Tuesday, March 8, 2011

Basket Cases

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A couple of weeks ago, a group of us went to Joan’s little cottage in a village called Cabarlah and had a day making some fabric baskets.  That is Joan’s husband Barry on the left who was tending to their huge garden and avocado orchard.  You are able to get a peep of Joan standing there on their front verandah (rt) The house dates to the 1870’s and Barry and Joan have painted the walls as close as they could get to the original wall colours.  The house was moved to it’s current site from somewhere else quite some years ago.
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(Joan in front of the wood pile.)
They still have a wood stove which heats the hot water,warms the house in winter and on which Joan cooks the meals.
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Here are the ladies busy sewing their fabric baskets, and the tubes of fabric they have created.
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This is what we hoped to achieve or something similar.  ahem…..  But, being in the true spirit of ‘handmade’ none of them have turned out quite like this.  I will post photos when I am able to get all the girls’ bags together.
Mine is ummmm very different.  Only a mother could love it!  Smile
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Just have to make some handles for it now and it is going to sit on my work table and hold bits and pieces.  At least it will be a talking point.

6 comments:

Anonymous said...

Nothing wrong with this bag!! I like the "organic" look of them. They look a bit "stiff" when too regular.
I've always wanted to make one of these coil vessels.

Stitching Lady said...

A good laughter about your comment "only a mother could love it".... it is not at all bad...seems that I am also a mother of some baskets ... your proceedure? Do you sew the wrapped ropes/coils by hand slowly on the previous round? And this on the inside of the bowl? (I did it like that)

Norma Soulet (AZArtist) said...

Hi Di,

What a wonderful place to be! I would have loved to be there and take that class. :)
I have thought about making a basket like that too but haven't given it a try. Yours looks great!
Hugs

Linda said...

Great post Dianne. Looks like a warm and welcoming place to spend a day sewing. I love the coil bags, think they are gorgeous. Saw a lovely one when I judged at the Tara Show on Friday. I think your bag is really nice, you are being way to harsh on yourself!!

Marilyn said...

Wow, what a house !!!
Fill your bag with interesting bits and pieces and no one will look past the contents. But then again, it looks pretty good to me.

CJ STITCHING AND BLOOMS said...

Hello DI, Joan's has a very lovely cottage. Love the veranda. So pretty. I also Love your basket. I have bought this book but have not attempted making one yet. You have inspired me. Hugs Judy