RSC Week #12 - No Purple Sewing this Week

HAPPY EASTER EVERYONE!

This is my delicious Easter treat; Choco Balls! 

I don't buy Easter Eggs here, I don't like the taste. If I'd been in Norway, that's another story; the marzipan Easter Eggs are to kill for! 

The week switching between rainy- and sunny days, which meant more yard work (when the weather permitted before noon)! Living in the tropics, yard work / weeding is a never ending task! April is just around the corner, the days & nights are getting cooler and the worst growing season is over (for this time!). Most households employ a yard worker. We don't. Our philosophy is as long as we are fit and can manage, there's no reason why we'll get other people doing the job. At any age, it is important to keep fit and yard work is good exercise! Well, enough of that and over to sewing!

As stated in the title; no purple sewing this week. 

I haven't got the purple thread yet. The Customs is waiting for missing papers from the sender, which seems to take some time. I may not get it until end of next week. That's OK. 

In addition to yard work and other tasks, I'm spending the evenings quilting the green table quilts. My goal is to get them done in time for April 1st, when a new color-of-the-month - RSC - is announced. The straight seams quilting is a bit tedious, but I love the look of the finished quilt.

Update: Table Topper quilted, except the border. 

Oh, I almost forgot to mention the Norwegian Flag table runner; it's finished!

I had some leftover binding and other red scraps from making the table runner, decided to make a few coasters

I talk about yard work, but never post any photos from the garden. 

Cloudy today, the perfect outside photo weather. We don't have a lot of blooming trees/plants, but here are a few. You may recognise bougainvillea and croton. The one top right is called 'Miss Hong Kong' here, not sure about its Latin name. 

 Edibles: guava berries and taro leaves, called brede songe in French/here. Very popular here, served together with curry. 

Taro leaves touffe recipe, click here

Green bananas and its flower

The roots from this plant are edible, not the leaves. Roots are boiled and can be prepared same way as mashed potatoes or just eat it boiled. Locals call this plant 'corn flour', but it doesn't have anything to do with the real corn plants. Most probably it has got that local name because it is possible to make flour from the roots? I don't know. MIL doesn't know another name for it either. 

Do you see those 'antennas'? It's a tiny dragon fruit (pitaya) plant grown from a seed! We got it from our dear South-African friends (they moved back to SA last year). I'm thrilled this little 'baby' made it and is growing! Don't ask me when it will give fruit! lol Well, it does say 1-2 years, so let's see. What I need to do is to transfer the plant to a bigger pot and eventually to a sunny spot in the garden. 

It's Easter Weekend

It's cloudy

Weather forecast: heavy rain and thunderstorms (typical weekend weather! LOL)

Best weather for staying comfy inside and SEW! 

Linking up with Angela and the RSC - Rainbow Scrap Challenge

 

 

Lockdown Day 10 - Log Cabin Blocks

In this uncertain time, I hope you all are feeling well and that fabric, needle and thread keep you busy. What have you been working on this weekend? 

If you read my previous post, you know I'm busy with the log cabin quilt. I've decided on a double/full bed quilt and I needed to make more blocks 

Chain piecing, 10 blocks at a time! 

I've made 20 blocks this weekend, to be added to the top and bottom.

Thursday & Friday I made 16 blocks, 8 for each side.

This is Log Cabin Quilt #3 where I have used 1.5 inch strips and it looks like it has not made a dent in the boxes! LOL Of course it has, but as you can see, there are still plenty! 

The lock-down continues; bakeries, grocery stores and supermarkets still closed, to reopen April 1, 2020. (We are waiting for an update on this). 

I used to make bread, but I must admit I've been lazy and haven't done it for months. To go to the bakery adds in a little bit exercise (walk) as well. During the lockdown, either we make paratha (Indian flat bread) or bread. These were out of the oven late last night, I haven't tasted it yet, but they look delicious. :) 

HAPPY QUILTING!

STAY SAFE!  STAY AT HOME! 

Potholders and FMQ Weekend

Do you have as many excuses for not doing what you are supposed to do, as I had this weekend?

I started quilting the Split Hourglass quilt in the middle of last week - I think it was - but after quilting more than half, I got tired of it and decided to make some potholders. No, it's not right to say I got tired of it - I didn't - I needed to break to rest my shoulders and arms. I worked quite a lot on it one day, and my arms don't like the pulling of the heavy quilt through the harp (?) on my dear (Ber)Nina.

I know! I know! I was not supposed to start ANY new project before I had finished some of the quilt tops!!!! To my defense I have to say I did finish the potholders!!! :))

I made three pairs. I struggled a bit with the hanging loop, but in the end - after reading some tutorials on the net - I think they turned out OK.

