Japanese Box

 I made this box just before Christmas at an Embroiderers' Guild meeting but was not happy with the flat lid so changed it when I arrived home and made it more dome shaped with some wadding for padding.  I also added the antique key and made the silk ribbon by zig zagging the raw silk on my Bernina with a fine stitch.  Afterwards I was really pleased with the result. The idea for the key came from having a browse on the Internet to see what other ideas folks had.

A box made from Japanese inspired fabric

I put some surprise presents inside and packed it for the trip to the USA but could not include photos of it before because it was a present for my DD.  I watched her open it on Skype on Christmas Day and it was a hit.... thanks to Marilyn for the workshop at Keswick EG.

Merry Christmas

I used a small yew tree this year for my decoration as I lent my artificial tree to a friend who needed it more than me.  I also gave her the lights and the tinsel because she did not have any.  So my good deed done, I had a look around my garden and I had a small yew growing in a pot which I thought might just do the trick and here it is.  I had to buy a pretty little bird for the top because the branch was a bit flimsy and there was not much foliage up there, but I am pleased with the effect.  The photo was taken on my mobile phone so its not completely clear as I turned off the flash but I rather like the way it has an ethereal quality to it.  So there it is a small delicate wonderland inhabited by a very pretty bird.

I do hope I can come back on this blog next year as I had trouble logging on, I think Blogger is sometimes very difficult and it kept giving me error messages, so I hope to blog again soon but would prefer it to be a bit more hassle free.

I am now convinced that this next year will be one of innovation and am looking forward to it.  Oh and my Redpolls are back!  I thought they had forgotten where I lived but no they were just teasing me.  So I hope you have a peaceful and prosperous New Year.

Merry Christmas everyone

I just want to wish you all a very Merry Christmas from Bella and me. I have put up my artificial tree for the first time and am quite pleased with it. As I did not have a pine smell in the room which I missed I attached some home made gingerbread ornaments that smell divine. 

Thank you Walmart

This is the back of my Christmas tablecloth and I just wanted you to see how good the cheap fabric backing is. I bought it in Walmart, Palm Springs in the spring and its just perfect for the job. I would not make a quilt top with this quality of fabric but for backing stuff at about £3 a yard it can't be beaten. Next time I'm over visiting DD I will need more room in my bag for stashing some more.

My Seville Orange Marmalade

As you can see by the other photo it is Seville orange season and I bought 10.  My recipe is simple. I pare off the rind and place it in one pan with about 2 pints of water and simmer for 2 hours slowly, (topping up the water if need be to just cover the rind).  In the end I have about half a pint of liquid and the softened rind.  I place the rest of the oranges in another pot and cut them into quarters and then once more into eights and add another 2 pints of water to them. These simmer for the same time as the rind and I carefully watch towards the end of the cooking time for any sticking to the bottom of the pan.

Then I take the pulped fruit and pass it through a fine nylon sieve just a few tablespoons at a time and push it around with a wooden spoon so that the liquid all comes out. I scrape the mushy stuff off the bottom of the sieve and that also goes into the marmalade as its quite ok. The sieve contents should be quite dryish and well 'rung out' when I discard them. I repeat this operation until all the pulp has gone through and the result is usually a lovely thick consistency. I then add the rind and its juice to this sieved pulp and pop it back onto heat up. Then I added in this case about 2 and a half kilos of preserving sugar.  This only needing boiling for about 5 minutes and then I tested for set and it was ready. (I test on a saucer, just a small spoonful, leave it 5 minutes and then push it with my finger, if it forms creases, its ready.) I use old jam jars with the pop up lids and always make sure they seal i.e. they don't pop back up when pressed. Of course the marmalade goes in hot and the jars are sterilised prior to use with scalding water which is tipped out just before I fill them. In this case the marmalade is a lovely tawny colour and has set perfectly.


My Seville Orange Marmalade.



New year so far

The new year is going well apart from the really windy days we have suffered.  My neighbours chimney cowl blew down at 7.40 am last week when I was in the kitchen, lucky I was not outside as it came down right outside the kitchen door and hit my DH's workshop door with a large thud. Damaged it slightly too and it just missed their new conservatory.  Anyway, the workshop is really near the house so its handy for his projects and this was one of the most interesting I had seen in years of receiving wonderful parcels from him and the way he did it up was stunning.

The present was a lovely spice rack he had made for me and he even painted the chicken too.  Needless to say it now sits proudly on the kitchen wall near the hob. He bought me some new pretty storage jars too so I must look out for some more as they really are cute.

