Happy New Year!
This month's header is from the knitted wreath which I finished just in time to hang for the holidays in 2018. I can see that, thanks to my sore shoulder, I'm going to be short of real photos for headers this year.
I can't believe that I, a knitter, stamped the needles the wrong way in this sheep's hands - I ascribe it to tiredness. But I liked the meadow background.
This next one is a canvas, about 9 inches by 6. I added a hanging loop before gifting it, but I like it and will probably make it again for myself.
The butterfly is vellum. I love adding Stickles - it cockles the vellum and adds both shape and strength.
A new illustrator for Purple Onion Stamps, I couldn't resist a couple of these little animals from Julian Charlton. They reminded me a lot of the black and white illustrations in the Moomin books - a childhood favourite which I am slowly collecting again in the special editions.
This month's header is from the knitted wreath which I finished just in time to hang for the holidays in 2018. I can see that, thanks to my sore shoulder, I'm going to be short of real photos for headers this year.
I can't believe that I, a knitter, stamped the needles the wrong way in this sheep's hands - I ascribe it to tiredness. But I liked the meadow background.
This next one is a canvas, about 9 inches by 6. I added a hanging loop before gifting it, but I like it and will probably make it again for myself.
The butterfly is vellum. I love adding Stickles - it cockles the vellum and adds both shape and strength.
A new illustrator for Purple Onion Stamps, I couldn't resist a couple of these little animals from Julian Charlton. They reminded me a lot of the black and white illustrations in the Moomin books - a childhood favourite which I am slowly collecting again in the special editions.
We were expecting a friend of C's for the day on Boxing Day - but like so many, he was sick and unable to travel. I scaled down the dinner menu - ditching the starter which was going to be a green bean salad from The French Laundry, and substituting Thai rice for the dauphine potatoes (which I had really been looking forward to), but having already taken the duck out of the freezer I was committed to it. And having spare real, homemade, custard in the fridge from an ice-cream making session, I was also semi-committed to the Chocolate Fondant desserts - I can't remember the last time I made those. I halved the recipe, to make four, and we had them oven-fresh two days in a row - as you can keep them in the fridge quite well for a day before cooking.
The duck with Asian-style plums recipe was a new one from Diana Henry's From the Oven to the Table. So far everything I've tried from it has been a success, though C says he thinks the sausages baked with apples, blackberry (and maple syrup if I remember correctly) would be nicer with couscous than the suggested potato.
That wreath,I'm sure I told you, is a stunner. So glad to see it again in your header. Your cards are stunning too. I love the diversity of your creativity - always trying new things and perfecting others. Your meal sounds (and looks) truly delicious. Happy New Year!
ReplyDeleteWow on the wreath! And you know I appreciate knitted things! That's is just amazing...I have been sitting here just looking at it wishing I could see the whole thing...
ReplyDeleteThe cards as always are very pretty. I like the joy in the hedgie-you know I am a fan...and that book like one next is so cool...
And look at your snoopy hanging stockings! So fun!
Oh boy on the food! C is so lucky to have you...such wonderful things coming out of your kitchen!
Great start for the new year!
hugs Margot