APRON STRINGS

Friday, April 27, 2012

BEER SOAP

A beer lover's dream come true! Beer soap is a wonderful cleansing and moisturizing bar.
 BEER IS GOOD FOR YOUR SKIN!! It has been used for thousands of years (since the  Egyptians) to freshen the skin and reduce the risk of skin conditions and scientific studies have confirmed that beer sediment (brewer's yeast) can help improve the symptoms of acne by slowing down sebum production and killing off the bacteria that triggers acne. This component of beer, an inactive yeast that no longer has leavening power, helps maintain a balanced pH level in the skin.







Since beer is made primarily with hops, the properties and benefits of this herb become part of the soap. Hops are known to sooth irritated skin and contain skin softening amino acids. Takes relaxing with beer to a whole different level doesn't it?

Beer soap is easy, you just replace all or part of your water with cold flat beer.





let the beer sit out and put it in the fridge until it is really flat.


With beer and wine it is really important to make sure it is flat and all the alcohol is evaporated because it will heat up if not done.


 If you want to keep it a lighter color and keep some of the natural beer fragrance then do not allow it to go into gel. Instead as soon as you pour into your mold put it into the freezer. After a day or so I take it out, thaw it, and then cut it and set it to cure for at least 6 weeks.


You can use any one of your favorite soap recipes in making beer soap. Just remember to make sure the beer is flat and cold. Use an extra large bowl and pour in the lye slowly – otherwise it will bubble up and may overflow the bowl.


Here is a really easy recipe if this is your first attempt:




Single recipe                              Double recipe
3 lbs. Crisco (1 can)                                      96oz. Crisco (3cans)
6 oz. lye                                                              12oz. Lye
12 oz. water                                                      24oz. Water



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Suzy Homefaker's recipe :
INGREDIENTS                   
   
24 oz. coconut oil                                                                             
24 oz. olive oil           
38 oz. Crisco              
32 oz. FLAT BEER     
12 oz. lye                       

*any fragrance or dye of your choice..I used 2 T. honey , pumpkin pie spice and some fresh orange zest. Place  your lye pitcher inside of a roasting pan or in the sink to mix it. That way, if it does bubble over, the lye solution won’t go onto the counter or floor.


Some things to know before you start...
  1. Make sure that your liquid is chilled before mixing the lye into it. (This isn’t a bad idea even if just using plain water.) 
  2. Work in an area that has very good ventilation. The fumes from the mixture will be heavy and foul smelling.
  3. If you’re working with a carbonated beverage, like beer, make sure that it is completely flat. Leave it out on the counter for several days, stirring often. Remember, absolutely, completely flat.
  4. If you're using a liquid that contains alcohol and/or a high sugar content, you may want to do a small-batch test first. Sometimes the alcohol and/or sugar content can do odd things in the soap batch. At the very least, it's going to make the gel stage VERY hot! Don't insulate these batches - they'll cook quite well on their own.
  5. Work very slowly, especially if this is the first time you’ve used this particular liquid in your soap. Add the lye slowly. Stir slowly.
DIRECTIONS
Melt/heat the Crisco in a enamel pan and place on stove to melt and heat.
Place cold water in a glass bowl and slowly add lye while stirring with a wooden. Stir until water is clear if you can.
When the Crisco and lye are warm to the touch, pour lye into Crisco while stirring. Keep stirring until you get trace.
Trace is when it thickens to the point where you can drop some of the mix back in to itself and it leaves a trail. At this point use any herbs, scent, or coloring and stir and pour mold(s). This recipe fits nicely in a bread pan lined with plastic wrap container, but other containers, such as pringles cans or specialty soap molds work just fine, too.
Put molds in a warm, insulated place, let set 24 hours and then cut. Place on to rack and let cure for 2-3 weeks.

This soap will be great for shaving and moisturizing the skin, and because of the sugar in the beer, it will bubble like crazy





Who hasn't grabbed a bottle of beer and jumped into the shower? 


Well now you can lather with your lager with these one of a kind beer soaps!


It can also function as a shampoo bar and beer is great for your hair!


Freshly brewed and right off the tap into the soap for a rich, creamy lather and a full bodied soap. 




