Inspirations Gillian Hare progress...

I know I have been absent for a couple of days but I have a good excuse :)

Monday's stitching...

Tuesday's stitching...

Wednesday's stitching...

I have put some more shading stitches in at the side but it still needs a few more to make the 'line' disappear.

It's been a busy week, hospital and doctor's for various members of the family.

I got a surprise last week, I have been asked to teach hand embroidery workshops and where in the past I have felt 'no, that's not for me, I'm not that good', this time I agreed.  I have taught before, a while ago, so I have a little experience.  I have a couple of months to work out my teaching plans and kits and then it's off we go.  I am using it as a new start and began by getting a new haircut, not showing it yet as I am still getting used to it.  I had long hair and went for the total change - yep - I got it all chopped off, seven inches of hair fell to the floor - what have I done!!!

Friday Night Stitch In... Gillian Hare Project from Inspirations

I joined lots of other like-minded stitchers last night for our Friday Night Stitch In and decided to work on my Gillian project from the Inspirations magazine...

I think I got about four rows added which doesn't seem alot but it takes time.  I also wasn't happy with the colour they chose as the lighter green as it seemed almost neon so unpicked quite alot of work.  I am working it now in what I think is a more blendable shade of green.  All of the hare shading is complete and I am desperate to get on with the embroidery and goldwork - I will get there eventually.

More stitching to be done over the weekend I hope.

Needle Needs Necessaire Stand & Millenium Frames...

Here she is, my new toy...

The Needle Needs Necessaire Stand and I absolutely love it.  The base of the stand has two sturdy legs that fit under your chair.  The arms can be lowered to fit whatever height you feel comfortable to stitch at.  The wooden arms can also be rested on the arms of your chair which is useful if you are using one of the wider millenium frames for a large project.

The stand holds numerous types of frames but mine came with two lots of the millenium frames and I also already have a couple that have pieces of work on waiting for my retreat next month.

This is how the frames sit on the stand.  The frame above is the smallest millenium frame which is ideal for completing the smaller Sherpherd's Bush Samplers.  The linen is placed on the rollers and tucked in with the supplied card, slide the rods along which is very easy to do, then just twist the side bars until the linen is taught and drum tight.

One size of side bar along with two sizes of the roller bars.  The workmanship is excellent on these products and they are a pleasure to use.

Full instructions supplied with a picture one behind this one and the supplied 'tucking in' card for your linen.

There is a long waiting list for the stands and frames as they are such good quality but I was able to find one secondhand on the preloved website and the lady turned out to be a fellow stitcher from the Royal School of Needlework at Durham.

I am so pleased with it as it means that I can comfortably sit and stitch in the living room and not take up alot of room plus moving the frames is easy to do if you need to check stitching or take a break.

I might be using this tonight for the Friday Night stitching unless I decide to do a little quilting.

Baking Day...

Baking day today even though I am recovering from a lousy cold.

Fruit scones x 12, cheese scones x 9, carrot cake cupcakes x 24,

Double chocolate brownies x 12, Carrot cake mini loaves x 4, and lastly Lemon Drizzle loaves x 2.

All gluten free and all delicious.  Tomato and Basil soup for tea with guest.

We did all our cleaning and laundry today and got the car mot'd.  Tomorrow is a day off for me.  No housework, no car,  no cooking, no visitors, just the whole day for stitching which I am delighted about.

I will show off my new toy tomorrow.

Friday Night Sew In... March 23rd

Just a head's up post about the Friday Night Sew In....

Click here and you will be taken to Cheryl's blogpost where you can sign up and join in all the fun :)

Moda, Moda everywhere....

Who got lucky at auction and won.

A fat quarter bundle of Moda Bunny Hill Designs Kindred Spirits.

This is going to be an ace collection for any of my baby quilts.  I loved the Lily & Will collection they did and have just ran out so this will replace it very nicely thank you.

Moda Bonnie & Camille Miss Kate.

A fat eighth bundle - I haven't decided what this is going to be used for yet but I love the colours particularly the navy blue - not a colour that you see alot of.

Tilda Sunshine Sewing by Tone Finnanger...

Who doesn't love Tilda - I love Tone's work and books, they are amazing and inspiring and this one doesn't fail on all those fronts.

From fruity quilts to whale quilts with matching pillows, patch cats to mermaids, scrap bowls and lemons, beach bags, Octopus and starfish.

You can use any of the Tilda fabric range for these patterns and I think that is why I like them so much.  Some patterns you buy just have to be completed in the fabric they use but that is not the case with Tone's book.

If you have your own She-Shed, cave, summerhouse or outhouse then all of the patterns in this book would not look out of place stitched up and showed off.

If you have all the other Tilda books then this one needs to be added to your collection, if you are new to Tilda and to sewing, it would be a great place to start for both adults or children and new or experienced stitchers.  Very easy to follow instructions and all the patterns included.  

My favourite pattern is the whale quilt and matching pillow, that is definitely on my to do list.

DMC Gold Collector's Tin...

Quite a few years ago my husband bought me the whole range of DMC threads and I slowly make my through them and occasionally have to replace some of the popular colours.

I knew that they had brought some new colours out and they do look gorgeous in the tin but I am a bit - oh where do I put the tin because I have storage for my DMC so hadn't bothered.

My family obviously had other ideas because this came through the post today.

This is the back of tin packaging showing the colours - 35 of them.

All 35 colours - they are lightly taped to a card which keeps them from tipping to one end of the tin if you want to store them upright - which is great because they take less room stored that way.

