tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-89285500404569615362024-03-27T16:53:30.518-07:00Cheaper and BetterWelcome to my blog, where I help you make your own DIY projects to save a bundle o' cash! I'm a Realtor by trade in the northern Atlanta suburbs but that doesn't stop me from making my own stuff just for the fun of it.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13459304962116432715noreply@blogger.comBlogger25125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8928550040456961536.post-44344493328572780932016-01-03T18:15:00.001-08:002016-01-03T18:15:13.249-08:00How To Sell Your Home Fast and For More Money<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">www.NorthernAtlantaHomeValues.com</td></tr>
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So you're thinking about selling your home. Every seller wants their home to sell fast and for more money than the house down the street. I've been a Realtor® for more than 10 years now and this is pretty much a universal truth. And I don't blame them at all. That's what I want too.<br />
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So how do you make this happen? Here are a few simple steps to selling fast and for the most money possible.<br />
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<b>1. Have realistic expectations. </b>You need to know what homes are selling for in your neighborhood and why they sold for that. If your house hasn't been updated since 1978 and the guy across the street just did a total kitchen remodel, your home is not going to sell for his price. ANY house will sell, no matter the condition. The price it will fetch is based on condition, size, and location.<br />
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<b>2. De-clutter. Now. </b>Actually, yesterday would be even better. Clutter not only makes your home look smaller, it makes it REALLY hard for buyers to visualize themselves living there. Get rid of anything that doesn't belong in this decade and box it up. You're going to move it anyway so get a head start on the packing. If you have photos on every flat surface, on every inch of wall space, and little knick knacks all around, box 'em up. <br />
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<b>3. Consider minor improvements to update the house. </b> My husband and I just bought a great house that was built in the 90's. The brass light fixtures made me cringe but the house had great bones and we could visualize how it would look with decor from the current decade. Sadly for the sellers, no other buyers did. We were the only offer after 90 days and we were able to negotiate a very good price. The first thing we did was paint our formal dining room and replace this beauty.<br />
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Seriously, spend $100 on a new light fixture and the impact will be HUGE. The one over the front door in your entryway is a big opportunity for some wow factor too. If you aren't sure what to choose, go with either oil rubbed bronze or brushed nickel. Go on Pinterest and search for "cool dining room chandeliers" or something along those lines and you'll get a ton of ideas.</div>
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There's a reason why you see these in every Goodwill store. No one likes them anymore.</div>
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<b>4. Change out the knobs on your kitchen and bathroom cabinets</b> for a fast, inexpensive, and easy update. </div>
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1995 called. They want their bathroom back.</div>
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<b> 5. Clean, clean, clean!</b> Scrub your home top to bottom, get a Mr. Clean Magic Eraser and get all the scuff marks off your walls, have the carpets cleaned, and have a friend tell you if your house smells like your pets. Buyers will be immediately turned off if they walk in and it smells like a stinky dog or a litter box. Put a dehumidifier in the basement if it smells damp and musty.<br />
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<b>6. Turn on every darned light in your house before buyers come through. </b> Open your blinds and curtains and let the sunshine in. Turn off the TV unless it's playing soft music in the background. <br />
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<b>7. LEAVE the house for showings. </b>This is a big one. When my buyers start visualizing where their furniture will go, this is a good sign. They are imagining themselves living here. I want them to start saying things like, "We could paint this room pink and put the crib over there." But if the seller is home and follows us through the house, the buyers can't talk amongst themselves about the things they would change. They can't say, "This is the ugliest carpet I've ever seen! But wouldn't hardwood floors look gorgeous?" if you're standing right there. You can be home when they arrive if you absolutely must, but then step outside or take a walk around the block. Even go hang out in the garage. Just don't make it so the buyers can't discuss the house in great detail. This discussion is a crucial step in the offer process - make yourself scarce!<br />
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<b>8. Go check out your competition. </b> Have your Realtor make appointments to see some of the other homes for sale that directly compete against yours and go see them. How does their kitchen compare to yours? How about the master bathroom? If their basement finished or unfinished? What about the yard size? Try to look at them though a buyer's eyes. It's totally ok to steal some of their decorating ideas.<br />
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<b>9. Make your house smell good without going overboard. </b>Food smells or fresh laundry make your house smell homey and clean. Nothing too overpowering please, but an air freshener right inside the front door is a great idea. Freshly baked cookies or bread smells in your home are very appealing.</div>
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<b>10. Hire a Realtor who will give you an honest estimate of your home's value. </b> Be willing to make changes they might suggest, like some of the things listed above. Trust me, I show homes to buyers several days a week and they all say the same things over and over again. I know what buyers are looking for and faux wood paneling in every room is not it. Help your agent help you by being open to suggestions and having realistic expectations.</div>
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<b>Thinking of selling your metro Atlanta area home? Let me give you an idea of what it's worth. It's free and there's no obligation.</b></div>
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<b><a href="http://www.northernatlantahomevalues.com/" target="_blank">GET YOUR PERSONALIZED ESTIMATE NOW</a></b></div>
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<img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_IAkDr2ugYo8BK5PQEIRxm_XHh_FnD5NjDKclAx3oLyLQSEzEVvm_IPgQh3hycD0i9PeHsWGLF8wDfAEoNb3BxnQ1QvXTKpcKmky20RGkbUAkP2teeeGj7_EAvVqKF8iqRDTmaAX8KjQ7/s400/Screen+Shot+2016-01-01+at+6.27.33+PM.png" width="263" /></div>
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<b>www.NorthernAtlantaHomeValues.com</b></div>
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<i>Karin Carr is a Realtor® with Weichert, Realtors® - Preferred in Marietta, Georgia. She has listed and sold more than 150 homes since 2005. Karin's team services the entire Atlanta metro area.</i></div>
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13459304962116432715noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8928550040456961536.post-52641536695649715462015-08-20T09:11:00.001-07:002015-08-21T14:13:42.920-07:00Ikea Rast Hack - Use a $35 nightstand to make a copycat $600 Pottery Barn Nightstand<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiugWO-Zio5drzz4X6EFwHTvccBKDjKatg0Z7tOnqBRzliPB4EVdsX-gkmQ_hr4kAuR0wlBZ4XElVbn6XYhj-cJw_6rW13kjXjPZifFQoeErCv1gQNxIR7JT8pqww22kNmwQEpan-dS9eOc/s1600/IMG_3529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiugWO-Zio5drzz4X6EFwHTvccBKDjKatg0Z7tOnqBRzliPB4EVdsX-gkmQ_hr4kAuR0wlBZ4XElVbn6XYhj-cJw_6rW13kjXjPZifFQoeErCv1gQNxIR7JT8pqww22kNmwQEpan-dS9eOc/s400/IMG_3529.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
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This was my inspiration. This beautiful nightstand that looks like an old steamer trunk from Pottery Barn. That costs $600. And I need two. Hmm, what's a girl to do?</h2>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNY3kFc3tpTafr3WsFeQRT4S-_yBCgS8pcNhYW9BmzeY0qPq2DYqtK58pQfAgspxMWTsvWu42Yh7cQKYmUwNeOt3uY8lbuFhpH-SYPUp4nJe2Dl24nox7d4bPah991ECKpRb75wwZMUl1P/s1600/Screen+Shot+2015-08-05+at+1.16.35+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="270" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNY3kFc3tpTafr3WsFeQRT4S-_yBCgS8pcNhYW9BmzeY0qPq2DYqtK58pQfAgspxMWTsvWu42Yh7cQKYmUwNeOt3uY8lbuFhpH-SYPUp4nJe2Dl24nox7d4bPah991ECKpRb75wwZMUl1P/s400/Screen+Shot+2015-08-05+at+1.16.35+PM.png" width="400" /></a></div>
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Grab an Ikea Rast dresser for $35! (Question - for what human is that a dresser? A toddler? Please, let's be real. It's a nightstand.)<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgy13elNpPopVywfjXz-ay8-wDGOMl3FM4WLHUjtqXvqKpM4f-N056hP8U8FB8oCm6BOzLnETo-6Ux5bds2qbqUntHVbFKI5tdR1B5-XUljewb7zIL2J0yCuPebTNrdUezQwMaAnL6lwWzX/s1600/Screen+Shot+2015-08-05+at+1.19.04+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="237" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgy13elNpPopVywfjXz-ay8-wDGOMl3FM4WLHUjtqXvqKpM4f-N056hP8U8FB8oCm6BOzLnETo-6Ux5bds2qbqUntHVbFKI5tdR1B5-XUljewb7zIL2J0yCuPebTNrdUezQwMaAnL6lwWzX/s400/Screen+Shot+2015-08-05+at+1.19.04+PM.png" width="400" /></a></div>
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Here's why it works:</div>
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a) It's cheap</div>
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b) It's roughly the same size as the Pottery Barn piece</div>
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c) It's just a box with no fancy, ornate legs or rounded corners - just like the inspiration piece</div>
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d) It's cheap</div>
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I managed to find a very gently used one on Craigslist for $25. Even better! Now I only have to buy one more at regular price. If you have a different dresser to use, just try to find one that's shaped like a cardboard box without curves along the edges.</div>
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Here's what you'll need:</h2>
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1) Stain, paint, or fabric to cover the body of the nightstand </div>
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2) Approximately 103" worth of metal L shaped aluminum that's 1/2" wide on one edge and 3/4" wide on the other (Find it at Home Depot or Lowe's in the section called angle iron and steel rods)</div>
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3) Decorative nails</div>
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4) 8 corner brackets</div>
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5) A piece of thin plywood that's at least 2'x3' and less than 1/4" thick</div>
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6) An old leather belt (real leather, not vinyl please)</div>
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7) 6 bolts for attaching the new handles (aka the belt)</div>
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You'll also need screwdrivers, a hacksaw, possibly a table saw, paintbrushes, and other general tools.</div>
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<b>Step One</b></h2>
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(I'm assuming your nightstand is already assembled.) Begin by removing the knobs and the drawers. Ikea uses these little plastic screws inside the drawers that keep the drawers from falling out when you open them. Unscrew those to remove the drawers. I used pieces of painters tape to pull the drawers open because once the knobs are removed, it's reeeeeeeeally hard to open the drawers. Tape works perfectly. Use wood filler to fill up the holes from the previous knobs.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhD55yQTk9YN2DoGR4POJP5tOH-TfqwGLZgshjKXcag0OFBKJGSEAG3kIGOUmjM-DZCb_KbDL1OSnTQiPxGtX3IznjYAbsUdqjBbqpiymfnKEoiwEmOAEc6tiAGs1m3Q5ao-qPRO1wLDR9x/s1600/IMG_3205.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhD55yQTk9YN2DoGR4POJP5tOH-TfqwGLZgshjKXcag0OFBKJGSEAG3kIGOUmjM-DZCb_KbDL1OSnTQiPxGtX3IznjYAbsUdqjBbqpiymfnKEoiwEmOAEc6tiAGs1m3Q5ao-qPRO1wLDR9x/s400/IMG_3205.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
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Next, we want to remove the horizontal board across the bottom front of the nightstand. It's recessed too much and we want it to be flush with the front of the dresser. Unscrew the two screws holding it in place and also the two screws at the top of the dresser on either side of the top drawer.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQVTrMEsmueK-wT0yKLh9jH4R1cnM4GxuE-OsQkOQ55Jhesg7hARnXGUmw_-M8ABWMAQYdD6Y1S2nE4kIeS8Jt8AXwoQ0BokcCZLxJQkcKKWW-T0vzpjDWj6_U3Z9TiSkrvhlrlecfFUUP/s1600/IMG_3202.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQVTrMEsmueK-wT0yKLh9jH4R1cnM4GxuE-OsQkOQ55Jhesg7hARnXGUmw_-M8ABWMAQYdD6Y1S2nE4kIeS8Jt8AXwoQ0BokcCZLxJQkcKKWW-T0vzpjDWj6_U3Z9TiSkrvhlrlecfFUUP/s400/IMG_3202.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The nightstand is upside down. You can see how that kick plate board is set back about an inch . Gotta remedy that.</td></tr>
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There are little dowels holding that board in place and if you don't remove the screws at the top of each side, you can't get that board out. I had to put a flat screwdriver down inside the tiny little gap and tap it with a hammer to widen the gap enough to remove the board.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiBE__39mXctYzdMVK8B84PgDARD7KYmWKpuGX-0kA1g-AIQExE8KmHXEQQzDjUX76lfWd0kyXduDfR5XlYJ8zVs7R8aL5b0hNBWq7Ue5sAxdcdWCC3xMWXi_oJscIWwSvKuytVQRLisUs/s1600/IMG_3207.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiBE__39mXctYzdMVK8B84PgDARD7KYmWKpuGX-0kA1g-AIQExE8KmHXEQQzDjUX76lfWd0kyXduDfR5XlYJ8zVs7R8aL5b0hNBWq7Ue5sAxdcdWCC3xMWXi_oJscIWwSvKuytVQRLisUs/s320/IMG_3207.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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So now we've removed all the drawers and the bottom kick plate board. You'll notice that the sides of the dresser are about 1/4" taller than the top of the dresser. We don't want that, we want it to be level and flush. You can either cut a thin board to size and attach it on top, or just cut a tiny bit of length off the sides. That's what we chose to do (Hubby said it was easier this way and he's the guy with the power tools so I defer to his opinion when it comes to construction.)</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzBburUCt58l6iM4h0F4DHVTrIBbzK2xOJULKsTV55lDxqpSA8gTJHEVQH2SV2Sr3RmdT25K4molmGMZdZwiBQUAAEyYW14OmtF2He_MJMCKBjA140af46BrV87STvIaoIp7jsQyNKVh3m/s1600/IMG_3214.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzBburUCt58l6iM4h0F4DHVTrIBbzK2xOJULKsTV55lDxqpSA8gTJHEVQH2SV2Sr3RmdT25K4molmGMZdZwiBQUAAEyYW14OmtF2He_MJMCKBjA140af46BrV87STvIaoIp7jsQyNKVh3m/s320/IMG_3214.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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Here's a close up of the top and side.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQyL39i3r2z2RLbweT6RpWPcvOZJnKkY9amDNvQzWxwnt4RTflIXp-yzBGeNt3uJhcJ2DQQgAA9B9l5brXajTqhgGXfD5ZOvj-UteerLELnhLMbhn_gYapvyjU6rCHQMnw8nuTPcErwwKF/s1600/IMG_3219.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQyL39i3r2z2RLbweT6RpWPcvOZJnKkY9amDNvQzWxwnt4RTflIXp-yzBGeNt3uJhcJ2DQQgAA9B9l5brXajTqhgGXfD5ZOvj-UteerLELnhLMbhn_gYapvyjU6rCHQMnw8nuTPcErwwKF/s320/IMG_3219.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">That's the edge we're going to cut off.<br />
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Here's what the back looks like when you bring it home. This is why it's only $35. Not exactly super solid construction but at least the rest isn't veneer.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMYKQ49aBOvRxta2tWtxEcnBJcFT6qPupSfV9h5F5CLiEBLVRFFBjoKmHaSlTUX6TwaBh_MnqCyRKLar_kPyAaCthPq7Dt7xOvbKWnvYOEOujTAg8iBGDG-lE5l4ESyxEztvGO90ocez3R/s1600/IMG_3215.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMYKQ49aBOvRxta2tWtxEcnBJcFT6qPupSfV9h5F5CLiEBLVRFFBjoKmHaSlTUX6TwaBh_MnqCyRKLar_kPyAaCthPq7Dt7xOvbKWnvYOEOujTAg8iBGDG-lE5l4ESyxEztvGO90ocez3R/s320/IMG_3215.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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So we also picked up a sheet of very thin plywood to cover the back. The luan sheets (hardwood plywood that's stain grade and looks pretty) at Home Depot come in a 2'x3' size for about $6 and guess what? That nightstand is 2' wide! All we need to do is make one cut to make it the right height and attach it to the back.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigruDw10H_2-_5hdnd1KmlYHN7vOamcI4aIFmtir3_5tos7SIAkrGs_NYRuKICAaScDcBs5p2vXmUJ8wEGvyXKfu8ReOkXe-kZO1FppQcxu-Qxg7DYQQZt-TkRf2HZASoUAYiSVDYUUwCa/s1600/IMG_3216.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigruDw10H_2-_5hdnd1KmlYHN7vOamcI4aIFmtir3_5tos7SIAkrGs_NYRuKICAaScDcBs5p2vXmUJ8wEGvyXKfu8ReOkXe-kZO1FppQcxu-Qxg7DYQQZt-TkRf2HZASoUAYiSVDYUUwCa/s400/IMG_3216.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">It's the perfect width so all I have to do is make one cut and attach it with some wood glue and a few screws .</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWBSurl_4aXtsk5r_j1NN7y8b7H6Fx7gvdDDXVc0mzMVin7OQVs-ZS0flHs0znIPzKV3d9q76qponPFKHPaydwfN6HkCZuY41dEc4OlT-BuTYhXJG-jdvkE9hRL7t-uewn4cXXxu-CFFtL/s1600/IMG_3221.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWBSurl_4aXtsk5r_j1NN7y8b7H6Fx7gvdDDXVc0mzMVin7OQVs-ZS0flHs0znIPzKV3d9q76qponPFKHPaydwfN6HkCZuY41dEc4OlT-BuTYhXJG-jdvkE9hRL7t-uewn4cXXxu-CFFtL/s400/IMG_3221.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Here's Hubby and his beloved Shopsmith. ;) He ended up taking each side off the dresser, cut off that top lip, and used a belt sander to make it smooth and perfectly flush across the top.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuclocUL4Sq3Fg7fuPIutt0JVj2426Wq2QbEINoNow9FCWCRL-IYUJpVQCrRydL-wYWXgiERCS5ybDnxixlWEvxufYM_I8ODOhBqE8HX47wPtFDLyNQxUbWvP065U5mRRqnuWIRFxo2wVR/s1600/IMG_3223.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuclocUL4Sq3Fg7fuPIutt0JVj2426Wq2QbEINoNow9FCWCRL-IYUJpVQCrRydL-wYWXgiERCS5ybDnxixlWEvxufYM_I8ODOhBqE8HX47wPtFDLyNQxUbWvP065U5mRRqnuWIRFxo2wVR/s400/IMG_3223.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">And here he is cutting the plywood. </td></tr>
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Now just put it back together. That's it for the prep work. Yay!<br />
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<b>Step Two</b></h2>
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You'll notice on the Pottery Barn piece the dresser is covered with linen. I thought about attaching linen to the wood doing a decoupage kind of thing… till I read the cleaning instructions. On the PB web site it says to dust with a dry cloth. I have a giant, slobbery English Mastiff. The first time she flings slobber all over the room by shaking her head, that'll be the end of my nightstand. But if you choose to do this I think you just use Modge Podge or something to make the fabric adhere to each area. I have NO experience decoupaging fabric onto furniture but there are a million tutorials on Pinterest so if you're brave enough to make a piece of furniture you pretty much can't ever clean, knock yourself out. ;)<br />
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Or you can just stain the wood your color of choice.<br />
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But what I chose to do was a faux linen paint technique. You need latex paint, primer, clear glaze, and a brush that's made for this sort of application. I got all these at Lowe's.<br />
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MONEY SAVING TIP: I bought the Sherwin Williams brand of paint. This "sample" size is only 1/16th of a quart less than a full quart. It cost less than $4. A regular quart is about $16. They will custom mix the sample color for you and it has a screw top and a handle! WIN WIN WIN! The only caveat is that it comes in eggshell and that's it, no flat, satin, gloss, or semi-gloss. So if you paint your furniture with this eggshell paint just use a clear gloss topcoat if you prefer a shiny finish. One sample size will cover the entire nightstand and you might even have enough for two if you go heavy on the primer first.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDkLKsbvL1vWbL7Xn6CKRUqPOizARed5SH9TaKc4540kdzHiiMDS7IxH-L_77LG-TPDqnjMdwxTIWrLk3owC5oySYxSvrT2c3bsBpmt2NKZz7F8yh4LQFrDA2SjgDSTEVC9Ip6Y8Uoz1Ik/s1600/IMG_3230.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDkLKsbvL1vWbL7Xn6CKRUqPOizARed5SH9TaKc4540kdzHiiMDS7IxH-L_77LG-TPDqnjMdwxTIWrLk3owC5oySYxSvrT2c3bsBpmt2NKZz7F8yh4LQFrDA2SjgDSTEVC9Ip6Y8Uoz1Ik/s400/IMG_3230.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMBfay8a0nRwYoBwhJLOax_vkiw2EGJxr0GsNhf6ppHhZgrSnNRCcWsOs_Fozuph9gYHNS8xOxzlCRjZLplTxrXhdGJlVmdJldZKS01AkPQqkRQ6szbHYgkEtuSgJNn8MYp_eSO7cWf6CC/s1600/IMG_3231.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMBfay8a0nRwYoBwhJLOax_vkiw2EGJxr0GsNhf6ppHhZgrSnNRCcWsOs_Fozuph9gYHNS8xOxzlCRjZLplTxrXhdGJlVmdJldZKS01AkPQqkRQ6szbHYgkEtuSgJNn8MYp_eSO7cWf6CC/s400/IMG_3231.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sorry this is sideways. I uploaded it and cannot figure out how to rotate it! Must mean I need more coffee.</td></tr>
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I decided to paint my nightstand green for a pop of color in the room. My bed looks like this and my next project will be a faux printer's chest in a dark gray/black so bits of green here and there look amazing (in my head, anyway! Hopefully I won't regret this decision.)<br />
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P.S. Want to make this barn door headboard for less than $200? <a href="http://cheaperandbetterdiy.blogspot.com/2015/08/diy-barn-door-headboard-and-faux-barn.html" target="_blank">See it here</a>!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJxFXjmPMODPDSuVdHMgKZyXTujKFeR9C9xV-gsacFDUyuX2112MMZkhsQtehUDV4DMWLTiBlf6PUFRU1k12Tpzr7H5t9TO-vFVru705LkF7TvW__EUIfXC4MWNCGPdADfCb5P_Gaz9Q0e/s1600/IMG_3244.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJxFXjmPMODPDSuVdHMgKZyXTujKFeR9C9xV-gsacFDUyuX2112MMZkhsQtehUDV4DMWLTiBlf6PUFRU1k12Tpzr7H5t9TO-vFVru705LkF7TvW__EUIfXC4MWNCGPdADfCb5P_Gaz9Q0e/s640/IMG_3244.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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First I tried out my technique on the leftover plywood. I rolled on a coat of green, then mixed 4 parts clear glaze in a tray with 1 part green paint. I rolled it on, used the dry brush to drag vertical lines through the paint. Wiped off the brush, did the next section, until the whole thing was covered with vertical lines. Let dry. Then do it again but horizontally this time. Sadly, I just couldn't see the pattern.<br />
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Then I bought another sample of a lighter green. I tried various combinations of dark with the light color glaze on top, light with the dark glaze on top, mixing in white, etc. Here are a few of my mockups.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3M5ij0AS_n0Lbj7ADLbxAPDohl85xy7Wjie0a9TrYVoRvbIxFnzaNGtp06dG7xj7JzqPCerunpWuEbhnE7uWw6pCrUFybdTqgcIgmBrqvR7WAGqLzedHQgvY7KHGfClMSrrnjehqQhDST/s1600/IMG_3254.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3M5ij0AS_n0Lbj7ADLbxAPDohl85xy7Wjie0a9TrYVoRvbIxFnzaNGtp06dG7xj7JzqPCerunpWuEbhnE7uWw6pCrUFybdTqgcIgmBrqvR7WAGqLzedHQgvY7KHGfClMSrrnjehqQhDST/s320/IMG_3254.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiX4urZt8rfy2E2tat5kkXzFWM3mbqDlUwMOcMnzE-7uMr_SpQSPNRJqgfaqz-hAIZYPV3HbY6OSemVc3FFGXJoHEEZ67SplsUJx7xF8oANFdlsEhmImoO6xwQr7R8T2eHZqpZZ8lZjQ5F5/s1600/IMG_3255.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiX4urZt8rfy2E2tat5kkXzFWM3mbqDlUwMOcMnzE-7uMr_SpQSPNRJqgfaqz-hAIZYPV3HbY6OSemVc3FFGXJoHEEZ67SplsUJx7xF8oANFdlsEhmImoO6xwQr7R8T2eHZqpZZ8lZjQ5F5/s320/IMG_3255.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">You can KIND of see the linen grain in this closeup but from two feet away it's not visible at all.</td></tr>
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For me, the winning combination was: dark green base coat, glaze mixed with a tiny bit of white latex paint (something like 1/2 cup glaze with one spoonful of white paint.) I must have tried 20 combinations before I found the look I wanted so don't get discouraged. Take a break, drink some wine, and try again in the morning. Worked for me.<br />
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Here's what it looked like once it was painted and sprayed with a clear gloss topcoat.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCVhDAS4ptZPyq5ULHkv-c_d-UDLf1myPWclhEOYzrIx6kWECMU37MSg0zE9dtZe7xGoHD6EVK5scxQK0-uK5Qvzsg_2SCasiLcSlQOiHVDoHaZI4Uj1A6FNEngu5PjsdFGD8Zq3mDmB3F/s1600/IMG_3288.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCVhDAS4ptZPyq5ULHkv-c_d-UDLf1myPWclhEOYzrIx6kWECMU37MSg0zE9dtZe7xGoHD6EVK5scxQK0-uK5Qvzsg_2SCasiLcSlQOiHVDoHaZI4Uj1A6FNEngu5PjsdFGD8Zq3mDmB3F/s320/IMG_3288.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMT0HLHyo2jco1t3weaSY9IitbRq2LR-snjfYdBnTxd7mVf7hVguF4KXfv4zA9zzdM4yPpm5aMXGG4YBJeAMXCCBM8zphXVYf1zmwkvUr0Jrodlc81XD96V0mKP8f230oBkHQ2jFtQ3dNR/s1600/IMG_3292.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMT0HLHyo2jco1t3weaSY9IitbRq2LR-snjfYdBnTxd7mVf7hVguF4KXfv4zA9zzdM4yPpm5aMXGG4YBJeAMXCCBM8zphXVYf1zmwkvUr0Jrodlc81XD96V0mKP8f230oBkHQ2jFtQ3dNR/s400/IMG_3292.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I think the faux linen treatment worked out really well! It's very subtle but by finishing with a gloss topcoat it will be easy to wipe down and clean.</td></tr>
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Now that the paint is dry we're going to start wrapping metal around all the edges. Here's a reminder of what the inspiration looks like. (I love that my other tabs are open in this screen shot! I was trying to find a DIY cleaner using vinegar to clean leather. That black leather armchair in my bedroom came from Goodwill for all of $20 but it smelled like an old lady's attic. Phew, it was stinky. And in case you're curious, vinegar cleaned it beautifully and a bag of activated charcoal under the seat got rid of the smelliness.)<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKEOmnigD59DPfWH4M5lRRtISd6leg6BuI_V_mFa5YDxl-_XMTSIccU1F8XoJp5qOImQZZOGTJ9Ln0C-nRWVhX4aWNn7Aox5tcAo8pxSQ_cLBxqJrKYQgmhhMrHtZEzXIEdUPuZJHvZaPL/s1600/IMG_3197.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKEOmnigD59DPfWH4M5lRRtISd6leg6BuI_V_mFa5YDxl-_XMTSIccU1F8XoJp5qOImQZZOGTJ9Ln0C-nRWVhX4aWNn7Aox5tcAo8pxSQ_cLBxqJrKYQgmhhMrHtZEzXIEdUPuZJHvZaPL/s640/IMG_3197.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
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Our metal pieces won't be quite that wide because otherwise they'll overlap the edges of the drawers and you won't be able to open them. But if you're not using a Rast piece and have something else, feel free to use a wider piece of aluminum. <br />
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You're going to measure each edge of the nightstand and cut the metal to fit using a hacksaw. (You can use an electric saw if you have a blade for cutting metal, but I didn't. Man, that was quite the arm workout, let me tell ya!) The corner brackets with cover the seams so don't worry if it's not too pretty right now.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxNnTczgI-yOaJKlYkiuTyPPokhpLUHoZ8yZ-aKeVDu_BBBv1s7HvA_1JlSxh-vK-4mB2AYUm4pGhYZ5MwE_NDToK2CvrJsHOjpSMyucDn2TwJqld9A2NummOLimI-HnydjKWKeI_iFHGe/s1600/IMG_3234.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxNnTczgI-yOaJKlYkiuTyPPokhpLUHoZ8yZ-aKeVDu_BBBv1s7HvA_1JlSxh-vK-4mB2AYUm4pGhYZ5MwE_NDToK2CvrJsHOjpSMyucDn2TwJqld9A2NummOLimI-HnydjKWKeI_iFHGe/s640/IMG_3234.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Here's a good close-up of how we had them meet at the corners.</td></tr>
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BE SURE TO HAVE THE THIN EDGE ALONG THE FRONT OF THE NIGHTSTAND. I can't reiterate this enough. Otherwise the drawers won't open.<br />
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Also, wear work gloves. The metal isn't thick but it's still sharp and pointy. You'll also have to drill pilot holes for all the screws and nails so mark those using a Sharpie. Any extra marks will come right off with a Mr. Clean Magic Eraser or some steel wool. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgb7LACUF_j776t9eWVpZB4fyVB-Ling1KttxqBX4P7m2-aihPlXd4FCkzRlwxjdlsNQmh-kFuSEfqOfQYGIewBKlp7mBmuDtF60tpNCpX-7cn8SWIK-jWWXSbFR_9xBIBJJVuFRKustuC9/s1600/IMG_3235.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgb7LACUF_j776t9eWVpZB4fyVB-Ling1KttxqBX4P7m2-aihPlXd4FCkzRlwxjdlsNQmh-kFuSEfqOfQYGIewBKlp7mBmuDtF60tpNCpX-7cn8SWIK-jWWXSbFR_9xBIBJJVuFRKustuC9/s400/IMG_3235.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Laying out the aluminum and imagining how it will all fit together.</td></tr>
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We were thrilled to find aluminum at Home Depot and Lowe's that's 1/2" wide along one side and 3/4" wide on the other. This is perfect for our project. Skinny side toward the front, thicker side wrapping over the top and sides.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6k8ozef_MNGpGCJXUKbou7KzDDdXtuMcdDOOOmoyZ7tBhMrDqNng2fKK_g_tanjdZDd7xemxAzT-0PPOBvZtonvCrMDjvsiTre-6bAoD5-nCxSMSo6oFcYAjSJyaPTVo8NxRzJty1KJQt/s1600/IMG_3295.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6k8ozef_MNGpGCJXUKbou7KzDDdXtuMcdDOOOmoyZ7tBhMrDqNng2fKK_g_tanjdZDd7xemxAzT-0PPOBvZtonvCrMDjvsiTre-6bAoD5-nCxSMSo6oFcYAjSJyaPTVo8NxRzJty1KJQt/s400/IMG_3295.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">See how it's wider on one side?<br />
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Then came a bit of a snag. We went to Rockler Hardware over the weekend and found a whole section of steamer trunk hardware. The corner brackets were perfect and they were only $5 for 4. Nice! But when I tried fitting them in place over the aluminum…. Houston, we have a problem. (Yes, that's my coffee cup in the photo, holding the piece of metal to keep it from falling off for the 15th time.)<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlGnfgjsryMLsXStlZzK8cUE6PzCCUeeoo30WDpEgRASBWepaJIsE_50lM230uGZxx7jMTg-cgPUIDguD_ieTjEoqmhr74U5aRZbXj1PhD6UFpvfedKi4pjSPHCir3Lj2uTi07E1CgDgWF/s1600/IMG_3299.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlGnfgjsryMLsXStlZzK8cUE6PzCCUeeoo30WDpEgRASBWepaJIsE_50lM230uGZxx7jMTg-cgPUIDguD_ieTjEoqmhr74U5aRZbXj1PhD6UFpvfedKi4pjSPHCir3Lj2uTi07E1CgDgWF/s400/IMG_3299.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1EnIlZbXO1PWbFkgWl7PDJSB9rU-c-Beri7rvR9zy0M-S5qX_IFDNDRyekCiZKh-tcPtSD_qLO7VjeX31Q1l5fmXi8bGVu95LNfmgVKPWyW1_8TTiSb9I7XKkAIpGkHTal0a56cIGduIw/s1600/IMG_3298.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1EnIlZbXO1PWbFkgWl7PDJSB9rU-c-Beri7rvR9zy0M-S5qX_IFDNDRyekCiZKh-tcPtSD_qLO7VjeX31Q1l5fmXi8bGVu95LNfmgVKPWyW1_8TTiSb9I7XKkAIpGkHTal0a56cIGduIw/s400/IMG_3298.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
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That one little flap in the front overlaps the drawer by mere millimeters. Arrgh! This is turning out to be more work than I'd thought it would be. <br />
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I also bought these corner brackets at Home Depot and spray painted them antique bronze. They look good, but not as much like a steamer trunk.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinMfQ7tX4BRRvG5FbGMD2UUT0XzFwP1yx2EglveiUaooBihPEqfieIYPcDd3upRk1R_ECIb7Fnm9Ki9f7VpmZUdulYdh2DuVjfah4qZV45aDFaUHmu20A4sIuePxJ38t18FZyQcU3jHN9w/s1600/IMG_3300.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinMfQ7tX4BRRvG5FbGMD2UUT0XzFwP1yx2EglveiUaooBihPEqfieIYPcDd3upRk1R_ECIb7Fnm9Ki9f7VpmZUdulYdh2DuVjfah4qZV45aDFaUHmu20A4sIuePxJ38t18FZyQcU3jHN9w/s400/IMG_3300.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIRq8MY20X45l3vs3yOt-vC6rHxX-8girnhVBKII4j3VrltgK0ssspbaEeItGgZ79ko2riWPPZceo-d69-wEcf94gdQD9v1FM1W8o3RSrVnF0Qx2Cq2-i31chsy_Nn329AMkbfp7O2hjGO/s1600/IMG_3297.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIRq8MY20X45l3vs3yOt-vC6rHxX-8girnhVBKII4j3VrltgK0ssspbaEeItGgZ79ko2riWPPZceo-d69-wEcf94gdQD9v1FM1W8o3RSrVnF0Qx2Cq2-i31chsy_Nn329AMkbfp7O2hjGO/s400/IMG_3297.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Here are the two different brackets I got.</td></tr>
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Hubby said he can cut off the one little flap on the two brackets that will cover the top drawer. The rest of the brackets won't be a problem. But they also don't lie flat against the wood like the other ones do because of the thickness of the aluminum. Decisions, decisions…<br />
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But for a bit of good news, I was going to buy the leather handles at Rockler to be the new drawer pulls. They're 10" long, and they look like the handles on our inspiration but they'd have been $10-15 each. So as I was pissing and moaning about the accessory hardware costing three times as much as the dresser itself, Hubby said, "Why don't we buy an old leather belt at Goodwill and cut it up?" See, that's why I love him. He has such great ideas! <br />
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We stopped at Goodwill on the way home and picked up a brown leather man's belt for $3. It's nice and broken in with all those creases and folds and looks vintage, which it is. It's wide so I cut it into 10" pieces first and then I'll cut each one in half lengthwise to get 6 drawers out of it (remember, I'm going to make two nightstands.) I'm thinking of rounding the ends too. We'll see how well I can cut a half circle.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTbHl8FqaHSxyzVpqDDyYly_fgfOVmykpxYEhO_aO8CYjSR4XYEgzkGim6mgR81rATTeF0jQYxuSTJ6UdyHq_HEIn-QVeaAepsTk3VEXCTm507CxzX8h0E3ry56HcBydCWXDpsBVfLo7o_/s1600/IMG_3303.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTbHl8FqaHSxyzVpqDDyYly_fgfOVmykpxYEhO_aO8CYjSR4XYEgzkGim6mgR81rATTeF0jQYxuSTJ6UdyHq_HEIn-QVeaAepsTk3VEXCTm507CxzX8h0E3ry56HcBydCWXDpsBVfLo7o_/s400/IMG_3303.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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Instead of buying mounting brackets for each side we'll just use a carriage bolt on each end to attach them to the drawers.<br />
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After attaching all the metal, we put on the corner brackets (which I had sprayed with a combination of bronze, black, and silver spray paints to make them look aged), attached the new handles, and ta da! <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmMrrUqgbPIUQuOQ8eEUqwYzNWec0GQ9t-UMvOP8GbRwz-U-duUMSfRavQCHiOPYvRsP89fg1q8qKnxLmx4EnvAgPtqbLK0-jUHGynQMdW8jBXamdrcLkWtN1phYHWn7LcQ0hTmqCn3pcu/s1600/IMG_3529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmMrrUqgbPIUQuOQ8eEUqwYzNWec0GQ9t-UMvOP8GbRwz-U-duUMSfRavQCHiOPYvRsP89fg1q8qKnxLmx4EnvAgPtqbLK0-jUHGynQMdW8jBXamdrcLkWtN1phYHWn7LcQ0hTmqCn3pcu/s400/IMG_3529.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4y8ldLHSK3gSjWIL5h6y2Ob8kj-pGpMRqPpaW3pKmuq7jFpOXxl-cHdlITEkfScd7QyFVnddi56neKIVURH_3ZvyTD8UUb8Fabu8P8ERqsG3WTIGN-g2Yc1TD013jEJSigZmLXctY9cwQ/s1600/IMG_3533.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4y8ldLHSK3gSjWIL5h6y2Ob8kj-pGpMRqPpaW3pKmuq7jFpOXxl-cHdlITEkfScd7QyFVnddi56neKIVURH_3ZvyTD8UUb8Fabu8P8ERqsG3WTIGN-g2Yc1TD013jEJSigZmLXctY9cwQ/s400/IMG_3533.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
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How'd we do moneywise?</div>
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Nightstand $25 on Craigslist (it was less than a year old an in perfect condition - score!)</div>
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Belt: $3 at Goodwill</div>
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Aluminum strips - $36</div>
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Corner brackets - $12</div>
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Bolts and decorative nails - $6</div>
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Paint - $4 (I already had the white paint and glaze)</div>
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Spray on clear finish - $5</div>
