Making stuff

So, I haven't written a thing on this blog in almost a month,, what a month it has been...

Running here and there and taking care of business and making stuff.. Making stuff like socks, bags, dinners, my opinion heard, and a cool doll.....I took a class with elinor peace baily as the instructor. Each student could choose one of elinor's many doll patterns to work with.I chose the Bead Merchant pattern. Here is the original doll made by elinor.This thing that looks like a penguin is the "stump" for the doll. That means that under her skirts she does not have legs, just bare feet. I made this first.Then I made the head. The head takes a lot more stuffing than one might think. After this, the photos get fewer, I was having too much fun making all the layers of clothing.This chick really believes in the layered look. She wears an underskirt, then a dress, a bodice drape, an apron, a coat, and a vest.

.

.

I didn't take any more photos until we arrived home.Dave named her ZORKA...

This is a rear view.

Her hat is not finished, it needs more beads.She has a bindi.
And bare feet.

Sunday at the cabin

A crochet project in progress Same project on a rock



Cool moss and lichen near the rock
Same stuff

Dave is always working

A whole field of dandelions

One up close

Dave is still working

cowslips on the roadside

.

.

.

My version of a late afternoon cocktail

Here's to a lovely Sunday

Another week goes quickly by

Another week gone, still I have little time to write...here are some highlights.

Emili was visiting and created this safety poster for the annual Quad Graphics poster contest. Last year she won first prize, see this post. This year's theme is distracted driving...... Her poster reads"don't get stuck in the web of distraction" and features distracting objects caught in a web.....coffee, hamburger, dogs, construction cone, etc.


I have been using up many small balls of crochet cotton. Making bags.

First, I made this huge tote, unlined, it is for me.

Then I made a smaller purse,

linedand then a drawstring bag, also lined.

I have the urge to make a few more, but I am almost out of crochet cotton.

What is this strange photo?

It's my slippered foot, and leg and belly. the wind was blowing too hard,

I was trying to photograph a project I am doing with oil pastels...maybe when it's finished.....that's all for now.

Gone Green

Ferns

Foliage

.

.

Frog!A little frog hopped into a pot on my deck.

Lynda,,,, can you see him?

pHOTOS OF THE LAST WEEK or so

This is my "needy" cat, Thunder

making lavendar sachets with an old scarf
My new favorite coffee mug, from a garage sale

Sunday morning's project inspiration

Same project on Monday afternoon

Em hiding behind her latest diorama

A full view of the creative child

Mother and Son, laughing

First oriole sighting

I saw an Oriole while visiting my parents' farm today. My first this year.

Other people's blogs

Reading blogs sucks up time...I can easily while away twenty minutes every morning looking at blogs.

The Pioneer Woman Cooks is a site I frequent, mostly for the luscious photos of food, in all stages of preparation. Check it out, I'll wait.

Today, The Pioneer Woman asks the question---------

What kitchen item can you not do without? (Or, for you grammar snobs: “Without what kitchen item can you not…do?” That doesn’t sound right, does it?)

At the time of this writing, there were over 14,000 responses!! We all have our favorite kitchen/cooking items, I guess. A broad, flat, wooden rice paddle is one of my favorites. I have a certain knife I prefer for peeling, and a specific roaster I like.

All of these items play second fiddle to THE MOST IMPORTANT ITEM IN OUR KITCHEN, drum roll please,,,,,,,, Hilda's stainless steel mixing bowl!

You are thinking, who is Hilda and what is so special about that bowl? Hilda is my late mother-in law...she has been gone almost ten years and I miss her still. A wonderful woman, she was my mother in law for five short years. She had lots of good qualities, one in particular stands out right now.....

SHE BAKED.... every day, using this very bowl. There was always dessert aplenty when she was around.

The handle is perfect for vigorous stirring. And carrying fresh picked berries. And mixing meatloaf. Cake, cookies, bars, tortes, any dessert made using this bowl tastes fabulous. Of course, Dave does the baking, not me.

I believe Hilda's talent and baking spirit is in this bowl. Our kitchen would not be the same without it.Here is what Dave and the bowl produced today.... peanut butter bars anyone?