For my interview, Amy at Inspire Co. asked me about an early crafting memory and it was certainly this. In the 60's, my mother had a home-based business making custom wicker purses for ladies in town. They would come over with a new dress or snazzy bermuda shorts and order a handbag to match. My clever, crafty mom lined the inside of the open bag with a sunny quilted calico, wove a matching grosgrain ribbon through the top, cross-stitched the initials and decorated the front with felt flowers. They were a huge hit and our dining room was transformed into an ongoing basket workshop. I helped her after school, cutting the flowers out, choosing contrasting centers and making little tabletop gardens of custom blooms. I can still see those brilliant stacks of flowers stretching across the table. Pretty sure that's where I developed my color sense along with my fondness for flower shapes too. A true child of the decade, I still love them and the jewel tones of vintage felt.
You could make one too. My mom reminded me that summer is just about over. Not much time left in the season for an open basket purse, but maybe you have a new summer dress just waiting for that extra bit of snaz. If so, here's the super simple how-to. I used a small rectangle of burlap (any gridded fabric will do) for the cross-stitch initials, drawn on and stitched with pearl cotton. After stitching, I frayed the edges and with a little tacky glue, then attached the burlap, a few trim strips and wool felt flowers and leaves to the front of the basket.
Finding a good basket is the hardest part, but Alicia recently found a cute straw bag at Marshall's that came with a liner fabric. I found this one at Pier One years ago. Probably a few summer clearance sales out there now- and come to think of it, this would work just fine on a felted sweater bag too. xoC
sure is cute and has that ME style!
Posted by: carolyn | August 08, 2008 at 01:02 PM
What a nice memory! Just yesterday Evyn sat in a chair beside me in the dining room while I was sewing up an order of baby gifts. She played with the fabric, marveled over the finished pieces ("I like your fabric, mommy, a lot."), and really took me seriously when I asked her to please be careful handling my "work" (a term she understands well from Montessori). It was really gratifying having her there, and I hope she grows up relishing those moments like you have here.
Posted by: Crystal | August 08, 2008 at 01:55 PM
No wonder you're so clever! You had early inspiration!
Very cute bag. I'd love to try my hand at personalizing one for myself.
Posted by: Wonders Never Cease | August 08, 2008 at 05:25 PM
That is TOO cute! I saw something like that at a store in Bronxville that was a FORTUNE!
Posted by: Loretta | August 08, 2008 at 05:40 PM
Oh, this memory warms my heart! Thank you for sharing it. It's cool to see how creativity is passed down through genes! :)
Posted by: Delaney Gates | August 08, 2008 at 05:45 PM
Oh, this memory warms my heart! Thank you for sharing it. It's cool to see how creativity is passed down through genes! :)
Posted by: Delaney Gates | August 08, 2008 at 05:46 PM
Very snazzy bag, indeed!
I am oficially on the lookout for basket purses!
mary
Posted by: mary | August 08, 2008 at 07:09 PM
how sweet is that. what a great memory. your mom was so talented and so are you.
oxoxox,
jessi
see ya soon.
oxoxox,
jessi
Posted by: jessi nagy | August 08, 2008 at 08:36 PM
Precious memory and adorable purse, Charlotte! I bought a sweet little basket purse a few years ago, but it was really tightly woven light colored straw. The handle got dirty and I haven't figured out the best way to clean it yet. Thanks for reminding me to dig that out.
xo
PS. My daughter is getting married next weekend! eek, tears and more tears will be coming....
Posted by: melissa @ the inspired room | August 09, 2008 at 11:17 AM
love the bag. I have been looking everywhere for a straw purse for summer...and now it's almost over! I'm running out of time :D
Posted by: princess lasertron | August 09, 2008 at 06:19 PM
I wanted to write and thank you for Crafted and the lovely bag of fabrics to craft with! I so enjoyed it and have been inspired to create my first fabric collage. I have posted it on my blog if you have time to take a peek! Thanks again, Jenn
Posted by: Jenn | August 09, 2008 at 10:01 PM
How cool. I think my first crafting memory is of getting in trouble for cutting a whole in the middle of some of my mothers fabric... Somehow she forgave me, but never let me forget it! Lol.
Posted by: jerusalem | August 09, 2008 at 10:50 PM
My Gram had one like this and I remember wanting it because I thought it was so pretty! Thanks for sharing! Jen R
Posted by: Jen R | August 10, 2008 at 08:34 AM
the purse is great!
Posted by: lu | August 10, 2008 at 06:18 PM
Whenever I think of your style, the word "charming" always comes to mind. This basket is that, for sure!...I enjoyed reading Amy's article about you. It's always interesting to learn the creative background of favorite artists like yourself. Isn't it wonderful to have grown up in a home that fosters creativity? I think so.
Posted by: Julie | August 11, 2008 at 11:30 AM
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Posted by: sarahfishburn | August 11, 2008 at 06:04 PM
What a beautiful blog! I love these daily postcards!
Posted by: Rachel | August 11, 2008 at 10:21 PM
Okay. This is really cute. I am a purse fanatic. People ask me all the time if I ever carry the same purse twice. Now I will have to make this one to add to my collection. Last year I bagged up 30 purses to give to a church sale. Also, my mother called me to see if I might have a black purse she could borrow, I said sure, I have nine or ten. I did. Ridiculous. However, I rarely pay more than a dollar for them. Many were 25 cents. What can I say, I am the bag lady.
Posted by: Rebecca | August 12, 2008 at 11:38 PM