As a Shampoo Bar: beer is rich in amino acids that coat and repair each strand of hair. The proteins and Vitamin B are said to repair damaged hair and boost overall body and volume to hair. Mineral rich malt and barley preserve hydration, tightens the hair's cuticles for enhanced shine and luster. Hops and yeast help treat scalp irritations such as dandruff and psoriasis.


Don't you worry, you will not smell like you just bathed in a bottle of beer, you will just feel the added benefits and your skin will thank you! There is no alcohol left in our soap after the process.

This soap has a sweet and spicy aroma that is both calming, and invigorating. 





 Make a frothy head on the soap by making the the recipe below for a  pure white head, and a clear fragrance if desired...


Crisco               1 1/2 cups
Coconut oil    1 1/2 cups
Lye                     1/3 cup
Water               1 cup


OR 


1 can Crisco
2/3 cups Lye
2 cups water


Whip up the harder oils till they are soft and fluffy with a stand or hand held mixer, then add the softer oils and whip it up again. The mix may look a little soft but  lastly add the 'chilled' caustic soda/water mix slowly and carefully. Slow the mixer down to add this and add in small amounts.  The soft mix will firm up again after adding the caustic soda/water mix. Give it a good whipping again then its ready to colour and fragrance.Spread on the top of previously poured  soap mixture , and make a "head " by carefully  swirling a rubber spatula through only the white (top) layer.Or if you want to get extra fancy, put it through a pastry tube after cutting, and pipe the head on individually.I've shown you both ways ....


Add caption

adding cooled lye water very slowly!

I added some coarse sugar for a sparkle, and also a great exfoliate 

Pastry bag piped head  after cutting soap with a ridged cutter




This is slathered n before cutting soap
Allow your finished soap to set in the mold for about 24 hours. Remove and cut with a wire. Standard soap cutters and knives tend to break pieces off as you cut. Cure this soap for about 4 weeks before selling.








                        Come follow me on Facebook for tons of inspiration!! 
https://www.facebook.com/SuziHomefaker?ref=tn_tnmn
Disclaimer — The recipes in this post reflect  my own methods of soap making . I cannot personally guarantee the success or results of any of the recipes included in this blog. If you are new to soap making, familiarize yourself with basic soapmaking and lye safety procedures before trying any of the recipes. It is a good idea to run any recipe through the lye calculator first.~Suzy



Sunday, April 22, 2012

UPCYCLED VINYL Shabby Glam GLITTER FLOOR

This aint your Grandmama's Kitchen...
                          
O.K You found me out ...I am a glitterholic!!! .....GLITTER is my favorite color! After years of hating my peel and stick vinyl flooring in my kitchen, I decided to upcycle it into a fairytale floor fit for a Princess...oh yeah , that would be me! LOL
As we know ,the floor is one of the most vital components in adding grace to one's surroundings. It cannot be ignored under any circumstances. The element of reflection on the surface makes glittering all the more sought after and significant in the present decor. In fact, that is what makes it ever more enchanting and worth considering.
GLITTER GLITTER GLITTER
It will not be an exaggeration to say that my floor is loaded with so much detail that everyone notices it without fail. Be it any kind of room style , this type of flooring represents you, the very you. 

My upcycled tiles glisten and accentuate the light reflecting off the vintage mirror ceiling and add a illusion of more space to my kitchen. The mirror particles  a.k.a. GLITTER reflect  a warm sparkly  glow off my crystal chandelier providing a stunning effect.  



This technique is perfect for areas that have high moisture such as bathrooms and kitchens and are durable enough to be used in heavy use areas. You can expect an elegant look  for less than $200.00.
Beauty engulfs mankind unlike any other thing.

Transforming one's living or working surroundings easily, quickly, and economically is something everyone cherishes.

For this project I chose disco dust glitter and a white base paint.

5 - 10 oz. jars ,$4.99 each =$25.00 total

Rust-Oleum 7790502 Protective Enamel 1 Quart Flat Oil Base Paint, White
$22.99

The oil-based polyurethane is available in gloss or satin sheens.I chose satin. The smooth, self-leveling formula applies easily . May apply up to 3 coats with allowing 2 hours dry time between coats and 4 to 6 hours on final coat. Approximate coverage 500 to 600 sq. ft. per gallon. Clean brushes and tools with paint thinner or mineral spirits. It was $47.99 at our local Ben Franklin.Make sure to have at least one window open while using this product, it is very smelly. You only need this for a warm amber almost antique color. This product will not be enough of a top coat to seal glitter.I learned that the hard way.It also will not bring out the sparkle in the glitter the way the epoxy coating does.If I were to do this project again, I would save the 50 dollars and skip this step.







