Beltane and Bags

Spring has sprung around these parts.  Today is May 1 and Beltane, who knew.   Not something I can say I have previously recognized, but it seems to be popping up all over the social media sites I've been visiting.  And, it is fitting.  It has been a long winter.  It has also been a good long run of bag making and blogging for me.  I started making bags about five years ago and really kicked it up when we moved here to Nashville.  Doing a little Spring cleaning here and getting ready for what the future will bring.  Change.  It feels good.

Here are a couple of bags I just finished.  Love them both.  The white leather bag was made from the Lekala #3015 pdf pattern.  I really love how I managed to salvage this thing and am currently using this bag on a daily basis.  I can not however, recommend this pattern to a normal, non crazy person to attempt!  First off, half of the pieces downloaded in Polish.  Yes Polish.  Now I knew that this was a Swedish based company, but c'mon.  Even Google translator couldn't produce understandable words for me to decipher on the pieces.  Luckily, I happen to be an experienced bag making queen ;) but, this sucker took me four days to complete.  There was one sheet of instructions numbered #1 - #13.  Yep, that's it.  No photos, etc.  Guess I'm spoiled by all the really great bag pattern designers and patterns like Swoon Patterns.

Here it is.

I also made a messenger bag.  Something I have been wanting to do for a while.  Love this one.  It makes me happy.  The pattern I used was the HippieGirl Messenger Bag by Redlabel on Craftsy.  It was pretty easy to follow the instructions, there are no pattern pieces included, just measurements, so I just made my own.  I omitted the ruffle on the flap and knotted handle.   Most of the fabric I used is Amy Butler and Michael Miller.  It calls for 15 different fabrics!  I think I will try this in canvas using maybe only two different colors, or one color with some leather trim.

Well, there you have it.  Happy Beltane,  Happy Spring,  Happy Colors =)