DIY: Handmade Yarn Wig

Happy Wednesday! I apologize for the little hiatus I took earlier this week. I just needed some time away from my blog and other social media outlets to recharge. Now I'm back and ready to play catch up with my usual blog posts. But today, I have a super fun DIY project for ya!

Last week was the start of the Holiday season with Halloween. I really love that my daughter adores all of the characters that I loved when I was her age. So you can imagine how excited she was when I found a Strawberry Shortcake costume for her. It's such an adorable outfit and I know she'll get more than one day's use of it since she loves to play dress-up, so I didn't mind paying $25- for it. But the one thing I couldn't see myself paying for was the $20 hot pink character wig!

I knew there had to be a better [and cheaper] solution to complete my daughter's Strawberry Shortcake costume. And being the crafty mama that I am, I find pleasure in making things myself. So I wracked my brain for ideas and thought that a ragdoll-like wig would be a great alternative. But how do I start? While scouring the internet for inspiration, I came across this post from A Beautiful Mess. How perfect!

So here is my DIY for a custom, handmade yarn wig....

SUPPLIES

Yarn: In your choice of color. [30" to 40" strands]

Embroidery Thread: In a complementing color.

Embroidery Needle

Felt Strip: In a complementing color. [8" - 10"x 2"]

Hair Comb [Optional]

Ruler

Scissors

Ribbon

*TIPS: The length of yarn I started at was around 40". A great length for an adult, not so much for a 4-year-old. 30" is perfect for a child's wig. For the felt, I used an 8" x 2" strip, which fits my daughter's head perfectly. 10" is a good size for adults.

NOTE: I decided to share my DIY in two-parts: How to Wrap Yarn & Sewing Your Wig. I'll be providing you with easy directions and helpful tips to make the whole process super simple.

-----------------------------------

HOW TO WRAP YARN

• 30" lengths of yarn produces a 15" wig when sewn in half. Find something around 15" or so to wrap the yarn around. Maybe a 15" length of sturdy cardboard, legs or arms of a chair [my choice], or even a metal baking sheet.
• Make sure the yarn is nice and taut (but not too tight) when you're wrapping.
• I found it easier to work in groups.
• Once you have a decent sized amount of yarn wrapped, grab a set of "loops" on one end, and cut the loops at the opposite end. 
• Slowly add the batches of yarn to your bundle. This is where the piece of ribbon comes in handy. Tied at the center of the lengths of yarn, it holds the bundle neatly together while you work.

SEWING YOUR WIG

• Lay your strip of felt vertically on a flat surface.
• Place your bundle of yarn (still secured with ribbon) horizontally across the strip of felt. Smooth out the strands by finger-combing. Make sure it is nice and centered before untying the ribbon.
• Arrange the yarn along the strip of felt, creating an even layer of "hair."

• Starting at the end closest to you, sew a backstitch right down the middle of the felt backing. The stitching acts as the center "part" of the wig. Be sure to make your stitching nice and tight! When you reach the other end, knot it off.

• This step is where you'll hand sew the hair comb near the front of the wig. It will help secure it to the hair. [I opted out of it since my daughter's costume has a hat. It holds the wig perfectly!]
• After your wig is done, place it on your [child's] head, and trim or cut to desired style. I cut my daughter's wig into layers, varying the length of sections by 1-2".

NOTE: I was originally going to style this wig with large bouncy curls to mimic Strawberry Shortcake's hairdo, but was unable to do that. I searched the net for ways to easily stiffen yarn but the hairspray option I chose didn't work. I think I'll try the diluted glue tip on the next wig I make. If it worked for you, please let me know!

What I love most about this project is how it was such a simple and inexpensive solution to a costume wig. And being able to customize it for any costume is fabulous! My munchkin is already asking for a red Jessie [from Toy Story] wig for next Halloween ;)

I hope you enjoyed today's post! If you're looking for more crafty fun, be sure to check out my other DIYs! You can stay updated on my recent posts, projects, and photos by following me on instagram, or by "liking" my new fan page on Facebook.

Thanks for stopping by!

Green Clean: DIY Stain Remover

Happy Aloha Friday! I hope you enjoyed your week :) It's been pretty busy in our household with the holidays right around the corner, as well as all of the planning I've been doing for my blog. I have lots of fun stuff coming up, so stay tuned! I noticed that it's been a very long time since I've done a "Green" post... and based on the statistics of my blog, they are some of my most popular articles to date!

