Be part of the Guardian Angel charity knitting drive

Itching to do some knitting, but there’s not really anything you need? Well, why not get your needles clicking for the benefit of the less fortunate.

From May 1 to July 31, knitters are being asked to create warm clothes, blankets, scarves and other garments for the 2010 Guardian Angels Knitting Project.

In its twelfth year, the charity knitting drive helps Australia’s poor to stay warm during the winter through donations of knitted garments to the Salvation Army.

Knitters who wish to participate can pick up a free book of suitable patterns from their local Guardian Pharmacy and completed garments can be left there to be passed on to the Salvation Army for distribution to the needy.

You can find your nearest Guardian Pharmacy here.

Tags: charity knitting, free knitting patterns, Guardian Angels Knitting Project 2010, Guardian Pharmacies, Salvation Army

Make cool pincushions from fabric scraps

If you like to sew, you’ll know just how indispensable a good pincushion is.

So, why not kill two birds with one stone: get a yourself a cool and unique pincushion and use up your old material scraps at the same time?

You’ll find over 20 ideas for crafting pincushions here and you’ll be able to utilise even the smallest scraps of material in your stash.

I guess this can be a two-edged sword, though; while it will use up scraps you can’t bear to throw out, you could be tempted to feed your hoarder side by saving even more and smaller scraps, because you know you can do actually something with them later.

The pincushions pictured here will also be a great project for beginner patchworkers, because the buttons will hide a multitude of sins when your corners don’t quite meet!

If you have  friends who sew, these make great and inexpensive gifts, and they will appreciate that you took the time to make something for them yourself.

Best cake ever!

Yesterday, I had a lovely catch-up lunch with some old work colleagues — ‘old’ as in I worked with them 10 years ago and no reflection on their (or mine!) ages!

Well, I was allocated the task of bringing the dessert, as I tend to be when we get together once or twice a year. Ordinarily, when I was working full time, dessert would be courtesy of a local patisserie, but since I’m now working from home, I thought I really should make the effort to make something myself.

The result was the best cake I’ve ever eaten, even though I say so myself! It was delicious and moist and kept its shape beautifully when cut.

I got the basic cake recipe from here and the ganache topping recipe from here.

Note: Finding myself castor-sugar-challenged at 11pm at night, I substituted raw sugar and I think it probably enhanced the recipe, as the ‘molassesy’ flavour is very complimentary to the other ingredients.

I was also a bit shy about making the ganache, as I assumed that it was going to be a bit tricky. Quite the contrary, though; it was dead simple and it’ll be making many return appearances in my dessert creations in the future.

Anyway, the cake was a bloody triumph!

Do yourself a favour and try it out. I guarantee word will spread and you’ll be a regular on everyone’s guest list  — as long as you bring dessert. of course!

Tags: dark chocolate ganache, flourless chocolate and orange cake

Get free digital scrapbook elements delivered to your inbox

While doing some work on my tech site, I came across this Google ad that is currently displaying there, which may be of interest to the digital scrapbookers out there.

If you enter your name and email address you can sign up to receive a free digital scrapbook kit. The kit is delivered to your inbox via daily instalments — papers, alphas, embellishments, word art — until you have the whole kit.

If you like the free download, you might want to upgrade to a paid membership. You’ll find the details here.

Check it out the free service first: the price is right!

Digital Scrapbook Experts free digital scrapbook kit

Tags: Digital Scrapbook Experts, digital scrapbooking, Scrapbooking

Use up all those craft scraps

A vase made from an old milk carton

Is it just me, or are all crafters hoarders?

Mind you I have no trouble doing regular clean-outs of my wardrobe, my linen press or the kitchen cupboards, but I’m loathe to part with even the smallest material or wool scrap — I just know they’ll comein handy one day and will be just what I’m looking for!

If you’ve got loads of bits and bobs like me that are piling up quicker than you can repurpose them, check out the Easy Projects with Caft Scraps feature.

The 27 projects on offer  include a funky Vase made from an old milk carton and paper scraps, ribbon-embellished notebooks, a cute baby mobile (this one is on my to-do list as I have a new grandchild on the way!), a cool messenger bag made from fabric scraps, a peg board stationary organiser and more.

