Day 21 {Make Madness} – Part 2 – Rebatching Soap

Make Madness

 

Day 21 of Make Madness – Rebatching Soap

 

01f51b3692f7c68bd5af5888a84d53018d022c08d0So I went about rebatching my soap slivers left over from a big soap project and everything was going to plan until…. my bag melted!

01ed6b3829853312759dd19b907b7c0502dc8f5d87As instructed, I began by grating my soap slivers and putting them into a heat-resistant plastic Ziploc bag.  I added the required amount of distilled water, sealed the bag shut and placed it into the pot of boiling water.  I left it there for 20 minutes, took it out, mooshed it around and discovered that the soap hadn’t melted to the ‘thick Vaseline’ consistency it needs to be.

018194c8feefe226686a3e40dbaed087f8725f1fbdNo worries, I added more water to the bag, and popped it back into the pot of boiling water – this time for 10 minutes.  At about 8 minutes, I look over and there’s soapy water spilling over the edge of the pot.  That was a problem.  The bag had melted, so I quickly turned off the water and rescued the soap from the pot.

I managed to rescue most of it and transfer it to a bowl where I mixed it with a spoon and to my surprise it was the consistency I was looking for.  I chose not to add fragrance and color because this soap still had a heavy scent from when it was originally made.  I highly recommend Spiced Mahogany from Brambleberry.  It’s an amazing scent for soap.

016f8fb231c4b29353db7da89ae5795d0d4cc0f012015a9868f07ffa85e89c102b5b158e0841c47e8877I quickly spooned the gloopy mixture into my tart tins (I didn’t have any soap molds) and hoped for the best.  I think it kind of looks like oatmeal.  I need to wait 2-7 days for the soap to harden.  I’ll let you know how it goes.

 

Until tomorrow,

Grace

 

 

010e0e55ecee2796f18cedb9bc72bdeb4b57774524

 

Whoa – for a moment I thought you were making oatmeal.  You know how much I like oatmeal.

 

 

Posted in Accountability, Challenges and Contests, Goals, Homemade, Make Madness, Pinterest, Soap | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Day 21 {Make Madness} – Rebatching Soap

Make Madness

 

Day 21 of Make Madness – Rebatching Soap

 

How-to-Use-Leftover-Soap-ScrapsIMG_4119Last year I had the privilege of helping a friend with her wedding.  She wanted to give hand crafted soap to her guests as a wedding favor.  We used a crinkle cutter to make decorative edges and I still have a bit of the slivers left over.

Come back tonight to see how I did.

Until this evening,

Grace

 

 

If you’re just joining the madness with {Make Madness} here are links to the previous projects.
Day 20 {Make Madness} – Fabric Bowl Cover
Day 19 {Make Madness} – Peeps
Day 18 {Make Madness} – Dog Bandana
Day 17 {Make Madness} – Crocheted Hexagons
Day 16 {Make Madness} – Weaving
Day 15 {Make Madness} – English Paper Piecing
Day 14 {Make Madness} – DIY Fabric Mouse Pad
Day 13 {Make Madness} – DIY Cell Phone Cover
Day 12 {Make Madness} – Watercolor Charts
Day 11 {Make Madness} – Mod Melts
Day 10 {Make Madness} – Doodles
Day 9 {Make Madness} – DIY Washi Tape
Day 8 {Make Madness} – Washi Tape Stickers
Day 7 {Make Madness} – DIY Glue Dots
Day 6 {Make Madness} – Crocheting Tiny Flowers
Day 5 {Make Madness} – Photo Collage
Day 4 {Make Madness} –  Painting with Alcohol Inks
Day 3 {Make Madness} – Enamel Dots
Day 2 {Make Madness} – Embossed Brads
Day 1 {Make Madness} – Words & Washi Tape

 

013eaff989bc02b8082e7a808984b2b9b0fcc2c5a9

 

Is this soap that you will use to give us baths?  I’m not sure I can get behind that kind of project.

 

Posted in Accountability, Challenges and Contests, Goals, Homemade, Make Madness, Pinterest, Soap | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Saturday Snippets | March 21, 2015

Welcome to Saturday Snippets.  This is where I share links and odd bits of info from the past week.