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<b>Total: $91</b></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0rOITIGxkbMBJFNLHhqC56P7yktLz3YoEVkYTsU_0F_Wl1LMIYX7mkQ8sqXIRsNDSNniufAV0QjiMmBnZ63DC-JAv5lk0aGOyXNWsBfN7DtuOT7ujdh-kz92LueEXJmTkw9fPhvEXmxLL/s1600/IMG_3505.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0rOITIGxkbMBJFNLHhqC56P7yktLz3YoEVkYTsU_0F_Wl1LMIYX7mkQ8sqXIRsNDSNniufAV0QjiMmBnZ63DC-JAv5lk0aGOyXNWsBfN7DtuOT7ujdh-kz92LueEXJmTkw9fPhvEXmxLL/s400/IMG_3505.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I still have the old nightstand on the other side. It's brown and matches nothing so now I've got <br />
to make another one of these babies!</td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsuZSgv8dHI-6Ir8Jj64OT7H_WndsiHc5e6IrSPkQoIdU4IvmD4kMAb1ben71YfxJAlhmjlRejExKN7-AOa-LqJEYGzUo9KQ4mqYwt7hxZ_v5rMwGkia7Dj0wUIU3U3uSXUhxPexIm50CD/s1600/IMG_3513.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsuZSgv8dHI-6Ir8Jj64OT7H_WndsiHc5e6IrSPkQoIdU4IvmD4kMAb1ben71YfxJAlhmjlRejExKN7-AOa-LqJEYGzUo9KQ4mqYwt7hxZ_v5rMwGkia7Dj0wUIU3U3uSXUhxPexIm50CD/s400/IMG_3513.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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The photo above shows my Master Bedroom Makeover in progress. To date I've spent less than $300 for that <a href="http://cheaperandbetterdiy.blogspot.com/2015/08/diy-barn-door-headboard-and-faux-barn.html" target="_blank">barn door headboard</a>, complete with lights, about $120 for the <a href="http://cheaperandbetterdiy.blogspot.com/2015/08/ikea-tarva-hack-turn-this-plain-dresser.html" target="_blank">apothecary chest/printer's cabinet</a> dresser, and about $90 for the nightstand. That's three major pieces of furniture for just above $500. That's less than one Pottery Barn nightstand. Not bad!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiBaVwDVO7YOJ5UE-oesCCLhIYt-g2SqUfO07HyvlKazPke5cJfak-N5_dUgWFLee4LaOIxVMpbosghd7Ec0T7LBShkA_-YhT8yWyUFDkgeMXafljpA0eUR7a8UIiRJ5bhyA9Mc1Ttso38/s1600/Rast+Hack.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiBaVwDVO7YOJ5UE-oesCCLhIYt-g2SqUfO07HyvlKazPke5cJfak-N5_dUgWFLee4LaOIxVMpbosghd7Ec0T7LBShkA_-YhT8yWyUFDkgeMXafljpA0eUR7a8UIiRJ5bhyA9Mc1Ttso38/s640/Rast+Hack.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13459304962116432715noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8928550040456961536.post-31284570521681763182015-08-17T08:27:00.000-07:002015-08-22T16:32:55.098-07:00Ikea Tarva Hack - Turn This Plain Dresser into a Faux Printer's Cabinet / Apothecary Chest!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxpdF1mecrV5pfjeM9mUv1b1dKCQmuWFaF2rDT_VN_xA40vHS2IusfAo4_gmDn-YAqeWvtO58tmt0wgDgJFr4epZDBuLY7GYF1RN9dY9_xExdRuMO4LM4PikvE3Y6ci9Nm3sa2fyhsmRkt/s1600/Tarva+Hack.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxpdF1mecrV5pfjeM9mUv1b1dKCQmuWFaF2rDT_VN_xA40vHS2IusfAo4_gmDn-YAqeWvtO58tmt0wgDgJFr4epZDBuLY7GYF1RN9dY9_xExdRuMO4LM4PikvE3Y6ci9Nm3sa2fyhsmRkt/s400/Tarva+Hack.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
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I'm on a mission - a master bedroom makeover mission. My husband built us this amazing new bed (<a href="http://cheaperandbetterdiy.blogspot.com/2015/08/diy-barn-door-headboard-and-faux-barn.html" target="_blank">see the details here</a>) and now NONE of our super traditional honey brown furniture goes with the new rustic industrial (or as I like to call it, farmhouse warehouse) theme.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRhcim7oJ2-wmgZhPgw6qeSL41M8U5iUck01PeTTFJ0D1HhXbfSp5Nyl8KtHxJDvWHi7OWmk098vkZ4k_02gtajCV6jcH5UFhWYJIQYUUGFQuLcjw0xOpSOnos6TrOEwGTsxfxuF3ULOAW/s1600/IMG_3458.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRhcim7oJ2-wmgZhPgw6qeSL41M8U5iUck01PeTTFJ0D1HhXbfSp5Nyl8KtHxJDvWHi7OWmk098vkZ4k_02gtajCV6jcH5UFhWYJIQYUUGFQuLcjw0xOpSOnos6TrOEwGTsxfxuF3ULOAW/s400/IMG_3458.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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I could go out and buy a new bedroom set but I'm not going to. The look I want from Restoration Hardware would probably cost me upwards of $5000 for nightstands, a dresser and mirror, and a dresser for my husband. Instead, I'm going to make our new room look awesome on a shoestring!<br />
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Take this modest little chest of drawers. It's from Ikea, it's called the Tarva chest, and it's $99. It's pretty tall and it's not veneered wood, it's wood. The modern lines do not fit in with my rustic industrial vision, but the bones are perfect for a faux apothecary chest or printer's cabinet!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPdB_D6O61XJaXJ2uso2mQ9y1_QXvId-NAYi_Ytl9tmhjiecD3CzzKzFPqZMRHUVgCExUoKAP61mW4Yuu-nyDZtSZm1q7H3x5cxIaiFNGn1iTENy0Yoi_wFulz0GAt0ag3MhXz6_aYygCB/s1600/Screen+Shot+2015-08-13+at+6.13.54+AM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPdB_D6O61XJaXJ2uso2mQ9y1_QXvId-NAYi_Ytl9tmhjiecD3CzzKzFPqZMRHUVgCExUoKAP61mW4Yuu-nyDZtSZm1q7H3x5cxIaiFNGn1iTENy0Yoi_wFulz0GAt0ag3MhXz6_aYygCB/s400/Screen+Shot+2015-08-13+at+6.13.54+AM.png" width="283" /></a></div>
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Then one day I came across this amazing transformation on Pinterest and fell in love. It's posted on the <a href="http://www.storywooddesigns.com/2012/07/24/a-labor-of-love/" target="_blank">StorywoodDesigns</a> web site and it's a simply gorgeous furniture redo. I especially loved how each section of the piece had drawers of different sizes. Please visit her site to see the before and after photos. Even the before was pretty awesome because of how crazy fabulous the piece was to begin with!<br />
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This is obviously much larger than my Tarva dresser but the lines are similar and the color is perfect too. My headboard is light gray and this is going to be Hubby's dresser, so the dark color and the masculine feel of this is just right for my project.<br />
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<h2>
Supplies Needed</h2>
<br />
<ul>
<li>A very plain chest of drawers. The Ikea Tarva chest I found gently used on Craigslist for $50. They're $99 brand new. It's not the sturdiest piece of furniture ever, so if you're going for longevity I'd pick something up from a thrift store if it's well made.</li>
<li>Chalk paint (latex paint mixed with plaster of paris - I'm too cheap to buy actual chalk paint)</li>
<li>Clear wax, dark wax, and metallic wax (or make your own like I did - more on that below.)</li>
<li>Label pulls and cup pulls for the new drawer hardware</li>
<li>Casters</li>
<li>A 1x8 board and a 2x2 board</li>
<li>A router, a sander, and other general tools</li>
</ul>
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<br />
<br />
The first thing I did was remove all the knobs and grab my painter's tape to start making lines on the drawers where I wanted to subdivide them into smaller faux drawers. I'm not going to actually make a bazillion small drawers, I'm just going to use the router to make grooves in the drawer fronts to simulate them. I then found some drawer pulls on eBay, printed out a ton of pictures of them, and taped them to the dresser to visualize how it would look.<br />
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I'm digging it! Although I think I'll rearrange the drawer configuration a bit. Hmm, I wonder how casters would look on the bottom?<br />
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Ooh, me likey! Now I just need Hubby to use his router to make grooves on the front of the drawers since I've never used his router before and have no idea what I'm doing. (I'm leaving the bottom two drawers alone.)<br />
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I grabbed a square (basically a T shaped yardstick) and marked my lines so he knew where to cut, and he used his router to make thin grooves, like this. They're not very deep, maybe 1/4" tops.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQKDdPZ_c83FaTugnss_aJHKtNdY0Db2rmbiugMZptiEZ1-wP_HdPLWvIaC8IhyphenhyphenMhXr98OHo7VY3KQ7tmdq1T3-u5Z05gfzUEFam65rNjTSQZEOQQxu62XZ7rpHeHckFSsA5u9gsfOs1xF/s1600/IMG_3334.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQKDdPZ_c83FaTugnss_aJHKtNdY0Db2rmbiugMZptiEZ1-wP_HdPLWvIaC8IhyphenhyphenMhXr98OHo7VY3KQ7tmdq1T3-u5Z05gfzUEFam65rNjTSQZEOQQxu62XZ7rpHeHckFSsA5u9gsfOs1xF/s400/IMG_3334.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Forgot to take the picture until after I'd started painting. Oops.</td></tr>
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When that's done, it's time to paint. I wanted to use chalk paint so that I wouldn't have to prime or sand, but ain't no way I'm paying $30 a quart for brand name chalk paint. I mean, come on. Does anyone besides me think that's insane?! So I made my own.<br />
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I bought a sample size of a lovely warm dark gray Sherwin Williams brand paint at Lowe's. It's less than $4 and it's about a quart of paint, which will be more than enough for this project. An ACTUAL quart of this paint is $16, yet the sample is almost the same quantity and only costs $4 or so. I feel kind of bad when the guy at Lowe's mixes me up a sample thinking I'm going to come back and get a quart later. (Ha ha ha, no I don't!) I then mix in a separate container:<br />
<br />
<ul>
<li>1 cup paint</li>
<li>2 1/2 tablespoons of plaster of paris</li>
<li>1 tbsp water</li>
</ul>
<br />
I admit, I did a craptastic job of mixing the plaster of paris into the paint because when I rolled it on with my little sponge roller, I had chunks of white powder in my paint finish. Then when I sanded lightly to get rid of the chunks after it dried, the chunk turned into chalk which then streaked across my paint finish, just like chalk on a chalkboard. So I had to sand A LOT and keep remixing my paint. Next time I'll mix the water and plaster of paris together first and then add the paint.<br />
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Then I needed to sand around all the edges for the worn, distressed look. Hubby has a bazillion sanders but this little Dremmel one was triangular and perfect for getting into the grooves around the drawers.<br />
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I had seen a sample board at a local hardware store with ideas for paint combinations. These are General Finishes brand milk paint and glaze.<br />
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Hubby was digging the dark chocolate with a coppery looking glaze. So when I picked up my dark gray paint I also got another sample mixed of a coppery orange paint. It's not metallic, just really coppery in color. After the gray paint was dry, I distressed around the edges, sanded lightly to make it all smooth, and wiped with a damp rag to remove any dust. Now it was time for the glaze. I usually dip a rag in the glaze mixture, wipe it along the distressed edges where the wood is bare, and wipe it back off almost immediately. But this paint dried very light and I needed multiple coats.<br />
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Here's how I make the glaze: I mix my clear glaze with just a splash of paint. It's very imprecise but it's probably a ratio of 6:1 or more. So maybe 1/2 cup of clear glaze and a spoonful of paint. I find that if I use too much paint it's hard to wipe back off and I didn't want an orange sheen over the gray. Alternatively, I could have painted the edges orange first, then painted the whole thing gray, and then sanded the gray off and let the orange show through. <br />
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Here's a sequence of photos to show you my glazing process. I'm sure there are a ton of other ways to do this, but this is how I do it and it works for me.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwP6_OFFfHpPuOUdf7Hj_DulwitGMUxRD7eLAfL0ZRD_TqgFrR6rNCYUM-fwZNWyDxJ_Fxtzs25-rteMzi3t_RkuX6cIcK4Ezot3eT5MLJRIdQBWp83AuVuSVWYKmaluUvP3Sg4lIHOjJC/s1600/IMG_3345.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwP6_OFFfHpPuOUdf7Hj_DulwitGMUxRD7eLAfL0ZRD_TqgFrR6rNCYUM-fwZNWyDxJ_Fxtzs25-rteMzi3t_RkuX6cIcK4Ezot3eT5MLJRIdQBWp83AuVuSVWYKmaluUvP3Sg4lIHOjJC/s320/IMG_3345.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Step 1: dip</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxjgo6AzYz66a2cWYPQaQGbRcJgO0G4okFPbGeF9ayuqAl0WxA53UAUPk9UrMO4Emm0WS_wT1ALYGPXrDPUKR8UQvsqLsGsDYOZAK3qTK-Tpr0tKAp11uObbTLK1_6VdNW2_zrjQoWHZN4/s1600/IMG_3346.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxjgo6AzYz66a2cWYPQaQGbRcJgO0G4okFPbGeF9ayuqAl0WxA53UAUPk9UrMO4Emm0WS_wT1ALYGPXrDPUKR8UQvsqLsGsDYOZAK3qTK-Tpr0tKAp11uObbTLK1_6VdNW2_zrjQoWHZN4/s320/IMG_3346.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Step 2: Smear</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Step 3: Wipe</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgp8IpRs71NZX2LwHNuJCN3WMUQc3-QI_NOojut8hmjk2wnVMOofXHq__VBvw3Sno33_-K4UOUkCfCs9-tQGBEiljWF5KzpE3UTi0Kwpomfu-utOUE3rS-soEieP4dnwfwWq4JvBlQB_LT0/s1600/IMG_3349.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgp8IpRs71NZX2LwHNuJCN3WMUQc3-QI_NOojut8hmjk2wnVMOofXHq__VBvw3Sno33_-K4UOUkCfCs9-tQGBEiljWF5KzpE3UTi0Kwpomfu-utOUE3rS-soEieP4dnwfwWq4JvBlQB_LT0/s320/IMG_3349.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Step 4: Use another rag to get into the crevices and remove any extra glaze</td></tr>
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Once that's all dry, I used a clear wax to seal it. You don't need a fancy chalk paint wax that's $900 a pint. Minwax paste wax for furniture is just fine, comes in a huge can, and it's cheap. Just put some on a rag, wipe it all on, wait 15 minutes, then buff it off with a clean rag.<br />
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Hmm, it's looking too…… flat and one dimensional to me. I think I'll go over it all with a dark wax. I made my own by scooping out some of the clear wax into a bowl, melted it a bit, and stirred in a spoonful of the darkest oil based stain that I had (Varathane Dark Walnut). <br />
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Then I went over the whole thing, waited 15, and buffed it again. Still too boring.<br />
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So then I applied dark wax just to the center of each drawer, thinking that's where the drawer would get dirty from your hand always reaching for the drawer pulls. I applied it, let it sit overnight, and buffed the next morning. BAD MOVE! It would NOT buff out and now I had very obvious brown stripes on the drawers. So I had to add more clear wax to move the dark wax around, wait 15, then buff. Damn, my arms are tired.<br />
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It's still missing something. I know! I have some gold metallic wax that I'm going to use to redo a bedroom mirror that's currently pink and white. So let's mix a bit of gold into the dark wax and see what that does.<br />
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There we go, that's what I'm talking about! It almost looks like brushed metal now, doesn't it? This is with the wax applied and waiting to be buffed off. It won't be so shiny when I buff it but now it has that bit of sheen that gives it some depth and character. I buffed it with my husband's super wazoo electric buffing machine that he uses to wax his car. It removed all the circular marks and left a subtle sheen without being oily or shiny. Kind of the equivalent of a satin paint finish. <br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAji8BEMjROh9XfNwWLgBqeNH8b0ACUMzWeNf-ea2A-_GNEPqhtcB-sUprhUHl0nnjPIMWxrZbU0UfZkwUiNCWUzvoErXFU3JOh6K8loig3OQxw7ji2d975ffuDZV5toGNai63dM34iOp_/s1600/IMG_3380.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAji8BEMjROh9XfNwWLgBqeNH8b0ACUMzWeNf-ea2A-_GNEPqhtcB-sUprhUHl0nnjPIMWxrZbU0UfZkwUiNCWUzvoErXFU3JOh6K8loig3OQxw7ji2d975ffuDZV5toGNai63dM34iOp_/s400/IMG_3380.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Varathane and Minwax are from the hardware store and the metallic wax is from Hobby Lobby.</td></tr>
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When using wax, you MUST let it cure two days before you put anything on it. So don't move it into your bedroom and decorate it just yet or you'll get permanent marks in the surface. The only way to remove them is to sand it all off and start over. Don't do it! If you live in the hot and humid south like I do, you may have to bring your piece in the house and let it cure in the air conditioning. That baby just was not drying out in my garage.<br />
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Last, but not least, we wanted some casters on the bottom but those skinny little Ikea legs weren't wide enough. So Hubby created a kind of apron to go around the opening at the bottom of the dresser using 1x8" boards. He just cut them to length, fit them between the legs, and screwed them in from the back side. He also had to add a piece for the casters to screw into. The base of those 3" casters was too wide for the existing legs and needed something to screw into.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdPEfCB71F-bTqiRO3Qw0T3umpfJndvQFFxg-VNThboV7o082xnwjLRftBYJr7WQie-YcynF1CS5oNIiFmxcirPNe0UUTFbZx7Ct04aRfJ9lMJPAh3mz2K00xkfy2jhDPkGkLuI5L8QoXG/s1600/IMG_3465.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdPEfCB71F-bTqiRO3Qw0T3umpfJndvQFFxg-VNThboV7o082xnwjLRftBYJr7WQie-YcynF1CS5oNIiFmxcirPNe0UUTFbZx7Ct04aRfJ9lMJPAh3mz2K00xkfy2jhDPkGkLuI5L8QoXG/s400/IMG_3465.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
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Here's what she looks like in her new home. I love it! Now I just need a great industrial lamp and I'll be all set.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-lldqR4tXIzwiZHOHokJIsMx5DS4e9UMk1cPc5v9xRqfw4WCC7pr8pBk5L5_D2eDFziumNdf3wISw4B2IkAVpFVo1FYGcwZlpVsWnru__ByXONh-98wybCDIxqo7Ho6p8GXZfFF0bNM_q/s1600/IMG_3479.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-lldqR4tXIzwiZHOHokJIsMx5DS4e9UMk1cPc5v9xRqfw4WCC7pr8pBk5L5_D2eDFziumNdf3wISw4B2IkAVpFVo1FYGcwZlpVsWnru__ByXONh-98wybCDIxqo7Ho6p8GXZfFF0bNM_q/s640/IMG_3479.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
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Cost Breakdown:<br />
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Dresser: $50 on Craigslist (less than a year old - nice!)<br />
Paint: $8 for two sample sizes<br />
Plaster of Paris: $0 (I already had it but I bought a huge bucket at Michael's for $7 months ago and it will last me years.)<br />
Clear glaze: $0 (already had it but it was $15 when I bought it)<br />
Wax: $0 (I already had all those too)<br />
Label pulls: $30 off eBay for 20<br />
Cup pulls: $8 for 4 from Hobby Lobby during "50% off all drawer pulls" week<br />
Four 3" casters: about $7 each from Home Depot. <br />
a 1x8" board: Around $7<br />
Grand Total: $120 for a new chest of drawers. Not too shabby!<br />
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I think this would look great in an office or media room too. What do you think?<br />
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13459304962116432715noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8928550040456961536.post-76942415566206321822015-08-04T18:46:00.004-07:002015-08-09T05:52:40.927-07:00DIY Homemade Leave in Conditioner that's No 'Poo Friendly<h3>
<span style="font-weight: normal;">Make your own leave in conditioner/detangler that's No 'Poo friendly, chemical free, cheap, easy, and best of all - IT WORKS!</span></h3>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEielYwSIUDejNC_OLPmCvQy0DpYi0IByiu6Bppp-eorQvpesL4lEwVM4mO7fNUjLqbOJZC6nKANeQj9_t-d0OfQuVmMX2FU5vtxiKtFxCTZx0uw4CDIxcEpnRNk4Kw9fFztDr_N7meCVySU/s1600/DIY+Leave+in+conditioner.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="272" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEielYwSIUDejNC_OLPmCvQy0DpYi0IByiu6Bppp-eorQvpesL4lEwVM4mO7fNUjLqbOJZC6nKANeQj9_t-d0OfQuVmMX2FU5vtxiKtFxCTZx0uw4CDIxcEpnRNk4Kw9fFztDr_N7meCVySU/s400/DIY+Leave+in+conditioner.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<span style="font-weight: normal;">I have struggled with dry hair ever since I grew my hair longer than chin length. Before I went No 'Poo and after, made no difference. I have low porosity hair which is slow to absorb moisture. I have done countless deep conditioning treatments, with and without heat, and while my hair felt nice immediately afterwards it didn't last. This spray began working within days. It's been a month or so now and my hair feels hydrated, soft, and healthy. </span><br />
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How to Use</h2>
<span style="font-weight: normal;">I use it every time I get my hair wet, whether I "wash" it or not. At the end of my shower I spray it liberally through my hair and comb with a wide tooth comb. I have another spray bottle with one cup water, 1/4 cup apple cider vinegar, and the same EO's. After using the conditioning spray I spray in the vinegar rinse and don't rinse out. I do this for a couple of reasons:</span><br />
<span style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></span><span style="font-weight: normal;">a) The ACV spray seals the cuticle, sealing the moisturizing ingredients in.</span><span style="font-weight: normal;"> It makes my hair ridiculously soft. Kitten belly soft. I want to run my hands through my hair all freakin' day soft!</span><br />
<span style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></span><span style="font-weight: normal;">You can omit the vinegar rinse if you like, or spray it in first, rinse out after a few minutes, and then follow with the conditioning spray. Experiment and find what works best with your hair. </span><br />
<span style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></span><span style="font-weight: normal;">I also spray the conditioner into dry hair and tie it up on top of my head in a bun when I go swimming. The heat of the sun helps it penetrate and my hair absorbs much less chlorine or lake water since it's already saturated with this. </span><br />
<span style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></span><span style="font-weight: normal;">Why did I use these essential oils? I'm being totally honest here - for the fragrance. I have a chemical-free hairspray from Etsy which is amazing and smells like Christmas morning. I was trying to duplicate the scent. I love that when I swish my hair I get a whiff of cinnamon. But rosemary is good for hair growth, tea tree is good for dandruff, and many other oils are known allies of hair. Feel free to omit them if you don't have them or don't want a strong fragrance.</span><br />
<span style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></span><span style="font-weight: normal;">Logic tells me that this needs to be refrigerated but I leave it in my shower. I am on my second batch now and it has not turned or gone rancid since I use it up in about 2-3 weeks but if you are concerned about it, store it in the fridge.</span><br />
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Where to Buy the Ingredients</h2>
<span style="font-weight: normal;">I find the aloe juice at Walmart in the laxative section or in health food stores as a dietary supplement. Look for a juice vs. a gel (it sprays easier) and DON'T use the one that's meant for soothing sunburns. Have you ever read that label? It sounds like a chemistry experiment. Pure aloe from the plant would be ideal but a juice that you can safely drink is the next best thing. </span><br />
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<span style="font-weight: normal;">Coconut milk - buy a can of organic coconut milk and pour it into an ice cube tray. Then use one cube for each batch. I have a whole bag of frozen coconut milk cubes in my freezer all the time. I use them in smoothies, recipes, and mixed with aloe it's a great hair conditioner.</span><br />
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<span style="font-weight: normal;">Distilled water - buy it by the gallon at the supermarket. I use this to prevent having to keep the spray in the fridge. Purified water would be my next choice but tap water will almost certainly go bad before you use it all up.</span><br />
<span style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-weight: normal;">Essential oils - You can honestly use whichever ones you like best, either for their fragrance or for their hair properties. Tea tree, lavender, rosemary, peppermint, and citrus oils seem to be the most popular. Do your own research as to which you use, or leave them out altogether.</span><br />
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<span style="font-weight: normal;">Carrier oil - EO's need to be diluted in a carrier oil, so use a hair friendly oil like avocado, coconut, argan, or jojoba. Jojoba is most like sebum so that's my hair oil of choice. I buy it on Amazon and I also wash my face with it doing the Oil Cleansing Method (OCM).</span><span style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></span><span style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="font-weight: normal;">Does this work for you? Tell me in the comments section!</span><br />
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13459304962116432715noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8928550040456961536.post-48765893908037889822015-08-03T06:38:00.001-07:002016-11-07T15:57:52.638-08:00DIY Barn Door Headboard and Faux Barn Door Track Hardware<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHCXXug6r_W871HRfgEZq90sCT7NIma3d4UelMaj7NNhoWSXwP3o49YzdJVn09NADWuatPpFp897QRpdupOpLxigbof4gllFkNUyt5lFkP4I_AXP2dRdrZxJAWtGVEZxGJtSEAvzT-uxCp/s1600/Heaboard+Cover.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="305" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHCXXug6r_W871HRfgEZq90sCT7NIma3d4UelMaj7NNhoWSXwP3o49YzdJVn09NADWuatPpFp897QRpdupOpLxigbof4gllFkNUyt5lFkP4I_AXP2dRdrZxJAWtGVEZxGJtSEAvzT-uxCp/s400/Heaboard+Cover.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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So, my bed used to look like this:<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcZDIOGxHBiK0K8zBJHlFR8b8_rNRTz19xv26W8oOSCzhvfjSo_eO21vnx89TjG-4Ja4DOst2j9whZWfGNRiMbIP6_fhplyG35vqVmr9n0dC7qIZmglt5djSwJfPhviJTJYGr-Nh7CxAy7/s1600/IMG_2965.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcZDIOGxHBiK0K8zBJHlFR8b8_rNRTz19xv26W8oOSCzhvfjSo_eO21vnx89TjG-4Ja4DOst2j9whZWfGNRiMbIP6_fhplyG35vqVmr9n0dC7qIZmglt5djSwJfPhviJTJYGr-Nh7CxAy7/s400/IMG_2965.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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Once upon a time it was a beautiful mahogany color with rattan/cane insets. Over time the woven parts started to dry out and crack. It wasn't terribly noticeable and I thought I'd be able to fix it.<br />
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Enter the toddler.<br />
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One day he saw a tiny hole and must have thought, "Hey, I bet my finger would fit in that hole! Hey look, it does! I wonder what would happen if I pull? Hey, that's cool! I should keep going." And he kept going, and going, and going…<br />
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So my crafty self then spent literally hours scouring Pinterest for upholstered headboard tutorials. The more I investigated it, the harder it started to sound. You know how you get overwhelmed with ideas and suddenly the whole project is so intimidating that you talk yourself out of it? Yup, that's what happened.<br />
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Then I thought I could just do a slipcover for the footboard and headboard. This is a Cal King bed and the headboard is 92" wide. Good luck finding fabric that width so you don't end up with a seam right down the middle. The only thing wide enough was a curtain panel 96" long or longer turned sideways. I looked. And looked. And looked. And I couldn't find any fabric that I liked that didn't cost an arm and a leg.<br />
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And then one day, I stumbled across this photo on Pinterest from Little Yellow Barn.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMqW7rzNXe2syHIW_wQi1GIzAQoW6vwu5lb-920l0mgFxUoI3psGkugVpvdjPSBRvHWtQUwq4o9C7IyaK2NjNOHFrEz8-6f8PRvlw-mUi0lh3Sk8Jh1oKXsjBuLWBxsMRKG_T9fJLpMKKU/s1600/IMG_2963.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMqW7rzNXe2syHIW_wQi1GIzAQoW6vwu5lb-920l0mgFxUoI3psGkugVpvdjPSBRvHWtQUwq4o9C7IyaK2NjNOHFrEz8-6f8PRvlw-mUi0lh3Sk8Jh1oKXsjBuLWBxsMRKG_T9fJLpMKKU/s640/IMG_2963.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">http://littleyellowbarn.com/2013/02/diy-barn-door-headboard/</td></tr>
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The heavens parted, I heard harps playing, and angels began to sing. And I'm really digging the whole rustic industrial design concept so this will be the rustic part. (I know, I know, I'm probably three years late to this party but what can I say? I don't pay attention to design stuff until I desperately need something and then I research it to death. Plus I visited a girlfriend's house and was bowled over by how cool her house was with the perfect blend of extremely contemporary and totally rustic. Who knew this whole farmhouse/warehouse thing was "a thing"?<br />
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Enter my awesome hubby. He can fix or build anything, and I truly do mean anything. Our kids say, "Daddy fix it" anytime something breaks, whether it's a toy or the refrigerator. He loves to build things and he owns more tools than any one person should. Know what a Shopsmith is? He has two. TWO. Why two? Don't ask…<br />
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So when I showed him the photo above he loved it! And when I told him it would probably cost less than $150 (at least in lumber) he was skeptical but I did the math and guess what? I was right! We spent $120 on pine boards from the local home improvement store.<br />
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Disclaimer - this truly is more of a brag post than step by step instructions since my husband did all of the actual assembly, but I'll tell you what we bought and if you're handy I'm sure you can do it too!<br />
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So we bought 8' long pine boards (for some inexplicable reason they're called Whiteboards when you go to Home Depot or Lowes) and brought 'em home, grabbed a few stains and started experimenting. We bought the smallest sizes of Minwax Weathered Gray, Minwax Carrington, and I already had white latex paint and an antiquing glaze in Java Brown.<br />
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I wanted the boards to be a brown/gray mix, the color that a fence turns after a few years in the sun. It starts out that lovely reddish brown and ends up a warm gray.<br />
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But first, the distressing process! Hubby grabbed a bunch of random tools from the garage and one of the boards. He hit it with pliers, a hammer, and dragged other sharp tools across it to give it nicks, gouges, and holes. Then I got in on the action because it looked fun! I smacked it with a crowbar and we made a paddle out of an extra piece of lumber with screws sticking out of it. You go back and forth across the boards with the pointy paddle like you're grating cheese. Finally I hit the edges of the board with a hammer. Just as if you were putting up a fence and you'd hit the board on the side to knock it closer to the next board over. Did that make sense? The goal is to make the boards look like they've been on a fence or a barn and you just ripped them off and made a headboard with them in their current state.<br />
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Then Hubby applied brown stain, let dry, light sanded, applied the gray stain and wiped it right back off. It was still pretty brown and although I really liked it and was very tempted to keep it this way, but we've had brown furniture for 10 years and I wanted this to be more of a cottagey gray. <br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOg9pANHJryrlvzNxNJdwEQxmR6kPW2Ogs8WqzK3a5WrrOy04KxOxQ_aBfC8W8PG4Hz0_K6CHnaBmpGy8MdDCB3q6OlH7sMB9BEUiaOuZ-XVX0ZdbBhJQVm6qUAcsmZYo1f4Ivr4gMuVvW/s1600/IMG_3101.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOg9pANHJryrlvzNxNJdwEQxmR6kPW2Ogs8WqzK3a5WrrOy04KxOxQ_aBfC8W8PG4Hz0_K6CHnaBmpGy8MdDCB3q6OlH7sMB9BEUiaOuZ-XVX0ZdbBhJQVm6qUAcsmZYo1f4Ivr4gMuVvW/s400/IMG_3101.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Here's a shot of the color. I'll go into more detail about the actual construction of the doors in a bit, but this was the only photo I had of the color after staining.</td></tr>
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So I whitewashed it with a coat of white latex paint and then sanded the heck out of it. Went over it ONE MORE TIME with the Weathered Gray heavily diluted with mineral spirits. Like, a cup full of spirits and a splash of gray. Let dry, sanded once more.<br />
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And it was freakin' perfect! EXACTLY the color I had envisioned in my head.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitnpI03s4n-MxMRCSYuNgM3WdNLyTD71Qf6f-VAE9FKSHsdsWpGehQ7DXdeYl1CbOmZzk3Lpw8aXkjiA521R_LYQlE5YbaiQ8Q6fVlSAD4XdIWHnT6xhvZR7LFMzNdhX_Dz2hjT8UREnms/s1600/IMG_3104.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitnpI03s4n-MxMRCSYuNgM3WdNLyTD71Qf6f-VAE9FKSHsdsWpGehQ7DXdeYl1CbOmZzk3Lpw8aXkjiA521R_LYQlE5YbaiQ8Q6fVlSAD4XdIWHnT6xhvZR7LFMzNdhX_Dz2hjT8UREnms/s400/IMG_3104.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">After the coat of white paint</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbHl2DCi057zFF027U059eefyKOJqaqr4umtTI9SDJ7AWBcE0c-iDxKXXminCrbhm_crkBKGkbS43lvGhAvqfNZeOnuH5lwbUpeA8EJ9d0B7czEr2BydE31gfpDKP90Nn46d7SxYWyZLHT/s1600/IMG_3116.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbHl2DCi057zFF027U059eefyKOJqaqr4umtTI9SDJ7AWBcE0c-iDxKXXminCrbhm_crkBKGkbS43lvGhAvqfNZeOnuH5lwbUpeA8EJ9d0B7czEr2BydE31gfpDKP90Nn46d7SxYWyZLHT/s400/IMG_3116.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">After the final gray wash and a couple coats of clear polyurethane</td></tr>
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Now for the math - we decided to downsize to a queen mattress because our Cal King mattress was hard as a rock and I woke up sore every morning, but the queen mattress in our guest room is da bomb! So we decided to pilfer that mattress set and get a different one for the rarely used guest room.<br />
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Our queen mattress is 60" wide, but I didn't want the headboard to be EXACTLY the same width as the mattress. I wanted it to be a few inches wider on each side. I also knew the headboard would be two barn doors side by side - it's not one gigantic beast that's 6' wide. This will make it much easier to move and get through the doorway when we move to a new house, which we seem to do pretty regularly.<br />
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So that means each door would be 6 boards wide at 6" each, making the whole headboard 72" wide. That's a 6" overhang on each side of the mattress. Just enough to see the awesome headboard going all the way to the floor.<br />
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***NOTE: Did you know that 1x6's are not 6" wide? Huh, the hell you say. WHY, oh WHY are they called 6" wide if they're not? So my headboard that was supposed to be 72" was actually 67" when all was said and done. Which is still ok, but it annoys me.<br />
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So how much to buy? The pine comes in 6', 8', or 12' long lengths. I wanted it to be 6' tall but hubby thought 7' would be better, so we bought 1x6x8' boards, 13 to be exact. Then we brought them home, stained them with the brown stain, and lay them all out in the driveway to come up with the exact design.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmDm-fxChvkCIGoNgtivm2o4PL9r_pP3v29t4V1cRQYOtzjlO4RgoCf8sKugBMtIt3lNBSE84T48vjocGxmSp8-R0FIVwnngc2i3nYBBmeiN_-z1NOGj9VJD2t-YGtlGQohRmeZX-8UBrV/s1600/IMG_2991.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmDm-fxChvkCIGoNgtivm2o4PL9r_pP3v29t4V1cRQYOtzjlO4RgoCf8sKugBMtIt3lNBSE84T48vjocGxmSp8-R0FIVwnngc2i3nYBBmeiN_-z1NOGj9VJD2t-YGtlGQohRmeZX-8UBrV/s640/IMG_2991.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Using some spare boards to create the ideal design. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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Hubby thought it would look more "finished" to trim all the way around the perimeter so back to the Orange Megastore we went, this time to get 1x4's. We used 1x4's to go around the outside edges, horizontally across the middle, and for the diagonal pieces. It came to about $120 total for the lumber, ($100 for the 1x6's and another $20 for the 1x4's) which was more than I had anticipated but it's still about a quarter of the price of a typical headboard. One twentieth of the price of one from Restoration Hardware! They are beautiful but cheap they ain't.<br />
