So today I decided to turn those brown paper grocery bags into mailing envelopes.
Happy Earth Day everyone!
Wednesday, April 22, 2009
Happy Earth Day
I have a LOT of brown paper grocery bags. Each time we go to Trader Joes or Aldi, we come home with more brown paper grocery bags. We do have those tote bags that we're supposed to bring with us on our grocery trips but somehow I always forget to put them back in the car after we're done.
So today I decided to turn those brown paper grocery bags into mailing envelopes.
Happy Earth Day everyone!
So today I decided to turn those brown paper grocery bags into mailing envelopes.
Happy Earth Day everyone!
Monday, April 06, 2009
SoapMaking anyone?
I do not remember when I got addicted to handmade soaps. But I have been a big fan of a few talented handmade soap sellers and spending too much money on those delicious soaps. But hey, atleast it gets used to the very last sliver, and no more SLS!
On Saturday, I attended a SoapMaking party hosted by Tracey and April of the ACE (Amazing Carolina Etsians) team.
We started off making soap balls and scented a batch with lime and coconut and another batch with lemon zest. First, we grated Pure Castile Soap, added some distilled water and rolled them with our hands.
Next we made some body scrub using sea salt, some walnut oil and sunflower oil and essential oils of your choice. No more buying expensive store bought body scrubs with unknown ingredients anymore!
And the moment I have been waiting for was next - making soap from scratch!
After measuring all the ingredients, our gurus don on their safety goggles and rubber gloves and proceeded to add Lye to water. (very important not to do it the other way around or you will cause a volcanic reaction) . Then let the Lye sit in a plastic pitcher in a ventilated area until it drops down to 110F. (it took awhile).
In the meantime, get your fats and oils ready. We used lots of Olive Oil and Coconut butter and some Castor Oil, and melted them in a Stainless Steel stock pot.
When the Lye has reached the right temperature, slowly add the lye-water mixture to the soap pot and blend the Lye and Oils together using a stick blender until "trace" has been reached.
Next, slowly pour the soap mixture into a mold. Wrap the mold in a towel and let it sit in a warm and safe place. The soap mixture will begin to get hot as the saponification process starts.
It will take about 24 hours for the soap to harden enough to take it out of the mold and slice it.
After slicing, set the soap aside to cure. The soap needs to cure for atleast 4 weeks before it is safe enough to use.
Thanks Tracey and April for being such wonderful soap gurus! And to Tracey for letting us invade your kitchen!
And here's some members of the Ace team
On Saturday, I attended a SoapMaking party hosted by Tracey and April of the ACE (Amazing Carolina Etsians) team.
We started off making soap balls and scented a batch with lime and coconut and another batch with lemon zest. First, we grated Pure Castile Soap, added some distilled water and rolled them with our hands.
Next we made some body scrub using sea salt, some walnut oil and sunflower oil and essential oils of your choice. No more buying expensive store bought body scrubs with unknown ingredients anymore!
And the moment I have been waiting for was next - making soap from scratch!
After measuring all the ingredients, our gurus don on their safety goggles and rubber gloves and proceeded to add Lye to water. (very important not to do it the other way around or you will cause a volcanic reaction) . Then let the Lye sit in a plastic pitcher in a ventilated area until it drops down to 110F. (it took awhile).
In the meantime, get your fats and oils ready. We used lots of Olive Oil and Coconut butter and some Castor Oil, and melted them in a Stainless Steel stock pot.
When the Lye has reached the right temperature, slowly add the lye-water mixture to the soap pot and blend the Lye and Oils together using a stick blender until "trace" has been reached.
Next, slowly pour the soap mixture into a mold. Wrap the mold in a towel and let it sit in a warm and safe place. The soap mixture will begin to get hot as the saponification process starts.
It will take about 24 hours for the soap to harden enough to take it out of the mold and slice it.
After slicing, set the soap aside to cure. The soap needs to cure for atleast 4 weeks before it is safe enough to use.
Thanks Tracey and April for being such wonderful soap gurus! And to Tracey for letting us invade your kitchen!
And here's some members of the Ace team
Tuesday, March 31, 2009
Monday, March 30, 2009
A day in Asheville - Glassblowing
Two Saturdays ago, we took a daytrip to Asheville to learn how Elise (of www.inthelightglassworks.etsy.com) makes her amazing glass creations. She gave us a tour of her studio and showed us all the work that goes into each one of her items. It was simply amazing to see how a glass ball ornament is neatly cut up and turned into beautiful glass pendants like this or this.
