'Life of the Party' clutches

I have had a great response to my kiss-lock frame bridal clutches so I thought I'd see if they were a hit in the non-bridal world.

Not being one for subtlty, I have decided to use the funkiest, craziest, cutest or brightest vintage and recycled fabrics I can get my hands on.

This first one is truly mod, made from a gooorgeous 1960s upholstery fabric. See more here.

New Bridal Clutch...

See more here.

Brought to you by the 1970s...

Boy have I been a slack little blogger! Where have I been you ask? Buried under a 30kg pile of vintage fabrics!!

On the weekend I caught up with a friend I used to work with in my film industry days. She had recently helped her grandparents move and came across a huge stash of fabrics that her grandma had been storing since the seventies.

To my delight, I sprang in to her mind and she gave me a call to see if I would be interested in using them. Would I??!!!

The fabrics are just gorgeous and there is so much of it that the muscles in my arms are still sore from carting the huge pile around the place...not sure if that's more a reflection on the size of the stash or the weediness of my arms!!

Anyhoo, you can see a few of the fabrics hanging out to dry above. I have been washing and drying for two days and am still only about a third of the way through. Lucky I had a cute little helper in the form of our dog Alice :)

In other news, I have been busy working on a few custom items and will probably introduce the new styles into my range shortly so stay tuned...

Here's today's offering to the Handbag Gods, Vintage Violet. Here's her tale:

"She's purple, she's pretty, she's a little bit posh. Vintage Violet is made from a cute vintage print and a salvaged purple tablecloth. Sure, she's had an interesting and exciting life already, but Violet can't wait to try out life as a handbag. Want some company for life's adventures? Violet's your girl!"

Find out more here.

Somebody Stop Me...

On Friday night I hit the 'Sydney Vintage Clothing, Jewellery and Textiles Show' and I'm pretty sure that I now know how a kid feels at Disneyland!

There were so many divine vintage fabrics and buttons and bits and pieces that I had to really pace myself to keep my inner manic shopper from surfacing. She can be a scary character...

I made a promise to myself that I was there strictly on 'business' and didn't look sideways at any of the gorgeous fashion or jewellery...I don't know how I did it. But I think I still managed to take out their 'best customer' award.

'Little Splash of Vintage' Clutch

As most of you know by now, I am a fan of recycling. I am not a fan of throwing things away unnecessarily.

So even when creating with vintage and recycled fabrics, I refuse to throw away any scraps or off-cuts. Instead I hoard them away like a crazy woman with the idea of one day turning them all into one huge, fancy patchwork handbag that is completely mismatched and all over the place but somehow uber-cool.

Well that hasn't quite happened yet and my little workspace is being overtaken by fabric scraps so I have designed a little clutch/pouch that can be made with the off-cuts of my vintage and pre-loved fabrics...now that's recycling!

Here is the first creation in the 'Little Splash of Vintage' range:




This particular clutch is made from a groovy sixties fabric, lined with the material from a pre-loved shirt and topped with recycled buttons.

At just $35 a pop, I think they're a really cute way to add a little vintage to your outfit.

See more details here.

Autumn Audrey

Here is Autumn Audrey, the latest addition to the Rejenerate range. Here is her story:

"Autumn Audrey started life as a stunning kimono but now that she's Down Under, she decided it was time for a change. Combined with some recycled wool and topped with some pre-loved buttons, Audrey has been completely 'rejenerated' into a one-of-a-kind handbag. Audrey's past life as a kimono means that she's used to showing off and being admired so get ready to be the centre of attention when you hit the town with Audrey!"

Audrey is available now in my etsy shop.

Loads of new bags being created at the moment. Here is one of my favourites, 'Seventies Sarah-Jane'. This fabric used to be a pair of curtains and it SCREAMS seventies. Love it.

Here is Sarah-Jane's story:

"Seventies Sarah-Jane is somewhat of a domestic goddess. She started life in the seventies as a pair of retro curtains but now she has been completely 'rejenerated' into a funky handbag. With vintage linen for a lining, a salvaged belt for a strap and recycled buttons for...well just cos they're pretty...Sarah-Jane is ready to leave the home and hit the town!"

Click here for more pics and details.

Hoola Hattie

A new edition to the range, Hoola Hattie. Here is her story:

"Hoola Hattie is hip, hot and a little Hawaiian! Made from a cute tropical vintage print, a pre-loved dress and some recycled buttons, Hattie will bring you a little slice of summer all year round."

Find out more here.

Waiting, waiting, waiting...

I received a few lovely new vintage/salvaged fabrics today. Here they are drying on the line. I am waiting impatiently by with my scissors in hand, hanging to turn them into funky new handbags!

Sixties Sadie

But wait! There's more! This fabric is too divine.

This is Sixties Sadie's lil' fable:

"Sixties Sadie is one sassy lady. Crafted from a vintage fabric, lined with parts of a pre-loved shirt and topped with recycled buttons, Sadie is bringing a dose of sixties sexy to the 21st century. Sadie loves going to a drive-in movie and stopping by the local milk bar, so treat her out now and again and she'll make sure you're always a picture of vintage chic."