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I can't really help much with the actual construction since Hubby did all that, but it's essentially 13 boards cut to be 7' tall placed side by side. That's an uneven number, I know. I had figured that each door would be 6 boards wide since we made two separate doors, but it wasn't quite wide enough to stick out on the side of the mattress by a few inches. We ended up making one door 6 boards wide and the other door is 7 boards wide. We arranged the vertical 1x4's in the center (where the handles are attached) so that they would overlap the board that's smack dab in the center of the headboard. <br />
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Each door has wood glue holding the boards together. Then a 1x4 across the top, across the bottom, and along each vertical edge fastened with screws on each board. This keeps it super sturdy and prevents the boards from warping. He cut the diagonal boards with a miter saw (I think that's what it's called where it can cut at a 45 degree angle, right? Shows how much I was involved in the actual construction of this baby!)<br />
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Now came the fun part - finishing and decorative accents. I grabbed the palm sander and sanded the whole thing with a rough grit sandpaper since it was pretty banged up from our distressing. Then I sanded a second time with a fine grit. This only took half an hour, not long. Except that it was 95 degrees out and I wanted to die the whole time. I'm such a wuss when it comes to heat.<br />
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Again, here's what it looked like when we were done with the painting/staining and ready for some hardware. They are two separate doors and once they were in place Hubby screwed them together from the back side at the very top center. I used painter's tape to put the handles in place and see how high they needed to be. Don't want to smack your head when you roll over during the night!<br />
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Finally we were ready for the hardware! We bought these door handles at Orange Megastore but they were flat black, so we hit 'em with a shot of Hammered Black spray paint to give the a more authentic appearance. Perfect!<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgK3P2kdbMVq3E_aCt2ANbvLltlKkq04CsSjj2kVquYifJjYcEiBMsyuiXsBczhgawBvWr6v1ZoinlbXt2c7wuchHLQ4hPjdOabDTCZdeWqTwZR33_GlT10aJ-8D7nPHmTnoE0dWAQqpepD/s1600/Screen+Shot+2015-08-03+at+12.53.23+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="220" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgK3P2kdbMVq3E_aCt2ANbvLltlKkq04CsSjj2kVquYifJjYcEiBMsyuiXsBczhgawBvWr6v1ZoinlbXt2c7wuchHLQ4hPjdOabDTCZdeWqTwZR33_GlT10aJ-8D7nPHmTnoE0dWAQqpepD/s400/Screen+Shot+2015-08-03+at+12.53.23+PM.png" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">http://www.homedepot.com/p/Crown-MetalWorks-Black-Traditional-Decorative-Garage-Handles-2-Pack-10021/203233035</td></tr>
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I ordered these lights on Amazon and I'm going to attach them on each side of the headboard, as long as it doesn't look too busy. These will be our reading lights and now I won't need to go buy new lamps for the nightstands.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj39SkUw2BprGYNAa1rkk8k6Ag2svk3UqNYWpsGxYJyjuymJwOr6-e98tkn8-dmtuu0VnPmOWcmRqdt5s5BHeCb9eaqKH3plF6PHhK27ij3BH5eOfNs8ODoUUwbPcC1LVq2ifakF4VXuVz5/s1600/Screen+Shot+2015-08-03+at+8.56.41+AM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj39SkUw2BprGYNAa1rkk8k6Ag2svk3UqNYWpsGxYJyjuymJwOr6-e98tkn8-dmtuu0VnPmOWcmRqdt5s5BHeCb9eaqKH3plF6PHhK27ij3BH5eOfNs8ODoUUwbPcC1LVq2ifakF4VXuVz5/s320/Screen+Shot+2015-08-03+at+8.56.41+AM.png" width="248" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">These are $30 each on Amazon. <br />
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00MEANR7W?psc=1&redirect=true&ref_=oh_aui_detailpage_o01_s00</td></tr>
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Last but not least we attached a DIY barn door track on top. Barn door hardware is UNBELIEVABLY expensive. I'm talking $400 expensive. They have them at Home Depot for the bargain price of $175, or $85ish on eBay once you include shipping. I knew we could do it ourselves easily.<br />
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NOTE: Since it's totally for looks and it won't be sliding anywhere it won't be weight bearing and doesn't need to be really strong. The headboard will be resting on the floor and bolted to the bed frame so the track will be mounted to the wall just for show. Let me say again - this is very lightweight and WILL NOT SUPPORT THE WEIGHT OF THE HEADBOARD. If you want your headboard to slide you can follow any one of the DIY tutorials online and make one that's strong for somewhere in the $50 range. Or you can buy some on Amazon now for less than $100, so the prices are coming down.<br />
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We used:<br />
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1 1x4 cut to be 8' wide and painted it white<br />
1 1x2 cut to be 7' wide and painted it with the same hammered black spray paint I used on the handles<br />
4 plastic pulleys that were $2.39 each that I found at Home Depot in the section where they have outdoor laundry racks. Apparently there are crazy people in the world who wash their clothes by hand and hang them outside to dry! *Gasp* The groove on the pulley perfectly fit the width of the black track.<br />
8' worth of inexpensive silver metal from the steel pipes and bars section of Lowe's. It cost about $10.<br />
Self tap screws, random pieces of scrap wood, and screws for mounting it to the wall<br />
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The photo above shows how we screwed the white board to the wall using 3 or 4 screws and screwed them into the studs. The black track is screwed into the white board with a few pieces of wood behind it to make it stick out an inch or two. See closeups below:<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhe6hLkyXwzOjLyDFcsj581HTnmLNEkvvkT595-0tXuJx3yjSkw1P9B24ApNfes0621lYukWkYvxdJcy7xs_pCHw68lxQJE3BhQOdxrlclcYvOB50jl7oDA9SNqvXAvuoQAzN4LDpXV6xLp/s1600/IMG_3126.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhe6hLkyXwzOjLyDFcsj581HTnmLNEkvvkT595-0tXuJx3yjSkw1P9B24ApNfes0621lYukWkYvxdJcy7xs_pCHw68lxQJE3BhQOdxrlclcYvOB50jl7oDA9SNqvXAvuoQAzN4LDpXV6xLp/s400/IMG_3126.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The pine scrap creates a gap between the black and the white boards.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikDRQ0_8VyNID2EyjpF_ot6VlU7VTkMGYgl8anC7Cd6UXGjfSrYks_iHystRNCxuu7miPDSxWW5X5S4zpwBqGmm6rEQbhYzk4Frqq8BynEIkEp-3uTfB51VYUYLpfy4iJpkJ4uD2jrQmSf/s1600/IMG_3125.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikDRQ0_8VyNID2EyjpF_ot6VlU7VTkMGYgl8anC7Cd6UXGjfSrYks_iHystRNCxuu7miPDSxWW5X5S4zpwBqGmm6rEQbhYzk4Frqq8BynEIkEp-3uTfB51VYUYLpfy4iJpkJ4uD2jrQmSf/s400/IMG_3125.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We used 5 or 6 of the pine chunks to keep the black track evenly supported the whole length of the board.</td></tr>
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Now for the wheel and vertical piece. <br />
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Again, this is a plastic pulley and a piece of silver metal. We spray painted everything black. Hubby removed the extra hardware from the pulley till all that was left was the wheel. He took the thin silver metal piece (that's now black) and curved it around the handle of our refrigerator to make it have a nice curve and shape it into a U to go up and over the pulley, and down the back side a few inches. He secured it with a screw.<br />
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We needed two for each door. He cut the bottom into a rounded shape using tin snips (giant scissors) and sanded it smooth. We should have done all this and THEN painted it black, but since we did it backwards we ended up having to touch up the paint here and there.<br />
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Then we set the wheels up on the black track and figured out where to attach them. We used 3 self tap screws down the length of each strap to secure it to the headboard.<br />
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Then we screwed the metal bed frame to the headboard and we were done! The headboard itself is not attached to the wall at the top, just attached with the vertical straps to the pulleys, which are attached to the track, which is attached to the wall. Once the mattress is in place it's very solid and doesn't squeak.<br />
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And here we are all done! This would have been completed in a weekend but Hubby had to go on a business trip, so we started one Saturday, he left on Sunday morning, I did the staining/sanding/painting while he was gone, and then waited. And waited. And waited for him to get back on Friday evening. It was horrible! I was DYING to finish this project but I couldn't make the track without his help since he knew exactly what to buy at the store. <br />
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Now we're just waiting for the lights to arrive. I'll update this post once we've attached them. The plan is to drill a hole in the headboard behind the light, run the cord down the back of the headboard, and plug them into the wall. Hubby has to attach the cord since these are supposed to be mounted to a wall. He also has to install an on/off switch. (Thank god he's an electrical engineer.) This is what he told me to order from Amazon in case you want to try this yourself.<br />
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The cord:<br />
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<a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00M6CHDYQ?psc=1&redirect=true&ref_=oh_aui_detailpage_o00_s00">http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00M6CHDYQ?psc=1&redirect=true&ref_=oh_aui_detailpage_o00_s00</a><br />
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The on/off switch:<br />
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<a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00T6I8TTG?psc=1&redirect=true&ref_=oh_aui_detailpage_o01_s01">http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00T6I8TTG?psc=1&redirect=true&ref_=oh_aui_detailpage_o01_s01</a><br />
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And the killer vintage lightbulbs!<br />
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<a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00JRM3YDM?psc=1&redirect=true&ref_=oh_aui_detailpage_o01_s01">http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00JRM3YDM?psc=1&redirect=true&ref_=oh_aui_detailpage_o01_s01</a><br />
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But for the wood, the faux track hardware and pulleys, the various stains, and screws I think the grand total came in at about $195.00. The lights are completely optional and added another $80 total for all the needed components. But man, do they add that wow factor!<br />
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Now I just need to redo all my other bedroom furniture to match the new decor theme. ;)<br />
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12/15/15: Edited again to add that we ended up making a couple of these headboards for other people too. Here's one in a king size but they wanted actual barn door tracks. The best price I found was on Amazon. The one I ordered is no longer available so I won't post the link, but the track and an extra set of 2 rollers was somewhere around $100.00.<br />
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I love how the doors stick out on either side of the bed and go all the way to the floor. It really makes it look like barn doors!<br />
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Happy building!<br />
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13459304962116432715noreply@blogger.com88tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8928550040456961536.post-65371571471186488152015-07-17T07:45:00.000-07:002015-07-18T03:45:07.931-07:00The Ridiculously Simple Way to Give your Furniture a Facelift<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGi9sesYbjc1tOK2c0o8vycbCpUMtVAFNDNQ5bU37hLKX2tMryqIABWhDTinPR9Q8aQjixiJtVQ7IrOuI14VQ5L7-Mgnjo2uaRwZdOsGRewb3s_JFa-NrypbOk-6cKIs81xWHEMeQt0PN0/s1600/Spray+paint.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGi9sesYbjc1tOK2c0o8vycbCpUMtVAFNDNQ5bU37hLKX2tMryqIABWhDTinPR9Q8aQjixiJtVQ7IrOuI14VQ5L7-Mgnjo2uaRwZdOsGRewb3s_JFa-NrypbOk-6cKIs81xWHEMeQt0PN0/s640/Spray+paint.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
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I've got a guest room that was in need of a table where guests (my mom) can put their makeup bag, hair stuff, etc. I didn't need a big dresser since, let's face it, NOBODY comes to visit and puts their clothes in the dresser. Right? Just a console table/sofa table type thing.<br />
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So I found this little beauty (ahem!) on Craigslist for $20. One small issue - it's ugly, doesn't match anything, and is reeeeeeeally dated looking.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSxDZizjUlFD9xe2C7No-y3koz3y0GJ4DOdVi2L3Ep8Ai7HNWONuExsYJcUVKgJX2fUGcBaeS8tWjgjEmwsXRApRviAbHKydMHDCpfAcCoXO8iCAwO-VI7bJitNItwhT60vrqIbYEen1Jg/s1600/IMG_2885.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSxDZizjUlFD9xe2C7No-y3koz3y0GJ4DOdVi2L3Ep8Ai7HNWONuExsYJcUVKgJX2fUGcBaeS8tWjgjEmwsXRApRviAbHKydMHDCpfAcCoXO8iCAwO-VI7bJitNItwhT60vrqIbYEen1Jg/s400/IMG_2885.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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BUT it was the right size. It's about 4' wide, tall enough to put a chair in front of it and sit there to get ready in the morning, but only about 14" deep so it doesn't stick out from the wall too much. And I can use it as a sewing table since the guest room is also my craft room - bonus!<br />
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So I decided to try my hand at refinishing furniture, something which I know absolutely nothing about. My guest room is gray and yellow, with splashes of teal so I wanted the table to be gray. I thought about chalk paint (never had even heard of this before two weeks ago - God bless Pinterest) but I wanted a more metallic/shiny finish. I was really digging those silver metallic pieces of furniture that I'd been seeing everywhere lately so I set out to discover how to do this myself. <br />
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The good news is it's so easy and requires very little skill! Take a look at the finished project:<br />
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Looks pretty fabulous for my very first attempt at this, right?! <br />
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So here's how to do it. I'm sure there are a million other ways to do this but this is what I did and a) it was inexpensive, b) didn't require fancy tools, and c) was easy.</div>
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You Will Need:</div>
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- Sandpaper in a medium grit and fine grit (if you have a power sander it's even easier)</div>
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- Metallic spray paint, probably 2 cans</div>
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- Dark glaze for antiquing. I hear you can make your own by mixing stain and Old English dark furniture oil, but I just bought some</div>
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- Spray clear coat, 1 can should be plenty</div>
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Step One: Sanding</div>
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Since I was going to paint this it was not necessary to strip the old finish right down to the wood. I sanded by hand just enough to take the shine off the table. I was pretty good about doing the table top but I really slacked off on the legs since it's hard to get in those little crevices. Just saying…</div>
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Step Two: Spray Paint</div>
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I bought Rustoleum Metallic silver spray paint. There are so many colors of silver, it was hard to choose. But this was the light silver I was going for.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYEXqJoEetzbetcr5hDS1e23KZvfbhjfyD9ISwUaaZEqwqSapNpba6ZNa66XTqUCn4DtmW6h6Hk-SBnnKLDrZG38_Hebl5JH4t3urs1uJH3WZTQY0D_6qkiF9cdA0gciLtCnkWcvCnfHGp/s1600/IMG_2888.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYEXqJoEetzbetcr5hDS1e23KZvfbhjfyD9ISwUaaZEqwqSapNpba6ZNa66XTqUCn4DtmW6h6Hk-SBnnKLDrZG38_Hebl5JH4t3urs1uJH3WZTQY0D_6qkiF9cdA0gciLtCnkWcvCnfHGp/s400/IMG_2888.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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Here's hubby taking over my project, as usual. ;) He LOVES building/painting/making things and couldn't stand to be the photo taker, so I let him start the painting.<br />
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Do this outside when it's not too windy, for obvious reasons. It was 95 degrees out and we thought we were going to pass out but the table dried in about 2.4 minutes so that was a bonus.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdSLz_zvi2iItoZLzWFaUMzi7wX2VFFJXp7L5y5XF_9Ht69xR21RyPCQERU8kkNTneQGnDZQ1VPXMINYszoujhlv0qjM1nVj67vwUdR60-5OaNEIv7WtzOEWYalgA75VPY6TpeQPq0LBSu/s1600/IMG_2891.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdSLz_zvi2iItoZLzWFaUMzi7wX2VFFJXp7L5y5XF_9Ht69xR21RyPCQERU8kkNTneQGnDZQ1VPXMINYszoujhlv0qjM1nVj67vwUdR60-5OaNEIv7WtzOEWYalgA75VPY6TpeQPq0LBSu/s400/IMG_2891.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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Go over the whole thing pretty lightly. We are going to sand it to distress it so no need to go heavy with the paint if you're just going to rub it off again.<br />
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Hey honey, you know that black nightstand we have next to the bed? That would look really cool with this treatment too, don't you think?<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7cfL5oYdwCU3TkHIVSh_omrF-wINS_Va2OWjaop64WwvW1b4O3ChDXZSl0OdXJoZbhHOEtJB2E8AVykZ7GyJsODKKC2pPbIDPKWvMhUySCvYhBUz4MnCEmxi7_t2G8Xu9fPMB2KFsnTBe/s1600/IMG_2896.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7cfL5oYdwCU3TkHIVSh_omrF-wINS_Va2OWjaop64WwvW1b4O3ChDXZSl0OdXJoZbhHOEtJB2E8AVykZ7GyJsODKKC2pPbIDPKWvMhUySCvYhBUz4MnCEmxi7_t2G8Xu9fPMB2KFsnTBe/s400/IMG_2896.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
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Let it dry, then spray it all again with a second coat but again, be light handed about it. Here's what we've got so far.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpBfccjhzyBeSrR9OOy83SvnXyn8Kwr3bGAZpS9UXBkNzwJIEMhs8ZblojnKppiihyZwnxswq5nuydlpP1Ni0sqtu62pe1rsFfyGHZr4tpBc-bxDWx50KhCUJs8JFQo7YBLR6SskZCHTQl/s1600/IMG_2898.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpBfccjhzyBeSrR9OOy83SvnXyn8Kwr3bGAZpS9UXBkNzwJIEMhs8ZblojnKppiihyZwnxswq5nuydlpP1Ni0sqtu62pe1rsFfyGHZr4tpBc-bxDWx50KhCUJs8JFQo7YBLR6SskZCHTQl/s400/IMG_2898.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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Now for the sanding. I tried by hand but man, that paint was TOUGH. It would NOT come back off. I tried three different grits of sandpaper and was making very little progress. So hubby had to bust out his power sander. He went a little crazy with the sanding and distressed this much more than I had originally planned. Remember Tim, the Tool Man, Taylor? That's my DH.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTYwuK33xH547r4K6NilrvRl45rDSKlg5tl5SwfV9htw9B4DZSy8STeIFCMvvQWyUFykqtnDd1ztbFEoonsrBZ5hYpHHLn8DUeJMKjYQvIu8wKt5cqGISsLEf2GMyH1noNpwzx_narpuq2/s1600/IMG_2910.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTYwuK33xH547r4K6NilrvRl45rDSKlg5tl5SwfV9htw9B4DZSy8STeIFCMvvQWyUFykqtnDd1ztbFEoonsrBZ5hYpHHLn8DUeJMKjYQvIu8wKt5cqGISsLEf2GMyH1noNpwzx_narpuq2/s400/IMG_2910.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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I had only planned on the edges and corners so when I first saw this, I had a mild panic attack. But truly, this looks great. You want to sand everywhere that would normally wear off over time. So concentrate on the edges, corners, right around the knob on the drawer, the bottom of the legs where you bump into them with the vacuum cleaner, and on the surface of the table in random spots.<br />
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After you're done sanding, dust it or vacuum it and wipe it down with a damp rag to remove all the sawdust. Let dry.<br />
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Now for the antiquing! This is really all about experimentation. I wanted to use a black glaze, specifically the Martha Stewart Black Coffee glaze I thought they sold at Home Depot, but was informed it had been discontinued. So I ended up getting a Rustoleum glaze in dark brown. (No, this post is not sponsored by Rustoleum. I'm sure they've never heard of me!) <br />
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You take a dry rag, dunk it in, and wipe the furniture down. Then you wipe it back off with another rag.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzXzkRrTOARe9BfOHtpYOpKPqI8jx7irAnIFAn0viuOGcoVtP4aoGSMbzrOXhQlDtIxxxxt7dPqRCHYJBylxwEwCvkQdUQ8yyJlEbQRb53_GB5UOmEazIQpPb_J-6uwh1y1WWTmO3sVQ1Z/s1600/IMG_2936.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzXzkRrTOARe9BfOHtpYOpKPqI8jx7irAnIFAn0viuOGcoVtP4aoGSMbzrOXhQlDtIxxxxt7dPqRCHYJBylxwEwCvkQdUQ8yyJlEbQRb53_GB5UOmEazIQpPb_J-6uwh1y1WWTmO3sVQ1Z/s400/IMG_2936.JPG" width="300" /></a></div>
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I started with a damp rag for removing the excess and wiped it off almost immediately. But this removed ALL of the stain. So then I tried letting it sit for a few minutes before wiping. Better, but still not enough.<br />
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So then I tried letting it sit for a few minutes and wiping off with a dry rag. SCORE! So it really is all about trial and error. Start on the back of the piece where no one will see if you mess up while you practice your technique. I saved the table top for last since that's the most visible part and the part you want to make sure you don't screw up. ;)<br />
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You also want to let the glaze goop up in the crevices and not wipe much back out for an aged look. Then wipe the glaze over the entire piece of furniture as well. I had to go over the really bare spots from the super wazoo sander with glaze several times to get it dark enough.<br />
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This photo below shows how I'd been wiping with a damp rag to remove the extra glaze. It almost all came off except where I couldn't get the rag into the tight nooks and crannies. After this I started wiping with the dry rag and liked the effect much better.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEfMPgl7shdlbqS-XDbRvzVyTodR3J11j4qVDzz75UzMhac8mAUzP9QJq3crcGLwlodCo9MhPvlFyQ6i6ukhpX4cqmCCCYrNT94uXgLilKTpH8V9_z1ia5UbcLfud_h0u8pwXD35KMoDgy/s1600/IMG_2900.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEfMPgl7shdlbqS-XDbRvzVyTodR3J11j4qVDzz75UzMhac8mAUzP9QJq3crcGLwlodCo9MhPvlFyQ6i6ukhpX4cqmCCCYrNT94uXgLilKTpH8V9_z1ia5UbcLfud_h0u8pwXD35KMoDgy/s320/IMG_2900.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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The final color was different than I thought it would be. When I used a brown glaze over silver paint, it came out part silver, part gold, and had a sort of greenish overall hue. That was unexpected. But I love it! However, if you really want a silvery look use a black glaze, or even a dark gray. That way in the spots where the bare wood shows through, you can color those spots to be less brown and more gray/black. OR you could spray paint a coat of black first, then a coat or two of silver. Then just be sure to sand until you hit the black paint but don't go all the way down to the bare wood.<br />
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Also keep in mind the base color of the piece. For example, the brown table and the black nightstand have very different overall colors due to the under layer that shows through after distressing. </div>
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Let dry a few hours and then spray it all with a couple of coats of clear protectant. I used this one:</div>
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Once dry I added a new knob, hauled them upstairs, and proudly placed them in the guest bedroom. Then I attacked that mirror with the same treatment since it was gold and hideous. I got it free years ago and only kept it because it's huge and something this size would have cost $100, but the finish was sooooooo ugly. I didn't do any sanding, just silver paint and wiped with the antiquing glaze. And voila! </div>
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I could have completed this in one day but the evening I planned to spray the clear coat it started thunderstorming, so I had to haul it back into the garage. It was dark out and hard to see so I waited till morning to resume. But the clear coats dried in no time and I put them in the room after a couple of hours.</div>
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I'm very pleased with the final result, considering I had no idea what I was doing. Imagine how good I'll be with a little practice! Now to find the perfect chair to go with this little desk. </div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13459304962116432715noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8928550040456961536.post-61703873979193912332015-06-11T10:49:00.000-07:002015-06-11T11:02:54.323-07:00Free Printable Playroom Rules Sign<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-size: large;">Today's DIY craft was inspired by a really cute sign I saw at Hobby Lobby last week. Alas, it was $25 so I didn't buy it. Instead, I made it myself when I got home! I resized it so that it would fit on an 8 1/2" x 11" sheet of paper. I used photo paper but card stock, or even plain printer paper would work too.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br />My daughter has a few friends that seem to do nothing but argue when they all play together. If there are two of them, all is right with the world, but when there are three? One gets left out and gets her feelings hurt. The fighting begins and eventually ends with me sending them all home and/or busting out a bottle of wine. I thought this sign, strategically placed at the entrance of the room, might be a gentle reminder to play nice, dammit!</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br />I have .pdf and Word versions so download whichever you like best. The margins should allow you to put a mat around it and frame it if you so desire. I'd love to have mine printed on canvas but until a good sale comes along, this will work just fine.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Note if you choose the Word version - I have a Mac so I used Pages. Some of the fonts or graphics may not be the same in Word so you may have to fiddle with it a bit to get it to look just right.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Word: </span><a href="http://www.websitebox.com/file/6574/Playroom_rules_sign.doc">http://www.websitebox.com/file/6574/Playroom_rules_sign.doc</a></h3>
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PDF: <a href="http://www.websitebox.com/file/6574/Playroom_rules_sign.pdf">http://www.websitebox.com/file/6574/Playroom_rules_sign.pdf</a></h3>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Have fun and play nice!</span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13459304962116432715noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8928550040456961536.post-92092979410703075632015-05-22T05:30:00.001-07:002015-05-22T05:34:40.772-07:00Die Ants, DIE! Super easy and cheap way to get rid of sugar ants<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPILASkvbcHeom8sNGvRnaJHnzc4SkUJOY2PXCX5u9cOwyQOo6hY_TWLN9fUIt6XvSYUeKnKdz_sJQR8iHTNCEx7gGmLzpejNMJZyihyphenhyphenTp-mJoVT0lWJKb5hOLUP9cRp7m2hFLhxHkQWlw/s1600/IMG_1826.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPILASkvbcHeom8sNGvRnaJHnzc4SkUJOY2PXCX5u9cOwyQOo6hY_TWLN9fUIt6XvSYUeKnKdz_sJQR8iHTNCEx7gGmLzpejNMJZyihyphenhyphenTp-mJoVT0lWJKb5hOLUP9cRp7m2hFLhxHkQWlw/s320/IMG_1826.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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This is another one of my "I didn't invent this or even dream it up myself but it works so well I had to give my personal testimonial" posts. Last month when it started raining (April showers, you know) I was overrun by little black ants. They were in every bathroom and the kitchen. EWWWW! It's just so gross to see ants all over the kitchen. It makes you feel like your house is a disgustingly dirty haven for bugs, which isn't true but that's how I felt. And something about being naked the shower and seeing ants crawling up the walls made me want to move into a hotel.<br />
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This happened to us when we lived in California and I bought something called Terro, which worked very well but it was pretty expensive. I didn't want to spend $30 on ant killer for all the areas in my house that needed it.<br />
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So after scouring Pinterest and finding several posts about this method, I tried it. It worked like a charm! Then I tackled the outside of the house. Bingo - no more ants!<br />
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CHEAP AND EASY WAY TO GET RID OF ANTS</h2>
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Materials needed:</h3>
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Sugar<br />
Borax<br />
Cotton balls<br />
Plastic wrap or aluminum foil<br />
A few containers, like mason jars<br />
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STEP ONE - Inside the house</h3>
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Mix one cup of sugar in 1/2 cup of hot water. Mix until the sugar dissolves and it makes a thick simple syrup.<br />
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Now add 1 tbsp of Borax (found in the laundry aisle. It comes in a box and it's a white powder.)<br />
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Soak cotton balls in the mixture and place wherever you see the ants. I put them on the bathroom floor, the corners of the bathtubs, and on the windowsill over my kitchen sink. Place a small sheet of plastic wrap, silver foil, or a flat dish of some sort under the cotton balls. Here it is in my powder room at the base of the sink.<br />
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<span style="text-align: start;">A few ants will discover it and say, "OMG! There's sugar all over the place in here! Quick, run back to the nest and tell everybody else!" Within hours your cotton balls will be swarming with ants. It's horrifying, yet weirdly mesmerizing. Like a train wreck, you can't look away. Click on the photo below for a really gross close up. They're like little piggies at a trough, all lined up around the edge drinking the sugar water. I tried not using cotton balls for this area since the plastic lid I used as a plate had that little moat around the edge, for lack of a better word. It worked just fine since it wasn't a deep bowl.</span></div>
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The ants eat the mixture and go back to the nest and die. Replace the cotton balls after a couple of days when they dry out. A new crop of ants will show up. They will all bite the dust too. This took about a week for me. Tons of ants the first few days, then a few stragglers, then another group for round two, and by day seven they were gone. GONE, I TELL YOU. I have not had to repeat this and it's been several weeks now.<br />
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STEP TWO - Outside the house</h3>
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Mix sugar and borax 50/50 and sprinkle around your house's foundation, plus anywhere you see ants. For me it was at the garage door, along the sidewalk, the post of the mailbox, and below all the bathroom and kitchen windows. Within a few days I saw no more ants. Period.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJcxpC4jXsf_GWdIe4GD_vFDB7d8H289RyRnLjfz28Oi-CWeb5wEioAkuZr91r9Edpm5W8g0u0F1s9pfeBBm5V7BBc5osyqED5kvKm5FT9jUO2NMh9p-9k1rQ8Akz_i1nMIYg_XzIDWFAj/s1600/Image.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJcxpC4jXsf_GWdIe4GD_vFDB7d8H289RyRnLjfz28Oi-CWeb5wEioAkuZr91r9Edpm5W8g0u0F1s9pfeBBm5V7BBc5osyqED5kvKm5FT9jUO2NMh9p-9k1rQ8Akz_i1nMIYg_XzIDWFAj/s320/Image.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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IS BORAX SAFE AROUND KIDS AND DOGS?</h3>
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From what I have read, Borax is only dangerous if ingested in very high quantities. To an ant, 1 tbsp is a very high quantity. But to a dog or even a child, it may cause stomach upset or nausea but nothing dangerous. Having said that, don't leave the mixtures around where your toddler can get to it and you might want to treat and close off one bathroom at a time so that kids aren't tempted to put the cotton balls in their mouths. I did all the bathrooms except for one on the first go around. I closed them off to keep the kids out of there. Then when those were clear of ants I did the final bathroom. <br />
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Now I know what to do next spring! I have no idea if this works with fire ants of carpenter ants, but for the little black sugar ants it was 100% effective.<br />
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Good luck, ant slayers!<br />
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13459304962116432715noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8928550040456961536.post-44982562436110565492015-05-22T04:36:00.002-07:002015-08-03T10:01:43.532-07:00Get Your Shine On With This DIY Homebrew Wort or Mash Strainer Bag<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTFCsEFJWT4Ezc_YdcKrLGLLkBT98eElmjultmwBNnQYPQpQhFv2h_uJgKtjWk7MIXAxnyfZpUw6Imusw8DDu31fhPillPtKMl5ERcEyjWfwhc_rpMsF0LTAgnrY8kQ3wOYzRqCkMHGoLg/s1600/IMG_1680.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTFCsEFJWT4Ezc_YdcKrLGLLkBT98eElmjultmwBNnQYPQpQhFv2h_uJgKtjWk7MIXAxnyfZpUw6Imusw8DDu31fhPillPtKMl5ERcEyjWfwhc_rpMsF0LTAgnrY8kQ3wOYzRqCkMHGoLg/s640/IMG_1680.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
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Hubby has a new hobby. We used to brew beer at home when we lived in Utah and had a big basement. We could put the homebrew down there to ferment for a week in the cooler temps and it worked beautifully. Then we moved many times (many, many times) over the next 12 years and never had a basement again. Now he has recently started brewing again, only this time it's other things besides beer and it's so fun to try all his crazy concoctions!<br />
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He was straining his mixture the other day and was ogling my nut milk bag, which is probably 10"x12". He asked me to go on Amazon and buy him one like that, but BIG. I could only find one and it was still too small to fit in a 5 gallon bucket, and it was $30. WHAT?! Sorry, I'm way too cheap to spend that much for a bag I could make myself.<br />
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You could use unbleached muslin but my nut milk bag is made of a material like sheer curtains are made of, or the silky nightgown you bought for your wedding night and never wore again. You know the one I'm talking about. I've seen it called micron mesh but really it's just 100% polyester.<br />
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Hubby then stopped at Hobby Lobby on the way home from work and bought a yard of material for $4.99. It's like chiffon but very strong. Buy white or off white fabric. We don't want red dye leaking into the home-brew.<br />
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Hubby has a 5 gallon bucket that he uses so my bag needed to fit into the bucket and fold down over the top. This pattern (if you can even call it that since it's so basic!) fits a five gallon bucket.<br />
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DIY Wort/Mash/Homebrew Straining Bag</h2>
