Embroidered Jam Pot Covers...

Back in the Autumn I made a couple of varieties of chutney as Christmas gifts. Spiced Marrow Chutney and a Tangy Beetroot Chutney using a combination of recipe ideas from this brilliant site. They've been "maturing" since October so should be perfect for the Christmas table by now. The only thing left to do was make them look all Christmassy and add a little personal touch to them; so I opted for some hand embroidered jam pot covers tied with grosgrain ribbon....(I actually had about 12 jars in total but some had already been gifted before I had a chance to take these photos!)

I got all OCD on getting the right size circle for my covers. Just didn't like the idea of cutting a square and trimming it to size once in place. I just KNEW I would screw it up that way. So if anyone else is as mildly obsessive about these things as me here's my method...


I had several sizes of jar so just repeated the process for each different size. Firstly draw round the the lid of the jar on a sheet of paper...

Then find the centre point of the circle by folding it in half lengthwise then across the width. It's actually the circle itself that needs to be folded in half so I held the paper up to the light as I was folding so as to see through it and line the edges of the circle up as I was folding...

Measure the diameter of the circle, let's say this one was 3". Then mark a point the exact same distance, 3", from the centre point, extending out beyond your original circle, on each of the four fold lines...

Then find a plate/bowl/object (or use a compass if you want to be super precise!) and use it to draw a circle that encompasses these four points equally(ish)...

Et voila...Cut out your template(s)....

Because I planned to emroider my covers I cut out heavy weight iron on interfacing the exact same size as my jar lids....

And some squares of fabric (thrifted and upcycled of course!) slightly larger than my templates.....

Place fabric square RS down on the ironing board. Centre the interfacing sticky side down on top of the fabric and press to adhere. Then pin the template on top of this making sure the centre circle of the template lines up with the circle of interfacing....

Cut around the template with pinking shears...

It should look like this...

I then embroidered snowflakes on each cover with embroidery floss. These are a combination of French Knots, Lazy Daisy Stitch, and Back Stitch and took about 15 mins each to do so great as a last minute personal touch...

Secure the covers to the jar tops with elastic bands then tie with ribbon......

There are so many ideas out there for "Gifts in a Jar" and these would add a nice finishing touch to anything in a jar. Not just chutneys  :)
Px

Nine Patch Pillow Tutorial

    I made a couple of quick and easy nine patch pillows this week and thought I would share the process.  Pillows make a great gift and, for those of us with too much fabric, are an easy, instant gratification stash buster.
    I had 14 inch pillow forms (on sale for 40% off frequently at Joann's) in my closet so that was the size I was going for but because these include a border you can easily customize them to a larger size.
    Choose some coordinating fabrics (I just used two but you can use up to nine) and cut four 4 1/2 inch blocks out of one and 5 4 1/2 inch blocks out of the other

    .  Lay them out in an alternating pattern and then stack them by row.  I used batiks so both sides are good but if there is a right side/wrong side make sure you sew good sides together.

Then sew the top two in each of the three stacks together in a chain.  My chain has six sewn pairs on it because I was trying to streamline the process by making two pillows at once.

There should be a 1/4 inch seam for all sewing for this project - I used a quarter inch foot but you don't need to.  Most important is that your seam is consistent.  Once you've sewn your blocks snip in between them to separate.

Pick either light or dark and press all the blocks in the same direction (either to dark or to light).  This will make your final pillow neater in appearance and will make lining the grid up easier.

Next, add your third square on each row.  Make sure that you are not sewing the same two squares together.  Press to the same color square you used on the previous step.

 Now take two of your rows (one of each variation) and line them up.  Pin on the seam lines where they join together and at the ends.  This is the one time I pin because you want the seams to match.  Sew together and press.  Add the third row.  If you pressed carefully your wrong side should look as pretty as the right side.

You block should be almost exactly 14 inches at this point.  But pillows are puffy and you need a little extra size for that plumpness.  I added a 2 inch strip around all the sides of mine.  Remember - this doesn't add 2

 inches to the overall side because of the seam allowance.  It makes it about 15 1/2 inches.

After pressing one more time, I like to add a layer of fusible interfacing to the wrong side of the top.  If you are using quilting weight cotton and/or light colors this adds a little body and opaqueness.

Your back consists of two rectangles that will overlap so you can slide the pillow in and out but not see the form.  I made mine 15 1/2 X 10.  I   then

 folded one of the long inches on each rectangle under a rough 1/4 inch on each and sewed - this creates a finished edge. Lay your back pieces right side on top of the right side of the pillow with the finished edge in the middle and pin.  Make sure you remember to remove the hidden pins on the overlap section as you sew!  Sew around the entire edge.  Turn right side out, press and slip in your pillow form.   I'm a slow cutter and sewer and these take me about an hour each and use less than a 1/4 yard of the two front fabrics and less than a 1/2 a yard of the backing.

