Thursday, April 28, 2016

happy birthday

For this month's birthday girl...
 
 
...a little something from the little sewing sweatshop.
 
 
She cans lots of pickles hence the pickle pocket.
 
~b
 


Wednesday, April 27, 2016

6 x's

Dividing up grandma's apron...
 
 
six ways.
 
 
This is a great way to share grandma's apron.
I was commissioned (by the Prairie Preservationist)
 to cut and sew the apron into 6 different projects.
Of course I started with zipper pouches.
And this is what a true preservationist does!
 Reuse - recycle - repurpose
 
~b is for baking


Tuesday, April 26, 2016

adventures

I was away from my little sewing sweatshop yesterday
 on yet another adventure.
 
 
My Prairie Preservationist sister and I made candles for her shop.
 
We made our candles out of 100% USA grown soy wax with all natural cotton wicks.
 5 of our favorite scents were added...
Prairie Breeze, Summer Night, Grandma's Kuchen, Fresh Cut Grass
 and Citrus Cilantro...
all environmentally safe.
The highest amount of fragrance advised was used.
 
 
All hand poured from small batches.
 
 
We opted to skip dyes and love the look of our all natural white candles.
 
 
They will be labeled and for sale in a couple of days.
 
~b
 


Friday, April 22, 2016

Farm Friday

I love Fridays and farms.
 
Who doesn't love driving a country lane
 and admiring old barns and houses...
a cow with a new calf...
railroad tracks as far as the eye can see...
an old car abandoned many years ago...
 
 
 
I would love to get inside this old barn and snoop around.
 
 
A long train ride is on my bucket list.
 
 
Some things look good with a little rust don't you think?
 
~b is for babble
 


Wednesday, April 20, 2016

birds

The birds are back...
and entertaining us at our feeders.
 
 
As I listened to their bird songs today
I dug out three sweet pieces of bird fabric.
 
 
These zipper pouches will make great Mother's Day gifts.
 
Slip in a gift certificate to her favorite restaurant and
you will make her very happy.
 
 
 
A bird does not sing
because it has an answer.
It sings because it has a song.
-Chinese Proverb
 
 
Visit or call The Prairie Preservationist to order one.
 
~b is for birds
 
 
 
 
 


Tuesday, April 19, 2016

100%

There is nothing better than a hand knit spa washcloth.
This one knitted in the round is especially pretty.
 
 
Knitting a dishrag or washcloth is my go-to project
when I need to sit down and relax for a bit.
 
I use 100% USA grown cotton for all my cloths.
 
 
Paired up with a bar of homemade soap...
they make a nice gift.
 
~b
 
 


Monday, April 18, 2016

Lucy, Leia and Delainee

 
When grandma and grandpa babysit some of the rules go out the window...
We overlook m&m's before noon...cartoons all day...
crackers and cheese is a meal...
10 p.m. bedtimes...a sip of soda pop never hurt anyone...
and pajama pants are allowed outdoors.
 
 
Lucky for us neither dog nor granddaughter could tell on us.
 
~b is for bark
 


Saturday, April 16, 2016

Returning to spring...
 

When we left home 9 days ago
 there was still a touch of winter in the air.
 
We returned yesterday to dandelions,
tall grass, tree buds and blooming tulips.
 
Happy spring!
 
~b is for blossom


Tuesday, April 5, 2016

don't leave home without it

When I leave home the first things I pack
 are the items I couldn't live without...
 
 
Vaseline for my lips...
a good hand lotion,
 a book and magazine.
oh, and a small knitting project.
 
I love this makeup bag I stitched up
this morning using my Tim Holtz fabric.
 
I will be away from the computer for a bit
 to spend time with our granddaughters.
Can you spell F U N?
 
~b is for back soon
 




Monday, April 4, 2016

the past

We jogged (drove) over to my favorite store Saturday.
 
The Prairie Preservationist
This place just gets my creative juices flowing.
 
They sell a lot of my wares there...
besides a ton of other great things.
 
 
 
I love using this vintage design pillow ticking from there in my projects.
 
 
I couldn't resist this fundraiser cookbook from my hometown...
you know us woman will only submit our best recipes for publication.
I see there is a recipe for kuchen in it...
we will have to see if it as good as grandmas.
 
 
Ahh...the day of penny postcards are long gone.
But who doesn't love getting one in the mail yet?
 
 
And this is why they call themselves
Prairie Preservationists.
 
Check out their blog, on-line store or on facebook.
 
~b is for bounty
 
 


Friday, April 1, 2016

write it down

Have I told you how much I love
 making these notebook covers?
 
 
YES! I die over fabrics.
 




 
Would you believe I haven't put my name on one yet!
I just can't decide...
 
 
~b is for bewildered