40 Questions for April

I do like this little interview. I've done this a few times now and always find it useful. It's strange how my answers can sometimes surprise myself. Let me know if you give it a go, I'd love to read someone else's 40 answers. x

Making :     Finding time for Miss D's quilt again.
Cooking :    Not really, it's more sandwiches and salad just now.
Drinking :   Water.
Reading:     The Day Of The Flood - Margaret Atwood.
Wanting:     A new summery wardrobe.
Looking:     At these lovely light evenings.
Playing:     He-Man and Battlecat with Little C mostly.
Deciding:   What I am willing to pay for craft fairs/pop up  shops.
Wishing:     For a beachy holiday.
Enjoying:    The longer days and lighter evenings.
Waiting:     For my lottery numbers to come up.
Liking:      My new look Folksy page.
Wondering:   If I will be able to keep up the hot yoga.
Loving:      The holiday, a break from the school run.
Pondering:   What last minute Easter holiday plans to make.
Considering: Future plans for my studio space.
Watching:    Tremors - Still love that film!
Hoping:      To achieve a work/life balance in 2015
Marvelling:  At how quickly kids catch on to new things.
Needing:     A good holiday, no really, it's been a looong time.
Smelling:   Well...sweaty. It's the Bikram yoga, there is no avoiding the sweat.
Wearing:    Lycra most days unusually for me and summery skirts (with leggings).
Following:  Nothing new. I'd really like to find some new inspiring blogs.
Noticing:    A lot of bloggers, turning off their blogs, sadly.
Knowing:    That things are changing in small business craft. Can't put my finger on it, but change is afoot!
Thinking:    Time is flying by lately. Is it an age thing?
Feeling:     hmmmm....
Admiring:   Those with truly unique, new and innovative craft ideas when there is sooo much out there already.
Sorting:     Always sorting! Clothes, toys, shoes, more toys...
Buying:      Fabrics and threads.
Getting:     An Easter egg tomorrow I hope. (Just a little one).
Bookmarking: A label making company. I want new woven labels.
Disliking:   The recent rise in postal costs.
Opening:     Nothing much lately.
Giggling:    At this cheesy 90's classic. (see watching).
Feeling:     Aches in my muscles, but worth it.
Snacking:    Trying not too, I know boring isn't it.
Coveting:   So many things but keep eyeing up various craft courses.   
Helping:    Miss D with her own crafty projects, knitting and friendship bracelets.
Hearing:     Lots of 6 music lately.

It's just a wallet!

Well, I was at that point in December when I was searching the shops for a new home for my cards, money, receipts, coupons, photos etc. It was driving me a little crazy. Big enough to keep all of my crap very important stuff in, but not too bulky. Patterned without being tacky and cheap looking. Robust without costing the earth. Pretty, which for me isn't something covered in shiny buckles or diamante. Nice on the inside. Am I too fussy? I did at one point say to myself 'it's just a wallet'. I nearly picked a 'well I suppose you'll do' wallet. But then...

I rarely start a new project in order to make something for myself, but it seems that was the only way I was going to get what I wanted. 

So here is my new wallet and I have to say I am very happy with it. This was the third version I made, I had to tweak the design quite a lot. I actually made the card slots a little tight with this one, which is why I've kept it for myself. 

Here are the first two attempts. I used the pink one for a while to see how I liked the overall design.

The main design change was the size and shape of the closure but I also had to do a lot of work to the inside structure to reduce the bulk and neaten everything up.

I've really enjoyed working on this pattern. The first products I ever sold were bags and I definitely thing I get the most satisfaction out of making bags and purses/wallets. I think it's because I'm very particular about what I like and find it so hard to shop for those kinds of things.

So...now that I am happy with the pattern I am happy to pop some into my Folksy shop, hurray! They're longish, but lovely and slim. I also tried to keep them nice and narrow as one of my pet hates is when you see a decent wallet in a shop but it's so bulky that you can't fit you're hand around it (and that's when it's empty). I know, I already admitted that I'm fussy!

What's that? You'd like a sneak peek? Oh go on then!

 

I'm hoping to have them in the shop for next week. If I don't list them soon then I'll be too tempted to keep them!! Oh and actually, the pink one is already spoken for.

So what do you look for in a wallet? Or is it,'just a wallet'? I'd love to know your thoughts. 

Riba x