Autumn is approaching

A beautiful autumnal day for the drive down to Hampshire for Janet and Amanda today. It is definitely cooler now at the beginning of the day although warming up as the day goes on. A small gathering today as Caroline is still on holiday and Chris is at home as the Tuesday puppy needs a bit of looking after.

What are you doing for Britain?

With the tea brewing we tucked into some oat and chocolate chip muffins. We tried to be good with some mini ones and there was a lot of discussion as to how many mini muffins equaled a large one ....I fear we are only kidding ourselves!



Sewing started with Janet trying out her new ruler Marti Michell log cabin ruler, she was using a now discontinued Moda Honeybun -1 and 1/2 inch strips- from a range called Wildflower Serenade II. She announced that it was a very easy ruler to use and that it made the process much quicker and more accurate. Always good to hear how a tool or new ruler has worked out. This will be a project to be sewn on her Featherweight. We look forward to seeing it finished and knowing Janet's prolific output I don't think it will be too long!

After a great deal of discussion about the relative merits of patterns and block sizes, Amanda and I got busy starting to cut up some shirts for a memory quilt. We decided that taking the backs out first would allow us to get a good idea of how any squares could be cut from each shirt and would also allow a bit of flexibility as to what other part of the shirt would be used. More of that project in a later post.

After a lunch of a chicken, chorizo and butter bean casserole served with salad and baked potatoes, we finished off with brownies and raspberries from the garden.

After all that, we all would have been quite happy to have a nap, but instead it was back to business. I had been preparing a block for a new quilt, from the book Country Inn by Blackbird Designs. The quilt is called Evening Bloom, I had seen one that had been completed and just loved it ....I mean what's not to love, there is applique and big blocks and flowers!

Block one - The Tulip block

I was using some new applique tools that I had bought at this year's Festival of Quilts called Apliquick, they are really meant for using with much smaller pieces but it was good to try them out - sorry I forgot to take a picture of them being used - next time! they really make the process very painfree, it will be interesting to see what effect the fusible interlining has on the look of the finished piece, especially after it is washed.

Amanda brought along her log cabin wallhanging, she was hoping to get some ideas on what design to use for quilting, the blues and browns looked so lovely. She has now decided so we are looking forward to seeing it completed.

She then got busy on more hexagons, it is amazing how they quickly mount up just doing a few at a time. it is always fun to see the containers that people use to keep their hexie projects in and how they change as the hexies grow and grow.

All too soon it was time to say goodbye and another Tuesday is marked off on the calendar.

Back to School Already

Janet, Alison & myself made a start with the usual tea & cake - lemon drizzle (low fat, of course!!).  Chocolate  chunk cookies courtesy of Morrisons as I ran out of time!

Alison has nearly finished hand quilting her on-going project so we are saving the photos until it is complete! She did however, make use of a gift from another quilting friend, Bee.  A lovely thread tidy & pin cushion in Japanese fabric, made for a retreat in a few weeks.              

                                                                                                                                                             

 I, along with a group of my Guildford Quilter friends, have completed the first of our charity quilts for the Samson Centre in Guildford. It is to be raffled for funds.
It was made using a crazy patch pattern with scraps from people's stash and sewn together with binding strips.

 As there were two extra blocks made, we decided to make a bag in which to carry the quilt.  This will also be useful if a wheelchair user wins it, as they can carry it around with them.










Janet has been busy with some hexagons. A practice using apliquick tools with interfacing & glue, not papers.  She was experimenting with thread & invisible thread using different methods for joining. Remember this for the future - it may be a table runner!!!

 A lunch of chicken & chorizo risotto with salad

 was followed by rhubarb fool.  I even had to remove a shelf from the fridge as the glasses were too tall!  (Recipe at end courtesy of Delia)

 Janet had almost completed her tumbler blocks quilt in Martinique by Three Sisters for Moda.
It is for a class at Needle & Thread in Horsell, where she works. It might be on display on Weds evening as there is a fabric sale on in the shop from 7-9pm.

I did actually do some cutting during the day, along with eating, drinking & tea making!  Chris joined us for an afternoon cuppa, along with our other Tuesday member - Berry.  It was an interesting experience as Berry encountered one of my cats, Archie, on the sofa.  Forgot the photo as puppy was scared & cat leapt out of open window!!
The end result, finished after everyone had gone was another charity project for the Samson Centre.  These Ohio Stars are the four corner squares for a Christmas raffle quilt.

After a couple of texts from Caroline, currently enjoying the Lake District, it was time to pack up after another fun filled day, with thoughts of next week in mind......until then!

Rhubarb Fool  (Delia's Complete Cookery Course)

2lb (500g) rhubarb, washed & cut into chunks
2oz (50g) caster sugar
1 teaspoon ground ginger

For the custard
8fl oz (225g) double cream
3 egg yolks
1 tablespoon caster sugar
1 teaspoon cornflour
2 drops vanilla essence

Add caster sugar & ginger to pan with rhubarb.  Cover & cook gently for 15- 20 mins. Stir frequently until tender but not mushy. Drain off some of the juice if there is a lot.

