Thank you all for your book recommendations, I have taken note and ordered a few from the library. Hana reminded me that I have The Trouble With Goats and Sheep by Joanna Cannon, so I've started with that. I'm enjoying it, and I love that it's set in the 1976 heatwave, which is working in nicely with the good summer weather here.
In the garden, the grass is back to greenness after a brief day of rain and the figs are ripening. I do love fig trees, but sadly no-one really likes figs around here. I don't mind the odd one, but I can't eat pounds of them. I am popping them into the freezer in the hopes that I can sneak them into things and people won't notice. Although the crunchy seeds might give them away.
I'm also wondering if I can dry them and put them in mincemeat ready for Christmas. Honestly, you can get away with almost anything in a mince pie. Ask me how I know.
I've been faffing around with fabric this week, in between moaning that I don't have enough time for anything. You know how it is. I have lots of odd bits of fabric and pictures of lovely quilts to inspire me. I'm always drawn to simple squares, and I also like the ones with lots of restful space. Any favourites?
The top two are by Cassandra Ellis from her book A World of Quilts, the grey one is one of Ashley's (from Film in the Fridge) from The Modern Quilting Bee Block Party by Alissa Haight Carlton and Kristen Lejnieks and the last two are by Yoshiko Jinzenji from Quilting Line and Colour.
I think it will all have to percolate for a bit. I don't have time to be fabric shopping at the moment anyway. I shall let it all swirl around in my head for a while. It's been a while since I made a quilt. I like to sew them by hand, late at night, as my brain shuts down for the day. And although I make them slowly, I think I've made around four, as well as a couple on the sewing machine. It wouldn't do to make them too quickly, we'd end up suffocating in them.
Bert is waiting for a moustache trim at the groomer's. And a neatening of the ears. Persuading him to Sit Nicely and be brushed is a work in progress. In fact, much of what we ask him to do is a work in progress. I spent most of last week at the cricket club with him, and he dug holes all along the fence when he was supposed to be lying down dozing like the good dogs were. It seems he doesn't hold with doing nothing.
Any good plans for the weekend? I have Lists to get through, so I'm hoping to be excused from too much traipsing about. We shall see.
Hello!,
ReplyDeleteI've always fantasized about having a fig tree, lucky you! Have you thought of making a fig spread to be used with cheese or a condiment? It could be preserve by canning and might make nice Christmas gifts. A thought.....
Cheers,
Deb
That Sheer Honeycomb Quilt is gorgeous. It reminds me of the penny tiles they use on floors in vintage homes.
ReplyDeleteI very foolishly said ' Let's have a bbq on the beach this weekend'. As soon as I said that the weather turned in an instant and gales appeared from nowhere.
ReplyDeleteI have seen so many lovely quilts recently that it’s time I got inspired too. Sadly sock knitting doesn’t allow time for sewing at the moment. Deep down I’m clearly expecting a very cold winter judging by how many I’ve knitted this summer. Bertie is totally gorgeous, particularly with the moustache. Glad you like 'Trouble with goats and sheep' , you are definitely reading it in a perfect summer. Enjoy your weekend. B x
Ah, Bert. What a lovely handsome lad he is. We’ll skip over the holes in the cricket pitch field - suffice to say Poppy is grinning as I tell her. The figs look delicious. They are lovely baked on top of custard in tarts. I love the quilts and your fabric. I keep thinking about shirt making here. I feel the need to settle to some sewing. It’ll be useful next week as I’ve decided to run a marathon tomorrow after all. Don’t ask. I will explain later. Just send positive vibes from 10am till about 3 :o) xx
ReplyDeleteDried figs are very nice. Not sure how to dry them without one of those food drier thingamajigs that my mum uses for the drying fruit. I guess a low oven with an open door would do?
ReplyDeleteLet me know when you have finished pondering quilts and move to the stage of fabric choosing. I may have a few pieces that have your name on it. I am quite drawn to the quilt on the photo second from top. I enjoy hand sewing very much, it calms the mind I think. Enjoy your weekend. xx
Bert is just gorgeous and I do love his moustache. Our hunk of a pooch detests bath time and quivers and shakes so much. We virtually have to lift him into the hydrobath which is no small feat as he is rather large. I seem to be drawn to the simple squares in a quilt too as they look so classic. It also maybe because they look so much easier to do and I get a bit lazy when sewing! xx Susan
ReplyDeleteI love figs but there are two many for one person so I have been giving them to friends, family and neighbours, who then pop round with a few courgettes, French beans and cultivated blackberries as a thank you. It's working well!
