Treasury!

I got a treasury on Etsy, yay! http://www.etsy.com/treasury_list.php?room_id=57716

Oh Dear

Oh my, I am sorry. I've been incredibly absent from here recently (but still widely available on Etsy!).

The short explanation, I've been writing a dissertation and revising for exams so became sick of typing.

I will be back in about a fortnight once it's all over with lots of new stuff!

Soap's Ready!

My latest soap, Honey and Almond Goat's Milk Soap (catchy name, huh?) is finally ready and has been in use in my bathroom for three days now. I've pretty much achieved what I set out to. The soap is "superfatted" so not all the oils have been chemically reacted so they leave a small amount on your hands for moisturisation.

The smell is very subtle, just slightly sweet and I'm happy about that. I personally can't stand strong soaps. The milk makes it nice and creamy and it lathers up well.

I hope to be listing it tonight and will post pics on here.

I'm still using one of my Vanilla Soap Cubes, too. I'm really surprised how long it's lastest and now that the edges are off it, it looks more and more like fudge!

I hope you're enjoying your Sunday!

J xx

PS Check out the new balm and salve on my Etsy shop at http://thefabrickitchen.etsy.com

New listing!

Hey,

I've just listed another new product. I've had the most rubbish day at University (suspension design, anyone?) and just had to get into the kitchen when I came back. I've been making a similar scrub for ages. But I've kind of combined it with a lip salve I do so that it's not so coarse feeling and works as a two in one. It's a bit trickier to do as I don't want the sugar to melt so temperature control was of importance.

Either way, I'm delighted with the result and it's better than the standard one I make. Have a look at the pic to see what you think. I know the writing is a bit pixelated but this will be sorted before any is sent out. I'm also working on cute little boxes/pouches for packaging. Let's face it, it has to appeal to as many senses as possible!

I WILL be doing before and after shots with my products soon. My better half is a prime candidate because his lips really do tend towards being cracked and dry though I'm not sure photos of his stubble will go down to well. As with anything, it's important to trust what you're buying and I wouldn't put anything out there unless I was completely happy with the results. I suffer from pretty bad guilt trips you see.

Anyhoo,

J xx

Lent

I forgot to mention that I will be celebrating a slightly delayed lent. I am not a religious person but I like the idea of thinking more about what we have, and can live without.

For me, I should live without junk food. It is not necessary. But more important, I think we could all do with being pushed a bit farther to improve ourselves. For me this involves going out running, not letting a bad word come out of my lips and trying to be a better person (cue My Name is Earl music). I WILL blog everyday, even just to say Hello!

I put my Tint on Etsy last night which I'm excited about, and had my first sale of Tablet which will be on its way to California soon.

For March, I will be starting up a promotion each month. This month I will be aiming at getting more traffic on my page and blog and hopefully more feedback from the people. So everyone who leaves a comment on my blog or my Etsy page will be entered into a draw at the end of March for a selection of goodies from my site; a sample of Tablet, a chunk of one of my current soaps (all the new ones will be ready by then) and little fabric purse which will be coming to my shop soon. So, if you have something to tell me just throw me a comment and you'll be added to the list! Winners will be notified at the end of March so I can get your shipping address and send you a little bit of what The Fabric Kitchen is about!

It's a lush day here so I'm off out to Windsor for a jog :o)

J xx

Excitement

Wow, I'm literally hours away from listing my Lip and Cheek tint that I've been working on for a few weeks to try and perfect. I finally got the packaging I wanted this week and have been using mine everywhere. Not everywhere on my body, everywhere as in public, in lectures etc.

I've been a long since fan of the "famous" version but I've been trying to cut costs and have been looking more and more to only use natural products on my skin due to its sensitivity. What is it about necessity being the mother of invention?

Well I really hope people like it as much as me, other than not having a £20 price tag it works in the same way as the more upmarket brand. You can swoosh it on for a slight glow (enough for me and my pale skin) or build up to a bolder shade. It seems to suit most skin colourings but I'm looking to develop more specific colours for warm/cool skin tones. Raspberries vs strawberries, anyone?