See more here.

Exotic Ella

Things have been hectic in the Rejenerate workshop this week. I have tons of new bags available and a few exciting upcoming events.

For now, here is Exotic Ella (above) and this is her little tale:

"Exotic Ella has one helluva past! Starting life in the seventies as a stunning piece of Japanese fabric, she has been combined with parts of a salvaged obi belt, topped with recycled buttons and 'rejenerated' into a greenie's dream handbag! Ella's exotic past means that she will lend you an air of mystery and intrigue every time you sling her over your shoulder."

Check out more of Ella here.

Baby Billie Blue

"Bille may not be all blue, but she sure is a baby...well in vintage terms anyway! Starting life in the crazy eighties as a cute piece of indienne fabric, she never had her chance to shine. Now that she has been 'rejenerated' into an oh-so-cute handbag, lined with the fabric from a pre-loved shirt and topped with the cutest recycled buttons, Billie's the funkiest filly in town!"

For more pics and details on the latest edidtion to the Rejenerate range, click here.

Ravishing Rosie

I am soooo in love with this gorgeous vintage fabric from the 1960's. This latest creation is called Ravishing Rosie. Here is her story:

"Ravishing Rosie was created from a striking vintage fabric right out of the sixties. Combined with parts of a pre-loved jacket, some recycled lining and salvaged buttons, she's bringing her brand of vintage sass to the new millenium. Rosie is ravishing, recycled and oh-so retro. She's a complete one-off...just like you!"

For more pics and info or to take Ravishing Rosie home with you, click here.

Sweet Suki

Here is the latest creation from the Rejenerate workshop, 'Sweet Suki', and here is her story:

"Sweet Suki is the combination of the loveliest vintage fabric and a pre-loved business shirt. Even the shirt pocket has been preserved and worked into the lining! Now that Suki has been ‘rejenerated’ into a gorgeous handbag and topped with recycled buttons she’s ready to start her new life…she’s all party on the outside, business on the inside!"

Find out more here.

Pre-Loved Patty...

Well here she is...my first bag of the New Year - 'Pre-Loved Patty'!

A couple of months back I created 'Green Gwynnie'. She was made from the same fabric and was snapped up immediately. I had lots of enquiries about her after she was sold...but alas, such is the heartache of one-of-a-kind fashion.

The good news is that I had a little fabric left, not enough to make a tote, but enough to create the latest in the Rejenerate 'petites' range.

Soooo here is Pre-Loved Patty and this is her story:

"What do you get when you cross some vibrant vintage fabric, a pair of last year's jeans, a daggy plus size top, some recycled buttons and a keen love of eco-fashion? Pre-Loved Patty of course!! Pop Patty over your shoulder when you hit the op shops and do lunch at the local organic cafe and your halo will be shining green!"

You can find out more about Patty here...or even take her home with you!

Christmas Comes Early!

Isn't this dress cute? It's the 'Garden Love Dress' by Mother Maria. The designer behind the label, Katie Gannon, is a vintage lover from way back and the detailing on the dress is made from vintage fabric...each dress is unique and features different combinations of cute vintage prints. Mine has brown leaves and flowers. So cute!

The dress is one of my Christmas pressies from my lovely man and it arrived in the post today. I have to wait till Christmas though :(

Only 10 sleeps! Actually 9! One of the benefits of being half Swedish is you get to celebrate Christmas on Christmas Eve. Yeeeeesssss!

Green Gwynnie

Here is the latest edition to the Rejenerate range. She's such a great summer bag. Here is Green Gwynnie's story:

"Yep - she's bright green alright, but Gwynnie is green in more ways than one. Created from a piece of vintage fabric, lined with the layering from a pre-loved skirt and topped with recycled buttons, Gwynnie is the ultimate in eco-fashion. Pop her over your shoulder, jump on your bike and head to the local growers' markets for your organic vegies and your halo will be shining bright!"

Buy her here.

Vintage Violet

I have just arrived home from the post office where I sent my latest little clutch 'Vintage Violet' off to her new home.

Here is her story:

"Vintage Violet started life in the seventies as a whimsical piece of vintage fabric. Sadly she was never used and eventually found herself in a new millennium …still unloved and alone. Now that she has been completely ‘rejenerated’ into a sweet little clutch and topped with a button from a piece of vintage French couture, she is finally ready to get out there and make up for decades of boredom. Be prepared for Violet to put you in the limelight as she brings her undeniable sense of vintage chic into your life!"

LADY LOLA

Lady Lola has just been uploaded to rejenerate.etsy.com

Here is her story:

"Lady Lola is the combination of a beautiful piece of vintage upholstery fabric and parts of an unloved faux leather skirt. Lined with some striking blue salvaged curtains, Lola has been completely 'rejenerated' into a stunning upcycled handbag - perfect for adding a hint of vintage chic to your life."