Make

Lace Corsage

After making the other corsages I was inspired to have a go from scratch and I have decided to have a go using fabric and lace. My first attempts were using lace and pearls, adding a simple brooch pin at the back. They are so pretty and I already have requests to make more...I know what I will be doing in the evenings this week!

Make

 

 

Apple,Orange and Cider Jelly

 

This recipe is so yummy and so easy to make. I had loads of apples so decided to make a batch to hand out to friends and family- How lucky they are!!

Makes 1.8kg or there abouts

Ingredients

1.3kg/3lb cooking apples( I used everyday apples)

4 oranges

4 whole cloves

1.2 lires sweet cider ( I used medium as this is all I had)

600ml water

800g granulated sugar

• Wash and chop apples and oranges 
• Put into the preserving pan with cloves, cider and water
• Bring to the boil
• Cover and simmer gently for 1 hour
• Sir occasionally
• Pour fruit and juices into jelly bag or over muslin cloth and sieve and leave to drain (best to leave over night)
• Measure the joice addiing 450g suger for every pint
• Heat gently in preserving pan
• Boil rapidly for 10 mins until setting point
• Pour jelly into warmed, sterilized jam jars
• Cover and seal
• Store in cool, dark place
• Use within 18 months and store in fridge once opened

Simple and delicious...makes the house smell lovely too.

Make

Tomato chutney

For some reason I had lots of tomatoes in the fridge that needed using up, as much as I love them we couldnt eat them all in time so I made a yummy tomato chutney. It is so easy to make and so delicious.
Makes about 1.8kg
Ingredients
900 g tomatoes, (skin if using large tomatoes) I used cherry tomatoes
225g raisins
225g onions, chopped
225g caster suger
600ml malt vinegar

• Chop the tomatoes and place in preserving pan
• Add the raisins, onions and caster sugar
• Pour the vinegae into the pan and bring to the boil
• Simmer for 2 hours, uncovered until soft and thickened
• Transfer chutney to warmed,sterilized jars
• Top with waxed lids
• Store in cool,dark place and leave for one month to mature
• It will keep unopened for a year- if you can wait!!
• Once open keep in the fridge and enjoy with cheese's...yum!!

Made a great gift to give to friends and family, make your own labels and even cover with gingham fabric to give it that 'homemade' feel.

Create

I painted this canvas some time ago after our honeymoon to Italy. We loved Venice and it reminds us daily of our special holiday. I was inspired by a picture postcard so I hung the blank canvas on the wall and set to painting the scene. I stuck to blue tones to fit in with lounge decor. Its been hanging up for a few years now but I love it as much today as I did all that time ago. It always gets a comment.

Create

Our spare bedroom needed a splash of colour. I have always loved this rose fabric from Laura Ashley and found that I still had a good half a metre left. After making the bird picture squares (see bird post) I decided to also make a cushion with the remaining. The final touch was painting the pattern on a plain canvas to tie in the items. The bedroom looks lovely and everone loves staying over.

Make

,

I have a bit of a thing for Flamingoes at the moment and for some reason I decided to make our boring kitchen clock into something a bit different. The Flamingo was orignally  bought as a garden decoration. After sawing off the stick that held it into the ground I then got to drilling holes and managed with a bit of time and effort to add the clock mechanisms. Surprisingly it actually works and looks fab in our black and white kitchen. It was a buit of an experiment but I love it.

Make

I decided to do something a little bit different for Valentine's day this year and make something for our bedroom. I found a lovely heart made from twigs and twine in a local shop in Worcester and decided to add some bits and bobs to make it pretty. I rumaged through my box of delights and found some riboon, pearls and silk roses which I attached using wire. I also had a few dragonflies made with beads that I added for the final touch. It now taking pride of place in our bedroom.

Create

I really wanted to buy a few corasges in different colours to add to coats, cardis, bags and jackets for the Spring. After looking around the shops I decided they were all pretty pricey and so I decided to have a go myself. I bought a few silk/artificial flowers between £1.00 and £2.00 each and cut the wire stem using pliers. I then took a brooch pin and glued it to the back of the flower and covered with felt to cover the pin and also to ensure the brooch was fixed into place. I love the final outcome and cant wait to add to my blue and white stripey blazer for the spring. My Mum loved them so i made one for her too.

Sew

After making the bird table cloth I wanted to add the motif to a few more home furnishings so I made a simple cushion cover and added the motif. I then decided to add to the ever growing cushion collection and make some more adding our initials by applique. Adds the personal touch and makes the sofa look very pretty.