Pickled Tink

COOPER'S DOGGY COOKIES

2012-01-05T03:02:00.000-08:00

I'M AN AUNTY!!!! ....Well, to a fur baby that is. My brother and sister In law finally got their puppy after a looooong wait. He is just the cutest little fluff ball, I reckon he'd fit in a teapot!

To celebrate Cooper's arrival, I baked him a special doggy treat...COOPER COOKIES thanks to Martha Stewart's Dog biscuit recipe on her website.

I did tweek the recipe a bit... I replace wheat germ with rolled oats, and instead of liquid stock I used 2 teaspoons of powdered chicken stock. I also added a Tablespoon of grated Parmesan cheese and instead of the oil and to make up for the lack of liquid from the stock I used 2 free range eggs. Then I mixed some more powdered sock with another egg and brushed the biscuits so they browned nicely and were irrisistable for a little doggy.

Here's the link to Martha's recipe: Homemade Dog Biscuits.

Harrison and I delivered the cookies to Cooper. We think they did the trick because Harrison had him won-over the minute we walked in the door and the two of them chased each other around the floor and drooled on one another until they were both exhausted.

"This little fluffy thing is great fun mum!"

"Hmmm, those bikkies are good are they Cooper? Glad you like them. Do you mind if I just try a little piece...?" (Yes, mummy intervention was required)

Martha actually has lots of lovely pet crafts on her site, Cooper is going to be a very well-off dog on his birthdays and Christmases.

- xoxox Pinky

Green Tomato Chutney

2012-01-04T18:37:00.000-08:00

It's been a productive week for me but I haven't even gone anywhere near the sewing machine. With the hot weather and all the rain we received before Christmas we've had an absolute bumper crop of zucchinis and tomatoes in Grandpa's garden. Being our very first season of growing our own vegetables, there are a few bugs to iron out, literally and figuratively speaking! We got so excited about our Heirloom Tomato mix (seeds bought from Diggers.com.au) that when they first started sprouting, we didn't have the heart to pull them out. We have of course learned from our mistake and had to rip out several plants last weekend so the stronger ones had room to grow without disease threats and lack of nutrients. The good news is we saved all the green tomato fruit ( 3 + kgs worth) and I was able to make Green Tomato Chutney last night YUM YUM!!! I used a recipe from my Nanna's cookbook of 60's newspaper clippings and handwritten recipes, see below for details.

Weighing the tomatoes, yes there are a few red ring-ins!

My finished Chutney in the Oooo lala new Italian canning jars I bought from Spotlight (jar brand: Quattro Stagioni).
(In the background you can see a glimpse of the giant tub of zucchinis that I need to bake, pickle, puree and freeze over the next couple of days :s)

Green Tomato Chutney

Ingredients

1.5 kgs of green tomatoes
3 large brown onions
2 cups organic sugar
2 & 1/2 cups white vinegar
1 Tablespoon flour
1 Tablespoon curry powder
1/2 teaspoon chilli powder
1 Tablespoon mustard powder
1 Tablespoon Salt
1/2 cup of water

Equipment

6 x 250ml jars with lids
Large Saucepan
Ladel for filling jars
Wide mouth funnel if you have one
Extra large pot that will hold all your jars
Round metal rack to fit inside extra large pot
Rubber gloves

Instructions

Step one: Wash the tomatoes thoroughly and quater any large ones taking out the stalky bit. (I used a mix of large and cherry sized tomatoes). Put all of your tomatoes in a big saucepan. Dice your onions nice and small and throw them in the saucepan too. Add the vinegar and sugar to the saucepan and set it to boil gently on the stove top for an hour or so until the tomatoes are all mooshy and it's bubbling thickly like a witch's cauldron :)

Step two: While your tomatoes are doing their thing, prepare your jars. clean them well in hot soapy water. Sterilize them in a dishwasher (boo hoo, I don't have one) or an electric sterilizer ( Yay! I have one of these for my son's bottles) or you can boil your jars and lids in a big pot on the stove if you prefer.

