It's a thistle in flower some 18mm from the lens. Probably not something you'd have guessed, given the abstracted view.

When was the last time you were this close to a plant?

Coming out a bit further...

then closer

and closer

last of all, a further abstraction using Photoshop.

The Clutch

Here's a progress report. The clutch will look something like this. I'm surprised at how well it resembles a functional bag, and how deceptively it looks like a cube in 2-D, but there are a few issues that need to be addressed. One is that the linoleum is more fragile than I expected. It seems to be drying out in the exposure to summer air, after having been sealed under a layer of carpet for many years. It's curling at the edges, and in some cases peeling away from the string backing. So some restorative and preventative measures are in order. I washed it with warm water and dish soap, which softened it right up. It may be worth experimenting with various things to see if something keeps it soft. A bit of Pond's perhaps? I wonder what this is made of that it responds so well to water.

Another issue is about how I'm going to join the edges. I haven't got a lot of red rubber bands, but more importantly, I'm looking for something that won't break while the bag is being carried. The first two prospects were copper wire and cotton string. The wire would probably be too stiff, and tear the lino. So I opted for cotton string. I'm not keen on how it looks, and will keep an eye out for a suitable alternative. I wonder if that plastic stuff I used in summer camp to sew leather wallets is still available. That, or something else suitably naff.

Another issue is important in keeping the bag from tearing at the holes. I think the inside of each seam should be reinforced as the string passes between tiles. I'm thinking that a bit of rope or sash cord should be laid into the back of each joint, with the binder string passing around it. This would keep the bag from flexing at the joints, would rigidify the seam somewhat, and keep the eyelets from tearing. Come to think of it, it would be way cool to have an internal lining, and perhaps even a rigid internal frame, but I'm going to leave that work to someone else!

I also have to think about a strap or handle, and a clasp. At the moment I'm thinking that I'll attach a strap internally and feed it out in the gap left by an incomplete tile. Again, the question of material comes up, in terms of figuring out what will be suitable for holding, and for aesthetic consistency. What kind of strap goes well with a lino clutch? Cotton string? Nope. Old inner tube? Nope. I'll have to think on it.