Category: Crafting

Handmade With Love Super Bundle
Crafting · crafts · DIY · Homesteading

Handmade With Love Super Bundle

Sarah

I love the Super Bundles brought out by Ultimate Bundles, and the newest one released today, Handmade With Love, is amazing. If you love to craft, sew, knit or have wanted to learn, this is the one for you! As soon as it went live I picked up my copy, which I am happily going through today. I often print out the ebooks, and put them in my craft binders for a go-to library. The bonuses are often the best part of the bundles, and this an early bird deal for a Craftsy class included! (Also, if you are a craft fair seller, the craft fair planner is worth the cost alone.)

The super bundle includes:

Applique

  • Applique Made Easy: A Beginner’s Guide to Simple Applique Techniques by Leslie Rutland ($12.00)
  • The Joy of Christmas Quilted Dinner Set by Liuxin Newman ($24.99)
  • Baby Storybook: A Day at Home with Bearhug & Honeybun by Sedef Imer ($14.00)
  • Lovely Liberty Cushion: A Needleturn Applique Project by Emma Jean Jansen ($10.50)

Crochet

  • A Doll Like Me: A Collection of Customizable Crochet Doll Patterns PLUS A Beginner’s Guide to Amigurumi by Stacey Trock ($20.00)
  • Crochet Earrings by Dobi Ivanova ($7.00)
  • Imagical Seasons: Spring, Crochet Couture for Kids 2-12 by Alla Koval ($24.95)
  • Slouch Hat Crochet Patterns (Vol. 2) by Rebecca Langford ($7.99)
  • The Perfect Product Line: The Grace Collection by Pam Grice ($16.00)
  • The Plaid Collection: 14 Cozy Crochet Patterns in Classic Plaid by Bethany Dearden ($6.99)
  • Crochet Rug Making by Morgan Roberts ($15.00)
  • Little Miss Wheo by Carla Schwind ($5.50)

Cross Stitch

  • Cross Stitch Pattern Collection by Susan Fitzgerald ($18.00)
  • Geometric Birds & Animals Collection by galabornpatterns ($38.94)
  • Spirited Animals Bundle : Queen Bee and Spirited Animals Alphabet by Dana Batho (business name Peacock & Fig) ($19.98)
  • Summer/Winter Wreath by Jenny Van De Wiele ($10.00)

Decorative

  • Creative Cloth by Linda Matthews ($15.00)
  • Printing on Fabric: Instinctual Mark-Making, Screen & Stencil Printing by Ellie Beck ($47.00)
  • Shibori & Natural Dyeing Course by Francesca Stone ($25.00)
  • Welcome to Weaving: Tips and Tricks for Weaving on a Frame Loom from Start to Finish by Lindsey Campbell ($30.00)
  • Luna: Macrame Wall Hanging Pattern by Krystle Luvis ($13.80)

Embroidery

  • 23 Easy-to-Make Christmas Ornaments: Three eBooks in One! by Erica Hite ($14.00)
  • Embroidery Pattern Set by Pumora ($94.00)
  • Insect Embroidery Pattern Set by Sarah Milligan ($18.00)
  • Modern Embroidery Pattern Set by Stitcharama ($10.00)
  • The Embroidery Project: All In The Details by Mollie Johanson ($35.00)
  • The Girl Gang: An Embroidery Pattern Bundle by cozyblue by Liz Stiglets ($20.00)
  • Brother Rabbit: Raised Embroidery by Anna Scott ($7.35)

Knitting

  • Cozy Christmas Knits by Jessica Bolof ($22.00)
  • Double or Nothing: Reversible Knitting for the Adventurous by Alasdair Post-Quinn ($17.95)
  • Essential Baby Knits by Tatsiana Matsiuk ($20.00)
  • How To Arm Knit with Cowl, Blanket and Pouf Pattern by Anne Weil ($16.00)
  • Weekend: Simple, Modern Knits by Jen Geigley ($27.00)
  • Fair Isle Knitting by Liat Gat ($26.77)
  • Fairy Tale Gloves by Shehla Ahmed ($5.99)

Quilting

  • Color in Quilting: A Trio of Simple Quilt Patterns + a Lesson in Effective Color Placement by Alison Glass ($36.00)
  • DIY Block Design: Your Designs From Sketchbook To Quilt by Alyce Blyth ($15.50)
  • Mother’s Medallion Quilt by Becky Dietz & Cindy Leis ($35.00)
  • Quilting Jetgirl Best Selling Patterns by Yvonne Fuchs ($30.00)
  • Solids: Five Quilt Patterns by Lauren Terry ($10.00)
  • Get Quilty by Elise Cripe ($18.00)
  • Patchwork Planner & Journal by Becky Jorgensen ($14.99)

