Taking a break from quilting book projects to make jam

Today I took some time off from quilting book projects to make some jam.  My favorite is pomegranate-strawberry jam, but I wanted to make pomegranate-raspberry today.

I'm having lots of fun juicing the pomegranate fruits that I got from markets, and they are at the great price right now.  I didn't use any juicer.   Instead, I open them up into segments, turn each segment up side down over a big bowl of water in the sink and knock the skin with a wooden spoon.  The small gems will fall down into the water.  After rinsing them, I put them in a clean, dry bowl.  Then I scoop about 3 cups at a time into a food processor with a dough blade, process them for a few minutes and empty the liquid mess into a strainer set over another clean bowl, I use a 10-cup measuring cup.  I let it drain for a few minute then use the back of a wooden spoon to press down all the juice before discarding the seeds.  I put the peels, seeds and everything else into the compost pile later.  For 4 large pomegranate, about 5-6 lbs., I got about 4 cups of juice.  In the picture below, the seeds are from 12 lbs. of pomegranate fruits.

Ingredients:

4 cups raspberry
3 cups pomegranate juice
4 cups sugar
2 tbsp. lemon juice (optional)

Instructions:

1. Put raspberry in a large non-reactive pot and mashed it a little bit with potatoes masher.
2. Pour in the pomegranate juice and lemon juice if using.
3. Put in the sugar, bring to a boil, stir occasionally.
4. Cook it about 10 minutes or until the temperature reach 220 F.  The jam will become thick.

5. Test to see if the jam is set, I like the cold plate method.  Drop syrup on a small plate about 1 inch diameter big and put the plate in the freezer for 1-2 minutes.  Run your finger through the syrup, creating a line right in the middle of the syrup.  If the syrup on both side of the line doesn't run to each other, the jam is set.

6. Turn off the fire, let it sit for about 5 minutes.
7. Ladle the jam into sterilized jars.
8. Turn the jars upside down for 10 minutes, then turn them right side up.  Soon you'll hear a pop sound from each jar, signaling that the lids are sealed. 

This recipe makes 2 8-oz. jars and 6 4-oz. jars.   Enjoy!!
I love mine on a homemade bread toast with butter.   :)

My hand quilting experience continue.....Part 3

We finally are done with the hand quilting job.  It has been great 2 months; quilting with my dear friend in the morning.  Here are some snap shots of the quilt.   Now I have to put binding on it.  It's going to be a challenge to square up this quilt.

My dear friend, JoAnn

Pincushion tutorial

I love making pincushions.  Sometimes when I'm tired from looking at quilts that I've been working on for awhile, I'll take a break and make a pincushion using the scraps at hand.  I went wild and made quite a few so I would like to share them with you.

I like to use unusual containers for my pincushions.  I've been collecting milk glass for quite some time and have built quite a collection.  I would buy them wherever I see them; in a thrift store while we were on the road, garage sale round town and gifts from family and friends.

You'll need some fabric, crushed walnut shell (I got mine from a pet supply store), strong thread and sewing needle, hot glue, and a container of your choice with an opening between 3-5 inches wide.

This is how I make my pincushions.  I cut a circle of fabric at least twice the diameter of the opening of the container.  Let's say your container has a 4 inches opening.  You have to cut an 8-inch circle.    Using a sewing needle with strong thread, I sew running stitches around the circle of  fabric, 1/8 inch from the edge.  Fold in the raw edge is optional.  Pull the thread to make a pouch.

Fill 2/3 full with crushed walnut shell and stuff the rest with polyester stuffing.  Put in enough stuffing to make a firm ball, not too tight that you have a hard time pushing a pin in. 

  Sew the opening close completely.

Hot glue the cushion to the inside of the container.  Be careful of the hot glue.
Below are samples of different containers.

If your container has a straight side like these, add 1/2 inch to the diameter of the fabric circle.

If you want a ruffle;  cut a piece of matching fabric 2 1/2 x 42 inch.  Fold the fabric in half, lengthwise.  With the same strong thread, make a running stitch 1/8 inch from the raw edge.   When you reach the end of the strip, pull the thread and evenly distribute the fabric along the line and secure the end by tying a knot.  Start by gluing the ruffle to the container, overlap the end.  Trim off the excess.   Position the pin cushion on top of the ruffle, then glue it on.

These are great gifts for your sewing buddies.  Have fun making them.  Hope this tutorial is helpful.  Come back and share some pictures of your own creations.  You can send me an email to Craftheaven09@gmail.com.

Have a great day!!