It's Crochet, Baby!

I made bowls out of very thick wool as presents - when my daughter spotted that one she nabbed it to wear as a hat...

It's time to get organised - 100 days to go

The first step this year are the cards: I want to use up a whole box of red paper I have stashed away and I don't want to buy any cards. I also have many leftover envelopes of all shapes and sizes, so I should really allow for that in the design of the cards...

Blackberry Jam

Pick blackberries from higher branches to avoid dogs' and foxes "traces".

Mix ~ 800gr of  blackberries with 500gr of jamsugar in a heavy based pot and slowly bring to a boil whilst stirring.

Once it is at a rolling boil leave to boil for 3 minutes and do the drop test:

Drop a bit onto a cold saucer - if it sets, take jam off the heat and fill into 

sterilised jars. If still liquid, boil a bit longer.

Wash jars in hot soapy water, then put them upside down in a 150 C oven for 10 minutes before filling them.

In need of a present

the first draft

My daughter asked for a "Spanish" present for her friend - where to find something Spanish for a teenager in Scotland? I took out my fabric pens in the end - she can use this as a sleepshirt...