Pesky Cat Designs

Shop Update with Seagulls

2012-02-11T20:12:00.002-05:00

This past week I worked in the studio and spent my breaks seaside.

Added four new corduroy purses to the shop. Raspberry red and cerulean blue.

Also added a purse made from reclaimed leather to the shop.

Next week I'll be drafting new bag designs, possibly two, and plan to introduce a new applique design. I feel so grateful these days to be able to work in my studio full time. I'm enjoying every minute of it and of course my breaks by the sea. Wishing everyone a wonderful weekend. Enjoy!

Shop Update

2012-02-06T13:44:00.001-05:00

Just added a couple of purses made from a vintage leather jacket to my shop.

The jacket was deconstructed and then pieced together. I ran out of leather to make straps but ended up loving the final result with the heavy weight cotton webbing. The two different textures work well together and the cream webbing matches nicely with the color of the appliques. Often necessity leads to experiments with happy results.

A Glimpse of My Week

2012-02-01T21:53:00.001-05:00

Handwoven Ikat and Vegan Faux Leather Messenger

Worked on a batch of bags this week made from pvc-free upholstery grade faux leather. Yes, the kind you can upholster a sofa with. Durable, eco-friendly and beautiful. I also purchased a new textile, an ikat hand woven in India, that I had to try out immediately. I paired the ikat with the faux leather and the results are above.

Vegan Faux Leather Tote with a Bird Applique

I also whipped up two totes with bird appliques.

Market Tote in Vegan Faux Leather and Jute Webbing

A third tote got some natural jute webbing and two wood buttons.

I also experimented on a new bag design that I still plan to change up quite a bit before the final cut. The results are above. I'll have this one on sale in my shop as a sample.

My work week actually started on Sunday when I cut and interfaced all my fabric. Monday and Tuesday were spent sewing away and today we had a little photo shoot. Tomorrow I'll have a shop update at around noon and then it's back to the studio!

Recycled Leather

2012-01-26T19:01:00.000-05:00

Three new bags were added to the shop today made from leather apparel that was deconstructed and given a second life in my studio. These bags are actually all made from one coat I purchased at a thrift store back in New York. I enjoyed taking it apart and piecing it back together like a puzzle.

For future projects I plan to experiment even more on incorporating pockets and other features already on the apparel to my bag designs. I already have plans for another two jackets that I scored today. Can't wait to get started!

Birds

2012-01-24T13:59:00.004-05:00

Just added four new Wayfarer Purses adorned with handmade bird appliques to the Pesky Cat Designs shop in nutmeg, steel gray, fuchsia rose and sage green. The Wayfarer is great size to use as an everyday bag. These purses have one interior zippered pocket and one slip pocket perfect for a cell phone or something else you want quick access to. The strap length is about 25" end to end which works for most body frames.

This week I'm working with reclaimed leather. Stay tuned for the results. Wishing you all a great week ahead!

Thursday's Photo Shoot

2012-01-19T19:03:00.001-05:00

Cotton Velvet Messenger Bag

I'm happy to be back in the studio creating and designing full time again! This week I finished up three new colorblock purses and a blue velvet messenger bag. I'll be adding them to the shop tomorrow. Today the Pesky Cat Designs team went out for a drive to the sea. Took shots of the new bags and a few others. See more from today's photo shoot on the Pesky Cat Designs Facebook page posted here.

Cotton Velvet and Corduroy Colorblock Purse

Linen Blend Colorblock Purse

Harris Tweed Purse

Seahorse Applique Wayfarer Purse

All these wonderful photos were taken by TN.

Home Sweet Home

2012-01-14T21:14:00.001-05:00

After spending several months on a job assignment that took me away from my studio, I'm finally back in St. Augustine, FL. I worked with a wonderful group of folks and enjoyed my stay in Tarrytown, NY which is about 40 minutes by train into NYC.

I'm eager to get back to designing and creating and have lots of new ideas I can't wait to get started on.

Above is a shot of Millie, a wonderful coworker back in New York, modeling the Harris Tweed Patchwork Satchel. Wish I had her here for my next photo shoot!

Happy Holidays

2011-12-24T18:03:00.001-05:00

Anni the Sweet Pesky Cat

All of us here at Pesky Cat Designs want to wish you and your family Happy Holidays and much peace, joy, love and health in the New Year.
All the best!

Harris Tweed Messengers

2011-12-16T21:51:00.004-05:00

New Harris Tweed messengers are available at the Pesky Cat Designs. The one above has a sweet bird on a branch applique made from wool felt and a pretty cotton floral print interior.

Wear it across the body messenger style or on your shoulder.

All our Harris Tweed is imported directly from Scotland. Harris Tweed is a cloth that has been handwoven by the islanders at their homes in the Outer Hebrides of Scotland, using local wool.

A Little Reminder

2011-12-01T06:09:00.001-05:00

Just a little reminder from the Pesky Cat Designs shop. All US orders ship within 48 hours with delivery confirmation that can be tracked online. Packages typically arrive in 3 days. There's still plenty of time for your holiday gifts to arrive on time. :)

Harris Tweed Barleycorn

2011-11-13T21:45:00.004-05:00

A new purse made from a Harris Tweed barleycorn weave in brown, tan and black was just added to the shop. Barleycorn tweeds have a prominent flecked pattern that give them a more richly textured appearance. The different colors merge together into a single shade from a distance. I love its raw and earthy look.

Above is a selection of purses from the shop in Harris Tweed wool, linen blend upholstery and faux leather. Come see more at the Pesky Cat Designs shop!

New Purses Have Arrived!

2011-11-05T21:16:00.001-04:00

New purses have arrived to the Pesky Cat Designs shop! The selection above is made from faux suede, faux leather and Harris Tweed wool.

Wishing you all a relaxing and enjoyable weekend!

Happy Weekend!

2011-10-29T08:11:00.004-04:00

The Pesky Cat Designs studio is taking a little break. Other obligations are taking up most of our time right now. The shop is open for business but bag production has slowed for now. If you are interested in a custom order just contact me via the shop. Production time will now be 5 to 10 days.

Wishing everyone a wonderful weekend. Enjoy!

Heads Up

2011-10-06T08:08:00.004-04:00

Vacation notice: All items purchased from the Pesky Cat Designs shop between October 7th and October 11th will ship Wednesday, October 12th. You will still be able to contact us if you have any questions. Thanks!

Shop Update: Bags made from recycled leather are now available in the shop! More to come.

Recycled Leather

2011-10-04T15:39:00.006-04:00

Leather apparel sourced from a charitable thrift shop was deconstructed and then given a second life in my studio, transformed into this one-of-a-kind satchel.

I'll be keeping my eye out for leather treasures to repurpose on my future excursions to thrift shops and consignment shops!

