in which our plucky heroine notices signs of spring...
The neighbor children make the most amazing chalk art... this time it is The Long Hopscotch! which goes all the way down the block, turns 180 and comes all the way back again...
it is, among other things,
pollen season...
the first ladybug takes a stroll on the forsythia bush, and the star magnolia coming back after being winterkilled two years ago
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Earlier at the end of March, I finished the new brown babycord pinafore. The corduroy is so very thin and soft that while it won't be durable, it will be a treat to wear in the springtime. I played around with the nap direction, and cut the skirt gores in a way that created small triangles of reversed nap at the bottom edges, just for fun.
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The best project, however, is my new homemade daypack from materials gifted, salvaged, and scraps (except for purchased interfacing)... I liked the looks of the Range Backpack pattern by Noodlehead, and it was worth getting the pattern since the instructions were really clear and there was not a bit of faffing about with tape and paper, since all the component parts were measured rectangles.
Being my usual self, I had to make modifications. The initial inspiration was the fragment of Eames motif tapestry fabric just big enough for a front pocket, and my design choices spiraled out from there. Extra heavy black denim for the body, and as backing for the brown webbing shoulder straps. Heavy brushed brown twill for the strap attachment points, and to create folded expansion gussets on either side of the zippered pocket; (there wasn't enough of the tapestry fabric to do a center folding expansion)
Some salvaged grey upholstery leather was used sueded side out for the pack bottom, as an accent on the carry loop at the top, and a thin strip as a zipper pull. The splendid stripey zipper was a gift from Shams. I lined the pack with heavy turquoise/black linen cotton chambray. The snap buckle was salvaged from an older worn out pack.
I decided on fixed length shoulder straps, since I basically never adjust the length on other daypacks, which meant that I didn't need to find all the adjustable buckles and connectors for making the straps longer and shorter. (same same as with bra straps... if you are making your own, why do the straps need to adjust?? I've never understood that, with manufactured items it makes sense, because bodies are varied in configuration, but if I ever try the DIY route, no dumb little sliders) But I digress...
The daypack is a Grand Success, and it is tempting to make another one at some point, if I can salvage some more of the click buckles from somewhere. (I really miss Rose City Textiles and their room of outdoor notions!)
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April SMART goals (x=extra)
| # | THINGS MADE | THINGS FIXED | THINGS GONE |
| 1 | Range backpack | cardigan back hem | - |
| 2 | brown corduroy pinafore | x | - |
| 3 | x | x | - |
| 4 | x
| x | - |
| 5 | x | x | - |
| 6 | x | x
| - |
| 7 | x | x | - |
| 8 | x | x | - |
| 9 | x
| x | x |
| 10 | x
| x | x |
| 11 | x | x | x |
| 12 | x | x | x |
| 13 | x | x | x |
| 14 | x | x | x |
| 15 | x | x | x |
Today's gratitude - the sweet scent of springtime flowers, and the drifts of pink petals from the ornamental plum, that fall like snow, but softly, and not cold
When I saw this, I just couldn't help myself from talking to the person toting their groceries about it... They made it from a rattan cane inherited from someone in their family, a basket found at a thrift store, and some hardware and lumber. 
