Hope you had a great weekend. I certainly did. Not sure how i pulled it off, but i managed to be social, restful and productive all in one weekend. My first Yoga lesson (finally!) followed by an afternoon tea and shopping with my best girls on saturday. And, i took two-hour nap on sunday ~ i might just rate it as the best nap i have ever taken. I also made progress on a few new projects. Not bad at all.
I spent numerous hours making a mess in my studio and i'm finally getting around to show you my new weekend tote design. I'm thrilled with the result. This bag is inspired by Marlynn weekend tote. A tote bag with zipper closure, leather handles and lots of inside organization (very much needed).
It's a simple tote bag with four slip pockets finished with two magnetic snap closures, but the thing i love most is the sky Hydrangea print paired with the gorgeous sky blue polka dot linen. Boy, do I love that print. I've been hoarding it for a while now.
I added a Japanese batten lace (i've collected it for years) for flare. And finished it off with a pair of beautiful leather handles.
A small clip can also be found inside ~ perfect for clipping on keys, trinkets, etc. A secret layer of quilt batting is stitched inside, for added fabric reinforcement and a bit of padding.
The rest of the Japanese batten lace (from the front) embraces the back of the tote bag. I hope the photos tell the story a little better. I foresee a few more totes on the horizon. Everyone loves a good weekend tote bag, no?
My morning coffee calls....
Happy Monday to you!
More soon!
Love to you and yours!
Dearest sweet Jacqueline,
I LOVE your newest bag! It's so beautiful and your work is stunning! I love how you carefully picked those fabrics and they look so matching together. The white lace adds a feminine touch to it! Absolutely darling! Great job!
Pei Li
Posted by: Dollhouse Miniatures by Pei Li | August 15, 2011 at 11:32 AM
This bag is amazing & your fabric choices are really lovely. I'm glad to hear you had a good weekend and that you've been productive!
Posted by: Tammy | August 15, 2011 at 01:03 PM
Sweet Jacqueline, Such a beautiful bag. I love the details, key clips are so handy! Is that the first time you sewed leather handles? Did you do them by hand or machine? It turned out fab! I can finally post on my blog, although it isn't entirely fixed, but that is fine by me until I have the other site ready. xo
Posted by: Theresa | August 15, 2011 at 01:38 PM
I love your bag! The colours an patterns are beautiful.
Thank you visiting my blog!
Posted by: Michele from Pipi La La | August 15, 2011 at 02:08 PM
Jacqueline, I absolutely love this bag, I want one too! :)
Are you going to be making more and selling them? Let me know if you do, I would love to have one.
Posted by: Veronika | August 15, 2011 at 04:47 PM
WOW--this bag is just stunning, Jacqueline! Dare I say, I think this is my fave of all your wonderful bags... the patchwork, lace & leather are just so beautiful all combined. You really did a splendid work on this one! So glad you had such a sweet weekend. And your first yoga class--HOORAY! You know I'm all for that. ;o) How did you like that class, going back? Happy Week, my friend ((BIG HUGS))
Posted by: Tracy | August 15, 2011 at 05:24 PM
wow! lovely! simply lovely! you are amazingly talented. i've never learn sew, to see you create this is just so wonderful. looking forward to see more tote bags from you.
happy week ahead sweet friend.
Posted by: alison | August 15, 2011 at 08:19 PM
Dearest Jacqueline, wow! This tote is just amazing! I love the pattern, the fabric, the colors, everything! So beautiful.
Have a great day! :D
Mary
Posted by: Merylu | August 15, 2011 at 08:25 PM
Dear Jacqueline, this bag is soooo beautiful and I LOVE the Japanese lace detail that turned your bag into something very special!
What a wonderful weekend you had and with a nap!!!
Wishing you lots of joy for this week, with much love,
Posted by: Mina | August 15, 2011 at 08:26 PM
Dearest sweet Theresa, yes it is the first time i sewed with leather handles. I did them by hand. It wasn't as hard as i thought it would be and such fun to sew them by hand! So happy to know that you site is back up! I will be visiting really soon! Love to you sweet friend!
