Home for Christmas 2013

In the first 24 hours I was home, I was kidnapped by my sister. She is in Edinburgh/Lincolnshire for Christmas with her boyfriends family.

SOOOOOOOOOO excited to watch Frozen with a gingerbread latte and brownie

She planned an early Christmas meal on the Sunday so we did it together...

This chappy had a nice brisk walk in the cold... We tired him oot wi all the hoose work

Nigel Slater's Christmas Trifle made by moi

One of my tasks was to draw up some novelty table decorations, was fun drawing again and considering it's from scratch it's no too bad if I do say so myself

She flew away on Monday so I was released back into the care of my parents where we cleaned the hoose, did a booze run to Mainland Stores, iced my Christmas cake, wrapped gifts etc.

My first ever Christmas cake, made by me (subtle ombré effect)

Once we wir finished we lit the fire and curled up in front of Scrooged with a dram. It's meant to be a rubbish day today (Christmas Eve) brally windy and rainy so I am hoping to get some serious knitting done even if I have to do it by candle light.

Molly trying very hard to get up on the new couch

What are you doing to keep warm this festive season?

Christmas 2012

Christmas Vodka, looked super festive from day dot

 

Christmas this year seemed to appear from no where. I started to panic when I realised I had very little time to make the gifts that I wanted to give folks but I am happy with what I finally produced.

I first started knitting these gloves for my friend Gemma

 as she had said how much she had liked mine the year before

Then I found a recipe for a Spiced Aarancello (Christmas Spiced Vodka) from BBC Good Food App and thought that it would make a nice gift for some of my friends

- My flatmate makes amazing fruit liquors so it was nice to try my hand at something similar

 

As I mentioned back in October, I got a kindle pattern from a craft fair during Wool Week and was keen to make one for my Mam, Ii am really chuffed with the colours etc.

although it is a little on the large side

After the success of last years Christmas Jam I thought I would try my hand at my own recipe, Mulled Pear Jam, I liked how subtle all the flavours were although I would maybe put a little less

 sugar in it next time as it was super sweet.

I know that some people make/sell Christmas Pudding Hats but I thought I would try my own version. My own pattern so, again, proud of the outcome (would also make awesome tea cosies) can't wait to see pictures of the boys in them.

Ii also followed a Kate Davis pattern and knitted this hat for my Dad, thinking to make a girlie one for myself, once I have tackled the socks and jumper.

 

I really recommend homemade gifts, I got one this year (Blackberry Gin from Lynn) and I really appreciated that she has put time and effort into a gift that was for me.

 

Happy Holiday xxx

Christmas Pudding Hats

I was really struggling with what to make for my friends' peerie boys this year, they are between 1 and 2, I couldn't come up with something exciting that would beat the sock zebras from last year.

 

First I cut out the fleece, I wanted a rounded hat that wasn't pointy so I made a template by card, there wasn't much thought that went into it I just made sure it was symmetrical and the correct size.

 

Then I used the same template to make the cream topping, making sure that the edges matched up.

 

I sewed the cream on around the bottom then matched 2 parts together and used my sewing machine to sew round one of the long sides

 

Sorry for the picture quality I didn't notice it till it was too late

Once all the pairs were sewn together i opened them up and sewed them together, then I created a hem.

The cream and holly leaves are made form felt and just hand sewn.

 

My favourite part of this process was learning how to make the pom poms, I had never done them before and it was made even more fun by watching Elf while I did them.

 

I attached the pom pom and tah dah!!!

I canna wait to see photos of the boys wearing them, I plan to make a tea cosy in a similar way and possibly some adult hats.

 

 

If anyone is interested in try it please let me know and I'll upload a template and more detailed instructions ... Merry Christmas!!!

Mulled Pear Jam

 

Well today is the first day of December and my house smells like there was an explosion in a Christmas factory.

 I bought a large quantity of pears and was unsure what to do with them, then I thought Mulled Pear Jam for Christmas gifts.

