happy jack

Happy Halloween!

Are you like me and can't believe how fast the year is going by?

It will soon be time to dig out those well-worn

and stained Thanksgiving recipe cards.

 

 

I finished this little coffee mug mat

 just in time to put it away for next year.

 

 

And talk about projects in progress...

I started this cat over 15 years ago!

There must have been something about it that 

 it got filed in the "projects I don't like" file.

 

 

~b

 

 



Friday post card

~b



library

Is that a Carnegie Library!

What can I say but...I love Carnegie libraries.

 

 

This one was located in Two Harbors, Minnesota.

 It was built in 1909 with a $15,000 grant from Andrew Carnegie.

Built in the Classical Revival style with brick and sandstone,

 it was one of over 3,000 libraries in 47 states funded by Carnegie.

 

 

If there had been a roaring fire in this fireplace

 I would never have left the building.

 

 

Thank you Andrew Carnegie and the towns and cities

 that have kept and maintained these libraries.

 

~b

 

 

 



energy

I love days that I feel over-energized.

Today I completely emptied the fridge to clean it.

Yesterday I tackled bathroom drawers.

It feels good to accomplish those neglected household chores.

Meanwhile I have this stack of zipper pouches

waiting to be finished on my sewing counter.

Then I will feel like I have earned this cup of tea and a little reading time.

Have you been following the show Outlander on starz?

I am so hooked on it.

I finally ordered the first book of the series.

I will give you a review when I finish it.

~b



sweet dreams

Teddy will only be having the sweetest of dreams

in his new bed and

tucked in with a new quilt.

 

 

I chose red paint for this bed because it reminds me of the doll crib

my grandfather made for my sister and I many years ago.

 

 

goodnight stars

goodnight bears

goodnight noises

everywhere

 

 

~b is for bear

 

 



Post card Friday

 

~b



autumn colors

It's the best time of year for taking country drives...

 

 

The leaves will be disappearing fast with the wind

we've been having the last few days.

 

 

These guys have me thinking about a new wool knitting project.

 

~b

 



World War II

Flying out the door of Dakota Man's workshop recently...

 these fighter planes.

 

 

World War 2 P-47 Thunderbolt Fighter and

WW2 P-51 Mustang Fighter

 

Yes, I love the things he creates

in his extremely messy workshop.

 



 

He has more than a few hours work in these...

all the tiny parts hand cut.

 

 

Find a path that is your own. 

Don't be scared to fly alone.

 

~b

 

 

dolly

There's a new project coming out of Dakota Man's

workshop that I'm excited about.

 

 

It pairs up so well with my doll quilts.

 

~b



Friday post card

 

~b



candle mat

I do love a cute stitch project.

 

 

I won't get to have this one out very long this year...

and next year I'll probably forget it's in the drawer.

 

 

I found the pattern in a quilt store in Minnesota :)

 

 

~b

 

 

 

 

 

 



Jack

First of all I have to say how much I appreciate Mr. b

 for always going along with the next project rolling around in my head.

 

 

This one all began last fall when I saw them on pinterest.

It was late in the season

so the hunt for birdhouse gourds was a little more difficult.

We finally found them at a roadside stand

 but they had just been picked and were a year out from drying.

We hung them by the chimney with care...just kidding...

we hung them in the garage for the winter.

This spring we discovered they were mostly all soft and moldy.

 Farmer Brown more than likely picked them too soon.

 Birdhouse gourds dry best on the vine.

 

 

So this year we were back looking for gourds that were already dried.

I cleaned them...Mr. b sanded them and carved them for me.

I stained them a nice orange color...

 

 

and walla!

 

~b

 



Good Monday all

When I thought I had sufficiently fulfilled

 my housecleaning goals for the day

I quickly returned to my little sewing sweatshop.

 

 

 

Granddaughter No. 3 needs an artist apron.

She loves to do arts and crafts.

I made these in the same print for our first two granddaughters.

 

 

I am hoping to do a show in December with our Dakota Kids things.

 

 

I have been working on baby shoes

but keep getting distracted with artist aprons

 and journals covers for kids.

 

~b

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 



Friday post card

 

We watched these three old gentlemen head out

early one morning to fish on a Minnesota lake.

I thought they made quite the picture as they baited their lines.

They were out there all day too.

This is why they call them the golden years.

 

~b



Crows

A new flour sack towel I embroidered for the season...

Better watch out Mr. Farmer...

these crows are looking for your cornfield!

 

 

I love the carpenter box that Dakota Man made me.

It's perfect for every season.

 

~b

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 



pumpkin

I am dealing with pumpkin cravings.

This is no time to be thinking about my waistline!

 

 

 Pumpkin Bread

 Makes: 2 loaves

 

Ingredients

2 Cups Libby’ Pure Pumpkin

3 cups Sugar

1 cup Vegetable Oil

⅔ cup Water

4 eggs

3⅓ cups Flour

2 tsp. Baking Soda

1.5 tsp. Salt

1 tsp. Ground Cinnamon

1 tsp. Ground Nutmeg

Nuts are optional

Instructions

1. Mix Pumpkin, Sugar, Oil, Water, and Eggs in large mixing bowl until well combined.
2. In medium mixing bowl, combine Flour, Baking Soda, Salt, Cinnamon, and Nutmeg. Stir well, then gradually pour into large bowl of pumpkin mixture. Stir well to combine completely.
3. Grease and flour two bread pans.
4. Pour mixture evenly into loaf pans.
5. Bake at 350 degrees for 45 – 55 minutes, or until done and a toothpick inserted in center comes out clean. ENJOY!!

 

I have learned that cooking anything pumpkin

involves using the best pumpkin and the perfect blend of spices

in order to be really good.

 

~b

 

October...

 

 

...it's all about Mr. Jack O'Lantern

isn't it?

 

~b