how to: turn a belt into a purse strap....

Sometimes it can seem impossible to find a good leather purse strap. In many of my purse classes, we've discussed how to make a purse handle/strap from an old belt....which is a great way to re-cycle or up-cycle something that is just collecting dust. In response to a recent e-mail request for long straps (which I no longer carry, as they've been discontinued), I decided to write it all down to share. And so now I'm sharing it with you.....


I hope it makes sense....please don't hesitate to get in touch should you have any ?? or need clarification. If you click on the picture above, it will display larger and should be readable.

the best part of the weekend....

Along with the normal cleaning, laundry, grocery shopping, and the much needed pattern-drawing (ugh!), I also had quite a bit of time to spend hooking and creating a new coin purse. While I still have to add the clasp and do a couple of other things....it's very promising. Plus, I think I've devised a fix for the stripey one I abandoned last week (yay!)

The back (above) is my favourite, and I would be happy to have the same twigs repeated on the other side and say goodbye to the butterfly....but ripping out half of what you've done just doesn't fit with my DNA. Yet another example of where an extra 10-15 minutes of planning would have helped, but I was just too eager to get going. The body of the butterfly is hooked with sparkly nylons, which is going to look swell with the gunmetal clasp I've picked out.


The colours started with a piece of royal purple Ultrasuede....and I noticed a funny thing about my wool: I mostly have magenta-purples not blueish-purples. Needless to say, selecting the wool was pretty quick -- I just choose all of them....and mixed in a little magenta! When it was all said and done, I found the perfect batik for the lining in my stash, so I guess it was fate.

With any luck I'll have time this week to finish off both of the clutches...and maybe even start on the next one.

limited edition availability update

more on the coin purse....

Today's post will be short and sweet - I'm feeling quite tired, plus I'm still suffering from an afternoon wasp sting. Ouch!

Thank you for all of the little change purse love. I think it was probably my fastest rug hooking project ever!

Many people had questions about how I put it together. I don't really want to divulge too much about it, since I wasn't really happy with it - and I know there is a (much) better way.

I can tell you that the metal snap frame is not sewn on - it's glued and then crimped for extra hold. Plus, it's mostly hand-sewn, except for the lining. Speaking of the lining, I used my standard go-to purse lining: batik quilting cotton...


I am eager to start playing around again and I can't wait to start on prototype #2. Before I do though, I need to come up with some creative solutions to resolve some of the problem areas I encountered on the first go around....

April was right!

I learned a lot putting this guy together - mostly things I'd do differently next time.... At this rate, there will be several more prototypes before I perfect the assembly.

Overall, I'm pretty happy with my first attempt. I think I'm going to just start using it - and see how it stands up to some use and abuse.

making progress

Skeleflora

Bullseyes

It's been a pretty busy week – and there will be another busy one to come – but after that I'm hoping to take a bit of a breather....

The two new purses not only have names, they are also sewn together – the only thing that's missing is the linings! ;-) Since it's not noticeable in photographs, I figure that can wait for a little bit yet. I will be working on writing up the instructions this week...and I'm hoping to have patterns ready to ship sometime in the next two weeks. In the meantime, I do have a new catalogue ready to go, so please e-mail if you'd like me to email you a copy.

Other things that happened in the last week....

• I received my final shipment of Grayson e. leather handles last week. Yes, I'm afraid that my beloved handles have been discontinued. Not to worry though (I've done enough of that for all of us!), I am currently working with someone to create a suitable replacement....and will hopefully have some details and pictures to share with you soon.

• I broke my camera. I guess it didn't like crashing to the ground while still attached to my tripod, with the lens extended. Yikes. So, I did some research and finally decided on this one. I ordered it online yesterday (for a great price), and hopefully it will arrive this week.

• While searching in the closet for the perfect brown wool to trim my purse, I happened upon the previously mentioned box of fun and exciting items. I'd kind of forgotten about it, but now that I've rediscovered it, I can hardly wait to dive it. Must. Write. New. Pattern. Books. First.

