CLOSED-HP Craftalong ~Summer Semester 2013~

[AnnoyingLittleBrother]

Class/Challenge/House Pride: Bertie Bott's Marmalade Challange
House: Slytherin
Project Name: Annoying Little Brother's Purple Jar lamp
Brief Description: (how it fits the requirements, pattern/techniques/recipe used, any fun tips, etc.) I took a jar, and put shapes cut from painter's tape on it.  Then I spray painted it purple.  (This is the first time I've ever spray painted anything.) When it was dry I took the painter's tape off, and I put a candle in it.  The lamp says "Chris" on it (that's my name), and has a full moon with a cresent moon on either side of it, a star, a key and lock, and a horn (the type that you blow into) on it.    
Project Picture:
http://pic20.picturetrail.com/VOL86/9414032/18592501/406915495.jpg

[AnnoyingBigSister]

Class/Challenge/House Pride: Berttie Bott's Marmalade Challange
House: Hufflepuff
Project Name: Two mice in a marmalade jar
Brief Description: (how it fits the requirements, pattern/techniques/recipe used, any fun tips, etc.) There's a fat mouse who ate ALL the marmalade, and there's a skinny mouse who is ANGRY at the fat mouse, because he ate all the marmalade.  So she refuses to talk to him.

Project Picture:
http://pic20.picturetrail.com/VOL86/9414032/18592501/406915638.jpg

[netchez]

Class/Challenge/House Pride: Bertie Bott's Marmalade Challenge
House: Ravenclaw
Project Name: Jello in a jar
Brief Description: (how it fits the requirements, pattern/techniques/recipe used, any fun tips, etc.) This is a lemon jello with cherries all in a jar.  The smaller jar is used for individual servings.  I used about 1/3 of the jarful of pitted cherries.  I mixed the jello according to the manufacturer's instructions.  In the larger jar I mixed the cherries in the jello before putting it in the fridge.  This produced a nice reddish color.  The other I put in the fridge to start chilling.  After about 1/2 hour I stirred the larger jar to mix the cherries downward and put the cherries in the other and stirred.  I then returned both jars to the fridge to finish chilling.  

This would work well for indiviual servings at a picnic or  at a party.

Project Picture:

[netchez]

AnnoyingLittleBrother: For a first time project, you did a really good job.

[jenleahlynn]

class/challenge- bertie botts beans-marmalae
house-gryffendor
project-strawberry syrup



it's strawberry season here in indiana, but my kids eat them much too quickly for me to load the canner with jars. i did find plastic lids to screw onto my glass jars for storing in the fridge. the large glass jar is sliced strawberries in sugar, after resting in the fridge a couple hours it draws out some of the juice. i also bought plastic freezer jars to tuck away a few at a time for later in the year if any make it that long.

i found a recipie online simmering strawberries in water and sugar to create a sauce for freezing. i don't like fresh strawberries, but the strained sauce is good on cake or waffles.(jar 2)  my husband will eat my share of the cooked strawberries. (jar 3)

[jenleahlynn]

netches-pinkleo-i love the jars used to hold individual servings. i'm going to try        packing strawberry shortcake for my husbands lunch

[Mistress Jennie]

***Dear Headmistress, Please excuse the late turn i n of this homework.  I've had a crazy few days.  You may choose to count it or not for points, as you see fit.  Either way, I just want my pretty Marmalade badge.  

Challenge: Bertie Bott's Marmalade
House: Gryffindor
Project Name: Peach & Blackberry Liqueurs

Brief Description: Every summer I make batches of fruit liqueurs with whatever fresh fruit is available at the Farmer's Market.  (And sometimes in the winter, when they are in season, I make Pomegranate Cordial.)  Cordials and liqueurs are very simple to make, are fabulous for gift giving at Christmas, and let you remember the fresh tastes of summer in the darker winter days.  For this challenge, I made a batch of Peach Liqueur and a batch of Blackberry Liqueur, because each of them only take a week or so to finish, unlike some other cordials which can take 3-4 months to prepare.  Here are my recipes for each of them.  Please remember, that these recipes are for those of us of age to indulge in such things!

Project Picture:

(Please excuse the awful picture.  I made double batches and bottled and gave away the rest.  I'll try to get a better one in a bit...)

