summer bag in progress

My first commission - and it is a beaut.   I have been asked to,  "create a bag for my 14year old daughter" - the only guideline was "she doesn't like the color Pink!". -  what to do?  I looked at bags in teen shops, and was disappointed they were all so plastic or limp and lifeless. So I thought I would keep the shape of the bags that I saw and put together a summer bag with side pockets and a bow in the front.  A little unsure about the bow, but as it took me about three hours to create it I have now decided to leave it as is.  The handles will be on very shortly.  Will post when complete.

The receiver may well mumble thanks (as 14 year olds are wont to do, I may even get a roll of the eyes and a 'yeah thanks'), always a risk with a teen when parents think they are doing something out of the norm as conformity with peers is a major consideration.
The bag may well be lost in the bottom of her wardrobe to then be tossed when know one is looking.  BUT she is entitled to do that.


My deadline for gift giving is 6.30pm tonight - 02.10.10.




FINISHED!!  with only minor drama's and wrestling.  memo to brain - big embellishment on front means needing three pairs of hands to wrestle it into shape.


Happy Birthday Katie.



opinions?

Sunday slacking in the garden

A glorious spring day - the hammock has been taken out of its winter hibernation much to the delight of Miss Darcy (the Burmese Ginger Ninja).  

I just laid for a moment and curiosity got the better of her, I found myself pinned down to support her being able to peer out across the garden.

After being dismissed as a prop, I wandered to my journal and gave myself permission to sit for an hour and play.  My favorite photo of my mother and grandmother taken on a sunny day by an obscure uncle in the early 1940's - for all their tugs and pulls over the years this photo, for me, is about  love, tenderness and the delight found in each other.  My journal is better for it, having found this photo - a reminder to play when you can and delight in the small moments.

Loving the adventure

Sydney...no one said it was going to windy, blowing a gale in fact.  Maria and I huddled while Allison tried to hold steady to take the shot.  Might be a bit wobbly but we are enjoying the moment.

Spent five days in Sydney last week at a conference.  Made eye contact with the icons of Australia - walked until the back of my legs ached and still didn't see all I wanted to.  Caught all the aussie icons in the photo, Opera House, Bridge, Tower and the Manly Ferry and managed to keep the horizon straight....mostly
The food was great and the cost reasonable, (when will Perth restaurants stop charging horrendous amounts for food?) the service was fantastic - Blue Crab is wonderful as is eating waffles, vanilla icecream and hot fudge sauce late at night.  Every one I met who was asked directions were only too happy to help and to give extra directions to fabulous artisans and galleries, was great to meet such lovely people.

Next travel log will be in October, off to Melbourne for a few days and catch up with Princess Lavendah and an exploration (again) of wonderful food, locating fabrics (we are fabric junkies), craft markets and galleries.

Blossoms across the road

All the fruit trees in the orchards are in bloom.  They squat on the slopes catching morning rays, pinks and white blooms lay stripes across the hill, greedily this flag of color turns their capped faces to the sun. pulling the warmth into themselves ready to hand over their luscious fruit in a few short months.

Spring Bag

I had fun with this one.  When we lived in Canada fall was my favorite season. the colors of the leaves changing, green and luscious in summer. Reds, browns to the tinder dryness of the maples,  the slowing pace of the day.  Stark and bare waiting for snow.  Back home in Perth, it has been so very cold up in the hills, no snow though, we still have the fire on in the evening and crisp mornings.  BUT, spring is in the air, the buds on the fruit tree's, azaleas are just showing of their skirts, the roses are straining with purple/green new growth.  A cusp of waiting for the moment when all the hidden promise will give way and color lights up the garden.  The sun comes up earlier and your arrive home in daylight.  

Nothing so inspiring or poetic made me choose the design and colors of this bag - or, I could be wrong,  it was the little bits of material that I had hidden away (leftovers) which reminded me of the colored leaves in my garden which are bright and strong.    

new bag

front of bag or do I make something else?