Kerryswainscottage

Simple treats

Back to work today - a retreat tomorrow and Thursday, then another this weekend so it was back in the kitchen this evening cooking a few treats for morning tea etc. I decided to treat my men to these little chocolate treats- extremely simple but very tasty. Delicious for a snack.

 

One sheet of ready rolled puff pastry, chocolate buddies

Cut the pastry sheet into 9 squares, place a couple of chocolate buddies in each square, fold over and press the edges down - bake in a hot over for 10 minutes or until golden brown, sprinkle with icing sugar and eat warm.

This is one of the cakes for my retreat - "Ginger Pear unside down cake."

 
Hope everyone is safe and sound after there Easter adventures where ever you may be.

Hugs  Kerry

Happy Easter

 
I do hope everyone has had a Happy Easter. After many years of opening the shop over the Nundle Chinese Easter Festival I decided this year to close the shop and enjoy some family time and that we did. Geoffrey and I helped Nicole and Josh paint the interior of their new home they have just purchased - all very exciting. These are the colours  - it was lots of hard work, with great results.

 

I decided last week to make my family Easter bags like I use to when the kids were much younger - you can never have too many little draw string bags so they all found their Easter eggs in one of these this morning.

I hope you all found time to reflect on why we celebrate Easter while enjoying some yummy chocolate.

Kerry

Olive Harvest Time

10 kilos of Olives of one tree - last week I spent a few mornings picking olives from just one of my trees - they are now soaking in a brine for 3 months - if they turn out Ok I think all my family and friends will be getting olives for Christmas this year - lucky we all love them.

 
I still have 6 smaller trees to pick in the next few days - so I am sure I will have enough for another bottle.

Does any one have any suggestions on good preserving recipes.

Kerry

Childrens sewing class No 2

Monday of this week saw me hold our second childrens sewing class for these school holidays - we had 6 girls this week and they all went home with big smiles on their faces after they all completed these pencil rolls - they hand stitched the ric rac on then used the sewing machines to complete the rest of the roll - well done girls - it was my pleasure to have you all in store - do hope you all learnt something and had fun.

 
These little girls are our future.

Kerry

FIS Swap Gifts

Our online group exchanged swap gifts last Friday evening - this swap was an Anni Downs project of our choice. I received this gorgeous cushion from Leanne - I love it and it looks fantastic on my red lounge.

 

 - because I am just loving working with the wool I decided to make Maree a personalised purse as well as a draw string bag - so glad she liked them both. All the ladies in this swap excelled themselves with so many wonderful gifts made and swapped.
 

Thanks for dropping bye to peep into my world.

Kerry

 

Dear Jane blocks

 
After a very long spell a few of us had a Dear Jane sewing day last week - I was very happy with my achievements on the day - machine pieced 4 blocks - little curved ones at that - now I have completed all the blocks to make up 3 rows - I might even get cracking over the next few days and sew those rows together - I certainly need some one to push me along with this laong term project.

 

Hows everyone else going with their Dear Jane quilts???????????/

Let me know  Kerry

N is for ----------------

 

These are the gifts I made and sent to Sue for our Friends in Stitching birthday swap - this year we have to make our partner something that starts with the letter of your town - so mine letter was N.

I made - Nellies Needle case with some nice sewing notions, then I included some needles, a note book, a nail file and a nut bar as well as a Nundle card - so glad Sue loved her gift.

 The inside of "Nellie's Needle case"
 The front cover of the Needle case.

It was one of Annie Downs projects at my Girls Day in the Country 2010 - it was fun to make - I just love working with the wool.

Kerry

 

Childrens classes

Year ago I use to teach a weekly kids class - then life just got far to busy. So with school holidays  approaching I decided I would hold some more classes. I just had a small class of 5 young ladies this morning - they all did so well and all made a small draw string bag each.  Didn't they all do well
 

Now to plan next weeks class

Kerry

Busy Busy Weekend

Friday saw my retreat group arrive - they picked their quilts to make - I cut them up ready for Saturday morning - wow they all did a great job, Liz learnt to use the blanket stitch on her machine, Carol has sewn a large border onto her quilt so she can learn needle turn applique, Di made so many tiny blocks for her quilt - Iam sure Anita is going to love it and Kris just about got her quilt top completed - just 3 sides of the border to sew on. Well done ladies and thanks heaps for your cooperation.

 

As well as a small retreat, I also attended the NSW Quilters Guild of NSW's country meeting which was held in Tamworth on Saturday afternoon - it was a great afternoon - the room was filled with quilters from all over - I had been asked to be the Guest Speaker for the meeting - so that was interesting - I really don't feel comfortable talking about me self.

Then on Sunday morning the bus load of quilters from Sydney came out to my store to shop and have morning tea - it was so nice to have them all visit - I know it is a bit of a culture shock - a Patchwork shop stuck in the middle of a paddock - do hope they enjoyed their time with me. I look forward to trying to be involved with the Guild in the future.

Talking of culture shocks - I'am sure you wouldn't find this pet on any other door mat in front of a patchwork shop - this is my poddy calf - Bunt - he is about 9 months old - Beau, who comes most Tuesdays with his mum - loved his ride on Bunt a couple of weeks back. His face looks a bit scared but thats because Bunt is starting to walk off.

 

Who else out there has a different pet???

Thanks for dropping by Kerry