Monday, May 21, 2012

Loaves and stitches

Thanks to all of you who helped me make a decision regarding which backing to go on my Coxcomb and Currants quilt. It really helped me make up my mind. This is the Windham bird toile that I thought would be good but after thinking about shadowing and other things, I decided it would be better saved for another quilt.
I had trouble getting a suitably off white wide back but ended up with this Moda Muslin in warm white. It's a 200 thread count, a bit of a higher thread count than what I'd prefer for hand quilting but it'll do.
As you can see I have basted the quilt and started some hand quilting. You might have to click the photo to see it better.
This won't be done in a hurry, I'm quilting 1/4 inch straight lines in the background. I have to pace myself since after a few evenings of quilting, I was waking in the night with tingling, numb hands. It's being done in the hoop so there's a lot of wrangling happening when going around the circles.
What else has been going on, well I've had some lovely mail from Sarah over at Kit-Bik Quilts. I won her  awesome giveaway of  lots of yummy fabrics including Liberty lawn scraps, taupe Japanese fabrics and Denyse Schmidt's. Thanks Sarah!!
Skip the rest of the post if you want, it's all about my bread making. Ive been baking a whole heap of bread, mostly sourdough and the starter is going so well that I decided to rename bubbles. What a prissy name anyway. He shall now be called Chuck after Chuck Norris cause he's just as strong.
I've turned into a major bread head and I've started to experiment a bit more. This one is spelt and quinoa flakes. Makes me feel healthy just saying it. The ancient grains are making a big comeback, have you noticed?
I make up my own formulas and recipes now and love this fig and walnut loaf with a bit of honey, wholemeal flour and cinnamon. It's delicious with cheese.
I made two different Tuscan schiaccatas with some dried yeast yesterday.
Buffalo mozzarella, basil and sweet cherry tomatoes. I like it better than pizza.
The seedless grape with raw sugar and olive oil, otherwise known as schiacciata con l'uva.
thanks for visiting, till next time, Janet

55 comments:

Shirley said...

Oh Janet I am so in awe of your quilting. It really is competition prize winning stuff and I know you don't enter your quilts in shows but that one is definitely a show stopper. Hope those pins and needles settle down and that bread looks divine.

Oops-Lah said...

My mouth is watering looking at your fig and walnut bread. I used to buy a fig and anise sees bread at an artisan bakery in Shanghai and I've been "lusting" after it ever since we've moved. It never crossed my mind that I could try to make it myself. But why not? I will definitely give it a go.
And your quilting fairly take my breath away!

Salley said...

Good thing I'm about to eat dinner . . or I'd have to find some nibbles . . after salivating over your post.

Quilting is so lovely. Shame about the tingles.

dutchcomfort said...

I’ve never seen such exquisite handquilting before and if I did, it must have been on your blog!

antique quilter said...

oh I am just loving the way your hand quilting this heirloom quilt! beautiful. It amazes me how much texture the quilting is adding. must be fun watching the quilt come to life even more with each section you complete.
enjoy the process no rush!
Kathie

Heather said...

Your quilting is beautiful, and coming along so quickly. Nice bread too, it looks delish!

Susan said...

Your quilting is simply stunning! I am glad you chose the plain backing...it will show up hand quilting skills perfectly!

Anonymous said...

I really enjoy your post, thank you for sharing.
Bread and quilt awesome

Annemieke said...

I like your quilting a lot. This will be a very beautiful quilt I think. I love watching it every time I Look at your weblog/pictures. The bread pictures are also very good, like from a good cookbook.
Groetjes
Annemieke

susis quilts said...

hi janet,your quilting looks fantastic,have a nice week,susi

Rachaeldaisy said...

Janet, When I saw your beautiful quilt I made a wish and sent it out to the universe - that I may be lucky enough to see this quilt in real life one day. Your bread making adventures made my mouth water.. I love the look of the tomato, basil and mozerella together, the colours of your quilt!

Anonymous said...

Your quilt has me smitten. What a beautiful job you have done! And the bread looks Yummy too!

Susan said...

The quilting that you are doing is absolutely beautiful! What an amazing quilt it's going to be once it's finished!

Your bread looks wonderful! Nothing better than homemade bread hot out of the oven...mmm!

Jayne Honnold said...

What a labor of love with your quilting! Quite impressive!! I can just imagine how tingly your fingers are!

