Commission for Bel.
August 3, 2013
Something a little different. A reclaimed tapestry made into a giant bag for sewing , knitting and stitching things.
This commission from a fellow ‘textillite’ was very open-ended . Make a bag for all the sewing and knitting things for friend who loves harrysdesk and pink.
After getting permission I tried something that has been floating about in my mind for a while.
Many of the bags of bits and pieces from the op shop have the pieces from tapestries that have been forgotten about….some not even started.
This vintage style tapestry of Pierrot (Clown) and Horse was in perfect condition. It is most likely from the 80’s (some of you might remember) when pierrot had a bit of a resurgence. I am hoping the receiver has fond memories of the eighties!
I couldn’t let it go unstitiched of course….. not completely.
….I even stitiched the pink colour panel. Yes, I know they are not meant to be stitched, but I wanted to draw attention to the parts of the tapestry not normally seen, once framed.
You don’t ordinarily see this bit either…..
The flipside of the bag is made from reclaimed cream damask and the lining from a soft minty cashmere scarf. This pocket sits between the shell and the lining.
Inside the bag are a number of smaller bags and purses for all the other bits and pieces used for sewing and knitting.
Everything but the strapping of the handle was recliamed!
Reclaimed Pierrot and Horse printed canvas bag.
The other half of a GIANT list of fete and fair tutorials and printables…. (Part 2)
October 27, 2012
- The Scrapbooking Jar by Crate Paper Blog
- Chalkboard Serving Platter by Wit and Whistle.
- Knitted Snake by Purl Bee
- Paper Fortune Cookies by design wash rinse repeat.
- Pebble Mat by Junk Hippie
- Clay bird ornament by JessicaJane Handmade.
- Owl cushion by button bird designs.
- Pillowcase shopping bag by Grow Mama.
- Mouse Ornaments by Family Fun
- Crocheted Washcloths by Purl Bee
- Monster Bags by harrysdesk
- Pram cards by The Pleated Poppy
- Salt dough Christmas Ornaments by Oleander and Palm
- Rice filled heating Owls for children by Just another Hang Up.
- Beaded Heart Wand by First Palette
- Circle Zip Earbud Pouch by dog under my desk
- Tea Bag gift Tag by The Studio Of Mae.
- Cardboard Horses by Design Sponge
- Mooshy Belly Bunny by Chez Beeper Bebe
- Felt Crowns by hellobee
- Easy Drawstring Bag by Purl Bee
- Recycled Book Bird Decoration by Under the Table and Dreaming
- Present Cards by Craft and Creativity
- Babies Triange Dress by Purl Bee
- Monster Slime by all things simple
- DIY ice cream sundae box by family bits.
- Monster bibs by stubbornly crafty.
- Cloud and rain mobile by dailylike recipe?
- Bunting by the yvestown blog.
- Lunchsacks by All people quilt.
Enjoy….and let me know if you think you might make anything.
Monster/Fort Kit mash-up.
October 24, 2012
Yes, the monsters are back!
Lately…. I mixed together two of my favourite creative gifts into a monster/fort mash-up.
Previously,I have made fort kits for gifts. I got the idea from saltwater kids, who got it at Bloom.
The contents of the monster pillow.
…and more recently I have been making monsters. You can see a tutorial here if you would like to make your own.
For this particularly creative 9 year old boy, I joined them together.
I’m particularly loving the eyes!
The monster fort mash! ….and a cheeky foot.
Would the 9 year old boys in your life like these?
Monsters Upcycled.
September 5, 2012
Monster Madness at my house.
If my mild case of madness wasn’t evidenced before now…. I think this weekends making will confirm it solidly.
A large A4 size green monster and a pencil case size white one.
I had so much fun making monsters from upcycled chenille bedspreads that a friend gave me, months ago. Thanks Belinda.
Large monsters big enough for pyjama bags or music bags…. or just monster pencil cases.
They are mostly for the upcoming school fete, and are quite addictive to make. I’m hoping some more chenille bedspreads will be donated (yes that’s a hint if you have any kicking around).
Ipod size and DS size monster bags.
The girls gave suggestions like…. try making them just with a zipper mouth, and how about DS size or as a handbag.
Originally I was trying to come up with things boys might like, as there is always more craft items on the stall for girls and very few for boys.
Pencil case size monsters.
I’m also trying to only use what I have in my cupboard, or donations from others.
They are dead easy to make.
Mini Monster….
Would you like a tutorial?
Watch this space……
Monsters have taken over the cubby!
Commission for Winton
June 18, 2012
Winton’s bag.
I haven’t shown you anything I have made in a while.
This neat little tie bag was made using all those ‘novelty’ ties most men who grew up in the 80’s have in their cupboards.
My little friend Winton helped me select the ties to make his ‘go everywhere’ bag. As you can see he chose cyclists, lions, sun and moons, dogs, hot air balloons….. Lots of inspiration for any 8 year old boy.
He told me about his love of photography, so I lined the bag with velvet to protect the lenses and gave it a little extra padding for general protection. Unfortunately the bag was delivered before I realised I only had one good shot!
