Welcome to the Moda Country Fair Blog Hop, Cosmo Cricket day!!!
For those of you visiting our blog for the first time, allow me to make introductions. I'm Julie, the Mia Farrow-from-Rosemary's-Baby look-a-like. I design most of our patterns, think up product ideas like Glübers and do the majority of the rambling here on the blog.
I am married to Eric, Will Schuester look-a-like. He is an illustrator and designer. I use his illustrations in a lot of my work and he designs some patterns too. He is super talented but prefers to stay in the background.
Lindsay is our business partner, close friend and surrogate uncle to our kids. He is best at giving away free stuff and making everyone laugh and he has the super easy job of representing Eric and me, our art and our products. Lindsay has been accused of not just looking like Steve Carell, but if you have ever seen The Office, then you kind of know what he sounds like too!
OK, enough of introductions, let's get onto the fair!!! We'll start at the art show.... it was always my favorite spot because as a kid, my mom entered at least one of my paitings every year.
Now, let's move on to the local produce. These tomatoes may not win for size, but I think for color they are a show stopper!
This is a simple sewing project that is very quick and easy to do. Here's all it takes:
1. Cut a rectangle on the bias that is twice as long as it is wide. For example, 2" x 4" or 2.5" x 5". Mine are as big as 3" x 6" and as tiny as 1.5" x 3".
2. Fold this in half, with right sides together and sew the short end.
3. Use a running stitch to gather the bottom opening. Pull it tightly closed and knot off.
4. Fill your soon to be tomato with stuffing.
5. Use a running stitch to gather the top opening. As you pull this in, use your little finger or knitting needle, etc, to push the raw edges into the tomato. Gather tightly and knot off.
6. Cut a topper from felt. You can use the below pattern, but really it's super simple to just cut a small square and trim away little triangles until you have a similar shape. (I don't know how to size this, but obviously it is way too big here. You are looking for about a 1" size, so shrink this down accordingly.)
7. Stitch top to tomato using embroiderly floss. Start by knotting your floss to the underside of the topper. Take the thread up, make a loop using your finger as a placeholder, bring your needle back down and knot on the underside again leaving the loop on the top side. Now, stitch all the way throught the tomato from top to bottom, pulling tightly enough to squish the tomato slightly. Knot off.
After you make up these little cuties, here's some ideas of what to do with them. Line a cuff bracelet blank with coordinating Circa 1934 paper and glue a tomato to the top for a wearable wrist pincushion.
Even cuter, but not quite as practical is to glue a tiny one to a ring base.
Use them to top jars containing crafty gifts. I love to find vintage and/or interestingly shaped jars for things like this... and who doesn't love buttons???
Here's an old Alka-Seltzer jar, it fits crochet hooks perfectly.
Although I don't have an example, I can imagine these tomatoes being super fun glued into wreaths and centerpieces for fall.
Does talking about tomatoes make you hungry? Well I have a great recipe for them, but first please read the following:
WARNING: The consumption of recipes developed, cooked or otherwise affected by Julie Comstock could result in stomach upset, facial grimmacing and skinny family members. Years of scientific study have found a link between Eric's slimness and Julie's cooking.... since Julie lives on chocolate, she has remained un-affected. Please proceed at your own risk!
Ok, it's true, I'm more infamous than famous for my cooking. But, this recipe is so easy that even I can't mess it up!
Rich and Creamy Tomato Basil Soup
2 cans of diced tomatoes with garlic, undrained (You can use fresh tomatoes. The original recipe called for four, seeded, peeled and diced.... way too much work for me!)
2 cans tomato sauce
1 tomato sauce can of water
14 leaves fresh basil (At least! You can use dried basil, just use a ton of it!)
1 can evaporated milk
1/4 Cup butter
1 splash basalmic vinegar
Salt and pepper to taste
Put the tomatoes, tomato sauce, water and basil in the pot. Bring it to a simmer. Add the evaporated milk, butter and vinegar. Blend it until smooth (I use a hand mixer right in the pot). That's it.
Last but not least, state fairs are known for games and prizes. We can't spin a wheel, or toss rings, but if you leave a comment here on the blog, we'll enter you into a contest to win this:
Check back here tomorrow when we will announce the winner! Good luck everyone and thanks for dropping by. A special thanks to Lily Ashbury Designs for sending you all here! Please visit Kate Spain's blog tomorrow for the next stop at the fair!
