Me or You?

A number of crafty bloggers have written about the frustration of trying to balance creativity with mothering. I've felt the same sort of frustration--I am beginning to think the perfect weekend would be one where rest of the family would go somewhere while I stayed at home with the sewing machine for hours of uninterrupted crafting. But something that also frustrates me is balancing making something that I choose, versus something my daughter wants. Last Saturday I bought supplies for carving my own stamps and was eager to try them out after dinner. My daughter had been quietly looking through my Japanese books, and decided she really, really needed a stuffed hampster. Now, I do feel it's okay to take time for myself, and I do make quite a few things for the girls, but I did feel both annoyed at the idea of taking time away from something I really wanted, and a bit guilty that I wasn't instantly ready to make a toy for my daughter. I do feel proud of the things that I make for them, and I am happy that they enjoy my labors, but sometimes I do need some time for myself, making something I want to make. By the way, I did make her the hampster and had time left over to carve a few stamps.

So, a project for myself. A large messenger bag from a piece of floral fabric I bought from the thrift store. I generally don't care for splashy florals, but I really like this one. It's lined with a light green and white print--I can't remember the term for a print that shows a country scene.


I am not sure if I want to put something on the flap, I was thinking some sort of embroidered patch, but not sure what.