My Slow Stitch Progress & Mail Surprise

 Good morning Sunday,

  I have been slow stitching on my first bag, and am enjoying it so far. Nothing planned out til I start on a new block of my hand dyed fabrics.

   Some of the threads I am using are hand dyed variegated DNC embroidery threads that were a gift from one of my slow mail friends. I really like them a lot, so found out who the artist was and just ordered her Rockies collection.

  I finished that blue block first and last couple of days working on the rust dyed piece.

     I decided I did not want to stitch over the heavier rust dyed areas so stitching around those.

Photos will enlarge for better viewing

  There are some white chalk lines still showing up on the blue block

I really like these pins-they stay in place while handling the fabric when stitching. The straight pins would be coming out and stabbing me as well haha. These are special safety pins as they don't have that big curl on the bottom which would damage the fabrics-these lay flat and if that rounded end goes into the fabric-not an issue.

ooops I should have turned the photos on the next two as that will be the direction on the finished bag

This one below is the variegated hand dyed thread, as is the threads in the blue dyed block  I had started stitching this first to see how the threads would look on the orange-I like it-then decided I needed to stitch up the rust dyed block below it first

I just love getting slow mail and surprises in my mailbox-don't your??

  This handmade card is from Deb--I love it!!  I am enjoying it on the mantel with my gnomes

Update  around 1 pm  just finished the rust dyed block-  am happy with it

Peanut Brittle

   I have not made a batch of peanut brittle in a couple of years. I love it but my stomach sadly does not.

It is a fun candy to make, I buy a large bag of peanuts from the Amish grocery store every several years or so. I  make it now for one of our friends who also works for us when we need projects done.

  He is driving several hours away to pick up an outdoor lift for  Larry-he has a spot to put it next to the rock wall that will take him up to the top-and into his new electric chair-made for outdoor use.

  So I thought I would surprise our friend  when he gets back today, with a batch of peanut brittle his favorite.

 The last time I made it in the microwave-I still use a thermometer as only way to know if it gets to 300 degrees F or not. It turned out really good that way

  Last week it was a total failure-it would not get up to temperature so that was a toss in the garbage it went.. I could not remember which bowl I used last time so I think I used a bowl too large. . 

    So I looked around online for another recipe-and perfect he suggested getting a 2 quart Pyrex  I found an anchor hocking brand made in the USA   Happy dance! good results this time. The other tip I read was to use the instant read thermometer instead of those bulky candy thermometers-why didn't I think of that??? so much easier.

  I have a marble slab that Larry rescued from demolition back when he was in his 20's still in Chicago at that time  Perfect for candy making I also make my chocolate barks on this marble.

We will be back in the 90's this weekend 

 Enjoy your weekend