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- A piece of 100% polyester sheer yet strong fabric, 25"x 40"<br />
<i>Cheater version - buy a pair of sheer curtains like this one on Amazon! </i><br />
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<a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000VLZJLS/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o05_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1">http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000VLZJLS/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o05_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1</a><br />
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- Paracord 120" long<br />
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WASH YOUR FABRIC FIRST ON HOT! If it's going to shrink, let's have it shrink now before you start cutting out your pieces.<br />
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***NOTE: These dimensions are based on a 5 gallon container. Our bucket is 12" across the top and 18" tall. If yours is smaller or larger, adjust accordingly. You want one side of the fabric to be as tall as your bucket + 8" so that it can fold down over the top of the bucket once it's placed inside. The other side should be three or four times the diameter of the bucket.<br />
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Fold over each short edge 1/2" and iron it flat. Then fold it over and iron again. Now the raw edge is tucked safely inside and won't unravel. Do the same across one of the long edges. For the remaining long edge turn it under 1/2" and then when you turn it under again make that about 1" wide. You're making a long tunnel where the drawstring will go. It's not really important how wide the tunnel is so just eyeball it. Envision your favorite pair of drawstring pants and make it about that wide.<br />
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Sew along all four sides. Sew close to the edge that's toward the center of the fabric panel, not along the very outside edge. This helps keep it from unraveling. ***MAKE SURE YOU DO NOT SEW THE TUNNEL FOR THE DRAWSTRING SHUT!*** Just leave a small enough opening on each end to run the drawstring through later.<br />
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<i>Cheater version - if you bought the curtains just cut the length on one panel to 25" long, leaving that rod pocket across the top. This is where your drawstring will go.</i><br />
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Fold the fabric in half by bringing the short sides together. I decided to fold it right sides together and put my seams on the outside of the bag. I did NOT turn it right side out after sewing. This was because on my nut milk bag that I've been using for years, the seams are on the inside. All the almond pulp, coconut pulp, berry skins, etc. get stuck in the corners and it is a PITA to clean.<br />
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This way the seams and raw edges are on the outside of the bag so the inside will be a nice, clean edge where crap can't get stuck, harden, and hide. Not as pretty but much more effective and easier to wash.<br />
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Sew the two halves together across the bottom and up one side. Repeat and sew a second line right next to the first line for extra strength. ***AGAIN, DO NOT SEW THE TUNNEL SHUT!***<br />
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Put a safety pin through one end of the drawstring and thread it through the tunnel. I tied a knot in each end, then tied the two ends together with another knot. This prevents the drawstring from ever getting sucked back inside and lost somewhere. This happens on my favorite pair of yoga pants about once a week and it makes me freakin' insane!<br />
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That's it! Now when you make your brew you will put the bag inside the 5 gallon bucket before you pour in your wort or mash. Fold the top down over the bucket, pour in your brew, cover, and do whatever it is you do for the next few days. (For my husband this would be obsessively checking how quickly the bubbles are forming. It bubbles about once a second at the beginning and once it's down to once every 30 seconds he knows he's ready to move on.)<br />
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When you remove the lid and are ready to strain your mixture, just pull the drawstring shut and squeeze into a new container. Hand wash the bag in the sink with dish soap and hang to dry. It dries really quickly too - bonus!<br />
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Happy home brewing!<br />
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Let me first start by saying that I'm no expert when it comes to henna. But that's kind of the point of this post. You don't have to be an expert to use henna! It's a bit intimidating when you first start researching it because a) you've never done it before, b) you have no idea where to buy this stuff, and c) the idea of looking like Bozo the Clown meets Ronald McDonald if you screw up is scary. But truly, it's no more difficult than applying any hair dye at home. It just takes more advanced planning.<br />
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Go grab this free eBook all about using henna for more detailed information. These people ARE experts and I'm just a user and lover of henna.<br />
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<a href="http://www.hennaforhair.com/freebooks/">http://www.hennaforhair.com/freebooks/</a><br />
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<h2>
Why henna?</h2>
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Henna is a plant. They pick and dry the leaves, then grind them up. Just like basil or parsley that you buy in the spice section of the grocery store, only the henna gets ground up into a fine powder. Henna also happens to stain anything it touches orange. So it has no chemicals, no mineral salts, no formaldehyde/bleach/peroxide/insert your favorite toxic chemical here. It's just a dried plant. You mix it with a liquid until it's the consistency of pudding and then you slap it on your head. Ta da! That's not such a big deal, right?<br />
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Henna alone will not lighten hair, it only adds red. So your final color totally depends on your starting color. It doesn't really matter whether you have virgin hair or highlights, but your final color will be completely different depending on whether you're 100% gray, dark blonde, or dark brown. If you're platinum blonde or gray your hair will be reddish orange. If your hair is black you probably won't see much difference until you're out in the sun and then you'll just have a red sheen. Mine was dark brown with coppery highlights and lots of gray roots coming in. The dark brown parts came out reddish brown and the grays and highlights were pretty bright red.<br />
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Here is my Before pic. You can see how light the ends were from the highlights.<br />
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Here is my first After pic. Still mostly brown with a red sheen overall and red highlights.</div>
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I've since colored just the roots a few times and done my whole head a few times. The red has gotten more vibrant and deeper. <br />
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Which brings me to another point. Because henna does not damage your hair at all you can do it as often as you want. Let me repeat that. HENNA DOES NOT DAMAGE YOUR HAIR AT ALL. For most people it improves the condition of your hair. So it's a strengthening treatment for your hair with the bonus of coloring your nasty gray roots or making you feel like Jessica Rabbit. I color my roots every 2-3 weeks and once every 6-8 weeks I do my whole head.<br />
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I mentioned before that you mix the henna powder with a liquid. The liquid can be a million different things and here's where it gets crazy.<br />
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Some brands recommend using water and nothing else. But most henna aficionados say you need something acidic to help the dye release. Water with some apple cider vinegar (ACV) is popular, as is black tea or fruit juice. Henna can be a little drying to some hair types so I like to add ingredients that are moisturizing, like coconut milk or jojoba oil. Just follow the directions on the back of the package the first time and you can always experiment the next time. The last time I did my hair I used fruit juice. I had a bottle of mango flavored Juicy Juice in the fridge that smelled really good so I used that. Henna itself smells like wet hay. It's not an awful smell but it's not my favorite and mixing it with ACV gives me a headache. The mango juice made it smell like a tropical cocktail! I also added in coconut milk from a can to make it extra conditioning.<br />
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So how do you do it?</h2>
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Here's where the advanced planning part comes in. You mix up your henna paste and then let it sit for 8 hours. When you apply your henna to your hair you leave it on for 4-8 hours. So you can do this two ways. Either mix it in the evening, let it sit overnight, apply the henna in the morning, leave it on for several hours, and then rinse out. Or mix it up after lunch, let it sit all day, apply at bedtime, cover your head and your pillow and sleep on it, then wash out in the morning. I prefer the nighttime routine. I like leaving it on for 7-8 hours for maximum gray coverage, plus I'm asleep so it doesn't bother me. If I color my hair in the morning I spend the whole day praying no one rings the doorbell.<br />
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You want to buy body art quality (BAQ) henna. And if you have lots of gray you'll want something with a higher lawsone content. You can buy it at your local Indian grocery store or online. I have yet to see it for sale at a natural foods store anywhere in my area. Just make sure you're buying something with no additives. You want pure BAQ henna and that's it.<br />
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When you mix up your henna paste, you want it to be thick enough that it doesn't drip down your neck but not too thick where it won't spread easily. I like it to be like pudding or yogurt consistency. Just mix in your liquid a little at a time and when it is nice and smooth, cover it with plastic wrap and leave it for 6-12 hours. Don't use a metal spoon or bowl as I've heard that can cause a weird reaction depending upon the ingredients you used. I use a plastic mixing bowl and a wooden spoon.<br />
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If you mix up too much, save your leftovers! Just put it in a freezer bag, squeeze out the air, and freeze it for the next time. <br />
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How to Apply</h2>
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Ok, this part gets messy. So does regular hair dye though. Just be prepared. Here's what I like to do:<br />
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<li>Gather your supplies: a comb with a rat tail for parting your hair, gloves, a shower cap, an old t-shirt to cover your head and keep in your body heat, a few hair clips. If you're only doing your roots, one of those paintbrush things from the beauty supply store is really helpful.</li>
<li>Clear off your bathroom counter.</li>
<li>Cover the whole counter with an old towel. I keep towels in the garage for this purpose. Put another on the floor.</li>
<li>Get an old washcloth that you don't mind staining. Get it wet and leave it in the sink ready to use.</li>
<li>Wear an old t-shirt.</li>
<li>Comb all the tangles out of your hair. You can section it into 4 big sections and clip them off if you like. I don't bother when I'm doing only a root touch-up.</li>
<li>Set your bowl of henna paste on the old towel-covered counter. Since I am only doing my roots today, I'm using leftover henna paste from last time. I just put it in a freezer bag, squeeze the air out, put it in another bag for good measure, and freeze it. Then you just thaw it on the counter for a few hours before you want to use it. </li>
<li>For a full head application, start at your crown and finish off with the hair around your face. Here's a great video showing the technique.</li>
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<li>Wipe up drips as you go. Just keep that wet washcloth handy and wipe stains up off the floor/wall/mirror right away. Wipe your face and shoulders/arms off too. Henna stains so do this right away.</li>
<li>Grab either a disposable plastic shower cap or a few long sheets of plastic wrap. Cover your head and if you find your mix was too runny shove a few cotton balls along the edge where you might have dripping.</li>
<li>Now wrap your head in either an old towel or an old t-shirt. Do it like this:</li>
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<i><b>Your hair will be inside a shower cap at this point though, not loose. This is how I always dry my hair when I get out of the shower though. No terrycloth = no frizz. Yay!</b></i></div>
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<li>The t-shirt or towel keeps your body heat in and helps the color develop. Leave on at least four hours. I've left it on for only three before and my gray roots usually aren't dark enough. If you do this at night, now just throw an old towel over your pillow and go to bed. </li>
<li>When you're ready to rinse it out, don't use shampoo. I rinse with just water until it runs clear and then use conditioner. The color takes 48 hours to fully develop so you cannot wash your hair for a few days after coloring. NOTE: if you follow the No Poo method, henna counts as a wash as it is sebum removing so factor this into your wash schedule. </li>
<li>My favorite way to rinse is to fill the bathtub about half full and lie down. Soak your hair in the water and swish it side to side. Loosen it up around your scalp and massage a bit. Then drain the water and turn on the shower to finish rinsing. This makes the least amount of mess in the shower and requires the least amount of clean up after. <i>*Try rinsing under the shower once without soaking in the tub first and you'll see what I'm talking about!*</i></li>
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You will probably end up with an orange ring around your face. I haven't really found a way around this. If I'm so careful that I don't get any henna on my skin, then I don't get good coverage at my roots and I have to color my roots again in a week. So I apply it very liberally to my hairline, wipe off any excess, and just plan to wear my hair in a deep side part to camouflage any orange on my forehead!<br />
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<i>Applying to my roots</i></div>
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<i>Here's how it looks when it's on. You want it to be fairly thick. Just smear it in there and don't worry if you get it on your scalp. It doesn't burn and there's no danger of it touching your scalp so smoosh it down in there.</i></div>
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<i>All done! See how my skin is already turning orange at my hairline? That's after the 15 minutes it took to apply. Wipe off as much of that as you can without removing any from your hair.</i></div>
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<i>Wipe, wipe, wipe</i></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgk0Zyd4dQ_wB0ptBSfZlim6r-KuMYSW9XbWK3tF2zBzKhPt0HSGJNKAUTnqnd6H1ev54zmeon5ctYL4BoWZs9SGuPWBgI5djC6vXXJlVYPhWqThmwcTqziE6prXJeEXxr9yTXBj8wc4Cfe/s1600/IMG_1658.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgk0Zyd4dQ_wB0ptBSfZlim6r-KuMYSW9XbWK3tF2zBzKhPt0HSGJNKAUTnqnd6H1ev54zmeon5ctYL4BoWZs9SGuPWBgI5djC6vXXJlVYPhWqThmwcTqziE6prXJeEXxr9yTXBj8wc4Cfe/s320/IMG_1658.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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<i>Cover with a shower cap and a t-shirt. Now hang out for 4-8 hours looking fabulous.</i></div>
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That's it, you're done! As I said before you can do this as often as you want since it's not damaging to your hair. Repeated applications to your entire head will make the color a bit darker each time so keep that in mind. Once it's too dark you can't lighten it up again with henna, so you might want to only do your roots on a regular basis and do your entire head every couple of months just to refresh the color. I do my whole head each time I try a different brand of henna so that my color will be consistent. I don't want my roots to be a totally different color than the rest of my hair, and since each brand of henna is slightly different based on where the henna was grown, the climate where it was grown, and the lawsone content that is something to consider.<br />
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Your hair may be more orange than red if you're starting with a lighter color. Once your hair is dry, color it again! You can do back to back applications until you get your desired color.<br />
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Where to Buy</h2>
I have personally used henna from Mehandi and The Henna Guys. While both were good, the Twilight from Mehandi gave me a deeper red with superior gray coverage. The Henna Guys is available on Amazon with Prime shipping though, so you can have it in two days. Love me some Prime shipping!<br />
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Henna is available at many Indian grocery stores as well and it's quite a bit less expensive than buying online (so I'm told) but I haven't gone that route yet.<br />
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http://www.mehandi.com/shop/hairhenna.html<br />
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http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00AVO4SEO/ref=sr_ph?ie=UTF8&qid=1431447336&sr=1&keywords=henna+guys<br />
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www.hennasooq.com<br />
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https://hennahut.com/hair_dye/<br />
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How Much to Use</h2>
How much you will need depends on the thickness and length of your hair. When I buy 300 grams I'm usually able to get one whole head application and 2-4 root touch ups. I have thick, shoulder length hair.<br />
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Short to above the shoulders: 50-75 grams<br />
Shoulder length: 100-125 grams<br />
Bra strap length or mid-back: 150-175 grams<br />
Lower back (above hips): 200 to 225 grams<br />
Hip/Waist length: 250 to 300 grams<br />
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I used 150 grams the first time I ever used henna and did my whole head. I ran out halfway through the process and had to hurry up and mix up more! So err on the side of caution - you can always freeze the henna mixture that you have left over.<br />
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Have you tried henna? Do you like it? I've been using henna for four months now and I am a convert.<br />
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13459304962116432715noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8928550040456961536.post-67186493748841458012015-04-27T06:44:00.003-07:002015-04-27T06:44:48.692-07:00Coupon Binder Organization for People Who Have Very Little Free TimeI recently got into couponing. I read a blog post and thought, "Hmm, I could do that." Then I read up about couponing at CVS and thought, "How the $#@! did I not know about ExtraCare Bucks???" I can't believe I've literally been throwing money in the garbage for the last ten years. Giant head smack!<br />
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So I began very simply: I got an accordion folder off of Amazon for about $10. It has 12 slots. Each week I get two copies of the newspaper and put the coupon inserts into one slot. The following week I put the coupon inserts into the next slot. After 12 weeks your box is full. Pull out the coupons from the original slot. Most of them have expired by now but cut out any coupons you really want that are still good. Recycle the rest and use that slot for next week's coupons. I bought one similar to this:<br />
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<iframe frameborder="0" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" scrolling="no" src="//ws-na.amazon-adsystem.com/widgets/q?ServiceVersion=20070822&OneJS=1&Operation=GetAdHtml&MarketPlace=US&source=ac&ref=tf_til&ad_type=product_link&tracking_id=chanbedi-20&marketplace=amazon&region=US&placement=B0002LCUZK&asins=B0002LCUZK&linkId=QD3T2NWWHY35MKA4&show_border=true&link_opens_in_new_window=true" style="height: 240px; width: 120px;">
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Then I got a small accordion file to take with me shopping. It holds all of my already-cut-out coupons sorted by category (baby stuff, canned goods, bread, produce, etc.) and all of my store loyalty cards.<br />
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Here's mine. I really like it because it has a velcro strap to loop around the shopping cart handle, which keeps it open so you can see what's in there and dig around with only one hand. </div>
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<iframe frameborder="0" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" scrolling="no" src="//ws-na.amazon-adsystem.com/widgets/q?ServiceVersion=20070822&OneJS=1&Operation=GetAdHtml&MarketPlace=US&source=ac&ref=tf_til&ad_type=product_link&tracking_id=chanbedi-20&marketplace=amazon&region=US&placement=B003ZVUIZ8&asins=B003ZVUIZ8&linkId=OK7BCRFBJ4W3KFMY&show_border=true&link_opens_in_new_window=true" style="height: 240px; width: 120px;"></iframe></div>
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The theory is that you go to your favorite couponing web site (since I live in the southeast mine is SouthernSavers.com - she has a list of grocery stores common in this area, whereas other couponing sites might have stores on the west coast or in the midwest) and create your shopping list. For example, you got the Sunday paper and saw in the Bi-Lo circular that they were having a huge buy one-get one sale. You go to SouthernSavers.com and click on Bi-Lo. This site gives you a list of everything that's on sale at least 40% off and tells you which coupons to use to make it even better! <br />
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So let's say Ronzoni pasta is on sale B1G1 for $2.00. They tell you there's a coupon from the May 5th paper in the RedPlum insert for $0.50 off when you buy one. You have two of these coupons. Bi-Lo doubles coupons up to $0.60 so that makes this coupon worth $1 instead of only $0.50. You buy two pastas for a total of $2.00, use your two coupons, and get $2 off. Voila! It was FREE. God bless couponing. You can print coupons for free from various web sites like Coupons.com too. You get to print two of each coupon per computer, so if you have two laptops and a desktop at your house you can legally print six of the same coupon. When Tide Pods have a coupon for $2 off you can bet your keister that I print out six of 'em!<br />
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<script class="scriptId_300x250_115671" type="text/javascript">
var ci_cap_scriptId = "115671";
var ci_cap_bid = "1341900001";
var ci_cap_format = "300x250";
var ci_cap_channel = "134190U068UFFSORE4";
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Coupons powered by <a href="http://www.coupons.com/">Coupons.com</a></p>
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<script src="//bc.coupons.com/core.aspx/" type="text/javascript"></script>
Here's the problem - I'm lazy and/or disorganized when I go shopping. I always have my small folder of clipped coupons but I never bring the giant accordion file with me, so half the time I'm in the store and see a great deal but I don't have the appropriate coupons with me. This really puts me in a bad mood. I'm serious! If I have to pay $3 for spaghetti sauce when I know I could have gotten four of them for a quarter each it really ticks me off. I know, I need to get a life.<br />
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Enter the coupon binder. It's a 3-ring binder that you fill with clear plastic sleeves to organize all your coupons. You take it with you to the store and never forget a coupon again. Yes, you kind of look like a dork. I'm ok with that. When I get to the check stand and my total rings up before coupons at $150, and then it comes down to $89, I embrace my inner dork! I bought mine at Staples for $15 but this is very similar to what I got.<br />
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<iframe frameborder="0" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" scrolling="no" src="//ws-na.amazon-adsystem.com/widgets/q?ServiceVersion=20070822&OneJS=1&Operation=GetAdHtml&MarketPlace=US&source=ac&ref=tf_til&ad_type=product_link&tracking_id=chanbedi-20&marketplace=amazon&region=US&placement=B00C50DX48&asins=B00C50DX48&linkId=RPHT676MSSL7TWXH&show_border=true&link_opens_in_new_window=true" style="height: 240px; width: 120px;">
</iframe>
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However, you spend a LOT of time up front clipping coupons. And you don't want to clip every coupon, just the ones you know you'll use. Even only clipping the ones I wanted from two sets of inserts took me well over an hour. I did it during nap time and still wasn't done when the baby woke up.<br />
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So I came up with my own version of the coupon binder. It's kind of a hybrid method and so far it's working out very well. Here's the gist of it:<br />
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1) Buy some 3 pocket currency holder sleeves and baseball card sleeves. Each week print online coupons and clip ONLY the ones you plan to use right away. Put them into these sleeves in your binder. <br />
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<iframe frameborder="0" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" scrolling="no" src="//ws-na.amazon-adsystem.com/widgets/q?ServiceVersion=20070822&OneJS=1&Operation=GetAdHtml&MarketPlace=US&source=ac&ref=tf_til&ad_type=product_link&tracking_id=chanbedi-20&marketplace=amazon&region=US&placement=B003GPVC58&asins=B003GPVC58&linkId=JES24ANTC6KEDPBC&show_border=true&link_opens_in_new_window=true" style="height: 240px; width: 120px;">
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<iframe frameborder="0" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" scrolling="no" src="//ws-na.amazon-adsystem.com/widgets/q?ServiceVersion=20070822&OneJS=1&Operation=GetAdHtml&MarketPlace=US&source=ac&ref=tf_til&ad_type=product_link&tracking_id=chanbedi-20&marketplace=amazon&region=US&placement=B005HIOVOG&asins=B005HIOVOG&linkId=2ECI24VYGM4P7QIN&show_border=true&link_opens_in_new_window=true" style="height: 240px; width: 120px;">
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2) Buy clear sheet protectors and put the whole coupon inserts into them. I usually put the SmartSource inserts in one and the RedPlum in another one, and Proctor & Gamble in a third for each week. Put them in the binder.<br />
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3) Get some tabbed dividers and separate the clipped coupons into categories. There are a ton of web sites that have free downloads to print. KrazyCouponLady and CouponingToDisney are two that I like. Print out the categories to organize your binder if you like.<br />
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4) Here's the most important part - MAKE A SHOPPING LIST BEFORE YOU GO TO THE STORE! It seems pretty obvious but this was my hardest challenge. I made a quick list of what I wanted to get but didn't bother to make sure I had all the coupons with me before I left the house. Then I got to the store with Baby #2, who is NOT a good shopper and can't keep his hands to himself, I'd get flustered because he's screaming like a banshee, I can't find the coupons I need, get mad at myself for not being more prepared, and go check out without having saved as much as I wanted.<br />
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Sooooooo, be sure to have your shopping list prepared before you go.<br />
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But if you hate clipping coupons, or you fall off the wagon, here's the best trick I've learned. EVERYTHING in the store has a lowest price. Have you noticed how Captain Crunch will be $2.50 one week, $3.50, the next, and $4 the next? Most grocery stores around here have a 6-8 week cycle. So if Captain Crunch is priced at $2/box this week it will probably be that price again in 6-8 weeks. You'll have to pay attention for two months and go to the store every week. When you notice the best price you've ever seen on something you already buy, write down the date and price. Buy enough of that item to last 6-8 weeks. So maybe instead of buying 1 or 2 boxes of Captain Crunch you buy 10. If you have coupons, then you really score! But if not you'll still save a ton of money this way.<br />
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I have periods where I'm all about couponing, and phases where I get burned out and can't be bothered. But I try to never buy anything unless it's at its lowest price, or on sale at least 40% off. As long as I do that I don't need a coupon.<br />
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<a href="http://www.pinterest.com/pin/create/extension/" style="background-image: url(data:image/png; border: none; cursor: pointer; display: none; height: 20px; line-height: 0; min-height: 20px; min-width: 40px; opacity: 0.85; position: absolute; width: 40px; z-index: 8675309;"></a><a href="http://www.pinterest.com/pin/create/extension/" style="background-image: url(data:image/png; border: none; cursor: pointer; display: none; height: 20px; line-height: 0; min-height: 20px; min-width: 40px; opacity: 0.85; position: absolute; width: 40px; z-index: 8675309;"></a>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13459304962116432715noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8928550040456961536.post-12517041520332080072015-04-26T14:19:00.001-07:002015-04-27T06:25:47.219-07:00No Poo update - One year and counting!It's now April 2015 and I've had many changes to my hair routine in the last year. In my original post <a href="http://cheaperandbetterdiy.blogspot.com/2014/04/how-i-went-no-poo-ok-that-sounds-pretty.html" target="_blank">here</a> I talked about trying no poo with baking soda and apple cider vinegar. I ended up using low poo products, SheaMoisture products in particular, until Christmas of 2014. But my hair was still dry. I was washing every 4-5 days but I admit, I was using my beloved InStyler to straighten my hair several times a week. And coloring my roots with boxed dye from the drugstore every three weeks or so. I wasn't happy with how it felt or how it looked without loads of product.<br />
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So I discovered a group on Facebook for No Poo and Low Poo enthusiasts and read up on different methods. On Dec. 30th I began a new quest for healthy hair. <br />
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For those of you unfamiliar with the No Poo movement (he he he, I couldn't resist!) here it is in a nutshell: stop using commercially made shampoo and conditioner. Styling products too. Wash your hair with homemade concoctions. I'm not a dirty hippie. I don't go weeks without bathing. I don't smell nasty, I don't look oily. My hair usually has no scent at all, which kind of bugs me to be honest. I will often add essential oils to my potions to make my hair smell yummy, or put some on my hair brush. I don't want to be that woman who walks into a room and everyone gags from the overpowering fragrance, but a little bit of scent is lovely.<br />
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It's been quite a journey of experimentation. I tried water only, then acid only. I washed occasionally with egg yolks, shampoo bars, or low poo to get out any hot oil treatments that I did. I tried every conditioning rinse under the sun. I made my own hair gel, leave in conditioner, hairspray, and sea salt spray. Some things were a total failure but that's how you learn, right?<br />
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Here are some before and after photos.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4ZZ9iw8ZAMMZM0yonVHZvW3Vd3Fsk1_evI92gA96R4rqG9Mthi33f8p5dFC2gUgeHXTeq69rfIaCC07KdAy5t3CTZvGqkjtROG4CWavOuAta2WX49gkWqZqwg4RK-sWIsWMfGOsB3HcNS/s1600/No+Poo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4ZZ9iw8ZAMMZM0yonVHZvW3Vd3Fsk1_evI92gA96R4rqG9Mthi33f8p5dFC2gUgeHXTeq69rfIaCC07KdAy5t3CTZvGqkjtROG4CWavOuAta2WX49gkWqZqwg4RK-sWIsWMfGOsB3HcNS/s1600/No+Poo.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
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The top two photos are from my low poo days and the bottom two are what my hair looks like now. My hair looked nice in the before photos, right? That took a TON of styling product to smooth it down and total dependence on a blow dryer and flat iron to style it. Plus frequent dying to cover my grays (gaaaaah!) Air drying without product was simply not an option. Here's what it looked like air dried:</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhekphX3eCy9_5NJcBrFOiWEaIw5GDNCA39xFmabFp_duNBx_K0YyiZE8CDsNKRkU2IyY2ve612Az_MUx2Z800dnxn2KVzYZEVbO3iljN9M96Sqo9WlXbEGJGzVcg1xnLIWvJO1Iw8Zg-w/s1600/IMG_1983.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhekphX3eCy9_5NJcBrFOiWEaIw5GDNCA39xFmabFp_duNBx_K0YyiZE8CDsNKRkU2IyY2ve612Az_MUx2Z800dnxn2KVzYZEVbO3iljN9M96Sqo9WlXbEGJGzVcg1xnLIWvJO1Iw8Zg-w/s1600/IMG_1983.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
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Ok, to be fair, that was in Key West in July, quite possibly the most humid place on earth. South Florida in the height of summer is the armpit of hell. But still, not a good look.</div>
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So what did I do to improve the health of my hair and save a chunk of money to boot?</div>
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<h3>
Five Commandments of Hair Health</h3>
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<b>#1: Thou shalt not use anything on your hair with the word iron in it. </b>That means you, curling iron. You too, flat iron. Blow dryers are ok on low heat only! And only occasionally. But 90% of the time or more I let my hair air dry.</div>
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<b>#2: Stop using harsh, chemical-laden hair color and start using henna. </b>Henna is a plant. They pick the leaves, dry them, and grind them up, just like basil or oregano. You buy the henna powder and mix it up with the liquid of your choice (water, tea, vinegar, lemon juice, yogurt, coconut milk, etc.) to make this green mud that's the consistency of pudding. It's bizarre and it smells like wet hay. You apply it to your hair and leave it on for hours instead of minutes. I'm not gonna lie, it ain't pretty. I spend my day praying the UPS guy doesn't ring my doorbell. But it is GOOD for your hair. It's so good, you can do it every week if you want to. I color my roots now once every 2-3 weeks and I'm doing zero damage to my hair. In fact, I'm conditioning it. If you don't want red hair you can try indigo or cassia, or a blend to get the right color for you. It requires more advance planning, to be sure, but it's no more difficult than dying your hair at home with a box of Nice N Easy and it costs waaaaay less than going to the salon. And it doesn't fade. It is truly permanent. I've heard it said that henna is not a fling, it's a marriage. I thought long and hard about going this route due to its commitment but I'm so glad I did!</div>
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<b>#3: Wash your hair no more often than every four days. </b>Even if you don't do the whole no poo thing. Here's my very unscientific take on traditional shampoo:</div>
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Shampoo is designed to remove every ounce of oil from your hair. Especially if it uses sodium laurel/laureth sulfate. That will degrease your driveway. Unfortunately it removes all the natural oils too (namely your sebum) which is good for your hair. Sebum protects your hair, conditions it, and lubricates your scalp. Remove it all and you will have dry hair and scalp, so you spend lots of money on artificial products to replace all the oil you just stripped out. When I used to use drugstore shampoo there was no way, absolutely NO WAY, I could not follow it with conditioner. It felt like straw in the shower, I couldn't detangle it, and looked hideously awful. I used twice as much conditioner as I did shampoo and because I have thick hair, it was not uncommon for me to use a whole bottle of conditioner in a week or two. But I digress...</div>
