Bags of Swank by SimJaTa - Blog Giveaway

To Celebrate my 50th sale on Folksy, and my first year as Bags of Swank by SimJaTa I am giving you the chance to win your very own 'Bags of Swank by SimJaTa' bag.

Nothing too complicated, simply leave a comment below naming or linking your 3 favorite bags from the shop on Folksy (link to shop at side of page), why you like them would be great too but not necessary.

The winner will be drawn by number generator on the afternoon of Sunday 6th March 2011, and the prize will be the bag of your choice from my Folksy shop (hopefully one of the ones you have chosen - if not already sold. Only one entry each please.

Its been a good year, not only do I sell on line with my Folksy shop, but also stock 4 shops, which hopefully will soon be 5, fingers crossed. I am now picking up more custom orders too, customers are enjoying choosing their own fabrics and some using their own photographs printed onto cotton and incorporated into their choice of colour designs.

Looking forward to viewing your choices, and Good Luck.

~Bags of Swank by SimJaTa~

Folksy Friday - Spring Flowers

Burst into Spring this week with Folksy! The talented Folksy Crafters are eagerly awaiting the start of spring, we just cannot wait. Why not treat yourself to something lovely bright and spring like from one of these lovely shops found on Folksy. To take a closer look simply click on the photo to be taken to the sellers shop, to see their wonderful item and other lovelies in the shop.

We begin with Careford Creations and her lovley print 'Optimism'



At Passionate About Photography is this lovley spring card



buttercup boutique has this attractive brooch amoungst her collection



These are stunning, at FloralGifts4U, posy arrangement



Aunty Joan Crafts has some lovely plaques and cards (well recommended I bought one for my friend, as she does custom too)



Uniquely Yours features this gorgeous purple handbag with flower



Milliebeads has this totally stunning necklace, with such intricate work



It just wouldnt be Folksy without an ACEO, this one is from artmagic, who also has special offers going on



Lastly from Bags of Swank by SimJaTa, a tote bag featuring Nacissus, spring flowers like daffodils (only white)




Hope all these lovely items with their cheery colours have brightened up your day, the Folksy sellers will be happy to cheer up your weekend.

Thank you for looking

~Bags of Swank by SimJaTa~

Bags of Swank Little n Large

Beginning of a new week, and the idea's are flowing. So, here is another new concept from Bags of Swank by SimJaTa the Mini Tote Bag, my original idea was as a Mums and Tots set, but then it did occur to me maybe not everybody had the need for a huge tote bag? I suppose not everyone carries the kitchen sink around. So, I have introduced My first Mini tote bag to my Folksy shop today.



Although I simply cannot stop with the organisation style, with the addition of a FREE pen inside the slot, lots of pockets and a cord with lobster clasp for keys, here is the happy fish big sister shopping bag.




These photographs will take you straight to the Folksy shop, were further photo's show other angles and the inside of the bags.

Today I am working on the second set to feature Ladybirds, see how they are received.

After having a few days off for one thing and another, the bag making is now back in full flow. Colours getting brighter all the time, as the weather seems to become more dreary, here at Bags of Swank by SimJaTa - we like to stay upbeat and bright.

Folksy Friday - Roses Special

Further to my last blog post, I thought for today's Folksy friday I would feature the beautiful rose. Folksy Friday is to showcase my fellow talented crafters on Folksy, dont forget to click on the picture and be taken to the shop were you can purchase the item, and take a look at the other wonders in the shops.

First is LynwoodCrafts Pink Roses Brooch



Dont miss this lovely roses necklace from Fairy Girly



Pink ACEO Rose in watercolour, by Audrey's Art



Silent Thearte Original Art prints, has this wonderful A4 Gloss print of a rose fairy



Hollypops Crafts has this red rose ACEO



..and finally here at Bags of Swank by SimJaTa is this all roses tote bag




Hope you enjoyed this weeks choices, and it wont be long till we can smell the roses for real, but meanwhile I feel the wonderful items above are a pretty close second.

~Bags of Swank by SimJaTa~

Not just sewing by SimJaTa

Its not all about Tote Bags, Folksy and what the latest Bags of Swank by SimJaTa news is, now is it? Though sometimes it may well feel like it.

