Uptown Shopping Tote - Fall

I have mentioned numerous times that I much prefer the summer months, so not particularly looking forward to Fall - except maybe getting to wear my Vintage 70s brown coat - so I had to think really hard to come up with a Fall-inspired item for this month's BBA challenge by wonderful teammate and jewelry designer Linda B.

So I opened the drawer containing my personal stash of fabrics and found this wonderful home decor fabric in cream with a swirly brown pattern that is suitably Fall-like and matches my coat! I had enough of this fabric to create a tall shopping tote based on my uptown bag which I designed three years ago!

Ich habe schon mehrmals erwähnt, dass ich die Sommermonate sehr genieße, und daher nicht besonders freudig dem kommenden Herbst entgegensehe - außer vielleicht, dass ich dann meinen braunen 70er Mantel tragen kann - tja, ausgerechnet "Herbst" ist das Thema der August challenge von meinem Team. Meine Teamkollegin Linda B., die übrigens wunderschönen Schmuck herstellt, hat mich da vor einer echten Herausforderung gestellt!

In so einem Fall dient mein persönlicher Vorrat an Stoffen als Inspiration, und tatsächlich entdeckte ich diesen herrlichen festen Deko-Stoff in Creme mit einem geschwungenen braunen Muster wieder - das passt, dachte ich...zum Herbst und auch zu meinem Mantel! Ich hatte gerade soviel von diesem Stoff übrig, um eine große Shoppertasche daraus zu nähen. Dieses Modell habe ich etwas von meinem ursprünglichen Modell von vor 3 Jahren abgewandelt.

The tote is lined with a cotton canvas in solid brown and stablized with Decovil, an industrial type interfacing often used for fabric belts, hats and interior decorations such as pelmets. This makes the bag nice and sturdy but still flexible. I added a flap with magnetic snap button mainly for decoration, but also to help keep the shopping from falling out.

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Die Shoppertasche ist innen mit Baumwollcanvas in dunkelbraun gefüttert und mit Decovil stabilisiert. Decovil wird oft für Stoffgürtel, Hüte und im Heimdeko-Bereich verwendet. Die Tasche wird dadurch sehr stabil, aber nicht steif. Die Patte mit Magnetknopf ist eher dekorativ, dennoch hält sie die Tasche oben zusammen, so dass die Waren beim Abstellen der Tasche nicht gleich herauspurzeln.

The straps are long enough to slip onto the shoulder comfortably and the bag itself has a flat wide bottom to fit in lots and lots of shopping :)

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Die Henkel sind lang und breit genug um die Tasche bequem über die Schulter zu tragen und der flache breite Boden sorgt dafür, dass ganz viel Shopping reinpasst :)

Have a wonderful day!

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Habt einen wunderschönen Tag!

 

Travel Bag in Rainforest

Despite the unpleasant and chilly weather I ventured outside to take pics of the a travel bag/weekender. Well the weather man said it was going to get even worse in the next few days. Pity they didn't turn out that well, but I couldn't bear standing in the cold wind for much longer!
The entire bag is made from a home dec cotton with a satin finish. That means it has a tight weave and is soft to the touch. It has a spacious interior with three slip pockets plus a convenient zip pocket on the inside and two pockets on the outside. It is lined with this adorable pink polka dot cotton-linen fabric. Wish you could see it in person...the colours are luscious! For more details and photos visit my website! I'm going to make myself a nice cup of tea now...

GIVEAWAY - Win a Handmade Bag!!!

Hi everybody!

Here's your chance to win a OOAK messenger bag designed and entirely handmade by me! This giveaway is open to everyone across the globe and ends on Friday 9th July. The winner will be announced the next day!

  sunglasses for demonstration purpose only

The bag is made from high-quality, pre-washed medium-weight and interfaced cottons. The main fabric has an all-over print of yummy strawberries, cherries and tiny flowers on a black polka dot background. It is fully lined and has multiple pockets inside. There are two pen-holders on one side panel, which doubles as a sunglass holder too. The shoulder strap is adjustable - wear it traditionally on the shoulder or across the body if you prefer! This messenger is a compact size, yet spacious enough to carry all your essentials - perfect as an everyday bag!

Nice, compact size - great for the office too...and inside shocking pink. Pink rocks!

Here's what you need to do to enter - it's easy:

1. Leave a comment on this post = 1 ENTRY

2. Join my facebook fan page = 3 ENTRIES
    click on the 'like' button on the facebook widget to the right
    or (if you can't 'see' it, try in Mozilla Firefox) My facebook page is Duni Buesken Handmade

Note: those of you who are already on my facebook page will automatically be entered 3 x.

That's it. I told you it was easy. GOOD LUCK TO EVERYBODY!

Stay in or go out...

...that is the question. ♥♥♥ Quick Reminder

You have five more days to enter my tote bag giveaway. Don't miss! The response so far is great, and your comments are too kind! Some of you have a great sense of humor, and it's so thoughtful of the male entrants to think of their wives! This is the kind of interaction that makes this giveaway so much more fun :) Oh, and just to clarify: I will be shipping to anywhere in the world - but please understand I do not have any control over what happens once it arrives in your country. There shouldn't be a problem, normally. So, what are you waiting for? Leave a comment on my giveaway post and you're in! It's that simple. The winner will be chosen by a random number generator and announced on Monday, 26th October. Have a nice day!

