As you can see from the above photo, (I am on the left) I love Halloween and costumes. My own mother didn’t recognize me when I showed up at her door for Trick or Treat. My father? he knew right away…lol…

And it doesn’t matter if you’re dressing a little one up for Halloween, or you need a costume for yourself, costumes can be expensive!  But a little creativity and a dollar store can turn ordinary into extraordinary!

This OWL costume requires no sewing (you can sew the feathers on, but gluing is fast and easy.) 

You cut the “feathers” out of old t-shirts or (dollar store to the rescue!) get some of their vinyl tablecloths—in any colors you want—and cut the feathers out of those.  If you’re using those instead of gluing, you can simply tape them!  The mask is simply glued to a pair of sunglasses.

 Click here to download the template for mask and feathers: Download file

If you want to make any sort of bird feet, you’ll need rubber gloves, old shoes, some stuffing and a glue gun.

For making any sort of a hat, here is a great picture of how to make an inexpensive base that can be covered with anything.

Want to be an octopus?  The legs from tights (from the dollar store!) can be stuffed and tied to a belt to wear around the waist.

Do you need a beard and mustache for your costume?  They can be expensive, but with felt, a string and some glue…it’s not expensive at all!

If you’re choosing to be an animal with a mane and a tail (think horse, lion or even unicorn) you could get yarn and cut and tie a lot of lengths together…or you could purchase pompoms from the dollar store.  You may need more than one depending on the fullness you desire.

Wanna be a Minion?  Grab a yellow knit cap and some black pipe cleaners.  The glasses can be made with some black fabric and aluminum foil wrapped around cardboard tubes.

And speaking of cardboard tubes…paint them yellow/orange and glue them to a matching colored shirt to be mac & cheese!

Now if you’re thinking more high tech, and you need a jetpack (LOL), this is a very clever idea.  And it can be upgraded! Plastic soda bottles are painted, then fastened to a strap around the chest.  (Adding a clock dial and changing the color and adding more straps certainly kicks this up a notch!)

If you’re okay with using shirts you won’t wear again, you can make a giraffe costume.  There are 2 ways to do this.  First, get a shirt and pants (if you’re fanatical about having a total costume, lol) in a red/orange/brown color.  Then simply use masking tape to create the look.  This method should not render the clothes unusable afterwards.  The second method will.  Get a white shirt and white sweatpants.  Use masking tape to create the giraffe block pattern, then PAINT the unmasked parts with red/orange/brown paint.  Once dry, remove the masking tape. 

One of the easiest and most clever costumes is the one you don’t have to wear!  It’s a jellyfish.  You get an umbrella, festoon it with twinkle lights and colored streamers.  You can wear a black outfit while you stroll with the umbrella!

I saved this one for last—it’s not cheap or easy I would imagine—I just thought it was just so AWESOME!!!

I was scouring websites looking for pumpkin carving tips and I found these at Taste of Home!

1. You Don’t Need Fancy Tools

A simple $7 kit is sufficient for most classic jack-o’-lanterns and veggie carving projects, says Marc Evan and the crew at Maniac Pumpkin Carvers, who specialize in extraordinarily detailed etchings that are nothing short of stunning. For detailed work, you can use paring knives, linoleum cutters and precision blades. Rely on household items to step up effects. Lemon zesters are great for varying textures on your pumpkin. Melon ballers are useful for hollowing out a pumpkin or to create scooped-out balls that can later be pinned onto a pumpkin as eyes or a beaded necklace, says Evan. Scrubber sponges are optimal for smoothing out the surface (that is, if you plan on sculpting like Michelangelo).

2. Opt for an Imperfect Gourd

Most of us go to the pumpkin patch, or let’s be real, Wal-Mart, looking for the roundest and smoothest pumpkin. Don’t be afraid to get one that’s more visually interesting or even misshaped—as long as it doesn’t have any soft spots, according to Masterpiece Pumpkins‘ Gene Granata, who has been expertly carving pumpkins for more than 20 years. If you have a pattern, bring it with you. That way you can find the pumpkin that suits the shape of the pattern you’re going to carve. For the freshest pumpkin or one with the most staying potential, look for one that’s solid to the touch with a strong, sturdy stem.

