I want to make lots of neat little gifts to give friends for Christmas. I'd like these gifts to be useable, elegant, consumable, and grown-up (not decorative, artsy-fartsy crafty crap). My recipients are Pragmatic New Englanders, and would be irked receiving potpourri, eye pillows, embroidered towels, door-hangings, pine-cone-bird feeders, or anything of that ilk. Hence: consumables. In the past I've had past successes making figgy pudding with brandy butter and a collection of homemade ketchups, relishes, mustards, and chutneys, but this year I want to move out of the kitchen. Blow me away with millions of amazing little home-made gift suggestions. [more inside]
posted by mr. remy on Nov 6, 2009 - 28 answers

Since London's fickle summer is in full swing, I need recipes for dishes that can be eaten either hot or cold. [more inside]
posted by Mutant on Aug 4, 2009 - 18 answers

Help me fancy up my homemade corn tortillas! [more inside]
posted by ORthey on Jun 30, 2009 - 7 answers

Calling all sniffers, Does anyone know the different smells that go into getting Kiehls wonderful scent for their "Ultimate Man" Body Scrub Soap? [more inside]
posted by Mesach on Jun 21, 2009 - 9 answers

Poll-Filter: How much would you pay for this? (Example 2) [more inside]
posted by royalsong on May 2, 2009 - 25 answers

How do I make BBQ flavoring for potato chips? [more inside]
posted by Caviar on Apr 29, 2009 - 14 answers

Does anyone know the difference between, and good instructions for, flavored and infused liqueurs? [more inside]
posted by monkeymadness on Apr 26, 2009 - 13 answers

Homemade condiment preservation without canning. I've made ketchup, hot sauce, and worcestershire sauce in the past. All the recipes say to store the finished product in the refrigerator and use within a relatively short time. [more inside]
posted by sharksandwich on Mar 4, 2009 - 7 answers

To all home brewers out there: Need help with a recipe. [more inside]
posted by Mastercheddaar on Jan 16, 2009 - 11 answers

Home made bagels. Christmas bagels actually. [more inside]
posted by Mutant on Dec 11, 2008 - 13 answers

What gift item can I make in or from jars without lids? [more inside]
posted by Breav on Dec 2, 2008 - 23 answers

Share your baby food recipes! [more inside]
posted by swift on Nov 14, 2008 - 10 answers

What would I need to do to bake homemade rice krispies ? [more inside]
posted by motdiem2 on Nov 9, 2008 - 10 answers

Quick Pizza: What is the fastest way that I can have a pizza-resembling thing in my mouth without buying anything premade? Rules allow for pre-making things at home, as long as those things keep and don't take up too much space. [more inside]
posted by sdis on Nov 7, 2008 - 19 answers

I'd like nutritional advice for homemade dog food and maybe treats, using easy-to-find ingredients. I haven't been able to find high quality commercial dog food where I live, so I make most of her food myself, but I would like to make her homemade food as healthy as I possibly can with the resources I have, which are somewhat limited. Current routine, and many(!) more details inside. [more inside]
posted by taz on Nov 1, 2008 - 12 answers

What kind of filler should I use in the home-made microwaveable heat packs I'm making for holiday presents this year? [more inside]
posted by np312 on Oct 20, 2008 - 17 answers

Talented people making high quality goods (belts, wooden objects, pens, misc leather items , clothes, manuscript books, etc) at reasonable prices. [more inside]
posted by dance on Oct 20, 2008 - 11 answers

I want to make my own homemade, raw meat (chicken and rabbit) cat food. My girlfriend thinks it's a bad idea. Almost everything I can find on the interwebs suggest that feeding a cat a BARF (biologically appropriate raw food) diet is healthy for the cat. This wiki suggests that there is no scientific evidence pointing to a clear resolution - in the references section there are some vets arguing one way or the other, but nothing concrete. Has anyone been there, done that, or have any other advice? [more inside]
posted by billysumday on Jun 11, 2008 - 16 answers

To the Indian MeFites - and the non-indian chefs as well - what are your favorite family Indian recipes and what are some tricks in the preparation to give the food that authentic Indian taste. You know, rich, delicious, mouth-watering, and savoury to the point that eating becomes a spiritual experiece in itself. [more inside]
posted by ageispolis on May 25, 2008 - 17 answers

My dog loves dried sweet potato chews. They go for $20 a bag in the pet store even though the only ingredients are potatoes. It must be that I can make them at home for the cost of a potato. Do I need a fancy food dehydrator or can I just cut the potatoes up into thick pieces and put my oven on 200F for a many hours? Anyone have a specific recipe or experience making them? [more inside]
posted by about_time on Apr 27, 2008 - 15 answers

