Forum Thermomix
Welcoming Center, Management and General Chat => Chit Chat => Topic started by: droverjess on October 28, 2012, 08:56:49 pm
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Hiya
I would like to ask what the Keeping time is for some of the homemade gifts?
How far in advance can I make:
Fudge,
Savoury and sweet nuts
Unami paste
Garlic paste etc etc
I think you get the idea.
I have 5 households to make things for in various parts of the country so need to plan delivery, via family post, where possible so tips from your experiences will be most welcome.
Plus other ideas for gifts that worked would be most helpful.
My cinema snacks were great yesterday from the cupboards so that has inspired me some more to make a good selection.
Thanks in advance.
I hope this thread might also help the members who have joined in 2012 and not yet had a Thermy Christmas.
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do you crochet or sew DJ ?if i find some pretty T T i will be making some for Xmas
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I can knit and sew, and a tiny bit of crochet.
However all my sewing/knitting stuff still packed and my offerings would not be as beautiful as yours. They are wonderful.
Knitted dishcloth anyone?!
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How about planting up spring bulbs in any pretty containers/ baskets/ old crockery DJ.
A cookie/brownies mix in a jam jar with a printed label with the method like this idea (http://www.bbcgoodfood.com/recipes/2920/christmas-muffin-mix)
Will keep thinking ;) ;D
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I can knit and sew, and a tiny bit of crochet.
However all my sewing/knitting stuff still packed and my offerings would not be as beautiful as yours. They are wonderful.
Knitted dishcloth anyone?!
The photos are from the net DJ , the ones i make are not wonderful lol ;D
very easy http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AdePxyZ6Kog
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My exMIL used to make them by the dozens, sell at her seniors club fetes and give them to us DILs. I am on my last one at the moment, they are so handy to hang on the oven door. Uni you could sell them through the new Market Place thread along with your vanilla beans - I would be the first to buy some ;D
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do you crochet or sew DJ ?if i find some pretty T T i will be making some for Xmas
OK what are they & what do you use them for ??? ??? ???
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Hally they are towelling tea towels folded in half and a crochet top attached which decreases down to form a buttoned loop to enable you to attach it to a towel rack or oven door handle.
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Hally they are towelling tea towels folded in half and a crochet top attached which decreases down to form a buttoned loop to enable you to attach it to a towel rack or oven door handle.
Thank you, but why woukd you have one, seems a lot of work for a tea towel that gets thrown n the wash every day ???
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very popular Hally, hang on the door, or oven door.
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It's a hand towel Hally, not a tea towel. If you throw it in the wash every day then you would need to have several on hand.
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i have them hanging every where, laundry,bathroom and 2 in the kicthen
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We have them everywhere too. Even on the boat. The guys love them for wiping their hands after they have cut up the bait or taken a fish off the hook etc. It's a bit hard trying to find ones that aren't too girly but I tend to keep a look out at all the springs fairs. Can never have enough of them.
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DJ I love the sound of knitted dish cloths. Are they a bit like the Enjo cloths that you can use and then throw in the washing machine?
I don't like the traditional 'wettex' type cloths.
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Oops, forgot to say that Tenina says Unami paste will last for 3 weeks in the fridge.
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I love those hand towels as well and whenever I get to a fair I buy a couple they are great in the kitchen so the little people don't wipe their hands on my tea towels, I would buy some Uni if you made them to sell :)
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I have stacks of these, it must be a MIL thing. They are great hand towels, saves anyone wiping their hands on the tea towel.
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I recently bought a couple of kitchen hand towels that have a magnet seen into a little corner pocket. Will then hang from your fridge or oven etc as long as its metal. Really handy.
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DJ, what about biscuits if you are keen on doing food products? They will keep for quite a while, or you can freeze them first.
Also, dukkah, curry powder (the one from the TMX Veggie cook book is my fave), chutney, sauce, jam etc.
I'm personally not a fan of the crocheted hand towel, but that's just me. The magnet one sounds good, though.
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Great idea for a topic DJ. I am one of those newbies yet to have a Christmas with thermie (bit excited actually). Looking forward to learning from the wise counsels of the forum.
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Hand Towel perfect. ;D
Tea Towel, ddnt get it ???
H :)
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Looking at bottles for vanilla essence.
What size do I need?
http://www.lakeland.co.uk/p15584/Presentation-Bottles
Thanks
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i would get the 100ml ones DJ
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Look at this site called jamjarshop (http://www.jamjarshop.com/buy/italianbottles/?catid=49) They have all sort of glassware and accessories. ;)
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how many xmas hampers are you doing
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Not sure Uni how many.
Very much a token Christmas.
Have 4 siblings.
Plus mother, plus aunts.
Plus friends.
5 adult children.
See how it goes.
Getting 6 100 ml bottles. Not everyone would value vanilla essence.
Wonder where best to get vanilla pods in UK?
Thanks CC for the post. Probably getting some small jars from Lakeland as they have 3 for 2 on small jars (Unami , garlic etc)
And free delivery.
I do need a new baking tin as it took longer to get the Foccacia out of my old tin than make it!!! Tin must be over ten years and was a cheap one.
