Friday, March 31, 2017

linen spray

I made my own linen spray this week.
 
 
Lemon & Lavender Linen Spray
 
30 drops essential oils - 15 drops lemon and 15 drops lavender
3 oz. rubbing alcohol
1.5 cups distilled water
 
Mix together. Put in spray bottle.
Shake bottle before each use.
 
Of course you can use whatever scents you prefer.
There is a lot of recipes for this on pinterest.
 
I saw an online shop that is selling the spray at
$12 for 24 ounces. YES! Same ingredients.
 
Now go make your own...
 
~b is for bargain
 
 
 


Thursday, March 30, 2017

huh?

Can you spot what's different in this picture...
 
 
in one minute or less?
 
~b is for bovine


Wednesday, March 29, 2017

junk

I call these "Junkyard Animals"
made by Dakota Man.
 
 
LuLu the cow
 
 
Henny the hen
 
 
Dolly the sheep
 
 
And that's Ali Cat in the back.
 
~b is for barnyard


Tuesday, March 28, 2017

bras and blossoms

I'm taking a break today from the quilts I've been making for weeks now.
I discovered this piece of fabric tucked in
 amongst the hundreds of novelty prints I have.
 
 
 I decided it would make cute zipper pouches.

 
Polka dot lining...
 polka dots go with everything.
 
 
I put together this sample of juvenile prints
 for pillowcase kits that my sister and I will be making.
Presentation will be important
so I'm looking for ideas.
 
 
I can never walk by a display of fresh cut flowers
without coming home with a bundle.
What a great idea someone had there...
and affordable.
 
 
~b is for blossoms and brassieres
 
 
 
 
 

Saturday, March 25, 2017

yikes!

Weekend traffic jam...
 
 

Friday, March 24, 2017

crazy

I've discovered a new use for my old scraps.
 
 
One I am pretty passionate about.
 
 
Making crazy quilt squares
 which will eventually be sewn together for a quilt.
 
 
Dakota Man has been picking through his scraps also.
I love his little scrappy cat and dog.
 
 
Together our scraps look pretty good together.
 
Have a good weekend!
I'm sure I'll be doing crazy.
 
~b is for bits and pieces
 
 
 


Wednesday, March 22, 2017

cast iron baking

Life is sweet...
and so are my cherry sweet rolls.
 
 
From the 2016 Cast Iron Baking book.
 
My bread making skills are a work in progress.
I wonder if I will conquer bread baking before I hit 80?
 
 
You use a cup of cherry preserves
 with a little lemon zest for the filling.
Mr b gave them a thumbs up.
 
 
Don't they look good in my black cast iron skillet?
 
It's a good thing I don't have a figure to maintain...
what fun would that be?
 
~b is for basic
 
 
 
 


Monday, March 20, 2017

spring again

WOW... We made it
 
 
Happy Spring!
 
 
How are you celebrating?
 
 
~b is for beginnings
 
 


Friday, March 17, 2017

Irish

Everyone's Irish on March 17...
so true.
 
 
Image result for irish sayings
 
 
The day has to involve a wee bit of Irish food,
corned beef hash for lunch.
 
 
Green squares for a lap quilt.
 
~b is for brogue
 


Thursday, March 16, 2017

dealing with scraps

I've been playing scrap man this week.
 
 
I dug out novelty cottons for a quilt...
and boy do I have a lot of them!
I had no trouble coming up with over a 100 different prints.
 
 
I thought this quilt was the perfect project
to DEstash my little sewing sweatshop.
 
But then I saw the quilt shop up the road
was selling juvenile prints for $3 a yard.
I guess she had the same idea I was having.
 
 
Mr. b put a shelf above my sewing table years ago
so our cat Birdie could watch me sew and the birds at the same time.
Is it mean of me that I enjoy confusing children
with a cat named Birdie?
There is a little Maxine in all of us.
 
~b is for birdie
 
 
 
 
 


Wednesday, March 15, 2017

So long

Winters in the Dakotas are long...
VERY long.
 
 
I am thankful we both have hobbies to get us by.
Dakota Man works out in his woodshop
 until he needs to come in and warm up his toes.
 
 
He works between the garage, basement and woodshop.
 
 
 
Farmers will be glad to get in their fields too.
 
 
I love his newest projects here.
 
 
We are so ready for a little road trip...
maybe look for some cute quilt shops?
 
~b is for bump
 
 
 
 
 
 
 


Tuesday, March 14, 2017

Mother Goose

I've been savoring these two pieces of flannel for a long time...
 
 
I finally got them out and crocheted a lace edge around it.
 
 
The back flannel is stripes in the same color way
 
 
with a knit hat to match.
 
 
What is a sweet baby post without a sweet baby?
 
 
~b is for baby
 
 
 
 


Monday, March 13, 2017

farm girl

More stash busting...
 

I am really getting a lot of mileage
 out of my Farm Girl Vintage book.
 
 
What's your favorite block?
 
 
I love the chicken!
or maybe the cream can...or the canning jars?
oh dear, the bowls are pretty cute too.
 
 
~b is for bewildered
 
 


Friday, March 10, 2017

brrr

It's looking like another snowy weekend
here in South Dakota.
 

We are a hardy breed and can take it...
with coffee and a good book that is.
 
~b is for being brave

Thursday, March 9, 2017

baby

While I had the flannel pieces out
I decided it would be a good time to clean up some of the ends.
 
 
There is always a seven inch edge left over
 from the many receiving blankets I make
and I like to make them into quick burp rags for baby's.
 
 
Nothing fancy...
just two different flannel pieces sewed together and top stitched.
 
 
I sell them at a bargain price.
 
 
While I had my circular and double point knitting needles out...
 
 
I expanded my mind with a new beanie pattern.
Wrap and turn was a new stitch for me.
 
~b is for beanie