Tuesday, October 31, 2017

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
 
 


Saturday, October 28, 2017

Wednesday, October 25, 2017

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
 
 
 


Tuesday, October 24, 2017

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


Monday, October 23, 2017

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
 
 


Friday, October 20, 2017

Thursday, October 19, 2017

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
 


Wednesday, October 18, 2017

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
 
 

Monday, October 16, 2017

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, October 13, 2017

Thursday, October 12, 2017

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
 
 
 
 
 
 


Tuesday, October 10, 2017

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
 


Monday, October 9, 2017

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, October 6, 2017

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


Thursday, October 5, 2017

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
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 




Wednesday, October 4, 2017

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
 

Monday, October 2, 2017

October...
 
 
...it's all about Mr. Jack O'Lantern
isn't it?
 
~b