Dishwasher Detergent DIY

Laundry Detergent DIY

Fabric Softener DIY

Today I have another homemade favorite from my "Green Clean" arsenal. It's about time to restock my Stain Remover supply, making this the perfect opportunity to share my recipe. Originally inspired by photos from Pinterest, I decided to try it out for myself. I've been using this for over a year now and it still surprises me with the things it can get out... having a 4 year old, and all ;) With about 95% of my household cleaners being homemade and natural, I have no plans on ever switching back to store-bought chemical products. This one does the job, is very inexpensive to make, and consists of ingredients I know. We love being Green.

SUPPLIES

1 Part Dawn

2 Parts Hydrogen Peroxide

Spray Bottle

Note: I used my Silhouette Cameo to cut a vinyl label.

First add the Dawn dish detergent. [Note: The other recipes I came across used the blue Dawn. Since I don't notice a difference between the type of Dawn being used, I went with my favorite... plus it was what I had on hand! The Hawaiian scent is heavenly...]

Over time, instead of measuring, I just eyeball the ingredients. Homemade recipes are so great because making adjustments is super simple. My bottle has measurements on the side which is very handy.

Next you add the peroxide. Again, I just eyeballed it, pouring about double the amount I used for Dawn.

I slowly added more Dawn and more peroxide to get a good amount of solution. This small batch will hold me over for about 6 months. Adding large amounts of each ingredient will give you a full bottle!

You are done! Wasn't that easy? Just give the bottle a good mix before each use, but don't shake it too vigorously or you'll end up with a soapy mess. Spray on carpets, upholstery, and clothing to remove tough stains.

*TIP: Perform a spot test on your item first, as the peroxide may cause lightening.

Don't forget to check out my other "Green Clean" DIY's that I linked at the top of this post! If you're looking for more natural homemade recipes, browse my "Earth Mama" pinboard on Pinterest! You'll find lots of inspiration for making that small step to becoming a Green household.

You can stay updated on my recent posts, projects, and photos by following me on instagram, or by "liking" my new fan page on Facebook. So why not head over there now and show some love...

Are you Green family? Do you make your own cleaners too? What motivated you? Tried this recipe? I'd love to hear about it! Any thoughts, question, or comments about this post? Please drop me a line. Your feedback is always welcome and much appreciated!

Thanks for stopping by!

Green Clean: Fabric Softener DIY

Hello World and Happy Earth Day Everyone!

I hope you all had a great start to your week :) April 22nd was officially Earth Day, but we manage to live the green life everyday. It's something we are quite proud of. And in honor of Earth Day, all this week I'm going to share some fun "green" projects with you. From homemade natural cleaning recipes to crafty reuse projects. It's going to be so much fun...but with a purpose!

A couple months ago I shared my Laundry Detergent DIY. Today you'll learn another simple recipe for the Laundry Room. Homemade Fabric Softener....

I did away with regular dryer sheets a long time ago, then I changed to a natural version of a specific brand. I eventually switched to plain old white vinegar during the rinse cycle. I did that for quite some time, and thought maybe I'd try my hand at making my own natural liquid fabric softener.

I wanted to continue my mission of keeping harmful toxins out of our home (laundry room included!), and also pair my natural homemade laundry soap with an equally impressive homemade fabric softener. Sure, it may take extra effort to plan, purchase, and make you own natural versions of standard (but essential) household supplies, but isn't the health of your family worth it? That's how I feel... and the Earth is worth it too!

You don't even have to start @ making your own cleaners. I do it because I love it! I get satisfaction from knowing that I made it myself. But you can easily take a big "green" step just by purchasing "greener" products. They may be more expensive, but not by much. Either way, you should give it a try...

HOMEMADE LIQUID FABRIC SOFTENER

Supplies:

• 4 Cups Warm Water
• 2 Cups Distilled White Vinegar
• Conditioner - You can use any type you want. I've used both natural (and expensive), as well as cheap bottles of conditioner.
• Essential Oil (Optional) -- Each oil has its own special qualities. You can even use your favorite scent!
• Container
• Measuring Cup
• Funnel
• Chopstick (or similar object)

*Tip: I made this a reuse project by repurposing my daughter's old BioKleen baby laundry soap bottle. It's the perfect size for this project. I used scrapbook paper and markers to make an attractive label, and clear packing tape to protect and secure the label to the bottle.

Directions:

I decided to mix/add everything directly into my storage container, but you may be find it easier to add your ingredients to a large open container (and mix it there), then later transfer your recipe to a final container. Whatever you decide, the first thing you'll want to do is add your water. The amount of warm water you add will depend on the size of your container. I use a total of 4 cups of water for mine. But to start, I only add half of that amount.

