The Recycled Bag Lady

Lurrve and Peace Hippy Bag

2011-05-10T22:53:00.000+01:00

A recent project that had to stay under wraps until now as it was for an 18th Birthday present! An 11 year olds embroidered denim jacket, long outgrown, but too precious to throw away, recycled into a bag and now off to university!

The embroidered panel from the back of the jacket made into the bag flap

Lining made from some pretty yellow floral fabric from my stash and some William Morris Cornflower fabric.

Button plackets made from the cuffs

The jacket breast pockets incorporated into the bag body

A bit of additional applique to brighten the reverse of the bag

The bag handle was made from the jacket waistband, using the buttons and buttonholes to create an adjustable strap. Strap then lined with more of the buttery yellow fabric.

All topstitched in a mixture of coloured threads to match the colours of the stitching on the original jacket.

Whew! Long time, no work done!

2010-08-12T23:51:00.000+01:00

Oh dear, it is so very dusty in here! It's been that long since I posted! But I am still here - just about anyway. I have had to stop doing craft shows - I have returned to 'normal' work 3 days a week, which sadly leaves no time for crafting just for the fun of it. It was becoming a chore - trying to make stock to sell on the fair, with no time to work on anything for myself! So it had to stop.
On the plus side, I now have time to make things that I want. And I am still doing the occasional bag commission. This little bag was one such commission, from recycled jeans, patchworked and appliqued with the beading from the jeans.

Then I had a commission to make two bags, one small denim and a chicken rucksack. It took a lot longer than normal, but they were finished last week.

Instructions were to give the rucksack a chickeny theme. Now that was fun to do! All my funky chicken prints and some cute little ceramic chicken buttons.

And the little bag, again made from recycled jeans with appliqued flowers.

So as you see, I am still here, just not very often! I will also get around to posting about some of the projects I have done for myself as well soon.

More Back Packs!

2009-11-11T16:30:00.007Z

Two more backpacks! First one is a commission in glowing reds. Made half the normal size so more of a handbag backpack!
Made from red and raspberry satin jacquard and chenille with gold tone buttons and eyelets.
Red satin padding on the shoulder straps and a tan leather base. Red satin cording with fabric tulips.
This one is for me!!!!!!!
Lots of patchwork in sumptuous green and plum.
Quilted with gold metallic thread.
Pale green satin cording finished with fabric tulips.
Padded shoulder straps.

Pretty gold norwegian clasp, gold tone eyelets and buttons.
Tan leather base.

Very Retro Very Green ...

2009-10-29T11:40:00.005Z

Another fabric that has had me struggling for something to do with it! On it's own it is almost psychedelic shades of green but teamed with denim with the very slightest hint of purple in it, I think it looks fantastic!

Two bags here - one a large messenger bag, 13" x 14", the other a handbag at 10" x 10". Both have a 36" shoulder strap.

Both are lined with a glazed cotton in bright green and have two internal pockets and one external pocket under the flap.

The 10" x 10" bag:

Reverse of the smaller bag:

Front of the smaller bag:

The larger bag - inside.Pocket under the flap, vintage green button fastening.

Reverse of the large bag:

Vintage green button flap closure:

Front of the larger bag:

Poinsettia Tote Bag

2009-10-06T22:47:00.002+01:00

I've been looking at these fabrics for ages and not knowing what to do with them! I just knew that I liked them and wanted to do something BRIGHT with them! I put the patchwork together first, then sat and looked at them for a few weeks before I decided what to do next!
In the end, the patchwork was finished with some metallic gold thread zigzags and a little corsage in my favourite pink chenille.
A little gold tone button on the corsage finished it off.

Finally some plain, emerald green cotton for the lining and pocket for a fabulous, festive contrast!

This is such a vivid bag - perfect for adding a bit of spice to your christmas shopping trips!

Roses are red backpack

2009-09-19T19:35:00.003+01:00

I fell in love when I saw this fabric - deep red chenille in a lovely sculpted rose pattern. Just right for this back pack pattern.
Gorgeous fabrics set off with a pewter Norwegian clasp.

Adjustable, padded cushion web straps. Tan leather base.

Four external pockets fastened with vintage burgundy buttons.

Red drawcord top, navy and burgundy stripe lining with two internal pockets.

This bag is as practical as it is gorgeous!

Recycled Denim and Patchwork Backpack

2009-09-09T22:46:00.004+01:00

Made for a commission, I've been wanting to have a go at a backpack for a while. I'm pleased with the result!

The pockets and top flap were the fiddliest bits, making up the patchwork and doing the quilting,but it was worth it for the finished look.

I couldn't find any buttons that suited the colour and style so had a go at self cover buttons. I also couldn't find any cord stops to suit so I made little fabric bobbles to cover the knots. And I got to play with eyelets!

The base is spotty oilcloth for protection against dirty floors.

I wasn't keen on plain polyester webbing and managed to find some cushion web on ebay. It's used to make horse headcollars and lead reins and is much softer and more comfortable in the hand than plain webbing.