Autumn Has Arrived

2011-09-23T14:58:00.002-04:00

Autumn has officially arrived here in northern Florida and so have some new fall-inspired bags. Even though I'm still wearing sandals and T-shirts, in the next couple of months it will get cooler. Last winter the fountain downtown grew some icicles so it can get pretty chilly.

Just in time for autumn celebrations, I've added four new cross body bags to the Pesky Cat Designs shop!

And last but not least, my new tower of happiness. It holds 66 large spools and has made my life in the studio so much more pleasant. No more digging through my storage box to find the right thread!

A Glimpse into the Studio

2011-09-18T19:57:00.002-04:00

It's been a while since I posted a glimpse into my studio. This past Friday I was able to purchase some plastic storage bins and finally organize my space. The 90" long work table below was pretty much covered with various supplies, fabrics and finished bags leaving me very little space to actually work on. Now everything is in its place and I have finally regained my work space. It will make cutting fabric and drafting out patterns so much easier.

Below is my sewing station complete with my trusty and reliable Juki. On the left is a glimpse of a Brother machine that I use for applique work. I purchased the chair for $10 dollars at a local second hand shop and reupholstered it with faux suede. It works perfect.

The lovely sign below was designed by Tom and given to me as a gift. It comes with a stand that can be used for outdoor markets. And on your right is Anni tucked away in her favorite basket taking a rest from all the recent activities taking place at Pesky Cat Designs studio.

Color Block Purses in Velvet, Chenille and Corduroy

2011-09-11T13:50:00.001-04:00

Inspired by the latest color blocking trend, my new purses are created in blocks of velvet, chenille and corduroy. These bags are one-of-a-kind and now available at the Pesky Cat Designs shop.

In the next several weeks I'll be working on re-stocking the shop with some of my staple bags such as the bird on a branch applique messenger bag. I plan to have a nice selection in time for the upcoming holiday season.

New Harris Tweed Purses

2011-09-09T13:39:00.003-04:00

Harris Tweed Color Block Purse

This week in the studio I did some experimenting combining various Harris Tweed weaves to create a purse. This purse is also a new design measuring at approximately 14" wide, 8.5" high and 2.5" deep. Roomy enough to fit your daily essentials with a stream-lined design to fit comfortably under your arm.

Harris Tweed Color Block Purse

The purse above is made from Harris Tweed wool in two plain weaves and a barleycorn weave. I love the contrasting colors and textures.

Back view of purses above.

Harris Tweed Two Tone Bag

And last but not least, a basket/tote design, using a lovely blue Harris Tweed plain weave and a Macleod check. All these new bags are now available at the Pesky Cat Designs shop.

Wishing everyone a great weekend ahead!

New Harris Tweed Patchwork

2011-09-02T20:59:00.002-04:00

Just added a couple of one-of-a-kind Harris Tweed patchwork bags to the Pesky Cat Designs shop. It will be the perfect bag to pair up with your favorite fall or winter coat and add a pop of color to your day.

To create the flap I cut out squares of Harris Tweed wool and interface each piece. Then I play around arranging the different colors and patterns. That's the most fun part. When I am satisfied with the result I begin to sew them together. And that is how the patchwork flap evolves.

Wishing everyone a wonderful weekend ahead. Enjoy!

A Prototype and More

2011-08-31T17:02:00.003-04:00

This week I spent some of my time in the studio creating birthday gifts for two dear friends. One friend only uses backpacks since she has trouble with her shoulders so I designed the bag above for her. I wanted to create a back pack that was both elegant and practical for her. I lined the inside with a waterproof quilted fabric since I know she always likes to carry a water bottle with her. I added a deep exterior pocket for things she might need easy access to such as keys or a cell phone. I plan to carry a backpack design in my shop soon!

The tapestry purse above is for another dear friend.

The happy kitty purse will be available in the shop tonight.

The purse above is made from a gorgeous fabric designed by Iman. Yes, the lovely super model and David Bowie's wife. I was not able to resist this fantastic print. It will also be available in the Pesky Cat Designs shop tonight!

Certified Organic

2011-08-23T21:08:00.000-04:00

There's a new purse in the shop made from a certified organic cotton floral print from the P. Kaufmann line of sustainable upholstery fabrics produced in partnership with the Nature Conservancy. This 100% certified organic cotton upholstery fabric is piece dyed using ecological dyes. P/K Conserves contributes five percent of the product sales to the Nature Conservancy to support the worldwide conservation efforts they make everyday. You can read more about this line of fabrics at P/K Conserves website.

While we are on the topic of organic, less than a week ago I planted some organic, non-GMO wheatgrass seeds and they sprouted very nicely. Our kitty Anni always had a supply of wheatgrass from the farmer's market when I lived in NYC. I couldn't find any here so I decided to grow it myself. She's been happily munching on it ever since!

Whimsical Owls

2011-08-14T16:08:00.000-04:00

I recently added a couple of bags to the Pesky Cat Designs shop made from a cool whimsical owl print cotton canvas. I love the retro-look of this fabric. These owls are bound to brighten up your outfit and day!

Color Blocking

2011-08-08T20:46:00.007-04:00

This year's fashion trend of color blocking has really caught my eye. It combines the use of two or more blocks of color in one item or in an ensemble. This morning I got inspired to create a bag design using this latest trend. I rushed off to my studio and several hours later the Two Tone Jewel Cut Purse emerged. I've got more ideas for color block purses so I can't wait to get back to the studio!

The History of Harris Tweed

2011-08-05T15:52:00.003-04:00

If you click above you can watch a short film about the history of Harris Tweed wool. It's an amazing cloth!

The Harris Tweed Wayfarer Purse

Inspired by the Sea

2011-08-02T13:08:00.001-04:00

Two Tone Harris Tweed Purse Inspired by the Sea

Inspired by an ocean wave and a sand dollar spotted on the seashore.

New in the Shop

2011-07-30T21:35:00.000-04:00

Five new bags made from Harris Tweed wool in shades of blue have been added to the Pesky Cat Designs shop. There's a selection in a weave of gray, blue and light brown, a heathered blue and a deep ocean blue.

They are all fully lined in pretty cotton floral print fabrics.

Earlier today I pedaled along the beach and watched birds enjoying the sea. Wishing everyone a wonderful weekend!

Harris Tweed in Production

2011-07-24T20:26:00.003-04:00

Harris Tweed Samples in the Studio

As we all know, the top designers already have their fall collections created, photographed and on the runway. So I'm a little behind. I just started work on my upcoming Harris Tweed Fall Collection this past week. I did make my selections, order fabric and receive my tweed from Scotland a while back. I went for two themes, water and earth. It was so difficult choosing. I wish I could afford to order every color/pattern available. Or at least have a shop nearby so I could purchase whatever inspires me at any given moment.

