little crafties
Thursday, September 30, 2010
Wednesday, September 29, 2010
homemade facial scrub & deodorant
I've been using these recipes for facial scrub and deodorant and I'm totally hooked! My skin is very sensitive and I have a couple of contact allergies so simple, gentle, natural ingredients are important to me.
The facial scrub was inspired my Rosemary Gladstar's book, Family Herbal. I modified her recipe for cleansing grains, just making simpler and perfect for a calming, soothing, scrub!
I make the facial scrub in a small food processor with just three ingredients... oatmeal, almonds, and lavender flowers. You don't really have to measure it, but a mix of about 1/3 cups of oatmeal, a handful of almonds (raw & unsalted), and 1 tablespoon of lavender seems to have a good balance. Process the ingredients until they are evenly ground, but still nice and gritty.
I store my scrub in a spice jar on the bathroom shelf, which is convenient for shaking out a little at a time. To use the scrub, put a little in the palm of your hand and mix with a few drops of water. Dampen your face a bit and gently rub in the scrub. I like to use it for at least a full minute, sometimes longer. The oats really start to soften and make your skin feel wonderful. Just google "oatmeal and skin" for a bunch of information on the benefits of oats.
I found the deodorant recipe here, and it had me at the words "coconut oil"! Coconut oil is so rich and good for the skin, I love it love it love it. Before trying this recipe, I was using a homemade deodorant powder but wasn't happy with the way it sat on my skin and seemed to wear off. This recipe fixes that problem by adding the coconut oil - otherwise, it is pretty much the same. Coconut oil is genius.
To make the deodorant, mix 1/4 cup of arrowroot powder and 1/4 cup of baking soda in a bowl. Add 4 tablespoons of room temperature coconut oil and about 10 drops of your favorite essential oil (I used sweet orange oil in this batch, it smells great!). Stir it vigorously with a fork to mix it all together. When it is all mixed and creamy, store it in a lidded container at room temperature. To use, scoop out a little bit and rub it onto your skin. Coconut oil melts right into your skin, it's amazing!
Let me know if you give either of these recipes a try!
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Monday, September 27, 2010
h e l l o
I started knitting the February Lady on Saturday. I really like this pattern so far, the shaping is simple and the sweater just starts forming in front of your eyes...
I also sewed another little top over the weekend... lavender and buttery yellow...
Today I'm off to the library, and to the health food store to pick up some items for making a new deodorant recipe and my own facial scrub mixture. I'll share the results later!
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Friday, September 24, 2010
Thursday, September 23, 2010
Wednesday, September 22, 2010
geranium scarf
I've started weaving in the ends of the granny blanket, so it's almost finished! I also have a new little embroidery piece to photograph this afternoon, when the light is better. And a few more projects in the works.
Here is a fabric scarf I sewed yesterday... I love this fabric...
Monday, September 20, 2010
the easiest dress tutorial
The title for this post should be "four rectangles and a piece of elastic," because that's all it takes to make this dress!
I used four rectangles that were each 12 inches wide, but you can make your own size by measuring around the widest part of your hip and adding several inches for a comfortable fit and 1 - 1.5 inches for seam allowances.
I started out with two yards of calico fabric, and here is what I did...
Friday, September 17, 2010
treats
I got treats of the best kind this week --- fabric and yarn! Just in time for some weekend projects. Has anyone knit the February Lady Sweater? I think I'm going to start knitting it soon, after I finish some more work on the granny blanket... if you have any thoughts I'd love to hear them!
I had another treasury on Etsy's front page this morning! Poetry & Prose, for bookish people.
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Thursday, September 16, 2010
Wanderlust Embroidery
Wanderlust: a strong desire or impulse to wander, to travel, to explore the world.
*My Prairie Autumn treasury made it to Etsy's front page yesterday!
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Wednesday, September 15, 2010
hello lovelies
I don't have too much to show for craftiness today, but I did dip into my vintage stash to make these pincushions...
Yesterday I pruned my potted basil for use in a batch of pesto to freeze for future use and made a giant pot of garlicky minestrone soup... today I'll be baking some bread and starting on another embroidery project!
You can also check out my newest Etsy Treasury, Prairie Autumn...
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Tuesday, September 14, 2010
grannies & dandelion root tea
I've finished 36 granny squares for a new blanket... now I'm running out of white yarn, so I must get some more soon...
I also made a dandelion root decoction that I've been mixing with apple juice, it's very healthy and full of iron. To make the decoction, I boil the roots in an enamel pot for about 40 minutes, then strain out the herbs... dandelion can be a little bitter, which is why I add the apple juice!
