WIP Crochet Top Continued

I realize you cannot tell much of a difference in the top so far, but I have added a band at the top, about 1.5 inches tall.  

More changes to come...

Laundry Soap

You are looking down into my container of DIY home laundry soap.  This is the powdered variety.  Mix together unscented soap (I used grated Fels-Naptha), Washing Soda, and Borax powder.  I separated the mix into individual containers which I then put a few drops of essential oil in.  I washed the laundry with the peppermint version today and -Wow- the whole laundry room smelled so good and fresh.  I love it!  You only need a small amount in the washer and it works out to washing your clothes for pennies a load.  

I highly recommend giving this one a try!

Work In Progress (WIP) Crochet Top

This tube tank top is one of three final ways you can crochet the pattern for this top.  Watch for the other versions coming soon!

Cucumber Hair Conditioner

While this may look like a healthy smoothie, it's actually a hair conditioner.  It contains cucumber, whole eggs, and olive oil.  Apply to dry hair.  Wrap your hair in a warm, damp towel for up to an hour and shampoo as normal.  It smells great and really leaves your hair so soft.  

If you like this product and want the full recipe, watch for upcoming details on my book!

Pendants

I tried some more pendant designs with resin.  I learned a lot, but am not thrilled with all the designs.  It's been a good learning experience, at least!

Plastic Grocery Bag Holder

This was much more photogenic before filling it with a ton of plastic grocery bags, but of course I did not take a picture at that point.  I try to recycle the grocery bags I receive.  Even though I use my own set of reusable shopping bags, I still seem to end up with a ton of these darn things.  They were taking over my one kitchen cupboard, and so I decided I needed a holder to put them in.  I made this out of cotton yarn and used this pattern I found on Ravelry.  

I had a few other designs that I was thinking of trying, so if anyone else is in need of one of these, let me know.  

Barefoot Sandals

I have been seeing barefoot sandals all over the web.  For those that are not aware, these "sandals" are soleless so you will not have to worry about getting sand in your shoes, but still have a way to dress up your barefeet.  These seem to be especially popular for brides and bridal parties, though I am sure there are other reasons one might use them.  Pool party, maybe?  Personally, I love some of the beaded ones you can get.  Check out this link to some of the barefoot sandals available on Etsy.

I had some spare ribbon from another project I was working on and so I thought I'd try putting together some quick barefoot sandals.  I think they turned out cute for the two minutes or so it took for me to put them together.  Do not worry, I will not be modeling them here for you, but if you look at the picture (and use the link above for reference) I think you can figure out how they would look worn.

Now I just need to go to a beach!

Looking at this picture, I guess I can use them as a bookmark if a beach trip does not materialize!

Baby blanket

While not great pictures (just quickly snapped with my cell), I am in a hurry to get this one out in the mail for the new baby and so, this is what you get for now.  Hopefully the new parents will send me a shot of the new baby in her blanket.  This is different than my usual "go to" baby blanket that you can see throughout this blog and on my Ravelry page.  I decided to go with a sport weight baby yarn to make a thinner blanket.  With a baby born in July, I am not sure they will have the need for my normal blanket just now.  

This is a pattern from Caron and is called their One Skein Baby Blanket.  It was quick and easy to work up and the body of the work reminds me a lot of the "go to" blanket I do.  I think if I make this one again, and I might because it does not use a lot of yarn so I have plenty left over, that I will do a different edging.  I found some great edgings recently and I am interested in trying some out soon.  

This particular yarn is from Bernat and I loved the colors together on the skein, but I had trouble finding a design where the colors looked okay together.  This was the second blanket design I tried and even as I worked the entire thing, I was not sure I liked it.  The brown colors almost reminded me of smudges- as if I had been playing in newsprint before handling the yarn.  All worked up, I like it again, but I cannot tell you how many times this one almost got ripped out, too.  

Resin Clovers

Yes, another bracelet!

I am working on one more of these, but actually have another project planned immediately after.