It's hard to think of wool with temperatures in the 90's here. Even a dip in the pool is not that refreshing right now since the water is luke warm from the sun beating on it all day. But if I want to have a nice selection of bags in the shop by September, work must begin now. So for the next month you will be able to find me in my air-conditioned studio with piles of gorgeous tweed being transformed into handbags.

Summer bags will also be created in small batches. And as always, custom orders are welcome!

Photo Shoot Amongst the Beach Grass

2011-07-15T22:24:00.003-04:00

To see more pics from today's photo shoot come visit our Facebook page. Wishing everyone a wonderful weekend ahead!

A Glimpse Into the Studio

2011-07-11T09:38:00.002-04:00

New convertible zippered pouches....

waiting to to be photographed and listed in the Pesky Cat Designs shop. They can be worn around your waist, on your shoulder or used as a clutch. A detachable and adjustable strap is included. Coming to the shop later today!

Sneak Preview: A Convertible Hip Pouch

2011-07-02T17:21:00.002-04:00

A new design is coming to the Pesky Cat Designs shop. It's a generously sized hip bag with an adjustable and detachable strap/belt. It can be worn around your waist, on your shoulder or detach the strap and use it as a clutch. It has a zippered closure to keep your valuables safe and one small interior slip pocket. The adjustable strap/belt fits most waist sizes but a custom size can be requested. A couple of hip bags will be available in the shop this Sunday with more colors and fabric selections coming next week.

Wishing everyone here in the states a Happy 4th of July and everyone a wonderful weekend!

A Textured Faux Leather

2011-06-29T14:48:00.001-04:00

Last week I received a shipment of faux leather that I selected after reviewing several swatches that were sent to me from my supplier. This faux leather is pvc-free and has a really nice textured surface. Since moving to Florida from NYC I do not have the same access to fabrics shops so I depend on online sources a lot more. I always request swatches first before ordering. I love perusing my samples while imagining what they will be transformed into.

To see the new bags and my entire collection, come visit the Pesky Cat Designs shop!

Vegan Faux Leather Tote with Handmade Faux Suede Applique

Antique Grain Sack Transformed

2011-06-22T16:50:00.000-04:00

The Wayfarer Purse Made from Antique 1880's Grain Sack

Last year I purchased an antique grain sack from the 1880's with the intention of creating throw pillows for myself. Well, a couple of days ago I decided that my grain sack would serve a more practical purpose. This sack, over 100 years old and made from a gorgeous heavy weight hemp/linen weave would be perfect to transform into a couple of bags. So I went ahead and took the seams apart and the rest is history. The two bags pictured are now available in the Pesky Cat Designs shop. I had a lot of fun and I'm already considering future upcycling projects!

Tote Made from Antique 1880's Grain Sack

Looking Back and Ahead

2011-06-19T09:51:00.002-04:00

Harris Tweed Collection Fall 2010

In the next month work begins on the new Harris Tweed collection for fall 2011. I've already imported a nice selection of tweed from Scotland in beautiful shades of deep ocean blue, heathered blues, speckled grayish blues and a variety of check/plaids. The main theme will be earthy browns and coastal blues. Can't wait to get started!

And wishing all the dad's out there a very Happy Father's Day!

A Feature via AkaCinders

2011-06-17T12:17:00.003-04:00

A while back I had the pleasure of meeting Cinders via Twitter and discovered her lovely shops filled with beautiful eco-felt jewelry and the coolest items such as aprons, bags and more made from vintage and retro fabrics. Cinders is super talented and a real nice person. You can find her unique jewelry in her shops akaCINDERS and From Cinders. Her cool sewn creations can be found at Poppy's Garden Gate.

And if you head over to her blog you a can see a sweet feature, Buyer's Paradise- Pesky Cat Designs, she posted about my shop. Thanks Cinders!

Shop Update

2011-06-14T16:10:00.001-04:00

Four new Wayfarer Purses were just added to the Pesky Cat Designs shop. The Pesky Cat was hard at work in the studio. Wishing everyone a great week ahead!

Found via

Fuchsia

2011-06-10T12:48:00.005-04:00

Lots of bright and bold colors are now available at the Pesky Cat Designs shop. The latest shipment of fabric that arrived to the studio includes deep fuchsia, cherry red, ocean blue and sun baked terracotta. Summer is just around the corner so make sure to add a brightly colored bag to complete your summer look!

A Trio in Faux Leather

2011-06-04T22:16:00.001-04:00

Today was beautiful in St. Augustine and we spent it riding our bikes all over Anastasia Island. We biked through the state park, right on the beach and various roads. We stopped for ice cream and refreshments, visited friends who were selling their amazing art at the St. Augustine Beach Pier Pavilion and watched waves and surfers. Upon returning home we hosed off the bikes from all the sand and salt so they would be in tip top shape for our next trip.

Later in the day I added three new faux leather totes to the Pesky Cat Designs shop. They are made from eco-friendly PVC-free faux leather and feature one zippered interior pocket, two slip pockets and a swivel key clip. For the latest news and links to new bags visit the Pesky Cat Designs Facebook page. Anytime a new bag is listed in the shop you can find a link to it on the facebook page. I will also regularly feature Anni, the sweet kitty behind Pesky Cat Designs. So stop on by!

This Week in the Studio

2011-06-01T14:17:00.000-04:00

After a long holiday weekend I'm back in the studio working on a batch of new bags. I spent the weekend biking, relaxing seaside and re-energizing myself. What did you do? Hope it was enjoyable!

I'll be adding a couple of new bags to the Pesky Cat Designs shop in the next few hours. As always, custom orders are welcome and my purses can be made in different textiles with or without appliques. At the moment my turn-around time is about 3 days. Later this week I should have a couple of faux leather creations to add to the shop.

Wishing everyone a good week ahead!

15% OFF Weekend Sale

2011-05-26T14:30:00.002-04:00

Sale Alert!

UPDATE: Sale extended until Monday, May 30th (until 12 a.m. EST)

You are invited to a sale on handbags and wristlets at Pesky Cat Designs! Chose from among many new designs and fabrics and get a 15% discount on all purchases.

WEEKEND SALE

15% off all items

Saturday, May 28 (starting 8 a.m. EST)
to Monday, May 30 (until 12 a.m. EST)

For the discount, during checkout use this coupon code:

SAVE15

Enter the Shop Here

Birds and Bags

2011-05-19T09:12:00.001-04:00

Lots of birds come to visit us here on a daily basis including the red bellied woodpecker and cardinal posted above. My computer is situated in front of a window where I can peruse and hear many different birds. Occasionally a woodpecker will decide to drill on our roof and you would think it was a jackhammer. Amazing that such a small bird has so much power.