3. Open From the Bottom

Here are a couple hacks that will simplify the job. Granata recommends always cutting open the bottom instead of the top around the stem. “When you pull that plug out, a lot of the seeds and stringy stuff comes out with it. Half your job of cleaning out the pumpkin is already done,” he says. Wipe down the exterior of the pumpkin before carving. If you’re creating a classic jack-o’-lantern, cut from the top so you can easily slip a candle (but beware it’ll dry out your pumpkin quicker) or battery-operated tea light into it.

4. Extra Scooping Saves Time

Scrap the walls of the pumpkin with a big metal spoon or the scooper from the classic carving kit until the walls are an inch thick. “This one is really important, especially for people who carve from stencils and patterns,” Granata says. How can you tell when you’ve scraped enough? Have inch-long dressmaker pins or thin screws ready to poke through a cut-out region to test the thickness. Or you can tape your template onto the pumpkin from the start and add pins all around the pattern. That way when you’re scraping down the inside, you can feel exactly when the thickness is right. “That will probably cut your carving time in half,” according to Granata.

5. Trace the Design

Thoroughly clean the face of your gourd. Then use sewing transfer paper (found in most arts-and-crafts stores) to replicate the pattern or design onto the pumpkin. Put the transfer paper between your design and the pumpkin, and make sure the transfer paper is facing down onto the squash. Use masking tape to tape down the design on the corners and the sides. Then trace the design with a ballpoint pen. “You can draw that whole pattern on there and now it’s on the pumpkin, waiting to be carved,” Granata says.

6. Be Patient While You Carve

You probably can’t wait to see your creative carving idea to come to life. So you’re likely carving and pulling the pieces out as you go. But to preserve your art’s stability, you should do the opposite and leave the pumpkin intact. Granata says, “It will help keep the whole thing stable and keep it from breaking. Then when you’re done and want to see the design, reach into the inside and gently poke the pieces from the inside out of the pumpkin. Things will come out way easier. If something gets stuck, go back with your tool and revisit the corners. Then you should have no problems.”

7. Save It for Later

Evan advises that if you’re carving something incredibly intricate like your favorite TV character of the year and need an extra day to complete it, wrap it tightly in plastic wrap and refrigerate.

8. Let the Kids Join In

If you’re in charge of carving, include your kids on the action with a few easier tasks like scooping out the pumpkin guts and separating the seeds from the stringy stuff.

For a simple yet spooky project, have your little helpers embellish a pumpkin without carving or sharp tools. Instead, decorate using glitter or stickers. Water-based paint such as acrylic or tempera works nicely on pumpkins, Evan says.

Some of the fabulous pumpkins done by pumpkin carvers:

I found this idea on The Pioneer Woman’s website, and it’s simple, easy to do and great for your drawers, your car, or anywhere you’d like a nice scent. And YOU control the density of the fragrance.

I’m thinking about making some in Christmas fabrics and maybe using cinnamon or pine scent!

You’ll need:

fabric scraps

needle

thread

rice

your favorite dried flowers or spices

essential oil

ribbons

scissors

pinking shears

clear nail polish

Step one: Choose your fabric and start by making a pouch. Fold over a rectangular piece of fabric so the pattern is on the inside. Sew the two outer sides together. Use whatever stitch you want as long as it’s going to hold! If you’re not a strong sewer, fabric repair adhesive works well too. Just go light on the application; the adhesive spreads as you smooth the edges.

(Note that if you don’t want to worry about seams at all, you can just make a circle and gather it and tie it to make it easy!)

Step two: Turn the pouches pattern-side out and set aside. Mix together your rice and dried flowers or herbs. We used lavender and it was nice and potent, but try eucalyptus, rose, vanilla—just follow your nose. If you’re looking for a scent you might not be able to find in a dried plant, use a drop or two of essential oils mixed in with the rice until you reach your desired level of scent.

Step three: Fill your pouches with the scented rice concoction and be extra careful! Those tiny pieces of rice spill easily and get everywhere.

