Last minute Father's day gift

My dad doesn't ever want anything for Fathers day.

So technically this is what I gave my sister and mother for Mother's day this year.

But both are fair game!

What I did was print gradiant photos of my nieces, 

I then used my lightbox to trace their faces onto watercolor paper!

I'm not a very great artist, I'll be the first to admit this.

However, next year I will be better and the portraits will look MORE like the subject.

It was late the night before Mother's day so I just wanted to get it done.

Yeah the portraits weren't even close.

It's the thought that counts right?? 

Or if your Dad likes video games or anything specific you can always 

do a watercolor inspired by that.

I did a couple for my gallery wall,

It's just a couple things I did to fill up frames but would make a great gift no matter what the occasion, I scanned them and had them made into photos from Target so they were smooth.

I threw them in frames and they are are perfect for my space!

Thanks for stopping by!

W

Beauty sample display for guests.

I clean out my beauty sample stash every year, this year it hasn't been as bad.

I hoard them for trips and hospital visits, I hate having a huge case for overnight stays.

Plus I refuse to pay for travel size things.

As a Cosmetologist I receive many samples, most I want to try, some I've never heard of and sometimes I win packages of products.

Sometimes the smells are enough to make me puke,

 I am very sensative of scents and need to be careful.

So after a year of lots of traveling and many hospital stays my stash fits in a single shoe box container!

After putting aside the travel size products and containers I refill, I had more than enough for any guests that would be staying with us.

I grabbed a few different glass containers to try them out,

the oval one is an old candle jar, the square is a vase, 

and I had a couple extra glass canisters hanging around.

I arranged the products with the packets in the back with the bigger products in front.

My stash that I've been meaning to try now has a cute display on top of the master bath cabinet.

Plus it's handy to keep my deep conditioners in!

and it's decorative, which is a plus!!

I have dried flowers I also want to put in the canister behind it but 

I haven't felt much like searching for them.

The rest of the samples I piled into the vase and canister for the guest bath.

I tried to include a wide variety of products for whatever my guests may need.

I also have a whole shoe box full of soaps and body washes I'll have to go through next!

Thanks for stopping by!

DIY Spa wrap recipe, with DIY Scrub and shave oil!

There are about 5 million recipes online on how to make your own spa products.

I've been trying my own for awhile, I have sensitive skin, and lots of allergies so it's best if I just make it to know what's in it.

I've also worked in a few spas, always as a nail tech but I still got to see what the spa techs came up with for those expensive body wraps and spa treatments!

When you get a spa wrap, it usually involves hot blankets, tight wraps and some solution.

All of which you can do yourself!

Just make sure to stay hydrated!

The body drench version is the over the counter recipe, I also don't recommend doing your own whole body wrap all at once! 

I used cut up old t-shirts, 100% cotton, washed on sanitary with no fabric softener. 

To make long strips I make thick strips of the t-shirt yarn method.

This is the instructable I used, only the strips are about 3" wide.

(Some spas, aka the one I walked out on, would wash the wraps in only hot water, and then re roll them when dry.) Hopefully it was hot enough to kill all that bacteria.

On to the recipes!!

I gathered my usual supplies, they all hang out in a linen closet together!

What I use;

Body drench deep moisture lotion

 -Make sure to only buy it from a salon or a supply store, if you buy it online, it might be old, expired or diluted

Simply Balanced Coconut oil, refined

-It's what I prefer, you may like something different!

Baby oil- 

You could also simply use essential oils, but I love the way baby oil smells!

Baking soda- for the scrub-

Sea salt and coarse sugars would also work well if your skin can tolerate it.

Dollar store plastic bowls

-they are thin enough to melt oil in and bendable to help with pouring.

Spas used disposable cups and bowls, which seems wasteful to me!

Sealable containers

I used specimen cups from the hospital, every time I have a test I have to take off all my body jewelry and I always ask for one, so I have a few million around the house. 

I do recommend plastic just in case!

Misc utensils

-Most of these I bought from the dollar store, so I know they aren't for food.

-I use a whisk to mix my concoctions to get them nice and smooth.

- Measuring cups are great if you have to measure the amounts you are using

-Rubber scrapers

- I used the end of a paintbrush to act as a stir stick, in the spas they use popsicle sticks.

- I keep a color brush on hand to test out the consistency on my arm.

-Cleaning rags are also great to have on hand for any mess clean ups!

Let's start with the Scrub recipe;

Some prefer to melt the whole jar to pour the oil out, I scrape out what I need and put it in a bowl,

To melt it, I place it in the sink with hot water.

See how nice that is??

Then I add the baking soda until it's a texture I like, 

there isn't an exact science sometimes I like it more coarse, sometimes not. 

I make it right before I use it so it depends on the day.

After I've whipped it into a nice smooth consistency, I paint a light coat on with a soft brush.

I do small circles starting at the bottom and work my way up, only doing one part at a time.

To store it, keep it in a sealable container and use when needed!

The shaving oil is simply;

1 part coconut oil to 1 part baby oil.

You could simply go with either to be honest but I love the smell of one, 

 the other the texture and lasting effects of the other!

