<![CDATA[Toots Totes

<![CDATA[Toots Totes - Blog]]>Fri, 01 May 2026 02:27:49 +0000Weebly<![CDATA[Happy Makers Dancing]]>Fri, 21 Nov 2025 11:59:18 GMThttps://www.tootstotes.com/blog/happy-makers-dancingHappy makers dancing happening here! 💃🏻This lovely William Morris "Indian" fabric handbag with its gorgeous dupion silk lining and vintage button fastening is on its way to a new home (from Toots Totes Folksy shop). Don't forget to have browse in case there's something you'd like to own or gift.

]]><![CDATA[Black Friday Blues]]>Fri, 21 Nov 2025 11:57:25 GMThttps://www.tootstotes.com/blog/black-friday-bluesBlack Friday can be a stressful weekend for small makers, so Folksy wanted to do something a little different. They’re championing small businesses, celebrating craft, and helping makers to connect with shoppers who truly appreciate unique one-off handmade items.
Have another look at my Toots Totes Folksy shop this coming weekend for some real discounts.

]]><![CDATA[It had to be done didn't it?]]>Tue, 08 Jul 2025 14:47:40 GMThttps://www.tootstotes.com/blog/it-had-to-be-done-didnt-itWell it had to be done didn’t it? And I can confidently say no cushions were harmed (dismantled) in the making of this bag! This time I was very fortunate to secure an unused piece of this fabulous vintage fabric from suziesharpvintage (thank you Suzie!) Now true to a tradition (of my own making), I can proudly present the Pink Kitsch Kittens Handbag with gorgeous pink leather handles, a pretty cotton floral lining including pockets of course, and a vintage button and loop fastening Helen Rollason Cancer Charity Vintage Day Out on 13th July at Cressing Temple Barns for a third year! Come and try it for size!

]]><![CDATA[Helen Rollason Vintage and Makers Day Out 2025]]>Tue, 08 Jul 2025 14:44:03 GMThttps://www.tootstotes.com/blog/helen-rollason-vintage-and-makers-day-out-2025A link to purchase your Early Bird Tickets for £6 instead of £8 on the day.
https://www.helenrollason.org.uk/shop/events/vintage-and-makers-day-2025/

]]><![CDATA[Vintage Wicker Revamps 5,4,3.2,1]]>Tue, 08 Jul 2025 14:25:34 GMThttps://www.tootstotes.com/blog/vintage-wicker-revamps-54321I've been busy adding to my collection of wicker bags and baskets for sale, all of which have had a thorough wash and brush up and a new lining added, with pockets where possible and new fastenings if necessary. They'll be coming with me to the Helen Rollason Charity Vintage and Makers Day Out at Cressing Temple on 13th July, should you be free! Or following that will be listed mainly on Folksy with a couple on my website and a couple possibly on Etsy.

]]><![CDATA[Yet Another Rattan Revamp]]>Thu, 20 Mar 2025 18:13:54 GMThttps://www.tootstotes.com/blog/yet-another-rattan-revampAnother little rattan bag revamped. I’m getting quite good with a hammer and tacks! The wooden struts inside needed securing before I lined it with a mid century style cotton and coordinating gingham! It has the usual little elasticated top pocket and a small zipped pocket. It needs a zip pull, but then I’ll keep it for the vintage fair in the summer, unless you bag it first, of course. £50 + £5 p+p. Contact me to purchase here.

Front

New lining

Back

Side view

]]><![CDATA[Toots Totes Revamp in Action...]]>Fri, 07 Feb 2025 15:42:37 GMThttps://www.tootstotes.com/blog/toots-totes-revamp-in-actionI’ve never seen a bag like this before and I would guess it’s a 50s or 60s creation! It’s a super solid construction which is the reason it’s lasted so well.
It arrived rather grubby inside and out (why don’t sellers clean things up?) and I’ve hoovered and brushed, scrubbed and washed it so it looks a bit happier now! The white trim had quite a lot of what I assume was glue marks from where it had spilt over the edges when it was made and most of it has come off with a knife blade and sticky stuff remover. You can’t (and shouldn’t try) to make vintage items look pristine, but at least it’s clean and respectable now!

