Can I keep it?

Ooh, I love it. I sometimes get into these crazy artsy fartsy moods, and go all out on these "projects," half of which I finish 6 months to some years later. I still haven't finished a Masallo I started about 2 years ago.

Anyway, Yoko & I got charged up to do some sewing projects. I really wanted a cover for my sofa, so I thought, Baby steps; let's start small, like with a pillow cover or something. We dropped in on a store, and figured we'd make something for a friend, for fun. We ended up splitting the cost for 2 different patterns. One for pillows (that go on chairs) and one for hand bags. I took the latter home, and she the former. Six to seven months later, I finally finished the project, while Yoko's out at CMU making new friends, I'm getting to know my sewing machine better and paypal, need I say more, is my Buddy. I've been buying threads (embroidery & regular) off ebay like crazy.

Anyway, after I finished the hand bag, or, when I noticed I might actually be able to finish this sucker before I lose interest again, I thought to myself (and said aloud to Hasnain), "Can I keep it?" I know, I know, I intended the hand bag, purse, duffle purse, as I like to call it, for Emily, or M for short, really short. She's a crazy fun friend from Cali. But, I fell in love with my own flawed, thread-hanging, duffle purse. Ugh! I want it!

Some may say, "Well, if you like it that much, make another one." Yeah, right! Like that's going to happen. I've always been able to do things ONCE in a spectacular way. Every time I try to replicate something that I've done well, it's always been less than nice. People may expect it, I even do, but whatever it is, from a calendar collage, to a wedding album, to a scrapbook, to a masallo w/sujni, once & that's it. Anyway, I think I might make a pillow out of that combination of colors though. I think that would be fun for college bound kids. Yay, B-day present.

I guess my question is, when you walk out of the mall with the perfect gift, and you think for a split second, Wow, that would look great on my side table, hmmm. Can you, are you allowed to modify your niyyat? your intention? Isn't that contrary to the meaning of intention? Your primary purpose for whatever action you are going to perform (or performed)?

Not to worry, the duffle purse is already in a manila envelope on it's way over to the Golden State. Ain't that Peachy? (If you didn't already know, Georgia is the Peach State).

Next time you pick up or plan to give someone something, make clear in writing what your intentions are. I'm telling you, for people with a "not so strong" will-power, it's for the best!

(Marya, I know you'll have some comment about me giving you stuff that I ended up keeping, yes yes, I can name a few... no need to elaborate. You know what, go ahead, elaborate, "swim in it, until your fingers get all pruny"--French Kiss, hahaha)