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

My Love Fairy Postcard

I love my Love Fairy - she's so perfect!

What a lovely surprise yesterday!  In my mail arrived a postcard from Liverpool, UK - it is part of the Great Big Stitched Postcard Swap!  Jules is quite the artist - don't you think?  I love the vibrant colors and all the work and care that Jules put into making this card.  


The back is collage also and so pretty!

Beth Nicholls, of Do What You Love, organized The Great Big Postcard Swap for us and people from 15 countries and 4 continents are swapping postcards this month!!!  A huge thank you to Beth.  I can't wait for the next event!

I am just finishing mine up and its also off to the UK!  I'm a little intimidated now that I've seen Jules' artistic talent.  I love her combination of mediums....acrylic paint, glitter, crystals, and stitching.  She's so clever - I like her fairy figure.  I've tried to draw like this but I guess I need lots more practice.  Thanks again, Jules!

Home is Love to me!

My Great Big Stitched Postcard is all sewn, quilted, appliqued and embroidered.  Tomorrow it is off to Banbury in the UK to Kate! 

The back is appliqued and stitched some more!

Another fun experience - next time I'm going to paint one - it looks like so much fun!  I love to do collage so its time to spend a little time outside of my box.

Thanks for visiting!

Bonnie

Time Together - Mom and Daughters

Once a year my two daughters and I get to spend 24 hours together...no husbands, no kids (except the phone calls!)  Just the three of us.  Perfection!

 
They are both very busy Mom's with very active children...ranging in ages from 5 to 20.  So making the arrangements to get away for one day is astronomical.  It is all the more meaningful to me that they want to come together and to make this commitment of their time.

All three of us arrive within an hour of each other, cars packed to the roof, and enough treats for a week!  Each of us excited to begin our weekend adventure.

The schedule for this two day event is filled with seminars, manicures, massages, pedicures, wine tasting, hot tubs, swimming, and vendors from Tupperware to Pure Romance. 

Our schedule also includes supper at a very good Mexican restaurant, Margaritas, and then shopping at the outlet mall.  I sit across from my daughters at the restaurant and think - they are so beautiful and different and loving sisters.  I am glad they are mine forever!

We end up in our room that night, reading magazines, eating more, laughing, and relaxing.  My oldest keeps remarking...its Friday night and we're in our room!  She doesn't convince anyone to leave our cocoon.  Maybe next time the pool or hot tub will sound inviting.  The Margaritas and food have left me feeling tired and satisfied to just be.

After our 30 minute massages, we come to the same conclusion...ah, that was so nice!  We have fun in the mani/pedi room with the same fun women that have been there for three years pampering us, joking with each other, comparing lives and singing Happy Birthday twelve times to the receptionist who just had hip replacement.  Her coworkers worry about her and make her lay down in the bed and massage her legs because she has been on them too long. 

Laughter rolls out of this room - it seems to be the most lively of the vendor rooms.  Hugs are shared before and after our treatments.  How lucky we are to be here with such special women.

We've bonded and bonded and bonded in this 24 hour reunion.  I'm so glad we were able to make memories again this year.  I've reserved our room for next year.  It was difficult to head to the car and see my daughters drive off to their own lives again.  But I have something great to look forward to again in 365 days! 

Another tradition created and celebrated...maybe this is something you would like to do with your girls or girlfriends.  Check out their Facebook page at AmericInn in North Branch, MN.  They will have more info on their Women Only Weekend (WOW) as March 30 -31, 2012 gets closer.

I love my girls and our time together!

Bonnie/Mom 

Mardi Gras in MN

My new pen pal, Cindy, sent me Mardi Gras in an envelope!  She's a Louisiana girl!  How fun is that???  I'm not familiar with Mardi Gras except for the parade and partiers I've seen on TV.  So between the hot sauce, crawfish legend, great fabric, Louisiana postcard, little fingertip towel, and beads, beads, and more beads, we're going to celebrate!

Here is the fun stuff she sent:

Thanks, Cindy, we'll have a Mardi Gras party this weekend - my girls and I are going to a Women's Only Weekend.  We have such fun together!!!

Bonnie

Making a Sentimental Journal

This weekend I began to make a birthday gift for my friend of 46 years.  Neither one of us needs a thing but I decided to make her a journal cover.  Who doesn't need to write down everything when you get to be my age and she is only 5 months younger than I am.  So I thought it should come in handy.  It was going pretty good but it was dusty pink.  She's Italian...pink isn't her deal.  It's my deal. 

So maybe this will be mine when I finish it!

So on Monday I had to get to town to have my haircut.  The roads weren't exactly plowed but I went slow and it was fine.  After my haircut, I browsed our health food store that has wonderful gifts.  Nothing moved me so I bought her chocolate covered sunflower seeds and came home. 

Instead of working on her gift, I took a nap.  Think I was putting off the project?  I'm pretty good at that - still have my tax stuff spread all over the kitchen table.  Then it was time to make supper...taco pie and by the way it was pretty good.

After supper I headed down the hall to come up with something.  So for the next four hours, I worked on my labor of love for her.  I finished it just in time to glue a couple of things onto it and get ready for the next day. 

My friend of 46 years and me!

Next day:  I am off to see my friend and spend some fun hours with her laughing and eating and enjoying each other's company.  Yay!

Take some time to be with your friend - it does wonders for your soul!

Bonnie

I Can Do It!



FREE PRESS NEWS SERVICES
Posted: Dec. 31, 2010
LANSING — A memorial service will be held Jan. 8 for Geraldine Doyle, who said her photo was the inspiration for a popular poster lauding the efforts of working women during World War II.  Ms. Doyle died Sunday in Lansing. She was 86.
A war production committee used Ms. Doyle’s likeness from a photo taken when she was a 17- year-old operating a metal-stamping machine at American Broach & Machine Co. in Ann Arbor. The head-scarf-wearing woman flexing her bicep in the “We Can Do It!” poster encouraged women to enter the workforce.
 

I know that death and taxes are inevitable...but I fear tax season more.  I should explain in case this statement is taken out of context...my brain is more inspired to make things than it is to record things.  I don't worry when I'm making a purse or a quilt, I worry and procrastinate when I'm supposed to be doing my record keeping.  So as the tax deadline looms, I fear that I won't be ready because I don't want to start.

Book work is last on my list of fun things to do, even way after washing windows and cleaning the bathroom.  I do like the way it looks when its done - all the numbers in their own spaces and columns in a row.  The only good part of this kind of book work is when its on its way to the accountant.  Yay!  Oh wait - I'm not there yet.

I've started to collect things on the kitchen table - piles of receipts that I promised myself last year would be entered into some magical program right away.  Not so much...FAILURE!  LOSER! 

So today I begin and hopefully finish this chore and I mean chore.  It's noon and I'm still working up to leaving the computer and walking over to the table to begin my chore.  Yuck!

I make promises to myself - like if you work for an hour, you can sew for an hour.  That may bring me to the table so to speak.  Wait!  Maybe if you record for an hour, you can nap for an hour.  Maybe it will be tomorrow and a miracle will happen and it will be done.   "It" isn't getting done while I play on my laptop.

I think I better schedule the appointment with the tax person so I actually have a deadline...she told me that works for other people.

I Can Do It!!!

Bonnie