DIY Hand warmers

These are so good for those of us who live in climates where it snows in the winter

these are so handy for those times when you walk the dogs or pop into town for a shop but what ever the reason these hand warmers are easy to make and wonderful to use

poly fleece is good to use or upcycle old sweatshirts and or jumpers, fill with rise and heat in the microwave for 30 seconds. Slip these into your pockets for warm hands for an hour

Vintage Hanky Sachet Tutorial

Not too many ladies use pretty hankies any more,  preferring the cleanliness of a throw away tissue. But I love the charm of these dainty linens and decided to repurpose them into lovely lavender filled sachets.

stitch the sides closed

 make a separate pouch out of muslin the same size as my envelope , fill it with the lavender and insert it into the hankie envelope. This keeps the lavender from spilling out.

Thanks to Vintage Chateau for the tutorial

Hand Towel Apron

one hand towel and some odd fabric

This was the simplest apron to make. It’s made from a hand towel & left over fabric !!

Lay out the hand towel & top it with about 3 inches wide fabric & the length needed that will allow you to tie it around your waist. 

 Back of towel

Front of towel

Make sure to leave enough extra to fold over to hem. Pin down and sew.  

Now make a pocket for the front. First cut a square, then hem the top of it

Shabby Chic" Apron From Denim Jeans

Shabby Chic" Apron From Denim Jeans 

 

  Cut down sides, leaving stitched seam

 

 Cut across top, leaving waist band. Apron will button in back, using the waist band. . .

 

 Measure down 11". . .

 

 The possibilities are endless.

Whipped Cream That Holds Its Shape For Days

This recipe for sweetened whipped cream will solve all your problems on how to get whipped cream to hold it’s shape for days.

 If you’ve ever tried to make a dessert using whipped cream that lost it’s shape in no time flat, I’m here to help you make perfect whipped cream that will not only hold it’s shape, but will stay looking beautiful for days.  The secret ingredient – skimmed milk powder (aka nonfat powdered milk or  Non fat Instant Dry Milk)

 Ingredients

 

• 1¼ Cup/310ml Whipping Cream
• 6-8 tablespoons powdered sugar
• 1 teaspoons vanilla extract
• 1 tablespoon skimmed milk powder (aka nonfat powdered milk or Non fat Instant Dry Milk)

 Instructions

1. Add powdered sugar (to taste), skimmed milk powder, and vanilla to the cream.
2. Using a food processor, whip the cream until it thickens (this doesn't take long at all so check often). When you run a spoon through it, and it holds it's shape without falling back into the gap, it's ready to use.
3. This recipe makes about 2 cups of whipped cream.

 

Trick to double your BUTTER!

Trick to double your BUTTER! 

 

 Isn't everything better with butter?!

Butter, is however, more expensive ... plus, there's no lo-cal alternative.
Butter is butter.

This is what makes this trick so wonderful!
You can double your butter, turning 1 stick into 2!
All you need is butter & water.

 

 Start off by bringing your 

butter to room temperature.

{I always buy my butter at Aldi. 
Unless it's on sale somewhere, Aldi price is always better.}

In a mixing bowl using your electric mixer, whip the butter & begin adding in
1/2 c. of lukewarm water, a bit at a time.
Continue mixing until water is completely blended with the butter.

Here's the 'whipped' butter that you end up with:

 

I LOVE this trick!!

It not only stretches your butter, it stretches your dollar ... & cuts your calories!

So, to recap:  equal parts butter to water.

Easy peasy.

I keep a tub of this on the counter where it stays perfectly soft & ready for use.

The additional tubs {I do several lots at a time}, I store in the fridge.

Let it come to room temp. before using.

Don't use this whipped butter for baking ... stick with the real butter for that.

Lavender bags

These are so cute to make using old damaged linen

Felted Soap

If there's someone you really care about, nothing say's you love them more than to give a handmade gift.

Gift Idea - Felted Soap 

These handmade soaps are wrapped in softly spun, naturally anti-fungal wool to create

an exfoliating, fragrantly lathering, long-lasting bath time soap.   Similar to wrapping your soap in a washcloth and is naturally exfoliating. When the soap dissolves, reuse the pouf by making a small slit and slipping your own bar inside. 

This is a PERFECT handmade gift for children to make - with your help

It only takes about 15 minutes to complete each bar. 

What you'll need:  

A bar of soap, carded wool, a towel and a dish of hot water

Here is the How-To

 

 

Ideas for Acorns felted or Gum nuts

You only need acorn caps for this project. Add a little glue around the edge of the cap and attach it to a wool ball.

Thanks to Mega raft for the tutorial