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
 
~b


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?
 
~b


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...
 
 
~b
 


Monday, February 17, 2014

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!
 
~b


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?
 
~b


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?
 
 
~b
 


Tuesday, February 11, 2014

Yellow, blue and white...
 
 
Knitted with love...
 
 
For a new baby boy.
 
 
~b


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
 
~b
 
 


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
 
~b
 


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.
 
 
at night - I started watching this series on Netflix...I love being able to watch episodes back to back, and no commercials!
 
 
how about you....what are you doing to make this horrible winter go by a little faster?
~b




Wednesday, February 5, 2014

downstairs maid

I finally reached the finish line with this shawl...
 
 
I have been picking it up and knitting on it here and there for a very long time.
When I had the body of it done
 it was time to pick up stitches and knit the ruffle...
 
 
THAT is when it got tucked away while I procrastinated...
like I always do on these projects.
 
 
I like to think it is a shawl like one of the downstairs maids
 on Downton Abbey would wear when she went out the door
to go after a fresh hen for chicken noodle soup.
 
 
Do you crave homemade chicken noodle soup
like I do when I have a nasty cold?
~b
 


Tuesday, February 4, 2014

February

Ahh...sweet February
 
 
Hearts
will never be practical
until they are made
unbreakable.
-Wizard of Oz
 
 
I love postcards so when I spotted a piece of this fabric
I knew I wanted to cut out hearts for lavender sachets.
 
A SIMPLE
'I LOVE YOU'
MEANS MORE THAN MONEY.
-Frank Sinatra
 
 
So pretty...b