Pickle Relish...Kinda

There has been so much squash and cucumbers in the garden this year, that we can't eat it fast enough. There are usually at least 2-3 of each on the vine that is too large to be good for dinner. So, I decided to do some pickle relish. 

 I cored the large cucumbers, and peeled most of them. I cut out any brown spots on the squash as well as cut off both ends. Then, I cut the prepared cucumbers, squash, and a large sweet onion up into on inch pieces. Lastly, I put all of them into the food chopper and they came out nice and "relish" size. These were added to a boiling pot of 5 cups sugar, 5 cups vinegar, and 1 package of bread-n-butter pickle spice mix. After about 5 minutes of boiling I spooned the mixture into the jars, using a slotted spoon so I didn't get too much liquid. Cleaned the top of the jars off, and put on the lids and rings. 

 They are a gorgeous color with the yellow squash! And taste just like pickles! I'm sure the relish will be great on hotdogs and as a side to dry beans and roast!

French Script Saturday - G

 

Needlelace and Stumpwork

Hi...my name is Kathy...and I'm a book-aholic. Seriously, I have a lot of books...maybe not as many as you; but still...a lot! Most I am lured into buying because of their gorgeous full color front cover. Over the years, I have found many of these types are a real disappointment when I open them up and see they are crammed full of photographs of the artists work...but little content on how to accomplish these techniques yourself. Instead, a small snippet of the idea...for a simple eyeglass case or pin cushion is included...in lieu of instructions on the gorgeous full size coverlet on the books cover. Still...I continue to buy them.

 Now, don't misunderstand me...these books are still enjoyable. They are a great distraction for me; and I love to take them off the shelve and sit and turn the pages admiring the beautiful work. But, as a means of "growth" for me..they just don't do much. Great eye candy...but, frankly, I have enough imagination not to need too much of that these days. I want to learn and to grow in my stitching...not just admire someone elses work. Anyway, I digress...

What I wanted to say was that I have added several new books to the house recently. A couple of them fell into the above stated "eye candy" category. But two really have been a true joy to have. And, I know that they will get much use because they are full of designs or new concepts that I want to know more about.

 The first one was purchased at Keepsake Quilting and is a book of quilting motifs. Nothing new about quilting motifs...and I have a couple of other books of designs for them already. However, this book is just jam packed with designs...501 of them (hence the title: 501 Quilting Motifs, Designs for Hand or Machine Quilting, from the Editors of Quiltmaker Magazine). And the inner book is spiral bound, making it so easy to use! And the subject matter of the quilt designs is varied so really you can find just the right design for any style of quilt. I highly recommend it!

 

The second one has already taken three hours out of my schedule this week...because I just could not put it down without going through it twice! It is not all that "glitzy" as the inside has mostly black and white photos...with some color insert pages in the center. But, lack of color is not a deteriant for me...I like good instruction and patterns over the usual colorful "hey look at me" photo style. And this book really delivers on content! 

 Oh, I forgot to tell you the name of the book! It is Needlelace and Stumpwork, Comtemporary Designs and Techniques for Dimensional Embroidery by Loretta Holzberger; and I got it on Amazon. Most of the books on needlelace that I'd seen before made the art seem so daunting that I thought I'd "never want to do that!". However, as this book cover had beautiful butterflies...my "book addiction" would not allow me to pass it up! What a joyous surprise when it arrived! The instructions seem so simple that I'm really eager to jump in and try one of the projects! And...the instruction doesn't stop at butterfly wings...it has gorgeous fall leaves and several flowers too...oh, and an angel! So, the hard part will be making up my mind as to "what" I want to try creating!

So, if you have seen either of these books...and wondered about buying them...I highly recommend both!

Sometimes She Just Cracks Me Up!!

 Look what Aidan came into the office wearing...my old blond hair clips! She also had oranges stuffed into her shirt...but I had her take those out for the photo! Can you say "My Nana is medicated!" Cause I'm sure I will be before this child is 15!!! She is only 7, and I'm already losing my hair!But, isn't she adorable!

