Me and My Freitag Bag(s)

I am not a big handbag fan (well, except for the beautiful Red Button Bag that Marion at The Latest Story shared - that I would like!) No, I prefer a hands free style bag and preferably made by Freitag. So when I received my newsletter from them today asking

Show Me Yours And I'll Show You Mine

I thought I would show the first of my many Freitag bags (I have a few!)

My first Freitag was a gift. It was 1998 and I was living in Zurich and my son had just been born. Tired and dazed I stumbled upon a shop selling these amazing bags made from recycled truck tarpaulin, innertubes and seatbelts. It was love at first sight. But I was so tired, dazed and distracted by a hungry, crying baby, I left the shop. I never did manage to get a bag while living in the home of the Freitag. It was Christmas back in Edinburgh, a year later, when I received my first Freitag from my husband - the F12 Dragnet. This bag has carried nappies, shopping, gone on hikes and travelled the world. But it has never been to New York.

Many more to come...

Scottish Sun, Lambswool... and a New Coat

Well, the sun decided to shine on Edinburgh, very briefly, this afternoon so I jumped at the opportunity to get some photos. I have been working on this coat on and off for the past week. It is made from the softest, most beautiful Scottish Lambswool and I have lined it with a contrasting London of Liberty Cotton. On, it feels like wearing your favourite comfy, cosy cardigan, but obviously, I hope, just a wee bit more stylish.

Green Silk Spotted Dress

I absolutely love this green silk fabric with its embroidered teal circles. I have had this piece of fabric for a long time but didn't quite know what I wanted to do with it. So, with thoughts already looking to warm days (obviously I am dreaming of somewhere abroad and not here in Edinburgh!) I chose to create a loose, light, carefree dress that would be perfect matched with a pair of open toe sandals, a large straw basket and a pair of really cool pale green 1950's style sunglasses (because I have a really cool pair)... and then I would jump on my bicycle and head down to the local market for a casual stroll or perhaps to a cafe to sip a frothy cappuccino on a sunny, beautiful morning. Picture Perfect! Alas, I need to photograph this dress to list in my shop this week, so it will have to be worn with wooly tights and boots and captured in the grey light from my workroom window. But a girl can dream!

Burns Day - A Supper and A Poem

In celebration of our famous bard, Robert Burns, we will eat a supper of (vegetarian) haggis, neeps and tatties and, maybe, manage to coax my son to recite this beautiful love poem which he has been trying to memorise all week.

John Anderson, My Jo

John Anderson, my jo, John,

When we were first acquent;

Your locks were like the raven,

Your bonie brow was brent;

But now your brow is beld, John,

Your locks are like the snaw;

But blessings on your frosty pow,

John Anderson, my jo.

John Anderson, my jo, John,

We clamb the hill thegither;

And mony a cantie day, John,

We've had wi ane anither:

Now we maun totter down, John,

And hand in hand we'll go,

And sleep thegither at the foot,

John Anderson, my jo.

(Robert Burns, 1789)

Snow White

This gorgeous collection was on the front page of Etsy today. Thrilled to have my white robe included with so many beautiful items.

The treasury was created by glasfaden who makes the most beautiful necklaces and earrings using her own handmade glass beads.

Helen Rawlinson Lighting and Textile Design

When my huge box was delivered from the Chocolate Factory all eagerly awaited my opening it to see the treats that lay within. To their surprise the treat wasn't of a sugary sweet variety but was my three beautiful Helen Rawlinson lamps. That was nine years ago. So a few weeks ago when I knocked over my lamp in my kitchen and broke the shade, I did a quick search, got in touch with Helen and my new shade arrived a couple of days later. My kitchen feels like 'home' again.

The shades are hand screen printed and machine embroidered for 'added sparkle' and are available in a selection of patterns, colours and shapes. My other two lamps look perfect on my bedside tables.

As well as designing these gorgeous lamps, Helen has also started printing fabrics and creating bags, cushions and wallart. I particularly like this washbag.

