Wednesday, August 6, 2008

Mermaid Bags and Books

Today’s mermaid music to listen to while reading:






These two embroidered toiletry bags were made last year (pre-blogging). I embroidered the mermaid design on the fabrics before sewing the pieces together and installing a zipper. The bags are pretty roomy, I've stuffed a rolled-up bath towel inside and there's still room.



The bags are lined with vinyl and I painted a wood bead to add to the ribbon hanging from the zipper for each bag.



To make the toiletry bags, I used the instructions from Romantic Home Sewing: Cottage-Style Projects to Stitch for the Home.

Books are one of my loves in life as much as mermaids. I checked to see just how many mermaid books are listed at Amazon.com—33,290 at last check. The following are three in my collection (for adults, not children).



The Forgotten Voyage of the H.M.S. Baci

This photo of the front/back cover provides a synopsis of the tale (click on the picture to enlarge for reading). Think Darwin’s voyage on the HMS Beagle, but Sir Roberts’ expedition has mermaids and he falls in love with one. This is the companion volume to Robert Kline’s erotic Sea Maiden
paintings (definitely not for kids) which I went to see at a gallery at Topsail Island, N.C. last year.


The Mermaid Chair

Jesse discovers a secret that shaped her life during a time when she is also discovering herself. It’s about guilt, redemption, sin, and forgiveness. Jesse wonders if the Mermaid Chair really has power and discovers it’s something that comes from within as opposed to without. Loss of self is one Sue Monk Kidd’s premises. The author describes her protagonist as a woman “who wanted only to belong to herself”. Isn’t that what all women desire?



A Survival Guide for Landlocked Mermaids

Advice, wit, and wisdom about getting your life together; the book is described as “an enchanting way of hydrating your weary mermaid soul”—I love that phrase.


7 comments:

Geraldine said...

I just got back to sewing after a long hiatus. It's so relaxing and rewarding, isn't it? Got here via Alberta Postcards, I liked what you said about her latest post.

www.mypoeticpath.wordpress.com

Anonymous said...

Oh I absolutely love the bags. I love mermaids and I absolutely enjoyed The Mermaid Chair. I was sorry when it ended.

Hugs!!!

Thimbleanna said...

I love all your mermaid goodies June -- how fun! I especially love that little mermaid rug!

Anonymous said...

Great bag. I have this book too and love all the soft and lovely projects inside.

Gumbo Lily said...

Cute bags! My DIL just bought Romantic Home Sewing and it has lots of fun ideas and pretty fabrics that are inspiring. (I'm borrowing it now)

Jody

Pat @ Mille Fiori Favoriti said...

Really nice bags, June.

I loved the book "The Mermaid's Chair"! I usually like eveyhting Sue Monk Kidd writes.

The other books look intriguing!

Mrs.Kwitty said...

I've never given much thought to mermaids, JunieMoon, but you have piqued my curiosity with your intriguing books...... (love your bags--nice embroidery!)
Smiles, Karen