It has been so nice to be working in my sewing room this week, and to step back into a more normal routine. Jacob is now pretty well settled into his school life and seeming to like it very much. Elwood and I are enjoying those few hours everyday with one another, and it has been wonderful to spend alone time with my youngest babe.
Being completely self-taught in sewing, I often feel like I spend a lot of time trying to learn things that most sewers know like the back of their hand. Lately I have been working on pieces that expand my knowledge, or just give me the opportunity to think outside the box.
With Mother’s Day coming up, I had decided to make myself a Mama’s Bag from Amanda Soule’s Handmade Home. I had been eying the bag since the moment the book came out, and everything just fell into place yesterday for me to make it. I chose to keep the body of the bag just as it is in the pattern, but I wanted to make the straps just a little differently. I found a set of metal rings in my sewing box, and chose to place those on the side of the bag. Using the rings gives the bag a funky look, which is something I was in the mood for.
While it might not seem like much, just being able to look at a pattern and know how to adapt it is super cool to me. I am starting to feel like an independent sewer who can look around and see something that catches my eye, and then recreate it to fit who I am.
A girlfriend of mine is throwing a brunch and munch (honestly, no idea how those words became popular together) for our homeschooling group on Friday, and she asked if I had an entree that might work for cooking for a large number, but that kept her out of the kitchen.
One of my favorite brunch foods has to be baked eggs, and it is a handy dish to prepare if you have company hovering around the kitchen. The eggs can be baked in individual ramekin or gratin dishes, and they are the perfect way to pop each person’s breakfast into the oven, and not have to stand at a stove through the entire party. It is also the perfect dish for my husband and kids to make on special days, since the love of my life really has not a clue on how to cook anything more than a burrito.
Getting together with friends is one of the biggest joys, and having an easy meal to share is a must. Hope you enjoy!
Baked Herbed Eggs with Tomatoes
1 gratin dish or ramekin.
3 eggs per gratin dish, 2 per ramekin
1 tbsp. freshly chopped herbs
1/2 tomato
bread crumb (I made them from day old gluten free bread).
Havarti dill or Parmesan cheese
Butter
Place a dab of butter into a gratin or ramekin dish. Top with 4 slices of tomato (2 for the ramekin). Using a baking tray, place each dish under the broiler for around 5-7 minutes. While that is cooking, crack each of your eggs with out breaking the yolk. Place the eggs over the tomatoes and butter, and top with fresh herbs and Parmesan or Havarti dill cheese
Put back under the broiler until the whites are just set.
{ 34 comments… read them below or add one }
I've been thinking and wondering about what to make for Mother's day and I think baked eggs will definitely show up at brunch! Yum!!! I need to head to the fabric store and find some hardware like you used in those bags–I love the look!!
That bag is great, I like the rings and long strap. Glad to hear things are going well.
such a pretty bag! those baked eggs sound so good. i'm bookmarking this recipe. thanks!
Oh, wow, I love the bag, and the colors are beautiful! Glad school is going well, and that you have been a sewing lady!
The baked eggs look delicious! I'll definitely be trying those.
Love the bag. It looks fabulous!
The baked eggs sound great, and I love the addition of the metal rings on that bag.
The bag you've created is gorgeous and I love your 'funky' twist…..the colours remind me of peppermint and pistachio. Also being a constant self taught sewer myself you've certainly giving me much inspiration.
I'm glad Jacob is settling in…I was only wondering only this morning how it was all going.
take care and thank you Heather,
Nina xxxxx
that bags has a whole new look with the strap and metal rings. Nice going! I I working my way through teaching myself to sew, too, but find my self stumped all too often. The baked eggs would be something the husbands of the world can pull off!
Love the bag. I'm amused by your description of yourself as a sewer because I personally look to you as one of my sewing icons.
Glad to hear that school is going well!
Lovely, lovely spring purses there! And I am definitely picking up some extra eggs at the Farmer's Market Saturday morning to try that recipe…. yum!
So glad to hear things are settling for you guys! <3 That is is wonderful! You always inspire me with your sewing creations.
More goodness coming out of your sewing room!! I am so glad you're settling into a routine.