Fully lined with a zipped internal pocket (recycled jeans zip!)

All the fabric was recycled - jeans, a tablecloth, a pair of curtains and a few offcuts.

I took these pics before I'd added the clasp. It took me a while to find what I wanted - I'd never heard of a Norwegian Clasp! But thats what I needed!

It just finishes it off perfectly!
This is going to be my next one. I bought a jelly roll of these gorgeous olive greens and plums. The whole thing will be patchworked - these are the pocket pieces, quilted with gold thread!
I have a nice piece of soft leather that I plan to use for the base. I might have to keep this one for myself!

Scented heart bunting

2009-08-13T22:40:00.003+01:00

*whips the dustcovers off the furniture*
Phew, it's been a while since I've been in here, hasn't it! The sewing machine has been sitting idle over the last few weeks due to family holidays and school holidays (it's hard to get on with sewing when the children want to use the dining room table for THEIR craft work!)

Anyway, although I haven't made much recently, I did finish a comission for a birthday present before I went away, and as the birthday has now been and gone, I can safely show it!

Seven lightly padded hearts, scented with Crabtree & Evelyn's Nantucket Briar fragrance. The three plain coloured hearts have a letter on each that spell out the lady's name. Two little glittery heart shaped beads separate each fabric heart. I loved making this - I hope the lady in question was delighted with it, I was certainly impressed by her boyfriend comissioning it for her!

I made quite good progress with my quilt before the holidays, but that has also ground to a halt at present. But here it is so far. I just have the centre section (that piece running diagonally top left to bottom right) to wad, back and quilt. Then the three sections can be joined and the whole thing edged. I struggled to find a good colour for the sashing, one that would tie all the blocks together. But in the end settled on this soft blue. As the blocks are such soft colours themselves, I didn't want to overpower them, and I wanted to keep that feel of a scrap quilt made from vintage fabrics. I think it succeeds in doing that! The back of the quilt is even more vintage - I've used old and many times washed curtain linings. The old cotton is soft from washing and stained with time - definitely has a vintage look to it! Anyway, with the three sections laid out together, you get a bit of an idea how it will look!

The individual blocks were quilted using the walking foot, and a fairly regular pattern reflecting the block's individual design. The corner patches were free hand quilted in a swirly pattern to try to complement to floral fabric. Far from perfect, but a great introduction to quilting and very good practice!

My Funky Red Gazebo!

2009-07-09T20:47:00.003+01:00

Well we had lovely weather for the Fleckney Fest day on Saturday, if a fraction windy! But my glorious red gazebo did the trick - I put two sides on as the little windy gusts were just enough to tip things off my stall!
It was very eye catching amongst all the boring old green and blue gazebos on the field!

Here is my latest bag - a plain black messenger/laptop bag with a subtle navy and cream check lining. Made as a commisson.

Craft Fair Goodies!

2009-07-03T23:50:00.003+01:00

It is Fleckney Fest tomorrow! I have a stall on the field - my new red gazebo will be put up for the very first time, I can't wait to see how it looks!

I've been busy building up my stocks this week. I find it's the little things that cost a couple of pounds that sell the best, so I've been trying to make a few more things in that price range.

Here we go:

More crocheted flowers! Plus some crocheted wrist wraps and fabric bangles. If nothing else they will look pretty on the stall! I will post photos of my stall on Sunday.

Luscious Lime

2009-06-28T20:30:00.003+01:00

I've had this fabric for a while, but not known what to make with it. Inspiration struck yesterday and within the space of a couple of hours I had two new bags and two more on the way. First a couple of tote bags - these are slightly smaller than the normal (I wanted dainty not voluminous!) and the pocket is on the outside. This one is finished with a rosette and vintage button. The other one (not shown) is finished simply with three little vintage 'crystal' effect buttons on the edge of the pocket.

Then a couple more slouchy bags (I've given up on snowy bags - it just didn't sound right!)

No fancy embellishments on these, just that gorgeous lime linen and a couple of vintage maroon buttons back to back as a fastener.

Two more bags ...

2009-06-19T23:31:00.003+01:00

Black denim and tartan messenger bag. Extra large to fit a laptop if required. Extra wide, padded handle for comfort.

Contrast red stitching, fully lined with supersoft wool tartan. Three internal pockets.Complete with chicken applique on the reverse.
Another Snowy bag in soft, satin eau de nil jacquard.

Finished with a rosette and vintage pale pink button. Fastened with a matching button on the reverse of the rosette.

Lined with dark olive wool crepe, three internal pockets.

Monsoon Snowy bag

2009-06-12T18:07:00.004+01:00

Another snowy bag - Monsoon (made from repurposed fabric from a company of the same name!) This bag is in a lovely soft turquoise/teal tweed fabric comprising wool, silk and cotton.

Fastened with a teal button and hand finished with a subtle line of beads and sequins.
Lining is teal satin. Three internal pockets.

Orange Spice Snowy Bag

2009-06-05T20:26:00.002+01:00

Another Snowy bag. Fully recycled fabic this time, including recycled beads.
Lined with slub silk effect polyester and red taffeta, with two internal pockets.