Monday, September 13, 2010
emily dickinson mini quilt
The very light blue thread doesn't show up well in photographs, but it's very nice in person. You'll just have to trust me : )
There is no Frigate like a Book
To take us Lands away
Nor any Coursers like a Page
Of prancing Poetry -
This Traverse may the Poorest take
Without oppress of Toll -
How frugal is the Chariot
That bears the Human Soul.
-Emily Dickinson
Friday, September 10, 2010
granny scarf
I finished this granny scarf for the shop this week... and I have a new, bigger, granny project in the works...
This weekend I'll be working on a new embroidery, crocheting those granny squares, and drinking a lot of tea. And playing with cats. See you Monday!
Wednesday, September 8, 2010
free knitting pattern :: toastie socks
These socks are knit with worsted weight or aran 10 ply yarn, so they are thicker than normal socks... perfect for chilly mornings, cold nights, or whenever your feet need a little TLC. Plus, they knit up so much more quickly than regular socks, making them great for gifts!
You will need worsted weight or aran 10 ply yarn and a set of 4 double pointed needles in US 8/5.0 mm. Oh, and a yarn needle for finishing.
Cast on 36 stitches and divide them evenly among three of your needles.
Work in Knit 1, Purl 1 ribbing for 2 inches.
Knit the next two rounds in plain stockinette stitch, arranging the stitches like this:
Needle 1: 9 stitches
Needle 2: 18 stitches
Needle 3: 9 stitches
Knit across all of the stitches on needle 1.
Knit across all of the stitches on needle 2.
Now, turn your work. You will be working on needle 2 only to make the heel flap. Just ignore needles 1 and 3 until later.
To make the heel flap:
Row 1: Slip the first stitch, then purl across.
Row 2: Slip the first stitch, then knit across.
Repeat rows 1 and 2 until the heel flap measures 2 1/4 inches long, ending with a purl row.
Turn Heel:
Row 1: slip 1, knit 10, ssk, knit 1, turn.
Row 2: slip 1, purl 5, p2tog, purl 1, turn.
Row 3: slip 1, knit to first stitch before gap, ssk, knit 1, turn.
Row 4: slip 1, purl to first stitch before gap, p2tog, purl 1, turn.
Repeat rows 3 and 4 until all stitches have been worked and 12 stitches remain, ending with a
knit row.
With your free needle, pick up stitches along the first side of the heel flap, making sure to pick up on or two to "bridge the gap" to the instep. Use needle 1 to knit across these stitches.
Now, knit across needles 2 and 3, combining their stitches onto one needle. These stitches are your instep stitches.
Pick up stitches along the second side of the heel flap, making sure to pick up the same number as you did on the first side. Knit across these stitches with your free needle and also knit the first 6 stitches from the heel flap onto this needle. This is now the beginning of your round (the center of the heel flap). You can place a marker here if you like, to remind you of the beginning of the round.
Now we will start decreasing for the foot a little in the next round.
Needle 1 (left side needle): knit to last three stitches, k2tog, knit1.
Needle 2 (instep needle): knit all stitches.
Needle 3 (right side needle): knit 1, ssk, knit to end.
Next round: Knit all stitches plain.
Repeat these two rounds until 9 stitches are left on needles 1 and 3.
Then, work in plain stockinette stitch until the foot measures 1 inch less than your foot (measuring from back of heel to toe). Now we will start decreasing again.
Round 1 (If you want the toe to be a different color, this is the point to join your new yarn).
Needle 1: knit to last 3 stitches, k2tog, knit 1.
Needle 2: knit 1, ssk, knit to last 3 stitches, k2tog, knit 1.
Needle 3: knit 1, ssk, knit to end of round (32 stitches are left).
Round 2
Knit plain.
Repeat these two rounds until 12 stitches remain. Cut yarn, leaving a 12 inch tail. Thread the tail through the needle and draw it through all twelve stitches. Pull tight and knot off. Use the needle to pull the remaining tail to the inside of the sock and weave in your loose ends.
Done! Enjoy your new socks!
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my new etsy treasury...
'Let's Run Away...' by cornflowerbluestudio
Generated using Treasury HTML code generator by Whale Shark Websites.
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etsy love
Etsy mail! An order I placed with Earth Wonder Herbals... some tea, herbal smoothie powder, and dried red clover.
Today I think I need to find a plant stand for my tea herb seedlings... they have taken over my windowsills! There is a crazy junk shop near my apartment I might try, but I'd also like to try a DIY project. Do you know a cool way to make a plant stand? Leave me comment!
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Tuesday, September 7, 2010
One more Simplicity 2593 for my wardrobe --
Today I will be
finishing up a new sock pattern to post later this week...
listening to this...
reading this...
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