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When you wash with shampoo your scalp says, "Oh crap! She just removed all the sebum. Let's make more, pronto." So the next day you're already oily, and the day after that you look like you haven't bathed in three weeks. So you feel like you HAVE to wash your hair. Then your scalp says, "Dammit! She did it again! Ok, back to the drawing board." So it's a never-ending cycle. The more you wash your hair, the more you have to wash your hair.</div>
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How do we fix this? Stop using products that strip all the oil from your hair, and stop washing daily. If you're not ready for no poo, use low poo products. That means no sulfates, no silicones, no parabens. Not in your shampoo, not in your conditioner, not in your styling products. Not ever. Then start washing your hair every 4 days. You will be a greasy, nasty looking mess for a while. Will that be a week, a month, six months? It's different for everybody. How greasy your scalp gets now and how often you wash now plays a big part in this transitional period. For me, it was super short. I had a week of looking greasy and that was it. Hopefully your hair is long enough to put in a bun, french braid, or other undo. Invest in lots of headbands and cute scarves. They will camouflage your nasty roots until your scalp gets the memo and says, "Oh! The sebum is still there. No need to make more. Got it."</div>
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<b>#4: Thou shalt feed your hair with food from your kitchen.</b></div>
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If you want to go even further, stop using anything on your hair except all natural (usually food) products. You can wash your hair with raw eggs, castile soap mixed with coconut milk, rye flour, honey and aloe, soapnuts, shampoo bars, baking soda, oat milk… the list goes on and on. You can wash your scalp with nothing but water too. I've never struggled with an oily scalp, except for that first week of transition. My issue has always been dryness, even though I now live in the hot and humid south. I tried acid only (AO) for a long time, which is where you don't use anything that removes oil on your hair since there's really none to remove. I used lots of ingredients that are conditioning, like coconut water, molasses, coconut milk and aloe, honey, coffee, tea, and beer. The problem is that I want some sebum! I want to be able to brush my hair before bed and have it be smooth and glossy and feel amazing. If there's no sebum to distribute down the length of my hair it just gets dried out. </div>
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So now I'm washing every 4 days with coconut milk and castile soap using this recipe: http://www.onegoodthingbyjillee.com/2012/03/homemade-coconut-milk-shampoo.html. I am washing more frequently to increase sebum production, which is the exact opposite of what most people need. I'm just weird that way. I don't have dandruff or an itchy scalp, thank goodness, but my scalp just doesn't get greasy. I have not washed for three weeks at a time (I would usually get my hair wet and scrub my scalp with water every 2-3 days, then follow with some sort of conditioning rinse) but my scalp was never oily. Maybe this will help my scalp produce enough sebum to protect and condition my hair without making it greasy. That's my plan anyway. It's only been two weeks so the jury is still out. Because castile soap is extremely alkaline you need to use an acid rinse afterwards to restore your hair's pH balance so I use a cup of water with a spoonful of lemon juice in it. </div>
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I like to do lots of deep conditioning too since I'm trying to make up for years of harsh treatment of my poor hair. <b>The best conditioner I've ever used is this recipe below.</b></div>
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Mix one part canned coconut milk (the fewer ingredients, the better) with three parts aloe vera juice or gel (found in health food stores or in the laxative section of places like Walmart.) Pour into an ice cube tray and freeze. Drop one cube in a cup of hot water and let it dissolve. Then dunk your ends into the mixture first. Pour the rest over your head, comb through with a wide tooth comb, cover with a shower cap, and leave on for 5-60 minutes. I like 20 minutes under a hood dryer on low heat. Then rinse with cool water. Don't use two ice cubes thinking more is better. Coconut milk is full of healthy fats and therefore oily, so use too much and you won't be able to get it out without washing. One cube is just right. I should say that I have very thick, coarse hair. It's not fine and I have a ton of it. If you have fine, oily hair you might apply only from the ears down, or use even less than one cube. You may need to experiment if it weighs down your hair or makes it look oily.</div>
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<b>5: Thou shalt scour YouTube and the internet for no heat curling methods. </b>Seriously headband curls and sock buns are my best friend these days.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPiPWI7r-2mE3zskdu2W92ODL7j_EmEzxwwjrveGsjaJPdvBW3NyYu7v5O0J2KK8lc6kcmwvRYU_ArTLIdEtL1dbTYRkR9X_FlnbQ7xTnIVraFa4ouLQqduURiWxyx3uRFoyq_5QSnQ84I/s1600/IMG_9402.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPiPWI7r-2mE3zskdu2W92ODL7j_EmEzxwwjrveGsjaJPdvBW3NyYu7v5O0J2KK8lc6kcmwvRYU_ArTLIdEtL1dbTYRkR9X_FlnbQ7xTnIVraFa4ouLQqduURiWxyx3uRFoyq_5QSnQ84I/s1600/IMG_9402.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
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This is from an overnight sock bun. Just put a bun on the top of your head before bed and wake up to big, loose curls. There is no product in my hair, I swear to you. No gel, no hairspray, no silicone serum. I rub some jojoba oil or argan oil on my palms and smooth them over my hair if it looks frizzy, but that's the extent of my routine these days. Here's the tutorial:</div>
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<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7-A_2ht81Fg&index=41&list=PLOCvBmhWK5UsSLndnbyOik6AiX5qKpFPQ" target="_blank">Sock Bun Curls</a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBNDx-vhNDpskrFrEoni4joejNkFuQeVrC2JXxqcHaALEibhkDcYTAwksoCRPZVtC7k6_Y-YLy7Ie67aM_LVDfFwmWw-0orKOLP0fJb36PM9A-xS2BBPlO3zC5wVyrxESUfx6SMmj0CghT/s1600/Photo+on+4-23-15+at+7.11+PM+%232.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBNDx-vhNDpskrFrEoni4joejNkFuQeVrC2JXxqcHaALEibhkDcYTAwksoCRPZVtC7k6_Y-YLy7Ie67aM_LVDfFwmWw-0orKOLP0fJb36PM9A-xS2BBPlO3zC5wVyrxESUfx6SMmj0CghT/s1600/Photo+on+4-23-15+at+7.11+PM+%232.jpg" height="213" width="320" /></a></div>
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This is from scarf curls. I took this photo at 7:30 pm, so you can see they had lasted all day and still looked great.</div>
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<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FGpbiPyq2LY" target="_blank">Scarf Curls</a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhR0_CdnxxQBerRTxLd4Dz3wbFTWFez9Fvy3SJQnrQLO4M2weAJNuPRpwnCfk4M5KMpbsszGrvsDMerToIWDyjNobgzLHAYlj-IvetF4KuemJoeKWmdeET4LwZp0jKvw12tB9JiOVLdfUwY/s1600/IMG_0275.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhR0_CdnxxQBerRTxLd4Dz3wbFTWFez9Fvy3SJQnrQLO4M2weAJNuPRpwnCfk4M5KMpbsszGrvsDMerToIWDyjNobgzLHAYlj-IvetF4KuemJoeKWmdeET4LwZp0jKvw12tB9JiOVLdfUwY/s1600/IMG_0275.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
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The curls above are headband curls. You would swear I used a big barrel curling iron, wouldn't you? I made my own tutorial since most versions give you a big flat spot on the crown, which I hate. I need big hair!</div>
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<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GwfHAwzvbKo" target="_blank">Headband Curls with Volume on Top</a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoZHJVIf0kwi13Ak2cAvH76DaMykS4PWYUIqnWEGSO2CKvJ25Xtuz7uLO2wEBxEoeOoWJpZ3ZBK6wQMKX-nggAvVHvMUvw-XqBd9jBz1idcqon5biygAf-ILnvFHUnxgGdpwxtgFjMrnIg/s1600/IMG_0283.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoZHJVIf0kwi13Ak2cAvH76DaMykS4PWYUIqnWEGSO2CKvJ25Xtuz7uLO2wEBxEoeOoWJpZ3ZBK6wQMKX-nggAvVHvMUvw-XqBd9jBz1idcqon5biygAf-ILnvFHUnxgGdpwxtgFjMrnIg/s1600/IMG_0283.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
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Straightening using ginormous velcro rollers. It's really interesting the way my hair color changes in different lighting. Sometimes it's dark brown, sometimes it's deep red, and in the sun it's super red.</div>
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<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GruHuO5iFbY" target="_blank">No heat velcro roller tutorial</a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4h6ea_Qi531LyDiWKP5HpOZ6YjGqlRBk3mAo0DbCuKCuWNTf5PXIhzZECkzJwHxINCzDEqgM3PTufa76qHsfHPSfY-7a0a4tWVP9t-k-yZTzd_E94EJeW_bCvlSv0yUAQkgTQD-KXWANX/s1600/IMG_0663.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4h6ea_Qi531LyDiWKP5HpOZ6YjGqlRBk3mAo0DbCuKCuWNTf5PXIhzZECkzJwHxINCzDEqgM3PTufa76qHsfHPSfY-7a0a4tWVP9t-k-yZTzd_E94EJeW_bCvlSv0yUAQkgTQD-KXWANX/s1600/IMG_0663.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
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And last but not least, more scarf curls. I used smaller sections and ended up with spiral curls.</div>
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You'll notice how much my hair has grown too! I really should have measured it before I began this journey but the photo below is from November 2014. I had just gotten it cut and colored at the salon. She used all kinds of straightening serums, a blow dryer with a round brush, and a flat iron.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEip0oB-0iYluebXerTbh-5cPKJFCYeFUH0GAMa0nL2TvGyCGfKMrVdjdX4Hb_TgKKLuatctQV7fK3Caj1oNxN1aQYfyYMYx5WKFtWn14zo16ijlUnkMOrsoVHBch-u-dNC6ifbpjFVBoXjW/s1600/IMG_7583.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEip0oB-0iYluebXerTbh-5cPKJFCYeFUH0GAMa0nL2TvGyCGfKMrVdjdX4Hb_TgKKLuatctQV7fK3Caj1oNxN1aQYfyYMYx5WKFtWn14zo16ijlUnkMOrsoVHBch-u-dNC6ifbpjFVBoXjW/s1600/IMG_7583.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEji1OKaYWLeEb6uSWnRFFurMhYnhHI686fvE8Z7h9MxHdvlaGWEjX5PBGDQnQoPmBH8YI8Q5qjiHsIMUmyptV5tv8mTxw2Y3tu5j3sms4RSGPpacclnUMkZyeU1qEQpVydW8vFNSFUhMAoQ/s1600/Image+4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEji1OKaYWLeEb6uSWnRFFurMhYnhHI686fvE8Z7h9MxHdvlaGWEjX5PBGDQnQoPmBH8YI8Q5qjiHsIMUmyptV5tv8mTxw2Y3tu5j3sms4RSGPpacclnUMkZyeU1qEQpVydW8vFNSFUhMAoQ/s1600/Image+4.jpg" height="320" width="320" /></a></div>
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The photo above is from January 7th, roughly 10 days into my new no poo endeavor. My hair still looked frizzy and damaged, but I had washed the day before with egg yolks so it wasn't greasy. (Don't get me started on my love of egg washes. Egg yolks remove oil from your greasy roots like nothing else I've tried. And they're conditioning and full of protein too, so they are good for your hair!) This was after air drying with no product.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZHoE0x3xjX6jieRq9wB8WMv4YUzuvocbUYIIBdqspqQXYmSblF824OomqAzWX1BYATwpLM7w8ZDg_giUw-D9ECGRCQtB-I0j3_jLjzuyoNu2-zjpUgKJa9CEu_MIi2XccyIuIEy3h_n1J/s1600/IMG_0624.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZHoE0x3xjX6jieRq9wB8WMv4YUzuvocbUYIIBdqspqQXYmSblF824OomqAzWX1BYATwpLM7w8ZDg_giUw-D9ECGRCQtB-I0j3_jLjzuyoNu2-zjpUgKJa9CEu_MIi2XccyIuIEy3h_n1J/s1600/IMG_0624.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
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This one I just took last week on April 20th after a recent henna application. This was after air drying and I think I had used some aloe juice as a leave in conditioner. I mix it 50/50 with water, put it in a spray bottle, and spray it in after I get out of the shower. I definitely need a trim along the bottom but now that it's growing so much I don't want to cut it! And look how shiny it is. That's from the henna, lots of deep treatments with coconut milk and aloe, and overnight oiling. (That's where I massage jojoba oil, coconut oil, avocado oil, or whatever suits me that day into my scalp at bedtime. I comb it through, put it up in a bun, sleep on it, and wash it out the next day with the castile soap/coconut milk shampoo.)<br />
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You be the judge! Seems to be working to me.<br />
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<a href="http://www.pinterest.com/pin/create/extension/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.blogger.com%2Fblogger.g%3FblogID%3D8928550040456961536%23editor%2Fsrc%3Dsidebar&media=https%3A%2F%2Fimages-blogger-opensocial.googleusercontent.com%2Fgadgets%2Fproxy%3Furl%3Dhttp%253A%252F%252F2.bp.blogspot.com%252F-t8v7oAZpA5Y%252FVT0-ErBDO-I%252FAAAAAAAAAZI%252FuCfAAJLIyeU%252Fs1600%252FImage%25252B4.jpg%26container%3Dblogger%26gadget%3Da%26rewriteMime%3Dimage%252F*&xm=h&xv=sa1.35&description=" style="background-color: transparent; background-image: url(data:image/png; border: none; cursor: pointer; display: none; height: 20px; left: 193px; opacity: 0.85; position: absolute; top: 5374px; width: 40px; z-index: 8675309;"></a><a href="http://www.pinterest.com/pin/create/extension/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.blogger.com%2Fblogger.g%3FblogID%3D8928550040456961536%23editor%2Fsrc%3Dsidebar&media=https%3A%2F%2Fimages-blogger-opensocial.googleusercontent.com%2Fgadgets%2Fproxy%3Furl%3Dhttp%253A%252F%252F2.bp.blogspot.com%252F-t8v7oAZpA5Y%252FVT0-ErBDO-I%252FAAAAAAAAAZI%252FuCfAAJLIyeU%252Fs1600%252FImage%25252B4.jpg%26container%3Dblogger%26gadget%3Da%26rewriteMime%3Dimage%252F*&xm=h&xv=sa1.35&description=" style="background-color: transparent; background-image: url(data:image/png; border: none; cursor: pointer; display: none; height: 20px; left: 193px; opacity: 0.85; position: absolute; top: 5374px; width: 40px; z-index: 8675309;"></a>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13459304962116432715noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8928550040456961536.post-42430986129370024152015-04-26T11:05:00.000-07:002015-04-27T11:22:27.167-07:00Healthy chocolate milk you can feel good about giving your kids!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkl6iwS5wC0wlo9CeV3KmKLTjymPA04ufZOxDIdUoUKzZ8xXuudXR7ntu441vF5Yrl6Qc5lBB6Jx3gr_dZRUpH1M3gIuQLHLqG3KKpNKOAkE2lxARGaGh9vXYgGErbQ_xQYpbbMib5i5vo/s1600/IMG_0948.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkl6iwS5wC0wlo9CeV3KmKLTjymPA04ufZOxDIdUoUKzZ8xXuudXR7ntu441vF5Yrl6Qc5lBB6Jx3gr_dZRUpH1M3gIuQLHLqG3KKpNKOAkE2lxARGaGh9vXYgGErbQ_xQYpbbMib5i5vo/s1600/IMG_0948.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
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I admit it. I'm a coconut fiend. I love all things coconut. The water, the milk, the oil, the flesh. </h3>
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I drink it, I bake with it, I cook with it, I use it for diaper rash cream, I rubbed it on my belly to prevent stretch marks, I put it in body lotion, I wash and condition my hair with it. Why it has never occurred to me to make chocolate coconut milk before, I have no idea. But after a recent trip to Costco where my 2-year old sucked down three free samples of chocolate almond milk in record time, I knew I had to make something myself that would be a) healthier, and b) cheaper. </div>
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So why not just make chocolate almond milk? Um, did you miss my opening statement? Plus, coconut is a helluva lot cheaper than almonds. So let's begin!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0nkCFPx_AdA1PHcKLOc6YDsCCw4p_ygrTBqxNMQhn7XEaWKOPYnlcm3pU_j_PjSPojnT9nAxlqclsvYWAHzeoq2PVUCZte74ffOYJWdqLPIe_N9eYNfHI9VFF81Qd5jYuK3GssDS9erIp/s1600/IMG_0941.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0nkCFPx_AdA1PHcKLOc6YDsCCw4p_ygrTBqxNMQhn7XEaWKOPYnlcm3pU_j_PjSPojnT9nAxlqclsvYWAHzeoq2PVUCZte74ffOYJWdqLPIe_N9eYNfHI9VFF81Qd5jYuK3GssDS9erIp/s1600/IMG_0941.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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Ingredients:</div>
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Unsweetened shredded coconut</div>
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Unsweetened cocoa powder (or raw cacao if you can find it)</div>
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Pure maple syrup or agave</div>
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Optional: pure vanilla and/or sea salt<br />
Also optional: a few spinach leaves</div>
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<li style="text-align: left;">Add 4 cups of water and 2 cups of coconut to a high speed blender.</li>
<li style="text-align: left;">(One bag of the coconut I bought is exactly two cups.) </li>
<li style="text-align: left;">Mix on high for a good minute or two.</li>
<li style="text-align: left;">Strain the pulp out using a fine mesh sieve, a nut milk bag, cheesecloth, even coffee filters. I used my well-used nut milk bag, which is now purple due to straining elderberry syrup through it once last winter. It's honestly not as grungy as it looks, I promise.</li>
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Adding spinach is totally optional. It really has no taste if you use a small amount but it does make the chocolate milk turn a bit green if you use too much. So just add a few leaves. Once you add the cocoa and the other ingredients if it's still too green you can always add a smidge more cocoa.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUlnTU6ockg_c9e-J3TrPcgGODk4Ig-lpO4_Yb7v7C83Fw2O0c5j2iT_tKhyLdjP3SPpPnFLqjz3vPLRkNHwp_7HCzW9eSyh6aYxHe_4K81K2ASo50HMHR2iECLtOyLe_JhiQGeGGySpao/s1600/IMG_0943.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUlnTU6ockg_c9e-J3TrPcgGODk4Ig-lpO4_Yb7v7C83Fw2O0c5j2iT_tKhyLdjP3SPpPnFLqjz3vPLRkNHwp_7HCzW9eSyh6aYxHe_4K81K2ASo50HMHR2iECLtOyLe_JhiQGeGGySpao/s1600/IMG_0943.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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I just put my bag inside the pitcher like so and pour it in.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4kRGWuTAoaddRnxJcPXfuBhiut54mnxV0Okx5rykrUTzRCjDvqPOKnKCtTTenGJWN95PW4MphUrv7hbHvVhtom1A0jH4ldZNCzI2Ixi0tiLZS9havQGDd9JX3IcU470EA0490uJWcQHgg/s1600/IMG_0944.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4kRGWuTAoaddRnxJcPXfuBhiut54mnxV0Okx5rykrUTzRCjDvqPOKnKCtTTenGJWN95PW4MphUrv7hbHvVhtom1A0jH4ldZNCzI2Ixi0tiLZS9havQGDd9JX3IcU470EA0490uJWcQHgg/s1600/IMG_0944.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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This is the lazy way to strain. Just hang it from your cabinet handles and let gravity do the work, especially if you used hot water and now the bag is too $#@! hot to touch. Not that I'd know this from personal experience or anything.</div>
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After it's cool enough to handle, squeeze the bag until you get all the coconut milk out that you possibly can. </div>
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NOW STOP! If you want, you can put this in the fridge as is and have coconut milk to use for all sorts of things. Use it in <a href="http://pinchofyum.com/red-thai-curry-sauce" target="_blank">thai recipes like this one</a>, or <a href="http://www.onegoodthingbyjillee.com/2012/03/homemade-coconut-milk-shampoo.html" target="_blank">make your own shampoo like this</a>. Or continue on to make chocolate coconut milk.</div>
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Rinse out the Vitamix container to get rid of the pulp bits, pour your strained coconut milk back in, and add the following ingredients.</div>
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<i>This is HIGHLY subjective, I should add. You can tweak the amount of chocolate and sweetness to your own liking. I started with 1 tablespoon of each and kept tasting until I liked it. Feel free to do the same.</i></div>
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<span style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;">
1-3 tbsp maple syrup</div>
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1-2 tbsp cocoa powder</div>
</span><span style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;">
1/4 tsp vanilla</div>
</span><span style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;">
pinch of sea salt</div>
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I used 3 tablespoons of maple syrup and 2 of cocoa powder after starting with 1 each and tasting. The result is pretty sweet and very chocolately. In all honesty I would use less cocoa next time if I were the only one drinking it. One tablespoon, or 1 1/2 would be plenty for me. It's also very sweet but I am making this to compete with store-bought chocolate milk, so my plan is to use a little less next time, and the next and the next until I'm down to 1 tbsp of maple syrup.</div>
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Now you may be wondering, does it taste like coconut? Heck yeah, it tastes like coconut! It's delicious. And it's good for you! Yes, coconut is high in fat but it's a heart healthy fat and you need those. I'm no nutritionist but here's what I found in my research:</div>
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<li><i><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; line-height: 21px;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Dark chocolate may reduce your risk of cardiovascular disease</span></span></i></li>
<li><i><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; line-height: 21px;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Cocoa powder has even more of the substances responsible for chocolate’s health benefits</span></span></i></li>
<li><i><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; line-height: 21px;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> Unsweetened cocoa has the advantage of being low in calories*</span></span></i></li>
<li><i><span style="background-color: white; color: #373737; line-height: 26px;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The medium-chain fatty acids in coconut milk may aid weight loss and improve heart health</span></span></i></li>
<li><i><span style="background-color: white; color: #373737; line-height: 26px;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Coconut milk contains lauric acid, antimicrobial lipids and capric acid, which have antibacterial, antifungal and antiviral properties</span></span></i></li>
<li><i><span style="background-color: white; color: #373737; line-height: 26px;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Coconut milk is highly nutritious when ingested</span></span></i></li>
<li><i><span style="background-color: white; color: #373737; line-height: 26px;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The fatty acids in coconut milk are a natural antiseptic and may help treat dandruff, skin infections, wounds and dry, itchy skin.**</span></span></i></li>
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Blend on a low speed for about 30 seconds. If your mixture gets very foamy, turn the speed to level 4 or until the vortex in the middle just starts to form. It's like a tunnel straight up and down in the center of the liquid. Blend until all the bubbles pop, maybe 30 seconds. I like a little foam so I didn't bother, as you can see in my photo. And it was warm from using hot water so it almost was like a mocha coconut cappuccino. Oh, hello!!! Move over, Starbucks. No, seriously. Those are over 400 calories.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_J6yyWq-gV-7TNt4CRmxhUV6h0-xpwPiaaXRIBDFzFObHReq41iVT-pT5TJtU050VcsTLoFUduNDLI1EshCK9UHq0lPPDmbXulbhkxtLbOsTD3n_LG9-yhGrQ9Qnf1RUKxPq3ZSXZJf04/s1600/IMG_0945.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_J6yyWq-gV-7TNt4CRmxhUV6h0-xpwPiaaXRIBDFzFObHReq41iVT-pT5TJtU050VcsTLoFUduNDLI1EshCK9UHq0lPPDmbXulbhkxtLbOsTD3n_LG9-yhGrQ9Qnf1RUKxPq3ZSXZJf04/s1600/IMG_0945.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
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This should last about 4-6 days in the fridge. This recipe yielded about 4 cups of chocolate milk. I estimate it cost $1.50 to make. My coconut was $1.25 for the bag, and the other ingredients cost pennies so maybe $1.50 for the batch. </div>
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I typed in the recipe at http://www.caloriecount.com/cc/recipe_analysis.php and here's what it told me for a one cup serving. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIFREGCyza3V4RzBO2DVwDsNe284D_N0NYFdeTZlzTT4OfpEzEbDwgauZJGxUbRbxQeqNKdco7lH5QbnzYklUqx4lIEb4VXPcXoJOG5m4BXDrubHvkje23FGiVtcjzjfiYjeFQnqpFBsb9/s1600/Screen+Shot+2015-04-26+at+1.58.50+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIFREGCyza3V4RzBO2DVwDsNe284D_N0NYFdeTZlzTT4OfpEzEbDwgauZJGxUbRbxQeqNKdco7lH5QbnzYklUqx4lIEb4VXPcXoJOG5m4BXDrubHvkje23FGiVtcjzjfiYjeFQnqpFBsb9/s1600/Screen+Shot+2015-04-26+at+1.58.50+PM.png" height="320" width="267" /></a></div>
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BUT WAIT, THERE'S MORE! Pour that coconut pulp onto a cookie sheet and dehydrate it, then grind it up in the blender to make coconut flour. When I buy coconut flour it's always off white/yellow. But it's snowy white when I make it at home. Freaks me out a little, you know? I mean, what are they adding to the flour to make it change color like that? The preservatives? Yuk. Just dry it, put it in a baggie in the pantry, and add to it every time you make coconut milk. In no time you'll have lots of coconut flour to use for gluten free baking.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3Epe2RuaMP6tiaOIMyVqGk_CLrzzlspF5gpTlc-1EiZnv41gY0I3PAzbdsbqJZYQn-_AbAhVpIzgz0d-oyhSCi9etAjTzVlMNMLNxqa5ssuH9WCKPUB6lfbeK0NEuiXs8K2P4w3twEO0b/s1600/IMG_0947.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3Epe2RuaMP6tiaOIMyVqGk_CLrzzlspF5gpTlc-1EiZnv41gY0I3PAzbdsbqJZYQn-_AbAhVpIzgz0d-oyhSCi9etAjTzVlMNMLNxqa5ssuH9WCKPUB6lfbeK0NEuiXs8K2P4w3twEO0b/s1600/IMG_0947.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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<h4 style="text-align: center;">
Want to know more about my coconut milk shampoo and conditioner recipes? Comment below if you want a post about those too.</h4>
Sources:<br />
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* http://healthyeating.sfgate.com/benefits-unsweetened-cocoa-powder-5662.html<br />
** http://www.livestrong.com/article/409614-the-health-benefits-of-coconut-milk/<br />
<a href="" style="background-color: transparent; background-image: url(data:image/png; border: none; cursor: pointer; display: none; height: 20px; opacity: 0.85; position: absolute; width: 40px; z-index: 8675309;"></a><a href="" style="background-color: transparent; background-image: url(data:image/png; border: none; cursor: pointer; display: none; height: 20px; opacity: 0.85; position: absolute; width: 40px; z-index: 8675309;"></a>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13459304962116432715noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8928550040456961536.post-39512836336233065732014-10-02T17:43:00.005-07:002014-10-02T17:43:56.766-07:00Healthy gummy fruit snacks you can feel good about giving your kids<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #141823; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, lucida grande, tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px;">My 2 year old goes ape$#@! over fruit snacks. I mean, he'd literally eat the entire box of 10 pouches in one sitting if I'd let him. The bad part? They can barely be considered fruit. The box I had in the house made me cringe when I read the ingredients. "High fructose corn syrup, fruit juice from concentrate, dehydrated corn syrup, sugar…" Yes, those are truly the first four ingredients.</span></span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #141823; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #141823; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px;">So I made healthy gummy fruit snacks today on a whim. They turned out great! You'll need:</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #141823; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px;">A high speed blender (or a blender and a saucepan)</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #141823; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px;">1/4 cup lemon juice</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #141823; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px;">1/4 cup lime juice</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #141823; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px;">1 orange</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #141823; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px;">Real maple syrup (or other sweetener of your choice, like honey, agave, or liquid stevia)</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #141823; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px;">spinach</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #141823; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px;">2 cups of strawberries (fresh or frozen, doesn't matter)</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #141823; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px;">1/2 cup of blueberries (same as above)</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #141823; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px;">5 tbsp of powdered unflavored gelatin. </span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #141823; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px;">Put 2 cups of strawberries in your Vitamix. I left the tops on. Throw in one whole peeled orange, the lemon and lime juice, the blueberries, and a handful of spinach. Not too much so that it turns green, unless you don't care about the color. Blend for a while until smooth. Taste it and if it's really tart start adding sweetener until you like how it tastes.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #141823; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #141823; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, lucida grande, tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px;">Now blend it on high for 5 minutes or until steam comes out of your Vitamix. Turn the speed down to around 4-5 and add the gelatin. If you don't have a high speed blender, pour it into a saucepan and heat it until it's hot but not boiling. Just enough so that the gelatin will dissolve.</span></span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #141823; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #141823; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px;">Blend until there are no chunks or clumps of gelatin, and then you can either:</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #141823; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #141823; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px;">a) Pour into a large, shallow baking dish. Stick it in the fridge for an hour or two and then slice it up into squares, or even use a mini cookie cutter to cut out shapes. Or...</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #141823; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #141823; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px;">b) Pour into really cute little silicone molds. I have been accumulating them from Amazon for quite a while. They're not very expensive, they don't have to be greased first, and you can use them for making bath bombs, soap, chocolates, other candy, gummy vitamins, ice cubes, you name it.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitB56qAkJ3smj2eYeZ32-0OmU3MYIuygu203UlTm9_zQjKbIbQmwBOpfqYDjLXDCVC-4vO3tH7wrzGlEyJjZN5HJLYG73NZ4XDqnWVebU-B5nDrzd7bdxN7hAClQN2pwb1CYQjwMRNISMS/s1600/IMG_6987.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitB56qAkJ3smj2eYeZ32-0OmU3MYIuygu203UlTm9_zQjKbIbQmwBOpfqYDjLXDCVC-4vO3tH7wrzGlEyJjZN5HJLYG73NZ4XDqnWVebU-B5nDrzd7bdxN7hAClQN2pwb1CYQjwMRNISMS/s1600/IMG_6987.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #141823; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #141823; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, lucida grande, tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px;">I only have two trays of the little hearts, one tray of medium sized random shapes, and a couple large muffin sized pans. So I had to use them all to use up all my "batter." This made somewhere around 35-40 oz of batter.</span></span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #141823; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, lucida grande, tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px;"><br /></span></span></span>
<span style="color: #141823; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, lucida grande, tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px;">Put the trays into the fridge and let it set up for an hour or two. Then pop out of the molds (or slice up your pan, and/or use the mini cookie cutters) and transfer to a resealable plastic bag.</span></span><br />
<span style="color: #141823; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, lucida grande, tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="color: #141823; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, lucida grande, tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px;">What's the shelf life? I have no idea. I'd think a week or so in the fridge since it has no preservatives but I doubt it will last that long in my house! </span></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #141823; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px;">Next time I'll try it with some flu and cold busting ingredients to help the kids stay well this winter.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #141823; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, lucida grande, tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px;"><br /></span></span></span>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #141823; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px;">The way my toddler goes through fruit snacks I'll feel much better giving him these. He happily ate two of the huge, muffin sized ones at lunch today and was begging for more!</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #141823; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px;"><br /></span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13459304962116432715noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8928550040456961536.post-63545913030004358722014-09-20T09:46:00.002-07:002014-09-21T17:19:00.239-07:00DIY bathtub fizzies for kids<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJC-EXv5ey1yP2km9wyZiVwB3bRjdRnzNcSKG50GeBeaLOzX5kVWmi4wi4LFr26GuZw-063DFZ7KLVvZc1DQyl7PFB1aBq76IblrURKoJyurBEpdgHOC8GOS-W40rSMTbmyzU2jQeOCBpm/s1600/IMG_6581.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJC-EXv5ey1yP2km9wyZiVwB3bRjdRnzNcSKG50GeBeaLOzX5kVWmi4wi4LFr26GuZw-063DFZ7KLVvZc1DQyl7PFB1aBq76IblrURKoJyurBEpdgHOC8GOS-W40rSMTbmyzU2jQeOCBpm/s1600/IMG_6581.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px; orphans: 2; text-align: -webkit-auto; widows: 2;"><br /></span>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px; orphans: 2; text-align: -webkit-auto; widows: 2;">I keep making bath bombs for myself and my kids keep stealing them. I had bought some little tablets that color the water for my toddler, but then I looked at the ingredients. Ew! Seriously? This stuff is safe for two year olds? </span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px; orphans: 2; text-align: -webkit-auto; widows: 2;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px; orphans: 2; text-align: -webkit-auto; widows: 2;">So I decided to make some especially for the little ones. It's really easy and requires only one ingredient that's out of the ordinary (at least in my household.) </span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px; orphans: 2; text-align: -webkit-auto; widows: 2;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px; orphans: 2; text-align: -webkit-auto; widows: 2;">Ingredients</span><br />
