Apple Pie Spice Soap Bars

Freckles and I bought supplies to try out a couple soap recipes we found on Pinterest, since Autumn is in the air and we like doing seasonal projects... This was so easy....I think it just may be something we will be making as gifts for Christmas etc....

If your interested in making this soap yourself please click here:

Apple Pie Spice Soap Bar

Note the recipe is for Pumpkin Spice Soap...Just do everything the same except use apple pie spice and use a little more red coloring. I used food coloring btw. I also added a 1/4 tsp vanilla extract..You can also add some apple spice essential oil for more apple fragrance.

We also made the pumpkin spice soap and added 1/4 tsp. almond extract. 

Have fun!!

Make Mrs. Meyer's Liquid Hand Soap

I like to be frugal...I found a recipe for making one of my favorite products: Mrs. Meyer's Soap bar into a whole gallon of liquid soap at a fraction of the cost. I tried it myself and happy with the results: Now I have lot's of soap to use for my refill bottles for hand soap and it's all purpose loveliness can be used as a body wash in the shower/bath. It worked so well that I thought I would share it with you.

Let's get started:

Gather your supplies~

Cheese grater (from the dollar store)

2 Tablespoons of Liquid Glycerin 

(found in the band aid section at any drugstore or grocery store)

1 - 8 oz bar of Mrs. Meyer's soap bar

1 gallon of water

Note* This recipe is not guaranteed to work with other bar soaps.

 If you can't find this particular soap you can find it here to order:

Mrs. Meyers Soap Bar

Choose your scent...Basil, Lavender, Lemon Verbena, and Geranium!

Step 1:

Grate the entire bar of soap

Step 2:

Fill a large pot with 1 gallon of distilled water and add the soap shavings.

Step 3:

Add 2 Tablespoons of liquid glycerin and turn the heat to medium/high and stir until the soap dissolves.

Step 4:

Leave it alone to cool for at least 10-12 hours. 

Step 5:

After it has cooled completely around 12 hours later it will harden and look like liquid soap.

Step 6:

If the soap is harder than it should be you can take some beaters and blend it while adding just a little bit of water until the consistency is more like liquid soap.

 Pour it into the 1 gallon water bottle you used and mark it Liquid Soap. I am storing mine in large mason jars.

Now you can refill your 12 ounce bottle of liquid soap (that cost $3.99) with your gallon of refill that cost around $4.99. That's some huge savings!!!

This is a fool proof project that results in huge savings.

1 bar of Mrs. Meyer's Bar Soap at $3.99

 produces over $50 worth of liquid hand soap!!! 

I'd say that's worth the time and little effort to make!

Note** The soap can be a snot-like consistency, 

gross description I know but it still works.

* Soap does not create a big lather. 

*Other bar soaps may not work...Try to find Mrs. Meyer's Bar

You can also try Target...They might have bars too!!

Enjoy!!!!!

Vintage Egg Basket Pendant Light

Before beginning this post I want to apologize for the pictures...

I used my phone camera on a gloomy day...

Finally got the dining the way I want it. We needed a light...And realized I can make one myself. I was inspired by my many vintage decorating magazines and Pinterest to make this pendant. It just so happened that I already had an egg basket...It's not antique or vintage however but was made to look like an old basket. All I needed was to get a pendant light kit. If you are interested in making one...

Go to you local hardware store and pick up a pendant lighting kit for less than $20. You can find an egg basket in antique shops or flea markets or try to find them reproduced. I found mine a few years ago at TJ Maxx for about $15.00. It just so happens to have a round opening in the bottom of the basket to put your pendant through.. (no fuss no muss)...Now for a light bulb. I found this vintage inspired bulb at The Home Depot for $15.00.They have other vintage inspired bulbs that are a little cheaper but I wanted to get one that would work with my dimmer. I know that 's a lot of $$$$...But I really wanted that vintage look. Get your hubby to help you hang it...I couldn't have done it without mine...I probably would have shocked myself!

That's it...Need more help! Look up wire basket pendant lights on Pinterest...You will find all kinds of inspiration and perhaps more direction on how to hook it up. 

Happy Lighting!

Orange Crush Sugar Scrub

Freckles and I started making home made sugar scrubs. It all started when I was gifted a lemon sugar scrub during Christmas, I realized how much I love it. I use it all the time. We decided to try our hand at making our own for personal use and gift giving, and maybe perhaps making some to sell at The Farmers Market. We picked up a huge jar of organic coconut oil from Costco, sugar and some essential oils. This is so easy to make and very addicting.

