Envirobag Giveaway ! One Of My New Envirobags !

One of my new envirobags to give away !
These are my new envirobags hot of my machine !
They are made from 100% cotton fabric, made from 100% solar power (from the sun ) and all lovingly made by me. So be the first to own one. They roll up small to keep in your handbag or glove box of your car for when needed . So to enter my giveaway you need to be a follower (not a follower yet well sign up to be one so you can enter ) and post a comment in 25 words or less what post you liked best on my blog and why ,how simple is that !
I will announce the winner on January 5th 2011.
So please check back then to see if you are the winner ! To see all the bags I currently sell please visit    http://sherriesbagworld.blogspot.com/
I'm looking forward to reading all your posts ! Because its over the Christmas break I've decided to extend it a little longer ..until the 5th January...

Here's Wishing You All A Wonderful Christmas !

I would just love to wish all my followers and every one who drops in, to take a look at my blog a very
Merry Christmas ! I Hope it is filled with lots of Love, Health , Peace, Joy and lots of festive good cheer! I'm looking forward to the brand New Year ahead of us 2011 ! I sure hope it is a wonderful year for us all , May it be filled with lots of Love, Peace &Joy !

Traditional Fruit Cake Recipe !

This is a traditional fruit cake recipe !
When I did a cake decorating course many years ago the teacher Dot Baxter gave us all her tried and tested fruit cake recipe that is suitable for wedding and Christmas cakes to be iced or just left plain . I mostly make mini fruit cakes these days as they cook a lot quicker, no cutting involved and they come in the perfect amount per serving .Kev loves them for morning tea or any time really . This recipe can be made using gluten free flour and using no sugar or butter (I used nuttelex margarine)as that's how I used to make it for myself  years ago and it was just as delicious. If I was to make it dairy free today I would use extra virgin coconut oil and a milk substitute like maybe almond milk.

Here is the original recipe!
1/2 pound butter.
1/2 pound dark brown sugar.
3 eggs.
3/4 pound plain flour.
2 pounds mixed fruit.
1/2 cup sherry or brandy (optional)
1/2 cup milk
1/2 teaspoon bi carb.
1/2 teaspoon of each vanilla,almond &lemon essence.
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon,ginger,nutmeg &cloves.
blanched almonds (optional for decoration).
Method: Put fruit,essences,spices bicarb and sugar in bowl and mix well. Melt butter and milk and pour over fruit mixture and mix well. Add eggs one at a time and mix well.Add flour gradually then add alcohol put into a 8 inch lined cake tin bake in a pre-heated oven for 1/4 of an hour at 180 degrees C or 350 degrees F then turn down oven to 120-140 degrees C or 250 degrees F for 3 &1/2 hours . Place blanched almonds in a pattern on top before placing into oven.
Making the mini fruit cakes this mixture makes 24 muffin size cakes and I bake them in the oven  at 160 degrees C  for 15 minutes then turn down oven to 120 degrees for 20-25 minutes until a skewer or cake tester comes out clean .
If making these cakes in mini cake tins from 450 gram salmon or tuna tins,then this amount of mixture makes 6 small cakes and bake them at 180 degrees for 15 minutes then turn down to 120 degrees and cook for 40-45  minutes. All ovens are different so check with cake tester before removing from oven .

How To Line A Cake Tin Tutorial !

How To line A Cake Tin Tutorial !
When I went and did a cake decorating course many years ago, I was taught how to line a tin to make a fruit cake. So today I'm making mini fruit cakes for Christmas and I thought I would include the steps to line a tin for beginners new to cooking fruit cakes. So lets begin, I use brown paper to line mine you could also use glad bake.This method is suitable for any shape tin ! Here is the link to my earlier post on free cake tins small cake tins about using salmon or tuna fish cans to make mini cake tins...I have been using these for years to make my mini fruit cakes.These are my mini salmon tins that I collected years ago but the technique is suitable for any size and shape tin .

Step 1.

Place cake tin on brown paper and trace around the bottom of the tin with a pencil and cut it out .

Step 2.
Now measure around the tin and cut paper to suit.then fold up about an inch .

Step 3.
Now cut little cuts just to the fold line as in photo .



 

Step 4.
Now place paper inside of cake tin so that the cuts
sit flat on the bottom of the cake tin .

                                                                                   
Step 5.
Now place the circle in the bottom now its complete.Now you are ready to fill with the cake mixture.



You can use either a single layer of paper or you can double it to make it thicker it's really up to you .
I usually have double thickness,hopefully is will eliminate any leaching from materials in the tins .









                                                                                                                       



Gift Ideas & Wrapping Ideas No 4.