I must compliment you on your bread, too! Looks so scrumptious!

Cheri said...

The quilt is going to be a classic, very beautiful. The bread making looks like fun. I have a great wine that would go with the basil, tomatoe, pizza...hop on over the Pacific and we could sit on the porch and enjoy. Happy Stitching Janet!

Fischtown Lady said...

Your exquisite quilting is so beautiful. I can never stop look on it. Your bread looks so yummy.

Greetings, Marita

Deborah OHare said...

I just had to comment on your clever post title. I have just made some bread dough. Hope it turns out as nice as yours.

Pinkadot Quilts said...

I think you will be happy with the backing that you chose. It would be a shame if it shadowed through.

That bread looks so good. Do you put the basil on after you bake it?

Jess @ Scrappy n Happy said...

Your quilting is devine! It is going to be one fabulous quilt!
Your breads look so yummy!

Blog editor said...

Oh Janet - I am slow! I read your post several hours ago, just flashed by it again in Google Reader, and the penny dropped about the cleverness of your title ... I like both your loaves and stitches very much! Jill

Lynn said...

Your post was full of eye candy! Everything looks either beautiful or delicious!

Marie said...

You are a girl after my own heart - quilts AND home made bread. Both are works of art!

Martha said...

This is going to be another amazing heirloom quilt. I am completely in awe of your applique and gorgeous quilting, and I'm looking forward to watching your progress.

I am so sorry to hear about your hand. Tingling and numbness are some of the first signs of Carpal Tunnel problems. You might want to wear a wrist brace at night which will keep your wrist straight, preventing the numbness and, hopefully, the progression of the problem. I always wear one at night when I am quilting, and it really helps.

Darlene said...

That's it - when I grow up I want to be YOU. You simply amaze me and leave in constant awe.

The breads look so yummy.

Nedra said...

You have certainly continued on with your amazing talent with bread making,too. Oh my! Such delicious offerings! Your kind of pizza looks like my kind of pizza.

Janet said...

Your quilting is so very lovely. 1/4 inch spaced lines is a commitment :0) It's going to be fabulous! Does it ever make the trapunto pop! Tingling, numb hands - oh dear that's no good. Your schiaccatas look SO yummy - I've never heard of them before. I'm going to look for a recipe to try.

Anonymous said...

Your quilting is amazing. It is going to be a rare beauty when your done. All the time it takes you will be worth it in the end. Remember, perfection takes time and it will be perfection to all that look on it. So happy for you and glad your pleased with your background choice. I still love the toiles, can't wait to see what quilt you use it on. Have a great day and don't get carpal tunnel.

Barb said...

The quilting is stunning Janet.
Oh, that bread is absolutely beautiful!

Mary said...

I've been baking bread for a long long time but you've passed me by miles! These look fantastic. I wish I was close enough to pop over for a taste test.

regan said...

What a fabulous post! Your gorgeous quilting.....a real treat to see! And those breads are so yummy looking! Awesome!

Taryn said...

I can see you are just as good at bread as you are at quilting. The basil, cheese tomato version makes me want to try some bread making of my own. Your sourdough looks better than the loaves I pay $5 for at the market near me. And that quilt! Personally, I think your decision to use the plain back was the right one. Clearly, the quilt thinks so too.

audrey said...

love your punny post title! beautiful, beautiful hand quilting on what is clearly going to be a fabulous quilt.

YankeeQuilter said...

Your quilting is amazing...and your breads make me hungry! I started making breads again last year when a loaf of sourdough went over $4...

Julia said...

You are amazing Janet...quilting, and baking bread...
Both the quilt and bread would be worthy of ribbon prizes in any show..
I must pass on your bread making pics to my chef son..
Julia ♥

Molly said...

I'm so glad you chose the plain backing. It would be a shame to have your beautiful stitches hidden in that beautiful print. No need for both at once.
I'm drooling after the breads too. A woman of many talents! Not the least of which is producing gorgeous babies. Thanks.

Cherry's Prairie Primitives said...

Everything looks sooo delicious!!

FlourishingPalms said...

