DIY Extra-Easy Eyeliner

Much like our homemade Super-Simple Lip Gloss, today's Extra-Easy Eyeliner is a quick, fun project with just a couple ingredients.

(Image by Deviant Art on their website: {http://fc05.deviantart.net/fs71/i/2013/060/5/2/lace_eyeliner_by_salemroseartistry-d5wnqe0.jpg}.)

 
To complete this project you will need:

• Small, Round Makeup Pots or Craft Bead Containers
• Coconut Oil
• Activated Charcoal Capsules
• A Small Bowl & Spoon
• A Fine-Tipped Paint Brush or Cosmetic Brush

Makeup Pots may be a little challenging to find in local stores sold as, "makeup pots."  Luckily, I found mine at Pat Catan's craft store in a package of 12 for about $3.50 in the jewelry storage section.  You may be able to find similar bead containers at stores like Walmart with craft sections.  Additionally, stores with Travel/Trial item sections carry small, round containers with twist off lids, perfect for this project, for just $1 for 2. 


 I was a little wary of purchasing Coconut Oil, because I knew it had a history of being expensive, so I was relieved when I found a 14 oz. jar of LouAna brand at Walmart for $3.78.  Nowadays with people more health-conscious and organic-food inclined, coconut oil is pretty easy to find at most grocery stores.


 I've heard about more and more uses with Activated Charcoal lately, so I wasn't completely surprised when I saw that the recipe for this eyeliner called for it.  It has a lot of household uses, medicinal properties, and can obviously be used for DIY beauty products!  I tried to find a bottle of charcoal capsules at Walmart, since I'd seen them on their website, but to no avail.  I wound up purchasing them from the health store, GNC.  They were a little bit pricey, so if you're trying to watch your pennies and don't mind waiting a few days to receive them, I would recommend purchasing them from a less-expensive online retailer, such as Amazon.


If you have an old eyeliner brush you're interested in re-using with our homemade eyeliner, more power to you.  I opted for some new fine-tipped brushes and was pleasantly surprised to find a 10-pack of fine-tipped assorted art brushes at Walmart for $3.97.

 


 
First, spoon about 1/2 teaspoon of coconut oil into your mixing bowl.

 

Next, twist apart 2 or 3 of your Activated Charcoal Capsules and pour their contents into your mixing bowl until the mixture has a smooth, even consistency.

Lastly, just spoon your mixture into your makeup pot or bead container & use your art or cosmetic brush for application.

Voila!  You've Made Your Own Extra-Easy Eyeliner!
Thank You & Enjoy!

DIY Super-Simple Lip Gloss

This week we're going to be taking a different route, and will be focusing on making a couple cheap, easy, DIY makeup items:  lip gloss & eyeliner.

(Image by Resellers-Heaven on their website: {http://minisite.resellers-heaven.com/Lips/images/lipgloss.jpg}.)


To complete this project you will need:

• Small, Round Lip Gloss Pots or Bead Containers
• Petroleum Jelly (Vaseline) or Un-Petroleum Jelly
• Wilton's Pearl Dust in Your Choice of Color
• A Small Bowl & Spoon
• A Fine-Tipped Paint Brush or Cosmetic Brush (Optional)

Lip Gloss Containers may be a little challenging to find in local stores sold as, "lip gloss containers."  Luckily, I found mine at Pat Catan's craft store in a package of 12 for about $3.50 in the jewelry storage section.  Some superstores with craft or bead sections may carry these containers, but you shouldn't have any problem at all finding them in a craft store.

Petroleum Jelly is a universally found and inexpensive item.  It can be found at any superstore, dollar store, or grocery store in the health and beauty section from $1-$4.50+ depending on the brand, variety, and size jar you buy.  Un-Petroleum Jelly is a little fancier, due to its being made with plant oils and beeswax, and runs about $7 a tube.  If the more natural choice is your style, you can find it online at retailers such as Amazon.

