Reversible Bag

Here are a few shots of my new reversible tote.  The pattern is from the ever-adorable and talented Novita of verypurpleperson.

I used a grey, home decor weight sofa cushion cover found in the discount bin at Ikea and a cream and grey fabric from Jomar.  I really love the result.  It's adorable.  I'm going to make some more, but I have plans to tweak the pattern to make it a little longer and a bit deeper.

I love this bag.

And here is a peak of the book I've been devouring most recently - The Handmade Marketplace by Kari Chapin.   So far it's been a really great and helpful read.  

Be sure to read about the original bag and download the tutorial here.

Gustav and the Klimt Cane

It's funny- the inspiration for the color scheme of the Klimt cane I posted about was the image below- a dessert dish from Anthropologie depicting colorful Koi frolicking amongst the seaweed.  Now, I am being honest with myself by admitting that I did not nail the color likeness.  At all.

                               

Though many things were off, I think the greens were the main culprit.  Not only did I not mix them to the appropriate shade, but they took over the entire palette.  The result, I think, resembles more of the palette of a Klimt painting. (Ever. so. slightly.  Klimt's palette is absolutely genius. My beads are more of a reference to his work.)

                                          

   Gustav Klimt. Portrait of Emilie Flöge. 1902. Oil on canvas. Historical Museum of the City of Vienna, Vienna, Austria

Gustav Klimt (July 14, 1862 - February 6, 1918) was an Austrian Symbolist painter and prominent member of the Vienna Secessionist Movement and is this polymer clay cane's name's sake.  The pattern of ovals, squares and rectangles echoes the decorative motifs the artist utilized in so much of his work.

            Gustave Klimt. Hope II. 1907-1908. Oil and gold on canvas. Museum of Modern Arts, New York, NY

This observation, paired with my recent beautiful vintage raw brass findings acquisition, has given me the idea to do a series based on Klimt paintings and their palettes.  I think it will be a suitable homage to one of my favorite artists.

Gustav Klimt. The Beethoven Frieze: The Longing. Right wall. 1902. The Österreichische Galerie Belvedere, Vienna, Austria.