tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30459428521710532462024-02-21T10:24:12.726-05:00MajhadaRecipes, crafts and projects of an aspiring herbalist and anachronist.Majhadahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11243862184546713808noreply@blogger.comBlogger38125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3045942852171053246.post-12910817041109510462009-10-25T18:55:00.001-04:002009-10-25T19:56:38.632-04:00Celtic Whiskey Apples RecipeBased on a very old recipe for Golden Apples, this sweet treat is like having only the best parts of apple pie.<br /><br /><br /><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 320px; display: block; height: 217px;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5396615710508293874" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh37muT4f7KVoK1WT97aS53-UF8nxiASV4AnUsT1ccxk56DMDj0NZExElMWX_PBr4qDrmtSM2m2SLif5ZmGgFEa13ZIlPtutRRI52jhhh9zSPKxrPYJzn47_zAsR7RJ6zKWMcrM-wCM7r0z/s320/applesrs.jpg" border="0" /><br />You'll need:<br /><br />1 Apple<br /><br />1 Rolled, refrigerated pie crust<br /><br />1/2 cup Jim Beam whiskey<br /><br />1 cup Sugar<br /><br />1/4 t Cinnamon<br /><br />1/4 t Dried Orange Peel<br /><br />A dash of Ground Clove<br /><br /><br /><br />- Start by coring an apple and cutting into 16 even wedges<br /><br />- Set aside the apple pieces for later use<br /><br />- Unroll the pie crust and cut into circles using a drinking glass<br /><br />- Roll out each circle a little before placing a wedge of apple along one side<br /><br />- Fold the pie crust circle over the wedge of apple and smooth over using your fingers to encase the apple wedge<br /><br />- Repeat this for each apple wedge<br /><br />- Arrange the wrapped apple wedges onto the bottom of an ungreased 9X9 casserole dish<br /><br /><br /><br />- In a sauce pan, dissolve 1 cup sugar into 1/2 cup of Jim Beam whiskey on low-medium heat<br /><br />- When the sugar has dissolved, stir in your spices<br /><br />- Pour the warm whiskey syrup over the wrapped apple wedges<br /><br />- Bake at 400F for 20 minutes<br /><br />- Allow to cool a bit and serve warmMajhadahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11243862184546713808noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3045942852171053246.post-52062162652986860022009-10-25T14:40:00.003-04:002009-10-25T15:07:19.557-04:00Lavender Honey Sweet RollsA favorite from a few months ago I thought I would share.<br />Here it is at last.<br /><br />Combine the following:<br /><br />2c Whole wheat flour<br />1c All purpose flour<br />2 packets of Dry active yeast<br />2t Salt<br />1/2t Baking soda<br /><br />*Heat the following in a saucepan over low heat:<br />1 1/2c Plain Yogurt<br />1/2c Water<br />3T Butter<br />1/2c Lavender infused honey<br /><br />(Heat to about 125 F)<br /><br />*Pour the mix from the saucepan over the dry ingredients<br /><br />*Mix well (use a mixer if needed)<br /><br />On a floured surface, knead in the following:<br />1c Whole Wheat flour<br /><br />*Once kneaded, place the dough into a greased bowl and allow to rise until it<br />has about doubled in size.<br /><br />*Punch the dough down and push out into a rectangle<br /><br />*Using a pizza cutter, divide the dough into 1 inch by 6 inch sections<br /><br />*Take one section and curl it over two of your fingers. The dough is fairly<br />stretchy so it should curl up nicely.<br /><br />*Slide the roll off of your finger and onto a greased baking sheet.<br /><br />*Reapeat that process with each section of dough until all of your rolls are<br />complete.<br /><br />*Cover the rolls and allow them to rise for a 1/2 hour<br /><br />*Bake on the middle or upper rack at 350F for 10-12 minutes. Keep a close eye on<br />these because the bottoms love to burn.