Moisture Wrap recipe;

I use it as a ultra conditioning lotion after showers and baths but can also be used as the wrap.

Ingredients I use;

Body drench deep moisture lotion

Coconut oil

Shea butter baby oil 

lavender baby oil for scent.

Melt the oil in the sink with hot water,

 I used about a 1/2 cup oil in mine.

I then put in about 1/2 cup of the lotion,

Mix it all together and what do you get?

Bibbidy boppity, lotion.

Now that it's nice and creamy you can apply it with a wide brush!

If you are doing the wrap you will need plastic wrap,  towels and lots of drinking water!

Typical spa wraps go like this;

 Shower and use the scrub to remove excess dead skin cells, can be a whole day before the wrap.

I like to shave my legs the day before the wrap to have a whole day of dolphin legs.

Plus it can get itchy if your leg looks like a cactus.

Paint the chosen product on with a wide brush,

 spas I've worked at used dollar store brushes or the 29 cent cheapies. 

But these leave bristles and can get itchy!

I bought soft quality brushes for myself, I clean them after each use with blue dawn dish soap and then soak them in rubbing alcohol.

After you have applied your product, wrap with cotton t-shirt strips or actual wraps that have been soaking in hot water, wring out and apply, then cover with plastic wrap to lock in the moisture. I use masking tape to hold the plastic wrap in place.

Place hot towels on top of the plastic wrap, usually running the under hot water works well.

If you have an old crock pot or towel warmer that works even better, just test the heat before hand.

Wrap yourself up like a mummy and listen to calming music and drink plenty of water!!

I usually like to do half of my body at a time so I don't over heat.

After 20 minutes of steaming, 

use new hot towels to wipe off any excess product, 

sometimes I prefer to take a cool shower to rinse off any excess.

Pat dry and you can enjoy your nice soft skin!

This is also perfect if you just want to do your feet for sandal season!

Enjoy!

Reusable cleaning rags and holders.

Last year I tried to use less paper towels while cleaning,

I made rags out of my husbands old work shirts since they get so thin and gross in some areas.

Cut off the top, make them into squares and 

you now have free cleaning rags that are machine washable!

The original pile I cut, the first time;

I kept them in a shampoo set bag, you know those promotional packages that are cheaper than the regular ones? I only needed it for traveling and refilling and I'm a sucker for a free bag!

It worked well enough until my third shirt sacrificing session.

It was overflowing, but it was handy because I could hang it anywhere that I was cleaning,

I cut a slit in the bottom to get them out without having to unzip the top.

The more I used the bag, the more I hated using it.

Time for a new container.

My sister has three kids and I know she goes through tons of wipes.

Plus they are all over pinterest right now for the different things you can store in them,

I myself have employed them for Feminine supplies;

Need to keep them organized!

The patterned containers were used for that purpose, and I have to figure out a better way soon.

My sister gave me two pampers containers and one cotnelle.

 The cotonelle container was easy since the words are printed on,

a quick swipe with some acetone took it right off!

It looked great but didn't really look all that spiffy.

Que the sharpies!

Some markers and rubbing alcohol and it would look great in no time!!

oooorrrr not.

I gave up for the day and worked on something else.

I spray painted the two teal pampers containers so it would be easier to color on, the printing does not come off with a quick wipe of acetone. 

I would still be scrubbing it off.

PLUS the paint would make the colors stand out more!

So a quick spray of rustoleum;

I'm not too worried about the bottom, I could just flip them over when they were dry.

I left the flaps open so they wouldn't get painted shut.

The teal still was visible, but it was better than the label.

I took some sharpies after it, in the colors that would go with the teal.

The clear-ish ones I tried to match to my bathroom, why not at this point!

Before the alcohol: 

I also used a white clorox wipe container;

I used carbon paper to transfer the letters, the first three are very crooked.

Meh, it's for cleaning.

I put some very childish daisies on this one,

After the ink was pretty dry I smeared a brush across the containers

These two turned out the best.

After I was happy with the way they looked I took them out to the paint shop

Yes this is my garage, and why yes those are the plates I painted.

I wanted to spray them all at once.

I used a water based urethane to seal them, 

I know they would get scratched or sprayed with cleaning products.

Let them dry overnight and called it good!

However, the sealer made the ink run.

oops.

So the letters ran, but other than that it was good.

Second one also ran, looks alright.

 I guess.

This one is still my favorite!

The one I sprayed white didn't blend all that great 

Aaaaaaaaaand the letters ran.

But it's perfect for bags!

I'll stash it under a seat in my car for those times you need a bag.

The cotonelle one also ended up pretty nice as well 

once I went back over it with sharpies and sealed it.

Of course I had to include an "action shot"

The bigger ones look pretty good, but I know what to do differently.

1. Use clear/white plastic

2.Paint any letters on after or used stickers right before you seal it.

3. Spray paint will work, if it has to, but not as well.

4. Use light coats of sealer so none of the ink will run.

5. Paint brushes work better for a watercolor look, cotton swabs work well for details.

Also if you get too much alcohol in one spot a dry swab with soak it up.

Thats about it for this time,

Here they are plum full of rags for cleaning!

