| Archive for Downsizer For an ethical approach to consumption |
| nettie |
Has anyone started on Christmas yet??Hi, I recently had a PM from Callas on RC about home made stuff, so thougt I'd copy it onto here to get your ideas!Is anyone making Xmas pressies already this year?? I made some last year and realised I had left it far too late so have started already for this year! Last year I made chill out kits containing wild damson gin (I had to make gallons of it!) home made chocs, almond and oatmeal washbags, the face creams, home made bailey's, crab apple jelly, then I added a couple of bought incense sticks and candles. Christmas eve I was still scraping the chocolate off the walls and was still wrapping on Xmas morning!!! I've started already for ths year - knitting scarves! There's a silly fluffy chenille type yarn that you can get (synthetic though, unfortunately, but my mates will like it) if you knit loosely, you can get a fluffy scarf done in 2-3 hours! They will get the face creams and the booze again, but I have been saving up the candle wax and will have a bash at making those too. Has anyone else started already or am I the only lone nutter??? 
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| mrutty |
We always buy some presents in the sales, so yes we are already stocking up. Not sure we've made anything yet, but we did keep boxes and baskets ready | ||
| mrsnesbitt |
I sold out of all my pickles and chutneys..so if anybody is thinking about having some more of my delicious cranberry chutney for 2005....now is the time to order!
I also have my own range of views from the NY moors ( and the geese mrutty) which I will be producing in the form of high quality greetings cards(blank) should you wish to take opportunity of my special offer..... buy one and get it!
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| Treacodactyl |
Funny,I mentioned at work that there's only 11 months to Christmas. 
I plan to only make hand made pressies this year. |
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| callas |
Yes I have! Have started knitting hats. In previous years I have made cakes, puds, chutneys, choc truffles in handmade boxes which I copied the template from a old box of thorntons. Glaced fruits, jams, made felt sockings filled with small presents. Have made sliced dried oranges etc. and then threaded them through rafia to make decorative hangings. I always make my own cards and gift tags.
This year I think I will also have a go at packaging my own seeds - and I would really like to have a go at some products like those produced at Lush and have another go at wine. I am starting early so that this year will be the year I actually have time to enjoy December! Without running around at the last minute stressed because I have left everything to the last minute. |
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| nettie |
Ooo Callas - hats! And I like the seeds idea too. Might pop a few bulbs into pots too, later on. | ||
| jema |
Well in a sense now I never stop, as wine is definately going to be a major gift to people. Perhaps one or tow may also get some year old Sloe Gin as well.
jema |
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| callas |
I thought with the seeds idea I could either print a picture from the computer onto an A4 sheet then fold it up and stick it down and make it into a packet like the shop ones...or if I have the time draw my own version of the seeds. We shall see. | ||
| Treacodactyl |
If they are flowers a dried pressed one on the packet? |
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| callas |
At this rate who ever receives them will be getting two gifts in one, seeds and something to frame. Pressed flowers is a really good idea. | ||
| nettie |
OOO Treacy that's rather a lovely idea.
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| Bugs |
I have seen templates for seed packets on the internetwebsuperhighway. Might be worth printing one of them off to do your packets from, then they'll look really professional too.
By the way, I don't think Treacodactyl had told me we were only doing hand made presents this year. I might have to trouble Nettie and Callas for their patterns....you'd better like handknitted things, Mister. |
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| mochyn |
OK I'll spend the evening making the list: who will get what and how can I make it: while the old chap is at football practice. Last December was a bit of a rush...
If anyone wants beaded brooches, necklaces etc. then talk to me! |
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| chrisico |
I have started collecting odd balls of wool from the charity shops to make into little stripey purses for presents for my daughter's friends' birthdays as they come up through the year. Scarfs and mittens and even knitted slippers have been known to make an appearance at Christmas, in wild and wacky colours.
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| wellington womble |
I've started practicing wash mitts and soap, which are going to be my main presents this year. As I haven't made them before, I am going to personally road test the first lot, and hopefully graduate to mittens and moiterizers before december.
christmas food and jams and jellys went down really well this year, so I will definately do those again, too. |
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| callas |
I was looking for a pattern or an idea on recycling plastic bags and found this 'how to' on making a bag which I thought looked really nice. I am now collecting plastic bags which are colourful from around the house and will have a go when I finished my hats. If it looks as good as the picture, several people will be getting them next Christmas.
http://www.diynet.com/diy/cr_needle_arts/article/0,2025,DIY_13768_3059465,00.html |
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| mochyn |
Womble: do you use sisal for the mits? What size? Do you have a pattern?
My ancient Body Shop mit is on its way to the big shower cubicle in the sky, and if I can make my own, well... And the plastic bag bag sounds good, too! |
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| alison |
I have just posted about plastic bag patterns on another site. I am looking for a rug or mat one, if anyone has seen anything like that. | ||
| wellington womble |
I did use sisal for the mitts (although I didn't know it came in sizes, and bought it in my local hardware store!) I do have a pattern, but it looked a bit complicated for what it was, and I just knitted a rectangle in plain knit 10 stitches wide and until i could fold it over my hand comfortabley on 1.0cm needles. If you have normal sized hands that should do fine (I'm going to make mine smaller, as i have child sized hands!)
It is a bit bulky though, so I would go for a finer string if you have a choice. then you just sew up the sides (I just did that with string too) and turn it inside out. I used the short end where I started knitting for the hanging loop. It works just fine, although I suppose it could be prettier. It is hard work to knit though, and I could only do a few rows at a time, cos it made my hands ache! |
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| alison |
I have some nice recipies for cookies in a jar, or bean soup in a jar, if anyone is interested. They are really colourful and can be made ages in advance. | ||
| sean |
I like the idea of the bean soup one. 
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| sean |
I'm assuming everyone's got their sprouts simmering already.  More seriously, the earlier you make your Christmas pudding the better, and they make good presents.
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| alison |
Bean Soup Mix
1/4 cup white kidney beans 1/4 cup kidney beans 1/4 cup split peas 1/4 cup pinto beans 2 TBSP pot barley Layer these beans in a jar with a lid. 2 TBSP parsley 2 TBSP dried onion 1 bayleaf 2 TBSP powdered beef broth Wrap these in a little bag or cling film and place on top of the beans. cooking instructions Wash and soak beans overnight. Drain and top with 6 cups of water and simmer until soft. add a can of tomatoes, do not add any salt until the last 5 minutes as it can double the cooking time and make the beans tough. |
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| sean |
Ta.
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| sugarplumhalle |
have also started xmas pressiesI have already started but im not as organised as all you by the sounds of it!Have started knitting a few bags which I will be felting and doing some kind of embroidary on top but thats pretty much it. Found a really good recipe for Chilli Vodka which I will definetly be using if my own chillies turn out well!! Halle x |
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| Mrs Fiddlesticks |
My peg loom will make rugs from plastic bags - I've just made the front of a cushion cover with mine and hope to try cut up bags next. In fact my peg loom is my new bestest toy and I'm keen to try out different wools and fabrics to see what pressy ideas come to mind. |
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| *Fluffykitten* |
Ive almost finished cross stitching my christmas cards for next year. Would love to give home made pressies this year too but havnt thought about that yet cos im preoccupied by all the seeds ive bought  Sounds like a great idea to get things sorted early - but i say this every year and always leave it til last minute.
Thanks Alison for the bean soup recipe idea. Its fab!! |