Fabric Jewelry Classes at Stitch Lab

Looking for something crafty to do Thursday night that involves vintage fabric and jewelry? Well then come hang out with me at Stitch Lab for a Fabric Jewelry Class.


Some Fabric Jewelry Warm Ups:
Pendant Size is in the Eye of the Beholder Necklace
Trendy is as Trendy Does: Fabric Jewelry
Fabric Necklace Tutorial
Wearing Your Favorite Collection
Quilting Yo Yo Necklaces

Crafty Carnival

About Family Crafts Who are your favorite popular characters? Are they included in this collection of free coloring book pages?


Alexa Westerfield a.k.a. Swelldesigner Alexa visits the San Francisco Zine Fest and gives a recap of what she saw!


Cathie Filian Cathie is holding a charity dog costume & book auction. All the costumes were handmade by Cathie and featured in her book Bow Wow WOW! The proceeds benifit the Humane Society.

Craftside-A behind-the-scenes peek at a crafty world
Craftside has tutorials on how to make two punk rock scarves one with yarn and one with fabric, info on participating in the Good Mail Day Challenge, One Person's Oddity and a Polaroid Postcard design, a bunch of mixed element jewelry and tips on laying a pattern out on plaid fabric.

Crafty Princess Diaries
Tammy talks about booth set ups for art shows as well as trade shows.

Cross Stitch at About.com
One of Connie's friends is really big into Egyptian history and culture, so she has some pattern ideas for gifts. If you like Egyptian-themed decor, you will love these charts!

Mixed Media Artist
Have you ever used an online publisher to create your own artist book?

Naughty Secretary Club Jen shows how to transform old lace curtains and a cheap wooden embroidery hoop into a one of a kind earring holder.

Stefanie Girard's Sweater Surgery Yoga ball never "looked" so fun, How to paint a yoga ball to look like an eye for a lawn Halloween Decoration

The Artful Crafter Eileen just took her new Zutter Bind-it-All out of the box. Woohoo! Look at what a bona fide binding newbie can create with the Bind-it-All.

The Crochet Dude Drew talks about the crochet conference he just returned from and you can listen to a podcast interview with him and Zontee from Lion Brand Yarns!

The Impatient Crafter Check out this Haute Couture inspired felt, ribbon and glass bib necklace Madge made for I Love to Create teens!

Vickie Howell-Craft.Rock.Love Get a signed bookplate for your copy of Vickie's book, Pop Goes Crochet!

I Love to Create: Hooptastical Earring Hanger

If you have as many pairs of earrings as I do, jewelry storage is an important issue. I personally wrangle my jewelry in several different ways. You might remember our 3 day post we did on jewelry displays that included: How Ya Hanging Jewelry Displays, Flickr Favorites, Journey Through a Jewelry Box and Make Your Own Jewelry Display. Today for I Love to Create I have a lacey addition to the collection.


Supplies:
Liquid Fusion GluePiece of Lace
Tulip Fabric Spray Paint
Wooden Embroidery Hoop
Crafty Chica Little Chica Paint PackSponge Brush
Scissors
Aleene’s Fabric Stiffener & Draping Liquid


Lace to Dye For
You want to choose a lace that small holes throughout the design that you can hook your earrings into. My mother was kind enough to donate some old curtains she had to this project. A quick trip to the thrift store and you will be lace endowed in no time. Take your lace outside and lay on newspaper. Spary lace with Tulip Fabric Paint making sure to coat evenly. I was particulally smitten on these neon shades.


Hoop Hop Hooray
Cheap wooden embroidery hoops come in all shapes and sizes. Choose based on how many earrings you have to display. I painted my wooden hoop with black Crafty Chica paint and sponge brush.


Stretch It, Stretch It Good
Once your dyed lace and painted hoop have dried it’s time for the two to join forces. Stretch your lace across your embroidery hoop and tighten. Using your scissors trim the excess fabric. I added some Liquid Fusion glue to make sure the fabric didn’t slip in the hoop. I then coated the lace with a coat of Aleene’s Fabric Stiffener & Draping Liquid to make the lace extra sturdy.


Beam With Pride
Once everything has dried all that is left to do is hang your new snazzy jewelry holder on the wall and hook your earrings into place. I mean really screen in a picture frame is so last year, it’s all about the neon lace.

