Thursday, February 14, 2008

The Messenger Bag - "Pentecost, You're HOT!" (this bag no longer available)

I 've titled this one: Pentecost, You're HOT! OK, if you are a Christian or a Jew, or have any knowledge of our biblical history, you'll get the play on words here, and IT'S FUNNY!!! Pentecost is all about FIRE (not to mention, the bag is Hot too!). Pentecost is the season of the Holy Spirit, otherwise known as the "birthday of the church." It is connected to Christianities central image of God as Trinity. Fire in the Old Testament symbolizes the presence of God in His glory. In the New Testament, fire is a symbol of the presence of God the Holy Spirit (Matt. 3:11; Luke 3:16). The tongues of fire that came down on the Apostles at Pentecost symbolize their being filled with the Holy Spirit (Acts 2:3). Alva William Steffler, Symbols of the Chrisian Faith (Grand Rapids, Mich.: Eerdmans, 2002), 41, www.godweb.org Limited Edition (2)


This is a very unique Messenger Bag. Made almost completely of orange cordurory, it offers you two distinct looks. Side A, shown here, displays clean minimalist lines. On the bottom right corner is a ball of fire. This detail is on orange taffeta stamped with gold, and stitched with the colors of fire. Should you desire a bag with a "flamboyant" flare (I know, I'm too much!), just turn the flap over to the other side, and BAM! You've got a whole new look.


Side B brings some glamour to your look. Great for a night on the town, the shinier fabrics help to reflect the light, and brings it full circle with its symbolizm of fire. The "cascade" consists of taffeta, tapestry, and polyester blends. There is a secret pocket one third of the way down. The 7" zipper is hidden under one of the ribbons of fabric.






Turn the bag around and you have two great cargo pockets made from a lovely paisley tapestry. They are just the right size for smaller flip phones, lipsticks and keys. (Side A does not have cargo pockets on the opposide of flap.)







Both sides of the purse have full size openings complete with flat pockets. Magnetic snaps on each side provide easy closure. Side A(shown here) has pale blue lining with white pockets of satin. Blue is the hottest temperature of fire.





Side B, lined with red, also has flat white pockets of satin.

The Large Day Bag - "Eden"

This fabulous bac is called Eden. Eden is the Hebrew word for "paradise". The floral and tropical prints on this purse represent the Garden of Eden, and the snake skin print is meant to remind us of the serpent, our temptation, our sin, and then our Fall (Gen. 3). Although this particular bag is not for sale, I will be making more of these come Spring. The Eden Bag was the first of Scarlet Clover handbags. This was a limited edition of 3. With the first sale September 29, 2006, I began my ministry in spreading God's word through handbags. God is good.

This is the Large Day Bag. It measures 6" across the bottom. It has tons of room inside. My first client purchased Eden to hold all of her knitting supplies, as it is tall enough to comfortably hold the books and neatly stash away other supplies in all of her pockets. This handbag is a classic. I have had more women than I can remember stop me and ask me where I bought this. "Well, I make them" I said.






This handbag is the cat's meow inside. With one full size pocket complete with zipper in the middle, one 7" side pocket with zipper, and three extra large pockets (shown below), you can be assured that you have room for all of your girly needs, and then some.





These expansive side pockets are perfect for Blackberry's, your Jackie O sunglasses, checkbooks, cell phones, lipgloss and nail files. Don't be surprised when someone stops you and inquires about your beautiful bag! Don't forget to show them how awesome the inside is!

Tuesday, February 5, 2008

Double Vision Hobo - "Lizard" & "Daisy"

This bag is apprortiately named Double Vision because it is a two in one. Yes, this bag is a reversible Hobo! I know, it's totally cool. The symbols on this bag are the Lizard and the Daisy (reverse). The Lizard symbolizes the transforming power of the Gospel, which is able to give spiritual sight. This reference is based on the alleged ability of an old lizard to regain its sight by slipping into a crack in a wall that faces eastward and looking into the rising sun (think of us looking to the Son for light). The Daisy is a symbolic refernce to the innocence of the Christ child. Alva William Steffler, Symbols of the Chirstian Faith (Grand Rapids, Mich.: Eerdmans, 2002), 115, Canon Edward N. West, Outward Signs: The Language of Christian Symbolism (New York: Walker & COo, 1989), 53. That's me in the middle with my two beautiful sisters! One of a kind

Although this bag is an original, you can expect to see more of this style. Here I have married leather, faux leather, denim with gold overlay, taffeta, and twill to create a stunning handbag. The lizards eyes are old buttons I discovered in a box of "treaures". Just under the "cascade" is a zipper which opens to a very large pocket, perfect for items needed on the fly!






The back side reveals two leather pockets. Clean and crisp. Now, to change the bag over, you need to detatch the strap at the clips, and completely unzip the zipper on side A (it is a reversable seperating zipper). Then turn it inside out. Straighten out the tabs on side B & tuck in the tabs on side A (the tabs are where the strap attaches to the grommet holes). Then zip up the zipper just as you would do a coat, attach the strap, and "voila" you have a new bag!


Side B of Double Vision presents a very large pocket on the front. Open on both sides, the pocket begins and ends where the "cascade" falls. This collection of fabrics are compsed of twill, canvas, broadcloth, and vinyl (yes, that is correct, vinyl!) I am not afraid to embrace the unusual and cling to the unexpected!!




As you can see here, the pocket is quite large and can hold my issue of Country Living quite easily, as well as my keys, and my ipod, and my palm pilot, and my wallet, and my business cards, and my lipstick, oh, and can't forget my lipgloss! Ladies, the list just goes on and on! Well, you really wouldn't want to put all of that in there, but......there is space for it!







Here are the Daisies. Three to the bunch, the daisies are made of vinyl and a little "bling bling" in the center. " The daisy, which opens at sunrise and closes at sunset (hence 'day's eye')...sees things only by the pure light of day." Canon Edward N. West, Outward Signs: The Language of Christian Symbolism (New York: Walker & Co., 1989), 53.