DIY Sugar Scrub

For my skincare-loving roommate's birthday, I made her this DIY sugar scrub.

I mixed together raw organic sugar, extra virgin olive oil, and clover blossom honey into a consistency that was neither too sticky, dry, nor oily. The sugar is a great natural exfoliant, and the olive oil and honey help to moisturize the skin.

I filled a small jar half-way with sugar, then added 2 parts honey and 3 parts olive oil (enough to fill the jar about 3/4 of the way full). Rather than using a recipe, I tested out what I had as I went along and adjusted the proportions until I felt the scrub had a good consistency.

I also made a batch for myself, which I treat my skin to once a week.
<3 Mandy

Papier-mâché Piñata

For my friend's birthday, I made a papier-mâché piñata!

 

Using flour, glue, and water, I made a paste to dip strips of newspapers in and layer onto a balloon. With the help of some friends, I made a couple of layers. To speed up the drying process, I used a hairdryer to dry each layer before proceeding onto the next. In total, I made 7 newspaper layers. For a smooth base, without newspaper headlines popping out, I used a brown paper bag to make an 8th layer.

 

 

 

 After letting the papier-mâché dry overnight, I cut little ruffles of tissue and crepe paper to decorate the piñata.

 

 

Then I filled it with goodies, including a birthday banner, some candies and chocolates, and a heart filled with rosemary. 
Since I spent so much time on it (about 16 hours), I wouldn't let him break it open. So instead of sealing it shut, I added a little flap made from teal duct tape (to fit in with the color scheme). 

 

<3 Mandy

Recycled Crafts

I love upcyling old items into new pieces. Instead of recycling an empty peanut butter jar, I washed it out and used it as a base for a pencil holder. I hot-glued thin sticks that I broke into smaller pieces to put around the jar. The sticks are all different lengths, but are all long enough to completely cover the plastic. I also added little  feathers to the crevices between the sticks. To prevent scratching the table I put the jar on, I spiraled a long piece of cream-colored string and glued it in place on the bottom of the jar.

My suitemate Amanda covered a large pinecone with feathers to make a little owl. For eyes, she glued on little yellow half-marbles.

These natural treasures adorn our humble abode. I love that they are made from things we found outside or already had.

<3 Mandy

Braided Leather Bracelets

I recently bought some swatches of leather in cherry red and beige from a reuse store because I had some craft ideas in mind. I cut the leather into 1" by 9" or 10" strips, and in each strip made 2 slits so I could "magic braid" them. Here are some photos of the bracelet-making process.

special thanks to my sister, the hand model

  
With some leftover leather I had, I also made a little bow for my hair by pleating and sewing a rectangular strip onto a barrette.

<3 Mandy

Sharpie Mugs

At school, we had a floor event of decorating plain white ceramic mugs called "Mugs and Hugs". After drawing on our designs with Sharpie permanent markers, we baked our mugs at 350°F for 30-45 minutes. The colors slightly changed, with the yellow changing to a burnt brown color, for example, but I don't mind the different look; I actually think it makes the mugs look more homey and less preschool-scribbly. We washed the mugs with soap and hot water, and even scrubbed with them with a sponge, but the designs still held out. Here are some of the designs my friends and I drew!

Here are two mugs I made:

 

 

  

 
Christine:

 

Amanda:

 

 

 
Sequoia:

 

We love sipping tea from our handicrafts, as it feels especially special to put something we made to good use.
<3 Mandy 

First Anniversary!

Today marks the first anniversary of my blog. YAY!
Recent happenings in the past week include valentine-making and birthday-celebrating in this lovely month of February.

Love,
Mandy