moop knockoff

Have you ever heard of Moop bags?

I've loved them for quite a while now... thoughtfully designed, well made bags.

I just can't afford to buy one. Or two. Or, heaven forbid, three or four; because I wouldn't be able to choose just one. They're all just that great.

So, I did the next best thing. I hunted down some waxed canvas fabric, and made my own.

front of the bag... there are two pockets hiding under the flap; and a snap-fastening strap looping through that rectangular ring

back of the bag, with its zipped pocket

floral cotton interior with a yellow-spotted pocket, a key-ring holder, and plenty of space for my stuff

It's based on Moop's Letter Clutch, only bigger, and with a cross-body strap. I love , love, love it. I may have finally found my perfect bag.

Next up, an Epiphanie camera bag knock-off.

edited to add: I've created a tutorial, if you'd like to make your own Moop knock-off... Parts One, Two, Three, Four and Five...

iron craft 6

Do you know how hard it is to think up a winter-themed project when the trees are starting to bud outside? Spring is just around the corner, people!

Well, at least, it is here in my corner of the world...

I do realize that there are still many places where the country is in the middle of winter still. I both feel sorry for you, and am envious of you, all at the same time. I really love winter. And snow. And having four distinct seasons. That's what I grew up with. And now, I live in a place that gets winter for a week or two every second or third year. Sigh.

And of course, I can't forget about those of you on the southern half of the world, where fall is just approaching. Lucky you! I love autumn.

But, lucky for me, I also really love spring, and I'm so happy that it's almost here!

Back to winter, though. It wasn't easy to tear my thoughts away from the new haze of bright green that is starting to blanket the world here, and think of something winter-themed. But I did eventually manage to do it.





Snowflakes.

Cold shiny silver.

Glittery ice-clear facets.

A necklace fit for the Snow Queen herself. (I'll be sure to give it to her, the next time I see her.)

daybook

I'm so not motivated to blog these days... life is very busy, though it mostly seems as though nothing is ever accomplished. It's depressing. So here's my fill-in-the-blanks attempt to get back into it.

TODAY

Outside my window... a blustery wind. This morning it was pouring rain. The weather is never boring at this time of year.

I am thinking... about love. And letting go. And sacrifice. And growing up.

I am thankful for... friends. tea with lemon. a car that runs. chocolate. jeans that fit. new books to read.

From the learning rooms... Ellie loves math best of all. And she's developing into a rather good artist. She sketched a mug today, from several different viewpoints. I was quite impressed.

From the kitchen... soup. ahhhhh, soup. Greek red lentil, today. so good.

I am wearing... warmth. not fashion.

I am creating... costumes. Yes, it is that time of year again. Drama time. This year, it's The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe. Right now I'm working on Aslan's costume.

I am going... round in circles. And, predictably, getting dizzy.

I am reading... stacks and stacks of books. Being sick seems to open up time for that - not much motivation for anything beyond lounging around on the couch. I just finished reading Speaker for the Dead by Orson Scott Card. Loved it.

I am hoping... for sunshine.

I am hearing... silence. At last. I crave it; wait for it all day long.

Around the house... a mess. We've all been sick, in turns; not much has been done. I will have to work like a maniac tomorrow, though, because we have guests coming in the evening. Fortunately they are friends, and I don't feel the need to impress them...

A few plans for the rest of the week:

• menu planning and grocery shopping
• a photo walk : I've heard that we're supposed to get sunshine on Wednesday
• sorting and purging one room... to start with. I'm frustrated with how quickly stuff accumulates.

Here is picture that I am sharing...

not a terribly great photo... my attempt at finding beauty in all this rain...

More daybook pages can be found here.

iron craft 5

Be mine.

That was the challenge this week: to make a valentine. A card, a plushie, a sweet treat... anything. So I'm going to show you the beginnings of what I'm making for my sweetie for Valentine's day. (Ray, if you see this, please at least try to pretend to be surprised.)

This is page one of several. And that's all I'm going to say for now.