Wednesday Wine Country Monograms - I

 

Can't Get To The Beach?

A little imagination...some blankets, pillows...and a couple of umbrellas...and you're there! At least in the mind of a seven year old. This is Aidan's latest "surprise" for me...I had to close my eyes. You might also note that she believes in setting the "mood"...she's in her bathing suit with a slip for her "cover up". 

Nana had to have extra pillows under her back...(and I had to have help getting up out of the floor!!!)

Easy Baby Bonnet

 The other day I posted about baby shoes that were easy to sew. Here is a bonnet that is even easier than the shoes! I stitched this up about 20 years ago for an 18" doll..but it could easily be adapted to fit any size baby or toddler. Just measure the head size and adjust the width and height to match (with enough added for seam allowance of course). Try a plain muslin version first to get your pattern sizes down just right! Pictures speak a thousand words..so hopefully, these are enough for you to understand how to stitch this up!

Cut a rectangle the size needed, and round the front corners. If the bonnet is for a girl, add lace and trims to make it fancy! Cut a lining (flannel is nice) of the same size. Sew all the way around and leave an opening on the back side for turning. Note: make sure to remember to insert your ribbon for tying to the curved front corners before completing the seam. Turn right side out and stitch the opening closed. Turn up the back edge about 1/2 inch and stitch this down. Feed a piece of ribbon through this channel...and pull tightly. Tie into a knot and then a bow. The back will then look like this...

Even some plain ole cotton versions for these hot days would be great!

Bad, Bad, Bad....but oh so GOOD!

The garden had done pretty well...and we have been eating boiled corn and tons of steamed squash. But last night....we were BAD, BAD, BAD...but man was it so good!!!

Fried squash and Vidalia onions with grated cheddar cheese.

Fried corn fresh off the cob with real butter.

Fried green tomatoes (2 skillets, can you tell I like these!)

Fried okra. TONS of calories...but pure joy to eat!

  Also have some cucumbers and Vidalia onions in vinegar.

 And a bowl full of jalipeno peppers all washed and ready to make pepper sauce!Yum! Yum! Wish ya'll were here!!!

 

Christmas in July Project

 A lot of projects for Christmas are started in July, to give us time to finish (hopefully) by the holidays. But, this little needlepoint design won't take that long to finish! Here's the chart and photos of the stitching in progress and completed.

 

I included each individual stitch in the photo above also. You might note that the stitch also has the stitching sequence. For example...the rice stitch (bottom left corner...green) shows the finished stitch; then shows that you first stitch a large "X" then four small "/" on the corners to make the stitch. Hope this helps.

All Finished! Still not sure what I'll make with this...but an idea will come to me!

First Thursday Thimble - July

A patriotic thimble for July to share. If you are not in the USA, this could still be stitched as a tribute.

Wednesday Wine Country Monograms - H

 

Woo Hoo!

It's raining! Yeehaw!My tomatoes were gasping...and the squash have just about given up!I sure hope everything looks better tomorrow after this steady shower we're getting right now!I didn't get a single thing accomplished in the house today...spend a huge chunk of time checking out my dear nieces wedding dress. We are altering it...to add more lace and a long bow; and the veil needs work. Oh, and she wants me to do wedding jewelry for brides maids! Gives me a headache just thinking about all the work...but, it will be that much fun too!So, of course...I said YES!

Marvelous Monday Motifs - 7/4/2011

You can read all about my idea for Marvelous Monday Motifs here. Today we have pages 21-22 of the J. F. Ingalls Company, 1886 Catalog of Perforated Parchment Stamping Patterns. Please NOTE: This catalog is not under copyright any longer; but the scanned version released to the public domain on 17 July 2007 (the source of my information) does come with restrictions. None of these designs can be sold. They are for your individual use.