*Warm water helps to dilute the conditioner.

The next ingredient you are going to add is vinegar. I use a total of 2 cups in my recipe. Vinegar works naturally to soften your laundry as well as remove build-up caused by your laundry detergent. [Funky towels, anyone?] It also whitens whites and preserves colors.

*TIP: Use a funnel when pouring liquids to help make the job easier. 

Conditioner that smooths and softens your hair in the shower, can be used in the laundry much the same way. But it smooths and softens fabrics. Teamed up with vinegar, it's a winning combination! Whenever I make this recipe, I use about a quarter to half of the bottle. You can choose any conditioner you like. If you want to go natural, use a green brand. If you want to save money, use a less expensive brand. Some stores have $.99 conditioners. 

*When I first tried this recipe I used a cheap brand, and I'm still finishing off that first bottle of conditioner. {The Suave Naturals "Waterfall" scent smells fresh and clean, and gives the recipe that "Downy" blue color you see in most liquid fabric softeners.} You can save even more money by using conditioner you already have! {I've been using Wen a couple of months now and during spring cleaning, I found full bottles of different "green" conditioners that I forgot I bought before starting Wen's system. I now have extra supplies for this recipe, sweet!}

The final thing you need to do is mix up your recipe. I have an awesome set of bamboo chopsticks I picked up as a freebie years ago from a local asian supermarket. They are extra long and the perfect length to mix the ingredients together in the bottle. I mix it the best I can using the chopstick. Then I add the remaining 2 cups of warm water to further dilute the conditioner. Mix it around a little more. Then secure the cap, turn the bottle on its side and shake it around a bit. Gently, not vigorously. You don't want to make a bubbly mess.

You can now finish this off with essential oils (optional). Add the drops then gently mix it all together again. In case anyone is wondering, your clothes don't smell like vinegar...not one bit. If it's something you are concerned about, add your favorite essential oil to totally customize this recipe. But I completely skip that step. Whenever you're ready to use the fabric softener to do a load, just shake the bottle (in a circular motion) a few times to mix up the ingredients. 

That's pretty much it! Wasn't that easy?! I like to use my fabric softener recipe in a Downy ball which is made to release during the rinse cycle. Just add the liquid to the marked line, pull the plug, and drop it into the washer after adding the clothes. So simple. No need waiting around for the rinse cycle!

We've used this recipe for 6 or so months (along with my homemade Laundry Soap), and never experienced  stiff and scratchy clothes or linens, and static cling! Knowing that the stuff I make is as good, if not better than the name brand chemically filled bottles of cleaners, I am definitely sticking with this for good!  FYI, this recipe along with my Laundry Soap, are the only things I use in the Laundry Room.... well except for my "Homemade Stain Remover." And I'll be sharing that recipe in a future post...

Feeling inspired to create more "green" products? Try my homemade Dishwasher Detergent and Stain Remover recipes. Or check out my "Earth Mama" pinboard on Pinterest. It's full of ideas, inspiration and more DIYs for so many different things. From health and beauty care recipes to other essential cleaning products for the home. I'm sure you'll find something you haven't tried yet.

Wanna stay updated on my recent posts and projects? Be sure to "like" my new fan page on Facebook!

Are you and your family living a "green" life? Have you made the switch to homemade natural cleaners yet? Any thoughts, questions, or comments about this post? Feel free to drop me a line. Your feedback is always welcome and much appreciated.

Thank you for stopping by!

DIY: Jewelry Organizer

I love jewelry, anything handmade, and a good DIY project. I didn't realize they could all go hand in hand! This first started out as what I thought was going to be a quick search, both in-store and online, to find a cute holder for my necklaces. Let me tell you... the search wasn't quick (I scoured so many stores and websites), and sturdy jewelry hangers are outrageously priced! I just couldn't see myself paying a ridiculous amount for something so simple. So, my internet search then went to finding inspiration for a handmade piece to hold my costume jewelry.

The internet wielded some great ideas. But I decided to try and create something spending as little money as possible, and at the same time make it look better than all of the expensive jewelry organizers I saw online and in department stores. Believe it or not, this project didn't cost me a thing. It was done using scraps and supplies I already had on hand.

