Stitch to Paint with Nickie Kimber 27th April 2008

The very first workshop to be offered by School House Arts. And what a cracker.
Nickie, very ably assissted by Sharne, presented her workshop on Stitch to Paint.
11 students started the morning with experiments with discharge paste using freezer paper and masking tape resists and and also bleaching some fabric that had been stitched into.
Next we machine quilted a sampler piece with four different patterns and used a different medium on each to colour it.These included markal,emulsion paint, a rub on gold medium and lumiere paint.
Next was lunch!
We then moved onto what was to be the main focus of the workshop which was a Celtic tree piece.First we ironed on the leaf motif down the side then discharged the leaves and either painted or used markals to further inhance these.Using a freezer paper pattern we machined round the tree and then machine quilted the background to give texture which would later be either discharged painted or decorated in any of the ways that we had been shown.
At intervals Nickie stopped us to show more techniques ideas and wrinkles.
At this point I feel I should mention something that I feel will become a feature of School House Arts workshops
THE LEMON TIMER
Maybe I should explain.As this was the first workshop Nickie and Sharne had a run through and noted the time that things should take.Nickie had then written herself a timed running order and the timer was set accordingly.Needless to say we did't always keep exactly to time but it caused much mirth and various offers of what we could do with this timer.
Everybody was really pleased with the results of their day and I know many of the students were stretched to attempt new things.
A great day and a great start of School House Arts

Muffins

As usual lots of talk of food on the UK thread especially cake. Now I am not much of a cake maker but I do a mean muffin.So at the request of lostintheforest here is my recipe for Orange muffins
10 oz plain flour
1 1/2 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp bicarb
1/2 tsp salt
4oz granulated sugar
1 egg
3 tsps finely grated orange rind
(of 2 large oranges be careful not to include any pith)
Juice of both oranges first set aside enough for glaze add water to remainder to make up to 8fl oz
3fl oz corn oil

Glaze
3 oz icing sugar
3-4 tsps orange juice
1/2 tsp grated rind
Prepare muffin tins (makes 10 muffins)
Heat oven to 375- 400f 190-200c Gas mark 5-6
Sift together flour,baking powder,bicarb,salt and sugar.
In a separate bowl beat the egg and add grated rind, juice(plus water) and oil
Pour wet ingredients into dry and stir until just combined.Batter will be lumpy
Spoon into tins and bake 20-25 mins until lightly brown and spring back when pressed

Combine glaze ingredients and spread over warm muffins

Cap'n Ronnie's Cake

Cap'n Ronnie's Cake
Originally uploaded by debsmuddle

In a moment of lightheadedness I volunteered to make a birthday cake for my cousin's 2 year old son.Party theme was to be pirates and I found a recipe in an Australian Womens Weekly book of childrens party cakes.
First hurdle was the baking.Had to buy a new tin ,fine,found one at the right price in TKMax.Now I am not a great baker so I was a little nervous but that all went well.Trimmed it up and decorated, brilliant,really pleased.
Now all I had to do was to get it from my house to their's.A drive of some 20 mins usually.I decided the safest place for it to travel was in the well of the front passenger seat so I wedged it in and set off.
By now I am shaking.
All I can say is it did wonders for my driving.I have never driven so smoothly before.Braking was done very carefully and in plenty of time.Corners were taken at the correct speed.
Happily it arrived in one piece,a little warm and melting slightly round the edges but fine.

Hair Bobble by Guerilla embroidery

Hair Bobble by Guerilla embroidery
Originally uploaded by debsmuddle

I can't say enough about this ladys work I just love it. This is the first piece that I have bought and it will not be the last.

Friday 4th April

Real meh day today haven't got anything done.Oh did list another couple of things in shop.
I hate it when I have days like this.It's like I am mega lazy but I don't think I am really I just can't get going.Quietish day on chat as well.
Son got home from working at Dover,had a shower and went out leaving the place smelling like a tarts boudoir bless him

Thursday 3rd April

Just about recovered from my tooth extraction and enjoying the holiday and the lovely weather.
When I have done this I am going to go and pot up some plants to make the front of the house look a bit more attractive.Have completed a few more brooches for my etsy shop.Just have to list them.Also trying to write up instructions for making some brooches that I am hoping to teach.

Doesn't feel much like I am unemployed at the moment as the schools are on holiday anyway.

Tuesday 1st April

Not a good day.Was hoping to get lots done.Ha! some hope.Started the day with a trip to the dentist.Haven't had a dentist for about 3 years since we moved.But I had been having a few twinges so thought it was time to try and find a new NHS dentist.This proved easier than I thought it would be.Hubby went last week and was very impressed.I went today all was going swimmingly only took me about 10 minutes to get there ,managed to get parked OK and didn't have to wait hours to see the dentist.Did some X rays and decided that one of my wisdom teeth needed to come out.Time to do it know he asked his nurse.Yes she says.
Well this tooth was a little reluctant to leave me.Not quite the knee on the chest but nearly.Since the numbness has worn off I have been suffering all day .Feeling really sorry for myself.
Lets hope for a better day tomorrow.