This is the picture of the Mystery Sampler which I have now finished. All I have to do is to go and try to buy a frame for it. I really enjoyed stitching this little piece, particularly because of the variety of stitches which were used in it. Some of which I have never stitched before, and this gave me the satisfaction of not becoming bored with the middle parts as I usually do when doing something that is not a small item. It took me just over a week of evenings for about 2 hours or so each evening.
As on my previous blog, the site where the pattern came from is:http://pagesperso-orange.fr/anne-les-petites-croix/ . Thank you Anne for the beautiful freebie.
I don't normally do Redwork, but I came across a site the other day,( of which I cannot remember the name of) , when I was looking at patchwork things that people had made.Yesterday after having finished the mystery sampler, and not having much else I wanted to do I printed out the picture, and decided to try machine stitching these gorgeous little mice. I thought originally that I would make it into a tote bag seeing as every supermarket now doesn't like giving polythene bags out to put your shopping in, so I will make a calico bag, and stitch the redwork to it as a motif, along with some buttons and things.
I don't have a fancy embroidery machine,although it does about 9-10 different stitches, but I thought I would give it a try. I did find that the smaller parts were quite difficult to stitch with the pattern paper placed under the calico, and I had to keep maneuvering the corners of the paper underneath the main body of the machine. However, after about 2 hours this is what my first machine Redwork turned out like. I think that if I were going to do a piece for an exchange for someone else then I would have to hand stitch, as I don't like the bits where the machine had to stop and start, but no doubt this would get better with practice.
Spring Food
On Tuesday it was a beautiful sunny day, and I thought I really cannot be bothered to eat a large heavy meal when DH comes in from work, so I cast my mind back to Spring and Summer past, and remembered Pie Saladiere.Although the pic has come out a bit blurred this is what the finished dish looked like before popping in the oven.
Recipe..... of a fashion.
I made 10oz of Shortcrust Pastry to cover a Swiss Roll Tin 7" x11"...roll out not too thinly, nor too thick.
Spread over base, about 2 large tablespoons of tomato puree. Sprinkle with ground sea salt. Clip the leaves of a handful of Basil. and put on top of the tomato paste. Grate some Cheddar Cheese, or any other kind of cheese you care to have in your fridge.,about 8oz. Sprinkle the grated cheese on top of the basil.
Finely slice a long red pepper and sprinkle over, then Halve 4 small sweet juicy tomatoes, and finely slice, and sprinkle over the rest of the Pie Saladiere. Finely slice some chestnut mushrooms. I only used 4 small ones.Get one red onion, a bit larger than a golf ball, and finely slice, and scatter over the whole dish.
Bake for approximately 30 mins, or until the vegetables are just coloured and starting to turn a little soft. Gas Mark 6, 400deg F, 200C
I served mine with a chopped salad dressed with honey and mustard dressing, and a small serving of Tuna.
I hope this has whetted your appetite. Its lush!!!
