4

A Bag

This is a very plain tote bag that I made, to give as a gift to a friend. It was very haphazard... I measured nothing, but cut along folded edges and pinned things wonkily together. Well, that'sgenerally how I deal with projects if I have an idea and no paper pattern. I just go for it (non-advisable to anyone who wants to use it as a first project. Then I definitely recommend you measure first). You can't believe it up close; it looks pretty decent. Apart from the fact that the handles don't line up with each other.

The fabric is quite strong canvas material which I found when I got given some fabric. When I say some.... I mean 3 giant bin bags, overflowing with curtain remnants,allabout a metre long. It's gorgeous. I just now have to find projects to use them all for.

A few top tips about finishing the handles:

To prevent fraying of fabric ends, paint nail varnish on the ends. Either the colours or use a clear coat.
Instead of sewing repeatedly around the edges of the handles to hold in place, overstitch with strong thread by hand. It is more discrete,andworks just as well. It's just a bit more time consuming.

50 Things to Make


3

A cake (or in this case, cakes)

 

 

This is my go-to cake recipe, with memories of my childhood - 'Usbourne's book of 30 Christmas Bakes'. Luckily, the recipes are easy, simple and transferable throughout the year. I've made a few tweaks, mainly to the icing, but they're still delicious.

 

100g Self Raising Flour

100g Softened Butter

100g Caster Sugar

2 Eggs

 

For the Icing:

225g Icing sugar

115g Softened Butter

1tsp Vanilla extract

A few drops of Milk, to slacken

Chocolate sprinkles to decorate.

 

1) Sift flour into a bowl, and stir in the caster sugar, eggs and butter with a wooden spoon.

2) Fill cake cases evenly - I usually get about 12 cakes from the mixture.

3) Bake for 20 minutes at 190 degrees Celsius, gas mark 5.

4) Combine the icing sugar and butter until smooth. Add a few drops of milk to loosen if necessary. 5) Stir in the vanilla Extract.

6) Once taken out of the oven, allow the cakes to cool. Then, use your preferred method for icing (I find a sandwich bag with a corner snipped off does quite well)

7) Decorate as you wish - I used chocolate sprinkles here.

 

I love this recipe, it's so easy. ideal for when you have little time, or are feeling a little bit under the weather.

 

50 Things to Make



25th: Christmas Card 3

 

Equipment:

White card

Patterned/Glitter paper

Silver Ribbon

Chipboard shape with a hole through the middle

Glue

Sticky tape

 

 

1) Trim card to a blank 5cm tall, 12cm wide

2) Trim paper to 4 x 11cm and attach to card.

3) Thread ribbon with Chipboard shape and position close to the edge of the card.

4) Attach ribbon on the reverse of the card with sticky tape. Alternatively,stick the ribbon down with glue.

 

Another quick and simple card for you! Easily mass produced,and much of the materials can be found within any crafter's stash.

White and silver are fast becoming popular perennial Christmas colours. It seems crazy, Christmas cards in March, but I hope you won't find me too mental...