Recently on one of Anni's supervised walks she upset a cardinal by trying to chase it and it proceeded to follow her from branch to branch chirping very loudly. Later I discovered that it has a nest with babies and was letting Anni know that she is not welcome. Anni was completely oblivious and quickly got distracted when a little butterfly crossed her path.

Shop Update: Cross Body Satchels with handmade bird appliques now available in the Pesky Cat Designs shop!

Shop Update

2011-05-15T17:29:00.002-04:00

I just added a couple of totes made from buttery soft faux leather (PVC-free) to the Pesky Cat Designs shop. Generously sized for everyday use with one large zippered pocket and two slip pockets to keep your things organized. They clean up easily with just soap and water. These totes can be made to order with various applique designs or without.

Lots of new wristlets are now available in the shop as well. These can also be made to order with the applique design of your choice.

Wishing everyone a great week ahead!

The Tree Hugger

2011-05-11T11:00:00.001-04:00

I just had to post this photo of Anni on one of her supervised outings. She only goes out with us following closely behind since we live near a busy street. She is so happy to get to walk through a small patch of grass and watch butterflies and birds. Posted above is Anni hugging a "tree". It's actually a telephone pole but she doesn't know it. Compared to living in NYC this is paradise for her!

The Spring Collection: A Video by the Sea

2011-05-06T10:09:00.002-04:00

Today's Photo Shoot

2011-05-03T22:29:00.002-04:00

Today's photo shoot took place at Anastasia State Park, my favorite place on the island. We biked from the studio with our panniers filled with bags and a camera. It was an absolutely beautiful day with sunny skies.

I also added a couple of new bags to the Pesky Cat Designs shop today made from PVC-free faux leather. Overall it was a productive and enjoyable day. Come see the video Tom created of the photo shoot here!

A Warm Summer Breeze

2011-04-30T20:14:00.001-04:00

Added a purse to the shop today inspired by a warm summer breeze.

Wishing everyone a wonderful weekend!

Shop Update

2011-04-27T13:56:00.000-04:00

Just added three new bags to the Pesky Cat Designs shop. The Cross Body Satchel has been popular so I'll be busy in the studio this week working on more.

Yesterday I pedaled my bike about 7 miles round trip to pick up some much needed supplies that made it possible for me finish up these new bags. Luckily most of the roads, including the highways, have bicycle lanes. The weather here has been beautiful so it was a pleasure.

Wishing you all a great week!

12 Hour Sale!

2011-04-23T13:07:00.004-04:00

12 hour sale at the Pesky Cat Designs shop! From 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. this Easter Sunday, April 24th, enter coupon code HOLIDAY15 during checkout to receive 15% off you order. Wishing you all a Happy Easter and a wonderful weekend!

A Medley of Satchels

2011-04-20T22:04:00.000-04:00

My long awaited shipment of interface finally arrived yesterday so I was able to complete a bunch of satchels. I'll be adding them to the Pesky Cat Designs shop tomorrow morning.

A variety will be available in different textiles and adornments. Inspired by the singing birds that come visit us daily, the scent of spring flowers in the air and days spent by the sea.

Hope everyone is having a wonderful week!

Friends

2011-04-15T12:51:00.000-04:00

A couple of weeks ago I came across this cool peacock fabric at Mountain of the Dragon's shop on Etsy. My dear friend who loves peacocks had a birthday coming up so I purchased a half yard of this gorgeous 55% linen and 45% cotton print. When it arrived it was even prettier than in the pic. The half yard was just enough to make a tote bag. I was so happy that she was thrilled with the bag!

As this post is about friends, I want to mention another dear friend of mine, the very talented Damjana of Loddelina designs. She creates very unique and beautiful bags and accessories adorned with amazing embroidery and more. I am a proud owner of one of her super sweet keychains pictured below. She was kind enough to send me one as a gift/prize for completing our Holiday Boot Camp Challenge. I had my eye on it for a long time so you can imagine how pleasantly surprised I was when I opened my package and there it was!

Shop Update: Lots of bags are in production in the studio. I'm still waiting for a shipment of heavy interface to arrive so I can complete them. I have to get better at monitoring my inventory.

Wishing everyone a happy Friday and a wonderful weekend ahead!

Faux Leather in Bone

2011-04-09T18:09:00.000-04:00

Just added this faux leather duo in bone to the Pesky Cat Designs shop. It's a perfect color for the spring and summer season. Made with PVC-free faux leather that cleans up easily with soap and water. More faux leather bags in warm weather colors are coming soon.

We spent most of today riding our bikes. The weather here has been beautiful. Today it was 84F/28C, mostly sunny and slightly breezy. Anni our kitty spent a lot of her time sleeping on a beach chair on our porch enjoying the warm breeze. Hope you are having a great day and wishing you a wonderful weekend!

More Warm Weather Inspirations

2011-04-07T18:40:00.001-04:00

I just couldn't resist combining a classic cotton ticking stripe and natural jute webbing to make a new batch of warm weather inspired bags. I lined the inside with a sweet vintage look cotton floral print with tiny roses. These will be available in the Pesky Cat Designs shop in the next few hours. Coming next, faux leather creations in a lovely shade of linen!

Warm Weather Ahead

2011-04-05T14:15:00.000-04:00

The first textile I think of when warm weather approaches is linen. It's light, airy and has a beautiful texture. The collection above is made from a durable and beautiful linen rayon blend home decor fabric in sandstone. The color conjures up images of sandy beaches and warm summer days. I've paired the linen with some jute webbing, wood buttons and appliques of birds and flowers. These bags will be available in the Pesky Cat Designs shop this afternoon. The tote bag will be on a special sample sale. It was created in my studio testing new materials and design ideas. The final design will be slightly modified.

If you are interested in faux leather bags I will be putting a few on sale late afternoon for up to 25% off to make room for a new collection. I just got a shipment of faux leather that I am eager to work with in warm weather colors such as linen and golden ochre.

Sneak Preview: The Tote

2011-03-28T09:11:00.005-04:00

A new design is coming to the Pesky Cat Designs shop. It's a generously sized tote bag with plenty of room to bring your essentials and more. Two interior slip pockets and a zippered pocket keep all your things organized. This bag also features two magnetic snaps to keep your bag securely closed.

The one pictured here is made from buttery soft faux leather. I've searched high and low for a faux leather that I am happy with. This one feels so nice and looks great as well. I'll be adding a couple in red and fudge to the shop later today.

Tip of the day: If you plan to work with faux leather may I suggest purchasing some heavy duty binder clips. Pinning thick faux leather is near to impossible especially when trying to hold together four layers to sew up a strap. These binder clips work perfectly. And a teflon sewing foot also helps tremendously!

Weekend Sale!

2011-03-26T19:06:00.001-04:00

Enter COUPON CODE

SPRING10

for 10% OFF your entire order

this weekend until

midnight Sunday, March 27th!