Here I have used leftover fabrics from the "Mystery Quilt". Colorful - aren't they?

As you may have noticed already; these are FMQ (free motion quilted).

I don't get good close-ups with my digital camera, but if you click on the photo (I think it is possible) you'll have a better look on all my mistakes - lol! I thought something small - like potholders - is a good way to practise FMQ. Well, it didn't turn out that bad for a newbie - did it - but I'll have to practise much more before I dare jump onto a huge quilt. As you can see, there are some sharp turns etc.

I bought this wonder a while ago. It's a teflon sheet for FMQ. It grips to the bed of the machine and lets your project slide when FMQ.

I tried it for the first time yesterday when FMQ the potholders, and I'm really impressed! It does work on small projects, but I can't say anything about bigger projects, because I haven't tried. The reviews are positive (do a google).

I believe it is possible to easily get hooked on FMQ. I woke up in the middle of the night and was thinking / figuring out how to quilt the TG (Tina Givens) quilt - lol!

***************

Enough cutting for today!!! :)) I'm quite sure that is what he's trying to say! :))

***************

Yummy flourless chocolate cake.

I couldn't resist making Mexican Flourless Chocolate cake. No flour, but a little bit cayenne pepper... I love the little taste of cayenne together with chocolate/cocoa.

Want the recipe? Click here.

It's not me - DH dived into it before it was cold - that's why a small piece is missing - lol! :))

Accumulation of quilt tops and a win

How many quilt tops do you have that is waiting to be sandwiched?!

Just say it - I know you have some, don't you?! :))

I have too many at the moment! By "too many" I mean four that are done (the tops);

1) Split Hourglass quilt

2) Hello Betty

3) Marion's quilt

4) Mystery quilt

5) Pinwheel quilt*

6) Polar Bear quilt*

Those marked with the *, the tops have yet to be finished.

These days I'm working on the Polar Bear quilt. It's a challenge, because the blocks are four different sizes, and if that is not enough; the fabric is limited and I don't get more. I had to purchase approx 0.50 yards of some of the fabrics that are still available. Hopefully I'll get it at the end of this week...

My intention is to start sandwiching one of these quilts already this week...

I should not be tempted to start another project before at least half of these tops are quilted and finished!!!! :) If I do - please remind me - lol! :)

This is how it looks like now... I have added together some of the blocks. I'm not sure how to proceed, need to take the fabric into consideration...

I fell head over heal for this design!

A while ago I bought a layer cake and jelly roll; "Evening Mist" by Sentimental Studios (Moda). It has bothered me - lol - that I didn't find a suitable pattern for it, but some days ago the pattern was just there, in front of my eyes - in a magazine.

This is just part of the quilt. I had to purchase fabric for the inner- and other border, so this one is "on hold". :)

While waiting for the purchased fabrics, I hope to get my *** moving and start sandwiching - the most boring part of finishing a quilt - isn't it?!

***************

I never win - and I'VE WON!!!!

I'm the OPAM 2010 winner for the month of July!!!! :)))

OPAM - One Project A Month - is hosted by Kris and Peg.

Peg sent me a Timeless Treasures charm pack; "Hampton Blues" and a darling

Lynette Anderson pattern; "Beehive Home". I LOVE IT ALL!!!

Peg, how did you guess my favorite color is actually blue?! :)

Thanks a big lot!!!

***************

Yesterday I made yummy carrot- and ginger bran muffins....

Yes, I was greedy; had three of them yesterday itself - and more today! :)

Interested? Click for the recipe here.

Love the taste of ginger!

A little of this - a little of that

I wanted to do a post some days ago, but then I thought; I have nothing to show and tell, because I haven't sewn much lately - just a little bit... 

I think I'll start with something that makes me quite excited!

The Brown Bag Quilt Contest!

A fun swap - a fun contest!

Click HERE to read more about the swap/contest and to sign up.

***************

I have done a little bit sewing over the last days though; tea coasters for an exchange. It's not a secret exchange this time, but I don't want to spoil the suspense by showing it before my exchange partner Usha in Malaysia has received it. :)

The last couple of days I've sewn a few more blocks for the Polar Bear quilt.

I still haven't decided how the quilt is going to be... I'll make some different blocks and then trying to figure out a design.

I like these blocks; Arkansas snowflakes - as they are called.

***************

I participated in NNC's birthday exchange 2010. You can read more about the wonderful gift I received from Diane (no blog) here.

My birthday partner is Alynn over at My Cross-Stitch World.

Since this is a secret exchange, the participants don't know who their partner is until the parcel arrives. I was quite mean to Alynn - I sent the parcel approx one month before her birthday, so the poor girl had to live in suspense for weeks before she was allowed to open the secret gift! :)

I made a table runner for Alynn.