Introducing the Snowy Bag ....

2009-06-04T07:56:00.004+01:00

I was recently asked to make some bags in a different style for a friend. She provided the fabric - 1/2 yard each for the lining and the outer, and she wanted a slouchy handbag style with inside pockets.

I've been looking at different styles recently and debating what to try, so this was a good challenge!

This is my own pattern, although the style is a pretty common one.

This one is in pink batik with a lilac lining.
I added the recycled touch, beads from an old T shirt - they were just the right shade.

Fastened with a large button and loop closure.

Black flouncy fabric with fuchsia lining.

Fastened with a large black button - this button was a bit big, so I added a rosette on the other side to balance it. It seems to suit the fabric!

Obviously both of these are sold, but keep an eye on Folksy, I will be making more very shortly!

Camellia and Plumptious Bags

2009-05-18T22:45:00.004+01:00

Two new bags to add today!

I've been trying to find some fabric to match with this fabric for ages, but it hit me the other day that it is just perfect on its own! Camellia is a taupe linen with a black flock detail. There are two versions, basically the same, but one is slightly smaller for the lady with less handbag junk!

The lining for both is chocolate satin, the larger bag has a black and bronze damask on the reverse of the flap. The smaller bag flap is lined with red and gold damask. Will be available on Folksy very shortly!

This bag is gorgeous! Made as a commission for a friend using purple corduroy and patchwork velour. Lined with plain navy.

Woolly goodness!

2009-05-18T00:46:00.003+01:00

I've had a very productive day today! Several hours being chauffered to my parents house (Al is a very poor passenger, so I give in gracefully and allow him to drive!), plus a few hours with needles whilst sat in the conservatory after lunch and ta daaa! My socks are finished! And no, they are not odd. They match perfectly, if i stand with one foot in front of the other!

So with socks finished, it was time for some crochet again. The hexagon blanket continues to grow. It is not finished yet, but the light in the conservatory is too good to miss a photo opportunity of progress so far!

Yummy! Thank you for the inspiration Lucy!

Lutterworth Craft Fair and Bottle Bag

2009-05-10T17:29:00.003+01:00

My stall at Lutterworth Craft Fair yesterday. Sadly it was rather quiet, but I still had a reasonable day.

Bottle bags - made from recycled curtain fabric. Pisces - white with blue fish, teamed with cornflower blue linen on the bottom, trimmed with Laura Ashley Delphiniums and lined with plain, light blue. Has 4 bottle compartments and a reinforced bottom!

Folds up small to go inside a tote bag until required.

Botanical Tulips Tote Bag

2009-05-04T19:45:00.004+01:00

A classy tote bag made from pretty linen fabric featuring blowsy arts and crafts tulips and thick conker brown chenille. Lined with plain taupe cotton, one pocket edged with tulip embroidery and a button closure.

Not very clear from the picture, but the linen is more of a creamy, buttery colour than the photo suggests. The button is wood grain effect and matches the shade of the linen.

Beady Jean Genie

2009-05-02T20:31:00.003+01:00

Monica wanted a cerise Jean Genie, so this is the last of my cerise chenille fabric! This was made using a pair of jeans with a pretty beaded motif and I didn't want to lose the beads, so have appliqued them to the front flap.

These bags need a chunky button but I didn't have one that matched. Instead I've used a small stack of buttons to create a decent closure.

The inside of the flap is cerise taffeta with a black flock pattern. The lining is soft navy cotton and all the stitching is cerise.

Chocolate & Raspberry Messenger Bag

2009-04-27T22:08:00.004+01:00

SOLD - thanks for all your lovely comments about this bag, I wish I could've made more!

Not made using jeans this time, but the remains of my chocolate and raspberry fabric. A wonderfully soft, tactile fabric made into a messenger bag.

Lovely milk chocolate taffeta lining.

Two internal pockets
Longer length strap can be worn across the chest.

Commission Bags

2009-04-24T14:07:00.003+01:00

I haven't made many bags to put on the folksy site lately, but I have been busy with commissions! Claire wanted a Jean Genie in bright colours, so I used cerise chenille teamed with indigo denim and lined it with a pieced patchwork of red satin and purple cotton on the flap, and soft navy cotton inside.

Then Sarah sent me some fab chicken fabric to make a tote bag for her. It looked great teamed with a cornflower blue slub linen!

If you like my bags, but can't see one in your favourite colours, do drop me a message and I will see what I can do! xx

Blue Rose Jean Genie

2009-04-04T23:44:00.004+01:00

I've not been able to do much sewing lately - busy with the boys and the allotment.

But my friend wanted a Jean Genie so it was good to have to make some time to sit and sew again. This one is a pretty combination of stonewashed Levis and vintage chintz.

And I finally had some proper labels done, so this is the first 'designer' label!

I also realised it's the first to be made on my new machine. I am pleased to say it coped admirably with all the layers of denim! My last machine really struggled with these bags. Can't wait to do some more now!

Something for the boys!

