Thursday, April 12, 2012

Sugaring- A Waxing Technique to Make & Do at Home

Bought these containers through the mail.... very cheap!
Paying to have waxing done can become quite costly (especially if you are blessed with lots of hair!) Even home waxing kits don't come cheap. Here's a recipe to try next time you run out of your waxing supplies at home or just don't want to pay for a salon service:

Ingredients:

2 cups sugar

1/4 cup water

1/4 cup lemon juice (I used Real lemon brand, from my 'fridge.)

STEP 1: Thoroughly combine all ingredients in a medium-sized saucepan, keeping the heat medium/high.

STEP 2: Continue stirring until mixture begins to bubble.

STEP 3: Turn heat down to medium and continue stirring until mixture reaches 250*.

Don't own a cooking thermometer? Just test a drop of the sugar syrup in a glass of cold water...if it's thready or makes a soft ball, it's not ready. If it forms a firm ball, it's done! You can check the consistency with your fingers: after you've dropped some into the glass of water, scoop it out with a spoon. Touch it with your fingers. Don't worry, it will already be cool!

STEP 4: Pour into desired storage containers with lids.

STEP 5: You can wax now or later since the mixture can be used as soon as it has cooled down enough.

*Use with homemade muslin strips, your own wooden sticks and accessories, or use with store-bought accessories..


Wednesday, April 11, 2012

Retro Hair-Tie


My daughter, Abby, modeling the first hair-tie.
                                     
I love a lot of things from the 1940's and '50's.. dishes, appliances, cars, music,. even movies. But I'd have to say one of my most favorite things about that specific time period would be their style. Their clothing style.

I love the aprons, the classy way men dressed with their suits, ties with tie-clips, shiny shoes & hats. The womens' dress suits with all those fabulous accessories! (Hats, scarves, purses with matching shoes, jewelry and gloves...just to name a few!) We haven't even begun to talk about their hair and makeup...with those classic hair-do's that are becoming popular all over again!

Which brings us to today's project... a retro hair-tie inspired by all those things that made that era unforgettable.

Materials List:
Here's a better view of the top.


7" x 22" piece of floral fabric

7" x 22" piece of polka-dot fabric

Thread

Instructions:

STEP 1: Wash, dry & iron all fabric.

STEP 2: Cut one of Piece A from the floral fabric and one from the polka-dot fabric. (Scroll to the bottom for the pattern.)

STEP 3: Cut two of Piece B from the floral fabric and two from the polka-dot fabric.

STEP 4: With right sides together, sew up the left and right sides of Piece A. When done, you should have raw, unfinished ends on both ends.
 
  
STEP 4
















STEP 5: Of the four pieces cut from Piece B (two floral and two polka-dot) place one of
each floral with each polka-dot.  With right sides together, sew each up the long sides to the point and back, leaving the bottom open. 
STEP 5



STEP 5 (Closeup)

 STEP 6: Turn all three pieces and iron flat.


STEP 6













STEP 7: Fold the open ends of Piece A (the longest piece) under 1/4". Iron. Insert the raw, unfinished end of one of the B pieces into one of the open ends of Piece A, making sure the floral print is on the same side. Pin in place. Do the same with the other open end of Piece A with the remaining Piece B.


STEP 8: Using matching or contrasting thread, topstitch 1/8" all along the four sides of the center piece, or Piece A, making sure to secure the edges of the two B Pieces into the stitching.

Pattern

 Notes about pattern: There are measurements written on each pattern piece showing the final dimension of each. Enlarge or reduce the pattern accordingly.