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A Bustle & Sew Publication Copyright Š Bustle & Sew Limited 2016 The right of Helen Dickson to be identified as the author of this work has been asserted in accordance with the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system or transmitted in any form, or by any means, without the prior written permission of the author, nor be otherwise circulated in any form of binding or cover other than that in which it is published and without a similar condition being imposed on the subsequent purchaser. Every effort has been made to ensure that all the information in this book is accurate. However, due to differing conditions, tools and individual skills, the publisher cannot be responsible for any injuries, losses and other damages that may result from the use of the information in this book.
First published 2016 by: Bustle & Sew The Cottage Oakhill Radstock BA3 5HT UK www.bustleandsew.com
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Welcome to the January Issue
Helen xx
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Tips for Stitchers Cross stitch is probably one of the easiest stitches of all. It may be worked separately, as an open “scattering” or close together to fill an area. It is a geometric stitch and looks best (and neatest) if all the stitches are placed evenly on the background fabric which is why it’s most often worked on even weave fabric. Some of the oldest embroideries in the world have been discovered in the Greek Islands. These are very frequently worked in cross stitch. Cross stitch should be worked so that the second stitch, which forms the X shape is always slanted in the same direction. This makes the stitch very smooth and even.
Leaping Rabbit pattern available instore
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Between this month’s covers … Tips for Stitchers
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Hand Embroidery Hint - your hoop
Page 37
January Almanac
Page 6
Little Fox Clock
Page 38
Small Beginnings Hoop
Page 8
Rosie’s Recipes: Puddings and Pies
Page 42
Nature Notes (1)
Page 11
Lovely Idea: DIY Lace Up Boots
Page 49
Easy Rhubarb Jam
Page 12
Daisy the Draught Excluder
Page 50
Little Stitching Bear Embroidery Tutorial
Page 13
The Beach in Winter
Page 52
Lovely Idea: Pom Pom Mouse
Page 19
Meet the Maker: Diane Kavanagh
Page 53
Pea Pod Pin Cushion
Page 20
Sweet Clementines
Page 56
A Long Winter’s Sleep?
Page 22
The Twelve Months
Page 57
A Winter Garden
Page 26
Around the Year Hoop
Page 58
Seasonal Ingredients: January King
Page 27
Home Comforts
Page 61
Harvey & Cole Zipper Pouches
Page 28
Calendar 2017
Page 62
Poetry Corner: As You Like It
Page 32
In the Kitchen: Conversion Tables
Page 60
A Little History of Whitework
Page 33
Templates
Page 61
Nature Notes (2)
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January As midnight approaches on New Year’s Eve and the festivities reach their climax, bell-ringers gather in churches all over the country to follow the old tradition of ringing in the New Year. Where there is just one bell, then midnight will be rung on a single note, but wherever the church as a full set, then a cheerful peal of bells will greet the birth of 2017. In the UK the bells are rung not in unison, but one after another, with the sequence changing after each round is complete. In many villages this peal of bells is the signal for people to spill out of pubs and parties to listen to the notes floating across the crisp cold air, then turn to wish each other a Happy New Year. When Victoria was Queen, she decided one year that New Year at Buckingham Palace should be heralded with a triumphant blast of trumpets. She later recorded in her diary, “This had a fine solemn effect which quite affected dear Albert, who turned pale, and had tears in his eyes and pressed my hand very warmly.” Once the Christmas and New Year festivities have come to an end, we’ve all returned to work, and the cheerful seasonal envelopes dropping on our doormat bringing flocks of robins, snowmen and reindeer have been replaced by those plain versions with windows containing bills, offers of life insurance and other such delights, then the beginning of January can seem a little flat - even depressing. The days are still short, the weather is at its worst and, with no holidays to look forward to in the near future, sometimes it can feel as though winter will never end. But don’t despair. Although January brings frosts, sometimes snow, trees are bare and everywhere seems on first inspection quite lifeless, in fact the rhythm of life has simply slowed, not stopped altogether. Many animals are hibernating and migratory birds have headed south for warmer climes, so fewer birds will be seen in the fields and hedgerows. In many places farmers move cattle and other stock indoors to over-winter in barns. But the days are lengthening and new life is beginning to stir. Catkins
will already be appearing on hazel bushes, turning from lime green to yellow as the month progresses. You may spot the earliest shoots of wild garlic sprouting up through the leaf mould, recognisable by their pungent smell if you crush them between your fingers. In the gardens the earliest spring bulbs, including snowdrops of course, will be beginning to appear and hellebores will be in flower. Keen gardeners may be outside washing out seed trays, edging lawns and undertaking other small tasks, whilst those of the fair weather variety (self included!) may be sitting indoors reading seed and bulb catalogues, making planting plans for the spring and summer months to come, encouraged by the passing of each January day when the sun lifts slightly higher above the southern horizon, and provides enough heat by the end of the month to make my unheated greenhouse pleasantly warm for a few short hours at least. Ploughing the fields in preparation for sewing is the first task of the agricultural year. The first Monday after Epiphany (6 January) is known as Plough Monday, this was formerly the day that farmhands returned to work after their Christmas holiday - not that they actually did much work on this day as it was marked by various ceremonies and usually ended in general merrymaking. The plough would have been blessed at the church and then paraded around the parish by the farm labourers collecting money from householders along the way. The festival of Epiphany itself celebrates the arrival of the Magi in Bethlehem - the three wise men who had travelled from the East to meet the young king, bringing gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh.
