I have been told that I have a keen eye for detail, I have also been told I am very detailed. I find that these are in fact true statements most of the time. From the details of people's words, to art and nature, to the detailing of my bags. I love all of them. I study things that I love with great detail.  Today, I think of the radiologist and the mammogram specialist and hope that they have a keen eye for detail, as they study my films. The details will eventually be results. A detail I want to think less about.....

To do that, I found myself thinking of yesterday and the details that surrounded it! I finished a bag yesterday and like I said before each bag has a story. This one is no exception.

In January I made a bag for someone as a birthday gift. She posted a picture of the bag on her Facebook. The picture received several kind comments. A couple of people asked where they could get one, but one person drew my attention more then the others. So I e-mailed her privately, letting her know that I would love to make a bag for her. The response she gave me was so great. She was so excited that I said I would do it. A detail from her e-mail sticks out, a line saying," I am doing a, I'm getting a bag made by Tara, happy dance"!!! This made me laugh and made me feel happy that I decided to make her a bag.

I have a process with my bag making. I really want every detail to be perfect. So I e-mail the person that I am making the bag for, a list of questions. I first ask them to look through my photos and pick a design they like. I then ask them what colors and prints they like. From those answers my creative wheels start to turn.

The detail work on the bags is probably my favorite part of the bags. I spend a lot of time making each one just right. From the jets I applique, to the hand stitching, to the zipper charms. Here are some pictures of the details from my last bag......

F-15

Another detail of my bag making I enjoy is, finishing the bag and sending the recipient and e-mail telling them their bag is done!!!! The replies from these e-mails always make me smile. They are often filled with words of how excited they are to receive their bag and can't wait for it to come in the mail. Yesterdays e-mail was no exception.....again, I have to quote her words because it was just too funny. The first line of the e-mail read, " Giddy as in squealing like a greased pig at the state fair G-I-D-D-Y! about the bag! How can you not laugh when you read that?!! Then I read on, her e-mail had so many details, an awesome quote, kind works of encouragement, and a request for two more bags....

 The bags would be gifts for a dear friend of hers, who was widowed 3 years ago and her college age daughter as a graduation gift. After reading the details describing her friend, my emotions changed.  3 years ago a wife lost her husband, her lover, and her best friend. I can not began to imagine life without Scott. I know every detail of him, his laugh, the sound of his voice, his habits, what he likes, what he dislikes. I know the coloring of his hair, the scars that he has on his body. The way he smells, to the way he likes his coffee. I cherish every detail that makes him mine. I know this wife  knew every detail of her husband as well. Now, she looks in a closet and sees flight suits hanging and until yesterday didn't know what to do with them. I am honored that they chose me to make them a bag. I promise to make every detail perfect and I pray that the bag will make her smile and serve as a reminder of all the amazing details of her hero!

Thank-you Meredith for bringing new details to my life! I am truly honored that you chose me to make these special bags! Here is a photo of your bag......