i froze my bum off today getting pics of my bags...

It's one of THOSE days.
I can't even show you the pictures i took this morning of my bags because we are currently borrowing a friend's old laptop and it can't handle the format we took the pics in. I wanted to get some bags listed already today but i cant find my measuring tape to get accurate measurements for the listing. Arg!



Though it ain't all bag news (sic)! We heard from immigration today. Our applications have been processed and we are still legal. Phew. That horrible knot in my stomach is suddenly gone. So the photos, the cold and the measuring tape, small potatoes.

I've been knitting away trying to get a bunch to put up every day or so in the lead up to Christmas. And I'm pleased with the results. mostly. I fear I shall always be my worst critic.

Some of these bags have been knitted when I've been in a very dark place, it's nice to see
creativity come out of chaos.
I've even had a go at an ipod sleeve and i like it. It is helpful to have small items I can churn out faster than the bags.

It's off to an encouraging start!

Oh my goodness! My shop is empty, I've sold three bags in the last week and I've been told this is unusual. Doris was only for sale for an hour, maximum before she was snatched up! Needless to say lots of 'i just sold my bag' dances have been performed :o)

Ok so stay with me, there will be more and soon! As of tomorrow I will have 4 more bags (of some shape and form) felted and one big big bag embroidered and ready for posting. So there is plenty more to come and lots to go around.

I'm getting lots of ideas ticking around in my head. I have ideas of fabric covered buttons and felted flowers on the bags. And I am getting a little faster. Me and Shane went for a beautiful drive today to see the winter landscape and Shane took some pictures (we really do live in an incredibly beautiful place). I was suprised to see that I had almost knitted a whole bag during the drive!

The whole process all together takes longer than I'd expected. I had assumed that once I got the knitting done it'd be a breeeze. But there's alot more:

felting
trimming the fuzz (the most tedious part)
embroidery
cutting the base out
sewing the base cover
taking the photos
writing the description
listing the bag
packing it up
posting it

this all takes time! oh but it's still fun and I get delight from nearly all of it.

When the first bag sold I couldn't sleep because I kept imagining the buyer receiving it and not liking it! I've chilled out a little bit since then, had a good look at my creations and thought 'these are darn cool bags!' Polly the Peacock Bag is being taken to Holland for a 'Sinterklaas' gift! a Dutch tradition of present giving before Christmas. So I must wave goodbye to my 'babies' , yuck, did I really just say that!?

meet Doris the Bird Bag..

Hi Guys, I am Doris, The Bird Bag

I am knit lovingly in a 100% pea-soup-green wool from one of Canada’s oldest woollen mills, Briggs and Little. Then I was felted to keep me strong and sturdy for the many, many items you will cart around in me.

I have a little bird embroidered on me in wool and cotton yarn. When it isn’t too busy flying about with a twig full of berries it tells me little secrets, if you listen very carefully he may tell you some as well. The bird is sewn in cream with lovely dark turquoise wings and a tail. The beak is orange. The twig is brown and it is full of bright berries in orange, red and maroon.

I am indeed spacious, my measurements are: 12 inches wide, 11.5 inches high, 4.5 inches deep and my straps are 10 inches high at its peak. I can easily carry a large magazine, book, water bottle , purse, small camera and all the other bits and bobs you simply must have on you. My straps are so fun as each one is twisted together with two knitted, felted cords, so from every angle I am an eye catchin’ delight!

**Please feel free to take out a measuring tape and have a good think about what size I am**

I clasp together with a nice, big wooden button, sewn on with the contrasting turquoise colour and the crochet button loop is the same fun bright colour as the rest of me. I even have a fabric-covered base to keep me in shape and always looking good :o)

I am going to make you a very happy little owner, I know ya see, a little bird told me so.

Yours Expectantly

Doris (the bird bag).

p.s. You can read about me and my friends at www.steenink.blogspot.com

i can empathise

my bags just got featured!

Check it out. High praise indeed!

I've been knitting all day in The Red Whale Coffee Comapny, I have become a regular fixture in 'The Whale' - experimenting to see where the embarassment threshold lies exactly when asking for yet another top up of hot water in my tea :o)

I was even graced with the wonderful presences of Heidi and Shane and David. What a lucky girl I am. I am working on a really nice pea-soup-green bag, it should be ready for felting this evenin'.