Your dedication to that fine quilting is simply amazing. But for all the work you put into creating the top, I wouldn't expect anything less from you. You're amazing and I'm predicting this quilt will be a big winner in a quilt show. I will enjoy seeing the finish, though perhaps not quite as much as you will! LOL

Your breads look scrumptious! You're right, they do sound healthy. Where do you buy such exotic grains? And how do you even know what to bake? Are you following a recipe? Or making these up? I've never heard of schiaccatas, but they sound Italian.

Dixie Howard said...

Its hard to know what to comment on first - I feel a bit overwhelmed with the beauty of your post but have come back to read it about three times! Ok, the quilt wins out - just gorgeous and so pleased that you are giving it its due by hand quilting it. The schiaccatas look amazing - I have tried grape, olive oil and coarse salt focaccia before, and it was wonderful. Love the taste and aroma of any bready, cheesy, tomatoey, basily combination - yours looks delicious. Bravo Janet!

Dar said...

Your quilt is just beautiful. I'm glad you went with the muslin backing as I felt the red might show through on your other choice. Your quilting will show up SO MUCH better too and it should show up -- you are an expert hand quilter.

Now, I am a bread person and I must ask -- did you write down any of your "experiments" for the delicious bread you teased us with? If so, I'd like to see how you make the schiacciata con l'uva. I also love honey, wholemeal and cinnamon flavors and that sounds like a great breakfast bread. Thx.

Nic said...

Mmmm, you're making me want to start baking bread again:)

Annemart Berendse said...

Do I love your quiltwork! I am the same as you are. Rather 1/4inch grid than too little quilting! Take your time. It's a path, not a racing track.;-)
And I love your bread, can almost smell it from here! I would love to taste the one with grapes. The other ones I can imagine the taste, but this one... Love it!

Sarah said...

You're welcome Janet! So glad you like your prize. :-)
Your bread looks AMAZING by the way. Yum!!!

kim mclean said...

OK, I'm coming to lunch!! Bread looks fantastic, and the quilt looks awesome, a lot of work there Janet! Kim McL

Lina said...

Oh Janet your AMAZING! Beautiful stitches, and yummy breads!!!

Abby and Stephanie said...

You have proven that a post can be gorgeous AND delicious at once. I will never tire of seeing your applique and hand quilting combination. Truly spectacular work and such attention to every detail. Bread -- I could live on it. I'm sure they are as tasty as the look.

Sew Create It - Jane said...

All those breads look so delicious! I love making my own and haven't really dabbled in different flours... bet they make delicious loaves!

Mary said...

Oh Janet your quilting is amazing! Simply amazing!!! And now I am hungry....when is dinner??

Cardygirl said...

Love your hand quilting progress...and that bread looks amazing!

Pat said...

Would never skip a word on your blog, Janet - there is always so much to take in and learn from you...the quilting is coming along as beautiful as we knew it would...the plain backing will serve you well & only add to the gorgeous texture you are creating...

As for those breads...right up my alley!!! I had never tried anything with spelt flour until a trip to Italy...now my local Mennonite store carries it in bulk :o)It's a toss up - creating with fabric or creating breads...you have done beautifully on both levels!

Terry said...

You definitely made the right choice with the plain backing. Your quilting looks fabulous! And your breads look so yummy! :0)

Sujata Shah said...

Janet,
I don't know if I should drool over the quilt first or the breads? Oh they both are so yummy, delicious and something only you can do!
I love your slow paced hand stitching. I have quilted one quilt that densely, there is no way but to take it slow.
And bread, I am so hungry just looking at these pictures. I have been up since three int he morning and have had only a cup of tea. Bread-head.. I like that name... I am going to borrow it for a day for myself since that's the only thing I can think about at this moment!

Loretta said...

Oh my gosh, I am drooling over your mozzarella/tomato bread. I thought your quilting was amazing, but you can cook too. What a woman!
But seriously, you are quite inspirational. (recipe to follow?)

imquilternity said...

Your breads look so delicious! But, I think the one that sounds the best is the schiaccatas with the mozarella, basil and tomatoes. Wish I was there to taste it with you! I haven't made bread for ages but I think I may have to do it in the coming weeks. It is fun!

mariarosaria said...

Che meraviglia: anch'io faccio quilt e anch'io faccio ilò pane con il lievito madre!!!! Bellissimo! Complimenti!!!!!!!Vieni a vedere il mio!

Ivory Spring said...

Oh gosh, Janet - you don't waste anytime, do you??? Love your quilting, and your bread.