaded by vickiii

Instead of working on photoshop scanning in some new drawings, I thought I'd waste some time playing around with some of my old images (eek I never can stick to doing one thing! I always get sidetracked). I used the pencil crayon effect on a image and its given it quite a nice ghostly effect!
I've also noticed I've been tagged, and so must think of 7 random facts about myself. I think I'm going to get back to you all on that one and have a bit of a think about it!

Landbaby

rosette bag
Originally uploaded by vickiii

The lovely Clare at Landbaby has added some of my designs to her collection of beautiful goods for the opening of her third shop in Liverpool. I can't wait to go and visit, as by looking at what she has to sell I think I might have to buy lots and lots and lots of things!
You can see more info and pics about Landbaby at
http://www.myspace.com/clairebateslandbaby