Time For The Old Bag To Retire

No not that one!!! This one:

I made this tote 3 years ago. I got tired of the ones I bought disintegrating before my eyes. I also wanted something I could carry all the time and not look like I bought it at the tourist traps where the cruise ships come in! So a bit of upholstery fabric and some really cool beaded trim and I was good to go. "Besepting" I wasn't expecting it to last this long and still look as good as it did when I put the last stitch into it. I mean I get a bit bored after carrying the same thing every (almost every) day for this long!

Soooooooooo here is the new 2010 model:

Let me apologize right up front, the photos are poopie. Very strange weather today with wonky clouds and haze. It was good for taking photos of shadows but not much else. :( I thought I'd do a bit of a collage (fabric not that evil paper kind) I printed a couple of vintage travel post cards and one "cabinet card" on fabric. Cut out a few scraps from some of my favorite materials and stitched them together with a cute little decorative stitch. Oh the wonders of modern technology!!

The cabinet card is the one we use for El Pajarita y El Jaguar. Yeeessss I know what blatant advertising is, but heck if I don't toot our horn no one else is going to. Besides those cheeky baby critters are always hungry!!

On the inside of the top flap I stuck a couple of my favorite cabinet card and quotes. pretty much sums things up for me. The ccc says "impossible  imagine believe create"  "The other ones says "Art is the only way to run away without leaving home" (Twyla Tharp) Don't we all know that one. And it has saved my somewhat questionable sanity plenty of times. When I make art I step into my own little world, of my making. The one place  where it is always safe to be me.

 

The front of the flap has a few special pieces that remind me of what is important to hang on to as I wander down that yellow brick road that is my life.

A watch face without arms it's not the past nor the future that needs to be lived in. "Be happy this moment, for this moment is your life!" This armless face is rather special because my little sister Renate sent it to me. She shared some of her lovely flea market stash! :) It's on top of a lace heart

There is a vintage, well loved rhinestone key pin. Another gift from Renate. The key to my heart, my home, my spirit, to me Then over to the right is a beautiful yellow clay bird and a clay nest with one egg in it These come from the incredible creative hands of my little sis LeAnn. I'm a nester have been from forever. I need to have my own little place where I belong. I need a nest where I can fluff and putter, where I'm safe, warm and comfortable. I'm a mom and although my little eggs have hatched, learned to fly and are making their own nests, they know that there is always a spot for them in mom's nest.

I think this new tote should be just perfect to carry "my whole life" in. It not only carries all the necessities of life as we know it but it gives me a gentle warm reminder of what is important to me. :)

I'm going to take a moment and move my "thangs" into their new digs. I wish you guys an audacious and art filled day no matter where in the world you are   p;)