Craft confessions

Well it's been a very, very long time since I wrote anything here on my blog, and so I thought I'd better add a note or too (also to make sure I still had an account/blog).
I have to confess that I have taken time out of the crafty goings on (too much time perhaps) and so here I am delving back into what I love best, making and baking and everything else. Not sure why I took so much time out but I now know I need to get back to it and do what I love doing. Unfortunately I am unable to pursue a career in being creative (for the moment...still an intention at some point) but I need and must keep my crafty side alive. So here goes....a commitment to recording all my makings and creations. I've been very busy for the last week or so, so at least I have some new bits to record on here. The hubby and I went foraging once or twice (guilty pleasure) and now have a stock pile of spiced blackberry chutney and damson jam. All ready for the now traditional Lundy Christmas goody hampers. I'm working on the goods to go in the hampers and will update shortly. So this is a hi and hello and I'm still here!! Thanks C XX

Create

DSC05738, a photo by milliemooshu2012 on Flickr.

Rainbow necklace.

After making the Chakra bracelets I had a few crystal beads left and wanted a nice colourful necklace. I came across these lovely wooden beads in my bead box and made this pretty necklace using silver beads as spacers to highlight the vibrant colours. It glimers in the light and goes with any outfit. A great addition to my jewellery box.

Make

DSC05731, a photo by milliemooshu2012 on Flickr.

Zip a dee do dah

I had a bag full of zips kindly given to me by my Gran. At first I wasn't sure what to do with them other than keep them for clothing and soft furnishings. I came across them again the other day and set to making these very cute brooches.

Its best to use a colourful zip with gold or silver teeth to add contrast. Cut the zip in half by cutting at the one end and removeing the zip. Take the one side and stitch the end with a few simple stitches to tidy up the end. Make intermitent folds in the zip and stitch in place. It may coil a bit but this will help to make the circle. Starting from the stitched end gather the zip with the teeth at the top/outside edge. As you gather stitch in place until you have a full circle. Sew a pretty button in the middle and add a brooch fastening at the back and hey presto ...you have a gorgeous brooch. I cant stop making them now and may even make a few in lots of colours to turn into a bib/collar necklace

Create

Create, a photo by milliemooshu2012 on Flickr.

Chakra Bracelet.

My Mum and her best friend had recently been on a crystal healing course and had learnt about the chakras and healing. I wont pretend to know anything about this but I did want to make them both a Chakra bracelet as a little gift. I found a few on the net but they were either way out of my price range or not to my liking. After a while I decided to make my own and luckily I came across these beautifully coloured crystal beads on sale at Hobbycraft. I chose the colours I wanted and made these simple yet striking bracelets using silver beads as spacers between the coloured beads. I used jewellery making thread and a lobster claw and jump ring at the ends for fastenings. I used crimps to secure the fastenings. A top tip I was told was to create a loop by feeding the thread through the crimp, then the claw/jump ring and then back through the crimp, leaving a good long end before crimping with crimp pliers. You can then make sure both threads go through the beads to make the bracelet more secure and strong.

Bake

Tropical Crumble, a photo by milliemooshu2012 on Flickr.

Tropical Crumble

What a lovely indulgent pud during these cold wintery nights. A taste of the Caribbean at home. A simple crumble but with yummy mango, pineapple and desiccated coconut. So delicious that I am suprised we have any left to photo.




Simply use ;

1x canpineapple chunks

1x can mango slices

Desiccated coconut

Plain flour

Butter

Oats

Caster sugar.

Preheat oven to 180

Drain the fruit from the cans and pour into a oven proof dish, mixing a little, then sprinkle desiccated coconut.

Fro the crumble mix 100g plain flour, 100g oats, 100g caster sugar and 100g butter, mix togther to make a crumble texture. Simply add some desiccated coconut and then mix. Add on top of the fruit mix.

Place in the oevn and cook for 20-30 mins until golden brown.

Enjoy on its own or try with some ice cream...yummy!!