I took the tree down on Thursday and as I was doing so most of the needles fell off despite my efforts to stop it happening like lopping off an inch from the bottom and conditioning it in water and leaving it outside for a week.  Anyway, Bella was sitting by it and I noticed as the dry needles were falling near her she started sneezing and wheezing a bit, this was not good as the last time she went into kennels she had a reaction against the sawdust they use on the floor and had to be given an injection by the vet who runs the kennels. So it was with Bella's health and well being in mind that I decided I would have an artificial tree in future and I had a quick look on Hayes Garden Centre site and found a tree which in the sale was knocked down by £70, it was originally £209.99. Well nothing like keeping to my new resolution of having no unfinished business or jobs I thought, so I bought it and it came today. So no mess and hoovering up the needles anymore and a much happier dog too. Shame about the smell of pine which I love and remember from when I was very small but Bella is more important.

Bella on Christmas day with her new sheep and bunny

Table manners

My Christmas table

I made my DD a tablecloth as one of her Christmas presents and was so loath to send it to her, ha ha  because I liked it so much that I had to make another for myself. Hers should now be gracing a table in California if not it will be used for her marmalade furry to sit on (She has a huge ginger tom.)

Mine is not so subtle as I did not have a Moda charm pack called 'Portugal' for my selection of fabrics. No mine were what I had in the cupboard at the time which was bright and anti gravy proof.  Yes the whole idea was to plan for stains and make sure the fabric would hide any...... Both cloths are lined, infact mine has some pretty pink Walmart fabric I bought in Palm Springs in March on the back. So mine can be flipped if I need to change to subdued tones.  I made them simply with 5" squares and ten squares across and down. DH likes it so much he said I should make some more.

Desert colours?

Shopping bag finished

Shirley shopper with removable decoration

I was having lunch with a good friend some time ago and she admired my new shopper so I said I would make her one too.  Well that was earlier this year so I just had to make her one soon ....  Anyway, this is the shopper which has expanding sides and a removable Christmas medallion just for fun on black and silver glittery ribbon.  I will give it to her on Saturday a bit late for Christmas shopping but it might come in handy for the sales...............

Its a bit more sophisticated than the photo looks because it does up with a clasp at the top for security and also inside are one very deep pocket and another for a mobile or glasses, so it took me quite a while to make.  The handles are extra thick and soft so they won't cut into hands when the bag is loaded and they are long enough to go on the shoulder. The centre panel is pink not rosy red like the photo and its made with and lined with furnishing fabric so its good and strong, with a plastic insert along the bottom for extra strength. Well that's it for today, I still have some sewing left to do so if it doesn't get done tonight there is always tomorrow.

Shortest day

Some haberdashery for my project

Yep, I am still making last minute Christmas presents, so no time to blog much. I ran out of the ribbon so had to dash into town to buy more. I hope to be able to show you what I am making tomorrow, but meanwhile, sorry this is short but I really have to crack on.

Which to choose?

Two superb fabrics

I need to make my mind up which of these to use for a project I might have time to do.  Both are chocolate brown with silver but the one infront has definately much more bling.......

We went out for tapas last night with some colleagues from Keswick Rambles and I can recommend the Lakes Bar and Bistro tapas it was very good and so was the pudding after, Crème Brûlée, mmm.

A night in tonight as I have things to do but tomorrow we are hoping to go and see the new Sherlock Holmes movie, has anyone seen it yet?  Is it good?  I usually like Guy Ritchie films so I have a high expectancy of this one as I enjoyed the other very much.

On Guard

Bella looking for trouble

She really does think that an odd putty tat is going to stroll into the garden and steal her presents from under the tree.

I have made sure that the door will be closed when we are out tonight and Bella will not be in the room ahm.

Cumbria Patchworkers Christmas do

My buffet sausage rolls

I made these last night and we had a couple of them warm and they were really good, I can't say that they ever taste as good once they are cold.  My fault, I should have asked our hostess to warm them up again and then they would have been at their best. I can post the recipe if you want it, just let me know.

Table decorations thanks to Gloria, wonderful

This was our magnificent spread for our lunch to be shared between 13 of us, but I am pleased to report that the plates were emptied.  Some of the cakes are off camera to the right. Just realised that quite a lot more plates of food were added after I took the photo, the table was packed.

A forest of trees

We sat and made these little trees from circles of fabric which diminished in size and were skewered on a bamboo stick which was stuck into an old cotton reel. The angels on the top came all the way from a little shop in Poland and were especially sought out by Marion, so thank you for going to the trouble and especially as you had a bad backache that day! We made more trees than this but they sneaked off somewhere.

We exchanged mug rugs

Lastly, our gift this year was a mug rug for our frequent sewing breaks.  To be honest they looked too good to put a mug down on leaving a nasty brown ring, so most of them had been given very colourful backs to take the stains....very thoughtful. They were supposed to be 6" x 9" but as you can see a certain amount of licence abounded amongst the creators.

