Dutch Orange
My friend Caroline is South African by birth, Dutch by heritage and American by citizenship. She is a sweet blend of European beauty and African fun. I used the March In Stitches project to fuel my creativity for a gift for her birthday this week.
After a bit of research, I found out the Dutch were responsible for turning the common carrot orange. Carrots used to be purple and red and all sorts of different colors. In honor of the House of Orange (and in all fairness, this is where my knowledge of Dutch history gets a bit shaky), some crafty Dutch dudes changed the color of the common vegetable so all Europeans would think Dutch and orange when getting their beta carotene. And this all happened in the 1700s. Go figure.
I’d wondered why Dutch soccer stadiums are always full of orange crazies. Now I kind of get it. One of Caroline’s favorite sweets is carrot cake. Do you see the theme brewing?
A Dutch-inspired clutch, mini tulip carrot cakes and an orange Dutch/African card.
I had been saving this soft orange floral fabric for just the right project. I love the way the clutch seems so demure…
When really it is just hiding a loud, happy African party inside. I bought this navy/red/orange print in Mozambique. Makes for a perfect lining.
To fit with the In Stitches theme for March, my adaptation to the pattern is this wrist strap, embroidered with Caroline’s initials.
Mmm…
The bag is Dutch on the outside, African on the inside. Just like Caroline.
~K
- Posted in Domestic Art, Journal, Africa, In Stitches Sew Along
- Permalink
You’re so talented, the bag is beautiful and the food looks so yummy!
March 21st, 2007 at 9:41 amGreat clutch! Love its dual personalities… and the emboidery on the strap.
My fabric is cut and ready for sewing… maybe tonight!
March 21st, 2007 at 10:06 amAck - I love the whole thing!! You’ve kicked the whole “theme gift” idea up a notch, what with the research and all. The African lining is such a stunning foil to the quieter exterior of the clutch; I congratulate you on being able to part with such a fine piece of fabric.
March 21st, 2007 at 10:19 amI am so envious of your baking/crafting time. Le sigh. That clutch is ADORABLE!!!! And the goodies look delish.
Are you going to make it out to Mesa for knitting this weekend darlin’?
March 21st, 2007 at 11:08 amI LOVE that interior fabric - it is so fun. And so orange! What a fabulous gift, too. Carrot cakes - yummy! I’m hoping to post successful photos of this clutch project soon. Just a few more details…
March 21st, 2007 at 11:49 amcarrot cake and a dutch clutch!? wowie. i’m still super envious of your poolside-reading. can’t get that out of my head. i’m so bummed that i’m not poolside. and kind of jealous of you, actually.
March 21st, 2007 at 12:22 pmlove the clutch. want the cake. so perfect! i loe making a bag with the suprise lining inside! so cool.
March 21st, 2007 at 12:32 pmWhat a great gift! I love the clutch, the simple white with the orange accent and the lining is fab.
Oh also like the dutch-orange lesson!
March 21st, 2007 at 12:41 pmIt really shows that you put a lot of thought into your gift. You’re a very thoughtful friend. It all looks fabulous.
March 21st, 2007 at 12:51 pmNow that’s one beautiful clutch Kelli!
March 21st, 2007 at 2:35 pmLovely gift! You have a real knack for matching patterns.
March 21st, 2007 at 3:27 pmAwesome Kelli. I love the WOW factor when you open the clutch. You’re a great friend. And you’ve given me a great idea for a friend who’s an orange fanatic.
March 21st, 2007 at 3:59 pmWhat a fabulous present for your fabulous friend!! Hubby’s family is Dutch and orange and blue are a big hit with that crowd!!!
March 21st, 2007 at 4:07 pmYou bake every day? Wow, I’m impressed, I’m lucky if I make one treat a week for my household. They feel deprived…ciao
March 21st, 2007 at 5:12 pmFreaking most thoughtful gift ever.
March 21st, 2007 at 6:48 pmI’m going to have to investigate Carrots of Another Color. Sounds like something I need to try growing.