(excluding shipping)

Boho Inspirations

2011-03-24T19:18:00.000-04:00

Yesterday in the studio I started with a blank canvas and boho-inspired thoughts of fun colors, mixed textiles/textures and unique buttons. First I decided on periwinkle blue linen and a sage green linen textured fabric for the main body of my satchels. Then the fun began. I pulled out my bins containing fabric scraps of wool felt, harris tweed, linen and more and started experimenting by cutting and layering different pieces together. There were bits of fabric flying everywhere but I didn't care. I would go with the moment and clean up later.

I finally decided on wool felt and tweed to create my appliques with. I love how the highly textured Harris Tweed looks against the soft wool felt and how the sculptural looking carved wood buttons top everything off. My new boho-inspired satchels will be available in the shop tomorrow. And tomorrow I'll be back in the studio with new inspirations.

Spring is Here!

2011-03-20T19:28:00.000-04:00

To celebrate the spring equinox I decided to take the entire day off from working in the studio. OK, I confess I did sew one button onto an applique, but that's it! The rest of the day was spent bike riding, watching waves and smelling spring flowers wafting through the air. The weather was absolutely beautiful with temperatures in the mid 70's. No jacket required. Just a t-shirt and sunglasses. Hope you are all having a great weekend and enjoying the arrival of spring!

Harris Tweed Spring 2011

2011-03-17T09:20:00.001-04:00

Yesterday I added a couple of new purses to the shop made from Harris Tweed wool in a beautiful heathered blue weave. I was able to choose this gorgeous cloth from my large selection of samples that were recently sent to me from Scotland. As soon as I saw the gorgeous flecks of colors in this particular cloth I knew I had to order it. Included in my last order was a brown check, olive green, soft peachy pink, two light heathered blues and a deep ocean blue. I'll mostly be creating my Harris Tweed Collection as per custom order for the spring/summer.

Yesterday an early morning walk lead us here. It was a great way to start the day. Wishing you all a wonderful rest of the week!

A New Textile in the Studio

2011-03-15T22:01:00.001-04:00

A shipment of vegan (faux) leather was delivered to the studio yesterday morning and I got so excited I immediately got to work with it. I just added the fruits of all my labor to the Pesky Cat Designs shop. Tomorrow I'll be finishing my Harris Tweed spring collection which should be available in my shop either tomorrow or the day after. Shades of beautiful heathered blues that seem to have been weaved straight from the colors of the sky. Stay tuned!

Anni spent most of the day in her favorite chair taking a break from the studio while I worked away.

Around the World

2011-03-07T23:20:00.001-05:00

The Harris Tweed Wayfarer Purse with a Bird on a Branch Applique

Norway

Do you ever wonder where those Pesky Cat Designs bags travel to? Today I thought I would round up a few of my recent international sales and let you see!

The Harris Tweed Wayfarer Purse in a Brown Check

Canada

The Harris Tweed Patchwork Messenger

France

The Jewel Cut Purse in Corduroy

Denmark

The Wayfarer Purse with a Leafed Branch Applique

Australia

The Harris Tweed Wristlet

Scotland

The Wayfarer Purse in an Owl Print Canvas

United Kingdom

I hope you enjoyed that little tour around the world. The Harris Tweed wristlet did the most traveling as it originally came to me as a cloth from Scotland and then traveled back to Scotland as a wristlet!

Shop update: Right now I'm taking a week off from working in my studio. I'll be back end of this week. Today I received a large shipment of Harris Tweed wool in different gorgeous shades of blue, a brown check and a few more. I plan to create a collection for spring in the blue tones. Bags made from cotton ticking and more coming soon as well!

Galloping Horses

2011-02-28T12:07:00.007-05:00

The Harris Tweed Equestrian Satchel

Just added a couple of Harris Tweed Satchels to the shop adorned with equestrian-inspired appliques for all you horse lovers out there. And now I'm off to my studio to complete some more handbags. Wishing everyone a great day!

Sunday Morning in the Studio

2011-02-27T11:48:00.001-05:00

A while back I won a fantastic giveaway at LiPeony's blog and I was able to choose three prints from her lovely Etsy shop LiPeony. The one posted above called "Little Sewing Girl" is my favorite along with "Flipping Pancakes" and "A Marshmallow Incident." Her shop is filled with whimsical imaginative illustrations. They are quirky, fun and just delightful. You must check them out!

My "Little Sewing Girl" print is displayed in my studio and inspires me to work. This morning I took some shots of the studio before I began sewing. It does get messier as the day progresses. But I will admit I do like things organized and clean so throughout the workday I am picking up bits of thread from the floor and putting things away that I am finished with so it does not get too unmanageable.

At the moment I am working on two equestrian satchels in Harris Tweed wool. I took some time off from my studio this past week so I am trying to catch up with my sewing this weekend. Whatever you choose to do this weekend I hope it will be very enjoyable!

The Giveaway Winner Announced!

2011-02-25T18:38:00.002-05:00

The Giveaway Bag!

If you are curious who won the World's Best Cat Litter Valentine's Day giveaway just head over to their blog! The prize is now on its way to the lucky winner. I enjoyed creating the feline-inspired bag for this giveaway. I now have a few kitty bags available in my shop. Please keep in mind that the butterflies always get away and the kitty stills has lots of fun!

The Flower Power Kitty and Butterfly Satchel

The Harris Tweed Samples

2011-02-20T14:34:00.003-05:00

My Harris Tweed samples arrived today! You have no idea how excited I was when I saw a package waiting for me in my mailbox that traveled all the way from the Isle of Harris, Scotland. FIrst thing I did after I opened it was to arrange my samples by color on my cutting table in the studio. Like a kid in a candy store, I could not contain my excitement. Sampling them one by one in my hand, I imagined what they could be transformed into. I matched two colors up to each other and thought of a two tone bag. Another one, in a beautiful shade of heathered blue, I imagined adorned with a bird on a branch sitting against a blue sky. After a while my sugar high was so intense that I had to step away. I did manage to make a selection for my next order. I chose some gorgeous blues along with some other spring-inspired shades. It was so hard to make a decision since I really want them all!

Equestrian and Feline Inspirations

2011-02-16T20:02:00.000-05:00

Galloping horses and kitties chasing butterflies can now be found in the Pesky Cat Designs shop. Don't worry, the butterflies got away safely and the kitty had loads of fun. Equestrian-inspired wristlets and purses are coming soon. Also in the works are a batch of wristlets in pretty springtime shades with flower appliques.

You can still enter the giveaway at World's Best Cat Litter blog to win a Pesky Cat Designs feline-inspired messenger bag. The contest ends 2/21/2011. Best of luck!

Valentine's Day Giveaway!