Anyway, please look out for it, all comments welcome!

J xx

Groan

I am officially rubbish. It's 4.30 am roughly and have two bits of aerodynamics coursework in for 12 midday and still not finished.

Once they've been handed in I will clean the house, make the pink champagne soap, get on the Wiifit and publish the gorey facts and kick my ass into gear.

I hate myself for always leaving it so late! Eek!

J xx

The Chubby

I've just updated my Etsy page with two new tinted lipbalms in gorgeous shades of Bubblegum and Cherry Soda. I'm so excited about both of these as they make my lips feel lush!

http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?ref=sr_list_3&listing_id=21101982&ga_search_query=cherry+soda&ga_search_type=tag_title

http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?ref=sr_list_2&listing_id=21100836&ga_search_query=cherry+bakewell&ga_search_type=tag_title

I've got a batch of goat's milk curing away in my airing cupboard which smells pretty good too, it should be out in about 18 days and then I can get testing with it! Unfortunately this one is not suitable for vegetarians but I'll be making a batch of Blueberry Sherbet soap this week which will be another newbie to the shop and will be veggie friendly (maybe vegan too, I'll have to seek certification)!

Another new entry coming soon is The Chubby(tm) which is a chunky but cute purse for cosmetics/pennies/pencils etc. I've created the prototype which I carry around for response and testing purposes and so far, so good!

I promise to update properly soon.

Ciao

J xx

Yay!

I've FINALLY listed on my Etsy page. Please have a look, I'll be trying to add loads more stuff over the coming weeks to set up a standard product list. Keep checking back!

http://thefabrickitchen.etsy.com

Grad Ball

I'm a mere 6 monthes from FINALLY graduating. Obviously the single most important part of this is the graduation ball. I just started thinking about it today. You know, the dress, the hair, the accessories.... I want to get it right. As an engineering student I spend most of my time in less that inspiring clothes I've had a quick Goggle on things to get some inspiration.

Please note; I will be making the dress myself so I need some ideas then I can start making patterns. It is a bit difficult as I will be making mockups of the dress two sizes smaller than I currently am. Enjoy the pics, most are courtesy of Etsy and Asos but there are some stunning Marchesa gowns. I hope they don't mind me using their pics. I'm not sure what my selections say.... maybe I should be going for jewel colours? Or do I want that now but maybe it'll be too dark for Summer? Hmmmm

New Year's Resolutions Update

I posted on this about a month ago and forget to let you know how I'm getting on!

So far, I have found my battery charger for my camera and indeed have a spare one so have been taking lots of pics. Unfortunately I haven't been making enough time to do cool stuff. This needs to be ammended.

I am spending less time on the internet, and spending more time cooking and cleaning and playing Guitar Hero World Tour! (I suck)

Hmmm, the weight issue. I haven't lost anything yet and have major bouts of tears over it. It's my fault due to a lack of willpower and feeling there's other things I should be doing ahead of exercise, like coursework. But, really, what is more important than health and state of mind? I have a Black Tie dinner to go to this week and spent most of yesterday in hysterics about my puddingy figure. However, since the new year, I have been cooking everything from scratch every night and been far more healthy, I need to work on my portion sizes though. I've picked up a cheap exercise DVD for a few quid and having done 30minutes of it I felt way better in myself that I'm taking positive action. I think I may update more on this in my blog, as it's not something I'd talk to people about face to face.

Etsy..... ah I haven't brought myself to list anything. I've decided I want to have 10 unique items that I can list so am currently prototyping and testing some of these. It's going to be a bit of a wacky shop with a mix of things so I'm also trying to find a way to make everything distinguishable (typo?) to me but not limiting me to producing one thing.

I'm shit hot at hoovering and am taking more pride in our home. Big up to my Mam who has managed to be a proper housewife and work from home. It's not easy!

