Sparkly Shoes

I had the day off today and though unwell and on my way to physio, I still managed to find time to scour some of the charity shops in town! 

O.K. Are you ready for this?

Don't cry when you see these - 

They are a GREAT find and a bargain!

They've never been worn 

and the label has been removed. 

They are black satin, slip on heels with the most fabulous decoration of flowers and leaves in rhinestones.

And what did these satiny midnight sparklers cost? 

£5.00!

Where will I wear them?

That's a good question.

Pears from the garden

Autumn - we're back at school, the weather is changing and the evenings are creeping in earlier and earlier.  It will soon be time to light a fire!  It's at this time of time of year that I love to spend time doing two of my favourite things on Sunday afternoons- a bit of baking and a bit of hand sewing.

We've recently harvested the pears from our two trees. We've had a great crop this year and enjoy sharing them with friends and cooking them as they ripen.

Here is the first of my family's favourite recipes using pears.

Pear and Raspberry Upside Down Cake
2 ripe pears
170g (6 oz ) raspberries
125g (4 1/2 oz) butter or margarine
125g (4 1/2 oz) caster sugar
100g (3 1/2 oz) self-rising flour
5ml (1 tsp) baking powder

Preheat the oven to180C/230F.
Peel, core and quarter the pears.
Arrange the pears and raspberries in the base of a lined and greased 20cm (8in) loose-based cake tin.
Mix together 25g (1oz) of the butter and 25g (1oz) of the sugar, spread over the fruit.
Place the remaining butter, sugar, eggs, flour and baking powder in a bowl and beat for a few minutes until light and fluffy. 
Spoon the mixture into the tin tin and level,
Cook for 25 - 35 minutes until cake is golden and springs back when touched.
Cool a little. 
Carefully turn out onto a serving plate.

I'm off for some sewing now!

Red and White Yo-yo Quilt ~ 400 yo-yo's Later!

A couple of years ago I saw a picture of a similar quilt to this on Gooseberry Patch and fell in love with it! I simply felt I had to have one and then, typical me, put it to the back of my mind.

The Clover yo-yo maker craze was becoming big here in England and so I gave it a try - having formerly HATED making them the "old-fashioned" way.

I love red and white fabric and happen to have a huge stash of it that gets replenished at every opportunity and so began my endless days of yo-yo making.

 I decided my quilt would need 400 of theses round beauties because I wanted to divide my quilt into quarters - 100 yo-yo's in each quarter!
It took quit awhile and 800 pins to get the balance of colour and pattern right - but I have to say it was such a pleasure to see it spread out on the table!

Next came the hours of happily watching Poirot and hand sewing the yo-yo's.

For the backing, I knew I wanted a red and white ticking and was fortunate enough to find the real thing at my local fabric shop - and, as luck would have it, soft!

I tie quilted 200 alternating yo-yo's into place with red pearl cotton, the ties showing on the back.

My biggest worry in making the quilt was marking the white fabric ready for quilting!
I used one of these!
It's called a Hera Marker, another fab product from Clover. "Easy to handle tracing spatula allows you to place pressure when marking on fabric. Perfect for quilting and sewing". Truer words have never been written!

Again, using pearl cotton, I quilted the border in simple straight lines and got the "look" that I wanted! Rather than binding,I used my usual method of folding in the edges to finish the quilt .

My labour of love took over two years and I loved EVERY minute of it!

Originally Posted on sew-together  by Sharon on Saturday, May 01, 2010

 4 comments:
Angela said... I love this quilt, and the explanations you've put with it.
1 May 2010 15:43

Sharon said... Thanks Angela -I want to make a real effort with this blog now that I have a camera and computer that at the same time!
1 May 2010 15:53

MandeeFranee said... WOW!!! That is GORGEOUS!!! Seriously AMAZING quilt!! I so wish this was a skill I had!
26 May 2010 00:57

Sarah said... We want you to bring over when we both return next week plus Sarah's first quilt. LOVE this quilt. It is a work of art.Imogen
17 August 2010 15:17

Secret Pocket Lady

Wednesday, 21 July 2010

I had lots of fun last week making this "Secret Pocket Lady" skirt!

My job share Karen borrowed one of these skirts, also called "The Walking Lucky Dip," a few years ago. We took turns wearing it at our school's annual Summer BBQ.

Karen had to return the skirt and I never quite got around to making one, as promised.
That is until this year!