1. Dogs just want everyone to get along.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AhwEzZV7uYo

18-Ways-to-Decorate-Easter-Eggs_thumb-25255B1-25255D2.  Easter’s coming!  How are you going to decorate your eggs?

3.  I want to make one of these.  I just need to get my hands on some spindles.

 

 

4. Someday I hope to do a push up like this.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ob7OSk8G8bk

5. If Mike and I get any more dogs, we’re going to need one of these.

Well that’s all the snippets I have for today.  Have a wonderful Saturday,

Grace

 

 

IMG_2799

 

It’s true.  We just want everyone to get along.

Posted in Accountability, Decorating, Dogs, Education, Exercise, Goals, Homemade, Repurposing, Saturday Snippets | Tagged , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Day 20 {Make Madness} – Part 2 – Fabric Bowl Cover

Make Madness

 

Day 20 of Make Madness – Fabric Bowl Cover

 

This is one of those projects that I’m so glad I finally made.

I used leftover fabric from the Christmas apron I made.  I think all your aprons and bowl covers should match ;-).

I picked a bowl I use all the time, laid it upside down on the fabric and cut around 3″ from the bowl.  I folded the fabric over about 1/4″ and sewed a hem, then over about 3/4″ to create a tunnel for the elastic.

I ran the elastic through using a safety pin, fit it over the bowl and sewed the elastic pieces together.  I tucked them into the tube and sewed it shut.

01ef73ae4c6fb34cbe4a116148934e6b9a715a29070180e586386c6d80164efca31e47e56d9ff482e73c

 

 

 

 

 

01e8e2c64788853c4abad40128d0df7937ee9f27f2So fast and quite cute.  I’ll be making more.

Until tomorrow,

Grace

 

 

IMG_5478

 

Hey mom – you could make some of these for the cans of yummy food you sometimes buy to mix in with our kibble.  Of course, you’d have to buy some of the yummy food, but that’s okay because I’m here ready to eat it.

 

 

Posted in Accountability, Challenges and Contests, Goals, Homemade, Make Madness, Pinterest, sewing | Tagged , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Day 20 {Make Madness} – Fabric Bowl Cover

Make Madness

 

Day 20 of Make Madness – Fabric Bowl Cover

 

7688805_f520This project was one of my earlier pins on Pinterest.  Since my fabric and sewing machine were out and I found myself needing one of these the other day, I thought I’d give it a whirl.

Come back tonight to see how I did.

 

Until this evening,

Grace

 

 

If you’re just joining the madness with {Make Madness} here are links to the previous projects.

Day 19 {Make Madness} – Peeps
Day 18 {Make Madness} – Dog Bandana
Day 17 {Make Madness} – Crocheted Hexagons
Day 16 {Make Madness} – Weaving
Day 15 {Make Madness} – English Paper Piecing
Day 14 {Make Madness} – DIY Fabric Mouse Pad
Day 13 {Make Madness} – DIY Cell Phone Cover
Day 12 {Make Madness} – Watercolor Charts
Day 11 {Make Madness} – Mod Melts
Day 10 {Make Madness} – Doodles
Day 9 {Make Madness} – DIY Washi Tape
Day 8 {Make Madness} – Washi Tape Stickers
Day 7 {Make Madness} – DIY Glue Dots
Day 6 {Make Madness} – Crocheting Tiny Flowers
Day 5 {Make Madness} – Photo Collage
Day 4 {Make Madness} –  Painting with Alcohol Inks
Day 3 {Make Madness} – Enamel Dots
Day 2 {Make Madness} – Embossed Brads
Day 1 {Make Madness} – Words & Washi Tape

 

01876f3794181867ed61a2df8230da02eb407c3ea1

 

Is this the fabric you’re going to use?

 

Posted in Accountability, Challenges and Contests, Goals, Homemade, Make Madness, Pinterest, sewing | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Day 18 {Make Madness} – Part 2 – Peeps

Make Madness

 

Day 19 – Peeps

 

As I mentioned earlier today, I have a friend who LOVES Peeps.  She loves the marshmallow-y goodness, but I also think she’s enamored with the cute little bunnies.

While the Peeps I made today don’t have near the calorie content of the original, they sure turned out cute.  As I was making them, I was thinking about all the different colors of yarn I could use.  A while back I dyed a batch of worsted weight yarn with Kool-aid and the vibrant colors would be perfect for this project.

