Still Alive

I'm still here. I haven't given up sewing. But I really have been concentrating on my art.

I'm not an everyday blogger. I don't want to put something on my blog that isn't worth your time reading.

Please check out my art blog at tintsandhues.blogspot.com

Perplexed

I am perplexed these days. For the few of you who read this blog, you know that I designed a one-of-kind apron for Janine of "The Pink Teapot". She was involved in the design process all along the way. I sent her drawings of the design, pictures of the fabrics and any changes that were needed along the way were approved by her. And, as a thank you gift, I made her a matching business card holder using an Amy Butler pattern. I held up my end of the deal and was ready by her requested timeframe.

However, Janine did not remit her payment for quite some time. I understand that things do happen and so I just waited and when I received payment, I mailed the apron to her - nicely packed with tissue paper and enclosed in a plastic bag to prevent damage.

I've not seen anything on her blog or heard anything from her about the apron. She's now enthralled with the Jessie Steele brand, I think. I think what most perplexes me is that Janine claims to be an etiquette expert, and at least in my opinion, she's really breached etiquette big time with me. I was taught that you should thank folks for a gift, even if you don't like it.

I had originally promised that I would not make any more aprons in her design so that hers, would in deed, be a one of a kind. But now I'm not so sure about that.

Continuing on with the rant thread here, let me talk about the Apronista, who was suppose to feature one of my aprons in January and I would sponsor a give-away of that apron. I never heard anything from her either.

I guess that they are both on to bigger and better options. I shall try to do the same.

Working on other projects...

I'm happy to report that I've been juried into the CPSA's Explore This 5 exhibition and the "Paint the Town" show in Fuquay Varina, NC.

But this means that there won't be a lot of apron making going on. So posting will be sparse for a while.

Fat Quarters

Happy New Year. I hope you all had wonderful holidays!

What can you do with three fat quarters?

If you sew them together you can make a reversible apron, like this one.

The pocket is set on the diagonal and made from the same prints. The bias tape is made from the same prints as well and alternates as it goes around the apron.

Here's a pic of the other side.

These prints remind me of the old-timey feed
and flour sacks that Grandma used for aprons and pillowcases.

Real Gingerbread

I have lots of cookbooks and lots of gingerbread recipes, but this one from King Arthur Flour is one of the best I've tasted in a l-o-n-g while (since Grandma Dovie made gingerbread!). Best of all, you can make this with whole wheat flour and you can't tell!

King Arthur Flour Gingerbread

• 2 1/4 cups King Arthur white whole wheat flour, or 2 cups King Arthur Unbleached All-Purpose Flour
• 1/4 cup granulated sugar
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1 1/2 teaspoons ground ginger
• 1 teaspoon cinnamon
• 1/4 teaspoon each cloves and nutmeg
• 1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, melted
• 3/4 cup molasses
• 1/4 cup water
• 1 large egg
• 1 cup buttermilk
• 1/2 cup diced crystallized ginger (optional) <- I didn't use any of this
  

Directions:

1) Grease and flour a 9" square pan. Preheat the oven to 350°F. ( This was too thick for my taste in the 9-inch pan so I used a 12 x 7 or so dish.)

2) In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the flour, sugar, baking soda, salt, ginger, cinnamon, cloves, and nutmeg.

3) Melt the butter in a heatproof measuring cup. Add the molasses to the cup, and pour into the dry ingredients in the bowl, mixing to moisten.

4) Add the water, stirring until everything is moistened. Whisk together the egg and buttermilk. Stir into the batter until it's evenly combined. Stir in the crystallized ginger.

5) Pour the batter into the prepared pan, and bake for 30 to 35 minutes, until the cake just begins to pull away from the edge of the pan.

6) Remove from the oven and cool on a rack for 15 minutes before slicing; gingerbread is best served warm with whipped cream or ice cream.

You can find the original recipes with pictures here.

A Finished Object

I have finished Janine's Tea Set apron.

I think the sashes are long enough that she should be able to wrap them around and tie a nice bow in the front.

The teapot and cups are machine appliqued.

Sometimes it helps to be an engineer with all that drafting and design training. 'Cause, no sir, that is not bought scallop trim. It is custom drafted, cut and sewn for this particular apron.

I am my own worst critic, but even I think this is kinda' cute. I particularly like the graphic quality that the Amsterdam material imparts to the appliques. It looks vintage and modern at the same time. Janine did a great job picking out the materials.

She has an entry on her blog at thepinkteapot.blogspot.com.

Drumroll, Please

The winner of the fruit cocktail apron is commenter 26, who is Theresa.

The winner was picked by the random number generator at random.org.


Thanks to all who posted a comment and thanks to sewmamasew for hosting the giveaway. Wasn't it fun?