Step Three: Mix your flour, curry powder, chilli powder, mustard powder and salt together in a small jug. Add the water gradually to avid lumps making a nice smooth paste. Add this mixture to the saucepan stirring it it well as you go. Leave to boil for a further 5 minutes.

Step Four: While the jars and tomato is still hot, using rubber gloves to protect your hands, fill the jars to 1 cm from the top. Use a damp paper towel to clean the rim of the jar if you spilled any (I always do...one day I will buy a wide funnel to avoid this issue). Screw the lids on firmly.Depending on how much your liquid boils down, you will get 5 or 6 250ml jars full. I got 5 and a half jars last night so the half jar went straight in the fridge to be used on meals this week.

Step 5: My Nanna never did this step, but it's best to do it to ensure that your chutney doesn't spoil. You don't want anyone sick or yourself sick from spoiled chutney, otherwise you'll be greener than the tomatoes you started with. To kill and bacteria and to vacuum-seal your jars, place a round metal cooling rack in a big pot and fill with warm water (you don't want to go putting hot jars in cold water in case it causes breakage). Place your jars in the pot, sitting on the rack and NOT touching each other (this can also cause breakage and poor distribution of heat). Make sure the water level is 5cm ABOVE the top of your jars. Bring the water to the boil, once boiling set a timer for 15 minutes. Check the water level regularly during boiling to make sure it doesn't expose the tops of the jars, if the level is getting low, top up with boiling water from a kettle ( I prep my kettle when I first put the jars in just in case). Once 15 minutes is up, turn off the heat and let your jars cool in the water. Once cool, dry your jars off, label them (contents and date made is always a good idea...unless you like to play "the what's that green stuff I found in the back of the cupboard and how old is it guessing game" with your grandkids 40 years from now.

For mor info on food safety, canning how-tos, recipes and equipment advice I use www.pickyourown.org. It's an American site so I have to scrounge to find Australian equivalents locally but the info is excellent.

Share your Chutney and enjoy :)

xoxox Pinky

FREE TOY PATTERN

2011-12-19T15:12:00.000-08:00

Yes, you read it correctly! I have finally put together a free pattern for you all to enjoy as a Christmas Gift to celebrate my gorgeous baby boy's first Christmas. Introducing you to the Crunch Jellyfish pattern!

Designed specifically to stimulate little minds, this toy has been tested and approved by Mr Harrison (my 8 month old). Never sewed before? Well that doesn’t matter! This pattern is simple enough for the most beginnery of beginners and you can even sew it with a needle and thread if you wish. Of course, if you don't fancy sewing you can buy or order a custom Crunchy Jellyfish from my Etsy Shop.

The Crunchiness of this jellyfish is due to a bit of cellophane inside so when baby scrunches the toy it makes a great crackling sound to stimulate his senses. You could also change the sound of your jellyfish by inserting a squeaker or a rattle instead. You could even make a band of Jellyfish!

DOWNLOAD THE PATTERN HERE

Materials you’ll need:

- Scrap of fabric for the body (about 22cm x 16cm)*
- Scraps of fabric for the tentacles (about 13cm x 15cm for each tentacle)*
- Scrap of felt for the heart (about 3cm x 3 cm)
- Embroidery thread for the face and heart applique (black for the face and red for the heart)
- Stuffing ( I use polyester stuffing as it’s machine washable)
- Ribbon about 1cm wide and 6cm long (for the loop on top)
- A piece of crackly plastic (I find Glad Oven Bags make an excellent crackle but you can use cellophane or clean plastic packaging from anything that sounds good)
- Thread for sewing your jellyfish together

Tools

- Sewing needle and/or sewing machine
- Sharp scissors
- Embroidery needle
- Chopstick or stuffing stick for turning and stuffing

* I use polar fleece for the jellyfish I sell, this is because it’s soft and easy to wash because it’s machine washable and dries super fast (my little man is a major drooler) That said, most fabrics would be suitable. Felt is easy to sew but hard to turn the right way out and tends to pill a lot. Wool is a nice natural alternative and so are bright coloured cottons commonly used in Patch-working. If you’re feeling thrifty try using an old sweater for an extra Ooomf of character :)

