Gift Exchange: retrohipmama

Thanks to Linda over at CraftaholicsAnonymous, I have made a crafty new friend and fellow blogger!

A few weeks back, I signed up for the Handmade Gift Exchange.  A couple days later, I received my email containing my partners name, email and address.

I have to say, I was STOKED.

My partner was Andrea, who blogs over at retrohipmama. She’s also got a Facebook Fanpage too. She’s amazingly talented and crafty!

Embroidery is an old trade that is quickly becoming popular again. Andrea is doing her part in making Embroidery cool. Seriously, go check out her blog and you will see what I’m talking about! If you’re on Pinterest, you can follow her here. I promise, she will not disappoint.
Check out what she made me. EEEKKKK.

Isn’t she so talented?!
Want to make one too? She posted a FREE template of this design (her original design, inspired by yours truly, might I add.) 
Get the full tutorial plus template here.

This was my first Gift Exchange and it was such a fantastic experience. I can’t wait until the Christmas Gift Exchange Linda hosts! Make sure you follow CraftoholicsAnonymous on Facebook so you’re not missing out.

 
Here’s what I sent to Andrea:

and a few cards from my shop.
All packaged up nice and neat:

If you can’t tell, my packaging was completely inspired by a previous post.
Did you participate in the Gift Exchange? Don’t miss out on the Christmas Exchange at the end of the year.

# kristanlynn
xoxo

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Mud Scrub: DIY

What is Mud Scrub you ask?? Well... basically it’s a sugar and coffee scrub. I love it! Especially because the coffee has such great benefits for your skin. 

Coffee and Caffeine are showing up all over in beauty products due to their tightening and antioxidant effects on the skin. Caffeine, works on skin in the three primary ways: as a vasoconstrictor, an antioxidant, and a diuretic. Applied topically caffeine helps to redistribute fat cells and decrease the formation of cellulite. It also acts as a vasorestrictor, tightening and shrinking blood vessels thereby helping eliminate varicose veins.

Guess what! It can make you feel more alert too, this is because you associate the smell with the invigorating effects of drinking coffee (it's a learned response).

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

What you will need:

1 C Sugar (white, brown, cane) 

5 TBSP Coffee grounds 

1/4 C oil 

(veggie oil, almond oil, extra virgin olive oil, baby oil…) 

1 tsp Peppermint Extract 

1 tsp Vanilla Extract

Mix:

Mix sugar and coffee. 

Add small amounts of oil to the sugar/coffee mix until everything is coated. 

(You may not need the full 1/4 C, I didn’t use all of it) 

Add any fragrance you like. I chose to use Peppermint and Vanilla and they blend well with the coffee aroma. 

Mix well. and You’re done. 

If you find it a little watery from the oil, just add more sugar and or coffee.

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

This recipe can be tweaked to your liking.

A few tips:

◦ If you have sensitive skin, do not add coffee grounds and use brown sugar (as it is less abbrasive) 

◦ If you would like a coarser scrub, try 1/2 C of sugar and 1/2 C of coffee grounds.

You can see pictures from our our Spa Day here. We had a blast! 


** for those that have inquired, my handmade dolls are available @ stitchedvintage.com

Pinwheels + Summer Decorating

Pinwheels (or as Adelyn calls them “ballerina flowers”) are a fantastic summertime decoration.

Whether you’re setting up for a wedding, baby shower,
4th of July party or just a random summer party,
Pinwheels are an easy and fast way to add splashes of color throughout

I love the idea of using them as favor tops and centerpieces!!!

A lot of brides are opting for Pinwheel bouquet’s instead of the traditional flower bouquets.
Which I think is such a neat idea.

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Want to make some yourself??

I used brown paper lunch bags. 
Mainly because a big pack of them have been sitting in the cupboard for over a year.
But, I love the way they turned out!
Definitely a little flimsy, and if little hands are going to be playing with your pinwheels,
I’d suggest you use a thick cardstock.

I love the idea of attaching small pinwheels to a toothpick and using as cupcake toppers.
Or as wedding cake décor??

What about attaching mini pinwheels to stirring straws (instead of drink umbrellas).
Oh, the possibilities are endless!

Adelyn loves them!

Don’t forget to click on the pictures to be taken to there little home on the web.
When you get there.. you will be amazed at all the beautiful photgraphs!!!

# kristanlynn
xoxo   

DIY Citrus Salt Scrub

 

It’s that time of year. Where you need all the exfoliation you can get! Everyone wants fabulous beach-ready skin! And lets be real, if you’re anything like me… exfoliating just didn’t seam important when you’re all covered up in winter clothing. Well, now it’s time to peel of those layers of clothing AND skin! Here is a fantastic recipe and I just know you will have all the ingredients in your kitchen.

What you will need:

• 1 cup sea salt
• 1/4 cup vegetable oil
  (or olive, almond or coconut oil) 
• 1/2 tsp lemon juice (or zest) 
• 1/2 tsp orange zest (not necessary)

 

photo credit: via

MIX:

• First mix the oil and sea salt together. (Add a bit of oil at a time, you may not need all that is called for! I've made a few batches, each time it's taken different amounts.) 
• Add orange zest. 
• Drizzle the lemon juice over the salt and oil mix.(you do not want too much lemon juice, or else your mixture will become a watery consistency.)
• Mix well. Store in a air tight container.

 

 

How to exfoliate: Clean body as normal in shower.  Just before getting out, apply salt scrub in a firm circular motion all over body.  Concentrating on those knees and elbows! Rinse and pat dry with towel.

Now I’m ready for the beach.
If only there were beaches in Tennessee!!!

# kristanlynn
xoxo

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