Pearl Dust, made by cake decorating brand Wilton, is actually edible, decorative, colored dust used on fondant and gum paste when making cakes or other treats.  It can be found in cake decorating stores or craft stores in their baking aisle.  The pearl dust comes in a variety of colors, such as red, pink, green, gold, silver, and bronze, and can be shimmery or matte.  I purchased mine from the baking aisle of Pat Catan's for about $4.

 

 


First, spoon about a tablespoon of your petroleum jelly into your bowl.




Next, sprinkle some of your pearl dust over the petroleum jelly & mix until you  have the desired color.

Lastly, just spoon your mixture into your lip gloss pot or bead container.

 Voila! You've Made Your Own Super-Simple Lip Gloss!

Thank You & Enjoy!

Decorative Glass Prism Candle

Today's project is going to be making our own Decorative Glass Prism Candles.  These candle jars are very easy to make, very elegant, and give the room a warm, cozy feel, as we immerse ourselves in the fall and winter months.

(Image by Ali Express on their website {http://www.aliexpress.com/price/decorative-glass-cylinders_price.html}.)

 To complete this project you will need:

• A Mason Jar or Clean/Empty Candle Jar
• Glass Aquarium Stones or Decorative Pieces
• E6000 Craft Super Glue
• Paintbrushes
• A Tea Light, Votive Candle, or a Battery-Powered LED Light
  
  
  Mason Jars, or similarly shaped and sized glass jars, can be found at a variety of retailers such as craft stores, dollar stores and superstores.  These typically only run a couple of dollars.
  
  Glass Aquarium Stones can be purchased at a variety of retailers such as, craft stores, pet stores, Walmart, etc.  Bags are usually about $2-$3 apiece.
  
  E6000 Craft glue can be found at any craft store or superstore.  Unfortunately it usually runs anywhere from $3 or $4 up to about $7 or $8 depending upon where you're buying it, the size, and the specific variety.  Luckily, however, while perusing the aisles of Dollar General, I found a tube in their tool and auto aisle for only $2.50.
  
  
  As with most of the supplies, paintbrushes can be found at virtually any superstore, craft store, or dollar store.  I bought mine in a package of about 10 from Dollar General for $1-$2.
  
  
  Similarly tea lights, votives, and battery-powered LED lights can be found at any of our usual variety of stores.  I enjoy buying tea lights from Dollar General, because they have delicious holiday scents in boxes of 8 for only $1 (I love the Iced Gingerbread.)
  
  
  Also, I bought a package of 2 battery-powered LED lights at Dollar Tree for just $1.

Much like my other projects, this one is relatively easy and inexpensive, yet yields store quality results.

First, after ensuring that your glass jar is clean and dry, you can open your glue and squeeze a small amount onto some newspaper, a paper plate, or some kind of working surface.  Then, you'll dip our paintbrush into the glue, and beginning near the top of the jar, paint the glue onto a small section of the glass.

Next, you can begin adhering your glass stones or decorations to the jar.  It's a good idea to already have a design or pattern in mind before you start gluing, to ensure that the glue is at its stickiest when you're placing the stones.

You will continue this process until your jar is covered with the decorative stones.  It's a good idea to let the stones set for a couple hours before trying out your candle or LED light.  Once your stones are dried to the jar, you're all set!  Drop in your candle or turn your LED light on & enjoy!

Voila!  You've Now Made a Decorative Glass Prism Candle!
Thank You & Enjoy!

Confessions of an Amateur Extreme Couponer

We've probably all seen TLC's show, "Extreme Couponing," where serious savers plan out their sales and shopping strategies for the week, spend 40+ hours that week researching & clipping coupons, ultimately spending hours in the grocery store to usually save 90+% on their bill...that's me, but on a seriously saner level.

 (Image by Coupon Website Reviews on their website {http://couponwebsitereviews.com/extreme-couponing-101-review.html}.)

My interest in coupons & couponing started a few years ago when I started living on my own.  Part of it was because I worked part time & was back in school part time, so I was trying to save money, but I was also excited by the idea of getting good products for really great deals.  

