"Unboxing" is a tradition among gamers. You buy a brand new game machine or pick up a collectors' edition of a game (Yes, video game collectors' editions exist. They come with expensive extras like art books or night vision goggles, etc.), then you take photos of it as you open and unpack the box. The first step in my unboxing of what arrived in the mail yesterday is shown above: the dogs have to inspect it!
Then I opened one end of the box and slide out the contents. Can you guess what's inside?
When the contents are laid out flat, does that give you a hint?
Yes, it's Brenda Stoffit's Rabbit Geisha! Summer Truswell made her into a tote bag with a detachable shoulder strap. You can see more of Summer's finishing on her website (check the "museum") and can now purchase her formerly out-of-print finishing book in several formats.
http://www.summerlouise.com/
This isn't a great picture of the inside but there is a zippered pocket on one side of the lining and several open pockets sized for things like cell phones, pens or laying tools, etc. You can also see that the tote has a zipper closure so nothing inside will fall out. The lining is a durable cotton knit (?) while the outside is navy corduroy.
Interfacing keeps the bag stiff enough to stand on its own. The Rabbit Geisha is a big canvas (13 inches tall and 8 wide), so the tote bag is almost two feet tall and 14 inches wide. This makes her a great project or travel bag. I think there is room for a yoga mat and towel, too.
If you have read Blog for a while, you'll remember that this canvas was vandalized by someone who took the package out of our mailbox, opened the box and set fire to the contents, then tossed everything on the ground. You can see some of the damage in the photo of the finished piece above. I think Summer did a good job of hiding the worst of the damage with trim. We now use a P.O. Box after the mailbox itself was stolen last winter.
The tote bag is meant as a birthday present for my mother, so shhhh! Don't tell!
Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com Archived Yahoo 360 postings at http://profiles.yahoo.com/chillyhollow
13 comments:
I'm so happy to see how lovely this turned out! The bag is outstanding. Your mom should be thrilled.
Stunning, Jane! The beautiful finishing really sets off your excellent choices of stitches and threads. It's amazing how you, the stitcher, and the finisher erased all signs of the vandalism to the painted canvas. Great job! I know your mother will treasure this.
BRIL! I envy your Mum her pressie :-)
Great job, Jane
Glenis
P.S. I look forward to seeing Cha finished when I come back on Monday [No pressure] :-)
Looks great! You'd never know there had been any damage. Congratulations on a terrific finish!
Beautiful! Your mom will love it. I love this canvas,the stitching and the finishing.
I really like how you finished the canvas. It is very nice.
Let me add my praise. What a great present. A far cry from that poor scorched canvas you started with.
It looks great, as everyone else said, she'll be thrilled. Didn't know about the fire, how sad, glad they were not able to destroy it.
Fantastic! It is going to be the best gift! You and Summer should both be proud!
Hi,
Just found your blog via Needle n Thread and it's great!
Also, really love this bag. Your Mum will be so pleased.
Do you know if Summer Truswell's book gives instructions on making this specific bag? Would love to make something up into one myself.
Elaine
A lovely gift for your mom, stitched with love! I had forgotten about the fire, scary people in our world and to think they surfaced in Chilly Hollow boggles the mind.
Thank you all for your kind comments. And welcome, Elaine. I do not know if Summer's book has instructions for making this large a tote bag. I doubt it but I do not know. I'll email her and ask, so stay tuned.
The tote is GORGEOUS! well done.
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