2009-03-11T20:26:00.002Z

By special request - the boys loved the little chocolate and pink bags but wanted something a bit 'boyish'. So when I saw this fabric, how could I refuse? Mini gift bags in funky Thomas the Tank Engine fabric lined with bright yellow. Fully reversible.

More Chocolatey goodness!

2009-03-09T20:10:00.002Z

I've been doing some more sewing with my lovely chocolate fabric.
First, some chocolate aga pads. I think these would look good in any kitchen, traditional or modern!

Next I've teamed the chocolate with some funky bubblegum pink and made these little reversible bags - each one is just big enough to hold one large easter egg, or about 4 cadbury's creme egg sized eggs. These will be going to the easter craft fair at Barby on 29th March.

Easter - time for chickens and chocolate!

2009-03-04T22:03:00.003Z

I haven't posted anything for over 2 weeks! You could be forgiven for thinking that I have been taking time off, but I haven't, I promise! Instead I am guilty of having too many projects on the go at once and subsequently nothing gets finished! But I have now finished some to show you, I promise I'll finish the rest off soon!

With Easter on the horizon my thoughts turn to chocolate (amongst other things!). I know it's not exactly recycled, but when I saw this fabulous chocolatey fabric I just couldn't resist. It's nearly as good as the real thing!

Easter Chicken Pot Holders:

I have lots more of this fabric so look out for some more chocolately themed projects coming soon!

As soon as I saw the tutorial for these dinky chicken pincushions, I had to put everything on hold and make them. Made from recycled fabric and using the log cabin patchwork technique, they stand only 3" high. I love them!

More Chickeny Aga top pads

2009-02-12T19:10:00.002Z

I managed to get these finished today. I also cut out the fabric for the chocolatey aga top pads, but I need more insul bright before I can finish them.

I love this fabric - sadly this was the last of it. The bias binding is all handmade - it is so easy, and looks much nicer than ready made!

And this is some more of the vintage Laura Ashley curtain fabric. I managed to get a hen on one and the rooster on the other!

New Look!

2009-02-10T00:17:00.004Z

OK I was getting fed up with the look of the blog - that brown and beige was beginning to look a bit dated. So I have been playing around with different colours. I'm still not sure I've got it right so there may be more changes yet! Bear with me! And please feel free to comment and tell me what you think!

In the meantime, this is some fabric that I have been working with from a friend who bravely commissioned me to sew it up for her! It is being turned into another fleece backed quilt and a curtain pelmet style hanging. I love the colours but the fabric is a complete pig to work with!

I think the colours look much nicer against this new neutral background, don't you?

Crochet Purse

2009-02-08T19:49:00.002Z

Well my little crochet purse was obviously a hit! It sold after being on Folksy for less than 24 hours - in fact it was 15 hours between me posting it and it selling! So I've been crocheting like mad to do some more. They are actually quite easy once you have the pattern in your head! And I have loads of this crochet thread to use up - it's good to find a use for old things! And this is the last piece of this coloured silk, so future purses will be very different!

Mum in law's quilt

2009-02-07T21:38:00.004Z

Is finished! And I love it - hopefully Mum will love it too! She is in hospital at the moment, but getting better and hoping to be out again in a few more days. We will make the drive 'oop north in a couple of weeks and take her the quilt as an early Mothers Day present.

Wool, fabric and new makes

2009-02-05T00:03:00.005Z

I've been bitten by the crochet bug just recently. I normally sew in the dining room, but it is so cold, I've been confined to the lounge where I can sit by the fire. Trouble is I still get itchy fingers, and crochet is ideal. I enjoyed making beanie hats to sell on the craft stall last year, so have been searching for other things to make. I've found several sources of inspiration. One is this blog: http://attic24.typepad.com/ Lucy makes the most scrumptious crochet and she has a real eye for yummy colours. So when I saw this wool, I had to succumb. I don't know what I'm going to make with it yet, but it will be something along the lines of Lucys work!

I also spotted this chunky yarn, Twister by King Cole. Again I love the colours and am thinking of using it for some more hats.

The boys bought me a crochet book for christmas. Essential Crochet, by Erica Knight. Lots of lovely projects to inspire me! I've already made a cushion cover, but that is for another day! It was this that caught my eye - cluster stitches used to make a fairly firm fabric. The book pattern is for a lingerie case, but that was too large and time consuming - and I much prefer quick! So I adapted it, made it much smaller, and dug out some vintage mercerised crochet cotton that I unraveled from an old bed jacket many years ago.

Lined with a scrap of recycled, patterned silk.

Finished with another scrap of silk and a vintage button and vintage press stud. I'm rather pleased with the result and it will go into the Folksy shop and out to the craft fairs in due course.

Finally (I think I've spent enough money this week!) I found this fabric in the sale. With easter on the horizon, I can see some chocolatey aga top pads and pot holders coming out of this!

New fabric, new bags and quilt progress

2009-01-29T19:01:00.005Z

Look at this yummy fabric! I bought it from a french seller on ebay. There are 3 fat quarters of the blue chicken fabric; 2 each of the small chicken panels and one each of the large panels. What can I make with them though! I might just keep getting them out to look at.