Friday Nights are for Crafting

Some people go out and hit the bars on Friday night, maybe grab a movie or perhaps dinner with their sweetie. Me, I like to craft. If your like me you can join me this Friday night in Austin at the Stitch Lab where I will be teaching my Revamped Vintage Necklace Class. You will learn the basics of jewelry making including wire wrapping, bead stringing, how to add a clasp, design theory and more. The best part is I am lugging a huge hot pink suitcase full of vintage beads, charms and pendants up there with me for all the students to dig through. So if you are in the mood join me Friday night from 6:30-9:30 at the Stitch Lab, only 5 spots left! Don't forget to check out my other classes this fall: Decoupage Jewelry, Crafty Business Seminar, Charm Bracelets & Earrings and Fabric Jewelry.

Hair Metal Twitters, Better Late Than Never

I kept a secret from you, I went to Dallas to see Cheap Trick, Poison and Def Leppard in concert this weekend. I didn’t try to keep it under wraps because I am ashamed, I’m pretty open about my soft spot for hair metal. Chris wanted me to keep things on the down low since we were out of town and the house was empty. That being the case it KILLED ME not to Twitter my way through the entire show. I so desperately wanted to give everyone blow by blow details of all the hair metal happenings in 140 characters or less. Since Chris would not let me do it live Friday night from the show at the Superpages center, I am going to do it now 2 days later on my blog. Here is what I would have Twittered starting from the moment we left my parents house that evening and headed for the show.

I wish someone would invent an app where I could see T’s baby monitor on my phone, only the second time we have been separated.

I skipped school once to come see the first Lollapalooza at this venue, now I’m pulling up with a car seat and a stroller.

OMG traffic sux I can hear Cheap Trick playing “The Flame” guess we are missing the opening band.

Our seats are about 10 rows back from the stage I can feel the heat from the pyrotechnics and see Bret’s weave perfectly.

Bret is wearing a Poison T-shirt, I hate it when bands wear their own shirts.

The girls in front of us clearly want to join the cast of Rock of Love with every ounce of their being.

Dear bass player why do you look like a Grunger? Remember they ended your career.

Ricki Rocket is changing jaunty hats after every song, currently he has on a leather biker cap.

Is Bret rapping, OMG I think Bret is rapping.

Ok Bret just did an outfit change into another sleeveless Poison shirt, I think he shaves his pits – ewegh.

Big John just came on stage!

This is my 3rd time to see Poison the last time was about 9 years ago.

I’m surprised that Def Leppard is headlining and the show is not a double headlining bill.

Phil Collin has an awesome body, but his sparkly pants and extra large hoop earring are killing me.

Dudes in sparkly faux rocker gear as far as the eye can see.

I didn’t know Vivian Campbell used to play with Dio.

The drummer thinks his kit is a Volkswagen there is a daisy in a vase and incense burning.

I think this might be the exact same set I saw Def Leppard do 2 years ago in San Antonio.

I better not be getting robbed with an acoustic version of “Brining on the Heartache”.

I wonder how many Ed Hardy products are in this venue?

Been gone over 5 hours, I only left 2 bottles, might ditch the encore.

We could have stayed for the encore, baby asleep until we walked in the door.

So that is what I would have Twittered if I could have Twittered. The show was pretty dang rad and lots of fun. Totally worth the drive to Dallas. Not to mention I had not been to my parents house in 9 months and was due for a visit. Plus I got to hit virginal Half Price Book Stores and raid their vintage craft book selection, do some thrifting, see my adorable nieces and get a home cooked meal. Glad to be back home. Thanks Joey and Erin for the so close I felt guilty sitting during the concert because the bands could see me concert tickets and for the pictures.

I Love to Create: Darling Doily Dishes

While reading through Crochet Adorned by Linda Permann (don’t forget to enter to win a free copy!) a lacey bowl project caught my eye. The book has full instructions on how to crochet your own doily and a recipe for a sugar starch to make your flaccid doily hard as a rock. Always one to take the easy way out I thought to myself: now why couldn’t I take pre-existing doilies and some Aleene’s® Fabric Stiffener & Draping Liquid and do the same thing? Better yet I could toss in some Tulip Fabric Paint and make white doilies any color that I wanted. This week for I Love to Create that is exactly what I did.


