Chilli jam on a rainy Monday..

In the garden there lives a little chilli bush. The little chilli bush is so full of fat, juicy, fiery chillis that I fear it may colapse! Luckily I am an absolute chilli addict so for the next month or so I will be trying out many lovely recipes which all incorporate the red devils.

The first one I tried was chilli jam and it turned out absolutely scrumptiously. Here is the recipe and some pics :)

Chilli Jam

2 Red peppers chopped roughly and de-seeded

10 red chillis chopped roughly

A finger-sized piece of ginger peeled and chopped roughly

6 garlic cloves peeled

A handful of cherry tomatoes (About 10-15 of them)

400-600g of Caster or brown sugar (Depends on how sweet you want it)

220 ml Red wine vinegar

Tip peppers, ginger, chillis and garlic into a blender and blend until very smooth.

Pour this mixture into a heavy-bottomed pan and add the tomatoes, sugar and vinegar. Bring everything gently to the boil. Skim off any scummy bits that float to the top. 

Turn down the heat and simmer for about 50 minutes, stirring occasionally.

Once the jam starts to become sticky, continue cooking for 10-15 more minutes but stir it frequently as it will catch and burn very easily at this point.

It should now look like bubbling lava. 

Turn off the heat and let the jam cool for a bit before placing it in glass jars. 

Voila! Sublimely sweet and spicy chilli jam :)

Design inspiration from mother nature..

Nature really has it covered, in every aspect of design, be it colour, pattern or layout. I remember one of my lecturer's saying that we need look no further than out our window when searching for a particular tint or shade. I know that personally, I involve nature in all my design processes from subject matter to materials.

It's no secret that global warming and the deterioration of our planet is a real and looming threat to our precious earth and as designers we have a vital role to play in alleviating and combating the progressing destruction. It is in saying that that we need to remember who started it all, who had all the intricate patterns and ideas laid out in front of them. Who? God? No, not God. And I say this purely because I am not a monogamous believer, I choose to instead embrace the more probable and factually substantiated ideas of natural evolution and the universe as a transient, energy-filled sphere of life. This being said, nature had and has all the blueprints and it is only when we look, and I mean really look at the intricate and awe-inspiring beauty and perfection that makes up every tiny bud, stem and wing, that we realize how superior 'she' is to us.

In nature, everything works hand in hand and interconnects as snugly as a well-fitting shoe. Animals and plants live symbiotically without ever taking too much from each other as us humans are so prone to doing. If we could only become more connected and aware of our surrounding environments and truly learn and master the sophisticated and timeless processes and movements which are constantly happening around us, I think then we could begin to grow again as an earth.

As designers we really have it all on a plate with regards to the natural environment and as stated before, I always incorporate as many elements of nature into my designs and design processes. I consider myself to be lucky to be living in an age where it is imperative to return to the outside, the organic and the natural. I love the idea that my design ethos and ideals all pertain to the preservation  and protection of our fragile planet.

So, it is evident that when one is confused, at the cul de sac of a design idea or needing a source of inspiration and motivation, all that needs be done is to surround oneself with nature. Gaze at the sublime blue of our sky, feel the warmth of sand grains beneath your toes and listen to the sweet babbling of insects and birds. Let it move around you whilst you absorb and listen to the tiny instruments playing out in harmonious synchronicity. Trust me, it wont take long for a fledgling idea to take flight!

A ripe Sweet melon smells like the epitomy of summer to me..

Paint by numbers diy -This is such a fabulous idea! I will be making it as soon as I find a paint by numbers kit!

Year of the rabbit..

Start spreading the news..

So this is officially my first post! I am totally new to blogging, (shameful!) but I do hope to become a regular blogger and keep my blog interesting and inspiring to myself and others. I think I'm going to take it as it comes and write a bit, snap a bit and showcase my designs a bit..so a bit of everything really.

I am involved in a few things at the moment -hopefully getting a band together, freelancing in design and also hopefully securing an internship with one of the top textile designers in my city! There are many exciting things happening and I need to start capturing the essence of everything that is buzzing so furiously around me. So here I go! Salut to my first blog!