This little guy is a work in process at the moment.  In a world surrounded by electronic gadgets of all shapes and sizes, it would be silly not have a mini bag in the collection.   Soooo here it is…almost.  This particular bag was created to hold two iPads, so it only has a padded interior divider & I’m fairly certain the standard bag interior will include a sleeve pocket along with a couple of smaller open pockets.  The exterior will  include the open pocket under the front flap & a large zipper pocket along the backside as shown in the photos.  Padding is the standard 1/2 thick foam, so your gear will be super protected.  The nylon lining is super smooth, so no worries about scratching screens.

The goal is have this guy available on the website & etsy by the beginning of August, but if you are interested in creating one sooner please feel free to contact me.

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Congratulations to Jennifer T. on winning the Hobo Bag Giveaway!

Thanks to everyone who participated!!  Hoping everyone had a fun Fourth of July weekend!

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Wishing everyone a Happy 4th!!  Now through Monday use the code “julyfourth” and receive 20% off any purchase made on the Martilena website.  If you’d like to make your purchase from my Etsy store, enter the code in the notes box during checkout & the discount will be refunded through Paypal.  Readymade Items & Special Deals are not included in the sale, since they are already discounted.

Be sure to checkout the new Hobo bag & the options available on the website!!

4th July Graphics

I will be offline for the next several days, but if anyone has any questions prior to purchasing please feel free to email me & I’ll honor the discount when your purchase is made even if it’s after the sale ends.

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Color changes are in the works here at Martilena!  The exterior and interior color options will be changing over the next couple of weeks.  The new exterior color options will now be BLACK, BROWN, CHARCOAL & KHAKI.  The interior changes are a little more drastic.  As I mentioned previously, silver and charcoal will no longer be available.  But I think the new colors offer even more room for creativity with the bags.

NEW INTERIOR COLOR OPTIONSNew Interior Color Options


It will take me a little while to correct all the web pages & etsy listings, so I apologize up front for any confusion this may cause.  If you’d like to purchase a bag, but only the old versions are available, please just shoot me an email or convo (if using etsy).

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Oh, I’m so excited to introduce this bag & what better way to announce it’s arrival then to do a GIVEAWAY!  One lucky winner will win their own custom HOBO style CAMERA BAG.  If you’ve seen my bags before, then you’ll recognize the interior.  It’s designed the same as Maia, with removable & adjustable dividers.  The exterior is all new in design.  This bag allows for a large splash of color (or not) on either side, but maintains durability with a heavy duty nylon used for the bottom & interior.

I like this bag because it’s perfect for when you need quick access to your camera and don’t want to mess with flaps or buckles.  Also, the bag is deep enough that your camera cannot be easily snagged from inside even though it has an open top.  You can use it purely as a camera bag or create a snug pocket for your camera, using the adjustable dividers, and store anything else you may need for a day trip inside.  The pockets along the backside allow room for cell phones, keys & even bottles.  I’m thinking this bag could easily work as camera/diaper bag quite easily.

Options available:  Zipper closure or  Fixed interior pockets (similar to Moxy).  Of course, I’m always willing to further customize a bag if possible.  Please
contact me
if interested in creating your own unique version of this bag.

To find more photos of the bag, please visit my flickr site.

Giveaway Details:

The winner will choose from any fabric on eQuilter.com (under $10/yd) for the body, along with a solid color for both the exterior bottom & interior (both of these fabrics are water repellent nylon).   (All color options will be provided at the end of contest to the winner)

Details about the bag:  Measures 12″ H x 12″ W x 6″ D (exterior measurements), 1/2″ Thick Foam lines the interior (provides great cushion to equipment stored inside), Heavy Duty Snaps for Closure, 3 open pockets along the backside.  The interior has two fully adjustable padded dividers.

To Enter:
  1. Comment with the phrase “I WANT THE HOBO” & why you like this bag.
  2. Double you’re chances to win by linking this giveaway back on your own public blog or send out a link through Facebook or Twitter, then VERY IMPORTANT come back and comment that you’ve done so.
  3. Triple your chances, by becoming a fan on the official Martilena facebook page or twitter (see sidebar), then VERY IMPORTANT come back and comment that you’ve done so.
  4. Remember that you’ll need to leave your email address so that I can contact you for your info in the event that you WIN!

Be sure to have your entries in by 12:00am on Friday, July 2nd!

Winner will be randomly selected and announced once confirmed.

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Here’s a peek at the tote/hobo camera bag in the works.  The interior size is very similar to that of the MAIA, except for the extra height.  The simple snap closure allows you to keep the bag tightly closed, but allows for easy access when you want to be able to grab-n-shoot with your camera.  No flap to slow things down.  The bottom is Cordura to keep it waterproof & durable, while the interior is lined in waterproof nylon packcloth.   The adjustable fabric strap is padded, so no need for a separate shoulder pad.