To make custard bring double cream to boil. Mix  cornflour, sugar, egg yolks & vanilla essence in a basin until smooth.  Whisk cream into mixture & pour back into pan. Whisk whilst heating until thickened.

Mash drained rhubarb until smooth (I leave some lumps as it gives it more texture).  Add cooled custard mixture, combine & pour into dishes.  Cover & cool in fridge until needed.

This can also be made hot & eaten straight away.
It is lovely both ways!

Summer is Back and so are We!

Today summer seems to have returned and hopefully we are going to have a few warm days.

Caroline was the first to arrive, followed by Alison and before the kettle had boiled, Chris and Amanda arrived together.  Chris would only be with us for the morning as she had to go work in the afternoon.

As usual we start our Tuesdays with tea/coffee and cake, today we had Banana, Pecan and Sultana muffins and Coconut and Chocolate macaroons.

We spent the first hour or so catching up on our news.  Three of us had been on holiday to Spain, Cornwall and Scotland and also to the Festival of Quilts in Birmingham.  Three of us still have holiday to take, to Cumbria, France and Hawaii.

And it was down to do some sewing, Chris was sewing the binding on her Union Flag quilt, made in the 'London' fabric from Makower.

Caroline was hand quilting her Log Cabin Star Quilt for her Dad.

Amanda was sorting our her squares in baby brush cotton, a quilt for her cousin's baby.  At home, Amanda had all the squares arranged, but had left them for a few minutes, only to come back to find that her cats had a game across the squares and it was all in a mess and had to start again!

Alison was also hand quilting her block of the month, this has been a few months of work, but there is a light at the tunnel now.

For lunch we had Chicken thighs cooked in the Colman's Season and Shake, Garlic and Herb with salad and new potatoes.  For dessert we had apple and loganberry (from my Mum's garden) crumble with Creme Fraiche.

I had been making class samples a Little Star tablerunner

and Granny Squares with two different layouts.

After more tea, Alison, Amanda and Caroline made their way home.

See you next week.

Taste trials on Tuesday

Tuesdays seem to arrive quicker and quicker these days... maybe it's because I am on school holidays and don't want the time to pass too quickly!  This Tuesday was a  little on the grey side to start but soon brightened up.  The conservatory warmed up as a result and so the windows were soon opened.  Alison arrived first and whilst we waited (the others were going to be a little later) we tucked in to coffee/tea and muffins to which she gave me a thumbs up. Phew! Recipes at the end! Amanda was next to arrive followed closely by Gloria now an honorary Tuesday girl, (her mother having returned to Spain). Janet was almost immediately after . 

 Gloria had bought some very nice fat quarters of Xmas Fun by Lynette Anderson. They are really lovely fabrics and will be beautiful for the quilt she wants to make. We looked at one of Amanda's projects, which was being made in most striking fabrics ( anyone know what they were???) and worked on the  'quilt as you go' principle. 

Chris arrived at this point - which was nice as it was a few weeks since we had all gathered together and would be the last for a while due to differing commitments. She showed us a couple of bags she and her sister (who had been down visiting with her family) had made.  The fabrics were from Fabrics Galore (beach huts), Anna Griffin (red fabric) and a linen fabric for the outside, but not sure what.  She told us that she and her sister had been out and about one day near Hampton Court where she had seen a Singer Buttonholer... which just happened to come with a small motorised machine!!!  She couldn't resist.  We laughed as Chris must have quite a collection by now!

We were asked by Amanda if we would mind a lady (and possibly her daughter too) coming to a future Tuesday session so we could help with a quilt to commemorate her husband, using some of his shirts as her daughter was unable to part with them since his recent death.  We all thought it was a lovely idea and agreed.  More tea and cake was drunk/munched at this point then, sadly, Chris who was unable to stay for the whole day, left before lunch.

We carried on chatting and sewing. Janet had us all in awe as she has again been very busy and was binding several of her projects. The morning had vanished quite rapidly, but it was still quite a surprise to realise it was almost lunch time and so without too much ado, the oven went on and the salmon went in.  Today's variety was with a garlic and herb cream cheese crust (lightly toasted granary/seeded breadcrumbs topping the lot).  There were also a lattice pork pie, chicken fajitas, salad and all the trimmings.  For desert I had used two packs of Devilishh Panna Cotta (just need to boil the contents for two minutes and then pour into ramekins and chill to set - they came from Lakeland, but I have seen them in Morrison's on one occasion) with blueberries and raspberries or meringues with creme fresh and the fruit. Blow the diet... but just for the day!