We had a great day despite the appalling weather (sleet and snow) and thanks very much for all who attended and sorry that quite a few of you had to miss it.  I will be emailing out the photos but as I don't have an email for Liz our secretary I wonder if anyone can let me have it.  If I don't hear from you I shall send them onto Pat whose email I do have.

Homemade cards

Card design Sally Evans

I do love to receive home made presents and cards and I also enjoy making them myself.  This card for instance is charming and so easy to make although you do need to buy the commercial backing card.  The tree is very simple but effective and the stuck on sequins bring it to life, although I would have added a star at the top, I might do that actually!  And what about a couple of presents at the bottom?

I have still to decide on our home made card for this year but it will have to be soon as today is the 11th I see which means only two weeks to go.  But one can achieve a lot in two weeks.  Meanwhile, I am still making silk paper ornaments for the tree which is sitting comfortably in its bucket of water outside under the covered way, so its fine and I keep topping up its water so it gets a good drink and retains those needles.

Double the glow

Whenever I light candles I try to place them infront of a mirror that way I double the amount of light and the flickering effect. Sometimes I place them in unusual containers too like this rose bowl of potpourri but I never leave a lighted candle unattended.

I have some candles which I use only at Christmas and this is one of them as it is such a lovely deep red colour but when lit becomes rosy. Where do you like to place your candles? I always make a fresh floral arrangement for the table at Christmas and I usually add a candle or two and light it whilst we have our dinner.

Anyway, I have to decide yet which lights I will put on the tree, I need to go and find them and see what choice I have.  I seem to remember using blue ones for the last 3 to 4 years so maybe its time for a change and I have never tried white.

Embroiderers' Christmas Lunch

A pretty Santa in the bar window seat

It was our annual lunch today and we went to Threlkeld nestling under majestic Blencathra to sample the delights of the menu, and we were not disappointed!  We had a good choice on the Festive Menu which included roast turkey, pan seared venison scallops, salmon on a bed of tagliatelle and smoked haddock with poached egg etc.

So if you want to have a really good lunch and you are visiting Cumbria you cannot do better if you like a good traditional English pub than to try the Horse and Farrier at Threlkeld.

Before I go I just want to say hello to Marilyn who has been recovering from a broken wrist and Sally who also was missing today because she is suffering from ill health too. I do hope you are both better soon and have a good Christmas.

I have received the parcel I waited all day yesterday for today.... so now I can finally finish wrapping all those presents and send them on there way to Palm Springs; phew that will be a relief...  So I have to crack on, until tomorrow then.

Cold and wet but warm inside

All wrapped up!

Well nearly - I am still waiting for a delivery and then hopefully tomorrow this parcel of goodies will 'cross the pond' and be on its way.  I have to be careful to wrap stuff properly when it gets to this time of year because DD reads my blog  :-)

There is nothing worse than having to sit in and wait for a parcel to arrive is there?  I would love to walk Bella or do something else but no, I am waiting and trying to get on with other jobs but somehow its not my full attention being applied. At least we don't have to cook dinner because we are going out to the tennis club Christmas dinner tonight. Sounds grandeous but it is not, just a few of the regular players who make an effort to get together but would you believe it; they are having a committee meeting first!  What a way to put a damper on an evening. Anyway, at least I am not a member so don't have to attend the boring bit.  So until tomorrow then.

Wonderful day

Yesterday saw me snap Gloria's stocking above her Lakeland slate fireplace at our Cumbria Patchworker's party. We all had a great time and I made two new ornaments for the Christmas tree which sadly I took down last night and it's now outside waiting to be chopped up and put onto the wood burner.  The job of taking down the decorations took most of the evening and I had not been able to look at this blog all day with being in Penrith so I had a quick peek at about 10 pm. Imagine my surprise to see that I had won the wonderful giveaway from Sarah at Happiness is a bottomless button box.  So I will be a busy bee this month with some more goodies to play with. I have also a few projects to finish not least a quilt I started and had to put away before Christmas because I just did not have the time to settle down and give it my full attention. I have not forgotten it and I will be getting it out again once a couple of other sewing ideas have been completed. One of them is a bag for a dear friend who lost her husband last February and I want to make it special for her so I have been working on it this week. So I have plenty to do and never a dull moment, now if only I had time to tidy up the garden too life would be perfect. Speaking of the garden, those little Lesser Redpolls have been coming back every day and I counted 14 of them last Monday. I must go and top up their Nyjer seed, I think that is the correct spelling after getting it wrong before.......