What to use to wrap gifts !
Here in the photo I have used tea towels .I brought some Christmas tea towels to use to wrap up gifts. Tied them with some jute string added a tag hey presto . No wrapping paper to buy or throw away and way better for the environment. Then the recipient gets another gift the tea towel. Another idea for gifts for people who love to sew,make quilts or general crafting you could buy some lovely fabrics buy a metre cut it into four fat quarters and wrap gifts, I'm sure they will be happier to add another fat quarter to their stash, rather then throw away wrapping paper. If you make aprons use them to wrap a gift also. I read a tip the other day about some one using buckets they had collected that had ice cream in them and making up gift buckets I thought that was a great idea...I remember when I was pregnant with my last son Jack, I had a real craving for feta cheese. So therefore I used to buy it by the kilo in those plastic white buckets, they would also be great to use. So instead of gift baskets make gift buckets.Buckets are very cheap to buy I saw them yesterday at Kmart for 85cents each, you could buy a few and fill with goodies then they get to use the bucket ...What are some other great ideas people use that are good for the environment ? I would love to hear what every one else uses. I would love it if you would post and share all your other great ideas with us all. I'm hoping to make my blog more interactive so I would love people to post and share what they do and if they have a blog to share details with us all . Jack keeps telling me how many days are left to go before Christmas...Like I need reminding ...life is going too fast ...well 4 days to go !
I'm in the process of making fruit cakes today ...all going well I will post recipe tomorrow !

Gift Ideas & Wrapping Ideas No 3.

Another Quick & Easy Idea !
Another idea is to put some chocolate truffles or home made biscuits in a clear cellophane bag and decorate with some red curling ribbon.Also make some lovely tags which have been printed on them home made chocolate truffles. Looks very Simple & lovely .

Gift Ideas & Wrapping Ideas ! No 2

Cute Mugs filled with home made truffles !
I brought these cute mugs from Woolies the other day at only $1 each and filled them with truffles for my two eldest sons. For Jack to give his brothers for Christmas ! So you could either fill the cups with truffles (I recommend washing them first) or you could put the truffles in a cellophane bag and put them in the cup. I think they look really cute . Or you could get really more fancy and buy a lovely bone china mug or cup & saucer and fill with the truffles or chocolates! You could also give the recipient a jar of coffee or an assortment of different teas, what ever you think they would like best. Or you could make up your own drinking chocolate and put into a lovely glass jar ! To make drinking chocolate mix 1/2 cup cocoa powder with 1 cup pure icing sugar, mix well and put into a glass jar . Note: To remove any lumps push through a sieve or blend to mix in either a blender or food processor !

Gift Ideas & Wrapping Ideas ! No 1

Here are a few ways to gift wrap home made chocolates or truffles !
My first idea is two buy some wine glasses and fill with truffles or chocolates, cover with clear wrapping tie some red curling ribbon around the top to hold the clear wrap in place, then add a gift tag. This gift would be nice to give to a couple with a nice bottle of red wine. If you have 3 couples to buy for, you could buy a box of 6 wine glasses and use 2 for each couple. After they eat the truffles they can use their glass to drink the red wine... Of course buy either red or white and glasses to suit. A very inexpensive lovely gift idea !

Make A Curling Ribbon Caddy !

My Curling Ribbon Caddy !
Yesterday as I was wrapping gifts, I came up with another recycled project using a mundella 1kilo yoghurt container .I cut 5 slits in the lid and threaded the four different colour curling ribbons through the top. Now when I need some I just pull it out the top no more tangles and trying to find the end. The fifth slit was in the middle of the lid and I pushed the scissors in ,which can stay there all the time as we have a few pairs floating around. That way when I need curling ribbons I don't need to look for the scissors. Keep it with all your gift wrapping supplies to keep you well organised . Also saves another plastic container from landfill.

My Mini Giant Ice-Cream Sandwiches !

Mini Ice-cream Sandwiches !
These mini giant ice cream sandwiches are so easy to make and make a lovely quick and easy treat over the summer holidays... for all the kids that drop in over Christmas....I know I hear you all say " What about the adults" Of course for all the big kids as well . i have been making these for years off and on you know how it is you forget for a year or two and them remember again. Its was On Saturday we picked our son Jack up after a sleep over at his friends house and headed to the beach he said he was hungry and I said I would buy him an ice cream. he picked a giant sandwich, why do kids nearly always pick the most expensive icecreams . Anyway it cost me $3.20 and I thought that's expensive I know that's what they cost ..buy hey in my opinion way to expensive that's what you get for convenience..."I know"Then I thought out loud and said lets buy some chocolate chip cookies and make our own again ..So that's what we did ! We brought chocolate chip cookies which were on special at Woolies, don't you just love it when you want to buy something and it's on special ..I do...Gives me a quick buzz ! We had ice cream at home ..so how easy is that get a biscuit top with a scoop of good quality ice cream put another biscuit on top..I brought four packets of chocolate chip cookies and I will make a big batch for when Jack has his friends over on the school holidays for play dates...And Kev loves them too ...Him and Jack a huge ice cream fans...I don't eat ice cream ..! So I hope you give them a try and hope that gives others who make them also a gentle reminder to make them again ! You could use any type of biscuit without a filling in the centre  chocolate ripple I also use... Also no cooking involved which is another great thing over the warmer months of the year !  I store them in a plastic container with lid in the freezer of course !

