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By dreadlock girl, 27,January,2010 23:51

Make your very own slice of heaven in a sock. Oh yeah, I promise that this simple and inexpensive hot/cold sock filled with rice and a couple drops of essential oil is your ticket to a better life. They are great for back aches, stomach cramps, leg tightness, leg pain, or just a relaxation enhancer.

They are especially good for pregnant ladies, because back aches are a biggie- so be sure to make these for all of those peeps in your life that find themselves expecting. I got these at my first baby shower from a friend and it was the one thing that fit me during the whole pregnancy, that I looked forward to more and could use after the baby too! I can’t say enough, try it.

Recipe for Homemade Rice Sock Heat pack or Cold Compress:

What you need:

*One pair of (I recommend two so you have a back up when your husband steals yours!) thick men’s socks. Just regular tube socks will do, they should be sport or working man thickness though. The bigger the better.
*Rice as needed to fill the socks half full. Get the cheapest you can find.
*Flannel or other fabric to cover your men’s sized rice socks.
*Funnel (optional but recommended).
*Essential Oils to your choosing (optional but recommended).

How to work it:

1.) Roll down the top of one of your socks, stick the funnel in and dump cups of rice into the sock until it is full until the half way point.

2.) Add drops of essential oil to the rice inside your sock (picture below). I added vanilla, about 10 drops- but whatever you like to smell would work. Also herbs would work as well, some lavender leaves and flowers or whatever.

3.) Cut fabric, I like flannel because it is warm already to the touch and soft but you could use cotton or fleece. Remember it will need to be washed and it will be microwaved along with the rice sock as well. The size of your sock will mean you need a bigger or shorter fabric slice. I cut mine at 6 inches wide and 18 long. I had the fabric folded so I wouldn’t have to sew the bottom of the cover, but I am lazy so it doesn’t really matter if you do it that way, it is only about 5 inches to sew.

4.) Sew the top hem first, before you do the sides or bottom. Then turn fabric wrong side out or right sides facing each other and sew up the two long sides and the bottom. Right the fabric and you are done. DONE! Slide (more like wiggle) your rice sock in and you are ready to head to the micro!

That would be right, it means that now you can enjoy. Start up your kettle, grab a good book or a stack of magazines and settle in for a good relaxing time.

Heating and Cooling Instructions:

Heating: As sizes will vary, you’ll need to figure out how long your sock needs to be heated in the microwave. It will depend on how big it is and how much rice is in it, and how hot you want it, but mine takes 3-4 minutes- as it has quite a bit of rice in it. I recommend heating one at a time if you have two, it just kind of works better that way. Wash the cover when needed.

Cooling: If you want this for a cold compress- put it in the freezer and let it get cold. Simple right? I would go with at least an hour- but that just depends on how cold you want it.

Live it up, and share with a friend!!

What do you do to relax? What is your TV show or reading material of choice in order to achieve that perfect state of calm? Share it with me- I need to get some relaxin’ in!

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By dreadlock girl, 11,January,2010 22:57

These bright heart-shaped ornaments are not just to bring out at Christmas, but to be admired all year long. I made them because they reminded me of the of the retro embroidered hearts from the seventies or sixties. They aren’t difficult to make, some simple embroidery and felt cutting is pretty much it. I did the blanket stitch around the edges and then just other fun stuff on the hearts themselves.

To make these you will need: wool felt, embroidery thread and poly-fill stuffing to pooch them out, and a button for each. They could be made in natural colours too if that is more pleasing to you.

The thing that I really enjoy about felt is that it is a lazy woman’s fabric since there is no fraying, washing, ironing or hemming needed. I am guessing that that is why it has become extremely popular as of late. It is beautiful and takes less work- what could be the catch!?

I can’t seem to stop cutting these little delights out and sewing them for family! It is like doodling to me to mess with them and do the stitches.

Valentine’s Day is coming up, these would be perfect for Valentine’s Day or Christmas. I would leave them up hear round! Enjoy.

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By dreadlock girl, 8,January,2010 21:25

This is such a fun idea that kids can do easily. We made them for grandparents as gifts, but now I want them to make me one too so I can have it in my window. All you need for this homemade kids craft is a frame (try thrift stores, they have tons!), some Wacky Glue (or other glue that is strong enough and dries clear) and some of these glass pebbles or whatever they are called.

I picked the colours at the craft store and then just dumped them out on the table after putting glue all over the glass and let the boys work away. This was a great craft for them! Both boys loved it so it works for kids age 3 to 5 for sure Enjoy the process and then gift or keep, but be sure to set it in a sunny window to get the full effect.

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By dreadlock girl, 24,November,2009 21:25

I just finished making my first Reading Pillow from a Sew Liberated pattern. It is actually my first time to be faithful to a pattern completely, yes I am just not ‘that kind of girl’. However, this first try at actually knowing what it would look like before making it, and sewing it easily not having to take it out and rip seams a million times made me a believer in patterns.

