Wednesday, 19 September 2012

WOYWW - Two for the price of one!


Wednesday again!! Where do the weeks go?
Good morning all - my table is looking much the same, with just one or two bits and bobs that I have been busy with.
You may remember the needle-felted collage from a few weeks ago?
Well, I took the scissors to it and made two pictures from one.
The more I looked at it the more I felt it was two pictures really.
Now they are mounted onto some cream fabric and stretched over small artists canvas, I am pleased with the result. What do you think? We have a craft fair coming up so they will help fill our table.

In the top corner you can see two little fabric collages that I have made for the twins' birthday cards.
In the bottom corner are the pretty little mother of pearl buttons I bought from the car boot sale.


AND here are the jars of blackberry jelly and beetroot chutney that I made this week - Yum

Update

Beetroot chutney recipe.....
Ingredients:
  • 3 Ibs beetroot
  • 1 large onion
  • 1 large cooking apple
  • 12ozs sugar
  • Level tspn salt
  • 1 pint pickling vinegar
The amounts of vegetables aren't crucial really and I often add more onion, apples or even courgettes to the mixture.
Method:
  1. Cook beetroot, peel and dice into small pieces
  2. Peel and dice onions
  3. Peel and dice apple
  4. Put into large pan and add sugar, salt and vinegar.
  5. Bring to the boil and simmer until ingredients are soft.
  6. Fill jars and label.
Tasty on meat sandwiches or added to salads.



And lastly a "Painted lady" in my garden for the first time for ages.

So there we are - short and sweet.
Have a great week - now to see what the lovely Julia has been up to and join in our happy blog hop.
x Jo

45 comments:

  1. The finished pics look great but soooo much better in real life.....fingers crossed they fly off the table at the craft sale Jo.
    Hugs,
    A x

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  2. Hi Jo

    Oh YESSSSS, I remember these pictures as one and they do truly look amazing made into two. Wouldn't it be funny if the same person buys both as a pair - I'm sure they'll sell really fast.

    Oooer, pickles and jams - I feel the urge to pickle some onions before Christmas, and maybe some piccalilli too.

    Now see what you did!

    Happy WOYWW, hugs, Di xx #81

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  3. Oh, they look fab as 2 pictures - and I was afraid they wouldn't... but you know best, you are the expert!! Love your jars of jam too. Helen 5

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  4. Hiya! Your desk produce is looking fab this week. :o)
    Sue x (MiniOwner #86)

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  5. absolutely the right decision, they look much better as the two pieces, hmmmm beetroot chutney

    it goes perfectly with caramelised onion tart, (sweet and sour)

    Dx 97

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  6. Totally agree that those felted pictures look just perfect separated and they will do more than just 'fill a space'! Mmmm, jams and chutneys at this time of year are just the best. Yours look lovely. Hugs Buttons #79

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  7. They are always stunning and I think in the little form they are just so sweet too. We hatched some painted lady butterflies from a kit and lots of friends around the country have too so I wonder if this is helping their population a bit? It was a really great process for the children to watch (and us!)

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  8. these pictures are just beautiful!!
    and can you share your blackcurrant jelly secret? my poor hubbie has had several failed batches - it's just a pouring sauce - hasn't set at all... even with tons of sugar and pectin...
    happy WOYWW :)
    no. 67

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  9. The two look stunning and I must admit you a definitely braver then me for going ahead and cutting. Gorgeous pic of your painted lady and jams and chutneys.
    Sandra @105

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  10. Happy WOYWW! Lovely desk and those pearl buttons look gorgeous!
    Laura #111

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  11. You did the right thing ...the resulting two are gorgeous ....and as for the jam and chutney .. YUM. Could we have the recipe ..I like to use tried and tested ones as I find you cant tell for months how good or poor the chutney is. xx#8

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  12. thanks jo, for the blackberry jelly update :)
    my dear hubbie has tried everything you do - except not granulated sugar - he's used just jam sugar and apple and added extra pectine...
    he too strains it - doesn't like the seeds!
    what proportions jam sugar--granulated do you use?
    can't work out why his won't set...
    xx

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  13. Love the finished felting pics! I think you were wise to split them...they should go quick at the craft fair ;) The beetroot chutney suonds positively yummy! Thanks for sharing! Thanks for sharing. Have a great WOYWW! -Amanda x81

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  14. Thankyou for the recipe ....now all I need is some fresh beetroot xx

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  15. Beautiful collages...very pretty. I love love beetroot anything so I must try out your recipe:)

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  16. Jelly sounds yummy!! I love the that felting!! Do you do it with one of those tools that are tamped onto the wool?

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  17. what a busy person you are the pictures are beautiful. Hugs Pam #83

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  18. what a busy person you are the pictures are beautiful. Hugs Pam #83

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  19. It’s strange how you can start out with something in mind and then decide to change it but I think you’ve done the right thing splitting it down the middle. Your pictures look beautiful JO, the colours you’ve done them in are so vibrant.

    Happy Crafting!
    Sue @ #118
    x

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  20. Your felt pictures are soooo pretty!
    And yum, jam! :)
    Mary Jo #115

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  21. Thanks for the recipe it looks really good.
    The needle felts do look good as two, well done you on that one.
    Thanks for popping in to see the Doodly Birds.
    No badges for the teachers yet but they have asked me to design some HEAD TEACHER SPECIAL AWARD and DEPUTY HEAD TEACHER AWARD ones.