Most of my DIYs are chock full of photos. I apologize that I don't have pictures of the step-by-step process for this project. I actually made these last winter [before I had a blog], and I didn't even think to take pictures while I worked. But it shouldn't be a problem for you. The directions are pretty straight forward.... and I'm here if you need help :)

HANDMADE JEWELRY ORGANIZER

TOOLS & SUPPLIES:

• Board(s) of Wood : Cut to the dimensions you want. Lucky for me, I have a hubby who is a craftsman that works in a woodshop. The pieces I used are top-quality, sturdy hardwood blocks that were actually scraps from one of his projects at work. He cut them to size for me.
• A Power Drill: For drilling pilot holes to screw in your cup hooks. My handy husband did this for me at work in his woodshop.
• Fabric: Scraps work great here, if you have pieces that are large enough. You need just enough to cover the "front" and partially over the 4 sides. Remember, it doesn't need to cover the sides completely, that is what the next item is for...
• Ribbon: It should be wide enough to cover the "edge" of the wood and long enough to completely wrap around all four sides. (Be sure to singe the ends to prevent the ribbon from fraying.) The fat ribbon I had on hand for this project, was the perfect fit to the scrap wood my hubby gave me.
• Mod Podge: To bind the fabric to the wood.
• Cup Hooks: They come in a variety of sizes and finishes, and can be found in the tool and hardware aisle of your local Walmart.
• Sawtooth Picture Mounts: Gives you the ability to hang your organizer on the wall. They come in a variety of sizes and made to hold different weights. Be sure you choose accordingly. I had to purchase heavy-duty ones since I used hardwood which is pretty darn heavy. You can find these in the same aisle you found the cup hooks.
• Picture Hooks/Hangers: Consisting of a "hook-like" piece to be used in conjunction with the accompanied tiny head nails. They also come in a variety of sizes and made to hold different weights. Choose accordingly. You will find these in the same tool and hardware aisle of your local Walmart.
• Xacto Knife
• Hammer
• Sandpaper
• Tape Measure
• Pencil
• Paintbrush
• Scissors

DIRECTIONS:

1. The first thing you need to do, if you haven't already, is cut your piece(s) of wood to the desired size. You may also want to smooth out the rough, raw edges with sandpaper.
2. Decide how many hooks you want on your organizer. Using your tape measure and pencil, find the center (from top to bottom), then line up, measure out, and place evenly spaced "marks" on the piece(s) of wood.
3. With your "marks" as a guide, use your power drill to make pilot holes for your cup hooks. This will make screwing the hooks in so much easier, especially if you're using a hardwood like I did. It's also handy to have these holes once your fabric is adhered to the front of the wood.
4. Using your paintbrush, coat the "front" (the area with the holes you just made) of your wood with a layer of Mod Podge. Lay your fabric print-side down, and place your piece of wood (glue side down)  in the center of your fabric. Once the wood is in the right place, press down on it for a few seconds to give it a good bond.
5. Carefully flip the wood and fabric over to the correct side. Rub the front of the wood to make sure the fabric is nice and smooth removing any air bubbles along the way. Let that part dry before moving on.
6. This next step is best done in sections. Use Mod Podge to adhere the excess fabric to all four sides of the piece(s) of wood. You may need to snip the corners a little with your scissors to get the fabric to lay nice and flat. It's okay to overlap the fabric a bit at the corners.
7. This step is also best done in sections. Once your fabric is dry, use Mod Podge to adhere your long strip of ribbon to the "sides" of the wood, wrapping it from corner to corner. Smooth out the ribbon and be sure it is straight and flush with the back edge of the wood. Allow each side to dry before moving onto the next. (I let it dry with the wet side down on a flat surface, using the weight of the wood as the pressure needed to give it a good bond, as well as keeping the ribbon flat.) At the end of this step, the only wood you should be able to see is on the back.
8. Next, you will add your sawtooth picture mounts to the back of your organizer, one on each end. (I didn't place mine directly at the top. I went down about half an inch so my picture hangers aren't completely visible when my organizer is up on the wall.) Your tape measure will come in handy, along with a pencil. Once you know where your mounts will go, mark the holes of the mounts for easy reference. Use your hammer to nail them to the wood.
9. Flip the holder over to the pretty side. Feel around the fabric for the holes you drilled in Step 3. Once you locate them, use the Xacto knife to poke a hole in the fabric directly over each pilot hole. 
10. Now you should be able to easily screw in your cup hooks without ruining the fabric. The only thing left to do is attach your picture hooks to the wall so you can hang your organizer. And of course, add your jewelry. That's it...you are done! 

