Remember a few posts ago, I introduced a fabulous fabric designer that I had recently discovered: Heather Moore of Skinny laMinx in South Africa? And remember how pleased I was to get hold of a piece of the 'Cloudbird' fabric for my flight bag? Well... I've collected a few more bits and pieces since, and It's becoming a bit of an obsession!
And I've just found out that the name Heather gave to her company is a corruption of the children's rhyme "Skinny Malinkey long legs, big banana feet..." not Minnie the Minx from the Beano as I had thought! Both reflect the fun in the designs she creates! (Update 24/02/17 : I've since read that Skinny laMinx is a nickname for her cat Monkey!)
And I've just found out that the name Heather gave to her company is a corruption of the children's rhyme "Skinny Malinkey long legs, big banana feet..." not Minnie the Minx from the Beano as I had thought! Both reflect the fun in the designs she creates! (Update 24/02/17 : I've since read that Skinny laMinx is a nickname for her cat Monkey!)
 Taken from the Skinny laMinx website. |  My flight bag in Cloud Bird fabric |
First I caught sight of a couple of 'Spruce Woodpile' cushion covers on Ebay. Luckily for me they didn't look much in the photo, so no-one else bid and I got them for 99p!
 Didn't look much in the Ebay listing... |  Once stuffed to capacity they look great! |
Lots of lovely squares to play with!
I kept browsing the Skinny laMinx website, and finally, I couldn't help myself and ordered some patchwork squares as the best way to sample as many of the designs as I could and to have something I could use creatively. To my delight they came quite quickly and I posted this to the Skinny laMinx Facebook page:
"Such excitement in Braintree, UK, on coming home from work today there was a package all the way from Cape Town! Carefully opening the envelope I found my DIY fabric squares all neatly wrapped in tissue with a Skinny laMinx sticker and wonderful logo birdie tag, tied round with brown fibrous string! Couldn't wait to see which fabrics were included, I made a futile attempt at not tearing the tissue and on the top-YES-my favourite, which I've tried (sadly unsuccessfully) to purchase from any and every supplier in the UK and even your SA home store-ok, so it's only 7 squares, but I have some EEP, at long last!! Also some Cloud Bird which I also adore and which was the first of your designs to grab me! Thank you! I must confess even the sticker has been peeled off the tissue to grace my noticeboard, along with the promotional card (showing your gorgeous cushions) and my little cut out birdie logo...one very happy customer..."
To my surprise I had a reply from Heather:
"Hooray! Thanks so much for your lovely, lovely note! It's super-inspiring for my team to hear how much our packages are enjoyed. xx Heather
And then a second message:
"PS: If you're keen on more Eep, do email [email protected] and see if she can find more for you. We've discontinued that print, and Cloudbirds too, but we still have a couple of metres kicking about that we might be able to help you with, if you're keen."
I replied that I was keen! (This was sale stock, usually reserved for their home crowd). Several emails exchanges later with a very helpful lady called Sonia, I am now the proud owner of two half metres of Cloudbird. Sadly, even though I pestered for a thorough search and a very patient Sonia thumbed through the fat quarters, the EEP (top right in first pic above) was not forthcoming :(
"Such excitement in Braintree, UK, on coming home from work today there was a package all the way from Cape Town! Carefully opening the envelope I found my DIY fabric squares all neatly wrapped in tissue with a Skinny laMinx sticker and wonderful logo birdie tag, tied round with brown fibrous string! Couldn't wait to see which fabrics were included, I made a futile attempt at not tearing the tissue and on the top-YES-my favourite, which I've tried (sadly unsuccessfully) to purchase from any and every supplier in the UK and even your SA home store-ok, so it's only 7 squares, but I have some EEP, at long last!! Also some Cloud Bird which I also adore and which was the first of your designs to grab me! Thank you! I must confess even the sticker has been peeled off the tissue to grace my noticeboard, along with the promotional card (showing your gorgeous cushions) and my little cut out birdie logo...one very happy customer..."
To my surprise I had a reply from Heather:
"Hooray! Thanks so much for your lovely, lovely note! It's super-inspiring for my team to hear how much our packages are enjoyed. xx Heather
And then a second message:
"PS: If you're keen on more Eep, do email [email protected] and see if she can find more for you. We've discontinued that print, and Cloudbirds too, but we still have a couple of metres kicking about that we might be able to help you with, if you're keen."
I replied that I was keen! (This was sale stock, usually reserved for their home crowd). Several emails exchanges later with a very helpful lady called Sonia, I am now the proud owner of two half metres of Cloudbird. Sadly, even though I pestered for a thorough search and a very patient Sonia thumbed through the fat quarters, the EEP (top right in first pic above) was not forthcoming :(
Cloudbird in goldfinch and blackboard.
Flowerfields
I've also acquired this unusual Skinny laMinx design called Flowerfields as offcuts from a UK blind/curtain company. The fabric is a good weight and ideal for bag making, but i have a beloved wicker chair that needs a makeover and it may take all the squares and the Flowerfields. So unbelievably, the bags might have to take a 'backseat' (get it?) for a while! I'll get back to you on that!
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