bags and purses

I wanted to make a daily tote. The one you rely on to carry all your stuff on busy days. The one that looks good everywhere and wears its age well. I had this great mocha leather which was just enough to make this tote, 12.5″ wide, 12″ tall with a double base of 4″. There is an adjustable leather strap, subtle brass coloured hardware and a back pocket with a sturdy metal zipper. The front flap is double leather and closes with a leather strap and brass knob. Inside it is lined with great jigsaw cotton with two additional leather pockets.

In the online store now. Check under navigation on the right.

I was in Toronto yesterday getting some supplies. A selection of my new bags and hooked rugs will be in a show at my favourite local gallery for the month of November and I’m working non-stop to get everything finished. I could not resist the beautiful leather remnants pictured below when I was buying zippers and rivets. They called out to me! I have plans to combine the colours and turn them into small zippered pencil cases and make-up bags. I’ll be posting them here soon and some will be in the on-line store.

I also wanted to let you know that I’m trying to post work in progress each day on Instagram. There is a button on the right under Navigation which will take you there. I would love if you would follow my progress. Thanks for staying with me, Christine.

I used the same teal leather as the bag I featured in the last post–(the second photo captures this rich colour best). This time it is a bigger 121 bag — 12″ wide, 11″ tall with a 2″ base. It also has a flap lined in recycled pebbly black leather with a magnetic closure and a generous exterior back pocket for keys or phone. But on the bigger bag there is a wide teal leather adjustable leather strap which attaches to the bag with metal clips. Inside there are three pockets, including a zippered one for security. The bag is lined in great polka dot batik cotton and the pocket sports the birdbrain graphic bird in a hurry. This is a great everyday bag which is generous in size for all your daily needs.

Here is another great Marimekko pattern made into a tote. I think it is the perfect pattern for fall and winter–fun flower cutouts in bright reds and orange on a dark background. The tote has comfortable leather handles and a wide leather base. It closes with a durable brass coloured metal zipper which opens extra wide. Inside the tote is lined in black heavy cotton with a textured leather phone pocket as well as a zip/slip pocket with a screen printed bird. This tote wipes clean inside and out. It measures 17″ wide, 15″ tall and has a base of 4.5″–designed to carry all you might want for travel or everyday use. Reports back from owners of this year’s Marimekko totes say they use their totes for both travel and everyday. They add such a wonderful splash of colour to your life.

And I couldn’t resist making a few pouches for the four patterns I’ve used this year. I love each one of them. These pouches are great for make-up, for your headphones and other cords, or any other small items you want kept separately in a big bag. They are each lined in cotton and close with a nylon zipper. 

The 121 is a new design which you saw first here. We’ve been road-testing the first two and they have proved themselves great day bags. They are big enough for wallet, phone, notebook and other essentials and yet light enough to sling over your shoulder for a day out. I am finally back in the studio for a few days and here are three more in scrumptious colours. Each of these bags is made from a leather remnant, so each is truly one-of-a-kind. Mocha, denim and emerald.

Each bag is 9.5″ wide, 8″ tall and 1.5″ deep. They have a flap lined in contrasting leather which snaps shut with a magnetic closure and a narrow black leather cross-body strap which can be knotted to shorten. Inside each has a great lining–you can just see the fuchsia dot fabric peaking out of the denim leather bag in the last photo–with a pocket for phone or credit cards.

I’m making these bags and a few others for a show in November, but if you’ve fallen in love with one, just contact me. 🙂

This rugged tote is a one-of-a-kind. It combines my favourite fabric and leather. The handles are vintage, from a time when quality was high. They are still beautiful leather and combine well with the caramel leather on the bottom and sides of this tote.  The tote is designed for daily use or for travel with lots of compartments inside and out. It has two large exterior pockets where travel documents, phone etc can be slipped for convenience. Inside it is bright striped canvas from Ireland and there are four pockets, made of orange waxed canvas. one of them zippered. The side has leather tabs for extra strength. The waxed canvas is manufactured in the USA, can be wiped clean and has a great vintage look. In the on-line store today.

Here are two samples of the new 121 bag, cobalt blue and pewter. These are each made with remnants of simply beautiful pieces of leather. The bags are approximately 9″ tall and 8″ wide with darted bottoms for extra room and a 46″ cross-body strap which can be shortened with a knot. The rounded flap is backed in black leather and closes with a magnetic snap. The bags are lined in 100% cotton, the blue from Kenya and the tan polka dot from Ireland–both glimpsed in the last photo–with a leather phone pocket. This bag will hold all your essentials for a evening out or as an extra with a larger tote. They will be in the on-line store tonight.

I am working on a new small shoulder bag. One that is great for a night out or a trip to the shops. A light and easy small bag with clean lines and a simple cross-body strap. It will have a pocket for your phone and ample room for other essentials like keys, cards and sunglasses. I have several remnant pieces in great colours, so these will be one-of-a-kind bags. Here are the component parts for the first prototype in pewter with polka dot interior. Working on one today in cobalt…will post when both are finished.

I wanted to make a medium size bag that would be great for everyday use with ample pockets outside and in, cross-body strap for easy wearing and zipper closure. I’ve had a small remnant of this emerald leather for some time just waiting to be turned into a bag. The colour is rich and the quality of the leather is beautiful. The bag measures 11″ wide, 10″ high and 4″ deep with two outside pockets and three inside, 100% cotton lining, durable metal zipper and brass coloured hardware. It’s ready to add some zip to your day. Check the online store; use the button on the right under Navigation.

I love this big watercolour print on the Marimekko coated cotton and it makes a great spring/summer bag with reds on one side and blues on the other. The bag is trimmed in recycled black pebbly leather and has a zipper closure. Inside it has three pockets, a slip/zip double pocket and a red leather phone pocket. An adjustable leather strap makes it possible to wear cross-body or you can shorten it up to wear on your shoulder. You can take this bag anywhere–it has a durable leather bottom and the cotton wipes clean with a damp cloth. At 12″ x 12″ x 4″ it will carry all you need for these lovely days. This bag is sold, but it is possible to order one like it as long as the fabric lasts.