<br style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px; orphans: 2; text-align: -webkit-auto; widows: 2;" />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px; orphans: 2; text-align: -webkit-auto; widows: 2;">1 Cup citric acid (I buy it in the bulk food section at Whole Foods or on Amazon)</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px; orphans: 2; text-align: -webkit-auto; widows: 2;">2 Cups baking soda (I buy it in bulk at Sam's Club or Costco and it's a huge bag for $6 or so)</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px; orphans: 2; text-align: -webkit-auto; widows: 2;">4 Tbsp epsom salts (bought at the dollar store)</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px; orphans: 2; text-align: -webkit-auto; widows: 2;">1 ounce coconut oil or other light body oil like sweet almond or apricot</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px; orphans: 2; text-align: -webkit-auto; widows: 2;">Essential oil for fragrance - go easy since this is for kids</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px; orphans: 2; text-align: -webkit-auto; widows: 2;">Food coloring - I found some that were neon bright colors. You could also use soap coloring drops that you can find at craft stores. I've used them before but they don't seem to color the bath water, just the bath bombs themselves.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px; orphans: 2; text-align: -webkit-auto; widows: 2;">Spray bottle of witch hazel (another Dollar Store find)</span><br />
<br style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px; orphans: 2; text-align: -webkit-auto; widows: 2;" />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px; orphans: 2; text-align: -webkit-auto; widows: 2;">Mix the baking soda and epsom salts in a bowl with a whisk. Get it all really well incorporated and break up all the clumps. Note: A lot of recipes use cornstarch. I find it good for one reason only - it makes your batch of bath bombs go farther. Instead of making 12 it might make 16, for example. But it gets everywhere, there's dust in the air that you're breathing in, and I feel like I need to wear a gas mask while I'm making these. So I don't add cornstarch. Problem solved.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQo2CGRXO6bjQPJZ_mhZY3mRm5Rug90L6ccaqBtRcWEDZxB3bvF9Y7Kiz144tM4Yeu2j2wcqGvloLocoo6k9-XBEfFy4Kk_8lwXCjU0xfEYped-Zt0VsFQlqZ1kgeNIqymTz5L5YmIPsO6/s1600/IMG_6584.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQo2CGRXO6bjQPJZ_mhZY3mRm5Rug90L6ccaqBtRcWEDZxB3bvF9Y7Kiz144tM4Yeu2j2wcqGvloLocoo6k9-XBEfFy4Kk_8lwXCjU0xfEYped-Zt0VsFQlqZ1kgeNIqymTz5L5YmIPsO6/s1600/IMG_6584.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px;">Next, add the coconut oil (or almond, or apricot, or even plain ol' olive oil) and stir. The small amount of oil makes your skin really soft but it doesn't leave a ton of oil in the bathtub after the bath. I LOVE getting my toddler out of the tub after a bath. He's so smooth and soft and he smells so yummy! </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px;">Then add the food coloring (I used about 15 drops of the neon blue) and your fragrance oils (I used a few drops of Warm Vanilla and a few drops of Lemon - it smells like cookies! You can omit the fragrance altogether, of course, or you can do eucalyptus and rosemary to clear sinuses, lavender to help them calm down before bed, etc. I'm no expert on aromatherapy. I just use what smells good.) Stir well. I mean, REALLY well. The food coloring seems to clump up into the coconut oil so it takes quite a bit of stirring to make it evenly distributed and not mostly blue with big blue clumps here and there.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px;">NOW we add the citric acid. Every other recipe I've ever read says to add it to the baking soda in step one, but then when you add your liquids it starts to fizz. So on a whim I didn't add it till the end. NO FIZZING AT ALL. I must say, I'm a genius sometimes.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px;">Now we grab the witch hazel. It works much better than water for helping the mixture bind together, and it softens your skin too. Spritz the mix 3-4 times and stir. Grab a handful and make a snowball. If it sticks together you're done. If it's too dry and crumbly spray a few more times and try again. Don't overdo it or your citric acid will start fizzing and then your bath bomb won't fizz much later. You'll probably need about 8-12 squirts of witch hazel.</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px;">When it's done you're ready to fill your molds. I have these cute silicone molds I bought on Amazon. </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px;">They're really just muffin pans with fancy shapes and they come in different sizes. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgv4Ftni6pU9lpsE1VwWiwdJWhGirr-lkxPu-1HfhX41pKkD2jDqBMuelJfc6aaHdnAconnfrcZEAiJbIzsB1ltaQMeOpAGhU2UgFYW2dEahsG2U_6nw1YU1F_IH6iYE2yKVnrsVkDd0gfo/s1600/IMG_6582.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgv4Ftni6pU9lpsE1VwWiwdJWhGirr-lkxPu-1HfhX41pKkD2jDqBMuelJfc6aaHdnAconnfrcZEAiJbIzsB1ltaQMeOpAGhU2UgFYW2dEahsG2U_6nw1YU1F_IH6iYE2yKVnrsVkDd0gfo/s1600/IMG_6582.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px;">I use them for everything - baking, homemade fruit snacks, homemade chocolate, and bath bombs. You can also use plain muffin tins. They're plain but they work fine. So grab your muffin pan, put some of the mixture in and pack it down like brown sugar. Then fill it the rest of the way and pack it down again. Try to make it flat across the surface. Fill as many molds as you have mixture. For me this makes 6 large bath bombs and 30 of the little hearts.</span></div>
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<b style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px;">Here's my favorite trick: preheat the oven to 200 degrees. </b><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px;">When it comes to temperature, turn it off. Put the silicone molds on a cookie sheet for stability and stick them in the oven. Leave them in the warm oven that is TURNED OFF for several hours. This really helps them dry out faster, especially if you live in the hot and humid south like I do.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6wXmiloxo4P3usUOJunnYPZHFyk7k78Z9KRdbQwQSbDFR-eOqT5w6vJjRB9myHMYGZ27w03NvHolNk8qpxFVQE5JiMmTytwhA1_50wQfu2NyOLsJ3WYcTPVVCfYziJMvZgcmjNT3wPdum/s1600/IMG_6905.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6wXmiloxo4P3usUOJunnYPZHFyk7k78Z9KRdbQwQSbDFR-eOqT5w6vJjRB9myHMYGZ27w03NvHolNk8qpxFVQE5JiMmTytwhA1_50wQfu2NyOLsJ3WYcTPVVCfYziJMvZgcmjNT3wPdum/s1600/IMG_6905.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px;">After several hours take them out of the oven and turn them upside down onto the cookie sheet. Leave them there to dry overnight on the counter if possible. You might even be able to use one that evening if you let them sit in the oven for at least 4 hours.</span><br />
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<span style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px;">I usually drop two little ones or one full sized bomb into the bathwater when I go easy on the food coloring. This turned out pretty bright blue so we'll see what it does to the water tonight at bath time. They fizz like crazy but they have never turned the water blue before so here's hoping I'll get lucky this time!</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px;">The hardest part is keeping him from trying to eat them as they're fizzing in the water. But as far as I have learned, none of the ingredients are toxic (just taste really nasty!) in small doses.</span></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1ngoVMRhsgs-9JNyzMzAo_p9yPHarFAzjrIO7-0gKqaynHr96acjYdYltJoAKVLLafnRZEBu0CbnbX9LM-4_Qi3xkqRhjUwCYivLTuXLn1OsfCLRLNgGcDQYo4b719nahLlcASFIN-gjS/s1600/IMG_6919.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1ngoVMRhsgs-9JNyzMzAo_p9yPHarFAzjrIO7-0gKqaynHr96acjYdYltJoAKVLLafnRZEBu0CbnbX9LM-4_Qi3xkqRhjUwCYivLTuXLn1OsfCLRLNgGcDQYo4b719nahLlcASFIN-gjS/s1600/IMG_6919.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px; text-align: start;">Here we are, fizzing away. I dropped two of the small hearts in.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYVkVnCKaVRcQr3QLWuKos1w6lWLCkMWE0YJNF9_kS1w64w9OnA85YBem_FZ7D2efO0-Z2UmgObpwiKt99_k9BwMn22j3k6DkD_m3-thGdABn-ycqw3h5roOxT-igLMZF8I5lRIkEmZr0g/s1600/IMG_6921.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYVkVnCKaVRcQr3QLWuKos1w6lWLCkMWE0YJNF9_kS1w64w9OnA85YBem_FZ7D2efO0-Z2UmgObpwiKt99_k9BwMn22j3k6DkD_m3-thGdABn-ycqw3h5roOxT-igLMZF8I5lRIkEmZr0g/s1600/IMG_6921.jpg" height="320" width="269" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px; text-align: start;">If this kid would ever talk he'd be saying, "Look, mama, it's blue!!!"</span></div>
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<span style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px; text-align: start;">I threw one more in for good measure and voila, that's some blue water! Didn't stain the tub or towels either. Happy baby, happy mom.</span></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13459304962116432715noreply@blogger.com24tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8928550040456961536.post-73010521616889522992014-08-01T05:37:00.001-07:002015-07-29T15:16:41.460-07:00DIY Lush Bath Bombs - Lust Fragrance Hack<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Ok, anyone who's ever been in a Lush store knows the distinctive fragrance. I can walk into a mall and immediately tell if there's a Lush store in there somewhere. I love the smells! But I hate the $6 per bath bomb price tag. I don't think my husband and I have ever gotten out of there for less than $50, and that was a cheap trip. Sigh...<br />
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So let's do it ourselves! I've made several batches of bath bombs lately and they're so easy! And fun too. It's like making cupcakes and sand castles rolled into one. My 9 year old daughter helped me yesterday and we had a ball.<br />
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There are a hundred recipes floating around on Pinterest but here's the one I like best so far. I've tried with and without arrowroot powder (which I used as a substitute for cornstarch because I had it on hand and didn't have cornstarch) and it works just fine without it. Since it seems unnecessary I just leave it out now.<br />
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Ingredients<br />
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1 Cup citric acid (I can't find it locally so I buy online - $10 for 2 lbs)<br />
2 Cups baking soda (buy it in bulk at Sam's Club or Costco and it's a huge bag for $6 or so)<br />
4 Tbsp epsom salts (bought at the dollar store)<br />
1 ounce coconut oil or other light body oil like sweet almond or apricot<br />
Essential oil for fragrance<br />
10-30 drops food coloring<br />
Spray bottle of witch hazel (another Dollar Store find)<br />
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Mix the dry ingredients in a bowl with a whisk. Get it all really well incorporated. <br />
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Then add the body oil and stir. The small amount of oil makes your skin really soft but it doesn't leave a ton of oil in the bathtub after the bath. Then add the food coloring (I used about 30 drops of a peach color hoping it would turn more orangey but it never did, so I could have stopped at 10) and your fragrance oils, and stir well. I find that the oil doesn't make the mixture fizz but sometimes the food coloring does, so add it a drop at a time. The more your mixture fizzes now, the LESS it will fizz in the tub later. <b>(The Lush Lust recipe is at the bottom of the page, so keep reading!)</b><br />
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Now we grab the witch hazel. It works much better than water for helping the mixture bind together, trust me. Spritz the mix 3-4 times and stir. Grab a handful and make a snowball. If it sticks together you're done. If it's too dry and crumbly spray a few more times and try again. Don't overdo it or your citric acid will start fizzing and then your bath bomb won't fizz much later. You'll probably need about 8-12 squirts of witch hazel.<br />
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When it's done you're ready to fill your molds. I have these cute silicone molds I bought on Amazon. <br />
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They're really just muffin pans with fancy shapes. I use them for everything - baking, homemade fruit snacks, homemade chocolate, and bath bombs. I also have silicone muffin pan liners and they worked great for this too. They're plain but they work fine. I don't make spheres because you'd need at least a dozen molds since you want to dry the bath bombs in the molds. This keeps them from cracking apart as they dry. If you pack the mold, dump out the bath bomb, and then use the same mold to make the next one the bath bombs don't seem to hold their shape nearly as well while they're drying. So grab your muffin pan, put some of the mixture in and pack it down like brown sugar. Then fill it the rest of the way and pack it down again. Try to make it flat across the surface. Fill as many molds as you have mixture. For me this makes 12 smallish and 6 large bath bombs.<br />
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<b>Here's my favorite trick: preheat the oven to 200 degrees. </b>When it comes to temperature, turn it off. Put the silicone molds on a cookie sheet for stability and stick them in the oven. Leave them in the warm oven that is TURNED OFF for several hours. This really helps them dry out faster, especially if you live in the hot and humid south like I do.<br />
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After several hours take them out of the oven and turn them upside down onto the cookie sheet. Leave them there to dry overnight on the counter if possible. You might even be able to use one that evening if you let them sit in the oven for at least 4 hours.<br />
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Ok, let's talk fragrances. You can do whatever fragrance combination floats your boat, which is the cool part. The first time I made bath bombs I did lemon and tangerine. I used orange food coloring. Just enough to color the bath bombs and slightly tint the water, but not enough to stain your tub. Probably 6-8 drops total. Next I tried spearmint and rosemary with green food coloring, and I used dried rosemary sprigs to make it look cool too. Put the rosemary leaves in the bottom of the mold before you fill it with your mixture. Dried rose petals would also be gorgeous.<br />
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But the holy grail of fragrance for me is Lust at Lush stores. According to their web site, it's made from jasmine, ylang ylang, rose, sandalwood, and vanilla. The jasmine scent is intoxicating. (Don't even get me started on the Godiva solid shampoo bar. It's so fabulous I just want to eat it.) You can buy the perfume from their web site and use that if you like, or just make your own. I found all these oils for less than $16.00 on Bulkapothecary.com by buying the smallest sizes. I threw in two pounds of citric acid for another $10 and my whole order before shipping was just over $25.00. Not bad! I'll get easily over 100 bath bombs out of two pounds of citric acid. ***Updated to add: these are fragrance oils, not pure essential oils. If you buy essential oils the cost will be higher but they will not be artificial. So it's totally your call. These tiny bottles have lasted me forever too.*** <br />
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When trying new fragrances, I mix one drop of each in a bowl and give it a sniff. Make a list of the fragrances on a piece of paper and put one tick mark next to each. Then add more of whichever scent you feel is lacking. Update your paper with tick marks next to the ones you added. (I happen to have a Lust solid fragrance stick in my cupboard to compare it to, so that was very helpful.) When you're happy with the result your paper should have tick marks next to each scent so that you'll know the ratio to use next time.<br />
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Here's what I used and although it's not an exact duplicate, it's pretty darned close!<br />
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<b>Lush Lust Fragrance Hack</b><br />
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30 drops jasmine oil<br />
15 drops ylang ylang<br />
25 drops sandalwood/rose blend<br />
20 vanilla sugar<br />
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I estimate it cost something like $5 to make 18 bath bombs, which makes them 46 cents apiece. The citric acid and essential oils were the biggest chunk, but everything else (like the baking soda and apricot oil) cost very little. Score! Now I just need to find a cute container to store them in. A plastic baggie really doesn't do them justice.<br />
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13459304962116432715noreply@blogger.com138tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8928550040456961536.post-55743462558728215112014-06-27T12:16:00.003-07:002014-07-17T04:28:17.130-07:00Almond joy coconut chocolate almond green smoothie <h2>
Almond joy coconut chocolate almond green smoothie </h2>
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I love green smoothies. Let's face it - that's pretty much the only way I get any fruits and vegetables into my diet these days. I'm not much of a cook so when I cook, you get an entree. Side dishes to go along with it are usually beyond my capabilities unless it's a frozen bag of veggies or a bag of salad.</div>
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However, green smoothies are amazing! It's a fruit smoothie with veggies thrown in, and I promise you will NEVER TASTE THEM if you do it right. If you've never had a green smoothie before, try this and you'll be hooked. </div>
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Best thing about this? Every single ingredient in it is good for you! Yes, even the chocolate. I drink this for breakfast, or have it for dessert when I'm jonesing for chocolate. I even add extra ice and make it into "ice cream" and give it to the kids.</div>
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Ingredients:</div>
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1 1/2 cup almond or coconut milk (or the new one that's a blend of each - my favorite!)</div>
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2-3 cups of kale - this is a superfood and is arguably one of the healthiest leafy greens out there.</div>
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1 1/2 bananas - makes it sweet and creamy </div>
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1 tbsp coconut oil - unbelievably good for you! And tastes great too.</div>
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1 tbsp almond butter - full of heart healthy fat.</div>
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3 tbsp raw unsweetened cacao powder - antioxidants galore.</div>
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2 tbsp unsweetened shredded coconut - yum, more coconut!</div>
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You'll need a high speed blender for this, such as my beloved VitaMix. </div>
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Add the liquid first. I used Silk Almond/Coconut milk blend, which was not unsweetened. I wish it were but it's all I had on hand. It adds just a bit of sweetness so because of that I didn't have to add any other sweetener.</div>
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I freeze all my kale because it goes bad so quickly. If I don't cook it the day I buy it I remove the stalks, rip it into small pieces, and freeze it. I also freeze my bananas once they are good and brown. They're nice and sweet that way. <br />
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So toss in the kale. If this is your first green smoothie just use a handful. You'll see that you can't taste it so next time add more. I can now add three huge handfuls of kale before it gets noticeable (and turns the drink green.)<br />
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Add all the other ingredients. I had homemade almond butter (also from my beloved Vitamix - I cannot rave about this thing enough) but store bought is fine. Just try to get an unsalted version. I used this video to make mine. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wSNdjR-QWRU<br />
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It has one ingredient - raw, unsalted almonds. No oil, no seasonings, just almonds. And it's sooooo good! Here's what mine looked like. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhWpJwo8n-n_duNVHwk587O8J8FgwzDGdq6FO4ZiKIeY9S53uOp2DM_PsqXPfqjK6AvD1niaqV_seYKZkvIky4PZj53G-BBWp3sxemG_uDmGuzAHzaG_tTivvDFnk0hTGk24aIOorPrYA3/s1600/IMG_6180.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhWpJwo8n-n_duNVHwk587O8J8FgwzDGdq6FO4ZiKIeY9S53uOp2DM_PsqXPfqjK6AvD1niaqV_seYKZkvIky4PZj53G-BBWp3sxemG_uDmGuzAHzaG_tTivvDFnk0hTGk24aIOorPrYA3/s1600/IMG_6180.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
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The raw unsweetened cacao is ideal but if you can't find it, unsweetened cocoa powder (like your grandma used for baking when you were a kid) is the next best thing. I buy mine off Amazon because I can't find it locally. This is the one I bought and if I can keep my daughter from making hot cocoa with it, it lasts quite a while:<br />
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<a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00K89SKQO/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=B00K89SKQO&linkCode=as2&tag=chanbedi-20&linkId=4UZOUMSWDIYGBQZ4">100% Natural Raw Cacao Powder From Latin America. Raw, Pure, Non-gmo, Vegan, Gluten-free</a><img alt="" border="0" src="http://ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=chanbedi-20&l=as2&o=1&a=B00K89SKQO" height="1" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" />
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When it comes to coconut oil, try to get unrefined. Refined isn't as good for you and it has no flavor. Unrefined tastes like coconut. Here's my baby licking the spoon after I tossed it into the blender.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiA8Cm-mSTnOY1Tm7KrLr3ko5uBsfje8FcDxIYLKBlNEIq5tvVinuaKhvdI2UdHIDlD_YHfu56Wlb6GwPPVhzrpWX0ji-yVjlwddzWlkSnkop0MrF0YyXbwZmB65q-YrLLgiKi1Jc6VY6r7/s1600/IMG_6183.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiA8Cm-mSTnOY1Tm7KrLr3ko5uBsfje8FcDxIYLKBlNEIq5tvVinuaKhvdI2UdHIDlD_YHfu56Wlb6GwPPVhzrpWX0ji-yVjlwddzWlkSnkop0MrF0YyXbwZmB65q-YrLLgiKi1Jc6VY6r7/s1600/IMG_6183.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
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Now blend it all up. I turn it to high and let it run for about 45 seconds. Enough to make it totally smooth but not too long or it will start to heat up.</div>
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Now taste it. If it's not sweet enough add some dates (with the pits removed please!) Maybe 2 or 3. Raw honey or pure maple syrup would work too but I honestly don't think you need it. If it's not cold enough, add a handful of ice cubes. If it's too thick, add some more liquid or just plain water.</div>
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If you want some chunks in it toss it a bit more shredded coconut and a few raw almonds. Then blend on low for 10 seconds.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTJX0yUYqcIBdl4vxxqgGhuptk5G02EQKHrwuopmWMAoD1_qxRS9t759qY3ZKvJ3UcSVU2zdVdvT4y7nd55aI-StQJtDiJ-IVmuHk3Je_MQZbV8VHxn33yOg1P9WFQ_GG2JxzsLEhTUrhr/s1600/IMG_6185.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTJX0yUYqcIBdl4vxxqgGhuptk5G02EQKHrwuopmWMAoD1_qxRS9t759qY3ZKvJ3UcSVU2zdVdvT4y7nd55aI-StQJtDiJ-IVmuHk3Je_MQZbV8VHxn33yOg1P9WFQ_GG2JxzsLEhTUrhr/s1600/IMG_6185.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
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And that's it! It tastes like an Almond Joy because of the chocolate, coconut, and almonds but it has NO SUGAR and it's great for you! I mean, HELLO! You just had a decadent chocolate milkshake that had three cups of kale in it. Kale’s health benefits are primarily linked to the high concentration and excellent source of antioxidant vitamins A, C, and K. One cup of kale provides more than 100% of your daily requirement of these vitamins. It has cancer-fighting phytonutrients, lowers cholesterol levels, helps reduce the risk of heart disease.</div>
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I often add ice and mix it till it's like ice cream and give it to my daughter for breakfast. She goes to school and tells everyone she had ice cream for breakfast. I'm waiting for her teacher to call me and say, "Do we need to have a little talk about proper nutrition?" I'm kind of looking forward to that call! ;)</div>
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If your kids are resistant to veggies, the following foods can be added to almost any smoothie and you'll never know they're in there:</div>
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raw zucchini or yellow squash</div>
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cabbage</div>
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carrots</div>
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Just add them in small amounts and work up to larger amounts over time. If you're making a berry smoothie and it starts to turn green, just add more berries to keep it purple.</div>
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Do you drink green smoothies? Share your favorite recipes as I'm always looking for new ones!</div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13459304962116432715noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8928550040456961536.post-66434452307216075622014-06-20T08:39:00.004-07:002014-06-27T16:58:25.010-07:00Free Kindle Book This Weekend!<h2>
New Kindle children's book dirt cheap - or even FREE!</h2>
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Ok all, I'm asking you guys a favor. My grandmother wrote a children's book back when my mom was little and tried for years to get it published. For whatever reason she was turned down so she just shelved it.<br />
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Years later after my grandmother had passed away my mom wanted to try to get it published in her honor but I didn't know where to begin and quite honestly, I forgot all about it. <br />
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Suddenly it occurred to me to publish it on Kindle. So I did!<br />
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I have it available for download FOR FREE on Saturday, June 28 2014. Otherwise it's a whopping $2.99.<br />
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I would love it if you would go grab a copy while it's free. I'm not looking to make money here, just want to do this as a surprise for my mom. And then, if you would be so kind, write a quick review. The books on Kindle that have the most reviews seem to appear at the top of the search results so the more reviews I can get, the more people will become aware of it and get it all on their own.<br />
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My parents both turn 70 this year and we're having a joint birthday bash in July. All the kids and grandkids are flying in for this, so what a great surprise it would be to show her that her mother's book has been published after 60 years!!!<br />
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Please, if you think of it, please go get this. If you want to pay for it, awesome! But I'd be every bit as happy if you get it while it's free. Here's the link and THANK YOU in advance for making my grandma's dream a reality. <br />
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http://www.amazon.com/Purple-Rabbit-Rose-H-Howe-ebook/dp/B00L4RP7OC/ref=sr_1_1?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1403263016&sr=1-1&keywords=purple+rabbit<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfBNt_27G51t8Rn3py3X-N9FwvNmE9xe8KvKVgXR4bWgUOxF_FTT4SSlBFEYJp6GSqQ2nNKkARDFTm-PfjN702ixa8hmF91xZZ4zOGAh8rJtMC5TdgJQomFGbYW5b7YLIkxD3H8hCrLk4w/s1600/Purple+Rabbit+3D+cover.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfBNt_27G51t8Rn3py3X-N9FwvNmE9xe8KvKVgXR4bWgUOxF_FTT4SSlBFEYJp6GSqQ2nNKkARDFTm-PfjN702ixa8hmF91xZZ4zOGAh8rJtMC5TdgJQomFGbYW5b7YLIkxD3H8hCrLk4w/s1600/Purple+Rabbit+3D+cover.jpg" height="320" width="263" /></a></div>
<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13459304962116432715noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8928550040456961536.post-67860654506825795912014-06-02T09:33:00.002-07:002014-06-23T17:07:29.848-07:00Say goodbye to satellite or cable TV and save a bundle!<h2>
Say goodbye to satellite or cable TV and save a bundle!</h2>
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I've been a loyal Dish Network customer for years. I love their service and have had almost no problems with it. But one day I looked at my bill and thought, "We're spending over $100 a month to watch TV." And most of the time we don't really even "watch" what's on. I'm on my Kindle, hubby's on his iPad, and the TV is just on in the background. That's more than $1200/year that we're throwing way!</div>
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So I did a ton of research on streaming with a Roku-type device, polled all my Facebook friends, and called my brother. He gave me the 30 Minute Nutshell version of how to get rid of satellite. So I took the plunge.</div>
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It's been trial and error but I think we finally have a winner. Here's what I've learned.</div>
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You need: a modern (or old fashioned) TV antenna, just like the rabbit ears on your grandma's old TV but probably much cooler looking. Mine is a totally flat, flexible square that sticks on your wall or window. If you live more than 30 miles away from the nearest station that's broadcasting a local station like ABC, NBC, CBS, etc. you may need something stronger. I bought this one first and if we didn't live so far away, it would have worked just fine:<br />
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<a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00DIFIO8E/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=B00DIFIO8E&linkCode=as2&tag=chanbedi-20&linkId=3WSW72MHXXQQXALL">AmazonBasics High Performance Ultra Thin Indoor HDTV Antenna -Made in USA</a><img alt="" border="0" src="http://ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=chanbedi-20&l=as2&o=1&a=B00DIFIO8E" height="1" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" />
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An outdoor antenna or one that goes in your attic might be a better choice for you. But a typical antenna will set you back somewhere between $25-100. After I returned the first one I exchanged it for this one instead. It's about $57.00.</div>
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<a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00DIFIP06/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=B00DIFIP06&linkCode=as2&tag=chanbedi-20&linkId=4T3LATSRPITVLSOQ">AmazonBasics Extreme Performance Ultra Thin Amplified Indoor HDTV Antenna - Designed and Assembled in USA</a><img alt="" border="0" src="http://ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=chanbedi-20&l=as2&o=1&a=B00DIFIP06" height="1" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" />
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You also need a way for your TV to access the internet (more on this later.)</div>
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Last, you'll probably want a few subscription-based channels like HuluPlus and Netflix. Each is approximately $8/month. I find that Netflix has more movies and kids shows and Hulu has more TV shows. We subscribe to both.</div>
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So we were ready to begin! Luckily we have an internet enabled TV in our family room. Meaning it already can access Netflix and some other sites on its own without needing a media streaming device of some sort. </div>
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The pros: It's free.</div>
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The cons: There are only a few stations to choose from, like Netflix, Hulu, and Youtube, plus a few others I've never heard of before. The interface is terrible too. Trying to find a show to watch takes 10 minutes using their search feature. Trying to type a movie or TV show title on my TV remote takes forever.</div>
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But then again, it's free! So we did not buy a streaming device, such as Apple TV or Roku. Why bother, right?</div>
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Here's what the interface looks like. Not much to choose from. (I am absolutely, hands down, the world's WORST cell phone photographer. Sorry!)<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEin5Gh2GJNyWZyz-ZpdoTO4TYUSnlClm4gqTZ4ERUduXBMwnRmflT6EvBQoaaoRfdgh8u4QEKFsNLG0MlpgZH5aRlrBnBDoVQY5H59onQrDLi6NoHpLnoNxkEga1x8b5jHyLt9QNrCrMRs7/s1600/IMG_5698.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEin5Gh2GJNyWZyz-ZpdoTO4TYUSnlClm4gqTZ4ERUduXBMwnRmflT6EvBQoaaoRfdgh8u4QEKFsNLG0MlpgZH5aRlrBnBDoVQY5H59onQrDLi6NoHpLnoNxkEga1x8b5jHyLt9QNrCrMRs7/s1600/IMG_5698.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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If you want to watch Scandal from last night's episode, you have to find it first. You go search on Netflix, can't find it. Then you search on Hulu. Not there either. Ok, how about if we go to www.Abc.com and click on "Full Episodes". Yes, that worked. That took about 10 minutes. Hmm, kind of a pain.</div>
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We used this method for about a week but hubby was not happy that he couldn't find any of his favorite outdoor shows to watch (hunting and fishing), car shows like Chasing Classic Cars, or live sporting events. So then we bought an Apple TV.</div>
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Since we are an Apple household with two Macbook Pros, two iPads, and two iPhones, we thought this would be great. And the ability for the mobile devices to sync with the TV is pretty awesome. If I were watching a movie on my iPad I could just display it on the TV screen instead. Which is very cool!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMGZtccGZnErdd3Sd58MdnlyAo04P0eKEUntdZTWPOkhWhZ2weE7AEj97p9yKdJo63bdv5pCh-0BLhAVYgI3s9ZTsIT5899im2i9qi0LgY5DMCtRfTEtyqzWWhkC1vJeh7ysRpzImRPD2Y/s1600/IMG_5702.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMGZtccGZnErdd3Sd58MdnlyAo04P0eKEUntdZTWPOkhWhZ2weE7AEj97p9yKdJo63bdv5pCh-0BLhAVYgI3s9ZTsIT5899im2i9qi0LgY5DMCtRfTEtyqzWWhkC1vJeh7ysRpzImRPD2Y/s1600/IMG_5702.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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Unfortunately they still don't have that many channels to watch and the search capability still sucks. And the remote is the size of a big, pink pencil eraser that my 9 year old uses in school. I mean seriously, what full grown adult could possibly press those tiny little buttons? It's ridiculous. I get the whole minimalist concept but come on! The picture below is of the regular TV remote and the Apple TV remote. It's truly about 5" long.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3VBQZ2VmaKRuHwG0XqhkG_LJuZ3wt7pCF8zc0EJULy91sPf95zK88ICuuWpPAT8he80xal9hzM7NMAAF-pO1OXruEiBC15QFDzOvLs48kwqPl2m17RlO7wn2MStcffRN2M4nroj9kJKA0/s1600/IMG_5707.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3VBQZ2VmaKRuHwG0XqhkG_LJuZ3wt7pCF8zc0EJULy91sPf95zK88ICuuWpPAT8he80xal9hzM7NMAAF-pO1OXruEiBC15QFDzOvLs48kwqPl2m17RlO7wn2MStcffRN2M4nroj9kJKA0/s1600/IMG_5707.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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So after a week of this and still no outdoor channel type programs, I hit the internet to do some research on which unit is the best for streaming. And the one that kept showing up over and over again? The Roku 3.<br />
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<a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00BGGDVOO/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=B00BGGDVOO&linkCode=as2&tag=chanbedi-20&linkId=AEQY575FT2Q4CPD6">Roku 3 Streaming Media Player</a><img alt="" border="0" src="http://ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=chanbedi-20&l=as2&o=1&a=B00BGGDVOO" height="1" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" /></div>
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The Roku 3 was by far my favorite! More channels to choose from but you can search by title and it will look through ALL their channels for that show/movie. This is so much easier!</div>
