Tuesday, July 31, 2018

pin cushions

I wanted to brush up on my cathedral window skills
and pin cushions make the perfect project for that.
 
 
 
They make a pretty place to keep your pins close at hand.
 
 
Picking out the fabrics I wanted to use was half the fun.
 
 
They are filled with crushed walnut shells
 which makes them a nice weight.
 
"Sewing is cheaper than therapy."
 
~b
 
 
 
 
 


Friday, July 27, 2018

Thursday, July 26, 2018

bang bang

These were a quick project for Dakota Man yesterday...
 

 
IT DOESN'T MATTER
HOW OLD YOU ARE.
IF A LITTLE KID
SHOOTS YOU WITH
A TOY GUN,
YOU PLAY DEAD.
 
 
 
 
~b


Tuesday, July 24, 2018

bakery

The doughnut pans I ordered from Amazon came this morning
and it didn't take me long to break them in.
 
 
It was fun playing bakery but I had some pretty high expectations.
I remember my mother making doughnuts...she deep fat fried hers.
They were to die for.
 
 
Old Fashioned Baked Cake Donuts
 
 
I hate to admit this but I think all that these are missing
is all that wonderful hot fat.
For now I'll console myself with the fact that these are a bit healthier
and keep looking for that ultimate recipe for baked doughnuts.
 
~b
 
 
 


Monday, July 23, 2018

shopping

Can you believe the price of new books?
I buy my books used here and there.
I'm ready to go camping with this pile.
Camping is where I get to do the most reading.
 
 
I'm not embarrassed to tell you I buy fabric at Wal-Mart from time to time.
Fabric is another item that has reached the upper limit of my spending.
These outdoor pieces will soon be bib aprons.
 
 
Four totes of yarn here at home and I had to go out
 and buy what I needed to make this entrelac scarf.
I had nothing in my stash that resembled this variegated yarn.
 
 
Entrelac knitting is new to me and has so far been fun to do.
 
~b


Saturday, July 21, 2018

Thursday, July 19, 2018

comfort zones

This week I decided to dig into a project I've been savoring for over two years.
I knew the pattern was out of my comfort zone when it comes to making bags.
 
 
 
Daughter knit and pearl picked it out and gifted it to me.
I love the fabric...also off my radar.
It reminds me of the 60's.
 
internet image
 
It includes lots of fun hardware.
The bottom of the bag and grey trim is Craft Tex...
a tough paper that looks like leather and fabric.
I would have to say it was hard to work with
and not easy on my sewing machine.
But yes, I would use it again because I love the look and feel of it.
 
 
I liked the 60's fashions but not the home designs.
I've always been more of an antique girl.
 
 internet image


 
 
 
Now I need to go shopping!
 
~b
 
 
 
 
 


Tuesday, July 17, 2018

Food Blog?

I'm wondering if I should turn my knit and pearl blog
into a food blog?
Oh ya! the food I would have to cook and share!
My photos would need to improve a lot.
 
 
We made a trip to our local Hudderite colony this morning before 9 a.m.
You have to catch them early...they get up with the robins.
The women were all sitting outdoors peeling garlic and onions...
what an enjoyable sight they make all chattering and laughing together.
Inside they were canning green beans.
 
 
Guess what we will be having for our supper tonight?
 
 
New potatoes, cabbage, corn, broccoli, cucumbers, green beans and garlic.
I also bought three dozen eggs.
I have made deviled eggs, creamed cucumbers and coleslaw.
There are eggs and potatoes cooling for potato salad.
I think I would make a fine little German Frau to live in this colony.
 
 
~b
 
 
 
 


Monday, July 16, 2018

inspiration required

Weekend:
Mr. b brought three small crates of berries home from the grocery store...
blackberries, strawberries and raspberries.
 
 
I quickly threw a crust together and made a pretty skillet pie with them.
 
He also smoked a large pork butt which called for some large buns.
 
 
I made the dough in my bread machine then made these buns.
It was so easy. I wonder why we ever buy store-bought bread?
 
 
Everything I did over the weekend rotated around piecing this quilt top.
I discovered 21 completed squares in a box my mother gave me.
I made 35 additional squares and put them together.
By now you know I love a scrappy quilt!
 
What inspired you this weekend?
 
~b
 
 


Friday, July 13, 2018

summer pouches

With outdoor temps at 101...
I decided it would be wise to stay indoors with an easy sewing project.
Something that I could almost do with my eyes closed
and in front of a fan.

Ice cream... now that's a cool thought.
I haven't had a banana split in years.


Yes, a cold slushy drink would be even better.
Maybe a pina colada?


This pouch says I better get a summer salad made for our supper.

~b




Wednesday, July 11, 2018

aprons

 
Dakota Man did some fun screen printing
 on these aprons headed to the shop.
I used denim for them...it makes for tough work on my sewing machine.
Be ready for a lot of laughs when you wear these aprons.
 
~b

Tuesday, July 10, 2018

supper

This evening's menu includes...
 
 
"clean out the crisper drawer crap stir fry."
 
Don't worry...it's better than it sounds.
 
~b


Monday, July 9, 2018

this that ...and the other

 
mr. b's smoked garlic parmesan wings...SO GOOD!
 
 
daughter knit and pearl and one of her daughters
(the other one didn't meet the requirements)
on a bumper boat.
SO FUN!
 
 
we enjoyed my sister-in-law's pontoon all week on the lake...
THANKS DONNA!
 
 
and yup, these friendly game fish and parks guys
 stopped us to make sure we were legal...
and we were!
 
~b
 
 


Friday, July 6, 2018

lake living

Sea Creatures...
 
 
...seen at the lake this past week.
 
~b


Wednesday, July 4, 2018

Independence Day


Have a fun July 4th!

~b


Monday, July 2, 2018

dish rags

It's always fun to coordinate
 what I'm working on with the holidays...



~b