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Tuesday, November 15, 2011

Take your time tuesday

Whoops, I nearly got caught out and forgot about Take Your Time Tuesday. I'm getting in by the skin of my teeth here but that's OK because Tuesday is just starting on the other side of the world.
Kristen over at So Happy set this idea up to celebrate all that is handmade with needle and thread and so that we can encourage and motivate each other.

This cute pincushion (or tree decoration) is made from a free tutorial over here. Once I got started, I went off on a tangent with my own changes. I haven't finished yet, I think I'll undo the bottom and put something inside to weigh it down a bit. It does stand up nicely but it topples easily being so light.
Instead of the felt circles on the top, I stitched french knots with different weights of Perle thread. It's a great size too, it's just a little smaller than my hand.
 I spent some time today making some Pomegranate jelly, also inspired by Kristen. Actually, I'd made some yesterday but it was a big fat fail. Not to be beaten and knowing that homemade and handmade is the best, I had another go with a different recipe.  Success people!
I'm not a big jam eater myself but I do like plum jam and this is a little like that, a bit tart. Besides, I couldn't resist the beautiful clear glow and colour of it plus the thought it would make a nice gift.
Pomegranates aren't in season and given that they would cost around four or more dollars each anyway, I found a recipe using Pom's 100% pure juice. If you make it, follow the recipe exactly. I did warm my sugar before adding it and I sterilised my jars so that I don't need to freeze it. I got the thumbs up from DH who is the jam lover in this house.

Today is the 15th of the month which means the next panel of the Trailing Vines quilt is available for download. Just click on the Trailing Vines page underneath my header. I'll try and get some more photos on Flickr in the next few days of this panel.

35 comments:

  1. MaryNovember 15, 2011 at 10:18 PM

    The jelly looks yummy! And the pincushion is just adorable. This may be the perfect little Christmas gift I have been looking for! Thanks Janet :)

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  2. DebNovember 15, 2011 at 10:20 PM

    Yum!,! What a fabulous colour. I hope your DH (and you> enjoy it.

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  3. Jess @ Scrappy n HappyNovember 15, 2011 at 10:51 PM

    The toadstool is gorgeous!
    And you are right - the colour of the jam is great!

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  4. NedraNovember 15, 2011 at 11:01 PM

    We are on the same wavelength. I downloaded the mushroom pattern a while ago, and it's on my to-do list. I enoyed seeing your additions. And I make Pom jelly every year. I tried using the bottled pom juice once, but it didn't have nearly the flavor of using fresh pomegranates. Fortunately we have an abundance of trees, so I can be picky.

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  5. HeatherNovember 15, 2011 at 11:14 PM

    I love the toadstool pincushion. I made one in June using the same pattern and gave it away as a gift. I wish I had thought to put something heavy in the bottom too.

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  6. beaquilterNovember 15, 2011 at 11:53 PM

    what a cute mushroom house....a bag of rice is a good weight

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  7. ThimbleannaNovember 15, 2011 at 11:59 PM

    Ha - I was reading along thinking "how on earth do you crush all those pomegranate seeds to be able to make the jelly and then you solved the mystery. Thanks for the recipe -- your jelly looks amazing. And that mushroom house is just tooo cute -- thanks for that link too!!!

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  8. Abby and StephanieNovember 16, 2011 at 12:04 AM

    Darling mushroom!!! Pomegranates are in season here and your jam is gorgeous. Suitable for decorating as well as eating.

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  9. YankeeQuilterNovember 16, 2011 at 12:30 AM

    Great little pincushion! I needed a little take-along project this week for bee...

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  10. Oops-LahNovember 16, 2011 at 12:37 AM

    What a lovely toadstool pincushion/tree decoration. And your pomegranate jelly sound delicious. Apparently pomegranates are very also good for us as they are full of vitamins.

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  11. Pinkadot QuiltsNovember 16, 2011 at 12:57 AM

    The mushroom looks like fun!
    Great idea to use the juice. The color of the jelly is so pretty and looks tasty!

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  12. TerryNovember 16, 2011 at 12:58 AM

    Your little pincushion is so cute! And your Pomegranate jelly looks fabulous! It's beautiful with the light coming through it! Well done! :0)

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  13. Ann ChampionNovember 16, 2011 at 1:23 AM

    Your Toadstool is darling!
    I just cut up a Pomegranite to get the seeds for a spinach salad last night. I can't imagine doing enough to make jelly. The juice is a great time/mess saver. It sure looks pretty.
    Thanks for the secong vine!

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  14. LoriNovember 16, 2011 at 2:40 AM

    Home made jam is the best!! The mushroom is as cute as can be.

