Winter White

Snow is predicted for the next two days.

At the beginning of Winter

I decided to embrace the cold and the snow.

That lasted until a couple of weeks ago.

Now I have to say.....

 I've had enough!

From each and every window the view is the same...

White, White, White!

So, why is it that I find decorating with white

so irresistible??

Every Day Work Apron

Grey wintery weather has kept me busy indoors this week.  With laundry drying on the drying rack by the fire...I sat down and sewed for a couple of hours this afternoon.  Using the rest of the fabric that I used for the grocery tote, I made an every day work apron.  Roomy pockets in a chicken wire pattern make this cotton chicken apron perfect for household tasks...cooking, cleaning, hanging laundry (plenty of room for clothes pins in those pockets!)   Now over to my apron store to post "Henrietta's Every Day Work Apron".

Grocery Tote Pattern

As requested from previous post....
Here:   Smile Spinners

Simple Grocery Tote

I had a little spare time today and wanted to try a new pattern.  This is a grocery store tote....constructed exactly like the plastic sacks that the stores use.

  I carry re-usable totes with me whenever I shop.  The nice thing about this bag is how it folds flat.  It is super strong and super stuffable.

I think I may make a few of these for next year's Christmas presents.  Filled with farm fresh eggs and a loaf of home baked bread and a jar of homemade jam....what a great gift idea!  As busy as spring, summer and fall are on the farm...I am going to try to use the winter months to get a jump on next year's gift giving ideas.

Wishing for Spring

This year when I put my Christmas decorations away, I left some of my smaller snowmen out to decorate the kitchen for winter.  I had a snowman quilt hanging on the wall, greens and pinecones in wooden bowls and tiny snowmen on the windowsill.  I think I may have jinxed us....we have had the snowiest winter in quite a few years.  This week I decided enough was enough.  If I have to look at snow for the next several weeks (there is still so much on the ground), then at least in the house I would introduce some Spring.   So, I safely stowed away the remaining greens and snowmen and started arranging some of my Spring decor.

A farm quilt (I made this one 2 years ago) hangs on the wall now...

I took apart some old silk flower arrangements and placed them and my garden bunny in an old basket as a new centerpiece for the table.  (Determined that I was not going to buy anything, but to repurpose what I already had).

I picked up some yellow carnations at the grocery store and placed them on the windowsill in an antique syrup can.

If I have to endure weeks more of snow, at least there will be Spring in my heart and in my home!

If you live in the part of the country where Spring has already arrived....take a deep breath and breathe in the wonderful fragrance.  Feel the warmth of the sun on your face.  Hear the joyful songs of the birds.  And when you have drunk in all that you can.....send a little bit my way.  

I sure could use a little....as I sit here looking out the window at grey skies, barren trees, and huge piles of snow all around!

Wednesday, Part "Deux"

Today's sewing project was this little mini-quilt.

"J'aime le Printemps" it proclaims.

"I love Spring"

I thought working on a spring project might help me to

forget the several feet of snow that has enveloped my world.

This was a perfect way to use up fabric scraps from past aprons.

Of course I had to add some vintage graphics, 

vintage buttons,

 and crocheted vintage laces.

An old skeleton key,

An old cluster earring....

Just a few of my favorite things.

Now to take it over to my selling blog.....Touch of the Past.

Long Live the Queen!!

(It's good to be Queen for a day...even if it's just in my mind)

Today is the day. 

The Queen has declared it so. 

Wednesday is to be crafting day here at
 Bee Haven Acres. 

For months now, I have busied myself with house and farm chores

 and crafting has gone by the wayside. 

What I have realized is that if I don't set aside a regular time for crafting,

 my sewing machine will grow old and dusty. 

So.....today is the day. 

The house is clean, the animals are fed, the barn is swept. 

The snow is melting!!! 

There is just nothing that should need my attention for the next few hours. 

I am turning the computer off and the music on.......... 

The adventure begins!

Playing With Graphic Design

For the longest time I have wanted to try a little graphic design with Photoshop.

Today I tried my hand at it.

Here is a picture that I composed.

I started with a background and added the rest of the elements.

I think I will call this one "Haunted".

Oh my, this opens up a whole new world of digital creativity for me.....imagining the possibilites! Stay tuned for more.

Les Papillons

I have not posted in a couple of weeks.

We were gone....on vacation in

St. Martin....the French side....

home of clothing optional beaches.

No, we didn't!

And most who were....should not have been!!

It was great to soak up some sun, read some books,

and eat French baguettes for every meal.

Breakfast (oooooh, those croissants) by the pool....

(now back to modest eating!)

I took my camera to a Butterfly Garden

and snapped the following pictures to share with you:

It was great to be warm...but is so good to be home again!!