BirdBrain Designs

Archives for December 2017

back at the moodie cottage

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I’ve written about the Moodie Cottage before. In fact it is almost two years since I sketched it.  For that sketch I was sitting in my car. This week has been far too cold for that, so this was done from a photo taken in the bright winter sun yesterday. This is the back end of the house where I lived in the 1970’s, a lifetime ago now. Susanna Moodie settled in the main house in 1840, several more lifetimes ago. Her life here, 130 years earlier, was considerably harder than mine. The house is not giving up any secrets of her time or mine–but standing solid and elegant still almost two centuries later. 

back to sketching

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It is terrifically cold these days where I live. The CBC reported that today was the coldest day on this date since the early 1960’s. -18 C with a wind chill of -30C. It’s far to cold to sketch outside–but the light and shadows on the snow are so beautiful they are hard to resist. So, I headed out with my camera and then painted at home by the fire. I’m on a quest to paint all my favourite buildings in my city. As I sketch them I learn so much about their structure and design, about the architects who designed them and the owners who preserved them. Even though I have admired these structures for years, I learn so much more with a paint brush in hand.

a couple of black leather bags

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One of the pre-xmas orders I had was for a black shoulder bag that wasn’t too big but had lots of storage; a bag small enough to fit in a larger tote but big enough to stand on its own. I ended up making the two you see below. Each is lined with great a Marimekko house print in red and fuchsia. The first below has a full size outside pocket plus two inside. The second has a double outside pocket and another inside. The first is sold but the second will be in the online shop today along with a few other things. I’m sorry the shop has been empty for a while. It’s too late for the xmas rush, but maybe you will see something you love for yourself. 

two new totes

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I’ve put the covers on the sewing machines, swept the floor and put away all the tools. I’m happy to be closed for the season. I want to thank everyone who purchased at the house show, the gallery or ordered a bag or a scarf. I was as busy as I could be and am ready now for a change. I haven’t had my paints out since we were in Havana in November–and I haven’t posted any sketches from that wonderful holiday. 

Here are two new totes, both special orders. The first is an unlined leather travel tote with carry handles, a shoulder strap and a sturdy metal zipper closure. It has double pockets on the outside and three more pockets on the inside. Its understated elegance and utility makes its own statement.  18″x14.5″x5.5″

The second tote is made from dazzling Marimekko coated cotton with a leather bottom and lined with great red checked fabric. It has double pockets on the outside and more on the inside including a zippered one. It closes with a metal zipper and has leather handles which fit comfortably on your shoulder. 17″x14″x5.5″