Patchwork Tablecloth

Looking for a tablecloth matching my Haviland China tea set, I found nothing satisfying in my dozens of tablecloths stash. I then remembered I had some pieces of fabrics remaining from the pillows you can see in this post , that I had sewn some years ago. I love those romantic floral prints. The fabric is linen and I had ordered it from my favorite shop in London : 

http://www.cabbagesandroses.com

I used all the remaining fabrics. I sewed them together and added a white linen sashing all around.

I received my sister, niece and friends coming from France for a tea party. My new tablecloth was

successful... and my pineapple cake much appreciated!

Hexies and Strawberries

Last Monday, our quilting meeting took place at my home. Slowly but steadily I progress with my hexagon pillow. 

I tried a new recipe :  midway between tiramisu and triffle, with a chocolate sauce... at the end of the meeting nothing was left... it was well appreciated!

Here is my own "interpretation" of this no-bake cake :

2 pounds strawberries

9 oz fresh cream

9 oz mascarpone or Philadelphia cheese cream

1 sleeve or more, I am not sure, Graham Crackers (we don't have this here, so I used one pack Digestive biscuits)

Cognac or rum

3 tablespoons sugar

Wash the strawberries. Cut them in slices.

Whisk the cream until it becomes "Chantilly".

Mix well the cream cheese (that should be at room temperature) with the sugar.

Add to the Chantilly and mix again for 1 mn.

Lay a small part of this cream in your dish, add a layer of biscuits quickly dipped in the cognac, then half your strawberries, and go on this way until you finish. (For my dish, I had two layers). Put in the fridge for at least 4 hours before serving. (I put it overnight).

For the chocolate sauce, warm abt 3.5oz fresh cream, add abt  4.4oz bitter chocolate and turn with a spoon until the sauce becomes smooth. Don't refrigerate, it would become hard.

At Ginette's

 

Last Monday our quilting gathering took place at Ginette's home. As usual we had a wonderful time

sewing together. Ginette has a very original and personal quilting approach. I took pictures of a part of her numerous quilts and dolls to share with you her talented work. Her two daughters are quilting as well and the last two pictures show their own scrap creations.

Of course, a quilting meeting does not go without coffee, tea and cakes. We all love the fine Ginette's pies!

Pink Feeling

Suddenly spring! Three weeks ago we were under the snow and now spring is here! The first sign is the almond tree flowering. And with spring comes my feeling for fresh colors in the house, and especially pink which is my favorite color. I started taking everything pink from the closets : quilts, cushions, blankets... with a will to transform the house atmosphere. With enthusiasm (I don't know for how long) I began to air, brush, wash... in a word spring cleaning. 

Apart from cleaning and decorating, I baked a brioche and this orange cake. This is a classical family recipe I used to make a lot for my children : 

• 1 cup self raising flour
• 1 cup sugar
• 1 cup butter
• pinch of salt
• Orange peel + 1 orange juice
• 4 eggs         

Mix the sugar + melted butter. Add the eggs one by one, then the orange, then the flour.

Lay butter and spread sugar in a rectangular baking pan and pour the mixture. 

Put in the oven at 180 o C (327 o F) for 45 mn to 1 hour.

Just out of the oven, pour some cognac or rum and sprinkle a little icing sugar.

This cake is the easiest possible to make, and always successful!

After decorating and baking, let's start a little gardening... Quilting tomorrow...

Three Kings Cake

... Or "Galette des Rois"

No quilting again these days... This morning I prepared lunch for the family gathering, and I cooked this Galette des Rois, a French traditional cake on the opportunity of Epiphany, which is commemorated on January 6th, but we can cut this galette all January long. For the second time of the week the lucky charm was hidden in my slice of cake... and it is supposed to bring luck and prosperity! I was again the queen of the day with this beautiful crown on my head!!!

Monday's Meeting

Pastafiore tart

Kaffe Fassett blocks and tablecloth

Kaffe Fassett bag

Kaffe Fassett bag

Embroided belt

You have often seen in my posts Kaffe Fassett creations, so you understand that several persons in this group, me included, are fans of Kaffe Fassett fabrics. Here is a wonderful tablecloth and a bag done by Eleni. Agnes is preparing her spool blocks with KF dots.  

Last monday Eleni was helping Michele for the binding of  her friendship signature quilt. The marvellous belt is a work  from Chantal. Some of us are sometimes alternating quilting, knitting or embroidering activities. But whatever we do, we share the same love for handmade crafts and the same pleasure to be together!
Of course after work... coffee and Greek pastries as pastafiore, melomacarona...
Hoping everybody enjoys such a nice group as ours!