Tutorial: DIY Cinnamon Christmas Scrub

Thanks to Pinterest, I have been reading about how others created their own beauty products.  From mineral make up, lotion bars, to lip balm, you name it.  Feeling inspired, I started making my own concoction of facial/body scrubs.  My first one was a disaster.  The mixture of nutmeg, honey and some other ingredient was so runny that I thought my face was falling off.  (scary huh, good thing that no one saw me...) And there was the lemon honey sugar scrub.  Nah, too citrus for me (though there was only 1 table spoon of lemon juice in that big old jar).
After a few experiments, I went back to the pantry and grab a few of my favorite things.  It was simple, yet everything I hoped for.  If I love it, then I think it's gift worthy.

Here's how I make my Cinnamon Christmas Scrub:

1 cup of sugar
1 Tbsp ground cinnamon
1 Tbsp honey
1 tsp grape seed oil

Mix well and spoon into a jar.  Tie a ribbon or add a label to finish it off.  I tied my gift tag with a piece of thin elastic.

Notes:
The grape seed oil has antioxidants and anti-inflammatory properties, and is fairly light.
Honey has antioxidants as well as antibacterial properties.
Cinnamon has anti-bacterial properties and smells great!

Note: this post is featured here.

 

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Pocket Pouch

Pocket Clutch (Michelle patterns)
 

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Black and Orange Fun

Remember my last year's Halloween post about lugging a big pumpkin home?  Well, it happened again this year!

JJ's class had a fun contest of guessing how many seeds are in the pumpkin.  After some seriously calculation (my hats off to the parent who actually counted every single seed), it came to 869.  JJ's prediction of 1,020 came to be the closest number and won this year's big pumpkin!  I could not believe JJ's luck.  And my poor arms started weeping silently, foreseeing their fate in a few hours, shaking from carrying this pumpkin home.   You should have seen the look of relief on other parents' faces when they found out that JJ was the winner, for it is a BIG pumpkin alright.  One of the parents teased: "I want to take a picture of you carrying that baby home this afternoon!"  

This year, I still had wimpy arms, but I did have a smart and kind friend.  Mrs. O came to the rescue and let me borrow her cart!  She saved my day!!  We came home with the pumpkin all cleaned and carved, ready for tonight.  How good is that!?  Now, I could smile.  Thank you, Mrs. O!!

top center: my hero, Mrs. O & JJ.  mid center: pumpkin from pumpkin patch; bottom left: Mrs. O's mini pumpkins with Cuties and celeries. 

 

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iPhone Pouch

I made an iPhone pouch the other day though I DO NOT own an iPhone.  Originally, I wanted to send it to Michelle, but then I found out that she does not have an iPhone, either.  Debating whether I should open an Esty shop just for this...humm.

Also featured Here. 

 

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Starting A Collection?

Just not long ago, I was gifted with a cute mug from auntie Shu-jen.  For some reason, I thought the chick looked awfully familiar.  Then, JJ exclaimed: "Mom, I have the same chick!" and showed me her cute Piyo Piyo chick piggy bank (back of the picture) from uncle T.  They now sit together on our display shelf, keeping each other company.  Love the vibrant colors and the adorable eyes.  The thought of collecting Piyo Piyo crossed my mind for a second.  Then I quickly scratched it off my head.  I, for one, know too well the price one needs to pay for a collection--the time, the attention, the money, the space...etc.  Nah, let's just keep these two and make sure they don't multiply.
 

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A Girl Who Likes Blue

Kayla likes the color blue.  For her bday, I wanted to make her something blue.

 Kayla Bag is based on this tutorial.  I enlarged the pattern by 2 inches on each side, added an inside pocket, and a pocket on the back of the bag.  

Blue the fish keychain was based on Faith's sketch of Kayla's betta fish, Blue.  The big eyes were where I spent the most time on.  The circle stencils were very tricky to cut since they were so itty bitty.  It took me several tries before I was able to get perfect circles.  My eyes almost fell out from the tedious work.  It's now clipped on the Kayla bag.

Have a blessed year, Kayla!  Happy birthday!

 

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JJ's Loose Teeth & Teeth Pouch

Within 3 weeks, JJ lost 2 baby teeth!  Both during dinner time.  We were all thankful that JJ did not swallow them with her food.  JJ got to be on her class "tooth chart" twice!  (Her teacher, Mrs. O is so brilliant!  She knows how to put a proud smile on those young faces even when they talk funny.)

F was more excited than JJ.  "You could ask mom to make you a reindeer pouch for your loose teeth!" she said.  So mom had one more chore on her to-do-list.  Thank goodness, this one was fun.  This teeth pouch was based on  this tutorial from my little mochi.  JJ wanted the pouch to look just like her sister's but with pink ears.
Now, if I could just stop playing the tune of "All I Want For Christmas Is My Two Front Teeth" in my head...

