Wednesday 15 October 2014

Back to Work, Making a Blind and Scones






Well I'm back to work and feeling pretty tired, which seems ridiculous.  I work part time and it involves sitting and talking to people.  I suppose it is tiring having to concentrate for hours.

I have also been working on bits at home with renewed enthusiasm.  I would like to get the guest room finished before Xmas but even though I am very tempted to get the paint roller out, I probably shouldn't!  Sooooo frustrating.

I thought I had finished the blind, then decided it looked a bit plain.  I dug out some trim which looked good when pinned on the blind so now I have to take it down again and hand sew the trim.  My usual make it up as I go along usually ends up making things more complicated than it should be.

I don't use a kit for the blinds, they are very DIY but do the job.



The wood fixed to the window with velcro to stick the blind on and hooks for the cords.  I don't paint the wood as you can't see it anyway.




The tapes sewn on with the cord threaded through.




I found these on a market stall which are ideal for the cords




This trim is pinned on, so now I need to to sew it on.



I was asked about the gluten free cheese scones I made the other day.  The recipe is in Everyday Good Food Gluten Free recipes by BBC Books

200g/7 oz gf SR flour, add 2 tsp xanthan gum
1 tsp bicarbonate of soda
50g/2 oz cold butter, cubed
100g/4 oz cheddar grated  (I use strong cheddar)
150ml/1/4 pint buttermilk ( I used ordinary milk)
1 egg beaten

Heat oven to 220c/200c fan/gas 7.

Line a baking sheet with baking parchment.

Sift the flour, bicarb and a pinch of salt in a food processor, then add the butter and blitz until it resembles breadcrumbs.

Tip the mixture into a large bowl, then stir in 85g/3 oz of the cheese.  Add the milk, mixing together with a cutlery knife to form a dough.

Turn out on to a floured surface and lightly bring together quickly, then flatten the dough with your hands to 3cm/1 1/4in thickness.  Using a roughly 6 cm cutter, cut out rounds of the dough, gently rolling any scraps together and re-cutting.

Put the scones on the prepared baking sheet and brush the tops with a little egg.  Scatter over the remaining cheese and bake for 12 - 14 mins until golden.  Eat warm.

I was also asked about the veg pie I made the other evening.  I made it with gluten free pastry.  6 oz gf plain flour, 1 tsp xanthan gum added.  3 oz butter cubed, 1 egg, pinch of salt.  Mix it all together in a food processor adding additional water if needed.   I then wrap in cling film a put it in the fridge to 'rest' for about 30 mins.

Has anyone been watching Cat Watch?  I find it fascinating to see what cats get up to.

Chickpea xx

Welcome to Connie and Creaky Mum






14 comments:

  1. They are beautiful Chickpea. Keep away from the roller though!

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  2. They are very pretty, it is nice to have something unique.

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  3. Wow-the blinds are beautiful and 100% unique. Mmmm! cheese scones, you are making me hungry x

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  4. You are clever- my attempts at home made stuff for the house are really unviewable! x

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  5. I think I need to visit to learn how to make blinds! I need new ones but can't find any I like, making my own is the only way to go. I love those bead tassels, they are just great. Cx

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  6. loving the blind you have inspired me, is it special tape for the blind?

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  7. Very nicely done! And thanks for the scone recipe. Our friends from England have told us about that cat show. It sounds great. :-)

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  8. Thanks everyone, they are easy to make. If I can make them anyone can!

    Yes the tape is for roman blinds, you thread the plastic rods through them horizontally and the cords thread up through them. You can get them in most fabric shops.

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  9. Love the Blinds.
    Thank you so much for the recipe the Scones looked so good. And I was wondering about the vegetable pie but I didn't want to seem greedy !

    cheers, parsnip

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  10. Oh go on - tell me how you make a Venetian blind.

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  11. Well if I really have to Tom, I'll cobble something together, do you want the correct way or the can't be arsed to follow instructions and make it up as I go along version.

    ...and you didn't have to wait for approval

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  12. Love the bling on the blinds, I made mine much the same way as yours except I used thin wood dowel in them, as I could not find any plastic rods, I also lined them to make sure we were warm and snug.

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  13. I love these blinds they look amazing and very expensive, well done. xx

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I love reading your comments and will try to reply to all you lovely people xx Spam will be deleted so don't even bother!