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In review, here's the cost for our setup:</div>
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$59.99 for the antenna </div>
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$89 for the Roku 3 (It seems like the price has gone up a bit since I bought it a few weeks ago.) </div>
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**These are both one time costs.**</div>
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$7.99/month - HuluPlus</div>
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$7.99/month - Netflix</div>
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**These are our only monthly costs.**</div>
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Former DishNetwork monthly cost - $112.00</div>
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<b>Total savings the first year alone - $993.00</b></div>
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<b>Total savings the second year - $1153.00</b></div>
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So seeing those numbers on paper, is it worth giving up cable or sat TV? <br />
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Sadly, to my husband, the answer is no. I was totally willing to go this route but he couldn't watch his favorite shows on Velocity or a few of the other "guy" shows he likes - car shows, gun shows, shows where the build something and then take it out and blow it up. So he insisted that we continue to pay for cable.<br />
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I'm bummed but after listening to him bitch and moan about it for a week I gave up trying to convince him. I wish you all much more luck than I had, my friends!</div>
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Comment below and let me know if you have tried this and whether you think it's doable. I'm hoping I can wear hubby down after another year or two of getting that stupid Dish bill each month.</div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13459304962116432715noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8928550040456961536.post-65086485639499391132014-05-05T08:00:00.001-07:002014-06-23T17:16:33.838-07:00DIY deodorant<br />
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DIY deodorant</h2>
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Another one of my "I didn't invent this idea but it's so awesome I have to share it!" posts. I am not sure whether aluminum in antiperspirant is cancer causing or gives you Alzheimers, but why take the chance? Besides, at the end of the day my armpits would be a bit smelly, no matter what brand I used, so clearly it wasn't working all that well for me. Why not try to make my own?</div>
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As I've mentioned in my No Poo post, baking soda is incredibly drying to me. And I've read many a reader review who said that the DIY deodorant made their armpits sting and itch, so I cut way back on the baking soda and increased the arrowroot powder instead. I've had little red bumps in my left underarm for 30 years. I thought they were ingrown hairs but when I'd attempt to extract them nothing came out. So if my skin is that sensitive even to store bought stuff, I wasn't going to go nuts with the baking soda.</div>
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I used:</div>
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3 tbsp coconut oil</div>
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3 tsp baking soda (that's teaspoons, not tablespoons)</div>
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2 tbsp shea butter</div>
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3 tbsp arrowroot powder</div>
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Optional - essential oils and/or vanilla</div>
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I put a saucepan with an inch or so of water on the stove to boil. I put a Pyrex measuring cup in the pan so that the water was surrounding it. You can also use a mason jar or a double boiler. I like the Pyrex cup because you're not supposed to rinse melted coconut oil down your drain for fear that it will solidify in your pipes. I just wipe it out with a paper towel until it's as clean as I can get it and then stick it in the dishwasher.</div>
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Ok, back the the instructions. I put the coconut oil and shea butter in the measuring cup and stirred frequently till it was all melted. Then take it off the heat and add the baking soda, arrowroot, and I used about a teaspoon of vanilla. Stir really well till all the powder has mixed in. It stays a little grainy if you don't mix well enough. Still works, just feels gritty.</div>
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I bought some deodorant containers from Amazon and poured the mixture into them, thinking I'd make stick deodorant. I got these:<br />
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But honestly? The formula is just not solid enough to work. As soon as the mixture touches your underarm it starts to melt and run down the side of the container. Next time I'll just put it in a small glass screw top container. In fact, I'm going to go buy a 12-pack of mason jars in the smallest size just for beauty concoctions like this! To truly work in stick form I think you'd need to use beeswax or a LOT more arrowroot.</div>
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So to use, I just scoop out a pea sized amount and rub it in on each side. It has very little scent (almost none) since I didn't use any essential oils. You can use whatever fragrance you want, of course. But the best part? At the end of the day there is still no body odor! None! This kind of boggles my mind. I figured this recipe would work ok, but probably not as well as store bought deodorant. Wrong! It's 10 times better. Unless I go to the pool and forget to reapply when I come home and change clothes. I've done this a few times and noticed I was a bit aromatic by bedtime. But that's because it had pretty much washed off in the pool!</div>
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<div>
I've heard that over time it also helps you sweat less. I've only been using it a few weeks so I can't comment on that yet, plus it's been 90 degrees and 80%+ humidity so I'm sweating a ton anyway, but so far, I'm hooked. And this probably cost me all of $1 at most in ingredients. </div>
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<br /></div>
<div>
Cheaper and better, I tell ya!<br />
<br />
***UPDATE 6/21/14 ***<br />
<br />
I tried another, easier variation using only room temperature coconut oil, baking soda, and lavender essential oil. You just mash it all together in a bowl with a fork and then smush it into the clean deodorant container. Here are my thoughts:<br />
<br />
A) It was certainly easier than using a double boiler. And it almost works just like regular store bought deodorant because it's solid enough to rub on using the applicator. It does start to melt down the side from your body heat so I just wipe it off and then rub it into my skin. But…<br />
<br />
B) It's really gritty because the baking soda didn't dissolve into the hot liquid. Since I used solid coconut oil it doesn't dissolve at all. I used more baking soda than in my previous recipe and after using it a few times I have a horrible red rash under my arms. <br />
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<div>
So I'm back to my original recipe using shea butter. I like the texture and consistency MUCH better. The shea butter makes it more like a really thick body lotion instead of a gritty paste.<br />
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13459304962116432715noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8928550040456961536.post-85300920637134537772014-04-26T16:22:00.001-07:002014-06-23T17:07:42.344-07:00DIY Whitening Toothpaste Recipe<h2>
DIY Whitening Toothpaste Recipe</h2>
<br />
I have been on such a DIY kick lately when it comes to health and beauty products, my husband thinks I'm losing it. But everything seems to work better, it's much cheaper, it's all natural so I know exactly what's in it and most of the time I could even eat all the ingredients if I wanted to, and I can use it on my kids too.<br />
<br />
My latest adventure is toothpaste. I've been brushing with plain baking soda and water for a few months. After a week my mother said, "Your teeth look really white. What have you been doing?" Honestly, I'm not making it up! This from a woman who points out how much gray is in my hair whenever my roots have grown out more than half an inch.<br />
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Let me start by saying that I took a ton of antibiotics as a kid for strep throat. Apparently I was sick all the time and unfortunately they later found out that a side effect of this particular medication was that it permanently stains your teeth. I've had several whitening sessions at the dentist (can you say torture?) and I used to use Colgate Optic White every day. They were never white, just slightly less yellow. Coffee and red wine certainly didn't help either but I wasn't about to give those up. So I just tried to smile with my lips closed.<br />
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Then I remembered that I had a bag of activated charcoal under my sink that I had gotten months ago to make a whitening treatment. The charcoal binds to substances on the teeth and pulls them out, according to what I've read. This is why they often have kids swallow activated charcoal when they accidentally ingest poison - the charcoal binds to the poison and somehow keeps your body from absorbing it. Or something along those lines. Anyway, back to the whitening treatment. You just brush your teeth with straight charcoal and water and try to leave it in your mouth for a few minutes. You're supposed to do it a couple times a week but it was so messy I stopped using it. Imagine baby powder - except it's jet black. You know how when you put the baby powder bottle down on the counter, dust floats out all over the place? Yeah, not so great. Even worse when it's black. It would get all over the sink, faucet, and counter every time I used it. It cleans up easily and doesn't stain, but it's a PITA. So I forgot about it.<br />
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But then I read a recipe for making more of a liquid toothpaste rather than powder and I figured, why not? But how could I make it more of a whitening toothpaste? How about adding the charcoal? And voila, this recipe was born!<br />
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You need:<br />
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1/3 C baking soda<br />
1/2 tsp sea salt<br />
Spearmint or peppermint essential oil<br />
Boiled and somewhat cooled water<br />
1 tsp Activated charcoal<br />
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Mix the baking soda and sea salt together. Stir in the charcoal. Black dust will float around all over - don't worry too much. It cleans up with just a rag and water, but don't use your good white towels or anything. Now add enough boiled and slightly cooled water to make a paste. Add a smidge at a time until you're happy with the consistency. Now add several drops of mint essential oil. I'd say I used about 10 but it's totally personal preference. <br />
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That's it! Store it in an airtight container with a lid, preferably glass but mine is plastic because it was exactly the right size. Just wet your toothbrush, dunk it in the paste, and brush as you usually would. It looks horrible! <br />
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Your lips turn black and it drips out into the sink as a black, goopy mess. But it rinses right off, I promise. Unless you have an unsealed marble sink or something crazy like that. If your sink and counter are at all unsealed this is probably not a good recipe for you! Rinse well afterwards. Your toothbrush will look nasty so do what I do - hide it under the sink with your black toothpaste so hubby doesn't make fun of you. ;)<br />
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Considering that my teeth are a little off white naturally from all the antibiotics, this is pretty freakin' white for me. I've been using it about two weeks now. Imagine how white yours will be if you don't have this issue!<br />
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13459304962116432715noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8928550040456961536.post-67110422460147365952014-04-06T07:58:00.000-07:002014-06-23T17:08:56.873-07:00How I went no poo!Ok, that sounds pretty awful. Let me rephrase. It means No Shampoo. This is not something new. I didn't invent the idea, and I take no credit for it. But it works for me so I had to share it.<br />
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I moved from a low humidity area in October 2013 to a high humidity area (Northern CA to South Carolina.) In CA I used to straighten my wavy hair all the time. But when I got here I quickly realized there was not much point in doing that. I'd waste a lot of time in the mornings only to have it frizz right up when the humidity got high.</div>
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I'd also been using all natural shampoos and conditioners from Trader Joes for years. But alas, no TJ here in my area. So when I ran out I went to Publix and bought the crappy drugstore brand and within a week my hair felt awful. Then I remembered the whole No Poo thing I'd read about years before on Naturallycurly.com. So I decided to give it a try again.</div>
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Here's a great description of the idea, why it works, and how to troubleshoot issues: http://coderedhat.com/no-poo-method/</div>
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I'll just give you my personal experience too. My scalp doesn't get oily until at least 3-4 days after using traditional shampoo. So I can have good looking second day hair, brush it really well at night before bed (when I've straightened it) and again in the morning and it's still fine on day 3. Day 4 usually requires a ponytail. My scalp is drier than the desert though and gets itchy as hell. I have battled this for 25 years. No matter what dry scalp/moisturizing/dandruff/eczema shampoo I tried, nothing worked. My hair gets dry too. So when I first started I was washing with baking soda. Didn't work for me. My hands would be ridiculously dry for days after washing my hair with BS (baking soda) so if it does that to my hands, what's it doing to my scalp? The itch was gone though. GONE completely in the first two weeks. So I think BS works better for people with an oilier scalp.</div>
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<br /></div>
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So now I wash my hair every 3-4 days with either 1/4 C of aloe vera and 2 tbsp of honey, or a mixture of coconut milk and aloe vera from this recipe: http://almostexactlyblog.wordpress.com/2013/06/07/ph-balanced-no-poo-shampoo/ Then once every two weeks or so my scalp starts to feel itchy, like it needs a good scrubbing, so I use a baking soda paste. But that's it, only once every two weeks. And the healthier my scalp gets the longer I'll go between washes. </div>
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I love that these things are all natural and totally free of chemicals, and pretty cheap as well. My scalp is clean, doesn't smell weird, and much much healthier. I have a LOT less frizz too. When I was using traditional shampoo and conditioner I would let my hair air dry and then use a flat iron or my InStyler. I would never consider leaving the house without smoothing it down. It looked too awful to show in public. Now it looks a ton smoother. I still wouldn't love to go out without using the InStyler but I wouldn't feel like a frizz ball if I had to. But I've also realized the futility of straightening wavy hair in humid climates so I see a lot less of that in my future anyway.</div>
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<br /></div>
<div>
Now for the conditioner part: You mix a cup of water with a tablespoon of apple cider vinegar (ACV) in a spray bottle and keep it in the shower. After you wash your hair with your chosen method, spray the length of your hair with the GODAWFUL SMELLING ACV mixture. Let's not beat around the bush and downplay this part, ok? It stinks to high heaven. Makes me gag half the time. And if you need more conditioning you use a higher ratio of ACV to water. Leave it on a minute or two, then rinse.</div>
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<br /></div>
<div>
Now the good news is that once you get out of the shower the smell dissipates by at least 75%. Once your hair is dry it's gone altogether. But you'll get whiffs of it while you're drying your hair. Not as bad but it's still there. It's nasty, sorry.</div>
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<div>
This works really well for most people but I could NOT get a comb through my hair either in the shower while the ACV was in it, or after I got out. It felt horribly tangled and icky to the touch. I hung in there for about two months of this hoping it would get better but it never did. So I finally bailed and bought an all natural conditioner, this one. https://www.sheamoisture.com/Coconut-Hibiscus-Curl-Shine-Conditioner_p_214.html </div>
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The first day that I used it I almost wept with joy at the feeling of the conditioner squishing through my fingers. I could comb my hair for the first time without yanking it out at the roots! So I guess I'm now considered Low Poo instead of No Poo. And I'm ok with that.</div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13459304962116432715noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8928550040456961536.post-19218674877567316342014-03-31T19:03:00.001-07:002014-06-27T17:28:33.851-07:00DIY Infinity, aka convertible, aka multi wrap dress<h2>
Fast, easy, and inexpensive convertible dress</h2>
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I was fooling around online one evening and I don't remember how I stumbled across these dresses, but they're just so cool! They are dresses that allow you to wear them a million different ways. I'm a babywearer and I have used woven wraps for well over a year now so maybe that's why it appealed to me so much. Or perhaps it's the fact that it is just a giant circle with a hole cut out for the waist and two crazy long straps attached. Plus a waistband to keep it from falling down. That's it. If you buy the right fabric you don't even have to hem it because it won't unravel. A cool dress I can make in three hours that looks fabulous? Right up my alley!<br />
<br />
The only down side with the ones I saw online, whether ready made or DIY, was that it's pretty bare. I have a small bust so I never show cleavage. I mean, I have cleavage, it's just 6" wide. And side boob? Uh uh, ain't gonna happen. I'm a 40-something mom who's breastfed kids, after all. So I was concerned that if it was too revealing I'd never wear it. In the photo below, the straps just barely covered my chest and honestly, while this would be great for dinner out with hubby on date night, I wouldn't wear it with clients even if it were 100 degrees out.<br />
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<br />
Enter this tutorial:<br />
<br />
http://seecatecreate.com/the-infinity-wrap-dress-this-will-blow-your-mind/<br />
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She made a detachable tube top to wear under it. I tried it with my first attempt, the purple dress above, and now it was TOO conservative for me. I wanted to find that perfect line between skimpy and frumpy.<br />
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So as I was searching for an alternative I saw this photo on Amazon.<br />
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This was perfect! It's like an empire waist strapless dress with the infinity straps. So I made the waistband from Cate's blog post taller and voila, exactly what I wanted!<br />
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<h3>
Now for the specifics:</h3>
<br />
When I made the purple dress I used polyester/spandex I found at Joann's Fabric for $15/yard (on sale for $10.) I bought 4 yards and had lots left over so I probably could have gotten away with 3 or so. It's stretchy and has a lovely drape and was somewhat thick. You wouldn't necessarily need a bra under it but I use those self adhesive bras that hook together in the front. They are unbelievably awesome and are right up there with the wheel and sliced bread in my book. In the summer I wear them almost every day.<br />
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For this project I totally lucked out and found a stretch jersey knit for $1.50/yard at Walmart, so I bought 6 yards for $9.00! It's like a t-shirt. Very soft, quite thin but not transparent, and most importantly it doesn't need to be hemmed because it doesn't unravel when you cut it. <br />
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I decided to do a handkerchief hem this time just for kicks. I did a circle skirt with the purple dress and had it hit just below my knees. For me, that was 26" long but I'm 6'1". For the handkerchief hem it's even easier than a circle skirt. Start by folding your fabric in half lengthwise. Match up the selvedges and cut off about 1" where all those little perforations are. Then fold it in half again crosswise (imagine you're making a paper snowflake.) Hold the edge that's folded twice in front of you at waist level.<br />
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Figure out where you want the dress to end and mark it with a pin. Then lay it back down flat and measure what that length was. For me it was 29". Cut straight across WITH A ROTARY CUTTER AND MAT! I can't stress this enough. I made the first dress with scissors and the edges are wonky. The rotary cutter is pure perfection. They're about $15 but you'll thank me later. Use a straight edge like a yardstick and roll your rotary cutter along it to make a nice big square. Again, this will NOT be hemmed so a straight cut is mandatory. This is your finished edge.<br />
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Now to make the waist hole. Make it smaller than you think you need - this fabric is super stretchy! You can always make it bigger but you can't make it smaller without a lot of work. I pinned my tape measure to the corner where all the folding is and measured out a semi circle 4" from the corner. Then I put a bowl on it to use as a guide while I cut it out.<br />
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I traced around the bowl with my rotary cutter and made a perfect circle. It was almost too big and I have a 34" waist! So I'm serious when I say make it tiny.<br />
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Now you're going to cut out the straps. Cate's blog recommended 105" long if you're tall or plus sized, 95" if you're average sized, and 85" if you're petite. I used 105" long for the purple dress and I was able to wrap those straps about four times! So this time I made 95" and it's just fine. Did I mention that I'm 6'1"? So make yours however long you want. But make them at least 85" long. You can always cut more off.<br />
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Strap width: This is highly variable. I a) didn't want to show cleavage and b) wanted the sides covered too. So with the purple dress I made 14" straps. I overlapped them by 5" in the center and it's way too much. Looks weird with certain variations. So with the red dress I made the straps 12" wide and only overlapped 3" in the middle. <br />
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I used my rotary cutter to cut a nice long straight line through both layers of fabric so I cut both straps at once. Then I cut the fold right off. I put my straight edge about 1/8" from the fold and cut it off.<br />
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Now for the tube top/waistband. Measure above your bust where the tube top's top edge will be.<br />
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Mine was 37". Subtract 7", so now it's 30". I cut two pieces for the tube and have seams on each side. I could have done one long piece with a seam down the back but I thought they'd be less noticeable on the sides. My two pieces were 15" wide and 8" tall. Use your machine's stretch stitch if it has one. It looks like a zigzag where the zigzag is on an angle instead of going side to side. If you don't have that option, do a zigzag with a fairly short stitch length. Sew the two pieces wrong sides together along the two outer edges with a 1/2" seam allowance. Optional: I also folded the top edge down about 1/2" and hemmed it. I don't know why exactly, except that I thought it would help keep the top up better. You could also make a casing and thread an elastic through.<br />
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IMPORTANT: Try it on! Mine was HUGE. I had to take it in twice before it fit without falling down. UPDATE: It was still huge. I ended up taking it in another inch on each side. The weight of the fabric just kept pulling it down even with a strapless bra underneath. The heavier poly/spandex fabric didn't do this so I'm guessing it's the fabric I chose.<br />
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Now for assembly! : )<br />
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Lay the skirt out flat with the circular hole in the center, right side up. Lay the straps coming down from the waist side by side, right side down. (With a solid color there probably is no difference but if you have an obvious right and wrong side, make sure the straps are right side down.) Overlap them in the middle as much as you want. 1" overlap = tons of cleavage. 5" overlap looked weird to me whenever I tried to cross the fabric in front before it gets to your neck. So I chose 3".<br />
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Pin the two straps all the way along the front edge of the skirt, like this.<br />
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TRY IT ON! Ok, this is tricky because there are a million pins sticking out but I'd rather get poked than have to use my seam ripper.<br />
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If you're happy with the look, start sewing! (In the photos above I didn't pull the tube top up. I left it down around my waist to see how bare the straps would be without it. I was perfectly comfortable with the way the front looked and the back would be great in hot weather, but I like having the tube top option.) Sew it with a 1/2" seam allowance using your stretch or zigzag stitch. An overlocking stitch is even better. It makes it look more professionally done and finished on the inside, plus I feel like it will hold up better to repeated washings since I'm not the world's greatest seamstress. UPDATE: I forgot to change the needle on my sewing machine before starting this project. It was a heavy duty needle for sewing the camo baby carrier (also posted in this blog) and now the needle holes are so large that the fabric pulls and you see daylight through all the holes. Arrgh! So be sure to use a ball point needle specifically made for sewing stretchy fabrics.</div>
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If you don't like the coverage, move the straps further apart/closer together until you're happy with it.</div>
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Now for the tube top. Turn it inside out and side the tube down over the skirt and straps (which are hanging down on the floor) so that the top edge of the tube is at the bottom.</div>
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The skirt is right side out, straps are wrong side out, tube is wrong side out and upside down. Make sense? Pin all layers together. If the tube is smaller in circumference than the waist hole stretch it until it goes all the way around, using lots of pins. It will kind of snap back together for a gathered look when you're done. Sew with your stretch stitch all the way around the waist hole. Use a slightly larger seam allowance so that the first line of stitching won't show. I didn't, but you can always do an overlock stitch or something to finish the edges if you want. I'm assuming you'd do that on the skirt and the waistband/tube top separately before assembling the dress.</div>
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That's it, you're done! It seriously took me about 3 hours and would have taken less if the baby hadn't been trying to pull out all my pins every time I turned my head. And put every spool of thread I have on the dress. Pay no attention to the potty chair in the background. He's interested in it so we carry it around the house for him to sit on whenever the urge strikes.</div>
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No idea how to tie it? Youtube is your friend! Remember, you can pull the tube top up for more coverage or you can leave it down around your waist for less coverage. You can even turn the dress around backwards and have the straps come up over your shoulders to make a cap sleeve, sweetheart neckline. Here are a few of my favorite videos.<br />
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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ni_Gu0lyszc<br />
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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tGrutgCwLHQ<br />
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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IWpbBqTgbCg<br />
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Here are some of the variations I tried. I am the world's worst selfie taker! Sorry about the focus and lighting.<br />
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Good luck! Hope you love it too.</div>
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Edited to add: I made another one! I bought some turquoise stretch knit off eBay, of all places, for $4/yd. It's gorgeous! Lightweight but not as thin as the red one above. This time I got the idea to make some gathers in the straps right where they go over your bust. I have a halter style bathing suit like this, which I love because it's so flattering, so why not? May I just say it was one of my more brilliant ideas. ; )</div>
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So I made the straps 14" wide but when I laid them down on the floor I made a few big pleats at the end where they will attach to the skirt. I'm so sorry I didn't take any photos because it worked great! But it kind of looked like this:</div>
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This strap was for a baby carrier and I pleated it all the way across. For the dress I only did 4 small pleats in the middle but left about 2" on each side untouched. I hope you can visualize what I mean.<br />
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I still overlapped by about 3" in the middle so I have enough coverage for my sense of modesty and the straps wrap around the sides enough that I don't have any side boob showing. I still made the tube top style waist band but honestly, I haven't had to use it at all. <br />
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Have fun!<br />
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13459304962116432715noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8928550040456961536.post-90297513627833766492014-03-25T09:34:00.000-07:002015-11-15T04:14:28.243-08:00Sewing a Soft Structured Carrier (SSC) from a free pattern found online<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Hi all! This time I decided to try my hand at an SSC. I had an awesome Kinderpack but the straps were too long (I bought it hoping Hubby would wear it, but no dice) so I sold it. But then I missed it. So I made my own. I don't know why, but the idea of webbing and buckles was really intimidating to me! But I figured, how bad could it be? I've already made three mei tais and three ring slings.<br />
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<b>So here's the free pattern that I downloaded. http://www.mediafire.com/view/whdfr3hbm9t/A+SSC+Pattern.pdf</b><br />
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It's a great pattern and the authors of this deserve a huge round of thanks! But for me, a visual learner, the directions were hard to follow. Plus I'm still a newbie when it comes to sewing. There are no illustrations or photos along the way to show you the steps so I am writing this to help you guys out if you decide to try one. I messed up a few times and had to improvise here and there but all in all, it looks and feels great!<br />
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<b>Ok, first some details: It cost me about $40 to make this. </b> I bought 3 yards of sturdy cotton twill on sale at Joann's Fabrics and I used it for everything except the interior panel. I could have used it for that too but I used a bright red cotton duck because otherwise I couldn't tell my panels apart. They all looked the same! I bought the webbing and buckles from Strapworks.com and it came to about $10 including shipping. I cut up an old yoga mat for the waist padding and an old fleece receiving blanket for the shoulder padding. If you don't have that lying around the house you'll need to buy some padding too.</div>
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I also made it 2" taller and 2" wider for my toddler. The first panel I cut out just looked way too small (thank god I bought 3 yards of fabric instead of 2!) And the second panel I cut out was sideways, as DH pointed out to me. He said, "Aren't trees supposed to grow up and down instead of sideways?" Damned camo print!</div>
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As I said, I'm a newbie so I estimate it took me about 6 hours to make this, including cutting out the fabric. Considering that a Tula or Kinderpack costs upwards of $159, $40 and 6 hours is not too shabby!</div>
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Ok, let's get started. I'm going to copy and paste the directions from the pattern and clarify where needed and add a few photos. </div>
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I made the straight shoulder straps. I'm told curved straps are better for back carries. They seem to stay on your shoulders better if your straps are always sliding off, but for this project I went with the tried and true strap style I'd used in the past.</div>
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6/12/15 UPDATE: I am now making a preschool sized version of this carrier and I read somewhere that if you make the body of the carrier taller you have to reduce the length of the shoulder straps. DUH! This seems so obvious to me now in retrospect but when I made this toddler version it never occurred to me. The only reason I think I got away with keeping them the same length is that a) I'm 6'1", and b) I almost always cross the straps so I don't need to use the chest clip, which I never got around to making. I wore my 2 1/2 year old to Six Flags last week (and after a very lengthy wearing strike he FINALLY allowed me to wear him because he was pooped, so I was beyond thrilled!) He's got to be 35 lbs now and good lord, that kid was heavy. I crossed the straps in front but I have also done knots in the front like this:</div>
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After you tie it in a half knot you just clip it on the sides. No need for a chest clip this way. I've also done ring finishes with a large ring.</div>
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Ok, so be warned - if you make the carrier taller you should probably shorten the straps by an equal amount unless you need the extra length.</div>