• When sewing the leather handles onto Bullseyes and Skeleflora, I tried out the 18 guage syringe needle method, suggested by Jane....and it worked like a charm! My sewing needle was a little of the large side, so I just pushed it in until it started to stick and then pulled the syringe needle through to the front (along with the needle and thread. Super speedy and very simple. If you know any doctors or nurses, this is one tool you should add to your sewing basket....

Things will be quiet around here for a little while yet....but I will pop in when (if) I have anything exciting to report.....

Bullseyes - Day Three

I am the type of girl who works best with a deadline. I blame it all on my mother - I've inherited it from her. I've told myself and others that I'm going to finish off two new purses by the end of July....and if I can just maintain my current momentum, I think it's totally doable.

I hooked some more last night.....and I've gotta say that I'm really loving this new design. It's so simple....and there is lots of room for playing around with colour. I've also enjoying the marblized wools that I'm hooking into the background.


Since I seldom pay attention to “how much” wool I use, I really had no idea if I had enough of my marblized wool for the background. How do you know if you have enough wool? Here's what I do....

I assemble what I think will be an adequate amount of background wool. I divide each piece into 4 equal pieces (by cutting notches) , and rip off 1/4 of each of them. I cut up all of the torn pieces of wool (=1/4 of all of the wool)....and begin hooking. If I am able to hook 1/4 of my piece (or 1/2 of one side of a purse), before cutting any of the remaining wool, then I'm pretty sure that I will have enough. If I don't have enough to hook 1/4 of the area, I add some more wool to the mix. I check again at the 1/2 way mark, making sure that at least half of the area has been hooked before cutting any more wool (i.e. 1/2 of the original amount). And, because sometimes you tend to pack more (or less) and pull your loops higher (or not), I check again at the 3/4 mark. There is nothing worse than nearing the end of your project and realizing that you don't have enough wool, so the sooner you know that you won't have enough, the sooner you can correct the problem and start blending in the new additions....
--------------
P.S. I keep forgetting to take a picture of the inspiration piece - I will try to do that again tonight...

Bullseyes - Day Two

This purse is turning out to be quite muted.....but I sorta like it like that. It's a real switch from the last one - now named Skeleflora (Wendie deserves credit for the name - she's always got good ideas). I think it will be another great everyday design....

I'm really loving how quickly it's hooking up - using leftover strips and slubby bits for everything other than the background is helping speed things up....as is the simple design. Choosing the colours for the "buttons" seems to take the most time. I started pulling out a selection of strips that I'd like to include (a few each of teals, some greens, golds, browns, darker violets, etc.) and have them sitting on top of my frame. Rather than rooting through all of my bins each time I hook a new circle, I just look to the small pile on my frame. Fewer choices leads to faster decision making! ;-)

I was a little worried about the background being a little too dull for the grape handles I'd chosen, so I added in a couple of brighter bits to see if this might fix the problem. My initial reaction was dislike, but I left them in overnight to see how they looked in the daylight. They are now gone.

I still haven't quite decided what to do about the handle.... I seem to waver between the original grape and the brown. What do you think?

You can really see the handful of brighter strips in the above photo - they are not there anymore ;-)

Bullseyes - Day One

Another grey weekend….with a few scattered showers and a couple of glimpses of the sun, has come to an end. This summer has been so un-summerlike. One good thing about the weather is that I haven’t been faced with the “too hot to hook” problem, and I’ve been getting more hooking done than is usual for me in the summer months. Hooking seems to have replaced my usual summer activities of camping and spending time at the lake. I haven’t yet pitched my tent, and I don’t think I’ve even been down to our lake in the last month or so….maybe even longer.

I procrastinated starting my newest purse on Friday and again on Saturday, using knitting to fill the time instead. [I’ve casted off the bottom edge of my February Lady sweater, and have begun knitting on the 2nd sleeve. Now that I’m finally able to try it on properly, it’s obvious that the first sleeve is an inch or two too short, so I will need to take care of that before I’m all done. I really love how it’s turning out, and I’m sure that it will fast become a wardrobe staple this Fall – if not sooner, the way the weather has been!]