Sewing

  • 10 Simple Sewing Projects for the Home: Even If You Only Know How to Sew a Straight Line by Corey Willis ($20.00)
  • How to Sew Japanese Sewing Patterns by Rin Gomura-Elkan ($25.00)
  • Retro Rucksack & Penfield Pocket Tote: Two Essential Bag Sewing Patterns by Sara Curtis ($19.00)
  • Sewing Fancy Dresses for Little Girls (Aged 3 and Under) by Tatiana Kozorovitsky ($19.99)
  • Sewing School 101: Simple Tips to Get You Stitching by Nicole Bennett ($9.99)
  • Art Caddy Tote by Virginia Lindsay ($8.00)
  • Happytown Dolls: Maisie and Max Fly Kites by Anne Oliver ($9.99)
  • Hipster Teddy Bear by Stephanie Woodson ($7.00)
  • Mr and Mrs Deer: DIY Woodland Felt Decorations by Jenny Blair ($7.00)
  • Patchwork Elephant and Baby Quilt by Abby Glassenberg ($9.00)

Bonuses

  • 6 Month Digital Magazine Subscription + Instant Download of the Latest Issue from Make Modern ($29 value)
  • “Rock Your Craft Fair” Digital Planner from Crochetpreneur
  • Free class from Craftsy! ($70!) if you buy by Nov. 30th.

Book Review: Finger Knitting Fun
Crafting · crafts · DIY

Book Review: Finger Knitting Fun

Sarah

fingerknittingfun

Vickie Howell’s new book, Finger Knitting Fun: 28 Cute, Clever, and Creative Projects for Kids, is a god send for me with my middle child. He wants to learn how to knit so badly, and well….if you have read my crafting posts you know I am 10 thumbs with knitting. I can do loom knitting, but teaching a 6-year-old how isn’t easy. Too many things to remember. He loves craft time, but hasn’t the patience for long-term projects.

Perfect for 6-7 and up!

Essential Oil Recipe Box Review
Crafting · Essential Oils

Essential Oil Recipe Box Review

Sarah

Recently I had the fun of trying out the Essential Oil Recipe Box, from Simply Earth. The monthly subscription box comes with an assortment of essential oils, recipes and supplies to produce 5 to 6 items with your box each month!

April’s box is about cleaning. Open the windows and let Spring in! (Well….maybe not quite opening windows here yet…but at least it will smell like Spring here!) 4 essential oils, 2 metal spray bottles, recipes and some neat cleaning cloths, which I actually needed new ones. Bonus there…..

I had been waiting for a few months to try out Simply Earth’s essential oils. Their packaging is very nice. I love the paper boxes. The bottles fit in perfectly, and don’t move at all. The inner box slides out, like an old style match box. However, take note their oils are for external use only. This doesn’t mean the oils are not “worthy” or anything. I don’t personally use essential oils internally. Two of the larger companies in EO sales promote internal use of some oils (and higher prices seem to go with this/they are also MLM business styles)…wether or not you do this is up to you, I have chosen to not.

Their prices also are realistic: they are priced at a fair rate, so more can enjoy them. For example, this bottle retails at $8.95. A bottle of Aura Cacia retails for $8.59, putting it in a similar range for price. However, compared to dŌTERRA, which is $19.00 wholesale and $25.33 retail, you can see how much more affordable brands such as Simply Earth are. And no gimmicks. Buy what you need, when you want. Without any pressure. 

They have a great price on a cute 6 pack of oils in a wooden box, for $40, including shipping as well, if you are just getting into oils, or want a great gift to give.

We made up a bottle of ‘Natural Room Spray’, a quick recipe infused with lemon and cinnamon essential oils. The recipe was one small spritzer bottle to which you added 10 drops lemon and 5 drops cinnamon and top with water, preferably distilled water. Seal and shake before use.

This box has 6 recipes to choose from.

FTC Disclaimer: We received a complimentary box for potential review.

DIY Citrus Body Wash
Crafting · crafts · DIY · Essential Oils · Homesteading · Soap Making

DIY Citrus Body Wash

Sarah

This recipe has won me over. Or rather, it has won my skin over. Taking us off the more commercial versions of certain body products has been very hard. It’s really hard when you miss the lather of a good bottle of brand name body wash….what I don’t miss is the dry, tight and very itchy skin. I am just not a bar soap user in the shower. I’ve tried making my own before, but hadn’t gotten the right proportions. Or ingredients. The key in the body wash is the added glycerin. It gives it that lather that so many natural or homemade products is missing.

Citrus Body Wash

Ingredients:

Directions:

Using a small funnel, add the ingredients. Seal the bottle, and shake gently to combine.