ReplyDeleteOh that Bert is a handsome young man. The fact that he's the color of milk chocolate adds a lot to his attraction. :-) I'd love nothing more than to relax all weekend to recuperate from my trip to Ohio for 9 days.. but we have a wedding to attend tomorrow.. in a barn! This should be interesting. ((hugs)), Teresa :-)
ReplyDeleteBertie, you are gorgeous, despite the need for a trim. Thanks for the photos of him. C.J. you reminded me of the huge fig tree which grew on our property when I was a child. I just loved the figs, and would eat and eat them when hungry. Love the materials you have photographed. I enjoy patch working but don't get much time to make large projects. Regards, Robyn
ReplyDeleteI like the picture of Bert looking rather pensive. I'm not keen on figs. Happy reading.
ReplyDeleteI'm having a quiet, routine weekend which suits me. xx
I love dried figs, but not so sure about fresh ones. It would be great to try drying them. I wonder how - maybe google would provide an answer? Love those beautiful quilts too!
ReplyDeleteI used to love fogs roasted with a nice salty feta. Now we're vegan, I'm not sure that the figs would hit the spot on their own. Can you make them into jam? Your quilt ideas look marvellous. I made L a 'graduation quilt' a few years ago, as it's E's third year at uni starting in September, I'd better get my thinking cap on. I'm sure those 'good dogs' at the cricket didn't look anywhere near as adorable as Bertie. I love the mental image of you sitting blissfully unaware in your deckchair, whilst furtive digging went on behind you! Just off to weed the veggie patch before it pours down tomorrow. Happy fig eating. xx
ReplyDeleteFigs - not fogs!
ReplyDeleteLike you, I love hand stitching quilts, I just make 4inch squares with any cotton fabric that comes my way, old embroideries included, absolutely random placing, very soothing and a sense of achievement.
ReplyDeleteI love figs! I would help you eat them. You could make jam with them. I had fig jam once and it was amazing. I love a basic patchwork quilt of squares, either intentional like the first photo, or randomly placed. Both are my favorite type. I read The Trouble With Goats and Sheep about a year ago and thought it was really good. Aww, Bertie, he is only going to be even more handsome after his grooming!
ReplyDeleteI remember reading 'The trouble with goats and sheep' last year - I loved it so much. Enjoy.
ReplyDeleteI do like fig rolls and figs in Moroccan tagines but just can't face them face to face so to speak. I hope you get everyone eating them in pies :)
I still have to sell my sewing machine (I have permanent double vision - it doesn't go well with machinery) and have many lovely 'fat quarters' in the roof space. They are so addictive and the biggest fabric shop in the country in across the road!! You have a lovely collection, I hope you get to make something stunning soon. The winter is always great for that.
Bert is gorgeous :)
I just trimmed the boys hair around their eyes last week and it already looks like it has to be done again. They are just a mass of frizzy hair, but I like it as it is so soft especially when it is brushed. They look so fluffy for about five minutes after a brush and then poof back out into madness. I think Bertie is so handsome. Happy reading!
ReplyDeleteI have not read it. I love to eat fig which is good for health. You have good collection of fabrics:)
ReplyDeleteI feel like quilting is another one of those things that the Ideal Me does. The gap between Actual Me and Ideal Me is a yawning crevasse. Still, I rather love the idea of hand-stitching one rather than using a machine.
ReplyDeleteBertie is ever so handsome, ruggedly so, with his bristling moustache.
Figs. I can't say I've ever had one outside of the ubiquitous fig biscuits (Roll or Newton, depending on which side of the Atlantic you live on)...which I love...I worry that an actual fig might disappoint me.
xoxo
I've had a whole weekend immersed in quilts and I agree that simple is best. Love that photo of Bertie... butter wouldn't melt!
ReplyDeleteRosemary from 'Where Five Valleys Meet' had a lovely recipe for Figs this week - Fig and Blue cheese tart. Hope Bertie's hair cut went well yesterday! Sarah x
ReplyDeleteOoh, the white honeycomb quilt! I love that. My mum has a fig tree groaning with fruit and she's not really sure what to do with it so I'm hoping some of it comes my way. I have been told that fig jam is good, but I think a chutney or relish might be the best use for it. If you're not mad on figs you can pad it out with a lot of onion, apple, sultanas etc.
ReplyDeleteLovely to catch up with your goings on CJ. Remember that it's ok to do nothing. (Says the woman obsessed with lists....I should take my own advice.)