what I have been doing at lunch

The Maker's Market is done for now.  I had a few good conversations.  No sales.  But it was a start.  If I do not start, how will I go on.  I have to do some work online but it probably not take place for a week or so due to plans to watch motorbikes next weekend.  Motorbikes do seem to be an obsession around here.

Many years ago I had found a white cardign sweater at a thrift store that I liked very much.  I wore it out.  Since then, I have not replaced it.  Yes, most of the time black is really the colour I wish to wear but I have to admit that on occasion white or cream would be nice.  I wanted soft.  Something with texture, not lacy but not a solid fabric either.  Like the one I found at the thrift store so many years ago in Bellingham.  

At the Maker's fair, and at lunch at work, I have been working with white cashmere roving on my drop spindle.  The spinning was definitely some of the conversation I had.  Spinning at work is a bit of calm in the chaos.  People are finding out if they have jobs the end of this week, beginning of next.  

Once I had a few balls of yarn made but not enough yet for a sweater, I looked for a pattern.  I found a pattern in an old Interweave crochet magazine I had, Summer 2008, that I am willing to give it a try.  I have the first couple inches done currently.  I have more yarn that needs to be made.  

I cannot leave well enough alone but it is close to what I wish just not what I wish.  I will put buttons on this, and I probably change both the sleeve length and neckline a bit.  Make the neckline a bit higher.  It is not as bad as the knitted sweater I am changing to crochet.  I will not talk about how many times I ripped that out just today!  Koda Bear called and while we talked to him, I kept working on that bit.  Koda Bear and my Beloved kept hearing me complain about eyelet!

I should be basting one of my picture quilts to quilt next week.  I did not make the back easy but then I rarely do that unless I need a quilt quickly.  I am excited about all of this that is happening.

as done as I can be

I spent last weekend and this week getting ready for the Maker's Market.

Audiobooks have been lovely.  Yeti cups have been keeping my tea hot so I do not have to drink cold tea.

But I got last two quilts I wanted done, done.

I am hoping interest will be shown in my work.  My feelings are full of trepidation.  I will keep my fingers crossed.

twists and turns

I did not know what to title this post.  I laid out a quilt and that went well.  But the brownie experiment did not.  It tasted lovely but it was a true failure.  Though I did get reminded that I make a pretty good chocolate peanut butter smoothie when I have that chocolate shake craving.  And the inflammation does not increase with it.

I misplaced my threading hook for my spinning wheel.  When I was going to spoil myself this weekend with some spinning, I could not get the yarn threaded to start.  But my hands and eyes were already done from a day a the sewing machine.  It was probably for the best.

I have not finished the binding on two quilts yet.  The Market is this weekend and I hope to have two more quilts finished.  Friday and Saturday morning I can sit in my rocking chair and sit.  Maybe tomorrow night too.  I was going to do some stitching this evening but a friend needed a distraction so we went to a movie.  The laughter was great and it took her mind off whether she got a new job or not. 

Just a lot of twists and turns.  Maybe some of those twists and turns will smooth out.  Maybe not.  It is like the Chinese curse, may you life in interesting times.  These are.

orange brownies

A couple of my favorite authors publish in March.  They both have series that I am currently following.  I really like Mercy Thompson Hauptman who is one of Patricia Briggs characters.  And Mercy likes to bake, especially when she is stressed.  In the last book, there was a brownie that was described that had orange oil in it.  I cannot purchase my orange oil from Baba Yaga but I can make an orange brownie that is just yummy.  First try too.

These are a definitely going to be repeated.  But I am going to try different chocolate tomorrow just because I am wanting more chocolate in my life.  My taste buds want a chocolate milkshake.  My body and its reaction to inflammation do not.  I am trying to find a lovely compromise.

orange brownies

1/4 cup butter

6 tablespoons water

2 ounces unsweetened chocolate

1 cup flour

1 cup sugar

1/2 teaspoon baking soda

1/4 teaspoon salt

1 teaspoon orange oil (optional)

1 egg

1/4 cup sour cream

1/2 cup butter

1 teaspoon vanilla

1 teaspoon orange oil

6 tablespoon onyx cocoa powder

2 cups powdered sugar

2 to 4 tablespoons milk

Butter and flour an 8 x 8 inch baking pan.

Preheat oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit.

In a pot, put the water, 1/2 cup butter, and 2 ounces chocolate.  Bring to a boil and  stir until chocolate is melted.  Remove from heat and mix in in the flour and sugar.  Mix in the egg, sour cream, baking soda, salt, and optional orange oil.  The orange in the brownie will intensify the orange flavor.  Mix well.  Pour into the baking pan.  Bake for 25 to 30 minutes or until a knife stuck into them comes out clean and the brownies start to pull from the edge of the pan.

While the brownies are baking, make the buttercream.  In a small bowl, mix 1/2 cup butter, cocoa powder, and powdered sugar.  Mix in the vanilla, orange oil, and 2 tablespoons milk.  The consistency of the frosting should be spreadable but thick.  Add more milk if needed.

When the brownies come out of the oven, let sit five minutes.  Frost while hot so the frosting can melt into the brownies.  Just like the book!

So good!  These did not last long.

even now, change is happening

It came.  I did find a place to print my photographs on fabric.  Which means that my quilts are changing.

 I love the patchwork:  the colours, the piecing, the process, the quilting, the end result.  It is a lovely place to hide from the world when the world is going crazy around me.  It is a lovely way to use scraps from my other sewing.  And useful because it keeps us warm.  Which I was not last night but that is another story.  Quilts add colour to life in so many ways.

After making my Christmas tree quilt.  Realizing it was just a photograph on fabric.  I thought why not me?  Why not my memories?  And that is what I am doing.  Quilts have always been some type of a memory holder.  That fabric reminds  you off . . .  That quilt spoke to you at that point in life because . . .  This will be similar but the same.  I am still piecing the backs though.  More colour.  More joy.  More peace.