Bobbins and Bombshells: handmade

Showing posts with label handmade. Show all posts

Thursday, June 18, 2015

Ch...Ch...Ch...Changes! New site address!

I have some news for you all! Bobbins and Bombshells has moved!

I've spent some time consolidating my shop and blog all into one site.

This blog can now be found at http://www.bobbinsandbombshells.com/blog/

If you already follow on bloglovin' the new blog address will transfer. If you follow via email, feel free to sign up to the new bloglovin' email function! Sign up widget is on the new blog.

See you there and thanks for all of your support during my Blogspot years.

xo,

Karen

Thursday, March 19, 2015

Shop News: Miss Sailorette Series

I have finally put my heavy winter accessories away but there are still those days when I wish I had lighter gloves to keep my hands warm. For this Spring transition, I have created the Miss Sailorette Series for my Etsy shop The Sparkling Cocktail.

Made in a soft Merino wool the open work lace pattern is perfect for the transitional seasons. Ribbing on the top and bottom keeps them snuggly and there is a side opening for the thumbs. Decorating each wrist is a pretty anchor button sewn with red thread.

Miss Sailorette is available in:

Red

Marine Blue

Sail White

Monday, December 1, 2014

Shop News: Happy Holidays!

Thank you my dear blog readers, for a wonderful 2014!

Enjoy 15% off my Etsy shop; The Sparkling Cocktail, on handmade and vintage goodies! Valid now through the end of the year. Simply use coupon code HOLIDAY2014 at checkout.

Enjoy this holiday season! xo

Thursday, October 2, 2014

Shop News: Tweed Cables Series

I have a new handmade series in my Etsy shop, The Sparkling Cocktail! Tweed Cables is a series of a hand knit cabled fingerless gloves in a soft wool tweed in four different heather gray colors. I love the intricate cable pattern on these and the right and left hand mirror each other. The palm side is a flat knit. Ribbing makes up the top, bottom, and thumb. These are really warm, enjoy!

Thursday, August 21, 2014

My Projects: White Swiss Dot Peasant Blouse

You may remember my Peasant Blouse Series from last Summer. This Summer, I discovered some white Swiss dot in my fabric stash and decided to make one more peasant blouse. This is also an entry for the vintage pledge!

I used this vintage pattern. Butterick 9768.

Here it is! Photos taken early morning at home before heading off to work.

I paired it with an olive green pencil skirt that I also made at the beginning of the season. I made the skirt from a rub-off pattern of a favorite skirt of mine. Stay tuned for more information and a tutorial on that project!

Accessories include a vintage turquoise necklace that was a gift from my husband and a leopard belt. The blouse is also quite sheer, even though you can't tell from the photos. I wore a pretty floral longline bra underneath, which made this outfit one of my favorites this Summer!

Thursday, January 16, 2014

My Projects: Yellow Fat Bottom Bag with Cherries

I started this yellow crochet Fat Bottom Bag late last Summer. I put it down for awhile to work on Fall and Winter items and have finally picked it up again. Now it's finally finished!

Yellow Fat Bottom Bag Bobbins and Bombshells

I crocheted cherries to decorate the front. If you remember what I was going to use for the lining, you will see why I couldn't help myself.

Close up of the bamboo handles. Purchased in the Garment District.

Here's the lining! Remnant fabric from this project. Can't wait for Summer to wear these together.

For more information on this pattern check out my ravelry or Craftsy page.

Tuesday, January 14, 2014

Shop Update: Birthday Promo!

It's my Birthday!

Let's celebrate with 20% off all items in my Etsy shop; The Sparkling Cocktail!

Today only! Use coupon code BIRTHDAY2014 at check out.

Wednesday, October 2, 2013

Mid-Week Inspiration: Yarns From Maine

I splurged on some gorgeous yarns while I was in Maine. In the town of Bath we found Halcyon Yarn which quickly became my favorite yarn store, ever. They sell all sorts of yarn from the familiar and wonderful Cascade (which I bought a large hank of for a scarf for my Husband) to smaller brands from Norway, Iceland, etc. They also sell several brands from Maine including their own. If you're into weaving, they've got supplies for that too!
I was overwhelmed and it took me a while to focus. In addition to the Cascade, I decided on some additional hanks from two Maine companies, Peace Fleece and Swans Island. The colors are magnificent and my photos do not do them justice.

Not only are the yarns themselves inspiring...oh what am I going to make?...but the stories behind these two yarn companies are inspiring too.

