Linky Party Features

Happy Sunday everyone!  I hope all of you have had a fabulous week!  I wanted to share with you some of my favorites from my first linky party.  Please be sure to grab a button if you are featured. 

This process was much more difficult than I thought it would be.  I really do enjoy being inspired by others in so many areas.  Thank you for participating.  Here we go:

Her-Ballistic Garden

Wendy shows us how to take one pillow and transform its looks to fit the season. 

Homespun with Love

I am a sucker for decorated mantles.  This is done beautifully and on a budget.

The Messy Roost

I admit that out of every craft project I have ever done, I have yet to decoarte a glass block.  This one certainly has me motivated to do my own.

Thanks again to everyone who participated.  I'm looking forward to seeing what you have been up to this week!

Yummiest Lotion Bar Ever!

For those of you that don't know me, I make ALOT of my own beauty products along with household cleaners.  I feel soo much better about using them when I know exactly what is in them.  While I have made lotion bars before, they just seemed either too heavy or flat out too hard to mess with as an every day moisturizer.  I kind of gave up on making them rather quickly because of this.  Well, after doing a little more research, I think I finally came up with my own recipe that I am really happy with and that smells SUPER!  The essential oil I used is called litsea cubeba.  This oil is refreshing and uplifting with a citrusy smell, close to lemongrass only sweeter.  I love citrus but I don't want to smell like furniture polish!  The sweetness in this fragrance stops all of that.  You can read more on this essential oil here. The recipe follows:

1 part beeswax
1 part coconut oil
1 part grapeseed, apricot or almond oil (I chose grapeseed)
1/4 part shea, mango, or cocoa butter (I used shea)
1 tsp. of essential oil per pound of product
1 tsp. Vitamin E oil per pound.


I chose to make a small batch and used 1/4 cup each of the oils and 1 Tbs. of the shea.  I used a 1/2 tsp. of both the EO and the Vit. E oil. 


Basically you take your top 4 ingredients and melt in a double boiler or microwave.  If you choose to use the microwave, check after one minute and stir contents.  You do not want the oils to boil and burn.  If it still needs more time, choose 30 second intervals or less.  Once they are all melted and combined you can add your EO and the Vit. E oil.  Stir them gently together again.  Place the melted oils in molds.  I used these two little massage bar molds that I found on etsy and they were the perfect size.  Wait for the oils to harden and then remove.  The lotion bars should pop out really easy.  Once they pop out, place them in a container or on a plate.  You do not want to handle them for long lengths of time as the point of them is to melt when coming in contact with body heat (unless, of course, you are wanting to put lotion on right away).  Then, voila!  You are finished.

You can find the ingredients for these bars in many places.  I've listed some links below to get you started. 

32oz. African FILTERED CREAMY Shea Butter from Ghana
Sundown Pure Vitamin E Oil 70,000 IU, 2.5 oz
Now Foods Grape Seed Oil, 16 Ounce
Nature's Way Organic Coconut Oil, 16 Ounce
BEESWAX PELLETS YELLOW 1-LB
Litsea Cubeba 100% Pure Essential Oil - 1oz

Bath Fizzy Pizza Gift Boxes

I am always looking for new and creative gift packaging ideas for all of my homemade goodies.  I get bored easily and enjoy challenging myself with new designs.  So, when I made a batch of heart shaped bath fizzies to give to my friends this valentines day, I wanted something that was the perfect size to contain them.  If you are looking for a bath bomb/fizzie recipe, you can go to my post here.  Aside from changing up the essential oils and choosing a smaller mold, the recipe is the same.

I wanted something small and flat, like those little mini chocolate boxes.  I found this tutorial on one of my favorite 'papercraft' idea sites and ran with it.  Here is the finished product:

They were super quick and easy.  I know I will make a few more.  Enjoy!

Rag Quilts Revisited

A couple months ago I published this post on rag quilts and how easy they are to make, even for a non-sewer like myself.  Rag quilts are sooo forgiving and, once I made my first one, I am now addicted to them.  I have since made two more with slightly different patterns/measurements to them.  You really can do whatever you want with them so long as you sew all of your fabrics right side out and to the front.  1/2 inch seems were used for both.  1 inch would work as well.

For this one, I cut 12 inch squares to work with and used fleece for the backing.  One of my daughters was given a quilt kit over a year ago that has just sat around in pieces.  I made good use of the cotton fabrics and really had no pattern with the colors, just random.

For the pink one, I cut 6 inch squares and used solely flannel fabrics.  You really do want to stick with softer fabrics.  This is a blanket/throw after all.  While this was a little more time consuming due to cutting 4 times the amount of squares, the finish is a little more fuller because of the extra frayed seams. 

My next adventure will be for my own bed.  I dont even want to think of how time consuming cutting squares will be for a queen blanket when these two are merely throws.  I may meet in the middle and shoot for 8 inch squares instead.

Being shared with:

New Linky Party Monday!

Yes, you read that right.  I will be starting my own linky party on Monday. While I have had my own 'make it yourself' series, this one is for you.  I can't wait to get it started and be inspired by your creations.  I am still working on a feature button but will have everything set up on Monday.  I will feature my top 3 every weekend.  Stay tuned.......

Easy Valentine Decor

I have kids.  Big suprise there.  They keep me super busy with all of their extra activities.  Especially when my hubby is overseas.  I still want to do a little decorating, even if it is minor and I'm short on time.

