Sweetliving5 PDF

sweetliving
Crafts • DIYs • Food • Green Living • Backyard Sustainability

Issue 5 NOVEMBER 2012 - JANUARY 2013 www.sweetlivingmagazine.co.nz
Gifts to make:
Crocheted slippers
Gorgeous apron
Leather jewellery pouch
Soothing herbal creams
Homemade soaps Inspiring ideas
Sock animals for everyday
Cute toys living
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sweetliving
Crafts • DIYs • Food • Green Living • Backyard Sustainability
Issue 5 November 2012 - January 2013 www.sweetlivingmagazine.co.nz
Still not decked the halls? Don’t despair. Our

Christmas issue is brimming with last-minute décor
ideas to get you in the mood. I don’t know about
you, but I love a handmade Christmas. Tons of tacky
tinsel doesn’t do it for me. But stitching together my own
Christmas stockings or felt ornaments gives a whole new meaning to the
spirit of Christmas. Armed with a needle and thread, fabric remnants and
some crafty ideas, anyone can create their own festive decorations. And
it’s a low-cost, high impact way to show off your creative flair.
We begin our creative festive cheer on page 10 with a fresh floral wreath.
Even though it’s summer downunder, you can capture the magic of a frosty
northern hemisphere’s Christmas Day with snow-white flowers. Or make an
everlasting wreath with foraged pine cones, like the one on page 11.
Then while you’re in the crafting mood, head to our handmade gift section,
which begins on page 43. We have something for everyone – a gorgeous
felt hat, a fun knitted polar bear hat, a fancy apron, a glamorous leather
jewellery pouch, PJs for the whole family, homemade soaps and herbal
creams – and more. Needle felting expert Barbara Allen shows us how to
make an adorable little elf, and Sweet Living crochet expert Lisa van
Klaveren provides step-by-step instructions for making lovely
crocheted slippers.
Also in this issue, we bring you a kids’ activities section
to keep your youngsters busy during the school holidays
(from page 63), but keep an eye on our website for
lots more crafting projects for both kids and
adults. Join us on Facebook to get
the latest
In the meantime, Merry Christmas and Sweet Living updates, and
sign up for
happy New Year! our free weekly newsletter
from our website.
Jane
sweetliving
22
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Issue 5
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contents 17
20
6 New, views, tips & snips

Latest updates, inspiring ideas,
41 DIY napkin holders
Make your own classy
43 Gifts to make
Create gorgeous prezzies for
thrifty tips and websites we love.
www.sweetlivingmagazine.co.nz Issue 5
napkin holders for the
November 2012 - January 2013 sweetliving Page 17
friends and family.
10 Santa’s workshop
Get ready for the festive season. 42
festive season.
For bookworms
63 Crafts for kids
Keep your youngsters busy this tlivingmag
azine.co
www.swee
Make your own crafty decorations We’ve scoured the holiday season with fun crafty
and download your free bookstores for crafty new projects.
Christmas tags. releases ideal for gifts.
73 Backyard sustainability
25A collection of delightfully good-
Incredible edible gifts Grow your own fresh herbs
year round.
looking and suitably scrumptious
sweet treats for Christmas.
Contacts
www.sweetlivingmagazine.co.nz
Editor: Jane Wrigglesworth
Designer: Geoff
Fitzpatrick, grafix@fitzi.co.nz
Editorial enquiries:
jane@sweetlivingmagazine.co.nz
Advertising enquiries:
admin@sweetlivingmagazine.co.nz
Readers’ tips:
52
tips@sweetlivingmagazine.co.nz
Join us on Facebook
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63
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12 - January
Issue 5 November 20
o.nz
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sweetliving
news, views,
tips & snips
Best natural deodorant

If you’re worried about all those parabens, triclosan
and aluminium salts found in commercial deodorants, Blooming great gifts
then try making your own. We’re not talking a slap Dress up a potted plant by adorning it with handmade felt flowers. Insert
of baking powder or cornstarch. We mean a proper lengths of paper-covered wire (available from craft suppliers) into the
deodorant stick made from beeswax, shea butter, pot to form hoops, then add a bow for a finishing touch.
cocoa butter and essential oils. It’s so delicious you’d
think it was a bought one. Click through to
The Everything Soap Blog for the recipe.
Feeling sluggish? Smell a lemon

Citrus scents apparently boost energy and increase
alertness. It may also lift your mood. Sniffing a lemon
has been found to boost the production of the feel-
good hormone serotonin as well as reduce the level of
the stress hormone norepinephrine. Scientists at the
Center for Autoimmune Diseases at Tel Aviv University
discovered a link between depression and our sense of
smell, and found that citrus fragrances – in particular,
lemon – affected neurotransmitters. Start the day with
lemon-scented shampoos, soaps or lotions, or put a few
drops of lemon essential oil on a handkerchief to sniff
while at work.
Get a good
night’s sleep
Having trouble sleeping?
Try inducing sleep by
painting your walls in pinks
and purples or blues and
greens. Pink, violet and
purple are calming for the
body and mind. Both bring sleep
and soothe emotional and mental
stress, so they’re ideal for the
bedroom. So are blues and greens,
Zoo in a toilet roll
We’re totally enamoured with artist Anastassia Elias’ toilet roll
which produce a calming effect. If
creations. Anastassia uses manicure scissors to cut the small shapes,
you don’t wish to paint your walls,
and tweezers to manipulate them. Such fine work requires patience,
try a soft pink light bulb or pink or
we’re sure, but perhaps this is something you and the kids could try at
blue sheets instead.
home. Visit Anastassia’s website for more amazing toilet roll creations.

Homemade dog
and cat snacks
Give your four-legged friends a
healthy Christmas treat this year
with Rodale’s tasty pet snacks.
Bacon-Chip Cookies, Liver Snaps,
Pupsicles, Fishy Snacks and
Catnip Mice – if we were of
the furry kind we’d be
drooling right now. Click
through to Rodale’s website
for the recipes.
Christmas montage
Here’s the perfect gift for grandma, grand-dad or friends overseas. A photo
5 websites we
montage of bubs or the kids. It doesn’t cost the earth to send overseas,
even less if you email it!
1. Felt
The absolute best online marketplace
for handcrafted goodies in New Zealand.
Whether you’re looking to buy or sell, Felt is
the place for you.
2. Knot Garden
This site is no longer being updated but there
are some gorgeous crochet patterns for you
to try. There are absolutely stunning designs
here. A must look.
3. Home Shabby Home

We love this blog. It features fab craft DIYs
and shabby chic interior design. It’s in Italian.
But don’t let that deter you. Use Google
Translate, or simply look at the beautiful
images.
4. Honest Fare
Good-looking healthy food. A cook by
profession, Gabrielle shows us how to turn
a fresh set of ingredients into something
beautiful (in both flavor and appearance)
that’s worth sharing. Also features
homemade baby food.
5. Calendar of the month club

Sign up to receive your free printable
calendar on a monthly basis. These aren’t
your typical calendars. They involve cutting
and folding to make three-dimensional
Herb bouquet masterpieces. December’s calendar features
Place freshly picked herbs in jars on the dinner table for guests to help a 3D snowman.
themselves. Not only can guests choose their own flavouring, a delicious
herbal aroma will permeate the air.

sweetliving
The thrifty cook

Readers’ tried and true tips for
saving money in the kitchen.
Plenty of pasta? Homemade meat paste

Leftover pasta can be used as a base for a Make a meat paste with leftover roast
frittata. Just add eggs to bind the pasta, line meat, adding a bit of margarine or butter
your pie dish with it, then top with leftover and salt and pepper. This is great for Low-fat chickpea spread
veggies and grated cheese, and bake. spreading on toasted sandwiches. (aka hummus sans tahini)
Chelsea Lewis Leigh Cuff Our family loves this recipe and it’s great
for snacks for the kids as well as guests.
Use up mushrooms Deter pantry moths Three cups uncooked chickpeas equals 8 ½
To save money on mushrooms, buy them To stop weevils and pantry moths in your cups cooked chickpeas. This recipe makes
by the bagful when on special, use what cupboards and pantry scatter bay leaves approximately 7 cups of chickpea spread.
you need that day, then chop and sauté on the shelves. I put the spread in small containers and
the rest, freezing in small bags. You freeze it until needed.
Lois Hampstead
can add to any egg dish, mince recipes,
• 3 cups dried chickpeas
omelettes or casseroles. Salad to stir-fry • milk
Lesley Hansen Salad greens starting to go yellow? Before • lemon juice
they go slimy, stir-fry them with oil and • soya sauce
Fruity sauce garlic and serve on the side.
• garlic
Use up ripe fruit by making a fruity sauce
Li Leung • ground cumin
for meat dishes. Chop fruit into small
• salt
pieces and blend into a paste. Add to Keep lettuce longer Soak the chickpeas overnight in plenty
chicken or vegetable stock and use on hot To keep lettuce crisper for longer, store in a of water. Drain and place chickpeas in
roast meats or cold cuts. plastic container with a damp paper towel stockpot with fresh water – again, plenty
Julie Wagner on the bottom and top. of it – and bring to the boil. Simmer for
Marnie G 2 ½ hours. Drain. Place 2 cups of cooked
Frozen bananas chickpeas in a blender. Add 4 tablespoons
This is a great treat for the kids – like a New take on carrot cake milk, 3 tablespoons lemon juice and 2
chocolate-dipped banana ice block. Cut Here’s a quicker, healthier version of carrot teaspoons soya sauce. Blend until smooth.
bananas in half at the middle then push cake. Add grated carrot, vanilla essence, Add 4 cloves crushed garlic, ½ teaspoon
an ice cream stick into the flat end of each cinnamon, ginger and mixed spice to your cumin and ½ teaspoon salt and blend
banana. Place on wax paper and freeze pancake batter and serve with a dollop of again until all mixed in. Pour your mix into
for several hours. Make a chocolate or cream cheese. If you don’t like the carrot a container, then make your next batch,
caramel sauce and dip the tops of the idea, use grated apple instead. using the same quantity of ingredients.
frozen bananas in it just before eating.
Sharon Hampson Fiona Morris
L. Welch

