Iditarod Bound!

Brevity is not my strong suit, but I'll try to set this up as simply and quickly as possible. For me. :) My friend Bonnie (or Bonz) contacted me about a fund-raiser she is holding for Blake Freking's Iditarod run. (Blake will be running an all-Siberian Husky team!) If I would be willing to contribute one of my bags (YES!), Bonz would send me some of the fabric she designed! What a COOL opportunity! I jumped at it!

The auction will start SOON on eBay - I promise to post about it here, on the Ao4 Digest and on FaceBook, so you'll be sure to know when it starts... and can bid on it! Without further ado, let's get to the bag!

From Deeve Bag for Iditarod/Blake Freking Fund-Raiser

It's a Deeve Bag with a coordinating Hold the Phone! Bag. I paired Bonnie's fabric up with a red, deep red, black and white homespun plaid. The strap of the Deeve is a re-purposed, new leash; the strap of the HTP! Bag is a re-purposed, new "little dog" leash, complete with the hook! I used a big, bold, black button to secure the bag.

How about a closer look at the HTP! Bag?

From Deeve Bag for Iditarod/Blake Freking Fund-Raiser

Bright red snowflakes accent the top of the bag, and appliquéd strips of the plaid homespun round it out. I embellished with a few glass beads and a sweet pewter paw print charm.

Here's the back of the HTP! Bag:

From Deeve Bag for Iditarod/Blake Freking Fund-Raiser

Note how the plaid wraps all around! Sort of like... leashes tangling you up when you're trying to walk a few Sibes. :) (Not that my angels would do that...!) You can also get a good look at the leash hardware in that shot!

I put a few surprises in the Deeve Bag itself - like a key fob:

From Deeve Bag for Iditarod/Blake Freking Fund-Raiser

I couldn't resist singling out one of those darling play-bowing huskies! Oh - and how do you like the chipped nail polish? A nice touch, don't you think? I really like it.

And how about a glasses case?

From Deeve Bag for Iditarod/Blake Freking Fund-Raiser

The outside is the larger scale husky print; the inside is the red homespun!

Let's take another look at the Deeve itself!

From Deeve Bag for Iditarod/Blake Freking Fund-Raiser

Not THE Deeve. The Deeve Bag. Sorry.

From Deeve Bag for Iditarod/Blake Freking Fund-Raiser

I quilted in a glistening white - and decided to call this "snow drift quilting". LOL. Use your imagination! :) How about a look inside?

From Deeve Bag for Iditarod/Blake Freking Fund-Raiser

TONS of room to carry everything! And two spacious pockets for your keys, lip balm, photos of your huskies, ETC! Have I mentioned I currently carry a Deeve Bag? It holds more than you can imagine!

And now... one more look at the Deeve. And the husky it was named for: Dave.

From Deeve Bag for Iditarod/Blake Freking Fund-Raiser

Again, I will let everyone know when the fund-raiser starts - please check here, on the Ao4 Digest or on FB. Let's help Blake Freking run the Iditarod! Auction starting soon on eBay. Siberian Husky not included.

Thank you for reading - and Bonz, thanks for the incredible opportunity!

PS: For more views of the bag, or to enlarge any of the photos, please visit the Picasa album I set up. The link is under each of the photos, or you may click here.

I've Got the Blues

Not really. I just thought it would be a catchy title! I've been so busy in the Studio, I once again am behind on blogging. Let's get right down to business!

I was contacted by Janet in Maryland about making her a couple of bags. She asked a Z Bag that I had on hand at one point - and was that still available!?!? YES! Love it! It's one of my very favorite bags, with fave fabs designed by a fave ... designer. Laurel Burch. She was interested in purchasing that and a Super Shopper. :)

Here's a look at the Z Bag:

And a close-up of the Hold the Phone! Bag:

Aren't the fabs just the BEST?!?! Let's look inside:

This bag has two pockets, and two different linings. Here is the other pocket:

I seriously ♥ this bag and everything about it!!!

Janet had also seen a blue fabric on my site and asked it that was available for her Super Shopper. It certainly was, and I thought it would be awesome in that bag! I tried pairing it with all sorts of other fabs, but they over-shadowed it. Then my trusty Guide Dog for the Color Blind inspired me - why not try black and white?

Perfect! They really let the blue take the spotlight - providing a great accent, but not taking center stage! Here's a look at the finished bag:

Aren't the black and whites the coolest? I've been wanting to use them with something in a Super Shopper for a long time - this was a GREAT opportunity! Here's the back:

How about a close-up?

That shows the quilting (done in a black to grey to white variegated thread) and the detail along the top of the exterior pockets. Here's the top of the bag:

Doesn't the lining look cute, popped up like that? Here's a look inside:

Two good-sized pockets in another black and white, and the lining in the blue. One of the pockets is sectioned into two parts.

This bag was a blast to make - loved playing with the black and whites! And I am so happy to find a good home for the Z Bag! Janet, I hope you're happy with your new bags and will enjoy using them! Thanks so much for your order!

Next post - a very special bag for a very special fund-raiser! Please stay tuned!

And, as always, thank you for reading!