Oh, and notice the beautiful new teal color option!  There will be several new interior color choices available very shortly & this beautiful blue is one of them.  As the new color choices are brought in, a few will be discontinued.  Silver, tan & possibly charcoal will be discontinued.  The charcoal, although it has been popular, has become more difficult to obtain in the same color shade.  Each time I receive an order it’s almost like opening a surprise birthday present, I never know what I’m going to get.  More on the color changes as I finalize the new selections.

The tote will be ready to go within the next two weeks.  Just a little more tweaking & it will be ready to go…

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Everything is 20% off the website now through Monday!  Use code ‘memorialday’ during checkout to receive your discount.  If you would like to take advantage of the sale, but wish to purchase your item from the Etsy store please enter the ‘memorial day’ code in the notes box during checkout & the 20% will be refunded.  Please note that Special Deals & Clearance Items are not available for additional discount.

Enjoy your Weekend!

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Wow.  Where did May disappear too?

Thanks for the great response to the in-stock fabric bags on Etsy! I’ve had so many orders in the past couple of weeks for the special deals, it’s been great. Still in the process of posting more fabric as I get the opportunity to dig through the stacks.  The trick is finding enough of any particular print to actually complete a whole bag.  I have SO many pieces just not quite big enough, so I’ll be working on creating some mix-n-match bags in the near future.  This will give me an opportunity to be a little creative with the bags & create some one of a kind creations.

Diaper bags are still on the back burner.  Camera bags (and the kiddos) have kept  me so busy I just haven’t had the opportunity to work on another sample to test.

My email responses will be delayed the next week or so as I work my way out of a little backlog.  I know that everyone is anxiously awaiting their bag, but the more time I spend responding to emails the less I am at my machine which slows down all orders.  Once I get out of this hole, I’ll be working to get ahead of schedule because I’ll be going on vacation in July.

Back to work I go…

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One of the disadvantages of sewing completely custom bags is the continuous pile-up of excess fabric.  It usually happens when I’m forced to order a certain length without being able to customize the order to my needs.  One of the reasons I’m partial to eQuilter is the ability to order in shorter lengths (1/2 yard min).  Most online sites start with a minimum of a yard & in some cases it’s necessary,  but most of the time I’m left with more than I need.  Although I have found another that I would like to mention, it’s Hancock’s of Paducah.  I am loving them right now.  I’ve used them off and on when searching for a particular fabric, but they also allow for 1/2 yard purchases & their selection is amazing!

I had mentioned previously that I had added some special deals to Etsy, if you ordered one of the bags using an in-stock print.  Those listings are now available for Moxy, Knox & Maia.  The listings are for very specific color combos on the bags, but I’m always willing to mix things up if I can.  Most importantly I’ve added A LOT of new prints to the in-stock section on flickr.   Some of the prints are in very limited quantities & are no longer in print so when they go, they go.

As usual I’m always open to working up custom bags, so please don’t hesitate to contact me if you’d like something a little different than what is currently available on Etsy.

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Time is a flyin’

For me things always seem to happen all at once.  Everything is clickin along at its usual pace & then BAM you get hit in all directions.  That’s how this month has been for me.  My kids have had appointments for doctor checkups, dentist checkups, school functions, extra curricular activities and on & on & on.  You add all of these extra activities to my fully loaded work schedule & preparing for the craft show & voila a whole month flies by.  I realize that working on my own allows me the flexibility to work around all these obligations more freely, but when you crawl into bed after one o’clock in the morning nightly knowing that you’ll be up again by six to get the kiddo to school on time you to start to wonder why you thought working for yourself was such a brilliant idea.  Of course, then I remember how many of my son’s events I couldn’t attend while working the regular 40 & how often he was disappointed because of my absence & all feels right again.

Now that I’m done rambling on to the important stuff…

  • Andrea H. won the Moxy giveaway.  She has already selected her fabrics & is now awaiting her bag.  Congratulations!!
  • Removable Flaps – still not on the website (sorry), but please feel free to let me know if you’d like to add them to your bag.  The extra flaps are $18 a piece.  Also, anyone out there with a bag that already has a removable flap, please feel free to contact me if you’d like to purchase additional flaps for your bag.  I’ll just need to know the dimensions (if you purchased something other than the standard) & style of bag along with your fabric choices.  I can easily write up a custom invoice for you.
  • Diaper bags – still working on another sample before I’ll be ready to add to website or etsy.    I’ve been so behind on regular orders, there just has not been time to get back this accomplished.

  • Delivery Schedule – with a little bit of luck I should be back on normal turnaround by the end of this week.  I hope!  Thank you to everyone for their patience & understanding while waiting for your new bag to arrive.
  • Moxy Combo Available on Etsy – The slim Moxy, padded strap slipcover & a julia pouch are now available as a combo.  There is a $10 discount for purchasing all 3 items together.  No additional discounts allowed.

Back to work…

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