Homemade tahini paste Egg substitute Place all the dry ingredients in a large
Tahini is great for homemade hummus and Run out of eggs, or just don’t eat them? mixing bowl, add butter and use your
baba ghanoush but it’s quite expensive to When baking, substitute with 1 tablespoon hands to mix until the mixture resembles
buy. So these days I make my own. It’s so ground flaxseed (linseed) mixed into 2-3 fine breadcrumbs. Or use a food processor
easy and requires only two ingredients: tablespoons water. to save a bit of time!
sesame seeds and olive oil. Toast 1 cup Make a well in the centre of your dry
Jeff McLaren
sesame seeds in oven or dry frying pan until ingredients and add the egg and water.
golden brown. Remove from frying pan and Baking soda for splinters Combine mixture with a wooden spoon,
allow to cool. Place seeds in food processor Need to remove a stubborn splinter? If then knead by hand to form a ball of
and grind roughly. While food processor tweezers don’t work, use ingredients from dough. Cover with cling film and place in
is still running, drizzle in ¼ cup olive oil. your pantry. Make a paste of baking soda refrigerator for at least an hour before
Continue to grind until a smooth paste and water, apply it to the skin and leave for continuing.
forms. Pour into an air-tight container and several minutes until the splinter comes to
store in the fridge. You can make larger or Roll out marzipan to 5mm thick. Cut out
the surface.
smaller quantities according to your needs. marzipan snowflakes (use a plunger cutter)
Michelle Bently
and leave to one side. If you let your
Louise Mayhew
Gluten-free mince pies marzipan snowflakes dry for a while, they
Makes 18 spread out less whilst cooking and you are
Prevent mould on cheese
left with a clearer looking snowflake.
These days it’s cheaper to buy you cheese • 200g (7 ounces) gluten-free plain white flour
in large blocks. To prevent it going mouldy • 1 tsp Xanthan gum Lightly grease a 12-hole cupcake tin with
before you get to the end of it, wrap it in • 2 tbsp icing sugar (powdered sugar) butter. Roll out the pastry so it is about
a napkin soaked in salt water and store in 2mm thick. Cut out circles. Now line the
• 75g (2.5 ounces) ground almonds
the fridge. cupcake tray with pastry, and gently press
• 1 pinch of salt
into each hole. Spoon a heaped teaspoon of
Gillian Russell • 125g (4.5 ounces) butter
mincemeat into each case. Place snowflake
• 1 large egg, lightly beaten with 1 tbsp water
Vegetable stock • 359g (12.5 ounces) high quality
marzipan on top and lightly press.
Save the water used to cook your Cook in pre-heated oven for 10-15 mins.
mincemeat filling
vegetables. It can be used in soups, sauces Take out of tray and leave to cool. Dust
• marzipan [see our recipe on page 40 - Ed]
and stocks. Or pour it into a watering can with icing sugar.
and use it to water your veggie garden.
• 1 tbsp icing sugar (powdered sugar) for
dusting Torie Jayne Visit Torie’s blog for more info
Dorothy Nairn

sweetliving
Santa's Workshop Get ready for the festive season.

Make your own crafty decorations.
Nothing is more beautiful than a fresh-flowered

wreath at Christmas time. Use a sphagnum moss-filled
wire frame or floral foam as your base. Insert foliage
first, filling the entire wreath with a green background.
Then insert your flowers, keeping the stems short. If
the flower stems are too soft, wrap floral wire around
them and insert into moss/foam.

Santa's Workshop
Pine cone art

Pine cones are just the thing for rustic-looking
wreaths. There’s no need for a wreath base with
this style. Simply position pine cones in a circle
and glue together using a glue gun. Ornaments
may be glued onto the wreath as well.

sweetliving
Rustic wreath
Add a touch of shabby chic to your Christmas décor with this
easy-to-make square wreath. Simply knock together some
pieces of reclaimed wood and adorn with festive ornaments.

Santa's Workshop
Make-shift tree
No room for a full-sized Christmas
tree? Paint some small branches
white, silver or gold and decorate
with baubles.

sweetliving
All wrapped up
No need to buy new gift boxes
or gift-wrapping paper. Cover
old boxes with scrap paper and
bits of lace and trim. Tins and
old plastic containers can be
used too.

Santa's Workshop

sweetliving
Christmas card holder

Use old coat hangers and wire
to fashion a Christmas tree
card holder. Use two wire
coat hangers for the top two
tiers, then fashion a similar
shape, slightly larger, out of
wire for the bottom tier. Take
a length of thinner wire and
wrap it around a jar to form
rings. Remove from jar and
stretch out the wire to fit the
length of a tier, then flatten
the rings against one another.
This is what holds your cards.
Attach with wire to bottom
tier. Make two more lengths of
rings for the other two tiers.
Take another piece of wire and
create a trunk. Then insert
cards!

Santa's Workshop
Retro stockings Vanessa Brady’s space-age stockings will delight anyone who’s a fan
of sci-fi. Vanessa says all members of her family are big fans, so these
felt creations fit right in with her Christmas theme. Click through to her
website, Tried & True, to find out how to make them.
See website for instructions on making these felt cards.
Old charmer
A felt stocking is very easy to make. Simply cut
two stocking shapes from felt, embellish one
side, then stitch the two sides together. We’ve
used buttons (we covered our buttons with old
embroidered tray cloths), bobbly ribbon for the
stocking trim, and snowflake stickers.

sweetliving
Deer oh deer
If you’re handy with a jigsaw, make some hanging
wooden ornaments out of thin plywood. Draw
your design onto the plywood then cut it out
with a jigsaw. Use sandpaper to smooth edges.

Santa's Workshop
Needle felted snowman
Needle felting is a fun craft for all
ages. Create this adorable snowman
using the needle felting techniques
described on page 52.

sweetliving
Handmade charm
Hand-stitching your own Christmas decorations
is a cinch, and an ideal project for children.
Decorative details
A stuffed felt Christmas
tree is decorated with
In hand felt holy and simple
Add bling in the form of stitches.
sequins and sparkly cord
to simple felt mittens.
Build a snowman
Use scraps of different
coloured felt to create
Snowy. Use black beads
or a fabric pen for the
eyes and mouth.
Gold star
Use fusible webbing to
fix the gingham shapes to
these festive felt fixtures.
Appealing characters
Paint simple reindeer shapes
onto Christmas balls then glue
the heads of cheap plastic toys
to the body.

Stocking filler
Santa's Workshop
Make a stocking out of felt then decorate
the edges with lace or pre-cut felt from
craft stores.
Heart and soul Oh, Christmas tree

Turn a wooden heart into a work of art Recycle old woollen fabric into
by drilling holes through the wood and decorative ornaments. Add a fluffy
threading wool or ribbon through them. trim and a felt tree to the centre.
Treescape
Turn garden trimmings into miniature
Christmas stuffing trees to create a festive table setting.
Stuff a fabric Christmas tree and give it a
tree trunk made from pruned branches.

sweetliving
Gift tags No need to spend money on labels.

Download your free Christmas
gift tags here.
sweet living Christmas Gift Tags 1

Free
We’ve made it simple. Just click on the link provided, download the PDF,
then print your gift tags on white card stock. Or print them on adhesive
paper for self-adhesive labels.
loads
dow
n
sweet living Christmas Gift Tags 2

sweetliving
The Toymaker’s printable gift box
Marilyn Scott-Waters, aka The Toymaker, is a whizz at creating beautiful paper toys.
Head over to her website and you’ll find fairy houses, puppet theatres, animals, birds
and butterflies - all to download for free. She also designed this adorable gift box
for you to download. Click here to download it for free. Make sure you check out
Marilyn’s amazing books too. They’re full of great paper toys for you to make.

sweetliving
Incredible
edible gifts
A collection of delightfully
good-looking and suitably
scrumptious sweet treats
for Christmas.
Chocolate candymen
Make chocolate treats for decorating gift boxes.
These white chocolate gingerbread men are easy to
make. Simply melt white chocolate chips, pour into
chocolate moulds and, when set, pipe details onto
the body with chocolate icing.

sweetliving
Plum brownies
These sinfully decadent bars
make a delicious treat for guests
or a great gift for friends. Recipe
on page 40.

