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Backing: n: The reverse side of a quilt or stitchery: The backing of my quilt is blue.

Barkcloth: n: Type of cotton weave fabric that is very dense as well as textured; and could be either solid or printed. The rough texture looks somewhat like that of tree bark, hence the fabric's name. The fabric may be printed or solid. It was often used in draperies or slipcovers of the past because the texture adds visual interest to the fabric and minimizes the appearance of soiling. My curtains are made of barkcloth.

Barn Star: n: A large metal decoration in the shape of a star; which you would usually see on the face of a barn. On early American barns they were sometimes just for aesthetics, but sometimes they represented the trademark of a specific barn builder. Although they go back to at least the 1820's in Pennsylvania, they were most popular after the American Civil War.

Today, we use barn stars to decorate our walls and they have come to be known as signs of good fortune and luck. Each color has a different meaning:

· Black: Protection, also used to blend or bind together.
· Blue: Protection, peace, calmness and spirituality.
· Brown: Mother earth, also can mean friendship and strength.
· Green: Growth, fertility, success in things and ideas that grow.
· Orange: Abundance in career, projects and matters needing an added push.
· Red: Emotions, passion, charisma, lust and creativity.
· Purple: Things that are sacred.
· White: Purity, power of the moon, allows energy to flow freely.
· Yellow: Health in body and mind, love of man and sun, connection to God.
· Yellow/Red: Passion for a healthy mind and body.
· White/Red: Purity of emotion.
· Red/White/Blue: Creativity, energy and peace.

Batting: n: Cotton, wool, or synthetic fiber wadded into rolls or sheets, used for stuffing furniture and mattresses and for lining quilts: The batting is sandwiched between my quilt top and backing.

Bee Skeps: n: Closed baskets made of coils of grass or straw made for bee keeping. These were first made in northern and western Europe. In the simplest form, there is a single entrance at the bottom of the skep. There is no internal structure except what the bees build themselves. Today, many artists make bee skeps for decoration use.

Beeswax: n: Commercial wax obtained by processing and purifying the crude wax of the honeybee and used in making candles, crayons, and polishes. Early Americans used pure beeswax to make candles; so primitive lovers are now using beeswax to construct candles, molded ornaments, and more.

Belsnickel: n: A Pennsylvania German Santa with a long beard and is dressed in fur like Santa Clause, but is tall and thin like St. Nicholas. Tradition tells that when he came upon a house with children, he would clang a cow bell and tap at the window with his switch. When the door was opened, he would step in, and the children would kneel at his feet. The good children would receive goodies, and the bad would be punished with his switch. Nowadays, this term refers to a highly collectible bearded figurine that resembles the “santa” of Pennsylvania Dutch tradition. Most Belsnickel figurines are chalkware.

Burlap: n: A strong, coarsely woven cloth made of fibers of jute, flax, or hemp and used to make bags, to reinforce linoleum, and in interior decoration. Primitive artists like to use this fabric in making Santa sacs, accenting other fabric items, and more.

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