I do have to say that the best thing about this jewelry holder is that I made it myself... and for next to nothing! Being able to use my own fabric and ribbon, really customizing it to what I like, makes it that much better than buying something in a store or online. I also know that no one else has it, and what they do have, they spent way too much on something they could have easily made themselves.

As you can see, I made two of them. They look fabulous flanking our cabinet! I just love them and I'm so happy I didn't cave in and purchase something I wasn't completely in love with, especially at those prices!

Wanna stay updated on my recent posts and projects? Be sure to "like" my new fan page on Facebook!

I hope you like this project as much as I loved making it! I also hope to inspire you to take that risk to make something yourself (rather than going out and purchasing it), because in the end, you never know... what you made may be 100 times better, cuter, and cheaper than what you can find in a store.

Green Clean: Dishwasher Detergent DIY

Ever since I tried my first homemade version of a green cleaner, I was hooked! I continued to expand my cleaning supply closet, replacing all of the chemical products with homemade essential green recipes, or store-bought green brands. Proud to say that 90% of my cleaning supplies are homemade! Happy about that.

I had great success making my own Concentrated Powdered Laundry Soap and absolutely love it! The next thing on my "To Make" list is Dishwasher Detergent. And I'm super excited about this recipe! The timing is perfect, as I just used our last dishwasher tab a couple days ago. I'm really glad that after first reading about this recipe a few months back, I started gathering the supplies for it. Now that it's time to make it, I already have everything I need!

I do a lot of research before trying out a new recipe. I like to gather as much useful information as possible before I make anything. I found three similar recipes for Dishwasher Detergent that each had tips and tidbits of info I found extremely helpful. These are things I wanted to be sure to include in my post that I thought everyone could benefit from.

Each recipe used the same basic, simple ingredients. I did some research into each of them -  how they work, what they do, where I can purchase them, alternatives to certain ingredients, etc.

Here's what I found:

• Both Washing Soda and Borax fight grease and grime. Borax even removes hard water minerals and residues from the wash water; and it makes dishes sparkling clean. You can usually find Borax and Washing Soda right next to each other in the Laundry aisle.
• LemiShine balances hard water and prevents a film residue from developing on your dishes, much like Borax. You can find it in the same place you find the dishwashing supplies. Citric Acid is the main ingredient in LemiShine and I read it's just as effective. It's an organic acid naturally found in many fruits, and acts as a natural preservative. You can find it in the baking aisle (near the canning supplies). With hard water, making adjustments to the amount of citric acid or LemiShine should help. 
• Coarse Salt in this recipe is used for it's scrubbing power. It acts as an abrasive. Kosher salt or Epsom salt will work. One recipe I found even used regular table salt.

INGREDIENTS

• 1 cup Borax
• 1 cup Washing Soda
• 1/2 cup Citric Acid (or LemiShine)
• 1/2 cup Coarse Salt

*Use 1 Tbsp per load in the detergent cup.

TIPS:

• I found you can make this recipe two ways: You can mix all of your ingredients together (which may end up clumpy if you don't have a jar with a moisture/airtight seal), or
• Mix everything together but the citric acid! (The citric acid is what makes this recipe clump.) Add it directly to the dishwasher cup when you add the Tbsp of detergent. 1/4 to 1/2 tsp should be enough for each load.
• Silica gel packets might help with the clumping. They absorb moisture! (They are the same little packets you find in the boxes of new shoes, leather handbags, or even electronics.) Drop the packet directly into your container. (This is what I plan on doing since I added all of my ingredients together. I'll keep you updated!)
• If you have a prewash cup on your dishwasher, you can add a Tbsp of detergent there too. But you may not need it. Test it out on your next load of dishes.
• Fill the "Rinse" compartment with white vinegar.
• Find a cute container to store your batch in. Perhaps one with a seal (like a mason jar), or a glass jar with a lid. I found mine at a local thrift store for $2.00! It was part of a set (each sold separately), and I only wanted the one with the spoon (the other 2 were missing theirs). It's been sitting on my counter for months empty, and I thought it would be perfect for this project! I used my Cameo to cut the vinyl label on the container. I think it looks fabulous!
• Everyone's water is different, so play around with the measurements if it's not working for you. Make adjustments to the recipe to suit your needs. A big part of making things yourself is figuring out what works. It's also one of the best things! Modifying a recipe is so easy....
• So feel free to double or triple this one! 