This was from the same seller. It is a lovely, thick, tapestry weave fabric. I know exactly what I'm going to do with it though. It's going to be a cushion cover for my lounge!

Two green bags made as a special order for a friend: the dark green one was fabric rescued from a charity shop, and the lighter green is recycled, vintage Laura Ashley.

Progress on Mother in Laws quilt. I just need to add the fleece backing now! It's looking very pretty.

Aga Top Pads & New Patchwork

2009-01-18T22:19:00.004Z

When a friend talked about top pads for her new aga, I had to have a go! All these pieces of chicken fabric in my stash have been crying out for a kitcheny make! These are the first ones to go into the Folksy shop. I love this fabric in soft greens and creams with it's pretty chicken and egg design. I've used the insulbright wadding inside so they are good and heat resistent. And keeping to the recycled theme, the reverse is plain cream recycled cotton and the binding is hand made from recycled fabric.

My husband was moderately impressed with my last quilted fleece and commisioned one for his mother. I have to say I am impressed, he isn't normally known for inspirational gift ideas, but this is definitely one of his better ideas. So I chose some pretty soft greens and lilacs that I think (hope) Mum will love. I've also sourced a lovely soft lilac fleece for the reverse. I tried the colours in several different patterns, but finally settled on this one. Just need some border fabric now!

Purple Rain Tote Bag

2009-01-05T19:42:00.004Z

I love the colours in this bag - plum with touches of red, mustard and green.

I only had enough fabric to make two, and used up the surplus chintz to put a couple of appliqued leaves on the fronts and backs. I don't know why, but the colours reminded me of a wet autumn - hence the name!

I have loads of this slub silk/polyester fabric, and it makes a lovely bag lining.

Happy New Year! (and finished quilt)

2009-01-01T08:18:00.004Z

First of all, let me wish everyone who has visited this blog and all my lovely customers, a very happy and proepeous New Year! Thank you for all your encouragement over the last year - I've thoroughly enjoyed myself and hope you have enjoyed the things I've made!

I really put my new sewing machine to the test yesterday! I finally managed to finish my quilt. It is a bit of a cheats quilt - machine pieced and backed with fleece rather than wadding and a backing. But I wanted something soft and cosy as a throw for my newly decorated lounge

I used the bag method to attach the cloth to the fleece, sewed the two pieces right side together then turned them right way out; top stitched the edges, then quilted a large pattern. I'm very pleased with it, it is thick and warm and I love the colours, they are so me!

Mended Machine - New Makes!

2008-12-20T21:33:00.004Z

Well! I rang the supplier about my machine and lo and behold, it was because I hadn't been threading it properly! How embarrassing!

Anyway, here are some bags I made from my recent mega fabric acquisition. There are some beautiful fabrics in there, the hard part is finding which ones go together! But these three were quite easy to make up! The first one in Antique Rose. The top is a gorgeous floral chintz in late summer/early autumn colours. And it looks just perfect with these fabulous deckchair stripes in cream and plum.

Another pretty floral print, this time teamed with a lovely, thick beige chenille - Briar Rose

Another favourite - I love this Vanessa Arbuthnot print of feathers in raspberry pink. I think it goes perfectly with this lovely, winter white, thick chenille. I couldn't think of a better name than Feathers for it!

These bags were all put onto my Folksy shop in the last couple of days and a very lovely lady bought all three!!! I have enough material left to make another one of each (two more of the Feathers one), so keep your eye on Folksy if you like them.

I have loads more to get on with, but you will probably have to wait until after Christmas to see those!

New Machine - New Makes

2008-12-18T23:30:00.004Z

My new sewing machine arrived yesterday - a Janome MC4900QC. It feels lovely to use - solid and smooth. I've had a play with some of the features - overlocking and monogramming.

The boys will be delighted - a soft, fleece hat and scarf with their name on and plenty of Thomas the Tank Engine.

Only problem now is that I think I've broken it - it did all this, then decided to start knotting the thread. I can't seem to resolve it, so it's a call to the supplier tomorrow. Aaah! Not a good time for getting things repaired, or for being without my machine!

Cafe Latte Tote Bag

2008-11-28T22:44:00.005Z

A sumptuous tote bag in gorgeous soft shades of coffee and cream. The outer is a heavily textured and woven floral fabric in pale gold and cream topped with a shimmery pale gold shantung silk.

Lining is a beautifully soft mocha satin. Comfortable, wide straps are just long enough to sit on the shoulder.

Bag is fastened with a button tab and pretty silver coloured filigree button.

15" wide x 14" deep, 5" gusset. 1 internal pocket.

Olive Grove Tote

2008-11-28T22:29:00.005Z

Lovely rustic tote bag, reminiscent of an italian olive grove. In reds, golds and shades of olive green. The outer is a woven, leafy jacquard in antique gold, with hints of red and olive green, topped by a stripey red and gold chenille.

