Challenge: Handmade 2010 xmas

sarymclary

I've just noticed on a forum elsewhere, that someone recommended using latex gloves when shaping truffles, as it saves getting too messy. I think the key is to also try to have a cold kitchen when making them.

I've also just leant a very valuable lesson. I wanted to double check ingredients for a recipe I found online, and the website server was down. I've now got all of my online recipes saved to Word documents on my PC, so I can look there, or print them off and use a hard copy.

I've bought some gorgeous fabric and ribbon today, as well as some clear storage jars. Will take some pictures later, and let you all have a look. Has anyone seen 2011 diaries in the shops yet? I've only seen 1 A5 one in WHSmith, but it was about £6! The rest are academic year ones for 2010/11. I didn't see any in Home Bargains when I was there today.

gingerandrubarb

sarah3891 wrote: »

Hi all,

I've been lurking a little while on this thread and am so inspired by all of you that I'd like to join in too!! Me and the boyf are saving for a house at the moment so every penny counts, and I'm trying to save as much money for what is usually a very expensive time of year for us!! :-)

I am hoping to make the following:

Lemon curds, Marmalade, Fruit jams
Chutneys and pickled onions (Dad will be in his element. Mum will not be amused....)
Soaps and bath bombs
Fudges and truffles
Iced cookies
Flavoured vodkas and sloe gin
Handmade jewellery for the girls (luckily I have most of the bits already lurking around from an age ago!!)
Cross-stitched decorations as little token gifts...

The one thing I'm struggling with is recipes for bath bombs and soaps - anyone got any good ones? I keep seeing people talking about them but as the thread is so long I keep missing them :-)

Is there any central place where people post all the links/recipes etc. for easy access? I'm gettin a bit over-excited and worried I might miss something!

The only thing that's worrying me is that I'll end up spending more on ingredients and bits than just buying soaps and jams etc. in the first place!! How has everyone else found this for keeping costs down??

Thanks,

Sarah

Your xmas list sounds fantastic, i'm sure everyone will love their gifts, The person to speak to about tried and tested bath fizzies, soaps and bath bombs is Midnight, :T
If you check back you'll see some of her amazing stuff x

gingerandrubarb

sarymclary wrote: »

I've just noticed on a forum elsewhere, that someone recommended using latex gloves when shaping truffles, as it saves getting too messy. I think the key is to also try to have a cold kitchen when making them.

I've also just leant a very valuable lesson. I wanted to double check ingredients for a recipe I found online, and the website server was down. I've now got all of my online recipes saved to Word documents on my PC, so I can look there, or print them off and use a hard copy.

I've bought some gorgeous fabric and ribbon today, as well as some clear storage jars. Will take some pictures later, and let you all have a look. Has anyone seen 2011 diaries in the shops yet? I've only seen 1 A5 one in WHSmith, but it was about £6! The rest are academic year ones for 2010/11. I didn't see any in Home Bargains when I was there today.

Yesss!!!:D i got mine to cover from Poundland, they come in black or Red and are A5 size too, check though as they have some 2010-2011 for those going back to education, but the 2011's are among them, they are fab day a page ones too. x

gingerandrubarb

Hippychick wrote: »

If anybody has virgin tv they are showing Kirsties Homemade Christmas on demand, just been watching to get inspired again

You have made my night Hippy Chick! .......----> away to watch just now :T

gingerandrubarb

sarah3891 wrote: »

Hi all,

I've been lurking a little while on this thread and am so inspired by all of you that I'd like to join in too!! Me and the boyf are saving for a house at the moment so every penny counts, and I'm trying to save as much money for what is usually a very expensive time of year for us!! :-)

I am hoping to make the following:

Lemon curds, Marmalade, Fruit jams
Chutneys and pickled onions (Dad will be in his element. Mum will not be amused....)
Soaps and bath bombs
Fudges and truffles
Iced cookies
Flavoured vodkas and sloe gin
Handmade jewellery for the girls (luckily I have most of the bits already lurking around from an age ago!!)
Cross-stitched decorations as little token gifts...