Being very careful but can't spend nothing at all.
Getting bakers cases to make mini Xmas cakes, or iced gingerbreads.
Glad of all the tips on here.
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Vanilla Essence is a great idea! I'm going to pinch that one too! Just have to find me some reasonably priced vanilla beans and some nice bottles.
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I've been tossing up with vanilla essence for ages as well, MJ ... let me know when (or if) you find decent bottles and beans!
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MJ and Marina the beans need to soak for a while, not sure if will be ready in 6 weeks
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Thanks, Uni. I remembered about the long soaking so it would be a plan for next Xmas I think.
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Ooothanks mj justvremembered i can now make curry powder as can get curry leaves.. Love homemade xmas hampers..
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Ooothanks mj justvremembered i can now make curry powder as can get curry leaves.. Love homemade xmas hampers..
How do you mae curry powder?
H :)
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MJ and Marina the beans need to soak for a while, not sure if will be ready in 6 weeks
How long please?
Maybe I can label use after such and such date?
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Frozzie how do you make curry powder
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This is something I made for kinder teacher gifts last year and will make some this year too. Recycled my coffee jars to save money and no cooking needed by me, just the giftee. The layers look pretty.(http://img.tapatalk.com/d/12/10/31/a3amyme2.jpg)(http://img.tapatalk.com/d/12/10/31/daju4e2e.jpg)
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That's very clever Kimmy and looks so attractive.
Good idea to save the jars as they can work out expensive. How did you do the labels?
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I made them on Microsoft word and printed them out on a4 sticker paper and cut them out. The recipe i used is a taste.com one.
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They look fantastic Kim 8)
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Beautiful Kim!
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These are great gifts Kim, especially for people who don't cook. You have done all the hard work for them and once they add the final wet ingredients they will have themselves a lovely batch of bikkies.
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DJ are you adding TMX stock to your hampers? They last for six months and are something most people would use. I am lost without my TMX stock in the fridge. Just put a note on the label to advice how much to use, given it is concentrated.
I have used the cookie mixes in the jar too for family presents and they work really well. I did really big jars with double the mix for my sister's family as there are 4 children. I used one of the older style big coffee jars. The layers do look great.
Another idea would be bath bombs. I made them one year and they worked out quite well. Something nice for the girls in the family or for your friends. Wrapped in cellophane with a nice ribbon, they look great.
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There was a recipe some time back.. Will try to find it and i couldnt make it as i couldnt get curry leaves... Will go check...
Ok was one of teninas recipes.. Will see if still on her blog or on here and if not ill post it :)
Nope not on her blog or i couldnt find it but carine has a recipe on here that she posted..
Ok just posted Teminas recipe.. I wrote it down as hers so imagine thas right... If there are any problems just let me know
Here is the link to the posted recipe
http://www.forumthermomix.com/index.php?topic=11635 (http://www.forumthermomix.com/index.php?topic=11635)
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I love the crocheted half tea towels. I used to have heaps as a dear friend made them for me. Unfortunately she can't anymore. I wear them out very quickly.
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Maybe there is someone on here who could make them for you cookie 😊
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I make the Madras Curry powder which is in the Indian Book, I think.
Iwill try and post a photo on the Wardrobe Sachets that I make each year. I buy the organza bags and put the Bay leaves, cloves, lavender and Cedar chips in, with a list of ingredients, so they can be emptied out and refilled each year. The GC and I make them each year for their teachers and DH, with help from Gert and Bay leaves from Hally, made them as his gift at Grace Town.
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I love the crocheted half tea towels. I used to have heaps as a dear friend made them for me. Unfortunately she can't anymore. I wear them out very quickly.
if u were my SS i would have made u some
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And they are lovely. Such a fresh smell, better than any lavender or perfumed satchets.
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And they are lovely. Such a fresh smell, better than any lavender or perfumed satchets.
Michele, glad you liked it. I will tell DH. ;D
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OOOOOPS, I posted photo in Christmas Hamper Ideas.
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(http://img.tapatalk.com/d/12/10/31/jeryjyne.jpg)
Here it is, Wardrobe Sachets.
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they look good
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Great idea Chookie ;D
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where do u buy Cedar chips from ?
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Uni, don't know where Chookie buys hers but have you seen those cedar flowers in gift shops? I'd just pull off a couple of petals from one of them.
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:o :o Judy you are naughty.
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LOL Karen, I'm sure Judy means after you've purchased them, don't you JD? :D
You can buy cedar chips at barbeque and outdoor stores.
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BBQ stores have them..
Put E oils on them . smells great
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:D :D :D :D :D :D :D :D :D I wondered what I had done Karen - of course I meant buy the flowers first then pull the petals off but it's probably cheaper to buy the other chips the girls mentioned ;)
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Oops - sorry Judy ........ how embarassing :-[ :-[
And I was about to send DH (policeman) round to give you a talking to ;) ;) ;) ;)
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;D ;D ;D
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;D ;D ;D:o
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thanks ladies
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Too funny Karen!
I can't imagine Judy sneaking around in gift shops pulling petals off fake flowers.
