January 2008

I didn’t thaw the peaches first.

Next time: I could either increase the baking time (and cover the top with tinfoil so it doesn’t burn), or pre-cook the peaches.

pre-baked

baked

Taste? We were a house divided. I couldn’t give it higher than about 5. But someone seemed to like it rather more than that.

Just a new cover for a humble ottoman. No pattern, just some rough measurements and simple sewing.

I love the way linen looks rumpled most of the time. It feels rather relaxed.

And, just in case you were wondering, we have had some snow here but it is not record-breaking. It might feel that way as you shovel the sidewalk yet again, but it isn’t.

the quilt

the inspiration (storm over the Palouse)

the project from this book

the significance

We were considering moving across the country. We were both excited about this possibility…for awhile. As we weighed our options, I worked on this quilt. Only when it was almost done did I realize: It is an ode to the landscape I’ve looked at (and loved) for 20 years.

For the minute, we’re staying put.

the nuts and bolts

Dimensions: about 68 inches by about 64 inches (the one in the book is smaller)

Range of solids bought here

the process

choose some fabrics

cut strips

put strips in bag

choose two without looking

sew them together

repeat

cut up the pieces you have, put them back in the bag, choose two (see where this is going?)

assemble the middle

add a border

add backing/batting
quilt layers
add binding

attach label

I could swear that the fruit around here takes turns being particularly good in a given year. Last year we had really lovely huckleberries, but things weren’t so good in the peach and raspberry departments.

So the options (for peaches) are canned or frozen. Or, I suppose, not eating a crisp…which is a viable choice.

I think we gave this one a 7 of 10 for taste.

If you want to give this a go, try this (it’s the same recipe I always use, with a few variations)

for the topping
1/2 cup flour (unbleached, organic, all-purpose)
1/2 cup oats
1/2 cup brown sugar
1/2 cup nuts (my favorite are pecans)
1/2 cup butter, cut into slices
1 to 2 teaspoons cinnamon

for the fruit
some kind of fruit (peaches, berries, whatever you’ve got)
sugar to taste (I typically use between 1/4 and 1/2 cup sugar)
cornstarch (or whatever you use for thickening)…I’ve yet to get this measurement right. I start with three tablespoons…that’s not enough. 1/4 cup is too much.
Some kind of spice, if you feel like it (nutmeg? cinnamon?)

I bake it for about 35 minutes at 350 degrees F.

Fruit in the bowl.

Fruit with the cornstarch and sugar mixed in. (I mix the cornstarch and sugar with the fruit in the baking dish to save washing a mixing bowl).

(photo at beginning of post shows the topping, before the rest of the butter was added)

Mixing the topping.

Adding the topping to the fruit.

After baking.

We braved the scary roads to support a local school and see quilts at the same time (win-win). The show was about 100 quilts, in a gymnasium. All proceeds went to their Dollars for Scholars program. There were quite a few really nice antique quilts (with stories to match). The quilt above was made between 1930 and 1950.

I found this small tablecloth at an antique store this weekend. I don’t know that I’ll be able to cut it up…I’m growing rather fond of it.

While I am going to continue practicing free-motion quilting, the latest project will get quilted using a long-arm machine. I made an apron to keep my scissors handy.

I made a dress for this summer (I know I’m getting terribly ahead of myself). Pattern used: McCall’s 5377. (Technically I made dress A, but I used the length from B.) Fabric is from Joann, bought rather cheap.

Front

back

I followed the advice given by Suzan and things worked out better. Next up: Practice. A lot.

This apple struck me as sort of beautiful. The world is generous, I find.

I am ready to quilt my latest project (coming soon…I hope), and I was planning on free-motion quilting. It’s not going splendidly.

Daria has long been my free-motion inspiration and hero. After trying it, I now wonder if she is not a wizard of some sort, to get such lovely and amazing results.

Here’s what I think:
1) It probably just takes practice.

2) I shouldn’t try to do an entire (even if smallish) quilt after just learning something.

3) Before whining about my troubles here, in the hopes that someone will save me from myself (i.e. “Just do ___ and everything will come out right!”), I should actually do some research. Bust out the books, do some Internet searches…

My stitch length is probably off, maybe I’ve put the foot on wrong, maybe I’m using the wrong thread altogether (which is why it keeps breaking), maybe I just need to practice, etc.

However, all suggestions are most welcome (including, “if you think that’s hard, try hand-quilting”).

All photos by B.

(tracks from Canadian geese)

The Very Talented Denyse Schmidt now has a pattern for purchase.

Looks like a new challenge for the new year!

It’s a winter wonderland outside (and let’s do remember to sing while we’re shoveling all that delightful snow). I thought we could use a warm sweet treat. Or several.

First up, a Raspberry Mega Scone (as a rule, I avoid anything purporting to be “mega,” but I do like scones). I halved the recipe, and we still had more than we could handle.

Then, when that was but a memory, a crisp (using the last of the saved summer-huckleberries and my stand-by recipe). I should mention that I now use 1/2 cup of the ingredients, instead of 3/4.

It’s nice to come into a warm dwelling, full of the smells of cooking. Mittens off, kettle on, blessings counted.