Whats new at SimJaTa?

OK, first of all bare with me, I have tried to put the photo's on the left - so you can look at what I am waffling on about as I go, but its all jumbled up as I write so cant tell what is where.

First of all should be my newest bag design, having decided I wanted to do some beaded quilting I discovered (the hard way) that you cannot rag quilt a beaded bag as all the beads loose their colour in the washing machine. So, had to go for patchwork quilting, with some embroidery and bead work - quite pleased with the result on my first attempt.

Then,I wanted to try textile brooches, so many lovely ones for sale on Folksy and had to be sure I constructed my own design, so here is the first one - in the shape of a handbag, rather appropriate to me being "Bags of Swank" I thought.

Landing in the wrong order is a close up of the little garden patch I created on the bag, I really enjoyed this and have been busy purchasing some more little beads and flowers to add to bags and maybe brooches in the future.

Whilst designing one of the squares I came across this lace, and thought together with some purple velvet and a few beads it might make a rather unusual glasses case, so this is what then appeared.

The last glasses case (I really hope this writing is somewhere near each picture) was my having another play with textile design and beadwork, using a variety of fabrics and lined with sari silks a new quilted design was created.


Lastly, the green patchwork number I showed you earlier in the blog was added to my shop today - you can find it by clicking on the photo which goes direct to my shop, I was thrilled to see earlier it had collected a couple of favourites, so hopefully at least 2 people out there like it so far




My new items should start to appear on Folksy from the weekend, as rather a busy schedule planned for tomorrow with no spare time for listing. I hope you like them, as I have had a lot of enjoyment designing them.

~Bags of Swank by SimJaTa~

Just too nice for work today

It seems such a long time since we enjoyed a morning like this, so Alfie our rescue Labrador, along with his housemates Tess and Jaja, and his pals Baily, Zac and new friend Woody 'forced' us to take them for a great walk to the cooling pond for some fun.

Alfie's best friend in the world is the light coloured retriever Zac, when these two get together their shared brain cell is lost forever and as you see, fun is the name of the game.

The dogs at play together are my Tess,Alfie, Bailey, Zac and their new pal Woody the Lurcher who until very recently spent 7 months in a kennel at the RSPCA awaiting a new home, at last his has found his own special home along with Trevor and his partner who love him very much and have taught him what being a 'special' boy is all about.

Not much work done so far today, infact not ANY work done so far today - so I must also use this opportunity to show off the dog products available in my shop.

First we have a tote bag in Lavender with a photo of Bailey the Retriever, this bag is also to show the possibility of your very own photograph which can also be used in a tote bag design.



Here is one for the Chocolate Labrador fan



This bag is the same as the one I use, with all the colours of Labrador on



Lastly, most recent listing from me in my Folksy shop (the photo's all take you there) is this holder for your glasses, mobile or other gadget




Hope you are all out enjoying the wonderful weather whilst you can, this is just perfect for me as I am not a fan of the heat, but love the sun with a nice cooling breeze.

~Bags of Swank by SimJaTa~