Lip Balm Factory

I have been busy this afternoon making peppermint lip balms! In truth, it really only took about an hour. I got the recipe here and I am in LOVE with it! It might even rival my favorite lip balm of all time (from this company). I used peppermint oil, but perhaps next time I'll try lemon - I think that will be delicious and amazing. If you're feeling economical (and maybe a little bit lazy) I have been dying to try the lip balm kits found here. If you do, let me know how they turn out.

And why so many lip balms, you ask? I'm in charge of making holiday baskets for the doctors at work again. So there will be no MDs in our unit with chapped lips... :) There was even a little left over for D and I to have our own little pots too!

So, if you're looking for a largeish-quantity, fairly economical, home-made but not-from-the-oven (read: fattening), quick holiday gift (or if Santa is looking for stocking-stuffer ideas), this is for you!

Project Facts (ish):

* I don't know how much volume the pots hold, but it's a generous "serving." I bought them, and all the other ingredients, at Rainbow Grocery (aka Heaven on Earth) for $.79 each (you can totally find them cheaper online, but I was pressed for time).

* The labels are wedding leftovers from Paper Source. The 1.5" labels fit perfectly!

* I melted all ingredients together in a tin can over a pot of simmering water (to keep our pots nice and mess-free).

* I one-and-a-halved the recipe and made 17 pots (with some leftover, maybe could make about 3 more?).

* Supplies and ingredients came to around $23 (and like I said, you could do this much cheaper).

Enjoy!

Crabby Dog

My sister-in-law has a pug, who she likens to a crab. We're always on the hunt for crab collars or something we can decorate Izzy with. But with no luck, I finally took matters into my own hands.

Browsing at Ikea, I happened upon this fabric and immediately knew its destiny! Apparently it was hot off the truck and people have been anxiously awaiting this fabric.... huh? I just happened to be at the right place at the right time. "First cut!" (think Mary Katherine Gallagher).

This is an actual cut from the fabric:

And this is a crab cut from the fabric and appliqued onto some kona cotton.

I even attempted piping and a zipper... but there ended up being a lot of hand sewing to compensate for the multiple imperfections.

I think it turned out great - probably the gift I am most excited to give this year! I think Izzy will love it! (and his mama too)

*This is a Christmas gift, so don't tell her!*

MoMo Quilt Complete

I love this quilt! I am so happy with the way it turned out. AND I didn't have to do any cutting since I used pre-cut charm packs. I backed it with a solid lime cotton/linen (see it here). Gives it a nice heft.


I've been snuggling up with it for a couple weeks now, but haven't been able to photograph it properly. It is cozy, I'm telling you.

And how good is this guy to me? Schlepping it to the park so I can take a photo? I love him even more than the quilt.