Occasional Sales in the Country!

Our occasional sales will begin the first Friday and Saturday of June through September.  Hubby and I love our little business.  We are junkers in the true sense of the word.  Our happiest day of the year is the first garage sale in the spring and if it has furniture that needs to be repaired and/or painted, we can hardly breathe from excitement...well, that might be me not able to breathe - Hubby is pretty quiet - usually he's breathing.  He would be the one doing most repairs so he might be holding his breathe if the repairs are too extensive.  But I have lots of faith that he can fix anything so I usually buy it and suffer the consequences when we get home!  You know husbands...eventually when its their idea, its a good idea.  He does love shopping now too!

This life suits me to a "T".  I can buy stuff - lots of stuff.  I buy stuff all year.  I buy stuff for the sales.  I buy stuff for my girls.  I buy stuff for me and if I don't end up liking it...I sell it at one of our sales.  Yay!  This allows me to buy any kind of chair or whatever - modern, vintage, Traditional - you get the idea.  It is so satisfying for me and my soul!

Even if it rains we have lots of space inside and protected!

This year we will be joining with four other sales to create the Mora Meander.  There are two sales in the country (the best sales!) and three sales in town at retail businesses.

Great wood furniture

We have lots of chairs!  It's my greatest vice!

The kitchen area

It's very easy to find home accessories
 no matter what style you have!

I've created a Facebook page at Farmgirls Country Sales if you want to check our progress moving forward to our first sale June 3.  I will be posting some of our projects.  If you are in MN or surrounding areas, please come and visit us! 

The Potatoe Wagon will be at our farm serving breakfast baked potatoes, taco taters, broccoli taters, etc.  That is the way she spells it and I don't have to cook for two days - yay!

We have so much fun
 and expect lots of laughter too!

What's more fun than shopping in the country where prices are reasonable, the scenery is great and you can smell the potatoes baking!!!

Bonnie

P.S.  These are pictures from our 2010 sales - lots of new things for 2011!

Barn Wood For Sale

Another portion of the roof caved in today on the north side.

The west end is twisting and falling in since the east end crumbled.
  Even the foundation fell in on the east end.

The south side of the roof is totally down
 waiting for the north side to join it.

The slow demise of our barn is imminent.  On this dreary, rainy day, the roof has collapsed on the east end of the north side.  I never imagined that it would happen so fast and yet so slow.  I can't imagine how it will look out my kitchen window now.  There will be just a pile of concrete and wood waiting to be picked at until nothing stands out there except the silo.

The plans are coming along for a new barn just north of our old one.  Bids are in - the garden shed where it will be built is almost empty except for the heavy awkward things - demolition will soon begin and when that's done - a friend will move the concrete floor out to the field so the contractor can come in and construct the new barn.

I should be happier about the new building because it will be a great place to stage our Farmgirls Country Sale during the summer months.  But the only reason it will exist is because our trusty old friend died.  I guess we will have barn wood for sale.

Bonnie

Handmade Easter Treats!

I have to share the wonderful, delightful, edible decorations that my oldest daughter made for our Easter celebration today.  Her whole house held wonderful surprises everywhere you looked.

The jelly bean planter held gorgeous flower topped cupcakes.  Little comical chicks sat on tables, cupboards and other little nooks!  They were made of Rice Krispy treats, rolled in yellow sprinkles, frosting created their features, tiny M&M's spilled onto their nests that were made of chocolate covered chowmein noodles. Yum!

They couldn't have been cuter!!!
I do want to eat them though!

Not only does she decorate cakes for a living 
but on Easter she makes these adorable edibles!

These little strawberry mice were nibbling at the plate of cheese!  The strawberries were cut in half, sliced almonds added for ears, black frosting for eyes, and red licorice whips for tails.  So cute and they tasted so sweet!

I loved these mice!!!

It was a great day spent with family.  I am such a lucky Mom, Gram, and Great Gram!

Happy Easter!

Bonnie

A Place for Clothespins!

I love my bunnies playing by my new little sweet alyssums.

There is an art to hanging up clothes on the clothesline.  I never was one to hang out very much.  I know bed linens and towels smell good but towels are not very soft at least mine never were.  However, I love to air out my quilts and curtains and a few other things.  Most of all, I like clothespin keepers.  I've made several different kinds...most of them like little dresses in one form or another.

This is my latest - it looks fairly simple.  It really is but for some reason it gave me a real headache at quilt camp.  First of all, whatever book I found it in, I can't find again.  But I had already enlarged the pattern 200% like it told me to but it didn't fit on my copy machine so I had to piece it together.  Somewhere in the creative process, things went south - so to speak - sorry all my southern friends.

