Hmm....

I was determined not to get involved in the bags of fun challenge. Mainly because I am so s-l-o-w, coupled with that I also don't have a lot of extra time and I wanted to devote that time to finishing off my UFO's... Oh yeah!!!!

But today I saw four things that have started my creative thoughts flowing... The first was this very fine( as in that it looked great) pinky, mauve necklace - when I commented on it, the woman who was wearing it told me it was only $5.00 - I immediately thought how well it would lend itself to a bag if it was all pulled apart. The next thing was this very beautiful bag that a another lady was carrying - it was a stunner... It had all this lace and beautiful image of a cherub. Then I saw this little denim skirt which had a design created out of words on it... I tried hard not think about how I could make a bag out of it... Plus, last but not least, I picked up my new book - 'The Embroider's Handbook - The Ultimate Guide to Thread Embroidery'-from the bookshop - I promise you I did try very hard not to think about making a bag... BUT I DID!!!!!! All afternoon I thought and thought and thought and then I thought some more... Plus J from allstitchedup has inspired me as I look at her bag in its first stages. I have like her comments about her progress - really taking the bull by the horns and doing it her own way. I can sense in what she writes that she has taken the next step - she is exploring her own creativity. And in that I can sense her pride at this achievement. J if you read this - congratulations!!!!! I really admire you for taking the 'risk' - so to speak.

A very old friend of mine suggested to me some time ago if you are trying to think of an idea or remember something, rather than 'chase' it, to sit quietly and let it come to you... And I have - and it did. Part of my problem with making a bag was I had no idea what I wanted to create - I needed a starting point - a spring board - a glimmer of an idea. For some reason I kept thinking about my art shirt that I had at high school - more years than I care to remember - and how we all 'decorated' them. I think I was more creative with that one shirt than I was my whole art year. I digress, but that memory got me thinking too. In no particular way it has all compounded with me wanting to have a go at this bag thing. I have a 'candle flicker of inspiration' to use as my starting point - but where it will go from there I have no idea. Perhaps I may not even get it finished - but at least I want to start it - and that is important for me. A, if you read this, I may need to take you up on your offer...

So I guess what I am saying is - count me in!!!!!