BirdBrain Designs

some new things for our show

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I have been trying out some new things that I want to show you. They will be available at the December 2nd show. (If you want details, please email me.)  First the Basque Tote, 14x17x6.5″. Leather bottom and straps and lined with canoe canvas. Fun with the screen printed pockets inside! I have some small pouches in this great striped canvas, but this is the only tote.

And some ipad cases! These are made of recycled leather with a zipper closing and a pocket inside. The one on the right has a slip pocket on the outside too. These are one-of-a-kind, since the leather comes from old jackets and couches! And finally a turquoise rough bag. Unlined leather in a great colour with a slip pocket on the outside and two more inside. 12x12x4″  with a 40″ strap.



colour for the weekend

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I gave my talk on Kenya last night (more on that in another post)–and with that checked off my list I will be concentrating on sewing all weekend, getting ready for our December 2 show. Since  I will not post  here again until Monday, I thought I would leave you with some glorious colour. I had just enough of this remnant of coated basque fabric to make two aprons. However, on Michelle’s inspiration I am coming up with a leather bottomed tote out of the striped basque cotton. Such a flash of colour. I will post it on Monday, along with some other new items, I hope. Have a great weekend everyone.

barely hooked

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Barely Hooked, a show at Rae Harrell’s gallery, was a short drive from the Shelburne Museum. We were able to get there on Sunday; it is a wonderful gallery space and the show is well-worth seeing.  Here are some of the highlights.

Rae Harrell’s Trophy Wife Gone to Seed…

Gina Steen’s After the Bath…

Gloria Reynolds’ Golden Earring…

Dianne Phillips’ All Together…

Janice McKnight’s The Bath 1…

Rae Harrell’s portrait of her husband…

www dot pouches and tote

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I am back home and back at it. I still have photos from the show and from the class to post. I hope to do that tomorrow–so stay tuned. In the meantime, here are some of the new canvas items I am working on. I love the geometric quality of the new patterns.  The pouches are lined with red cotton print and are a perfect size, 8×5″. The tote is 13x18x4″ with two recycled leather interior pockets, heavy-duty leather straps and a leather bottom. Also a clip for your keys, soon to be riveted in! The canvas is canoe-grade, so the tote is up to carrying all your gear. These items will be available at the December show.

more rugs from hooked in the mountains

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Here are a few more rugs from this outstanding show in Shelburne Vermont. Still, it is just a small selection from the many pieces on the two floors of the Round Barn. It is our last day here, our class finishes up–but the show goes on until next weekend. I encourage you to see it if you can. If not, I will be posting more pictures here. There is so much to appreciate and learn from in this show.

This rug designed and hooked by Jen Lavoie is a piece I kept coming back to as I walked around the show. The photo does not convey its size which is over 5 feet wide–it is breathtaking. It is accompanied by the lyrics of the Bruce Springsteen song, This Train.The next two wonderful rugs are by Kathy Henning, a featured artist at the show.

This colourful piece was designed and hooked by Fumiyo of Burlington, Ontario.

I loved this miniature Morris chair, a salesman’s sample, which Gail Duclos Lapierre inherited from her grandmother. As you can see the hand hooked upholstery, which Gail also tailored, is reversible.

a few rugs from hooked in the mountains 2012

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The opening of the rug show was last night. What a show! I took photos as I wandered through and want to share some with you here. But, for sure, I will be back today and tomorrow. It is hard to see everything on your first visit. These are just a very few of the highlights on the first floor. There are two large floors full of rugs!

This People’s Choice Winner from 2011 was designed and hooked by Donna Hrkman of Dayton Ohio.

Solitude by Karen Miller of Ottawa Ontario.

This incredible tiger was designed and hooked by Ann Winterling, one of the featured artists.

Another of the featured artists was Liz Guth. The next two are hers, Ruby’s Cat and a geometric.

The last for this post is Alvin, by Kathleen Patten.

heading out

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Notes from a very messy studio!  You can see I am into making pouches. These are made of black denim and lined with colourful batiks and African screen prints. BUT, today I am heading out for Vermont — Shelburne VT specifically, and the wonderful Hooked in the Mountains rug show. I am also taking a class! Hope to share all the glorious rugs and other excitement with you here, so check back when you can.

another gaspé tote

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I had some heavy green leather and some turquoise handles–and the marriage seemed to work. This is the fourth in a series of unlined totes–great for shopping or travel. Ultra heavy duty, 14x13x5″ with two large outside pockets and one inside. So functional, and a great jolt of colour.

cold weather wear…

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I have been making some Finger Free Gloves out of recycled cashmere and boiled wool. They are great for sketching, texting or photography — surprisingly cozy. I wore mine every day in chilly Paris. And Carissa tells me it is so cold at work that she needs a pair there! 

I am also back at mitten-making. These take a lot of time as I line them with recycled wool, mostly soft cashmere scarves — but I do enjoy making them, combining the colours and textures. Recycled sweaters are such a source of fabulous colour and design.

two new leather totes

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The Gaspé Rough Tote is finished. This is a large travel bag, 16x14x7″, made of durable leather from two recycled jackets, one black and the other a lovely worn brown bomber jacket. The tote has two slip pockets on the outside, and inside four more pockets, one zippered. The heavy-duty strap is adjustable. I have a version of this bag myself and I find it ideal for travelling. Good size and strong enough to carry all you need.

The second tote is a new design — I call it the Flat Tote. It is 13x13x2 and great for carrying a few things, like  your papers and ipad–my MacBook actually fits in here too. This bag is unlined, but the inside is red suede, a nice surprise! Below you will see my favourite model carrying this tote (and wearing some Finger-Free Gloves, but more on them in a later post). This tote is made from a remnant of upholstery leather and the exterior pocket is from a recycled jacket. It also has an interior slip pocket.t