I actually made two bowls. The first one using a vintage yellow doily with pink trim.

SUPPLIES
Doilies
Aleene’s Fabric Stiffener & Draping Liquid
Bowl
Foil or Plastic Wrap
Rubber Gloves


First I found the perfect bowl to use as my mold, which just so happened to be one of my salad bowls. Not wanting to get glue all over something I eat from I wrapped the bowl in foil. Plastic wrap would have worked as well. Next following the instructions on the bottle I put on my rubber gloves and completely saturated the doily in Aleene’s Fabric Stiffener & Draping Liquid. I then draped the doily over my bowl and allowed to dry overnight.


The next day I gently peeled my crocheted dish away from foil wrapped salad bowl. I was surprised by how stiff the bowl was. It was strong enough to hold all of my rings, and that is a lot of rings.


For the second bowl I snagged a white doily from a pillow, dyed it green and gave my vintage water gun collection a new home.


SUPPLIES
Doilies
Aleene’s Fabric Stiffener & Draping Liquid
Bowl
Rubber Gloves
Tulip Soft Fabric Paint


First using a seam ripper I removed the doily from the pillow. Doilies are readily available at thrift stores and most craft stores carry them as well. Unlike the other bowl where I just saturated the doilie in Aleene’s Fabric Stiffner & Draping Liquid I also added a squirt of Tulip Soft Fabric Paint in to match the color of the walls in my game room. They have so many colors to choose from you could make your bowl match any room.


I then coated my doily until the fabric was saturated and the color was even. I used a large bowl as my mold and draped my doily over the bottom and allowed to dry overnight.


Doilies come in all shapes and sizes so you can make any size bowl you want. With the help of a little fabric paint you can also make them any color you want. Think of the possibilities: clocks, lamps and more oh my!

Crochet Adorned - Interview, Review & Giveaway!

Today starts a two day crochet extravaganza here on Naughty Secretary Club. To start things off I have an interview with crocheting cutie Linda Permann author of the fantabulously adorable new book Crochet Adorned: Reinvent Your Wardrobe with Crocheted Accents, Embellishments and Trims. The cherry on top is that we are also giving away a copy of Crochet Adorned to one lucky reader and believe me – you want this book.

I’ve said it before and I will say it again, needle arts and sewing are not my first crafty love. I made it through an afghan for Tallulah while I was too pregnant to do much else other than sit on the couch and my skills halted with that one single stitch. Often I find the idea of an entire crochet project a bit daunting. The afghan took forever. I want to pick out my outfit and make a pair of earrings to match that same day. That kind of instant craft gratification never seemed possible with crochet, that is until I read Crochet Adorned. My quick crochet crafty prayers had been answered.

Want to make your shoes match your sweater, flip right to page 74 and the Like New Shoes Project. Skill level beginner, hells to yeah. You had me at easy embellished shoes. But then Linda goes and takes it up another notch playing to all my soft spots with not one, but three crocheted jewelry projects. My favorite being the Bird Brooches. The home section is also fun and has a very retro feel about it. The Butterfly Apron makes me want to bake cookies in heels just like a perfect 1950’s housewife and you can tune in tomorrow to see how my adventures in the Lace Bowl making department work out.

None of this cuteness surprises me. Linda has been around the crafty block a time or two. She was the founding Craft and Decorating editor at the much missed Adorn Magazine. You can find her crocheted handiwork in books and magazines like Bust, Crochet Today, Knit 1 and Stitch and Bitch Crochet. Not to mention you can read all about Linda’s crafty adventures on her blog Linda Made. Linda is not only insanely talented and creative, she is also a real sweetie. So sweet in fact she agreed to do a little interview for Naughty Secretary Club. Read on to learn more about the designs you can find in Crochet Adorned and be sure to read all the way to the bottom to enter to win a free copy.



Do you find that you make more crochet items from scratch or do you tend to adorn items you already have or purchase?

It depends. I like to make a lot of accessories, but when it comes to garments, I like to add little crochet touches to things. I'm really not much of a sweater wearer, but there are so many fun things that you can do with crochet, and since I have a bunch of leftover yarn sitting around, it just makes sense.

Can you remember the first wearable item you adorned with crochet?

Hmm. About seven or eight years ago I started making crocheted and sewn brooches (basically combining bits of crochet with sewn yoyos and other fun things like beads and pailettes). Although I didn't actually sew them on, I wore them as brooches all of the time. I think it started there.



