Homemade Gift Ideas

[love2b8]

As always, pq, you're so helpful and informative.

That site goes right along with this:

can you get this in crochet

 

[PertPerth]

I have been tolf that kumquats soaked in brandy are a great gift - apparently they're nice with ice cream. I'm going to try that next year...not organised for it this.

I've also been making cards and tote-bags/beach bag/shopping bag. My local fabric store has a remnant material basket - fabric is usually the right size to make a bag. It's the easiest thing I know how to sew and with the cheap fabric, it doesn't cost a fortune. Takes me about an hour to make one bag.

 

[elib257]

I love this thread! There are some great ideas. Last year I made all of my friends and family handmade jumpers and cardis... I started on dec 26th the previous year and finished my dad's at 3am on xmas day! lol, I won't be doing that again but they went down well.

This year I want to make my dad handmade brandy snaps, I've found a recipe and it looks pretty simple (hopefully) but I can't find liquid glucose anywhere! I've tried the pharmacy, supermarkets and even a healthfood store. Anybody have any ideas? I've found it on the internet but I fear I'm a little late for that

 

[someplace]

I love this thread! There are some great ideas. Last year I made all of my friends and family handmade jumpers and cardis... I started on dec 26th the previous year and finished my dad's at 3am on xmas day! lol, I won't be doing that again but they went down well.

This year I want to make my dad handmade brandy snaps, I've found a recipe and it looks pretty simple (hopefully) but I can't find liquid glucose anywhere! I've tried the pharmacy, supermarkets and even a healthfood store. Anybody have any ideas? I've found it on the internet but I fear I'm a little late for that

A restaurant supply place might have it. Where do Bakeries get it? Maybe a local baker will sell you a cuppa. (Just a thought)

 

[Hisbabydoll26]

I tried making infused oils a while ago. They were good and lot less expensive than buying them.

At one time I made all of my gifts. Afghans and paper weights were the most popular. The paperweights were counted cross stitch. Here's a link that I found.paperweights

The past few years I've also made rum balls for friends.

*perks* at the idea of rum balls...

 

[Hisbabydoll26]

I love this thread! There are some great ideas. Last year I made all of my friends and family handmade jumpers and cardis... I started on dec 26th the previous year and finished my dad's at 3am on xmas day! lol, I won't be doing that again but they went down well.

This year I want to make my dad handmade brandy snaps, I've found a recipe and it looks pretty simple (hopefully) but I can't find liquid glucose anywhere! I've tried the pharmacy, supermarkets and even a healthfood store. Anybody have any ideas? I've found it on the internet but I fear I'm a little late for that

I've seen it at the baking/cake section of Michael's (the craft store). They pretty much have everything you could ever think of but not find.

 

[elib257]

Thankyou for the replies. I think Michael's might be in America (which is a little too far for me to go ) because I've never heard of it. But I'll definitely speak to the local bakery.

 

[SensualCealy]

Thanks DGO ~ did you find a particular combo with the oil that you liked best?

I used to make fancy chocolates and still will make peppermint patties, or wintergreen patties. What are rum balls like? Difficult? Size of a batch?

Rum Balls

Ingredients:
2 1/2 cups vanilla wafer crumbs
2 Tablespoons cocoa
3 Tablespoons white corn syrup
1 cup powdered sugar
1 cup chopped pecans
1/4 to 1/2 cup rum (to taste)
powdered sugar Directions:
Combine vanilla wafer crumbs, cocoa, corn syrup and sugar and mix well.
Add nuts and rum and mix well.
Shape into bite-size balls and roll in confectioners sugar. (No cooking required.)

Very good recipe, if you cant find vanilla wafer crumbs, I subbed them with graham cracker crumbs.
C

 

[SensualCealy]

I love this thread! but I can't find liquid glucose anywhere! I've tried the pharmacy, supermarkets and even a healthfood store. Anybody have any ideas? I've found it on the internet but I fear I'm a little late for that

Do you have bulk stores, where you can go in and get spices, flours and grains etc in bulk? We have them here and they carry it in their cake decorating section.

If you are in the UK, I have some British cake decorating books I can look in for you to see where you may try looking, let me know if you still need it.
C

 

[SensualCealy]

Okay, I have my book out, but I have no idea what cities are around you, give me a hint.
C

 

[SensualCealy]

Sugar Craft shops-
Pinch of Sugar in Stroke-on-Trent
Cake World in Essex
Cakes of Joy in Hertfordshire
Cake Creations in New Forest

The Icing Tip in Shropshire
Sugar Daddy's in Cambs

These are listings in my magazine, but the magazine is old- 1997
Even if you were to call one of these places and ask Im sure you could get an idea of where to get it.

Im thinking you likely could use the clear corn syrup in place of it...same thing is it not?
C

 

[elib257]

Sugar Craft shops-
Pinch of Sugar in Stroke-on-Trent
Cake World in Essex
Cakes of Joy in Hertfordshire
Cake Creations in New Forest

The Icing Tip in Shropshire
Sugar Daddy's in Cambs

These are listings in my magazine, but the magazine is old- 1997
Even if you were to call one of these places and ask Im sure you could get an idea of where to get it.

Im thinking you likely could use the clear corn syrup in place of it...same thing is it not?
C

Hiya! Sorry I didn't reply I've been at work - I'm in Nottingham, the Midlands. I think I might try finding a recipe without it though, it's caused me so much stress I kind of resent it lol. I've had everybody I know looking! Thankyou for looking though