The Carpet Bag - "All Dogs Go To Heaven"

The saying goes, "All Dogs Go To Heaven". That may be true for our canine companions, but what about the dogs of this world? Those that are lost? Throughout history, the dog has been linked to many things, good and bad. In allegory the dog is the attribute of fidelity personified. In old German art, three dogs represent Mercy, Truth, & Justice. In Scripture, the dog is not viewed favorably. However, Ecclesiastes sheds a different light on the dog, by not giving in to despair, and finding hope in those that are lost. "But whoever is joined with all the living has hope, for a living dog is better than a dead lion." 9:4 Alva William Steffler, Symbols of the Chrisian Faith (Grand rapids, Mich.: Eerdmans, 2002), 107. James Hall, Dictionary of Subjects & Symbols in Art Revised Edition (Harper & Row, NY:1974), 105. Hair by Dani at Salon Prive, Newtown Pa.


Dress this bag up, or dress it down, either way, it is very handsome!









The shoulder strap is additional, and can be purchased separately.

This attractive bag is composed of velvet, wool, cotton blends, silk, and poly blends.

Click on any of the images for a larger, more detailed view.







Detail of the back side with large chrome clasps.









Would you just look at how pretty that looks! Oh so very handsome indeed. All of the compartments on this bag are terrific for organizing your worldly goods and treasures. Two semi-circular compartments are on the outside of the bag, each side, wrapping around the ends. The two side pockets inside are just the right size for big sunglasses, Blackberry's, palm pilots, and check books. Two smaller pockets are equipped to hold writing pens, nail files, and lip gloss.

Scarlet Clover at Westminster Dog Show, Madison Square Garden, NY

I am so very proud to say that my "All Dog's Go To Heaven" Tote's were for sale at the Westminster Dog Show at Madison Square Garden, NY on Monday (Feb 9, 2009) and were received with a round of applause. On the same day, I received 5 additional requests for specific dog breeds, outside of the show! God is good! I am always open for special requests to create a tote with the doggie of your choice on it. Just send me a note via the comment option and I can send you a bill via PayPal. These Tote's are $80.
German Short Hair Pointer and Beagle are also available. (Photos to come soon)

~ From and earlier post on the Tote: I have, on occaision, accepted commissions to craft bags to a person's requests. As a designer of bespoke handbags, I am pleased to meet with clients to design a bag that is an external expression of their internal interests and passions. Accepting the request to make a dog bag posed quite a challenge for me, for the dog is looked upon quite unfavorably in Scripture. I didn't want to use a negative scripture verse to accompany my handbags. After plowing through just about every reference to the dog in the Bible, I finally found a passage that was just right. Ecclesiastes, I found, sheds a different light on this animal, by not giving in to despair, but finding hope in those that are lost. "But whoever is joined with all the living has hope, for a living dog is better than a dead lion." (Eccl. 9:4) For this reason alone, I chose the theme "All Dogs Go To Heaven". God's grace and boundless love is open to all, even the dogs in this world.

The back of the tote displays my signature cascade of fabric, although vertically, rather than horizontally. The fabrics vary from bag to bag, but it is a good mix of tweeds, cordurory, cotton blends, wool houndstooth, velvet, and poly blends. Inside, I have added a ring to hold additional leads or collars. There are also two pockets.







The Yorkshire Terrior. Click on image to get a detailed view.












The Golden Retreiver. Click on image to for a detailed view.












The Boxer. Click on image for a detailed view.

The Ibizan Hound. Click on image for a detailed view.

The Tote -- "All Dogs Go To Heaven"

About two weeks ago, my dear friend, Meegan, told me that she had been talking with several of her friends about my handbags. Whilst in converstaion, Meegan and her friends decided that they, all of whom are Ibizan Hound owners/lovers, needed a fabulous tote with the silouette of an Ibizan Hound on it to take with them to dog shows, and asked me if I would be interested in working with them.





I have, on occaision, accepted commissions to craft bags to a person's requests. As a designer of bespoke handbags, I am pleased to meet with clients to design a bag that is an external expression of their internal interests and passions. Accepting this posed quite a challenge for me, for the dog is looked upon quite unfavorably in Scripture. I didn't want to use a negative scripture verse to accompany my handbags. After plowing through just about every reference to the dog in the Bible, I finally found a passage that was just right. Ecclesiastes, I found, sheds a different light on this animal, by not giving in to despair, but finding hope in those that are lost. "But whoever is joined with all the living has hope, for a living dog is better than a dead lion." (Eccl. 9:4) For this reason alone, I chose the theme "All Dogs Go To Heaven". God's grace and boundless love is open to all, even the dogs in this world.

This bag measures 12"h x 12"w x 5" d. I chose fabrics that made me think of 'hounds' and the 'highlands', so I went with Scottish Wool Herringbone, Gray Flannel, Wool Check, Corduroy, as well as a Gray Cotton blend that I quilted. The bottom of the bag is quite sturdy, and will not give in. The handles are double layer Corduroy. By clicking on the photo, you can get a much closer look at the fabrics.







The inside is simple, but functional. The pocket is actually a double pocket. The larger pocket is in the back, and a smaller pocket is in front of it, with a place to put your writing pen.





The D-ring is to hang additional leads on, or keys, if you please.