Mangolicious chutney!

I have finally made my first preserve, and where better to start than with the one I eat the most - mango chutney! I used a recipe from a WI preserves cook book, but actually I changed it quite a lot - adding in lots of whole spices, ginger and some extra garlic and chilli to give it the punch I wanted. 

I used these cute christmas-y labels from my mum, and some christmasy fabric and ribbons to finish them off since they wont be ready to eat until November - besides I love everything christmas, even in August!

Bits n bobs

 

BOOKMARK made of fabric, I love this fabric and I have loads of it so it's getting made into everything. I made a book mark for my mum, I figured she needed an update since her current one I made for her when I was a very small child, and it's VERY dog eared by now. Actually so is my dad for that matter!

 A basic purse, I just wanted to practise with this zip I found for 10p in a charity shop, brand new! I sewed on some cute lace but it's a bit wonky... I think I really need to practise sewing properly to neaten up, but I'm too lazy! I suppose I have the time now so I should though.

Okay so I've finally found out how to make these! http://sewing.about.com/od/embellishment/ss/basicyoyo.htm I have a necklace I bought at a craft fayer made from them and it's so cute, these ones are pretty patchy because I was just messing about, I sewed some onto elastic to wear as hair bands and some onto saftey pins for broaches. Now I need to replicate my pretty necklace! 

A beach bag! This was simple to make, I used this tutorial http://fabricblissdenver.com/blog/?p=282 but missed out the pocket because I didn't have enough fabric. I kind of wish I had made it smaller now, it's too big to know what to do with, I might sew up the sides to make it narrower but then it's wasting the fabric really. But I love the design, it's really simple but sturdy. Sewing so much oil cloth was difficult, but worth it in the end :) 

Okay so THAT is what I have been doing for the past couple of free days I have had. I might make water bottles out of old jumpers soon, since it's autumn soon! Also I am going to be making some preserves soon so watch this space!