It’s dark outside
and everyone is asleep,
except for one
One who is cutting, stamping and tying,
now what do I need again?
brown paper for jam jar tops
brown cardboard
twine
hole punch
scissors I’ve had for 26 years
new stamps to play with from here
recycled glass jars
and the afternoon before of a hot sticky kitchen, making jam
gifts ready to go
and a bed that is calling
************
What are you making at the moment?
* linking into the inspiring My Creative Space
cityhippyfarmgirl 
My packaging isn’t nearly as smart, but I was planning to give away a couple of jars of the tomato chutney I made last summer as Christmas presents.
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the stamps are new and I’m already loving them to bits. Hopefully there are quite a few more tags to come from them.
And I’ll bet any of your homemade goodies will be greatly appreciated Richard.
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That looks so gorgeous, I love them! I am making 3 little crochet holly ball Christmas decorations for my lovely lady. A special request 🙂
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..my lovely “neighbour” not “lady” 😀
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hehehe… I’m sure your neighbour is just as lovely 🙂
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I’d love one of those for Christmas. I love the organic simple wrapping and I’ve got those little stamps as well. I did a preserving course a couple of weeks ago so I’m set to make some yummy treats now too. Regards Kathy A,
http://www.oursimpleandmeaningfullife.blogspot.com
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They are great little stamps aren’t they.
Your preserves, I’ll bet they will be loved by all who receive them Kathy.
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What beautiful packaging and such thoughtful and tasty gifts. We are making salt dough Christmas decorations.
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Sounds like little kid heaven 🙂
(and thank you!)
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I’ve made Christmas chutney and topped the jars with photocopied Christmas carol music scores and some red crochet ribbon. Love your stamps….might have to treat myself!!
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That is a rockin’ idea Sarah. That would look rather awesome!
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These are beautiful!
We are making custom cards which resemble our food gardens in our backyard mini-food forest. Next year I hope to be making (as classes for the kid)s: fig n cherry jams – basil n kale pesto – dried tea packets and homemade cheese with herbs n veggies from the garden and maybe even a few bamboo shoot recipes. 🙂
Be well.
May you know the SPiCE in life!
http://www.spiceflorida.wordpress.com
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They all sound fantastic. I love hearing about the homemade goodies others are making (or planning) to give. Wonderful. They’re going to love it!
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Such beautiful looking apricot jam Brydie! I’m sure they will be very well received! 🙂
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It’s been years since I made apricot jam, so it’s been good to line the shelves again with apricotty-ness.
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I love your packaging Brydie, it is perfect. I have made hundreds of mini gingerbread men which I will be giving to everyone at Christmas time. I do love a homemade gift and thoughtful, creative packaging. So much nicer than the generic/supermarket Christmas stuff.
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*sigh* so much nicer isn’t it Jane. It can be lots of hard work but I never regret it afterwards.
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I’m giving knitting needles and yarn along with lessons to one family, knitted fingerless gloves to my sister, caramel corn to my neighbors, cinnamon rolls to my little old lady friends, frozen quiche and muffins to my nieces, bread bears, angel rolls, and yeasty dinner rolls to my family and trays of cookies to anyone else who comes by with a gift. And toys- lots of toys for my little boys!
That apricot jam sure looks great! I’m going to buy some to put into the cookies I’m making on Friday!
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That sounds all rather fabulous dear Heidi!
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Your stamps are beautiful – actually all of this is beautiful – and those moments alone of cutting and stamping sound quite lovely (calm before the storm!) xx
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They were very soothing Kari, I’m actually looking forward to doing it all again tonight.
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I am making hay while the sun shines…literally. I am making hay while the sun shines because otherwise we will get a letter from the council giving us a fine for not clearing a firebreak around our back block. I am content with the sun shining for the next couple of days and am maniacally attempting to finish a 15m firebreak around our 4 acre property before the sun stops shining and starts acting like a magnifying glass with me playing the part of an ant…wish me luck…I am going in! 😉
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Oh sheesh! I know how very bloody real this threat is. Good luck, and may your hands be swift and ache free.
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Turns out I was nobbled…Steve forgot to tell me where the 2 stroke oil is and the whipper snipper won’t run on petrol alone (or so I am told) so I get a day off…lucky really, it’s blog post day and I had completely forgotten about it 😉
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I wish I had the patience to make jam. I’m sure it’s not as ridiculously hard as I’ve made myself to believe…
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It’s not it really isn’t. Fruit- not too ripe, sugar same amount as the fruit, water- depends on the fruit but roughly half the weight of the fruit and cook it up.
Give it crack, I dare you 🙂
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You make it sound easy! Challenge accepted!
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I absolutely love those stamps. These jars look so gorgeous. And you’ve been making apricot jam? Where did you find the apricots? I love apricot jam but haven’t made my own as thought it would be cost prohibitive xx
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They certainly have been for the last few years haven’t they. I think there have been a few consecutive bad growing seasons. These little fellas, while not super duper cheap have been definitely doable though- I’m three batches in!
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I’ve got similar stamps to these and I love them! I need to do some wrapping, cutting and stamping my self today.
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Oh eek! I’m loving them!
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what a lovely gift brydie..the recipients will be very lucky to receive your jars of jam..they represent so much hard work, thought and creativity..
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I hope they like them Jane…more exciting than a box of Lindt balls I hope.
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Did the apricots come from your own tree? I’ve just moved house last week and found I am blessed with a lemon tree and two apricot trees… but the apricot trees seem to be a bit sick, there’s no fruit and the leaves look a bit yukky… any thoughts? Last year I baked up a storm, this year, I’m afraid all I managed were a few chocolates! Next year…apricot jam and lemon curd!
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I wish Sam! Alas no trees for me, but a tiny selection of pots. One day, one day…
Not sure about your trees but how wonderful is that to have established trees! Hope you can find what sort of love they need and for them to be fruiting a plenty for you next year.
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How beautiful. We have hand made goat milk soap in little gift bags. It seems that hand made is catching, you think your teenage kids think you are not cool , then you catch them making hand made gifts just like you .- JB made bottle openers with a nail and a piece of wood and G made funky head bands.
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Proud mum moment there Kim 🙂 It definitely rubs off. My mum always gave handmade. xx
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Gorgeous wrapping Brydie! I have a set of stamps like that and every time I receive something with that print, I appreciate how much trouble someone has gone to to place every single letter there 🙂
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It takes a little concentration and fine motor skills doesn’t it 🙂
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Brown paper, string & made with love…these are a few of my favourite things.
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me too!!
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Gorgeous, Brydie! Love the styling as always… so unique and personalised, my favourite type of Christmas gifts!! I do hope that you and your family will have a beautiful Christmas and a restful new year. Thanks for being a wonderful blogging friend, I look forward to many more adventures in the new year! x
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These are adorable! I love them! I have some jars that would be perfect for these! Thanks for the idea!
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