Homemade Vanilla Extract

Hi my friend,

It's July and I'm already making plans for Christmas.

This year I want to make some homemade vanilla extract 

for my friends and family.

It needs a good 6 months to make start to finish.

Now's the time to start the process-

It is incredibly easy and delicious.

I ordered my vanilla beans on Amazon

www.vanillabeankings.com

Madagascar Grade A

I purchased 10 beans 

I cut a slit in the bean lengthwise.

This will help to make the rich vanilla flavor.

It is best to have the alcohol 80 proof or higher.

I bought the least expensive Vodka from Trader Joe's

It was around $6

I put the vanilla beans directly into the

bottle. I plan to leave the bottle for the next

6 months.

At that time I will decant the vanilla into smaller bottles

for gift giving.

I put in away in the cupboard.

                                               After just a couple weeks, it already looks

                                                           like it's going to be good!

Now just let the vanilla do it's thing-

Just ignore it for now and go back to swimming

or hanging out at the beach-

I'll come back late November and share with you

how I package up the bottles for Christmas gifts.

Do you think you might give it a try?

Let me know if you do.

Thank you!

xo Lisa S

Vintage Linen Tissue Pouch

 

Hello !

I had a day off work last week 

so we went to a local Flea Market.

We had a good time walking around, enjoying

a beautiful sunny day.

I picked up a few things.

 I  found this pretty little embroidered doily.

It looked like the perfect size for a tissue pouch.

I made a paper pattern.

Then cut a piece of fusible lining.

I cut a piece of fabric

I ironed the lining  to the fabric back

and folded and ironed over the raw edge.

Pinned piece to the doily.

Top stitched to doily.

Folded up the sides.

Then stitched the sides.

Tucked inside the tissue pack.

The raw edges from  the doily show but I don't mind.

I used a small piece of Velcro for a closure.

This will help the Kleenex package stay together in my purse.

Thanks for the visit!

xo Lisa S

Make your own Bees Wax Wraps

Hi friends!

Have you ever thought about making Bees Wax Wraps ?

These reusable food wraps are a great alternative to plastic wrap.

To make your own Bees Wax Wraps-

look through your fabric scraps.

You will want to use 100% cotton fabric,

approximately 1/2 yard total for this recipe

          If you don't have and scraps  

     of fabric, the Dollar Tree has some of the cutest prints!

Wash and dry your fabric-

Iron if you like- and decide what size 

you would like to make your wraps.

Cut your circles or squares.

I decided to cut my fabric first and then

cut the edges with my pinking shears.

The picking shears are optional

 but it keeps the edges from fraying.

Most people cut the wraps after they are waxed

but I did not want to ruin my scissors.

We will see if this works.

I cut a few squares not knowing how many I would

be able to wax with this recipe.

I did not want to make a huge mess so I used a disposable

aluminum baking pan from the Dollar Tree

I have my own version of a double broiler.

It has worked well for candles and salves.

The saucepan is filled half way with water and the

 stainless steel bowl

sits on top.

Recipe for wraps :

Bees Wax Pellets   1/2 cup

 (I used a bar and measured in ounces)

First let the wax melt on low heat, then add the oil,

then add the Pine Rosen last.

Pine Rosen  3 TBSP.

(This helps the wraps to keep there shape)

Some say this ingredient is optional.

Note: Pine is a common allergen, and needs to be disclosed to 

anyone you may share your wraps with.

Jojoba Oil  2 tsp.

( The oil keeps the wraps pliable)

It is food safe and will not go rancid 

A brush that will be only used for bees wax

This was so messy and fast moving, I was unable 

to take any pictures of  the next steps.

I laid my squares in the tray and 'painted the cloth with the wax.

It cooled fast, I then lifted the edge and pulled up the pieces and 

let them dry on a cardboard box.

This recipe was used to complete:

3 - 7'' squares

2- 10'' squares

1- 15'' square

I was happy with the way the wraps turned out.

This fabric was from a vintage table cloth.

It was my favorite.

Wraps can last for years.

Easy to clean with a little soap and water.

Hang to dry.

If the wraps leave a sticky residue on your hands it can be removed

with rubbing alcohol or hand sanitizer.

Note:

 Do NOT use in the microwave and be careful near a hot stove!

I prefer to use them over a bowl, but food can be wrapped up

like a small gift.

Wouldn't this be a nice way to present your

homemade sourdough bread to a friend?

Have a wonderful week!

XO Lisa S

Tea Cup Bird Feeder and Gift Tag

 

Hi there,

Let's spend some time in the garden.

I wanted  to make a little bird feeder.

You have seen these Teacup feeders many times before...I know....

I want to fill it a little differently.

We will start with a tea cup or mug-

This is a great way to use a chipped or mismatched cup.

It's easy to find tea cups here and there.

I used GOOP to adhere the cup to the saucer.

I purchased a package of Wild Bird Suet at Dollar Tree.

I plan to fill my tea cup and see what happens next.

The ingredients are corn, rendered beef suet, oats,

roasted peanuts and soy oil.

 

It's soft and moist like chunky peanut butter or brown sugar.

You can make your own with coconut oil and bird seed.

Birds love bird seed but I find it very messy !

I'm going to try the suet, I want to see if it lasts a little longer

than the seed.

I broke it up in a bowl, then repacked it into the tea cup.

Looked around the garden and found a stick.

Press the stick into lower base of cup for a perch.

I used heavy duty wire to hang the feeder.

Here is the feeder hanging in the tree.

Another option would be ...

just the teacup without a saucer.

I used a scrap of chain to hang in my lemon tree.

I was able to fill 2 tea cups (3/4cup full ) with 1 -10 oz. package of suet.

Here are some teacups to print for gift tags !

 

Oh my goodness!

 I wanted to post before Mother's day and I was waiting to get

the perfect picture of birds visiting my tea cup feeder

and life got busy... but happy busy.

Have a blessed week!

xo Lisa S

Just takes a Minute - Campfire Marshmallow Candle

Hi there!

I purchased this candle at the DOLLAR TREE.

I always love white candles.

This candle has a wonderful Vanilla scent and will work for my plan-

Print a label-

Cut and re-check size and placement.

Here's my label-

size to fit

                                                    I cut and removed the original vinyl label.

I used Mod Podge to adhere the label.

First I painted the front of the label with mod podge

and then allowed it to dry.

After the front is dry. Paint the back side of the label with Mod Podge

and attach to the jar.

Press down well, to remove any air bubbles.

A nice gift for a 'Vintage Loving' friend!

Thank you!

xo Lisa S