Our mind once stretched by a new idea never regains its original dimensions....

Monday, August 29, 2011

Start of a new week.

Well, after some lawn mowing and laundry I had a wonderful find!  I found the windows to the dollhouse!  A totally unexpected place too- a huge pile of papers!!!
Now I just need some wood stain for the window frames!


Sunday, August 28, 2011

A tough week

Tough week here.  Still, there are good things to think about and do.  Went to my 2nd Twins game (they lost) but got to go to the Leaders Club- that's where the seats were!  Also had great food.  Here is what my view from my seat was.
This weekend I went camping (and to a family reunion in Wisconsin).  We were at St. Croix Wild River State Park.  Amazingly, we had NO RAIN!  The mosquitos were horrible at the reunion but it was very well attended this year.  This was our campsite.

We camped next to my brother-in-law and his wife and ate together, had 2 great campfires.  Worked on an American Indian costume with my sister-in-law for a branding party they are going to.   Had time to make one little fairy house in the woods.

I also snatched a few moments to start another of my miniature baskets and clean out my box of supplies for basketmaking.  This was at the picnic table.

When we got back home this evening I got out our tall ladder and went to work on the grapevines over our pergola on the back deck.  Have I mentioned the problem with raccoons we are having??? Anyway, they love grapes so I cut off all of the grapes that I could get to in hopes that they will stop hanging out here and having parties on our roof!  Look at how many grapes I cut.

Well, that about brings you up to speed on all of the good things happening in my little corner of the world.

Monday, August 15, 2011

Miniature Quilt for the Dollhouse

Well, I tried my hand at my first quilt for the dollhouse.  It is a "twin" size quilt.  I think I will use better color coordinated thread for the topstitching on the next one and it is too stiff with a piece of cotton quilt fabric inside.  I think I will try some flannel for the batting.  It's ok for a first try.
Folded up and stuck in the dollhouse.

Sunday, August 14, 2011

A little bit taller....

Did a little bit more weaving.  I think I might be about to the stopping point.  I will sleep on it and give it a fresh look tomorrow.

On becoming a basket

Had some drive time yesterday on my way to and from a family reunion in Sleepy Eye, MN.  What a charming name...Started a new basket because I found this little ball of colored hemp and wanted to give it a try.  It is thicker than anything I have tried before.  I don't think I will add any beads or other colors as it has a lot going on already.  Here is what is remaining of the little starter ball.
A look at the bottom...

And a side view.

Friday, August 5, 2011

Mini Baskets

This week I completed 2 miniature baskets that have been in half finished states for quite a while.  These are not "scale" miniatues but simply small baskets.  I finished these on my lunch breaks at work.

The first basket is made out of waxed linen string and the beads are a seed bead size.  You can tell the size by the quarter sitting next to it,.
This is the largest miniature basket I have made to date and is made out of hemp cording.
The beads used are wooden.  It sits a little lopsided but I like the natural look of it.

Tuesday, August 2, 2011

Taken Apart-Now What?

Well I got that little piece of dollhouse furniture taken apart...now what will I do with it?  It is going to take some work to make it into a useable piece of furniture but I will figure something out.  It is a lot like the rest of the full size furniture in my sewing room.  Put together or remade into something else.  Remember those crates I had and my Dad put those old mismatched shutters on them for door?  And they turned out so cool.
I also cut some more of those jeans up.

Monday, August 1, 2011

Monday Motivation (or lack thereof)

Well, all I could eek out of myself this evening was cutting some of that HUGE pile of denim jeans up.  Didn't make much headway...