Wednesday, July 29, 2015

The Tarts

The Queen of Hearts,
She made some tarts,
All on a summer's day;
 
 
The Knave of Hearts,
He stole the tarts,
And took them clean away.
 
 
The King of Hearts
Called for the tarts,
And beat the Knave full sore;
 
 
The Knave of Hearts
Brought back the tarts,
And vowed he'd steal no more.
 
 
 
Wait!
NO one stole my peach tart
and this queen and her king enjoyed every bite of it.
 
 
 
Happy Birthday to our son-in-law today!
 
~b


Tuesday, July 28, 2015

A pair of pears

The best time of the year...
 
 
is when the fruit is on the vine.
And ripe!
 
fresh pears block
These pears inspired me to jump ahead and do the
Fresh Pears block for my Farm Girl Vintage Quilt.
 
And when I had it done
and I was still enjoying fresh pears...
 
 
I embroidered pears on this vintage looking towel.
There is just something about vintage...
 
 
Maybe it is the more vintage I get
the more I love all things vintage?
 
~b
 
 


Monday, July 27, 2015

crocheted edges

Pretty little crocheted edges...
 
 
all in a row.
 
 
I like to crochet around flannel baby blankets
 at night while I watch movies.
 
 
Who can resist baby flannel?
NOT me!
 
 
Working with natural colors will always be my favorite.
 
 
A small simple edge means mama
 won't have to block it after washing.
Who has time for that with a baby right?
 
 
These are heirloom blankets meant
 to be used for multiple generations.
 
~b
 
 
 


Friday, July 24, 2015

Work before play

Every morning...
I'm excited to get up and sew a new block for my
Farm Girl Vintage quilt.
 
"Remember... always work before play."
 
baking day block
 
This is where I got the inspiration for this quilt block...
 
 
My favorite vintage bowls...
 "Confetti" melmac/melamine mixing bowls made by Brookpark.
 
apron strings block top left
 
Grandma Bertha always wore an apron when she worked.
 
~b
 
 
 
 


Thursday, July 23, 2015

241 tote bag

There's a new bag in town...
 
241 tote pattern from Noodlehead
 
Gray and yellow...
my new favorite color combo.
The black side pockets and handle are denim.
The lining pocket will help keep your cellphone and keys handy.
 
 
I mixed the lining pieces up a bit.
I would like the handle to be attached with rings.
 
 
Now that I have the first one made
(I always call the first one a sample)
 it will be a cinch to whip up a couple more of these cute totes.
 
~b
 
 
 


Wednesday, July 22, 2015

preservation

Canning season is here...
 
canning season block
cherries, strawberries, carrots, tomatoes, pickles and grapes!
 
At one time we had a grape arbor...
the grape jelly was fantastic!
 
A friend in Iowa served me fresh cherry pie years ago...
Can you imagine pitting cherries for canning?
 
I canned carrots ONCE!
For some reason they unsealed
 and I ended up throwing away dozens of jars...
never again!
 
Grandma Bertha's recipe for tomato juice is the only one our family uses.
It's also her recipe that I use for dill pickles.
 
 corn and tomatoes block
 
Have you seen any sweet corn vendors yet?
 
 
The crops here in central South Dakota are looking great...
 
crops block
 
 
You can't be a wanna-be farm girl
 without doing a little canning...
or quilt making!
 
~b
 
 
 
 


Tuesday, July 21, 2015

for the birds


 
 
getting the birds off my camera card today...
 ~b


Monday, July 20, 2015

FUN

Making quilt squares for my Farm Girl Vintage quilt
is proving to be a lot of fun!
 
baby chick block
 
Each square is different
and like it's own small project.
Right up my alley!
 
churn dash block
 
I love the chicken squares.
 
chicken foot block
 
 
Our granddaughters were here this weekend
 and helped me pick out a few of the fabrics.
Secretly...
 I'm hoping one or both of them will sew with me someday.
 
 
Most of our time was spent at the pool and park.
 
~b
 
 
 
 
 


Thursday, July 16, 2015

gingham

Is there anything that screams vintage
 more than gingham fabric?
 
 
Two new squares for my Farm Girl Vintage quilt.
 ________________
 
Have you seen the cleaning schedules people have been posting online?
 
 
Clean a room in 15-20 minutes?
Not the way I clean!
 
 
I found these on Pinterest...
 
 
Some days I could use a little inspiration.
 
 ~b
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 


Wednesday, July 15, 2015

Farm Girl

When I bought Lori Holt's "Farm Girl Vintage" book
it wasn't with the intention to make a quilt.
 
 
The patterns are super cute and I thought I could use them
 on smaller projects
like hot pad holders, pillows and table runners.
 
 
When I put together a couple of squares
I knew I was hooked and would be doing a quilt.
 
 
It is a great scrap project.
 
 
I'm obsessed
and I just can't seem to walk away from it!
--------------------
Look who's on her way to the local
 farmer's market...Delainee and her bear.
I bet they will be looking for honey.
 
 
 Her mama will be selling Dakota Kids
 bibs and burp cloths there this morning.
 
~b
 
 
 
 


Tuesday, July 14, 2015

create

Mr. b and I braved the heat Saturday
 and went to the Brookings Art Festival.
 
I love looking at all the arts and crafts.
For me it's usually about the process...
 
 
These ladies were spinning wool.
I would love to learn this.
Mr. b says no sheep!
 
 
Who has patience to do beading?
NOT me.
 
 
These pirates were having fun with a group of kids.
"Give me your gold!"
 
 
There is always a section of antiques at this art festival.
I've seen a few of these cream cans in my day.
Dad worked in a creamery.
 
 
 
What is it about the food at festivals?
Mmmm mmm!
 
There is nothing like an art festival
 to get your creative juices flowing!
 
~b
 
 
 


Sunday, July 12, 2015

blooming

Our fairy garden is blooming...
 
 
 
"Leave room in your garden
 for the fairies to dance."
 
~b
 

 

Thursday, July 9, 2015

A breeze

I finished this little romper set
 for granddaughter Delainee today.
 
 
It was a breeze to sew up.
The Butterick pattern included a sun hat.
 
 
You can bet I'll be looking
 for more material to make this hat pattern.
 
 
~b