Our first batch we decided to make orange scrub. 

We also added in some fresh orange zest. MMMM! 

We love it so much we wanted to share the recipe. 

Enjoy!!!!

~Orange Crush Sugar Scrub~

1/2 cup Organic Coconut Oil

1 1/2 – 2 1/2 cups Sugar

2-3 tbsp. orange zest

8-10 drops orange essential oil

Step one: In a glass bowl melt coconut oil for 30 seconds or until it becomes liquid.

Step two: Mix orange essential oil and orange zest with the melted coconut oil.

Step three: Add in sugar and mix until well combined. When making sugar scrub I recommend starting with 1 1/2 cups of sugar and adding 1/2 cup until you reach the consistency you enjoy the best. If you like a coarser scrub with not as much oil add 2 1/2 cups of sugar.

The coconut oil and orange infused scent makes this sugar scrub smells delightful. It’s the perfect sugar scrub for Spring and Summer; use it on your hands, feet, or whole body for silky skin

We are going to make many more flavors...

Will share soon!

Homemade Cinnamon Spiced Orange Cleaner & Cleaning Schedule

Winter is here and citrus grows on the trees here in our parts during this season. We have an orange tree in the backyard and the neighbors lemon tree hangs over the fence, Whatever hangs over, I pick. I don't think they hardly ever pick from their tree...It's always so full. So Christmas has passed and we rang in the New Year...Time to get organized and deep clean for the Winter months. However as far as we go, we won't be in this house too much longer. We gave our notice to move to the area Mr. Darling Pastor's our church in. So for me...This deep clean is going to be a very deep clean as we prepare to pack and spruce up before vacating. Okay so, where do the oranges come in? Well, one: we eat them, but then save the peels. During Christmas time I made candied orange peels for our son, which he loves! We use the oranges in our smoothies, so the peel doesn't go to waste. At least not for this project. I decided to spice up the vinegar I use for some of my household cleaning. I found a pin from Pinterest about adding peels from citrus to the vinegar. You fill a quart size jar with peels, pour in the vinegar till covered and add a couple cinnamon sticks. You have to wait two weeks for the peel and spice to meld together with the vinegar for 2 weeks. After two weeks, drain the solution into a bowl through a strainer. You want to strain out all the peel and pip gunk along with the cinnamon sticks. Pour your solution with half water into a spray bottle and start cleaning!!!!

You can do the same with lemons...minus the cinnamon stick or even adding some essential oils for a nice fragrance. This homemade cleaner is perfect for counters, toilets, tubs, and sinks. The coolest thing is...It's all natural and great to use as a cleaner especially if you are sensitive to chemicals or just want to keep those chemicals out of your home. 

P.S sorry for the bad pictures here. I used my phone for them this time around.

 It has been so gloomy and dark in this house that I decided not to use my camera.

I also pulled together this handy dandy cleaning schedule I wanted to try to implement this new year. Easy daily tasks and you'll be on top of all the mess...Making your home nice and clean every week. I also wanted to share it as a little gift from me to you.

Here's to a Happier, Healthier, 

Organized year ahead!!!!

Making Candy Cane Syrup & Homemade Pancake Mix

I pulled together a couple homemade gifts from my kitchen for a few friends this year. There is nothing like a sweet, thoughtful homemade gift to give to a friend. Thought I would share the recipes for an easy, inexpensive gift. Most items you would probably already have on hand in your pantry.

For Candy Cane Syrup:

Combine 2 cups of sugar and 1 cup of water to a saucepan. Stir well and cook on medium heat. Add 6-8 broken pieces of candy cane to the sugar mixture until dissolved. It will turn a nice pink color. Stir frequently. Let it come to a boil for about 2-3 minutes and turn off heat allowing the syrup to cool in the pan. Once cooled, pour into a jar with lid for storage.

****

I saved my glass maple syrup containers through the year to use for such things. Syrups are easy to make. You can make different flavors and give them to friends or family for any occasion. If you don't have a maple syrup container. A jar will do.

For Homemade Pancake Mix:

Combine dry ingredients in a large bowl.

