Inspired by Sil

I met Sil Frebrian, owner of Batavia by Sil on the wonderful world of Twitter. We finally met in person when we were placed as neighbours in the Rising Stars neighbourhood at the One of a Kind Spring Show and Sale 2011. I spent five days staring at and drooling over her upcycled hand made bags. Her designs are so sweet and you can totally see they are made with passion. Each bag is truly unique-no two are ever the exact same. She adds so many beautiful touches to her bags such as embroidery, hand made wooden buttons, applique, and braided handles.
After the spring show I went home and began work on my own bag. While mine is a very straightforward design I was inspired by Sil's work!

I made this pattern freehand. Project inspired by my neighbour at the One of a Kind Spring Show 2011, Batavia by Sil. I admired her bags for the entire show. She creates gorgeous clutches and purses with reclaimed fabrics and adds her own hand made wooden buttons.

Outer fabric purchased at Value Village.

Button by the Woodlot purchased at the One of a Kind Spring 2011

Lining fabric from Diana Brugos acquired in a trade. This is vintage seersucker with a light floral pattern.
One big inside pocket.

Nice and roomy to carry all of my knitting projects!

The Little Tagline That Could

These past few days I haven't had much energy and the symptoms of depression seem to be ever creeping up on me as the days grow shorter. Not sure if these feelings are situational or chemical, but the blahs are definitely with me. I feel so uninspired and when I feel uninspired it makes me sad. I have had to fight through it though because I am debuting my line of goodies for knitters and crocheters this Saturday at Wise Daughters and there is still much work to do.

I can see how before I had treatment for my depression that these feelings would've spiraled further down and it would be difficult for me to recognize what was going on with my mood. I have to tell myself that this will pass, that I'll feel better and that the negative thoughts in my head is the depression talking. I'd tell you my thoughts, but there are so many swimming around in there it is a little overwhelming and difficult to write one without the urge to write them all and thus forgetting the point of this post.

So the point is, I am feeling inspired enough to write a post! I made up a little flyer to have on my table at Wise Daughters this weekend because I know I'll be meeting other knitters, crocheters, spinners and crafters and I want to tell them about my desire for guest bloggers on Close Knit! The little flyer got me thinking about a tagline and I did a little brainstorming and came up with

"reaching out and inspiring others to enrich their lives through art and craft"

This little tagline got me excited. I needed to put what I want to do in words that made sense to me. I found a way through depression with the help of activities I enjoy when enjoyment was rarely found. Something about the act of knitting gave me the drive to keep on, even if it was to just knit another row. I want to help others in similar circumstances to find what will enrich their lives-perhaps through craft or art. This little tagline gives me a greater focus for the purpose of this blog and that gets me excited. I feel better already.

Treating My Depression Through Craft

When I began this blog my intention was to write about how craft helped pull me out of depression and became an essential part of my treatment as well as my ongoing emotional and mental health. I guess I realized I didn't really feel like writing about my struggles while going through them and it was much more productive to concentrate on the stuff I love and post about that.

I have a sneaking suspicion that many of you out there struggle with depression, mood disorders, or life situations that get you down. I feel without my craft, my hobbies I would be lost and perhaps this describes you as well. I have been thinking more and more how I could publish something on this blog that would be of benefit to the readers (if you are out there) and I have something in the works.

You're not alone, though depression is an extremely isolating condition. We have to learn how to take care of ourselves and to battle the negative thoughts and moods that seem to overwhelm us. No matter if you have been through depression in the past, are currently experiencing it,  have had a lifelong battle with it, or you are in the dark about your condition my hope is that the postings contained within this blog will be a source of hope, inspiration, commiseration, and a place to reflect.

LadeeBee- She is sometimes sad, but not always.