To Infinity and beyond!!

I spotted a tutorial for infinity scarves on Pinterest awhile back and pinned it with anticipation of one day making one.

With the budget a bit tight and families and friends having birthdays this month I decided that this could be a suitable present. Deciding on which fabric to use is the fun bit!

Bel would you like one??

To Infinity and beyond!!

T-shirt scarf

I saw this idea awhile ago and then revisited it on Pinterest.

A friend of mine has done me a few favours lately so I thought I would make her one out of an old yellow t-shirt I had. I added some black ribbon, black leather tie and a vintage button to make it a bit more glam.

It actually requires no sewing - just cutting and pulling and then some hot glue gun action. Simple really!

There is a great tutorial for this on this site.

T-shirt scarf

Made with love

So its true. Things do taste better if they were made with love.

Researchers found in this study that the person's physical experience of an event is affected by how they perceive the person that is administering the cake/medicine/pain/pleasure.

So if I make you a cake (because I am an endearing friend) then it will most definitely taste better than one bought from the shop (hmm unless its one from the Chocolate Cake Company or the lemon ricotta cake from Floriditas...). Ok maybe it won't be perfect but you will enjoy it more because you will know that I made it for you!


Same goes with things I sew, plants I grow.... I give these to people because I want them to be happy and it makes me happy to do something for them.

So I didn't really need someone to scientifically prove this for me but I'd like to thank them none the less.

Photo courtesy of Aubergine

Made with love

Homemade Gifts

This Christmas I decided that I would like to make some gifts for people.

Mum got this handmade gardeners scrub. Very easy to make and gets the dirt off making your hands feel moisturized afterwards.

Handmade Scrub

1. Mix equal parts rock salt, brown sugar and white sugar together in a container.
2. Drizzle over a small amount of Olive oil. Just enough to combine the ingredients. Mix together.
3. Add a squeeze of lemon juice.
4. Add essential oil if you wish. I added some lavender from my garden instead.

I spent some time sewing some dresses for my niece. The first dress (in blue) I made my own pattern for. The second (in red) I used the Sew La Tea Do pattern for the "Miss Adorable Frock". She sure looked adorable in them both!

And no gift would be complete without a homemade gift tag. Here's me and my little helper preparing our gift tags in preparation for some good ole hot glue gunning!

Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays and Happy Giving!!

Homemade Gifts

The best type of compliment

My Secret Santa "giftee" (who still doesn't know it was me) thinks that the brooch I made her was purchased from a shop!!!

Wish I had taken a photo of it!

So glad to see someone genuinely happy about their gift. That in itself is a gift back to me.

The best type of compliment

April

I have a wonderful Matariki calendar that gives information on the months and what they are for based on traditional Māori ideas. I just wanted to share what it said April is for because it really rings true for me:

Paenga Whāwha, April
Tēnā te mana o Rehua, Behold the greatness of Rehua

As the warmer season ends, we celebrate generosity. This is giving that does not stint on food, time or sharing - in the manner of Rehua the god of plenty. One customary expression of this is for a visitor, whether expected or unexpected to always be offered a cup of tea and something to eat, even if the hosts have little to give.

And on that note I'm off to make a cup of tea myself!

April

Pear Chutney

I was very fortunate to be given given a bag full of pears a few weeks ago and decided to have a go at making pear chutney. It was so delicious that I decided to make as much as I could until the pear supply ran out.

I have adapted the recipe for people to make smaller batches.

500g Pears - peeled, cored and diced
150g Brown Sugar
2/3 C Cider Vinegar
1/2 small onion
1 small clove of garlic (minced)
1/3 C golden raisins
1 T diced preserved ginger
1 level t salt
1 level t mustard seeds
Pinch each of cinnamon, cayenne pepper and cloves

Combine the sugar and vinegar and bring to the boil in a pot. Then add the rest of the ingredients. Cook slowly, stirring every now and then until it becomes thick (approx 1 hr). Poor into hot sterilised jars and seal.

Tastes good an accompaniment to Indian curries but also great with cheese.

The recent Christchurch earthquake has really highlighted the need for communities to look after each other. I am pleased to say that one of the jars I am making today is heading towards some Christchurch refugees.

Homemade food is nourishment for the soul.

Pear Chutney

Eggs-cellent!

My Partner said to me "nobody wants to read a post about eggs".

But it's not just about the eggs. It is about that awesome feeling you get when you can exchange fresh produce with someone else.

I quite often give my preserves, jams and vegetables away and expect nothing in return so you can imagine my excitement when I get something back!

In this case it was fresh eggs from my friend's "girls" - 3 beautiful chooks hiding in a piece of converted council wasteland opposite their house. Not only do they produce top quality eggs they also keep the bugs at bay around the vege garden.

Chickens are popping up all around suburban Wellington and you can see why. Chicken's make great pets, are easy to keep and produce eggs. Eggs that you can keep for yourself and give away. 

Egg-cellent idea don't you think?

Eggs-cellent!

Fabric Brooches

I have been experimenting with making different types of fabric brooches.

Today I made one for my work colleague and one for my friend who is going to help me out with html this weekend. Just real simple hand-sewing and my new best friend the hot glue gun.

There is just something I really enjoy about making something for someone else.

Fabric Brooches

Jack Daniels and Christmas Cake

This morning I set about making Christmas cake.

Strange I know to be doing this post-holiday season but I have had a real craving for it. I used my father-in-law's secret cake recipe and the alcohol of choice was Jack Daniels - to put in the cake of course! It was a bit early at 10am for a JD's and coke but perhaps if I had used sherry it would have been one for me one for the cake.

Anyway it was super easy to make and has been cooking for the last 2 and 1/2 hours. It sure smells delicious and I cant wait to try it with my cup of tea tomorrow.

My Mum used to always make people Christmas cakes as gifts and what a great idea. Something that lasts (depending on whose eating it!!) well into the holiday season. Great for taking away with you camping or to the bach. And what a great feeling to make something for someone.

And if you would like the recipe you can get it here.

Jack Daniels and Christmas Cake