no sweat... actually, no stink

I made something today.  Deodorant. 

I haven't used antiperspirant in a long time.  Like two years or something.  It is not very good for you.  And I don't like yellow pit stains in my shirts.  So, no antiperspirant for me.
Sure, I sweat.  But I don't stink.
I found a great recipe for homemade deodorant here. 

3 Tablespoons shea butter
3 Tablespoons baking soda
2 Tablespoons corn starch
2 Tablespoons cocoa butter
2 vitamin E oil gel caps (puncture and squeeze out the oil)
Essential Oil (I used ylang yang and orange)

I switched to this deodorant last fall.  I love it.  The ingredients are simple and it works so well!  When I say it works well, I mean you may sweat buckets, but you will not stink!  And your shirt pits will not turn yellow.
Here is a little variation on that recipe, you can find moisturizers (usually "body butter" or something thick like that) made mostly of shea and cocoa butter that are already scented with essential oils (read the ingredients), and so I use about 5 tablespoons of that.  Mix the Vitamin E oil to lotion.  And then just add the baking soda and corn starch to that.  I like Bath & Body Works body butters and massage butters for a quick deodorant.

Seriously, this stuff works well.  Fresh pits all day.  And night!

Not very crafty... but homemade.  And healthy.

a skirt from Grandma's fabric

I had a lovely neighbor all of my growing-up years in Ohio.  We called her "Grandma Wolf."  (Wolf was her last name.)  Grandma Wolf loved to sew.  She made most of her own clothes... crisp pants with cool cotton blouses... koulots and matching tops.  And she wore all of her homemade creations with white knee-high stockings and white shoes.

Grandma could do it all: buttonholes, zippers, elastic, collars, piping, trims.  She generously gave us lots of leftover fabric.   She had a huge garden.  She canned things.  Visiting her was a treat... and usually she gave us her unique homemade cookies or some "penny candy."  I wish now that I could go back in time and take sewing lessons from her.  She would have liked that.  Gardening lessons too.  She knew so much, and I wasn't really interested then.  Grandma passed away a few years ago. 

When I went home for Easter this year, I spotted some fabric at my parents' home... vintage fabric remnants from Grandma Wolf!  What a treasure!

This week, I made a skirt for myself with the fabric from Grandma.  I kept it simple... A-line with a zipper and hook closures.  With the scraps I sewed a flower for my hair.  I love the bright, graphic floral pattern... so summery and bright.  Vintage, but fresh.  As I worked on this project, I thought of my sweet neighbor and I wondered what she would think of my efforts.


Not as tidy as Grandma would have done, but a solid first step.

sushi baby

Another applique shirt!  This is for a baby with sophisticated taste buds... sushi with ginger and wasabi!  This kimono-style t-shirt would be cute paired with black leggings and Trumpette socks.  Yum.

yoga baby shirts

Here are some bodysuits I appliqued for a baby shower gift.  The momma is into yoga, so I made babies doing yoga poses.  I also made a baby yoga mat with tag fringe to go with this. 

custom glasses

My sister stayed with us this winter to help with the new baby.  It was wonderful.  But she and I kept getting our glasses mixed up.  Not that I minded too much, but I like to use one glass all day... less dishes to do.  And I like to keep my germs to myself.

So here is our solution... a simple project for your glass tumblers.

First, cut shapes from contact paper to make stencils.  Paper punches, QuicKutz, or even an Xacto knife work well for this.  The shapes should be unique, so every glass is different... so you can easily tell them apart.

Make sure the glass bottoms are very clean, and adhere the stencils to the bottoms.

Next, carefully paint some glass etching paste over the design.  Wait five minutes and rinse well (or whatever the package instructions say).  Peel off the contact paper stencils, and voila!

Now you can tell which glass is yours by its unique design... and your glasses will still match each other when set at the table.

And every time you take a sip, you will smile at how clever you are.  We have also found these to be great conversation pieces.

I used several images, but monograms, punctation, or geometric designs would work too.

This makes a great semi-homemade gift!  A 12-pack of glasses at Target is about $6.  The etching paste is about $5 (the small bottle will go a long way!).  And if you don't have lots of paper punches, come over and borrow mine.

retro apron

This apron is part of a very late Christmas gift.  I appliqued the orange slice with fabric, double-sided iron-on backing, and machine stitching. 
Applique-ing was so much fun.  I might have to make some more projects with this.
Stay tuned.

creative baby gifts

I am blessed with some very talented and generous friends who have made some darling gifts for June.

My sister-in-law Sarah knitted this winter hat for June (and another coordinating one too... a Chicago girl can't have too  many!).  Obviously June loves it!  I love it too.  Knitting is not (yet?) one of my talents, so it is wonderful to have a homemade knit hat.


My friend Mo made these onesies with fabric, double-sided iron-on backing, and simple machine stitching.  I can't wait for June to grow into these.  I think the writing over the elephant says "awesome" or something like that.


The fabulously talented Marjorie crocheted the gorgeous edging on this blanket.  It is such a beautiful touch on a simple blanket.


My dear friend Stephanie made this sweet set: bibs, burp cloths, and onesie.  I love the hand stitching around the monogram and heart!  And how baby-sophisticated to have a burp cloth that matches the outfit!


My mother-in-law made June's blessing gown.  You can see it here.

My lovely friend Kris Tina made a baby cozy for June.  That's right.  A baby cozy.  A cocoon of fuzziness.  Here is June snoozing away in her cozy cocoon.  Heavenly.


I love seeing the brilliant projects my friends do... and it is wonderful to be on the receiving end of their creativity!