beauties
I still make stuff; really, I do. Last night I finished my second pleated beauty bag from Bend-the-Rules. The first one was gifted before I had a chance to photograph it, made with charcoal wool and pleated with grey and pink thrifted goodness shared by Ella.
This pleated beauty is for me. I thought that my first run at the pattern made a bit of a floppy bag, so I beefed up the second one, adding interfacing and canvas lining. Despite breaking three needles on the machine while topstitching, I'm pleased that the bag can stand on its own.
I ended up having just enough of the repurposed falling leaves gabardine. It's the same fabric that recently inspired some freezer paper stenciling. While the fabric is almost gone, I have a hunch those leaves will continue to fall onto paper and bookcloth.
Another beauty in my life turned two this weekend. Two years old. A fever, cough and runny nose kept our festivities quiet and slow, but we managed to bake a cake, share some gifts and talk a lot about the day she was born. She tells her favorite part of her birth story like this, with elaborate hand gestures and enthusiasm: "...den daddy scoop you UP out of water!" She was born at home in a waterbirth tub, with her daddy catching her, welcoming her into the world (and these days she refers to herself in the second person). 
I remember experiencing such euphoria in those first days with her. It seems like yesterday. And too it seems that there hasn't ever been a time that I didn't know her. Happy birthday, my little firecracker!
Happy happy birthday!! What a sweet story. I hope she feels better soon!
That bag is just lovely. It's been on my list for a while and I think it just moved up a few spots.
Posted by: Sarah Jackson | 31 March 2008 at 01:26 PM
Oh! Thank you for sharing the story of her birth here. Just beautiful. I hope to meet her (and you!) in person one day. xoxox
Posted by: Grace | 31 March 2008 at 01:37 PM
Happy birthday to your little girl! My boy just turned two on March 22. I can certainly relate to those feelings you shared.
Posted by: Paige | 31 March 2008 at 02:16 PM
Aw, happy birthday! And I love that bag. Perfect fabric...
Posted by: Bluebirdbaby | 31 March 2008 at 02:55 PM
such cute photos! i know what you mean - i can't believe my daughter will soon be 8 (8!!) but i can't believe i haven't known her forever, either.
Posted by: kirsten | 31 March 2008 at 02:59 PM
aww.. happy birthday mama! I konw you threw out a little congrats and encouragement to me for my upcoming birth and wanted to thank you for that- I might be in touch when I start to have more questions about all of it.. right now I am just trying to figure out what clothes don't fit any more and not get to sad about it all :)
cheers!
Posted by: vanessa | 31 March 2008 at 03:54 PM
Very nice bag. I just love the fabric. What cute little ones.
Posted by: hadley | 31 March 2008 at 05:10 PM
Very nice bag. I just love the fabric. What cute little ones.
Posted by: hadley | 31 March 2008 at 05:10 PM
beauties indeed! congratulations. birthdays are so special. i am starting to think they are even more for mamas than for babes.
i love the print of the bag. it reminds me of nikki mcclure. actually, now that i type that, did you have a post on that a while back?
Posted by: kate | 31 March 2008 at 06:55 PM
Happy Birthday, Little Red Berry.
Love,
E
Posted by: Elizabeth | 31 March 2008 at 07:26 PM
fun to see the inspiration for the leaf! (i've been feeling that way, too, lately. i do make things. yes i do. right?)
happy birthday, cloth.paper.string family. from your neighbor with love.
Posted by: emily | 31 March 2008 at 07:42 PM
ver-ry NICE bag...worth every broken needle!
Posted by: carolyn | 31 March 2008 at 08:05 PM
I love that bag---the fabric is wonderful.
What a beautiful photo of your little girl... Oh, it makes me miss my time then, too. Happy Birthday to her! I remember those second birthdays---such a sweet time.
Posted by: Berlinswhimsy | 31 March 2008 at 11:59 PM
Happy birthday to you and your little beauty!
Posted by: Tracy | 01 April 2008 at 08:52 AM
Happy 2nd Birthday, sweet girl! Sarah, I love your blog and all your gorgeous creations. What talent you have! Sending love from all of us here in Wellesley....
XO
Posted by: Liz | 01 April 2008 at 12:13 PM
That's funny- I made my first pleated beauty out of wool as well and then did the super fortification on the next. I fused in very, very heavy-weight fusible interfacing which I nearly regretted while sewing but then loved when it was finished. Now I take the bag everywhere with me and it really has held up well. Yours is beautiful. Congrats on the little person birthday, we celebrated one this weekend as well.
Posted by: Annie | 01 April 2008 at 02:30 PM
happy, happy birthday, little one!
2 is such a wonderful age.
i love your new bag- you've inspired me to get that pattern out and make it.
Posted by: melissa | 02 April 2008 at 02:24 AM
happy birthday to your little one, time goes so fast dosnt it?live love love the bag!
Posted by: fiona | 02 April 2008 at 02:33 AM
happy birthday to your sweet girl!
love the bag!
Posted by: erin | 02 April 2008 at 08:26 AM
ahhh! happy birthday to your little angel.
i so remember those first days with my children like it was yesterday too. i believe it is the most magical thing a woman can experience.
two is great. not terrible! i promise. :)
Posted by: leslie | 03 April 2008 at 08:36 AM
A lovely story and a very beautiful bag.
Posted by: Rebecca | 03 April 2008 at 02:08 PM
oh - happy birthday little one! may your Mama's joy cling to you, comforting you always...
and p.s., darling pictures, Sarah!
Posted by: Marnie | 08 April 2008 at 09:22 PM
Happy Birthday to your little one! My little girl turned two on the 4th of April. It is SO hard to believe!
Posted by: Melissa | 09 April 2008 at 09:43 AM