The skirt was made using fabric up-cycled from some classroom drapes and a few new quarter metres of "brights" for pockets with some flowers bonded on top. The finishing touch - lime green ribbon! There was also a bright patchwork bandanna to add to the overall "look."

How it works:

The skirt has 20 pockets, each containing a prize. For the price of 20p, the child chooses any pocket and receives a surprise!

Karen and I had lots of fun taking turns wearing the skirt, raising a bit of money for our school and seeing the children's faces when they realised that the lady wearing a funny outfit that day was a teacher!


Originally Posted on sew-together July, 2010
2 comments
Sarah said... Made us chuckle! Bet the kids love it.We do! Have you tried posting your Early Years observations in it?!!!!!!!!!!!! Love Sarah and Imogen
17 August 2010 15:13

Sharon said...Thanks ladies! Have actually designed the perfect outfit for the FS Practitioner (a tab bard really,complete with matching clipboard) but unfortunately it was not approved. :0
25 August 20102 14:55

Sarah's First Quilt!

Sarah is the talented daughter of Imogen.
I guess it's in the genes! 
Not only are they both fantastic teachers, they are both wonderful quilters.

Sarah bought a layer cake, cut each piece in to rectangles, arranged them and did the piecing on her machine.
She's quilted by hand and is now ready to bind! 
I love it and have already admitted that I'll be making one of these too! 
Sarah says she's caught the "bug" and is already planning and preparing for her next quit - watch this space!
To read more about this quilt visit Angela's Recipe Blog.

Blueberry Buckle

What in the world is Buckle?  Absolutely delicious!
Buckle is a cake made of three layers and has the texture of an American coffee cake.
The first layer is the cake batter, then a layer of fruit and finally a crumble topping.
The cake looks "buckled" because of the cracks and crevices made in the crumbly topping. 

Buckles are thought to have originated during colonial times, probably in New England. They were made using kitchen staples and seasonal fruits or berries - whatever was to hand.
The beauty of a buckle is that you can make changes to the recipe to suit yourself - the type of fruit or berries, sugar, spices. It's up to you!
I like to use a glass baking dish measuring 9.5 x 13.5 x 2" rather than the smaller 11  x 7 x 1 1/2 " or  8 x8" pans given in some recipes - I prefer the texture I get and it also serves more people!

Here is my version of Blueberry Buckle
Cake:                         
1/2 cup butter                   
1 cup sugar                         
1 egg                                    
2 1/2 cups plain /all-purpose flour                      
2 1/2 tsp. baking powder    
1/4 tsp. salt
1/2 cup milk

Fruit Layer:
3 cups blueberries

Crumble Topping:
1/2 cup sugar
1/2 cup plain /all-purpose flour
1/2 tsp. cinnamon
1/4 cup butter

Preheat the oven to 350F / 180C
To make the cake batter:
In a large bowl, beat the butter with the sugar until creamy.
Add the egg and mix well.
In another large bowl, sift the flour with the baking powder and salt.
Add the dry mixture to the creamed mixture alternately with the milk and mixing well after each addition.
Pour into a greased  9.5 x 13.5 x 2" pan.

Sprinkle the blueberries evenly over the batter.

To make the Topping:
In a bowl, sift the sugar and the flour with the cinnamon and blend in the butter.
Work the mixture with fingers until it forms course crumbs.
Sprinkle the topping mixture over the blueberries.
Bake for 45 to 50 minutes.
Cool slightly and cut into squares.
Serve warm. Delicious cold too!

mmmmm..... gotta have my blueberries!

 

                          

When I first came to England in 1992, blueberries weren't as available here as they are now.

To help me feel less homesick, I decided that I would have to order some plants and grow them in my garden - after all, when you grow up in New England as I did, blueberries are part of summer!

 My Blueberry Buckle Recipe tomorrow!

In the Garden

The weather was lovely today! I headed straight out and into the garden after school this afternoon. My only intention was to read but then the butterflies were so interesting to watch! By the time I ran in to get my camera and came back out, only one butterfly remained - a Comma -but I managed to get a couple of pictures.

V&A Quilt Exhibition

I finally made it to the V&A last week to see the exhibition
QUILTS: 1700 - 2010. There are 65 quilts on display, predominantly from the V&A's own collection and some quilts are on loan to the museum. There are also a number of commissions by contemporary artists.
 
I love going around quilt shows. There's nothing like being able to see, up close, the work that someone has put into their piece. Historic or modern, each has a story all its own. 
  
 It's hard to say which pieces or aspects of the show I enjoyed most, but I was touched deeply by a video made at  HMP Wandsworth. The video features male prisoners sewing, showing their work and talking about what quilting means to them.