JJ's 1st  Loose Tooth & Permanent Tooth

 

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Acorn

Believe it or not, I had not seen acorns.  Not the intact ones at least.  Only what's left of a squirrel's meal; bits here and there.  So, when I saw acorn caps on the sidewalk, I was overjoyed!  And then, I saw it--an acorn with the cap on (at the moment)!  I could only imagine how many of these are hidden somewhere for the squirrels on cold winter days.  And, sorry, little critters, I am keeping this one.  
Now, what crafty things could I do with the acorn caps?  Any suggestions?

 

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Treasures @ Rummage Sale!

Vintage.  Retro.  LOVE!
Platform shoes, bell bottom pants, omega hairdo...etc.  That's my childhood.  That's the way I remember my mom.

The school rummage sale had tons of gently used toys, Christmas decorations and Halloween customs.  But none of those interested me.  Then I spotted a box of vintage sewing patterns.  Cute, cute, cute!  I was like a child being presented with a jar of candies, I wanted them all!!  At the end, I needed to ask myself "would I really sew this?" to avoid spending every dollar in my wallet.  To my dismay, the 4 patterns that came home with me only cost $1 total.  I really could have gotten more...  Now, excuse me, I have some sewing to do.

 

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Cherry Bag

 

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We Have A Cat Problem...

 Two and half years have gone by since we adopted our cat, Lala.  He is one intelligent and affectionate cat who has won our hearts over these past few years.  

For 2 years, he had always been an indoor cat who had a strong desire to head out the door whenever opportunity presented itself.  It was around March this year that he finally was bold enough to share the same doggie door with Maxie, our golden.  Once he was able to get outdoors, he started to bring home unwanted guests.  We had 3 rats visiting at one point and thought we had a rat problem.  It was until we spoke to the animal control that we found out that it was really a cat problem, since there was no evidence of droppings or chewed up items.  Apparently, Lala was bringing home love offerings to show his loyalty.  Oh, how I wish he could have brought flowers or fruits instead of rats that scared the day light out of me.  

After some research, we realized that cats hunt at night.  So we figured that if we shut the doggie door at night, Lala would not be able to do much hunting.  The plan worked...for a few weeks.  No rats, dead or alive.  And then...  This morning, while I was getting ready for the Lord's day, H cried, "Come quickly, Lala's brought something back!"  

I rushed out to find an injured bird laying under our dining table with Lala right next to it still guarding his treasure.  From our research, we learned that we were NOT to discard Lala's gift in front of him, and NOT to scold him, but to praise him for his hunting ability and for bringing the tasty treat which we could never have gotten on our own.  That's exactly what we did.  Hubert quickly picked up the suffering bird in a bag while I blocked Lala's view, patted him and said "Good job, boy" (though inside, I was crying, "Please don't bring anything/anyone home anymore!")  So sorry, little bird.  I love you, Lala, I really do.  If only you understood how much we do not need extra protein...sigh.
Those of you who have indoor/outdoor cats, any advice for me?
 

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Mason Jar Happy Flowers

This spring, JJ and I planted wildflower seeds in the front yard.  Not knowing how the flower bed would look like, we watered and weed diligently, even supplemented with plant food periodically.  Since I have "the finger of death" (from the record of numerous dead plants), I did not have high hopes.  Then, one early May  day, we noticed the 1st sign of life.  After that, things just took off on their own.

We had different flowers come and go during the past three months.  Right now, the flower bed is filled with Rudbeckia Hirta (black-eyed Susan).  These vibrant colored flowers make me smile.  If I could hug them like teddy bears, I would.  They are my "happy flowers".  They have been working hard growing toward the sun that there are too many of them crowded in the front yard.  The heavy flower heads bend the stems.  I, then, had my chance to cut a bunch of them and brought them indoors.  My labor with JJ still makes me smile.

 

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Mini Tutorial: DIY Paper Bag Thread Catcher

Fish tacos.  I did not know how addictive they could be.  We must have gotten them two weekends in a roll that we accumulated a few paper bags in the house.   You know, they make the perfect thread catchers for the sewing table (that is if you are like me, too lazy busy to sew one).

Here's how I did it:
1. Determine how tall you'd like your thread catcher to be and cut.  I cut about 4" off of mine.
2. Insert the 4" top portion that you just cut off into the bag.
3. Line up all four sides and staple.  (make sure the the crown of the staples are on the outside and the teeth are on the inside so you don't get poked.)  Then, with masking tape, tape to the edge of your sewing table.

Looking at the paper bag makes me feel hungry.  I think I might want to go get a fish taco or two...
 

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