<br /><br />*Spray the top of each roll with cooking spray and set onto a wire rack to cool.<br /><br />*Serve the rolls with lavender honey butter or rose petal jam.<br /><br /><br />In case you don't know how to infuse honey...<br />Heat a cup or two of honey on low until it is easy to stir. Add in a few sprigs<br />of fresh lavender or a tablespoon or two of dry lavender. Maintain a low heat<br />for a few minutes until the smell of the flowers is strong. Strain the lavender<br />out and jar the honey for later use.Majhadahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11243862184546713808noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3045942852171053246.post-47114353031907849322009-06-11T00:28:00.003-04:002009-06-11T00:56:44.540-04:00Cool Down with a Mango Lassi Recipe<div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=16561455&ref=sr_list_10&&ga_search_query=mango+lassi&ga_search_type=handmade&ga_page=&order=date_desc&includes%5B%5D=tags&includes%5B%5D=title"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 186px; height: 194px;" src="http://ny-image2.etsy.com/il_430xN.42399262.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;">M is for Mango Lassi by <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=6361728">ilovelalalu</a></span><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div>Mmm... One of my favorite drinks of all time has to be the Mango Lassi. It's an Indian smoothie that's absolutely delicious. It's just the right amount of sweet and cold to cool me down on a balmy, hot night like tonight. Here's a simple recipe for my frozen Mango Lassi.<br /><br />-----------------<br />INGREDIENTS<br />-----------------<br />1/2 cup Skim Milk<br />1 cup Stonyfield Farms French Vanilla Yogurt<br />10 -15 Ice Cubes<br />1 cup Frozen Mango Chunks (1 1/2 if you really like mango)<br />2 T Agave Nectar<br />1/4 t Nutmeg<br /><br />---------------<br />DIRECTIONS<br />---------------<br />1. Place milk, yogurt, ice and mango chunks into the blender<br />2. Mix on Puree setting until smooth<br />3. Pour on agave nectar<br />4. Sprinkle on nutmeg<br />5. Blend for a few more seconds<br />6. Pour some into a glass<br />7. Enjoy<br /><br />Since I'm in a Mango Lassi mood, here are some awesome related items on Etsy:<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=23877071&ref=sr_list_7&&ga_search_query=mango+lassi&ga_search_type=handmade&ga_page=&order=date_desc&includes%5B%5D=tags&includes%5B%5D=title"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 365px; height: 323px;" src="http://ny-image1.etsy.com/il_430xN.66793929.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;">Mango Lassi Soap by <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=5897793">BathAlchemy</a></span><br /><br />This soap looks very yummy. In fact this seller has a number of fun and colorful soaps in her shop. Her Midnight Jasmine soap looks amazing too!<br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=23669340&ref=sr_list_8&&ga_search_query=mango+lassi&ga_search_type=handmade&ga_page=&order=date_desc&includes%5B%5D=tags&includes%5B%5D=title"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 365px; height: 275px;" src="http://ny-image1.etsy.com/il_430xN.66097321.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;">Mango Lassi Lip Balm by <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=6629219">StarbornAlchemy</a></span><br /><br />For all of those times when you aren't near a blender, this lip balm can act as a surrogate lassi. According to the description, not only does it smell of Mango Lassi but it's also sweet! Yum.