I’m told he is rarely seen without his bag.
Commission for Deb and Tim
March 5, 2012
Before Christmas, the house move and the best holiday we have had as a family yet, I made my first ever unisex nappy bag. It was quite a fun process, so I thought I would share some of it.
It all began with an email out of the blue from all the way over in WA…. Deb wanted a bag that both her and her husband were happy to carry. She liked the Phoenix Files Bags shape and colour palette (although wanted to see some other ideas for colour), but wanted to make sure it was still ‘male enough’ for her Tim.
Blue/ grey Combo
Black/Avocado combo.
Red/Black/White/Grey Combo.
Tan/Brown Combo.
School Tie combo.
I emailed her a number of tie combinations. They settled on the black and avocado greens combination. To make sure it wasn’t t too feminine we stayed away from florals, paisleys and shiny ties. After we decided on the colour-way Deb cleared out her husbands wardrobe and asked if it were possible to upcycle one of his shirts for the lining.
The shirt was a King Gee style one made for a church men’s weekend away. The shirt had special memories for Tim but wasn’t something he wore. It didn’t yield quite enough fabric for the lining alone….so I added some ikea fabric from my stash.
Here’s what we ended up with.
Finished Nappy Bag with Change Mat.
Bag back....
...change mat.
Deb also wanted lots and lots of pockets.
Pockets for wipes, wallet, diary and notebooks, bottles and creams and of course nappies.
She also requested a special hook for her keys so that she wasn’t constantly searching for her keys at the bottom of the bag.
Inside looked like this.
Lots and lots of pockets. Open and zippered.
Button on key holder.
One of the more obviously telling details of the nappy bag are the side bottle pockets. I enjoyed getting my head around shaping these without compromising the given shape of the tie too much.
The strap is adjustable so as to be able to lengthen it for going over the handles of a pram or stroller and then shorten it again for carrying on the shoulder. I used a reclaimed computer-bag shoulder pad for extra comfort.
Right bottle pocket ...
Left bottle pocket.
Shoulder pad.
After I posted the bag off I received this lovely email from Deb’s husband Tim.
Hi Ally,
This is Tim (Deb’s husband) here.
Just wanted to say a massive thankyou for your superb work with our new ‘man-friendly’ nappy bag! It’s sooooo cool 🙂
The incorporation of my King Gee shirt is really, really nice as that was the camp uniform for a men’s retreat that I organised while I was working for church (it was a huge hit and really had a tangible impact on the friendships between the guys). So, needless to say, I am stoked at that memory being interwoven with the practicalities of caring for my precious girls!
Tim.
I really enjoyed making this one.
Anyone else need a nappy bag?
Another Penhall!
July 20, 2011
Silvery grey Penhall..... with floral lining.
I’ve just posted this new one on etsy
It’s the second promised bag made using the colours inspired by you. You can see the green and blue version here.
I’m loving it, and was glad of the opportunity to put a silver grey bag together….as I have been wanting to use this colour combo for a while.
So thanks…..
The repositional rosette....
....and the back.
...the oval base with pleats...
The bag is also completely reversible. The other side is lined with a liberty-esque floral in blue green and grey tones with a touch of pink….so it’s a bit girlie.
...a peek at the inside....
Commission for Jenny: Bible cover
July 12, 2011
Front cover with journal pocket..... look closely from the green button to the top.
My latest commission was a really lovely one for me to be part of.
Jenny’s daughter made her profession of faith* last weekend and this is her gift.
It’s a bible cover!
I know some of you who are right now scratching your head in confusion….. and saying “Why cover your bible and give it handles?” Well the reason is when bibles are taken to and from church week after week they don’t last long…so some Christians cover them and make them easy to carry so that they last longer…. and look cooler.
Zipper enclosing pages
...other side
I’m so happy with the way this one has turned out….especially as I haven’t made one before.
It completely made from her late grandfather’s ties, which her wore mostly on Sundays as he preached to his congregation. So it is so special.
Jenny said:
So special! I think there may have been a few quiet tears shed. She has been discovering all the little special parts – pockets and hand-stitching and thinking of all the things she can use the different pockets for.
inside back....with hidden slip pocket....
Front inner flap....with hidden pocket.
...the other side....or back.
* profession of faith: a public commitment to be a follower of Jesus always.
Steph's 'Ultimate Custom Purse'
This one was lots of fun to make!
Yesterday I posted about something harrysdesk that was featured on 30 projects in 30 days.
This was it.
If you missed it you can check out the original post with more photos here and on Steph’s blog.
Commission for Sue….again.
May 25, 2011
Inside... lots of card slots.
About a month ago I made my first of these wallets for Sue.
It was for a gift.
She then straight away wanted another…. this time for herself.
If you look very closely, you will see in the stitching I have included little ‘kisses’. Sometimes single kisses…and sometimes a bunch together. I also mixed up the colours in the handstitching….to add a bit of excitement.
Outside zippered pocket. Notice the 'kiss' on the harrysdesk label.
Covered elastic closure.
Still trying to come up with a better way to photograph these…. not that happy with the pictures.