On Saturday, I happily wandered around the annual Muskoka Arts & Crafts Summer Show. It is always great to see so many creative people in one place. There were definitely lots of lovely things to see, but nothing that I couldn’t live without (that fit within my limited budget). Mostly I was holding out for the potter that I saw there last year, but in the end I realized they did not attend this year (I guess I should have done my homework first). Of course, since I got home, I've thinking about all of the beautiful things that I wish I’d bought…

Sunday was such a dull day that I had the urge to just stay in bed all day with a good book….but I resisted. I originally had a very different plan for my next purse, but the more I thought about my idea, the more I realized that it would be a big challenge – perhaps a bigger challenge than I had time for right now. Instead, I drew another idea that’s been brewing for a while….


I will take some pictures of the source of inspiration tonight and post with tomorrow's progress picture(s).

Skeleflora - day seven and day eight

Well, after much procrastination and delay, the hooking is finally complete! I did get a little bit hooked on Tuesday night - before I got fed up with my lack of significant progress...


Once again, I've been reminded about how much more hooking I can get done when I'm not trying to watch TV at the same time. Now that CBC Radio 2 Drive is on until 7pm on weekdays, I've been putting the radio on when I get home from work. (I'm so happy that Rich Terfry is back from holidays ;-) ) Tonight it made a huge difference.....and I was cruising right along, listening without the impulse to lift my head to see what they're talking about. Even with switching to TV later in the evening, I was able to finish off the second half (of the second half)....


I've decided to delay the sewing together until after I have my other purse hooked....so I can finish them at the same time (and be more efficient with sewing the linings, etc.). Plus, I really need to get started on my next purse, and I don't need any distractions. Ultimately I'd like to have the second one hooked by the end of the month....and although I think it's an attainable goal, I will have to boogie. I'll keep you posted as always....

I know my posts have been a little brief this week....but my theory that some is better than none (and I'm trying to avoid that...). Last night I took a night off from almost everything, lay about on the couch and then went to bed early. Sometimes I just need to do that....and then I'm good to go for a few months of my regular schedule (of getting more accomplished in the evenings). I hope it works again this time.... ;-)

Skeleflora - day five and day six

I hooked like a fiend on Saturday.....to the exclusion of almost everything else. When I finally called it a day, I couldn't believe how much I managed to get done. I finished off the first side and hooked about half of the second side - in one day! A full day, mind you....and so the next day my thumb was really quite tender, so I hooked just a bit -- only the two brown skeletons on the left side got done.

Since it's already so late in the day, I'm going to give my thumb another recovery day and focus on my PST return instead (yuck!)

First Side

Second Side

Skeleflora - day four

I didn't get nearly as much hooked last night as I was hoping. I think there were a few reasons for this:

1. too much watching, not enough listening (In Treatment is wonderful...and I'll be sad when it ends later today)
2. too comfortable on the couch (I think I'm going to haul out the floor frame today...and try sitting in a chair for a while)
3. my thumb hurts (the one that works under the frame - and the same one I hurt a couple of weeks ago....hopefully Advil will help with this one!)

Back soon with another update....have a great weekend!

Skeleflora - day three

Well I've decided that watching "In Treatment" and hooking on my new purse are a great way to spend an evening! ;-) I think that if I can get a full evening's worth of hooking done tonight, I might be able to finish the first half before bed....

I've already decided that I'm not going to bother hooking a flap on this one.....and instead of using the leather buckle (since I don't have one in stock that's brown), I'm going to just use the magnetic closures to secure it.

Wendie asked about whether or not I've already chosen the handle colour....and the answer is yes! I knew already before I started hooking that the handle would be brown - very similar to the brown used in the flower skeletons. I'm also thinking that I will trim the opening in a similar brown, too.

Now that I've finally started hooking again, I can't wait to get this purse finished and onto the next one. In fact, I've already started hooking my next purse (in my mind, of course) while I work on this one. Do you plan and/or fantasize about future projects like this - when you're working on something else entirely?