A collaborative piece by 53 inmates Of Wandsworth Prison commissioned for the exhibition.

The whole cloth quilts from the 1920's and 1930's made by women from South Wales and areas of the North of England were stunning. The quilt makers were encouraged and helped by the Rural Industries Bureau to make quilts as a source of income. Some, similar to the one above, were sold to Claridges  Hotel of London.

The last exhibit in the show is Tracy Emin's "To Meet My Past" 2002

Visit http://www.vam.ac.uk/collections/textiles/quilts-1700-2010/ for more information about the show and special web features. 

Be sure to have a peek at  Quilt of Quilts  a virtual "patchwork of quilt pictures."

You can upload a picture of your quilt and "share your quilt's story with the world."
I've uploaded my quilt!

                                                                                                        

To celebrate Quilts 1700 - 2010, the V&A shop and Liberty Art Fabrics have collaborated on a limited edition collection of fabrics which have been selected from quilts on display in the exhibition. There are 18  gorgeous designs.

 I bought three fabrics with designs taken from English patchwork coverlets:  "Seaweed" from 1829, "India Flower" 1797, and "Seed Head" 1830 - I simply couldn't resist!

Outside the V&A - elephants are taking over the city!

Handmade by Hannah

Hannah Cox made this darling brooch just for ME!

Hard to believe she's never made a yo-yo before - just look at those amazing leaves!

Thanks Hannah, it looks great on my jean jacket! 

Faerie Dust

I've dusted off my wand and wings, made a wish and decided to make a fresh start! I have a few ideas about the direction I want to this blog to take - but will allow myself to let it happen, flow and change because that is totally me!
If you would like to show your craft work ,sewing projects, share ideas or favourite links, please let me know by leaving a comment or sending an email.

Love Hearts!

The competion is now closed and I would like to thank everyone that took the time to enter!

The winners of a red velvet heart pin are:

Dot and Spots for comments that were deep and meaningful

Angela for being the first to comment
Josie for wanting to comment online but commented in person instead

Happy Valentine's Day

I really love Andy Warhol prints and although I don't own any originals of his work, I am the proud owner this Andy doll complete with soup can t-shirt and amazing hair-do.
Knowing my love of Andy, my sister Michelle sent him to me from the states. She has also sent me Andy Warhol wallets -Elvis, self-portrait and flowers. While visiting my family in the states last summer, Michelle and I found Andy Bags! Mine is green with flowers and Michelle got Jackie O in red. They are amazing.







So here is my final valentine choice for this year - a print by Andy Warhol.
I believe it is called 55 Hearts.

Happy Valentine's Day!

Ephemera

Ephemera refers to materials printed on paper, intended for a specific purpose and then to be thrown away. Paper ephemera includes items such as calling cards, invitations, bookmarks, ballots, tickets, clippings, menus, handbills, poster, etc. Many of these, including vintage valentines, are now "paper collectibles."

This 3D valentine is one from a collection at OldLouisville.com

Vintage 3D valentines, pop-ups and those with moving parts are extremely delicate and , of course, must be handled with care.

To see an amazing collection of vintage with moving parts visit MarthaStewart.com and watch the video segment.

Remember, if you leave a comment, you could win a velvet heart pin!

Sweet Hearts Thursday 12th February

Here are three Valentines from the 1940's or 1950's. They are from a selection at an interesting site called Tipnut.com . I've signed up to be on their mailing list and now receive interesting tips every day!

Little Angels Wednesday 11thFebruary

No, not Cupids, but Angels today! This vintage angel art comes from Angel Guide
I think they all lovey, but, my favourite must be the angel sewing a heart. I love sewing hearts too. Jon says, "Why does everything always have a heart?" I really do sew OTHER things too! But, if you would like a chance to win one of my little red velvet heart pins. please leave a comment!

Cupid 10th February 2009

Who is Cupid?

He is a small, winged boy, with the face of an angel, carrying bow and arrows. If his arrow strikes the heart, the victim falls in love.

You can find out more about Cupid at Wikipedia.

The top two valentines are from SilverCollectBlog

Dutch Treat

I couldn't resist these three Dutch themed vintage valentines from About.com:Collectibles. I love tulips - they were one of the first flowers I learned how to draw with their scalloped top edges, long stems and large leaves. Purple and red wax crayons were always favourite colours for the petals. They're already appearing in the local flower market stall and grocery store. I think I'll go and buy some right now!