Christmas crafts and gifts

Would that be sewing etc or cooking? or anything?

I loved getting home made gifts from people, its from the heart. I found the Annabel Lanbgein cookbook really good for goodies to give to foodies that last in the fridge etc. I thought it would be a great idea to make the gift then give it in a nice jar with specially made up personalised label and a recipe or two to use it with. She does a great lemon curd with several easy recipes to use it with, I always make up her caramalised onions and keep it in the fridge (lasts ages) use it in an onion and feta tart, so easy to make. Or great as pizza topping, burgers etc. Another nice thing is preserved lemons, which sometimes people get but have no idea how to use, but if they have the recipes to go with it they will try it. Let me know what you think so far, I can get you the recipes.

I saw these & thought they were great ideas

DIY: Ice cream sundae kit

& photo folding blocks

Hi guys, sorry its a slow process sometimes with a 3yr old joined to your hip and 6mths PG, lol. Will post them one at a time as I find them online. Here is the caramalised onions. I found that normal onions are just great in this recipe too and I never needed nearly as much water as is in the recipe.

http://recipefinder.msn.co.nz/recipes/annabellangbein/8108578/annabels-caramelised-onions

Making caralmalised onions now Millemama when I read the recipe I thought that will go nice with our steak for tea :) using half red and white then discovered only a little balsalmic left so added a splash of malt vinegar hope it works out.

On this note, has anyone got any little post-able size Thankyou Gift ideas for people who have given presents for baby?

I am making Christmas stockings for my niece and nephew and filling them with little things eg. $2 shop items and some lollies. They are pretty easy - here is the link to the free pattern.

Am making slippers for my sister and flatmate - free pattern.

And for my sister-in-law I am going to buy a gingerbread man cookie cutter and attach to a recipe and ingredients in a jar, with a hand made gingerbread man Christmas decoration attached. Ornament ideas

Or if you want to do some DIY home decorating - ideas

I really love those sites Deborah, especially the stocking one, which I was intending to make, it seems idiot proof. Like that!

Have found that Annabel lemon curd recipe:

Annabel's Lemon Curd

1 1/2 cups caster sugar
220g butter, diced
finely grated zest of 1 lemon
1 1/4 cups lemon juice (about 6 juicy lemons),strained
6 large eggs

place the sugar, butter, lemon zest and juice in a heatproof bowl over a pot of boiling water, making sure the water does not touch the bottom of the bowl, or in a double boiler. Heat over medium heat till butter melted.
Whisk the eggs in a seperate bowl and stir them into the butter mixture. Cook over a gentle heat, stirring constantly with a wooden spoon, until mixture thickens enough to coat the back of the spoon, about 3-5 mins. Make sure the mixture doesn't boil. It's ready when the lemon curd holds a line when you run your finger across the back of the coated spoon.
Remove from the heat immediately, stirring a little to stop it from overheating on the base. Don't worry if it seems a little runny , it will thicken as it cools. Pour the hot mixture through a strainer into a jug to remove any lemon zest or flecks of egg white, then pour it into hot sterilized jars(about 4) and seal. Will keep for several weeks in fridge.

I can't believe how many great craft sites there are out there, had no idea. I've picked up heaps from this thread alone. thanks everyone