Peach Liqueur
1.5 lbs of fresh peaches
1/2-1 cup of sugar, to taste (I generally go light on the sugar, which can always be increased later)
2 cups bourbon, brandy, or vodka (I generally use vodka)

Peel, pit, and slice the peaches.  Place in a saucepan.  Add the sugar, stirring to combine, and warm over low heat until the sugar is dissolved and peaches are very juicy.  Place the peach mixture into a clean mason jar (sterilized in the dish washer if possible).  Cover and place in a cool, dark place for 1 week, shaking occasionally.  (You may use the refrigerator to store the mixture, depending on your climate this time of year.)

After aging, strain the liqueur though a wire mesh strainer.  Press the liquid out of the fruit.  (You can now toss the fruit, or serve it over ice cream.)  Restrain the mixture through a finer mesh strainer, and if desired, you can strain again through coffee filters, though this takes a very long time.  The liqueur is ready for cooking or drinking at this point, but it improves to a smoother finish if aged another month.  

*If desired, you may make this a spiced liqueur by adding 1-2 cinnamon sticks and 4-6 whole cloves.

Blackberry Liqueur
1 lb of fresh blackberries
2 cups water, filtered
1-2 cups of sugar, to taste (I generally go light on the sugar, which can always be increased later)
4 cups vodka

Rinse & check through the berries.  Discard any over ripe or moldy berries.  Place in a stain-proof bowl & crush lighly with the back of a wooden spoon.  Set aside.  Add the water and sugar to a sauce pan, stirring to combine, and warm over moderate heat until the sugar is dissolved.  Place the berries into a clean mason jar (sterilized in the dish washer if possible), and pour over the sugar syrup.  Cover and place the fridge for 1 week, shaking occasionally.  

After aging, strain the liqueur though a wire mesh strainer into a large bowl.  Add the vodka.  Pour into a clean mason jar (or two), and let age 2 month before drinking.  Bottle as desired.

[SiakelA]

Class: CoMC
Ravenclaw EC: CoMC
House: Ravenclaw
Project Name: Avatar the Last Air Bender Moon and Ocean Spirits
Brief Description:
I have always been inspired by the hoop in this post. So I decided to make one of my own! All of the supplies came out of my stash, but I am actually glad that I used the fabric I did. I freehanded the picture, basing it off of some images online, and the pen didn't wash out like I thought it would. Because the fabric is a little crazy with all the blues, you can't tell easily (or so I tell myself!) I tried for a very strong Yin/Yang shape.

For this project, I was inspired by the Jobberknolls to use the blue fabric, and the spirits for the pattern.

Project Picture:

[SiakelA]

Class: MS
Ravenclaw EC: Transfiguration
House: Ravenclaw
Project Name: Salad Jars
Brief Description:
I love salad and have been trying to eat healthier...but I don't like to make a fresh salad every time! Plus, it would just be too hard to carry all of the supplies on our camping trip. So I prepped these salad jars to bring with. I used dressing, carrots, radishes, a couple small heirloom tomatoes, spinach leaves, and parmesan cheese. This is my first time making salad jars, so I read up about them online first. Supposedly the acidity of the dressing should help to soften and sweeten the radishes and the carrots before I eat them. I hope it's true!

I had to transfigure the jars in order to put the salads somewhere. I need practice though, because the jars didn't all end up looking the same.

Project Picture:

[FiberAlchemist]

@moonflame - Great use of Orange in your project!

@teag - I love your shrines, so detailed

@travelgirl - what an ambitious gift idea

@midkiffsjoy - lovely arm warmers

@pinkleo - overnight oatmeal interests me as I don't always want to cook first thing in the morning.  Do you eat it cold or warm it up? and how is the texture after its sat overnight?

@AnnoyingLittleBrother - Welcome!

@AnnoyingBigSister - Welcome!

@netchez - I never would have thought to use small jars as individual jello cups.  Much less expensive than buying the pre-made ones.

@jenleahlynn - strawberry syrup sounds so yummy!

@jennieingram - those both look delicious.  I might have to try to make some this summer.

@SiakelA - I adore your hoop.  I love the design for the fish and the fabric your stitched it on.  I've been thinking of trying salad jars too (so much easier to prep a weeks worth at once instead of everyday)!