<br /></div>Majhadahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11243862184546713808noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3045942852171053246.post-71480430947285592502009-05-27T00:05:00.008-04:002009-05-27T00:05:01.583-04:00Cooling Muscle Salve - Visual RecipeSore, hot muscles are inevitable as the days get warmer and activity increases. This recipe is intended to help soothe just those aches and pains. Think of it like a cooling version of tiger balm.<br /><br />This recipe is simple, but does require quite a few essential oils. Having tested it on my own sore knees after a long day, I can say that it feels utterly refreshing and smells uplifting too!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8N2DE0PPk8_qHcf6qJgpjxMo19cE0ZaG5jJm0ETDc6a1A1sK0b1VO3j5iTJtnOKhXqsSfHIarqcsX9dbxNoTgFyr9b83aHtRwO7S_uJ31_E9kqPfVNeH6xhHK7lFFvZ7I-MprdhZivHTT/s1600-h/cooling+002.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8N2DE0PPk8_qHcf6qJgpjxMo19cE0ZaG5jJm0ETDc6a1A1sK0b1VO3j5iTJtnOKhXqsSfHIarqcsX9dbxNoTgFyr9b83aHtRwO7S_uJ31_E9kqPfVNeH6xhHK7lFFvZ7I-MprdhZivHTT/s320/cooling+002.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5340344268974329890" border="0" /></a>--------<br />TOOLS<br />--------<br />Candle warming plate<br />Small ceramic mug<br />Measuring spoons<br />Stirring stick<br />Measuring cup<br />Empty 2oz jar with lid<br />-----------------<br />INGREDIENTS<br />-----------------<br />1 oz Jojoba Oil<br />1 oz Sweet Almond Oil<br />1 1/2 t Beeswax<br />30 drops Peppermint Essential Oil<br />20 drops Camphor Essential Oil<br />15 drops Eucalyptus Essential Oil<br />10 drops Lavender Essential Oil<br />3-5 drops Lemongrass Essential Oil (optional)<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Note:</span> The lemongrass can be overpowering. It smells fresh and citrusy, but if you prefer a cool mint smell I would encourage you to not include it in the salve.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;">------------------<br />INSTRUCTIONS<br />------------------<br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYGjNrPELz9xYNzTK7TxfoL_tLkexMjo-RtJim1aZ8xWd2YIKmPYe4zWyK4o6kA_jrm71XK5mJP0KSHSh0npXbIl9TJb88MeEtIjgxwigkOvFQkKJwU2TuYaq7SG2vS-H5ZUOP60bLkRp7/s1600-h/cooling+003.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYGjNrPELz9xYNzTK7TxfoL_tLkexMjo-RtJim1aZ8xWd2YIKmPYe4zWyK4o6kA_jrm71XK5mJP0KSHSh0npXbIl9TJb88MeEtIjgxwigkOvFQkKJwU2TuYaq7SG2vS-H5ZUOP60bLkRp7/s320/cooling+003.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5340344038458934690" border="0" /></a>Turn on the candle warmer<br />Place mug on the warmer<br />Add jojoba and sweet almond oil to the mug<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6nkb33J8ZTE-XSIMMF5w2lJmFXs3cjFlB7-1zIJlI5HPBnJs4lTaSN-kPxjjMz7HH0vS0KJ9CfElK30l44s7219lx16tYTBJUvPyLjQChoX4RCbltjfuYVoDDMRdSSq8XvDGMCdLe2VS2/s1600-h/cooling+005.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 297px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6nkb33J8ZTE-XSIMMF5w2lJmFXs3cjFlB7-1zIJlI5HPBnJs4lTaSN-kPxjjMz7HH0vS0KJ9CfElK30l44s7219lx16tYTBJUvPyLjQChoX4RCbltjfuYVoDDMRdSSq8XvDGMCdLe2VS2/s320/cooling+005.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5340343988864048130" border="0" /></a>Add the beeswax and stir<br />Allow the beeswax to melt completely into the oil<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlZxhrMmbN0yypBg_J1E_HPEa9F87WrsMcvNNMbtbhh0zp5gZ9C-UBqoRyWdU9P87da1KNY0_fevn1TwxEZ399PjeHkCpMGmEcwKCshoYygQJxhXDL45Yzoq0F6Cz60IKF_jZ0MjpthKer/s1600-h/cooling+006.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 251px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlZxhrMmbN0yypBg_J1E_HPEa9F87WrsMcvNNMbtbhh0zp5gZ9C-UBqoRyWdU9P87da1KNY0_fevn1TwxEZ399PjeHkCpMGmEcwKCshoYygQJxhXDL45Yzoq0F6Cz60IKF_jZ0MjpthKer/s320/cooling+006.