U-handblog

Mark Makes Another Manbag

Nearly 3 years ago a lovely chap called Mark got in contact with me to discuss the finer details of making this Basket Style Handbag for his lady friend.  I told him it was a fab idea and that it was a sure fire way of earning muuuuchos brownie points from said lady.  Turns out that Mark is the sort of person who will give most things a try; a spot of jewellery making, a bit of baking, trekking adventure, fixing trucks, and now some bag making.  I really admire a person who'll give anything a go.

So Mark being set about making a sample bag (very intelligent, (smarter than me, I'm usually too impatient) from an 2 old T-shirts and some boxer shorts - how's that for upcyling?  If you look closely in the pic you'll see my instructions for The Basket Bag on his computer in the background :)

With the sample bag a resounding success Mark set about making the bag proper.  Ta dah!!  She LOVED it of course.  That was back in 2006...

...in 2009. (The bamboo bag handles are these ones.)   Mark sent me these fab pics of his brand new bag (love the way that it is a portrait version). I asked him to write a bit of a guest post to accompany the pics as well.  Over to you Mark...

"Hey Lisa - me again, back for Man Bag 2.0.

After the success of Man Bag 1.0   I have been hankering to find an excuse to make another one.  The opportunity came along with the wedding of a very good friend - whose fiancée is an underwear, shoes and handbag girl.  
 
A drunken night with the best man and usher resulted in a plan - to leave a bag of goodies in the wedding suite of the Bride and Groom (champagne, chocolates, whip, handcuffs etc.).  So, after an email to yourself, a box of materials arrived and with some fabric from ebay, a night was set aside to assemble the bag.
 
Following the clear instructions from U-Handbag, I finished the bag in a night.  I know Helen (the bride) will love it - for only a little effort, it sure does earn you some brownie points!!  (or in my case, a few free meals)."
 

Love that fabric - it's an Ebay purchase so I've no idea who it's by.  Mark also buys fabric stash from (the UK) FabricRehab.

What? Who is this?  It's The Stig of course - find out about who The Stig is here.  Love the luggage Mr Stig!

 
"So....what's with 'The Stig' costume?  Also, on the aforementioned drunken night out with the best man and usher, the groom's stag-do for Malcolm (the groom) was discussed.  It was decided that we would have a 'Stig-do'.  To protect my identity, I have chosen to pose with the bag fully dressed as The Stig."




The real Stig - or is it Mark?  Hard to tell isn't it?


 

What a fine figure of a Stig - ha hahahaha hilarious!


Thanks heaps Mark for the pics and funny guest post Mark. You're a good sport :)

Bag Eye Candy - U-Handbag Kits and Patterns

Boo Hoo! My guy has jumped ship; the lucky digger is hanging out in Bilbao, Northern Spain on a brother bonding holiday.  I love having the house to myself, Beans gets to sleep in Al's side of the bed, I can eat simply and I get loads more done, but it aint quite the same :(

Here's a small selection pic of some of the baggy yummyness in the U-Handbag tutorial Flickr. It's really nice seeing your interpretations of my patterns (not to mention a great relief that they seem to work!)

1. Porta-moedas Big #3, 2. MAZ_8789, 3. Summer Tote, 4. Highbrow Hobo bag, 5. Commission for JennyT, 6.009_renamed_18200, 7. The (Expandable) Pack it in Tote, 8. Evening Purse2, 9. Red Tulip Basket Bag

Thanks for popping them in the Flickr everyone.  Please keep them coming  :)

Bag Eye Candy - Going out bags.

Thanks for your kind words of support and encouragement during my wobble.  I am beginning to come out of it - bubble baths, blog comments, choccies and lists really work wonders at times like these.

I missed bigging up your wondrous bag making efforts. I often have a look in the Flickr bag pools at your baggy loveliness, it never fails to perk me up.   As ever I'm blown away by so much bag making talent out there in Flickr land...