Posted by: Jacqueline | August 15, 2011 at 08:35 PM
Dearest sweet Veronika, yes i am planning to make a few more once i've selected the right combination of fabrics...sometimes it takes me a while to get the right combination. I will keep you posted and perhaps you might find one that pulls your heart string! Love to you!
Posted by: Jacqueline | August 15, 2011 at 08:44 PM
Sounds like you had a fabulous weekend - I love those kind! Your newest bag is so sweet looking, especially with all those adorable details and that soft fabric.
Posted by: terriaw | August 15, 2011 at 08:52 PM
Dearest sweet tracy, i actually really did enjoy the first class very much even though the teacher was a little strict in making sure we get the right posture and position...it felt a little like yoga boot camp. hehe
But i am planning to sign up for this yoga session with this teacher. I kinda really like that she is paying so much attention to our posture and position. You know, on that day itself, i woke up with a really bad neck and shoulder pain but after yoga class, i felt so much relax around the neck and shoulder area. It felt like the stretching helped to release the tension on them. I was really happy about it and thought maybe in the long run i will get less headache. :) Have a lovely merry happy week sweet friend and love to you!
Posted by: Jacqueline | August 15, 2011 at 08:54 PM
Oh wow, what a lovely surprise from you! That is a beautiful beautiful bag, Jacqueline! I love every detail of it, especially the colors!! Absolutely love!! :) xx
Posted by: maggie | August 15, 2011 at 09:12 PM
Oh my gosh! This is pure JOY! You my friend amaze me...everytime I come over here I want something. This is the perfect shade of blue to follow me around everywhere..you my dear are one talented girl....love you. xoxo
Posted by: koralee | August 15, 2011 at 10:02 PM
Beautifully made;( i am always so amazed at fashion creations as i feel i could never make such beautiful piece!) anyways, i am looking forward to more totes... now i am off to... visit your etsy shop :) :) sandra
Posted by: sandra van doorn | August 15, 2011 at 10:15 PM
Dearest sweet sandra, our feelings towards each others work are similar. Your art work makes me smile and warms my heart. I really admire your talent and i feel too i could never draw and paint such beautiful illustration. :) Love to you!
Posted by: Jacqueline | August 15, 2011 at 10:36 PM
This is absolutely th cutest thing. :) Gorgeous bag!
Posted by: NatashaMay | August 15, 2011 at 10:56 PM
Jacqueline, the detail on your tote is incredible! I love the hand-stitching and the lace, the fabric, and well, all of it. What a great design!
Oh, and I'm with you on the restorative effects of a good nap. There's nothing better!
Posted by: Lisa H. | August 15, 2011 at 11:37 PM
What a lovely bag! Will you be making a pattern to sell?
Thank you, Sally
Posted by: Sally | August 16, 2011 at 12:18 AM
I love your new tote! Exactly the colours I love and the lace is perfect! The yoga sounds a really good thing, hope it does help with your headaches, take care sweet friend Em xx
Posted by: Mousy Brown | August 16, 2011 at 04:43 AM
Oh my goodness, this bag is STUNNING - I want one too! Will you be selling them? can I place an order?
Amelia.x
Posted by: Amelia | August 16, 2011 at 05:10 AM
This bag is so beautiful and well made!! I love the stitching on the leather handles and the addition of the battenburg lace!!
Posted by: megan | August 16, 2011 at 06:54 AM
Dearest sweet Sally, making a pattern to sell has never really cross my mind. It's really good food for thoughts and thank you so much for sharing your idea with me. Inspiring. :) Love to you!
Posted by: Jacqueline | August 16, 2011 at 08:23 AM
Dearest sweet Amelia, yes i am planning to make a few more once i've selected the right combination of fabrics...sometimes it takes me a while to get the right combination.
I still have some of the sky Hydrangea print paired with the gorgeous sky blue polka dot linen to make one more tote. If you like the tote in same fabric patterns, please kindly email me and we could work something out. Or you are always welcome to wait to see what other combination of fabrics i come up for this tote pattern design. Love to you sweet friend!
Posted by: Jacqueline | August 16, 2011 at 08:32 AM