I made this out of some Amy Butler fabric that my sister-in-law bought for the centerpiece tablecloths at her wedding. When I thought of what fabric I could buy this fabric kept coming to my mind and since I am giving them to her mom, my mom and her for Christmas I decided this material would be perfect. I hope that you can be sure and not tell them!! SHHHHH!

I think it turned out pretty good for my first time following a pattern. I wish that I could give you all the deets in this post, but that just wouldn’t be right since Sew Liberated is selling the patterns, I bought mine off of her website, it was $11.95 but well worth the accuracy of following someones measurements who had done it before! Can I hear an ‘Amen, Sista!’? If only you knew.

At first I thought about doing a solid on the back, but then I thought, ‘well, but then it could serve a double purpose when not in use!’ and I am so glad that thought crossed my mind. Now when it isn’t being used to read, it can be used to adorn a couch or a bed- but never fear it will be fully stocked with glasses and pencils on the other side! Nifty yeah?

What is the first pattern you ever followed when sewing? Did it turn out?

Enjoy a Homemade Christmas with your family too! Get started now.

This is the third gift idea that I have shared for my Christmas a la Homemade (a handmade Christmas). I will be posting these up until Christmas to give you ideas for gifts you can make for your friends and family.

Previous Ideas from my Christmas a la Homemade (A Handmade Christmas):
Rosemary Sea Salt Recipe
Bath Salts Soak Recipe
Knit Granny Washcloth (or Dishcloth) Pattern
Make a Reading Pillow for the Bookaholic(s) in Your Life

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By dreadlock girl, 17,November,2009 22:36

My grandma, taught me to make these several times when I was growing up. She is gone now, and I forgot how to make them. But now that I have re-taught myself to knit I really wanted to figure these out again. I did! It is exactly the pattern she taught me, at least it turns out the same. There are probably several ways to do this.

I use Cotton Ease Lion Brand yarn, a medium 4 which is 50% Cotton, 50% Acrylic. I don’t think it matters what you use as long as it is cotton. I think I have busted out 5 of these so far, they feel so nice on the skin as a washcloth. And I knit different ones for the dishes as well, that way I can just throw them in the wash.

Granny Dishcloth/Washcloth Knitting Pattern:

*CO 4

*K2, YO1, K remainder of stitches (the YO will add one stitch each row)
repeat for every row until you have 44 stitches on your needle.

*K2, Ktog, YO1, Ktog, knit remainder of row
repeat until you are down to 4 stitches on your needle, then cast off.

enjoy your bath! (or washing your dishes in style)

Knitting Terms:
CO: Cast On
K: Knit (along with number of stitches)
YO: Yarn Over
Ktog: Knit Together

This pattern was first posted on my blog on January 10th 2009. Since last year I have made so many of these, and I love making them because they are brainless, which I can do while I listen to an audiobook or watch a movie. I personally love the one that I kept more than any of my store bought ones. It is really good at getting all the grime off and I love how it exfoliates my skin without being abrasive. I have promised to knit myself some more and put them in MY stocking this year!! I highly recommend knitting some of these and if none of your family wants then, really then you will have lucked out!

Enjoy a Homemade Christmas with your family too! Get started now.

This is the third gift idea that I have shared for my Christmas a la Homemade (a handmade Christmas). I will be posting these up until Christmas to give you ideas for gifts you can make for your friends and family.

Previous Recipes from my Christmas a la Homemade (A Handmade Christmas):
Rosemary Sea Salt Recipe
Bath Salts Soak Recipe
Knit Granny Washcloth (or Dishcloth) Pattern

I am a Powell’s affiliate and I do receive a percentage of the sales of any book you buy using my links. Thank you!

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By dreadlock girl, 2,November,2009 22:55

Over the next couple of months I am going to highlight some homemade gifts that I am putting together for people this Christmas season. We have decided to go for an exclusively homemade Christmas this year and I am thrilled to show you what I have come up with. I will be making these items below over the next couple of months, and will share the process with you so you can make it too! It is fun to be able to be crafty together, isn’t it?? Also, I would love some more ideas, things that you have made for people, or things you wished you could have made for them because it was such a great idea.

Here is what I have come up with so far:

*Granny Stitch Dish/Washcloths
*Sweater Hats (from Handmade Home)
*Rosemary Sea Salt
*Natural Goat’s Milk Soap
*Fiber Garland (from Handmade Home)
*Dried Spices from our Garden (Rosemary, Lavender and Sage)
*Lavender Rice Hot/Cold Compress
*Pocket Tissue Case (from Patchwork Style)
*Linen Embroidered Handkerchief (from Linen, Wool, Cotton)
*Quilted Pot Holders or “Millie’s Hot Pad (from Handmade Home)
*Silky Eye Pillow (from Handmade Home)

Did I miss something? I am sure I did, if you have something to share that you love that either you made or was made for you, go for it.