Step 1.
Print and cut out your paper pattern pieces. Pin the pieces to your chosen fabric and cut out. You will need 2 body pieces, six tentacle pieces and one heart piece cut from felt. Download Pattern PDF (you will need Adobe Acrobat Reader installed on your computer available Here for free)

- Body piece: cut 2
- Tentacle piece: cut 6 (3 pairs)
- Heart: cut 1 from felt (felt doesn’t fray so it’s great for applique)

Step 2.
With right sides of the fabric together, pin and sew around the tentacles. Trim the seam allowance back by half (this helps curved seams look smoother). Turn the tentacles right side out, use the chopstick to help turn it out. You should have 3 finished tentacles. Set these aside for later.

Step 3.
Using the embroidery guide on the body pattern piece, transfer the markings onto one of your body pieces using a fabric marker. I carefully cut along the smile and eyes on my paper pattern so I can poke the pen through and mark the fabric accurately. Otherwise you can ‘Wing it’ which can give you the best expressions and most unique toy. Embroider your jellyfish face using your embroidery thread start with the eyes, then mouth and finish with the eyebrows.

Step 4.
Again, using the placement guide on the body pattern piece, take your felt heart piece and stitch it in position using embroidery thread on the same body piece you embroidered the face on.

Step 5.
Using the placement guides on your paper body pattern, pin the tentacles to one of the body pieces with the tentacles facing into the body. Slowly and carefully sew the tentacles down 5 mm from the edge of the fabric (this is just tacking them down in place and also makes sure they won’t pull out during rough play. Notice I don’t stuff the tentacles? That’s because it’s easier for little fingers to grab, chew and bend. I made prototypes with stuffed tentacles and without and my son thought the one without was way more fun. But feel free to experiment.

Step 6.
Take your piece of ribbon and fold it in half. Pin it to the top of one of the body pieces as indicated on the pattern pointing it down into the body. Stitch it in place 5mm from the edge of the fabric like you did with the tentacles.

Step 7.
ALMOST DONE!!! Now you can put your body pieces together. Pin the body pieces right sides together. Carefully stitch around the body leaving a small section open for turning as indicated on the pattern. Turn your jellyfish right side out.

Step 8.
Time to stuff!!! Grab your plastic scrunchy material. Roughly cut 2 rectangles about the size of your jellyfish’s body. You may find you want 3 pieces for extra crunch. Place the rectangles on top of one another and insert into your jellyfish using your chopstick to help flatten it out. You want the plastic evenly distributed. Then take your stuffing and work it in behind the plastic until it’s nicely pudgy, again your chopstick will come in handy.

Step 9.
The last step! Now take your needle and thread and stitch up the opening of your jellyfish. TA DAAAAA! You clever thing you, congratulations on making your very own lovable Crunchy Jellyfish for your little one :)

You can use this pattern to make as many jellyfish for your family and friends as you like but please don’t sell toys from this pattern.

My Official tester performing the 'chew test'.

Now that you have your beautiful Jellyfish, show him or her off to the world on Flickr! I created a group just so you can upload your photos here.

I would love to know what you think of the pattern in the comments section below and feel free to give me suggestions or ask any questions about the pattern.

This pattern is also available on Kid Independent in the Christmas 2011 Guest Series which I originally created it for.

Merry Christmas and Love from Pinky The Toy Maker xoxo

Albury Twilight Markets

2011-12-19T14:40:00.000-08:00

My recent adventures to the Albury Twighlight Markets where a huge success with lovely shoppers, a great atmosphere and some much needed fresh air on my part! The very best moment was when a little 4 year old boy came up to me to buy a hand puppet. He was the cutest little guy and so polite! The best bit was that he took it straight over to his little sister and started entertaining her with it... TOTALLY ADORABLE! Here's some pictures of my little stand:

I'd already sold a few toys and puppets before I remembered to take a photo. 'Barry he Bedtime Bandit' (orange puppet with crazy face :) as his new owners call him, went to a very good home and he currently entertains a little 8 month old girl who likes to giggle when Barry tickles her with his head feathers.

