I was discussing the word "product" with my darling niece. I think that word is very disparaging to effort of the artist. Many yeas ago, I heard Harry Connick Jr. tell his interviewer that he would have a new "product" out shortly. Now he is a man that has been entertaining since he was a young child and yet he could demean his gift by calling it a product. Well, I don't want to do that to my efforts. This is the "product" of the last six weeks. I just enjoy the fact that this is the first time that I have been able to make three. I mean 3 purse in six weeks. Yeah!!! I feel so "productive"!
I found this vintage needle point about one month ago. I have been thinking about it from the day it came into my life. I offered it to my darling niece but she said that I should keep it. That presented a new set of problems. Should I keep it and use if as the pillow that it was intended or should I just feel free and cut it into the size I wanted? I have a hard time in cutting or changing a piece of work that someone else has crafted. Even though it is mine and even if it is old. I felt very daring and I went ahead and cut it to the size I wanted. I had been looking at one of my books about handbags and I was intrigued by the "basket purses" there were popular in the 1880's. I liked that idea. Even though I did not use a basket for the foundation, I did use a form the wrap the needlepoint around. The top, which is silk, does not close but it gives the impression of closing. The chain seems to enrich the colors of the needlepoint. It has changed from from my original concept but it always works better if I follow the flow. It is not a small purse. It measures 12" (top of silk) x 8" wide.
I subscribe to a site about cat's health. I was reading that all cats need mental stimulation. Cats are one of the most intelligent of animals. I have always known this but with two cats that chase each other around the house constantly, I didn't think that they would need stimulation. After a couple of days of thinking about this, I went on line to look for web sites for cat toys. They had become bored with the cat nip toys, balls and their cat tree. They like the tree most of all but they have begun to use it as a bed, rather than an exercise toy. Now, after seeing how much fun they are having, I will have to schedule purchases or make toys for them. Penelope can't stop playing. Chester likes the cat nip that I laced the card board scratching round. As I said before, Penelope really does know what looks good on her. She is a natural star, what charisma!
While looking for some papers, I came across this little Amber Frog. He is studded with tiny cabochons of Turquoise. Toward the end of my Uncle's life, he became very interested in frogs and their metamorphosis. My Uncle was spiritual and always optimistic. While I worked for him, he had been interested in butterflies, I imagine,for the same reason. He felt that we all had the potential of becoming better. He must have bought this frog to include in a piece of jewelry. Maybe on closer examination, he felt it wasn't fine enough. Or what I prefer to think, he was so charmed by this little fellow that he just held it in his hand to look at it. Being Amber, the hand would warm it and the energy of the stone would be able to communicate. Regardless, Froggy is charming.
I received this charming envelope from Annie, my "Great" niece. I quickly opened it and I pulled out this charming "potholder". The envelope shows one of my dogs and one of my cats. In the balloons over their heads, the dog has a dog biscuit and the cat (who must be Penelope) has a picture of a fish. It is so colorful and I know that all the way down here, the people at the Post Office laughed. My Postman even gave me a chuckle when he handed over my mail. The potholder is so colorful and I can tell that Annie made it that way because I enjoy color so much. It is such a darling, spontaneous gift. It took me back at least 50 years ago, when I made pot holders as well. I had so much fun making for s long as the loops held out. Then I pleaded for another bag of loops. Wasn't it fun? I think that this was the first time that I made something that adults would use and also be pleased having. My Grandmother gave the kit to both of us, but my sister wasn't to interested. I then took the overflow potholders around the neighborhood and sold them for 25 cents each. It was exciting to make something an adult would enjoy. Now, fifty years later I received a reminder of my youth. And I see why the adults responded to me in such a positive way. I was so happy to get this colorful potholder and the fabric is much better than what I had. This one is a big improvement and the colors are so terrific. Thank you, Annie!!!!
I was given this very old tapestry and was trying to figure out how to use it. Then is looking in one of my books, I realized that the tapestry fabric is used through out "purse" history. In considering that, I came upon a design. I cut the top half off because the design interfered with my plans. It won't be easy but, hey what is fun if it is easy? This is a very fine weave and it is wool. I washed it carefully and dried and blocked it. I am pretty excited about the potential of it. The mark on the middle top is a leaf, not a spot.
I think that I mentioned that I changed computers (sort of like converting to another religion). I got a Mac computer. And I do not really know how to use it properly. So, I now have tutors. I have my darling niece and on the very high order of tutors, I hired Lucy! She really knows more about Macs than I do! Both children were over this weekend and the first person to use my computer was Lucy and then Hollis. I look at the photo and I see little cat prints on the wall beneath the window, the Oatmeal box I used to bead my "reticule" and too many monitors for computer. What does one do with outmoded monitors? They still work and I should go on "freebies" on Craig's List. There is another item to put on my long, long list. That nightgown is three years old. I bought a remnant and since her father has a black and white cat, I made this small piece of material work for a nightgown. She won't give it away and I have made more nightgowns since this one. She knows what she likes!
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.
I was discussing the word "product" with my darling niece. I think that word is very disparaging to effort of the artist. Many yeas ago, I heard Harry Connick Jr. tell his interviewer that he would have a new "product" out shortly. Now he is a man that has been entertaining since he was a young child and yet he could demean his gift by calling it a product. 
