Christmas Crafts 2018

[Ella77]

Ditto.

[smalex]

I'm sure Ruby's going to add a bit of je ne sais quoi* into her soap that Dove wouldn't.

*glitter.

[Skips]

Surely a gift is something that is generally nicer than a four pack cheapie?

[bramblerose]

Surely a gift is something that is generally nicer than a four pack cheapie?

You'd think.

Anyway, SORRY.

I look forward to seeing Ruby's glittery soap.

[Ruby]

This thread pretty much reflects the mental conversation I have with myself every time I think about making soap.

[Ruby]

In other news, I have made the beetroot chutney but there is a massive amount. I'll be eating it for years. Plus, my hands look like I've murdered someone.

[Kleio]

I don’t know why you bother Ruby, you can buy beetroot chutney in Aldi.

[Ruby]

For Brambs;

https://www.thesoapkitchen.co.uk/recipe-bath-bomb/

I don't put colour in mine and I add sweet almond oil but the principle is the same. Better to use essential oils rather than fragrance oils too.

[Ruby]

I don’t know why you bother Ruby, you can buy beetroot chutney in Aldi.

That is exactly what's been going through my head, to be fair.

[bramblerose]

Thanks Ruby.

[Ella77]

I don’t know why you bother Ruby, you can buy beetroot chutney in Aldi.

Establishing a plausible excuse, Ruby. Nice touch.

[smalex]

Chutney recipes always seem to make enough for about 20 ltrs. The first time I did one I only had one jar and ended up decanting it into all the tupperware and left over takeaway containers I could muster

[Ruby]

Chutney recipes always seem to make enough for about 20 ltrs. The first time I did one I only had one jar and ended up decanting it into all the tupperware and left over takeaway containers I could muster

Is it meant to thicken? At the moment it just looks like boiled beetroot. It's still bubbling.

[smalex]

Um. I think it should go slightly syrupy? It's been a couple of years since I made it. If anything I always boil mine too much and they go a bit drier than I'd like, so don't do that :helpful:

[Ruby]

Oh. It's sort of syrupy. But not really. I imagine the juice will sort of soak into the beetroot too. So I'd better get it off the heat. I followed the recipe almost to the letter so it should be fine.

[smalex]

20181103_145805.jpg

Stocking for my little J-bean.

[Morganna]

Does anyone know if it's possible (wise) to use actual beans in beanbag toys? I was thinking aduki beans or mung beans. Also, where do you buy wheat for wheat cushions, of the sort you heat in the microwave?

It's far too late for this year, but I'm getting into fair isle knitting, and was thinking of making things like this for next Christmas.

[Ruby]

That's lovely, smal. Did it take you long?

My beetroot chutney is all done now. Can I just check, as long as I sterilised the jars etc. is it fine to keep it out of the fridge as long as it's sealed?

[smalex]

Yes, I've kept it a good while. Although sometimes the odd jar turns.

The stocking was quite quick, just a couple of hours.

[Morganna]

The stocking is really good.

I am hopeless at making Christmas foodie gifts. All I can remember ever doing is those Christmas pudding sweets that Bats posted about years ago (made with a ginger cake and chocolate, I think - S loved them), pears in Amaretto (they were lovely) and Skittles vodka the year we all did that.

Every year I tell myself that I'll get organised and do it next year, but it doesn't seem to happen, so I watch Nigella and live the vicarious dream.