Next I gave it a very light coat of olive oil to nourish the wicker and that turned a dull matt surface to a beautiful golden brown.

With the red accent on the exterior, I decided to use the red colour way of Cath Kidston’s ‘Daisy Rose Check’ fabric as a lining. I double lined it, sandwiching some wadding in between the layers, to soften the interior. A pretty elasticated pocket just finishes it off to perfection!
It’s so satisfying being able to pretty up an unloved item and give it a new life! If you’re interested, it’s now on Folksy priced at £65 plus postage.

A very sturdy construction, it would make an excellent picnic basket!

I used a Cath Kidston fabric as it seemed to have just the right pretty and fun vibe for this one!

]]><![CDATA[Toots Totes Vintage Revamp Revisited]]>Sun, 26 Jan 2025 11:28:56 GMThttps://www.tootstotes.com/blog/toots-totes-vintage-revamp-revisitedThis year I shall be mostly turning preloved to reloved tired vintage wood, wicker, straw and rattan bags by adding new embellishments and linings. Making existing items pretty, practical, lovable and functional once more, using less of the world’s resources and creating unique one-off pieces to enjoy!
Each bag will be carefully chosen, delicately cleaned, sympathetically mended and re-lined with a pretty colourful cotton fabric in keeping with its age.

Each one will have:
*A genuine vintage wicker, rattan or wooden outer.
*A contemporary or repurposed vintage fabric lining.
*A soft interior wadding to cushion your belongings.
*An interior pocket or two, one zipped, one elasticated.
*And of course any major flaws will be carefully described.

Please remember these are vintage items, up to 75 yrs old!
Use them for special occasions and treat them with love!❤️

Here's some I made earlier!

And here are a couple waiting for their turn to be beautified!

]]><![CDATA[Didn't we have a luvverly day...?]]>Mon, 15 Jul 2024 13:34:40 GMThttps://www.tootstotes.com/blog/didnt-we-have-a-luvverly-day...at the Helen Rollason Cancer Charity Vintage Day Out on Sunday 14th July? The sun shone, the music and dancing on the green was fabulous, (I was right by the door so had a ring side seat), there were three sets of classic cars to stroll around and admire, oodles of vintage and plant stalls to browse and food and drink to consume. Everyone was so appreciative of my efforts, stopped to admire my work and chat and I made some sales, which is always a bonus. A big shout out to Sharon & Brett from Manningtree Vintage Vibes, a clothing shop, who were opposite me and made the day more enjoyable and to the staff and volunteers of the Charity who made the day such a success!

All set up in the Wheat Barn and ready to go! Please note vintage attire for the day and usual aging hippy look swapped for 40's/50's housewife!

Beautiful Carli just loved this piped "Blossom" and you'd have thought I'd made it especially for her as it co-ordinated so well with her dress!

This lovely lady couldn't resist this revamped rattan basket with the new Cath Kidston lining!

And a young lady (I forgot to take her picture) fell in love with this classy revamped handbag with its brand-new cotton lining complete with useful pockets.

"Blossom" lining with usual pockets-two open and one zipped.

Revamped basket with new Cath Kidston lining. A cute elastic top pocket and a zipped pocket to keep your keys safe.

Classy rattan handbag lining with the usual useful pockets.

]]><![CDATA[Vintage Day Out 2024]]>Wed, 10 Jul 2024 08:14:34 GMThttps://www.tootstotes.com/blog/vintage-day-out-2024Counting down the days now to the Helen Rollason Cancer Charity Vintage Day Out at Cressing Temple Barns on Sunday 14th July and I've been practicing my stall set up in the dining room! Even if it's completely different on the day it gives me a good view of what I have available and whether I need to make a couple more bits in the last few days left to me. Suffice to say - there's plenty to choose from! There's still time to get your discounted tickets from www.helenrollason.org.uk/shop/events/a-vintage-day-out-2024/ or just turn up on the day! I look forward to seeing you. AND my prices will be cheaper in person on most items too!

]]>