― Kate Morton, The Forgotten Garden
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The Blogging Business Artisans team challenge for the month of April comes from Margaret of Splendid Little Stars. The challenge is to create a project using any medium that honors a spirit of RENEWAL.
As a former farm girl, gardening (or crop growing) has always been a vivid metaphor for renewal.
The soil is tilled, the seeds are planted, the garden or field is tended, and then comes the harvest. After harvest, the ground lies fallow through the Winter, waiting for the warmth and sunshine of Spring to awaken the ground and start the growth cycle once again.
I'm not a very good gardener. I didn't acquire the "green thumb" gene. I love to plant and harvest, but I hate to weed. I still like to study the seed catalogs. My imaginary garden is SO much nicer than the real thing. I placed my order on Earth Day for a few favorites, but it is still too cold to plant.
We'll pick up tomato plants and green pepper plants at the Farmer's Market, rather than starting them from seeds. I hope the rabbits won't think my garden is a free salad bar for bunnies this year! But I digress.
Back to the BBA Challenge:
I didn't venture far from my comfort zone this month in choosing my medium -- fabric. I created this tote using a bold vegetable-themed 100% cotton fabric designed by Martha Negley.
I added Warm & Natural cotton batting to both the outer layer and the 6 roomy inside pockets (water bottle, sunscreen, sun glasses, keys, wallet, and ... a spare!). The lining is a solid medium seafoam 100% cotton fabric.
The bag is padded, semi-insulated, and able to stand upright with a 4.5" squared base.
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I summoned my inner Vera Bradley and added batting to the shoulder straps for comfort.
The bag could be used to carry gardening tools, or to haul in produce at harvest time, but I think its best use would be to ROCK the local Farmer's Market! We have several farmer's markets in Lincoln. My favorites are at the Haymarket downtown, and the Old Cheney Farmer's Market, closer to home and not quite so crowded.
I plan to list this bag in my Etsy shop, Pasque Flower Creations.
Thanks for stopping by!
TTFN
LeAnn aka pasqueflower
http://www.etsy.com/shop/pasqueflower
http://www.facebook.com/pasqueflower
http://pasqueflowerponderings.blogspot.com.
Oh goodness, I love the veggies print! The bag turned out really cute! And I hear you on not inheriting the green thumb gene.... :)
ReplyDeleteGreat challenge project!
I love it! The fabric is perfect and I thought 'market bag' before I even read the post.
ReplyDeleteI'm going to buy tomato plants and try container gardening this year. We'll see how long I can keep them alive!
The fabric is wonderful, great colors. Hmm, have I met this challenge?
ReplyDeleteI love all the interior pockets! It seems absolutely perfect for a trip to the market.
ReplyDeleteso pretty, and love that you're rocking the inner Vera! Wonderful bag
ReplyDeleteawesome bag! It would definitely rock any Farmer's Market!
ReplyDeleteOne could tuck away smaller produce into the pockets--such as garlic.
If I could have a decent vegetable garden I would. I grow some plants on my deck (tomatoes, lettuce, herbs) and some in various spots in the yard. I currently have snap peas in my front yard island.
My hubby is the one with the green thumb ;-)
ReplyDeleteCute bag! I love that the handles are padded. Yes, this would be perfect for Farmer's Market :)
Before I even got to the end of your post, I was going to suggest that your bag is perfect for the farmer's market, but then you brought up the idea yourself! Great way to apply this month's BBA theme.
ReplyDeleteOh Leanne! I love this bag! Once I get caught up on my "to do" list, I'm going to make me a purse! They are so much fun aren't they?
ReplyDeleteGreat bag, the fabric is fantastic. I am totally with you, my garden is always more beautiful in my head.
ReplyDeleteValerie
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