Sews2Reap

My teen son recently went to two different week-long camps.  He is the reason we started the oily journey so he definitely takes oils with him. This year I sent small sample bottles with the basics that everyone needs and his main oils in full-size bottles. I found these little boxes in the school supply section at Wal-Mart for a dollar. They are perfect for a small kit and the hard box protects the bottles. My son carried it in his backpack with him. It is a great purse, or diaper bag size too. I like to travel with my oils in a padded zipper bag.  This is the one I use the most. I made it and have more like it in my Etsy Shop, Robbins Nest Studio . You can click the tab to visit my shop. I have also used a train case if taking lots of oils for a class out of town or visiting family for a while.  It is hard sided and can hold a lot of oils along with empty capsules, carrier oils and more. I got...

Homemade pickles! I grew up on them and love canning my own. Here are my jars in their water bath, the lids and rings are in there too. Simmering is perfect. Cucumbers and dill from my garden  plus garlic, salt and mustard seed. I poured the water out of the simmering jars and stuffed it with the ingredients. Each jar contains 1 tsp salt, 1/8 tsp mustard seed, a head of dill weed, 1-2 tsp diced garlic.  Next, I pour the brine in. My brine is equal parts hot water and vinegar. Some like plain white vinegar others cider vinegar. You should try a few options. Mark what you put in the jar so you know what is your favorite. Leave a little air space in the neck of the jar and cap with a lid and ring. Set your filled jars back in the simmering (low boiling) water for 10 minutes. Remove and let sit undisturbed for 12-24 hours. You should hear the lids seal during this time. It will be a very satisfying pop sound.  My finis...

This could be titled "my new toy." I have been wanting one of these cutting machines for a while. I ordered it to come right before school ended so I would be able to play with it the first free day I had.  It comes with a free software that isn't too hard to learn since there are many tutorials online. Thank you, YouTube! This is my first try at a project. I just chose a font and did my name. The pink adhesive backed vinyl on the sticky sheet. It's loaded up and ready to cut.  Here it is "weeded" and ready for the transfer tape. On my cup! SO EASY! I'm hooked. My next project was for essential oil roller bottle labels. Someone on one of my Facebook groups posted pictures of something similar.                                                                   ...

This is the summer of transition and boy do I feel it. In one month both of my daughters will move out of state to college.    We had to take time out and escape to the country. I needed some time with my parents and sister and the kids did too.   Giant old magnolia. Rolling hills in all directions... Cicada shell hanging out in the secret garden. It's really no secret, but my son named it so. It is this neat little area with a trellis entrance under an old apple tree.  The sounds are so different away from the city. The Bob Whites were calling in the pasture, along with the cow birds. The hum of all the invisible insect life was amazing. One of the many treasures, a painting by my grandmother. I know it's a mess, but I was a spring roll making machine! This keeps me on track with my weight watchers. See that old cutting board, it has to be at least 50 years old.  One of the many beautiful pastures.  ...

I am finally getting back to my quilt. Click the  create and craft  tab above to see where the quilt is now. 

Here are three more recipes that I use all the time. The hair roll on is part of my everyday routine now!  These would be great for make and take classes too.   ___________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________