Incredible edible gifts
Cherry on top
You don’t have to be a professional cake decorator to ice a
Christmas cake. It’s easy as pie. Buy ready-made marzipan
and fondant icing, or make your own. Then, with a few iced
decorations for the top, your cake will be the star of the
show. See marzipan recipe and ideas on page 40.

sweetliving
Berry cakes
At the peak of the berry season, these mini
berry cakes will go down a treat. Serve with
fresh berries and cream or yoghurt. See
recipe on page 40.

Apricot tart
This sweet tart combines a crisp, buttery short
crust pastry with perfectly ripe apricots – a true
taste of summer.

sweetliving
Christmas cupcakes

These fondant-covered cupcakes

are embellished with fondant
snowmen and holly. Buy ready-
made fondant and use food
colouring to produce different
hues. First spread cupcake with
buttercream (the buttercream acts
as an adhesive – see recipe page
40), then apply a layer of fondant.
Then shape small pieces of fondant
into snowmen or berries. Use a
plunger cutter for the leaves.
For fancy Christmas cupcake
wrappers, head to The Pretty Baker

sweetliving
Vanilla and rosewater

marshmallows
These deliciously light and fluffy
marshmallows are extremely easy
to create and make a fabulous
sweet gift or party favour.
See recipe page 40.

Quick & easy dessert

Need to whip up a dessert or sweet treat in a hurry? Pour honey-flavoured
yoghurt into small bowls or jars, supply chocolate sprinkles and store-bought
wafer sticks and let guests help themselves.

sweetliving
Christmas tree marshmallows

Paint your marshmallows with a simple milk and food colouring mix. First make your own marshmallows
(this method doesn’t work well on store-bought marshmallows). Use the recipe for Vanilla and Rosewater
Marshmallows on page 40 but omit the final dusting of cornflour and icing sugar. For the colouring, place
1 tablespoon milk in a shallow bowl and add a couple of drops of green food colouring. Cut out tree
shapes with a cookie cutter, then paint.

Honey & pistachio nougat

If ever there was a confection for folk
with sweet teeth, nougat must be it.
It may not be good for the waistline,
but it’s a superb gift for candy-lovers.
Try the recipe at The Kitchn.

sweetliving
Frozen Christmas pudding

The perfect ‘cake’ for a downunder Christmas.
Come to that, it’s the perfect cake for ice cream
lovers anywhere in the world. From The Australian
Women’s Weekly, The Christmas Collection (ACP
Books, RRP $29.99). Available from bookstores or
online at Bookreps.co.nz See recipe on page 40.
See book review on page 42.

Cheat’s frozen Christmas pudding

This festive pud is not only delicious it’s super
easy to make. Serve with choc-orange sauce.
From The Australian Women’s Weekly, The
Christmas Collection (ACP Books, RRP $29.99).
Both both recipes, see page 40. Available from
bookstores or online at Bookreps.co.nz

sweetliving
Grand Marnier fruit cake

This exquisite cake has all the bells and whistles – plus a delectable flavour to boot. From The
Australian Women’s Weekly, The Christmas Collection (ACP Books, RRP $29.99). Available from
bookstores or online at Bookreps.co.nz See recipe on page 40. See book review on page 42.

sweetliving
sweet living
Recipes
Recipes
Plum brownies
Base
• 120g butter ed 3. Mix in egg yolk.
• 185g dark chocolate, chopp 4. Dust hands with icing
sugar then
bowl
• 1 cup caster sugar knead the marzipan in the
. Add
• 2 tablespoons brandy until it forms a firm dough
is too
• 2 eggs, lightly beaten extra icing sugar if the mix
• 1 cup all-purpose flour, sifted soft.
onto a
• ½ cup chopped walnuts 5. Turn the marzipan out
icing sugar.
bench dusted with sifted
h and
Plum Purée Knead until mixture is smoot
fresh plums no longer sticky. Wrap in plastic
• 8-10 large, dark-skinned
until required.
• 3 tablespoons sugar
To make cherry decorations
Cherry on top
Download all
Filling moulding
Marzipan can be used for
• 2 medium-size eggs You don’t have to be a profes
sional cake
into decorative shapes. Create
desired
• 3 tablespoons lime juice cake. It’s easy as pie.
decorator to ice a Christmas colours with food colouring.
Dip
an and fondant
• 1 cup white granulated sugar You can buy ready-made marzip a toothpick in the colouring
and
recipes here. • ½ cup all-purpose flour, sifted

• ¼ teaspoon salt
icing (or make your own)
decorations for the top, your
and with a few iced
cake will be the star smear that onto the marzip
an (a little
goes a long way). Knead marzip
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living
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colour
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with the fondan t covering.
pan, line the base and sides week before apply
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Recipes
and from green-coloured marzip
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medium
chocolate in large bowl on • ½ cup (125ml) water
in sugar
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Issue 5 November 2012
- January 2013
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sweet living
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wh about 1 hour plastic wrap, extending
pudding basin; freeze of moulds.
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we etl ivin basin with ice cream ess ice cream ,
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cream mixture into
to freezer. combined. Spoon ice
cover with foil, return e ic wrap then foil;
, make chocolate orang mou lds. Cover with plast
Grand Marnier fruit cake 5 Mean while
ice cream. freeze overnight.
Prep + cook time 5 hours
40 minutes
1 Combine fruit, nuts and
rind in large ice cream cavit y pudd ings onto a baking-paper-lined
(+ standing & cooling) bowl. down. Mix a little white icing 6 Fill brown sugar 3 Turn
plastic, transfer
and cold e ice cream; tray. Gently peel away
2 Cook caster sugar in large boiled water to a sticky paste. with chocolate orang plates.
• 3 cups (500g) sultanas frying about 2 tablespoons of this
Spread
smooth surface. Cove
r with foil; puddings to serving sauce or
• 1½ cups (250g) mixed peel pan over low heat, withou
t stirring , mixture
overn ight. Servi ng sugge stion: Serve with chocolate
until it begins to melt, then into the centre of a sheet of baking freez e
• ¾ cup (120g) coarsely chopped raisins stir until r in freezer. the choc-orange sauce
.
sugar is melted and brown paper about 5cm (2 inches
) larger than 7 Chill serving platte platte r;
• ¾ cup (120g) coarsely chopped seeded ed lightly. onto
Remove from heat, slowly the cake; position cake upside Turn pudding basin
stir in down damp cloth.
dried dates juice; return to low heat, stir on paper. cover basin with a hot,
to ease pudding
• ²⁄³ cup (140g) coarsely chopped seeded until 8 Using spatula and small Gradually pull plastic
toffee dissolves (do not boil). pieces of
as pud din g plasti c.
Frozen Christm
prunes Stir in white icing, patch any holes onto platte r; disca rd
liqueur. on cake.
• ½ cup (125g) coarsely chopped glacé 9 Brush egg white evenly hours (+ cooling, Chocolate orange
ice cream
3 Pour syrup over fruit mixtur over cake. Prep + cook time 2 boil
apricots with plastic wrap; store mixtur
e. Cover Knead white icing on surface ning & freez ing). Serves 10. Bring cream , milk and rind to the
e in a dusted chur Remove from
• ²⁄³ cup (150g) coarsely chopped glacé cool, dark place for 10 days, with icing sugar until smoot in medium saucepan. smooth.
stirring h; roll to • 1 vanilla bean olate ; stir until
pineapple every day. 6mm (¼-inch) thickness. pouring cream heat, add choc
• ½ cup (70g) slivered almonds 4 Preheat oven to 150°C onto cake with rolling pin,
Lift icing
• 2½ cups (625ml) Meanwhile, whisk egg
yolks and sugar
smoothing
• ½ cup (60g) coarsely chopped walnut
/300°F. Line
base and sides of deep 22cm icing over cake with hands
dusted
• 1 cup (250ml) milk in small bowl until pale; re. Stir
gradually
s (9- with • 4 egg yolks k into hot cream mixtu
• 1 tablespoon finely grated orange rind inch) round or deep 20cm icing sugar. Using sharp knife, n whis
(8-inch) g) firml y packed light brow ut boilin g, about
• ½ cup (110g) caster (superfine) sugar square cake pan with one cut excess icing away from
base of •½ cup (110 over low heat, witho
mixture thickens Choc-orange olate sauce
layer cake. sugar 10 minutes or until sauce is the perfect
ice cream
• ¼ cup (60ml) orange juice of brown paper and two layers Strain This decadent choc
of 10 Mix scraps of white icing cola te ora nge coats the back of a spoon. cheat’s frozen Chris
tmas
• ½ cup (125ml) Grand Marnier baking paper, extending papers
5cm and cold Cho ing cream
and
into large heatp roof bowl accompaniment to
boiled pour rd
• 250g (8 ounces) butter, softened (2 inches) above edge. water to a sticky paste. Spread • 1¼ cups (310ml) custa
Cover surface pudding, opposite.
5 Beat butter and brown about 2 tablespoons of paste (180ml) milk set over bowl of ice. tes. Makes 2 cups
• ½ cup (110g) firmly packed light brown sugar in small of board; centre cake on prepar
in centre • ¾ cup
grated orange rind with plastic wrap; stand until cold.
Prep + cook time 15 minu
bowl with electric mixer until
sugar just ed • 2 teaspoons finely Pour custard into ice
cream maker*, dark eating (semi-
combined; beat in eggs, one board. Move the cake to the
correct • 100g (3 ounces) finely
chopped dark
manufacturer’s • 400g (12½ ounces) ped coarsely
• 5 eggs at a position on the board; using churn according to sweet) chocolate, chop
time. Stir butter mixture into
fruit sharp eatin g (semi-sweet) chocolate instru ctions r, chopped coarsely
• 2 cups (300g) plain (all-purpose) flour mixture. Mix in sifted flour; craft knife or scalpel, carefu
lly cut instruction s (or follow
• 30g (1 ounce) extract butte
spread • 3 egg yolks n ice cream
• 2 tablespoons Grand Marnier, extra mixture into pan. Tap pan away excess baking paper extend
ing r (supe rfine) sugar in tips, see right). Spoo nas, rum, • 1 teasp oon vanilla
caste
• 1kg (2 pounds) ready-made white icing firmly on around base of cake. • ¹⁄³ cup (75g) into large bowl, stir
in sulta ing cream
bench to settle mixture into
pan; 11 Secure ribbon around • ¼ cup (40g) sulta or brandy
nas
cherries, peel and extra
chocolate. • 1 cup (250ml) pour e-flavoured liqueur
• 1 egg white, beaten lightly level cake mixture with wet
spatula. cake using pins have an ice • 2 tablespoons orang
• ½ cup (80g) pure icing (confectione 6 Bake cake about 3½ hours.
Remov
(remove before cutting cake).
Push • 1 tablespoon rum ered glacé cherries * Note: If you don’t
custa rd mixtu re
e
sugar, sifted rs’) cake from oven, brush with cachous gently into icing in
the design • ¼ cup (50g) quart chopped mixed peel cream maker, pour
with foil and 1 Stir chocolate and
butter in medium
extra of your choice. • ¼ cup (40g) finelyfinely chopped dark into shallow pan, cover medium saucepan of
• 25cm (10-inch) round covered cake liqueur; cover hot cake with
foil then Chop ice heatproof bowl over
• decorative ribbon board turn upside down to cool Extract from The Austra • 50g (1½ ounces)et) chocolate, extra freeze until almost set. simmering water, until
smooth.
overnight. lian Women’s ly and beat in large bowl ur. Serve
• silver cachous 7 Trim top of cake with sharp
knife to
Weekly, The Christmas Collecti
on (ACP eating (semi-swe cream rough
r, or proce ss, until 2 Stir in extract, cream and lique
ensure it sits flat when turned Books, RRP $29.99). Availab
le with electric mixe e .
from ing freez warm
upside bookstores or online at
Bookreps.co.nz. 1 Grease 2-litre (8-cu
p) metal pudd smoo th. Return to pan and .
ic wrap; place in ss once more
Page 4 basin. Line with plast again, repeating proce
sweetliving Issue
, then allow to
Freeze about 1 hour
5 November 2012 - January
2013 freezer.
sugar ice cream, split n ice cream into
www.sweetlivingmagazin
e.co.nz 2 To make brown e soften slightly; spoo
s, scrap additional
vanilla bean in half lengt
hway pudding basin (or add
saucepan. Add pod, the recipe.
seeds into medium ingredients) and follow
to pan; bring to the boil. to use three 300m l cartons of
cream and milk It’s fine
k egg yolks and sugar for this recip e, rather
3 Meanwhile, whis pouring cream
gradually whisk than buying an extra
carton for the
in small bowl until pale;
re. Stir over low
Photo credits: Pages 19, 20 & 26: Laperla; Page 21 into hot cream mixtu
heat, without boilin
g, about 10 minutes
addit ional 35ml.
Extract from The Austr
alian Women’s
Extract from The Austr
alian Women’s
ens and coats the Collection Collection (ACP
or until mixture thick Weekly, The Christmas Available Weekly, The Christmas able from
Ekaterina Nikitina; Pages 22 & 23 Ruth Black; Page back of a spoon. Strai
n custard into large
large bowl of ice; (ACP Books, RRP $29.99).
online at
Book s, RRP $29.99). Avail
e at Bookreps.co.nz
.
heatproof bowl set over of custard from bookstores or bookstores or onlin
24 Vikarayu; Page 25 Natalia Larina; Page 27 Oxana discard pod. Cover
with plastic wrap ;
surface
stand until cold.
Bookreps.co.nz.
2013 sweet
living
Page 5
November 2012 - January
Afanasyeva; Page 28 Brigitte Bonaposta; Page 29 Scerpica. www.sweetlivingm

