Back at it - and working on a premium range!

It seems I've been away for an age! So, what have I missed on Handmade Monday?

Bag making has taken a bit of a back seat to other things I'm afraid. As well as (starting to) decorate the new house and helping Mr HbyH with his woodburning stove business (always a manic time from September to Christmas!) I've also treated myself to a leather bag making workshop.

Here's what I made....

.. with a lot of help from the lovely ladies at GDH leather.

I've come back with lots of ideas. My trademark is using lovely fabrics in interesting ways (i think!?) so I'm really keen to start using a combination of leather and high quality upholstery weight fabrics like this one....

.... to try and come up with something unique but that still has the feel of HandbagsbyHelen.

I've done a few sketches and grappled with the idea of using hand sewn leather with fabric - without the aid of an industrial sewing machine! I'm hoping to have some stuff to show you soon.

But in the meantime I've been finishing off a few other projects which have sat around making me feel guilty for a while.

These two mini-messenger bags have finally been finished and are in my Folksy shop.

And this large weekend style bag is almost there......

My first leather venture is going to be a chocolate brown and peach cotton patchwork messenger bag, but with a leather strap.

And in between there's still been time to enjoy the amazing views from our new (is it still new after 6 months?) home.