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  15. Archie The Wonder DogNovember 16, 2011 at 2:43 AM

    The jam looks delicious and the toadstool is so cute - I want one!!

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  16. JanetNovember 16, 2011 at 4:47 AM

    Your toadstool is very sweet. I like the idea of Take your time Tuesday! Jelly made from POM sounds YUMMY! And it is so pretty. I must print panel 2. I've only just basted the stems on panel 1 so I'm a bit behind :0)

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  17. ShirleyNovember 16, 2011 at 5:14 AM

    Heck! Haven't even downloaded panel one yet let alone started it. I did mean to join in - honest!
    The jam looks yummy and as pomegranates are goof for you does it count as part of your 5 a day? Lovely toadstool too.

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  18. AnonymousNovember 16, 2011 at 9:37 AM

    what a wonderful colour the jam is janet and in those jars it looks very mouth watering!
    i love the jars too, another of my 'things' in life is that i find it hard to throw out of my life any good shaped jar or bottle, so the pom juice bottle is a must that i will look for!!!

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  19. JuliaNovember 16, 2011 at 9:56 AM

    The jelly looks yummy..gorgeous colour.! And the pincushion is just adorable, I can see myself making a few of those.
    Oh dear, I wasn't going to do the trailing vines, but I'm so tempted...
    Julia ♥

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  20. BrowndirtcottageNovember 16, 2011 at 11:43 AM

    What a sweet little mushroom!!! I certainly admire your wonderful added touches like the little french knots on the top!!

    Oh am I'm drooling for sure over that pomegranate jam...YUM!!

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  21. CreateologyNovember 16, 2011 at 4:16 PM

    Your little mushroom is adorable. Thank you for the link. Yum to the jelly! Blissful inspiration...

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  22. farmersdotterNovember 16, 2011 at 4:31 PM

    Wow...you do a great job on all your handwork. I love doing applique too. I love vintage quilts best.

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  23. RachaeldaisyNovember 16, 2011 at 5:35 PM

    I just adore that little pin cushion. I found myself wishing I was a little fairy so I could have it as my house. That jelly looks delicious, such a lovely colour. One of the things I really admire about you Janet is your perseverance, I know the recipients of your jam will be glad you did.

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  24. Susana NeigerNovember 17, 2011 at 4:36 AM

    REALLY cute pincushion! Nice work on not letting the jelly get the best of you! Great handwork and beautiful photography!

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  25. ColbyNovember 17, 2011 at 8:48 AM

    Love that pincushion!!

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  26. Dixie HowardNovember 17, 2011 at 8:57 AM

    Wish you were closer as we have a tree full of pomegranites you could have! Your jelly looks beautiful, and just love your little toadstool pincushion - its so sweet!

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  27. BarbNovember 18, 2011 at 1:43 AM

    Your pin cushion is over the top cute. I just love everything about it.
    the jelly looks delish!!

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  28. PatNovember 18, 2011 at 3:57 AM

    Precious little pincushion!
    Amazing the number of projects available to us in blogland...
    And the color of your jam is so pretty...

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  29. KristenNovember 18, 2011 at 4:28 AM

    Adorable!! I love that ideas get shared back and forth on blogs. I will check out that pincushion pattern.

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  30. -girl from the bushNovember 20, 2011 at 10:17 AM

    Hi janet, your toadstool is so cute! putting a weight is a good idea. I suppose you could use the finely ground garnet that is used in stuffing tiny bears as it is heavy and don't need much. What did you use?

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  31. JoanNovember 21, 2011 at 10:08 AM

    Wonderful toadstool and how great does that jam look. My DH is a jam lover too.:)

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  32. Nanette MerrillNovember 22, 2011 at 3:57 AM

    Love pomegranates. But that mushroom is super cute and sweet. Takes my breath away at your great work.

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  33. Kim D.November 23, 2011 at 3:45 PM

    Your pin cushion is adorable Janet. Your pomegranate jelly looks delicious.

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  34. *karendianne.November 28, 2011 at 3:59 AM

    Oh it's been far too long since I've been visiting. I love your little pincushion. It's just too loving! On the pom juice, I just have to mention, some folks say that's good for us with MS. A lot of folks say things are good for MS or bad for MS but if it doesn't hurt - why not try, ha? I'm still trying to work up to taking all my vitamins. It's been 17 years. I'm slow! hee. :) Not funny, I know!

    I'm enjoying seeing the trailing vines around the blogosphere. Makes me happy! :)

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  35. Jane in CumbriaNovember 28, 2011 at 9:37 AM

    What a lovely pincushion! The jam looks lovely too.
    Jane

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