A close up...

You have guessed right; Alynn's favorite color is purple! :)

There's a little story behind the table runner; I spent weeks figuring out what to make, and in the end I decided on two different blocks. The set-in parts in the lilies were a little bit tricky - I made only one mistake (that went into the bin!). :))

My intention was not to make it as big as it turned out to be, but taking the lilies pattern into consideration, I believe it had been difficult (at least for me!) to make the blocks smaller. (Total size: approx 18 x 49 inch / 0.45 x 1.25m).

I forgot to take photos of the other small gifts, but over at Alynn's blog you can see what she got from me as well as read more about it. 

I'm glad you like it, Alynn! :)  

***************

Have you ever tasted zucchini brownies? Or apple brownies?

 I'm a follower of Lori's blog, and this is the second time I'm trying one of her recipes. I tried the zucchini brownie recipe; it turned out delicious! Lori, thanks for sharing the recipe!

Click here for the recipe.

(I forgot to take a photo!)

NYB, Mystery Quilt and Scones

First of all, please welcome Elzaan to blog land!

Elzaan is a friend of mine, and after nagging (her word!) her :), because she makes beautiful quilts!,  she has taken the first step into blogging. :)

Once again; a very warm welcome to blog land, Elzaan! I'm sure you will enjoy it!

**********

Ever since Monday we have thought of going to the south coast, but the weather is so nasty; local showers and strong wind. Dependent on buses, none of us are tempted to venture out in such weather. This is typical Mauritian "winter", with temperatures varying from +20C (68F) on the plateau to +26C (79F) on the coast. I know! I know! It's not cold, but when 90-95% humidity is added - BRRR!

The best to do on such days is to snuggle up in front of the sewing machine (if that is possible!) with a hot cocoa and do some cutting and sewing.

I think Birre-Liten feels that he doesn't get enough attention! Why does he have do sit on the cutter?! :)

Actually I was working on part 4 of the "Mystery Quilt". This part was released June 1st, but I have been busy doing other things and put it on wait.

Part 4 required quite some sewing, which took most of the day.

Part 5 was released on July 1st, so I cut and started sewing these small stars too.

Part 6 will be released August 1st and then the quilt will be revealed too.

**********

Yesterday I did two more New York Beauty blocks. I've used the same fabrics as the first one... I struggle a bit with the curves, but I believe that's part of being a NYB newbie?! :)

ARGH! The small curve doesn't look like a curve, does it?! Not on the top left one.... :( 

I paper piece the middle part, then pin - with millions of needles (it looks like that!) - and then sew them together... Is that the right way doing it? 

Well, not that bad after all... Huh? :)

**********

There's a cooking program on local TV every Monday, and this week scones were made. I didn't pay much attention to the recipe, because there are so many of them on the net.

When I googled "cheese scones recipe", about 201 000 recipes are available on the net! I picked the first recipe - very simple - and done in a jiffy! I think it lacks a bit of taste, so next time I'm going to add cayenne pepper and mustard powder, as I saw in another recipe.

Click here to go to the recipe. 

Even the dogs like the scones! Here they are asking for more! :)

**********

I'm currently working on some cross-stitched Christmas/Winter ornaments, which I can't show due to a secret swap later this year.

**********

I'll have to change the blog background now. I've just got the message the current background will disappear this coming Friday...

Birthday, CTS, New Project ect

My birthday came - and went... One year added to my age - should I feel any difference? No, I don't - as long as I'm young at heart... etc. The only difference I have noticed over the years is my body going downhill... No, perhaps I shouldn't say it like that, but - the fact is I have to realize I'm not 20 anymore! :))

I didn't have a birthday party... but I did make a cake!

I have always wanted to make 'black forest' cake, which is a chocolate cake with cherries.

I don't know how many shops I've been to, asking for cherries in sugar syrup (tins), but the only cherries I get here, is frosted (?) cherries, which is not the same! 

On my birthday itself, we went to Curepipe - the town on the plateau. Brr - it was cold up there! We went there because I wanted to have a look for flannel and I had to buy floss for the Christmas tree skirt (CTS). We decided to go to the supermarket there too, and guess what I found?! Yes, cherries in sugar syrup (tins)!!! It wasn't the dark, sour cherries that is used for the cake - but at least it was CHERRIES!!! :)

I didn't fancy decorating the cake as the photo on the recipe. To make the cake layers juicier, I used a mix of the sugar syrup and cocoa liqueur! My gosh it turned out so yummy! I think it's the tastiest cake I've ever made! 

If you'd like to try, here's the recipe. 

NNC craft group is known for its activity. :)) This year I've signed up for the birthday gift exchange, and I received such a wonderful gift from Diane (no blog). 