4.2.2013 - UPDATE: I've been using this for a couple of weeks now and couldn't be more amazed at the results! This simple recipe cleans my dishes just as good, if not better, than the store bought tablets I used to use. We don't have hard water up here (in Washington), so I can't give you any advice on that. Our dishes always come out sparkling clean, without a rinse aid. In regards to clumping, I haven't had a problem with that at all either. I thought it would be an issue since I added the Citric Acid directly to my recipe. All I can say is that I'm extremely happy to finally be rid of those expensive dishwasher tablets! I'm definitely sticking with this for good :D

8.17.13 - UPDATE: I recently restocked my supply of soap a few days ago. Can you believe I haven't had to since I wrote this post! That is how long that first batch lasted me! That is the good thing. Bad news is that it has been extremely humid here in Washington this summer. And unfortunately, that new batch of soap turned into a rock overnight. All of that moisture, and the citric acid appears to be  the main culprit. So when the time comes to make my next batch, I will be omitting it from the main recipe, and adding it directly to the dispenser when I run a load of dishes. I hope that will solve the clumping problem. I'll keep you posted...

If you're looking for more "green" products, take a peek at my homemade recipes for Stain Remover, Laundry Detergent, and Fabric Softener. And be sure to check out my "Earth Mama" pinboard on Pinterest! It's chock full of inspiration and recipes for various green products. From green cleaners to natural health and beauty care...It's on my bucket list to create everything on that board!

Wanna stay updated on my recent posts and projects? Be sure to "like" my new fan page on Facebook!

Do you make your own green cleaners too? What do you like most about using homemade supplies? Any thoughts, questions, or comments? Please, let me know. Your feedback is always welcome and much appreciated.

Mahalo for stopping by!

DIY: Glimmer Mists

I don't know about you, but I absolutely love making my own craft supplies! I have to say that I get pleasure from making things myself! I also love the idea of not spending any money by using supplies I already have on hand. Frugal and Fun! 

Glimmer Mists are a great element to have in your arsenal. I love the subtle color and glimmery "eyeshadow" effect they provide. I've used them as a background to some of my SMASH* pages, on the Kraft cardstock of my homemade daybooks, as well as on wood veneers and naked chipboard. I'm always looking for new ways to use them!

Last month I took a crack at making Alcohol Ink for the first time. It turned out awesomely! You can find that blog post here. But I first started making my own Glimmer Mists about 6 months ago, when I came across a video on YouTube. It seemed easy enough, and decided to give it a try. The video was very helpful to get me started. But I came up with my own recipe and technique for making them, that I want to share with you today.

SUPPLIES:

• Acrylic Paint in Your Favorite Colors
• Metallic Acrylic Paint in Pearl White
• Mod Podge - I use the Matte version
• Mini Spray Bottles - You will find them in the Health and Beauty Dept. of your local Target/Walmart (Look in the Travel section that has all of the little sample-sized bottles of shampoo)
• A Paintbrush

The first thing you need to do is fill your spray bottle halfway with warm water. Then you are going to dip the handle end of your paintbrush into the bottle of Mod Podge. Take the brush with the "gluey" end and stick it directly into the bottle of warm water. Give it a few good swirls. *The warm water helps to dissolve the glue (which acts as a binding agent).

Next, you are going to add your colored acrylic paint. Be sure to shake up your paint bottles first!. I don't really have an exact measurement as to how much paint to use. Over time, I've learned to just eyeball it. But I'm sure that a 2-3 second "squeeze" should suffice. (Don't worry though, you can easily make adjustments later!)

Lastly, you will need to add the Pearl White Metallic Paint. This is what gives you the glimmer effect. I usually add a little bit more of this paint than I do the colored paint, just because I want to make sure that it's extra glimmery. A 3-4 second "squeeze" should do.

Tightly secure the spray nozzle to the bottle and shake it up really well. You will immediately see the glimmery specks in the bottle. At this point, you'll want to spray a sheet paper (and let it dry) to see if you need to make any adjustments to either the color or the metallic paint. It all depends on your taste. And that is pretty much all there is to it!

Over time, when you aren't using your sprays, you may notice that the paint will settle to the bottom of the bottle. No worries though. Just give them a few good shakes before using!

TIP: You may also discover that your sprayers clog when you let them sit unused. No problem. Just detach the little spray cap and run it under hot water. If it's still clogged, let the cap sit in a cup of hot water for a while. If your sprayer is still being stubborn, unscrew the spray nozzle and place the straw (with attached nozzle) directly into a cup of hot water. Spray into the sink as you normally would. Keep spraying until the water is clear and the spritzer is misting as it should be.