These little cuties would make adorable additions to Easter baskets.

01ea66d17838846cbeb4f744d5e1f047edff9a51e501bda9470f6c5203cdd3bbd76f564be1d7bef2601f011764b471da2fe31cba2774d2083cc930ea0a99080154d04281266a8adcb964b4fa2a974d04ed194599

 

 

 

 

The pattern said to sew on the eyes and nose, but in a moment of sheer laziness, I hot-glued mine on.  The eyes and nose are very small black beads, but I would be cautious about having these around small children and/or animals.

Until tomorrow,

Grace

 

 

100_1849

 

So I’m not the “friend”.  I felt sure I was because you know how much I love marshmallows.

 

 

 

Posted in Accountability, Challenges and Contests, Crochet, Goals, Homemade, Make Madness, Yarn | Tagged , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Day 19 {Make Madness} – Peeps

Make Madness

 

Day 19 of Make Madness – Peeps

 

Peeps1_medium2Easter’s just around the corner and I have a friend that LOVES Peeps, the marshmallow treats.

I’m not sure these will be a substitute for the real thing, but they sure would be cute for an Easter basket.  I found this pattern on Ravelry, a website community dedicated to knitters, crocheters and fiber artists.

Come back tonight to see how I did.

Until this evening,

Grace

 

 

If you’re just joining the madness with {Make Madness} here are links to the previous projects.

Day 18 {Make Madness} – Dog Bandana
Day 17 {Make Madness} – Crocheted Hexagons
Day 16 {Make Madness} – Weaving
Day 15 {Make Madness} – English Paper Piecing
Day 14 {Make Madness} – DIY Fabric Mouse Pad
Day 13 {Make Madness} – DIY Cell Phone Cover
Day 12 {Make Madness} – Watercolor Charts
Day 11 {Make Madness} – Mod Melts
Day 10 {Make Madness} – Doodles
Day 9 {Make Madness} – DIY Washi Tape
Day 8 {Make Madness} – Washi Tape Stickers
Day 7 {Make Madness} – DIY Glue Dots
Day 6 {Make Madness} – Crocheting Tiny Flowers
Day 5 {Make Madness} – Photo Collage
Day 4 {Make Madness} –  Painting with Alcohol Inks
Day 3 {Make Madness} – Enamel Dots
Day 2 {Make Madness} – Embossed Brads
Day 1 {Make Madness} – Words & Washi Tape

 

01537d33170cadfbf6283f0dc6d4188fde571888df

 

I LOVE Peeps.  Am I the “friend”?

 

Posted in Accountability, Challenges and Contests, Crochet, Goals, Homemade, Make Madness, Pinterest, Yarn | Tagged , , , , , , , | 3 Comments

Day 18 {Make Madness} – Part 2 – Dog Bandana

Make Madness

 

Day 18 – Dog Bandana

 

It’s a good feeling when an idea that has been swimming around in your head for weeks comes to life.  And actually works.

01c2f41c72905139d3a3712e5de9e12b935a11eb71I picked out two fabrics because I wanted the bandana to be reversible.  I cut them into a triangle shape and sewed them together right side together.  I left a 2″ gap for turning the bandana right side out.  After turning it, I ironed the seams and top stitched about 1/8″ from the edge.

015a12c55cef58709370d5f9601fadf5e610e0c2c901ad6585426323bd6f78fd819decb4613d0841959aI dug through my Velcro leftovers and found a 1/2″ piece that I sewed onto the very tip of the tie.  Even with a Velcro closure it’s possible to reverse the bandana.  I know it’s a bit difficult to see because the fabric pieces are similar in color.

After I finished, I tried it on Mindy and it fit beautifully.  I think, however, on my next bandana I’ll use a longer piece of Velcro so the neck sizing can be adjustable.

010b22a015fbbfa561d8942fbb730f97b2a4d3791a01da2ac1f17f8e23fa0dc10f40302353ae3f1eaac301c9c538c1e7a1ebbb2f3afffa1fb8a78c7ecfa361

 

 

 

 

 

 

Mindy wore the bandana all day and it stayed on the whole time even during playtime in the backyard.  I know she looks serious in the photos, but she really didn’t mind wearing it.  You may notice a bit of black fur in the photos, so the fact that it’s washable is a huge plus.

