A NICE PERK

I had to go to the lab yesterday for bloodwork;  11 vials were needed!  I have never had to give so much before but funny thing happened, I felt better for two -three hours afterwards!  Interesting point to share with the doctor when I see her in 2 weeks!  Anyway, when I got home, I finished the quilting on this one.  The binding will happen today!

I even got the latest table runner loaded on and will hopefully feel like taking the 20 mins to quilt this, too!

I also made some body lotion; my body needs some serious moisturizing!  This feels good and is slightly scented with some orange extract.  I need to get some healthy looking skin because I look like I have been in bed for almost a year!!!  

 

One of Those Days, Weeks a Month

I have perfected the moisturizer I make.  It is a mixture of Green Tea, coconut oil, cocoa butter, safflower and beeswax.  Sometimes it separates and that bugs me.  This time-it is a perfect texture and I scented it with lemongrass essential oil so it is a delight to the nose, too!  I use this head to toe and it is a balm to my poor body.  

In minutes and snatches, I pulled some turquoise and lime green fabric for this month's RSC2016.

When I find a minute , I sew for a bit.  I set up his train set in the studio so he is enticed to play so I can make use of the 20 minutes. 

I did make the 9th block today so I have this month's quota finished! 

I also put the additional border on the tumbler quilt.  It looks done to me now! 

I ended up buying a completely different fabric for the border of the clamshell quilt and it looks like it is meant to be now.  It is very rich. 

Today, Bill and I pulled out the tons of African Iris' out of this plant area on the pool patio.

We planted some begonias and impatiens so that there would be color and a better scale.

The irises had done too well and it looked like a jungle instead of a flower bed! 

We scaled back the other area, also, and it makes the whole area more open.  I do like less when it comes to all of my space.  I do hate clutter.  Maybe its because life gets cluttered and I can't do anything about that but I can make my living area more simple!!!!

Nyki has the right idea;  just take a nap and think about it tomorrow....

LUXURY LOTION

 Since beginning my soap adventures, I have taken a bit of a detour into the making of moisturizing lotions.  I use my makeshift double boiler to simmer the oils and green tea.  (recipe at the end of this post!)  After simmering for an hour,

 I pour it into a bowl through some cheesecloth to strain the tea from the oils.

 Carefully pick up the cheesecloth and let all the oil drain out.

 Give the oils a good whip with the stick blender for 4-5 minutes.

 Scrape the bowl down and blend for just a bit to keep that beeswax and cocoa butter in the oils because they want to separate.

 Quickly pour the lotion into containers, place the lids on and

 put them in the fridge for 12 hours!  No, you do NOT have to keep the lotion in the refrigerator but this ensures the mixture will not separate on you.

In the morning, you will have your lotion!  It is so luxurious on your skin!  Give it a try!

RECIPE:
1 C COCONUT OIL
2 TBSP BEESWAX
2 TBSP GREEN TEA (LOOSE)
2 TBSP COCOA BUTTER
1 TBSP SUNFLOWER OIL

This lotion is great for your skin-it is especially kind to your feet-I put lotion on at bedtime for the softest feet ever come morning!  You will feel like you've been to a spa!  Enjoy.

Playing with Time

 I woke up to these guys right up next to the pool screen, cleaning up around the bird feeders!  By the time I tried to sneak out for a picture, they were on the run!

 I got to work on the quilt on the frame, it was a dense design so it did take long but it does work well with the colors/design so it was worth it!

 It rested a bit while I did some mending,

then I trimmed it up and put the binding on.

Even the back is colorful!

 I finished the Chroma socks (they look too dark here-it is light brown and coral with the teal)  Since they are hand wash and dry, I did some blocking so the cable shows and they start out right!

 I am making good progress on the mitts to match the Coronet cable hat.

 I did some experimenting with the green tea moisturizer since I wasn't happy with my first attempt.  It just was soup instead of a cream!   I melted it all again, added some beeswax and some cocoa butter and it is just right now-wow, does it make your skin feel moisturized!  I love it!

 I have some Romney/Targhee on the espinner!   This is an incredible fiber to spin-I will be buying more of this in the future!   I will be dyeing it after I spin it this time.  (I have an idea for the skein to be tri-colored.)

The dragonfly table runner is ready for the frame!