2011-02-11T16:29:00.003-05:00

Head over to World’s Best Cat Litter™ blog to enter their Valentine's Day Giveaway for a chance to win an one-of-a-kind Pesky Cat Designs messenger bag! It was inspired by Anni, the sweet kitty of Pesky Cat Designs. Read the story behind the bag here. Contest end 2/21/2011. Best of luck!

New Items in the Shop

2011-02-10T11:24:00.003-05:00

Just added a couple of pretty spring purses in sage green and cherry red to the Pesky Cat Designs shop. They are made from a fine quality linen-look upholstery fabric and adorned with a handmade leafed branch applique. Of course you can wear them any time of the year. They will brighten up your winter days as well!

Yesterday I added the pair above to the shop. They are made from one of my favorite Harris Tweed weaves, the Macleod check. My Harris Tweed source is sending me sample swatches of plain weaves and checks available in their shop now. I can't wait to peruse them all!

An Aviary Inspired Duo

2011-02-07T10:59:00.001-05:00

New Harris Tweed wool bags are now available in the Pesky Cat Designs shop. These are made from a lovely golden brown weave. Today I'm working on a pair in a Hunting Macleod tweed. Later in the day bags will be cut out in new spring colors. Wishing everyone a wonderful day ahead!

A Trio in Pink

2011-02-04T13:14:00.003-05:00

Here's a sneak peek of the latest batch of handbags from the Pesky Cat Designs studio. They're made from Harris Tweed wool in a vibrant pink weave with the addition of a gray weave. The purse on the left is adorned with a wool felt applique and a coconut button. A sweet gray and white tiny polka dot cotton print fabric was used to line the interior of these bags. They will be available in my shop today.

Wishing everyone a wonderful weekend ahead!

Photo Shoot among the Beach Grass

2011-01-31T19:16:00.003-05:00

Today was a perfect day for a photo shoot by the sea. Shown above is my revised Semi-Circle Purse with an adjustable shoulder strap so you can wear it on the shoulder or messenger style.

Modeled above is my latest Harris Tweed Patchwork Satchel. Two of these will be available in my shop tonight.

And last but not least, here is my newest design, The Carryall. It looks great worn on the shoulder or cross body. It's quite roomy so you can bring along all your essentials. Perfect for watching pelicans diving for fish or a walk downtown.

To see more photos go to my Facebook fan page. Stop by, peruse and become a fan if you like!

Sneak Preview: A New Design and More

2011-01-29T12:16:00.005-05:00

This week in the studio was spent drafting new bag designs and revising some older styles. Pictured above is a new design made from Harris Tweed wool in a deep mustard and a golden brown combo. It's approximately 13.5" tall by 10" wide. It has an adjustable strap and looks equally great worn as a shoulder bag or a messenger. I'm really liking this modern yet classic look.

I also worked on revising the Semi-Circle Purse. I wanted to make it roomier and thought of adding darts among other things. I decided against those ideas as they seemed to change the look of the bag too much. I really like this unique shape so all I did was make it a little taller. And now it's a bit roomier but still has it's character shape. I also added an adjustable strap to make it more versatile. That idea was given to me by a very nice customer. And it looks awesome worn cross body!

Pictured above are Harris Tweed Patchwork Satchels that are still in progress. I should have most of these bags in my shop today or tomorrow. Wishing everyone a wonderful weekend. Enjoy!

Before and After

2011-01-25T17:17:00.002-05:00

Posted below is the progression of my latest batch of Satchels starting this morning. The finished bags will be available in my shop this evening. Thought I would give you a glimpse into their production today.

This morning at about 10:00 a.m. when I entered my studio these 4 bags were awaiting me. I made the main body of each bag and their flaps the day before.

By around noon I created an interior lining for each bag with one zippered pocket and one slip pocket. I had cut out and interfaced each piece yesterday so all I had to do is sew today. After they were complete I proceeded to make an adjustable strap for each bag using cotton webbing.

The next step was to attach the strap to each bag and then sew the lining into the bag. At around 2:00 a.m. they were done. At this point I photographed them so I would be able to add them to the shop tonight. They should be available in the Pesky Cat Designs shop at around 8 PM!

In the Studio

2011-01-21T20:52:00.001-05:00

Recently I had quite a few customers contact me asking if I have any messengers in the works. So in the next few weeks I will concentrate on adding more to the shop. The pair above will be available in the Pesky Cat Designs shop tomorrow afternoon. They are made from a linen-look upholstery fabric that is perfect for bag making. It's pretty, durable and sews up nicely. I have plenty of of it in stock in the burnt orange color and will soon have it available in java, chestnut, cherry red and sage.

Today in the studio I finished up a custom order and worked on several Harris Tweed bags that are in various stages of completion. The shoot above was taken towards the end of the day when I had already cleaned up my work space. I confess it does not look quite this tidy when I am in the midst of working The bolts of cotton print fabric and metal stands were purchased at a fabric shop that went out of business recently. I purchased several of these metal divider racks and they are perfect for storing and organizing my shipping boxes, interface and bolts of fabric. The more organized I am the more efficient I can be in the studio. And that's a good thing!

Brighten Up Your Outfit

2011-01-17T13:12:00.003-05:00

This purse in a vibrant red-orange corduroy will brighten up any outfit. I just added two new purses to the Pesky Cat Designs shop made in this bold color. There's also one in chocolate brown corduroy in case you are looking for one in a more neutral color. Recently I also added patchwork Harris Tweed satchels and some purses in solids to the shop so stop by to see them all. Wishing you a great week ahead!

More Patchwork

2011-01-10T19:56:00.000-05:00

In the next hour I'll be adding new Harris Tweed patchwork bags to the Pesky Cat Designs shop. I will also be adding a Harris Tweed messenger with a bird on a branch applique. Last week I received a shipment of Harris Tweed from Scotland and quickly got to work using this iconic textile. In stock right now are a blue check weave, a Macleod check and plain weaves in medium gray, mustard and honeysuckle pink. Deep brown is soon arriving. It's always so hard making my choices when I place an order and I am never quite sure which color or check will be popular. This past holiday season the medium gray was the most requested tweed. If you are interested in a custom order just contact me via my shop. Wishing everyone a great week ahead!

I'm on Facebook!

2011-01-08T07:50:00.000-05:00

Better late than never right?! I'll be posting information about new work in progress, links to promotions and more. Be the first to know what is coming to the Pesky Cat Designs shop. Just click on the link below to become a fan. I look forward to you visiting!

Pesky Cat Designs

Promote Your Page Too

Two by Two

2011-01-07T10:53:00.001-05:00

I've been working two by two in the studio. Above is a pair of Patchwork Satchels made from 100% eco-friendly hemp that has been hand woven and hand dyed with natural plant dyes. There are more patchwork bags in progress in the studio right now. I received a shipment of Harris Tweed yesterday so I'll be restocking the shop with more patchwork style bags made with this iconic textile including some with applique designs.