I used this to clean the floors .$3.89

I used this to plaster all the seams between the tiles, and also as plaster for the raised stencil later on, cost was around $5.00.



Victorian Baroque Stencil
This is the wall/floor stencil I used for the raised detail  around the decoupaged roses. Hobby Lobby $16.99. I had this stencil already, so I'm not adding this to my cost of project.
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This is my icky vinyl peel and stick tile floor before....


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And Here's after......

No painting all these flowers...I made copies of roses and doilies on my computer using regular copy paper.A regular stencil was used with lightweight spackling to give a raised 3D dimensional effect of old plaster.


Yes this is really my kitchen floor, and yes my ceiling is covered with vintage mirrors. It's my most favorite room in the house.I know people are all into granite, stainless...etc., but this girl has a passion for pink, shiny, lacey things!! I'm never moving, so why not make it the way I want it.My friends all think I'm crazy cause I don't want to go on vacation, but I feel like I'm on vacation at a wonderful bed and breakfast every day...so why leave?

This is where the cat's food and water dishes will go.





I couldn't leave well enough alone,so some swarovski crystal swirls were added for some extra GLAM !!
Somebody STOP ME!!!

After application of the epoxy coating, the dimension and sparkle are there, but the surface is durable and smooth...looks like glass. Clean up will be a snap!!

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DIY Instructions for a Glamouous Glitter Floor
Supplies:
* 1 gallon oil porch and floor paint to coordinate with colored glitter
* 1 small container lightweight pre-mixed spackle (optional)
* 2 paint rollers, handle, 2 trays

* 1 bucket and sponge mop for cleaning

* 1 bottle pre- mixed TSP

*6 large containers approx. 10 oz.  glitter

* 1 gallon of oil-based  clear polyurethane varnish(use this only for antique color, as it is not thick enough to coat glitter.It also doesn't make the glitter shine enough. You must use the epoxy coating to get the sparkle!)
* 1 box fan
PLEASE NOTE: The clear garage floor 2 part epoxy finish product that you can get at home depot will give you a crystal clear glass like finish, that will be super durable and make your glitter sparkle .This also makes for a easy cleaning floor, that won't scratch or peel!!! 
$96.00, BUT WORTH EVERY PENNY !!!
Directions:
1. Use the  TSP cleaner to fully clean your floor. Spray it on, scrub, rinse with mop.
2.  let dry.
3. Patch up any holes or ridges with a lightweight spackle and let dry.
4. Pour porch and floor paint into one paint tray, use a brush to paint the edges of the room.
5. Now use one of the rollers to paint a section of the room.

6. This is where you want to lay down anything your going to decoupage onto the floor. I made copies of some doilies, and rose pictures on my computer. No need for fancy paper, regular copy paper works just fine.You can just press lightly onto the paint so it sticks.
7. Throw handfuls of glitter in the air so it lands evenly on the wet paint. I tried a shaker, but it didn't go fast enough for me.
8. Keep working by sections, make sure to cover in between sections  with glitter so it is uniform.
9. Apply as much or little glitter you want.
10. Let dry 24 hours

11. This is the time you want to add any raised detail .I used a stencil and some Spackle for some dimension to each side of my decoupaged roses .This is optional. Let this dry for 2 hours minimum.
12. Open can of varnish, pour in  paint tray and use  roller to apply an even coat. Let dry  2 hours in between coats. Repeat until desired color is achieved.It will give you almost a parchment paper color when applied over white..
13.Now you are ready to apply the epoxy finish that will make that glitter pop!! Mix as directed on the box,and apply with a  paint roller just as you did for the paint and varnish.This is well worth every penny, you won't believe the finish!

14.Let dry at least 10 to 12 hours before walking on it.

                               I LOVE THIS STUFF.











 This is how smooth the finished product is!!




        Time to put my feet up and relax.....                     