New skills.... I've surpassed myself here! I've learnt to knit and am practising whenever I get a chance (car journeys into University, generally) and have taken up crochet too, on a similar basis.

The downside of all this is my days are now much longer and I get less sleep, but I hope I'll soon have a better routine and everything will become more habitual.

Enjoy your Sunday

J xx

Things I've Made This Week

A risotto with chorizo, bacon and turkey.

Soap! Using the cold process method, this was after 24hours when I cut it all up into chunks to be cured for another 3 weeks. It's a warm vanilla scent and I can't wait to try it.

Chicken caserole. It was a chilly day so needed some major warming, comfort food. I made too much though.

Tablet, a Scottish delicacy made primarily from sugar. It's like a sort of crumbly fudge and will be in my Etsy shop soon I hope.

Salmon, rice and rocket in a filo parcel. The photo is rubbish but this tasted incredible!

Finally, I didn't make this but saw it in the latest issue of Instyle Magazine (with Isla Fisher on the front). It's a Missoni bag but I can't find anything about it online, has anyone seen before?

Much love,

J xx

Janey's Credit Crunch Tomato Soup

Incase you hadn't heard, we're in the midst of a Credit Crunch. But before resorting to the Tesco Value Pot Noodle, have a go making some of my yummy soup! It made 6 servings and was great from my Thermos at lunch time. Oh yea, keeping it old school. The pic is from the last serving so it's thickened up quite a lot but I promise it matches in taste to any equivalent you will find!

I also added some spaghetti to bulk it out a bit, but it works fine without. So, here's the recipe...

• two cans of chopped tomatoes
• one clove of garlic
• 1tbsp of oil
• half an onion
• 900ml chicken/vegetable stock
• 1tbsp tomato puree or to taste
• handful of spinach
• about 10/15 bits of spaghetti
• salt and pepper and parsley

To make, crush the garlic and chop the onion, nice and fine. Heat the oil in a big pan and soften the onion and garlic. Add the tomatoes, mushing down any bigger bits and leave to soften for a few minutes. Add in the stock, bring to the boil and simmer, stirring it all in well. Add the tomato puree if you feel necessary. leave to cook for about 5 minutes. Add in the spaghetti, broken into smallish bits and cook for aslong as it needs from pack instructions. At last minute add chopped spinach and seasoning.

According to my shopping bill, it cost about £1.10 to make this batch so pretty good value and way more tasty than Heinz's stuff. If you take out the spaghetti it's also really low on calories.

Ciao for now peeps,

J xx

Today I'd Like To Be Wearing.....

... courtesy of Topshop sales, and the bag at normal price...

But instead, I'm wearing a hot pair of Miss Selfridge jeans that are nearly a year old, my skanky Puma Speed Cats and a plain black t-shirt. I feel like such a boy. Sorry the picture quality is so low.

Happy New Year everyone!! J xx

New Year's Resolutions

Hi Ay, Peeps,

This may well be my last post for about two weeks as I'm travelling to the icy North, where apparently internet ceases to exist. Or at least my parents don't understand why anyone would want such as thing. I wish I had the willpower to live without it and do far more constructive things with my time. Like do assignments. And find the bloody battery charger for my camera!!

Anyhoo, I thought I'd let you know my New Year's resolutions and some plans for the blog when I get back. In no particular order...

• I will take more photos of what I'm doing
• Spend less time on the internet
• Lose 2 stone
• Start listing items on my Etsy page, just waiting for me
• Hoover the house more than once a week!
• Get a spare battery charger
• Learn a new skill

I also need to find a job after I finish Uni.

So, that's actually quite a scary list but hopefully I'll be ticking things off along the way.

I might catch you tomorrow night before I'm upping and leaving!!

Much love,

J xx

X Factor

So did anyone see this? I couldn't help but get caught up in it about half way through. I absolutely adore the winning song, one of my all time favourites and I think the winner did a nice job of it. Heard worse.

