27.11.12

TRIMMING THE TREE



One of the best things about Christmas is, and has always been, decorating the tree!
Some of my fondest memories are of watching my parents un-tangle colourful fairy lights whilst I would rummage through the lofty scented boxes trying to find my favourite decorations.
Not much has changed, tradition has continued, and now our Daughters watch as we tangle... un-tangle the fairy lights. At 8 and 10 they are now tall enough to put things higher up and not just load up one branch until the whole thing tilts, although I have to say part of me actually misses that bit. Now... they've got so good at it, in fact, I don't even need to re-arrange it after they've gone to bed... well, maybe just the odd one.
Although I have inherited some of those beautiful decorations from my childhood, I really do love sitting down with the rest of my family and making new ones. Every year we make something new, this year (whilst sitting in our little caravan Ellie, in Suffolk, in the middle of summer... I know!) my daughter and I got to work on some new creations. I made a little heart with red stitches and she made a little bird with sequins. I suppose if you was going to call it a theme it would be hand-made & vintage.
For really simple decorations, that smell as good as they look, tie lovely ribbon around Cinnamon sticks, make a big loop to go over the branch then tie a bow, You can also do this with dried slices of orange, just make a small hole near the edge and thread through ribbon and loop. It really couldn't be more simple. Another nice idea is to thread pop-corn onto cotton to make a long garland to hang around the tree, so simple and cheap yet so pretty!
One year we just had nothing but edible decorations, it was great but did end up a little bare by the end of Christmas.
I'd love to see your tree pictures! please send them in so we can all go ooooooh and aaaahhhh.

Emma x
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14.11.12

CHRISTMAS PRESSIES. PRETTY VINTAGE TEA CUP CANDLES..

So your quince vodka is stored ready to make into beautiful Christmas gifts. Onto our next crafty gift, Vintage tea cup candles.

LOVE these little gifts.
So simple to make and very cost effective. Have a look in your local charity shop for lovely vintage cups.
You can use pretty little coffee cups like the ones in the picture, they are cheaper to pick up than tea cups and you don't need to use as much wax, or for an either cheaper alternative collect little glass jars and trim them with pretty bits of lace.


To make these you will need:

An old saucepan.
Large pan.
Candle wax/paraffin wax
Candle wick
Metal holders
Coffee cups/glass jars
Essential oil of your favourite scent




Cut wick to size, leave an extra inch on to work with and thread through
the wick holder and knot.



Add the wax pellets to the small saucepan, place this inside a large pan half filled with water and
heat gently, be carefully, never leave unattended as wax is flammable.
Heat gently until wax has melted and gone clear.

Secure wicks in place using a little melted wax



Gently pour the melted wax into the cups,
you will need to protect your surfaces as it will drip.
Leave to cool for a couple of hours. The wax would of then sunk around the wicks,
just top them up slightly with some more melted wax.
I've sprinkled lavender flowers onto mine and I've used a lavender scent.


When completely cool, cut wick to size.

Pretty little Christmas pressies.
 
Everything you need for candle making can be found on Amazon.
Always be carefull when working with hot wax and never leave unattended.
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2.11.12

MAKING CHRISTMAS PRESSIES.. QUINCE VODKA.

 
This year I have decided to make all my Christmas gifts and I am going to be sharing the recipe's
I am using so you can have a go too.
Follow me through the run up to christmas when I will be making flavoured vodkas, beauty scrubs, chocolates and more. Plus making pretty tags to put the finishing touch on your gift.
 
I am lucky enough to have quinces in my garden that are ripe now, however you can use different fruit if you wish. Sloes and Damsons make good alternatives.
 
Quince Vodka.
You will need 2 large quinces or about 6 small ones.
7 Oz of golden castor sugar.
18 flOz of good vodka.
Large sterilized jar with seal.
Small pretty bottles for decanting.
 
Firstly wash and grate the quinces into the sterilised jar, then add the sugar and vodka and seal. Swirl gently until the sugar has dissolved. Gently shake every day for 2 weeks, then every other week for the next 4. Finally Strain the liquid through some muslin and decant into your bottles (we like lakelands).
Tie on a pretty hand made tag and decorate with ribbon.
 
Emma x
 
 
 

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