“We three kings of Orient are; Bearing gifts we traverse afar, Field and fountain, moor and mountain, Following yonder star.” John H Hopkins Jr (1857)
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Also known as Twelfth Night 6 January is the last of the twelve days of Christmas and is the date by which Christmas decorations must be taken down to avoid bad luck. The birthday of Scotland’s most famous poet, Robert Burns, falls on 25 January and Burns Night is celebrated by those of Scottish descent across the world. At the centre of the festivities is a traditional Burns Supper of haggis (a dish made of the heart, lungs and liver of a sheep or calf, chopped up with suet onions and oatmeal and traditionally boiled in a sheep’s stomach) served with tatties and neeps (potatoes and mashed swede). The 26th brings Australia Day, a public holiday throughout that country commemorating the foundation of the first colony of European settlers at Port Jackson (now Sydney) on that day in 1788. The immigrants, mainly convicts, had travelled from England in a fleet of eleven ships under the command of Captain Arthur Phillip, who subsequently became the founder and first governor of New South Wales. The month draws to a close with the anniversary of the execution of King Charles I who was beheaded on January 30 1649. His long-running dispute with Parliament had led to the English Civil War which began in 1642 and continued after his death. The monarchy was replaced by a Protectorate led by Oliver Cromwell, and then his son Richard, until 1660 when Charles II was restored to the throne. For 200 years after the Restoration January 30 was observed as a holy day with fasting and solemn church services in honour of the “murdered” king.
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Little Stitching Bear A hand embroidery tutorial
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Beneath the blanket of snow, life continues apace throughout the winter months ‌.
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Seasonal Ingredient January King is a seasonal heritage cabbage that is as wonderful in appearance as it it is delicious to eat. It has the most attractive loosely gathered purple-veined leaves surrounding a vibrantly coloured heart. Ready to harvest now (hence its name) it is a hardy variety that is well able to withstand the cold winter weather. If you’d like to grow your own for next year, then sew seeds outdoors from April to June into finely-prepared soil. The seeds will germinate within 2-3 weeks and once established should be transplanted into their permanent growing positions 24� (60 cm) apart. January King has a sweet flavour and is high in valuable antioxidants. Use it in soups, casseroles, bubble and squeak and stir fries. You can also roast it while the larger outer leaves can be stuffed.
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A Little History of White Work 11
Hand Embroidery Hint When you’re stitching with a hoop always stab your needle up and down through the fabric, never try to “sew” by running it through horizontally. Professionally trained embroiderers (and other clever folk) work with one hand above and one beneath the hoop. This takes practice, but does speed up your work once you’ve mastered the technique.
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Rosie’s Recipes: Traditional English Puddings & Pies
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Yorkshire Pudding & Toad -inthe-Hole
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There must be hundreds of recipes for Yorkshire pudding, with each version being traditional to a family and handed down through the generations. This is our family version - and Mum says the most important thing is to get the oven and the fat really hot. Toad in the hole is a development of the theme! dripping or oil into a 18 cm (7”) square baking tin and heat in the oven at 220 C 425 F until the fat is really hot and showing a haze. Pour in the batter and bake for 40 to 45 minutes.
Yorkshire Pudding ● 4 oz (125 g) plain flour ● Pinch salt
Toad in the Hole
● 1 egg
● Ingredients for the batter are the same as for Yorkshire pudding.
● ½ pint (300 ml) milk ● Oil or dripping.
● In addition you will need 1 lb (450 g) good quality sausages
Sift the flour and salt into a bowl, make a well in the middle and break the egg into it. Add half the liquid and gradually work in the flour with a wooden spoon, beating until the mixture is smooth. Beat in the rest of the liquid slowly until the whole is well mixed, then beat until the surface is covered with little bubbles. Leave to stand if time allows, but can be used immediately. Put the
Make the batter and heat the fat as before. When the fat is hot enough arrange the sausages in the tin, pour the batter over and bake near the top of the oven for about 45 minutes. Don’t open the oven door during baking or the batter might sink.
