How to Create Handmade Feeding Baby Gift Basket or Kit

September  is my new favorite month because my son will turn two this month. I am so fascinated with children's items and am sharing some information on making your own baby gift basket or kit.

Where do you start?

1. Pick a theme for the gift i.e. feeding, bathing, sleeping, etc. I will use feeding theme as an example in this article.

2. Choose your color scheme either boys, girls or neutral colors.

3. Select the handmade items you will like to add. For Feeding, pick handmade burp cloth, handmade bib and/or handmade feeding pillow.

4. Add in some of the feeding accessories such as bottles and soap dispensing cleaning brush. I love the new soap dispensing brush from munchkin.

5. Find a gift box or basket with a clear cover and arrange all the items in the gift box.

6. Decorate with a ribbon and place in gift bag.

7. Voila! You are done.

Enjoy!

DIY - Natural Hair Moisturizing Hair Oil Recipe

There has been numerous request for Neki Naturals natural hair oil moisturizer recipe. For me, I believe that natural hair requires more care than treated hair. Problems can range from brittle to dry to hair loss.

For the first time, I am opening up Neki Naturals hair oil recipe book and sharing it with the world.
The one thing that will be missing is the secret ingredient that gives Neki Natural hair oil its unique scent.

Recipe is as follows:

Ingredients:

1/2 cup jojoba oil

1/4 cup sweet almond oil

1/8  cup extra virgin  olive oil

2 tbsp rosemary essential oil

2 tbsp sage essential oil

5 drops lavenar essential oil

5 drops peppermint essential oil

Directions:
Mix all ingredients together thoroughly. Pour the mixture into a bottle, cork tightly and put aside for future use.  Please apply a few drops on the back of your palm to ensure that you do not have an allergic reaction prior to applying on your hair.
To use, apply from the roots of the hair once a day or every other day.

If you want the additional secret ingredient, you can find neki naturals kanka hair oil at http://www.nekinaturals.com.

Enjoy!

Fashion Colors for Fall 2010

If you will like to stay trendy and fashionable, this is the time to start thinking about accessories and home accents you will try this Fall.

I used to be one of those people that stuck to black,brown and grey but my wardrobe and taste has expanded to some many colors in the last few years. I am no longer afraid of color but view color as a way to express myself and still be confident.

See these trendy fall 2010 colors and think about trying a new color for this fall!

Blogging schedule

You may have noticed that my blog posts are now weekly. I have  changed the blagging schedule to weekly because of preparation for Craft show on Septembers 19th in Hackettstown, NJ.
This allows me more time to design and crochet more fun stuff for the show!

Have a great week!

Enjoy!

DIY Recipe - Spa You with Cucumber Cream Recipe

Did you know that the same cucumbers we eat as snack has many wonderful benefits for our skin?You notice when you go to a spa, they put cucumber slices over your eyes?  It has been documented that it helps to reduce dark circles, treat sunburn, treat puffy eyes, reduce freckles, improve complexion and open pores.



Since this is cucumber harvesting season, take advantage of the excess cucumbers in your garden or the discounted ones at the stores and make this cucumber cream from Harriet Ayer. You will give yourself a home spa treatment that your skin will thank you.

Ingredients:

3/4 cup sweet almond oil

4 cucumbers, with peel on, cubed

2 oz lanolin

1 oz white wax

2 tbsp jojoba oil

2 tsp benzoin essential oil

Directions:
Put the sweet almond oil int the top of a double boiler set over simmering water, When the almond oil begins to warm, add the cucumbers. Set the double boiler over low heat and let the water merely simmer for 4 to 5 hours. Strain it. To the strained water, add the lanolin white wax and jojoba oil. Return to double boiler and heat until the was, jojoba oil and lanolin have melted. Then remove the top from the double boiler and beat with an egg beater until cooled, add the  benzoin oil while beating. Pour the mixture into a bottle, cork tightly and put aside for future use. To use, gently rub into face as needed.

Try it. Your skin will thank you.

Enjoy

Entice and Relax with this Lavender Soap Recipe

English Lavender Rose Soap Recipe

It has been mentioned lately that lavender is the scent both men and women love. It was also mentioned that it is better to use this scent in lotion or soap and not perfume. So this soap recipe is for you!
Men love it, women love it too!

I just created and finished making a batch with this recipe and it smells and feels amazing.

Ingredients:

2 lbs of melt and pout goat milk soap
 1 tsp lavender EO
1 tsp English lavender EO
1 tsp peppermint EO
1 tbsp rose fragrance oil
2 tbsp  Extra virgin olive oil
1 tbsp rose leaves(optional)
10 drops of purple color (optional)

Directions:
Melt soap base in a double boiler. When completely melted, remove from heat and add essential oils fragrance oil and rose leaves Pour into molds and let solidify.

Note: If you want to add color at the base, pour 1/4 of the melted soap into another bowl, add color, swirl and pour into mold, then pour the remaining soap from the other bowl.

Try it. Let me know your thoughts!


Enjoy.

How to Crochet a Hexagon Motif

Hexagon Motifs are very popular and versatile. You can easily crochet a few to make a scarf, pillow cover, throws, sweaters, etc. You can also combine with square motifs for a different look.

Materials needed:

Size H Hook

1 Worsted Weight yarn of one color

Directions:

Ch 6, join with a slip stitch to form ring

Round 1: ch3 counts as first dc, 2dc into ring, ch2, 3 dc in ring Repeat between **4 more times, ch 2, slip stitch in top of ch3. Slip stitch across next 2 dc. Slip stitch into next ch 2 space.

Round 2: ch 3 counts as first dc, 2dc, ch2, 3dc all in ch2-space, ch1, in next ch 2-space; work 3dc, ch 2 3 dc Repeat between ** 4 more times, ch 1, sl st in top of all ch 3. Sl st across next 2 dc; sl st into next ch-2 space.

Round 3:  Ch 3, 2 dc, ch2, 3 dc all in ch-2 space, * ch1, 3 dc in next ch 1 space; In the next ch2-space, work 3 dc ch2 , 3dc. Repeat from * 4 more times, ch2, 3 dc in next ch 1-space; slip stitch in top of ch 3. Fasten off.

Enjoy!