Summer Satchel

I LoVe blank canvases, blank books with no lines

and thick stacks of plain white paper.

To me they represent new beginnings.

So when I was gifted with this simple canvas satchel

and asked to decorate it,

my imagination went on overdrive with the possibilities.

I considered covering it in tapestry with corduroy

and a patchwork of fall colors.

Then the idea of using Sherpa suede with a wide tapestry trim in coordinating colors and vintage button detailing ...

or sewing a pocket inside for storing my paint brushes

and paint a color chart with labels of the various colors

on the outside as reference,the perfect tote for plein air painting.

Any of these would be great,

but last week I was inspired by the fabric paints

left out on the studio table

along with a collection of amazing seashells that caught my eye

and so I chose to paint a summer satchel

for the sun filled days of summer.

Perfect for toting my water bottle,

sun screen, sketch book and towel.

I added the hand crafted ceramic seashell

key chain as a fun little accent and

for easy access to the cottage house key

and the wide turquoise braid

seemed to be the perfect border for the painting.

"Time Tested Beauty Tips"

I received the purse as a gift,

for no apparent reason or occasion

( actually I believe it was one of those gifts that just keep on giving,

passed from one to another until it is finally appreciated by its owner )

It had been tucked away into the corner of a crammed shelf

in my cluttered studio far too long.

It was basic and black & I loved the shape and size

there was an elegant and classic quality about it's styling.

See through could be considered sexy

yet it needed a little embellishment to dress it up

so it could finally go out in public and be appreciated.

( okay, it may just be for a costume )

Either way there was something about it that reads Holly Golightly to me...

Remember the 1961 film adaption of the novella by Truman Capote starring Audrey Hepburn ?

( photos courtesy of Stampington & Co. )

I can visualize her beautiful, long slim black dress

fabulous huge black hat with a wide brim,

oversized sunglasses, pearls & long black evening gloves...

dressed to the nines for her weekly visit to Sally Tomato

who is locked away in Sing Sing for tax evasion.

Tucking in a slip of paper with the "weather report" from Sally Tomato

the mafia leader, she was given to take back to his lawyer Mr. O'Shaughnessy.

The handbag is embellished with a feminine touch of

black velvet rosettes with pearl centers

just enough to give it a touch of allure and elegance

perfect for going any where

even Breakfast at Tiffany's !

I love this poem and just wanted to share.

It was written by Sam Levenson for his granddaughter

and is one of Audrey Hepburn's favorites.

For attractive lips, speak words of kindness.

For lovely eyes, seek out the good in people.

For a slim figure, share your food with the hungry.

For beautiful hair, let a child run his or her fingers through it once a day.

For poise, walk with the knowledge you'll never walk alone.

People, even more than things, have to be restored, renewed, revived, reclaimed, and redeemed; Never throw out anybody.

Remember, If you ever need a helping hand, you'll find one at the end of your arm.

As you grow older, you will discover that you have two hands, one for helping yourself, the other for helping others.

The beauty of a woman is not in the clothes she wears, the figure that she carries, or the way she combs her hair. The beauty of a woman must be seen from in her eyes, because that is the doorway to her heart, the place where love resides.

The beauty of a woman is not in a facial mole, but true beauty in a woman is reflected in her soul. It is the caring that she lovingly gives, the passion that she shows, and the beauty of a woman with passing years only grows!