First Sewing Projects

The online sewing class, Home Ec, started over two weeks ago.  I had every intention of completing at least a project a week.  Well I just completed the first project...cloth napkins.

 I spent hours (well maybe not hours, but it seemed like it) trying to get the tension right on my zig zag stitch for the single layer napkins.  I never did get it just right...and I am blaming it on my cheapo machine.  I have promised myself a new machine if I complete at least half of the projects...pretty good incentive, huh?

These are the single layer napkins. 

The double layer napkins went together pretty well.  I was a little nervous about the ric rac but it was easier than I anticipated.  Of course the ric rac makes them look a little picnicy but I may experiment sometime with using a binding instead.  Here they are.

I also finished a little pre-class project...a pin cushion. 

The next project is a drawstring gift pouch.  Stay tuned.

Passion Flower

Last fall I saw a passion flower plant at one of the houses on the Forest Hill House Tour....it was beautiful!  This spring I bought my own and planted it so that it would climb the stair rail of my back porch.  It started out kind of slow...and I thought that my brown thumb was at it again.  Then recently the vines have been out of control...but no blooms.  When I started to cut some of the craziness back a few days ago, I noticed buds....and now there are blooms...only 5 for now but there is the promise of many more.

Pesto!

I had planned to paint a bookcase today...outside.  But it rained this morning and the herb garden was overrun with basil so I decided to make pesto instead. 

Now it doesn't really take that long to make pesto...I have no idea what I did with the rest of the day.

I use a recipe from The Silver Palate Cookbook...basil, garlic, walnuts (cheaper than pine nuts and good for your brain health), olive oil, parmesan and romano cheeses.

I made two batches and they will go into the freezer.  I know that some say you shouldn't put the cheese in if you are going to freeze it but I don't see that as a problem.  I will make more in a few weeks...and we will have great pesto all winter.

A Blog!

I just joined an online sewing class where practically all the participants have a blog.  Now I know that most of them are a lot younger and a whole lot hipper than I am but, shoot, I can have a blog too.  So here goes!