Pure Mandarin & Honey Jelly Lollies... ❥

If you're looking for a healthier Halloween party or everyday treat, then these easy-to-make jelly lollies are the answer!

These are made with pure freshly picked and then squeezed mandarin juice.

I've also made the jelly lollies with orange juice.

 You need 2 cups of fresh juice.
Strain the juice in a sieve to remove pips and bits.

Place one cup into a small pot with 4 tablespoons of honey.
Make sure the honey is a mild flavour like clover,
as if you use strong honey it will overpower the citrus flavour.

 In a small bowl, sprinkle over the top the other 1 cup of juice and 6 Tablespoons of unflavoured gelatin powder.

 Let the juice slowly soak up the gelatin at its own pace.  DO NOT STIR IT.

This process is called 'bloom'.

Bring the remainder of the juice and honey in the pot to a medium heat.

Add the bloomed gelatin mixture.

Stir with a whisk until dissolved.

Set aside to cool.

 You will need small silicon molds.

Place the cooled juice mixture in small jug lots to pour into the molds.

(These are great fun for the kids to make!)

 Place on trays in the fridge overnight to set.

 The pure mandarin and honey jelly lollies keep well in a covered plastic container in the fridge.  And they don't stick together.

I'll be making these in Halloween moulds for sure,

as they are a huge hit with jelly lolly lovers...

As a bonus, they are pretty to look at, yummy to eat, and healthy!

The printable recipe is HERE.

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Old Metal Tray Upcycle...

I love trays...

I use them practically - for serving 

And to display bits and pieces in the decor.

Often as a low base layer in a vignette.

This old aluminium tray is one that I have had for about 20 years.

It certainly has that well worn patina.

I wanted to change it and decided to decoupage this old tray.

Decoupage paper is available from scrapbook and craft stores.

It's a very fine paper like tissue paper.

It comes in many beautiful designs.

 I chose a black and white perfume bottle design.

Isn't such a pretty paper?

And I think it looks fab with the aged silver of the tray.

First, clean the tray, 

and then measure and cut the paper to fit.

I left about 5cm of the silver edge exposed.

Mod Podge glue the base of the tray.

Press the paper carefully in place.

Smooth out any major unevenness and big wrinkles.  

Layer more glue on top and then place on the second layer of paper.

It leaves a shadow from the bottle pattern as the placement is uneven.

You could just do a  single layer of paper, but I wanted the shadow and a more wrinkled paper effect.

Finally paint a thick layer of modpodge over the top of the paper.

This acts as the final sealer.

Next I wanted to add a flat braided cord to define,

 and create interest around the outer edge of the paper.

Cut the cord to fit.

I used two pieces of cord as I wanted a round edge,

 and a square cut edge opposite each other.

Using a thick line of modpodge press cord on top of it.

Leave to dry for 24 hours.

I'm so happy with my very pretty tray, upcycled with decoupage and cord.

It really adds interest with another layer to my black and white "Frida Kahlo' display.

Frida Kahlo artwork by New Zealand artist Tanya Leef. 

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