Hopefully, some of these projects will make a dent in my craft stash, even just a wee bit!

Tags: craft scraps, Recycling

Free beading ebook

One of my favourite craft sites at the moment is FaveCrafts.com. I dabble in a wide range of craft and this site covers all of them and then some.

Apart from the great articles, projects and how-to videos, one excellent feature of the FaveCrafts site is its free downloadable ebooks — you can view the latest ones here and you’ll find more in the individual craft categories.

The beading ebook really caught my attention and if you’re a beader, you’re definitely going to want to download it. It contains instructions for beaded jewellery sets, necklaces, bracelets, earrings and home decor projects.

You can also sign up to have the FaveCrafts newsletter delivered to your email inbox or keep up-to-date with new additions to the site via RSS.

You can download your free beading ebook from here.

Tags: Beading, FaveCrafts.com, free ebooks

30 craft projects that recycle

A throw rug made from old jumpers

Still on the topic of recycling, the US Better Homes and Gardens site is currently featuring 30 great craft projects using items that you would otherwise throw out in the rubbish or things to make that will save on adding to the world’s landfill.

Projects include a snazzy tote bag that will replace those plastic bags when you go to the shops, a throw rug made from old jumpers, and several ways to make a style statement with old cans.

You’ll find all 30 projects here.

Tags: Better Homes and Gardens, crafts, Recycling

Make beads from junk mail and magazines

I must admit that I am a bit of a ‘greeny’ and I try to leave as small a carbon footprint as I can.

And one of the cool things about being a crafter is that you can often use lots of stuff that you would ordinarily throw out, thereby giving it a new life instead of assigning  it to landfill.

If you want to do your little bit for the planet, save some money and get a craft fix at the same time, you should consider working recycled materials into your crafting, and there’s a way to do it for just about any craft.

One way for beaders to get into recycling is to make their own paper beads. You’ll find lots of how-to videos on making your own beads from old magazines and junk mail on YouTube including the one below, and you can check out lots more here.

There are a variety of bead shapes you can make and the appearance of each bead will be determined by the type of paper and the print colours you choose, so your beads will be different to everyone else’s. You’re only really limited by your imagination.

I’ll post links to other ways you can repurpose no-longer-wanted items as I come across them.

Tags: Beading, paper beads, recycle, repurpose

I’m baaaack!

Well, if you’ve been wondering where I’ve got to, a whole lot has been going on in my life since I last posted — getting into the swing of working from home after the best part of 40 years working in one office or another, a death in the family, a new grandchild and bathroom renovations.

For any crafter out there with a bit of a tech bent, head to my consumer technology site Gail on Tech to see what’s been occupying me besides my freelance technology writing for Australian PC User magazine and the aforementioned collection of distractions.

However, I’m looking to the new year as a motivation to get back in the saddle with this site.

Anyway, I plan to not be so slack on the craft front in 2010. So, let’s see how I go.

Divine caramel pavlova

I promised you a pavlova recipe to use up those left-over egg whites from yesterday’s chocolate tarts.

Well here it is; another of my cousin Kerrie’s scrumptious creations.

INGREDIENTS:

4 egg whites

¾ cup of caster sugar

¾ cup of brown sugar

1 tblsp of cornflour

1 tspn of white vinegar

Cream, whipped

Chocolate, grated or shaved

METHOD:

Beat sugars and egg whites until it forms just firmer than soft peaks. Fold in cornflour and vinegar. Spread the mixture to form a circle onto baking paper on a baking tray, then pop it into the oven at 120°C (100°C fan-forced) for about 2 hours.

Let the pavolva cool in the oven with the door open.

To serve, top the pavlova base with whipped cream and shaved chocolate (or anything else you fancy).

And here’s how it looks when served: crunchy on the outside; marshmallowy and yummy on the inside.

The pavolva base can be stored in an airtight container until later if you want to make it ahead of time or have it on hand to impress unexpected visitors.

As they say, the proof of the pudding is in the eating. Here’s my cousin Bartholomew giving it his seal of approval.

Tags: caramel, pavlova