Do you compulsively walk through stores and think “this would be so much cuter with a scalloped edge around the collar?”

Sometimes! When I was shopping for items for the book- definitely! The cool thing is, sometimes you can use crochet to camouflage an undesirable aspect of a garment. For instance, I was looking for a cardigan to embellish so that I could wear it for a book event, and I found one in the perfect shade of purple, but it was one that tied in the center—which I wouldn't have liked whether or not I was embellishing it. So, since I was covering the front corners of the collar with flowers anyway, I was able to trim, fold back, and stitch the ties in place to conceal them. It's cool to be able to modify something to be "just right" and decorate it at the same time. Similarly, you could totally cover stains or moth holes with crocheted flowers—bonus, especially if you find a cool vintage piece you don't want to pass up.

One of the other projects in the book, the Modern Harlequin Dress, was inspired by a real life dress I trimmed. I found the dress for $10 at H&M, but the neck was just too low, and it was also a little short for work. So I figured that if I added a nice wide trim, and overlapped it with the dress by about and inch, I could lengthen the dress and raise the collar. It worked, and I get lots of compliments on the dress. Another of the projects, the Floral Motif Yoke Top, was one that I originally made for myself—I wanted to use up this pretty fabric that I had, but I only had 1 yard—not enough for a shirt! So I combined it with some stash yarn and the top was born!



Why did you decide to write a book about adorning ready made clothing and accessories with crochet rather than a book that had straight up all crochet all the time projects?

That's a good question, and I had several reasons. First of all, I like projects that are quick and doable—and I don't think I'm alone in that! I still get the satisfaction of making something I'm wearing when I do an embellishment project, and it doesn't take me weeks or months to finish.I also wanted to take the intimidation factor out of making clothes—it can be scary to put a lot of work into something and not know whether it fits, but people can get their feet wet by starting out with crocheted embellishments.

I also wanted to write a book that would appeal to people who are already crocheting, and perhaps attract new crocheters, too. I really think crocheting is a lovely craft, and it's still trying to have its renaissance. I've always loved combining different crafts—I think it's so much fun to use crochet in everything, and I hope that multi-crafty people will see this book as a way to begin exploring crochet. I don't think most people learn new skills unless they want to do something with those skills, so I hope this book is an inspiration point that lights that crocheting fire for some. I like the open-endedness of these kinds of projects—readers can make them exactly as presented, or do their own twist on the ideas.

Also, to put it simply, I don't wear a lot of sweaters! I just don't like to be hot. But I do like a dressed up t-shirt or tank top, and after years of collecting the occasional hand crocheted trim at the thrift shop, it occurred to me that I could make my own trims. I started seeing crochet make a comeback in ready made clothing, and I wanted to do a nice, modern book on applying crocheted elements to clothes (and more) for those who want to do it themselves.

If I were to go through your closets how many items would I find that you have adorned with crochet? What is your favorite item that you have given a facelift to using crochet?

I have quite a few items—the motif tank and dress I mentioned above, my own version of the sweater on the cover, many many brooches that I pin on hats, scarves, jackets and the like, and skirt with an offset doily appliqué. I think my favorite has to be the trimmed dress, but the cardigan with the flowers is giving it a run for its money!

Thanks for the interview Linda, Naughty Secretary Club hearts you and Crochet Adorned! Want to add Crochet Adorned to your collection of craft books? Leave me a comment letting me know your favortie craft books of all time and why? Did Stitch and Bitch teach you to knit? Did Handmade Nation inspire you? Are you scouring flea markets after reading The Naughty Secretary Club. You have one week to leave a comment!

Crafty Carnival & Crafty TV

Craft Lab
Animated Music Box
Monday August 17
5:30 AM

Guest Thomas Ashman shows how to make a creative animated music box out of a mint tin and an acrylic ballerina.


CraftyPod
Sister Diane shows you how to embroider on a perforated metal beading disc!

About Family Crafts
Do you paper mache? Share your projects and stories!

Aileen's Musings
This week Aileen's been busy altering cabinet cards. Check out her newest funky cabinet cards and download more freebie images for you to alter yourself.

Cathie Filian
Cathie and Steve spoof their love of Mod Podge in their latest video.

