Christmas prep

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Well I’m back on the Christmas wagon after a dry spell!!
This is my chilli jelly/jam. It’s supposed to be given as gifts.

I’m a hit and miss type of cook (well everything really), and I can never guarantee what the end result will be.
When the jelly had boiled for its allotted time I poured out the first jar but it was very runny, so I decided to boil the rest for a few minutes more...to be on the safe side, you understand
Which I have to say worked in so much as it is set, if a little on the brown side.
Whereas the other one is a really nice red colour but a little on the runny side!

Never mind, when I come to label it I’ll call it chilli sauce....they don’t know it was meant to set do they?!
And the brown ones I’ll just have to eat myself ?

Just re read that, I've quite a lot of sides don't you think!!

I'm sure it'll be delish, Namsnanny!

I made my Christmas puds yesterday, two big ones. Earlier than usual but had a young relative of dh staying so chance for her to have a stir and make a wish - new for her since from a different culture on her mother's side.
At least I mixed them up. Old-favourite recipe says 'if liked, leave overnight' and I usually do. Must now get on and steam them.

It's been so long since I made Christmas puds I'd forgotten about the stir and wish bit !

I remember the 6 penny bits stirred into it by my Nan though!

Also it used to be possible to buy silver charms to put in if you wanted a change.

Hope her wish comes true!

Oh! BTW hope you stood back from the steam, I remember my Mother had a really bad perm which was made even worse by the re steaming of the puds on Christmas day!! Poor thing.

I have just finished a soft patchwork ball for a DGD born this year.

Aww! JackyB … How lovely! What a brilliant idea. Practical and pretty.

Was this more difficult to make than a flat patchwork throw?

It can be kept as an heirloom (if it out lasts being nibbled!!) and treasured by gd.

Well done

Witzend your advent calendar is really lovely.
I just finished making two quilts (first quilts I've ever made), a Bucilla stocking and a Nutcracker Soldier doll (photo attached).
I hope that's the end of my Christmas crafting this year, but no doubt I'll find something else to make!

The magic number is 108°. That's the inside angle of a pentagon. You need 12 pentagons - all the same size. I sew them together by hand. I did think of including a little loop in one seam to hang it up in the pram (this would be useful for the next one as the recipient is only due to enter this world next month.)

I have since washed the ball and the pinholes have now also disappeared.

I bought the stuffing on line. It was annoying that it was sold by weight and not by volume - I've now got a huge sackful - enough for 3 cushions!

happysexagenarian ... your soldier looks so professional!!
Two patchwork’s as. Well?!
Brilliant, get some photos of the quilts for us too.
Beautiful!!

jackyB ... sounds pretty complicated to me!
Yes a little loop to hang it from is a good idea for your next one.
Don’t be surprised if you get asked to make a few of them when baby gets to be a toddler and likes throwing and catching
As for filling, here’s an idea ... can you make cushions to match the quilt?
Happy crafting

Just popping in to add I planted up some white amaryllis, which have increased in price this year, I normally pay around £2-3 per bulb but had to pay £4.50!!
I also put 2 stems of fake amaryllis to have something to look at fir a while.
They too had gone up to £4-5 per stem. At least I can use them next year!
Still I like flower arranging and decorating the house for Christmas so it out a smile on my face and kept me occupied

My mother had made 2 samplers which were framed and hanging up on the wall in her house. She wanted my sister and I to have one each. I was going to make a cushion of mine, so I shall use up a lot of the stuffing for that. However, that's not a Christmas project, nor will it be a present.

JackyB … Maybe you can put a photo of it, when you've finished under the crafts section?

I love heirlooms, the fact that you have something your mother made is special.

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I've made a teddy for DGS and some christmas tree ornaments to sell to raise money for the hospice.

B9exchange … How cute is that teddy??!! He looks very neatly made too.

Are the soldiers and father Christmas the decorations you made?

Keep Christmas crafting

Thank you Namsnanny, yes, I made everything on the tree, they seem popular this year, baubles for the first time. My aim is to raise enough for two hours nursing time at the hospice!

One thing I only ever get around to before Christmas is polishing a large wooden chest, originally apparently from Zanzibar via the Middle East, which is heavily decorated with ornamental brass and copper. (And still smells faintly of spices inside, though we've had it for over 30 years).

Hence the smell of Brasso has come to be Christmassy to me!
Not that I've got around to it yet - fairly major job - maybe next week. Looks lovely when it's done.

Your teddy is lovely, B9exchange!

This thread arouses a mixture of anxiety and excitement in me.

I am not a maker, but if you are selling at Xmas Fayres, I will be a buyer.

I am making Christmas chutney today. Does that count?

Wondering whether to make a second Christmas cake too.

Crikey, haven't you lot got anything more worthwhile to do? There are plenty of volunteering opportunities for the terminally bored, you know!

Some posters on here sell their makings for charity.

too!

People who craft, bake DIY etc are rarely terminally bored

And who knows if they are not volunteering too?

Perhaps read the thread properly before criticising Hetty58?
I see that some posters are making things to sell for charity or to give for gifts with love.

If you have nothing positive to contribute to the thread then why post?

Bah humbug