Step four: Once the pouch is at your desired level of plumpness, tie the top with a colorful ribbon. Finish the fabric at the top with the pinking shears. To prevent the top from fraying, gently coat the edge with a thin layer of clear nail polish. And you’re done! The beauty of not sewing the top closed is that you can refresh the inside as needed if it’s starting to lose its scent.

Source: https://www.thepioneerwoman.com/home-lifestyle/crafts-diy/a85361/diy-drawer-sachets/

My granddaughter and I were looking for fall crafts that we could do and I found step by step instructions on how to make a leaf bowl!  They’re gorgeous and it seems to be straightforward and fairly easy.  Then we saw the picture (near the end) of what a leaf bowl looks like in a year or two! I decided to purchase fake leaves now and save them till next year when we will attempt these!

 Here’s what you’ll need to craft a gorgeous fall leaf bowl at home:

Real fall leaves (make sure they’re still fresh and pliable as this project won’t work with leaves that are already dry) or artificial fall leaves

Balloon (or plastic mixing bowl in the size that you want to make your leaf bowl)

Mod Podge (matte or glossy—I prefer to use matte)

Scissors

Large paintbrush or sponge brush

Plastic wrap (optional)

Step-by-Step Instructions

Remove Leaf Stems

Whether you’ve chosen to use real or artificial fall leaves, your bowl will look much nicer and come together much better if you remove the leaf stems. Use scissors to cut off the stems so that only the leaf remains.

Once you’ve cut off the leaf stems, blow up a balloon to the size of your choosing. The size of the balloon will determine the size of the leaf bowl.

If you’re using artificial leaves, stick with a smaller size. The humidity in real leaves makes them stick to the balloon a lot better, even if its size is larger, but artificial leaves are a lot stiffer and they may simply slide right off if the balloon is too big.

Note: Skip this step if you’re planning on using a plastic bowl instead of a balloon as the base for your leaf bowl.

Place Balloon in Bowl

Take your inflated balloon and place it neck-down in an appropriately-sized mixing bowl to keep it in place while you go through the rest of the steps.

Add Plastic Wrap (Optional)

Because you’ll be using the balloon to create the shape of the leaf bowl, you’ll need to glue the leaves to the balloon using Mod Podge and let the Mod Podge dry before you can peel them off.

If ever you’re worried that the leaves will stay stuck or won’t peel off properly, feel free to cover the balloon in a layer of plastic wrap before you get started.

Note: This step is optional if you’re using a balloon, but if you’ve chosen to use a plastic mixing bowl to create the shape of your leaf bowl instead, cover it with plastic wrap as this will both protect your bowl and make the leaves a lot easier to peel off.

Add Mod Podge

Use a large paintbrush or sponge brush to cover some of the balloon’s surface with Mod Podge. Make sure the area you cover is larger than the leaves you’ll be using, as you’ll be layering them and will need the entire area beneath them to be covered with Mod Podge.

Cover Balloon with Leaves Press a leaf face-down onto the balloon, then cover it with Mod Podge as well.

Continue doing this until you’ve covered as much of the surface of the balloon as you wish to in order to create your bowl, covering each new leaf with more Mod Podge as you work.

If needed, brush the Mod Podge directly onto the surface of the leaf before pressing it onto the balloon.

Let Dry

When you’ve added all the leaves you wish to add and can no longer see any parts of the balloon that have been left uncovered, put away the Mod Podge and let your project dry completely before moving on to the next step.

If your leaves keep sliding down the surface of the balloon instead of staying in place while the Mod Podge dries (which will probably happen if you’re using plastic leaves), try covering the entire balloon in plastic wrap and peeling it off a little bit at a time, allowing each uncovered section to dry before uncovering the next section.

8. Peel Off Leaf Bowl

Once the entire surface of the leaves is completely dry, carefully peel the leaf bowl off the balloon and place it on a flat surface.

The Mod Podge on the inside of the bowl may still be a little wet; if that’s the case, simply let it sit for a while uncovered to allow its entire surface to dry.

Once all the Mod Podge is dry, your bowl is ready to use.

A NOTE ABOUT USING REAL LEAVES:

This project can work with both real and artificial leaves, and they both have advantages and disadvantages.

