Patchwork Bird

Tree Decoration

This week I have been making hanging birds for the Christmas tree (yes ... I really am trying to organize things early this year). This is the pattern I have been using ...

Cut One From First Fabric On The Fold

Cut One From Second Fabric

To make.
Copy and cut out pattern, place pattern on fold of fabric. The overall length is approximately eight inches but could be anything you wish.  Second fabric piece overall length is approximately six inches - or three quarters of the first measurement. I used quarter inch seams all around. Sew together between dotted lines until 'stops' Sew head together, and leave tail end open to stuff with wadding then after stuffing close with hand sewing. Use buttons or beads for eyes and attach a ribbon to hang. Very simple ten minute project.

Patchwork Bird

Easy Tree Decoration

El Dia De Los Muertos

El Dia De Los Muertos

Mexican Pop Art

 I found some wonderful fabric at Fancy Moon, which commemorates the Mexican festival of the dead. This holiday takes place in Mexico, (and elsewhere among Mexican communities), over three days from 31st October until 2nd November, which is the actual day of celebrations ... El Dia De Los Muertos - The Day Of The Dead.

Mini Calaveras Red

Los Novios

Mini Calaveras Turquoise

Fiesta De Los Muertos Black

Fiesta De Los Muertos White

Rose Tattoo

Paseo De Los Muertos

Mini Calaveras Black

Whole families visit graveyards and take drinks for the adults and toys for the children and a picnic for themselves and they tidy the graves and reminisce about the life and times of the dead family members. This is a joyous occasion and not the least bit morbid and the festival atmosphere is continued throughout the holiday break with colourful foods and sweets for the children, bright clothing and decorations in the homes.

Papier Mache Skulls

Papier mache skulls are made by the children and sugar skulls are sold throughout Mexico for the children to be given as gifts.

Sugar Skulls

A really charming idea, I think, and with the lovely material that I have bought from Fancy Moon I am busy making my own gifts (for some special little people), which I hope will not scare them too much!!  All this wonderful colourful fabric comes from a range by Alexander Henry.

Patchwork Surprise

Sharing Stitches By Chrissy Grace

I came across this fascinating project by the artist Chrissy Grace and thought what a wonderful idea it was ... unfortunately the lovely book with the description and explanation is not available until the end of November ... what a lovely Christmas present for someone though ... (hint, hint, Mr Whizz Kid!)

Sharing Stitches By Chrissie Grace

The book can be pre-ordered here ... http://www.fwbookstore.com/product/sharing-stitches/new

Blurb:

Join Chrissie Grace and 15 talented artists as they exchange fabrics, collaborate on an art quilt and swap plenty of inspiration on the pages of Sharing Stitches. Stitch by stitch, Chrissie shows you how to create colorful and eclectic projects as unique as the group that sews them, including a patchwork pullover, a lace-embellished headband, a large-scale collaborative quilt and a round robin journal.
Inside Sharing Stitches, you'll find:

22 step-by-step projects designed specifically for swaps and collaborations Tips on swapping fabric, as well as hosting and participating in smoothly run collaborations Projects and gallery pieces from your favorite artists, including Claudine Hellmuth, Liz Lamoreux, Ruth Rae and more! Break out your sewing machine, round up your friends and start sewing! The lovely work by the artist Chrissy Grace can be found on Etsy and she also has produced two other books, which are well worth a look ... Wild Tiles By Chrissie Grace Tiles Gone Wild By Chrissie Grace Both are very inspirational and beautifully artistic yet concentrate primarily on mosaic designs.

Pillow Cases

Pretty Pillowcases

I also found time this week to make some pretty pillow cases from left over fabrics that I so wanted to use in a way that I should get to see lots of it!  Some lovely Laura Gunn, Robert Kauffman and Sevenberry Japan, edged with Lecien spots and ribbons, all that I have used in the past for gifts and swaps and now some all for me!

Lovely Colours

Colours To Cheer Any Bed

I did a pillow case swap earlier in the year and so enjoyed it ... it is a very easy way to make a colourful item and the range of fabrics out there makes it so easy to choose something interesting. I should love to take part in another - anybody offering to organize one??

NOTE: Do always make pillowcases in matching pairs but no room on my tiny line to show the others!

Fabric Cuffs

Pretty Fabric Cuffs

I have spent the past few days making Christmas items. Mostly small stocking gifts and tree decorations. I saw some lovely 'cuffs' on Etsy and felt that they were just the type of thing that young teenage girls would like and found them very easy to make and very pretty and original ... and perfect stocking fillers.