It started out as just getting some good deals on personal care items, like deodorant, shampoo/conditioner, body wash, & toothpaste that I was able to store on a shelf in my bathroom closet.

Shortly thereafter, the scope of my coupon-purchased items broadened to include dish soap, Bath & Body Works hand soaps, Lysol antibacterial wipes, paper towels, kleenex, etc.

Over the years I've used various methods of collecting my coupons.  In most areas, SmartSource & Red Plum coupon inserts come in the mail with local store sales ads every Tuesday.  These inserts include coupons for a wide variety of edible & inedible grocery items.  As the hyperlinks show, both of these insert companies have their own websites where you are able to print coupons from home.  Two of my favorite online printable coupon websites are Coupons.com & Coupon Suzy.

 

(Image by Coupons.com from their website {www.coupons.com}.)

 

(Image by Coupon Suzy from their website {www.couponsuzy.com}.)

A lot of serious couponers match up multiple stores' weekly sales ads with the coupons that are currently in circulation, using their research findings and coupons at a variety of different stores.  I really don't have the time or interest in couponing all over town.  The majority of my coupon purchases happen  at Giant Eagle, because I have one close to my house & also  because they double the value of manufacturers' coupons up to $1. 

 (First Stockpile Shelf...approximately a year ago)

The method to my madness is basically just cutting out coupons in the weekly inserts and printing online coupons.  If I know a particular item or items are going to be going on sale and I have coupons for those items, I will try my best to schedule a couponing trip during that time to maximize my savings.  Additionally, if the store is out of a particular item that is on sale that week that I have coupons for, I will get a rain check from my store's customer service desk.  This allows me to buy that item at a later date when it's back in stock at that previous sale price.

 
(Second Stockpile Shelf, June 2014)

In addition to the adrenaline rush and enjoyment I get from turning a $223 grocery bill into an $88 one, I'm also very happy to help others in need with items from my stockpile.  Lots of organizations in your city or town accept donations of food & non-food items alike.  I enjoy donating items to and through my church, in addition to the local women's shelter and rescue mission. 

(Third Stockpile Shelf, June 2014)

So, if you're like me and love a good deal, love not having to run to the store when you're out of something, & are on a budget, couponing might be a good idea for you!

(Current Stockpile Shelves, October 2014)

Clip a couple this week & see how it goes! 
Thank You & Enjoy!

Milk Jug Jack O' Lanterns

'Tis the season for spooky & fun!  This week's post is going to demonstrate how to make faux jack o' lanterns from recycled gallon milk jugs.

(Image by Historic Hudson Valley from their website {http://www.hudsonvalley.org/sites/default/files/imagecache/Slideshow/blaze_slide5.jpg}.)


In order to complete this project you'll need:

• Several Empty/Clean Gallon Milk Jugs
• A Permanent Marker
• Glow Sticks

Permanent Markers can be found virtually anywhere & everywhere for only $1 or less.  Mine came in a 2-pack from Dollar General for $1.

Glow Sticks can be found just about anywhere as well.  Most general retail stores such as Walmart, Kmart, Target, etc. sell them year-round in their party section.  Other retailers such as grocery stores, like Giant Eagle, sell them this time of year in their season aisles for just $1-$2 per package.  I purchased a tube of 20 variously colored glow sticks from Dollar Tree for only $1.

Using your permanent marker, draw jack o'lantern faces onto your milk jugs.

Next, fill up your milk jug about 1/2 of the way with water.  Then, crack a couple of glow sticks & drop them into the water.  The added water helps to reflect the light & glow from the glowsticks to illuminate the jug.

Voila! You've Made Milk Jug Jack O' Lanterns!
Thank You & Enjoy!

Craft Bead Suncatcher

For today's project we'll be making a lovely  indoor/outdoor sun catcher out of inexpensive craft beads.

 

 

(Images by Feels Like Home from their website {http://www.feelslikehomeblog.com/2013/05/melted-bead-suncatchers-perfect-for-a-homemade-mothers-day-gift/}.)


