Christmas time

I periodically get the crazy idea to make Christmas presents for everyone in my family.  I've skipped doing this for 2 years, but now I'm back to it.

I've made beaded bracelets for a few people, headbands, and sewn gifts.

It is difficult coming up with ideas for the men in my family.  I made glasses case with lanyard for my BIL, a heating pad cover for my daddy, and a blanket for my brother.

R is getting  a lot of handmade items.  Her big one from me this year is a Middie Blythe that I customized for her.

Last peak before being wrapped.

Along with the Middie is a collection of clothing and a carrying case.  I made her Blythe girls, Lisa and Coco, some outfits too.

Santa is bringing her a Mab Graves Pinkie and the baby dino cameo, and she is receiving a microscope, karaoke machine, and other odds and ends.  Her daddy is getting a necklace made from the shell of the bullet that killed her first deer this year.  Funny enough the shell has her initials on it.

I hope everyone who happens upon this post has a great holiday season!

Crayon Lipstick

Have you heard of crayon lipstick?  Search it on YouTube and you will find many DYI videos!  A friend of mine showed the videos to my 9 year old and of course she wanted to make some.

It was rather easy.  I watched the video once and grasped the concept.  Biggest question- are crayons really safe for lip color?  Honestly, I am not sure.  This is what I found on Crayola's website:  http://www.crayola.com/faq/your-business/how-are-crayons-manufactured-and-what-are-the-basic-ingredients/

And here is the list of ingredients that are not in the crayons:

http://www.crayola.com/faq/safetymsds/due-to-allergies-and-allergy-concerns-can-you-tell-me-the-ingredients-in-your-products/

And, they do meet the "acid free" standard.  This is more for archival purposes, but still good to know.  http://www.crayola.com/faq/another-topic/are-crayola-products-acid-free-and-permanent/

They are indeed toxic-free:  http://www.crayola.com/faq/safetymsds/are-crayola-and-silly-putty-products-nontoxic-even-if-ingested/

Now for the personal disclaimer, I have no further information than what was found on the brand's website.  I tried the lipstick on myself without any complications.  I cannot wear cosmetic lipstick....all brands I have tried make my lips peel.

If you try this at home, you take responsibility. :)  Now that I covered that, onto the product.

I'm not going to post a how-to.  I just want to share the outcome.

I let R choose the colors which she based on the video she watched on YouTube.  I did most of the work since it did involve the stove and a pan of hot water.  I allowed her to stir the mixtures, but I did all of the pouring into the containers.  I do suggest clean up with paper towels to prevent color transfer, and having the pouring/prep on a cookie sheet.  It helped with not getting color on my granite.  You do have to clean the bowl and funnel between each color which was tiresome.

The brand of Coconut Oil I used.  It isn't the cheapest, but not the most expensive either.

The colors used....that is Orchid.  R forgot the r.  I think Strawberry is really Wild Strawberry.