Wednesday 29 April 2009

GRANNY


This doesn't quite pick up all the detail being a pencil drawing - the scanner doesn't like them so much. You can just make out the little eyes staring at you I think...
This is a commissioned piece from my friend Robyn of her granny (centre back), which was surprisingly difficult to capture. Because they are all looking at the camera the lines aren't strong and fiddly to get right! But here it is anyway. I hope her granny likes it.....

Sunday 19 April 2009

EASTER TART - not me!


Baking can make you look like a crazy lady. Although you can't see much of this chocolate tart you can see how delighted I am that I am about to share this with my hungry friends and get very fat on cake in the sun.
It's (again) a Rachel Allen inspired tart, she probably has it on her website but if not I can send you the recipe. It's sweet-shortcrust pastry filled with a mixed milk and dark chocolate fondant centre and silly but delicous mini eggs on the top. I had enough left over to make a little heart shaped tart which would actually make a lovely present if you weren't greedy like me and wanted to keep at least a wedge of it for yourself....
The hot cross buns were less of a hit and more like hot cross rocks so they don't feature on the blog this time, but I won't be beaten! Any recipes for these anyone?

QUILT!


A fine day to finish a fine quilt, my first ever. It was surprisingly straight forward and that includes a sewing machine initiation!
The colours and textiles I chose were inspired by Spring and I beavered away so it could be ready in time for this spring which we are now in the throws of, and isn't it brilliant to see things grow again?! Although really I am being rather hen like and making myself more of a nest than a practical bed cover - it's too warm for a damn padded quilt! A bed just doesn't look the same without a patchwork however...
Not put off by the year long process (think how expensive that would be if I charged for time), I've been thoroughly inspired to make another one, but this time I think I may try and do something more like a wall hanging, hmm....Does anyone else make quilty things? Perhaps this is absoloutely the wrong season to be asking this?!