Skeleflora - day two

I hooked some more on my newest purse last night. I knew on day one that I didn't want to continue the tealy turquoise background across the whole bag, but I wasn't really sure what to do. (I'd already deviated from my original plan by hooking the turquoise in the way that I did).

I really love the coral/turquoise colour combination and scarlet/jade, too. Since I'm (mostly) working out of my bins of cut strips....and I don't use a lot of either coral or scarlet, I had to do a bit of a modification....and like our forebears, just made do with what I already have.

I'm happy with the way it's turning out, and I think it makes a more dramatic statement than some of my other bags. One funny thing about the summertime is that I tend to be drawn to stronger colours than usually appeal to me during the other 10 months of the year. Weird, eh?

Lately I've been noticing that my photography skills have a lot of room for improvement. Part of me - the part that wants a new camera - is convinced that it's my camera's fault....but deep down inside I know that most of it is caused my being hasty. I often find that I have to choose between being in focus and having accurate colours.....and my choice varies each day. I took a couple of pictures this morning - one was taken outside (overcast) and the other one was taken indoors. I think the colour in the indoor picture is more true...


Does anyone have an camera recommendations in the under $500 category? I need to be able to take close-ups of rugs, and I'm a big fan of Canon (but will consider others). Thanks in advance for any advice you'd care to share....

Dear Mr. Ripley....

Believe it or not, I did some hooking this weekend! I didn't get a lot done, but at least I've started. I was really loving what was happening when I was working on it, but after I spent some time staring at it, I was a little less sure. I am going to have to change my plan, but I haven't yet decided what the solution will be.


In the meantime, I'll just be gazing at it, mulling over few options....and trying to get the rest of the boring part (the flower skeletons) hooked...

limited editions nearing retirement...

There's been a little flurry on purse pattern sales lately, and if you've had your eye on one of my limited edition patterns, you might like to know that I am down to the final 3 patterns of each of the following...

Two Owls
Gossip
Bar-Jello

No additional patterns will be printed for any of these designs....so to avoid disappointment, please contact me for ordering information.

Edited to add: there is now only one more Two Owls pattern remaining....

Attaching Grayson e. Handles...My preferred way

The Grayson e. leather handles continue to be quite popular....and my inventory is pretty low at the moment. I've placed a large order, and hope that it will take less than the two months that I'm anticipating. Exciting news is that they've added two new colours to the line-up: Dark Indigo (appears to be a navy-teal colour in the one photo that I've seen) and Wine (a burgundy colour) - both of which will work well with my tendency to hook with medium and darker values ;-) We tried to distribute a little card with each handle purchase at the Annual last weekend, but I'm not confident that we remembered every time....plus I know that there have been many other handles purchased in the last couple of months, so I'm posting them here for all to see. I hope they are helpful...

• • • • • • •

Attaching leather handles to hooked handbags...

Many people are interested in using the beautiful Grayson e. leather handles on some of my hooked handbag patterns (and some of their own designs, too). There are several different methods you can use, including sewing on the handles prior to hooking OR tracing the tab shape onto the backing and leaving the space unhooked (later sewing tabs in reserved space) OR simply attaching the handles right on top of the hooking. I have tried all of these methods, with mixed results.

My favourite method is to just wait and attach the handles right on top of the hooking, quite late in the assembly process. Not only does this reduce the likelihood of miscalculating the placement or leaving the wrong sized space for the tab, it also results in a more sturdy attachment. By sewing through a thicker foundation (i.e. backing plus hooking), I feel there is a more secure base. At the last possible moment (likely right before sewing the lining in place), sew handles to purse with coordinating upholstery thread. I like to use two strands of dark brown (it most closely matches the stitching on the Grayson e. leather handles) and I tend to backstitch, likely going around twice (until it looks good). Undoing any buckles will make sewing easier. Some suggest that upholstery thread should be waxed prior to sewing…but I have also sewn without it and never experienced any problems. I do recommend using a blunt (tapestry) needle to sew, since I find it easier to find the holes.

