TAST week 14 ~ satin stitch

 

 i have been so very hungry for spring greens lately~! not just the pretty flowering kind but crunchy green romaine, tiny spring onions,  fluffy sprouts~!
since i'm doing my own cooking now (:-D) i decided to make myself some lettuce rolls with the above ingredients. once i had layered it all into those lovely romaine 'boats' i drizzled a homemade balsamic vinaigrette over the mix and floated them right into my mouth.
mmmmmmmmmmm, so very good.
i recommend several of these a day to anyone with the same craving. make them the main course or use them as a side dish. eat them as snacks. eat them as desert. breakfast lunch AND dinner~!
the 'filling' can easily be tailored to just about any vegetable as long as it's cut up into small enough pieces and you WILL feel better. i promise.
if you don't have these ingredients in the fridge go get them. do not pass go. do not collect $200. just go get them. maybe you even live somewhere where you can pick them fresh right out of your garden . . .

i'll share my simple vinaigrette recipe with you:

1/4 cup balsamic vinegar
1 tbsp dijon mustard
1 tbsp honey
a clove of garlic (i press mine through a garlic presser)
salt and pepper to taste

1/2 cup (scant)  olive oil

mix the first group of ingredients into a small jar or container with a tight fitting lid. put the lid on and give it a good shake.
add the olive oil in three separate 'doses' and give that container a good shake after every addition. this is best at room temperature but will store in the fridge for a few days.
always give it a good shake before each use.

enjoy


there was no stitch given for week 13. it was a catch up week for those who needed it. as it turned out last week was so insanely busy for me that i was happy to count that as a blessing.
the stitch for week 14 with TAST is the satin stitch.

i don't use the satin stitch very much because i'm not very good at it. i'm not very good at it because i don't use it very much.
this one is all about practice.



it's fairly simple to do but if you don't work carefully it just looks sloppy. 

i've gotten a bit better while practicing/using it this week but i am uncomfortable showing these ultra macro shots of my work.


however, i LOVE what i came up with and as a whole it doesn't look too bad. after all, most of us don't have microscopic sight~!


i used anchor pearl cotton (sz 8) to stitch the lights and aurifil lana (12/2) to stitch the cord. i used the pearl cotton (sz 8) to stitch the prongs at the end of the cord.


i'll be adding more to my string of lights but as this one is fairly time consuming i'm showing what is completed for now.

these are on the wonderful husband's stocking.
it always seems like he is the one who gets stuck untangling those strings of christmas tree lights every year. poor guy.

there are several fun and well done examples of the satin stitch shown within the comments section of the week 14 post on Pin Tangle.   

i found a beautifully done castle  (!!!!) using the satin stitch this week as well as a whimsical flower garden, a beautiful sunset and a fabulous three tiered cake that really does look good enough to eat~!

there are some really great imaginations and creative hands enjoying this TAST challenge~!

recent gifts include:

• spring greens in the kitchen and on the table 
• spring greens in the garden (wait until you see the next post's 'featured' photo)
• a really tasty vinaigrette

if you haven't entered my giveaway yet and you would like to try to win a few of my photo art note cards click here.

i will draw a winner on april 9th.