Pesky Cat Designs

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 Pesk...

( Source ) Yesterday I walked over to the Garment District in search of corduroy fabric and ending up finding exactly what I was looking for at New York Elegant Fabrics , located on 40th street between 7th and 8th Ave. I've shopped there many times before and can always count on finding a great selection of good quality corduroy in every color I can dream of. Although you will not find bargain basement prices here you will find a very helpful and friendly staff and an incredible selection of fabric. The shop is around 20,000 square feet with two levels and carries everything from cotton shirting to brocade. The first time I came across this shop I was a little intimidated by the "elegant" in the name. I'm glad I was brave enough to venture in because I was pleasantly surprised to find everything I could ever want under one roof with the friendliest owners and staff. As always my experience yesterday left me leaving the...

The Tapestry Wayfarer Purse I wanted some new fabric to work with in the new year so I did some research online and decided to add tapestry and chenille to my stockpile. Both textiles sew up really well and are just the right weight for creating sturdy purses. My decision to purchase the tapestry fabric was inspired by a vintage purse I came across while perusing online. I've always loved the rich and opulent patterns and colors found in tapestries. The chenille was inspired by some fabric I purchased last year, a robin's egg blue chenille, that I absolutely love. It's soft and luxurious just like velvet but much easier to work with. At the moment I have it available in leaf green and robin's egg blue. The new batch of purses are all lined on the inside of the straps with the same fabric as the interior to add a little more drama. I'll have to wait and see how well these new textiles do in my shop. I never know what will be popular until I put it to the test! The ...

This morning I discovered my Semi-Circle Purse on Etsy's front page! This list of holiday gift ideas was curated by Etsy and features lots of cool items. I especially love Ellie the horse by Annika Easter created out of corduroy, one of my favorite textiles, and yarn. I think it would be a great gift for a horse lover of any age! By the way, I have an Equestrian Wayfarer Purse available in my shop now. The horse applique was inspired by a road trip that took me through the many horse farms located in Ocala, Florida last Spring. I would love to hear from my readers what their favorite applique design is from the Pesky Cat Designs shop or an applique design they would like to see in the shop. I really look forward to hear what you are inspired by!

H ere's a sneak peek of my new faux suede collection! The Patchwork Messenger bag pictured above is made from four different colors of premium faux suede in lilac, olive green, truffle and chartreuse. Anytime I purchase new fabric I make a swatch to save for future reference. When I saw all my swatches next to each other I was inspired to use all four colors to create a bag. So that is how the patchwork bag evolved. I also have a newly designed shoulder bag coming and more Wayfarer Purses. They should all be available in the Pesky Cat Designs shop late afternoon. The Wayfarer Purse in Truffle Faux Suede

I just discovered that my Linen Shoulder Bag is on the front page! This front page was created by an Etsy administrator using the search term "flower". I love all the selections. Thanks Etsy! You made my day. :)

If you have been following my blog then you know how excited I get about fabric. I recently received a shipment of cotton print fabric that I ordered online and I am thrilled with it. The retro-look floral cotton fabric posted above will work well with lots of different colors. Can't wait to line my handbags with these great prints. The black and white number posted above will look great lining a black handbag or perhaps a red one. I also have some soft pink cotton/linen blend fabric that will be perfect. I just love this retro-look strawberry and flower fabric in gray and red. It is just sweeeeet! I think I might coordinate it with a dark gray cotton/linen blend fabric.  Last but not least I just had to purchase a few yards of this cotton fabric with grazing horses. It was just too much fun to pass by. It will work so nicely with my equestrian line of handbags. So now I'm off to cut, cut  and  sew, sew.  Stay tuned for the results!

I woke up about 15 minutes ago and turned on my computer to find my Semi-Circle Purse on the front page of Etsy! The beautiful front page was created by an Etsy administrator browsing through Etsy's categories. I'm glad she decided to search the handbag section! 

I had my one second of fame today! I was hoping for the 15 minutes promised by Andy Warhol but I can't complain.  On March 27th I got a call from a producer of CBS Sunday Morning News letting me know that they are doing a feature on America's handmade economy and want to feature some of my bags on the set. I was quite excited. I dropped off  some of my handbags at the studio that day. Posted above is my security entrance card. My first name is spelled wrong and my head is turned to the side because the producer asked me a question just as the security guard was taking the photo. I was allowed in the building with my profile shot so all was well.  The CBS feature was broadcast nationally today. I was not at home and only had access to a small portable black and white TV with so so reception. Yes, rabbit ears. In the opening shot, CBS Sunday Morning News anchor Charles Osgood points to my handbags for about a second. he he  But I am still honored that they chose my bags from the...

T oday my trip to the garment district in NYC was a total success! I was looking to replenish my supply of corduroy that was down to zero. Well, I hit the jackpot! I found a wonderful shop that carries corduroy in every color that you can dream of.  I mean probably at least 40 different shades to choose from. I was in heaven! I had such a hard time deciding but finally selected cerulean blue, cherry red, grape, pumpkin, camel and chocolate brown. I left the store with a big smile on my face. I couldn't wait to get back to my studio and take another look at my treasure.  I plan on creating some new Messengers and Wayfarer Purses in corduroy that will be available end of next week. I also plan to make some Pleated Everyday Bags using this lovely fabric!