Craftside-A behind-the-scenes peek at a crafty world Craftside has a fun mixed-media cupcake jar topper project, a how-to on making bottle cap bookmarks, a tutorial on painting over a photo to create a multi frame effect, and a fun beaded fan design. And the tables are turned, leave a question and you are entered to not only win a free book but also a Wrights SideWinder bobbin winder!

Crafty Princess Diaries
Re-purposing crafting materials is a great way to make sure you don't waste your wonderful stash of supplies.

Mixed Media Artist
Sometimes a jolt of new-ness is just what vintage imagery calls for. Learn how to combine cartoons with vintage pictures, digitally!

Naughty Secretary Club
Jen takes everything from a vintage clock to an Etch a Sketch and coverts it into a funky picture frame.

Stefanie Girard's Sweater Surgery
The scissors are set aside this week and a vintage green marble gets re-purposed into a cool modern necklace with a technique from the book Contemporary Copper Jewelry by Sharilyn Miller

The Impatient Crafter Madge transforms a Kraft paper lampshade from Target into a sophisticated accent piece for a teen's room in this post for I Love to Create.

The Artful Crafter
Read some suggestions for preventing your polymer clay projects from cracking.

Vickie Howell-Craft.Rock.Love A no fuss, no muss t-shirt project for the kiddos!

Cross Stitch at About.com
A saying from the Bard inspired Connie's latest free pattern. Stitch the saying alone or combine it with floral motifs for a larger sampler.

I Love to Create: 5 Kitschy Upcycled Frames

If you take a good look around your house you might just find some unlikely, yet fantabulous, picture frames. This week for I Love to Create that is exactly what I did.

Given I realize every house might not have an Etch a Sketch laying around, but these types of picture frames can also easily be made with a cheap run to your local thrift store. All you need after that is a can of Aleene’s Crystal Clear Tacky Spray, some scissors and a few of your favorite pictures.


Broken clocks are one of my favorite frames. Some have hands that are harder to remove than others. For this clock I had to use the cutting tool on my Dremel to get a smooth surface to adhere my picture to.


I picked this clock up at a flea market. All of the hardware was missing so it was a perfect picture frame candidate. Traced a circle on the picture, cut it out, took it outside and sprayed it with my Aleene's Crystal Clear Tacky Spray and stuck it into the center of my clock.


Occasionally your make shift picture frame will be larger than the pictures you have. If that is the case enlarge the picture on your computer and print it out to the correct size on photo paper. Cut out, spray glue and stick. This is a picture of my little metalheads. Tallulah in her Guns n' Roses Onesie and Chris in his Ozzy Ozbourne T-shirt.


Vintage handmirrors make great picture frames. Most times the mirror part has gotten old and no longer works so why not cover it up with a picture of your daughter and husband taking a dip in the pool?


My sister paints dead rappers on her vintage Fisher Price toys, I use a little Aleene's Crystal Clear Tacky Glue and make mine into picture frames.

Awesomely kitschy picture frames can be yours with just 3 easy steps: cut, glue and stick. Take a peeksie around your digs and see what possible picture frames you have hanging around. Once you start to see things with picture frame colored glasses you will be surprised what you find. Inquiring minds want to know, what is the oddest thing you have ever converted into a picture frame?

The Rare and Elusive Indie Crafter - An Identification Guide

Time and time again, when I teach classes, attend trade shows or conduct interviews, I am asked: What is an indie crafter? People are familiar with the term crafter, but there is a distinct difference between your traditional crafts person and an indie crafter. Just ask any indie crafter.

Ask an indie crafter is precisely what Creative Leisure News did. Better yet, the definition of an indie crafter is brought to you by one of my favorite crafters, Diane Gilleland of Crafty Pod fame. Diane always has her finger on the pulse of what is hip with indie crafters and was kind enough to break things down for those not in the know.

Questions like: What is an indie crafter? What do they buy? Why are they important? If your niche market is the indie crafter, then you are going to want to devour this article like it is your last meal. Not only is the article relevant for large big box companies and stores looking for help in defining this group, it is also just as pertinent to a small craft business trying to better understand their target audience. The indie crafter is part of a larger culture that has been rather elusive to pinpoint for a long time. Thankfully, Diane is just the right person to hold your hand while discovering this important demographic.