A big problem and a small problem with my home made ice cream ... [more inside]
posted by Mutant on Apr 22, 2008 - 25 answers

What are some good, unique pizza toppings? [more inside]
posted by nitsuj on Apr 8, 2008 - 91 answers

Can I make an Ableton Live sound pack with my own samples? I have .aiff drum sounds that I want to make into a kit.
posted by MNDZ on Mar 22, 2008 - 2 answers

How do I make semi-professional, waterproof labels for handmade lip balm tubes? [more inside]
posted by starsnstars on Feb 22, 2008 - 13 answers

I want relatively crisp reheated food from the microwave. Can can I buy or make something to do this for me, like that silvery-coated paperboard that comes with frozen foods? [more inside]
posted by vytae on Jan 9, 2008 - 15 answers

Need advice on making the ultimate moisturizer. [more inside]
posted by jadepearl on Nov 26, 2007 - 6 answers

TowletteFilter: Is there a specific name for the paper/cloth used in towelettes, and where can I get a few hundred for homemade sunscreen/bug-repellant wipes?
posted by jytsai on Oct 31, 2007 - 4 answers

How can I best store homemade blueberry muffins so that they'll last up to six days? [more inside]
posted by tomwheeler on Aug 26, 2007 - 14 answers

Crafty MeFites: What can I do with a sturdy wooden box? [more inside]
posted by gursky on Mar 15, 2007 - 19 answers

I love Aquafina bottled water. There's something in it that makes it taste much different than other bottled waters. Still, it gets expensive. What's in it that makes it taste so nice and can I make my own at home? [more inside]
posted by redteam on Feb 21, 2007 - 31 answers

Nothing better accompanies the StuporBowl than a huge pile of ribs. My problem: I need a great ribs recipe. [more inside]
posted by docgonzo on Feb 1, 2007 - 17 answers

I'm looking for tips to add some excitement and variety to this homemade cheese. [more inside]
posted by pithy comment on Oct 24, 2006 - 9 answers

Halloween websites with tons and tons of pictures of homemade costumes? Google was not good to me... [more inside]
posted by matimer on Oct 22, 2006 - 4 answers

Is making your own soaps/lotions/oils/candles/etc. worth the time and trouble? [more inside]
posted by jbickers on Oct 14, 2006 - 14 answers

What can I use to build the frame for a martial arts dummy? [more inside]
posted by lunkfish on Mar 24, 2006 - 6 answers

Homemade noise-reducing headphones. Link wanted, please. My Google-fu is failing me... [more inside]
posted by kingb on Sep 6, 2005 - 7 answers

Any experience with home soy milk makers? Packaged soy milk is so expensive, yet soybeans are pretty cheap, so I'm considering getting a home soy milk making machine. I did try making soy milk myself, manually, many years ago and was underwhelmed by the result, which tasted more like bean soup than milk, and it took a lot of time and effort and, apparently, skill. But these machines make it seem so easy even a child could do it and so cheap that I couldn't afford not to get one.
posted by TimeFactor on May 29, 2005 - 7 answers

What is the best bass for a camping trip, short of an upright? I have one, but can't haul and house it in the woods. I also have an acoustic/electric guitar style Washburn bass, but it provides no bottom whatsoever. [more inside]
posted by wsg on Mar 29, 2005 - 10 answers

Suggestions on how to do handmade tshirts better? Or ideas on how to make them better that isn't handmade (let's avoid small or large run online tshirt places - too much cost. Labor is cheap) [more inside]
posted by filmgeek on Mar 6, 2005 - 10 answers

HomemadePizzaFilter. For the love of god, please help stop the cheese from sliding off. [More inside but stuffed crust is definitely out.] [more inside]
posted by fatllama on Feb 5, 2005 - 15 answers

Inspired by this article (NYT, blah blah), I've decided that I'd like to learn to make tofu at home. I've done this very successfully with paneer (which at least looks like tofu), so I feel like this shouldn't be a problem. Anyone know anything about making tofu?
posted by scrim on Jan 6, 2005 - 6 answers

Ideas for birthday Cards. I'm pretty clumsy, and have little / no artistic ability, but I like to make my birthday and (in five months time) christmas cards. Does anybody have any simple / easy recipies for good birthday cards. [more inside]
posted by seanyboy on Jul 3, 2004 - 7 answers

Does anyone here know how to make a homemade Slurpee?
posted by @homer on Feb 2, 2004 - 9 answers