BirdBrain Designs

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back again…with a couple of new bags

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The blog has been quiet for a few days–problems at headquarters! But things seem to be running again, so time to introduce two new bags. The first is the 3spot Tote. It is made from the remainder of the wonderful blue distressed leather used in  this–with some black pebbly leather from a coat on the bottom and inside. I incorporated all the things I like in a tote–magnetic closure, large outside pocket, inside leather split pocket for phone and other small essentials, shoulder straps that are not too long for carrying straight out and a double leather bottom for strength and a neat finish inside. Rivet and punched hole detail. It measures 14.5″ x 14″ x 6 with a strap drop length of 10″.

This tote will be in the shop tomorrow.

This is the next version of the Delta–in red with croc pockets and detail. I’m still working on this one, but I am loving it so far.

learning and making change

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I am at the gallery this afternoon; it’s one of my favourite places. And for the first time have internet because I am using my phone as a personal hotspot. How cool is that? Learned that from my son on the weekend. We also made a few changes to the blog — navigation is now on the right to the on-line store and to a couple of new locations. I downloaded instagram to my phone and have been having lots of fun with it as you can see from the first photo. I’ve also set up a Facebook page for birdbrain. I hope to use both of these spots to post some new work as well as some of my sketches. I am just experimenting — not sure what at this point is the best way to go — the last thing I want to do is to create more work for myself away from the actual creating. So we will see.

Here is the Blue Luna with one of my favourite models. This bag is actually sold now and soon on its way to a new home. I have taken what is left of this beautiful leather and combined it with some black recycled leather, to make a new tote. It is called the Blue 3spot and you can see it in its early stages on instagram.

meet the delta

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These days I have been working with leather that I really love. This emerald leather  falls into that category; it has a lovely sheen and texture which will just get nicer with age and use. The Delta is designed as a travel bag or large tote. It is 18″ wide, 14″ tall and has a depth of 6″. The front has a pocket with a magnetic closure with contrasting leather lining–inside there  is a zipper pocket and two slip pockets.  There are two padded handles for easy carrying as well as a detachable shoulder strap which adjusts to 46″ long. The bottom has four ‘feet’ to protect it from scuffing. All in all, this tote is designed to be an indispensable part of your travel plans. The Delta will be in the shop by Wednesday.

 

10 good things

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It’s a cold and dreary morning in southern Ontario and my train plans to TO for supplies were literally derailed (after I got to the station for 6:10 am and was actually sitting on the train). So I am here again in the studio this morning. I often make lists of good things in my sketchbook, as reminders–and since I have some good ones to share, I thought I would do so right here.

1. The calm following the Kenyan election.  Raila Odinga is taking his accusations of vote rigging to the Supreme Court and everyone is calling for peace. I had a text from my friend Jackie in Bondo who tells me they are all waiting on the court’s findings.

2. This inspiring interview with the Nobel prizewinning authors of Half the Sky.

3. This amazing film and this one–both of which I saw at our recent AMAZING Docfest.

4. This book . I read it in Matangwe on my ipad under the mosquito net! Thanks to Mary Anne for recommending it.

5. This cake.

6. This soup.

7. This article on shibori dyeing.

8. This shop. Below you will see all the coloured leather I bought there yesterday.

9. A new project. A large travel tote in green leather. The Delta Tote.

10. Birdbrain blog anniversary at the end of the month. To celebrate a new shop and a giveaway. More on this early next week.

colour

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It has been a dark, drab week in Southern Ontario. I am not complaining–how could I in the face of such destruction and pain to the south of us? But I am commenting that there has been no sun and little colour since I got home. S0…I did a very quick sketch of the beautiful flowers on our counter and felt better immediately. Then I took out out the fabric I brought home from France. Now, last year when I was in the south of France I bought some wonderful striped fabric in Collioure and made a few of these pouches. I didn’t buy enough, of course — and the few pouches sold quickly. I was delighted this year in Chartres to find a whole store devoted to this striped fabric from the Basque region.

