Cleaning up for Spring with 40% off

I am getting ready to launch a brand new line of Cha Cha handbags on June 14th. This new line will different then anything I have done before and I am really looking forward to it.
To make room for my new little creations I am have a sale.
40% off all bags when you use code 40 at checkout at chachalifestyle.com

Before & After- Distressed Leather is the Best

I was excited to stumble upon this leather. It is rare to find a distressed leather jacket. This one had been broke in perfectly. I was only able to get one bag out of it but I have a little bit left that I am hoping to make a clutch with . Check out the SHOP for more pictures.

Before & After- How many handbags can you get out of one jacket?

The answer is usually two. Working with a waist length leather jacket I was able to make 2 slouchy shoulder bags and one leather Bear. I have been trying to figure out what to do with all the scraps and bits and pieces I have been hoarding for the last 7 years. I have always held onto the bins of scraps because I feel like one day I will find them a purpose. The scrap experiments usually go to Winston who then carries them around the house.

More Pictures of the Two Tone Slouchy Shoulder Bag
More Pictures of the Brown Slouchy Shoulder Bag

Before & After- Slouchy Tote in Chesnut Brown

I could not sleep this morning. So instead of staring at the ceiling, I got out of bed at 3am, ate a mango and made this lady.  The jacket was older but well taken care of so the leather is soft with very few scuff marks.
Say hello to your new BFF.

Fold Over Clutch in Faux Leather & Real Canvas

Clutches do not need to be made of leather in order to be luxurious! This oversized, fold over clutch is made from repurposed faux leather. It used to be a VERY long jacket. Think Wesley Snipes in the movie Blade. It was time for an UPDATE.

CHA CHA Backpacks

Until recently, all of these backpacks had previous lives. A 90's leather jacket, a tweed cape, acid washed jeans, and a pair of Levis.
I worked my magic sewing tricks, took them all apart, and put them all back together. So I present to you…. Backpacks.

Before & After- From a Pile of Scraps to the Perfect Handbag

I had some bits and pieces of 2 different jackets left over and I wasn't sure if there was enough to make anything of it. But with a little creative pattern placing and fancy stitching, it came together beautifully. This slouchy leather bag has one exterior slip pocket, three interior pockets and is lined with  cha cha silkscreened canvas. Four hours ago this little lady was nothing but a pile of scraps, now she is ready for a NEW HOME!

Winter in Cha Cha Land

Winter in Canada. Hibernating and sewing. Changing things up over here at Cha Cha, nothing stays the same forever. Still sewing, still taking old to new. I will keep you posted.

Freestyle Fridays- Handbag of the Week

Every Friday I will add a new handbag to the shop. This bag will be a one-off and will be the outcome of my weekly experiments and inspirations. I would LOVE some suggestions as well! If you have a handbag or accessory idea please let me know. If I choose your handbag design I will name the style after you and send you a little something as a token of appreciation! Send me an email if you have a style you would love to see.

This week is a dark cherry tote made of repurposed leather and hand painted canvas lining. This light weight slouchy tote is perfect for travel or as a roomy overnight bag. All stitching has been reinforced, you would never know this bag used to be a jacket. Click HERE for more pictures.

Before & After- Leather Shell Satchel

This jacket was ready for a new life and after a little cutting and sewing I gave it one. I found the decorative shell hardware years ago at a vintage shop. I have been holding onto it trying to find the perfect bag to pair it with. I think it adds just enough shine to this bag to make it unique. I only had one little shell, so just one bag made. More photos here.

Before & After- Denim Satchel

I have been trying to find a way to use denim without having the end product look like a D.I.Y gone horribly wrong. I wanted to use the fabric because its soft and durable but I did not want it to look like I sewed the leg a some jeans up and threw it over my shoulder. I'm not sure if you have browsed Etsy lately, but there are PLENTY!!  I think I managed to stay clear of that look. CHECK HERE for more pictures.

Perfectly Imperfect, Such a Comforting Phrase

The more I strive for perfection, the more out of reach it becomes. So I decided to let perfection go.
I quickly saw that what makes things, people, experiences memorable, are their quirks, their stories and rarity. Together these make experiences priceless, not perfect. 
The Perfectly Imperfect Clutch Collection embodies everything that is beautiful and desirable about those things that are unique, not perfect.
100% of the leather and fabric used is repurposed, meaning it had a previous life as a jacket, beat up sofa or rockin' 80's pants. Any canvas used to construct the body of the clutch has been hand painted and silkscreened with original artwork.
Every single clutch is one of a kind. Visit the whole collection HERE.

Working on something for summer.

From Nothing to Something- Entourage Minis Made of Recycled Leather

Entourage Mini Tote- Broke in Black
Previous Life- A large Mens jacket.

Entourage Mini Tote - Salty Olive
Previous Life- A winter jacket that had lost it's warmth.

I Got Love For the Little Things

 Love makes everything better, even if it's love for a super soft leather pouch. I love little pouches, little note books, little cakes, I don't what it is but I can't refuse a miniature version of anything. So this CHA CHA LOVES LOVE POUCH/CLUTCH had my name written all over it. This clutch/make up bag/pencil case is made of the same repurposed leather from the bucket bag in the last post.

Today's Challenge- Turn Something Old into Something New

By the end of the day this jacket will be something beautiful. And to help, I stopped by the library to pickup some entertainment. Stay tuned.....

Sometimes Simple is Best

CRACKED EARTH CLUTCH- This slouchy clutch is simple and to the point. The body is lined with Salty Olive reclaimed leather, but the flap is left unlined because it just seems to fall into place all on its own.

Just Another Sunday...

Just me my machine and my big pile of leather. Meet CC- The Softest Tote in the World

Pink is not usually my colour....

But I like it in this Little Card Case.

NEW! CC Clutch

Just added to the shop. CC Clutch.