Mr Sock Sloth, Bunny and Retro Froggy chilling alongside some Huggy Wuggs.

Scrap-o-saurus Herd

SQUEEEEEKY POOS!!!

These little fellas were a super hit with the boys young and old :)

My patterns on display

A School of Crunchy Jellyfish (And Lucas enjoying is Pad Thai in the background :)

Marvin the Monobrow Monster

I of course couldn't have attended the markets without the help of My wonderful Mother in Law, Lucas and Bubby (My official tester who was so well behaved both nights!)

I am busting to do the markets again and think I might attend the February twilight markets next. I need a month or so to replenish my stock...after sewing up a Christmas storm for my friends and family that is!

Thank you so much to all those who came to see me at the markets and especially my Mum's Group who are brilliant supporters and to Ren, the organizer of the markets at Albury City Council

- Pinky xoxo

NEW PATTERN NOW AVAILABLE

2011-01-21T03:00:00.000-08:00

Drum roll please....

Introducing 1st Prize Bunny!

Here is my new pattern. I have 2 finished bunnies for sale on Etsy but have decided to make Bunny into a pattern due to several requests.

I've included loads of illustrations to go with the written instructions as usual. It's good for beginners to advanced sewers.

You can buy the pattern from my Etsy Shop and stay tuned in to my blog for freebie additions to use the pattern in different ways!

New Babushka Doll Pattern

2010-07-09T21:42:00.000-07:00

Introducing my latest pattern: Medium Babuska Doll

This little cutie is now available for download from my Esty store.

She is so much fun to make! you can use whatever patch working fabrics you like and she's perfect for using up quilting scraps or sampling those fat 1/8s you just had to buy last week ! :)

As with all my patterns, I'm always here to help so message me if you have any questions.

My Crafternoon Creation

2010-06-29T04:52:00.000-07:00

Now that birthday season is almost over for the year, I'm finally gaining a little crafternoon time for myself on a Sunday afternoon. The product of my afternoon craft therapy is the wonderful Willie Crow, complete with Beret and Woolen Scarf! (It's winter here in Australia now so I though nice warm accessories were in order ). He is such a happy little fellow and for that reason he has pride-of-place on my shelf so he can greet guests when they come to visit. I'm busting to make some feathery friends for him soon.

- Love Pinky

Potato Sack Panda

2010-06-26T20:59:00.001-07:00

Get this pattern here

Here it is! My first ePattern! As a qualified pattern maker and graphic artist I have finally had time to create and finish my first Panda PDF pattern in between client work and Teaching.

I've designed this pattern so that it is easy enough for beginners and inspirational enough for those of you who know how to sew but want to try different materials and adding your own flare!

The pattern has been design for all; I have included all metric and empirical measurements and I have also created A4 and Letter sized PDFs to best suit your printer.

So often you buy a pattern and the copyright info states that you can only use it for personal use. With my patterns however, I want you to be able to make toys from my pattern and sell them...you put the hard work into sewing it in the first place! The only catch is that if you are selling toys from my pattern, please include my blog, ESTY or email on your tag.

I also have a special offer for any teachers wishing to teach sewing classes to their students using this pattern so please email me if you're interested or know someone who would be.

I would just LOVE to see any photos of toys made from this pattern!

Now, that's enough talking. I've been away from the sewing machine far too long!

Until next time, HAPPY SEWING!

- Love Pinky

THEY'RE BACK

2009-01-19T04:39:00.000-08:00

Here they are, all the way back from America and my-o-my did they have fun! The Softies arrived home safe and sound and were so very happy to climb into bed for a good night's sleep. Yell was still excited about the whole trip to Crammed Organisms but O was cranky as he didn't get much sleep on the plane home as Yell kept talking.

HOORAH! WE'RE BACK ONLINE!

2008-08-10T00:34:00.000-07:00

4 WHOLE MONTHS after moving out with my boyfriend, I FINALLY manage to convince him that we need the internet!

it has been too long my fellow softy-loving friends and I do apologise.