The first time we tried it, we used real fall leaves that had been freshly collected from the ground. Because the leaves came straight from outside, they were soft and pliable, which made them easy to craft with—especially with young kids participating.

Using real leaves also meant that this project cost us next to nothing, and it gave us an opportunity to spend time outdoors and craft with nature!

However, because the leaves were real, they did eventually go brown and lose their bright fall hues. Here is what that bowl looks like today, two years after it was made:

SOURCE: From Sacha’s website September 25, 2021 by Sacha

Nothing says Fall more than pumpkins to me.  But buying a bunch of fresh pumpkins each year can be expensive.  So, I learned to make fabric pumpkins, using old clothes, fabric scraps or just about anything cloth—like napkins or tablecloths.   There are 3 different methods to make these and the method you choose depends on the shape pumpkin you want and how much hand sewing you want to do.

Circular Pattern Pumpkins

General Supplies

Fiberfill

Fabric

Thread

Needle

Felt, stick, or saved pumpkin stem

Felt for leaves, or berries for top of pumpkin or ribbon

Instructions

Trace a circle on a piece of paper—the size will determine your pumpkin.  If you want to make small pumpkins for place cards at Thanksgiving dinner, you will want to use a circle of about 4-6 inches wide.  Increase the circle size to make larger pumpkins. Using the paper pattern, trace the circle on the fabric and cut out.

With the needle and thread, sew a running stitch around the outside of the circle about ½  of an inch from the edge.  Gather the edges somewhat so that you can stuff the fiberfill inside.  When the pumpkin is filled to your liking, draw the thread tight.  Knot the thread.  Use another length of thread (or yarn) to create the pumpkin sections.  Insert the needle close to the stem and go downward through the center. Loop over the pumpkin and back to the center, drawing tight enough to create an indentation in the pumpkin side, and insert the needle again, making another loop.  Continue in this fashion around the pumpkin until you make 5 pumpkin ridges. Knot the thread or yarn.  Place hot glue in the indention, place the stem in the glue, then hold it until it sets up. Add raffia, ribbon, tendrils, and or leaves to decorate your pumpkin.

Rectangular Pumpkin Pattern

General Supplies

1 rectangle piece of fabric – any size will do but 12” x 8” is great
1 8” x 3” piece of felt
Thread & Needle; yarn
Hot glue gun & glue
Fiberfill (pillow stuffing)

Instructions

With your fabric lying flat on a table and the long side laying horizontal, fold the fabric in half inside out.  Stitch up the side opposite to the fold. You can do this by hand if you don’t have a sewing machine.

Next, taking your needle and thread do a simple gathering stich along the bottom of your fabric. Don’t cut the thread yet. Pull the thread tight so the fabric gathers in the center. Tie off the thread and cut the extra thread.

You are ready to start stuffing the pumpkin. Try to get the stuffing placed evenly throughout the pumpkin. Now at the top of the pumpkin you are going to do the same thing with a gathering stich like you did at the bottom. Gather the fabric by pulling the stich tight, tie off the thread and cut extra thread off.

Using a large needle, thread the yarn starting at the bottom of the pumpkin up through the center. Pull tight and loop back over the side of the pumpkin back through the bottom.

Repeat 4 – 5 times around the pumpkin. Tie off with a knot. Next, take your felt fabric with the long end horizontal. Place a line hot glue along the short end and start rolling the fabric on itself. You should end up with a short and thick roll of fabric.

Cut the felt to the desired length you would like for the pumpkin stem. Attach the stem to your pumpkin with a generous dollop of hot glue.

Toilet Paper Pumpkins (NO SEW)

Supplies

roll of toilet paper

rectangle of fabric approximately 18″ x 22″

stick for stem

ribbon

Instructions

Unroll the toilet paper about 10 times, and then roll it loosely back up to give more of a round shape.

Lay out your fabric and place the toilet paper in the center.

Grab one corner of the fabric and tuck it inside of the toilet paper roll. Slowly work your way around gathering up the fabric and tucking each corner into the roll.

Tie a ribbon around your branch piece and stuff it into the center.