In shower, use a shower pouf and add a quarter size amount, lather up and scrub up!

Gently shake bottle each time before use, as it will separate. Shelf life? No different from other body washes.

I’ve tried a number of liquid Castile soaps, not all are equal. Some are really thick and leave an unpleasant scum on the skin, others have many oils added in, so read carefully (such as Dr. Bronners). The Desert Essence unscented I used in this recipe has a very short ingredient list, and the oils in it are safe on our youngest son, with his allergies. (Castile Soap (Water (Aqua), Cocos Nucifera (Coconut) Oil, Tall Oil (Pine Oil), Potassium Hydroxide), Melaleuca Alternifolia (Tea Tree) Leaf Oil, Olea Europaea (Olive) Fruit Oil) The soap is thinner, and washes off easily. It does have a faint scent of the tea tree oil, but I don’t mind that, it plays well with citrus.

Don’t worry about adding the coconut oil, it really leaves your skin soft – and not greasy.

The amount of essential oils is up to you, you might want more. Add, shake, and smell. The smell is more potent when it is under warm water.

Disclaimer:

No claims are made as to any medicinal value of this oil. The information presented here is for educational purposes of traditional uses and is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any diseases. Information on this site is not intended to be a substitute for medical or professional advice. Keep essential oils out of reach of children. Should you have a pre-existing medical condition, please consult your trusted health-care practitioner before using these products. Pregnant women should exercise caution when using essential oils. By using this site, you agree to indemnify administrators and owners for any and all responsibility regarding your wellbeing.

 

Spicy Heat Muscle Rub
Bee Keeping · Crafting · crafts · DIY · Essential Oils · Homesteading

Spicy Heat Muscle Rub

Sarah

Cayenne Pepper, Ginger, and Turmeric, worked into coconut oil & beeswax makes a wonderful balm, for working into tired or hurt muscles. Much better than what you find in the store, and you can control what goes in.

There is a few caveats: Keep away from your eyes, due to the pepper, and don’t use, then wear white (or sleep on light-colored sheets). Turmeric is a powerful natural dye!

For the essential oils, I used Simply Earth, dōTerra and Aura Cacia.

Spicy Heat Muscle Rub

Ingredients:

  • ½ cup fractionated coconut oil
  • 4 ounces beeswax*
  • 1 tsp cayenne pepper
  • 1 tsp ground ginger powder
  • 1 tsp turmeric powder
  • 10 drops eucalyptus essential oil
  • 10 drops lavender essential oil
  • 10 drops peppermint essential oil
  • 4 2-ounce metal tins

Directions:

Add the oil and beeswax to a metal melting pot. Put it in a saucepan, and add a bit of water to the saucepan, to make a double boiler. Heat over medium, beeswax will take a while.

Once melted, take off the heat. Stir in the spices, then the essential oils. Pour into the tins, all the way to the top (they will sink a bit, like a candle).

Let cool on the counter, then put on the lids. Due to the higher beeswax content, it will stay firmer in warm weather.

Makes 4 tins.

Tip – to clean up recipes with wax in them, quickly wipe out the melting pot with clean paper towels, to get as much out as you can. Later on, pour boiling water in the pot, and swish around to melt anything left. Toss outside on lawn or gravel (DO NOT PUT DOWN A DRAIN!!). Of course an old metal can will also work as well.

*Notes:

As a bee keeper, I beg people to know where the beeswax they use comes from. Don’t buy it on Amazon. Don’t buy it in pellets, even if it is easy to “measure” and melt. Not even from soap and candle supply companies. Find a source for beeswax that is regionally local, it is sold by the ounce or bar normally. Weigh it out on a digital scale. When I run low, I purchase ours through a local bee keeping supply store that handles many beehives in the region. I pay about $1 an ounce, but I know where it came from, and more so, what it doesn’t contain. The dirty secret about commercial beeswax, even those with “cosmetic grade” plastered on the shiny packaging, is that it could easily contain a bunch of petroleum-based wax. You don’t want this on your skin! More so, much of this beeswax is imported from China. Buy local. Even if you have to search!

This is the beauty of real beeswax. It comes in varying shades, from yellow, to orange, to green, to a muddy brown. And it smells like pure honey.

Disclaimer:

No claims are made as to any medicinal value of this oil. The information presented here is for educational purposes of traditional uses and is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any diseases. Information on this site is not intended to be a substitute for medical or professional advice. Keep essential oils out of reach of children. Should you have a pre-existing medical condition, please consult your trusted health-care practitioner before using these products. Pregnant women should exercise caution when using essential oils. By using this site, you agree to indemnify administrators and owners for any and all responsibility regarding your wellbeing.