The pair above are made from a linen-look upholstery fabric in burnt orange. I love burnt orange and it's a color that works for all seasons. All my new bags will be available at the Pesky Cat Designs shop this evening. Wishing you all a wonderful weekend ahead!

Hand Woven Hemp

2011-01-02T13:10:00.000-05:00

The satchels posted above are now available at the Pesky Cat Designs shop and are made from 100% eco-friendly hemp that was hand woven and hand dyed with natural plant dyes. This fabric has a textured linen-look weave with a natural raw quality. I've got lots more of this fabric in stock. I even plan to make myself one soon since I'm due a new bag!

Happy New Year!

2011-01-01T18:14:00.001-05:00

Today it was 74 °F (23 °C) and partly sunny here in beautiful St. Augustine, Florida. It was a perfect day for being out and about. The image above was taken at around noon. Tom and I biked for several hours stopping only to watch the waves and to grab a bite to eat at our favorite Chinese restaurant.

Above is a sneak preview of work in progress at the studio. These Satchels are made from 100% eco-friendly hemp that is hand woven and hand dyed. This textile has a linen/burlap look and the colors are so earthy and gorgeous. These bags will be completed and available in the Pesky Cat Designs shop tomorrow afternoon. More bags are in various states of completion right now and should be listed in my shop by the end of next week. For the new year I'm thinking flower power, boho, rustic, folklore, indie, patchwork and denim. Earthy and natural. Not sure how many of these ideas will be transformed into handbags but if you stay tuned you'll find out!

Wishing you all a wonderful New Year ahead filled with peace, health and happiness!

Patchwork Satchels

2010-12-29T11:45:00.000-05:00

I just added a couple of Harris Tweed Patchwork Satchels to the Pesky Cat Designs shop. I created the flap using several different Harris Tweed checks and added a large button to finish them off. The adjustable strap is made from luxurious velvet. Inside you will find one zippered pocket, one slip pocket and a swivel key clip to keep your things organized. These satchels are one-of-a-kind items.

I'm all out of Harris Tweed at the moment. I recently placed an order from my source in Scotland which I hope to receive soon. For the next few weeks I'll be creating bags made from corduroy, heavyweight linen and canvas. On that note, I'm off to the studio. See you soon!

Merry Christmas!

2010-12-25T10:21:00.003-05:00

Merry Christmas! And wishing you much peace, health and happiness in the coming New Year!

Wishing You a Joyous Christmas!

2010-12-24T19:43:00.006-05:00

The Great Cross, St. Augustine, Florida

Today we took a walk downtown and visited the Mission of Nombre de Dios which traces its origins to the founding of the City of St. Augustine, Florida, America's oldest city, in 1565. It was at this sacred spot that the Spanish settlers would begin the devotion to the Lady of La Leche that continues into the present.

This will be our first Christmas in beautiful St. Augustine. I want to wish all of you a joyous Christmas and much peace, health and happiness in the coming New Year!

The Chapel of Our Lady of La Leche

Statue of Father Francisco Lopez

The Pesky Cat Project

2010-12-17T10:18:00.026-05:00

I recently completed an Offbeat Messenger inspired by a sweet kitty. Her name is Anni and she is the pesky cat of Pesky Cat Designs. She was rescued from the streets of NYC on a very cold winter day. The shelter we got her from listed her as "little orphan Anni" and she was about 9 months old. She lived with us in NYC for 8 years in an apartment on the 10th floor. She was not fond of our front door since it only lead to a hallway with two noisy elevators. Now she lives with us in Florida and loves the front door. It leads her directly to the outdoors where she can chase butterflies, little lizards and other fun things!

The bag is adorned with handmade appliques designed by me, hand cut and machine sewn onto the bag. And its interior is lined with happy kitties!

Anni the sweetie.

Denim and Velvet

2010-12-13T19:55:00.006-05:00

The Pesky Cat Designs shop now has bags available in denim and velvet! I've got a limited quantity of these textiles available at the moment but plan to order more very soon. I received swatches of velvet in different colors from my supplier and now need to make my selections. The denim I selected is a classic dark indigo.

The purse pictured below is made from cotton velvet in swedish blue. I'm loving this soft grayish blue. It's adorned with a wool felt flower applique and a coconut button. Both these purses are now available in my shop. Yesterday I added a Harris Tweed satchel and messenger to the shop. More Harris Tweed and velvet coming this week.

Christmas Shipping Update: All US orders ship within 48 hours via USPS Priority Mail Service with Delivery Confirmation that can be tracked online. Packages typically arrive in 3 days.

Some of my Favorite Things

2010-12-08T08:49:00.008-05:00

Today I want to share with you a few of my favorite Etsy purchases. Clockwise from top left, Cute EcoVintage Cap in Grey Linen by Sandrine Marsh, White Sea Glass and Sterling Silver Seahorse Earrings by Sea Glass Designs, Little Leaves Embroidered Pendant Necklace by Edward and Lilly and Balance - Mini Art Feeling by Art Mind. Not only are the creators of these beautiful items super talented, but they are also super nice!

Pictured above are recent giveaway prizes that I won last month. I am not one to enter a lot of giveaways so you can imagine how surprised I was when I discovered that I was the lucky winner! The cool Crocodile Rockin' - Turquoise Earrings which I absolutely love are by Moags and Smeet. The heavenly smelling roll-on perfumes are by Margarita Bloom. I also have to add that both prizes were packaged so nicely. They were as much of a treat to open as they were to receive!

Shop Update: Next week I'll be adding new Harris Tweed messengers to the Pesky Cat Designs shop. There will be slight difference in their design. I will also be introducing some items made with two new textiles that I am very excited about. So stay tuned!

Coming Soon

2010-12-05T12:12:00.003-05:00

In the next week I'll be adding aviary inspired bags, purses and wristlets to the Pesky Cat Designs shop. Right now in the studio there are several Harris Tweed bags in production. I'll also have more items available in the cool retro-look owl print cotton canvas. If there is something that you like that has recently sold just contact me via the shop. In most cases I can set up a custom order for you as long as I have the fabric in stock. Wishing you all a wonderful Sunday and week ahead!

100 Bags - I Did It!

2010-12-01T08:41:00.005-05:00

Yesterday I added 6 wristlets to the Pesky Cat Designs shop and completed the Holiday Boot Camp Challenge! The challenge began on October 2nd and was to have 100 items in my shop by December 1st. At that time I had 40 items in the shop so I needed to complete 60 more. Thanks again Damjana of Loddelina bags for coming up with this great idea to motivate ourselves to work hard. It was my pleasure being you holiday boot camp buddy!

And this morning Etsy celebrated the news by featuring my work on their front page. Just kidding about Etsy celebrating, but I was on the front page!

