Tuesday, January 31, 2017

brrr

Oh baby...
 
 
 
 
...it's cold outside!
 
 
~b is for baby blankets
 
 


Monday, January 30, 2017

"Do you want to build a snowman?"
 
 
~b


 


Friday, January 27, 2017

Grandma's got company this weekend...
 
 
 
 
~b

Wednesday, January 25, 2017

flannel

I have spent the last two days organizing flannel pieces.
 
 
I separated it according to size...
blanket, bibs and burp cloths.
Little pieces are for shoes.
 
 
 I then begin cutting blocks for quilts...
five, three and two inch squares.
Selvage edges are used in crafts.
Bits and pieces are saved for the granddaughters to play with.
 
 
It has been confirmed
that I am a flannel hoarder of the worst kind.
 
 
Not a piece goes to waste in my little sewing sweatshop.
~b


Tuesday, January 24, 2017

winter's garden

 
Every gardener knows that under
the cloak of winter lies a miracle.
~Luther Burbank
 
 
...a woodpecker at the feeders that Mr. b
 keeps filled for his backyard feathered friends.
 
 
He built this roosting box
 and put it up just in time for todays snow storm.
 
~b


Friday, January 20, 2017

rug vs mat

Mug rug...
 
 
or candle mat?
 
 
You choose.
 
~b
 


Wednesday, January 18, 2017

slow days

January days are slow days for us...
of course our cat Birdie has slow days all year long.
Bird watching is hard work and calls for lots of naps.
 
 
Our weather has warmed up some
 and we are able to get out again to enjoy a country walk.
 
 
Have I said how much I love these carpenter boxes
 made by my own Dakota Man?
 

 
So vintage...
he stained these in ebony.
 
 
Winter days also make good candle making days.
 
~b is for business
 
 
 

Monday, January 16, 2017

surviving winter

It's the middle of January...
time to go into survival mode.
 
 
Caramel rolls definitely help!

 
New flannel for a baby blanket
and The Cottage Journal will get me by
for a few more cold days while being stuck indoors.
 
~b is for bored


Friday, January 13, 2017

Sea Bags

When we were in Portland, Maine this past fall
I saw Sea Bags being sold from a truck
and then again in a kiosk at the airport.
 
 
They make bags from old sails...
I love that idea!
 
 
They are spendy and I'm a tightwad.
 
 
So of course...
I came home and made my own version of their wristlet.
And until I come across an old sail in the middle of South Dakota
I will have to use nautical themed cotton fabric.
 
~b is for boat
 
 


Wednesday, January 11, 2017

fresh eggs

I dug out three fabric pieces I purchased
 last year while traveling through Iowa
to make this bag.
 
 
I can't resist novelty prints with chickens on it.
 
 
It has a top zipper...new to me.
At my age it is good to challenge the mind.
 
 
 
It may be hard giving this one up.
 
~b


Monday, January 9, 2017

Wake up

Look what Dakota Man brought up out of the cellar this morning...
 
 
 

New screen prints for the shop.
 
Who needs a new flour sack towel?
 
~b



Friday, January 6, 2017

Chef Antoine

It's no surprise that Dakota Man
 had a great December with his screen print items.
They make FUN gifts.
 
 
I enjoy working alongside with him.
We make a good team.

 
Stay tuned for some new prints soon.
 
~b



Thursday, January 5, 2017

creative

Creative days...
 
 
 
I came across some small embroidered squares my mother had done...
beautiful handwork with tiny stitches
and incorporated them into a couple of fabric journal covers.
 
 
Any little scrap of embroidery would work.
Save those old vintage embroidered pillowcases to recycle.
 
 
I put my name on this one.
 
 
And anyone that knows me
knows that this is my mantra...
 
 
 
And that completes this week's quilting project
and my need to be creative.
 
~b is for build
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Wednesday, January 4, 2017

sharks

Well...
I definitely got these out of my system.
 
Shark pencil pouches
 
 
They were more difficult then I expected.
But you know I love a challenge.
 
 
As cute as can be though
don't you think?
 
 
I'm kind of crazy about pencil cases.
 
~b is for blue


Tuesday, January 3, 2017

wind chills

It's definitely an earflap hat day today...
and for the next several days.
 
 
A double layer of fleece over the ears
 will keep out those minus 19 wind chill temps.
 
 
Cute models huh?
These hats are pretty easy to whip up too.
 
 
What does this one remind you of?
 
 
 
Ralphie from the movie "A Christmas Story"?
 
 
Headed to market...
 
~b
 
 

Monday, January 2, 2017

2017

Did you remember to write 2017 today?
Repeat after me...
2017201720172017
 
 
I haven't made a tote bag for awhile.
 

Mr. b cut me that cute little aspen button for it.
 
 
I love the numbers on it!
 
2017201720172017
 
~b