Pretty Bags

I realised the other day that I hadn't put any new bags in my online shops recently, so I made a few canvas shoulder bags; 2 for Folksy, 2 for Etsy and 2 for the museum craft shop.

I know these colours are quite autumnal but I couldn't resist them!

I also came across some small pieces of linen with a lavender design on.  They were just the right size for some drawstring bags.  I like to use this type of bag for keeping bits and pieces together within a larger bag or for keeping my current paperback book in to stop it from becoming 'dogeared'.  I probably don't need all three of these little bags but I'll keep them for now, just in case, but a couple may end up in my shop if I don't use them!

Birthday Socks

It was the 70th birthday of my dear friend this weekend.  I was wondering what to make for her for quite a while because like me she is a great fan of sewing and has a wonderful stash of fabric, so therefore I didn't want to make her something that she could sew for herself but I wanted to make her something unique and personal.  Then I thought, Ha, Ha! She doesn't knit.

So, here is the finished product.  I love this yarn and the fact that it turns out as a beautiful 'fair isle' design by just using the one strand. Amazing!
My friend had recently pointed me in the direction of a website which shows many different ways of how to wrap presents in fabric.  It's a Japanese method called furoshiki.  I thought that it would be appropriate to use this technique for her new socks; this is the result - quite pleasing I thought.  Many happy returns Sue. x

Pear and Date Chutney

At the supermarket today I came across a couple of punnets of pears for only 15 pence.  You can imagine my delight!  They needed using quickly so I thought the best way was to make some chutney.  I had some dates left over from christmas so the only other thing I needed to purchase was some malt vinegar (which is very cheap.)
Here is my recipe in case you too come across some fruit that needs a purpose in life.

Pear and Date Chutney
800g pears
200g dates
160g sultanas
2 small onions
1 apple
240g brown sugar
350ml malt vinegar

Peel and chop the pears, onions and apple quite small.  Chop the dates also.
Place in a large heavy bottomed pan along with the sultanas, sugar and vinegar.
Heat slowly at first, stirring all the time until the sugar has dissolved.
Bring to boil then turn the heat down until the mixture is just simmering away nicely, stirring occasionally to stop it from sticking.
Continue cooking for approx 45 mins or until the chutney is ready; this is when the mixture has thickened up and if you draw a wooden spoon through it there will be no visible liquid.  This simmering time will vary according to the amount of heat used.
Have 5 jars warming in the oven and then pour the mixture in as soon as it is ready.  Put the lids on and make some pretty labels.

New Candles from Old

It's quite a while since my last post, in fact this is the first one of 2013 - so Happy New Year to you all (it's never too late to wish happiness).
Whilst tidying the house after Christmas I came across lots of little stubs of candles, you know the sort - 1" tall and not worth lighting again!  So, I decided to melt them all down together and make one large candle.
It's really easy, you just put the bits into an empty tin can, place that in a saucepan of hot water and heat it on the stove till all the wax melts.  Be careful not to let it get too hot!!

My mould was just a cardboard kitchen roll tube which I fastened some tin foil around the bottom to stop the wax coming out.  A length of wick was then weighted down at the bottom with a blob of bluetack and secured at the top onto a knitting needle (or pencil).

 I then carefully poured the melted wax into the tube and left it to set for a couple of hours.  The cardboard was then peeled off to reveal a beautiful new candle. Tah Dah!

It's turned out to be a pale pink colour which is strange because all the candles were white and also it doesn't look like it smells!  Its scent is a mixture of Cinamon, Nutmeg, Ginger and Orange - strange but lovely and cosy.