Tweed Coats

A few people have been asking if I am going to make anymore tweed coats.

Yes, I will and as well as making my tweed wrap coat, I also have a few new designs ready to go. I just need to find some fabric! Hoping to go to Glasgow some time this week so fingers crossed I find some there.

And Welcome to Edinburgh...

saturday, 16 january 2010

Here Come The Tears.

This is my third internet cafe of the day. The first two I went to had no internet access despite the fact that they both had signs that bragged to fuck about the huge amount of internet access they had. Could I be in Edinburgh? Yes, I am.

I love the land of NO. No matter how frustrating it is to try to get anything at all, it's still a beautiful city to visit.

(from Michael Legge's Blog)

Wait until you try to drive the city's 'one way' , 'no access', and 'road closed' system? Michael, I share your frustration.

Black Ribbon Embroidered Taffeta Dress

Just finished, photographed and listed this dress in my shop today. And I am delighted with the result. The embroidered taffeta gives a bit of structure to the tent shape of the dress and the doubled over panel at the bottom creates a nice puffy, fullness to the hem. But it's the pockets that make it. They turn what could be quite a 'dressy' dress into something more casual, and for me, make it easier to wear.

VisioLuxus Photography

A few months ago, the lovely Claire from Portland, Oregon bought my peacock blue dress. To my absolute surprise and delight, Claire emailed me recently to tell me that she was a model and had worn her dress to a photo shoot. And here are a few of the photos.

These incredible photos were taken by Elisa Lazo de Valdez of VisioLuxus Photography.

Surreal, atmospheric, and Claire, absolutely stunning.

More of Elisa's amazing work can be viewed at VisioLuxus' Photostream and some prints can be bought from her shop on Etsy.

Withered Hand

I know very little about music but thankfully I am married to someone who does and who also has great taste. So when my husband suggested going to see Skuobhie Dubh Orchestra ( I love) with Withered Hand (never heard of) for some "collaborative carol singing", I booked the tickets. Obviously, Skuobhie Dubh Orchestra and an appearance by The Pictish Trail were fantastic, but Withered Hand are now my new favourite.

Hailing from Edinburgh and with lyrics like

I don't really know what I should do

Like should I be passing this bread along to you

And I don't really know what the wine was for

Cos if it was Jesus blood wouldn't there be more

I'm knocking on Kevin's front door

(Withered Hand, Religious Songs)

singer-songwriter Dan Willson (Withered Hand) accompanied by various musicians including Iceland's Benni Hemm Hemm, were clever, sublime and made me smile. With three records, Good News being their first album which was funded by the Scottish Arts Council, Withered Hand are well worth a listen.

Sunday Morning

...a little journey in the car followed by some delicious breakfast and a listen to Just A Minute on the radio on the drive home.

Iceland, Napkins and a Box of Matches

Recognisable by their detailed yoke and thick, coarse wool, Icelandic jumpers were knitted by my mum when I was growing up. Mine looked very nice with my red kilt and clogs but, if I remember correctly, it was too tight around my neck and hurt my ears while trying to pull it off over my head. Anyway, I love the beautiful earthy black and brown pattern around the neckline, so it was a lovely surprise to receive these napkins from my gorgeous friend Vala who lives in Reykjavik.

They are the creation of Icelandic artist Hekla Bjork Guomundsdottir. To see more of her beautiful designs and paintings have a look at her website heklaislandi. Traditional and whimsical, I especially love her images of sheep on the box of matches.

Front Page of Etsy

A big thank you to budpnq for including my red dress in this stunning treasury. Titled 'Bomb in a Birdcage', this wonderful collection made it to the front page of Etsy. Absolutely gorgeous!

Shapes of Things To Come

Back at work and busy creating some new designs. Before burying and, ultimately, losing my toiles to the pile of fabric in the corner of my room, I thought I would share them. A brief glimpse...

A Slow, Snowy Start to the New Year

These photographs, taken from the warmth and comfort of my cosy couch, show the snowy, new year Edinburgh skyline. Work begins tomorrow!