Sunday, November 23, 2008

More Progress..

Here is the piece I have been working on.
This is called "Home Of A Needleworker (Too!)" by Little House Needleworks.
This piece is being stitched on 28 count linen with Crescent Colors Hand Dyed Floss.
This is my first time working a bigger project with overdyes, and I am just loving it!

I was busy stitching last night and it was so chilly outside. We were out of hot cocoa in the cupboard , I decided to heat up some apple cider. What a treat!
I think I just might like that a tad bit better ;)

I was stitching sitting up in bed...then, when I was too tired, I put my stitching aside and shut out the light and fell asleep.
To my surprise I woke up this morning with my embroidery scissors with fob attached laying on my neck!! I don't know how I managed this one.

Ahhhh...the life of a stitcher.

Funny!

We have already attended mass on Saturday night, it was beautiful, and now we look forward to a wonderful Sunday as a family.
God Bless you all today, and wishing you happy stitches today,

Raggedy Stitches,
Louise

Saturday, November 15, 2008

Apple Dolls


Venturing onto something new.
As I was peeling apples to make my husband yet another apple pie tonight..I was thinking of something I saw many years ago when I was little.
I sat down and browsed the internet and sure enough, I found what I was looking for!
What I was researching was "Apple Dolls". They are made from real apples that you carve for the head, make a cloth body, and sew clothes for the doll.
Now, I am attempting one of these on my own, and I am hoping my attempt will be a successful one..we shall see. :)
This is the head that I have carved ...sort of funny looking and just a start!
We have to give it time to dry out and shrink..then I can perhaps shape it some more.
I think I may have cut too big of a mouth. lol
(If you click on my picture, you can see it bigger)


According to the tutorial, which you can find here:
Click HERE for Tutorial!!

It will take several weeks before the head of the doll will dry.
I am looking forward to seeing how this will work out!
Some more information that I have read on these wonderful dolls I have found...

Apple Dolls are folk dolls originating from early rural America when settlers made dolls from whatever was at hand. Apple dolls are made by carving a face in an apple and drying it. Due to the different effects drying produces, no two dolls are alike.
I will be updating with more pictures if all goes as planned and the Apple Head dries nicely!
See you soon!

Raggedy Stitches,
Louise

Saturday, November 8, 2008

Autumn Colors in North Carolina






I have only been living in North Carolina for a year and a half now. I am enjoying the colors of my second Fall season. The scenery is absolutely beautiful.






I don't even have to leave my backyard to see all the beautiful colors of Autumn.
I took out my camera, walked around our property, and these are the pictures I captured. What beautiful reds, oranges and yellows!
I walked to the back of our property and took pictures of trees down the road...
looked up and took pictures of the beautiful trees above me...looked down and took pictures of leaves on the ground. Breathtaking!

Happy Fall!
Raggedy Stitches,
Louise

Sunday, November 2, 2008

Recipe For You!



I wanted to share with you a recipe that I have been making for many years.
My family enjoys this one very much. It is called "Upside Down Popover Pizza"
It is absolutely delicious! It makes a nice sized amount in a 13 x 9 pan.
When I find a recipe that turns out this good, I just have to pass it along.
I took a couple of pictures as I pulled it out of the oven so you can see what it looks like. The house smells so good after cooking it too! :)
I hope some of you will try this recipe, it really is a good one :)
(if you don't buy ground sausage, you can buy the links and cut the casing off and break it up in the pan, that is what I do) :)
enjoy!
Raggedy Stitches,
Louise


Upside Down Popover Pizza

1 pound pork sausage
1 medium onion, chopped
½ medium green pepper, chopped
2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
½ teaspoon each dried basil, marjoram leaves, crumbled
1 can (15 oz) tomato sauce
8 ounces of mozzarella cheese sliced
¼ cup grated parmesan cheese

Popover Batter:
Beat together 2 eggs, 1 cup flour, 1 cup milk
1 tablespoon vegetable oil and ¼ teaspoon salt

Preparation:
In large skillet cook sausage until browned, pour off any excess fat. Add onion and green peppers. Cook for a few minutes.
Stir in flour, basil, marjoram and tomato sauce.
Heat well, then pour into 13x9 inch baking pan. Arrange mozzarella slices on top. Pour popover batter over all. Sprinkle with parmesan cheese.

Bake at 425 degrees for 25 to 30 minutes or until well browned. Serve at once.

Every Opening Flower

A new start! Every Opening Flower designed by Brenda Gervais. I am stitching this on 32 count cream Belfast Linen with called for overdyed a...