Great Blog - Shopping Lives

I received a nice comment on my post 'My Month in Shopping Lists' (6th Aug) from chocolategirl64.  Check out her blog Shopping Lives, it's fascinating.  The blog is an archive of found shopping lists (see the description below) and is an addictive read.  Click the link below to see for yourselves.

 

Shopping Lives:
"A collection of shopping lists recovered by me from trolleys and baskets on my travels"

http://shopping-lives.blogspot.co.uk/

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Name Rings

I stumbled across this lovely ring whilst searching the Internet. They are based in the US but ship to the UK. The jewellery is innovative and original and reasonably priced. Check out the link below.

www.namesring.com

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Autumn Moodboard

How has your week been? It's turned chilly outside and we've finally lit the fire this week. To mark the autumn arriving I thought a Moodboard was in order.

Autumn/winter things I am looking forward to:

1. Tomorrow, it's the weekend!
2. Half term, only 4 weeks away.
3. Doing some machine embroidery, soon to be posted, watch this space.
4. Halloween; the village I live in has a history of witchcraft, Halloween is a much anticipated festival. Sweet treats and dressing up, what's not to like?
5. Wearing my winter wardrobe, it makes me feel like I have new clothes without having to spend any cash.

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Blackberry and Apple Jelly Recipe

After a good forage in the hedgerows for blackberry's and a donation of some brambly apples from a kind neighbour I set to work making blackberry and apple jelly.  So few ingredients and a big reward, nothing beats homemade jam.  Try this simple recipe below, it makes approx 8 jars of jam depending on the size of jar you are using.

 

 

Ingredients

 

blackberry's 1 kg (2lb 4oz)

apples (brambly are good) 1 kg (2lb 4oz)

granulated sugar 900g (2lb)

water 1.2 lt

 

 

Method

- Roughly chop your apples, put them in a pan with the blackberry's and water and place on the heat(don't peel or core the apples, this will give the mix added pectin which will help the jelly set).

- Bring the mix to a simmer and keep on the heat until all the fruit has softened and becomes pulpy.

- Once the fruit is pulpy take off of the heat and cool a little.

- tip your fruit mix into a straining bag or pass it through some muslin cloth leaving it to drip until all the juice has strained, do not be tempted to squeeze the mixture as this will make your jam turn cloudy (I leave mine to strain overnight).

- You will need to measure how much juice you get from the mix, the ratio of sugar needed is roughly 450g (1lb) of sugar per 600ml (1pint) of juice.

- Put the juice in a pan and bring to the boil slowly, then add your sugar, stir until the sugar dissolves. You will now need to boil the mix rapidly, do not stir it but let it boil for about 10 mins as this will allow the mix to reach setting point.

- Jar up and seal the jam as quickly as possible.

Setting point

please a small plate in the fridge for about 15mins, place hot jam on the chilled plate, push the edges of the jam with your finger. id the jam wrinkles and crinkles setting point has been reached. If it does not wrinkle keep boiling it for a couple more mins and try again.

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Sloe Gin or Sloe Vodka - Good Recipe

The weather is turning and the end of summer is here, the hedgerows and fruit trees are pregnant with the summer bounty, what a wonderful time of year to go foraging for free food!!!  I know people moan about the weather in the UK but I like the changes in the seasons, I like snuggling up in front of the fire in winter and celebrating all the autumn and winter festivals.  I love the spring time when the land wakes up and everything is renewed and leads into carefree hazy summer days.  For most of my life I have lived in rural locations and the seasons dictated everything we did and to some extent what we ate.

One of my favourite tipples is sloe gin, warming and rich in flavour and as ever, easy and inexpensive to make.  Right now there should be lots of sloes about so make the most of this time of year, the only commodity you really need is time.

I have made both sloe gin and sloe vodka and both taste great, see my recipe below for how to make this fantastic liqueur.

Ingredients

450g (16oz) sloes

450g (16oz) sugar

600ml gin or vodka

Method

Most people prick each sloe, however for a quicker result place your sloes in the freezer over night, this breaks down the sloes structure and helps to get those lovely juices flowing.

Get a large sterilised bottle/jar/container and place the sloes in this, next add all the sugar, finally add the alcohol.  Place the lid on your container and give the contents a rigorous shake.

