Adri's Palette

I don’t know why, but I have not been this excited to make something in a long time. I felt I was on edge and every nerve in my body was waiting for the moment when I could hold the materials in my hand, try to figure out how to make each step and the moment when my mobile cozy would finally be ready. I felt so would up, that without realizing it I knocked over the boxes that hold my thread collection and my crafting tools and sent all of its contents flying across our apartment.

After recovering from the shock I started collecting all the tiny pieces. I was so angry at myself for not paying more attention! But before I knew it I was laughing because of this ridiculous episode. And I am glad I did not take it to heart, because the lighthearted mood helped me take things easier later on.I played a lot with the placement of the colors. I took little pieces of felt and like a puzzle tried to figure out how it would look best. At the end I decided not to place the blue leaf at the very tip, rather a bit to the side to further emphasize the idea of a splash, a contrast. Otherwise I think it would have overtaken the entire design.

My sewing machine has been very a bit moody lately. The upper thread keeps breaking on me constantly and I cannot for the life of me figure out what is causing it. So I was not sure how I will be able to sew on the leaves. At the end, however all turned out as if it were a fairy tale: my machine behaved (for once) and I was able to sew everything on in my first try. I was so incredibly happy in fact, that I completely forgot to embroider the rest of the design on. Oh well, c’est la vie!

The design remains thus in its most puritan form. Just the design of the leaves, without anything further to adorn it. Maybe the stripped lining adds a splash of contrasting design and color when one opens it up and peeks inside. The closure is also very simple, but very functional at the same time.

When I finished with the cozy and held it in my hand I was more excited then when I started. It was exactly what I imagined it would be, and more! And something unexpected happened: the blue leaf almost glows in the dark against the darker background. I no longer have to search for my mobile in the semi darkness in our apartment, because I can clearly see it. And I can also clearly hear the sigh of relief my mobile makes, because it will not be sharing its space with sharp little objects. It has a home of its own.