I bought two hanks of Peace Fleece Worsted. The darker blue (Patience Blue) will be a hat for my Husband. The teal (Blue Jay) will be something for me (TBD). Peace Fleece is from Porter, Maine. They started in the Mid-Eighties with a mission to bridge the US and Russia during the Cold War. The owners imported wool from small Russian farms and turned it into delicious yarn in amazing colors. Now they also support small farmers in the Middle East and Dakota Indian reservations. I love that their company has flourished and the community they have created.

I also bought one hank from Swans Island. I had a hard time capturing the richness of this purple natural indigo dyed yarn. The layers of colors is incredible! This was a total splurge at $32 a hank but I couldn't resist it's beauty! Swans Island is a small company located near Acadia National Park. Formed by two Boston lawyers who decided to leave the hustle and bustle behind and work from the land. They moved to Swan's Island, use local wool, learned how to naturally dye it, and started making beautiful blankets. The blankets are a Martha Stewart dream come true and are hand loomed. They now make naturally indigo dyed yarn and they, as mentioned before, are gorgeous! Keeping days old traditions this company has a labor of love and it shows in the quality of their products. Next time I am in Maine, I would love to visit their facility.

I can't wait to show you what these yarns become!

Tuesday, February 26, 2013

My Projects: Crochet Fingerless Gloves in New Colors!

I've recently finished and listed in my Etsy shop some more crocheted fingerless gloves with tipping and bows. These are a lovely spruce green heather Donegal tweed with black contrast. This tweed is wonderful and much richer in person!

A pretty soft ballet pink is paired with black in this pima cotton pair. So soft and ready for the transition into spring!

What color combinations would you enjoy?

Be sure to check out my Etsy shop; The Sparkling Cocktail for more of my handmade items and more of these gloves in other colors!

Thursday, August 16, 2012

My Projects: Two Tone Fingerless Gloves

I've been working on crocheting some two-tone fingerless gloves for Fall! I have finished a black (merino) and ivory (cotton) pair and am half way through a red tweed (merino) and ivory (cotton). They are perfect for the Fall transition and are super soft!

Which color way is your favorite? Are you getting ready for Fall?

Thursday, May 31, 2012

My Projects: New Batch of Bridal Garters

I've listed some new bridal garters in my Etsy shop, The Sparkling Cocktail! Some pretty mint, Tiffany blue, and blue and white satins and laces combined with pearls, ribbon, and lockets make up this latest batch.

Be sure to visit my Etsy shop, The Sparkling Cocktail, for more Bridal accessories, and cocktail party wear. All handmade or vintage!

Thursday, February 9, 2012

My Projects: Crochet Winter Tweed Fingerless Gloves

I'm in love with these tweed yarns! I crocheted these fingerless gloves with bows, and contrast tipping. Perfect for cocktails at the cabin!

For yarn and pattern information visit my Ravelry page.

To purchase a pair of these gloves visit my Etsy shop; The Sparkling Cocktail.

Thursday, June 3, 2010

Shop News...This Just In!

I'm having a lot of fun creating and sewing up these garters for brides and burlesque stars (and for the rest of us that just want to feel glamorous while keeping our stockings up)! I've posted a bunch in my Etsy shop The Sparkling Cocktail this week.

Here's a few highlights!

Bridal Garter - Birds of a Feather in Mauve and Ivory with Peacock Feather- $20

Bridal Garter Set -Je T'Aime in Black and White Lace- $30

Bridal Garter Set - Black and White Gingham with White Lace -$30

Tuesday, June 1, 2010

Fashionable History: Espadrilles

Espadrilles are classic. These lightweight shoes made from linen or canvas with a rope or braided jute sole come from Spain and have been worn since before the 13th Century! Traditional espadrilles are handmade from Alpargateros, like the lady pictured above. The production of espadrilles quickly spread during that time and also became popular in France. They were worn by everyone from peasants, to military soldiers, to Priests!

In the 1950's and 60's espadrilles became more than just affordable and practical, they became fashionable. Yves St. Laurent special ordered espadrilles to be made with a heel, something that had never been done before. They were an instant hit and the fashion world hasn't given up on them yet! Now espadrilles can be found in the traditional handmade from Spain version ( I just bought a pair of red ones the other day!) or from a variety of shoe designers in all sorts of shapes and reinterpretations. I also have a pair of wedge heel cherry print ones with red ribbon ankle laces that I bought at Macy's a few years ago! Either way they make a stylish and comfortable summer shoe!