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5340343943195915906" border="0" /></a>Cover with foil to speed the process<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnstq50DHDjAAsCA_qHyE2cKSm0jNt5VJ3ECqtNQz59O7s-OwdEO3ZOVJop9bjrONph86pKZXc5Rke-RPTqO9_8Kjn1Bq9j43G8AZAaG0hfK7GmW0SsaOK6AH4I2ZKrujxDlPt-gAx4cFU/s1600-h/cooling+007.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 218px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnstq50DHDjAAsCA_qHyE2cKSm0jNt5VJ3ECqtNQz59O7s-OwdEO3ZOVJop9bjrONph86pKZXc5Rke-RPTqO9_8Kjn1Bq9j43G8AZAaG0hfK7GmW0SsaOK6AH4I2ZKrujxDlPt-gAx4cFU/s320/cooling+007.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5340343894045983874" border="0" /></a>When fully melted, add in the essential oils<br />Stir to evenly distribute<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5y2f39s8-NwzvIWLtrh6I2UAJaahZ3kcIgxS5vGif0mDrA4gUkdcFK6ILHxc1E_UM8j-lOHBo5nKIzwRELqHKIbauTu2j2M9H5S_JEvlPAw0XHeNl6Lk-hbo9UgeZoSIbhd2rHX3knRuh/s1600-h/cooling+008.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 249px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5y2f39s8-NwzvIWLtrh6I2UAJaahZ3kcIgxS5vGif0mDrA4gUkdcFK6ILHxc1E_UM8j-lOHBo5nKIzwRELqHKIbauTu2j2M9H5S_JEvlPAw0XHeNl6Lk-hbo9UgeZoSIbhd2rHX3knRuh/s320/cooling+008.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5340343847716637410" border="0" /></a>Pour the salve mix into a jar<br />Allow to cool at room temperature until hard<br />Store in the refrigerator for extra cooling action!<br /></div>Majhadahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11243862184546713808noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3045942852171053246.post-83879409476211480692009-05-26T22:52:00.016-04:002009-05-26T23:57:45.654-04:00Yarrow Healing Salve - Visual RecipeToday's recipe is for a simple Yarrow Salve. Yarrow, a.k.a. Achillea Millefolium, has been praised for centuries in western culture as a great healing herb. Traditionally Yarrow was used to treat wounds due to it's styptic properties. It's colloquial nickname of "nosebleed" reflects one of it's common uses.<br /><br />Here I will cover step by step a method for making a Yarrow Salve. The nice thing about this recipe is that it does not take much in the way of supplies and can be prepared in a small space.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMQH68tfxqolP-c6iLA0k4vdJdhXtecrgw2FyIUVulhKo8VpoatXqXt_yfh4J7WMDGkSPRx834006SGX7QtrkIUbPXwiXjJQRq8AxTzeksC7-swZha9luxAvDlmCN9gQmWGaBZLBtKddgk/s1600-h/yarrow+001.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMQH68tfxqolP-c6iLA0k4vdJdhXtecrgw2FyIUVulhKo8VpoatXqXt_yfh4J7WMDGkSPRx834006SGX7QtrkIUbPXwiXjJQRq8AxTzeksC7-swZha9luxAvDlmCN9gQmWGaBZLBtKddgk/s320/yarrow+001.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5340332996307970034" border="0" /></a>---------<br />TOOLS<br />---------<br />Candle warming plate<br />Small ceramic mug<br />Measuring spoons<br />Stirring stick<br />Measuring cup<br />Cheesecloth<br />Small mesh strainer<br />Empty 2oz jar with lid<br />-----------------<br />INGREDIENTS<br />-----------------<br />1 oz Jojoba Oil<br />1 oz Olive Oil<br />3-4 Yarrow Leaves<br />3-4 T Yarrow Flowers<br />1 1/2 t Beeswax<br />5 drops Vitamin E Oil<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;">------------------<br />INSTRUCTIONS<br />------------------<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnsxhJgeBzN-0pCiyfirzzWBjJUpCdlVnfJcGaZA06mkCWoUSuWl3mtGxRBsfKpm5bj0kwUGCxSBwk3tYbtgkUvydRdQjhsbPDRpRCG9ec5U3Jc56vwEbivOrqAdjSx-3FtkQCPgACBQ7o/s1600-h/yarrow+004.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnsxhJgeBzN-0pCiyfirzzWBjJUpCdlVnfJcGaZA06mkCWoUSuWl3mtGxRBsfKpm5bj0kwUGCxSBwk3tYbtgkUvydRdQjhsbPDRpRCG9ec5U3Jc56vwEbivOrqAdjSx-3FtkQCPgACBQ7o/s320/yarrow+004.