Monday, April 16, 2012

GARBAGE CAN RED POTATOES

You may wonder why  anyone would want to grow potatoes in a  garbage can. Well let me tell you, potatoes grow deep, and digging them out is no picnic. Potatoes are also love soft, well prepared soil where they can easily take root. And, they hog space, using up precious planting space in the garden. Last, but not least, potatoes should never be planted in the same place year after year because they infect their own soil and cause next year’s crops to get blight !

Potatoes are your friend - unlike a lot of other crops, potatoes can be eaten at any phase of development.


 I bought some organic potatoes at the grocery store...

 If you have seed potatoes that are quite large, they should be cut into smaller pieces.



The biggest thing to remember when cutting the seed potatoes is each piece needs to have at least two eyes. One eye per piece is the bare minimum, but two or more is better. Remember, if the piece doesn’t have at least one eye, it will not sprout a new potato plant.
Just let the potato pieces rest with the cut side exposed over night. The exposed cut area will form a skin-like seal over the cut area.


Now that the seed potatoes are ready for planting....


 Mine will be in a recycled garbage can this year .


This was an old can I found in the garbage....

I gave it a new paint job....

Drill some  holes in the bottom of your container to  get good drainage. 
Once your container is ready to go, fill the bottom with gravel... I used large gravel because it was free, but any rock will do. After the rock layer, add about 6 inches of good top soil. 
On top of the soil I added some wood mulch about 2 inches or so , which again was free at the brush pile...I know, I'm so cheap!



Now your ready to arrange your potatoes on top of the compost with the shoots pointing upwards.
Just cover the potatoes with some more mulch,so you can still see about the top 1/3 of the potato.
 After a few days when the potatoes start to grow leaves above the mulch, cover them again with further mulch.
Continue this process until the mulch and the leaves reach the top of the garbage can, then allow the leaves to grow on as normal.

You will get ALOT more potatoes than if you simply filled the  trash can up with soil/mulch and planted the potatoes without going through the ‘earthing up’ process.


Wait to harvest after the green plants have dried up or died back. Dump the can over (onto a tarp) and pick out your potatoes. Potatoes have this fantastic tendency to put nitrogen back into soil. So the dirt that you get out of your can is perfect for adding to you flower bed or vegetable garden and giving it a natural growing boost!The soil can be added to a flower or herb garden or put into yard waste. You don’t want to plant potatoes, tomatoes, peppers, or eggplant in the “used” potato soil because it likely to contain insects or disease from this season’s crop.

Sunday, April 15, 2012

DIY NO BAKE POLYMER CLAY




1 cup white school glue
1 teaspoon  facial cold cream
1/2 cup water 
1 teaspoon glycerin

1 tsp. baby oil or vaseline
1 cup cornstarch

1 pair rubber dish gloves


I got my glycerin from the health food store, but anywhere that sells cake decorating supplies ie. Walmart or Hobby Lobby should have it also.
Mix the glue, water,baby oil, cream, and glycerin over medium low heat in a saucepan until smooth. You my have to use a whisk to get it smooth.
Mix  in 1 cup cornstarch until it looks like  thick instant mashed potatoes.
Now put your dish gloves on (as it is very hot) and knead the mixture with cornstarch on your gloves to prevent sticking.


After about five more minutes of kneading, your clay will be smooth like a babies butt, and no longer sticky.


Objects dry to a light-weight, stone like texture, and shrink a bit .




Wrap in cling wrap and store in an air tight container immediately after finishing making the clay to prevent drying out.

* Can keep up to a month. If frozen can be kept indefinitely.





Now let your imagination run wild!!!


Cover pens










Love Potion - Polymer Clay Perfume Bottle Necklace

Herb markers

Button Twin Girly Frogs handmade polymer clay buttons ( 2 )

Handcrafted fleur de lis wine bottle stopper and charms gift set
Oven baked clay braided bangle set

Iconic Purse Charm Necklace

Pepperoni Pizza Slice Earrings - Miniature Food Polymer Clay Jewelry
Hot Cocoa with Marshmallows Necklace - Miniature Food Polymer Clay Jewelry
Hime Princess classic sweet crown with pearls earrings NOW AVAILABLE in more COLORS
Green Bay Packers Cheese Head Earrings Jewelry
photos via bing images.com