 To complete this project you'll need: 

• Assorted Plastic Craft Beads
• Metal or Disposable Foil Pans
• String, Fishing Line, or Ribbon to Hang Suncatcher

 

Craft Beads, also known as pony beads, can be found pretty easily at major retailers with craft sections, like Walmart, and at any and every craft store, such as JoAnn's, Michael's, Pat Catan's, Hobby Lobby, etc. for just a couple dollars per bag.  Some basic varieties can also be found at dollar stores.  I bought my beads at Dollar Tree for just $1.

 Disposable foil pans can be found just about anywhere also.  I'd definitely recommend buying foil pans from the dollar store, or if you'd prefer to use actual metal pans, since we'll be melting plastic in them, it's a good idea to not use pans you cook & eat from.  I'd recommend buying some from Goodwill or a yard sale, so that you know you're not eating any remnants of melted plastic.

String, fishing line, or ribbon is readily available at any dollar store or retailer for just a dollar or two.


First, preheat your oven to 400°F.

Next, spread your beads out in your pan in a single layer so that they're lying flat.  It's a good idea to leave a small circular area free of beads, so that you have an easy area to hang your string or ribbon from later.

**Melting the plastic can produce some unpleasant fumes and odors, so it's highly recommended that you keep your kitchen well ventilated, opening windows and doors and turning on fans.

Cooking time can take up to an hour, depending on the thickness of your beads, to ensure that everything is evenly melted and smooth.

Next, you'll need to let your suncatcher cool before removing it from the pan.  Once it's cooled & removed from the pan, you can hang it from the open space that we left between the beads.  If your suncatcher melted all together & did not keep the empty space, you can always poke your own hole to pull your string or ribbon through.

 














 Once you've tied your ribbon or string onto your suncatcher, you're all done & it's ready to hang!

Voila! You've made a Craft Bead Suncatcher!
Thank You & Enjoy!

Aquarium Stone/Recycled DVD Mosaic Bird Bath

This project came about, because I had an old porcelain bird bath that had broken into 11 pieces that I wanted to fix & spice up.

 

Since you'd most likely be doing your mosaic design on a new, inexpensive bird bath, you don't really have to worry about all the specific details of my gluing together of this one.  Essentially, I just held certain connecting pieces together with rubber bands and set them with Gorilla Glue until all of the pieces could be glued to each other.

In order to do the mosaic portion of this project you will need:

• A Bird Bath
• Aquarium Stones
• Old DVDs
• Mod Podge Craft Glue
• Craft Glue 
• A Sponge Brush

After cleaning it up & sanding it as best as I could by hand, I began painting my craft glue onto the basin of the bird bath & placing randomly colored aquarium stones.

I continued this process until the basin, sides, and edges of the bird bath were covered in aquarium stones.

Once my basin was set & dried, I flipped it over to begin the DVD mosaic portion of the project.

For this part of the project we'll be using the backs of old DVDs to create a prismatic mosaic on the outside of our bird bath.

In order to use the reflective material of the back of a DVD, we will need to separate the layers of the disc.  Before this project, I didn't even realize that DVDs had 2 layers to them!  Anywho, in order to separate the layers, attempt to cut the DVD with a pair of scissors.  This should put a nick in the disc that'll allow you to peel the layers apart.

(Image from Public Lab on their website {http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8480/8277324370_3743af6d7e.jpg}.)



Once you've peeled the layers of your disc apart, you can discard the label side of the disc, keeping the purple, reflect side.  Next, begin cutting the reflective layer in random shapes and craft gluing them to the outside of the bird bath.

I continued this process until the entire outside of the bird bath was covered in the disc shapes.






















 After a final top coat of craft glue on the inside & outside of your bird bath, you are ready to go.  Keep in mind, however, that the way we've made this bird bath has not prepared it to actually stay outside & survive the elements.  In order to make your bird bath outdoor-ready you'll need grout & a sealant.

  Voila!  You Have an Aquarium Stone/Recycled DVD Mosaic Bird Bath!

Thank You & Enjoy!