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This weekend I was back at my parents house in the north west. It was a 12 hour round trip as I went by coach, which was long but not so bad.

The view of the fields when I woke up on Saturday..

I had a lazy morning reading my book and drinking a fair few cups of these..

and looking at the garden….

But home wouldn’t be home without a mini shopping trip at some point with my mum and my sister. So that happened on Sunday. I actually went shopping for new running shoes but came home with these instead…which just about sums up my attitude to exercise of late…..

Extra long cable-knitted slippers that go over my knees at full stretch!!! They are very wintry and I know we’re not quite there yet. But when it gets colder they will be great for curling up in.

On Sunday night we had a lovely sunset.

I think this kind of light, at this time of day, is my favourite.

So now I am back home in London and looking forward to the week ahead. On Thursday I’m collecting a new addition to the production line which I am really excited about. If all goes well it should really help me widen the range of things I currently make which would be pretty cool……if all goes well……

A pair of simpletons

Whilst I love using pattern and print on my bags, sometimes, on occasion, it’s also good to keep things simple….

These are 2 protos I finished earlier today and I am very pleased with them.

I wanted to design something that was just about the colour and texture of the leather and the shape of the bag and nothing else.

They are 100% leather (of the softest and squashiest variety) and the darker leather is actually re-claimed in parts which I also really like as it gives the bag a lovely worn, creased look in places and new and shiny in others.

These will be going to two baggy people I know to be road-tested around the bars and clubs of the city. I would love to be able to add some of these to the shop sometime soon. Which reminds me, the new website is looking really really good now and I think is around 95% done……

Summertime…

It’s been very hot here today. I went out for a walk earlier, got slightly lost at one point but there were some pretty sights along the way..

Was happy to be in a dress!

Festival bag and Clutch

My new camera has arrived at last! So I can now post a proper photo of the festival bag and new clutch.

Back to the thirties for a day

Thought I would share some photos I took of the Midland hotel in Morcambe. I visited it on Friday. (thanks to Dad for the loan of digital camera

I first went there a couple of years ago when it was looking faded and sad. It’s now been completely restored and the 1930’s style sits perfectly with the modern additions.

You can read more about the history here and more pictures are on my flickr

Out and about

Supply shopping

I’m taking you supply shopping with me today.

Sadly I am without my camera for a couple of weeks thanks to some light fingered people, so only have some phone camera shots. So that’s why some have funny lighting and are a little blurred.

Inside the leather shop.

The weekend staff here are way more helpful than the week-day staff. They really helped me try to find the right shade of brown for a bag I started yesterday.

Also picked up a metre of white cotton amongst the remnants which will be perfect for finishing a sundress I started making about 6 months ago and never finished.

Always end up leaving with things I didnt know I needed.

Next I need to buy some more of the wadding that gives my Lily bags their shape. I have searched high and low for an alternative - online - the wholesalers - but nowhere sells the exact same weight and thickness that is tried and tested and makes the bags so good…

So……I buy it in John Lewis. And I hate John Lewis.

But until I find an alternative…..

Also thought I should buy a zip to go on the sundress or there’ll be another excuse to leave it for 6 months.

Thinking Saturday was a bad day to choose.

Finish up having a quick cup of tea in a secret bar I know high up in the sky

Spend about 40 mins watching the planes fly along, the taxis drive by below and also see the maids in the hotel opposite changing the rooms.

Lovely ladies

My myspace site was starting to get a bit neglected over the past few months mainly because I got kidnapped by facebook along with everyone else.

However, I am back on myspace now with a vengeance and I’m loving it more than ever for the amount of talented and creative people you get to meet.

For example ‘Truth be told’ design’s page amazed me when I first came across it. I love her totally unique style of illustration and the individual personalities that her ladies all have.

So, as you can imagine, I am so so thrilled that she has produced a range of ‘bag lady’ illustrations, and look what they are holding….

….My Lily bags!

So, soon you will be able to see these ladies (and friends) on the tags that come along with my bags.

I think they may also pop in and make an appearance on my new website that’s coming soon.

Check out all of Truth Be Told’s fabby portfolio via her myspace page. She also has a really great blog here too!

xx

Photos of She

 

 

My Sister’s band played a set at the Cavendish Arms Ballroom in Stockwell on Saturday. Those are some of my favourites amongst the mountain of photos I took. Hooray for the disco ball

Look Book preview..

This weekend I have been taking photographs like a woman possessed - thanks to our lovely friend Kristina who has lent me the most amazing camera - I have been taking photos of bags for my new website which should be up and running very soon.

That’s me being the reluctant model.

I have taken a TON more and am sifting through them as and when I get a free second. But the rest are being kept top secret for the website launch!