agazine.co.nz
Issue 5

sweetliving
Felt napkin holders

Make your own
classy napkin do
Free
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click d your free
holders for the loa
to down er template
in h old
festive season. napk
These napkin holders are super easy

to make. Download the template and
print onto light card stock. Cut out
and use as a pattern to cut felt leaves.
Cut a slit in the top leaf big enough to
fit the bobble at the other end. Spray
felt with starch and iron to stiffen.
Join several leaves together and you
can make a decorative table runner too.
o u r
1h
t
p r o je
c

sweetliving
For bookworms Great book ideas for Christmas
The Australian Women’s Weekly, ideas for embroidery to make your doll Shabby Chic Interiors
The Christmas Collection completely unique. Suitable for anyone aged Rachel Ashwell
ACP Books, RRP $29.99 8 and upwards, this is the perfect kit to learn CICO Books, RRP $39.99
As the subheading says, “All the recipes the basics of both machine sewing and hand This is a re-release of Rachel Ashwell’s
you need for the festive season”. It features embroidery. Available from bookstores or extremely popular book – though this
breakfasts, drinks, finger food, starters, the big Bookreps.co.nz time it comes with a soft cover. As the
Christmas main course, Christmas puddings, name suggests, the book celebrates all that
Cath Kidston Collection
Christmas cakes, mince pies, chocolates, edible is Shabby Chic, with flea-market finds,
Quadrille, RRP $64.99
gifts – even recipes for Christmas leftovers. pretty vintage objects, and objects of pure
Three of Cath Kidston’s bestselling books
A great book, available from bookstores or functionality. Romantic florals, ruffles, pure
are now available in a special presentation
Bookreps.co.nz white linen, vintage fabrics and accessories,
slipcase, creating the ultimate gift for
and bleached floorboards, this is a great
Animal Hats crafters. This trio of craft titles offers ideas
book for anyone who loves the Shabby
25 fun projects to crochet, knit and and instructions for over 100 projects,
Chic style. Available from bookstores or
appliqué | Rachel Henderson including sewing, patchwork, cross stitch
Bookreps.co.nz
Kyle Books, RRP $34.99 and needlepoint projects, all in Cath
Rachel Henderson’s new book, Animal Kidston’s signature style. Also includes Granny Chic
Hats, is packed full of fun projects. It fabric for a shoulder bag. Available from Tiff Fussell & Rachelle Blondell
doesn’t matter if you’re a total beginner or bookstores or Bookreps.co.nz Kyle Books, RRP $45
an experienced stitcher, there are designs If you have a fondness for scraps of pretty
The Home-Sewn Home
suitable for all – a fox, a dragon, a lamb, a paper, bits of yarn and vintage fabric and
Vanessa Arbuthnott with Gail Abbott
polar or a panda bear. Distributed by New other forgotten finds, this book will be
CICO Books, RRP $39.99
Holland, available from bookstores. just your cup of tea. Granny Chic offers
Soft furnishings – from curtains and
inspiration to keen crafters hoping to
Sew Your Own Rag Doll cushions, to bed and table linen – can
breathe new life into fabrics and second-
Cath Kidston | Quadrille, $34.99 provide the perfect finishing touches to a
hand objects. From handmade notebooks to
This book contains everything you need to room. If you’re renovating or you’ve just
lacy lampshades and peachy pinnies, each of
sew your own cloth doll. It contains a length bought a new home, this is the book for
the craft ‘recipes’ brings the granny chic look
of specially printed cotton that, when cut and you. Includes 50 inspiring projects for
to life while allowing you to give them your
sewn, makes a delightful doll and a special creating your own home furnishings and a
own personal twist. Distributed by New
dress-up outfit. And if you want to make her comprehensive basic techniques chapter.
Holland, available from bookstores.
outfits even more special, there are additional From bookstores or Bookreps.co.nz

sweetliving
Gifts to make
Hand-crafted gifts are extremely fashionable.
Create gorgeous prezzies for friends and family.
Make a felt hat

Here’s the ultimate gift for a friend. A beautiful felt hat. “For professional looking flowers like these, milliners use a
Professional milliner Magdelaine Snowden of MadgeHatter says millinery flower iron. You place the cut fabric shape onto a foam
anyone can make a hat and with very little equipment. pad covered with fabric and then you press it with the iron. This
should mould the fabric into a petal shape.
“I use a hat block, a kettle and sheer muscle power. Start by
steaming the felt cone [available on Trade Me or Ebay] over the “Finally, sew a hair comb onto the underside. That’s used to
kettle, then stretch it over the block and hold it in place with pins. secure the hat into place (I do not use hat elastics as these can
Once dry, trim the excess felt off, fold the edges under and sew usually be seen in the hair, which is unattractive). The comb is
Petersham ribbon around the edge to hide the cut-off edge. Then completely obscured by hair and hat.”
decorate with whatever takes your fancy. Visit Magdelaine’s website, MadgeHatter.

sweetliving
Tutu cute
What little girl wouldn’t love
a tutu? There are hundreds of
no-sew tutu tutorials online,
but we thought this one here
was more traditional-looking.
And it rather cleverly recycles
some old curtains. We love
this flouncy tulle skirt too.
Or for an even more flouncy,
fluffy tutu for your little one,
try this fairy tutu dress here.