Now I need to get busy making a couple for Woody and Ellie.

Until tomorrow,

Grace

 

 

01164e33c769f00646817ce6dadaa00e6b55ebd847

 

Woody wanted me to ask if we can pick out our own fabric.  I think he’d really like something blue to match his eye.

 

 

 

Posted in Accountability, Challenges and Contests, Goals, Homemade, Make Madness, sewing | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

Day 18 {Make Madness} – Dog Bandana

Make Madness

 

Day 18 of Make Madness – Dog Bandana

 

As you know, I make dog beds because I needed a bed that met our needs as dog owners.  I wrote about the beds here.  I use a Velcro enclosure and really try to minimize waste, but every now and then, I’ll have 1″ bits of Velcro left over.

As you’ve guessed, I kept them and I’ve been mulling over what to do with them when I had a light bulb moment, you guessed it, while I was walking my dogs. 😉

I had already been thinking about making bandanas for the dogs to commemorate St. Patrick’s Day and in a “peanut butter/chocolate” moment, I wondered about making 01df791c6b74b5eeb5559819885975b167eb126b37bandanas and using the Velcro as the “tie”.

I didn’t make the St. Patrick’s Day bandanas because I found these nifty, sparkly bow ties instead, but the idea never left me.  So I’m going to give them a go.

Come back tonight to see how I did.

Until this evening,

Grace

 

 

If you’re just joining the madness with {Make Madness} here are links to the previous projects.

Day 17 {Make Madness} – Crocheted Hexagons
Day 16 {Make Madness} – Weaving
Day 15 {Make Madness} – English Paper Piecing
Day 14 {Make Madness} – DIY Fabric Mouse Pad
Day 13 {Make Madness} – DIY Cell Phone Cover
Day 12 {Make Madness} – Watercolor Chart
Day 11 {Make Madness} – Mod Melts
Day 10 {Make Madness} – Doodles
Day 9 {Make Madness} – DIY Washi Tape
Day 8 {Make Madness} – Washi Tape Stickers
Day 7 {Make Madness} – DIY Glue Dots
Day 6 {Make Madness} – Crocheting Tiny Flowers
Day 5 {Make Madness} – Photo Collage
Day 4 {Make Madness} –  Painting with Alcohol Inks
Day 3 {Make Madness} – Enamel Dots
Day 2 {Make Madness} – Embossed Brads
Day 1 {Make Madness} – Words & Washi Tape

 

IMG_0155

 

My favorite bandana is the one Aunt Jolene made that looks just like me.

Posted in Accountability, Challenges and Contests, Goals, Homemade, Make Madness, sewing | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

Day 17 {Make Madness} – Part 2 – Crocheted Hexagons

Make Madness

 

Day 17 – Crocheted Hexagons

 

Okay, I’m officially hooked!

Lucy’s tutorial was excellent and within minutes I had a couple of crocheted hexagons.

0148f16a07344c11568e571f9bc1310757bf118742Because you tie off after each section (except the last), you can make several centers at a time, then work on round 2 for several pieces.  This could be handy if you wanted to create a blanket out of the hexagons. Figure out how many pieces you’ll need then make all the centers, followed by round 2’s, then 3’s.  Or you can just make each one as you go.

I love the fact that your choice of colors really don’t matter, unless you’re going for a particular color scheme.  I think I want to try a blanket made up of a hodge podge of color.

Such a great use for scrap yarn!!

Here’s are my hexies:

016cbf3ddc0909226b7f00a2bcdf61842aec39dda9017690b5937832c9f7c6e803b9fbc5ac9e0d8cd98b

017205bd5a0dc718b8271a586eb86bd9fa1ddbb462

 

 

 

 

 

 

Until tomorrow,

Grace

 

 

IMG_0362

 

 

 

I’ll bet they don’t make hexagon-shaped cookies for dogs.  You could be the first one to do that.  And I could be your taste tester.  It could work.  Let’s try.

 

 

 

Posted in Accountability, Challenges and Contests, Crochet, Goals, Homemade, Make Madness, Pinterest, Yarn | Tagged , , , , , , , | Leave a comment