Grab & Go Crossbody Bag...

Brynwood Needleworks - Cork Grab & Go Crossbody Clutch

Yesterday, I presented our realtor, Mary Westbook (Coldwell Banker agent extraordinaire!), with her own cork Grab & Go Crossbody Clutch.

I had shown her the regular G & G clutches, and she told me that she and her realtor friends wished they could find a simple crossbody for stashing their phones, keys and a few necessaries when showing houses. We discussed size requirements, and I got busy.

Brynwood Needleworks - Cork Grab & Go Crossbody Clutch Back

I knew she loved the Vintage Hibiscus Cork, and she preferred the brown cork I'd used for the back of some of the clutches I'd shown her. All they needed was a crossbody strap, and a little larger size.

Brynwood Needleworks - Cork Grab & Go Crossbody Clutch Lining

I used more of the starfish lining fabric, and made this bag 10" x 7" finished size, and added two tabs for attaching the longer strap.

Brynwood Needleworks - Cork Grab & Go Crossbody Clutch  Label

There's a Brynwood label front and center, too. I had the first one finished in plenty of time to give to Mary when she came to meet with us yesterday. She was thrilled. She said it was a perfect size and she loved the feel of the cork. When she left, she said she was off to share her new acquisition with her colleagues. (Of course, I put multiple business cards inside the bag so she could hand them out!)

I'm listing this bag in my shop now, so that it will be available to my readers, or anyone seeking a lightweight, cork solution to a wristlet.

Brynwood Needleworks - Peter Rabbit and Jeremy Fisher Tins

 

Before I leave you today, I need to make a correction. My longtime blog friend, Lesley in the UK, left a comment for me about my tin post. She was so diplomatic, asking whether or not I was sure that the froggy tin was from The Wind in the Willows. She suggested it might instead be Jeremy Fisher from the Peter Rabbit stories.

Of course, she was right!!! I also have a Peter Rabbit tin from the story. I don't know why I never associated the two. (face palm)

Thanks so much for leaving a note for me, Lesley...and for doing it in such a sweet, kind way. I'm happy to correct the record, my dear.

 

Prepping Labels...

Brynwood Needleworks - Labels In My Vintage Tin

We had our Open House yesterday, so I was away from home most of the afternoon. When I got home (to a sparkling clean abode!), I decided to do some prep work for my bag projects. In addition to setting up my d-ring tabs for my next batch of Grab & Go Clutches, I had some label prepping to do, too.

This is how I store them (until I have too many to put fit). I use a vintage English Huntley & Palmer children's biscuit tin that I've had for decades. The froggy on the lid is from "The Wind In The Willows", one of my favorite childhood stories. I even have a vintage copy of the book, which I would have shown you, but it's already packed to go to the farm.

Brynwood Needleworks - Prepping Labels

Even my label setup is production style now. I start with my woven labels from CustomCoutureLabelCo on Etsy. (In fact, I just placed another order with them.) Then I take long 1.25" strips of natural cork. I make the strips from scraps leftover from making bags, wallets and my other cork pieces.

I use a glue stick to secure the labels - centered on the width of the strip(s) - and about .75" apart, lengthwise. Once they're glued down to the strips, I set my machine to make tiny stitches and sew each one to the cork. I cut them apart when I'm finished and into the tin they go!

Today, I'll cut the pieces and assemble the parts to make new Grab & Go Clutches. Once they're finished, I'll list them up in my shop.

Brynwood Needleworks - Mug Mats

Just a reminder that there's still time to sign up for our March Mug Mat Swap. You can read about it HERE. I've put together a list of those who have already signed up, and we've have a nice group so far. There's always room for more, so if you'd like to join in, just email me using the link in my right side bar. Be sure to put "Mug Mat Swap" in the subject line so I don't miss it.