I wish I had a river I could skate away on....

February is finally here.... will spring be far behind?

Lavender

I stumbled across this photo taken last summer after my "first" harvest of lavender. I am able to harvest twice during the summer and the scent is incomparable---the bees love it too!

I now have over 15 good size lavender plants resting comfortably under a deep blanket of snow just off the garage behind a very stark white picket fence.

I am able to use my very own home-grown fresh and dried lavender for my summer soap shows and also in my lavender soap. There is nothing quite like lavender--Timeless!

Redwork

Stayed indoors most of the weekend---getting a few of my hand stitched redwork flour sack dishtowels ready for the summer season.

They are so cheerful looking!

Ultimate Valentines Day Song

At last my love has come along
My lonely days are over
And life is like a song
At last the skies above are blue
And my heart was wrapped up in clover
The night I looked at you
I found a dream that I can speak to
A dream that I could call my own
I found a thrill to press my cheek to
A thrill that I have never known
You smiled, and then the spell was cast
And here we are in heaven
And you are mine at last

Thank you Etta Jones...

Hand quilted vintage double wedding ring...

Finally finished this little gem!

I hand-stitched this vintage circa 1930 double wedding ring lap quilt that rests comfortably in the shop...ain't she sweet?

Tulips in January...

Thank you Kathy....they are lovely!

Embroidery-Quilting and more Quilting

Now I've done it....three projects at once---not at all like me. I like to finish what I start, but I can't seem to concentrate! Must be spring fever!

The Little Book

Busy today doing some revisions of a manuscript that I plan on sending in for consideration as soon as I get my illustrations completed. I can't believe that it is finally coming to fruition....I began my little children's book several years ago when the kids were still in elementary school and would pull it out once in a while and make a few changes here and there.

Isn't it funny when you know it's right to move forward with a project? Timing is everything...

Felted soap-------

Aren't they lovely? And so soft! Perfect little bath scrubbies and when your By the Bay soap runs out (no waste!) you will have a wonderful piece of felt---Snip the top open and Ta Da.... you now have a cute little felted change purse!

Spring Soap Shows 2010

Well, on this frigid Great North Woods evening I find myself knee deep in oils, herbs, and Essential oils and am ready to begin producing our wonderful handcrafted soap for another summer season. We have our favorites and this year we will try a few new scents to tantalize you!

I want take this time to thank all of our repeat customers and welcome our new customers.

Just drop by the shop at 800 14th Avenue Menominee, MI or give me a call at 906.863.6847

Oh....we also have an etsy site: www.lemonverbensoap@etsy.com

We are keeping the same price as we have always had for our lovely soap $4.00 a bar or $10.00 for 3 bars!

See you at the house or at our scheduled shows. We will know in a couple of weeks which ones we have been accepted to attend and will post the schedule on the blog....

By the Bay Soap Company

Melody and Bruce Neece

CABIN FEVER?

Thoughts of spring....

Busy today scheduling our summer soap shows dreaming of warm bay breezes and the scent of lilacs...

Tibbits

Here are a few snaps I found that"eerily" resemble dear Tibbits...

The one on the right is very much like her even down to that annoyed expression she bears!

LOOM

My table loom...I did find a stand that it is now sitting on, but I still have no idea who made it and what type of weaving can be done on it. I have looked it over carefully and cant find a manufacturers label. I would love to be able to weave on it but need some simple instructions or a good book explaining how to weave...Any ideas?

Can it really be Christmas?

Can it really be Christmas once again?

All of us here at By the Bay Handcrafted Soap want to say "Thank you" for another wonderful season!

We are looking forward to our summer shows and hope to see you there!

God Bless You.

HAND EMBROIDERED FLOUR SACK DISHTOWELS

for a lovely addition to your country kitchen check out my etsy site for all hand embroidered red work flour sack dishtowels...very sweet!

www.andsewitgoes.etsy.com

ETSY SITE!!!

The Holidays are just around the corner...treat yourself or the one you love with our luscious natural handcrafted soap!!

http://www.lemonverbenasoap.etsy.com/

Thank you!

Upcoming Holiday Show

Don't miss this one!

Menominee High School Forensics Holiday Show
Saturday, December 5th!

See you at the show....


By the Bay Soap

Picture Preview

Picture Preview

Pleasant Hill LA....

Retirement home????

Bonifas Art Show Escanaba, MI

We had a wonderful show on Saturday November 7th at the Bonifas Art Center in Escanaba, Mi.

The wide variety of artists was truly inspiring!

Thank you Bonifas for a wonderful "Indian Summer" day in Escanaba! We really enjoyed spending time with you and look forward to next years show!

Boulder Junction FLEA-MARKET!!!

my solid perfumes in my vintage pill boxes...

lavender cooling mist with vintage buttons...

My very first attempt and success at felting soap...

Just some odds and ends ....

What a pretty table....

Bruce and I woke up at 3:00 this morning for the long drive to Boulder Junction where we did our 1st really big flea market. Over 10,000 people were supposed to be attending and we had to be there at 7:00 to claim our spot, a 12 X 12 foot area with an enormous pine tree smack in the middle . Coinciding with the flea market there happened to be aWalleye Tournament, going on, a juried craft fair (waiting list of 5-years!) and an antique car show. WHEW! The weather held and it didn't rain, but we expected a better turnaround than what we did get. Oh well....there will always be another craft or art fair to look forward to in just a couple of weeks.

We set up and had possibly one of the poorest showings of all of our shows. We exclusively do shows which are juried art fests, etc. So this was a real challenge. I did happen to find some adorable things like the little girl I have listed. Ain't she sweet?? The artists name is Kathryn Petersen from Rubicon Wisconsin. Such talent!! And her creations just make you want to laugh they are so dear!