She was also generous enough to let us try making glass ball ornaments. I would have loved to try but I woke up that morning and was a total klutz so I figured it would be safer for everyone if I didn't.
Now if you think glassblowing is easy, it sure ain't!
She was also generous enough to let us try making glass ball ornaments. I would have loved to try but I woke up that morning and was a total klutz so I figured it would be safer for everyone if I didn't.
Now if you think glassblowing is easy, it sure ain't!
Friday, March 27, 2009
Being a part of the Natural Grooming Tips
Here I am casually scrolling and browsing and almost fell off my chair when I stumbled upon my Organic Pakucho Makeup Remover pads in this Etsy Article - Handmade Weddings: Natural Grooming Tips from GreenUnion.
I have never been in The Storque before and I am just estatic!
I have never been in The Storque before and I am just estatic!
Sunday, March 22, 2009
I've been featured!
I've been featured by Fresh Peaches today!
Here is the interview:
http://suchcoolstuff.blogspot.com/2009/03/laksaware.html
Tuesday, March 17, 2009
Wilmington last week
Most of Jason's friends are turning 40 this year (including Jason himself).
Last week, it was Dave's 40th bash. We drove to Raleigh, and rode with Bert to Wilmington. In Bert's car were also 40 pink flamingoes, a heart, a bear, a smiley face and a cow.
You see, Bert's friend has a Flamingo Express business. They sneak up late at night, place these flamingos in your yard with a sign that may say "Honk! It's John's Birthday!" or something like that. And you wake up the next morning, look at your yard and go "Aarrgh.. these crazy people!!" or you just die laughing.
So, at 1am that night, the three of us were putting these flamingos, a heart, a bear, a smiley face and a cow in Dave's yard. We almost got busted.
We had some time in the afternoon to see the sights in Wilmington. Went downtown to see the ships, the quaint little shops and had a glass of Guinness at the Irish pub.
Then we went back to Dave's and Beka's for the party and we were the last ones to leave.
Jason always has a great time with his High School buddies.
Next morning, we went back to remove the flamingos and headed to Carolina Beach for a few minutes before driving back to Bert's place in Raleigh. Then back to Charlotte.
Last week, it was Dave's 40th bash. We drove to Raleigh, and rode with Bert to Wilmington. In Bert's car were also 40 pink flamingoes, a heart, a bear, a smiley face and a cow.
You see, Bert's friend has a Flamingo Express business. They sneak up late at night, place these flamingos in your yard with a sign that may say "Honk! It's John's Birthday!" or something like that. And you wake up the next morning, look at your yard and go "Aarrgh.. these crazy people!!" or you just die laughing.
So, at 1am that night, the three of us were putting these flamingos, a heart, a bear, a smiley face and a cow in Dave's yard. We almost got busted.
We had some time in the afternoon to see the sights in Wilmington. Went downtown to see the ships, the quaint little shops and had a glass of Guinness at the Irish pub.
Then we went back to Dave's and Beka's for the party and we were the last ones to leave.
Jason always has a great time with his High School buddies.
Next morning, we went back to remove the flamingos and headed to Carolina Beach for a few minutes before driving back to Bert's place in Raleigh. Then back to Charlotte.
Monday, March 02, 2009
It's snowing in March!
Big flakes started falling down from the skies around 6.30pm last night. And by 9pm or so, we had a nice good layer of snow to play in. I think we got around 4-6 inches of white snowman material snow.
So Jason and I put on our snow gear and went out to play.
This is Jason's snowman.
And me making a snowangel
This morning, as I was taking my packages out to the mailbox, I slipped and fell on the icy road. Nothing bad. Just bruises and scratches on my knees and palm. I was mentally telling myself not to fall as I was walking down the walkway and the next second, whooosh...splat. Clumsy me.
So Jason and I put on our snow gear and went out to play.
This is Jason's snowman.
And me making a snowangel
This morning, as I was taking my packages out to the mailbox, I slipped and fell on the icy road. Nothing bad. Just bruises and scratches on my knees and palm. I was mentally telling myself not to fall as I was walking down the walkway and the next second, whooosh...splat. Clumsy me.
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