A couple of weeks ago, I posted an episode about chafing dishes. In it I said that though a chafing dish can be used for fondue, it's best to have a dedicated fondue pot. So I thought I'd give you a glimpse of my fondue pot collection. I hope it serves as inspiration to get you own if you don't have one, or to make some fondue if you do!
I love fondue - particularly the cheese variety, and I love the fondue pots you serve it in. I have quite a few of them. I chose six to share with you today. Above you'll see my most recent addition - a beautiful silver pot with a bulbous wood handle. Featured with these pots are some of the napkins in my line. These napkins are our Jane Linen line in Spring.
Next up is my electric fondue pot by Oster. Simple one touch temperature control! It's accompanied by my tablecloth check napkins.
Next is a striking architectural fondue pot in orange with a black and white base. The sterno cup swings out on a hinge! I love how the inside of the base is enameled in white. It's such a nice touch - shows a lot of thought went into the design. This pot is featured with our Gillian floral napkins.
Another stark modern design is this white fondue pot. The base is made of a sheet of metal that's folded to support the sterno pot and a grate. The grate supports the pot. Very nicely designed! This one came with its own matching fondue forks. Featured here are our Jane linen napkins in pumpkin.
For diminutive desserts, this pot can't be beat! It's tiny compared to the others and just perfect for chocolate fondue for two! Instead of sterno, this pot has a candle. I even have tiny little forks to use with it! It's twinned with our Jane linen napkins in Peacock - very Howard Johnson's - so chic!
Last, but not least is my favorite. This elegant pot is from Dansk - you my recognize the handle on the lid. I especially love the elephant-like legs with wooden feet and the rough, artfully rusty iron structure. Featured with the pot are our Jane linen napkins in Buttercup. In addition to the different pots, you'll also see my collection of vintage fondue forks - you can't eat fondue without the proper forks!
Shopping for these little niceties is easy and fun. Vintage and thrift shops, flea markets and eBay are rife with fondue accoutrements. You can find them new now, too - the fondue craze is back!
Of course the pots and forks are just the beginning. Here are a few recipes for fondue and below, you'll find the episode of my show in which we made fondue with Margaret Cho!
Hi people! It's spring! The weather
is so beautiful here on the east coast. I was inspired to create
something springy today, so I put together an embroidery project using
my Felix Populi Tablecloth Check Napkins.
It's the perfect base for daisies! The white, yellow and green look so
cheerful on the red and white check ground. I love simple embroidery and
this project is just that! I used three stitches and four different
colors of yarn. Here's what you need:
Napkins Embroidery floss in ecru, yellow and two shades of green Embroidery needle Embroidery hoop Scissors
I did this freehand, so no markings
necessary. If you're new to embroidery, you'll want to practice the
stitches on some scrap fabric first. I started with French knots, which
formed the flower centers. To make a French knot, come up at the point
you want the knot to sit, wrap the yarn around the needle twice.
Then put the point down very close to
where the yarn comes out of the fabric, but not in the same hole. Pull
the yarn closely around the shaft of the needle and press it down to the
surface of the fabric.
Then pull the needle through and it will catch the loops and make a nice little nubbly knot on the surface of the fabric.
When working on something like a
napkin that will get a bit of wear, I like to leave a tail when I begin
my knots and then tie them off with the tail that comes back through the
fabric with a square knot or a granny knot.
The petals are a detached chain stitch.
Come up through the fabric close to the French knot, then go down right
next to the up-stitch but don't pull the loop flat - about 3/8" away
from the French knot, perpendicular to the stitches you've just taken,
come up and with the point of the needle, catch the loop.
Insert the needle just beyond the
first stitch and pull the stitch tight. It will catch the loop and
create the petal. Tie off as you did your french knot. Keep your
stitches short so they are less apt to get snagged.
The leaves are done in satin
stitch. I've separated one strand of the two different colors of green
into three threads each and combined them.
The
satin stitch is done by imagining a leaf shape on the surface of the
fabric and filling it in by creating parallel stitches over the surface
of the shape - coming up at the bottom and down at the top along the
edges. Again, tie off with a knot on the back.
To finish the design, I've scattered a
few French knots in white through it to represent the charming potential
of daisy buds. Once you get going this doesn't take long at all. You
can complete a full set of napkins over a weekend - perfect for spring
meals alfresco!
