Birdbrain

This is the second and last Toffee Delta. It is a special order — a roomy comfortable tote made of great caramel pebbly leather on the outside and green and teal wax Tanzanian print on the inside. It has two exterior pockets, one with a magnetic closure for safe keeping, and an abundance of pockets on the inside. I put the three-bay suede pocket inside one of my bags and I found it so useful that I am putting it in other bags. You can see it below; it  has a place for your phone, your glasses and other essentials that you want within easy reach. On the other side of the interior is a combined zipper pocket and slip pocket. The bag has a metallic zipper closure, a double leather bottom for strength, two handles and a removable, adjustable shoulder strap.  17″ x 14″ x 5″

I love working with colours that make me sing. Yesterday I didn’t have a lot of time, but I made these small pouches. They are made from  the very very last of my beautiful orange leather which is on so many of my pieces–combined with a pink skirt. Inside I mixed different batik cottons. If you have one of my pieces, I want you to enjoy the feel and the look inside and out — these little pouches fill those criteria–baby-skin soft and great, great colour. They will put a smile on your face.

Here are the two pouches which I use all the time–they are from former days, but are still holding up well to the work I give them. The front pouch is for cosmetics and the back one holds all those essential cords and plugs. I have another small leather one for business cards–and another for all my rug hooks. I find the pouch essential for travelling and for daily use.

This is all by way of introduction to some new pouches. My friend, MA, a lover of all things cobalt, got a new large wallet and so set me on the task of making a larger cobalt pouch to carry it. Here are the ones I came up with–all out of those cobalt skirts I found last spring–and each lined with a different wax print. Calm and dignified on the outside and a burst of colour on the inside. These pouches are all 9.5 inches wide, approximately 6″ high and have a 3″ base.

 

I have talked here before about how I love the patterns on African wax cotton prints. You can see the wealth of designs here.  Lined up above are the linings of some large pouches–similar on the outside, cobalt or evergreen recycled skirts–but each lined with a unique piece of wax print. I have been collecting these fabrics for a while and the examples here were purchased at markets in Kenya and France. Below is another example, this one with its recycled suede pocket is ready to be inserted into the second Toffee Delta tote. Such rich colour and design. 

Here is a new triad–evergreen and aqua with deep red accents. It is an unlined bag made of heavy-duty leather with a double leather bottom attached with dome rivets for durability. It has lots of pockets–three on the front and another four inside. 14.5″ x 14.5″ x 5.5″ and the handles have an 11.5″ drop  for easy carrying.