'Lovely Purses' Giveaway!

Hi everybody! From today, 18th October, until Sunday, 25th October you have a chance to win this tote bag - designed and made by me! Everyone is welcome to join. All you have to do is leave a comment on this post including your contact information! The bag measures approximately 30 x 22 x 10 cm (12 x 8.5 x 4 inches), and is made from a rich, dark brown fabric featuring tumbling flowers and leaves and delightful birds! It is fully lined with a dark brown soft linen and includes a zippered pocket. Those handles are real bamboo - not plastic. It closes with a magnetic snap button. I will ship this bag via registered mail to wherever you happen to live, but please be aware that certain countries may levy custom-related taxes/duties, for which I'm not responsible. Meanwhile, I wish you all a pleasant Sunday and good luck!!

Sandi Henderson Market Bag

Would you believe this is the first bag pattern I have ever bought? Reason being that I design/construct all of my bags, because I truly enjoy this part the most! The sewing bit is just an afterthought... But in this case I just couldn't resist, especially since I wanted to use up the vintage cherry fabric (Henderson) I bought too much of :) This is a new pattern. There are actually two bag styles to choose from. The 'Straight Market Bag', suitable for beginners, and the 'Gathered Market Bag'. I adjusted the pattern to make a pleated market bag for a more tailored look, because to my eye the gathers were looking a bit wonky. Also, correct me if I'm wrong, but there seems to be one step missing in the instructions. So, if you've bought this pattern and you're wondering what to do with those two left-over pieces of canvas - attach them to your bag lining pieces before sewing them together! The bag I'm working on is coming along nicely. Pictures of the finished bag to follow shortly...

New handbag

Here's a new bag I designed. It's made with one of my favourite prints. Actually I made it to match a sleeveless A-line tunic in the same bright red I made a while ago, which I still have to take a picture of. Up until now it was always too cold to wear...I hope to show it off soon! The handbag closes with a magnetic snap button. The strap is reinforced with a special type of interfacing I had wanted to try out for ages (it works), and it's the perfect length for carrying on your shoulder without slipping off (like so many other bags do). Wishing you all a great week! Till next time,

Satin Evening Clutch

Way back in January I wrote about the satin fabrics I bought. Satin is a delicate fabric and needs to be handled with care. When sewing, adjust the pressure foot to 'light', so that you don't leave 'skid marks' on the shiny fabric. Also, use a Microtex needle to avoid unsightly holes where the needle punctures the fabric. Satin may be gently ironed from the left side on the silk setting of your iron. I finally had the opportunity to use the burgundy satin. I made this evening clutch for a girlfriend of mine. Working out the correct size of the bow was a little tricky, but I think the end-result looks pretty good! It's feminine yet simple and works best with evening wear. I'm contemplating making this clutch in emerald green and pink too!

Spring is in the air, I think...I hope?

I woke up this morning wondering what that yellow light coming through the blinds was. I looked outside and couldn't believe it was the sun! The very first rays of sunshine after months and months of grey clouds, rain, snow, storms, and yes, even hail! I felt so happy that I got us square muffins for breakfast (yeah, my baker's got a sense of humour) I also finally finished my Springtime bag. Actually I started this in January, then I fell ill. When I got better (or thought I did) I worked on it some more, then I fell ill again - only worse. That's why I was only able to finish it now. In fact, just in time for Dawanda's colour of the month, which happens to be green. I like green in all variations. The bag is decorated with a dainty floral trim and dragonfly appliqué. Wishing everyone a sunny weekend!

X'mas is over; getting ready for New Year's Eve

I know I wrote I wouldn't be posting until next year, but I just couldn't help taking a quick peek at my blog...and it really was worth it, because I have received another Lemonade Award from Ambrosia at Chronicles of Caelan. What a lovely surprise! Feels like it's Christmas all over again. Thank you so much, Ambrosia. Please visit her delightful blog for an interesting read...

I will be posting a list of my chosen nominees very soon...so keep tuned, you may be one of them! Meanwhile, Christmas is over. Gifts have been opened, wrapping paper discarded and disposed of (or in my case, kept to be re-used - yes, I am frugal in that way ☺), and the last of the cookies have been eaten. Our Christmas dinner was a pleasant affair with one surprise guest showing up - an aunt of my husband, who lives across the border in the Netherlands. I'm so glad my organic chicken turned out nicely browned and my apple and almond stuffing was delicious, if I say so myself! So now it's time to get ready for New Year's. Today is the first day the shops are open again after Christmas, and since tomorrow is Sunday, when everything's closed, I got up really early to do my grocery shopping, because I know what it will be like out there by this afternoon! I've even done a little bit of house cleaning. But for the rest of today I have planned to take care of the paperwork, which I have neglected these past weeks! Don't want to start the new year with old bills left to pay! Also, as promised, here is the bag made from Gobelin featuring a whole bunch of cute cats. And NO, I did not cut up granny's wall tapestry ☺ I found this fabric on the remnants table in the local fabric store. It was only a small scrap, but enough to make a front panel of this over-the-shoulder sling bag.