1. Lauras Bag , 2. Cartera Mod.038, 3. Shake and Pop 2, 4. verdecerrada, 5. LINDA E BÁSICA., 6. Leah Bag in Vintage Floral Polka-Dots, 7. Bolsa, 8. blue/orange carpet bag finished, 9. Insane.ness -Zipper Pouch

Thank you for posting your yummy bag making pics everyone.  Please keep them coming.

I'll show off some delights from the U-Handbag tutorial Flickr in my next post:  get your pics in if you fancy a chance of appearing right 'ere!

A few Highbrow Hobos out in wild

A few of you have run up some Highbrow Hobo Bags already.  And they look great!  Writing bag patterns is not rocket science, but when you design a pattern you do feel responsible and you want folks to enjoy using your pattern (without tearing any hair out!)  You feel a big sense of relief when you start to receive positive feedback, that's for sure!

Thanks for giving my pattern a go.  There's even a Highbrow Hobo thread on Craftster (started by Meg - thanks Meg) for the pattern which is really exciting!!!

Super cute, fun and fresh fruity pears by MegVS.

Love this snappy tartan number.  How different this bag looks with different fabric combos. By Liz

Posh looking Liberty cord and cream by Perfecltlittlepurses.

Skaline has made some clever adjustments to the original pattern and they look just fab!

Look at you sew!

I get such a buzz from seeing U-Handbag bits made into items good enough to eat, it's lovely for me to see these bag making supplies taking life.  Not only that, the talent and skill you have in bag making is so inspirational to me. 

Here are 2 delicious items which caught my eye lately:

Florence's beautiful simply beautiful Eye Glasses cases.  Aren't her fabric combos sooo delightful? Florence take commissions.  Florence used this frame.

Helen's luxe Satin Pleated purses.  I haven't attempted purse pleating yet.  I'm soooo going to give it a try!  Helen also takes commissions.  Helen used this frame.

PS: you might have noticed that I have a shiny new comments system.  To comment on this blog you'll need to sign up for a FREE Typepad commenting account thingy.  It'll just take seconds and it will remember you details.  This new commenting system will enable me to more easily reply to your comments on this blog and best of all you can reply to each others comments.  I hope you like it :)

Sunday Bag Eye Candy

Some of your gorgeous baggy goodness to sneak a peak at whilst loafing about at home on a Bank Holiday (in the UK).  It sure beats traipsing around retail parks (IKEA, B&Q,or Homebase...shudder!) out in the chilly (August?) wind...

As for me I am staying with my folks all weekend in Poole in Dorset, and I have been slaving away over pretty much nothing except reading (The Shipping News), some really fun cookery mum and daughter sessions (of which I'll post about later), and eating lots of suuuuuublime home cooked Chinese food.  After staying with my folks I am so going to have to do mega over-time at the Gym when I get back to London (I always do!)  I hope you are all having a nice relaxing weekend too.

From the U-Handbag All Bags Pool...

1. Gayles crazy dots bag, 2. Kokeshi Dolls and Spots Project Pouch, 3. Yvonne Glasses Case, 4. lily beth, 5. IMG_1538, 6. Birds bees flowers in trees 1, 7. butterfly bow bag, 8. Blue Diamond Sweater Back Pack , 9. Fairytale in the Supermarket Bag-8-20

I'll include your pics from the U-Handbag Tutorials pool next week (not quite enough entries to make a mosaic this week).

I know it's not a bag, but I still wanted to show you this anyway.  I got distracted by this sweet hand knit baby cardigan which has a choo choo train running all around the top yoke, and I love those blue buttons.  How dinky is this?  I want one!

Thank you for putting your lovely bags into the pools everyone.  You bag ladies are very very talented!   I've gone back to doing Bag Eye Candy weekly so please keep your baggy pics coming.  Ta!

Sunday Bag Eye Candy

Some of your gorgeous baggy goodness to sneak a peek at whilst chilling out on a Sunday with a nice mug of hot choccy  (am I the only one with woolly house socks on (in the middle of flipping August!) and cookies for dunking...