Gifts to make
Crocheted ballet slippers

Sweet Living crochet expert Lisa van Klaveren designed
these gorgeous ballet slippers to keep your tootsies snug.
We love the soft, pretty colours, though they’d look equally do
Free
wnloa
ere
d
h
fine in bright hues. Our free pattern gives instructions for click d your free
loa
all sizes, so you can whip up a pair for the whole family. to down ctions.
instru
Check out Lisa’s website, Holland Designs, for more
patterns, but first download your free one here.

sweetliving
Knitted Polar Bear Hat

Rachel Henderson’s new book, Animal Hats, features
25 fun hats to knit, crochet or make from fleece.
If you like knitting in the round, this sweet polar bear hat is the perfect project
for you, and it’s ideal for when conditions are arctic.
Free
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nloa
ere
d
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click instructions
table
For prin
Size: Adult (one size)

Materials NEEDED: ~ Oddment of black yarn. Needles: Tension:
~ Yarn A: 1 x 50g ball of Rowan ~ Round marker. ~ 1 set of 5mm (US 8) double-pointed 19 sts and 25 rows to 10cm/4in
Cocoon shade 801, Polar. ~ Stuffing or toy filling. needles. square over st st using 5mm
~ Yarn B: 1 x 50g ball of Rowan ~ 5mm (US 8) 40cm/15 ½ in circular needle. (US 8) needles.
Cocoon shade 802, Alpine. ~ 4.5mm (US 7) crochet hook.

Pattern:
Earflaps (make 2):
Gifts to make
Using 2 x 5mm (US 8) dpns and yarn A, cast on 5 sts.
Row 1: k1, kfb, k1, kfb, k1 (7 sts).
Row 2: and every alt row: p to end.
Row 9: k1, kfb, k9, kfb, k1 (15 sts). Making up:
Weave in all ends. Using 4.5mm (US 7) crochet hook
Row 11: k1, kfb, k11, kfb, k1 (17 sts). and yarn B, work 2 rows of double crochet (see page
Row 13: k1, kfb, k13, kfb, k1 (19 sts). 30) around the edge of the hat and earflaps. Position
the ears on the sides of the hat 5cm/2in from the
Row 14: p to end. centre-top, using the picture opposite to guide you,
Continue straight in st st until earflap measures 9cm/31/2in. and attach them to the hat using an overstitch. Stuff
the muzzle with toy filling. Position it on the front of
Leave sts on spare needle.
the hat using the picture opposite to guide you, and
attach it using an overstitch.
Hat:
Using 5mm (US 8) circular needle and yarn A, cast on 8 sts. Embroider the nose and mouth using satin stitch and
With RS facing, knit across 19 sts of first earflap, cast on 23 sts, k across 19 backstitch. Embroider the eyes using satin stitch.
sts of second earflap, then cast on 8 sts (77 sts). Make 2 I-cords (see below), each 25cm/10in in length,
Join into a circle and place round marker. Work in the round in st st (k every using yarn A. Attach a cord to each earflap.
round) until hat measures 14cm/51/2in from cast on edge. Begin shaping.
(Change to dpns when necessary.) Using yarn B, make 2 pom poms (see page 39), each
with an 8cm/31/4in diameter. Attach 1 pom pom to
Round 1: *k5, k2tog, rep from * to end (66 sts). the end of each cord.
Round 2: and every alt round: k to end.
I-cords:
Round 3: *k4, k2tog, rep from * to end (55 sts). Cast on the required number of stitches onto 1 of
Round 5: *k3, k2tog, rep from * to end (44 sts). your dpns and knit all stitches. Now slide all of your
stitches worked to the other end of the dpn in your
Round 7: *k2, k2tog, rep from * to end (33 sts). right hand and transfer that needle to your left hand.
Round 9: *k1, k2tog, rep from * to end (22 sts). With the working yarn at the back of the work, insert
your right needle into the first stitch on the left
Round 10: *k2tog, rep from * to end (11 sts). needle. Pull the working yarn tightly up to the tip of
Round 11: k2tog to last st, k1. the right needle and knit that stitch. Continue to knit
the rest of the stitches along the row. Repeat in this
Break off yarn, thread it through the remaining sts and fasten off securely. way until you have the required length of fabric.
Knitted mouth:
Using 4 x 5mm (US 8) dpns and yarn A, cast on 24 sts (8 sts on each of 3
needles). Join into a circle and place round marker.
K 4 rounds.
Round 5: *k2tog, repeat from * to end of round (12 sts).
Round 6–7: k to end.
Round 8: *k3tog, repeat from * to end of round (4 sts).
Break off yarn, thread it through the remaining sts and fasten off securely.
Ears (make 2):

Using 4 x 5mm (US 8) dpns and yarn A, cast on 30 sts (10 sts on each of 3
needles). Join into circle and place round marker.
K 6 rounds.
Round 7: *k2tog, repeat from * to end (15 sts).
Rounds 8–10: k to end.
Round 11: *k2tog, repeat from * to last st, k1 (8 sts).
Round 12: k to end.
Extracted with permission from Animal Hats by Rachel
Round 13: *k2tog, repeat from * to end (4 sts).
Henderson, published by Kyle Books and distributed
Break off yarn, thread it through the remaining sts and fasten off securely. in New Zealand by New Holland, RRP $34.99.

sweetliving
do
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click d your free
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to down pattern.
a n
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Make a fancy apron

Use the classic Dresden plate
quilting technique to create
this vintage-look apron.
Materials:
• Fabric for apron:
2m x 112cm
• Floral fabric for trim:
10cm x 65cm
• Lace for trim: 10cm x
65cm (or similar width)
• Scrap pieces of fabric
for Dresden plate
• Sewing thread
1 Print template onto lightweight card stock and cut out. Use
template to cut 20 Dresden wedges and 1 circle.
4
To make apron cut a piece of fabric 65cm wide x 60cm long.
Hem bottom of apron, folding over raw edge 1cm, pressing,
then folding over another 1.5cm. Press and stitch.
5
Take floral fabric and fold over top and bottom edges 1cm.
Press. Position on apron with top edge about 18cm up from
hemline, depending on the width of your lace (you want
your lace to come just below the hemline). Topstitch the top
edge. Overlap lace about 1cm on bottom edge of floral fabric so
lace comes just below hem. Topstitch. Fold sides of apron over
1cm, press, then turn over another 1.5cm. Stitch.
6
To make waistband and ties, cut a strip of fabric 175cm
x 10cm. Fold in half lengthwise with right sides together.
Stitch around open edges with 6mm seam, leaving 60cm in
2
Make the wedges for Dresden plate. Fold a wedge in half middle of band open (this is where the apron will fit). Turn right
lengthwise with wrong side of fabric together. Stitch 6mm side out and fold under the open edge to form a neat edge.
seam across the top. Cut corner as shown in diagram 1 on PDF. Insert top of apron into band and topstitch all around band.
Place wedge so wrong side of fabric is facing you, pull top corners
7
down to form a point in centre and iron seam allowance open. Make circle for centre of
Dresden plate. Sew a gathering
3
Stitch wedges stitch around circle 6mm in
together from raw edge. Make a cardboard
along long template the size of the finished
edges to form a circle. Place on wrong side of fabric
circle. Sew from and gather thread so seam allowance
top to bottom, as forms a circle around template. Press,
any irregularity at remove template, then press again.
bottom edges can
8
be hidden behind
Position circle of wedges on apron and top stitch around
the circle.
pointed edges. Stitch circle in centre.

