A great day to stay home

~ Liz A ~ 28 Comments

Winter storm warnings are rare in Central Texas, but today is the exception that proves the rule. Fortunately I’ve got a flannel-lined quilt in my lap, so it’s all good …

I took a look at the other side of My Heart’s Compass thinking I could do a quick post about the stitches that show on the back …

but realized it wasn’t going to be a quick post. So here’s part one of what could be an extended series.

Today I’m finishing the raw edges of the small Glennis moons using an overlapping cross stitch, aka closed herringbone …

worked in two strands of variegated floss for better edge coverage. And this is how it looks on the other side …

I like the fact that the resulting patch lies flat, unlike appliqué which usually has a raised edge. And the stitch is far easier to work than the more commonly used blanket stitch.

That’s all on stitching for today, so I’ll leave you with a picture of our lunch, which was inspired by this Deb G post …

Arugula, mixed grains (wheat & rye berries, red rice, kasha and barley), fresh mandarin oranges (with thanks to Don for peeling them), toasted almonds, crumbled queso fresco, and speck (smoked prosciutto) dressed with a light vinaigrette that had just a bit of agave added. So good … thanks Deb!

Addendum: close-up shots of the not-so-invisible baste stitches … Jude Hill’s glue stitch worked with a single strand of floss to form stars

Base-ic

~ Liz A ~ 14 Comments

Way back in 2014 I was casting about for a new way of going and found my way to Jude Hill’s blog. It didn’t take long for me to sign up for Spirit Cloth 101, where I learned a lot by working on my own. And from there I took Considering Weave in real time, where I met many of those kindred spirits who now count as my friends.

All that by way of saying I finally finished the base for my bed cloth (click to see full images) …

The recent moon cabin blocks covered the final bit of king size flannel sheet …

So now My Heart’s Compass can be put into use as a bed cover at night, whilst I continue to “quilt” and embellish it by day.

And here for the record is the little bit of self-encouragement that got me to the finish line …

The base of the little “marquee” came from a cigar mold that Don had cut to make a shaman …

The Scrabble tiles are kept in our pelican bowl on the dining room table so I can change out the “marquee” when the spirit moves me …

Underneath the bowl (which was a 25th wedding anniversary gift to ourselves) is a Hardanger cloth I made for my folks. It was sent to me recently by my sister-in-law Diane, as she and my brother are in the process of clearing the Shelter Island house before selling it. I’d say it’s held up pretty well for being at least 40 years old …

These days I’m not inclined to work with such precision, but I confess to greatly enjoying the beautiful slow stitch videos posted on Instagram by hardangerrebel. She almost makes me want to try my hand again.

Almost there … and a recipe or two

~ Liz A ~ 7 Comments

I’m getting close …

But while you’re waiting for me to finish, here’s a recipe for tomatillo salsa that I thought I had blogged years ago. It was cobbled together after having some at the Gristmill in Gruene back in our live music listening days.

The key ingredients are firm dark green tomatillos and poblano pepper (I’m pretty sure the Gristmill used jalapeños, but they’re a little too hot for me) …

Plunk them in a mini food processor with some cilantro (stems and all) …

and pulse until it looks like pickle relish …

Add some chunks of avocado and give a few more pulses, just enough to rough chop the avocado …

Oh my goodness … so good as a side for enchiladas, as a dip with chips, or even as a topping for grilled hot dogs with Mexican street corn on flour tortillas …

and yeah, there’s a recipe for that …