Baby Mustaches

It's getting to be that time of year again.
Leaves are falling, wind is howling, Christmas decorations are selling.
Wait... What?
Yep, you read right.  Christmas came reeeeealllly early this year.  Heck, before it was even October, most stores made way for Christmas inventory.  It makes me sicker than a glass of fuzzy eggnog.
I happen to love Halloween.  And this year, now that we have a Poopmonster, we get to go trick-or-treating (yay!).  I'm a kid at heart, what can I say.
Last year we forwent spooktacular activities on the account that a] I was incredibly pregnant and b]the Beau is a homebody.  Apparently I was lucky the previous year to get him to go out at all on All Hallow's Eve.  Of course, he was still trying to impress me back then.
Like I need impressing.
Which leads up to this tutorial.
I am a sucker for facial hair.
Tom Selleck, Sam Elliot, Jason Momoa from Stargate:  Atlantis.  All have great facial hair.
And what's better than a man with facial hair?
A Poopmonster, of course!

For a Pacistachio, you'll need:
Pacifier
Newspaper, printer paper, or similar (for mustache template)
Writing utensil
Felt
Scissors
Velcro
Superglue
Update: I found Velcro dots.  They don't smell!

1]Fold paper in half, draw half a mustache.
2] Cut out mustache on fold, unfold, and make sure it will fit on your felt piece.
3]Fold mustache template in half, likewise with felt.
4]Cut out felt mustache!

 5]Cut pieces of Velcro to size of pacifier nub.
6]Glue soft part to paci, the hooked part to the mustache.
7]Be patient... It's drying!
8]Attach.
9]Find a baby to model.

Motivation has its pitfalls

For the most of yesterday, I slouched around the house.  I slouched in the living room, I slouched in the kitchen, I slouched on the floor... Frankly, I slouched while I was slouching.  And, boy, does my butt hurt.
However, around 4 o'clock or so, Motivation made its nasty appearance.  So I got on the 'Net.  And do you know what I discovered?  Of course you don't, you don't even know who the heck I am.  Hell, I don't even know who the heck I am.
But I digress.
What I found whilst doing random searches was the magical, sparkly land of sugar scrubs.  Yep, beauty products.
If any of you who do know me are reading this, don't be alarmed.  They aren't for me.  I would never allow myself to become all soft and silky.  I like being rough and spiky.
I just like making things.
Anywho, I found some pretty good recipes online, but, being myself, I decided I'd stray away from the recipe and experiment.
I looooooove experimenting.

 So I made three different experimental scrubs.
And spiced instant pudding mix.
That recipe is to come later.
Keep reading to find the recipes for:  Lavender Oatmeal Scrub, Delicious Mocha Scrub, and Spiced Chai Scrub.
These smell so wonderful that it's hard to not eat them.  Also, making them is addictive.  And sticky.

WARNING! The use of oils in a bathtub can be dangerous.  Please, please, please make sure you scrub the tub out well with baking soda and warm water (or similar) to ensure safety.  The Beau reminded me to point this out to you, as he about fell on his but in the shower last night.  Oops.

 Lavender Oatmeal Scrub
1 cup sugar (I used white sugar because I'm cheap when it comes to gift-giving)
1 cup brown sugar (ditto)
1 cup oatmeal
1ish cup oil (grapeseed, olive, coconut.  I used expired grapeseed)
10+ drops lavender essential oil

1]Mix all dry ingredients together.
2]Pour in oil 'til desired consistency is reached.  Stir.
3]Add essential oil.

Really, you could use whatever essential oil you like, just make sure you know what you're dealing with before getting all gung-ho and getting a sunburn.

Painted fabric jar lids.  Tutorial soon.

 Delicious Mocha Scrub
1/2 cup white sugar
1/2 cup brown sugar
1 T coffee
1 T unsweetened cocoa powder
1 t cinnamon
1/2 t nutmeg
1/2 t ground ginger
1/4-1/2 c oil (again, the choice is yours)

Mix all together!

Cheap ingredients!

