15 August 2006
Here's that new bag I was working on during the 12 of 12:
It's a bit wider than it looks in the photo below; it's small, but big enough for everything you need plus a book. This bag actually came to me in a dream, right before I woke up one morning. It wasn't exactly like this -- I don't really own the fabric I dreamt up, but this is pretty close. I've been calling it the toaster cozy bag, because of the quiltiness and its striking resemblance to my parents' toaster cozy (. . . duh -- that didn't really need explanation, did it?).
This is one of the first new projects I've made specifically with my book in mind. I took photos of each step, and I don't think I'll be able to resist playing around in InDesign for much longer.
One of the lessons I learned with the Crafter's Companion is to let ideas and styles gel before diving right in with the actual designing. It took several goes to get CC just right, but when I found the perfect font and colours, I knew it, and it was much easier from then on.
I keep having little ideas pop into my head for my own book (which I'm calling Useful Things (to Sew and Crochet)), so I'm just filing them away until I get to a point where I can start serious work. One such idea is 'Easy Peasy Projects' -- little sidebars/bubbles with extra simple projects (things like the mousemat cover I made a while back) which hardly need explanation; they're mostly there for inspiration.
Lastly, thank you for all the well wishes! It's not so much that I don't believe in having regrets (you can repeat mistakes without them, after all); I just don't regret the choices I've made in this case. I'm passing on 50% of my well wishes to Rob, if you don't mind. At least I get to go off and move to a 'foreign' country to keep my spirits up!
P.S. -- Having just read Mary-Ellen's comment on the last post, I'm reminded -- does anybody want a nice pair of birdies? They. . . use up scraps of fabric that would otherwise litter your floor. They sing lovely songs that sound nothing like a squeaky trolly and aren't at all loud. Free to a good home in the London area! They come with their own cage! And a giant bag of seeds! Definitely worth it for the seeds alone! I'll also bake you your very own loaf of pumpkin bread!
your dreambag is lovely, i'd enjoy curling up with it for sure. i appreciate your thoughts on things, especially the "no regrets" stuff. and i'd love to own a pet bird or two again but i'm so far off. best of the blessings.
posted by cat at August 15, 2006 05:10 PM
That is a comfy little bag. I love it, as I love all the things you make!
I'm not quite sure what a toaster cozy is -- one takes the toast out when it's done, so what is left to keep warm? Or is it to keep the dust off the toaster while decorating the kitchen?
I'd love to be a crafty friend of yours in Minnesota, but I'm all the way over in Michigan. Let me know if you're ever in the Lansing area. I'd love to meet you and get you together with some of my crafty friends.
posted by anne at August 15, 2006 07:40 PM
What a cute bag! I love the soft look, and that it'll hold a book. I always seemed to be trapped somewhere waiting without a book because my bag isn't big enough to carry one around. Also, just wanted you to know that I live in Minneapolis, and there are lots of great crafty people around. I'm sure there are lots of crafting groups, but ours is called the International Crafter's Conspiracy. We meet once a month. There's usually lots of wine involved.
posted by julie at August 15, 2006 10:47 PM
Such a lovely bag!!!
posted by li li at August 16, 2006 08:09 AM
Hi Anna, I have enjoyed reading your blog and I'm really sad that you are leaving the UK. I still get really excited when I find blogs i like from the UK! I would be really interested in your birds, I have loved all the pictures of them on your blog. For a while I thought really seriously about getting some because I was so inspired by yours! Anyway, I am really sorry that you can't take them back to the states with you and if you are looking for a new home for them I would be very interested. I don't know anything about keeping birds though so I might need some tips!
posted by Lara at August 16, 2006 09:28 AM
hihi.. i was searching for pics of cup cakes and I got into ya blog. I love the layout and everything.
I am from Singapore. Ya entries are interesting and unique! About the break up, I hope u are dealing with it well. I broke up about one and a half mth ago too. Just realised that actually life goes on as usual and even better! so good luck!
posted by shirley at August 16, 2006 03:55 PM
Hmm...I'm more of a cat person than a bird person...and I don't live in the London area...but...I like pumpkin bread.
Where do I sign up?
And, yes, good luck to you AND Rob...transitions are never easy, but there's always something good waiting around the next corner if you're looking for it.
posted by Laura at August 17, 2006 01:30 PM