Monday, September 21, 2009

A Story About A Skirt, A Handbag, Friendship and Longing

Some stories are simple to tell. I thought this one would be too. The simple version goes like this: CurlyPops made me a fabulous handbag out of a skirt, and you can read all about it over here. However, there's a great deal more to this story, much of which only came back to me this morning. Pull up a pew and I'll tell you a tale.


I bought this skirt in 2005 at an op-shop. I was shopping with Ms L and my friend Jane. I don't know what possessed me to go into an op-shop because at the time I didn't even like op-shops (I know!). I thought they were smelly and full of junk, and I was one of those people who assertively proclaimed "I can never find anything good in op-shops". I can only suspect that it would have been Jane, a keen op-shopper, who lured Ms L and I in.

I was searching at the time, and not for thrifted treasure. Something was missing in my life. There was a longing, a wishing, an aching that had been with me for years, and yet had no name.


So, in this op-shop, on this particular day, I came across the skirt. And I instantly knew that it should become a bag. I remember declaring that I would purchase it and make a bag. In fact, not only did I declare that I would make a bag, but that I wanted to make a living from my creativity and that this bag was the beginning of a dream. I knew in that moment of clarity that I wanted to be a "famous sewer".

I took the skirt home, put it in the cupboard and there it stayed for over 2 years. The longing stayed with me through all that time too.


Fast forward a couple of years and the skirt that was destined to be a bag has finally come into its own. The longing has been named and I am on the path to making a living from my creativity. Whilst I am not, nor do I intend to become a "famous sewer" my dear friend CurlyPops certainly fits the bill. It's almost as if all those years ago I was given a glimpse of my future, all muddled up in symbolism and mystery.

As I popped the bag over my shoulder this morning and headed off to work, these are the memories that came to me. Memories of friendship and longing, of finding treasure and glimpsing an unknown future.

25 comments:

  1. Love the bag and the story behind it! Most serendipitous.

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  2. this is a great story! i'm so glad you kept that skirt through those two years and you were definitely right about it making a cute bag*
    =-)

    i am SO happy when i read stories of people who make the choice to truly follow their path of creativity, whatever their creative skill might be - it means they have made the choice to stop denying a VITAL part of themselves and move toward wholeness of spirit. YAY for Tinniegirl!!

    *i am a HUGE bag lover so i know a cute bag when i see one!!

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  3. Ain't it great! I recall being told that we have to acknowledge the longing so we'll recognize the steps to get there when they come into our life.

    Follow that dream.

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  4. Thanks for sharing your story and a small part of your journey with us, I know how difficult it can sometimes be to do. It took me until I became ill with stress/anxiety/depression that I acknowledged the desire for a seachange, lifestyle change, the want for a simpler life, a desire to work for myself and explore my creative side etc. 18 months on and I am certainly ticking a lot of those boxes.

    Have already dropped in to Curlypops and told here 'again' how clever she is.

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  5. what great feelings to carry around with you with that bag. thanks for sharing Cathy, lovely post :)

    Selina xx

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  6. It always amazes me that somehow things just happen 'for a reason'.
    I'm very glad that Jane dragged you into that op shop.

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  7. Whata great start to a story - you know there are many more chapters ahead Cathy ....

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  8. WOW Curly Pops nailed this one!!!!!

    It's fabulous!

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  9. Your story is part of what makes handmade so wonderful. You are carrying round a beautifully made item infused with history,meaning and care.

    Enjoy your new bag, Cathy. Its a beauty.

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  10. The bag's good but the story is even better...

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  11. beautiful tale which became your start to rediscovery & beautiful new friendship, and that's why it's an even more special and wonderful bag for the story it tells. ♥

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  12. This is FANTASTIC! Love it Love it Love it.
    x

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  13. Yaaayy!!! it was auspicisou that you found each other.

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  14. It's a great story... for lots of reasons, not the least that you ended up with the bag, but made by someone special to you, for you. I love how one tiny decision, almost insignificant to the time, can result in meaning so much, some so significant.

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  15. i love that story and i love that bag and i think i might even love the skirt

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  16. And all that time you held onto your dream... and now you are beginning to live it.
    Love the skirt bag. The colours are perfect.

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  17. charming story and what a stunning bag! I would buy it for sure!

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  18. What a beautiful story! Love the skirt, the bag and the story behind it!

    Here's to all your dreams coming true!

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  19. I have goosebumps from your story...so pleased you've found your passion and a treasured friendship...love to you...
    ps the bag is fabulous!

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  20. Love the purse and your blog is so much fun! It's great you have surrendered to the muse! I will be back! Kartika

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  21. What a tale to tell. I love it and the bag and that you have found a wonderful friend in curlypops. You were meant to keep that skirt in the cupboard for just this moment.

    I plan on joining in on blogtoberfest this year too. We will be around for all of it.

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  22. What a great story. I have a skirt that was once a dress and now I know the next step - a Bag! I love the fabric so much that I've never had the heart to throw it out but now I have a plan - fantastic! Thanks x

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