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Assemble the <b>Straight</b> Shoulder straps:<br />1.<span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 10.9px;"> </span>Assemble shoulder strap pattern and place on fold as indicated. Cut two pieces.<br />2.<span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 10.9px;"> </span>Cut two 13” by 16” pieces of fleece and fold into four layers lengthwise, final size about 3.5” x<br />16”<br />a.<br />If you are adding a hood attach the D-ring to one layer of the shoulder strap using either a<br />short piece of webbing or a length of hemmed fabric (see pattern)<br />3.<span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 10.9px;"> </span>Fold over 1/2” and sew the tapered end (hem).<br />4.<span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 10.9px;"> </span>Cut two 2” pieces of 1.5” webbing and use them to attach the female half of the 1.5” buckles to<br />one layer of the tapered end with a single line of stitching.<br />5.<span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 10.9px;"> </span>Fold over the strap pieces lengthwise, right sides together and sew lengthwise stopping at the<br />tapered end.<br />6.<span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 10.9px;"> </span>Turn right side out. <br />7.<span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 10.9px;"> </span>Insert the fleece into the tube of the shoulder strap, leaving 5-6” unpadded at the top.<br />8.<span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 10.9px;"> </span>Make sure the fleece is laying flat and top stitch down the middle lengthwise start/stopping about<br />1” into the fleece<br />9.<span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 10.9px;"> </span>Top stitch the tapered ends closed and finish attaching the webbing, using re-enforced (x-box)<br />stitching to secure the webbing. </h4>
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When I got to step #3, I had no idea if she meant to fold under all three edges of the taper or just the one. I guessed and did just the one.<br />
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When I got to step #4, I got stumped. When you cut a piece of webbing only 2" long, once you thread it through the buckle and fold it in half it's now less than 1" long. How the hell are you supposed to sew that to the fabric and put an Xbox through it? She says to do a straight line of stitching and then later, in step 9, you'll finish securely attaching that same piece by doing an Xbox through all the layers of fabric. But it's still only protruding into the straps by 1/2".<br />
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I'm holding the first piece I cut to show you how damned near impossible this is. Unless you have magic fairies who are going to sew it for you during the night on their itty bitty fairy machines. So I cut a piece 6" long instead. I sank it about 3" into the fabric and you can sort of see my Xbox (I used brown thread so it's hard to see, but it's there.) </div>
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<span style="text-align: start;">A word about Xboxes - they're really no big deal. I sew a line, leave the needle down, lift the presser foot, rotate the fabric, and sew the next side of the box. Repeat until you've gone all the way around. Then do it again two more times sewing just to one side of the thread you've already sewn. You don't want to go EXACTLY over the same line as putting multiple holes in the same exact spot will weaken your fabric, not strengthen it. After three boxes, stop at your original starting point and spin the fabric so you'll sew a diagonal line. Go back and forth three times, then sew along one outer edge to get to the opposite corner and repeat going the other way. It truly takes all of 5 minutes to make a decent looking Xbox.</span></div>
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<span style="text-align: start;">I was worried I'd run out of webbing by using 12" total instead of 4" total but I was ok, just barely. HOWEVER, next time I will definitely buy another foot of webbing. It costs something like 39 cents per foot. Definitely buy extra if you are fluffy, if this is for your big and tall husband, if your arms aren't flexible enough to reach behind you and grab the tiny bit of strap sticking out of the buckle unless there's a good bit hanging down for you to grab a hold of.</span></div>
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I always have the straps just about as long as they can go when I put the carrier on, then snug up after the baby is in. There was not much sticking out of the buckle so you may want to err on the side of caution and just buy more webbing to be safe. Also note, I did not lengthen the shoulder straps. I made them the same size as the pattern since my Kinderpack straps were too long. I'm still able to cross in back (ridiculously comfortable, by the way!) and I'm 6'1" and a size 12.</div>
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<b>Melting the webbing - very important!!! </b>When I first cut that 2" long piece and tried pinning it in place, within 3 minutes the ends were frayed and shredded. Grab a match or a lighter and run the flame along the edge back and forth a couple of times. You can actually see it melting right before your eyes, which was fun! Burning your fingers is not fun though, so please be careful. Cut the webbing to length and immediately melt it before you start messing with it.</div>
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I also don't like that you cut the strap on a fold. If you look closely at my strap, one taper is longer than the other. That's because when you fold the strap in half and sew it lengthwise along that open edge, you've now made it 1/2" narrower but only on one side. So the tapers at the end are now not the same length. Does that make sense? Next time I would sew along the folded edge too just to make the strap evenly taken in on both sides, not just the one. I'm anal like that.</div>
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I didn't make a hood because I rarely use it. My baby will not keep anything on his head for longer than .4 seconds - sun hats, winter hats, hoodie hoods, carrier hoods, doesn't matter. Ain't gonna happen. So I just modified the pattern for the body to add an arch along the top. If, by some miracle, he actually allows himself to fall asleep in this the arch should help with head flop. I cut four layers of fleece in the same arch shape and stuffed them in there before sewing the panels all together.</div>
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Assemble the Body:<br />1.<span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 10.9px;"> </span>Assemble body pattern and cut out 3 body pieces laying the pattern along the fold as indicated.<br />2.<span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 10.9px;"> </span>Sew the darts on each piece<br />3.<span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 10.9px;"> </span>Attach the shoulder straps and hood, as illustrated, on the center layer.<br />4.<span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 10.9px;"> </span>Cut the remaining 1.5” webbing in half, melt ends and attach as illustrated<br />5.<span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 10.9px;"> </span>Place the outside layer on top of the middle layer right side up<br />6.<span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 10.9px;"> </span>Place the inner lay on top of that right side down. <br />7.<span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 10.9px;"> </span>Pin the three layers together<br />8.<span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 10.9px;"> </span>Sew around the edge of the three layers, do not sew the bottom or over the four straps<br />9.<span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 10.9px;"> </span>Turn right side out and pull the straps through.<br />10.<span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 10.9px;"> </span>Topstitch around the edge, turning under the edges around the straps. </h4>
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This part was pretty straightforward. For the darts, I did NOT cut out that little triangle of fabric. I just traced the outline of the triangle with chalk onto the wrong side of each panel piece. Then I pinched the fabric together and lined up the chalk lines. Pin in place, especially at the very point, so they'll all be the same length. Then sew it starting at the bottom edge of the body panel. When you get close to the point reduce the length of your stitch so you don't have to backtack (reverse stitch) to keep it from coming undone. I used a 2.5 length stitch for the whole project except for here, when I reduced it to 1.6 about half an inch before I came to the point. Then just sew right off the edge of the fabric when you get to the point.</div>
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Attach the shoulder straps to the interior panel, which won't show. Sink the straps down onto the body panel as far as it shows on the pattern, about 4" as I recall. Sew a nice big, fat Xbox and go over it three times. It doesn't matter if it's pretty because no one will see it.</div>
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So you're attaching the 1 1/2" webbing on the sides of the body panel. These are the pieces that will be threaded through the male end of the buckles that will clip into the buckles on your shoulder straps. Do Xboxes on these too.<br />
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If you want to add padding to the neck and leg areas, cut four layers of fleece in a rectangle for the legs (about 2" wide by 6-8" tall) and the same shape as the neck arch, just smaller by 1/2" all the way around. Pin the four layers to the inner panel and sew around the perimeter, just to hold it in place. The legs out padding I made goes from 1/2" from the bottom edge to 1/2" below the side pieces of webbing.</div>
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When you pin all three layers together, it's a good idea to put 2 pins in a big X on either side of your webbing and shoulder straps. YOU DO NOT SEW ACROSS THESE or you can't turn it right side out. I had to rip out some stitching because I was trying to hurry and do it during nap time and sewed right across my webbing. Crap! The pins in an X is a pretty big visual sign that says, "Hey stupid, stop sewing now." ;)</div>
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If you decide to make an arch on top like I did, cut around the shape of the arch making little triangular notches every inch or so. It should look like a stegosauras (did I spell that right?) Then turn it all right side out. I started with the shoulder strap buckles and pulled them through, then the webbing, and then the rest. You can stick a ruler inside and push it against the seams to make sure it's all fully turned out or just use your hand.</div>
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Turning under around the straps always kicks my butt. Why is this so hard for me? I fold the fabric under one time, not twice, or it gets too thick to sew easily. But the corners always look messy. I usually do a 45 degree angle at the sides so that no raw fabric is sticking out, but if anyone has a better method please share it with me in the comments. Seriously, please!!!</div>
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After all the raw edges are turned under and sewn, I go around the entire thing - up one side, over the straps, across the top, and down the other side. Makes it not only finished and pretty looking but gives it one more layer of reinforcement. You can also outline the padding. Just make straight lines around the leg padding and a horizontal line below the neck padding. I tried to do a fancy decorative stitch that looked like leaves. On my scrap test piece it looked great! But on my three layers of body panels with a camo print it didn't even show up. :(<br />
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Assemble the waist belt:<br />1.<span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 10.9px;"> </span>Assemble the waist belt pattern and cut out the padding and fabric according to instructions.<br />2.<span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 10.9px;"> </span>Cut one 6” piece of 2” webbing, melt the ends and use it to attach the female end of the buckle on<br />one end of one waist piece where indicated on the “right” side<br />3.<span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 10.9px;"> </span>Attach the remaining 18” of 2” webbing to the other end of the same piece where indicated on the<br />“right” side.<br />4.<span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 10.9px;"> </span>Attach the body, inner lining to the wrong side of the other waist piece overlapping 2” as<br />indicated, with two lines of stitching, 1/4” from the bottom edge of the body and an x-box on<br />each end<br />5.<span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 10.9px;"> </span>sew the two waist pieces right sides together except where the body is<br />6.<span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 10.9px;"> </span>Turn right side out<br />7.<span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 10.9px;"> </span>Insert the padding, if using batting or fleece place on the inner side.<br />8.<span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 10.9px;"> </span>Tuck in the edges and topstitch along the waist strap where the body overlaps the body. </h4>
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I used two layers of a yoga mat. I had to cut the pieces much smaller than the pattern. First I couldn't stuff them in the waistband because they were too long, and then I couldn't fold under the top edge to sew it to the body panel because they were too tall. So be prepared to do lots of trimming. You don't want to sew through them and break 17 needles for this part.</div>
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Attaching the webbing - why would I want to attach it on the right side of the fabric? I totally don't get this part. I attached it to the wrong side of the fabric with big ol' Xboxes. These WILL be visible so try to do them neatly.</div>
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In the photo above I have my two pieces of waistband fabric right sides together. The top layer is folded back to show you how I attached the buckle and webbing the first time. If you do it like this, when you turn it right side out the webbing will be on the outside of your waist band. Not very aesthetically pleasing in my opinion. I sewed it to the wrong side and then when I turned it right side out I folded under the raw edges (remember, don't sew across the webbing!) and topstitched a couple of times.</div>
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Step #4: Don't forget to make a tiny Xbox right where the body panel meets the waist band BEFORE you sew the waistband pieces right side together. I forgot to take a picture of this but here's a photo of the Kinderpack I used to have.</div>
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See how tiny it is, right below the mustache fabric? It will only show on the inside of the waistband so don't worry if it's not pretty.</div>
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Once you complete the waistband you're done! Just thread the webbing through the male end of the buckles and give it a test run. You can also make a chest clip but I still haven't gotten around to doing that yet.</div>
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Look at that knee-to-knee coverage, baby!!!</div>
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It wasn't nearly as hard as I thought it would be. If you've made a mei tai or onbu, or if you even have basic sewing skills you can do this. Good luck! <br />
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***UPDATE 09/01/2015*** I ended up making a preschool sized carrier to be 20" x 20" when it was finished. Mr. Man is now 35 pounds and 41" tall and it worked great for him (when he'd allow himself to go up!) on our recent trip to Disneyworld. Luckily we got the cast off his leg right before our trip! Talk about good timing... phew.<br />
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I bought the appliqué off Etsy and I got the Olaf fabric from Fabric.com. The black and white polka dot fabric is duck and was used for the shoulder straps, waistband, inner panel, and the panel that touches his back. Only the outer Olaf fabric is a lighter weight cotton. Everything else is super heavy duty.<br />
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I'm a total novice seamstress.</h2>
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Yes, it's true. I'm not being falsely modest. I honestly haven't used my sewing machine more than a handful of times since I bought it in 1991. But I made a ring sling about a month ago from a Mahogany tablecloth and it was so much easier than I thought it would be that I made another one. Then I made a mei tai out of a tablecloth. Then one for a friend who's pregnant. And then I bought a wrap specifically to use for a WCMT. <br />
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I was astounded at the postive response I received when I posted my "in progress" and "after" photos on Facebook in the DIY group. So I thought I'd go into a little more detail for anyone who's curious but nervous about trying a project like this. If you have basic sewing skills and a sewing machine, you can do this, I promise! But you might want to practice with some inexpensive fabric first so you don't have a heart attack when you start cutting out the pieces. Even though it wasn't my first project I still had minor heart palpitations the day I was to begin cutting.<br />
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I had made my first MT with the tutorial on the Fine and Fair Blog. http://www.fineandfairblog.com/2013/10/tablecloth-mei-tai-tutorial-with-wrap.html It was an incredibly beginner-friendly tute and it turned out pretty well, in spite of the mistakes I made. I used a Mahogany tablecloth and it's ridiculously comfortable. If you buy fabric with a random pattern you don't have to worry about lining up the pattern on the fabric nearly as much. All I had to do was line up the ugly chickens (I mean peacocks) in the center of each panel. Hey, it's not called a faux pfau for nothing!<br />
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My second attempt was with the tute on BarefootandPregnantEsquire's site. http://barefootandpregnantesquire.com/babywearing/diy-mei-tai-pattern/ In my opinion it's a great looking finished carrier and looks very similar to an Obimama (www.obimama.com) but it had a lot of features that I omitted because a) I was scared to try them, or b) I didn't need them. But it was a little more complicated for someone with my lack of sewing history. Look how the waistband attaches to the body - see that curve? Yeah, that's supposed to be a straight line. Hmm…<br />
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So when I was ready to try my hand at chopping a wrap I decded to combine the best (easiest) features of both tutorials and I also added a ring waist using this tute. http://mrsbethjames.blogspot.com/2013/02/guest-blogger-ring-tai-tutorial-mei-tai.html The only piece I took from this was the part about making the ring waist.<br />
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<b><u>Before you begin - order your rings!
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First, decide whether you want your whole carrier made of the same material. If so, you need a size 6 (probably with no hood) or a 7 with a hood. Mine was a short 7 and I still got a hood out of it plus I have enough extra to make a pocket for the tail. If you want the body of the carrier to be the wrap and you'll use twill or canvas or something else for the straps you can use a much shorter wrap. The body panels are about 25" wide from shoulder to shoulder and you'll lay them side by side (one for the front and one for the back side) so a size 3 would probably be more than enough to make the body and hood. Your shoulder straps will be somewhere in the 75"-90" range (depending on your size and how long you like them) so you'll need fabric that's at least 100" long before washing/drying to account for shrinkage.<br />
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So here's what I did, step by step. Hopefully I won't forget anything. <br />
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1. Print the patterns out on your home printer using the BarefootandPregnant (BNP) tutorial. By the way, this is brilliant! Lisa, the creator of it, said her husband spent a day drawing out the patterns in Photoshop or something. However long it took, it was time well spent for the hundreds of people who I hope will download it in the future. You save it to your computer as a pdf, open it in Adobe, and print it at home. Then you tape all the pages together to make one big pattern. See?! Told you it was brilliant.<br />
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I decided to make the body and waistband one piece instead of two because sinking the body panel down into the waistband kicked my butt with the last project. It was really hard and I didn't do a very good job with it so I decided to simplify it for myself. I also omitted the seat darts because I practiced on a piece of scrap and I couldn't get it right. But I vow to perfect them with my next project because they make a deeper seat and they are more true to a real Obimama. I also made wrap straps instead of padded to wrap straps since the wrap straps on my orange MT are so comfortable. If it ain't broke...<br />
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Since I left out the seat darts I trimmed the sides of the body panel pattern in about an inch on each side since that's how wide the darts are and that's how much the carrier would have compacted with darts. Did that make sense? I then taped the waistband pattern to the body pattern along the line that says "Sewing Line." I omitted the whole business with the elastics and buttonholes because I only have one monster sized toddler but if you have two kids of two different ages, or if your baby is an infant and you intend to use this for a long time, it would be a great feature.<br />
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I also decided to trim the curve off the bottom of the waistband and make it just a rectangle. I felt that the bottom curve makes it hard to roll the waistband when I wanted to and again, the flat bottom is more authentic to the Obi design. Yes, I admit, I'm making a blatant ripoff. It's not for sale, it's for my own personal use. So I'm going to make it look exactly how I want it. Jennifer of Obimama should be flattered that we all love her design so much, right?<br />
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2. VERY IMPORTANT: - fold your pattern in half down the center and make sure the two halves are symmetrical. If they're not even, trim where necessary. Mine was so far off it was pretty ridiculous, so I printed it out and did the whole thing over. It was much better the second time.<br />
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3. Now, tape several extra pieces of paper together to make a giant square and trace your body pattern. In fact, fold it in half and fold your paper in half, place the folds together when you trace, and cut out a second body pattern. Now it'll be perfectly symmetrical and exactly the same as the original body panel pattern. Don't skip this step! You will thank me for this when you're laying it out on your wrap! Print and cut out the pattern for the hood, and do the same thing as above. Make sure it's symmetrical and then make a second one. It's so much easier to visualize where to place the patterns if you're not trying to pin it, cut it out, then reuse the pattern again.<br />
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4. Ok, now let's work on laying it out on the wrap. I used a size 7 so all my pieces are from the wrap. Here's how I laid it out:<br />
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5. Cutting the shoulder straps - You want to use the hemmed rails and ends of the wrap as much as possible because it saves a ton of time hemming. Plus if your sewing skills aren't so fabulous the factory done hems will make the straps look well done at least on one side, right? When you cut your wrap straps you're going to make them half the width of the wrap. Mine was 28" wide so each strap is 85" long and 14" wide. If your wrap has tapers you want to measure 85" from EACH rail's end. Take a look at my diagram above again. See how I didn't just cut 85" straight across? It kind of zigzags across the width of the wrap. Otherwise one shoulder strap will be much shorter than the other because of the taper.<br />
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You can make the shoulder straps whatever length you want. I made 90" straps with my first and they were crazy long. 85" is just right for me, but I'm 6'1". You might need 75" if you're tiny. If you're not sure, go longer. You can always make them shorter after using it for a few days. You might notice that the tapers will be identical instead of mirror images when you tie off and they're hanging down. // and not / \. That was perfectly fine with me. No one is looking at the end of the tails when you're wearing your kiddo, right? <br />
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6. Cutting the waist straps - Start from the opposite end. I used the longer side of the taper. It doesn't need to be terribly long since it's a ring waist. Measure the circumference of your hips with a tape measure. That's how long you'll cut it. Mine was... none of your business. Oh wait, it's in the diagram above. Crap. Oh well. We'll cut a piece for the other side that holds the rings later from one of the scrap pieces. Your waist strap will be 10" wide. I suppose you could make it wider but I wouldn't go too much wider or it will bunch up around your waist. I managed to get the Little Frog tag on this piece, which I really liked. Makes it look like it wasn't DIY with a tag, know what I mean?<br />
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7. Ok, now the hard part - cutting the body panels! Figure out how you want your two sides to be different. My wrap is a rainbow, red on the top and purple on the bottom. So I laid one panel red side up and the other was purple side up. Or you could make one horizontal stripes and one vertical. Or one right side and one wrong side. You get the idea. Or make them exactly the same if this is making your brain hurt. Lay your two body panel patterns down and fiddle with them till you get them where you want them. Try to preserve as much wrap as possible by smooshing them close together. But DON'T line the pattern up right on top of the rails. You don't want to be sewing through three extra layers of fabric(the hems are rolled under twice) when the time comes to assemble it and start sewing.<br />
Now do the same with the hood patterns. Think about how you want the hood to look against the body. Do you want the stripes to go the opposite way? Be wrong side out against a right side out body? Stripes to line up perfectly? How much fabric you have will play a big part in this so spend the time to figure it out.<br />
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I wanted the stripes to line up just right for my front panel so I placed the hood on the fabric and lined up the top edge of the hood and the top edge of the body panel against the top edge of the red stripe. Having a striped wrap sure helps with making straight cuts! With the second hood I didn't have enough fabric to line it up the same way so I went with vertical stripes. I pinned the pattern down so that one stripe was dead center. I just felt that looked best.<br />
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Pin all the patterns down on the fabric. Spend two hours fiddling with them to make sure they're straight. Freak out a little and agonize over placement. Grab your scissors or rotary cutter and have a minor panic attack. Then get a cup of coffee or vino to settle your nerves. Not that I'm speaking from experience or anything. Try to get the patterns as close together as possible to preserve as much fabric as you can. <br />
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8. Start cutting! You will also need to cut a third body panel out of a piece of bottomweight fabric to use as the interior panel so just use one of the patterns you already have once you've cut it out. <br />
Find some leftover fabric and cut a piece to use for the ring side of the waist according to the MrsBethJamesBlogspot tute. I cut a piece so that my purple stripes would line up perfectly with waistband. When I pinned it that sucker looked perfectly lined up! But somehow when I sewed it the whole thing was off by half an inch. Argh… Speaking of the waistband, I had originally gotten medium rings from Slingrings.com and because my wrap fabric is pretty thin, the rings wouldn't hold the fabric without slipping. I threaded it through and pulled and the strap came right back out with almost no resistance. So I had to order a set of small rings and wait three days for delivery. Order yours before you start to save some time.<br />
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9. Unpin the patterns and marvel at how perfect your placement was. ;) Or start swearing, whichever is more appropriate.<br />
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10. Woo hoo, now it's time to start sewing! For needles I used size 110/18. I just bought the ones that said Universal Heavy Duty since I knew I'd be sewing through the yoga mat and many layers of fabric. <br />
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I followed FineandFairBlog (FNFB) for the strap attachment. I made wrap straps. You can attach with xboxes or bartacks, whichever you prefer. I did three rows of bartacks at the shoulders and xboxes with one row of bartacks at the waist. (Photo below shows my first attempt at attaching the waist strap with a bartack. I didn't sink the fabric in deep enough to the interior layer so I had to rip it out and start over. You want it to be about 4" deep.) There's a great discussion of the pros and cons of each on TheBabywearer.com if you're interested.<br />
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11. If you want to do legs out padding and neck padding, get some polar fleece (I used one of the 8 million fleece receiving blankets I had lying around.) Cut four layers of the fleece according to the BNP pattern. They're shaped like half circles. Pin them to the interior layer and sew around the edges to keep them in place. I just did a straight stitch but I'm sure a zigzag would be great too.<br />
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12. Decide what padding to use for the waistband. I used an old yoga mat that I cut to size. I just used one layer so we'll see over time how that works out. You can do polar fleece if you prefer something soft and squishy but that's what I'd used on my previous two MT's and I wanted to see if it made a difference. So far I really like it! The waistband stays flat and doesn't smoosh down on itself from the weight of the baby after you've worn him for half an hour. My fleece waistbands usually look like the pillows on my bed after I've been lying on them. But I digress. Sew it down to the inner layer material according to FNF's instructions. Leave about half an inch of room across the bottom between the yoga mat and the edge of the interior panel or it's a bitch to sew. Trust me on this.<br />
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13. Now make the hood according to the BNPE tute. I had an adorable little applique that I wanted to use so I centered it on the right side of the front panel, ironed it on, and then zigzag stitched around the perimeter. Use thread that matches the edge of the applique and it won't show. Do the "zig" on the applique, "zag" off the edge and into the wrap fabric, then "zig" back onto the applique, etc. Keep the zigzag pretty tight so that when you go off the applique the needle goes right up against the edge of it, not way out into the fabric. Make sense? Go all the way around it. (I actually skipped over the owl's feet because they are brown and the blue thread would be too obvious. But I did sew between his feet.)<br />
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Next, grab the leftover scrap fabric and cut out the hood straps and sew them, again using the BNPE tute. For the straps I made four, two for each side, so that I'd be able to cinch up the hood and tie the two straps in a bow on each side to keep it in the scrunched position. Alas, I didn't leave enough room when I topstitched so I could only fit one strap on each side. Oops! So if you want to use two on each side be sure you put them both inside the hood before you topstich so you know how much room to leave. Mark the line with a pencil or chalk before you topstitch. Don't eyeball it unless you're a pro. Which you're probably not or you wouldn't be reading this. See the topstitching line across the top of the waistband on my first MT? This is what it looks like when you eyeball it. Don't do it. Promise me you'll mark lines with rulers and chalk! Turn right side out and press the hood flat.<br />
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14. Sew the hood to the front panel, just a line across the top to keep it in place as you're sewing the whole thing together. Leave a pretty small seam allowance since you don't want the stitching to show when you turn the whole thing right side out later.<br />
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15. Time to start assembly! It goes:<br />
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Bottom: Interior layer with the straps attached right side up<br />
Middle: Back side right side up<br />
Top: Front side wrong side up with the hood between the back and front panels.<br />
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16. Sew according to FNF. Leave bottom edge and straps open, but sew across top and down the two sides. Turn it all right side out. Don't sew over the straps or you won't be able to turn it right side out!<br />
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17. Press the whole thing. Turn the raw edges under once, press, pin, and topstich. Note: If your fabric is all bunched up at the curve where the body meets the waist on each side, turn it inside out again and clip the corners the way you did for the curve on the hood. Makes all the difference in the world! Same if this happens at the top between the shoulder and the top of the carrier where that curve is. Be sure to line it all up exactly evenly so that when you topstitch it you go through all the layers. This is a pain but it really pays to be painstakingly accurate with the pinning. It'll look soooo much better when you're done, I promise. When you're sewing across the shoulder and waist strap openings sew pretty close to the edge. Then you can topstitch around the entire thing one more time for security if you're not secure in your sewing skills, which I am not so I did. However, I also backtacked a lot at the corners (when you put it in reverse and go over the stitching to reinforce it) and I'm not sure it was necessary, plus it doesn't look good. The stitching looks all gunked up in the corners. Use your own judgement.<br />
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18. Topstitch around the legs out padding. Just make a half circle right around the curve of the padding. Topstitch whatever design you want on the waistband. I just made four straight lines about 1/2" apart. This was sooooo much harder than it looked! Make sure you mark your lines with chalk or something. Don't eyeball it - learn from my mistake. Remember that orange MT photo you saw earlier? If it weren't such a PITA to rip it out with a seam ripper I'd go do it right now. But come on, that poor MT will still have that wonky stitching a year from now, I guarantee it. You can also topstitch around the neck padding, although I forgot to. Someday I'll get around to it. Maybe.<br />
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19. Make little loops to put on the shoulder straps for the hood straps to tie to when the hood is up. Cut pieces 2x3" and fold, press, topstitch just like the hood straps. Measure up about 7 or 8" from where the shoulder straps attach to the body and center on the shoulder straps. Topstitch.<br />
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20. Voila! You are done! With any luck your baby is awake and you can try it out. Or you can grab the nearest stuffed animal and give it a test run till he wakes up.<br />
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<h3>
Updated to add:</h3>
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Today I decided to make a pocket for one of the shoulder straps. When I wear my baby to the store I love to leave the diaper bag in the car. This pocket is big enough for my phone, keys, wallet, and sunglasses. I luckily had a scrap piece that matched the stripes on the wrap strap. I also had a package of elastic in my sewing box that was probably circa 1991 but hey, it worked. I used this tutorial from SleepingBaby.net. Just scroll down to where it says Optional Pocket.<br />
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http://www.sleepingbaby.net/jan/Baby/man-tai.shtml<br />
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<br /></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13459304962116432715noreply@blogger.com14