March 21st, 2007 at 9:15 pmThat’s a SPECTACULAR clutch! I love how it’s so soft and sweet on the outside, but wild and zany on the inside. Perfect! And hey, I never knew that about carrots … good to know.
March 21st, 2007 at 9:17 pmI love that bag. So simple on the outside, and then the explosion of colour inside.
March 21st, 2007 at 10:08 pmHappy birthday Caroline!
March 22nd, 2007 at 12:08 amThe food seem really delicious, and the bag is amazing.
How does one become so creative and thoughtful comme toi? Teach me.
March 22nd, 2007 at 12:21 amOh that is gorgeous!
March 22nd, 2007 at 1:26 amGreat work Kelli!
I love the lining … very good choice.
March 22nd, 2007 at 2:33 amOMG, I love this clutch! That capulana fabric is wonderful - makes me inspired to go fabric shopping here and do something creative myself.
March 22nd, 2007 at 2:35 am“Dutch on the outside, African on the inside” — what a classy way to put it!
March 22nd, 2007 at 2:39 amLove the theme, love all the goodies, love the history lesson! You’re a triple threat, sweetie!
(and who knew about the carrots? Not I! It’s funny, I like carrots well enough. I like purple well enough. I’m just not sure that I’d like either of them as well if they were put together….
I know “a rose by any other name blah blah blah…” - but I can’t help but thinking that those lovely carrot cakes would come out looking muddyish if carrots were blue…)
March 22nd, 2007 at 3:29 amHow thoughtful of you to research the Dutch like that! And so interesting. I adore the clutch…especially the wild lining! And oh how I wish I had some carrot cake right now
March 22nd, 2007 at 4:41 amOh dear, those cakes…..
must resist finding carrot cake for lunch…
March 22nd, 2007 at 5:01 amYou are such an inspiration to be a better gift giver. You don’t just give a gift for the sake of doing so, you give an extra special from the heart gift!
March 22nd, 2007 at 5:03 amWhat a fabulous gift! I love the clutch…I loved the touch of orange on the outside and then the suprise lining made me gasp! You are an amazingly talented woman. I went to Hope College in Holland, Michigan…our colors were orange and blue but never heard anything about the carrot/orange and Dutch connection. Thanks for taking the extrordinary to an even further extreme! I too an off to have carrot cake! xoxox
March 22nd, 2007 at 5:31 amVery cute!!!!!!
March 22nd, 2007 at 6:00 amLook how cute that is! I love how much thought you put behind your gifts
March 22nd, 2007 at 6:18 amLove the dutch-clutch!
March 22nd, 2007 at 6:41 amAnd I must admit that you know more about Dutch history than I do
All I can say is I have seen the Dutch Football Team in action and they’re the one’s I always pull for…
Hup Oranje Hup!!!
March 22nd, 2007 at 7:17 amWho knew about the carrots! And me with a history degree, for shame! ; )
March 22nd, 2007 at 3:05 pmYou have been a busy cooker/crafter for sure, and it all looks super.
Your clutch is so cute! I love the colors and the iside.
March 22nd, 2007 at 4:07 pmsuper cute and super yummy!!!
March 23rd, 2007 at 4:24 ami love the bag! i had no idea that the dutch had such a connection with my favorite color. perhaps that’s why i love holland so much?
March 23rd, 2007 at 5:07 amand hello, those carrot cakes? super super cute! your mini-tulip pans have me convinced at last, you *are* june cleaver
What a lovely gift, Kelli. And I learned something in the midst! I too love carrot cake (doesn’t everyone?)
March 23rd, 2007 at 5:52 am[…] Mar 23rd, 2007 by Enthusia The image above is for AfricanKelli. Habitat Make-Under update here. […]
March 23rd, 2007 at 7:53 am[…] We’re three weeks into growing and… March 23rd, 2007 The image above is for AfricanKelli. […]
June 19th, 2007 at 2:15 pm