Friday, January 30, 2009

Lucy's New Robe







Last year my son and his family moved to a "new" house. They are crazy about the house. It needs a lot of re-modeling, which they are doing. But the house is extremely cold. It has only a space heater in the wall between the living room and the hallway.
Right before Christmas, my daughter-in-law called and said that what the children really needed were robes. That was an excellent idea, as I still had time to make them.

I used an idea and pattern that I had made for my nephew. A simple robe with a shawl collar, but on the back I put the initial of my nephew. I did my nephew's in emerald green terry, with a royal blue initial. It wore extremely well through my nephew, my son and now my nephew's son. The robe has been around a long time!!

After the call to make robes came, the next Saturday I went to the fabric store and looked around. The terry cloth was of very poor color as well as quality. I skipped that. I went over to the aisle for fleece. There was an extensive amount. All the lovely colors that I could want. I made my decision for both of the robes. Pink for Lucy and red for Hollis. Lucy's initial would be in contrasting pinks and Hollis' initial would be orange. The combination of red and orange is something I find really exciting.
I had closed my shop for the 2 weeks of Christmas to New Year's, so I had plenty of time to do the work. It was such a joy to work on these robes. Knowing that they were needed helped a lot!

I have my special model doing Lucy's robe but the other model insisted it didn't fit (in a pique for it not being a toy. Christmas, remember!).

The last photo is my baby panther catching a fly. The sweet little darling.

Monday, January 26, 2009

The Gift of Silk

The gift of silk. Was silk a gift from one of the Magi? If not, then maybe it should have been. The luxury and iridescence of silk is wonderful.

I received some designer samples of silk from my darling niece. When I receive or purchase really extraordinary fabric, my heart beats faster. It really does! The excitement of possibilities is thrilling. I looked at and studied theses samples for quite a while. I touched and caressed and dreamed this lovely fabric that has such an ancient history. Just think of the Silk Road , to know of the romance that it brings to my mind.
The way I approach making a purse is quite a lot like being a sculptor. I study and think. Then I see the answer just as if the fabric is speaking to me. I had three samples of the same fabric design, but in different colors measuring 18"x15". The is design is of embroidered pineapples, all done in complimentary threads. I decided that I needed to combine the fabric in a quilted purse. I cut out each pineapple and had enough for a small purse. I lined the inside with the remaining fabric. I was given a very nice thin chain, long enough to go through the channel twice. It all came out just like a dinner dance purse that you can see in the 1930's movies.

Saturday, January 24, 2009

The Cracking of the Atom



This is not really about physics but about the ways of nature. I had a very beautiful cat. She was funny, brave and very devoted. She had this funny way about her. If she was very interested in something, her nose would turn bright pink. She was my friend for almost twenty years. Last October she died. I knew the time was near. Roxanne got weaker and weaker. She died without all the problems and illness that one would associate with death. She just passed away.
I grieved and still do grieve. It is impossible to lose some creature that has shared so much with you and not regret.
The house was empty, but her spirit still seemed to be with me. Slowly the feeling left. By Christmas time, I felt like I could hear the echoes of my footsteps. When that happened, I knew it was time for another friend.
I started looking at the rescue sites on my computer but nothing really sang out to me. A few seemed like they would fill in the picture but they didn't work out. Then right before New Year's when I was looking through Pet Finders, I saw this sweet looking kitten. I wasn't looking for a kitten but this face caught my attention. The description of the kitten mentioned that she had a very close friend and it would be a shame to part the two. That did give me a pause. Two kittens? I didn't know. I scrolled up to look at her friend. He was completely black! How unique could that be? A completely white kitten and a completely black kitten. The completion of my Roxanne - or the cracking of Roxanne (the atom).

Friday, January 23, 2009

"My" Purse


Every purse that I design usually starts out as a new purse for me. Now that said, I haven't made a purse for myself in three years. They always start that way but I veer off and they land in someone else's hand. This particular purse I assured myself that I would finish and use. It was designed very carefully, it had all the details that I wanted and needed. The outside fabric was good to the touch (I am a toucher and I like and respond to the feel of a fabric), I went on "ebay" and found just the right carving for the outside, the lining was silk and had plenty of pockets for cell phone, keys, glasses. It all came together just as I imagined. It almost happened to be "my" purse but then a wonderful lady in New York came into the picture.

Wednesday, January 21, 2009

Cruising at Slow Speed


This is my first time out on this new journey which is called a blog. I'm moving very slowly although I'm really looking forward to unrolling the windows and feeling the wind in my hair.
My name is Pat. I live in Los Angeles. I was born into a family of designers and artists. True bohemianism runs in my veins. I've had a full life wearing many hats. I've been a Daughter, Mother, Wife, Sister, Aunt, Granddaughter and friend. I've been the student, an employee, a designer, a caregiver and for the last thirty years, the owner and operator of a business. (Voiceamp.com)
The thread that runs most consistently through my life is that of the designer.
The joy and challenge of creativity is part of what sustains me and feeds me. Today, I design purses. I love the venue of blogging! I love to see what people make, what their lives are like, so now I am joining in to share about myself.