Natural Cleaning and Beauty

I don't normally make new year resoloutions, but in 2010 i've decided to change the way i clean and try and make some of my own products such as washing powder, shower gel etc I want to cut down on the chemicals I use in the home plus its better for the environment and should work out heaps cheaper too. In between posting about my crafts and about other etsy sellers, i'll let you know how i get on and i'll share some tips and recipies.

Bicarbonate of soda/baking soda and white vinegar are my new best friend.
I had tea stains in my cups and in my stainless steel sink, so i sprayed some white vinegar, sprinkled some baking soda, let it fizz, then got to work with a bit of elbow grease, perfect. I then washed it down with some of my general cleaner (see below). Bicarb is a salt and alkaline which neutralises acids such as white vinegar, which releases carbon dioxide and water which penetrates stains and dissolves grease.

General Cleaner - All purpose bathroom/kitchen and woodwork cleaner

I got this out of my local paper.

1 tbsp baking/bicarb soda
1 tsp white vinegar
500ml water
squirt dishwashing liquid
Few drops of essential oil for fragrance (optional)

Put all ingredients in a recycled plastic spray bottle.

Shower Gel

I made this up last night, but haven't used it yet, it smells nice. This recipie came from
pioneertthinking.com

1/2 cup unscented shampoo
1/4 cup water
3/4 teaspoon salt
15 drops fragrance oil

I used vanilla extract, but you can use kiwi, raspberry, strawberry or coconut extract

Pour shampoo into a bowl and add the water, stir until well mixed. Add the salt and fragrance. I've used an old shower gel bottle to fill the mixture with

Its been kindly pointed out that the preservative in the shampoo has been diluted so the mixture should be used up straight away and not stored.

I'll let you know what its like when i've used it.

Felt Food - Picnic

I've managed to finish my niece's felt food picnic set, at last! Some of the items were made be fellow swap-botters in various swaps and some were made by me. I bought a cute little picnic basket and some plates and cups. The banana was fun to make and it even comes out of its skin.

I've Been Busy

I've been very busy with custom orders the last couple of weeks. This one was quite a challange. I was asked to make Challah bread. I googled it and found out it is a special braided bread eaten by the Jews on the sabbath and holidays. It was quite easy in the end, i made three long filled tubes and braided them together. I hope it looks ok. I also made filled pitta bread with falafal balls, tomato, cucumber and hummus.



My next custom order was for more glittery and cute items. Doughnuts, cookies, cupcakes, brownies, poptarts and tea bags. I've never seen a pop tart gasp! At first i made them too fat, so had to remove some of the stuffing. I also designed the pattern for the brownies and tea bags. I think the tea bags came out quite well, so i'll be adding them with some cookies to my etsy shop in the new year.

Beautiful Art Dolls By FFEST member WHSKR

I though i'd show off some items made by my FFEST friend who doesn't live too far from me. WHSKR She makes gorgeous one of a kind art dolls. You can hang these on your walls or use as a brooch. Each doll is made from different textures and fun embellishments. WHSKR is a fellow New Zealander and lives in Wellington. Hurry free shipping through 7th December.