Sunday 23 January 2011

Grungepaper Tote Bag

I have a bit of an addiction for bags and the ones that I have shown on my blog have been machine sewn but this one has been all sewn by hand. I saw the idea in Craft Stamper Magazine last year sometime to make a handbag from Grungeboard but decided that it didn’t suit me as it was an open bag and I like my handbags to be zipped to make sure what little money I have is safe and secure. I decided to size it up to make a tote bag to carry my bits and pieces to classes.

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When I started making this bag last week I had not anticipated quite how long it would take and it has taken pretty much most of my free time this last week.

I started by cutting 40 3 inch squares of Grunge paper.

I coloured them all with Distress Inks and Cut and Dry foam which resulted in very inky fingers (not a good look when you are going out for a meal)

I then stamped half of them and embossed the other half with Cuttlebug Embossing folders and some I then lightly inked over with darker ink to make them stand out a bit more.

Using my Tim Holtz ruler I pierced holes along each of the edges and began the long job of sewing it all together which was quite hard on the fingers.

I added 3 inch strips of Grungepaper between the front and back panels to make a gusset.

The handles are make from a strong ribbon attached to the D-rings with nail head brads. I think that the handles are probably a bit long at the moment but I will shorten them after I have tries it out.

I enjoyed working with Grungepaper and I love the smell of it (is that a bit strange???) and now I am pondering on what my next Grungepaper project might be – maybe a purse or wallet or a journal/organiser…….hmmmmm………watch this space.

Edited to add;

Challenges;

Crafty Creations Challenges - birds, polka dots (mine are embossed) and green - hope a bag fits the criteria!

8 comments:

Julie said...

Oh Jeannie,you are so clever,I hope you're going to search out some challenges,I think the whole world needs to see this brilliant masterpiece!!! Can't wait to see it on the flesh,Julie x

Sue U said...

Wow Jeannie, such a clever idea, and the end result looks incredible, well worth the work you put into it. I would never have thought of using grunge paper for a bag (and no I love the smell of the stuff too!!)
Sue xx

Merry said...

This is terrific...love the style of it. So is it useable since it is made out of grunde board?

Jeannie said...

Hi Merry, the bag is certainly usable and it feels pretty strong but I guess only time will tell!

ikki said...

Wow Jeannie, very creative use of your folders. Love it! I would love to put it in my FFG - you don't have to do anything as far as the picture and link are concerned, but not sure if you are a follower? I'm sorry it's taken me so long to reply - had a number of probs this last week! I'm also not sure when I will post in the gallery, I will let you know the date and then would ask that you post a little note to your readers directing/alerting them that the Cupboard is there for all to view. Thanks for contacting me, and I love your work. ikki x

Aquarius said...

That is a terrific bag and will be so useful although I can imagine that it was hard work stitching it together by hand.

Suze Bain said...

Wow. Found you via Ikki. Your bag is fantastic. Have you sealed it with anything as I guess it wouldn't be waterproof. It was well worth the hours and the inky fingers!

Scrapcat 1 said...

wow wee that is a lot of wirk but it looks fantastic, how durable will it be though?