Elderberry Ink

Ingredients

• 1/s cup ripe berries [elderberries, strawberries, blackberries, raspberries.... as an example]
• 1/2 tsp vinegar
• 1/2 tsp salt

Method

1. place the berries in a bowl.
2. Use a potato masher to begin to crush the berries.
3. Remove the berries placing the berries over a sieve or lining the 2nd bowl with muslin cloth.
4. Carry on crushing the berries while using a sieve or cheese cloth to hold onto the berry seeds and skins.
5. Very gently squeeze the pulp every so often to encourage the juice to come through.
6. Let the juice drain and drip out through the sieve /muslin.
7. When finished dripping use the pulp in the compost.
8. Add vinegar to the juice to retain the colour. 
9. Then add the salt to help prevent the moulding.
10. If too thick just add a few drops of water. 
1. Check constancy. 
11. When satisfied use.
12. After use keep remaining ink in a small glass jar [with a lid on] in the refrigerator.

Similar Posts

1. Elderberry Cordial
2. Elderberry Jelly
3. The Elderberry

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References


The Crunchy Chicken

How to Make Waxed Scented Pine Cone Fire Starters

Equipment

• Double boiler as a heat source
• Wax must be melted in a double boiler to reduce risk of fire. 

1. This can be achieved by using a metal can large enough for your largest pine cone to set into with at least two inches head room above the pine cone.
1.  Place a mark on the can at the top of your largest pine cone (a coffee can usually works well). 
2. Place the can in a pan of water on the stove. 
3. Add broken pieces of wax or candle stubs to the can and allow to melt on medium to low heat until the liquid wax reaches your mark
4. For scent add some aromatherapy oil such as pine or cinnamon to the wax
5. Tie a string around a few of the scales. 
6. Holding the string dip the pine cone slowly into the liquid wax.
7.  Remove and allow to drip over the can until it stops.
8.  Place on wax paper and allow to completely harden. 
1. This may take about an hour or two.
2.  You may need several coats if you wish to completely cover the pine cone.
9.  After the final dipping, sprinkle the cone with glitter or fake snow for a more decorative look.

CAUTION: Because of the properties in the essential oil cones should not be placed on finished wood furniture without some protection as the essential oil will damage the finish.

Making a simple name tag.

 

• colored cardboard
• metallic calligraphy pen
• ribbon
• cutting implement
• punch

1. Make a template of your tag.
• A second template may come in handy if a few name tags are needed.
2. Cut the tag shape out with scissors or a knife with underlying board..
3. Punch a whole in the middle of the top of the card.
4. With chosen colored ink and a calligraphy pen write the recipients name  on the card.
5. Thread a ribbon through the hole and tie onto item that needs the name tag.

Metallic place mats and coasters

Materials

• 4 rectangular wooden place mats
• 4 square wooden coasters
•  8 meters [7.5 yards] 10mm [1/2 in] metallic ribbon.
• Metalic paint  [different color from ribbon]
• masking tape
• paint brush
• craft glue
• mini gas torch

1. Paint each place mat and coaster with metallic paint.
2. Allow to dry throughly.
3. Cut 4 strips of ribbon slightly longer than the length of the place mat.
4. Cut 2 lengths of ribbon slightly longer than the coasters.
5. Run a line of glue on the back of the ribbon and glue the ribbon down in strips across the place mats and coasters.
6. P_lace masking tape around the edges of the place mats and coasters.
7. Mix the liquid gloss according to instructions.
8. Pour onto the place mats and coasters.
9. Work the gloss out to the edges.
1. The gloss will find its own levels.
2. Throw away the brush.
10. To get rid of the air bubbles use a mini gas torch
11. When dry do the other side.
12. Allow to dry throughly for 24 hours before you take off the masking tape.