He is pretty fancy in all the bright colors-
Another face close-up, straight on (mug shot), where you can see his handkerchief in his pocket.
Cooper Bag by Colette Patterns
I am so behind on all the things I want to post about! I wanted a travel bag and so bought a pattern for the Cooper Bag. After I bought the pattern, I realized that I would never make it unless I scheduled a time. So, I signed up for a class at Gather Here– 3 evenings in May. It was a lot of fun to get out of the house and make something completely different and spend time with other makers!
Here it is, all finished, front and back.
And the inside-
And here I am, testing it out on my recent trip to NYC.
My thoughts on it after my trip. It is a great size for an overnight or weekend bag. I could fit everything I needed into it. It is too big for what I want in an everyday bag though, so that means I need to find something else to cover that. I think I would prefer strap closure to the snaps (or in addition to)- the snaps worked well but if I tried to over-stuff, even a little, I couldn’t secure the bag closed. I wish it had a secure outside pocket for things like tickets. The pockets at the bottom back edge are so public (?)- it felt like anything I put there could so easily be slipped out by someone behind me. I put an umbrella in one and a notebook in another. Those are all minor criticisms though- the bag worked well for my trip and I know I will get a LOT of use out of it!
Mister Finch <3
So, I went to New York to go to an opening. I have never done that before but really, Mister Finch was in town and I had to see his work and say hello!
It was totally worth it! Go see it if you can. The show is up until the end of July at the Steven Kasher Gallery. And the gallery is right next to the High Line and that’s fun too! Here’s pics. I love how the pieces are displayed and the shadows that the art works cast. Sorry random people that got into my pics- it was really crowded.
My new current fantasy, the one where you suddenly have all the money and don’t have to work, would be to go to UK and travel around and visit all the amazing artists I’ve met through the internet but never in person. It is always amazing to finally meet in person. And then, after I’ve done the UK, I’d be off to Australia. Better start saving my money, right?!
hear me talk
Last week, Salley Mavor and I talked to Abby Glassenberg for her podcast. It was a great conversation and you can listen in!
fox girl in green
I got one of the fox girls finished!
She has a knitted lace collar- I bought the lace when I went to the Vintage Textile Show at the beginning of the month. Hurray for buying and then actually using versus hoarding, which is very easy for me to do. She has some flowers in her paw.
And, the stuff in her purse-
I am sorry that the photo doesn’t show the little button which is an antique black glass butterfly button.
goings on
There is lots going on around here. This morning, I packed up two orders, walked to the post office, then the bank, then the library and back home. And somehow, since I haven’t done any sewing, I feel like I haven’t gotten anything done! So, now I am writing a blog post. Last week I took a super-fast, overnight trip to Brooklyn to see the year-end show at the NYU Game Center where one son is getting his MFA. Next week, I will probably go back again for Mister Finch‘s show. Busy, busy!
I’ve got a table full of foxes waiting for me.
But, I’ve gotten distracted by ornaments.
When I was asked to design some ornaments for West Elm, I needed to come up with a lot of ideas and then they picked what they wanted. The thing is, I liked all of them! It has been tickling the back of my conscious brain ever since that I should move forward with these others and make patterns. I even got started a few times but ended up getting flooded with ideas and then feeling overwhelmed. This time, I said I would teach a class to make ornaments. That is the way I finish things- commit to someone else. So, moving forward! So far I have a fish, a whale, robot, and a long list, drawings, and first try prototypes of lots of other things. I will keep you informed as they move forward.
What else? I am taking a class to make the Cooper bag. I know, busman’s holiday, but I knew I wouldn’t get to it if I didn’t schedule a time. Hopefully it will be done on Wednesday evening and then I can show you.
I am going to Portland, Oregon in July (8- 13). So excited!
I’m not sure if I mentioned it before, but a reminder since I’m making a list here- I am not planning on doing any shows this year. It doesn’t look like that will slow down my traveling though!
bright boy kitty
He’s kitty number 5 and the last for now. I onto foxes next.
He is lots of bright colors.
butterfly kitty
She is #4.
When I sorted through my wool fabrics last winter and came across this orange herringbone, it seemed perfect for a kitty. Then, when she was ready to dress, I discovered the real challenge. The bold herringbone was very difficult to match up with clothing colors and patterns. It all worked out though- I love my sweet butterfly moon kitty!
kitty boy (3)
The third kitty is warmly dressed in muted colors but he has his red and black checked vest under his jacket.
He has a cashmere scarf and a functional backpack that closes with a tie and an antique button.
Kitty #2
I guess I like how this folk pattern looks with a black and white kitty because I did it again!
And here is a detail of her basket-