Chainsaw carving began in the U.S. in the 1950s. Ben Murphy and Ken Kaiser pioneered the craft and began distributing their pieces. Interest in chainsaw carving grew slowly until the 1980s. Then the craft jumped in popularity thanks to the publication of a handful of books about chainsaw carving and the creation of several chainsaw carving festivals and competitions. Men and women from all walks of life entered the contests, and the number of chainsaw carvers multiplied.

The development of the Internet also aided the growth of the craft. Chainsaw carvers posted “how-to” articles, recorded videos while they carved a piece, and sold their items in online stores.

As chainsaw carving gained popularity, it spread from America to Japan and Europe. Now, chainsaw artists participate in dozens of annual chainsaw carving festivals and competitions around the world. According to the United Chainsaw Carving Guild (UCCG), there are now chainsaw sculptors in more than 80 countries worldwide.

Like most chainsaw carvers, you will likely start with a single saw and add more as you learn the craft and increase the realism and detail of your projects. Standard chainsaw models from well-known tool manufacturers like Dewalt, Stihl, Husqvarna, Black+Decker, Worx, and Makita often make annual lists of “Best Chainsaws for Chainsaw Carvers”. Very popular models frequently feature guide bars (blades) with small noses that allow the artist to create realistic detail.

As you master the craft and increase the size, variety, and complexity of your pieces, you’ll probably add “specialty” saws with unusually long (or short) guide bars or custom noses that allow you to sculpt a piece exactly as you’d like it.

Safety gear

Obviously, chainsaw carving is dangerous. A careless mistake can result in serious injury or death. Therefore, the wise chainsaw carver “gears up” with at least goggles, ear protection, gloves, and steel-toed boots. Some carvers also wear a helmet with a face shield and Kevlar pants.

One of the benefits of chainsaw carving is that you can use wood that isn’t pristine enough for other woodcarvers to use. For example, irregular grain or knots that derail a chip carving or relief carving add character to a chainsaw carving. Some sculptors utilize fallen logs; others get scrap logs or end pieces from sawmills. (If you’re planning to use fallen logs, but don’t have any on your own property, be sure to get permission from the landowner beforehand.)

Commissioned pieces or extensive works can be the exception to this rule. In these cases, the carver may have to scour several sources before locating a log with the correct dimensions and character.

Another factor you’ll need to consider is the variety of wood you want to carve. Softwoods are easier to carve, offer less kick-back when you carve them, and are, therefore, less dangerous to carve. These reasons make softwoods much more popular for chainsaw carving than hardwoods are. Favorite woods for carving include:

• Pine–It’s plentiful, inexpensive, and reliable to cut. White pine and ponderosa pine are particularly popular.
• Red cedar–It’s not quite as easy to carve or as inexpensive as pine is, but the color is marvelous.
• Basswood–which is a hardwood–is also popular because it’s relatively soft, fairly easy to use, and attractive. It’s also inexpensive and plentiful.

Impressive pieces

Salt has so many other uses around the home, other than a flavor enhancer!  It can be used for cleaning, fighting inflammation, and even keeping pests away.  So make sure to keep some on hand!!

These tips were found on The Frugal Navy Wife’s Blog:

Keep soot from building up

If you have a wood-burning fireplace, you can keep soot from building up in your chimney by tossing some salt on the logs.

Helps to Get Rid of Watermarks 

Remove watermarks from your tables and furniture by using a mixture of warm water and salt. Just allow it to sit for a few minutes and wipe clean.

Add a Shine to Your Coin Collection  

Get your copper shining again with a paste of salt and vinegar. Just rub gently on the bottom of your copper pans to remove stuck-on soot and tarnish. Works great on brass, pewter, and bronze as well. Do not use on silver, however.

Quickly Removes Soap Suds

Pour salt onto overflowing suds in the sink or washing machine.

Abrasive Cleaner

Make a great abrasive cleaner by making a paste of salt, borax, and water. Don’t use on finished wood or painted surfaces, though, as this will get your troublesome areas clean. Works great on rust rings in the tub.

Helps to Brighten Your Clothing  

Speaking of washing machines, add salt to your washing machine’s rinse cycle to brighten colors and sharpen them.