Gifts to make
Weave your fabric

The very talented Gédane
created this amazing bag after
crafting her own woven fabric.
What a perfect Christmas gift
for someone special – or make
it for yourself! Once the fabric is
woven, it’s just a simple matter
of stitching it to a back piece and
adding a zip. Head on over to
Gédane’s website for step-by-
step instructions and photos on
how to weave fabric.

sweetliving
Leather jewellery pouch

This leather pouch is ideal
for storing your jewellery
when travelling.
Materials
• Leather offcuts in rose, tan and cream
(we bought cheap leather offcuts from
an emporium store)
• Dressmaker’s scissors
• Pinking shears
• Leather hole punch
• Air erasable pen
• Fabric glue
• 18mm wide button
Cutting measurements
Rose leather:
1 Take small pocket and large pocket flap and cut curves
with pinking shears as shown. Then use pinking
shears to cut around the edges.
• Front piece: 250mm x 340mm
• Tie: 750mm x 12mm
• 4 x thongs: 450mm x 3mm;
650mm x 3mm; 20mm x 3mm; 6mm x 3mm
• Small coverlet: 60mm x 40mm
Free
Tan leather:
• Inside lining: 250mm x 340mm
• Large pocket: 215mm x 950mm
d
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• Flap for large pocket: 215mm x 450mm
• Smaller pocket: 215mm x 70mm
dow
• Ring band: 230mm x 20mm ere h
click instructions
table
For prin
Cream leather:
• Front trim: 250mm x 45mm

Gifts to make
2 On pockets and pocket flap, punch holes for threading

thongs, with each hole 10mm apart and 10mm away
from edges. Glue edges of pockets and press onto
7 Punch holes along top edge of front trim, then glue to
front piece, with the scallop hanging just below the
bottom edge. Punch holes through existing holes of trim
inside lining. Let dry then punch holes through existing to pierce the front piece. Thread thong through holes.
holes to pierce the inside lining.
8 Cut two slits in centre of front piece big enough to fit ties.
Thread though ties. Then pink edges of small coverlet, and
punch holes around the edges. Glue coverlet over slits and
ties and let dry. Punch holes through existing holes of coverlet
through to front piece then thread throngs through holes.
3 Thread thong through holes. The easiest way to do

this is to cut one end of the thong to a point and
thread it through the holes by hand. At the last hole,
take thong to underside, cut off and glue end piece flat.
4 Glue pocket flap above large pocket, let dry, then

punch holes through existing holes, piercing the
inside lining. Thread thong through holes.
5 To make the ring band, cut the designated piece of

leather into the shape pictured below. The thin piece
9 Glue inside lining to front piece.
measures 4mm wide and 60mm long. Glue the wrong

side of the leather, fold over the thin piece to form a loop,
taking it about 10mm onto the wider bit of leather on the
wrong side. Fold the long edges of the band over to meet
in the centre, covering the loop end, and weight down until
leather adheres. Position ring band on lining, punch two
holes on either side of band end and thread through thong.
Attach button at other end and place loop around it.
6 Draw a scallop edge on the front trim with an air

erasable pen then cut out with pinking shears. Punch
decorative holes with hole puncher.
Optional idea
You can replace the scallop trim with a fancy diamanté buckle
available from craft shops.

sweetliving
Fumblenut
Barbara Allen’s adorable Christmas elf, designed
especially for Sweet Living readers, is simply
to-die-for. Needle felted with carded wool, this
happy chappy does double duty as a decoration
and child’s toy. Barbara has written two books
on needle felting, Needle Felting Magic and
The Ashford Book of Needle Felting. She has
also developed a range of
needle felting kitsets.
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Gifts to make
Crochet a doll
Sarah Garrod, aka Annaboo of Annaboo’s House,
created these cute little crochet dolls, which we
reckon are just the ticket for crafty Christmas
gifts. So we’re ever so pleased that she’s also
supplied a free pattern for all to download. Head
on over to her website, Annaboo’s House, to
find free patterns for these cheeky monkeys and
adorable doll.

sweetliving
Materials
• 2 contrasting fabrics
• Sewing thread
• Brown paper for pattern
• Tracing paper
• Sewing machine
• Buttonhole foot
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For prin
His and her PJs

Using this simple technique,
you can make pyjama pants
for the whole family.
3 Take pattern again and draw a line 12cm

up from the bottom edge. This is your cuff
line. Using tracing paper, trace the entire
cuff outline. Cut out and place pattern on
contrasting fabric (on fold). Cut out.
5 Turn pants right side out and fold the

top of the waist down 60mm at front
and 40mm at back. Trim so the folded
fabric measures 350mm all around.
6 Create two buttonholes for the ties.

Position them 15mm on either side of
the centre seam on the front of the
1 Grab a pair of pyjama pants

that fit the recipient. Fold PJs
in half, place on brown paper
pants and starting about 5mm down from
the top of the waist. Make the buttonholes
15mm long.
and trace around the outline.
If PJs are elasticated at waist,
stretch them out to get the full
length. Add a seam allowance to
7 Make the casing. Fold under the bottom
edge of the folded down fabric at the
waist to create a 25mm casing. Topstitch.
4
the pattern. Allow an extra 10mm
Take pant pieces and line up cuff to bottom
8
at hemline; 20mm on sides and To make the tie, cut a piece of fabric
edge, placing the right side of the cuff fabric
crotch, and 60mm at top edge. 1.5m x 40mm (or a suitable length
to the wrong side of the trouser fabric, as
shown. Pin. Stitch a 10mm hem, then turn cuff for the size of the recipient). Fold long
2 Place straight edge of pattern

on fold of fabric and cut out.
Fold fabric again and cut
fabric over so wrong side of cuff sits on top of
right side of pant leg. Iron flat. Fold over top edge
of cuff by 10mm, press, then top stitch. Stitch
edges into centre, then fold in half and top
stitch. Attach a safety pin to one end of the
tie and thread through the casing via the
another pant leg. pant sides together. Overlock or zigzag edges. buttonholes. Tie knots on ends.

Gifts to make
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Felt picture cube

A soft cube with a different
picture appliquéd on each
side is the perfect gift for
babies and toddlers.
Materials
• 6 x felt squares in different colours 120mm x 120mm each
• Selection of different coloured felt for animals
• Embroidery thread
• Foam cube
1 Download the PDF, and print

onto light cardstock. Cut out,
then use patterns to cut out
animal shapes from felt.
2 Appliqué animals onto felt

square using straight stitch
or blanket stitch. Use French
knots for eyes and a single feather
stitch for the fish scales.
3 Stitch felt squares together,

using blanket stitch, to form
a cube. Leave one side open.
Insert your foam cube and stitch
final square in place.

sweetliving
Homemade soaps
Make fun-shaped soaps for kids
and adults in next to no time.
Materials
• Glycerin melt-and-pour opaque soap base
(available from Amor Aromatherapy)
• 20 drops orange essential oil
(or your choice of essential oils)
• Silicone moulds (we used inexpensive muffin moulds)
• Microwave safe jug
The melt-and-pour method is very easy. Simply chop the soap base into
Optional Materials 2cm cubes and place in your microwave jug. Microwave on medium until
• Dried flower petals melted, about 5 minutes. Remove mixture from microwave and add
• Oatmeal (for exfoliating) essential oil and optional ingredients. Mix, working quickly. Pour into
• Honey moulds and allow to set (it takes less than an hour). And that’s it! If using
• Food colouring silicone moulds, the soaps simply pop out.

Gifts to make
For each bag you need:

• 500mm long x 160mm
wide piece of fabric (use
fabric that doesn’t fray too
much)
• 1.25m cord
• Sewing thread
• Safety pin to thread cord
• Felt, fabric or embroidery
thread for embellishing
Drawstring bags
Make a simple drawstring bag for
each soap, decorating each bag with
a similar pattern to the soap inside.
Finished bag size: 180mm x 140mm.
2 Decorate
the front of
the bag with
4 Cut cord in half and
attach a safety pin to
one end of one length of
felt, fabric or cord and thread it through
embroidery then, one of the openings in
with right sides the casing. Feed the cord
together, stitch a through the casing, bringing
10mm seam down it back out the same
1 Overlock or zigzag short edges,

then fold overlocked edges under
70mm and press. About 10mm
the sides. Sew a
zigzag stitch or
use pinking shears
3 Snip a small hole on each
side of your bag close to
the seams, making sure you
opening. Attach the safety
pin to the other length of
cord and thread it through
up from edge, sew a double row of to trim along the penetrate only the top or outside the opposite opening in the
stitching 10mm apart to make a casing sewn edges. Turn of the casing and not the back casing, bringing it back out
to thread the drawstring. bag right side out. side of the casing. the same opening.

sweetliving
Homemade herbal gifts
Anti-wrinkle eye
make-up remover
This rich, silky, anti-wrinkle oil blend is very
effective at removing make-up, eye shadow
and mascara while enriching the delicate
eye tissue in this sensitive area. Cedar & juniper aftershave
Recipe by Donna Lee of This recipe makes enough for 3 x 100ml bottles of aftershave. It has antiseptic and
Cottage Hill Herb Farm. astringent properties plus a deep woody and masculine fragrance without any
nasty chemicals for the man in your life.
Materials
• 20ml organic cold pressed castor oil Recipe by Donna Lee of Materials
• 1 teaspoon shea nut butter Cottage Hill Herb Farm. • 200ml vodka (38 – 40% proof)
• 1 teaspoon coconut oil (solid type) • 2 tablespoons juniper berries (infuse
• 10ml organic rosehip seed oil these two together for at least 3 weeks
• 10ml oat infused oil or more if possible. Strain the juniper
• 8 drops geranium pure essential oil berries from the alcohol)
• 100ml witch hazel extract
Melt shea nut butter and coconut oil • 40 drops cedarwood essential oil
in a cup placed in hot water. Once • 10 drops juniper essential oil
melted remove from hot water and • 12 drops sweet orange essential oil
cool well. Slowly add to the other oils,
stirring briskly to prevent clumping. Place the alcohol extract into a large
Add essential oil, place in a pump bottle or jar. To this add 100ml witch
bottle and shake well. hazel extract, 40 drops cedarwood
essential oil, 10 drops juniper essential
oil, 12 drops sweet orange essential oil.
Shake vigorously and bottle into a spray
bottle or suitable aftershave container.
While essential oils go a long way,

the initial cost may seem expensive.
Go halves with a friend to make
your money go further too.

