I made up the pattern as I went along, and used a burlap coffee bag from our local coffee roaster (so close that I sometimes smell roasting coffee beans). The bag is lined with an embroidered cotton I've had in my stash for years, and the handle is braided jute - just your garden variety jute from the hardware store. I cut three strands and braided them together. The bag is just the right size for my knitting and wallet, the only two things I need when I leave home.
I also made a few more burlap pears with crocheted copper leaves, filled with fragrant mulling spices.
I have three pears for sale. They are $24 a piece; price includes shipping in the US. Email me if you would like to purchase one: mollydunham@sbcglobal.net.
And I have one more pear to give away. Leave a comment and I'll select a random winner Friday afternoon (let's say 4 PM Pacific Time).
A warm welcome to all those visiting via WhipUp.net. I was very excited yesterday when my friend Sarah told me my wreath was on WhipUp, and when I went to look for myself, I saw that my acorn necklace was up as well.
Of course the downside of being featured on WhipUp is the not so nice comments some readers feel inclined to leave. I woke up to an anonymous "Get a life" comment this morning. Not bad advice really. Perhaps if I stopped crafting for myself, my family and friends, I would have more time to troll blogs and leave nasty comments. Tempting, but I think I'll stick to the crafting.
Well, I am one of the lucky ones to find you through whipup who thinks the life you appear to have looks pretty great! I was interested in your crocheted wire pear leaves because I have knitted several small baskets with that same wire. They are quite pleasing but a bit hard on fingers!
ReplyDelete--Vicki K.
Ooooh I hate trolls. I for one hope you never "get a life", I follow your blog through google reader, have been for a few months and I love your stuff!! I would be honored to win that pretty little pear!!
ReplyDeleteRachel
athenagwis at hotmail . com
You really do have to wonder about the mentality of a person who would leave insulting comments, right? Let's just hope they get their aggression out that way, and are nice out there in the "real" world. (What are the odds?) Anyway, I think the pears, the burlap craftiness in general, and your blog (always) is wonderful. I heart Foothill. Best wishes, Tara
ReplyDeleteyou really are so talented. the lining on your bag is perfect and I LOVE your burlap pears!
ReplyDeleteGood attitude about the nasty people out there. Sometimes I think they are jealous...other ones are just plain mean! But I love the attitude you have about it!
ReplyDeleteEnter me for the pear. I have been admiring it from afar!
How did you sew in the straps to the bag? Did you just go over it a couple times with the machine? or did you do something else? I was wondering if my sad White could handle something like that....
I adore the bag lining! Lovely. Boo on trolls, and one of your little pear lovelies would fit right in at my house. :) Happy crafting!
ReplyDeleteYes, please, stick to the crafting! I'm glad that you take the time to share your creativity to inspire us all. Love the newest banner, by the way. And, please count me on on the pear giveaway. Have a great day.
ReplyDeleteI love your reply to such a comment :)!...Love the glimpse we get into your life!
ReplyDeleteI don't understand why anyone would be so nasty.
ReplyDeleteThat is stinky.
Lovely burlap goodness here!
Can't believe the nasty comments. The pears are delightful :) I'd love to have one in my home!
ReplyDeleteI love the bag and your response to the negativity is just perfect. Yay you!
ReplyDeletePlease don't get a life. It's the blogs that keep me sane!
ReplyDeleteThat bag is so cute!! I love that fabric you used as the lining.
ReplyDeleteDon't get a life because then we won't be able to capture some inspiration from your beautiful and peaceful creations.
I would love love love to win a pear!
I really love your blog, so I guess "It's a Wonderful Life" we have. Enjoying your burlap crafting and would love to win your your sweet pear. Your new bag great.
ReplyDeleteLove the bag and the pear! As for getting a life, nothing makes you feel more alive then creating, right? And you are brilliant at that. I wish I could crochet wire or make a bag without a pattern!! People who spend time making negative comments are probably the ones who need a life!
ReplyDeletei also came across your blog through whipup and think what you do is quite lovely! the pears look scrumptious! thank you for sharing!
ReplyDeleteWell pooh on trolls!! Just because you manage to find the time to do things that make you happy doesn't mean someone needs to rain on your parade!! I for one, love what you do and I am thankful that you share it with us!
ReplyDeleteThat pear is so precious! Maybe I'll get lucky! :o)
their just jealous : )
ReplyDeleteI stumbled across your blog thru Mayamade. There is a sense of peaceful clam here and I really love it. The "tree limb" creation you used in your dining room in now in my kitchen. To match my color scheme, I spray painted the limb white and place five ready-made little blue birds of happiness to represent the residents of my home. I LOVE IT!
ReplyDeleteI peeked on whipup and saw you there and had to pop in here and say congrats! People are mean like that? Meanie pants! Glad to have so many nice bloggers out there like to you balance them out.
ReplyDeleteWell, I love your burlap stuff....just so you know! :)
Have a lovely day, and CONGRATS!
