Tuesday, January 12, 2010

The Projects

For Christmas presents this year I made "art-on-the-go" bags: Drawstring backpacks that contained a sketch pad and a felt pencil role.
I got the idea and the pattern for the felt pencil roles from Amanda Blake Soule's book "The Creative Family". I made 6 of these, all a bit different, one each for Anna and Josie and their 4 older cousins. Sorry Maia Sage and Ruthie, I didn't think you two were old enough yet.
So for those of you who were curious, now you know what all of my sewing was leading up to Christmas.
The sketch books for Anna and Josie, by the way, have cover art drawn by Mitch, he is the artist of the family, not me. Anna and Josie themselves did the front and back cover art for their cousins' books. Yes, they watched the making of the bags and participated in much of it, not knowing that any of it was for themselves. I love the innocence of childhood and their joy in making and giving gifts to their cousins without a thought for themselves.
I hope you all enjoy using your art bags as much as we loved making them for you, Jack and Caroline, Maryn and Landry! We love you!

4 comments:

Katrina said...

What a great gift! I have no doubt they were a big hit with all of the kids. I need to learn how to sew!

April said...

These are amazing! The kids will all treasure them I'm sure and it will encourage them to be creative. They are beautifully made too, awesome!

akamilby said...

We've been taking ours everywhere! While Caroline had ballet on Monday, Jack colored in his book. He had packed a snack too, my little planner, so he was well-prepared. Thanks so much!

becky said...

Miss Katie, I would like to state for the record: YOU are an artist as well. Just because your medium is not pencils and paper does not mean that you are not an artist in the fullest sense of the word. I love the way you express yourself in fabric, in cooking, in inventing goofy games with your girls, in building incredible playhouses, in making handmade useful objects for your home, and so forth. Thank you for sharing your projects with us on your blog, they are always inspiring to me. I love you! (I couldn't quite let that comment slide, since it's something I would say myself and am only just learning not to ;)