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  22. Now you've made two superb pieces of art from the one... good decision. Hope the fair goes well. I really fancy making the beetroot chutney but can I ask if it lasts the same as ordinary chutneys? Those Bonne Maman jars look so good for preserves!
    Re the fabric print transfers.... I used Matt Medium (mine was Galleria brand available from art shops). I just dollop some onto calico (pre washed and ironed is best as it removes dressing and allows the fabric to "bite" onto the picture but I've done it without washing) then lay your good quality magazine picture face up onto a non stick worksheet, then lay the sticky side of the fabric down onto the picture. Fold over the non stick sheet and brayer over it or use an old rolling pin to press the gluey fabric into the picture. I then put a weight on top and leave it to dry for ages.... say next day.
    Then lightly sandpaper the backing of the picture to break it up, spritz with water and carefully rub off the paper backing with your fingers leaving just the printed image. Just remember everything will be reversed so print will be the wrong way round!
    It is a bit hit and miss but mostly it works and then you can machine embroider etc., over the top. you'll get some gems.
    Love Jo x

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  23. ps freezer paper will work instead of a non stick sheet!
    xxx

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  24. Love the pictures and they look good together (or separate as the case may be!) I don't know how you get done all that you do. I love the beet root chutney recipe and I think I will see if I can find some beets in the store to make a small batch. Thanks for the encouraging words regarding knitting. I used to do it a lot years ago but quit for awhile cause it seemed it takes me ages to get anything made. Paper arts just go so much faster and hold my attention better. Maybe I am ADD! Have a great week. Vickie #73

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  25. If those pictures don't sell I'll sing a song in Portmeirion standing in the Piazza. They are gorgeous. Love everything you have made and love the butterfly picture. Lucky you!
    Hugs, Neet xx 33

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  26. Those pictures are double the pleasure now. I just LOVE them! Looks like you have canned some wonderful goodies. If I lived close by, some of the BB jelly would certainly disappear...my fave!

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  27. The two pictures are terrific and I can see why you split the original. The chutney looks delicious and I love the photo of the butterfly on the buddleia. Have a great week. Elizabeth x #113

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  28. Love these pics! And I'll trade you a jar of that luscious chutney for a jar of my home-canned salsa! Happy WOYWW! Sandy Leigh #36

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  29. Beautiful post, as always, Twiglet--I always look forward to visiting you!

    Your needle felting always looks so dreamy and pretty . . .

    Happy WOYWW!
    :)trisha, #143
    utterly shameless this week . . .

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  30. Such lovliness in your post Jo - the pictures which I adore, yummy chutney and a beautiful butterfly. Happy WOYWW Anne x #149

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  31. I do love your flower pictures. I bet they won't help fill your table for long! Thank you for the beetroot chutney recipe. I shall give that a go. I make jam and chutney to sell in the local bar for our village children's charity. A different one will make a nice change. Kate x #97

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  32. Fun, Fun post, love the beautiful divided needle felts. and what a gorgeous butterfly. Wish I was closer, nothing better than a homemade jelly, toast and coffee.
    Have a wonderful weekend, thanks for stopping by.

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  33. Hi Adore your embroideries...so gorgeous
    Did you see last night on Food Hospital how good beetroot was for you? We love it eat it with anything the chutney looks yummy
    Hugs x

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  34. My buddleia has finished..been over for a couple of weeks now, so am jealous that you're still being visited! Love what you did with the collage, aren't you brave Jo!

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  35. Gorgeous pictures, they wil sell instantly I bet. Lovely cards for the twins. beautiful butterfly.
    Famfa 21

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  36. You are a woman of many talents. beautiful canvasses, pictures for the twins AND home made jelly and chutney! That is very impressive!
    Happy belated WOYWW!
    Tertia #46

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  37. Hi there Annie, ah you are busy here at work in two different ways - funny thing was cooking beetroot on Wednesday but just doing the vinegar and sure and peppercorns way my mother did - pickled sliced beetroot for salads, I've not made the relish or chutney sounds and looks scrummy. Adore the Collage of course! Thanks so much for popping over and thanks for sharing ~ happy WOYWW! Shaz in Oz. x #35

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  38. those two pieces are just beautiful! your projects always amaze me! gorgeous!

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  39. The felted pieces are smashing! Okay, so I have a question: What is/was felted to make the dimensional effect? They look very soft and dare I say it...comfy. :) nan g 134

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  40. The felted pieces are smashing! Okay, so I have a question: What is/was felted to make the dimensional effect? They look very soft and dare I say it...comfy. :) nan g 134

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  41. The two pieces look great. As does the jam and chutney. I do love beetroot, so I may give that recipe a go.

    Happy WOYWW on Sunday,
    rachel #62

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  42. An all-round interesting desk this week! Beetroot chutney - yum, must print that recipe off and push it towards Mr B to try and make. He's pretty good in the kitchen! Love the needlefelted pictures, good call on splitting them! And how delightful to see a Painted Lady on the Buddleia. We've seen an abundance of Red Admirals lately, but not the Painted Ladies...

    Thanks for stopping by.

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  43. The collage looks fantastic as two pictures, they really are stunning. Love the cute fabric pieces for the twins cards. I am so loving those buttons, I have so many but I just love the mother of pearl ones I recently found in mums sewing box, you can become memorised by them, luckily mum let me have them all, didn't realise crafters use buttons and was going to throw them away!!! Yummy blackberry jelly and beetroot chutney, I could just sit down and eat those crackers and cheese yum yum, might have a go at the recipe. Happy Woyww :-) Kerry x

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  44. my goodness jo you are truelly talented...loved your canvases and the receipe for the chutney!

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Thanks for all your comments. I really appreciate your thoughts and ideas.