The back piece was larger than the front.  I sewed it together anyway and it didn't look that good even though I tried to pleat or ease them together.  So this was one of those projects I worked on and completed more to my liking yesterday after I got home from camp.  I don't do much unsewing but I did on this project and it fits together better now.  It will be fun to make more pairing up some of my '30's fabrics.

Last year I bought toddler's dresses and made them into clothespin keepers and sold them at our Farmgirls sale.  I found this list of rules for clotheslines, included them with the dresses and thought I would share them with you. 

                                           THE BASIC RULES FOR CLOTHESLINES


1. You had to wash the clothesline before hanging any clothes - walk the entire lengths of each line with a damp cloth.
2. You had to hang the clothes in a certain order, always hang "whites" with "whites," and hang them first.
3. You never hung a shirt by the shoulders - always by the tail! What would the neighbors think?
4. Wash day is on a Monday! Never hang clothes on the weekend or Sunday, for Heaven's sake!
5. Hang the sheets and towels on the outside lines so you could hide your "unmentionables" in the middle.
6. It didn't matter if it was sub zero weather...clothes would "freeze-dry."
7. Always gather the clothes pins when taking down dry clothes! Pins left on the lines were "tacky!"
8. If you were efficient, you would line the clothes up so that each item did not need two clothes pins but shared one of the clothes pins with the next washed item.
9. Clothes were off of the line before dinner time, neatly folded in the clothes basket, and ready to be ironed.
10. IRONED?! Well, that's a whole other subject

Today was a busy day.  Our barn continues to cave in so we have emptied the milkhouse (used to be my potting shed) of all my pots.  I have many containers - enamelware, wooden, clay, pottery, etc.  Now I have to sort out what I want and what can be sold at our first sale June 3 & 4.  We also put up our screen house on our deck so we could continue to empty the garden shed.  We will build our new red barn where the garden shed sits.  We put all the wicker from the shed in the screen house and set up other table and chairs on the deck.

Each year we put the top of the screen house on upside down - why I don't know.  So it takes us lots longer to stretch it over the steel frame and Velcro a bizillion straps to attach the top and sides.  One day I will hire someone to stand out in the wind, in 40 degree temps with their arms above their heads for an hour and a half while the top sails off the frame.  Not so much fun and way too much fresh air.  My allergies and asthma are on high alert!

It might be time for an unscheduled nap!

Take care,

Bonnie

Stitchin' Chicks at Quilt Camp

I'm back!  Four days with like-minded women creating fun stuff is invigorating except it makes me very tired.  I'm not bouncing back very fast even though each day I've been home has included an unscheduled nap!

I have a couple of things to show you that I worked on at camp this past weekend.  Some things were putzy and are not to my liking so I'm fixing them.  I will post them another day.

I was born in the 1940's and some fabric is just so nostalgic to me.  The fabric in this purse makes me remember those barkcloth curtains with the large flowers and fern fronds on our windows when I was young.  The colors are brighter now but still remind me of those days.  The purse is reversible with the polka dot fabric on the inside and the flower is a pin that can be attached to either side.

My newest purse and the first bear I ever made.

My new sewing machine worked great except on the clothesline bowl I made.  I have to research why the thread kept nesting on the backside.  Five years ago I received a little kit with the makings for this little flower pin.  Last week I finally made it - I thought it turned out so cute.  Not much fabric but lots of labor!

I had hoped to make a large bowl out of this wonderful green fabric
 but things kept going wrong!

We had a couple of inches of snow on the ground when I woke up this morning!  What month is it anyway???  It was all melted by this afternoon so that is hopeful. 

I'll say "Happy Easter" now in case I don't get another post done before Sunday!

Take care,

Bonnie

In Love with Buttons

Buttons, buttons - who's got the buttons? I do! Collections of buttons in jars in my corner cupboard, upstairs on the shelves and everywhere I sit to do projects. I have my Gram's buttons, orphan buttons from garage sales, buttons that belonged to a friend's Mom, and of course new buttons. Buttons made of pearl, glass, plastic, metal, leather, wood, and combinations of things.  All those buttons and all the stories behind the buttons...wouldn't it be fun to know the story of each old button.  That could be a fun little story - to follow a button through the different ages of its life! 

Just one of my stashes!

I've talked before about New York City...being there, pretending like I lived there, walking around the streets by the Metropolitan Museum Of Art where the townhouses are so picture pretty. Victoria magazine, in their first publications, featured the button store, Tender Buttons. Please visit their site to learn about the history of the store and to see more pictures...its a great story.

Well anyway, I had to find that store...I looked at the maps I had and tried to determine how far I had to walk to get there.  So you can imagine my surprise when I was walking around the block where I was staying and found it...all by myself, so surprised - around the backside of my hotel - The Barbizon (unfortunately, it is no more but it was built as a residence for women in the 1920's-another great story.)

