Done and done

Finally! This bag has been quite the ordeal. The idea came from Little Stitches, but the pattern was huge, so I proceeded to downsize it once.....still too big....twice.....really just too big, and finally after three times of picking it apart here it is. So, note to self, if you decide to make this diaper bag, probably want to make it smaller...much.

But the bag is not for me, it's for a friend whose baby is coming sooner than I can believe. I hope it's the perfect size to fit little Aubrey's stuff.

Potato Cheese Perogies

My husband makes the best perogies. Had to share this wonderful recipe.

Filled with:
2 medium potatoes, cubed
1 1/2 cups grated cheese
1 tsp Dijon mustard
1/2 tsp dried dill
1/2 tbs of lemon juice
dash of pepper

Dough:
1 1/2 cups flour
1/2 tsp salt
1/8 tsp nutmeg
2 eggs
4 tbsp margarine

Boil potatoes until tender. Drain, then combine lemon juice, cheese, mustard, dill, and pepper. Mix well until potatoes are mashed.

In a separate bowl combine the flour, salt, nutmeg, and eggs. Cut the margarine into the flour mixture until well blended. Make sure dough is smooth if not add a little water. Divide the dough evenly into 16 balls. Roll out each ball into a 3-inch circle and put 1 1/2 tbsp of potato mixture in center. Fold dough over and press edges down with fork.

To cook them you can either fry in oil, or boil in water for 5 min or until they float to top. Serve with sour cream and salsa.

So good!

Current aFair

Out of the three years we have lived here not once have we been to the state fair. So, since this could be the last year spent in Missoula we had to check it out.

I'm not even going to mention the interesting foods we tried.

details, details

Another dress, but not for me, for a friend who just graduated from college. I did add a little flowery detail. Next time I will go for the whole collar.

ghost town

We recently visited Garnet Ghost Town, once a thriving mining town of a 1,000 people.


People slowly started leaving after the gold rush.
The remaining people left during World War I, and after a devastating fire that took many of the homes.
The hotel was the most persevered part of the town, most of the homes seemed to be buried and some suffered fire damage. There was an eerie undertone left from the people fleeing the town. But we took interest in seeing what was left and the history of the townspeople.

Summer Dress

Recently I have been very interested in sewing clothes again, I have only dabbled in clothes making but have always wanted to pursue it more. Because of past frustrations I have abandoned many projects.

But then I found this cute dress pattern via the Selvedge Studio, they had it in their window and it was an inspiration to get back on the clothes sewing train. This pattern was so easy, I did alter quite a bit, and found when I made it the first time it was rather large. So I sized it down and left the sleeves drapey, because I don't like things too tight around my arms (makes me feel a little claustrophobic) and I really wanted to use the ultra soft jersey fabric on the top part of the dress.

Featured on The Storque

I was scrolling through the Etsy articles and to my surprise there was Branches on a Kiss Lock Frame Wallet. It's the guest curator of Ready Made Magazine, to boot. Very exciting!

Lighting with purpose....or should I say repurpose.

People are so inventive with their recycled goods. Here are just a few of my favorites.
egg carton lights - bottoms of plastic bottles
umbrellas - antique wine glasses
spray cans - wine bottles

Cooling off

It has been quite warm here lately and in order to keep cool we've been hanging out by the river. This is our favorite swimming hole, pretty secluded except when the rafters stop and eat their lunch. And yes, those are white sandy beaches you are looking at. In the mountains you say? Oh yes, and we love it.

Meadowlark

I was asked by the Selvedge Studio to design a print for their t-shirts and such. My inspiration for this print was the Montana state bird.



Is anyone else excited to see this movie? Only in select cities, we shall if it makes it to mine....

All Ruffled Up

Another wildflower print, this particular flower we spotted when we were in Glacier. From the road it looked like a giant white flower, but up close had a much different look than expected. Small clusters of petals make up the Bear Grass wildflower.


Off the subject, I watched Then She Found Me last night and loved it. It is my movie of the month, everything you could want in a movie: funny, touching, and insightful. This is a must see, add it to your queue all you Netflix people, or if not just rent.

Focaccia Pesto Sandwich

In the summer I'm all about recipes that don't require heating up the oven or the stove. Sandwiches seem to be the best option for this.
I love pesto and everything else found in this sandwich, it's a fresh delight. I use pre-made pesto found at our local market. But this is an easy recipe if you are looking for something homemade.

Layered inside this focaccia sandwich is: pesto, fresh mixed greens, mozzarella balls, artichoke hearts, tomatoes, and sprouts.

Happy 4th

Been doing a little traveling for the fourth: seeing family, going to watch a grand firework show, and eating some yummy sno cones. I thought this sno cone was very festive.

Hope your weekend is as fun as ours.

Next year I think I will attempt these.

Potato Printing

What a great idea to print on this dress. I love potato printing too, do you remember doing it with various vegetables when you were young? It's such a simple way to add some pizazz to a plain jane top or dress.
You can try it yourself, all the instructions are right over here.

Wildflower

Hiking around in Glacier last weekend inspired this print. They weren't in full bloom yet, but there were enough to add splashes of color against the mountain backdrop.

Origami in clutch form

Feeling very inspired by origami lately so I thought I would try my hand at it with fabric. This is the result, I also hand printed spring rain print on this little folded beauty.

Glacier

Such a majestic view we had in Glacier this week. If you ever get a chance to go, wait until it's well into the summer so you can hit up the Going to the Sun road. We weren't able to travel on the road yet, but I can't complain it was still gorgeous.

Thank you Michael and Cindi.

A day for all those father's

A happy day to all those dads!

I know it's not Father's Day yet, but we are getting ready to head out of town, so I won't be able to post tomorrow. Once we return from our beautiful vacation I will have many great pics to share.

For Father's Day I made this tie out of silky vintage fabric, the tutorial I followed was very easy, you should give it a try. My only advice is to make the pattern a little longer, but other than that I loved how it turned out, and was very shocked how fast it was to make.



One more thought, love....love television series and I think this one looks like it has great potential.

I love....

- getting a Saturday off
- going to the market on Saturday morning
- enjoying the market with company that has come to visit