Water Your Plants

Mix a couple of teaspoons with a gallon of warm water. Water your plants with this mixture once a month or so. They need salt, too, just like we do, and will grow much stronger and healthier.

Removes the Buildup on Your Clothes Iron  

Clean your iron with salt. Just sprinkle some on your ironing board and it will take the buildup right off. Alternatively, you can make a paste from vinegar, baking soda, and salt. Just rub on when your iron is cool and wipe off with a warm, wet cloth.

Reinvigorates Your Sponges 

Make your sponges come back to life by soaking in a solution of ¼ cup salt per quart of warm water. Soak overnight and your grungy mops and sponges are almost as good as new!

Keep Frost Off Your Car Windows  

This winter, keep your mirrors and windows frost-free by wiping them with a sponge dipped in saltwater and allowing them to dry. It’s convenient when you need to head out in the morning and don’t want to worry about dealing with frost on the car windows.

Deters Ants and Other Pests  

Keep pests at bay. Ants hate salt and will be discouraged from crossing the line if you put a line of salt in the doorway. If you’re spotting them in your home, you know what to do! Salt is a safer alternative to toxic pest control products that can harm your pets.

Neutralizes Odor

Garbage disposal smelling less than nice? Just sprinkle ½ cup salt down the drain and run some cold water. The salt will neutralize any odors and help get rid of anything that is stuck and causing them to smell. Salt also works to remove odors from sneakers. Sprinkle salt in the shoes, and wait 24 hours for the salt to absorb the odors and then shake the salt out.

Aleve a Toothache 

Rinse with it when you have a toothache. If your tooth is bothering you and you can’t get to the dentist right away, rinse your mouth with a cup full of warm water and a teaspoon of salt. It works to naturally relieve discomfort while treating inflammation.

Soak Your Sore Feet

Use it in a foot soak when dealing with ingrown toenails or inflammation. You can fill a basin with warm water, add your favorite essential oils, and then toss two tablespoons of salt into the water. Soak your feet for at least 15 minutes per day to get relief.

Clears Up Irritated Skin Including Eczema

Treat eczema with salt. You can add it to a bathtub full of warm water and then soak in it for at least 15 minutes. Its natural healing properties allow it to work wonders at clearing up the irritation and inflammation on your skin.

Help Clean Your Cutting Board

Use it to clean your cutting board. If you have a stained cutting board, sprinkling salt over it and then scrubbing away at it with dish soap will help you get it as clean as possible with less effort.

Brings Relief to a Sore Throat

Gargle with warm water and salt to soothe an aching sore throat. When you need relief, but nothing is helping, this old-fashioned approach can work wonders. It helps to clear up the infection, ultimately allowing you to get relief from the pain.

Brings Some Relief to Poison Ivy 

Get rid of poison ivy with salt. If you have poison ivy on your skin, soak some cotton balls in warm water mixed with salt and then place them on the irritated areas of your skin. It provides soothing relief and speeds up the healing process.

Helps You Remove Mold Easier 

Get rid of mold using a combo of lemon juice and salt. Add a ½ cup of lemon juice to a bowl with a tablespoon of salt, mix well, and then pour it over any mold spots. Place cotton balls on top and leave them there for 30-60 minutes before removing and wiping away the mold.

Freshen Your Toothbrush

Add it to your toothbrush to get rid of stains. After putting the toothpaste on your toothbrush, sprinkle a pinch of salt on top and gently brush your teeth. It helps remove those unwanted surface stains that often develop from coffee, soda, and other beverages and foods consumed.

Let’s say it’s the zombie apocalypse, and you’re looking a little rough around the edges and need to fix up a bit.  (Or maybe it’s just the latest out of control inflationary affect on consumer goods that pushes you to find alternate ways to look good.)  Dining on a Dime, a frugal living cookbook and household tips book I was given as a Christmas gift years ago to the rescue!

This book goes beyond your normal stretch your food budget topics.  It includes a section called “Pretty for Pennies” that we’re going to explore today!

Let’s begin with essential oils, since a lot of the “recipes” call for them.  These recipes include: lip balms, aromatherapy lotions and creams, and many other personal care products. (For unscented products, simply leave out essential oil.)  The oils should be selected for the effect you wish to create. 

