Crafting for Christmas 2009, let's begin again.......

li'l_p

Anyone got one of these... http://www.tjhughes.co.uk/fcp/product/brands-for-less//Prolectrix-Sewing-Machine/1312?

I am thinking of getting one, I only want it for light craft work, i.e. sewing thin card and things like felt & light fabrics; wouldn;t be heavy duty. I have had those mini stitch machines, but they only tend to do a basic chain stitch whereas I want zig-zag, and a few different ones, which this one does.

Any thoughts?

CandyB101_2

Another poem for the wrapped toilet roll

Money is scarce and times are hard
So I'm giving you this instead of a card
Christmas cards are a bit of a farce
But this will be handy for wiping your .... nose

NEgirl

QueenBee wrote: »

QueenBee wrote: »

WOWZERS - your blog is inspiring


Feel I may have mislead you .... tis is the blog I was saying wowzers to!!!!!:rotfl:

http://countryheartandhome.blogspot.com/

Ive just uploaded some foodstuff ive made today and the peanut brittle was so easy.... (ok so if you take your eyes off it it will burn and stink your house out! :rotfl:) ....my second batch turned out fab and all my boys agree its the best toffee ever so i will probably make my own from now on

Heres the recipe (its a Nigella) - click on my blog above to see pics..

200g caster sugar
60ml water
150g golden syrup
150g salted peanuts!! (edited to add the most important ingredient!) :rotfl:
25g soft butter
1 1/4 tsp bicarbonate of soda
11/2 tsp vanilla extract (i left his out and its fine without it)

Sugar water syrup in pan, boil gently then turn up heat and boil for 10 mins (keep an eye on it, if its going to burn it will do it now!)

Pan off heat, stir in the rest of the ingredients and pour onto a baking sheet straight away.

Let it cool completely, break and bag or jar ready for pressies

npsmama

NEgirl, I love your blog and am now a follower :j.

Inspired by your beautiful hexagonal gift box I bought a template for an octagonal exploding box but it's very small.
Can I ask what size the flaps are on yours as it seems ideal for photos (which is what I want to do too)?
Also, do you have any tips re: embellishing? Did you do it all before assembling the box?

Sorry about all the questions

NEgirl

npsmama please dont apologise for the questions - i love making things and if someone else likes them enough to make them too then im more than happy to help

The outside flaps on the hexagonal box are 2.5 high x 2.25 wide (inches) and the inside ones are 2 high x 2.25wide (inches). Each of the stable box inside which the sweets are in are 1.75x1.75 inches
Would you like me to do a tutorial on it - it may take me a little while to work out how to word it etc as its quite complicated unless you have it infront of you iykwim
I embellished each section seperately then stuck the middle sweet box to the inside layer then the inside layer to the outer layer - it would be just as easy to decorate it after you have put it together though depending if you were just cutting photos to size or popping on flowers etc

scottishchick27

I have made the advent calendar that NEGirl posted. Thank you :T.
I didn't make the tags, I used silver number stickers instead as I made 3 and it would've taken forever. I also made a large one to put a little pressie in for Christmas day (I used a keyring of my DD). I filled them with werthers original and fruit drops. I bought the large white bowls from Poundland.




I'm going to wrap them in cellophane too.

I've also managed to fill this one I made for DD.



In the drawers I've put little chocolate santas, a couple of cheap necklaces, bracelets and rings. For the one she opens at the weekends I have treasure clues to look around the house to find a box set Santa Clause 1, 2 & 3 that I have divided up into 3 days, tickets to the panto, tickets to see Christmas Carol in 3d at pictures and also where to find her Christmas Eve hamper.

I'm getting excited now. :j:j

ebaybaby

NEgirl wrote: »

QueenBee wrote: »

Heres the recipe (its a Nigella) - click on my blog above to see pics..

200g caster sugar
60ml water
150g golden syrup
25g soft butter
1 1/4 tsp bicarbonate of soda
11/2 tsp vanilla extract (i left his out and its fine without it)

Sugar water syrup in pan, boil gently then turn up heat and boil for 10 mins (keep an eye on it, if its going to burn it will do it now!)

Pan off heat, stir in the rest of the ingredients and pour onto a baking sheet straight away.

Let it cool completely, break and bag or jar ready for pressies

Deb, is this the peanut brittle recipe? What nuts did you use?

NEgirl

pmsl it helps if i didnt leave out the peanut measurements!! :rotfl: You need 150g of Salted peanuts They dont taste salted though once they are mixed in - its really lovely and ive put the jar in the fridge to keep it solid

NEgirl

Scottishchick27 they look gorgeous!! I offered to make them for my boys but they want 'proper calenders with chocolates' :rotfl:

Sian_the_Green

scottishchick27 wrote: »

In the drawers I've put little chocolate santas, a couple of cheap necklaces, bracelets and rings. For the one she opens at the weekends I have treasure clues to look around the house to find a box set Santa Clause 1, 2 & 3 that I have divided up into 3 days, tickets to the panto, tickets to see Christmas Carol in 3d at pictures and also where to find her Christmas Eve hamper.

I'm getting excited now. :j:j

I don't suppose you want to adopt me do you? I'm 27 but I'm housetrained