a partridge

 On the first day of Christmas...

My painted pears and Dakota Man's wood turned pear.

A match made in heaven I would say.

Merry Christmas all!

~b

wrapping up Christmas

 This cowl is also another project I began a while back and finished this week..

These minus temps are a good reason to wear something warm around your neck.

And now I have a couple of excuses to begin a new project.

When life hands you lemons or in our case another blizzard...

you make ham and bean soup.

I knew I was saving that ham bone for a special day.

~b

crocheting

 Like a Santa elf I am trying to wrap things up here.

I started working on this crocheted vest quite awhile ago

 and vowed to get it done before Christmas.

I've always loved crocheted vests. 

I taught myself to crochet them when I was still in high school.

~b

making Christmas

 Handmade Christmas presents...

A quilt for our daughter-in-law. I've been hoarding these Kaffe Fassett squares for awhile.

They just seemed to beautiful to cut into. There is 100 of them in this quilt, no two alike.

I used a fleece on the back.

Flannel sleep shorts are always good for the teenagers in the family.

I found these fun cat prints in Joann Fabrics. I don't know if handmade gifts are as fun to give as they are for me to make.

It's looking to be a crazy week here. 

I am going to enjoy it and when it is over I will rest.

~b

Steps

Step 1 - I see a project I like on Instagram or Pinterest.

Step 2 - I look up the artist to see if it's available to buy and I can afford which is usually a big NO on the afford part.

Step 3 - I make a copy of picture and send my woodcutter (Dakota Man) out to his shed to make for me.

Step 4 - I paint and paint and paint.

I try to get my things just a bit different which isn't hard to do as I'm not an artist.

I absolutely love these characters!

WE are on our 5th day of a blizzard here.

 It will make going south all that much better.

I like winter but even I have limits.

~b is for blizzard

early bird

 I was up bright and early this morning (5:30 a.m.) 

so I had plenty of time to make these cinnamon roll bites 

which have been on my radar for quite awhile.

I may cut back on the frosting next go. I noted a few changes on my recipe.

They were excellent.

With a couple extra hours to my day I finished the binding on this paper doll quilt.

The second hand sheet I found in Texas is perfect as backing.

It is ready to add to my quilt mountain.

~b

salty

 Making salt dough ornaments...

ready for painting. 

Maybe I'll leave my cookie cutters out for cookies?

The butter and egg prices are killing my fun this year.

~b

exotics

 Just in from Dakota Man's woodshop.

I love that he finally has the confidence to use finer and exotic woods.

Bowl is made from African mahogany and nostepinne is hard maple.

~b

elves

Without Dakota Man's hobby...

I wouldn't have my hobby.

After I got these painted as well as I could 

I took them out to his shop and sanded and stained them 

to make them look aged.

It's called counterproductive.

~b

cookies

 I have been a cookie monster this week.

Blame it on my Christmas spirit.

Sunday I made chocolate chip and today it's molasses sugar cookies.

I like to bake just a few for us to eat while they are warm 

and throw the rest in the freezer. for later.

The way to a man's heart you know...

~b

Waldorf

 I knew I had to make this little chicken pocket doll when I saw it online.

I love Waldorf toys.

Forget the batteries, lights and whistles.

Waldorf toys let children use their imagination 

and I love watching them at play.

~b

a handmade Christmas

 I don't decorate for Christmas like I used to...

bringing up box after box from the basement.

But it's nice when Dakota Man brings me treasures

 from his woodshop and paint easel.

~b

 November is past...

and now it's time for a little Christmas.

~b