There is something about a long weekend that lets you breathe out and relax a bit more. We have a three day weekend here in Canberra this weekend and just knowing that there is an extra day up our sleeves has seen the chicks and I enjoying pottering around the nest without rushing off to fit everything in. (The fact that none of their sports had a scheduled game on today didn’t hurt!)
Between having friends over to play (the boy and his friend spent a few hours rearranging all spare pieces of wood they could find in the backyard as part of their game – and when they couldn’t find anymore they just liberated some fence palings!) and catching up on laundry, it occurred to me that I needed a gift for the children to give their afternoon visitor. Their father’s partner has been in the country, and in town, for a few days for work, and had arranged to come and spend the afternoon with us (yes it is complicated – but she is lovely.) She had her birthday last week, so the artist-in-residence got to work on making a card, and I decided that this was a great opportunity to work on a design that I have been mulling over in my head for a few weeks.
The end result? A new ‘bucket bag’!
I was keen to play with different fabrics to create different looks. This was my first one and I like the way the colours and patterns worked together. We presented it to our visitor this afternoon and she liked it – and promptly put it to use (always a good sign!). So I decided to make another one and perfect the pattern a bit. For this one the only real change I made was making the strap a bit wider.
Hmmm…. the contrast between nighttime and daytime photos is pronounced isn’t it? Might have to reshoot these tomorrow!
I might try the same shape with a more integrated ‘wrap around’ pocket as the next variation. I am also toying with the idea of making a tutorial on how to make it. (I have been spending so much time looking at other people’s tutorials recently I am thinking it is about time I gave something back!)
Tomorrow my plan is to get to the Handmade Markets that are being held in Canberra. I have wanted to attend for a long time (they are held several times a year) and this weekend there is nothing more pressing to prevent me getting there (so far!). I hope to walk away even more inspired to create some other designs, or combinations of colour and pattern. They are also holding an event for “Knit in Public Day” – and I made the mistake of telling the artist-in-residence about it. So now she wants to learn to crochet (because I can’t knit!) by tomorrow afternoon so that we can go and participate. Hmmmm……wish me luck.
I hope that your weekend is going well.
a little bird made me 