Poetry is My Bag

Poetry is my bag... or all over my bag, as the case might be. Check out my bag just in time for National Poetry Month (April), complete with the poem "Phenomenal Woman" by Maya Angelou embroidered on the side.

It took me a few evenings of embroidering the black lettering and the red female figures. while watching 'Bones' and 'Criminal Minds'. The inside is lined with a velvet-like red fabric (both fabrics leftover from other projects) with a braided red and black yarn strap sewn into the layers. Sewing the pieces together took less time than the actual needlepoint, but sometimes that's the way it goes.

Phenomenal Woman

                             Maya Angelou

Pretty women wonder where my secret lies.
I’m not cute or built to suit a fashion model’s seize
But when I start to tell them. They think I’m telling lies.
I say,
It’s in the reach of my arms,
The span of my hips,
The stride of my step,
The curl of my lips.
I’m a woman
Phenomenally.
Phenomenal woman,
That’s me.

I walk into a room
Just as cool as you please,
And to a man,
The fellows stand or
Fall down on their knees.
Then they swarm around me, A hive of honey bees.
I say,
It’s the fire in my eyes,
And the flash of my teeth,
The swing in my waist,
And the joy in my feet,
I’m a woman
Phenomenally.
Phenomenal woman,
That’s me.

Men themselves have wondered
What they see in me.
They try so much
But they can’t touch
My inner mystery.
When I try to show them
They say they still can’t see.
I say,
It’s in the arch of my back,
The sun of my smile,
The ride of my breasts,
The grace of my style.
I’m a woman
Phenomenally.
Phenomenal woman,
That’s me.

Now you understand
Just why my head’s not bowed,
I don’t shout or jump about
Or have to talk real loud.
When you see me passing
It ought to make you proud.
I say,
It’s In the click of my heels,
The bend of my hair,
The palm of my hand,
The need for care,
‘Cause I’m a woman
Phenomenally.
Phenomenal Woman,
That’s me.

It Doesn't Always Have to be Storebought - Handmade Gifts

Handmade gifts are always best & I have a few from friends & family.

A friend made these metallic painted handmade little clay creations for the tables at her wedding (pictured with the green background). (An artist in her own right.) She wanted something original that she made to be a part of the decorations. They had natural variations in the process of hand forming each one. (Some of them has little hearts with her husband-to-be's initials. Mine is not one of them.) It's great to catch little things like rings and earrings or a delicate necklace. (Some of them had had little candles in them.) One of the best things about these - she did something her way and celebrated her art, incorporating it into her special day.

I grew up involved in community based groups (such as 4-H and Girl Scouts), that often put a great importance on volunteering and being a positive part of the community. It may sound corny or idealistic to some, but I would like to think it did help shape elements of my ideals and instill a sense of responsibility.

Napkin Holder

As a Girl Scout, one of these involvements included "adopting" a "grandparent" at a local nursing home we often visited. (Pretty typical community involvement project.) I got a feisty woman who liked to work on plastic canvas needlepoint, including a house design napkin holder (pictured) that she gave me. It's something that years later, I still have and still think of her fondly when I see it. It was something she shared with me.

The photo album was a birthday gift from aunt this year. She has really gotten into scrap booking projects and card making. She embellished the cover inside and out for a personalized birthday present (to go along with a handmade card and cookies from a nearby bakery).

Photo Album Cover

Inside Cover of Album

Easy Sewn Clutch with Geisha

This Easy Embroidered Clutch was made in one evening and made from scraps of material I already had on hand. The exterior was made from a sturdier material (leftover form place mats I made my sister on year). The lining was made a a velour-like red (leftover from a Mrs. Santa type costume I've been working on). The button and red bias tape loop were both from my assorted notions.

The Geisha was embroidered with black embroidery floss BEFORE the pieces were sewn together. I used a simple running stitch to hand embroider her.

It was super simple, but I still included the basic instructions. I've been wondering if my needlepoint gets enough use for things that are more personal to me. See, needlepoint isn't just for your Grandmother. (Actually, I don't think my one Grandmother has ever done needlepoint.)