2009.12.07 10:07:14

cathy

Finally we are now seeing the first frosts here in the Auvergne, France.  We are surrounded by many extinct volcanoes which are now topped with snow, like little Christmas puddings topped with delicious icing. This is what's inspired my little Treasure chest of goodies. Hope you don't feel too cold! Enjoy!

You can visit these artists and see more of their work by clicking on the images.

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gifts | treasures | ice | snow | winter

2009.11.14 08:27:18

cathy

OK, I agree, it's not the most glamorous gift to give someone but it is practical! You have to admit that for tea towels, these are pretty chic. You could have such fun with different designs and you really only need a basic level of sewing skill. Make a set, tie them together with some lovely ribbon and hey presto! you'll have a lovely gift in lightning time and which will cost very little. This tutorial comes courtesy of the purl bee.

The Nani Iro Woven Solids used in this project are absolutely lovely. They are super soft and absorbent and the brown color way is the perfect shade of chocolate.

• One Yard of Nani Iro Woven Solids in Chocolate
• One Yard of Nani Iro Woven Solids in White
• Two packages of Trefle Twill Tape, one printed with brown squirrels and one with white squirrels
• One spool of 100% cotton thread in color 1040
• One spool of 100% cotton thread in color 3020

Cut Fabric and Pin Twill Tape

Wash and Press your fabric.

Cut four 16 X 27-inch pieces from the fabric (two from the brown and two from the white)

Cut eight 16-inch lengths of twill tape (four lengths from each color way)

Pin a piece of twill tape three inches from each short edge of a cut piece of fabric. (I used the brown squirrel tape with the brown fabric and the white squirrels with the white fabric.) Each towel will use 2 pieces of twill tape, one on each end. Make sure that the squirrels are facing the correct direction, with feet down towards the 3-inch section.

Edge Stitch Twill Tape

Edge stitching is a row of stitches sewn very close to the edge of a seam (or in this case twill tape), it has never been my strongest skill! For me edge stitching almost always turns out wobbly or I miss the edge. For this project I knew I needed to step up my game.

After a quick call to my mom (a former professional seamstress) I realized that edge stitching isn't as hard as I've always made it out to be. All you need to do is line up the right hand edge of the twill tape with the inside of the foot as shown in the picture above. This will give you the tiniest seam allowance (approximately 1/32 of an inch). It's also important not to stop and start too much once you start sewing.

With these details in mind, edge stitch one side of the twill tape to the fabric. (If it doesn't turn out to your liking, rip it out and try again).  Use the brown thread on the brown dishtowel and the white thread on the white. Once you've neatly edge stitched one edge of your twill tape finish the other side in the same manner.

Hem the Towel

Press a 1/2-inch fold to the wrong side (the side without the twill tape) along both of the 16-inch sides of the towel. Then do the same to the 27-inch sides as shown above.

Repeat this step again, first folding the short (16-inch) sides in a 1/2-inch and then doing the same to the long (27-inch) sides. Pin the sides down.

With a 1/2-inch seam allowance sew all the way around the towel, backstitching at both ends.

And hey presto!

 

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tutorial | step-by-step | Christmas | sewing | home-decoration | handmade | gifts

2009.11.07 09:13:06

cathy

I defy anyone not to be happy receiving these great beauty products. They are entirely natural, no animals were harmed in the making of them and you know exactly what's been put in them.

This is a great one to give as a Christmas gift. You just have to be a little organised and ensure you have the ingredients to hand and make this just before you're going to give it. You can use old jam jars and cut a small circle of fabric which can be placed over the lid with an elastic band. You could also print off a label from the computer to say what's in it. I've found 3 recipes for facial masks courtesy of Arctida.

Nourishing and Moisturizing mask with Avocado, Honey and Yogurt
This face mask is moisturizing, nourishing, smoothing and full of vitamins and minerals. It is perfect for dry and mature skin.

1 Avocado
1 tbs Honey
1 tbs Lemon juice
1 tbs Yogurt

Combine avocado, honey, lemon juice and yogurt in a blender. Let the mixture stand in the fridge for about 30 minutes. This should be applied on your face and neck and let set for about 10-15 minutes. Rinse off with warm water or just wipe off with a damp wash cloth.

Gentle peeling mask with Tomatoes
Tomatoes is a wonderful source of fruit acids (AHA = Alpha-hydroxy Acid). Fruit acids loosen the “glue” between dead skin cells and the cells fall away (aka peeling effect), leaving your face very smooth and soft.

1-2 Tomatoes
10 ml (2 tsp) Honey
4 g Cosmetic corn starch or 1 g Xanthan gum ****** if you don’t have cosmetic corn starch (or just do not want to use it), add as much cornmeal, oatmeal or any binder of your choice, as needed to produce a paste.Combine tomatoes, honey and cosmetic starch/cornmeal/oatmeal in a blender. Apply formed paste to face and let set for about 10-15 minutes. Rinse off with warm water.

Cleansing fruit mask
Great homemade mask that helps you clean your face skin from the dead cells and blackheads.

50 g Pineapple

50 g Muskmelon (any melon for that matter, except for watermelon will do fine)
100 ml Water
8 g Cosmetic corn starch***** if you don’t have cosmetic corn starch (or just do not want to use it), add as much cornmeal, oatmeal or any binder of your choice, as needed to produce a paste.

Combine pineapple, melon, water and cosmetic starch/cornmeal/oatmeal in a blender. Apply formed paste to face and let set for about 10-15 minutes. Gently wipe off with a damp wash cloth.

These will keep for a good couple of weeks in the fridge. When you give your gift, why not include the recipe so that they can make more when it runs out.

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beauty | gifts | natural | environmentally friendly | handmade | organic