Could you use a good hand cream?

I've never had much use for hand creams or lotions—they always just sat on my hands without soaking in and left a film that I couldn't stand the feel of. Well, I had a friend ask me to try some and I fell in love with it and now I make my own! This is the only hand lotion that helps my hairdresser's hands not just survive but actually feel better and improve.

It's about as easy to make as could be... here are the original directions:

1 bottle of Baby Lotion

1 tube of Creamy Petroleum Jelly

1 bottle of Vitamin E Lotion

Put all of the ingredients together in a mixing bowl and whip on high with electric mixer about 3 to 5 minutes. Cover bowl and put in refrigerator AT LEAST overnight--24 hours is recommended*. Put into containers; can be stored at room temperature.
*the lotion must be refrigerated to keep it emulsified or it will separate at room temperature.

I buy my supplies at the local Dollar Tree—total cost = $3.00
Last time I couldn't find the Vitamin E Lotion at the dollar store and I was making a double batch so I used one bottle of Aloe Vera Lotion and one bottle of a moisture-bead type lotion. Everyone was very happy with the results... very light, pleasant scent.

I hope you enjoy this lotion if you try it. I've begun to just use it as a body lotion during our very dry winter.

Oh, I've been so busy!

Well, the last week has been pretty crazy for me. At work the monthly reports were due--that's always a major undertaking but we got them completed and submitted by deadline.

I finished the period costume (Little House-type dress, pinafore and sun bonnet) for Mackenzie's part in the Oklahoma Land Run celebration at ther school. We'll be

taking pictures of her in it in a week or two and I'll show them them.


Thursday I had oral surgery. It went really well but I still hurt when I laugh or smile! We had Easter brunch with the kids, grands and great-grands--LOTS of joy and laughter so I left there pretty sore. Sometimes I think it was a contest to make me laugh and watch me grab my cheek.

I've been participating in the Flirty Vintage Linen Apron Swap so that has been another project I finished as well as an apron for the organizer. The yellow, blue and green apron is for my secret swap partner. The package will include an apron (this is my own design), a pair of hot pad holders and a feedsack towel with some of the key fabric design appliqued on one corner. The vintage linen that I used was a tablecloth from the 20's (handmade); hemmed the center that had embroidery and pulled-thread work and made a food cover—we used to use these to cover food to keep off flies (before air conditioning and closed houses). The last thing in the package will be a "vintage" recipe--I am putting a family favorite for "end-of-the-money-but-not-end-of-the-month" timing, Bean Cups. This has been so much fun to put together.


I also made an apron and hot pad set for the swap organizer—that's the pink, white and black set.

Silk Quilt in progress... any words of wisdom?

I am working on a silk quilt for a friend who can't have most fabrics against her skin. I've always been a cotton-kind of gal so working with silk is TOTALLY new to me. We were able to get some recycled (we both like that idea) white bridal kimono silk--it's gorgeous! Hopefully, you can see some of the beautiful weaves in the silk. Then we picked up some grabbag packs of colored silk.

I'm using silk thread and a fine needle. Because it is a lightweight silk, I've stabilized it using a fusible sheerweight interfacing after trying many different kinds, weights, applications, etc. I'm satisfied with the "hand"--plenty soft and flexible but will stand up to usage.

Here is where I could use words of wisdom from anyone, especially any quilters who have worked on silk quilts. I've had a silk batt on order and it's ready for me to pick up. I would welcome any do's or don't's on quilting with a silk batt. I've heard it's fantastic but I'll admit that this project intimidates me more than any other I can think of.

I'm also trying to decide on what to use for the backing. I am concerned about lengths of silk holding up to use, especially the lightweight. I found a really nice feeling silky polyester but she can't have any polyester against her skin so that's out. Anyone have any suggestions... information on what NOT to do can be just as helpful too...

Update on the "Abby Hat"

Hello! I've had a number of people ask me how the contest went and how much the hat earned. We couldn't have it in the contest and in the Silent Auction so I entered the contest and won the Grand Prize! It is a VIP dinner to the Castle Falls restaurant--we haven't had the opportunity to try it but I've heard it is the most excellent German food around so we're looking forward to trying it.
I made a second Abby Hat. It's a smaller size and has a glitter leopard-print chiffon band. Both hats are posted for sale in my Etsy Store and all proceeds from their sale will go the the Abby Jones Medical Trust Fund. To check them out, go to http://richerlife.etsy.com. Hope everyone out there has a wonderful day!

My Duck Week Hat for Abby...

OK, I've just plain had fun with this!

First, I crocheted a basic hat. The brim can be rolled or open or partially rolled. I haven't decided which way I like it best yet. It's pretty comfortable—more than I was expecting it to be.

My Duck Week t-shirt is orange and they are using a Dr. Sueuss theme so this one is "Horton Hears A Quack." It has blue flowers and white daisies.

I used a silky-feel orange fabric and serged it with royal blue. There are blue, white and orange daisies and it is couched down with royal blue sheer ribbon.

The Hats Off To Abby Hat contest is for most unique hat... I'm just going for fun. I may add some mini-signs that have "quack" on them just to add to the theme. I've had a couple people tell me they think my hat will win. Whether it does or not, I'm going to donate it to the Silent Auction to help raise money as long as I get to wear it in the contest.

Oh, did I mention the hat is crocheted plastic shopping bags! It's my
classy trashy hat.

Support Abby Jones and her family, please.

There is a precious little girl, Abby Jones, who is a walking smile and a walking miracle! You can read her story at http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/abbyjones. She was born June 13, 2003, and within a year had undergone 3 heart surgeries and it was two years before she reached 20 pounds. She needs a kidney transplant among other things. The Jones family lives in Piedmont, Oklahoma and were blessed by the kids of the school system selecting Abby for their annual Duck Week fundraising program. The final "event" is being hosted by family and friends on Sunday, March 29th, 2009, 5 to 7 p.m., at Castle Falls (820 N MacArthur, Oklahoma City OK). Tickets are only $5 and include a baked potato bar with homemade chili and toppings, salad and desserts. There will be a silent auction with many items (some of them are really great! There is also a raffle for an opportunity to win an 8-day vacation and many other prizes--all put together by friends! There will be a a Hat Contest (optional) and music solos and more! Please come join the celebration of Abby's life and help us raise money to get the medical help she needs.

If you do not live in the Oklahoma City area, please check out Abby's story on the Caring Bridge (when it asks for the website name, enter "abbyjones") and pray for this wonderful child.

Do you believe in random acts of kindness?

If you do, I invite you to check out the Secret Angel Network: http://www.secretangelnetwork.com/.
This is their brief description of the network:

We are an online community of ordinary people who choose to do
extraordinary things. We believe that every day, we have an opportunity to bring
a little joy, love and happiness into this world. We do so by creating special
moments for people around us. We call these moments Do Unto Other moments or a
DUO. The term DUO fits well as both the agent and the recipient are really
receiving a blessing. We can help create these moments for family members,
friends or even strangers. We operate in secret so as to place the emphasis on
the recipient, not ourselves.

Receiving a DUO card is such a wonderful surprise and when you have the honor of giving one, it's even more fun to do it in secret.