Don't forget to sign up to attend my next Crafty Business Seminar at Stitch Lab September 20th!

Crafty TV and Crafty Carnival

Craft Lab
Walls That Wow
Monday August 10
5:30 AM

Guest Jon Fong demonstrates how to create crafty wall decor using wrapping paper, handmade bows, placemats and decorative switch plates


Craftside-A behind-the-scenes peek at a crafty world Craftside has a how-to on making a Traveling Mail Art Kit from the soon to be released book-Good Mail Day, a tutorial on how to line a flap and step by step directions to make a painted fusible web postcard. Be sure to answer the week's questions to be entered to win free books while your getting your fill of crafty goodness.

Aileen's Musings
Aileen is offering a book giveaway! See how many ways you can get your name entered in her drawing to win a Ties That Bind Collaboration of Love book...

Alexa Westerfield a.k.a. Swelldesigner
Alexa shares 3 great photography tips for taking better photos of your crafts. You don't even have to have an expensive camera!

Cathie Filian
Join Cathie Filian on HSN August 17th where she will be showcasin the new formulas of Mod Podge, Chalkboard Paint and Texture Paint.

About Family Crafts
Hurry on over and submit your photos and ideas! Sherri is now accepting Halloween submissions. Share your costumes, haunted house ideas, more and browse through the photos everyone else has submitted.

CraftyPod
SisterDiane interviews a top Etsy seller who decided to downsize her business.

Cross Stitch at About.com
Help Connie decide a caption for her free Bat Cross Stitch pattern.

Stefanie Girard's Sweater Surgery
Earrings made with something old, something new and a how-to from the new book- Simply Gemstones by Nancy Alden

Mixed Media Artist
Cyndi has an imaginary friend named Jim...from 100 years ago!

Naughty Secretary Club
Jen dishes up a recipe for making a pin cushion out of vintage tin.

Crafty Princess Diaries
Tammy has a bag full of fun crafting ideas for the crafter with a birthday.

The Artful Crafter
Eileen blogs about learning photography - one frame at a time.

The Crochet Dude
Drew is giving away all his latest designs that are included in his new line of patterns that just launched nationwide! To enter you just leave a comment on his blog!

The Impatient Crafter
Make a super cute pair of flip flops with your kid or teen for your end of summer vacation! Madge shares the 411 in this post for I Love to Create

I Love to Create: Pin Cushion Recipe

Today’s I Love to Create project was inspired by a recent trip to an antique mall that my mother and I took. On one side of the aisle was a booth selling small boxes and vintage tins and the other side was a booth selling old empty thread spools. My mom wanted the tins and I wanted the spools then it clicked as to how we could join forces and make one adorable pin cushion!


SUPPLIES
Needle
Thread
Liquid Fusion Glue
Fabric
Small Tin or Box
Scissors
Polyfil
4 Empty Thread Spools
Aleene's Instant Decopauge


MAKE THE LEGS
Since I chose a small vintage recipe tin to transform into my pin cushion I needed to choose some fabric to match. I opted for a small black floral print from the 70’s. I cut small strips of the fabric and using Aleene’s Instant Decoupage I applied the strips to my empty spools.


GET STUFFED
I took my needle and thread and did a running stitch around the edge of the fabric. Once I had gone all the way around I pulled the edges to make a little pouch. I stuffed the pouch with polyfill and sewed the hole closed. I also used a small button in the center for a tufted look.


GLUED TOGETHER
Once my decoupage had dried using Liquid Fusion glue I attached my 4 spools to my tin as if they were legs. I also coated the inside of my tin with glue and stuck my cushion down inside.


STICK A PIN IN IT, YOUR DONE!

The only thing left to do was add my sewing pins and get stitching!

What does your pin cushion look like? This is my third. I have a hodge podge ball shaped one my mother made, the old school tomatoes shaped option and my grandmother’s which is a ceramic woman whose ball gown skirt is the pin cushion. I’m curious about yours since pin cushions come in so many different shapes and sizes.

Homemade Loquat Ice Cream

Once again I am turning the blog over to my husband Chris. Around our house it is understood that I am better at cooking things that are savory and he is better at cooking things that are sweet. One of the best things I ever did was buy him an ice cream maker. Given it was not the best thing for the size of my toosh, my tastebuds thank me often. Just this week he made a batch of honeydew flavor that is delish. One of our favorite recipes is for loquat since we have a big loquat tree growing in our front yard named Lowell. So onward to Chris.