I may have missed several months of contact with softies all over the world but I can assure you that not having the net has given me more time to create despite working full time and doing housework :)

I hear that the Crammed Organisms show was a huge success in Saint Louis and I'm busting to receive my book in the mail when Cranky Yellow finds time to grab a breather.

I am also working on the new Pickled Tink website and hope to have it up online before the end of August. It will give you all a good look at my softies, hopefully some free patterns, links to my blog here and my shop on Etsy and I'm also working on some fun mini-games for little kids and big kids alike :D

so enough wasting time talking, I'll get back to work.

Happy sewing everyone,

Pinky

SEW SEW SEW WHAT'S NEW?!

2008-04-14T02:51:00.000-07:00

WOAH! IT'S BEEN A WHILE!

I realized that I hadn't posted in almost a month! I've been so busy over the last 6 weeks. I got older, almost sold out of toys at Wodonga Carnival Wild, Have a new AWESOME JOB that I didn't have to go to the city to get AND I'm moving out this week or next.
So where do I find time to sew? HA! THERE IS ALWAYS TIME TO SEW AND CREATE!!! I just have less time to sleep and post blogs! haha.

I've only had time to check my emails every second day however, last night I checked my email after shooting a short film with my best buddies(yeah, I even find time for that!)and guess what?!

I got an email from Cranky Yellow saying that I'm one of the artists selected for the Crammed Organisms Show (check out the extremely awesome advert for it to the top right). It is going to be a brilliant show! I only wish flying over to the US was a little cheaper, I think I will go for my pilot's license after all :)I can afford to fly my softies over for the show I'm sure they'll tell me all about it if they come back home that is.

I recommend you all check out the website because there are a lot of great links, inspiring artists from all over the world and The website is just so fan-dangled you don't want to miss checking it out!

So, back to other news on the Pickled Tink softies front. Blarney Bug did really well in his section of the parade on Q.D.Patooties, He didn't win but he though puss in boots was very dapper and charismatic indeed. Blarney Bug has decided that maybe he'd have a better chance if he didn't drink so much Guinness right before the parade.

Check out SOFTIES CENTRAL on flickr to enter the 2nd Annual Softies Awards. It's lots of fun and anyone can enter....no I don't know if you win anything I just went i it cos it's fun!

Ok well, I have lots more little bits of news but I have itchy fingers that just have to go and create my little plushies friends sitting patiently in my imagination.

Toodle pip for now :)

Happy Easter!

2008-03-18T05:42:00.000-07:00

Well, the first Annual Easter Parade is well under swing at Q.D.Patooties and Lisa has done a wonderful job of all the organizing.

I'm so proud to have my Blarney Guinness Grub in the parade this year. Voting starts at the end of the parade so vote for me and some of the other wonderful easter creations on show!

March Madness

2008-03-12T04:43:00.000-07:00

The beginning of March has always been busy for me having my birthday early on but, this year it's set to be busy the whole month with easter to finish it off!

I started the month with the monthly Wodonga Markets selling my softies so well that buy the end of the day I had next to nothing in stock!

I then decided that maybe people did really like my softies after all and that it was worth the sacrifice to work at the markets the following Saturday which happened to be my birthday at Wodonga Carnival Wild.

I spent the whole week sewing like a chicken with a chronic egg-laing disorder. I still wasn't happy with the amount I got done but once I had stepped back after setting up my stand I realized it wasn't a bad amount for a one-woman sweat shop!

I did sell a lot of toys that night and felt that it was a huge success. I had an overwhelming flood of lovely comments from people of all ages getting joy from seeing my critters. The most rewarding customer was a little baby boy. His mum bought him one of my Cuddle Buddies and his eyes lit up and he had the biggest smile as she gave it to him.

I can never stop making toys now :)

I'd like to say a big thank you to everyone who stopped by my store, you made my day!

I hope to grow and continue the passion for handmade toys here in Albury Wodonga so stay tuned for many more huggable friends coming form my studio!

Busy Blythenstien Weekend

2008-02-17T22:39:00.000-08:00

I spent most of the weekend working on Frankie and her Blog rather than making the new softies I'd designed the week before.

