I’ve been back at the sewing machine–and this small pouch with detachable wrist strap is for my favourite girl whose favourite colour is purple. This is made from a great piece of remnant leather–have enough for at least one more–with a zipper from an old jacket. The lining is perfect–bright in purple and pink with two small pockets for the things you don’t want lose like subway tokens or secret notes. The pouch is made to fit inside a bigger bag, or step out on its own. Just for her.
Although I have been whipping Fireworks, (have three sides done, so well set to make my deadline), I have also been working in the studio. Over the last couple of days I have used some of my favourite leather and lining to make a new luna bag. I tried to incorporate all the features I like–zipper closure, cross body strap, double bottom, two outside pockets and lots of interior pockets. This is a good-sized bag–Height 13″x Width 14″x Depth 5″–so set to carry lots of gear. Not sure if this is bound for the shop or my shoulder!!
A BIG thank you to everyone for your wonderful comments! We have broken all previous records for visits to the site. This is so exciting–and you have until March 28 to comment–either to this post or to the March 15th post. All names will go into the draw.
Owen, my great advisor and supporter, is working on an on-line shop and a sprucing up the blog. So be on the look-out for that. In the meantime, here are a few other pieces for purchase or choice for the draw. If you are interested in any of these bags or pouches, please contact me at xine@birdbraindesigns.ca and I will be happy to give you all the details.
As of March 28, the blog at Birdbrain Designs will be one year old. To celebrate, I have decided to have a sale and a give-away. My remaining leather bags and pouches are all on sale. And on March 28, I will draw from all the comments over the next two weeks and the winner can have their choice of a bag or pouch.
Here is a selection of the bags available. Please leave a comment on this post for the draw and email me at xine@birdbraindesigns if you are interested in a sale bag.
I will also have bags and pouches on sale this Saturday at City Revival in Picton from 2pm-4pm. Please drop in if you have the chance.
I found a magenta skirt in a thrift shop some time ago. I knew it would make a great spring bag, such a bright, cheery colour. And here it is, lined with beautiful cotton from France, which, if you look carefully, tells you that summer is coming. The strap is long enough to wear across the body, but can be knotted to make it shorter. The bag is 13″ wide, 10.5″ tall, 3.5″ across the base, with a magnetic closure, four inside pockets and a front zip pocket for your keys.
I managed some time in the studio on the weekend and also saw two wonderful documentary films at our local DocFest. The films, Kinshasa Symphony and West Wind: The Vision of Tom Thomson were both outstanding, the former a story of courage and determination in urban Africa and the latter a sensuously beautiful homage to Canada’s most well-known artist. I recommend them both.
And in the studio, the first of a series of Kenya pouches. A friend gave me the remaining leather after she had her new skirt shortened and I combined it with a small remnant I had.
The rest of the time was spent with Fireworks and I am definitely on the homeward stretch–finally.
I have my new Moleskine out of the package but have not drawn a single thing! Once I have finished this last tote–and it is close–I have promised myself to get drawing. I am inspired by Nina’s xmas day drawing and may try out orchids. They are so beautiful right now. I will be in Kenya for three weeks in February and hope to document my visit in drawings as well as photographs. So, in three weeks I will be shutting down the sewing machines and putting away the hook and frame until March. However, I should be able to blog on the weekends, if all goes well, so you may hear from me.
In the meantime, a new project. My sister has a great eye and fashion sense. She found this beautiful vintage buckle for me and has challenged me to come up with a use for it. She suggested a belt or closure for a bag. Hmmm. I love a challenge. I’ll tuck it away for now–but who knows where it will reappear. I saved the Bally strap in the previous post for 20 years before I found the perfect spot for it!
I have finished two bags which were ordered a while ago (one still to make). Both are unusual colour choices for me–but now that they are done I like them very much. The top bag is a two-tone Carissa–the black leather is from a pair of pants and the tan from an upholstery remnant with a tiny piece of caramel trim, left from a previous bag. The strap is an extra from a Bally bag I have loved for years. The tote is a happy one–cobalt blue with red accents. It has a zipper interior pocket and a large outer pocket on the back for a water bottle. I am now ‘scotchguarding’ these totes for additional wearability after I had mine in the rain next to my black suede coat. The slight gray tinge gives my bag character, but others might want to postpone the time when their tote has the ‘lived-with’ look.
Below is a scarf I found in my favourite second-hand store. It is 100% wool, made in the Orkney Islands. This scarf is a good example of why I love shopping second hand. I am enjoying trying those bright colours around my neck these cold afternoons–and maybe next year it will make a couple of pairs of great mittens!
I am winding down and ready for a break. Below is the last pile of mittens for 2011. Included in the pile is my first pair of men’s mittens (hidden in the back–dark, masculine tones, I assure you!) These are a special pair, lined with cashmere. Making these mittens is addictive–such fun to put the colours and patterns together. But ENOUGH!
And this is my final apron and my last piece of Marimekko fabric. I found some a couple of years ago in a store on Queen St. West in Toronto and of course, did not buy enough. And now the store is no longer there. Like Vera’s work, I have loved Marimekko since the 60’s when it was very available. This photo does not do justice to the wonderful designs on this coated fabric. If you click on Marimekko, you can view their fall fashion show–the fabrics are so inspiring. If you know where I can find some of this fabulous fabric, please let me know.
But on to new things. Below are two skirts I found in a thrift shop this week. They are both great quality leather, but the magenta is an amazing colour and not readily available in thrift stores. So…I am already planning a new bag. My inspiration is visiting on Christmas day, so we may have time to draft up a new design!
In a comment she made on yesterday’s post, Wendie talked about the joys of handmade gifts. I agree and am busy at this time of year trying to make all my ideas a reality. At left is a small pouch made for a special friend. I hope to do more silk screening with words in the new year.
Below is Carissa’s birthday Keller bag. It is made of a strong green leather, big enough for her laptop and with many pockets, including a small on one the back for her keys. The zippers are from the green Michael Kors suit–I used every inch of that leather and now the zippers. They are stronger than anything that I can buy on the market–hurray for upcycling.
