Thursday, March 13, 2008

some travel necessities...

This is another all-day tote from Lotta Jansdotter's book Simple Sewing. I decided I needed it for our trip to Florida, so I sewed it the the weekend before we left. Lately, I love making bags with some practical and utilitarian fabric on the outside, like this denim, and something bold or pretty on the inside

It worked out just great for carrying books, planner, snacks and water bottle on the plane.
One book that came with me was my recently acquired 50 cent copy of Sarah Orne Jewett's, The Country of the Pointed Firs...
I am loving the story and can't believe I have never read it til now. I highly recommend it. This is one of my favorite passages~
"I went to the door of the bedroom, and thought how pleasant it looked, with its pink-and-white patchwork quilt and the brown unpainted paneling of its woodwork.
'Come right in, dear,' she said. 'I want you to set down in my old quilted rockin'-chair there by the window; you'll say it's the prettiest view in the house. I set there a good deal to rest me and when I want to read.'
There was a worn red Bible on the lightstand, and Mrs Blackett's heavy silver-bowed glasses; her thimble was on the narrow window-ledge, and folded carefully on the table was a thick striped-cotton shirt that she was making for her son. Those dear old fingers and their loving stitches, that heart which had made the most of everything that needed love! Here was the real home, the heart of the old house on Green Island! I sat in the rocking-chair, and felt that it was a place of peace, the little brown bedroom, and the quiet outlook upon field and sea and sky." from The Country of the Pointed Firs





21 comments:

  1. Pretty bag Deb, love the polka dots and denim combo. The book sounds like a soothing read, maybe I can find a copy:-) Glad you had a nice time away!

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  2. Hi Deb, this is a great bag and I love the bright linning. Your read sounds like it must be a very sweet story. Linda

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  3. Hi Deb!!!! Just stopping by to see how you are.....looks like you are doing pretty good!!! :-)

    We are getting unpacked and settled in our new (old farm) house.....can I just say, that after 20 some moves in the military, that you would think I have it all down - NOT! Not with a 2 year old and 4 year old......putting up a tension rod that usually takes uh, 3 minutes now takes about 3 hours!!!!!!!!!! Drives me crazy but I love it.

    I am going to have to find this book.....I can read it on my porch this summer while the boys play in the yard. I MIGHT be able to get a page or two in every day. Hee hee.

    Love your bag you made. It is really pretty.

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  4. I LOVE the bag! I love that you just "sewed it up" before you left...that is just toooo cool! I am starting to sew and i can't wait till i get that good!!! :)

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  5. Anonymous7:18 AM

    Love that polka dot lining.
    carolyn
    http://willowhouse.typepad.com

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  6. I love the tote...so practical and pretty. I have the book, too--Victoria Magazine featured it years ago in a really nice article.

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  7. I love the tote bag. It must be some kind of tradition that's forming because I made a similar bag just hours before our plane was to take off for St. Croix! The farmer thought I was nuts.

    - Suzanne, the Farmer's Wife

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  8. You have such a soothing, lovely blog. I've enjoyed visiting and reading. Your sewing, projects, ect. are wonderful! I'll have to check out that book. Looks like a great read.

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  9. Love the bag, but to know that people are still reading Sarah Orne Jewett makes me so happy that I literally squealed. LOL!

    Now if folks find Gladys Hasty Carroll again, I'll swoon.

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  10. Anonymous4:30 PM

    I love the surprise of the polka dot fabric inside! Very cute! I've never heard of that book, thanks for the excerpt. It sounds like something I'd enjoy reading so I'll try to find a copy.

    Manuela

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  11. You got me!!! Now I have to read it too! Love your bag by the way. I just got my simple sewing in the mail last week, I might have to try that pattern real soon!

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  12. Such a pretty bag Deb. I love the polka dots, such a surprise.

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  13. Don't take a good water bottle with you on the plane. They will take it away from you unless it is empty.

    Love your bag!

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  14. I think I read the book years ago, but your passage has made me want to look for it again! Books are like old friends, aren't they?
    The bag is really sweet! A perfect size for travel, and the pockets are a nice addition. Colors are perfect, and the polka dots add just the right amount of pizazz!

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  15. Hi Deb, this is the first time I visited your blog! Love the bag! I must admit that I cannot even sew a hem. I loved visiting.

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  16. I love the bag, and love your blog! Just found it, and will be back!
    Michelle

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  17. Love the bag . . . polka.dots.are.always.perfect! :o)

    You've made me want to find this book! Great quote.

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  18. I noticed your satchel right away in the FLA pictures. I am a polka dot lover so it caught my eye.

    Land of the Pointed Firs sounds like a dreamy book for spring/summer days.

    Jody

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  19. I love the bag. Practical things always appeal to me so now I'm thinking maybe I'll make one for my car. It could hold library books and so on as I cruise about town.

    That is a wonderful book and what a great price.

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  20. I've always heard that Country of the Pointed Firs was a wonderful book. I'm an English major and teach English so I'm a little embarassed to have not read it. I tried listening to it on Librivox but the narrator isn't appealing to me

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  21. Caroline ~ I did the same thing ~ a few months ago I started listening to the book on Librivox, but could not get interested. Reading just seems to work a lot better for me.
    Thanks, everyone, for stopping by!!
    Deb

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Thank you for taking time to leave a comment--I love reading each and every one! I will try to answer any questions you have in the comment section. Due to the amount of spam, I am sadly no longer able to accept Anonymous comments....Kindly, Deb

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