I did however make my boyfriend a companion cube softy for St Valentines Day. he was so stoked he's still grinning about it!

The other softy-related thing I managed to do in amongst housecleaning and Blythe scalp-plugging was to take a few photos of some softies a made at the end of last month (see pictures above). They are going up for sale on Etsy after I finish this blog.

MY ETSY SHOP OPEN FOR BUSINESS

2008-02-06T23:34:00.001-08:00

As the title suggests, I have now opened my Etsy Shop. I will work hard to put as much as I can in my shop for the next couple of weeks, I need to clear some room in my studio for all the new projects I have lined up!

My friend's mum owns a cute little book shop and she wants a whole bunch of my softies to sell. I have to agree that there is nothing better than curling up with a good book and a softy to cuddle!

I also went to the Saturday markets last weekend and had a great response for my softies. I meta lady who makes gorgeous little hair bows and she wants to sell some of my sock monkeys and softies on her website.

On top of all this good news Q.D.Patooties has featured my Blarney Guinness Grub on her blog as part of the up-coming 1st Annual Easter Parade. I'm so honored!

Anyway, Time's -a- wastin' and there's softies to be made!

PS: Sorry I couldn't put a photo in this blog.....Blogger is playing up!

Introducing Milly Monsters

2008-02-03T06:22:00.000-08:00

Coming soon to my Etsy shop are a motley bunch of lovable, cuddly monsters.

Milly monsters may look a little crazy but they are always there to make you smile by pulling a funny face.

Each monster is unique and has been designed to suit all ages especially young children with the use of safety eyes and easy washability.

Milly Monsters are named after my younger sister. She can be an absolute terror some times and her many moods are represented in the faces of these monsters.

The Blarney Bug

2008-01-26T01:18:00.000-08:00

Scientific Name: Blarneyus buggius

Common Name: "The Blarney Bug" or "The Blarney Guinness Grub"

Description:

The Blarney Bug is a native species of Ireland however is found all over the world. He grows to a height of approx 7 inches tall, has green skin and a carrot-top Mohawk. This little bug loves to eat and drink any time of the day and has a bit of a pot-belly to prove it but still has a heart of gold.

Feeding habits:

- eats four leaf clovers
- his favorite drink is Guinness

Sightings:

Like a true patriot, the Blarney bug can be found partying around the clock on St. Paddy's day from early morning way in to the whee hours of the day after.

This is my entry in the 1st Annual Softies Easter Parade run by Q.D.Patooties. There are several categories to enter and this particular creation is for the 'A Bit of Blarney' section. I'm very proud of him as I hand-stitch him all while I am sick with the flu. I wasn't too sure that my pattern would work as I was a little out of it, but he turned out well I think.

If anyone is interested in the pattern I can put it up for you to download.

He is the first softy I have made from mostly wool felt.I have been making softies since I was a very little girl...cutting up good jumpers to make critters and hiding the scraps from mum. But it hasn't been until recently that I have been inspired to use felt in my toy-making.

Living in rural Australia, it wasn't long before I found myself sick of using the terrible acrylic felt from spotlight. So, I shopped around online and found Bumble Bee Designs on Ebay. They offer a great selection of felts and you can choose whatever colours you want so naturally I got as many colours as I could afford!

The Monkey Trade

2008-01-21T00:38:00.000-08:00

Ta-da! Introducing Pinky's Sock Pals

After hand-stitching my first sock monkey from an old pair of socks at my boyfriends house one night I have decided present some of my sock creations for sale. This is a sneak preview of my little pals as they wait for me to set up my online store. and yes, I make all my for-sale critters out of new socks and new materials. Email me if you are interested in purchasing either of these little fellows. Stay tuned for more monkey business!

-Pinky Higgs

Welcome

2008-01-18T19:18:00.001-08:00

Hello all and welcome to my blog. I am an Australian Designer and my passion for sewing flows through the Softies and other sewing creations I make. I hope you enjoy my blog and bare with me as I work to set up a blog to entertain you, introduce my furry little amigos and deliver free patterns every now and then.

- Pinky Higgs