Little Lavender Dryer Sachet- add more excitement to your laundry!

We actually haven't used dryer sheets in a while, close to three years. We decided along time ago that dryer sheets was not a must have item in our household. Mostly because of the film it leaves on the fabric. It blocks some absorption from the material, and frankly, when I get out of the shower or wash my hands I really want my towel to wick the moisture away the first time.

So this little dryer sachet came about while I was doing laundry (of course!). I re-found my lavender today and remembered that I have wanted to make one of these for a while. So while my clothes were a washing, my sewing machine was a sewing. 

• This project is easy!
• It takes around 1-11/2 hours!
• Perfect for when you want to be creative but don't want to start a major project! 
• Use your fabric scraps!

Get Started 

I am going to show you the basic instructions. The little details like bear applique and shape of sachet can be changed to your liking.

List of materials 

1. Two different coordinating fabrics, cut in a half circle (use a medium sized bowl)
2. 3/4 cup of lavender flowers and 1/4 cup of flax seed ( more or less depending on the size of your actual half circle)  
3. Wool applique. Use real wool, it will help eliminate static
4. funnel and or spoon
5. sewing machine

Looking mighty tough with his tattoo heart

First you need to sew your applique on one side of your sachet. Tip! Sew slow, you will have a better result with your applique. Now place the right sides together. 

Make sure you sew all along the edges about 1/4 inch, and make little cuts so when you turn it right side out it with have a smooth form on the inside.  Now turn it right side out and fill.

 You might have to also use a spoon for the lavender, like I did. Fill until there is about 1/8 of empty space left. Pin the little opening together and sew shut.

There you have it! Extremely easy and you can feel accomplished for making something in a couple of hours. And its practical!

 This would be great sewing project for a young child while you are teaching them how to do their own laundry. Make several to give as a gift. 

This one is bigger then the ones Trader Joes sells. They say each one should last 3 months. This one will last longer. Squeeze several times in hand before throwing them into your dryer, to re-release the fragrant lavender flowers. 

Happy Sewing!

Danielle

Coming Soon:

See how I will remake this ugly find into vintage trendy. Stay tuned to find out how!

Vanilla and Lavender Body Lotion

 I decided to make my own lotion the other day. It is so easy to make ORGANIC body lotion, packed with good stuff like Shea Butter and Coconut Oil. This recipe only has 3 ingredients, besides kitchen tools.

Here's what you need:

3 Tablespoons of Shea butter  

2 Tablespoons of Coconut oil

1/4 cup of fragrant infused oil 

* I made my own lavender and vanilla infused olive oil, and I'll tell you how too*

1 squirt lotion bottle

a double boiler

a funnel

This is so simple and it takes less then 30 minutes.

Double Boiler from smokymtntreasures

1)In your double boiler melt the 2 tablespoons of coconut oil and the 3 tablespoons of Shea butter

Infused oil from Glorybeherbals

2) Once the oils are melted, pour in your 1/4 cup of infused oil.

( I made my own two months ago and I'll tell you how. I took a cup of dried lavender buds, 1 vanilla bean and stuffed them in a glass jar. I then poured olive oil in until it covered the flower buds. It needs to sit for at least 2-6 months and be shaken occasionally to allow the herbs and oil to "marry", as the cooks say it)

3) Gently stir until all of the oils are blended

4) Pour the liquid through a funnel into the lotion jar

Remember its hot! So use pot holders.

5) put it in the fridge to cool

6) Use it and smell great!

I seriously smell like a baked good, hot and fresh from the oven whenever I use this. Its the combination of coconut, lavender and vanilla bean that makes it smell so good.

Some awesome benefits of Coconut Oil and Shea Butter

This was given to me from a friend who got it on the website heartofwisdom.com

Coconut Oil

Painting from aidamarkiw

Studies show that virgin coconut oil completely heals, eliminates, reduces or protects against these ailments:

• liver disease
• kidney disease and bladder infections
• yeast that causes candida, jock itch, ringworm, athlete’s foot
• skin infections psoriasis, eczema, and dermatitis
• bacteria that cause pneumonia, earache, throat infections
• bacteria that cause dental cavities, food poisoning, urinary tract infections
• bacteria that cause meningitis, gonorrhea, and dozens of other diseases
• benign prostatic hyperplasia (enlarged prostate)
• breast, colon, and other cancers.
• periodontal disease and tooth decay
• hemorrhoids
• cystic fibrosis
• excess weight
• osteoporosis
• epileptic seizures
• chronic fatigue syndrome
• wrinkles, sagging skin, and age spots
• dandruff, and the list goes on and on

Shea Butter

Unrefined Shea Butter from beijaflores

Shea butter info taken from treasuredlocks.com

Shea Butter can provide relief from everything from just dry skin to many minor dermatological diseases (if you have a serious skin condition, you should see a doctor).  It has been clinically shown to provide benefits.  Here are some of the benefits of Shea Butter for the skin:

Daily skin moisturizer (face and body) Dry skin relief Dry scalp Skin rash- including diaper rash Skin peeling, after tanning Blemishes and wrinkles Itching skin due to dryness Sunburn Shaving cream to reduce razor irritation Small skin wounds Skin cracks Soften tough skin on feet (especially heels) Stretch mark prevention during pregnancy Minor burns Eczema Sun and wind protection Even skin tone Reduce blemishes and scarring Eliminating scalp irritation from dryness or chemical processing Preventing bumps after shaving Reducing acne (especially in combination with African Black Soap) Absorbs quickly without leaving a greasy residue Helps restore elasticity to skin Restores luster to hair

Have fun making this and let me know how you smell from this wonderful body lotion.

The In Season/ Out of Season Sweater Makeover

 Since I had several people tell me they liked the first sweater makeover, I decided to do another sweater makeover.  This one I'm super happy about because I got two makeovers out of one sweater.  Boot socks for winter and a super cute tank for summer.

Lets Start!

Heres the sweater and I know that your thinking "Stripes?!". Ok maybe I was thinking that. I've gotten a lot of wear out of it but I was feeling that it needed to have a new look.

 

So I placed it on the floor took a picture while Lincoln wasn't stepping on it. Lincoln has this thing about stepping on anything and everything I place on the floor. I cut around were the sleeve meets the shoulder ( around the border) and around the armpit.

See that little foot, thats Lincoln about to pounce on the separated sleeve.  Cut across the sleeve were the  tip of the armpit curve is.

 

Slip them on and wear them with your cool new boots you got from Goodwill. Aren't they rad! Only 10 bucks friends.

More cool sock and cool boot pictures

If you notice a slight "fuzziness" to the picture its because I realized I forgot to dust my mirror half way through the photo shoot. The boots are still awesome despite this though.

Second Makeover

Remember how I just removed the sleeves? Well that left me this cool, fresh, easy to look awesome in tank top. 

The sweater color is faded in this one, but its the best shot.

Not the best shot but the best color and I like my face in this one.

I should also say that the back of the tank also looks like the front of the tank. I'm going to take it to the next level and crochet a tiny border around the arms so it can have a nice finish and look more professional. I'll show you when I'm done with that.

I would love to know what you think of this!

Thanks!

Danielle