Lining is soft, olive green satin. Wide comfortable straps will just sit on the shoulder. Fastened with a tab and antique gold patterned button. 1 internal pocket. 15" wide, 13" deep with a 5" gusset.

New Jean Genies

2008-11-18T00:17:00.009Z

I've been very busy cutting up unloved jeans and turning them into something much more practical!

Jean Genies are made from recycled jeans combined with offcuts of curtain or furnishing fabrics. They have a single, wide, soft strap that is long enough to sit either on your shoulder or across your body.

They have 2 or 3 internal pockets for those fiddly things that always drop to the bottom, such as keys and phones, and plenty of space in the middle for the rest of the junk (sorry, 'useful items') that a girl needs in her bag.

There are also two pockets on the front and rear of the bag for even more bits and pieces. Just don't forget which pocket your keys are in!

Everything is kept under wraps by a large flap fastened down with a vintage button.

Charcoal Rose

Supersoft charcoal denim and vintage cotton chintz.

Lined with the cotton chintz, two internal pockets.

Rock the Kasbah

Dark navy blue denim matched with a vibrant red floral chintz. Lining red chintz. Two internal pockets. Outer pocket on the reverse of the bag is made from a heavily embroidered denim patch.

Chocolate and Chilli - SOLD

More pics of the bags:

www.flickr.com

Harvest Festival

2008-10-31T15:49:00.007Z

Three totes, all slightly different, made from the Designers Guild Passiflora Collection of fabrics.

There is only one of each so these bags are unique.

Made using co-ordinating fabrics from recycled sample books, each bag comprises a variety of fabrics including prints, jacquard weaves and chenilles.

Winter Sun - in pale, wintery yellows, creams and beiges.

Autumn Leaves - in russet, chocolate and orange

Cruise the Med - in turquoise, lime and lavender.

I've been tagged .....

2008-10-29T18:41:00.002Z

This is new - hope I do this right! I have been tagged by Lazydaisy Glass whose blog is http://lazydaisyglass.blogspot.com/ and is now added to my blogroll. The rules are as follows:1) Link to your tagger and list all these rules in your blog. 2) Share 7 facts about yourself on your blog, some random, some weird. 3) Tag 7 people at the end of your post by including links to their blogs.4) Let them know they have been tagged by leaving a comment on their blogs.

Now for the facts, this is difficult!

My sewing machine was a 21st birthday present from my Mum
My family used to run a restaurant called 'The Taming of the Stew'
I've been on the top 5 roller coasters in Florida (2000): The Incredible Hulk (Islands of Adventure); Duelling Dragons Fire and Ice (Islands of Adventure); Kraken (Sea World); Montu (Busch Gardens) and Gwazi (Busch Gardens)
I have 10 chickens in my back garden and run poultry keeping courses in my spare time
I was Milnthorpe Ladies Darts Champion in 1987
I'd love to move to a smallholding in France
I gained a BSc(Hons) in Public Health Nursing in 1998.

I am going to tag the following bloggers (getting hard to find people who have not already been tagged - I should've done this sooner I think!):

I hope they don't all have to be crafters or blogspot blogs!!

Have fun tagging! :-)

Craft Fairs

2008-10-12T23:14:00.004+01:00

The season for craft fairs is upon us! I'm going to have stalls at a few fairs in the run up to Christmas, so if there is one near you, pop by and say hello!

2nd November, 10.30am - 4.30pm: Fleckney Christmas Craft Fair, The Village Hall, Fleckney, South Leicestershire

15th November, 10am - 4pm: Christmas Open Day at Northfield Farm, Whissendine Lane, Cold Overton, nr Oakham, Leics. (Clarissa Dickson-Wright will also be there to do a book signing!)

22nd November, 1pm - 4pm: Wolvey Christmas Craft Fair, The Village Hall, Wolvey, nr Coventry.

23rd November, 10am - 3pm: Christmas Craft and Gift Fair, The Christie Hall, Wansford, nr Peterborough

7th December, 10am - 3pm: Christmas Craft & Gift Fair, Blaby Social Centre, Leicester Road, Blaby, Leics. (Apologies to anyone who has already seen this, I got the times wrong! They are now correct - thanks for the reminders! :-) )

See you there!

Sage & Terracotta Funky Chicken Pot Holders

2008-10-09T13:04:00.005+01:00

A pair of funky chicken pot holders in soft sage green and mellow terracotta. Space age insulating wadding keeps hands cool when man handling your hot pots out of the oven!

These chickens are very well behaved - sitting quietly where they are put until you need them, they will not go rampaging off to raid your veg patch and will definitely not leave any unwanted presents on the kitchen floor!

Funky Chicken Pot Holders - £12 pair

2008-09-27T16:42:00.004+01:00

Decorative and useful, these funky chicken pot holders are the perfect addition for your kitchen! Hand made to order, they are available in various colours so that they can be co-ordinated to your kitchen.

Made from 100% cotton, recycled fabric used where possible, but for durability mostly new cotton will be used. Hand finished with co-ordinating bias binding and a beady button eye adds the final touch.

