Project Plans

Well Projects out everyone. What is it that is making your tick at this time.

Many of you may or may not know my husband Raine is always supportive of my projects, though in all the years we have been together has only ever asked from one thing made (knit or crochet). Well that changed, a few months back he stated he would love a knit kilt. So I did what any loving knitting wife would. I went to Google.... and Ravelry, and every other knitting site there was. Seemed to date there has not been a true Men's kilt that has been knit.

So I put out some feelers and conferred with some experts (also whom admitted to having never heard of this project) and I got stated. With many restarts I am seeing the end of the finish-line with this kilt and I must say for a prototype it is looking wonderful. Once I have finished the bottom up length I will be adding in the pleats, and a waistband including belt loops.

The funny thing is I already have request to make these kilts for a number of people. However here is my official statement on this. At this time it is not conducive for my company to spend such a long time working on such large projects. However I do intend on righting a pattern and offering it in my shop and a few other places for a very reasonable price. I hope that by this time next year knitted kilts will be all the rage.

But then the question is what is next on the block.

Well with the help of the new face in my Comp we are now offering banners, avatars, and custom cards. And soon I will be adding wood projects to the ranks.

New batches of Handmade soaps are planned soon, and or coarse with the Olympics (Ravolympics) I will be working on spinning, and knitting small projects that I hope to offer for the shop as well. This summer heat is not getting me down. I will not be daunted by record heat, but instead enjoy the sun.

Summer Sun

Summer sun getting your down? If you are like me fair skin may keep you out of the sun, and keep you from being out on these wonderful days. But there are tips to help this problem and protect yourself from UV damage.


We all know that sunscreen and hats are what we should always use before we leave the house. They protect us from UV rays that are not only bad for our overall health, but our skin pays the price. There are a few tricks for those that wish to help in the protection of our skin.


If you forgot to apply, or sunscreen fails you then you there are tips and tricks that will help deal with the damage. Keeping your skin moist is always ideal though when it is damaged it is even more important. Aloe is a well known cooling salve that is often used for this problem, however I since have found it caused me more problem with its slimy or sticky feel. In my search for the right solution I came upon the solution already in my cabinet a few years ago. 



The item that I had been using for spots and skin blemishes, along with the once and a while bug bite, witch hazel has great effects on sunburns and sun damage.  I have started using this product everyday, it not only is good for sunburns and the before mentioned problems it cleans and tones skin leaving you with the same positive effects of aloe without the slimy/sticky feeling.

Witch Hazel is known for the fallowing effect and more.

• Soothing poison Ivy/oak, bug bites, cuts, bruises chicken pox, blisters, and burns
• Soothes heat/diaper rash, and razor burn
• Helps control skin blemishes and spots
• Removes heat and redness from Sunburns

In addition to the soothing of the damaged skin you need to lotion the areas that are damaged. Burns tend to blister and peal when the water boils in the cells. This rapid heating process effects the hydration of the skin, and to aid in the repair lotion can be added in addition to your soothing balms. Look for lotions high in antioxidants 

I have in the past blended my favorite lotion with the witch hazel to get the blended effect. It worked wonderfully however the mix was oily as the lotion was not not made with the additional ingredient in mind. 

Some homemade products have these added in from the beginning, though you may not find them in stores. I make and often sell body butter in the summer just for this purpose. I intend to start using offering it year long as the effects are seen all year, and always good even without sun damage. 

But most of all, in the summer heat. Keep on your sunblock and hat. Remember too your sunglasses (my worst failing) and lip balm. After all lip are skin too, and your eyes are fragile things, take care of them. 

Drink lots of water, not only will this help with your internal temp, and dehydration, but hydrated skin is more likely to recover from skin damage faster.

Make your dishes Sparkle

Dish washing liquids are not all the same, for many years soap scum residue was a problem even with new dishwashers. We changed brands of cleaners, used all the additives, but still would have to hand scrub some things just to get them to LOOK clean. Then I gave up on it. 

No I did not go out and get new plates and glasses, or get rid of the dishwasher. Instead I stopped using commercial soaps. Instead I used a traditional homemade recipe that has done a far better job at a fraction of the price. Even the lower end liquid would cost about .20 a load, my homemade liquid is .04 a load and dose a better job, with no soap scum to speak of. 

A box of BORAX and Baking Soda cost about $1.00 each, and then Lemon juice is also about $1. I use one Tbs each of BORAX and BS adding 4 cups of water, and a squeeze of Lemon juice to cut grease. Once mixed I let this sit for a few hours to thicken a bit before use. To really get shine I add a bit of white vinegar into the additive tank to release a bit at each rinse.

Never again can I see the logic of buying cleaner when in the time it takes to make  some Kool Aid I can have an entire container of spot free low cost dish washing liquid