So, time for a break and smell the roses - I wish! In the few luxurious moments of spare time I do like to get about with the 'real' camera. Not much opportunity in the colder darker days, but spring is on its way.. really it is... cant be long surely?
Today has been all about spring cleaning, not I have not turned into Mrs Mop, the carpet fitter has 'finally' managed to slot us into his busy schedule, and as its hall, stairs and landing rather a lot of upheaval to prepare for his visit, so the enitre area is now spotlessly clean (aside from daughters bit, which hopefully is an improvement at least). So, not much available time left for the new Art Deco Tote Bag I will be creating soon, I ended up looking for a photograph and stumbling across some of my attempts. Shame, before I ended up walking 5 dogs at once a day the camera used to be with me at all times, which is how I managed to catch the lovely robin above. These days dog walks are full of apologies until I can teach my wayward Labrador to behave better, never the time or chance of free hands for photography.
Nights will be lighter soon though, so OH and I can start to sneak off for the odd evening and enjoy some quieter moments. Perhaps even a visit to Mere Sands again to chase that elusive kingfisher we keep trying to photograph.

Mmmh, as my next post will no doubt be Folksy Friday, might have given me and idea for this weeks topic. See you then, have a good rest of week.

~Bags of Swank by SimJaTa ~

Sneak Preview for Valentines Week by SimJaTa

Hope you all have a lovely Valentines Day tomorrow. "Himself" and I are both working, so will be a quick exchange of cards and gifts in the morning, its our 7th Wedding Anniversay too. Speaking of which I must go write said cards and wrap gift soon.
Here are some of the new designs of Tote Bags I have been working on this week, a few more not yet photographed. These are all in the new design of extra organiser pockets, pen slot and cord with key clip. I think maybe I am becoming a bit too bright again, its this dreary weather that does it.
The new Daffodil designs are ready for Mothers Day and Easter, although I had it pointed out to me the Daffodil bag I am working on is acutally Narcissus so that will be an interesting listing.
I have new themes on route, so hopefully I will be reaching a wider audience soon - still not enough hours in the day. But having been self employed for a year now I most certainly do not regret it, and jump for joy that tomorrow is Monday and the start of a new week - didnt do that for a good few years in the past.

Must dash, almost time for Top Gear! Have a great week, and those of you who can have a lovely romantic Valentines day.

~Bags of Swank by SimJaTa~

Folksy Friday - Mobile Phone Cases

Thank Folksy its Friday, step nearer to weekend and the chance to show off some of my fellow talented crafters. I chose a theme I thought would be more popular, as new mobiles we often like to cherish with a cover to keep them nice, so for today here are 2 from each seller. Dont forget you just 'click' the picture to be taken to the item, whilst you are there why not have a look at the rest of the wonderful items in the shops.

First is Creative Knits with her designs







BaggieAggieToo has these lovelies in her shop to show off





And lastly from here at Bags of Swank by SimJaTa





These phone pouches are large enough for an ordinary mobile phone, or an Android.

Hope you have enjoyed todays Folksy Friday by Bags of Swank by SimJaTa.

Bags of Swank by SimJaTa ~ New Design

Sometimes I think I get just a little over excited by my work. Today is a very exciting day as Bags of Swank by SimJaTa listed the very first in the new design of bags, complete with lots of pockets, pen slot and key fob, just what every organised lady needs for daily life. Put this together with the fabulous fabrics and what more could a girl wish for?
Also today I finally received the delivery of some new bright fabrics, you know how much I like BRIGHT.
Modifications are being made each time, for instance the tote bag I have 'almost' finished has fasteners on the pockets as suggested by a blog reader, and longer handles as suggested by one of my Customers and facebook follower. I'm still working on ink protection for the pen slot, sure the inspiration will hit eventually.

The only downside of my day was having family to visit meaning I couldnt get to work, which is very naught of me I know - but I am always at my happiest in the craft room, well.. that and out in the fresh air (when its not pouring with rain like today) thought the North West Coastal walk was very bracing today.

Here's hoping my future customers will be as happy with the new design as I am, I even made myself a new tote bag with extra pockets, heavier weight and key fob, this can be seen on my facebook page.

Thats all for now, tomorrow is Sunday and a full day ahead of working without interruption, hurray!!

~Bags of Swank by SimJaTa~

Folksy Frog Chorus

Its Folksy Friday again, for today I thought we would have a little frog chorus - sure there are plenty of frog collectors out there? I know my best friend at school collected Frogs.

First in the collection is from Minxtures Clothing and Accessories, a lovley applique frog on drawstring bag, dont forget the pictures take you to the Folksy shops so you can look around at all the other superb crafts in these shops



juju cards has a great hoppy birthday card



A unique photographic print from Careford Creations, of Freddy the Frog



Lastly from Bags of Swank by SimJaTa, Loving Courting Frogs on Tote Bag




The frogs have enjoyed singing their chorus to you this week.

~Bags of Swank by SimJaTa~