There you go! Now you can start experimenting with different colors and replace all of your sprays with your own homemade collection. Doing that should be so easy and inexpensive, especially if you do what I did and use stuff that you already have. FYI, This project didn't cost me a penny! I even have a stash of empty spray bottles ;)

Wanna stay updated on my recent posts and projects? Be sure to "like" my new fan page on Facebook!

Do you make your own craft supplies too? I would love to hear your tips and recipes! Do you like having photos included in the tutorials? Any thoughts, questions, or comments? Drop me a line! Your feedback is always welcome and much appreciated.

Thank you for stopping by!

DIY: Alcohol Ink Sprays

Since I've been making my own Glimmer Mists for a long time, I thought I would take a crack at making my own Alcohol Ink. I do love Glimmer Mists. They provide a subtle, glimmery eyeshadow effect of color to the background of my pages. But I also want sprays that are more vibrant, colorful, and fun! Alcohol Ink was my answer :)

I was first inspired by this pin that I posted on my "Smash & PL" pinboard half a year ago. The blog shows you how to make Alcohol Ink using Kool-Aid. I don't keep Kool-Aid in our house, but I saw that she also talked about making it with acrylic paint for the color base. She didn't give instructions on how to do it this way, so I just went on my own to experiment. I've made glimmer mists, and this was much easier, only a 2-step process.

MYO (Make-Your-Own) ALCOHOL INK

SUPPLIES:

• Acrylic Paint in Various Colors - I used Eco-Friendly Paint by EcoGreen Crafts
• Isopropyl Rubbing Alcohol: 70% or 91%: Found in the First Aid Section of Any Store 
• Mini Spritzer Bottles - Find them in the Health and Beauty Dept of your local Target/Walmart. (Look for the Travel section that has all of the little, travel-sized samples of shampoo, body wash, etc.)

Making alcohol ink is an easy 2-step process. But you will need to make adjustments to the paint and alcohol depending on how vivid you want the color. 

Start by filling an empty spritzer bottle with your desired color. Fill it to where it at least covers the bottom of the bottle. Next, add the alcohol, filling the bottle only halfway. Cover the opening of the bottle with your finger, and shake it up real good.  

At this point, you will add more paint and/or alcohol. If you want more color, add more paint. If you are satisfied with the color the way it is, add more alcohol. But do not overfill! You need to leave enough room in the bottle to shake it and mix it up.

When you aren't using your sprays, the paint will settle to the bottom of the bottle. Don't worry. Just remember to always give them a few good shakes before using. Feel free to test them out by spraying on a piece of paper. Make adjustments from there. Just remember to leave some room in your bottle.

TIP: You may discover that your sprayers may clog when you let them sit unused. No problem. Just detach the little spray cap and run it under hot water. If it's still clogged, let the cap sit in a cup of hot water for a while. If your sprayer is still being stubborn, unscrew the nozzle and place the straw (with attached nozzle) into the cup of hot water. Spray into the sink as you normally would. Keep spraying until the water is clear and the spritzer is misting as it should be.

There you go! Wasn't that easy!? Now you can experiment with new colors and replace all of your sprays with your own homemade collection. Doing that will be so easy; it cost me less than $3- to make just one bottle of alcohol ink! You will save even more money if you use acrylic paint and alcohol you already have on hand.

THE RUNDOWN:

• Acrylic Paint - $.99/each - EcoGreen Crafts (Purchased from Tuesday Morning)  
• Isopropyl Alcohol 91% - Less Than $2.00 - Up&Up (Target)
• Mini Spray Bottles - $.97/each - Up&Up (Target)

Be sure to check me out later this week. I'll be sharing my DIY for Homemade Glimmer Mists! I just ran out of my favorite color and need to restock.

[You can now find my Glimmer Mist DIY here.]

Wanna stay updated on my recent posts and projects? Be sure to "like" my new fan page on Facebook!

Do you make your own craft/scrappy supplies? I would love to hear your tips and recipes! Do you have any questions or comments about this post? Please let me know, feedback is always welcome! 

Thanks for stopping by!

Green Clean: Laundry Detergent DIY

Earlier this week, I talked about my MYO (Make-Your-Own) recipe for laundry soap. My last batch just ran out, so today is the perfect day to make more and show you how. I found the original recipe on pinterest, which lead me to this post from howdoesshe.com. That recipe inspired me to create my own using the same ingredients, but modified to a much smaller batch which is better suited for my family. (We just don't have room to store a huge 10 gallon bucket, like Jen's family can.)