The booklet inside the tin that tells you a little about the company - in six languages.

Numbers 18 to 35

Numbers 01 to 17

The exclusive charts included with the collectors tin.

I have looked online and the tins vary in price so shop around.  I love them, the colours are beautiful.  I panicked when I saw the numbers but DMC officially start at number 48 with Blanc, Ecru and B5200 before them so these numbers slot right in to the already extensive range of colours.

Life is a Cabaret....

Our youngest son is studying all sorts at a Scottish University.  This is quite remarkable as he suffers from serious anxiety but yet has managed to get into his second year and has three to go and lives over 300 miles away from us.  We worry about him alot but he always keeps in touch on a weekly basis.

We know he joined lots of different societies and clubs and always keeps very busy with his reading, walking, photography, writing, reviewing the arts, climbing, board games and more.

Imagine our surprise when he shared this...

Our son in front of the camera instead of behind and in costume.  The suit is his because he wears suits whenever he can, along with pocket watches, hats, canes etc.

This is one of his photographs from a photoshoot at the University for the Cabaret Society.  

It was taken by Dan Mosley, what a talent he has with the camera.

The story behind the photograph is a secret agent from 2146 resting after a battle.

We were amazed with this - it is a brilliant photograph and there are loads more but I don't see how this can be beat.

It has been an odd week here - we are not top notch - our daughter now has the dreaded flu bug and has lost her voice so has spent most of the week in bed.  I haven't got any stitching done but I have shopped plenty which is a little naughty.  We also haven't had the energy for cooking so ordered in - also naughty.

Have a good weekend all and catch up soon :)

Gluten Free Sultana Scones

Makes 12

Ingredients:-

16ozs Juvela White Flour Mix

2 1/2 teaspoons GF Baking Powder

4ozs Margarine or Butter

2ozs Caster Sugar

4ozs Sultanas

2 eggs made up with milk to 270ml

Sprinkle of Caster Sugar

Method:-

Set the oven to gas mark 7 with a middle shelf in the oven.

Place the flour, baking powder and margarine or butter in a mixer and mix well until it looks like a breadcrumb mixture.

Mix in the sugar and sultanas.

Start adding the milk and egg mixture a little at a time while the machine is on low.  Do not use all the liquid as you need a little for glazing the scones.

I use gloves for the next bit as I don't like sticky fingers.  Turn the mixture out onto a floured board and knead for a couple of minutes.  The texture will change as you knead.  Press out until one inch thick and cut the scone rounds with a fluted cutter.  Repeat with the bits that are left until you have 12 scones.  Brush with the remaining milk/egg mixture and sprinkle with the caster sugar.  

Place in the middle of the oven and bake for 15 minutes.  I like them dark golden brown but if you like them lighter then bake for 13 minutes.

As you can see from the picture these scones have a beautiful texture, very light and just as good as non-gluten ones.  Serve with butter or jam and cream.

These scones freeze well.

Creamy smoked haddock and king prawn risotto

Really tasty quick recipe for an evening meal or supper.  Serves 4

Ingredients:-

10oz Arboria Rice

1 large fillet of boned and skinned smoked haddock cut into pieces

16 king prawns or crevettes (cut in half as they are large)

handful of peas

handful of runner beans - sliced

handful of green beans - sliced

6 chestnut mushrooms - sliced

1 large onion - finely chopped

Olive Oil

knob of butter

750ml vegetable stock

chopped fresh herbs including mint, thyme, basil, sage, parsley

Salt and Pepper to taste

Double cream - optional

Grated Parmesan - optional

Crusty bread

Method:-

Put the olive oil and butter in a large saute pan and heat.  Add the finely chopped onion and cook for a few minutes until transparent.  Add the peas and all the beans, as well as the herbs and mushrooms and cook for a further three minutes.  Place the risotto rice on top of the vegetable mix and stir well.

Set a timer for 20 minutes and start adding a ladleful of vegetable stock, stir through and let it cook.  As the liquid evaporates top it up and stir through, it should be slightly hotter than a simmer but not boil.  On average about 150 to 200 ml cooking for five minutes will cook the rice.  When you get to the last five minutes add the fish and stir lightly.

Once the timer goes off check the seasoning and if you want to add the cream, do so now and stir through but don't boil.

Serve in hot bowls, garnished with grated parmesan and a chunk of crusty bread/garlic bread.

Smocked & embroidered dress... Friday Night Sew In...

For the Friday Night Sew-In I completed the smocked and embroidered dress - Devotion from Australian Smocking & Embroidery.

I have put it on my 4 year old tailors dummy which doesn't quite do it justice.

The collar and sleeves are piped in the same fabric as the dress.

I changed the embroidery slightly on the design so it is individual.

The lighting wasn't brilliant for the photographs.

The sleeves gathered beautifully, I did expect to have to put sleeve stays in but they didn't need it.

The dress is for age 6.  I am not quite sure what I am going to do with it yet, I might put it up for sale if I can find a nice underskirt to match the style of dress.

I think I will hem it four inches up as it does look quite long.

The weekend of stitching including Friday evening didn't go all smoothly.  Our central heating decided to pack up and we have been freezing.  After realising the radiators weren't working we called British Gas and they came out on Saturday, fixed the problem and we decided to get the HIVE fitted so now we have complete control of heating, lights and plugs - all through the tablets, laptops and phones.  It has been lovely and toasty warm for the rest of the weekend, the quilts are now back in the cupboard.  Hope you all managed to get some stitching done and I will have a look through the posts over the next few days.