I picked up this iron-on decal set last Spring when I visited Japan.
Japan is such a treasure trove of nonsensical English. I find it summarily hilarious.
So of course I could NOT pass up this “Beau Chat” iron-on decal. I am a crazy cat lady at heart (who happens to unfortunately currently reside with this crazy Ewok-lookalike dog instead of a big pile of cats, which is my someday personal goal).
So I can only surround myself with cat-themed items and try to be consoled in the meantime. A stern-looking tabby sporting the crown jewels is an excellent addition to my collection.
I figured the title of this iron-on image was French. “Good Cat,” I believe, unless my French is really terrible (which, okay, it is…a kind reader told me it is “Handsome Cat.” Whoops.). “Since 1902” it also proclaims in English (making it one very OLD handsome cat, apparently).
And then follows a chopped-up paragraph in German. I don’t speak German, but the online translator says it is something about being outdoorsy, wine, and making a blunder over a duration of time. Maybe.
But the back of the bag is the best.
My cat is only active at night.
YOU ARE BLOWING MY MIND
I mean seriously, who could resist a bag that accuses people of blowing the owner’s mind??!? I always feel that my mind is blown by the amazing-ness (and sometimes craziness) of other people. I think this accusation is excellent in a proactive sort of way.
I made the bag following a pattern from a Japanese pattern-book I have; you could also use this pattern here and come up with a similar result. 
The faux leather handles were also from Japan; you can buy similar ones here. The grey Essex linen I used for the outside I bought from this Etsy shop (I LOVE this stuff!), and the toile-print lining I bought from the fabric store. 
The iron-on is of course uniquely Japanese, but you can find something similar here and add some crazy paragraphs in a variety of languages on the computer if necessary.
This little, crazy tote is the perfect size for a quick run out, or just a wonderful conversation-starter.
From one crazy cat lady to all of you~
xo
Carly
hey!
nice bag *g*
and it means ‘pretty cat’
beau-belle
chat-chatte
(male-female version of the words)
that’d look awesome on a rustic-vintagey clutch, too!
Thank you, Nadine, for the clarification! My French is super-bad. Beau chat = handsome cat. Got it!:-)
I am always grateful for a wonderful blog.
Welcome. Japanese Cherry Blossom (Sakura), is the symbol of Japan.
I write in Japanese.
日本の春に来日されたのですね。西暦では何時ですか。
印象はいかがでしたか？
桜は日本人の象徴です。わたしもサクラは大好きです。
米国のポトマックの沢山のサクラは、日本が友好の絆として植えました。
And in April in Japan, Sakura is carried out at the national carnival.
Thank you.
From Japan.
Ryoma Sakamoto.
LOL. No, YOU are blowing my mind. I didn’t realize (at first)that you also made the bag from scratch!! Humor & craft go together like peanut butter & jelly. 🙂
hey there! I am a German speaker and i can tell you, it is hilarious what some Japanese brands print on their textiles. often it is German but in bits and pieces. like whats on your bag. it translates pretty much like google said but to me it seems like they just took some randome a wine-ad and put it one a bag XD
Liebe Grüße (it is german for: “all the best” or “regards”)
ps: love your DIYs. keep them going!
Thank you Kity (love the name!). What an insight into my crazy bag! A wine ad, huh. Thanks for the insight and your kind words!:-)