Gifts to make
do
Free
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table
For prin
Garden herbal balm Step 1

Tania Cottew of Amor Aromatherapy Place herbs in double boiler and just cover with
whips up a soothing balm with herbs oil. Gently heat until herbs lose their colour – Herbal properties
picked from the garden. this means their active constituents (medicinal • Rosemary – antiseptic, deodorising,
properties) have been absorbed by the oil. This healing, improves blood circulation.
Materials recipe took 20 minutes as rosemary is woody.
• Thyme – antiseptic, antibacterial,
• 15g beeswax Step 2 heals wounds, cuts, sores and acne.
• 85ml vegetable oil (grapeseed, Strain the oil to remove herbs.
apricot kernel or sweet almond) • Lavender – insect repellent, relieves
• Handful of garden herbs (I’ve use Step 3 itching, soothes dermatitis, eczema,
lavender, rosemary and thyme) Melt the beeswax over a low heat, about 5 to psoriasis and sunburn.
• Double boiler or saucepan with a 10 minutes. Add the herbal oil to the beeswax
and stir. Pour into glass jar.
saucer in the base that you can sit a
glass jug on, or saucepan with a glass
or metal bowl that will sit over the top
• Spoon for stirring (I prefer a silicone
spatula)
• Funnel with built-in filter or use a
coffee filter/muslin/cheesecloth in a
funnel.
• Glass jar (sterilised) for balm
Makes about 100g.

Natural Bodycare Products & Ingredients
NZ’s widest range of cosmetic micas
Did you enjoy reading how to make your own balm?
Go a step further and convert it to a lip balm by pouring it into a

10ml cosmetic pot or a lipstick tube.
Add colour with food colourings, mica or even some leftover lipstick of your favourite colour.
You can also add some food essence if the flavour needs improving.
If it doesn’t work as expected, don’t panic and send me an email thru my website.
Would you like to know how to make your own lotions and potions?
Always wanted to know how to make Mineral Cosmetics?
Want to be able to buy all your ingredients and supplies in one place?
Come shopping at Amor’s online store for essential oils, vegetable oils, lotion,
balm, bodywash, shampoo and soapmaking supplies, mineral cosmetic supplies & DIY kits,
books with recipes, and a wide range of glass & plastic bottles, jars, pots and cosmetic containers.
I f making Body Washes feels a bit daunting, come and browse our BeSpoke range where you can custom scent/exfoliate/
moisturise our base wash for your specific needs. We have 3 different packaging options too, as some showers like it
tall, others short and squat, some people like a disc cap, others prefer a pump.
O ur natural gentle wash base is made with water, cocobetaine, coco glucoside, honey and potassium sorbate. It is
honey coloured and has a lovely texture, and is suitable for all ages, even new babies, and can be pH balanced to suit.
W ith the BeSpoke blends you have the option of adding coloured jojoba exfoliating beads and/or moisturis-
ing cocoa butter or shea butter. One of my friend’s told me the Shea Butter & Jasmine option “smells like
Summer, is very creamy and looks like honey ice-cream”, when she came to stay and I put some in the Guest Suite.
Which option appeals to you?
www.AmorAromatherapy.co.nz
Gifts to make
Herbal creams labels
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Juniper Cedar
Aftershave &
Juniper
Aftershave CEDAR & JUNIPER
Aftershave

Freshen up your next paint job with Resene Zylone Sheen VOC Free,
which combines the popular low sheen of Resene Zylone Sheen without the
unwanted volatile organic compounds (VOCs) for better indoor air quality.
Improved air quality can help prevent headaches, asthma, nausea, respiratory complaints
and allergic reactions. And to suit all tastes, Resene Zylone Sheen VOC Free is available
in a wide range of popular Resene colours using Resene non VOC tinters.
Now that’s fresh thinking.
Available exclusively from Resene.
0800 RESENE (737 363) www.resene.co.nz

sweetliving
Crafts for kids

Keep youngsters busy this holiday season
with fun crafty projects.
d
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pattern
Good enough to eat

can be
This lovable doll is very easy to make and
hed or hand -sewn. It’s an easy sewing
machine stitc
project for kids.
paper or
First, download the PDF, print it onto
card stoc k, then cut out the pattern
lightweight
as shown on
pieces. Join the pieces with sticky tape
from fabr ic.
the PDF, then cut two body shapes
embroidery
On one piece of fabric, stitch a face with
.
thread or apply buttons or safety eyes
right sides
Take both pieces of fabric and, with
body, leaving
together, sew a 6mm seam around the
n. Machine
the feet and one side of the body ope
feet . Nick all corners
stitch or hand-sew foot pads to
doll righ t side out, stuff,
with scissors before turning
y ope ning toge ther.
then topstitch the bod

sweetliving
Paper Christmas tree

Make a cheap and easy Christmas
tree decoration out of cut paper.
Take a piece of reasonably thick A4

paper and fold in half. On the fold,
draw the shape of a Christmas tree.
Within the shape, draw diamonds,
squares and other shapes. Don’t
make these shapes too intricate
as you will need to cut them out.
Fold another piece of A4 paper and
put it underneath the first piece
of paper, with the edges lining up.
Cut out your Christmas tree shape,
making sure you cut through both
papers. Cut the internal squares and
diamonds with a craft knife. Unfold
the Christmas trees, and mark the
halfway point in the centre of the
tree from top to bottom on the fold
line. Take one piece and, from the
top, cut down to the halfway point.
Take the other piece and cut, from
the bottom, up to the halfway point.
Then slot the two trees together.

Crafts for kids
Origami critters
Take one piece of paper, fold, and fold again,
and voila!… a sculptural masterpiece.
Origami is fun, easy and inexpensive, and, whether
you’re creating a classic crane bird or a more exotic
parrot, it’s highly addictive! Delve into the art of
sculptural paper folding with these fun projects.
You will find a video on how to put together this
exotic macaw parrot over on You Tube; click through
to the Origami Resource Center for a selection of
butterfly projects; Origami Art has a tutorial on how to
make a flower bouquet like ours. The Origami Resource
Center has a selection of flower projects too.

sweetliving
Deluxe paper hats

This project calls for some masterful
cutting and a side serving of patience.
It will keep older children
occupied for hours.
dow
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click ad your Download the PDF and print out your
lo
to down pattern pattern. Then, using a craft knife or small
at
paper h scissors, cut around the edges. Cut the
patterns inside the animal shapes too if
you’re feeling particularly crafty. Join the
two bands together with glue or sticky
tape and your hat is ready.

Crafts for kids
Cutting edge
Make beautiful handmade cards or
one-of-a-kind wrapping paper with
just a few snips.
These cut-out designs are easier to make than they

look, and all that’s required is a pencil, paper, glue and
craft knife.
Use two contrasting coloured papers or card to make
the design stand out. On one of the papers, draw a
flower or butterfly (or other) design in pencil. It can be
as simple or as intricate as you desire.
Place the piece of paper on a cutting mat (or something
to protect the surface you’re cutting on) and cut around
the flower or butterfly outline with a craft knife, leaving
part of the petal, leaf, body or antennae uncut so that
it still remains attached to the paper. You can remove
certain parts entirely, such as the stem of the flowers
and grass outlines, to make them stand out more.
Once cut, glue the paper to your contrasting coloured paper
and lift out the petals, leaves and wings for a 3-D effect. You
can fold the paper in half to form a card or frame it.

sweetliving
Paint your own mug

Hand-painted mugs make great
gifts and is a fun activity for kids.
All you need is a mug and some
food-safe porcelain paint, such as
Marabu Porcelain Paint (in pots)
or Marabu Painters (pens), which
are available from art supply
stores. Marabu Porcelain Paint is
completely dishwasher resistant
without the bother of oven fixing.
The odourless, water-based paint
is ideal for children.
To paint your mugs

Make sure the surface of your mug is clean. Wash with hot water and detergent
then allow to dry completely.
Draw your design on a piece of paper first as a mock-up. Once you’re happy with
the design, it’s time to start painting. Using a thin paintbrush, copy your design
onto the mug. Leave the paint to dry according to the paint manufacturer’s
instructions (some porcelain paints require oven baking). Then it’s ready to use.

Crafts for kids
Silly socks
These mischievous sock cats are a
breeze to make and will appeal to
all ages – adults included!
• You need one pair of socks per cat.

