DIY: Beauty Series Part 1

So about 4 years ago, in a Natural Solutions magazine, I came across some DIY beauty remedies that were simple, time efficient, natural and inexpensive. I copied and held onto them and am going to be sharing them with all my wonderful readers over the course of the next few posts.

Natural Remedy for Chapped Lips

 

 

http://www.newbeauty.com/hottopic/blogpost/6578-read-my-lips-its-all-about-hyaluronic-acid/

Materials:

Honey

Brown Sugar

Instructions:

Mix a dab (about dime size or so) with a bit (a pinch) of brown sugar. Apply to lips and using your finger (or old toothbrush) massage back and forth across lips. According to the magazine: "Sugar is a naturally abrasive exfolliant and honey contains an exfolliating enzyme as well as a mild antiseptic that kills bacterial and natural humectant that helps skin retain moisture."






Jacqueline





I'm Obsessed

 

Yet Another....... Crocheted Cowl Pattern

 

Ok, so I know I've been posting a ton of crochet patterns lately. But I've been on a kick since they are easy and usually come together really quick.

 

 

 

This pattern is my own, so if you do use this pattern and feature it on your blog/website, I would appreciate if you just throw in a quick reference back to this blog. Also, if you use this pattern and want to, feel free to email me a picture of your creation. I would love to see how this comes out for other people!

Materials:

Yarn: Red Heart with Love in Merlot

Hook: 6.5

Yarn needle.

Pattern:

Row 1: Ch 21

Row 2: *Ch 2, sk next 2 sts. sc in next st" Repeat * till end of row.

Row 3- Repeat Row 2. (a hint to this is that as you continue on in the pattern, you'll notice that the st you need to sc in becomes large and more pronounced than the other stitches. So you'll be able to move quicker after about the 3rd row.

Beauty Budget Steal of the Week: $1.99 Kid's Craft

Pine Cone Owl


So this past weekend here in Colorado was kind of rainy and very cold. So we lined the kids up with a slew of activities. Among them was this little pine cone owl which I found on Pinterest.

Materials: Cotton Balls, Pine Cones, Googly Eyes

My kids had a blast with this project. So simple and inexpensive but they loved it.

 

 

Materials:

Pine Cones: Bag for $2.99 from Michaels (or if you hunt for your own, it's FREE)

Cotton balls: already had so they were FREE

Googly Eyes: $1.99 from Michaels


Instructions:

Stuff cotton in between all the crevices of the pine cone. Use a pencil to make sure the cotton gets in there really good.

Glue Eyes on

For nose, wad up a little piece of cotton, glue on and paint.

For wings: Take a cotton ball, pull apart into a fan shape. Trim edges to shape.





Original Inspiration for this project found at artexperiencesfortots.wordpress.com

Twisted Chunky Cowl

 

 



This pattern is my own, so if you do use this pattern and feature it on your blog/website, I would appreciate if you just throw in a quick reference back to this blog. Also, if you use this pattern and want to, feel free to email me a picture of your creation. I would love to see how this comes out for other people!

Materials:

1 skein Lion's Brand Wool-Ease Thick and Quick in Wheat

Hook: P  (11.5)

Yarn Needle

Pattern:

This pattern is worked in rows (like a scarf) and whip stitched together at the end.  

Row 1: Ch 41 loosely (or however long you'd like.)

Row 2:  in 1st st, *Sc, ch 1, dc, ch 1* sk next 2 sts Repeat * in next st. Continue to the end of the row.

Row 3-6: Repeat * in every stitch across.

To finish: Hold one end of the cowl in one hand. Using the other hand, twist the cowl twice. Bring the two ends together and using your yarn needle, stitch them together. Enjoy!

Jacqueline



             

 

Weekly Money Saving Move: Gardening

Gardens are a great way to grow some fresh. organic produce. Growing your own food is not only good for you but is also a little easier on your pocket book, depending on how much your plants yield.

Pea plants are great if you're limited on space. They grow vertical and are not very bulky. I've grown peas the last two seasons and they are very productive plants. You can harvest them all season long.

If your cramped on space there are a few things you can do. The picture below illustrates a great idea for a balcony. You could also do individual pots.


http://pinterest.com/pin/48906345923510179/







http://retrohipmama.wordpress.com/category/homemaking/outdoors/





The picture above illustrates how you could use landscaping materials to make a small garden as well. Spices and herbs work well for small spaces.

 



theorganisedhousewife.com.au

The last idea is using coffee cans that can hang as a way to grow a small garden as well. And they would be fun and cheap to make! It's like a 2 for 1!



Crocheted Checker Scarf

 

 

I started making this scarf a looonng time ago, but I just barely finished it last week. The pattern is great for beginners because it is incredibly simple. And the finished product can either be a full length scarf for a child (as J is so wonderfully modeling above) or a shorter outfit accessory for an adult.

 

Don't ask me what yarn I used. I bought it a few years ago and have since lost the wrapper that had the info on brand, yarn type, color, etc. But because this scarf is small, it would work best with a non-bulky to medium bulky yarn.

 

 

Hook: 6.00mm

 

Pattern: 

 

Row 1: Ch 7 or however wide you would like to make it. Just make sure that it is an odd number.

 

Turn

 

Row 2: Ch 2. sk next 2 st. Sc in st.

 

Turn

 

Row 3-desired length: Repeat Row 2

 

Finish and weave in ends.

 

Questions? Feel free to ask! 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Jacqueline

 

 



DIY T-Shirt Scarves Part 3

 

 

 

Ringlet T-shirt Scarf

 

Ok, I'm finally getting around to doing Part 3 of the T-shirt scarves. This is one of my favorties.  Sorry it took a few weeks.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

1.) Cut your T-shirt into strips. As you can see, I cut mine pretty skinny. But you can cut them as thick or as thin as you want. The look is up to you.

 

 

 

2.) wrap each individual strip around your hand to form a ring. Continue doing this with all strips or T-shirt, setting aside at least one strip to finish your project.

3.) Using the strip you set aside in step 2, cute out several smaller strips.
 

 

 4.) use thse smaller strips to tie your rings together. How many rings you need will depend on how long or short you desire it to be. I wanted mine to wrap around my neck twice, so I used as many rings as I needed for it to loosely wrap around my neck twice.

 

 

 

 

5.) Join the last ring with the first ring and you have yourself a new scarf!

 

 

 

 

Original Inspiration for this scarf found here.

 Jacqueline