Shippo-Tsunagi “seven treasures”

Playing  around with some of the coloured threads I bought from Jemima’s recently, along the with the stencil kit I bought there. I must be getting faster at this- I traced the pattern about 6:30 last night, then stitched all but the last 2 flowers while watching “The Revenant” ( the eldest decided that since it was sooo hot, we should watch a movie set in the snow!)

The individual flower is one of the stencils too, this one was super quick to do! I think this would look good stitched over a lightly patterned fabric, or even a stripe perhaps.

I am planning on making at least one more “sampler” like this, then sewing them together to make a cover for a large cushion.  I really would like a nice green linen to work with, might have to go back to GJ’s to see if they have any, have not been able to find the exact shade I have in mind. Linen is definitely better for sashiko, it has just the right amount of body & not too much stretch, along with the slightly looser weave. But it is a bit expensive...lucky a half metre gives me plenty of fabric for sashiko!

 

oasis muffins

Ever since reading about Jason's " oasis" muffins in  the Corrina Chapman mystery series, I have been wanting to try to make some! There are several recipes in each book, and I have made a chocolate cake and choc muffins ( chocolate orgasm muffins to be exact!); but there is only a description of the oasis muffins- which I scribbled onto a piece of paper when I read it last year!

I bought some orange flower water to use, but the smell was too strong for me. I used fresh grated orange rind instead of candied peel.

They smell divine and taste amazing!

grated rind 1 orange

1 cup dates, chopped

1/2 cup pistacios, chopped

75g butter, melted 

3/4 cup yoghurt ( I had some yoghurt left over from the last batch, it was separating a bit which is why I                    ....                              decided to use it to make muffins today!)

3/4 cup milk

2 eggs

1/2 cup sugar

1 1/2  - 2 cups SR flour

Melt butter, add all other ingredients. Bake in muffin tray 200, 20-25 min

I use a Tupperware mixing bowl, melt butter in it in the microwave then keep using the same bowl. I bowl to mix, 1 knife to stir with. Dirty the minimal amount of dishes is the rule in my tiny kitchen!

Hanazashi - flower stitches

So happy with the colour scheme! New coloured threads from Jemima's last week. Pattern drawn up following instuctions in " Simply Sashiko".

Stitching done while watching season 2 of " The Mandalorian".

Sashiko Update

When I started looking for sashiko patterns last year, I borrowed a book from a fellow crafter via my local Good Karma Network. “The Ultimate Sashiko Sourcebook” seems to top all the review and sales lists, but I found it lacking when it came to clear instructions, and all the patterns shown were small images, with instructions to draw them up with graph paper from scratch! Nope, not really inspiring if I have to go to all that effort and THEN transfer the pattern on to fabric! 

 Some searching online came up with a different book,  “ Simply Sashiko” it  features full A4 sized patterns, which can be photocopied ( on my home printer) and taped together as needed for size.  There are really detailed, easy to follow instructions for all steps of stitching, even preparing the thread; and the clear numbered steps on where to start stitching and which lines to follow are a game changer ! I have not seen any reviews , nor does it even appear in many searches, but I highly recommend “Simply Sashiko”. 

They actually had a copy on the counter at GJ’s fabrics last week! It was so to great to finally get over there, I bought some lovely “ scrappy bits” of fabric to use for an upcoming “Outlander” project I am planning. I have been shopping at GJ’s ever since I first moved to Melbourne, when I discovered the store at the back ( car park end, which is technically the front but anyway...) of Barkley Square shopping centre. from there they moved to Sydney Rd ( when Barkley Sq was being redeveloped) and then to the Lygon St store, where the shop was for many years prior to relocating to Fairfield.

Heading up to Jemima’s Creative Quilting today, to buy some coloured threads, and also a Sashiko stencil kit. I finished my Death Star stitching, so planning some new Sashiko once I get the stencil kit. 

Watch this space !

 

New Year, new craft!

Having always had an interest in history - and craft! - I have fallen down the rabbit hole of watching CosTube ( costuming + YouTube) -   mainly historical fashion recreation, fashion history etc. I am also in a couple of facebook groups based around Outlander costumes/ Outlander history bounding. 

In one group recently there was an intriging  post  ( thank you Cynthia Freitag) about Lucet weaving/ cording, with  a link to a historic house "Hyland  House" in the UK which has  a printable pdf with a pattern and insructions to make a lucet. The instructions recommended using a scroll saw and a dremmel - and my H has both in the shed! (I must post a pic of the scroll saw, it looks remarkably like a sewing machine!)

So of course I printed out the instructions and asked him to make me a lucet!  Only took about 20 mins to cut from a scrap of ply. Could have a second fine sanding, and maybe some wax polish to make it extra smooth, but it does the job.

The lucet is a viking tool, also used in medieval times, to make a simple but strong woven/ knotted cord. The result is something like using a Knitting Nancy, or knitted i-cord. I follwed a YouTube clip  Cat’s Costumeryto work it out, but it is a very simple action of drape, lift, turn to the left, tighten, repeat. 

Only played around for about 5 mins so far, with a ball of crochet cotton from the $2 shop, but it seems nice and easy to use. 

I added the bit of washi tape just to remember which side is the " front" while I am learning to use it!

Of course the dog does not care which is the front, only that it was sitting at just the right height on the bench for him to try and steal it!