another leather bag
This is the second all-leather bag. It is made from a remnant and I had just enough. The leather is pebbly, like a basketball. I lined the flap with a piece of the bubblegum pink skirt that I have been saving. I love those two colours together.
Inside I used some great ‘bird’ fabric.
I have been using the red bag that is the same size as this one–the one I posted about a few days ago. I am finding the size to be perfect and am enjoying not being laden down with too much stuff.
carissa’s presents
This darling girl is our new daughter, Carissa. You see her here with another of the family’s treasures, my 91 year old mother, Morrison. We all feel so lucky to have this young woman in our lives. This afternoon I am going to a shower for Carissa. Below are her presents.
I made the apron and I’ve posted before about Heidi’s cookbook. (Btw, today’s blog recipe for quinoa, currant, dill and zuccchini looks amazing!) Also pictured is a peanut butter knife from Combermere and an icing spreader from Toyls of Labur, a small shop in Warkworth which sells goods from firms which have a long history. This icing spreader is made by a US firm, Lamson and Goodnow, which dates back to before the Civil War.
And here is how I wrapped everything up:
preparing for hooking show
Yesterday the Moira Mat Makers (the Belleville rug hooking group) gathered for our monthly meeting at Loyalist College. Our main project for the day was organizing for our show at the Corby Library in September. As we looked at all the rugs, we decided that it will be an outstanding display of talent and ingenuity. Below are only a very few of the rugs to be displayed. The opening night is September 1st in the library gallery on Pinnacle Street in Belleville. I hope that you will mark your calendars.
Glenn’s Scooter:
Mary Anne’s Echinacea:
Joan’s streetscape–this is just one third of the rug!
And Luba’s story of the creation of the world. Again, this is part of an amazing triptych.
I should have taken more photos as the room was filled with rugs, but I got lodged behind my Fireworks rug, coming closer to my goal of finishing the centre and drawing the border before I go to Green Mountain rug school, one week today. YIKES!
a day in the city
Yesterday I was in Toronto for the day to get supplies. I visited my favourite places for leather remnants and came home with the pile see here. Most of the pieces are remainders from upholstering, except for the pink in the middle, which was an indulgence. Not sure what I have in mind for it, but the shot of colour is oh so welcome.
all-leather!
I finished my first all-leather handbag on the weekend. It is made from two different remnant pieces and the shoulder strap is a rather classy snakeskin belt. All in all, it came together well. It is the perfect size I have been looking for–big enough to hold phone, money and notebook, yet comfortably portable. I’m now working on an orange one and also eyeing the midnight blue for a third. The interior flap of this one is a red suede skirt. I have enough bubblegum pink to line the orange one, and some beautiful turquoise to set off the blue. Now to get down to it!
On the hooking front, I am almost finished the centre of Fireworks–will post this week. Thinking of the border.
a brand new bag
This is the new canvas/ recycled leather tote. At 15″ tall, 16″ across with a wide base, it is made to carry lots of stuff. I wanted a large tote that is strong enough for groceries or art supplies, but still manageable enough to carry for a distance. And with lots of pockets. I think this may be the ticket. I must thank my good friend Melanie for helping me make this wonderful text-fabric.
v v sale leather
I was at VV for their 50% sale at 8 am yesterday. I was rewarded with the softest black leather jacket made in Spain and a gorgeous midnight blue skirt, as well as a few other gems. You can see the pile below. I’m almost ready to make a bag totally out of recycled leather.
tote bag #3 with black recycled leather bottom and straps
Here is the third large tote, this one with black leather. These bags have screen printed pockets both outside and in. They are my current favourites. Large, strong and fun.
of canvas, screens and bags
I made some new large totes of recycled leather and canvas on the weekend. We sourced some #10 and #6 canvas for canoes and bags last week. I like the strength of this weight of canvas for totes. The family has had a long love affair with canvas, starting with my husband who made his first sail for his ice boat when he was in Grade 12. The canvas came from Eaton’s–mail order to a small Ontario town–and his mother’s sewing machine was never the same.
Below is a fid, a sailor’s tool used in making sails, and I find it perfect for inserting into corners of the bags. This particular fid belonged to Jack Braidwood, a well-known Belleville sailor, and it accompanied him on his sail around the world in the 40’s. I love the smooth beauty of the conical shape–the wood is lignum vitae, one of the strongest woods available.
I also got some screen printing done on the weekend, linings and pockets.