After lunch and another cuppa, the Tuesday Girls got on with some more sewing.  We also, and thank you Alison for your help, put together a stand which I had found in one of our local charity shops. The pictures were very helpful too but I need to assimilate info SLOWLY! Then, as we talked about our quilting experience, the girls explained to Gloria that I had never intended to become a quilter!!! It's true, you see I had only ever intended to make one for my daughter a few Christmases ago, but then I did one for my MIL, one for a friend as her birthday was imminent, and so it went on.  I take my teasing in good humour as it reminds me that I have some lovely friends who know me better than I know myself.  As time was getting on, and I had a late afternoon appointment, we packed up and some of us went to Needle and Thread with Gloria so she could look at more fabric to go wiht her FQ's.  At this point, I then had a to dash off and yet another Tuesday was sadly over.  We won't all be together again for a few weeks although we may get together for a cuppa!  See you soon!

Today's offerings were both experimental.  They used a basic mix of ...

300g of self raising flour
2 tablespns of soft light brown sugar
1 teaspoon of baking powder
then...

Banana batch
2 eggs lightly beaten
3 tablespns of sunflower or vegetable oil
5 tablespns of soured cream ( I used natural yoghurt)
80g pecans broken up
3 ripe bananas mashed
100g diced apricots
a teaspn of vanilla essence.


Lavender batch
2 tablespoons of (Waitrose) lavender sugar to the soft brown sugar
1 tablespn of honey (if desired)
1 egg
225ml buttermilk (used natural yoghurt)
2 tablespns of milk
50g butter (melted)
Rind of 1 large orange finely grated
juice of half the orange and three drops of orange essence.

Glaze
Use the remaining orange juice and 2 tablesoons of castor sugar
Incorporate some lavendar sugar 
Boil until sugar is dissolved
Pour over the still warm muffins and allow to cool.

As with all muffins, mix dry ingredients first then add liquid, stirring until just combined.
Each batch makes 12 muffins, baked at 190 degrees in a fan oven for about 15 minutes... till golden and firm.
 
*The Lavender sugar was added to taste... some people find it a little strong, so try it first.  The muffins were very moist.  They don't last long but freeze well.

A Taste of Spain!!

Tuesday Girls with our Spanish Visitors!

My turn to host a special Tuesday (well, more so than usual!) this week, with most of us present.  Unfortunately Chris was the only one missing.
We were honoured to have two special visitors, Gloria and her mother, Mary Rose, from Spain.  Following a visit to Guildford Quilters last year, Gloria has been following our blog with interest, as she is also a quilter!
We were delighted to learn that Gloria is here in England with her family on holiday.  She has now met most of the 'Tuesday Girls'!

 There was a request in her email that they sample some of the cakes, as featured in our blog on a regular basis!!  As a result we had tea/coffee with chocolate brownies & Apple & Blueberry Spice Muffins from a book by Peter Schaffer - "The Genuine American Cookie & Muffin Book"

 Then it was down to business.  Everyone had brought along plenty to "show & tell".  Alison was showing off the hand quilting on her on-going block of the month!

Janet showed off her tulip mini quilt from a workshop we all did a few years ago.

Another of Janet's many creations - using the l'il twister ruler.

Caroline hand quilting around the stars in her "stars in the Cabin".

Two quilts for Janet's son's sofa, using the same fabrics. Everyone was very interested in how different the fabric looked in two different patterns! Cannot remember the fabric range, please fill in Janet!




Alison explained the technique of "English Patchwork" using paper hexagons.  I had used a range of pretty pink & green floral fabrics & Alison had used 1930's fabrics & also slightly smaller hexagons!

We also had another visitor in the shape of my husband.  He came to the rescue with the balsamic vinegar for the salad dressing!  As Mary Rose does not speak much English we decided to give Gloria a break from translating as Bobby speaks Spanish!
He declined the offer of lunch with seven women & went back to work!!







We enjoyed a lunch of salmon, chicken in garlic & herbs, smoked mackerel & pork in honey & ginger with new potatoes & salads.




                                                                                                                                                                               

Desert of meringue nests with summer fruits & home-made raspberry mousse.....





             





was soon followed by another cup of tea!!

 Laura, a friend's daughter is staying with us at the moment.  She was finishing a cushion cover that we started earlier in the year.
She also made a useful photographer, so thank you Laura for the photos!

 A busy & interesting day.  My family are camping in Spain soon & we are hopefully going to meet up with our Spanish friends whilst we are there.

 Apple Spice Muffins

Combine in a bowl:

12oz/350g plain flour

1tbs/15ml baking powder

1/2 teasp/2.5ml bicarbonate of soda

1/2 2.5ml salt

2teasp/ 10ml mixed spice

In another bowl add:

2 large beaten eggs
6fl oz/175ml milk
3fl oz/85ml sunflower oil
4oz/115g dark brown sugar
1teasp/5ml vanilla essence
6oz/175g apple, peeled & chopped

Mix together slowly until well combined & put into twelve large muffin cases.

Sprinkle over combined topping ingredients:

2teasp/10ml Mixed Spice
2teasp/10ml Gran Sugar

Bake in preheated oven Gas 5 190 degrees C for 20 to 25 mins.  (160 for fan oven)

Place on wire rack to cool.

I added blueberries to mine as I only had one small apple.  Any fruit combination can be added.

Enjoy the muffins!
Thank you to all our visitors!
See you all next week!