I have begun to make a few pouches.  The colours are wonderful. I also have some coated fabric for aprons and totes. All will be available at our show in December.

yarn bombing and more

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Many thanks to Wendie who alerted me that my photos here taken last week in Picton Ontario are examples of yarn bombing or yarn storming. There is a good explanation here along with this great Thank You Tree. And if you want to pursue the idea, there are books written on the subject, Yarn Bombing, Art of Crochet and Knit Graffiti and Knit the City. Seems to me this is an elegant and non-destructive way to make a point or just bring joy to a sterile place.  And speaking of thank you, Wendie has a wonderful thanks pillow in her latest post.

Today I was back in the studio. Have begun screen printing my new designs. These are for new canvas totes and bags as well as for lining of the leather bags. I love the graphic quality of these chevrons. This is the first of three new designs.

And…the cherry Gaspé bag is almost finished. I think the size and the leather combine to make a great bag. Pictures on Thursday, I hope. For tomorrow, I am off to Toronto to stock up on zippers, interfacing and screen printing ink–and maybe a leather remnant or two if I see an irresistible colour!

 

bird and house images

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My favourite images are of birds and houses. I love to draw them and also to see how others interpret the concepts. The new wedding rug will have both birds and houses and as I look at things in my design collection, it is birds and houses that dominate. Here is my new laptop case from Built. Their slogan is Love Your Stuff. My slogan modifies that a little–reduce the stuff you have to just what you love. 

And speaking of what I love…I love working with my good friend and designer extraordinaire, Melanie. Below is the proposed label for the sewing work of the women in Matangwe. Melanie took one of the drawings done by the grade 6 children in Matangwe and turned it into this marvelous label. We are hoping to increase the scope of the work the women produce and develop a recognizable brand. This is a start.

And now on to birds. Here is a glimpse of one of the new prints we are working on. I will be using this for the lining of my leather bags and for new canvas and leather totes. All to come for the fall.

ps  Yesterday’s long bike ride in Prince Edward County went really well and the new Strava app worked like a charm. More cycling to come this weekend as the clock ticks down to next Wednesday when I leave for two week’s cycling in Italy.

progress…

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I am finished hooking Fireworks. The photo here was earlier today–now the small empty spot contains the number 12, there but not obvious, just for the record. It’s surprising how quickly we forget these things. I dyed the wool for the whipping today, a black/brown combo so that it will just look like another dark row on the outside. The rug is about 24 feet around the outside edge. Jennifer tells me that each foot of whipping takes one hour to complete! I will time my first foot and let you know. People often ask me how long it took to hook Fireworks–and truly, I prefer not to know. I do know that I have been at it, on and off, for almost two years, including dyeing the wool, drawing the pattern and hooking, hooking.
I also did some screenprinting today. I plan to make a denim tote with black leather bottom and handles. The dark prints below are for the inside pocket. While I was at it, I made a repeat of The Bird with Attitude. This is my favourite of all my bird images. However, I am soon to be working again with my favourite collaborator (so happy!)–so I’ll be drawing some new birds for the spring.  Check out the link to see Melanie’s wonderful watercolour album art!Tomorrow I hope to put my new house design on a chair seat–and begin hooking something more manageable. Lugging around Fireworks at the end was a little cumbersome!

september’s end

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Yesterday my great friend and I spent the day at our favourite places in Prince Edward County. We ate our lunch on a picnic table at a deserted Sandbanks Provincial Park watching the gulls dive bomb West Lake,

saw some outstanding photography, ate our last Kawartha dairy cone of the summer and finished off with the best cappucino for miles.

Below are some new things to come out of the studio. The first mittens of the season–they are made from recycled 100% wool sweaters and lined with recycled woollen scarves.  As well, the first zippered tote. I’ve been wanting to make one for a while–and I think this is perfect.  I’ve stacked up some fuschia and bright blue leather for the next ones! Meanwhile this tote and several pairs of mittens are available at Bookhou–and I will be there tomorrow hooking on my giant rug from 2:00-5:00.

a brand new bag

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This is the new canvas/ recycled leather tote.  At 15″ tall, 16″ across with a wide base, it is made to carry lots of stuff.  I wanted  a large tote that is strong enough for groceries or art supplies, but still manageable enough to carry for a distance.  And with lots of pockets.  I think this may be the ticket.  I must thank my good friend Melanie for helping me make this wonderful text-fabric.