I've said it before, and I will say it again. I never thought I would be making-my-own of anything, especially when it came to cleaners. I always thought that purchasing those green cleaners was my only option. I also thought that making it myself, was more trouble than it's worth. I couldn't have been more wrong. Getting rid of those chemical cleaners, and replacing them with my homemade "green" versions, was the easiest thing I've ever done for the health and well-being of my family.

Sure... it takes a lot of effort to gather supplies, go shopping for the essential ingredients, and make and bottle it yourself. But believe me, it's all worth it. 1.) You know all the ingredients of products coming into your family's home. 2.) You can easily modify a recipe and make adjustments to suit your needs at that very moment. 3.) Purchasing those "Basic & Essential Green Ingredients" to get you started, may seem like a lot upfront, but they are so versatile in Green Cleaning. (i.e. A big bottle of vinegar can be used in Homemade Liquid Fabric Softener, EcoFriendly Drain Cleaner, and Window Cleaner. A dry ingredient like Baking Soda has many uses too.)

So if you want to "green" your family in a small way, how about trying the following recipe? A small and easy step towards a "greener" life...

CONCENTRATED POWDERED LAUNDRY DETERGENT

INGREDIENTS:

• Half a Bar of Zote or Fels-Naptha Soap - Finely Grated
• 2 1/3 Cups Borax
• 1 1/2 Cups OxiClean
• 1 Cup Baking Soda *Not Pictured
• 1 3/4 Cups Purex Crystals - Provides Fragrance & A Softener
• 2 Cups Washing Soda

SUPPLIES:

• Container to Store your Backstock of Soap -- I Reused an Old Soap Container
• Smaller Container for Easy Everyday Access -- I Reused a PUREX Crystals Container (Bonus: It has lines on the purple cap that measures Tablespoons.)
• Cheese Grater -- Preferably with a Small Grate (Mine allows me to grate the bar of soap to a powder.)
• Funnel
• Measuring Cup
• Large Mixing Bowl & Spoon

The hardest and most time-consuming part is definitely grating the bar of Fels Naptha or Zote soap. So that is going to be the first thing you want to do. Through trial and error, I learned that you want to grate the soap as finely as possible. The larger the pieces of Fels-Naptha (or Zote), the harder it will be to dissolve in the wash (although, I never really had a problem). It's also gonna be a pain when you are trying to dispense the soap into the little cup. (Large pieces clog the hole on the PUREX container's dispenser.)

Once that part is done, add the rest of the ingredients directly to the grated soap. Give it all a good mix. From that point, I place the funnel directly onto the spout of my old laundry container, scoop up the mix from the bowl using the measuring cup, and funnel everything into the large container. *For easy cleanup, I would recommend doing it over the kitchen sink.

I went ahead and added the recipe directly to the old container for easy reference. The recipe can also be doubled or tripled to fill the container completely. (This container is considered my backstock.) When full, it lasts me about 4-5 months. And I keep it in the laundry room. Easy storage.

I go the extra step and reuse a PUREX Crystals container for my everyday storage. It easily dispenses the soap and has handy Tablespoon markings on the purple cap. (Middle line marks 2 Tbs.) Remember, this recipe is concentrated. You only need 1-2 Tablespoons per load! That's right...Only 1-2! Some may not believe it, but this soap really works. It doesn't suds up like normal soap does, and that may be the biggest shock to you. But just because it doesn't get sudsy, doesn't mean it will not clean your clothes. In my opinion, this soap surpasses all of the name brand liquid laundry soap our family has ever used.

This bottle (when full) usually gets me a little more than 40 loads. And I have about 3/4 of the large container still full. My family of 3 goes through a batch of this soap every 4 months or so. I used to buy laundry soap every month!

It's so very cool.... that I actually made it myself, that the ingredients I purchased to make it myself cost less than a bottle of regular laundry soap, and that I have ingredients left over from that initial purchase to make another batch of soap in a few more months when I need to restock!

*If you're looking for more "green" ideas, you can now refer to my Fabric Softener DIY (the perfect companion to this laundry soap recipe) or my Dishwasher Detergent DIY. If you are still feeling inspired to create more natural products, be sure to check out my "Earth Mama" pinboard on Pinterest. It's full of all sorts of ideas, recipes, inspiration, and other DIYs for everything from health and beauty products to more green cleaning essentials.

I hope you enjoyed my post and feel inspired to try this recipe for yourself. I would love to hear what you think about it! Also, please feel free to leave me any thoughts, questions, or comments about anything I've talked about in today's post.

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Thank you for stopping by!