• Blog

    Suede pouch

    September 23, 2010 - By 

    I am very behind here in blogland…


    Last Saturday evening I made this suede pouch to hang from my belt at the Renaissance Festival the next day.

    I had already sewn a backpack but with the temperatures sounding on the cool side I figured I’d be wearing a shawl over my costume. If I had a backpack on I’d be sporting a “hunchback of Notre Dame” look.


    So a belt pouch was in order….

    I had a magnetic purse closure in my sewing basket so that worked out very well.  I used a scrap of suede to cover the ugly metal backing.

    We had a good time with the kids at the festival. Such a different experience than going with another couple.

    ***I once again have to apologize for the poorly lit photos. Seems every time I want to photograph something it’s raining!!***

  • Blog

    Suede backpack

    September 15, 2010 - By 

    You may remember a while back I used a suede jacket to make a book.  I still had lots of suede left waiting for inspiration to strike.

    As the old saying goes…Necessity is the mother of invention….

    I needed a bag of some sort to carry at the Renaissance Festival this weekend that would look a bit more like a bag from that period.  After seeing the crazy expensive prices of the beautiful tooled leather belt pouches I knew I needed to come up with my own design.  I’d already spent too much on my new bodice… Did I mention how much we love the Renaissance Festival!!

    I must apologize for the poorly lit photos…it is a very dark and rainy day here but I just couldn’t wait any longer to share…

  • Blog

    Handmade book

    April 14, 2010 - By 

    I’ve thought about making a book like this for a long time. I wanted to to look time worn.

    My first experiment was to put a stack of printer paper into a glass pan and fill it with instant coffee and warm water. I sprinkled grounds between some pages as well. The next day I poured off the water and let it sit. Eventually I began separating the pages. Each one has a unique look and texture. Just what I was looking for.

    Some of the pages are slightly torn and darkened. Scrumptious!

    For the cover and end pages, I used a suede jacket that had seen better days.

    I’d like to do a little more with the cover of the book but for now I’m satisfied.