If you haven't heard, the song is Hallelujah, originally written by Leonard Cohen. Apparently he had a nightmare writing the song and has 15 verses for it. My favourite lyric is

"Well, maybe there's a god above,
but all I've ever learned from love,
was how to shoot somebody who outdrew you."

I prefer versions of this song that are more "pure" in sound, a simple piano backing and a nice voice that doesn't warble too much; sticking to its near-religious type roots. Mmmm, small pleasures I guess.

Catch you later,

J xx

Jacket

I was just having a look on the internet for a winter coat. Originally hailing from North Scotland, I don't find the south of England too cold but walking around in a t-shirt at this time of year yields several looks of confusion. Here is my find. I'm not sure how it will look with a long sleeve top underneath but I'm willing to suck it and see.

You can find it here, if you're interested. http://www.oliverbonas.com/p/CLOTHING_WOMENSCLOTHING_NEW+SEASON/578509.htm

Little Treats

Firstly, sorry for being a bit miserable before. The good news is I finished the aforementioned assignment and have had an evening in peace. Profiteroles for dessert did help.

So I've been thinking about Christmas coming up and the various pressies I'll be purchasing for family members. I only have to buy four main presents but I'm going for a bit of a theme this year. Everyone will be recieving either something to do/make or something I've made or thrifted for them.

First on the list is my Mam. She's mid-forties and has spent most of her life bringing up her kids and working as a tailor from home when said children allowed. Her standard day consists of getting up at 6.30am with my Dad, breakfast, then cleans the house and does the hoovering before starting work at 9am. Twenty minutes for lunch, a mid afternoon cup of tea and she begins to prepare supper at 4pm so it is ready on the table when Dad comes in at 5.30. She will work for a further two hours in the evening.

This has been her routine since forever so she has little time for niceties of even much time to relax. So, for Mam, I purchased a gorgeous pattern for a new apron from a site I found through Etsy.

I was delighted when this beautiful package arrived through my letterbox today. My photo doesn't quite do it justice so please have a look at http://www.sewliberated.com/index.html

I really need to find my battery charger for my camera battery. It's not a standard issue so I can't just plug in some AA's. Ho hum.

So, next on my list was to buy suitable fabric. The apron is fully reversible so I wanted two, cute fabrics that could be brought together by one coordinating fabric for the ties. Have a look at my purchases below! Hopefully this will be a nice little something she can use daily and put a smile on her face.

Personally, I love the cute spotty fabric and am hoping I will have enough leftover for something else. But this is my start at pressies.

On a slightly random note, I've just found my favourite lipstick that I had lost whilst moving flat recently. When I say favourite, I mean only. I generally hate lipsticks as they feel yucky but I stumbled upon MAC's last year whilst shopping for a new eye colour and fell in love. I have the shade Faux, which is pretty close to my actual lip colour but more so and is great for every day use. I'll try and get a decent pic tomorrow of a "before and after".

http://www.maccosmetics.co.uk/templates/products/sp.tmpl?CATEGORY_ID=CAT4728&PRODUCT_ID=PROD66092

Anyway, I think that's long enough for just now. Speak soon!

J xx

Hmmmm

It was a bit of a rubbish day yesterday. I woke up in the morning to find that Missy, our super hamster, was on the chilly side and not walking great. Despite coming out for a nose around and a cuddle, she just went to sleep when put back in her bad and died later on. But here's a picture of her in cheekier times!

Is that a bit weird putting that pic up? I hope not. She was super cute but alas, keeping those big ears up just got too much. She was an old wifey!

To add to the upset, Honda are pulling out of F1 which is pretty horrendous news as far as I'm concerned.

Ho hum, I'll catch you later.

Meh...

You know, it's funny that when there is an assignment to be done, the bath becomes the single most important thing in the world and needs to be cleaned NOW!

I have a distinct lack of motivation for a certain module. But my flat is spotless.

I hope normal service will resume soon and I can show you lots of wonderful pictures of my creations/projects/cooking etc.

Much love.

J xx