After some experimenting I came up with this recipe:

Mulled Pear Jam
 

 
Ingredients

800 g small pears
450 ml mulled wine
1 orange
15 cloves
1 cinnamon stick
3 cups of jam sugar


Method

1. Peal and core the pears, putting them into some water with lemon juice to stop them turning too brown

2. Pour the mulled wine in to a medium heavy bottom pan and add the strained pears. Add the slices of orange, cloves and cinnamon then bring it to the boil on a high heat then reduce to medium and allow them to boil until the pears have softened.

 

3. Strain the pears, removing the orange and spices, keep the liquid as you can use it for some other festive recipes. Then return the pears to the pan and mash them to the consistency you like (I like a bit of a bite).

3. Add the sugar and bring to a rolling boil for 15 - 25 minutes until the jam doesn't run when put on to a cold plate.

4. Now transfer to your sterilised jam to the jars, be careful it will have cooled but it is still very hot. I use a sterilised jug and funnel to make sure I do not spill the jam.

5. Put a small disc of grease proof paper on top of your jam, then screw on the lid

 

6. Decorate your jars if you are giving them as gifts, this year I went paper lid covers instead of fabric (think I do prefer fabric though, just wanted to try these for a change) and a little pear shaped tag so that their are no questions about what it is.



If you like it please let me know...

Secret Craft Fair Mission

Aamos Design Cupcake Pin Cushions ... beautifully made ;o)

 

It is no secret to Facebook or twitter that my sister Emma, Aamos Designs, has been working her socks off for the past month to make stock for this years Christmas Craft Fair.

Also got to celebrate my cousins recent engagement

... ching ching

I thought that she may appreciate a wee visitor and helper. So I booked a flight home to Shetland to surprise her... And although it was touch and go for a while, we managed to do it.

 

My welcome Party were very happy to see me

I keep forgetting to take cash but I think that was a good thing because I managed to work out a wee list of things I'd like.


Here's some of the beautiful crafts I found ...

I love my red hair slide by Donna Smith Designs

 thinking maybe mustard yellow and navy next

I have always wanted a sheep skin rug, and theses ones

 by Shetland Sheepskin Products  are amazing

 

Hoping to go back in and buy this today, pin cushion by Ella Gordon

 ...LOVE the colour and need it for currently quilting project

 

Of course there were lots of gorgeous Burra Bears

 

Pink Fish Christmas tree decoration, super cute

I may also pop back today for one last look ... Open 11am to 5pm today so pop doon to Clickimin for a look!!!

Silverwork Night Class

 

Last September I enrolled in the Orkney College's night class, Silverwork, at KGS. At school we had a peerie go at making 'lead' by making moulds and melting it down and cooling... I liked this but this night class made me realise der wis a lot to jewellery making.

We started by creating basic silver bands (rings) then had to go home and do some research/planning for our individual projects.

 

I decided on making this bangle that wrapped around the wrist like wings. It did not take as long as I thought it would so started to make a starfish charm for my bracelet.

 

Then I made a twisty ring after seeing one of the senior students techniques, when it was closer to Christmas I decided to make presents. After the success of my previous charm I made some heart charms which could be worn as a pedant or charm.

 

I loved this course and plan to go back some year and further my learning ... recommend it!!!

Last Christmas...

 

Every year when it gets to Christmas gifts I spent ages in the shops wondering if people will like what I'm buying them. Never felt like it was special enough so last year I thought I'd put my crafting to good use.

I first started with the peerie people in my life, three of my friends had joost had boys so I made these sock zebras from Sew Make Believe.

 

 

I started these early to make sure they were all done in time. The next Christmas festivity was when we got the house Christmassy. How about some homemade stolen and rum hot chocolate while putting up the tree?

 

Then there was Christmas jam, mince pies and homemade Christmas decorations (sadly no photos) for the girlies.



This was a very rewarding process, its nice to see people get excited about something you put a lot of time and energy into it.

 

 Getting excited and organised for this Christmas 2012 already to make sure it beats last year ... Homemade cider anyone?