Birdfeeder Battle! - More Nyger seed is the answer

Well this morning, 2 more Lesser Redpolls arrived, which now makes 4 and then 4 Siskins turned up.  All of them at the one Nyger seed feeder designed for a cosy pair......So after the inevitable tussles and wing displays and seeing each other off I darted out and took another feeder to them full of Nyger seed. I am now hoping they all settle down.  I was not able to photograph this as it's still snowy slush outside so was not in the mood for cameras too.  So the moral of this tale is if you want to attract Lesser Redpolls which are on the red endangered list then get in some Nyger seed, it's little black seeds, they don't feed on anything else at all. Lesser Redpolls it says on the RSPB site are often seen in flocks with Siskins, so I suppose my breeding pair of Redpolls were invaded this morning by a marauding flock. Anyway, I don't mind as long as they are all fed. Phew................ I am going to do some reading of the 5 books DH gave me for Christmas, he spoilt me with some new waterproof warm Gortex gloves too as I had been complaining about cold hands on the last two mountains I was up. Deliberate on my part I have to add ;-) because he had invested in a pair of waterproof gloves last month.

Day 24 Advent Challenge Made it, 24 posts and not one missed

Well I did it. I think in retrospect it is not as difficult as it seems. Next year you should try it too as I have had loads of fun reading the other blogs. So thanks to Gina for coming up with the idea and I hope she instigates one next year too.

Meanwhile I have a message to share with you via an ecard, if you don't like them then don't click on the link but if you do put your sound on and be ready to click your mouse on the snowballs...........

http://ak.imgag.com/imgag/product/preview/flash/bws8Shell_fps24.swf?ihost=http://ak.imgag.com/imgag&brandldrPath=/product/full/el/&cardNum=/product/full/ap/3166187/graphic1

Day 23 Advent Challenge A breeding pair

I can't tell you how much pleasure I am having from seeing the Lesser Redpolls come to the feeder each day. Yesterday I snapped away and when I checked the photos found some real gems. What I had hoped was true, they are a breeding pair, the male on the right with the pinker breast and his female on the left. With the wonders of Corel Photopaint I have slightly enhanced the colours so you can clearly see them. I am crossing my fingers for this pair to stay and breed next year and will certainly do all I can to encourage them. Meanwhile, we had another visitor to the bird feast yesterday, a male Reed Bunting, now I have had one of these in the garden before. I took a photo but he was on the ground and much shyer than the Redpolls so it did not pass my strict photo censorship as I like to try and keep standards up.....

I am also still working on the Christmas presents and I have done a few up, this one is under the tree awaiting it's fate. Strangely, this one was bought by Bella for DH. Now I wonder how a Border Terrier managed that!  hmmm and how did she know to buy something in '0' Gauge?

I am going to go for the Turkey Crown later today, we only have the 2 of us and Bella so a whole turkey would just be impossible to eat. I have opted for a free range, organic, Soil Association Certified, bronze feathered bird this year, but please don't mention this to my friends above.........shhhhh

Day 22 Advent Challenge Did the earth move for you too?

Well it did here in Keswick.... http://www.earthquakes.bgs.ac.uk/recent_events/uk_special/coniston_21_dec_2010.pdf

This link gives the info on last night's earthquake. It was at 11pm when DH said his door shook upstairs and I heard the rumble in my den.  Anyway, we looked out of the window and saw another chap doing the same but all was quiet on the street, no bedlam or panic, only our white icy winter wonderland which has gripped us now for what seems like a month!

I had been engrossed for the earlier part of the night in my floral arrangement above the mantlepiece in my den.  This is the before photo, and I hope you can see the different foliage I used, namely, holly, ivy, fir tree and Cupressus with a couple of candles for good measure, not to be lit mind....

The clock was made for me by DH after we collected shells whilst on holiday camping on the Dingle Peninsular years ago when we were right by the sand dunes which led onto the beach. Twice a day Jock and Bramble our two lovely Parson Jack Russell Terriers used to charge at full gallop down the beach. That's when we collected the shells. I am afraid they are now rather blacker and dirtier on the top of the glaze as the clock has been over the wood burner for about 8 years now! Never mind, I have a second clock constructed on similar lines in the hall which is pristine. The painting is by my Dad and it's a fox he did the winter before he died and I always keep it in my room. I love this little painting because I always think he was as clever as a fox.....He was only an amateur though not like DH who was an art student at Maidstone College of Art when I met him.

Anyway, onto the second photo which is the after..............what do you think? is it an improvement?

These are the lights I went to Ambleside to buy at Hayes Garden Centre, you see I used to have a set which did this lovely slow fade in rotation so not all the lights went out at the same time. They were leftovers from DD's move to California and I inherited them along with lots of other Christmas decorations when she went. But a couple of years ago some of the bulbs failed and I did't know which voltage to replace them with. So after searching in vain I decided to send them to the re cycling centre. That meant no slow fade lights last year and that meant no arrangement over my wood burner which kinda spoilt the effect in my den.......So I was really pleased to find a similar set when searching on the internet at Hayes. This is showing them all on together not on slow fade but I did need to get a lighter photo.