Hopefully we'll experience some of that around here
yes, yes!! For the longest time I struggled with how to adapt patterns to items I already owned and then suddenly, it all started to come together. It's just the coolest feeling, isn't it?
Have I told you how much I enjoy your postings? I don't always leave comments but today I think you deserve a big pat on the back. I'm envious of your determination to expand your sewing horizons, try new things and grow. Even though my mom was a home ec teacher, I'm pretty much a self-taught sewer myself. You've given me motivation to try new things. Hats off to you!
I'm currently exploring sewing more myself. I have the same 'training' as you, sounds like. My mother endowed me with a certain 'learn as you go' type thing, but I think i'd enjoy it more if I knew going in–learning as you go can be VERY time consuming. I've been thinking about a class lately…and that egg dish sounds terrific! We surely have an abundance in the egg department, this would be a great thing to feed guests.
Cute bag, Heather. My sewing machine should arrive today!! Then I can join you on these sewing pursuits!
I have also enjoyed making some of those bags from Soulemama. What a great idea with the rings!
So happy to hear you are getting settled into your new rhythm and all is well.
Warm wishes.
Wasn't the "Mama Bag" so fun to make?! I am lovin' your straps, nice work. Have a Happy Mother's Day!
applause for your sewing and baking…the bags and the eggs look wonderful. I like the idea of baking eggs and not having to stand by the skillet all morning too…do you think you could do the eggs without the tomatoes in the bottom. I would love them, but my kids…not so much. Thanks heather….I've been so busy this week it's so great to stop by and see what you've had going on. And I'm so glad things are going well with Jacob in school.
The bags look terrific – really like the rings as you've done them. And the eggs look delicious. So glad to hear that Jacob is enjoying his school, and things seem to be settling in the family. Have a great weekend!
I've been wanting to make a bag for myself…and I love your ring idea! Thanks for the inspiration. And those eggs look delicious–thank you for sharing your recipe. I have one question, though…where do the bread crumbs fit in? Are they just sprinkled on top? It looks that way in your picture…that yummy, yummy looking picture…but I'm not sure. Thanks!
…lovely! From one self taught seamstress to another, give yourself a pat on the back! Also, I am enjoying the light and lovely spring vibe you are sharing ! thanks!
Heather your bag is just so lovely. Self taught sewing is to be admired…I would never have guessed! I desperately need a new Mama bag!
Loving the sound of your fudge recipe below too…tell me is suncrunch peanut butter?? Yum.
I would have thought you were a pro sewing mama given all of the amazing things you create! I love your bag. The rings make it so snazzy.
Lisa
oh. my. goodness. I just adore that bag, I loooove the fabric, I love the ribbon, I love the detail. You are way beyond self taught, my dear! Lovely job!
I'm so glad Jacob has settled in so nicely. Your sewing is beautiful and I love the rings. The bag is so fantastic. I've been eyeing that for awhile myself. I just have to get past this graduation and then I'll be sewing again.
this looks delicious. your blog always makes me smile.
I love the bag you have made, the fabric is wonderful! I would also like to be doing more sewing during our winter months:) Thank you for the amazing recipe, it does look yummy!
Warmly
Linda
Beautiful bag Heather, and as usual I admire your choice of fabrics and how you match contrasting colors.
That bag is so pretty. And those eggs…HOLY YUM!
I wish I had your yard, it always looks so pretty.
Your bag is gorgeous! Great job! I am still feeling like a novice at sewing. I feel like I spend a lot of time arguing with my sewing machine.
But I love the satisfaction of a finished project to smile at. Thanks for sharing!
Oh yummy! And with harvarti dill–too delicious:-) I am going to dig out my ramekins!
I LOVE that bag! what an amazing job you did! and yummy egg recipe. Been looking for some lately in hopes of eggs from the new chicks someday… thanks for sharing!
I am just catching up after having been offline for awhile. It looks like your week has been lovely and productive. I am so very glad that Jacob is loving school! What a huge adjustment for you all! And I am very, very much the same type of sewer as you, although I think you have more experience and skill than I. Your bag is sweet! I made one of those some months bag and I love it!
Nicola