knit and pearl: February 2014

Friday, February 28, 2014

Bathing suits

This morning I was dreaming about grabbing my project bag...

The one that I just failed miserably ironing on

this awesome digital design by my sister.

(check her out at Sall's Country Living)

The best part of bloopers is that I get to keep them right?

So this one is mine.

Where was I?

Oh. Grabbing my project bag and heading to the beach.

I thought about the perfect beach project

and came up with the idea of a knitted swim suit.

It would have to cover me like these bathing suits would.

But our weather forecast says a high of -1 and snow for tomorrow.

It may call for a knitted blanket instead.

And it's back to the ironing board for me with this project.

I don't give up easily. ~b

Wednesday, February 26, 2014

A chicken head

I bet you've been wondering where I've been the last several days?

If you guessed running around like a chicken

with it's head chopped off...

you guessed right.

(Add to that)

and not getting a whole lot done.

I was socializing Saturday, Sunday and again today.

I am NOT a socialite by any means.

But this being the winter of all winters...

It is nice to get out.

I was breezing by our television last week

when I saw them showing these blocks.

Thank goodness for DVRs and rewind.

I ordered the pattern

and bought blocks and Modge Podge

and set to work.

I love to Modge Podge, don't you?

My business card would read...

Barb - Professional Modge Podger

Friday, February 21, 2014

Mary

Who doesn't love Mary Engelbreit's pictures?

There's always a lot going on in them.

A man should choose a friend who is better than himself.

There are plenty of acquaintances in the world;

but very few real friends.

- Chinese Proverb

I always treat myself to A Mary Engelbreit planner/calendar every year.

Her pictures just draw me in.

I am currently reading "The Dressmaker"

by Kate Alcott.

Books about the Titanic fascinate me.

It's a good read and I recommend it.

What are you reading?

Tuesday, February 18, 2014

Oliver

I'm calling this sweater

"Oliver's sweater."

It's such a sweet sweater that I decided it couldn't be spoiled

by strained carrots or peas.

And it won't hurt to start brainwashing the little guy at a tender age.

ilovegrandmailovegrandmailovegrandma...

Monday, February 17, 2014

warm buns

I couldn't decide if homemade bread

or chocolate chip cookies sounded better?

Guess what won out?

Oatmeal Buns

"Life is not worth living

if I cannot have pasta or bread again."

Monica Seles

Life is not worth living if I cannot have pasta or bread again.

Monica Seles

Life is not worth living if I cannot have pasta or bread again.

Monica Seles

Life is not worth living if I cannot have pasta or bread again.

Monica Seles

Life is not worth living if I cannot have pasta or bread again.

Monica Seles

It's always nice to make a small pan for a friend.

I hope I made you hungry

for

homemade buns.

Friday, February 14, 2014

hearts

I have a little confession to make -

I make a cheap Valentine!

YES...

I like dollar cards

and a $5 bouquet of flowers from the grocery store

and meals from the dollar menu.

Then I take all my savings

and head right to the yarn and fabric store!

Thursday, February 13, 2014

excited

I finally got tired of this baby quilt hanging on the back of my sewing chair

and finished the binding on it yesterday.

I don't know what was holding me up.

I actually like hand sewing the binding on quilts.

I love the back of it!

So vintage don't you think?

I made a lot of these Raggedy Andy dolls back in the 70's.

Pretty ambitious for having two kids under the age of two.

All ready for a sweet baby.

Have I mentioned there will be a new baby in our family?

Daughter knit and pearl and her ceo are expecting their first.

Can you spell E X C I T E D?

Wednesday, February 12, 2014

something in red

My big return to the sewing room today produced this pin cushion.

I haven't had the lights on

in my little sewing studio for a couple of weeks.

First we were gone a few days...

then I caught a cold...

then I just didn't have any energy.

But today I was feeling challenged

and something in red.

It's only a few more days

until Valentine's Day you know.

This is something new in our front yard...

Mr. b got it for Christmas...

Isn't it just too cute?

Tuesday, February 11, 2014

Yellow, blue and white...

Knitted with love...

For a new baby boy.

Monday, February 10, 2014

February Flowers

I couldn't resist buying this small bouquet

of flowers while standing in line at the grocery store.

When you have only two pennies left in the world,

buy a loaf of bread with one, and a lily with the other.

~Chinese Proverb

I don't know if it is even possible to brighten up

the month of February?

February, when the days of winter seem endless

and no amount of wistful recollecting

can bring back any air of summer. - Shirley Jackson

On February 8, 1587,

Mary, Queen of Scots was executed...

(definitely wasn't a good month for her.)

Mr. b was born in February...

that was a good thing for me.

"Winter is nature's way of saying, "Up yours."
- Robert Byrne

Friday, February 7, 2014

Baby Blue

Love one another and you will be happy.

It's as simple and as difficult as that.

~Michael Leunig

I love Fridays...don't you?

Love is an exploding cigar we willingly smoke.

~Lynda Barry

Hey, I like the smell of good cigar.

We will be celebrating a birthday this weekend...

another big one.

They will all be big ones for us from here on out.

I have loved my Mr. b since I was 16 years old.

Will you love me in December as you do in May,
Will you love me in the good old fashioned way?
When my hair has all turned gray,
Will you kiss me then and say,
That you love me in December as you do in May?
~James J. Walker

I like to remind him that it was those baby blue glasses

I was wearing in the 7th grade that got to him...

it took me four years after that to notice him.

Anyone can catch your eye, but it takes someone special to catch your heart.

~Author Unknown

Thursday, February 6, 2014

currently

right now - It's 12:25 and I'm home for lunch. I can't help myself...I like Armour's cheap chili with beans and lots of crackers.

out my window - It's only 5 degrees. My car wouldn't start this morning and his pickup is out of commission...oil trouble? Maybe retirement is closer than we think.

on my needles - Yesterday I cast on for yet another pair of Irish Wellington socks. With this cold I have all I want to do is eat soup and knit under a quilt.

on my nightstand - I just started reading "The House At Riverton". It's a big book and will have to hold my attention if I plan on getting it read anytime soon.