Craft

My sister has a pretty full on job, to relax she used to do karate – now she makes tea cozies! I requested one for my birthday, she made me this cupcake one which she made up herself adapting patterns that she had.

She is so clever and my tea really does taste better!

	Cut various shapes from tissue paper. The shapes do not need to be neat.
	Roll one end of a pipe cleaner into a snug spiral.
	Start threading the pieces of tissue onto the pipe cleaner.
	Keep threading more pieces of tissues onto the pipe cleaner.
	Push all the tissue to the end and scrunch and shape the flower.
	Now make lots of flowers using different colors and shapes.

Download the printable version of the worksheet. Worksheet – Tissue Paper Flowers PDF.

See the super speedy demo Speedy Tissue Paper Flower Demo

My original idea came from the excellent book by Klutz; Tissue Paper Flowers. It makes it really easy to follow and has lots of ideas for uses.

This is so much fun! Great results really fast, my kinda craft. I first did these as an activity at my daughters ‘crafty’ 7th birthday party – they were a huge hit. I have started to get a little more creative with them and made some with fancy stamens and different types of petals. Any shape that can be threaded is worth trying!

And now see the super speedy demo – Speedy Tissue Paper Flower Demo. Also have a look at the step by step tutorial. Or download the PDF Worksheet on how to make these – Worksheet – Tissue Paper Flowers – PDF.
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My original idea came from the excellent book by Klutz; Tissue Paper Flowers. It makes it really easy to follow and has lots of ideas for uses.

Produce from my garden

Embracing the producer of food hat this week, I have tackled excess produce that has been sitting on the kitchen floor in bags. My first ever jam – plum and red currant – yum. Then used all my remaining jars for a brilliant chutney, well – no idea if it tastes any good yet but it used heaps of the problem produce, courgettes, plums, and apples. Finally made 5.5 liters of chicken soup, and then in a budget conscious fit I made chicken stock from the bones. Emerged from the kitchen a little rounder and see with dismay that the produce has kept growing – I need to invent a courgette cocktail!

Any homebaking has a bit of love in it – perfect for Valentines day. The kids and I made these treats for my friends at work and for their teachers. They are a yummy crunchy treat and the colour is perfect for white icing decorations.

Recipe (from The Best of Alison Holst)

225 gm soft butter
1 cup brown sugar
1 egg
2 cups flour
2 Tbsp cinnamon
1 Tbsp mixed spice

Cream softened butter. Add remaining ingredients, mix to combine. Either roll out and cut shapes or make a long roll and wrap in plastic and refrigerate until firm and then cut thin slices. Bake at 180°C for 8-10 minutes or until biscuits darken slightly. When cool transfer from tray and decorate or just eat!

Note measurements are in metric – let me know if you want imperial measurements and I will work them out.