Curtains and more Plinks

The curtain fabric has been hanging out and waiting for a few days.  I finally got a photo to share with you.  I plan to make it into curtains in the next week or so.

This fabric is very loosely woven so that it doesn't block all of the light. I can always add a layer of thin white fabric behind (or a blind or a shade) if needed. I am considering using it on a kitchen window instead.   I will sew the simple hems and audition it in both places before deciding.

More Plinks

And I mentioned that there were more "plinks!" sounding in my kitchen.  I did all these jars of preserves on Thursday morning before lunch time. 

I used up almost all of my canning jars.  I need to buy an extra flat or two of half pints.  I think a few of them have not made it back when the preserves were given with the request "I would like the jar and the ring back when you are done."   But I know people forget.  (The fig tree is still loaded.)

There was actually another small batch of four half pints made at the same time. They are low sugar preserves for Mom.  Due to the lack of sugar (which is a preservative) they have to be stored in the freezer until used. So, I make small batches as neither of us has a lot of freezer space.

Until Next Time,  

Stay Creative 

Comments are welcomed. I will reply when possible. Of course if you are a "No Reply Blogger"- I can not reply. Links in comments will result in the entire comment being deleted.

Plink!

There is a sound that I love.  Plink! a few times a year, when the fig bush at Mom's is producing abundantly, I gather figs and make preserves.
Plink!
That is the lovely sound that the jars make when they seal after the water-bath canning process.  I have it down to a science now and all the supplies are ready to go.

For several days, I picked the first figs that were ripe.  They were cut up and put in containers.  The first few went into the freezer for storage. Then I got a rather nice bag full so I knew it was time to just suffer the heat and get into production mode.

Using some of the frozen and the 1.3 liter container that I had from that last bag full,  I started early in the morning.  (Before it gets so hot!) It has been in the 90s all week here in Alabama.  I started the fig mixture cooking and filled the big canning container and started it getting hot - It has to be boiling to insure that the preserves seal and stay good for at least a year.

Today I chose to make Orange Spice Fig Preserves.  So in addition to the ingredients called for in the Faux Strawberry Fig recipe I used some cinnamon and ginger along with a splash of almond flavoring.  Of course I used orange jello to replace the strawberry in the original recipe.  The magic is that you can use any flavor gelatin that you like. (Mine was a "Jell-O" clone -store brand.)

I got eight lovely half pint jars that went into the canner in two batches.

You can see the fig seeds and fibers in the preserves.  It has a nice texture and this batch tastes delicious.  These jars started sealing (Plink!) before I even finished the second batch.

There was less than one jar left in the pot, so after it cools down a bit, it will go in the fridge for immediate use.

Of course I had to scrape the remainder from the pot - and lick the "spoon." So I know it will be delicious.  Yum!

When you prepare food, you can be creative.  When this started years ago (2011) I just used the basic strawberry recipe.  But my creative brain said "You can make them any flavor that you want! Try it." So I did.  I have made orange, grape, pineapple, lime, lime and grape mixed, wild berry, cherry,  chocolate cherry (add cocoa to the mix - it is amazing!) and probably some others.   Oh yes, pickled peach (add spices to peach jello such as cinnamon, nutmeg and ginger) and Lemon Ginger.   Seriously, the possibilities are almost endless.  Can't find the flavor of gelatin?  Buy plain gelatin and add a drink mix flavor to it.  Yes, it works, I have done it.  But I find it easier to use the available gelatin flavors.  And since it uses two boxes of gelatin/jello, you can mix flavors and create new ones. (Grape and lime for example.)
Be creative with your cooking.

Until Next Time,  

Stay Creative 

Comments are welcomed. I will reply when possible. Of course if you are a "No Reply Blogger"- I can not reply. Links in comments will result in the entire comment being deleted.

End of the Line!

While doing some binge watching on Amazon Prime,  the weaving on my loom moved right along.  I was surprised when I looked at the back beam and saw that the end of the warp was pulled above it.  That inspired me to continue on with the weaving until it was finished.

Then, I removed the woven threads from the loom and tied off the ends.  The fabric went into the wash for it's beauty bath. Now it is hanging in the strong hot sun to finish drying.  I always hang the finished cloth to dry the first time.  After that with cloth made with plant fibers, it can be machine washed and dried just fine. 

Here are some photos of the cloth hanging from my car cover.

The car cover is wide enough for two vehicles. As you can see the cloth runs almost the entire width of the cover.
The warp on this particular piece is one that I created and then dyed in a class.  We used a Japanese dye product that removes some color and adds color back in.   We used resist techniques to cover and protest some of the original warp so that it gets a variegated look in the warp.  I also switched out the weft thread occasionally to make it more interesting. 

I have no idea what this fabric will "grow up" to be.  But I love it.

The reason that I finished weaving this one is to that I can put a new warp on the loom to weave some new fabric specifically for a bathroom curtain.  I have a hand woven fabric hangin there now, but I want to  create a more open work piece to let in more light. 

Now I have to decide on colors for the warp.

Until Next Time,  

Stay Creative 

Comments are welcomed. I will reply when possible. Of course if you are a "No Reply Blogger"- I can not reply. Links in comments will result in the entire comment being deleted.

A Little Playtime with Bias Tape

Sometimes it is fun to just play with an idea.  The result doesn't have to be a finished piece. Playing allows you to add new life to your creative pool.  Recently I watched a class on Bias Tape appliqué.  In the class the teacher showed how she uses the method for improv work.  It looked like a lot of fun to me. So I decided to try it.

I chose a black background fabric - and Island Batik solid from my time as an Ambassador for them.  And I picked a pale batik with some color in it.  In hindsight,  I wish I had chosen a brighter piece for the bias tape appliqué.  The good news - I can always do this again.

I followed the directions that she gave very well.  But as she didn't finish this piece on camera, I didn't know everything.  But I learned from my mistakes and I made it work anyway. 

Here is the piece I made.

This method has a lot of possibilities.  As for this piece- I think it does too. I can go in and appliqué in the open spaces with symbols or maybe some fussy cut pieces.  Or, I could use bright colors and do embroidery in those open spaces.  I think I am only limited by my imagination.   This could even be a "medallion" for the center of a larger quilt.

Only time will tell what I decide. Right now  I am still thinking of possibilities.

Until Next Time,  

Stay Creative 

Comments are welcomed. I will reply when possible. Of course if you are a "No Reply Blogger"- I can not reply. Links in comments will result in the entire comment being deleted.