I'm loving the live feed and I can't wait to see the final product.

I'm really enjoying following along. The bag looks great but annoying question: what are you going to do about the interior? I noticed a smudge of the blue there.

Running home now - don't post too many photos while I'm gone ok? (j/k)

Wow; it's really starting to come together, Claire! I love the deep blue colour you've picked

Zap, thank you.

Sylvie, good question. I have learned from my other bags and I want to be more careful with this one. I just got finished taping off the sueded parts inside and put a couple of coats on the facing. Even if most people don't see this part, *I* do, so I want it to look neat. I sponged the main surface and then used the small brush near the edges because I knew the tape would allow the dye to bleed through if I sponged on top of it. Now drive safely because I don't want any accidents because you were racing to see the progress on the bag. (j/k back at ya)

This brings to mind another point: Even when dry, the Tarrago self shine color dye has a sheen to it. You have to be cool with that because there is no getting around it. If you have a vintage Coach bag or another bag that has a matte finish, and you want to preserve it, this is *not* the route to go. I personally love natural leather bags in the brown family with this kind of natural finish. I haven't tried the brown Tarrago dyes because I don't think I would like a shiny, opaque color in the brown family. For that reason, I've stuck to trendier "fashion" colors that I would like in a patent finish.

If anyone has experience with the sheer, stain-like dyes (aniline, I think) please share! I would love to know what products give that result and how to use them.

So cool! That's a fun color too.

yummy. I am so loving this " DIY: YLF edition via CC"

Ooooh, I love this! Thanks for sharing, Claire! And that colour is awesome.

That's a great idea to keep the reverse of the straps in the old colour for contrast! Smart.

Question re: blue cream for Big Blue. Does it not rub off on clothes, this coloured cream?

Moni, we shall soon see about the blue shoe cream! I hope not. The thought crossed my mind when ordering it, but I was too impatient to send an email asking them. Their website is pretty basic and there is no live chat, but they do get back to you by the next day.

Well, ladies, she is pretty much finished. I'm thinking of naming her Madame Blueberry. What do you think? I need to scrub up and head off to the airport to pick up Mr. Claire, but here she is. I need to clean up the brown part of the straps a bit more and clean the hardware better, but this should give you a good idea. I'll start a different post when I debut the first wearing. Thanks for your support today! It was much appreciated when my energy was flagging!

Wow, what a lovely colour! I never would have thought of doing that.

You had me humming "Starry, Starry Night" after the second coat. ;o)

Oh wow Claire, this turned out so well!! The cobalt color is gorgeous, and I really enjoyed reading the play-by-play... all at the end there I'd be curious to hear about a matte topper as well, the shininess is one of the things that has prevented me from trying the Tarrago dyes.

This was a really fun thread to read! Thanks so much for all of the pictures Claire! I'd love to do this one of these days, if I ever find a nice purse to try. I love the shape and texture of the one you found and I love this blue color!

HOLY COBALT BLUE HANDBAG BATMAN!!!

This turned out absolutely gorgeous Claire - oh my - I'm blown away. Can hardly wait to meet Madame Blueberry in an outfit!

(I had to go pick up hubby from a photo shoot and literally walked in the door and turned on the computer. Hubby said "I need to work on my photos you know" and I replied "yeah I know, but I have to see how Claire's purse turned out" (lol)!

Wow, this turned out so nice!! Such fun to watch too, thank you so much for sharing with us.

The crafter in me has a need to do this. Now I just have to find a bag....

It just occurred to me and now you are probably going to laugh, but do you find your bags in the super exclusive behind the counter part of goodwill? Because, I never go to that section. The first time I looked several years ago I nearly choked over them having something priced crazy high over there and I just never bothered to go back. This might be why I never see good bags there.

I'm blue in the face I'm applauding that effort so hard! Encore (and entrance!), please, with Madame Blueberry!

I made it home safely and am glad to see that Madame Blueberry is just about ready for her global debut. She looks fantastic! I'm so impressed that you got that done in a day because I would have tossed it in my pile of dil (do it later) projects.

Such fun to read this! Miss Blueberry is gorgeous! Does this work on belts?

This was really amazing , Claire, both process and the result! I love this cobalt blue bag and it looks so much more interesting than the original
My hands are itching to dye something now...

Wow, amazing dye job and amazing color! I love the bright cobalt. Thanks for showing us the play by play!

Miss Blueberry is one fab bag. She started out like an ugly duckling but is a glamorous swan now!

Aida, I wasn't talking about a matte top coat, but rather a transparent matte stain-like dye. This one ends up looking more like a paint in my experience, but the leather is still super pliable.

Shannon, that's hilarious! Don't get your DH mad at me!

Abie, no, the bags I get are never in the locked cases. That's probably why I get such good deals on them. The times I have asked to see the "good" bags, they were cheap plastic imitations of designer bags, blinged out with logos.

Sylvie, I am relieved! If I worked a full time job, I'd have tossed this in my "do it later pile" as well, I'm sure.

Joy, yes it absolutely works on belts. It does not rub off once it's cured.

JR, Jem, Sveta and everyone: thank you!

You named her Madame Blueberry? After the VeggieTale character who's addicted to shopping at "Stuff Mart?" This is too rich!

Love the play by play, Claire, and the finished product. Let me just say that your Goodwill ain't my Goodwill!

Now Claire I will be looking at bags and shoes and belts in 'Yucky' colours when I thrift- Just In Case! Well done, and one of my favourite colours too.

Wow, Madame Blueberry looks gorgeous! *looks around for something to dye*

Wow, Claire, I had recorded the whole show last night and have watched it all back

Fabulous outcome, I cannot wait to see Madame Blueberry in action.

The birth of a handbag! So awesome Claire - it looks gorgeous!

Oh I have just spent 15 minutes of my working day watching this craft project unfold and will now have a shorter lunch BUT it has been worth it, I now feel confident enough to give the process a try. Thanks Claire

I came late to the party, but that's good for me because I like spoilers and would've been anxiously refreshing this thread for hours if you hadn't already finished the bag! LOL! I love it! It looks so great in blue! You're a pro, Claire!

It's blue-tiful!

IKWYM about the Tarrago dye - it is called "self-shine" for a reason. I spotted Angelus Leather Dye, which sells the dye separate from preparer and finisher, but they have a variety of finishes - both matte and shiny. I'm eager to give it a try, but first I have to decide which bag to do what color!

I'm late to the party here, but just wanted to say, Claire, that I really enjoyed seeing all the steps of this process! The finished product looks fantastic too.

I'm really tempted to go find some cheap bag at the thrift store now to dye!

Claire, beautiful! Thanks for sharing such a brilliant idea. I have dyed jeans before, but not leather. You are a pro. Your new bag is beautiful.