Happy New Year 2017

To all my family and friends I would like to wish you a Happy New Year.

Another Workshop Sample

I made this cushion as a sample for a Redwork workshop I was asked to teach in the Plymouth recently.

I have many samples I have made for several workshops, all of which I love.  I have listed this cushion on my Etsy shop as I have several of this example.

www.etsy.com/uk/shop/DaisychainQuilter

My Workshop Samples

I made this cushion as a sample for a workshop some time ago. I really love this cushion.

But I made a lot of samples using this pattern.  So I am going to list this cushion for sale on my Etsy shop.

 https://www.etsy.com/uk/shop/DaisychainQuilter

 I used a Moda Charm pack for make this cushion and several metres of white/white tone fabric.

It is machine quilted using Rayon thread.  I loved teaching this workshop.

Etsy Shop Discount

' DCQBLOG'

 Etsy discount code for 10% off all order over £1.50, which can be used until Jan 31st 2017.

 Just type in the code when checking out.

https://www.etsy.com/uk/shop/DaisychainQuilter

 

 Remember the code: DCQBLOG

 These photos show a few item that I have made for sell on my Etsy shop.

 I also will make custom items.

 These make up bags are ideal for every day use or for gifts.

Remember the code: DCQBLOG

https://www.etsy.com/uk/shop/DaisychainQuilter

Christmas Stockings

I hope that all my family, friends and quilting ladies had a peaceful Christmas.  I look forward to sewing with you all in 2017.

I was asked to make several large Christmas stockings.  

When another lady saw them she also requested a set of stockings. 

I made extra so I have listed them on my Etsy shop.  www.etsy.com/uk/shop/daisychainquilter

Instagram

My Etsy shop is being features on Small Business Love Instagram today.

 

https://www.etsy.com/uk/shop/DaisychainQuilter

https://www.instagram.com/daisychainquilter 

Secret Project

This is a small selections of the Christmas Pinwheel decorations the ladies made this week in my classes.

Now I will have to start thinking about the Easter secret project!!

These pinwheel decorations are fun to make and very quick to completed too.

Christmas Pinwheel Decoration

I am teaching a secret Christmas workshop in my classes this week.  The only instructions I gave the ladies was to bring Christmas fabric.

This is a quick end of term project.  The ladies have no idea what they will be making this week!!

Come back soon to see how the ladies coped with a secret project.

Victoria Sponge Cake

Victoria Sponge Cake 

6 oz Self Raising Flour
6 oz Caster Sugar
6 oz Butter
2 Eggs
Vanilla Bean Extract
A drop of Milk

1.     Heat the oven Gas Mark 4.
2.     Grease two 7 inch sandwich tins.  I also line the bottom of the tins with greaseproof paper.
3.     Cream the butter and sugar together until soft and fluffy.  The mixture becomes pale in colour.
4.     Beat the eggs in a cup.
5.     Add the egg a little at a time, whisking well all the time.
6.     I like to sift my flour twice. Once while measuring and the second time whist adding it to the
mixture.  Fold the flour into the mixture gently. One tablespoon at a time.
7.     The cake mixture should be soft, light and fluffy.  I often add a small spoonful of milk if the
mixture is not soft.
8.     Add a teaspoon of the vanilla bean extract.
9.     Divide the mixture between the two greased tins.  Spread the mixture with the back of the spoon around the tin.  Make a small well in the centre, this helps the cake to raise more evenly.
10.    Cook in the centre of the oven until golden brown (about twenty minutes).  The sponge should have risen and begin to shrink away from the sides of the tin.
11.  Turn the sponges out onto a wire rack to cool.

Butter Cream

2 oz Butter
4 oz Icing Sugar
Vanilla Bean Extract

1.    Cream the butter.
2.    Add the sugar a spoonful at a time until all the sugar is mixed into the butter.
3.    Add a teaspoon of the vanilla bean extract.
4.    Place in the fridge for 30 minutes.

Once the sponges are cold.  Spread butter cream on the top of the bottom sponge.  Turn the other sponge over on the wire rack and spread strawberry jam.  Then place the jam sponge on top of the butter cream sponge.  Sprinkle with icing sugar.

Runner Bean Soup

We grow runner beans every year.  We eat lots of beans fresh through the summer and freeze a lot ready for the winter months.

Mr Daisychain likes to make runner bean soup.

1 lb Runner Beans

1 large Carrot

1 large Onion

or 1 small Leek

4 oz Potatoes

1 oz Butter

Pinch of Mixed Herbs

1 1/4 pints of Stock

1. Peal and chop all the vegetables as needed.  Make sure all the vegetables are cut into even size pieces. 

2.  Melt the butter in a large saucepan.  Slowly saute the vegetables in the pan over a gentle heat until soft.

3.  Add the stock and herbs and give a good stir. Season with pepper.  I do not add salt as I find some stocks are salty.

4.  Simmer on the gentle hear for about half an hour or so.

5.  Puree the mixture.

6. Sieve the mixture.  Do not be tempered to miss this step.  Some runner beans can still be 'stringy' even after cooking.

7.  I like to add a drop of milk before I reheat to serve. 

7. Reheat and serve with flat bread.

Any vegetables that needs using can be added.

This soup freezes very well.

Tromboncino Fritters

Tromboncino,  also known as zucchetta or tromboncino courgette, is a type of squash most often used as a Italian summer squash.

 

I love courgettes but Mr Daisychain is not a lover of courgettes.  Mr Daisychain's sister gave us a little seedling several months ago. It has now taken over the raised bed and producing lots of fruits.

I have found lots of recipes that have courgettes as an ingredient and very few that uses tromboncinos.  So I have replaced the courgettes for tromboncinos.

Tromboncino Fritters

1/4 to 1/2 tromboncino grated

5 smal plum tomatoes chopped

1 small onion chopped

1 tbsp mixed herbs 

4 tbsp of flour or more if your fritter mix is too runny.

2 eggs

Chorizo or bacon chopped

Salt & pepper

Vegetable oil

1. Mix the courgettes, tomatoes, chorizo/bacon, onion, salt and pepper and herbs  in a bowl. Add the eggs and stir the mixture until all the ingredients have combined.

2. Add flour to bind the mixture together. 

3. Heat oil in a shallow frying pan until fairly hot.
4. Spoon the mixture into the pan. Cook for 5 -6 minutes on each side, until golden on a medium heat.

This recipe is very flexible as you can add any vegetables or ingredients that need using or to suit your taste.

Enjoy.

What is on your sewing table?

What is on your sewing table this bank holiday weekend?

I am hand stitiching a project just for me.  I have made this project many times as a gift for others but never one for myself.

I love making this item.  What is it? Come back over the bank holiday and I may show you more.
Enjoy the bank holiday.

Back from my blogging break!

Dear Friends
I am returning to my blog after a few months break.  I will upload some posts that I have written but not publish over the next week or two.
I have been posting on instagram during my break as it is very quick and easy to do with a smart phone.
I hope you are all well and I am looking forward to reconnecting with you.
Many thanks, Deborah x

St Mary's Church Quilt Exhibition again

 Some more photos from the quilt show at St Mary's Church in Callington, Cornwall.

 Please excuse the quality of the photos.  The church is a very old building.

St Mary's Church Quilt Exhibition

A few photos from the quilt exhibition at St Mary's Church in Callingtion, Cornwall.