WOYWW

Happy hump day and  "What's on Your Workdesk Wednesday" where we bare our desks.

On mine this week it has looked the same most of the past week....mainly because it is preserving season so my crafting has been in the kitchen (or on the computer so sorry if I missed revisiting some blogs in the past week).  I have printed out some labels BUT the wretched inks do NOT last as long as they used to so once again I am going to have to buy some more as this batch have printed quite light.

My "Man Bites Dog" cards this week are "Mayor Tricks General"....ooh!

Scroll on down the page if you'd like to see some of the preserving I have been doing recently, not posted them all as there is rather a LOT this year since I have the allotment.

Have a nasty feeling is this my ONLY batch of elder brandy and elder vinegar this year as sadly the berries have all been shrivelled and not great where I go for my walks (same with the sloes and bullaces-very few on my walks)

For the first time I thought I would try drying my calendula to use in tinctures etc.  My friend has passed me some recipes (thanks Bex) so I have a few ideas.

Made lots of pickled nasturtium seeds this year.  I didn't make any last year and had to buy capers!  Shocked I know, I have made about 6 jars so hoping they will see me through.

Made these the other week, Strawberry Jam.  A fabulous local fruit seller gave me a load of fruit past its sell by rather than binning it so I picked through and had enough to make a few jars of jam.

 Been making LOTS of this.  Marrow and Ginger jam.  Those who follow me on instagram would have seen the HUGE courgettes I have, especially the yellow zephyr ones.  Well these make a delicious ginger jam and I have made about 4 batches so far!  It does take abut 3 hours from start to finish per batch so hard work but worth it as tastes delicious (even added some warmed up to a glass of spiced rum the other day!

Couple batches of spiced courgette chutney to ring the changes (rhubarb wasnt great this year so was low on chutney for winter/spring) its having to wait a few months before I can taste it to find out how it turned out which really frustrates me!

Last but not least, Strawberry Vinegar.  LOVE this, last year I made tons of elderberry vinegar but this year its strawberry as I had a lot on the allotment as well as local producers.  It is like an old fashioned shrub and nice in a cocktail, cooking or my favourite, neat over salad or cous cous. 

 Phew, just need somewhere to store it all now!!

Kyla

I got myself in a right jam

So, I tend to flit between crafts and since it is foraging season I have been making items ready for my Christmas gift hampers.

I have already started some Elderberry Brandy (it should be ready in about a month) but below is my first (and only as it takes a long time to make) batch of Blackberry jam.

It doesn't look much but it always catches me off guard as to how long it takes to make this!

  From picking bags of blackberries, de-labelling the jars and sterilising through to making the jam-it takes an entire afternoon for 6 jars!  To make sure there was enough pectin in the jam I added some foraged apples, cooking them down to a pulp with the blackberries.

All cooled and ready to add to the hampers come Christmas time!

Kyla

Christmas Cards, knitting and marmalade-all with a hangover!

Finally I have made a start on some Christmas cards. It is SO difficult to sit down and concentrate on just one topic-I usually end up flitting between projects, and finishing very little! I am loving both the pink and turquoise with a bit of glitter to add that sparkle and sakura glaze pens to add a little glossy definition for the darker colour on the baubles. I can't believe that we are only about 6 weeks to Christmas-madness, where has the year gone? Now, I'm told its an age thing, but I refute that!

I also made some white on white cards, with an embossed tree dusted with mica powder, and a double sided peel-off greeting with white holographic glitter applied all over.

I also finished my very first knitting project, a green scarf that doubles as a dishcloth! (well, there are a few holes, but then it is my first attempt). I embellished it with a row of green sequins and a large button. I wore it out for the first time yesterday-warm and toasty!

I also managed to make some marmalade with ginger and whiskey-nice! I decided since my dad loves all 3 ingredients I would make him some for his upcoming birthday, and decorated the jam jar with some pretty papers-nice! I cant wait for the tasting....mmmmm hot buttered toast.....

Not bad crafting for a wet and windy Sunday, especially since I am a little fragile after last night's party at Jill's (my friend who runs our weekly crop)-a great night which meant we all got to show our OH where we spend a few hours every week gossiping/crafting.well, the two go hand in hand don't they? Oh, and talking of our weekly crop, look at these gorgeous mini mosaics Tracy brought us all-aren't they cute? I cant wait to make something with them.


Phew, I need a lie down now........

Li'l Pidge