Homemade Gifts?

[ellie]

Jenn's right, the sterilization of the jars is key. I'd also add that making sure that they're sealed properly afterwards (you shouldn't be able to press the lid up or down) is also important...this way jams will keep for months.

Good luck with the chutney! It was my first time making jam this summer and I was a little intimidated by the whole process, but as Jenn mentioned, it's really a matter of following the directions.

jdwc just taught me how to knit (okay - the basics), so now - SCARVES for EVERYONE!

just kidding. but jdwc is fun, by the way.

[Stella]

I just got home from the fabric store buying fabric, etc. for aprons as Christmas gifts!! I'll let you know how they turn out.

[Cumberland]

I make homemade granola every year, put it in a cute bag and give that out. I make it early ( last week) and put it in the freezer.

Making jam is really easy, you just have to be anal about following the directions exactly.

[Stella]

Yeah, speaking of overwhelmed... I haven't touched the apron materials...

[madeintaiwan]

Yeah, speaking of overwhelmed... I haven't touched the apron materials...

Once you get them going it goes fast. I did 9 yesterday, probably took me 2 hours. I still have to finish with the ribbon tie and pickets but that shouldn't take long tho. If you have more than one to do, the assembly line approach is best. I still have done my Xmas cards. I have to make 100 of those bad boys. I usually send them out Dec 1st, they're going to be way late this year. Oh well.

[PrincessFiona]

Alright, Calimoma....I have wasted 20 minutes looking at your blanket pics...and then trying to figure out the url on the tag...then going there and getting a 404... It's driving me nuts So...did you start selling your blankets? Do you use just a regular quilt filler between the two fabrics?

I've been doing some quilting but am looking for a way to make some nice blankets and those are really nice...do you have to do any quilting on them or do you just sew the edges together?

kris

[Stella]

Stella, I couldn't find the peppermint essential oil. I think Joann's was raided. I made some lavender salt though. I can't stop whiffing it. Gawd, I love lavender. I'm going to order some peppermint online today though.

Yay! I'm glad you liked it! I looooove mine and keep it in the shower and exfoliate with it every week. I got my essential oils at Aveda. I think peppermint was about $12. I also have bergamot. Yum.

Oh yeah, and I'll take a bar of soap any day!

[madeintaiwan]

Alright, Calimoma....I have wasted 20 minutes looking at your blanket pics...and then trying to figure out the url on the tag...then going there and getting a 404... It's driving me nuts So...did you start selling your blankets? Do you use just a regular quilt filler between the two fabrics?

I've been doing some quilting but am looking for a way to make some nice blankets and those are really nice...do you have to do any quilting on them or do you just sew the edges together?

kris

Hi Kris,
Thanks, I was selling them at a local market and to family and friends but I stopped making them (except as gifts and requests) because they are such a pain to me. I'm a hack. No filler. Just printed cotton or flannel on one side and smooth or dotted minkee (the supersoft kind, be careful bc minkee comes in different grades) on the other side. Make them like a pillow and top stitch to close. Hope this helps. Davita

Re: Homemade Gifts?

the dolls (maybe)

What kind of dolls? I really want to learn how to make dolls. But I'm a beginning sewer.

[Gwendolyn]

I made...soap! It's so cool. I think I've found a new obessesion. I'm going to crack the LUSH code. :>

I spent $100 at Joann's on supplies

I can't believe I did that. From now on everyone gets soap. Have have a birthday? Anniversary? Hanukkah? St. Patrick's day? A case of Ebola. . . You're getting soap. A $25 bar of handmade soap.

Sometimes I wonder if you are my long lost sister I discovered thia a year ago and have spread my soaps to all who have come in helpful contact with my child. (I say that James and I made them together...really he mixes, but they don't know that!) So easy and all the money on supplies will yield a large batch of soaps. I bet Lucy would love it! We got molds for frogs and alligators and James likes mixing the coloring and glitter