Since winning the fire starting contest at Grand Portage when she was 8, Noelle had wanted her own fire kit. She started doing the wool appliqué and beading and now, a few years later… I helped her finish the bag. The design of the appliqué came from an early 19th century pair of leggings and garters in the Musée du Quai Branley in Paris. As an 8 year old, I do not think she knew the Catholic symbolism of the design, but she did like the fire (it is a bag for her fire starting stuff) and she told me the entwined hearts symbolized her and I, especially since she loves me and I taught her to start fire. Okay… I melted a little. The dew claws on the fringe are from the two deer she had shot. After shooting her doe this year, she wanted to save the tail for something. I took my old hat and pimped it out for her with some ribbon, the tip of her deertail, an ostrich plume, and a little bead and deer hoof dangle made from hooves of deer she shot. Proud papa!
Isaac,
I wish I had a daughter then some of my wife would be alive today. Nice to be able to share who you are with your daughter, you will be alive long after you are gone because of her.
Paul