Ragged Twisted Cuffs

Fabric Scraps From Pincushion Swap Partner

Padded Cuff With Velcro Fastening

More Fiddly Satin Roses

Larger Satin Rose

Easy Cuffs

I found them fun to do (have now made ten in an afternoon) and very quick, simple and cheap.
I shall now embellish them with buttons and beads and a little embroidery to make them a little more special.

Needlecraft Book Giveaway

Another bloggie giveaway .... do take a look at     http://sewscrumptious.blogspot.com   The lovely needlecraft book is a very useful book to have on the shelf ... I want it, I want it, I want it ...

Lovely Giveaway Book

 Competition closes this Friday.

Passion Flower In The Rain

Sloshing About After The Rain

We have had the most amazing downpours over the past few days and the garden is simply dripping with water so I was very surprised this morning to find a passion flower still flowering in a sheltered spot in my garden. I have several growing in the boundaries among the trees and bushes and one prolific one growing on a pergola but at this time of the year most have finished flowering and turned to an inedible fruit, which is bright orange in colour and rather like a plum in size and shape. But this beauty is still clinging on to flower ...

Passiflora Caerulea - The Common Passionflower

Simple Dinner Party For Friends

 
A really simple yet lovely dinner party ... lets start with the flowers for the table shall we ... and maybe a Pimms?

Perfect Pimms

Simple Autumn Blooms

Courgette And Feta Starter

Salmon And Tomato Main Course

Make Summer Pudding

Cook Berries

Pop Them Together

Watch The Juices Sink Into The Bread

Pop A Weight On Top

Delicious Dessert

After two hours in the fridge, turn out and voila .... a lovely summer pudding for dessert.
And then ... a plate of lovely farmer's market home made soft cheese served with walnuts and grapes  ...

Macaroons

Lovely Coffee

More Simple Autumn Blooms

A lovely time was had by all!

Slurp!!

Macaroons

Macaroon Recipe.



I think I have fallen in love ... again ... only this time with the eye candy colours and sweet sumptuous taste of    Macaroons.   They have always been available in France in most patisseries but now seem to be available here in London in some of the more expensive food shops and cafes such as  The Laduree Café  in Harrods.  I think they may have taken over where cup cakes have left off and appear to be the new 'style food', as I am now seeing them everywhere. Unfortunately they are terribly expensive, costing anything from £2-£3 each and upwards,  so I thought that today I might just have a try at making some myself.

They Are Sold In All Colours And Flavours

I Can Just About Force Myself To Eat These

And These Are For Mr Whizz Kid

The simplest recipe that I have found seems to be this one ...

Multi Coloured And Multi Flavoured Macaroons

Ingredients 

175g icing sugar
125g ground almonds
3 large free-range egg whites
75g caster sugar

For the filling

150g butter, softened
75g icing sugar

Method

1. Preheat the oven to 160°C/fan140°C/gas 3. Whizz the icing sugar and ground almonds in a food processor to a very fine mixture, then sift into a bowl.

2. In a separate bowl, whisk the egg whites with a pinch of salt to soft peaks, then gradually whisk in the caster sugar until thick and glossy. (At this point you can stir in flavour extract, such as peppermint or lemon, and corresponding colouring such as blue or yellow, to your meringue mixture, depending on what kind of macaroons you want.  Or divide the meringue among different bowls if you want to make more than one colour.)

3. Fold half the almond and icing sugar mixture into the meringue and mix well. Add the remaining half, making sure you use a spatula to cut and fold the mixture until it is shiny and has a thick, ribbon-like consistency as it falls from the spatula. Spoon into a piping bag fitted with a 1cm plain nozzle.

4. Line 2 baking sheets with baking paper. Pipe small rounds of the macaroon mixture, about 3cm across, onto the baking sheets. Give the baking sheets a sharp tap on the work surface to ensure a good ‘foot’. Leave to stand at room temperature for 10-15 minutes to form a slight skin. This is important – you should be able to touch them lightly without any mixture sticking to your finger. Bake for 15 minutes. Remove from the oven and cool.

5. Meanwhile, make the fillings. In a bowl, beat the butter until light and fluffy, then beat in the icing sugar. (You can now add flavouring or nuts, and colour ) Use to sandwich pairs of macaroons together.

 

I will post some pictures when they are ready (and very quickly before they get eaten by the friends and family!)

I Want To Play A Game

Example

Example

I found a wonderful Flckr site - a huge pool of pics -  devoted to peoples daily drawings of 'What I Wore Today' and thought what a fun idea it was. I decided to give it a try to practice my drawing and also just for fun. I think it is great to know just what your online friends looks like and realize that most of us just do not want our photos online for all to see, however, a personal drawing seems fine and less intrusive.  I should love to see some drawings of you all - and don't worry my drawing skills are zilch!