The one thing I'm struggling with is recipes for bath bombs and soaps - anyone got any good ones? I keep seeing people talking about them but as the thread is so long I keep missing them :-)

Is there any central place where people post all the links/recipes etc. for easy access? I'm gettin a bit over-excited and worried I might miss something!

The only thing that's worrying me is that I'll end up spending more on ingredients and bits than just buying soaps and jams etc. in the first place!! How has everyone else found this for keeping costs down??

Thanks,

Sarah

We tend to just post our latest recipes, inspiration and 'you have to see's on this thread lovely, I keep a specific handmade xmas notebook (poundland very swish dotty one) and write the recipes, tips, instructions etc, in that, or print and staple to a page.

Have you tried emailing companies to ask for vouchers or to give them a thank you for offering great service? I recieved £8 worth of Mars vouchers (includes jacobs etc..) and also £4 worth of vouchers for things such as condensed milk or custards etc..
and also the little white man with the chef hat brand :rotfl::rotfl: sent me a few vouchers, and i generally ask my friends and family if they have bits lying about getting unused, (chocolates, flours, baking cupboard supplies etc..) they are normally happy to do so as i give them my bits when i do a clear out (typically cooking sauces, soups, packaged pasta etc.. )

Also Lidl's and Aldi's you can generally find ingredients cheap or buying own brand ingredients and more expensive things such as vanilla pods, good butter, etc.. will still make everything gorgeous. x

Poundland for cookie cutters (or make your own from wire) or Ebay (ruling out friends and family lol) Morrisons do a great icing pen writer sets which are great for decorating iced cookies super quick too :T

gingerandrubarb

:jHi everyone,
Dissertation over :beer: i can now focus on making those xmas goodies, i actually wondered what type of vinegar to use for making pickled onions, gherkins etc,....? Is it a particular kind of vinegar?

Hope you all had a great weekend, Has anyone made any new 'makes'? also has anyone bought that new magazine called 'Making'? If so is it as good as it looks?

dramarama

morning gingerandrhubarb (congrats on dissertation), everyone!! I'm up at stupid o'clock, got an interview tomorrow and feeling nervous .

When I made my pickled onions I used malt vinegar, I had to cook it with other things...BEWARE- it does stink the place out a bit...I'd suggest opening the windows/doors in your kitchen while making them!!

Link for spicy pickled onions:

http://uk.answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20070401064915AA2QanD

Have a great day everyone!

chasingsunshine_2

sarymclary wrote: »

I made some truffles last Christmas, and they were so hard to shape, because they just seemed to melt all the time. I tried using 2 teaspoons, but even that was proving difficult. How did you make your's? I'm wondering if I should try getting a melon baller to use this year?

I think a melon baller is a really good idea, I actually had a quick look in our local superarket for one before I made them as I read somewhere that someone used one and found it much easier.
I couldnt find it and did mine by hand and got very mucky. Had to wash and completely dry my hands after each truffle or it left them with an odd finish.

They do taste gorgeous though!

mary-op

Not done much in the way of ''home made'' stuff lately except today (took nearly all day!) I made some littlen felt things to go in the pockets of an alphabet wall hanger I picked up from charity shop for little grandson. It was missing elephant, pig, yacht, xylophone and zebra
Elephant looks ok, pig is a bit too ''pink'' really -well for me anyway- yacht I made too big but can alter the pocket to put it in thank goodness, zebra -not too sure about and just realised I should have given it some hair down the back of the neck ! Xylophone yet to do......................;)

I'd forgotten about getting 2011 diaries.........wonder if Tescos have any ? I got the notebooks I covered for journals from there last year and picked up diaries from a market stall.
Think I must re-do my list !

elysia2003

ginger and rhubarb - just buy pickling vinegar - it's much easier than making it, and not much dearer than malt vinegar and you get a HUGE bottle. I made a chutney recipe and still had half a jar left, so I put hard boiled eggs in it, to use it up.