From the U-Handbag Tutorials pool...

1. oiseaux upper zipper2, 2. wallet inside, 3. heather bailey frame, 4. Made from Uhandblog tutorial, 5. External, 6. Sandy's Garden, 7. faux suede basket bag, 8. Pleated and darted purse, 9. Travel Bag -- Top

And from the U-Handbag All Bags Pool...

1. Quilted Frenchy , 2. Handmade Beaded Purse, 3. Apples Wallet, 4. IMG_3528-1, 5. Mist-Flower reversible handbag - tablecloth side , 6. ID Wallet and Key Ring, 7. Cameo, 8. Blue ribbon crotchet bag, 9. Blue_Mum

They're all nothing less than wonderful aren't they?  I'm so chuffed that the latest zippy tutorial is working for you folks. Thank you for putting your lovely bags into the pools everyone.  You bag ladies are very very talented!   I've gone back to doing Bag Eye Candy weekly so please keep your baggy pics coming.  Ta!

Sunday Bag Eye Candy

Some of your gorgeous baggy goodness to sneak a peek at whilst chilling out on a Sunday with a nice mug of hot choccy (it is chilly here!) and cookies for dunking...

From the U-Handbag Tutorials pool...

1. pleated purse with frame, 2. Blue and White with Rivets, 3. snap purse, 4. basket-style handbag with bamboo handles, 5. blue hex, 6. No.3_3

And from the U-Handbag All Bags Pool...

1. Swipe it Bag-Max & Mini, 2. Clothesline Trialet, 3. Vintage Birdcage, 4. Lolita ballerina bag - by kara smith, 5. Laranjinha, 6. Camera/Mini Bag, 7. Happy Map Back Pack, 8. Belle Chrysanthemum Orange Wallet, 9. Phone iPhone case

They're all nothing less than wonderful aren't they?  It really is hard choosing these few! Thank you for putting your lovely bags into the pools everyone. You bag ladies are very very talented!   I've gone back to doing Bag Eye Candy every week so please keep your baggy pics coming.  Ta!

Sunday Bag Eye Candy

Some of your gorgeous baggy goodness to sneak a peek at whilst chilling out on a Sunday in your  slobby T-shirt and jammies...

From the U-Handbag Tutorials pool...

1. wristlet, 2. clutch, 3. flower frame purse, 4. pinkbagtwo, 5. Vintage fabric exterior, 6. pink flower basket

And from the U-Handbag All Bags Pool...

1. Goody-New-Shoes-Purse, 2. maluhia designs, 3. Sammy 10tote 1 - by kara smith, 4. The Cottage, 5. Peggy Sue Handbag, 6. Custom Order - Dimple Shoulder Bag, 7. Handmade Clutch / Wristlet, 8. pink_flame_m0001, 9. green leather bag hanging

Absolutely delish aren't they? Thank you for putting your lovely bags into the pools everyone. You bag ladies are very very talented!   I've gone back to doing Bag Eye Candy every week so please keep your baggy pics coming.  Ta!

Saturday Bag Eye Candy

Some of your gorgeous baggy goodness to sneak a peek at instead of doing the house work (or any other kind of work for that matter)...

From the U-Handbag Tutorials pool...

1. lime green, 2. bag, 3. Leaf basket shaped bag, 4. Pleated purse, 5. mother's day, 6. totebag, 7. Snap purse and mirror, 8. Hex, 9. mini purse w reel

And from the U-Handbag All Bags Pool...

1. Vintage Beach Slouchy Tote, 2. Poppy Wristlet, 3. Custom diaper bag, 4. Red Bandana w/ beads & piping, 5. Kid's Meadow Tote Bag, 6. Feiticeiro de Oz, 7. Vintage Tablecloth Purse, 8. pretty felted wool handbag, 9. P4010006_03

Yummy aren't they? Thank for putting your lovely bags into the pools everyone. You are some seriously talented bag ladies!   I've gone back to doing Bag Eye Candy every week so please keep your baggy pics coming.  Ta!