I'm all for quick results in craft making and this project really couldn't get any easier.  We have all seen the pre-cut letters in ever craft store.  For the most part, they aren't that expensive, especially when you get them on sale.  They make for quick and easy decor for any holiday amongst other things.  Combine those letters with some scrapbooking paper, mod podge, and a few embellishments and you are ready to go. 

There is a little trick too if you don't have any mod podge lying around.  Simply take your regular old glue and mix equal parts of glue and water.  Instant mod podge!  If you want a high gloss finish, I wouldn't suggest this method though.  Just my personal opinion. The 'extras' are really what makes these projects pop!  Just use what you have on hand.  Flowers, eyelets, ribbon,buttons, jewels, tags, pins; it all can be coordinated into this project. 

My First Diaper Cake

I have a baby shower this coming sunday for a young woman who is in need of many of the essentials for this new bundle of joy.  She is starting out with NOTHING.  I really wanted to spoil her but wanted to be creative with it at the same time.  I have seen diaper cakes done for quite some time, I have just never attempted one on my own.  For whatever reason, they looked time consuming and I have always seemed to be getting gifts last minute.  Not this time!  I had a mission and I knew exactly what I wanted to do.

As you can see by the colors, she is having a lil baby boy.  Her colors are green and brown.  To me, that says monkey, giraffe, circus stuff.  And let me tell you, I packed this puppy with goodies.  You just can't see them as they act as center supports.  She's got blankets, sleepers, bottles, etc. in there!  This project was fun and alot less difficult than what I thought it was going to be.  I only wish I would've taken pictures BEFORE I wrapped it.  That's a lesson for next time. 

Please don't think this project cost a fortune.  I am on a budget too.  I was fortunate to find what I was looking for on clearance at target and spent $30 on this project.  Quite the bang for my buck.  Next time you think you can't do something, for whatever reason, push through that urge and give it a shot.  None of us ever know if we are good at something until we try and try again.

Valentine Gifts for Teachers

I really do try to remember my children's teachers, especially around any holiday.  They work so hard for our kids and are not given enough credit for the work that they do.  I've been on a mission these last few days to search for projects that could be made for them without breaking the bank, yet still personalized and special.  Here are some of the ideas I have found:

Valentine Fortune Cookies

Heart Shaped Soap

Decorated Candy Bar Wrappers

Decorative Hanging Cone

Now it's just a matter of collecting the supplies and getting a move on.  What are your suggestions for teacher gifts this upcoming Valentines Day?









Digital Scrapbooking Sites

 

Since I have already shared some of my digital scrapbooking pages with you (this one being my hubby and I), I wanted to give you some site ideas to help jump start your own and get you shopping.  Now that Christmas is over, the pictures are taken/developed, and Valentines Day is just around the corner, these pages/kits/albums would make great gifts for yourself or others.  My choices have been made by looking at quality and detail in design, variety, color, and having a multitude of package options.  Having more options is a must as I don't always want to buy a whole kit when a quick page will do.  Or, if I want to use a new alphabet or learn a new action, I want to be able to do purchase them separately and stretch my money farther. So, here goes:

Scrapbookgraphics

Pickleberry Pop

Designer digitals

The photo above is just a sample of what you can do (for your sweetie or whoever) with just a quick page purchase and two or three added elements.  I know I have stressed this before but, quick pages are the perfect option if you are a newbie tackling this hobby or if you want to finish a project on the fly (or are impatient, like myself).  Have fun.  There is no right or wrong here and its sooo much easier than you may think.

Linked to:

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Pantry Organization

After seeing this post by peas and crayons, I was completely inspired to tackle my pantry.  I have put off organizing it for the longest time because, every time I have tried in the past, I have totally failed.  I really struggled with coming up with something 'new' that would make the system really work for me.  I'm embarrassed of the before.  But, if it helps you, it will be worth it.  Here is my before:

I have no idea why, but I have never once thought about putting plastic bins on the floor of my pantry.  I honestly didn't think it would work.  I thought that the items on my floor were just too cumbersome and wouldn't fit, or, at the least, wouldn't have the room for them if bins were in the way.  Well, with a little time on my hands, some patience, and some mega purging, it worked!  I am soo excited.  I can now find everything at a glance and I have no boxes of different foods in the way. Here is my final result.  I am still making labels for the bins but, at least I know where everything is:

I did NOT go out and purchase all of the organization bins/containers you see here.  The bottom bins came from other areas in my home where they just weren't being as useful as they once were. The rest were in the pantry to begin with, other than a small set of three.  No, they don't all match, but, when the doors are closed and the price is nil,  who really cares? 


This one organization project has given me the desire (and the kick in the pants) to tackle other areas of my home.  Thank you peas and crayons for motivating me!  :)

Make it Yourself: Orange Dreamsicle Bath Salts

I am a sucker for all things that remind me of my childhood years and this recipe reminds me of  those infamous orange push pops.  I have made more things than I can count with this essential oil blend.  This is too good not to share:




2 cups epsom salt
1 cup dead sea salt (I used pink himalayan)
20 drops vanilla essential oil
20 drops orange essential oil
1-2 tablespoons of carrier oil (almond, grapeseed, etc.)

Simply combine the ingredients above  in a container and give it a really good stir and shake to make sure the oils are well dispersed.  Add the mixture to your bath.  Then, just relax and enjoy!