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SEWN: CANVAS AND LEATHER FOR MY SECRET VALENTINE

Sunday 15 February 2015

I've succumbed to the Furoshiki madness again.


But I went all a bit extra special this time.


You see this was my Secret Valentine's Gift as part of Sanae Ishida and Ute's 2015 Secret Valentine Exchange (#2015sve).



I found out about the Exchange via Instragram (IG). I love Instagram. I've "met" so many more crafters via IG than I could ever have encountered via blogging alone and my life is richer for it. Even if occasionally I spend more time IG'ing than making. Oops...

This is the second year that Sanae and Ute have hosted the Exchange which is loosely based on a Scandinavian Secret Santa tradition called Julklapp. Sanae and Ute publicised it via Sanae's blog and on Instagram and invited any interested crafters to get involved. The idea is you are secretly partnered with another involved crafter and provided with some basic info about them - like favourite colours, prints and other interests, and links to their blog/IG profile/Pinterest account so you can spy generate a picture of the individual. From there it is up to you to decide a crafty project to make and gift, undertake said project and post it merrily on its way.

I thought cool, how hard could that be? Ummmmm, have you see the Flickr pool? And my partner in particular is ridiculously clever. Yep, cue fear and panic.

Furoshiki and a ridiculously clever husband enter stage left!


This time I fully lined my Furoshiki bag, which could in fact mean it's reversible, but I also added an internal pocket that my partner might not want to wear on the outside. So we'll go with it being lined. The outside of the bag is definitely more my sophisticated partner, whilst the inside is a reflection of mental brightly patterned me. I liked the idea it had a little of me and a little of "her".


But it just didn't feel enough.

Me: Feel like undertaking a bit of leatherwork with that navy blue leftover leather over there??

Hubby: Sure! What have you got in mind?

Seriously how did I land him? He's a gem amongst men, a true craftsman AND just a little bit handsome. So he got to create and show off again.

I had in mind a card wallet for that inner pocket similar, or even exactly the same, as one he created for himself - he uses it for credit cards and slipping some paper (plastic in Australia) money in when he wants a non-bulky wallet.


But no, he needed to create, he needed to try new ideas, buy new tools. Uh-huh. And so we have this.


Unlike the original (which was more of a credit card shaped, unlined pocket) this is folded with leather outer and leather lining. He got to try out bonding leather and working out how to keep it pliable and flexible, but it is still hand punched and stitched. He also got a polishing tool thingy that finishes the edges making them smooth and satiny.

Inside are a few cleverly created sleeves or pockets carefully crafted to fit a credit card or two, business cards and/or a little cash. Did I also mention that most of his work is freehand? No? Well it is: no pattern, no template and flying by the seat of his pants most of the time. Including this time. Sometimes there is a happy ending on the first attempt. This took three goes and a bit of swearing and thrown out leather (!!). But yippee, he finally got it finished just in time for sending.


Seriously, where's mine? I love this idea. Slip a few essentials in your handcrafted wallet/purse, slide it in that inner pocket and sling your Furoshiki bag over your shoulder. You're ready to head out!

And what's more my partner loves her gift! Winning!

21 comments:

  1. You clever duo! I'm in love with the colours of the bag, and the detailed leather! ❤️❤️❤️

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  2. Jillian, you rock! What a great gift, wonderful post and also a collaboration with such a fantastic result! Thank you for joining and making this exchange special through your presence! I think your husband needs to join next year!!

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  3. The dynamic duo indeed! Your bag is fab of course, and I love the little pocket inside. But be still my beating heart. That leather pocket is just the bees knees. Blue leather!!!!! Aaah.

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  4. Seriously your dude rocks.. Telling you... going hunt your house down and steal him..

    I did the SVE last year and it was so much fun.. Your gifts are truly divine and that wallet.. Mmmm

    Well done.

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  5. The bag is, of course, gorgeous! ... and your hubby a true artist ... he surely exhibits all the symptoms : tons of creativity, no fear to experiment and fly by the seat of his pants (this is my favourite one ;)) and of course superbe craftsmanship.

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  6. My love for this, the bag, the card wallet & just everything, is extreme. Beautiful. And a very lucky recipient ;) Oh, my b'day's in March, just saying.... ;)p

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  7. You guys are the super friends of crafty construction! I love the lining and shell fabric combo but that teeny wallet is pure genius! :D

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  8. Such a lovely combination, and I love that there's a touch of all involved. Also love the idea of a reversible bag..... Definitely need to incorporate that design feature!

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  9. OF COURSE she loves it - how could she not?? God, I love the bag and I love the credit card holder; you've both done such beautiful work. That wonderful combination of colours and gorgeous sewing on the bag - love! - and then the very elegant (but blue!!) card holder? I loathe bag making but you make we want to start!

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  10. PS Triangle Lady you are so going to love the scarf I'm knitting right now!

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  11. Awww thanks Leah! It did turn out pretty sweet :)

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  12. Hahaha Ute! I do try to rock! Hubby is chuffed with your comment and went off mumbling something about coming up with some new ideas.

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  13. Blah, blah, yes hubby is a true master of the leather, blah, blah. Just joking I think he's pretty special to :)

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  14. You can have him... jokes! But his head is getting a little too big over all these accolades :)

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  15. Oh lord Sasha you all are creating a monster. Hubby is walking around all puffed up with his sense of importance. Bwahahahaha!

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  16. Hmmm, birthday in March... we'll see what we can do :) And unfortunately a trip to Melbourne for Frocktails is out for me. You'll have to come visit me in Sydney, or CBR if we get our asses into gear and organise a Sydney/CBR mini-Frocktails.

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  17. Yeah well the wallet was my idea, he just designed it... created all three failed prototypes... blistered his fingers creating the final one... ok fine he's a genius. Are you happy ;)

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  18. Ohhh Triangle Lady. There's something I haven't been called before! The reversible bag is pretty cool. Just create two separate bags (no need to finish edges), stick one inside the other and sew around the top leaving a space to turn out. Simples. Even more simple than a single layer where you have to finish all the edges. Blah! Bring on your scarf!

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  19. I'm so not into bag-making Gabrielle. But it's all I know how to do if I'm going to craft a gift! It's so quick and easy though that it's painless. No interfacing or stiffeners etc. It's just a sack really. Go forth and make bags :)

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  20. I like your scheming... am sure I can wrangle a trip north later this year... ;)

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  21. Ooh that sounds so easy. Genius I say!
    Check out http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/annecy--lille

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