Here is the second in a series of messenger bags using the last of my waxed canvas from Kenya and leather. This one is for a smaller computer. It measures 16.5″ x 13″ x 3″. It is also lined in waxed canvas (this time from Eddie Bauer) and has three internal pockets as well as the two outside. The strap is adjustable and made from 2″ black cotton webbing. I like to use repurposed materials when I can and the flap of this bag is lined with second-life black leather. Durable metal hardware.
This is a large messenger bag, able to carry a 17″ computer. The body is made of waxed canvas (which I bought in Kenya and sadly is almost gone) and cognac leather. It has a wide cotton webbing strap with a shoulder pad, a leather grab-handle and durable metal hardware. Under the flap there is a slip pocket and inside a large double pocket. It is lined with durable canvas, has a double bottom for strength and a vintage leather tab closure. Overall, a great bag to take you back and forth to work. 19.5″ x 13.5″ x 3.5″
Here is a new bag for Spring. It is a special order made from a great piece of dot-pierced leather, a remnant we found in Savannah. It is lined with more dots, fuchsia Japanese cotton/linen. There are two large slip pockets on the exterior which extend to make a 4″ double bottom, and three more pockets inside. The strap is adjustable and can be worn as cross-body or on the shoulder. Solid brass hardware and a heavy duty matching zipper. 12″ wide by 12″ tall.
Here is a new travel tote in a beautiful leather with both character and strength. The tote has carry handles and a removable and adjustable shoulder strap. Outside there is a large zipper pocket and inside there is another zip/slip pocket as well as a large canvas pocket–so lots of ways to organize your travel things. It has a double leather bottom, brass hardware and durable metal zippers. This will fit under the seat in an airplane and just as easily carry books to the library or rug hooking to your meeting. It’s a great versatile bag in a beautiful colour. Dimensions: 17″ tall, 15″ wide and 5.5″ deep. Shoulder straps have 12″ drop.
It has been a busy month and I haven’t been in the studio very much. But it’s been happy news that has kept me away–a new granddaughter and a little holiday. And now I’m home and back in the groove.
Here finally, are some new things. Most of these are orders, but if you see something you like, let me know. There may be enough leather to make another. This first is another version of this convertible backpack. This one is in a great colour combination of smoky grey-green and black. Like the first one, this backpack converts to a cross-body bag.
And here are a few large pouches. This first one has a wristlet and the following two are waiting for shoulder straps. The blue leather is a small piece I found in Savannah at Measure and I am delighted at its weight and texture. Check in the next few days for a bigger bag out of this great leather… and some new things. I plan to update the shop and have some sale items available by the end of the month. 
One of the projects we worked on in a recent fibre retreat was designing pouches. Everyone got a blank pouch made of unbleached canvas and lined with unbleached cotton. The pouches had zippers inserted but were not sew up as you can see in the photos below. Stamps, fabric paint, stencils, markers, watercolour pencils, appliqé fabric and more were available. Here you can see us working away and then below some of the finished pouches. And at bottom is my first attempt at embroidery since I embroidered my name on my gym shorts in Grade 9. It’s something I hope to do more of. I found the book on my shelves to give me a hand.
Fronts…
and backs…
Here is the finished travel backpack. I’ve made a version of this bag a couple of times before, but the advantage of this one is it converts to a cross-body bag…very easily. I’m going to live with the knots at the end of the straps for now and see how it goes, but may modify and use metal adjusters instead for a cleaner look. I like to try out a new bag and see how it performs. This one is unlined with one pocket inside and two on the outside. It easily holds my Ipad and sketching supplies as well as the usual essentials. I like the zippered outside pocket which is securely worn against my back. I’ll let you know the verdict after 10 days of travel.
Happy New Year to all of you. Over the last year I thought about closing down the blog as I am not posting with any regularity and hence my readership and comments are reduced as well. Instagram is so easy and fast. (You can connect to my Instagram using the button in the menu bar above.) But when it came down to a decision, I realized I am not ready to give up the spaciousness of the blog. I like the way ideas develop as I write and I like to look back and see where I’ve been. So for 2018 I will be here posting more frequently and then I will reassess this time next year.
I’ve been working on some new things for the New Year. The first is one I started some time ago–an Ipad sleeve. My Ipad is from 2011 and has a cracked screen. But it’s my travel companion and to prevent further damage it needs a good padded case. This one is made of my last piece of felt with some scraps of my favourite leathers.
And then I need a new travel bag. I sold the one I made last year–yes, as a used (well, gently worn-in) bag. Leather, as you know, gets better with time. Anyway…to the new bag. I had a piece of caramel leather and I wanted to try a travel back-pack, big enough to carry what I need for travel but not too out-sized or heavy. This is where I am so far. This is the back view, with a zippered pocket which sits securely against one’s back. I haven’t quite figured out how I am doing the straps, but think we will punch holes (without grommets) at the top–8 in all and feed the strap across the front so it closes the bag securely. But right now it’s sitting waiting while we work it out. The bag is unlined with simple lines. 14.5 x 14.5 x 5″ With any luck it will be done by the end of the week, ready for my trip next week.
One of the pre-xmas orders I had was for a black shoulder bag that wasn’t too big but had lots of storage; a bag small enough to fit in a larger tote but big enough to stand on its own. I ended up making the two you see below. Each is lined with great a Marimekko house print in red and fuchsia. The first below has a full size outside pocket plus two inside. The second has a double outside pocket and another inside. The first is sold but the second will be in the online shop today along with a few other things. I’m sorry the shop has been empty for a while. It’s too late for the xmas rush, but maybe you will see something you love for yourself. 
I’ve put the covers on the sewing machines, swept the floor and put away all the tools. I’m happy to be closed for the season. I want to thank everyone who purchased at the house show, the gallery or ordered a bag or a scarf. I was as busy as I could be and am ready now for a change. I haven’t had my paints out since we were in Havana in November–and I haven’t posted any sketches from that wonderful holiday.
Here are two new totes, both special orders. The first is an unlined leather travel tote with carry handles, a shoulder strap and a sturdy metal zipper closure. It has double pockets on the outside and three more pockets on the inside. Its understated elegance and utility makes its own statement. 18″x14.5″x5.5″
The second tote is made from dazzling Marimekko coated cotton with a leather bottom and lined with great red checked fabric. It has double pockets on the outside and more on the inside including a zippered one. It closes with a metal zipper and has leather handles which fit comfortably on your shoulder. 17″x14″x5.5″