I just recently found your blog via Sherrie of frenchyfinds.blogspot.com and I absolutely love it. Your photos and your aesthetic are beautiful. Keep up the good work and don't bother "getting a life." :)
ReplyDeleteLove your "comeback" for that blogger! People should just keep it to themselves if they aren't interested in what you do. Your life seems cool to me, and you are talented!
ReplyDeletethose pears are great... fabulous idea to stuff sweet smells inside!
ReplyDeletesounds like you have the right attitude about the jerky commenter, i'd probably dwell on it for far too long! i love your blog and your kindness is conveyed in each post!
enjoy the beautiful day molly (and i hope you survive the costco craziness!)
you're killing me here! i've had some basmati rice burlap bags set aside for just such a purpose - and recently threw them out - no time! but now i WANT them back! ;)
ReplyDeleteLove the bag.
ReplyDeleteI have never been to your site before but I followed a link to your origami starts and I love your blog! You are so creative! Now, I imagine making MULTITUDES of origami stars... :) Which makes me smile.
ReplyDeleteThat bag of yours is darn stinkin' cute!! And I mean that in NOT the slightest of trollish ways. LOVE it!!
ReplyDeleteOh, those pears are so stinking cute! And so is that bag... I wish people only said kind things (that's the lesson I teach in preschool)
ReplyDeleteLove the bag. I held onto a costco brown rice bag for a long time (had to get rid of it when we moved).
ReplyDeleteI'd love to win the pear!
You amaze me every time, Molly. What I wouldn't give for half your crafty talent.
ReplyDelete... and um, one of those pears!!!
Please don't stop crafting or i'll have to get a life! I would really REALLY love a pear, really love one!
ReplyDeleteHi there I almost never comment on blogs but I just wanted to say that I love your blog and the crafts you make. The wreath highlighted at Whip-up is adorable. Looks like you have a full and great life. Don't listen to those who are obviously so unhappy with their own lives they need to lash out at others.
ReplyDeletei like pears! lol :) xoxo k
ReplyDeleteMy husband is reading over my shoulder, and he said that I should make a tote like yours. ; ) I agree...now to find a source for my own burlap.
ReplyDeleteOh, and guess what. I made up a bunch of leaves and have been making earings with them! Thanks again for the inspiration you share...your ideas get me to make my own and the get crafting!
I love the pears. And I hope I win the drawing!
I love your beautiful creations, I think they are very orginal!
ReplyDeleteSomeone told you to "get a life"?!? Now, granted, I haven't done much more than look at all of your fabulous photos, but I don't think I'd mind having your "life"! Gah... ignore the trolls. Life is too short to pay any attention to them!
ReplyDeleteI hope all the loving your receiving has been a good balm. Your new bag is fantastic! I love those roles of jute, I use them for hanging tags off all of my buckets. Never thought of braiding it... terrific! Please count me in for one of your delicious pears!
ReplyDeletep.s. I love that all you need is your wallet... and your knitting! A true knitter!
I like your life. Don't get a new one. Your burlap creations bring me joy. And, of course, your satsuma header is refreshing. Thanks for being you. Maybe trolls should eat more satsumas and then they'd be happier.
ReplyDeleteI love all the burlap! Such a nice feel (literally and figuratively). Thanks for offering up such a sweet give-away :)
ReplyDeletemollyp@blarg.net
Those that can, DO. Those that can't, leave snide comments. Please continue DOING!
ReplyDeleteKathy B. (who must touch fabric or yarn everyday or she gets sad!)
I think that the old saying "If you have nothing good to say, don't say anything" applies to this person! I hope that that doesn't leave a negative feeling to your day.
ReplyDeleteI think that your work is great! You're very creative, and your pears are wonderful! Love the wire leaves!
I love the pears. I personally can't imagine trying to sew with burlap, I feel like it would go all over. But I'd love to have a finished object! :)
ReplyDeleteIt makes me wonder, really, why people who leave nasty comments like that even spend their time looking at things that they obviously don't like or have an interest in. I just don't have enough time in my life to waste on something that I don't have an interest in, you know? I really don't get it.
i love the bag. and the pears. and the inspiration that you provide. so you are getting life!!!!! and for that i thank you!
ReplyDeleteThis is my first visit, thanks to whipup, and your blog is a lovely read! Pears are beautiful. I knitted some wire/bead cuff bracelets awhile back, so was interested in the copper leaves. They'd be great on a wreath with twigs and other found materials from a fall or winter garden!
ReplyDeleteI don't know...from what I've seen of your blog, you already have a life. A very good one, I might add. It sounds more like jealousy on the troll's part, actually. Your crafts are wonderful. I love the simple elegance of your style.
ReplyDeleteYour pears are perfect my dear, as is your blog.
ReplyDeleteTrolls are so stinky. :(
I think a troll is a sign that your blog has made it to the big leagues...still not a nice thing to wake up too. Please enter me in your give-away.