Loquat trees are quite common in certain parts of Texas. Originally from China and Japan, the tree produces a tart fruit every April. We have several of these trees planted in our yard, but only one is large enough to produce fruit. Most will let this fruit rot on the tree and for good reason. It's sour with a large pit and not much fruit. However, with a little sugar and a lot of love, anything is possible (isn't it always?). Today I'm going to show you how to make some homemade loquat ice cream.

Supplies
1 pint of Loquats
1 1/2 cups of Sugar
Juice of 1/2 Lemon
2 Eggs
2 cups of Heavy Cream
1 cup of Milk
Food Processor
Ice Cream Maker
10 lb. bag of Ice
1 box of Ice Cream Salt

Harvest
As I mentioned before, this fruit only comes on once a year in the spring, so you need to be ready to pick your fruit when its available. Depending on the weather, it doesn't stay on the tree very long (several weeks to over a month). Pick enough ripe loquats that will net you 1 pint of fruit.


Preparation
You can prepare the loquats without a knife as they are soft and pliable. Basically, grab one, stick your fingers in there and pop the seeds out. Put the fruit aside, throw the seeds out (or plant them, that’s what I do). Repeat. It’s up to you whether you peel the fruit or not. I’ve done it both ways. While I think the ice cream is probably slightly better with the peeled fruit, I’m not sure it’s so much better that it’s worth all of the work that goes into the peeling.


Pour ¾ of the sugar and the lemon juice over the fruit. Stir it real good, cover it, and stick it in the fridge. 2 hours is the minimum, but I’ve let it set overnight. Give it a stir every once in a while. This is also the point where you could freeze your fruit and walk away until sometime later in the year when you have a hankering for this ice cream.

It’s also a good time to put your empty ice cream can in the freezer to get cold. This will help your ice cream freeze faster.


Mixing
Originally, I used a raspberry recipe from my Ben & Jerry’s Homemade Ice Cream book to come up with this ice cream. It’s reproduced here. I chose the raspberry ice cream because I needed a fruit with a similar degree of tartness. It’s a cream base with the fruit added. You can make any fruit ice cream; you just need to know the sugar/fruit balance.

In a big bowl and using an electric mixer, blend the eggs, cream, milk, and remaining ¾ cup of sugar.


Take your fruit out of the fridge and pour the syrup into the ice cream mixture. Blend it in. Put the syrup-less fruit into the food processor and puree it. The B&J recipe tells you to mash it. Either way, you want to get your fruit into a pulpy mess because if you leave it whole or semi-whole, you’ll end up with fruit ice chunks in your ice cream. Blend the fruit into the ice cream mixture and then pour it all into your freezing cold ice cream can.


Churning
Now it’s time to turn the mixture into ice cream. Put the ice cream can into the ice cream maker, fill the sides alternately with a layer of ice, then a layer of salt, then a layer of ice, etc. until it’s filled to the top. Plug it in and let it do its thing. I like to do this part outside because it can get messy with the ice and salt. Add more ice and salt every time the level starts to drop.

How long it takes to set up depends on several things. Most importantly, the amount of salt you use. Be extremely liberal with it otherwise your ice cream will never harden. Also, it depends on the outside temperature. It’s been 100+ degrees in Austin this summer, so my ice cream is taking a lot longer than when it’s only 80. Ideally, anywhere from 20-45 minutes should do it. You’ll know when your ice cream is done because the bucket will stop on its own.

Eating
That’s it! You can eat it right away or put it in the freezer for later deliciousness. I would recommend eating this after you’ve spent all day working in the yard or hovered over the grill. It’s a very creamy, light-tasting (not light in calories!) ice cream.


Other Uses
I’ve also made loquat cobbler. I got the recipe from Loquat World. I would definitely recommend you take the time to peel the fruit if you’re going to make the cobbler. Grinding it up in the food processor for the ice cream it really doesn’t make a difference, but in this, the skin is a little tough for me. There are also a bunch of other recipes here I’ve never tried.

On the ice cream front, experiment by mixing your loquats with other fruits and see what you can come up with. I’ve mixed it with mango and separately, plums. It’s impossible to make a bad batch of homemade ice cream.