The wardrobe sachets look like a great idea.
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LOL girls.....
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make sure you use essential oils, not fragrant oils too.
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This is going to,be part of my Xmas gifts.
Not *: but keeps 6 months so can be made now
http://www.saga.co.uk/lifestyle/food/sundries/onion-marmalade.aspx
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All good DJ, as long as you don't take to shop lifting ;D
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Like you girls am last person in world to ever do that. ;D
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Baked Camembert Kit (http://www.bbcgoodfood.com/recipes/992649/baked-camembert-kit) ;D
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Gingerbread gift jar (http://www.bbcgoodfood.com/recipes/1840651/gingerbread-gift-jars) ;D
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Lovely ideas CC. I don't know with our Christmas weather that we could leave the camembert out of the fridge even for little while.
The gingerbread gift jar looks very pretty with the crystallised ginger. :)
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The camembert kit doesn't specify quantities or type of alcohol or sultanas - does it matter what / how much you use?
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Lovely ideas CC. I don't know with our Christmas weather that we could leave the camembert out of the fridge even for little while.
The gingerbread gift jar looks very pretty with the crystallised ginger. :)
I completely forgot about the hot weather Michele when posting the link. :P
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The camembert kit doesn't specify quantities or type of alcohol or sultanas - does it matter what / how much you use?
The quantities are posted on the side Marina ;) :)
Ingredients
100g sultanas
5 tbsp Calvados , PX Sherry, rum or brandy
1 boxed Camembert
TO COMPLETE THE KIT
small jar , string or ribbon and a label
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I have just found the ingredients list for the camembert kit - must be too early in the morning for my eyes to be completely awake!
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Thanks, CC, I think we were posting at the same time!
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Thanks, CC, I think we were posting at the same time!
:D :D :D :D
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Coffee Lovers Kit (http://www.bbcgoodfood.com/recipes/1013641/coffee-lovers-kit) ;D
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Triple Chocolate Cupcake Kit (http://www.bbcgoodfood.com/recipes/992645/triple-chocolate-cupcake-kit) ;D
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Mulled Wine Kit (http://www.bbcgoodfood.com/recipes/2921/mulled-wine-kit) ;D
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They all look great, CC. Thanks for the links, I think I will definitely go for one or more of these.
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OK last one for now :D :D :D
Spiced arancello (http://www.bbcgoodfood.com/recipes/8025/spiced-arancello) ;)
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Thanks CC
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Thx for the links cc ..
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Wonder if Uni will try the spiced arancello? It looks really tempting!
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Thanks CC they look great
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Great ideas CC. Now which one should I choose? :) :)
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DJ, You might get some ideas on this site (one good thing by jillee blog). At the moment she is making things for Christmas hampers.
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Wonder if Uni will try the spiced arancello? It looks really tempting!
i wonder if i could use pure alcohol instead of the vodka
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I don't know, Uni. Perhaps you could but would the taste of the pure alcohol be too aggressive for the more subtle tastes of the spices or is pure alcohol also tasteless? If it is stronger than vodka perhaps the alcohol will overpower the spices too much? I don't know because I don't drink, these are just the thoughts that come to mind.
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it is stronger than vodka and my thoughts are the same, it will overpower the spices
i could try it but i dont want to waste the alcohol :-))
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:D
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:) :) don't waste the alcohol
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Never Robyn ;D
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I am making christmas puddings this weekend.
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I bottled my Limoncello today for some hampers. After filling these 4 small bottles, all I was left with was about 5 cm in a glass for myself.
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They look lovely JD xx
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Thanks suzanne, now to work out which 4 lucky people get them ;D
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They look great JD. Did it taste nice?
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Yes, it is a lovely drink. I'm going to have to start one for myself.
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They look great JD. I'm glad you saved yourself a a tiny glass. Cheers.
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I didn't save any on purpose Michele, that small amount wouldn't fit into the bottles - mind you I was happy about that ;)
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They look great JD!
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Was I imagining it or is there a savoury rice mix?
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I found this http://www.veggiebelly.com/2011/12/dal-fry-mix-in-a-jar.html
And this http://www.veggiebelly.com/2011/12/dirty-rice-mix-in-a-jar-vegetarian-holiday-gift-ideas.html
But wondered if there were better ones?
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I've not seen a savoury rice mix mentioned on the forum before DJ but it's a great idea.
I found this (http://www.allfreecrafts.com/giftinajar/curried-rice.shtml) curried rice mix in a jar.
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And I just found these http://www.pastorswife.net/jars3.htm lots of different things. About 8 pages from soups to cookies, but please be warned some have MSG in.
Edited for typo!
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I finished this tonight.
One dishcloth, two evenings.
(http://i1255.photobucket.com/albums/hh621/Droverjess/a9c38aa5fc2febc29374d305c0255e02.jpg)
Need to find something to make a scrubby... Onion nets failed! LOL made a terrible mess and no scrubbyness.
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Seeing the cat is out of the bag, The scrubbie i sent to Judy was made with cotton yarn and strips of tulle.
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LOL. ;D
Must get some tomorrow. Wonder if local store has any. Will ring up first. ;D