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The Beach in Winter Not so much now I live inland and our winter walks involve very enjoyable excursions to woods and rivers, but in the past, we’ve very much enjoyed visiting the beach in the winter. In fact I think we enjoy beaching more in the colder weather than in the summer months as often we have the whole place to ourselves and so the Newfies can run and splash and play without any fear of getting in anyone’s way. Below you can see Rosie and a much younger Ben playing in the surf on a particularly blustery visit to Start Bay in Devon one winter’s afternoon in, I think, 2011. (Before Daisy was even born!) If you’re looking for something fun to do with the kids, then why not wrap up warm, pack your picnic blanket and head to the beach for a winter picnic and some wellie-paddling (the same as normal paddling but in wellies!) If it’s cold warm up by building sandcastles and digging moats to surround them, or simply enjoy the crashing waves if it’s windy (but be sure to stay safe and not venture too close if the water is rough). If it’s been stormy you may well find an assortment of interesting flotsam and jetsam washed ashore (flotsam has floated - or been lost - from boats, whilst jetsam is rubbish that’s been deliberately discarded) and rockpools are always interesting to explore, whatever the weather. Remember to check tide times before you set out, and always supervise children if they’re playing in or near water.
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Hi Angie, I love your candles, and have also sent vintage moulds to be refilled - such a great idea - and I’m sure magazine readers would like to learn more about you and The Vintage Chandlery too ‌.
Did it seem like a realistic business someone's possession in years idea when you first thought of it? gone by, a fragrance we've blended It started as a hobby to be honest, I never really expected to start to sell them as a business as candles are everywhere!
How did you choose your business I knew from the beginning that I name? wanted to use a natural plant wax I've always been drawn to vintage pieces and over the years have sourced and inherited many wonderful items, from kitchenalia and tea sets to my love of old books, the oldest being my Great Grandfather's school prize from 1888.
A Chandlery was traditionally the office in medieval households where wax and candles were made by the "Chandler" a candle maker & I'm actually directly descended from Thomas Barrett of Duns Tew (formerly Dunstew), Oxfordshire who was a Tallow Chandler in the 1600's, as was his son Thomas after him. It seemed like the perfect name for our business.
rather than paraffin wax - we use 100% Eco Soy wax which burns cleaner and slower and is also water soluble which is perfect for our business, meaning when the candle is spent, the container just needs a quick wash in warm soapy water and it is restored to its original vintage state for reuse. I gave some candles as gifts in vintage glass trinket jars last year, was then asked to make some for a friend, and so it began. Very quickly my husband Darran and I realised it could turn into a viable business.
How do you make your company stand out from the crowd? We enjoy placing something of ourselves into each candle, whether it be the vintage container we've personally sourced which was once
that's evocative of a childhood memory (our Spiced Apple fragrance was based around baking with my Grandma as a child, the sweet smell of apples, cinnamon & buttery pastry when she cut into the still hot apple pie was magical!), to the settings we use to photograph them. We did a photo shoot on Isle of Mull this summer, the scenery is second to none and the Highland Cattle were most impressed being in the shots! It also allowed us to pick some natural Highland Heather which we scatter on some of our candles.
What do you wish you'd known before you began? It's far more complex than it first appears! From wick sizes to wax melt pools, suitable containers, scent throw and of course timescales because we hand pour every one of our candles in small batches. We need to keep a regulated heat in the Chandlery while they 'sleep' before they're shipped and of course some of the most unexpected things can
Sweet Clementines Clementines are at their sweetest, juiciest best at this time of year and are the perfect antidote to those grey winter day blues. Simply peel and enjoy, add the freshly squeezed juice to a fruit salad or flavour your baking with the zest - orange drizzle cake anyone? If you’d like to try something a little special then you could try caramelising them, which is easier than you might think. Peel a dozen clementines, remove any loose pith and finely shred their peel. Heat 300 g granulated sugar gently in a heavy bottomed pan until the sugar darkens to a caramel colour. Stir in 200 ml of water and, if liked, a generous measure of Cointreau or other orange liquor. Add the shredded peel and simmer gently for an hour. Add the clementines and poach for a few minutes, then transfer to a bowl, pour over the syrup and chill.
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Home Comforts Snowdrops are beginning to appear in woodlands and gardens across the country and by the end of this month many will be in bloom. There are more than 500 varieties of snowdrop and it’s nearly time to plant them. They’re best planted in the green (as plants rather than bulbs that is) at the beginning of February so now is the time to sit down with a nice cup of tea and browse the gardening websites and catalogues to choose the prettiest for your own patch. Meanwhile, when they bloom, bring a few indoors to enjoy - they last for nearly a week when placed in water in a cool place.
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