ReplyDeletePeople who leave nasty comments in strangers' blogs are totally not worth listening to. Your crafts are cute! Crafting is a life! Love it!
ReplyDeletei love your burlap creations--i wondered if you might offer some tips for sewing with burlap? i've made a few things with burlap and found it very difficult--i had a terrible time breathing in the small fibers that fly everywhere and my hands ended up actually quite red and chafed from being stuck with all those invisible little sharp fibers. i so love the look of burlap and would love to use up some of the organic coffee bags i have stashed...any thoughts would be appreciated!!
ReplyDeleteMaybe the mean-ol' goat meant to say that they needed to get a life! I think what you do is pretty spectacular and I am very, very picky! Plus, you're very kind to share your ideas and tutorials.
ReplyDeleteI'm a visitor from Whipup and plan on making your blog a regular visit. Your work is amazing. Thanks so much for sharing the love!
ReplyDeletekelly
You don't need to get a life - you have a wonderful one! Grrrr - some people! I, personally, love all your handcrafted items. You inspire me to be a better more creative person. Keep it up!
ReplyDeletei also found you via whipup and just had to leave a comment. your work is truly inspiring, thank you!
ReplyDeletei'll be sending more estonian crafters your way tomorrow :)
You gotta wonder about people who leave those kinds of comments...but I love your little bag. The braid twine handle was a brillant idea.
ReplyDeletePears are a bit of a theme for my son & his wife. We decorated with pears for their rehearsal dinner to celebrate the perfect pair!
ReplyDeleteI gotta go dig out a crochet hook, you've given me some ideas for using vintage buttons!
ReplyDeleteWow, I don't even understand leaving nasty comments on craft blogs. Anyway, I found you via WhipUp too, and love what you make. :> That little house a few posts back is so adorable!
ReplyDeleteYour talent is wonderful. I love finding inspiration here. The pears are fab.
ReplyDeleteHeather
Oooh those pears are amazing!! I am a visitor from Whip Up and can't believe how beautiful your blog is! You make incredible things!! :) xo!
ReplyDeleteoh please enter me into the drawing...those pears are so cool :o)
ReplyDelete~simply~
oh my! where to begin? first off, i love your header. we have been gobbling up satsumas like crazy. i initially found you, your birds actually, on flickr, and i was so very inspired. i've yet to finish birds, but when i do, i have the perfect place for them to live...a driftwood branch that my daughter picked up on a florida beach (thanks to hurricane gustav, we had evacuated there). also, i adore your scrap wreath and the pomegranate wreath, so inspiring to me and such wonderful memories for you! i'm so happy to have visited you, and i will be back surely. xxx
ReplyDelete60+ comments... wow, girl!! Just wanted to say that I love your new bag ;) Can't wait to see it in person.
ReplyDeleteWow, these are so impressive. You've inspired me to break out my machine and find some burlap!
ReplyDeleteI love your pear, even though I called it an apple on Whipup...sorry about that!
ReplyDeleteI've tried many a time to crochet with wire and gave it up, putting it in the too hard pile. I take my hat off to you on this one. It's beautiful.
You've got to wonder about those nasty commenters. I mean if they think it's sad to craft what on earth are they doing looking at Whipup in the first place. A case of the green eyed monster me thinks. You keep at it. You have a real talent.
Every time I see your burlap creations, I want to make something for myself! Lovely :)
ReplyDeleteI found you through WhipUp,too. I love the bag and the pears...AND the star tute. Very sweet.
ReplyDeletethe bag is beautiful.
ReplyDeleteI absolutely adore that bag! How beautiful!
ReplyDeleteI absolutely adore that bag! How beautiful!
ReplyDeletefooey to nasty people and their comments.
ReplyDeletehope you all are doing well!
wow, but your ideas are wonderful!!!
ReplyDeletemolly , i love your bag and all of your creations! of course you already know this!! :o)
ReplyDeleteand sounds like there are jealous somebodies out there! ... just sayin'!!
keep up the great work!!!
I too found you through whipup and what a fabulous find it is!
ReplyDeleteI think the one who needs to get a life is the loser who spends his/her time writing to strangers telling them to get a life.
Ah. Mean people are terrible. Just think about what they must do with their time. I should imagine it includes lots of television, too much of things that are really not good for them and lots of other stuff that makes them unhappy. Be glad your time is spent making fabulous crafts instead.
ReplyDeleteDo you use a sewing machine when using burlap? Do you use a larger size needle? Do you adjust the tension?
ReplyDeleteI love re-using materials and, well, not buying new fabric, and you've made burlap inspiring. Thanks ~H
You're getting so popular--I love it! I also noticed that in addition to your pear and acorn necklace, they have also featured your twig wreath with the burlap bird. http://whipup.net/2008/12/10/natural-wreath/
ReplyDeleteI love the burlap bag!
don't worry about yukky comments - just keep on making ...
ReplyDeleteOhhh...what lovely pears.
ReplyDelete