Restarting My Blog - Things to Come

So, I knew it had been awhile since I blogged.  I didn't realize it was THREE years. Wow!

So, back to basics. I plan to post items related to cooking, organizing, cats, construction projects, craft projects, and more.  I'm doing a Spy birthday party next month, so that will definitely be a post, too.

For now, I am working on a craft project - a fabric swatch wreath.  I was inspired by a fellow Thirty-One Gifts consultant - check hers out.  I had a hard time with some of her instructions, so I'll share what changes I made as I worked on my wreath.

I've never made one of these before, so I am still learning.  Here's what I have learned so far.

I started out with Thirty-One Gift swatches. Basically consultants get these from Thirty-One Gifts so they can show what the product fabric actually looks and feels like.  They come as 5 x 8 swatches with a grommet in the center.  First, I cut them into three strips.  Some of them are a soft cotton, some a harder almost vinyl feel.  So, I discovered those didn't work well. So, I cut those strips in half length-wise - so I now had 6 skinny strips of each color.

I picked up an 18" wire wreath from Michael's. I've spent about 4 hours so far - just cutting and tying on the strips. I'm just over half done. And my hands hurt! So, try to do this project in small doses.

Alright....that's it for now. I'll post more detailed information and more pictures when I get the project finished.  Thanks for stopping by.

Make Your Own Sugar Scrubs

I'm back.  And found I had several posts sitting in the draft stages, so I am going to post a few of these before I start writing from scratch again.  Hope you enjoy these.

I have never tried making sugar or salt scrubs before I was crossing my fingers they would turn out.  I think they did...they look cute and smell great. But on feedback, the oil wasn't quite right. 

So, I am on the hunt for better oil.  The olive oil was just heavy - significantly increasing the rinsing required. I am going to attempt a different oil next time.  The other most important thing...be sure the containers seal well.  The little Tupperware pieces weren't sealed tightly enough and they leaked a bit.  Also, be sure that the you can reach into the container and get the scrub out - while you are in the shower. 

So, I made several different kinds as you can see by the pictures, but here are the recipes for two I thought you might enjoy...

Candy Cane Bliss

Chocolate Bliss (Three different Scrubs in one)

Candy Cane Bliss

Ingredients

2 cups granulated white sugar
1/3 cup LIGHT olive oil (or any light color oil)

1 tbsp corn syrup

1/4 tsp peppermint extract or essential oil

Directions

1. Mix  together all ingredients (except Food Coloring).
2. Divide sugar mix in half. Gradually add coloring until desired color is reached.
3. Layer colors horizontally.

 

Chocolate Bliss

Combo of Mexican Hot Chocolate, Dark Chocolate Swirl, and Snickerdoodle layered together. Layer the darkest colored scrub is on the bottom.

Snickerdoodle

Combo of 1 cup sugar, 1/3 cup olive oil, 2 tablespoons honey, 1 teaspoon ground sugar, and 1 teaspoon vanilla.

Dark Chocolate Swirl

Combine 1 cup dark brown sugar, 1/2 cup olive oil, 1/2 teaspoon vanilla, and 3 tablespoons cocoa powder.

Mexican Hot Chocolate

Combine 1 cup sugar,  1/2 cup olive oil, 1 1/2 tablespoons cocoa powder, 1 tbsp corn syrup, and 2 tsp cinnamon.