Cherry Red Satchels

2010-11-29T16:33:00.000-05:00

Today until midnight all items in the Pesky Cat Designs shop are 10% OFF including sale items. Use coupon code "HOLIDAYS" during checkout. I recently added new Satchels to my shop with bird and flower appliques. They all have adjustable straps, two interior pockets and a swivel key clip. In case you miss this sale stay tuned to my blog for other promotions in the near future.

The Boot Camp update: Three more items to go!

And in case you missed it, Thea and Sami did a feature on me and my work. Thanks again Thea!

Sale in the Shop!

2010-11-27T10:46:00.006-05:00

The Pesky Cat Designs shop is having a weekend holiday sale! To claim your discount use the code "HOLIDAYS" during Etsy checkout for 10% OFF everything in the shop from now until midnight Cyber Monday, 11/29/10.

Shop update: I'll be adding a couple of Satchels, including the one posted above, to the shop in the next hour or so. More Satchels coming soon!

Below is a shoot of Anni this morning. She spent the past 8 years in a NYC apartment on the 10th floor. She was never fond of the front door since it only lead to a hallway with two noisy elevators. Since we moved to Florida the front door is her best friend. It leads to a patch of grass that she loves to eat, butterflies, little lizards, birds, squirrels and lots more!

Friday Follower Feature

2010-11-25T20:52:00.002-05:00

If you head over to Thea and Sami's blog you can catch the latest Friday Follower post featuring me and my handmade bags! Thanks so much Thea for putting together such a lovely feature. Thea is a textile designer and fabric printer who lives and works in Brisbane, Australia. I've been following her blog for quite some time and her creativity and energy always gives me so much inspiration. Thea and Sami design and hand screen-print natural fabrics for home and body. Their growing range of products includes a boutique of eco-friendly homewares. You can check out her gorgeous fabric and products at the Thea and Sami store.

Shop notice: I should have some new bags in the Pesky Cat Designs shop tomorrow just in time for Black Friday. I also have a selection of bags on sale to celebrate the upcoming holiday season.

Semi-Circles and More

2010-11-20T12:19:00.000-05:00

I'll be adding a few Harris Tweed purses to the Pesky Cat Designs shop in the next hour or so. I've got two Semi-Circle Purses and one Wayfarer Purse to list. Later today I'll be cutting and preparing fabric for new bags. And of course I will take some time off to relax and enjoy this beautiful day here in St. Augustine, Florida. Wishing everyone a wonderful weekend. Enjoy!

The Interface Update

2010-11-19T09:54:00.002-05:00

Yesterday I posted a glimpse into my studio with my recent work in progress. I needed interface in order to complete the work and was waiting for my supply to be shipped. Later that day it arrived! And today my second backup shipment arrived so I am well stocked for the next month. I completed three new corduroy purses and should be able to finish a few more today. The purses pictured above will be listed in my shop today. Wishing everyone a wonderful Friday and weekend ahead.

A Glimpse into the Studio

2010-11-18T11:31:00.005-05:00

Below is a glimpse into the Pesky Cat Designs studio this morning. It's my favorite time to work since I love the sunlight that streams in and it always puts me in a good mood. I don't like to work with artificial light so I need to get up early to get a days work in.

Lots of new bags are currently in production at the studio. I'm waiting for a shipment of heavy weight sew-in interface to arrive before I can complete them. It's on backorder from my current vendor so I purchased some from another source hoping that one of my orders will arrive soon. All my bags are made with a heavy sew-in interface to give them shape and durability. Also, my interior fabric and exterior fabric is interfaced with fusible stabilizer. So the bags all have three layers of interface. I'll keep you posted on when the new batch of bags are completed!

Holiday Boot Camp Update

2010-11-14T20:38:00.004-05:00

In case you missed my original post, the Holiday Boot Camp Challenge is to have 100 items in the shop by December 1st. That goal was set on October 2nd at which time there were 40 bags in the Pesky Cat Designs shop so 60 more needed to be created. The idea came from the very talented Damjana of Loddelina bags. This challenge is not a competition, just a way to push ourselves to work towards a goal. During the holiday season it is good to have as much inventory as possible in your shop and this challenge has really helped me focus and work toward my goal. There are 16 more days left until December 1st and I still need to create 22 more items. In the next couple of weeks I'll have to find the perfect stride to gallop to the finish line!

Sneak Preview: The Woodland Collection

2010-11-10T18:15:00.001-05:00

Here's a little sneak preview of the new Woodland Collection of Harris Tweed wristlets that will be available at the Pesky Cat Designs shop soon. The appliques were handcut from a free hand drawing so no two are exactly alike. Each wristlet is fully lined with a floral cotton print fabric and has one interior slip pocket large enough for credit cards or cash. The strap is lined with the same fabric as the interior so it's soft against your wrist. These wristlets will be available in corduroy as well. They are the perfect size to store all your essentials so you can leave your purse behind!

The Perfect Neutral

2010-11-03T11:09:00.001-04:00

I think gray is a perfect neutral that will go with just about any color outfit. I can picture it paired with shades of fuschia, black, red, dark navy and mustard to name a few. The purse above is made from Harris Tweed wool in a medium gray with a light gray wool felt applique and a wood button. I recently purchased some wool felt and it is perfect for making appliques with. I ordered quite a few colors so I can experiment with different shades.

Yesterday I added a couple of bags to the Pesky Cat Designs shop including the purse shown above. More bags will be added this afternoon. For anyone that is interested I am now taking custom orders. See my shop policies for more information. This week I will be working on a new collection of Harris Tweed wristlets. Stay tuned!

Macleod is Back

2010-10-29T18:54:00.002-04:00

The Macleod check is one of my favorite Harris Tweed weaves. Tones of blue, green, brown and touches of yellow and red. Did you know that the definition of Harris Tweed is enshrined in law, with clear legal criteria laid down in the Harris Tweed Act of 1993? To meet the legally-prescribed definition of Harris Tweed it must have been "hand -woven by the islanders at their home in the Outer Hebrides and made from pure virgin wool dyed and spun in the Outer Hebrides". Amazing.

I just added a Wayfarer Purse to the shop made from this iconic fabric. A messenger and a Jewel Cut Purse in Macleod check is coming soon. And in case you missed it, come check out my first YouTube video featuring my bags on the beach!

Pesky Cat Designs on YouTube

2010-10-26T10:13:00.006-04:00

A Photo Shoot on the Beach

2010-10-24T19:53:00.000-04:00

Today I packed up some of my handbags and headed down to the beach for a photo shoot. The weather was perfect. 85 degrees and sunny with a nice breeze coming from the ocean. I also had a video shot and hope to post that here sometime soon. Hope everyone had a wonderful Sunday. Wishing you a great week ahead.

A Harris Tweed handbag in ocean blue tones.

Seahorses on the beach.

Contemplating new bags.