Wadding is Warm Insul-Bright - a space age wadding that is thin and light but provides excellent heat resistence: "Insul~Bright consists of hollow, polyester fibers needlepunched through a nonwoven substrate and through a reflective mylar. The needled material is breathable and won’t break down with washing. The hollow fibers resist conduction while the reflective mylar resists radiant energy. The energy, hot or cold, is reflected back to its source."

In addition, they contain an extra layer of poly-cotton wadding to protect your fingers!

Single pot holders can be made - but chickens get lonely on their own so two are always better than one! However, if you really only need one chicken, that can be arranged. Single chickens £7 each.

Email me with your colour preferences and I will email a picture of the fabrics available. Once ordered, allow 5 days plus posting time.

Kyckling Messenger Bag

2008-09-16T13:34:00.008+01:00

A friend brought this fabric back from France for me, but I think it has a very swedish look to it - hence the name! Kyckling is swedish for chicken and is pronounced 'shuckling' (thanks for the translation Diane!)

It is a lovely, linen effect fabric with a red, white and black chicken print.

This is a roomy messenger bag with a long, comfortable strap, button down flap and two internal pockets.

The bright red lining is recycled polycotton.

Bag is 14" wide x 13" deep with a 4" gusset.

Hand washable, drip dry and steam iron.

Indian Summer - £15

2008-09-07T21:24:00.004+01:00

Made from 100% recycled fabric, this is a roomy tote bag with a flourish! Outer is cerulean blue cotton sateen decorated with crocheted coppper flowers.

The interior is plain cream cotton, with two pockets edged with contrasting blue embroidery.

Dimensions - handles 27", 11" deep x 17" wide, generous 7" wide gusset makes this a surprisingly roomy bag.

Spotty Cockerels Mixer Cover - £12

2008-09-06T23:37:00.005+01:00

Cover suitable for a Kenwood Chef mixer or sewing machine.

Fabulous blue background featuring funky spotted, dancing cockerels.

Again the picture doesn't do the colour justice, the blue is much richer in real life! Lined with plain cream, recycled fabric.

22" wide x 16" deep.

Country Boy Cockerels Mixer Cover - £12

2008-09-06T23:25:00.004+01:00

Cover suitable for a Kenwood Chef mixer or sewing machine in a gorgeous fabric featuring cheeky cockerels and sound bites to brighten your kitchen. In sherbet shades of pink, lilac and blue with a recycled, polka dot blue fabric lining.

22" wide x 16" deep.

Little Red Hen Mixer Cover - £12

2008-09-06T23:00:00.003+01:00

Cover will fit a Kenwood chef food mixer or sewing machine.

22" wide x 15" deep.

The picture doesn't do this fabric justice! It is a really vibrant red and features prettily patterned, little fat hens dancing through a field of buttercups! Fully lined with recycled, plain cream fabric.

Smelly Chickens - £3

2008-09-01T12:50:00.005+01:00

Christened by my son, these little chickens are handmade from fabric scraps and scented with flowers or oils. Place one in a wardrobe or drawer to add a little scent, or string a chain across a wall to perfume the whole room!

Soft Green Chickens - scented with Carbtree & Evelyn's exotic Nantucket Briar fragrance oil

Electric Blue Chickens - scented with Orange Spice fragrance oil

Red and green chickens - stuffed with lavender flowers, picked fresh from the garden this summer.

Blue Check Chickens - gentle vanilla scented

Preston Presents

2008-09-01T12:40:00.003+01:00

Well the weather was awful, but the atmosphere was warm and friendly! Didn't have a bad day sales wise, but met lots of friendly fellow crafters so it was a great day in the end.

Eastern Promise - £15

2008-08-09T07:00:00.006+01:00

This is a sumptuous bag in exotic shades of pale gold and magenta, lined with a spicy red and old gold satin jacquard. Made from offcuts of curtain material, this is a plain tote design, with a single pocket inside and a shorter shoulder strap.

16" wide x 16" deep.

Dry clean only.

Blue Chrysanthemum - SOLD

2008-08-03T10:02:00.006+01:00

Bargello Bags - £15

2008-07-30T11:03:00.006+01:00

These bags have been made in the style of a Bargello quilt, using strips of colour that are sewn together then recut and the colours rearranged to give a fluid, shaded effect. There is one in shades of blue with hints of lemon, pink and jade; the other is in subtle stormy shades of lilac, grey, blue and dusky pink.

Both made from 100% recycled fabrics, the blue one has a plain cornflower blue lining and the lilac one a white and lilac floral lining.

16" x 16", the lilac has a shoulder strap while the blue has a shorter length strap.

Blue Bargello - SOLD

Preston Presents

2008-07-23T16:09:00.002+01:00

The Recycled Bag Lady will be presenting a stall at the Preston Presents Craft Fair (Preston Rutland, not Preston Lancashire!). Click on the link on the left for more information, and if you are in the area, come and say hello!

