A few weeks ago I got a couple books by Amanda Soule from the library–The Creative Family and Handmade Home. I had found them on Amazon while doing a search for homeschooling books. I got the books and was immediately inspired. I was on fire to go create things. Then I tried and human nature kicked in. It seemed like I was having a hard time finding time or energy to create and when I did I felt I was neglecting the children. When I tried to create with them someone ended up in tears or bored and asking to watch TV. Pretty soon I was disillusioned. Why couldn’t I be like Amanda Soule? Why wouldn’t my children sit and draw or make up their own games? I was reminded that we are not to compare ourselves to others. I can not look into the Soule family home. All I can do is the best I can with what the Lord has given me. Furthermore my children do play and make up their own games, I just have to work harder to give them the opportunity. So I decided not to stress out about it.

On Saturday things started to turn around. Proeun gave me a little time to myself to read and journal and I even had time to cut out this bag, a pattern from Handmade Home. On Sunday I got a repeat and was able to finish it. I had the fabric on hand. The outside was part of a smaller piece I got as a wedding present. I wasn’t really sure was it was intended for since the fabric was not suited for a towel. In any case I loved it but didn’t know what to do with it. Now it is intensely useable as a “Soule Bag” as I call it. The inside is left over from the first dress I ever made all by myself. How appropriate it was for my first daughter.  She doesn’t wear it but that is another story.

Anyway you really can’t have enough of these fun, unique bags. My aunt Patty gave each child each a handmade bag with their Christmas gifts inside. So I got a trio of them for Christmas.

Avril is housing her shell collection in one. My knitting is in the other and the 3rd has become the “sock bag.” It is great to have fun, unique, handmade and beautiful things around the house especially to be used for really practical things. But honestly the sewing didn’t go so well for me, I spent just as much time fixing as sewing. One thing I learned from the experience is there are many ways to be creative. For me I think writing is it, plus cooking and knitting first–sewing occasionally.