4 cups all purpose flour

3 tablespoons baking powder

2 teaspoons baking soda

1 teaspoon salt

3 tablespoons sugar

Mix well together and store in a large mason jar. You can double this recipe to make more!

I made a card and wrote in the instructions to make them:

 Add fabric, twine, tag etc...to personalize the gift to the receiver. Use your clever quips and be creative! Have fun with it!

You can double or triple the recipe for making the pancakes here:

Add 1 cup of mix above

1 egg

1 cup of milk

1 tablespoon melted butter or oil

mix together well.

Preheat greased griddle on medium to high heat.

 pour 1/3 cup of the batter and cook until pancake bubbles on top,

 flip and cook 1-2 minutes more.

Enjoy pancakes with candy cane syrup for a nice

 Christmas breakfast treat.

Enjoy!!!!

Inspired~ DIY Anthropologie Mug

A year or so ago Anthropologie had some adorable, bright and cheery floral mugs...I put it off too long and never ended up buying one. As of now they don't sell them any longer. Freckles ran across a DIY on Pinterest for making your own. We thought it would be fun to make some. I am really happy with how it turned out. 

NOTE* Sharpie markers are used for this project and are NOT food safe. I would not reccomend you really drinking from them if you decide to color inside or on the rim where your mouth would touch the ink. However, if you decorate the mug body of the mug, it would be safe. Also NOTE* that dishwashing will probably wash away all your beautiful work. I suggest washing by hand with a soft cloth making sure your not scrubbing hard. I decided my mug will be used as a decorative pen holder.. Just to be on the safe side. It is quite cute though, you have to admit.

We bought plain white mugs from The Dollar Tree and used Permanent colored Sharpie markers. Once you finish drawing on your design...Let air dry for a couple hours then put in the oven at 400 degrees for 45 minutes. This should cure it. It was very simple and fun.

I'm thinking if I make it into a ceramic painting studio, I may do a mug like this with the proper paints and have it fired so I can actually drink from it. I love the colors and floral designs. Freckles made herself a charming mug too...She simply used a black Sharpie and drew some arrows with

 "Happy Day" written on it. Use the same procedure as stated above.

 Have fun + Be creative...Anything goes!!!!

Monday's Wash Day.....

( sweet dish towel gifted to me from sweet bloggy friend Shelly )
Monday's are always wash days here in my home. I meant to share this yesterday...but, I have been sick...and well, I was busy doing laundry. So, Monday's Wash Day is shared with you this Tuesday.
    

Homemade Laundry Detergent
1 bar of soap (any kind you want)
1 cup of Borax
1 cup of washing soda
a big pot ( that holds more than 2 gallons)
a grater
a funnel
a long spoon
3 empty gallon jugs/containers
( I store mine in half gallon containers I found at The Dollar Tree)
****
Directions:
Grate soap into large pot, fill one gallon jug of water and pour into pot with grated soap. Cook until soap dissolves. Add Borox and Arm & Hammer washing powder. Bring to a boil. It will start coagulating as it cools. Turn off heat. Add one gallon cold water. Mix well. Let cool. Pour soap into empty gallon jugs using your handy funnel. This soap is really thick....so, what I did was pour the soap mixture just a little above halfway then add more water to it. It should be thickened within 24 hour. I had about 3 gallons of soap to use for washing. If it is still too thick...add some more water and mix to your consistency liking. I use about 1/2 cup per load.
****
Estimated cost is $6.00 for 576 loads
 (depending on soap used and amount used per load,
ONE BOX of Borax and ONE BOX of Washing soda)

The savings is incredible.

P.S. I also made my own fabric softener.
Recipe:

6 cups HOT water
3 cups white vinegar
2 cups Suave Conditioner {or other favorite scent-I found it for $1}
Directions:
Measure out conditioner.
Whisk together hot water and conditioner.
Make sure the conditioner is mixed completely with the water- no clumps.
 I had to whisk for a minute or so.

Add Vinegar and mix well
 (This is the actual softener- the conditioner I think it just for scent. Vinegar also helps with static sling).

Use 2 tbsp in a Downy ball or in the softener dispenser in your machine.
Voila...soft clothes at a wonderful price. Just as good if not better than store bought fabric softeners.
****
 I store mine in a half gallon container which I found at the Dollar Tree.
I am happy with the results and on a frugal budget...My pocketbook is happy and so am I.
Happy Wash Day to you...whatever your Wash Day may be.