As sometimes happens in quilt stores for me now, I was overwhelmed by the small, narrow shop that housed a bizillion buttons.  I didn't know where to begin and had no idea what to look for.  I did buy three buttons and made them into earrings and a pin I think.  I will have to look through my jewelry to see if they are still findable!

It is one of my fondest memories of NYC.  Funny - what you remember about places you visit when there were so many things to see and remember. 

What are some of your fondest memories of places you've visited?

Take care and take some time to reflect on things past.

Bonnie

P.S.  Over at Lori Anderson's blog, she's giving away some Pretty Things!  Check it out!

It's Time for Comfort Food!

What a week!  It was so busy I felt like I could meet myself in the driveway coming and/or going!  I guess winter has made me lazy.  I am getting to be more of a homebody.
 
Monday - gone 1/2 day - exercise and coffee.

Tuesday - gone all day - quilt shop, lunch with daughter and more shopping.

Wednesday - gone all day - exercise, coffee, delivered patterns & tote bag and hunted junque with hubby!
 
Thursday - gone most of the day - early morning meeting, made receiving blankets for Lutheran World Relief and had supper with other daughter and grandkids.
 
Friday - collapsed and recovery for another all day gone on Saturday.

Saturday - gone all day - sewing machine class in St. Cloud 55 miles away from home.

So today was a day to be still and refocus my head and body.  But someone had to cook.  So while hubby did the wash - I played chef.  

Quilt camp is Thursday through Sunday this  coming week and I volunteered to make Italian meatball subs.  So sometime during this last week, I made 4# of meatballs and froze them. 


But I needed comfort food today!  So I made mashed potatoes, corn and borrowed some meatballs from the quilters and made gravy.  Oh wow - if I do say so myself - it was marvelous!!! 

What do you consider comfort food?
 

This was the Swedish meatball meal in Gamla Stan Stockholm

It was a comfort to have a regular old fashioned meal today.  Tomorrow will begin another week but now we are fortified!  And its leftovers tomorrow - yay!!!

Be kind to yourself - it's a crazy, busy world out there.  Have yourself some comfort food!

Bonnie

My World of Pattern Designing

Five years ago I designed two patterns, self published them and sold them to nine quilt shops in Minnesota.  I designed a tote bag and table mat.  It was a crazy, long process but I'm glad I ventured into it.

I never realized the amount of time it would take to go through the whole process - designing the pattern, writing the directions, coordinating the fabrics for the pattern cover, and making the many samples to make sure everything was written correctly!!!  I gave many classes to promote my tote bag pattern at quilt shops.  I also taught many friends to make one for themselves at quilt camps and club meetings. 

Now I am in the process - almost complete - of updating and revising my bag pattern.  In five years, I've learned a bit about the process...I think.  Originally I wanted a unique way to sew the bag...now I think the generic process is just fine.  

I love auditioning different colors and patterns to see how they work together.  Picking out the fabrics is the most important part of any project for me and sometimes takes longer than the construction of the item.  I have to love the colors and design of the fabric otherwise I probably will never finish it.  And I do have a few dozen of those in my sewing room - don't you?

Here are the two samples I made - one for the cover of my pattern and the other for Cottage Quilts and Fabrics in Elk River, MN.  They will be selling my pattern - yay!  They sell the fabrics used in the sample bag that will hang in the shop.

This tote bag is featured on my pattern

Sample for Cottage Quilts & Fabrics, Elk River, MN

Oh wow - I almost forgot - I purchased a new sewing machine this week.  The kind you need a license for...I can't wait to go to class at the end of the week.  Right now I'm getting used to turning it on and sewing a straight line...well, not exactly true - I've figured out how to applique and sew on buttons too!  It's an embroidery machine and will make lots of wonderful embellished creations - hopefully!

In less than two weeks, I have another quilt camp so its time to start planning and cutting out projects! Woo hoo!


Take care and remember to do something fun today!

Bonnie

Don't watch your kids play...

I was listening to MPR today and Garrison Keillor was the featured guest.  He made me laugh so hard in the car all by myself.

He said when he was a young boy in MN, he and his friends would go out in the field and play baseball.  No backstops, one old bat and ball, not everyone had a glove.  No adults around - they had a great time.  When they got tired of playing baseball - they would go play something else.  They would wander around like a pack of wolves.  That picture was familiar to me.  I remember going outside in the morning, coming in for lunch, going back outside, coming home for supper and going outside until dark.  We were never bored - never said the word. 

Watching a baseball game the another day, Garrison observed the kids in uniforms, with Moms and Dads yelling at them and coaches telling them what to do and where to go.  The boys didn't look like they were having a very good time.  While I found it funny at the time - perhaps it isn't really very funny at
all.