Relaxing: lavender, rose, sandalwood

Stimulating: peppermint, rosemary, eucalyptus, lemon

Uplifting: orange, jasmine, rosemary

Antiseptic: tea tree, eucalyptus, peppermint, lavender

Muscles Aches: eucalyptus, lavender, rosemary

Scented Bath Bubbles

2 cups unscented dish soap (Ivory works well)

10-15 drops of essential oil

Mix the ingredients and let stand for a week. Use ¼ cup per bath.

Herbal Foot Bath

Mix any of the following dried herbs and place in a small cheesecloth square and secure with a string.  Fill a dishpan with warm water and add herbs.  Essential oils can be added to the water instead if you wish.

Lavender

Rosemary

Sage

Leg Wax

1 cup sugar

2 Tbsp lemon juice

2 Tbsp water

Mix all ingredients in a small saucepan and boil 8-15 minutes (to approximately 250*).  Then pour into a container and let it cool down. After cooling, keep refrigerated.  When you’re ready to use, heat in the microwave till warm.  BE CAREFUL TO TEST WITH YOUR HAND! Lightly powder the area you want to wax.  Pull the skin taut and using a popsicle stick or tongue depressor spread the wax.  Cover with cotton strips. Pull off quickly against the grain.

*Cotton t shirts torn into strips work well here and can be reused by rinsing well.

After Shave

½ cup rubbing alcohol

½ cup water

1 tsp cologne

Mix and store in an airtight container.

Toothpaste

1 tsp baking soda

2 drops peppermint oil

Mix in a small bowl and add drops of water to create a paste. Dip toothbrush in toothpaste.

Antiseptic Hand Cleaner

4 Tbsp liquid soap (Ivory)

20 drops of tea tree oil

Water

In a spray bottle, mix the soap and the tea tree oil. Then fill the bottle with water.  Shake to mix.

Lip Balm

1 tsp beeswax beads

1 tsp sunflower oil

1 tsp coconut oil

1 capsule Vitamin E

2-5 drops flavoring (optional) peppermint, cherry, grape, vanilla, orange

Heat oils and beeswax just until melted.  Add the rest of the ingredients.  Mix well.  Use a dropper to place in small jars.

So, after dancing your zombie butt off all night, you might need a heating pad:

Heating Pad

Dry rice

Herbs or essential oils

Tube sock

Mix the herbs or the oils into the dry rice and let sit for a day or two before filling the sock—so plan ahead!  Fill the sock and either sew the top closed or knot it closed.

To use: Spray lightly with water.  (This prevents the pad from burning, so be sure to spray before microwaving.) Place in microwave for 30 seconds to one minute.  Use to soothe sore muscles.

Summer is the perfect time to hit the dollar stores and load up on pool noodles! They are not just for toddlers in pools any more! They have many uses outside the pool–so stock up and use them everywhere!

Crutches: Noodles can be used to soften the hand and arm pit guides. Simply cut to the proper length and then make a slit.

Kneeling Pad: Noodles can used to kneel on in the garden. Cut them in pieces to increase the usage from one noodle.

Fill a bucket with water: If your sink is too shallow for a proper bucket to fit in, use a noodle.

Create a floating drink bucket for a pool: You’ll need a plastic bin, a noodle and yarn. Cut 2 sections of the noodle in the length of the bin and 2 the width of the bin. Thread the yarn through the pieces and tie.

Hold your plants up!

Paintbrush holder: Cut pieces of the noodle to fit on one or more sides of a paint bucket.

Make a cake-pop stand.

Use a noodle to hang items in the garage. Cut one side flat and glue to the wall. Cut slits into the noodle to create the hanging openings.

Make a disposable squeegee. You’ll need something with a handle–like a rake.

Make your outdoor furniture more comfortable.

Make Halloween witch legs.

Create backyard fun! Bend the pool noodle into a racket shape, cover the noodle with a mesh bag (like fruit comes in) and duct tape the bottom. Use a water balloon to bat back and forth.

Create a camping bathroom. You’ll need a bucket, a noodle, and a plastic bag.