This is an inspiring beaded bag which I found in my favourite second-time-around shop yesterday. I do not have much occasion for evening bags, but if I should ever need one, this is the bag for me. And what an interesting use of colour, shape and repetition–gives me great ideas for a hooked bag, or even a rug. I have been thinking that after the wedding rug, I might decompress with a big geometric. So this might be the beginning of the thought process.
This new Keller travel tote is made to carry all your travel gear. It is 16.5″x 16″ with a 6.5″ bottom, two pockets on the outside and two large ones inside and a metal zipper closing. I like the options of a shoulder strap and handles on a large tote and this tote has an adjustable webbing strap which I ‘borrowed’ from another bag. In fact this whole bag is a reincarnation–it had another life as a jacket and pair of Ralph Lauren pants. I have tried to retain as many of the geometric lines of the jacket as I could. The lining is heavy-duty canvas which gives the bag the strength it will need–and of course a couple of birdbrain graphics to make the owner smile.
I was at a meeting last night and re-encountered one of my hoooked bags. I made this bag about two years ago and it sold quickly–before I had even photographed it. It was like meeting an old friend! I took a couple of photos with my phone so that I could remember it–and share it with you.
I am about to begin hooking with the pile of t-shirts for a new project and the designs on this bag have inspired me. I am amazed how easily I forgot it–just shows how important it is to document our work!
I spent the morning screen printing, a good activity for a damp, dreary day. Above is the polka dot bird on a lovely khaki cotton. I picture it as the lining for bags and totes. Below are some sweatshirts which I screened with the Otter Lake Canoe Company logo and the polka dot bird.
I liked the look of the logo so much on the sweatshirts that I decided to experiment with it on wood. I had no idea if the image would take on the pine, but it worked beautifully. The plan is to make storage crates and smaller boxes with the logo on one end. My next trial will be screen printing on leather–I think it would be fun to make leather pouches with bird graphics on them.
I am working on a few things in the studio. I have exactly two weeks before I leave for a month in rural Kenya. So the start of 2013 sees me finishing things up. A bag or two. An application. And all the details which I need to settle before my trip. Here is the very last pair of 2012 mittens on their way to a new owner. One of the things you will see in the spring of 2013 is a new Birdbrain shop option. You will be able to look at several views of a product, get all the details about it, press purchase and use paypal. This should make things much smoother for you and me.
I hope that 2013 is starting off well for all of you. This is my second fresh new year on the blog and I want it to be a year of change and learning and contribution. Bob Ramsay has an interesting take on making each day count in today’s Toronto Star. Worth thinking about. Or as Mary Oliver asks,
Tell me, what else should I have done?
Doesn’t everything die at last, and too soon?
Tell me, what is it you plan to do
with your one wild and precious life?
I have begun to hook with strips of t-shirt material and it is taking some getting used to. First of all the cutting of the strips is a challenge. I am currently using a rotary cutter, but that takes so much time! Then there is deciding on the width of the strip–wider seems better. And I am discovering that cotton does not behave in the accommodating way wool does. In addition, finding good colours is a challenge–I have slipped in some dyed lime green nylons in this square, just for some pizzazz.
With all these negatives, why am I doing this, you ask? Well it is a challenge. And it is recycling. But the main reason is I am going to Kenya in January and hoping to teach the women in the village there how to hook rugs. I was looking for material which would be locally available and thought immediately of this source of cotton. So I am experimenting with all facets of this new hooking and will keep you posted.
And here is the next leather bag–still very much in process. This will be a big travel tote with handles and a cross-body strap. I order to make something this size, I am using two leather sources, a pebbly bomber jacket and a pair of leather pants. The colours seem to work well together, so I am just trying to work with the many seams in the jacket. Will let you know how this goes as well. 
Happy holidays to everyone. Thank you so much for visiting the blog throughout the year. Your comments and interest mean so much.
Christine
And so the Wedding Rug is finished. I began it last June in Vermont at Green Mountain Rug School. I drew the house and a couple of flowers while there, but had no overall plan. As with all my rugs, it developed over time, often taking over and directing me. As those of you who create know, the process is a mysterious one. At any rate, here it is, 4.5′ x 2.5′, ready for the newlyweds’ floor…well, not so newly-wed. As you can see from the date in the corner, this is their second Christmas together. But it’s never too late to celebrate a loving partnership!
