Jewells: May 2011

Tuesday, May 31, 2011

Red Grapefruit Marmalade

I was given some Red Grapefruit and limes, so I decided to make some marmalade.
The computer is a wonderful source of information when it comes to looking up recipes, then sifting thru them to find an easy recipe. This one was soooo easy:

Cut 5 grapefruit in half. Cover with water and boil gently for 2 hours.
Drain off water and mulch cooked grapefruit (skins and all) in a food processor.
Put mulched grapefruit, juice of 4 lemons (or limes) and 8 cups of sugar in boiler.
Bring to boil stirring the whole time and then simmer for nearly 20 mins.
Pour into sterilised bottles, put on lids straight away.

A real marmalade taste, sweet but tangy.

I was also given this "Buddha's Hand" to place in a bowl in a room. It sends out a citrus smell. The person who gave it to me said it is all skin and she only uses it to freshen a room, but she said that someone else cut it up and made a marmalade.

I have made about 25 bottles of the grapefruit marmalade so far and still have more to make...hope I can sell heaps to customers at work!

Until next post...

Cheers...Jewells

Wednesday, May 25, 2011

Sad ending to Jewells 2011 Easter Swap

It is sad to say that not everyone of the 24 ladies who participated, received their Easter Gifts.

Unfortunately the three ladies that never received their gifts all live in Australia and they were:
Jodie in NSW
Sheryl in Vic
and Me, Julie in NSW

The ladies who were to send to the above three have all sent their parcels, so looks like snail post has let us down... maybe next time (if I do a next time) I will ask that ALL parcels be REGISTERED, and that way they can all be tracked.

Until next post...

Cheers...Jewells

Sunday, May 22, 2011

Garage Sale Buy

Most Saturday mornings, my boyfriend and I go to Garage Sales and look at some of the things I bought this week:

I just fell in love with these framed prints and had to buy them at $2 each. They are 31 x 37cm each and I just LOVE them!

I bought this magazine carry all full of "craft" items for $4. I haven't had a good look yet, but there is quilling, sewing, knitting, jewellery making,............... to say a few!

I also bought a brand new pair of Italian Leather shoes for $5

and a pair of double bed flat sheets and matching pillowcases for $5 as well. The sheets are going to be put away to use as a quilt backing as they are 100% cotton... I often turn quilt tops into doona covers and flat sheets make a perfect backing.

Must go and have a good look at that carry all full of craft items.

Until next post...
Cheers...Jewells

Wednesday, May 11, 2011

Knitted Scarf or Two

I have been knitting scarfs lately and decided to knit 2 from the same wool but change needles for the second one.
This is the first scarf and it is knitted with a 200gm ball of 8ply wool and on 4.5mm needles and 40 stitches wide.

I am now knitting the second one and it is the same wool, same amount of stitches but this time on 5mm needles... it is 1" wider that the other scarf!

At home today.. as I had a fall at work yesterday and had a bad night as I was aching all over. (landed heavily on my right hand and knee, no visual damage) As it is windy and cold today, I called in sick and stayed in bed till 10.30am, then got up, put the heater on and am staying inside next to the computer and TV... I think my body just went into shock and told me to take it easy for 24 hours.... as my daughter said..."old age Mum"...good on her!

Until next post...

Cheers...........Jewells

Sunday, May 8, 2011

Block 11 Finished & Chokos

Today I managed to sit down and sew block 11 from The Fat Quarter Shop. It arrived late last month, and I only had time to sew it today.

It is called "The Basket of Good Cheer" and I really like this one!

I also have been busy making Choko Mustard Pickles. I was given a heap of chokos last week, as my choko vine isn't producing anything but leaves, so I made up 2 batches of pickles.