Really Healthy Home Made Chocolate Truffles !

Raw,gluten,dairy,sugar free chocolate truffles !
They will make lovely gifts for the raw, gluten and dairy free people in your life and every one else ! (The best part they won't even know they are healthy if you don't tell them )They are very easy to make and no cooking involved, how great is that at around Christmas time there is usually enough to do and if you live in a country that is getting warmer like here in Australia your kitchen won't be getter any hotter with making up this recipe. This is my gorgeous friend Mimi's recipe from Simple Savings which can be changed to accommodate different dietary needs !( I'm sure she will be happy with me sharing the recipe with you all as more people will get to make it and enjoy eating them. Recipes are to be shared and enjoyed. That's how I feel so I hope she feels the same way ! So without further ado here it is!
1 1/2 cups whole almonds
1/2 cup Tahini (I use sesame seeds ground up fine)
1/2 cup Rice Malt Syrup ( To make grain free use agave syrup or honey)
1/4 cup good quality cocoa (Can use raw cocoa powder)
1 teaspoon vanilla extract ( I use vanilla bean paste or fresh vanilla bean )
75 grams dates (I use 100 grams)
3/4 cup shredded or dessicated coconut or 1/4 cup cocoa for rolling the truffles in
In a food processor, pulse the almonds until finely ground, . Add the dates and pulse until finely chopped. Add all the other ingredients, and continue to pulse, working the ingredients to a thick paste. .(I use a dessertspoon which makes about 20), shape into balls and place on a platter. Chill and serve. . Keep refrigerated until ready to eat. They are also Low GI .
Note :Here are a few of my own tips: You can use sunflower seeds if you can not eat nuts.(Also they are cheaper then almonds) I didn't have tahini but I always have sesame seeds in my pantry so I  ground them up and used that . Also I didn't have vanilla extract so I used half a vanilla bean, that I threw in the food processor and ground it up. Also you can use either rice syrup,honey or agave syrup.I also used raw cocoa powder for the first and second batch and I used home brand cocoa for the third batch . I added 100 grams of dates, if you are using almond meal use 250 grams = 1&1/2 cups . These jars I brought from woolies a few years back for $2 each that way the recipient can use them for something else afterwards. You could also wrap a few in cellophane and add a red or green ribbon. The labels I printed out on the computer cut them out and stuck it on a piece of red cardboard punched a whole in the end and tied it on with red ribbon. You could also print the recipe out and give with the truffles, because I'm sure after eating them they will want the recipe !

Shabby Chic Fabric Mirror !

Here is my shabby chic fabric mirror !
I have made quiet a few now, Most of my friends have one that I have made for them and given them as birthday presents  over the years!This one is on my bedroom wall and made from white cotton fabric and 100 % cotton lace. Some of the others I have made using cream calico fabric and 100 % cotton lace and a rose for decoration ! They are very easy to make !
I made another one so I could do a tutorial to show you all how to make one ! Lovely for any girl for her bedroom.

Step 1.
You will need a mirror the one I'm using is height 11 inches or 28 cm and width 7 & 3/4 inches or 19.5 cm . When I brought these mirrors they were wrapped in plastic wrap and on an oval piece of cardboard which I use in the next step .

Step 2 

Trace around the mirror with a pencil with a
border of just under 1&1/5 inches or 3cm.
Then cut it out.

 Step 3.

Measure around the mirror double it and cut a white strip of cotton fabric 2&3/4 inches 7.5cm then fold it in half and sew one side then turn out the right side I always use a chop stick to turn fabrics strips the right side. I know there is a gaget you can make to turn fabrics I will one day ! 

Step 4.

Thread the tube of white fabric that you have just made over the cut out oval and ruffle it up evenly around the ova.l 

Step 5. 

Then you will need to join the cut part with either a few stapples or sticky tape. Then pull the ends of fabric the join add a drop of glue it stitch it in place .

Step 6.
Now measure around the outer edge of ruffle and either sew or stitch lace on. I used lace that was already gathered. I sticthed it to the inside edge .
 

Step 7.

This is the finished front with the lace either sewn or stitched

on .

Step 8.

Cut a piece of cardboard for the back of the mirror

the same size as the piece you began with about 3cm bigger all around then the mirror.

Step 9.

You will need to cut a piece of white fabric a bit bigger then the back piece of cardboard and also measure the centre and put two wholes and thread through the piece of wire that you will need to hang the mirror up . I used a piece of white plastic coated wire that are used for twisted ties. and twist it a few times on the back to make it secure .