Now I don't have to run to a certain room to grab them, 

or worry about cramming them into a single bag!

Thanks for stopping by!

W

Sewing machine table redo

If you're not familiar with my sewing machine table, it looked like this;

The clear varnish I put on the tabletop was bad or was old, it stated it was for outdoor use.

One rainstorm later and it looked like it was going to split apart.

While I was on a painting spree with my incredible paint I got from a paint store in town,

I pre determined this was going to to get paint. why not do it at the same time.

I was really proud of the stain I concocted with vinegar and rusty nails, but alas it wasn't meant to be.

Probably why the varnish didn't work. 

Light bulb moment.

I set up shop on the living room floor with a box and plastic that came on the couch.

I threw paint on everything, it was liberating.

How the tabletop looked before paint;

It was a very educational process to how the paint was going to go, so I splashed some on and after one coat it looked like this;

Pretty darn good if I do say so myself!! 

The stain was seeping through the white and was giving it a nice old wood look.

It was more white than I had anticipated,  but as I let it dry it turned more yellow.

This time I was not going to redo this again, I did some research and found that Spar urethane can go over painted and stained surfaces and is made to go outdoors.

I bought a whole gallon. I know I'll use the whole thing by the end of summer.

I put on two light coats of the Spar urethane;

It does have a brown tint to it so the wood wasn't so yellow when it dried.

Look how amazing the wood grain looks!

Please forgive the messy background, my husband is in the middle of drywalling the garage.

This morning I reattached the tabletop to the sewing machine legs and that was that!!

Here is what it looks like now;

We've been having trouble with solicitors, hence the sign, it will go on a fence post once we get the landscaping done, (after the garage.)

Thanks for stopping by!

W

DIY exfoliating scrub with no harsh chemicals

I have extremely sensitive skin, so many products that say they are for delicate

 skin really ruin my face.

After being on pinterest and seeing all the DIY face scrubs most of them looked too abrasive.

Unless of course you have really tough skin.

There is no way I can stand up to sugar and sea salt scrub.

So I made my own!

My recipe is kind of pour and trial but after you find what works you'll love it!

I mixed it in a clean color bowl, with the end of the paintbrush.

I used about 1 teaspoon of fine sea salt, the kind for piercings, mouthwash and irrigation.

1 tablespoon of regular baking soda

1-2 drops of essential oil (I used rose water)

and a few drops of water.

You can also mix in some face soap as well if you want to do a 2 in 1 treatment.

this is what mine looked like after I dumped way too much baking soda and sea salt in it.

Apply it with a brush, allow it to dry slightly, until it starts to feel itchy.

 Wet your fingers and using circular motions rub the scrub on your face.

Heck if you want you can do your whole body if you mix as much as I did.

I did my pre-shave leg scrub with this and it is heavenly!

Simply rinse off the concoction and continue enjoying your beautiful skin!

Thanks for stopping by!

W

DIY hand painted plate decor.

I still haven't figured out what to hang in our dining room, 

or I can't find where the previous decor went.

Both.

I was at the dollar store picking up things I refuse to pay more than a dollar for,

I came across these heavy duty ceramic square plate.

Perfect!

I have some clearance paint from Joanns that is specifically for glass and ceramics.

Ceramcoat, Bobby Blue and Aqua cool pearl.

I mixed it with some dark navy acrylic paint.

If you wanted to you could simply bake them to use them but considering I want to hang on the wall I'm not too worried about how durable the paint is going to be.

I knew I wanted to do some round designs and I've pinned a few million mandalas on pinterest.

I printed out some of the designs I thought would work,

I was running out of ink and I didn't really want to waste ink on this.

 It also helped when I had to transfer the design to the plate.

I cleaned the surface with rubbing alcohol to at least make sure I got the dirt off.

On the first plate I just used carbon paper and pencil to transfer the design.

The red ink made it really easy to see where I've been.

however I learned you need to scuff off the gloss on the plate for the carbon paper to transfer.

I did try the wax paper transfer but it was a total disaster!

After painting the design with a brush I thought it looked like poo.

So I went back with a "dotter" tool that I use for nail art to define the design.

Here is the first one I did, way too much detail that didn't transfer so I made it up as I went along.

It's not perfect, but if you came into my house this isn't the first thing you would notice anyway.

A better picture of the first plate.

The second plate I prepped with acetone, I let it soak for a few minutes and then took some 

sandpaper to knock the gloss off.

Then cleaned it with the rubbing alcohol so the acetone wouldn't mess with the paint.

The transfer worked much better with the proper prep. 

Although I should have centered the design...

oops.

So I did some brush circles around the main design to mask the fact that it is way off center!!

But I love how it makes the design stand out.

Third plate was easier after I figured out how to transfer the design.

I also added dots to everything, because I like it.

The fourth was a simple flower design,

Easy peasy!

Due to the paint Ceramcoat Pearl colors it was hard to get a good photo.

Again with the dots...

It's really hard to get a good photo of these!!

Finally all three of them are left to dry!

I plan on putting on a clear coat to seal them before I hang them!

Thanks for stopping by!

W