Have we programmed our kids and scheduled their free time to the extent that they have no imaginations anymore.  Do they ever get to go outside and build forts and tunnel through mounds of dirt like my brother and I did. 

Maybe we need to let them loose to make those memories of unstructured playtime.  What do you think?

Take care and take a day off - no schedule - just for fun!

Bonnie

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In Celebration of Spring?

I've decided with the snow storm of 9 -10 inches last week, to just ignore the 20 degree temps and forge on to spring.  To celebrate this mind bending decision, I am making flowers...out of anything I can get my hands on.

So here's some flowers using the linings of recycled blazers, used/new zippers, old lace curtains, and some new fabric scraps.  I've viewed quite a few tutorials, bought a few books, and practiced, practiced and practiced some more.  Many crafters use glue guns - I have burned myself, glued my tools together, and strung glue from here to there.  I mainly use a needle and thread...its so much safer for me and my pets and anyone/anything else standing near.

All zipper - both metal and nylon!

Variety of rosettes using cotton and recycled linings!  Love my yo yo's too!

From fluffy roses to flat rosettes - all made from recycled linings and old lace curtains!

I have a whole tote full of nylon zippers of many colors so my stash will keep me in zipper flowers forever.  My friend's Mom does alterations so she is supplying me with the metal ones, otherwise they are difficult to find.  I also use zippers for trim to coordinate the zipper flower to the tote bag or jacket. 

My sewing room should be declared a disaster area...except that its filled to overflowing with every color and pattern so making flowers with leftovers from quilts I've made uses up those scraps.

When I'm in the mood - nothing is safe and everything gets embellished.  I waiting to be crowned Queen of Repurposing! 

Have a great day - the sun is shining here!!!  Yay!

Bonnie

Where art thou Spring???

We are a pretty patient bunch here in Minnesota but we are on our last nerve now.  There is snow in the forecast again!  We just were gifted with 10 inches this week - so enough already!

So I thought I would bring you some spring from Gamla Stan Stockholm, Sweden.  As we were walking down the cobblestone streets in this Medieval town, we turned a corner and there was this vision of loveliness.  I can smell them from here.

So enjoy and know that spring has to be just around the next corner!!!

Take care!

Bonnie

Thanks for the Stylish blogger Award!

Bloggers have to be among the most generous people...at least the ones that I follow.  Sweet pea awarded me the Stylish blogger Award today.  It is fun to be nominated for an award.  There usually are two things you must do to accept them.  

This award wants me to tell you 7 things about me and then nominate 15 other bloggers.   That's a bunch of nominations...not sure I really follow that many blogs.

So here are 7 things about me.

1.  My studio is my house - working on projects everywhere!
2.  I failed my first driving test - made all my left turns too short.

3.  The first car I drove was a push button Valiant when my Dad got sick and he     had me drive us home from our beauty shop.  I think I was 12 - maybe a little older.  Scary!

4.  I had my tonsils out when I was four...and there wasn't any ice cream afterwards.

5.  I never made it out of intermediate swimming lessons.  Don't like being in water that much to this day so many lessons later.

6 .  I would work all night and sleep all day if I had my way!

7.  I self published a couple of sewing patterns way back in 2006.  A shop in Elk River wants to buy some after seeing a friend's bag so I'm making a sample tote bag and updating pattern.  I'll post when I'm done.

I will post my nominations in the next week or so.  Too many irons in the fire right now and I have to contemplate!!! 

How are you spending your days???

Take care,

Bonnie

My Old Barn Update

With the settlement on our barn, we can build a little barn!  Yay!  We were shocked to find out that there was money left after depreciating our 100 yr. old girl!  I knew she was worth it and more, but I didn't think anyone else would agree with me. 

So now we look into building something to house our Farmgirl Country Sales...and I'm thinking a farm needs a red barn with a real barn roof.  I've never shopped for a barn so this will be the ultimate shopping spree.

We hope to save the wood from the old one - a family member was called to give his opinion on what to do - can you imagine that he said to burn it down???  Not in a million years would we do that.  We appreciate his input however.  Does it sound like we have some emotional attachment? 

We think the foundation walls can be saved and maybe - just maybe - we can put a roof over part of it.  Even if we can't walk along the sides, we can use the space for something.  I'm thinking a greenhouse...I just thought of that as I write!  How cool would that be???  Maybe the roof would be a see through deal.  Oh wow - a huge potty shed!  Well - give me your thoughts and suggestions. 

We need to find someone to take the top part down.  The barn measures 80' x 30'. 

Note:  When I was out in the yard, taking an updated picture of our barn, many Canadian Honkers flew north making lots of noise!!!  Yay!  Spring is coming!!

Take care!

Bonnie