Getting Started on Two of my Homemade Gifts

  Two of my proposed food gifts both take more time than effort.  And by time I mean time sitting and developing flavor time not labor time.
  This weekend I started a quart of homemade vanilla.  This was actually a little late to start on it as vanilla should sit for at least two months prior to using.  It only takes two ingredients:  vanilla beans and vodka.  I read lots off different homemade vanilla recipes on the web (I'll include links to some of them on my blog posting at toomanypastimes).  I ended up taking the middle road as far as ratio of beans to vodka.  I used two kinds of beans:  Tahitian and Planifolia.
          The steps are easy.  Slice almost to the top of each vanilla bean.

        Put them in a clean canning jar, fill with vodka and cover with a lid.

       Pint jars were already on hand so I used those and smooshed (technical term) the beans down to fit.
I put four of each type of bean in each jar for a total of eight per pint. After a few minutes the vodka was already starting to darken.

  Just store in a dark cool space for two months, give an occasional shake and voila! vanilla.  It took maybe 5 minutes to do this.  Bonus - my kitchen smelled like vanilla for the rest of the weekend.  Right before Christmas I'll pour it into four ounce bottles and give as gifts to my co-workers.
    I also started homemade limoncello but will wait to talk more about that til after the second step next weekend.

   
 

Christmas Wrapping Ideas & Quick Tutorial

As per my last post, I've been playing about with making pleated paper bands with which to embellish our gifts this year. I'm rather pleased with the result and have kept it simple by just adding a narrow ribbon and neat bow to finish.

If you like the idea, it's really easy. To make the band I measured out some guidelines on the back of a length of contrasting wrapping paper. But you can do it by eye as well. (I'm rubbish at that though!)

I spaced them about an inch apart and used the edge of my metre rule to fold them smooth along the edge. Folding one way, then the other, to create a concertina effect.

I then pressed the band under a pressing cloth using a warm, dry iron. Just to sharpen the folds really, and  keep it nice and flat.

I wrapped it pretty snug around my gift, (don't want it sliding off or moving about) trimming of the excess and securing it at the back with sticky tape.

I added a very simple bow in a contrasting colour to finish. I'm alternating the green and turquoise ribbons on different gifts to tie in with the main wrapping paper.

To make these bands for EVERY gift would be too time consuming for my liking (and for the time I have left!) so I've compromised by alternating between plain (see right) and pleated bands on different gifts.


Now I know what I'm doing, should have it all finished by tomorrow!

Christmas Aprons......

Further progress on my Simplicity 2512 will have to be stalled while I knuckle down to sewing up a couple of little cuties for J's Mum & Nan for Christmas. From my stash I've dug out a lovely chambray for the main fabric and a Cath Kidson floral (which began life as a duvet cover!) for the contrast.

The pattern is Butterick, a collection of 1950's style pinnies that I bought about 2 years ago as a beginner project but never used. The final aprons will be a "fusion" of the styles on the envelope. A half apron, with a wide shaped waistband and ties, with 2 patch pockets, one floral and the other cut from the chambray but emroidered with each of their names.

I didn't like the shape of the waistband piece, so did a little re-shaping of my own. It's testament to what a bit of practice and training can do for your sewing confidence. When I bought this pattern I was too scared to even cut it out, let alone start adapting the design and reshaping the pattern pieces. Hopefully finish these tomorrow....

Super Quick Handmade Gift Tags - Tutorial

I wanted to add a handmade touch to my shop bought wrapping paper,and these are REALLY quick and straight forward to do! I already had everything needed either in my stash, or by making more use of what I had already bought for my wrapping scheme. So not only will they match inperfectly, but they're low cost too.

Once you've assembled all your supplies, you could run a dozen of these up in 15 mins (not kidding, that's all it took). They're so so simple to do, and you can vary the materials to give dramatically different looks. You'll need: wrapping paper, pencil, scissors/craft knife, glue/spray mount, tags/card,buttons, ribbon/cord. (/=or)

First step is to cut your wrapping paper shapes . These can be as simple or as complicated as you like. Being a bit of a slave to a theme though, I decided on geometric Christmas trees. I drew the design out on the back first, layered several scraps of paper and cut them all in one go.

Then glue the shapes to your tags or card. You could add other embellishments. Beads, sparklies, glitter, you name it. Whatever tickles your fancy or ties in with your scheme.

Loop ribbon or cord first through the button, then through the tag, then loop the loose ends of the ribbon through itself behind the button and gently pull tight, until the button sits snug against the tag. Et voila! Simple cute and unassuming.

Christmas Colour Palette

I bought my Christmas wrapping paper weeks ago. I don't tend to use "normal" wrapping paper. Preferring in the past to use poster paper, wallpaper, parcel paper, and florist cellophane to name but a few. I tend to like my wrapping to be a little outside the norm and look handmade. As if it's taken alot of time, thought and effort (which it usually has) if not alot of money (as we're seemingly always short of this!)