Step 10.

I used a glue gun but you could use any good glue

to cover the piece of cardboard with the white fabric.

                                                                                     Step 11.

This is the back to see the wire how it is placed you will also need to poke two holes in the fabric .

Step 12. 

Now cut another strip of white fabric, measure around the outside of backing cardborad and double it and cut that length by 3 &1/8 inches or 8cm wide. You will need to sew the ends together then fold right way with seam inside then gather around the edge so it will fit the cardboard back then glue onto the wrong side of the covered cardboard back .

Step 13.

This is how it will look from the back once it is glued into position .Next step is to glue the mirror in and glue the front cover on .

Step 14. 

After gluing the mirror in and the front on next is to

glue on the trimming braid to give it a nice finished edge. I have also made them using little strings of cream pearl beads in place of braid trim.

                            

Step15.                                                                Now you will need to stick your rose on the lower side like in photo . I used a white paper rose brought from a craft shop you could also use a dried rose which I have also used in the past. I hope you found my Shabby Chic Mirror tutorial easy to follow if you have any questions please feel free to post and ask me I will be happy to help in any way that I can . 

                                                                                 

Aprons ! So Easy To Make Your Own !

Aprons are so easy to make for yourself or great to make for gifts for family and friends !
Aprons are so handy to use while preparing food as they save your clothes from being ruined from stains from foods like beetroot if you are making a beetroot dip and other food spills in the kitchen.
You only need a metre of fabric to make a great apron . You can make it fancy or plain add pockets
or you can make ruffles around the edges. They can be great with a big pocket on the front which can also be worn when fruit or vegetable harvesting eg pick apples and put in the pocket to be taken inside to make an apple pie or cake ! I don't have an apple tree but it does sound nice. I pick lemons to take inside to make lemon cordial and home made ginger beer and home made salad dressing ! After writing this blog I'm going to cut out and sew a big pocket on the front of my apron ! Look for fabrics when they are on sale, makes the aprons even cheaper. My apron in the photo was made using  fabric that cost me $3.50 a metre and 100 % cotton so will wash well ! Happy sewing every one !

Make Your Own Christmas Crackers !

I made Christmas crackers for Jack to give to all his friends in his class room !
Another recycled project ! I cut out pages from an old magazine cut all the ends with special zig zag scissors. I also used cardboard cereal packets to make into tubes that I stuck together with sticky tape and then I filled them with a wrapped lolly and a joke. I looked up a website for children's jokes and picked the best ones and then I printed them out on white paper .Then I also printed out a label for each one with Merry Christmas from Jack CW & Family and glued them on each cracker where the paper join was ,to help keep them secure.Then I scrunched the ends and pushed them in to the tube end . I made 24 of them. Cost was 8cents each for the lollies. Jack will take them the last week of school to give out to all his class friends !

It's My Birthday Today ! 48 Today !

Yes I'm 48 today ! hip hip hooray to me !
Happy birthday to me ,happy birthday to me, happy birthday , happy birthday ,happy birthday to me !
Here is a birthday card I just received from my mum. Our relationship is a little strange to say the least.. never know if she will acknowledge my birthday or not, well I got a card this year.
Yes another year older and maybe a little more wiser, definitely a little greyer (hair colour that is !). And still not well ...
Just another day really...I wonder is there any one else out there that was born the same year and date as me 2/12/1962.
I have wondered that for many years and have wondered would we be similar in any way .love to hear from any one born the same birthday as me ! I was planning on meeting my friend Vicki for lunch.

Time To Put Up The Advent Calendar !

Yes Its that time of the year again !

I know I can hear you all saying where has the year gone, they seem to go by faster and faster each year ! Jack and I put up the Advent calendar last night being the 30th of November. Now the count down begins until Christmas day. I brought this Advent Calendar when Jack was little. I was always going to make my own after seeing a friends one, that her mother had made but just never got around to it. When I saw this one I thought that it was perfect and it only cost me $5. I thought with time and materials Iwouldn't be able to make it for that price. So every year Jack and I put it up and we fill each little pocket with a chocolate coin. The chocolate coins cost me $3 and there are lots left over which I put in the fridge for over the holidays for Jack and his friends or older brothers to eat.So for $3 each year what a lovely tradition. Jack gets excited counting the days until Christmas day..So its starting to look a little like Christmas here. What other traditions do you all do at this time of the year ! I was reading a thread last night on Simple Savers and some one said about putting jokes in the Advent calendar I thought to myself what a great idea I will print some out later and surprise Jack with lots of little funny jokes! I just recently printed out a heap of jokes for all the Christmas crackers I made for him to give to all the children in his class for Christmas, Which I will share with you all soon. It's another recycled project !