Magnolia Cream - £20

2008-07-23T15:05:00.007+01:00

This bag is from a small offcut of beautiful woven chenille fabric in shades of cream, lined with a sumptuous black and bronze satin. It is fastened with a pretty crochet loop and fancy gold coloured button and finished with a detachable, crochet flower. Inside are two good sized pockets to stop your smaller items from disappearing to the bottom of the bag.

At 28cm x 28cm (11" x 11") it is not a shopper, more a large hand/shoulder bag. The strap is a generous 132cm (52") long so can go either over your shoulder or across the body.
Click on any of the pictures to zoom in for a closer look.

Food Mixer Covers - from £10

2008-06-18T21:55:00.005+01:00

Bit of a departure from Recycled Bags: here is the Recycled Mixer Cover. Exactly the same principle as the bags, ie all, or mostly recycled fabrics, taken into the kitchen! Prices will vary depending on the fabric used and time taken to make them. This is the first one, hopefully of , many - fully recycled fabrics in a gorgeous patchwork chintz, fully lined - £10

Shown covering a Kenwood Chef 901a

Will also fit over a sewing machine.

I can also do matching sets for toasters, coffee machines or any other kitchen appliance and in your choice of fabrics. Email me for a quote.

Aztecca - £10

2008-06-17T19:28:00.003+01:00

Aztecca is a roomy shoulder bag with a button tab closure. Lined in plain cream, no pockets, 17" wide x 13" deep. Extra long handles can be worn on the shoulder or across the body.

Colour is a deep blue with patterns in red, russet, green and gold. Dry clean only.

The daylight makes it look a bit washed out!

This bag can also be made up with internal pockets for £15.

The Monkwell Collection

2008-04-18T22:57:00.002+01:00

Believe it or not, all the fabric in these lovely bags is recycled! Monkwell are a division of Crowson Fabrics. They specialise in designs based on eighteenth and nineteenth century prints. Fabric for these bags came from a sample book of the Monkwell Design Archives range. The fabric itself is a mediumweight linen/cotton mix in gorgeous soft shades and floral patterns. Click on the pictures to get a really close look! Photographs were taken using a daylight bulb so a very good representation of the actual colour.

Monkwell - Spring Green - £15

2008-04-18T21:42:00.004+01:00

16" wide x 13" deep, button tab closure, outer - linen/cotton mix, lining light green, leafy polycotton. Floral on one side, patchwork on the reverse. Click on the picture for more detail.

Chicken Bags

2008-03-16T01:47:00.000Z

Well I've finally manged to finish the chicken bags I promised. These are still mainly recycled fabric, but with some added patches of crisp, new cotton in some lovely chicken prints. And because of the chicken theme - they all have chicken names! Hope you enjoy them.

Marsh Daisy - only 1 left

2008-03-16T01:15:00.002Z

Lovely shades of yellow and terracotta with a cream floral lining. Part recycled, part new fabrics. 13" deep x 16" wide. Short handle. £15

Mille Fleur Barbu D'Uccle

2008-03-16T01:09:00.001Z

Made from 100% cotton - red chambray, chintz and a pretty french chicken design.
Cream floral lining. 13" deep x 16" wide. 2 available. £15

SALE - SOLD

2008-03-01T23:25:00.001Z

Both of the French Hens bags are now sold. Watch this space - I've picked up some lovely chicken prints recently and have been working hard to sew them up. Nine gorgeous, chicken print bags coming very soon!!

Retro Spring

2008-02-02T16:29:00.000Z

More bags with a spring theme, this time from 100% recycled fabric - glazed cotton & jacquard curtain fabric from the 60s/70s. Recycled cotton linings. No two the same! £10

Tropical Paradise

2007-11-05T17:23:00.000Z

A carrier bag sized tote in hot tropical shades of jade green, lilac, apricot, lime and terracotta with a sparkly, stripy lining. Hot colours to brighten up those cold winter days. Get the shades out! [SOLD]

Posy of Roses

2007-10-20T07:46:00.000+01:00

I'm delighted with this little bag! At 10" x 10" it's perfect for a little girl (or even a big girl who wants something a bit more dainty!). Made in a traditional 'log cabin' patchwork style from vintage Laura Ashley, Sanderson and Country Diary fabrics with a candy pink, stripy lining. It even has a little button and ribbon tab closure. The picture really doesn't do it justice! SOLD

Spring Bouquet

2007-10-13T18:41:00.000+01:00

A roomy tote bag in gorgeous spring shades of apricot, lilac and green with a sugar pink lining. No pockets, but loads of room for at least a carrier bag full of shopping. Too pretty for the supermarket though! 3 available. £10 each.

Garden Hens - SOLD

2007-08-12T18:33:00.001+01:00

Bit of a departure from recycled fabrics! A special request for a bag with chickens on. A large shopper with floral lining and a handy purse pocket inside to save you rummaging around on the bottom! Outer - crisp, new 100% cotton; lining - recycled polycotton; handle - vintage Sandersons cotton fabric. To be auctioned in aid of the Battery Hen Welfare Trust.

Summer Blues - SOLD

2007-07-24T11:14:00.002+01:00

Shopper made from surplus stripey fabric and vintage curtains