Choose socks with short legs. We’ve used
size 4-7 women’s socks.
• Turn socks inside out and lay flat with
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heels facing up. Download the cutting to down attern
tp
instructions PDF and, using an air erasable sock ca
pen, draw cutting lines onto your socks.
• On sock 1, cut out ear shapes. Machine sew or
hand-stitch a narrow seam around ears and head. Turn
right-side out. Stuff the head and ears. Allow for a short neck,
and hand-sew a running stitch at the base of the head. Pull the
threads at both ends tightly to gather, then tie knots to secure.
• Draw a nose and mouth on the head with an air erasable pen
and embroider. Sew on buttons and a patch for eyes.
• Cut out legs on sock 2. Machine sew or hand-stitch a narrow
seam around legs. Turn right-side out. Stuff right to the top. Put
neck of sock 1 inside top of sock 2 and hand-stitch sock band of
sock 2 to base of head.
• Pinch the sides of the body where the arms will be and stitch
from front to back to form the arms.
• Make a tail from the remaining sock pieces you cut from sock 1
or 2. Hand-stitch to the back of your sock cat.

sweetliving
Designer plane
Use wooden ice block sticks and scrap pieces of
wood to make trains, planes and automobiles. Glue
pieces together using craft glue or wood adhesive.
y c l e d
Rec
s
al
ma i
ter

Crafts for kids
Recycled robots
Got lots of bits and bobs and gadgets
lying around? Put them to good use
and turn them into robots.
Spend a day with the kids making fun toys from recycled
materials. Glue the materials together or help your
children to screw them in place. Then download our
robot face and body, print them onto white paper then
glue in place. Alternatively, you can print them onto A4
adhesive paper, available from stationery stores.
F ro
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sweetliving
Backyard
sustainability
Grow your own fresh fruit year round
Play Russian roulette

Want to play Russian roulette
with your food? Eat a Padron
pepper. These small green
capsicums are mostly mild, but one
in 8-10 is extremely hot. And it’s
impossible to tell by looking at them
which ones will sear your tongue. Fry
them in olive oil, garlic and salt and
serve them up to your guests, one at
a time, to liven up a dinner party.
Padron peppers are easy to grow. Plant
in a sunny spot in the garden or grow
in containers. Seeds are available from
Italian Seeds Pronto

sweetliving
8 easy herbs to grow

Chives Oregano
Allium schoenoprasum Origanum vulgare
Perennial Perenial
Uses: Their mild onion flavour can Uses: Oregano is ideal
liven up even the most humble for dishes requiring
foods. Even their pretty pink flowers long, slow cooking, as it
can be eaten – scatter the delicately retains its flavour well.
flavoured florets over fresh salads Use it on top of pizzas,
and cooked dishes or use to flavour in spaghetti sauces and
vinegars. casseroles, or in tomato,
egg and cheese dishes.
Position: Chives grow best in full
sun but benefit from a little shade Position: Plant in a sunny
during hot summers. They like a spot in rich soil. Good
humus-rich soil, so dig in plenty drainage is essential.
of compost or well-rotted manure The best flavours
before planting. Soil must be free- are produced where
draining otherwise bulbs may rot. summers are warm and
relatively dry.
Sow 10-20 seeds in a circle to form
one clump. Plant a minimum of Oregano’s flavour changes during the growing season, its
three clumps if harvesting regularly. pungency in direct proportion to the amount of sun it receives.
The plant’s oils are generally more concentrated in summer,
When harvesting, snip no more and less so in autumn. If you’re planning on drying leaves for
than 5cm from the base. After culinary purposes, harvest your plants during summer. The
harvesting an entire clump, feed best flavour develops just after buds have formed but before
with liquid fertiliser and leave to flowering.
develop a new set of leaves.
Sweet basil Thyme

Ocimum basilicum Thymus vulgaris
Annual Perennial
Uses: Basil is the ultimate Uses: Thyme complements most meats and enhances the
complement to tomatoes. taste of many vegetables. Add it to homemade soft cheeses,
Pair them in omelettes patés and stuffing. Add a couple of tablespoons of chopped
and salads, in pastas, thyme to homemade bread, or make a herb butter.
and atop pizzas and Position: Plant in a sunny spot in free-draining soil. If
bruschetta. planting in pots, use a mix that’s low in nutrients. Rich soil
Position: Basil’s greatest encourages softer plants and diminishes flavour. Plants in
need is warmth. It won’t the garden grow best without rich fertilisers. An organic
grow where temperatures mulch or a little
drop below 10˚C, and blood and bone
a dip below 4˚C will kill sprinkled around
plants. Plant in full sun, each plant in
in free-draining soil spring is all
that’s been enriched that’s required.
with compost. Where temperatures reach above 30˚C, a little Although
midday shade is beneficial. Basil needs plenty of moisture but don’t drought tolerant,
overwater. Feed occasionally with liquid fertiliser. Continuously pinch thyme will
off the growing tip to prevent flower production, which will slow benefit from
down leaf growth. If plants become woody and stop producing, cut occasional
back by a third and feed to stimulate new growth. watering in dry
spells.

Backyard
sustainability
Rosemary Coriander (cilantro)

Rosmarinus officinalis Coriandrum sativum
Perennial Annual
Uses: Goes well with Uses: Add leaves to dishes just before serving, as the taste and smell
roast meats, particularly evaporates after prolonged cooking. For a spicy twist, use coriander
lamb, and enhances leaves as a substitute for basil in pesto.
many vegetables.
Position: Coriander grows best in the cooler seasons. During hot
Rosemary butter is a
weather, plants quickly go
great accompaniment
to seed. Grow from seed
to bread, pasta,
in spring or autumn. Sow
vegetables, and steak.
seed directly in the ground
When baking bread
every two to four weeks for
or scones, add a
a continuous supply. Full sun
tablespoon of finely chopped leaves to the dough.
is best in cooler climates or
Position: Plant rosemary in full sun or light shade, in free- when growing in early spring
draining soil. If waterlogged, plants may succumb to root rot. or late autumn. Part shade is
Rosemary likes a slightly limy soil. In acid soils, plants will best in hot spots and during
benefit from the addition of lime. Rosemary is tolerant of the heat of summer. Feed
wind and salt so it’s ideal for coastal conditions. Tips of plants regularly with liquid fertiliser
may ‘burn’ in heavy frosts, so position in a sheltered spot. to promote luscious leaf
Prune plants lightly after flowering to maintain shape. growth.
Rosemary butter
Mix 2-3 cloves of chopped garlic, 1 tablespoon of chopped rosemary leaves,
½ teaspoon lemon zest, ¼ teaspoon red chilli pepper (can substitute with
salt and pepper) into ½ cup of softened butter.
Mint Parsley
Petroselinum crispum
Mentha Biennial
Perennial
Uses: There is little in the kitchen that doesn’t benefit from a few
Uses: Can be chopped and added to vegetables such as sprigs of parsley. Add to stews, sauces, vegetables, rice dishes,
peas and new potatoes, or use as a sauce with roast lamb. omelettes, scrambled eggs, mashed potatoes, fish, poultry, veal
Position: Mint needs to be contained, as it spreads and pork dishes, and stuffing. The stalks, whose flavour is more
quickly. Plant in pots and either grow on your patio, or intense than the leaves, can be used to flavour soups and stocks.
bury the pot up to its lip in the ground. Position in sun Tie together for easy removal.
or part shade in well-drained, fairly rich soil. If plants are Position: Parsley likes nutrient rich, moisture-retentive soil. Dig
getting a little scraggly or leggy in summer, trim them back in plenty of compost or well-rotted manure before planting. Soil
to promote new growth. must be free-draining. Parsley likes sun, though in warm areas
Mint is prone to the disease rust, which appears as tiny provide afternoon shade. After sowing seeds, never let the soil
orange spots. Remove infected leaves immediately and mix dry out. When seedlings are about 10cm high, feed monthly
bin otherwise it will spread quickly. with a liquid fertiliser.

sweetliving
next issue
Out March 2013
• DIYs and crafts for
the home - our home
decorating issue
• Make cushions,
rugs, throws
• Delicious cookie and
cracker recipes
• Homemade chocolates
• Grow your own spices
• Readers’
money-saving tips

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sweetliving

Crafts • DIYs • Food • Green Living • Backyard Sustainability

share your money-saving tips.

Page 2 sweetliving Issue 5 November 2012 - January 2013 www.sweetlivingmagazine.co.nz

Still not decked the halls? Don’t despair. Our

6 New, views, tips & snips

Page 4 sweetliving Issue 5 November 2012 - January 2013 www.sweetlivingmagazine.co.nz

www.sweetlivingmagazine.co.nz Issue 5 November 2012 - January 2013 sweetliving Page 5

Best natural deodorant

Feeling sluggish? Smell a lemon

Page 6 sweetliving Issue 5 November 2012 - January 2013 www.sweetlivingmagazine.co.nz

3. Home Shabby Home

5. Calendar of the month club

www.sweetlivingmagazine.co.nz Issue 5 November 2012 - January 2013 sweetliving Page 7

The thrifty cook

Plenty of pasta? Homemade meat paste

Page 8 sweetliving Issue 5 November 2012 - January 2013 www.sweetlivingmagazine.co.nz

www.sweetlivingmagazine.co.nz Issue 5 November 2012 - January 2013 sweetliving Page 9

Santa's Workshop Get ready for the festive season.

Nothing is more beautiful than a fresh-flowered

Page 10 sweetliving Issue 5 November 2012 - January 2013 www.sweetlivingmagazine.co.nz

Pine cone art

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Christmas card holder

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See website for instructions on making these felt cards.

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Heart and soul Oh, Christmas tree

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Gift tags No need to spend money on labels.

sweet living Christmas Gift Tags 1

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These fondant-covered cupcakes

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Vanilla and rosewater

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Quick & easy dessert

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Christmas tree marshmallows

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Honey & pistachio nougat

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Frozen Christmas pudding

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Cheat’s frozen Christmas pudding

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