Calming Brown Sugar Scrub

Rather than all things hearty and pink, I thought I'd give you all an easy Valentine's gift that can be quickly and cheaply be whipped up for all of your friends! This brown sugar facial scrub requires only a couple ingredients, and can be customized with any scent you enjoy.


To make this batch of sugar scrub you will need:

1 cup packed brown sugar
1/2 cup oil or oils of choice (I used flax seed oil, extra virgin olive oil, jojoba, avocado and more can be used.)
4 drops lavender essential oil
8 drops tea tree essential oil


These scrubs are incredibly easy to make, just dump all of the above ingredients into a bowl, mix well and put into a lidded container of choice. I often use tiny mason jars, but if you don't want to have glass in your bathroom, plastic containers can be found that are also very cute.

If you have a hard time finding essential oils or a variety of the oils I have listed above, I have been known to order from Elements Bath and Body from tie to time. They have a flax seed oil I love that is much cheaper than what you will find in a grocery store as it is meant for soaps and cosmetic uses, not food grade.

If you have never used sugar scrub before, get ready for some super soft smooth feeling skin. I love every one I have ever made, and my sensitive skin usually gets dried out no matter what product I use. Just take a small scoop and add a few drops of water, then rub between your hands before applying to your face so it spreads evenly.

February Giveaway! (WINNER ANNOUNCED)

Those of you who read my newsletter already know that I was planning a giveaway for early February, and here it is! I have been steadily writing on this blog for just over a year now, and thought it would be nice to celebrate my blog birthday, Valentine's Day and being crafty in general all at once!

Being that everyone has different crafty endeavors, I have decided that the winner will get to CHOOSE their prize from a list I have compiled. So here are your choices:

1) $25 gift card to JoAnn Fabrics - get yourself whatever crafty supplies you may need!

2) $25 gift card to Chronicle Books - get inspired by some of the most beautifully made books around, they also have some neat kits and stationery. Plus, if cooking is more your thing, they have some amazing cookbooks!


3) Don't feel like getting a gift card? Let me know what kind of crafts you are most interested in and I will go on a mini $25 shopping spree for you and select some great products to send right to your door! Maybe you want to learn embroidery after my recent tutorials, maybe you are a scrap booking genius, just let me know!

Now, how to enter?

Leave a comment on this post letting me know which prize you'd most like and why! If you choose option 3, include what kind of crafts you most like so I can get appropriate items for you. Make sure your email is included so I can reach you if you are the winner!

If you follow me on Facebook or subscribe to my newsletter, leave an extra comment on this post saying so for an extra chance to win.

This giveaway is open Internationally, please allow extra time for delivery outside the U.S.

Giveaway entries must be received no later than 12 pm (noon) PST on 2/14/2012.

Giveaway sponsored by me, myself and I. I am not endorsed by JoAnn or Chronicle Books, I just shop there when the mood strikes. All prizes are purchased by me.



Thank you very much to all who entered! A winner has been chosen and it is #4, Ali!

Congratulations, Ali! I will be emailing you for shipping information.

Rain Cloud Brooch Pattern

I was looking through some of my old projects the other day and decided that this little guy really didn't get the love he deserved. Sure, it's a rain cloud, but it's a cute little rain cloud, right? These are super easy to make, can be customized with lots of different things, and if you don't like hand sewing, just bust out the glue gun!


Here is my cloud pattern if you don't feel like drawing out your own:

The final measurements of my cloud, when stuffed are about 2.5" wide and 1.5" tall.

To make your own cute little rain cloud brooch, cut out 2 of your cloud pattern from the felt color of your choice and sew or glue them together on the edges, filling with a little batting or a cotton ball so it's squishy and soft. I used silver jewelry chain to make my "rain" and added a little blue glass bead to one of my chains. I used a little hot glue to secure the chains in place on the inside of my felt cloud pieces.

Then, I hand stitched a pin back to the back of my cloud to secure it. You could use hot glue, or some other kind of glue if you'd prefer, but not many glues work well for both fabric and metal, so you may find it loosens over time and needs to be glued back on at some point. A few stitches really help make a permanent connection, and most pin backs you will find in the craft stores have a few holes in them to make sewing them onto fabrics pretty easy.