Gallery V: Useable Art

Photo-Insert Tote Bag

Design Concept

Bag made from 13 fabrics and ribbons

Designed originally to hold the Welcome Home quilts for my Guild's partnership with Habitat for Humanity - Palm Beach County. I take the 20 x 24 inch quilted wall-hangings to the wonderful home dedication ceremonies and needed a bag deep enough to hold the rolled quilt plus car keys, my art postcards, guild brochures, etc. One of the things I love about my Ginger Bag, below, is the great puppy photos of my sweet, wacky mini-labradoodle, Ginger. So, on this new bag, rather than permanently attach photos, I decided to add vinyl exterior pockets to this new bag so I could change the photos as desired. For now, I have Ginger-photos on the front of the bag and photos of some of my Sphere art-quilt series on the back. For a HFH dedication ceremony, I could insert photos of past dedications.

Scope Creep

Back view of deep tote bag

While designing the bag, I thought of lots of other uses, such as taking it to an art show or class and holding a small purse plus papers, class supplies, etc. THEN, I thought that it could be a great travel bag to hold a netbook computer, reading material, directions, maybe a on-the-go project, etc. Well, you get the idea. About 20 pockets later, some zipper compartments, some hooks for Ginger's leash, etc., I now have a pretty big AND deep bag - about 18 inches wide and 22 inches deep. As my husband commented when he saw it, "you made yourself a suitcase." NOT appreciated, but I guess it could be considered as slightly funny. Here are some detail photos:

Personalized

Front detail of initial and beading.

An embroidered initial plus hand beading on large front pocket. Pocket for water bottle lined with waterproof fabric on right.

Small outer pockets

Front detail of pockets and vinyl photo inserts.

Three fabric pockets covered with three vinyl pockets for changeable photos. Short and long handles for versatility.

Lots of inside see-through pockets

Inside detail

See-through (fiberglass window screening) pockets show what's where. Embroidered contact info attached.

The Ginger Bag
Originally designed to carry Ginger's puppy paraphernalia, this batik and photo bag has over 30 inside pockets plus 10 exterior pockets and a water bottle holder. Best of all, it is covered with photos of my sweet, goofy, mini-Labradoodle.

This is what happens when you can't pick just one photo - there are 8 puppy-pictures on the outside of this great big bag.

Water-bottle holder

Vinyl wraps the sides and bottom and makes it safe to take this bag to the dog beach. A water-proof rip-stop lining helps control potential leaks inside.