In the next few hours I'll be adding some new handbags to the Pesky Cat Designs shop. The Pleated Everyday Bag posted above is made from red cotton twill and has an adjustable shoulder strap. It will be available in the shop this afternoon. Have a wonderful day!

Its been pretty cold in New York City and warm weather seems so far away. But before you know it, spring will be here. A few days ago I received an email from a potential customer on Etsy asking about colors that would take her into spring. Although it's a personal choice, most people seem to prefer light colors versus dark colors for warm weather.  In any case, her email made me think about my spring collection. I've purchased some new fabric this month with warmer weather in mind. Clockwise from top left corner, cotton duck in slate gray, cotton duck in periwinkle blue, cotton canvas in lilac, cotton twill in khaki, handwoven hemp in a variety of colors, linen in natural, linen in cilantro, cotton duck in olive green, cotton twill in red and cotton twill in true blue. The olive fabric is dark but some customers like the darker tones all year round. Olive also looks awesome with a cream colored applique. See here .  I also did a search online and found the Pantone Fashion Colo...

I just added a new Wayfarer Purse to my shop. It's made from a cotton corduroy in steel gray with an cream ultraseude flap and applique. I'm in my studio working on more handbags and should have them ready to add to the shop by the end of this week. Stay tuned!

I just added the purse shown above to my shop . It's made from a fantastic hemp fabric that was grown, spun and hand dyed with natural plant dyes by a fair trade collective of Hmong hilltribe women. I bought a small quantity from a seller on etsy who has now sold out of this wonderful fabric. Darn darn darn. It makes amazing purses. I only have a small quantity left over, probably enough to make 2 bags, in a natural color and in peach. I am waiting for my last shipment of this fabric in cornflower blue . Once it arrives I will be able to make about 4 purses with it. I'll be posting new handbags in my shop throughout next week.

Y esterday, while heading out to a Christmas party, I decided I needed a new purse. I was wearing my   Grass B and W, Cape Cod skirt that I purchased from Aliason . By the way, you must check out her amazing shop on Etsy! I also had on a lilac silk scarf that I purchased on my recent trip to Thailand. What would look best with a lilac scarf and a skirt made with a nature inspired photographically designed fabric? My Wayfarer Purse in lilac with a leafed branch of course! So I decided to treat myself to a new handbag. If you had your eye on this Lilac Wayfarer Purse, check out the Pesky Cat Designs shop very soon. I plan to make more Wayfarer Purses with this lovely lilac cotton canvas and chocolate brown ultraseude combo!

I just added some new Wayfarer Purses to the Pesky Cat Designs shop. The one posted below is made from a cotton corduroy in beautiful shade of cerulean blue. I lined it with a cotton print fabric I purchased at The City Quilter in New York City.  I just love how the  blue corduroy and the colors of the cotton print fabric complement each other!

A ren't these cotton print fabrics gorgeous?! I purchased them yesterday at The City Quilter in NYC. The City Quilter is located in Manhattan's Chelsea district and has more than 2,500 bolts of 100% cotton fabric for the urban quilter and sewer. The first time I walked into the store I was blown away. I have never seen such a large and beautiful selection of prints anywhere else.  I use cotton print fabric to line my handbags. Selecting fabric for my handbags is one of my favorite parts of the creative process. If I am shopping for lining fabric and usually bring a few swatches of the exterior fabric that I plan to make my bag from. I will walk along the bolts of fabrics holding each swatch up to a print until one speaks to me. It's so exciting when one finds the perfect complement!  Most of the fabric at The City Quilter is organized based on color. If my exterior fabric is blue for instance, I am initially drawn to the blue section. But from experience I know that I need...

T oday I'm finishing up some Wayfarer Purses with my newly designed cherry blossom branch applique. I was inspired by images of cherry blossoms and decided to create my own improvised version. I think it works perfect on the Wayfarer . The purses posted above are made of corduroy in olive branch and burnt orange and are adorned by a vintage button. As you can tell they still need to be finished. I should have them available in my shop end of this week. Now I have a little secret just for my readers. I will also have a Wayfarer Purse available with a cat applique! I wanted to create one for a long time and now it has finally arrived. It will also be available in my shop end of this week. If it gets good feedback I plan to make more!

I've been busy working on new applique designs for my handbags this past week. I'm expanding on some of my original designs and creating completely new images. Expect to see lots of floral designs and more nature inspired creations! To make an applique I start with a free hand drawing done directly on a piece of medium weight cardboard. Once I am satisified with the final image I cut it out to create a stencil. When I am ready to make an applique, I use the stencil to draw the image onto a product called HeatnBond. See this great tutorial for more information on how to use HeatnBond for you applique work.  Improvised cherry blossoms and daisies are just some of the new applique designs you'll be seeing in my shop very soon!

I purchased some new fabric online a few days ago and it arrived today! I've never worked with corduroy before so I only bought a few yards to experiment with.  I love love love the colors! They are Legion Blue, Picante and Olive Branch. I like to buy fabric that appeals to me, either by color or texture, and then bring it home and have it inspire me to design something. I need to see the fabric in person to know what bag it should become. I'm definitely seeing some Downtown Bags in this new corduroy. Hmm..... I think I still need some more quality time with my fabric before I decide!