NEW YARN

These are a few of my animal friends.

 

They have something to tell you.....

 

Well, I didn't forget the double-pointed needles (DPNs).

 

I went to two stores, both did not have the 3.25mm size I needed.

 

So I will have to go back in a few weeks.

 

And when I do, I will visit the yarn section too.

 

I'm sure these animal friends would be very keen
to update you if I do buy more yarn, which is a real possibility :-)
 

~Ema N~

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FOOD ~ PAPADAM

 

Q asked if I made the papadam in this post about the vegetable curry.

 

No, I used packaged ones from the supermarket.

 

The small pack is fifty cents and has 20 papadams.

 

The medium size is a dollar.

 

 

I put one papadam into a Japanese grill thing (top right),

 hold it over the gas flame, flip the grill so both sides of the papadam are “cooked”.

 

At first, it looks like nothing is happening

 then it starts to "balloon" and before you know it, it's done.

 

The first few will get burnt till you get the hang of it.

 

I find packaged papadam salty.

So I don't add salt when cooking the curry.

 

And I limit myself to only two small ones or one medium.

Oh, there are different "flavours" of papadam.
Some are made with cumin seeds, others with pepper etc
the range is bewildering.

I just try different ones each time.

 

~Ema N~

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MATCHSTICK FLOWER BROOCHES

The theme for Le Challenge this month is “Wood”.

 

I thought I'd give it a go but with self-imposed limits.

 

 No new purchases allowed, use existing materials and tools only.

 

And it must be done in three hours ---

the time it takes to boil the herbal chicken soup I'm making for lunch.

 

The soup pot went on the stove at 8am and I got started.

 

These were the only wood things in the house that could be used:

 

I sawed off the burnt end of the matchstick using a knife with a serrated edge.

 

Looking at the wooden stick, I immediately thought of a flower...

the kind little kids like to draw.

 

I have beads, crimp end cap and fine gauge wire to make stick flowers.

Here's where I got stuck. What is it going to be?

A hairpin? A pendant? What?!

I couldn't resolve it.

 

The clock was ticking away.......

 

I turned down the gas so the soup would cook on a very slooow simmer.

 

Then out of the blue, I got it!

 

A single flower bouquet.

 

 

Cream coloured ribbon as the “paper wrap”,

a green ribbon tie and a brooch pin sewn on the back.

 

Done!

 

Four hours and ten minutes.
 

It was a morning well spent.

 

:-)

 

~Ema N~

Linking up with Le Challenge.


 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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 SLOW SEWING

Workmen are in the house, hacking, drilling, hammering.

 

Sigh.

 

I don't like this.

 

"If you can't beat them, join them".

 

So I took out my tools: scissors, needle/thread, templates

 and got to work too!

This is something on my to-do list.

 

I had it all prepped and ready.

 

Actually, I'm glad the workmen came.

 

I have the day off and can start on this.

Unexpected sewing time!

I was just whining earlier this week
 that I haven't done hand-sewing for a while.



This is therapeutic.

 

I like the slow-ness of it.

 

"Slow" is a hint of what I'm making.

 

No rushing this one.

***

UPDATE
June 9

It's done and I love it so!

 See what I made here!
 

 

~Ema N~

 

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I WILL MAKE THESE ONE DAY

 

Oh, I want to make this little log cabin pouch

from Shizuko Kuroha's book, "Log Cabin Restructured"!

 

I really do!

 

The use of colour and the way it modernises the look

of a traditional block appeals to me.

 

 The centre is tiny - 1cm square, everything is hand-sewn and -quilted.

 

I want to make this little dumpling pouch too.

 

It's a log cabin square set on the diagonal.

 

Like the sloping lines very much!

 

 

 These two pouches have been on my mind since I saw them yesterday.

 I have not done any hand-sewing since this tiny quilt and

 want to -- need to -- have needle and thread in my hands again soon.

 

But I cannot start another project till others are finished and

why do I need more pouches?

 

I've decided to be rational and not do anything.

 

I've written about them here because one day, I will make them.

 

~Ema N~

 
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SPRING NECKLACE

Many butterflies in the park these few days.
They are a delight to watch.
 

I had a strong feeling that I absolutely must have a spring necklace.

So went straight home to make one.

What I had in mind was something
with a butterfly flitting towards flowers.

 

And here it is...
wore it straight away, while still in my exercise t-shirt!

~Ema N~

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HARVEST TIME

 

The capsicum has turned completely red.

 

I'm thrilled.

 

Does this mean it can be harvested?

 

Or should I wait a few more days?

 

The fruit is about the same size as when I first showed it to you in this post.

 

It just got a bit rounder.

 

 

The Basil is doing well.

 

Can you smell the fragrance?

 

It wafts into the house when there is a strong breeze.

 

:-)
 

~Ema N~

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FOOD



 Home-cooked vegetable curry with rice and cumin papadum.

 

Read a few recipes, watched a few videos, then did my own thing.

 

It was my first ever try.

I thought it might be intimidating and was prepared to fail. 
But it turned out well.
 

The only adjustment I'd make is add more spices the next time.

 

This is a versatile dish.

I used cauliflower here.

Brinjal, ladies' fingers, peas would do as well.

Even add fish for a non-veg version.

 

Other things I made/ate at home in April...
 

Clockwise starting from top left is roasted beetroot* and arugula salad,

pasta with tomatoes marinated with garlic, balsamic vinegar, macadamia nut oil,

apple and yoghurt with a sprinkle of cinnamon powder,

barley with a slice of lime,

papaya with lime.

 

*Roasting beetroot takes forever! One hour in the oven!

This takes planning.

Next time, I'll roast a few at one go and keep in the fridge.

Roasted tastes much better, so I'll do it.

The aim is to reduce takeaways/convenience food, eating out.

This is a big step for me as I don't enjoy cooking.

~Ema N~


Update: see how I make the papadam for the vegetable curry here.

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TATTING: BOOKMARK

This is for someone who has lived with uncertainty,
fear and grief for the past 13 months.

 

It goes on.

 

I am too far away to be of practical help (we live in different countries).
 

I don't know what to say.
 

At this time, I'm grateful I can turn to crafting...to tatting.

 

Hope this will bring solace

and convey the message I and other friends care.

 

~Ema N~
 

Pattern from "The Complete Book of Tatting" by Rebecca Jones

 

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