I'm always worried when parcels go through the custom; I've had some bad experiences where they have not treated parcels very carefully at all! :(

This is how the gifts looked like after they were opened by the custom. To my 'surprise' they did manage to re wrap the gifts, except one - perhaps it was too complicated??!!

Even the card was opened.....

...which I think is to invade ones privacy!

And here - at last - are the lovely gifts I received from Diane;

12,5 inch square ruler, marking pen, some cute charm packs, some precut cat fabrics (I collect cat fabric for a lap quilt) and a darling bell pull! What a gorgeous birthday gift!!!

A close up of the bell pull - isn't it gorgeous?! I love it!

Dear Diane, THANK YOU SO VERY, VERY MUCH!!! I love it all! :) And a thank you to Margaret (no blog) at NNC for arranging the birthday gift exchange!

*********

I've been working on the Christmas tree skirt over the last days. There are 8 blocks (4 of each) to be applique, and here's the third one almost done. I ran out of floss and since none of the craft shops here in town have that specific color, I have to go to the neighbor town...

 

*********

I think I was sort of bored during the weekend... I've started a new project!!!

I intended not too, but since I didn't have more floss for the CTS, it was too tempting.... For some months a layer cake and jelly roll have been staring at me... I've stared at them too... Perhaps they didn't want to stay in that plastic bag anymore... they wanted to be turned into a project - I guess! :)

These were the first layer cake and jelly roll I've ever bought. I think I bought it more out of curiosity, because I didn't bother that much about the color... What was more important; they were 50% off full price - how to resist?!

The collection is 'Hello Betty' by Chloe's Closet.

On Friday I gave in.....

Here it is - on the kitchen floor. It wasn't easy to place the blocks and sashing, but I'm quite content with this layout. Yesterday I managed to add one row of the blocks together.

I don't like it that much; the colors don't appeal to me.... but I still hope to finish it - not let it turn out to be a UFO!

Carambole (star fruit) pickles and Bubur Lambuk

I thought we were not going to get some caramboles (star fruits) this season, but how wrong I was?! MIL - next door - had given us a few off and on, but never a big amount. The funny is I mentioned it for a friend, and the next day MIL gave us a bag full of green star fruits. It has been blowing quite strong the last days and a couple of branches - with a lot of fruits - blew off the tree.

For those of you who are not familiar with star fruit, you may wonder what I do with it? After I settled here, I learnt from MIL how to make star fruit pickles, which is something I really love!

The green star fruits are washed, brown spots, especially from the ridges removed and then cut into slices. Some cut the fruit lengthwise too, but I think the star shaped pieces look more interesting! :)

A heap of salt goes into the sliced fruits and stays the night over.

The next morning, the salt is washed out. Of course you can't remove all the salt that has gone into the fruits, but that is to preserve it. The slices are dried in a kitchen towel, then put on a 'van' (huge plate) and put in the sun (outside) for drying.

The 'van' to the left is more than 50 years old! I got it from MIL, when she was going to throw it. :)

I was a bit worried in the morning; it was raining! No chance to dry star fruits in the rain! But after a couple of hours the sun was there and the star fruits went out for drying. Not very dry - medium dry.

After 4-5 hours in the sun, this is the medium dried star fruits.

What goes into the pickle paste, is garlic, turmeric (gurkemeie), mustard and a little bit olive oil. MIL kindly crushed the mustard seeds and even gave us turmeric powder she had bought recently. All the ingredients go into the blender, to make a paste. There's a lot of garlic and mustard added, which I love! I love the feeling of garlic and mustard vapour coming out of the nose! lol!

Here is the paste and star fruit slices mixed together. Look at the spoon; it's yellow from the turmeric! Now it has to stay like this for some days, before I divide it into small glasses and add olive oil.

*******************

If you have read my previous post, you must have noticed I received a Malay cookbook together with the bookmarks (exchange).

I couldn't wait to try one of the recipes, and ended up with 'bubur lambuk' (savoury rice porridge)!

Malay cooking is not very familiar to me, but after reading some of the recipes, I find the mix of spices as well as mix of shrimps and different meat quite interesting!

As the recipe indicates; rice porridge - the rice has to be boiled for quite some time, together with cinnamon, cloves, star anis and ginger - a very interesting mix of spices.

Chicken is added...

Shrimps are added...

The recipes says beef too, but I didn't add beef. DH doesn't eat beef, so actually I didn't think of it - not until we reached home after shopping. I could have bought sheep, goat or stag (Java deer) meat, but it wasn't in my thoughts at all! Oh well, next time! I added more chicken though, to add up for the beef. I'm sure it'll taste different with red meat...

Coconut milk - from Malaysia - added!

VOILA! BON APPETIT!!!