Heirloom Sewing - part 4

This child's dress won this category..can you see why?

Smocking, embroidery, and the fagoting between the two rows of bias on the collar.. oh my. 

Another gorgeous child's dress with lots of lace shaping and emboidery.

 

 

This dress was made by the same person who made the first piece. Incredible smocking and embroidery.

 A darling collar on the gingham check!

 This incredible number in wool was absolutely fabulous!

 See the beautiful piping, smocking and the embroidered cross?

 Darling critters on the smocked inset.

 Love the shaping on the band on the bottom of the dress and sleeves.

Another sweet rendition of blue and white.

 Pink and white always looks so precious. Great embroidery and all the pretty lace.

So much cute smocking!

 A perfect little boy's outfit with the smocked puppies!

 Meticulous pintucks and shaped lace on this bishop dress.

Wouldn't this darling sundress be perfect for any sweet little girl?

A gorgeous batiste confection in blue and white.

What a charming ensemble of jacket and dress. I am sure this sweet girl looks precious in her outfit. Shaped hems, embroidery and many machine stitches make up this cutie.

Thanks so much for dropping in. Your visit humbles me. All garments were participants in the judged exhibition at Martha's Sewing Market in Arlington, TX,

Asparagus with Sun-Dried Tomato Risotto

I am a huge fan of risotto. My husband has resigned himself to his fate.

Asparagus with Sun-Dried Tomato Risotto

 Serves 4

4 cups vegetable stock

1 cup dry white wine

1 Tablespoon olive oil

8 oz. fresh asparagus spears, cooked

3 Tablespoons butter

1 small onion, finely chopped

6 sun-dried tomatoes, thinly sliced*

1/4 cup freshly grated Parmesan or Grana Padano cheese

generous 1 3/8 cups risotto rice

salt and pepper to taste
small leaf or torn into small bits basil

thinly pared lemon rind to garnish

• Bring the stock to a boil in a pan, then reduce the heat and keep simmering gently over low heat while you are cooking the risotto.
• Heat the oil with 2 tablespoons of the butter in a deep pan over medium heat until the butter has melted. Stir in the onion and sun-dried tomatoes, and cook, stirring occasionally, for 5 minutes until the onion is soft and starting to turn golden. Do not brown.
• Reduce the heat, add the rice, and mix to coat in oil and butter. Cook, stirring constantly for 2-3 minutes or until the grains are translucent.
• Add the wine and cook, stirring constantly until it has reduced.
• Gradually add the hot stock, a ladleful at a time. Stir constantly and add more liquid as the rice absorbs each addition. Increase the heat to medium, so that the liquid bubbles. Cook for 20 minutes or until all the liquid is absorbed and the rice is creamy. Season to taste.
• While the risotto is cooking, cut most of the asparagus into pieces about 1 inch long. Keep several spears whole for garnishing the finished dish, if desired. Carefully fold the cut pieces of asparagus into the risotto for the last 5 minutes of cooking time.
• Remove the risotto from the heat and add the remaining butter. Mix well and then stir in the Parmesan or Grana Padano cheese until it melts. Spoon the risotto onto individual serving dishes and garnish with whole spears of asparagus. Sprinkle the lemon rind and basil on top and serve.

*If using sun-dried tomatoes in oil, simply drain them well before slicing. Sun-dried tomatoes from a package must first be soaked in boiling water until they are soft.

 I'm humbled that you gave of your time to come visit. 

I hope it was enjoyable. 

I'm joining Designs by Gollum for Foodie Friday - see ya there! 

Summer tablescapes

www.stylemepretty.com

I'm traveling and I didn't get a table set up before I left. I'm sad about that, but that gives me the opportunity to go "gathering" - you know all around cyber space. Have you done that before?

I've posted a source under each photo. I do hope you will go visit. Should anyone have an issue with my "borrowing" their photo, please email me and I will gladly remove it and it's link.

www.stylemepretty.com

This would just be so much fun at the beach!

http://bijoukaleidoscope.blogspot.com

Love the hint of aqua with all the white. Did you see that bench?

blog.invitingsmiles.com

I think the old wagon type as a table is so much fun.

www.countryliving.com

Love the weathered plank. I am so borrowing copying this.

www.countryliving.com

Ah, to have furniture in shades to blend in with the surroundings sure lets the table shine.

www.countryliving.com

If the backdrop weren't enticing enough, the vivid throws on the chairs certainly invite you to spend some time in this cozy spot.

http://fun.kyti.me/

Gorgeous cloth and all the limes and yellows sure draw you into this scene. Are those dandelions?

House Beautiful

This is just lovely.

http://blog.ctnews.com/connecticutpostings/

Love love love this tablecloth and the yellow plates. Oh and those chairs just set my heart aflame too.

www.southern.living.com

Rustic charm in it's best simplicity.

http://wildthymeflowers.blogspot.com

Lovely colors, lovely setting.

I hope you enjoyed the quick trip through cyber tablescapes. I'll be back next week with some
Outside Elegance.

This evening I'm linking up with Susan's Tablescape Thursday! Be sure to drop in, cya there.
On  Sunday I'll be showing this on Seasonal Sundays at the Tablescaper.. cya there too!