Mama's Got a Brand New (Red) Bag!

It's been quite a while since I posted to this blog. Writing, publishing, and promoting my book was all-consuming. But I still love handbags. And I've recently combined that love with a brand new hobby (like I needed something else to do!)--quilting.

When I wanted a new bag this winter, the ones I really liked were over $120. No way could I rationalize that! But I liked patchwork patterned bags and in googling the term to see if I could find some more reasonable purses, I happened on a quilter's pattern and directions to make a patchwork quilted bag. One thing led to another and now I have my own creation--and you guessed it--it's red!

I taught myself to stitch in the ditch but am feverishly reading and practicing to learn more stitches. And of course, I have my own stash of fabrics now! Where this will take me, I have no idea. But it sure is fun.

Check out my website for my writing: www.gpdavenport.com

Surprise, Surprise!

With the new year and last year's surprise news that my book is being published, I am really going to have to curtail my search for ultimate vintage. I spent October making changes for the publisher and managed to get in a couple of estate sales in November and early December. So while I really enjoy the handbags and have learned a lot in the past year, the realization is that my first responsibility this year is to my writing career and my book.

If the first surprise of last year was that I sold my picture book, the second surprise was how soon it would be out. "Shante' Keys and the New Year's Peas" is now scheduled for Fall 2007 release! As my friend Shirley would say, "Yikes. . . and yikes again!" Between then and now, I need to write a dedication (not as easy as it sounds), finish contract stuff with the lawyer, do a marketing plan and order marketing materials, and plan what a school visit would be like to accompany this book. And, oh yeah, hold a book release party!

So visits to this blog may be infrequent, but rest assured as I travel and plan, I will also be looking to score the ultimate bag!

The First Time. . .Priceless

I've been away from my blog for a while and held captive by doctors' appointments, drowned cars, and kids. When I wasn't looking for a replacement for our 2005 Corolla (yes, it would have lasted forever!), driving people or myself to the doctor, and getting my son back in the school groove, I was searching for Nirvana. I looked hard and long at estate sale after rummage sale for it. Maybe if I found just the right vintage handbag, life would be perfect. But for some reason, the supply of really special bags has all but dried up. So maybe finding just the right vintage fashion would give me ultimate peace. Two weeks ago I found a Bonnie Cashin raincoat. You would think that would do it. No. How about an extremely rare vintage handkerchief? That didn't do it either.

Then this week peace finally hit. It came in the form of a simple email: "I have good news. We would like to publish your book!" It was from an editor who wants to publish my picture book. MY book.

Picture me. . .happy!

Deja Vu, All Over Again

Piles of linens. Piles of blankets. Piles of spreads. Piles of clothes. Piles of tools. Piles of, well, piles. It makes you wonder when they had time to eat and sleep--or where. In the last few weeks, the estate sales have had overwhelming amounts of stuff. You could tell these folks traveled the world and their homes were filled with artifacts from their trips, but they were also filled with an abundance of everyday things--some from today and some from yesteryear. Of course, when I find the yesteryear stuff, I am like a pirate with a treasure map. The gold is here somewhere.


The treasure in one sale last month was hidden in a basement closet. The upstairs had been filled with clothes and handbags, but nothing caught my attention until I stepped inside the closet in the basement. There was a Harry Rosenfeld lunch box bag with beautiful suede sides and snakeskin stamped vinyl on top. Of course, I rescued Harry and he is home with me now.

On the writing front, I am actually working on a middle grade novel, which is interesting because I am doing it in longhand. Ever since I learned to type in high school (and actually before that), I composed at the typewriter or computer. But writing longhand was practical because of its portability. And I'm finding it very freeing. I'm crossing fingers that the story continues to flow from my ink pen.

I also had an interesting email from an actual editor asking if my picture book is still available. I'm crossing my fingers and toes that this works out. (Feel free to cross yours also, and crossing eyes can't hurt either, but don't drive that way, please.)