However the wrapping paper in question (above) was a mere 99p per 10m roll from Aldi (gotta love Aldi). So my money saving credentials remain intact. I've made my own gift tags to match (tutorial to follow) so my handmade credentials are also intact. Handily, I don't have to spend time agonising over a colour palette. It's all there in the wrapping paper.

A quick trawl through my supplies turned up these metallic red bells left over from last year's wrapping scheme.I incorporated them in my present toppers, so every time someone picked up their present, it would jingle in a festive fashion. Cute. I wired them with tigertail & bead crimps, so they're ready to use. Bit of time saved there, as that was a REALLY fiddly job last year!

I also love these traditional candy canes, so Ill fit these into my scheme too. Probably hanging on the tree ( but not on the door wreath!!). For some reason I'm loving childhood nostalgia even more since The Little Tornado came along.  This year is his second Christmas,and I just know he is going to be sooo excitable come the big day.

I bought the ribbon  from Ebay. (£6.20 inc P&P  for 10m each of Red, Green & Turquoise and 40m of narrow white ribbon. Bargain I think!) I was a little worried about trying to colour match from an online photo but needn't have worried. They match perfectly, and she's a great seller.

I also dug out these china teacups that I've had stashed for a couple of years (yes, I know. My name is Portia, and I am a hoarder.). I think they'll make great festive teacup candles (tutorial here) and will fit beautifully into the scheme. I 've a few other things planned. Mostly with a bit of origami and some papercraft.  Snowflakes, paper chains and the like. And so it begins.......!

Oh Knickers!

I'll be honest, I attempted to make a pair of knickers from a pattern I had made in tutorial #1. They weren't great.  I thought they were so hateful, they went straight in the bin! The fabric was all wrong, it didn't compliment the lace, and I hadn't thought through what I needed to do before I dived in.

I did stick with it to the end though, and learnt some handy lessons for this attempt! I used different fabric, different lace and all in all I'm happy with my first second attempt. Plus, I can only improve with practice and I definately intend to make more! It's a fun, quick and satisfying project. Once I'd tweaked it a little.....and with the right fabric and lace would make a cute little Christmas gift. Perhaps with a matching camisole..... Tutorial here.....

Vintage Teacup Candles

The other day I thought I'd have a go at turning my vintage teacups into candles. I've never tried any form of candlemaking before, and was pleasantly suprised by both the finished result, and how easy it was. I can feel a bit of a Christmas production line coming on.........

To begin with pop a pan of water on the hob to boil, place the wax pellets into a metal mixing bowl (you could also use glass) and place the mixing bowl  over the pan of water.  Once the water had started boiling, I turned it down to a simmer and the heat began working it's magic on the wax pellets in the bowl. Within a few minutes, they go from white, to a clear liquid as they melt.

Whilst the wax melts, cut the wick to the required length, dip one end in the molten wax and push it into the little metal "wick retainer". Hold for a few seconds so the wax sets and the wick should now be held pretty securely within the wick retainer. Put a couple of teaspoons of the molten wax in the base of the teacup and push the wick retainer into it. (mind your fingers as the wax is still hot!) The wick should now be "set" into the base of the teacup.

In preparation for pouring the wax into the teacup, the wick needs to be held straight and upright whilst the wax sets.  To achieve this I wedged the wick between two knives, but tying it around a knitting needle would probably work as well. I guess it depends on how much wick you have left to play with and what you find easiest.

Once the wax is melted and ready to pour into the teacup,  you could add some scent or essential oil to the wax to perfume your finished candle. The kit that I had bought had a little bottle of cinnamon scented essence included.  Perfect for Christmas! But I guess you could add most essential oils, (lavender, ylang ylang, patchouli, citrus to name but a few) and tailor it to whatever occasion, mood or preference you like. It is best to add it JUST before you pour the wax into the teacup (give it a qquick stir), since the perfume evaporates whilst it is in contact with the hot wax.  As soon as it is poured and begins to set, it "locks" the perfume in.

It's probably a good idea at this stage to carefully transfer the molten wax to a jug to make it easier to pour (especially if you're as accident prone as I am!). The kit instructions said to fill 3/4 and allow to set for 30mins, then top up with the rest of the wax.
I'll admit I'm impatient and ended up pouring the whole lot in at once, so my finished candle dipped in the middle a bit, with no wax left over to level it.

Click to enlarge

It's then a question of leaving it to set for 24 hours, and it's ready to light, or wrap up and give as a gift (if you can bear to part with it!) You could glue the cup to the saucer to secure it or keep them as two seperate parts. I can't decide, as it feels wrong to put superglue on something so pretty. Overall, I'm pretty chuffed with my first attempt. My imagination is now running away with me, thinking or all the other things I can stick a wick in and fill with wax.............

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