Overheard at the Annual...

I know that many people struggle with the actual sewing together of their purse, and they're hesitant to just knuckle down and finish it. I imagine (actually I know there are, since many of you tell me) that there are more than a couple of hooked purses that are sitting tucked away in baskets or drawers, waiting to be assembled.

Yes, it does seem to be a little overwhelming at first, but I can honestly say that it does get easier with every purse that you sew together. Push your fear aside and take it one step at a time. You just need to progress slowly through all of the steps - and if it makes it any easier, know that I am not "a sewer", and I've done it many times. You can do it, too.

If you are one of those people who is just a few hours away from toting their bag all around town, I'd like to encourage you to "just do it!" In the wise words of a fellow rug hooker and purse maker I spoke with at the Annual, "The many compliments I received made it all worthwhile..."

Go and get your compliments - you deserve them! [and please send me a picture of your purse when you're done - I love seeing them! ;-)]

R.U.G. tomorrow!

I always love going to RUG, and in the almost 10 years that I've been hooking....I think I've only missed one. [It was held on the same the day that I was the (old) Maid of Honour at my friend's wedding.] Not only is it a great chance to catch up with friends, there are always lots of beautiful rugs to admire. Seeing other people's work - especially when there is so much in one place - always inspires me to pick up my hook and start creating.

Tomorrow's program is going to be provided by the area teachers, and the format of the afternoon will be like an 'open class'. If you're coming to RUG, please bring something to hook on in the afternoon - and if you have something that you want some help with, that's even better! As always, don't forget to bring something for show and share, a mug, and a nut-free lunch.


Since I'm going to be a vendor this time around, I'm not sure how much time I'll have to spare, but I wanted to bring something to keep my hands busy. I've been hooking away on my (Wendie is a) Jeanius bag, and it's sure a speedy project -- you could easily hook one of these panels in an evening.

It's all prepped up and ready to be sewn together....all of the remaining finishing will be done by hand, so it's a pretty portable. I'll be back soon with pictures of the finished bag -- and some of the pretty things that catch my eye at R.U.G.

Hope to see you there!

Moira Mat Makers Hook-In

What a great time in Belleville! The Hook-In was a lot of fun, and although I rambled through my talk, it went well. Apart from the lively conversation, the very yummy treats and beautiful projects at the actual hook-in, one of the highlights took place on Friday evening. Glenn, my hostess with the mostess, invited some of the members of her group over for a delicious dinner. It was a great opportunity to meet people and get to know some of the ladies a little bit better.

Their group has been working on a messenger bag project for the last while, and many of the finished bags were on display at the hook-in. I hope they don't mind my showing them here....and I also hope that someone will fill me in on the missing names (thanks Christine! ;-) )

Flo Woods

Wendy Nickerson

Christine Walker-Bird

Mary Anne Keast

Glenn Ryley Cotton

Gloria Jonkman

Glennyce Sinclair

Joan Foster

Maribeth Bateman

This final purse just needs to be sewn together, but it gives you an idea of how they are all constructed.

Even though I have made over 20 hooked purses, I don't know everything....and I love to get new ideas. The best tip I picked up over the weekend was to wax upholstery thread before hand-sewing. Blocks of wax for this purpose are available at Fabricland. By running your thread through the wax prior to sewing, it not only makes it slide a little more easily, it also helps to preserve the thread and make it waterproof. Thanks ladies, I am going to try this...

• • • • • • •

The Grayson e. handles were very popular and although I was thrilled by the frenzy, I was also feeling a little anxious about having so few left to bring with me to a couple of events next month. In case you're wondering why this would be a problem....apparently the lady who makes the handles received a defective batch of leather and this pushed her production back. Some items won't be available for two or three months. Luckily, I've been able to order a few more items that are in stock and they will soon be on their way...in lots of time for RUG and the Annual. Included in this shipment will be a number of narrow straps, just like those the ladies used on their messenger bags (above).