For the next week shake the mixture daily ensuring the sugar does not settle to the bottom.  After this first week you will only need to shake the mixture once a week.

What you do next depends on your personal preference, most recipes differ.  Some suggest leaving the sloes in for about 10 weeks, sieving off the mix and then bottling up.  I personally leave the sloes in the mix for about three months and then sieve and put into sterilised bottles.  At this point you can drink it but I would recommend leaving it for 18-24 months before drinking(some say even longer, one man I spoke to said 8 years!!).

Added extras:  Try adding 2-3 cloves in sloe vodka for an even warmer liqueur.

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I'm back!!! Sorry, I've had some technical issues...

Hello everyone, I've missed you!!  I'm so sorry my blog has not been accessible for over a week.  I decided to buy the custom domain for Make Do Sew and there have been some teething issues setting it up.  However I think these may be sorted out soon.  I have been collecting and gathering posts so keep your eyes peeled.  Once my new domain name is set up the address will be www.makedosew.com.  Watch this space...

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New Blog Header - Make Do Sew

When I first started blogging back in January I put together a draft header for Make Do Sew, it was only ever a stop gap until I had added to my very basic Photoshop skills.  I have managed to follow some simple online tutorials and have put together an improved header.  Hopefully you will like it, it will stay in place until I gain more Photoshop knowledge.  As usual comments and suggestions always appreciated.

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Friendship Bracelets - Back to the Old Skool

Do you remember the old days when you'd sit in your lessons at school surreptitiously making your friendship bracelets? Okay, it's just me then!!  Seeing this article in Mollie Makes brought back so many memories, I was obsessed with them, it was a bit of a craze at my school.  Until I saw this article I'd completely forgotten that I knew how to make them.  It was with much delight that I passed on this simple skill to my daughter.  She was fascinated for the first half an hour but soon got bored with the knot tying.  Anyway, see our effort below.

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Wool flowers made with a fork...

I learnt how to make woollen fork flowers when I joined the Brownies for a short period of time. I was never a good Brownie, I had always had a hankering to be a Cub.  Back then girls weren't allowed to join the Cubs so Brownies it was.  Apart from getting my badge for learning how to make a cup of tea (which I already knew how to do) I did learn to make these small woollen flowers using the humble fork.  As with most of my makes, its quick, easy and inexpensive to do and a much enjoyed summer holiday craft project.  See the step-by-step photos below.

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Tree House (not in a tree)

My talented partner made our children a tree house over the summer holls, its not quite finished yet but I couldn't wait to share the progress so far.  The children love it!!!  It's not quite a tree house as it's not in a tree, but it is next to our lovely Eucalyptus tree so in our books that just about qualifys it.  I'll post more pics when its finished.  Feedback always welcome :-)
 

 

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Exciting News (The Simple Things magazine)

I'm a very, very happy blogger!! Upon receiving issue one of 'The Simple Things' magazine I wrote my previous post (3rd Sept), giving a brief overview and a recommendation. I took a quick snap of the magazine placing it on top of our allotment onion crop. I shared the post with 'The Simple Things' and upon receiving a lovely 'thank you' reply thought no more of it. Today both on their blog and Facebook page 'The Simple Things' posted a photomontage of the "best reader cover photos" and one of them is mine!!!! They also mention Make Do Sew. Over the moon, to say the least.

 

 

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The Simple Things Magazine.....it's arrived!!!

It's finally here, the new magazine from the makers of Mollie Makes called 'The Simple Things'. This first edition is packed with interesting articles, recipes and inspiration. I'm already inspired to try some new recipes such as the warmed Camembert with rosemary, honey and almonds. Stand out articles include Ghost Signs, (old hand-painted advertising signs) The Expert : Cheese, an expert guide to buying, eating and storing cheese and Seed Swap, a look at the global seed swapping movement. Each article was insightful, informative and interesting. I've also fallen in love with some of the homewares featured, added to my wish list is a cuckoo table clock (www.rume.co.uk) and a wise words cushion (www.johnlewis.com). Click on the link below to check out The Simple Things. Highly recommended.

The Simple Things

 

 

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