Finished Backpacks!

So, all of my kids have started school for the year. and i actually finished backpacks for two of them before school started. i did a little tweaking of the pattern when i made the second of these backpacks, because i wanted the straps to be more appropriate for a youngster. the day in the park backpack/tote pattern is a great pattern, but i realized once i had it made, it's not really proportioned for kids. i think for my littlest's backpack, i might try this pattern. (actually, there are several of rae's patterns that i'd like to try!) but my two boys have enjoyed using their homemade backpacks, although i do wonder if at some point (if i continue this craze of homemade madness) if they will begin to resent me for not having the store bought things!

this girl knows what i like...

i received a wonderful gift a few weeks ago... a friend of mine handed me a bag full of vintage buttons, knowing that i've been making some fabric wrist cuffs and that buttons can make or break the whole cuff. i can't wait to figure out which ones i want to use first... maybe the ivory one with the carved flower, or the crocheted brown one, but the greyish blue one is really great too... thank you lisa!

so sorry...

... i have been away so long. the past few weeks have gotten the best of me, and i've been busy with our end of the summer vacation, the beginning of school and our new routine, and some new projects. i have also been doing some thrifting and collecting. it's so much fun to find things discarded by others and give a new life to them. i had great success a few weeks ago finding some new winter duds, and this past week i found the fabric above that i'm so excited about. i had no idea how much was in the bag when i purchased these, but there are over 3 yards of each, and i've got plans in my head already for both.

i am also very excited about the possibility of a new studio space. i tried it out yesterday for a few hours while my little ones were in school, and it was so nice to be all alone with my paints again - and i can tell i've grown a great deal in the past few years. the pressure of making something "worthwhile" was gone, and i was able to just enjoy the process. i think that's a small taste of victory for me! soon i'll post some pics of what i'm working on...

So I made a little progress

At the expense of some much needed sleep last night, I made some progress on the first of three backpacks. The pattern has been very easy to follow so far - lots of steps but not difficult. Next up is the lining, which includes a zippered pocket, so we'll see how well I pull that off. J's not too excited so far, but I think once he can put it on, he'll be hooked. He loves to have a bag to put all of his things in to. And there are all kinds of pockets and hiding places in this backpack to carry his beloved treasures.

Earthborn Pottery

Through a random coarse of events, I ended up being introduced to an incredible Birmingham artist a couple of weeks ago. I had noticed Cahaba Clayworks on a recent drive through Leeds, and then I was able to meet Tena Payne of Earthborn Pottery who owns part of the Cahaba Clayworks studio. It is a massive building out in Leeds, Al where several potters have studio space. I fell in love with Tena's work after seeing her website and then getting to see some of her work in person. It is so, well, earthy... I love the heavy feel of it and the rough edges... Tena was very generous and gave me a small plate that I have been using as my utensil holder on my stovetop. It's a welcome addition to my kitchen. If you have a chance, check out the earthborn pottery website or better yet check out the studio. They offer pottery classes periodically - I think a new one is starting this week. I always love finding local artists whose work I admire.