Vanilla Chai Scrub
1 c white sugar
1 c brown sugar
6 chai tea bags (opened)
1 t cinnamon
1/2 t cloves
1 T honey
2/3 c oil (I used EVOO)
1 vanilla bean(or 1 t vanilla extract)

Scrape vanilla bean.  Store innards (I'll post a pudding recipe later to use it up).  Mix all ingredients.  Chop up vanilla bean pod and stick segments into container(s) with mix for a more homey vanilla flavor.

Recipes that were part of the experiment.  Some of them didn't make the cut.

To store your amazing (and addictive) scrubs, shovel them into glass containers (like an old pasta sauce jar, baby food jar, or similar [the wider the mouth, the easier to scoop]) and use up within 2 or 3 weeks.  It's best not to use them while showering because a]chances are, you'll slip and fall, and b]water in the scrub can make it moldy.
I hope you enjoy!
Cheers.

Cinch Belt Semi-Tutorial!

Finely, I've some free time!
So I thought I'd upload some directions on making a snapped cinch belt.  Hopefully I'll find some batteries soon to take pictures to go along with the directions and doodle.
(Psst.  This is my first actual sewing tutorial.  How exciting!)

Alrighty, so here goes.

Supplies:
Enough fabric to go 'round waist plus a little extra, and at least 7 inches wide (prewash and iron!)
Interfacing, stiff cotton, or similar the same length and width as fabric (I used felt 1/2 inch short all way round to decrease bulk)
Snaps of some sort (I found some gripper snap fasteners at the local thrift store for 10 cents.)
Tool(s) to apply snaps (hammer, pencil, spool, or whatever your snaps require)
scissors/rotary cutter
pins
sewing machine
iron

The first thing you need to do is measure your waist.  This is the part of your trunk that is naturally the smallest (think possibly under the rib cage).
Take this measurement and add about 3 1/2 to 4 inches.  Broken down, this is approximately 1 inch for seam allowance and 2 1/2 to 3 inches for your snaps.
(Make sure you write this number down somewhere so you don't forget it.  If you're like me, you'll forget your measurement AND misplace the bit of paper you wrote the number down on.)

Next thing to do is to measure and cut your fabric.  It needs to be your ending waist measurement long by 7 inches wide (for a 3 inch finished belt).  Measure twice, cut once!  All seams are 1/2 inch.
Fold your rectangle in half (like a hotdog bun), right sides together, and iron.  If you're using some sort of interfacing (stiff cotton, iron-on, etc.), fold and pin to rectangle.  Sew along one short side and the long open seam.  You now have a tube that's closed on one end. (1, 2).  Trim seams to 1/4 inch (except the open end), clip corners, and turn (3 [this may be a little difficult with the interfacing; just be patient!]).  If you want, migrate the seam to the middle of the belt and press.

Fold  the open end inwards (press if necessary).  Use a straight stitch and top stitch all the way 'round the edges (1/8 to 1/4 inch, depending on your preferences [4]).

Use your original waist measurement to place the snaps (5).  (Let's say my waist was 33 inches, so I measured 33 inches on the belt and found I had 3 extra inches, which I divided evenly among the ends.)  Mark with pins or washable fabric pencil.

Now it's time to apply the snaps!  Follow the instructions that came with your snaps (or look up on YouTube for a how-to; some thrift finds come without instructions).  Use desired amount of snaps on the ends (REMINDER!  Make sure you put the female snap on the opposite side and end from the male snap.  If not, your belt will be twisted and very uncomfortable!)
(ALSO:  make sure your snaps line up correctly before applying.  They are a pain to remove, and 9 times out of 10 will ruin your project)

Now pull out that flowing dress or roomy top and flaunt your new belt!  (If you had to go out to the Beau's shop to apply snaps, you might want to remove the sawdust first)

Cheers!

Where has the motivation gone?

Holey woolen socks, Batman!
It's been a while since my last post.
I do have pictures and a tutorial (of sorts) coming up.
I just need to find the time to start up my ol' dinosaur to upload and post.
As the Poopmonster naps, however, I find myself trying to get back into sewing.
I've started my own shop on Facebook (well, more of a perusing place than shop.  I need to finish up on Etsy).
Just search for AngryKat & Co if interested.
There isn't a lot posted yet, but it is to come (mainly because my memory card is full).
Tonight, maybe, another post!