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5340332956140865586" border="0" /></a>Turn on the candle warmer<br />Place mug on the warmer<br />Add jojoba and olive oil to the mug<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuvaqMIOSvDZKPQWmN8QRBE7rYyff2I4xmWVbS52j90zUO79RYuJOipXRMEgDY0ILHPfojIdrT5SRrYP7i0fxwJ03OQSvfibWaFmA5Vx37U3ImaTJFz0IhxaViytaE3VKm5ARI09ZmWfVK/s1600-h/yarrow+005.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuvaqMIOSvDZKPQWmN8QRBE7rYyff2I4xmWVbS52j90zUO79RYuJOipXRMEgDY0ILHPfojIdrT5SRrYP7i0fxwJ03OQSvfibWaFmA5Vx37U3ImaTJFz0IhxaViytaE3VKm5ARI09ZmWfVK/s320/yarrow+005.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5340332909002825794" border="0" /></a>Add yarrow leaves into mug<br />Break apart if needed<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvMxs7Xw5DGbvNjAGz86vmI4mXoA1ad6SvGCZKkO5ySNTTJFslD6FwMByajdtW7XAoeTZG0OheYPdxiql0x3IvAS5DAP0m9ipSl0a8tZAIIGUi2RqkKJ_OiEgx2HFv2gV-bhFOu2qFTVAZ/s1600-h/yarrow+006.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvMxs7Xw5DGbvNjAGz86vmI4mXoA1ad6SvGCZKkO5ySNTTJFslD6FwMByajdtW7XAoeTZG0OheYPdxiql0x3IvAS5DAP0m9ipSl0a8tZAIIGUi2RqkKJ_OiEgx2HFv2gV-bhFOu2qFTVAZ/s320/yarrow+006.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5340332862473693618" border="0" /></a>Add yarrow flowers to mug<br />(Fresh, white flowers are best, but dry will do)<br />Make sure the yarrow is mixed well<br />The oil should just cover the yarrow<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghztw-H4rkrXQYIH5oZouv2fPIL3iwO6eM2Yr9yihts0kEgMryClV5p6NWUTMKcadHE0ecHYB89bfVRLMRLgpeyzgoErTsOXosZeHp8XK741sZXHRrVGsdMt1hT_nNWypq65aBPxe7PCDZ/s1600-h/yarrow+010.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghztw-H4rkrXQYIH5oZouv2fPIL3iwO6eM2Yr9yihts0kEgMryClV5p6NWUTMKcadHE0ecHYB89bfVRLMRLgpeyzgoErTsOXosZeHp8XK741sZXHRrVGsdMt1hT_nNWypq65aBPxe7PCDZ/s320/yarrow+010.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5340332792065138818" border="0" /></a>Allow yarrow bits to sit in the warm oil for up to 2 hours<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjNbauNZefnQbw9BoVnkqHWTQKVLusb_NPOpzzAhV110GJlMM7ZncsNlcNHWHjlutL-LQnnxXdGVYSOxchEfbYE4RsEqHPUTVQx0rmE4x41fyellvEs3nW1YdhyphenhyphenH0rvCPvTeoafmakx2ln/s1600-h/yarrow+011.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 244px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjNbauNZefnQbw9BoVnkqHWTQKVLusb_NPOpzzAhV110GJlMM7ZncsNlcNHWHjlutL-LQnnxXdGVYSOxchEfbYE4RsEqHPUTVQx0rmE4x41fyellvEs3nW1YdhyphenhyphenH0rvCPvTeoafmakx2ln/s320/yarrow+011.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5340332723739273890" border="0" /></a>Strain through cheese cloth into a cup<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCQ3o7bs1rtZOm5WIsb2o0sxLu2Hs2mozf7erPhoytE3L3lL9Efs7Q-VdctDmOJjxBSbB8-xkMqfIOURFp7NL4MXEfoMIsD7Roewno9WVQm1nu1Mm-mUi2VFTkXZJi4YMN7xe-OQhscw1_/s1600-h/yarrow+012.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCQ3o7bs1rtZOm5WIsb2o0sxLu2Hs2mozf7erPhoytE3L3lL9Efs7Q-VdctDmOJjxBSbB8-xkMqfIOURFp7NL4MXEfoMIsD7Roewno9WVQm1nu1Mm-mUi2VFTkXZJi4YMN7xe-OQhscw1_/s320/yarrow+012.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5340332664799473202" border="0" /></a>Bundle up excess the cheesecloth around the yarrow and press the bundle against a mesh strainer to squeeze out the last of the oil.<br /><br />Be VERY CAREFUL, the oil is HOT.<br />Hot oil hurts, a lot.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5LvvlNLNwZ5HJJ8_Q8PN9dbvZIjwwO9LwloY0VuR6reb730B2VrgPpP_YvENEvogsKOZJ0gftiTKVp5VNXervgaNFhAMXds7ma-RrqngTyUBEu08Bj_wCUOZaljTHl0W1ymVAkBBeaFAM/s1600-h/yarrow+014.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5LvvlNLNwZ5HJJ8_Q8PN9dbvZIjwwO9LwloY0VuR6reb730B2VrgPpP_YvENEvogsKOZJ0gftiTKVp5VNXervgaNFhAMXds7ma-RrqngTyUBEu08Bj_wCUOZaljTHl0W1ymVAkBBeaFAM/s320/yarrow+014.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5340332613472957602" border="0" /></a>Transfer the oil back into the ceramic mug<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcSBZRBI8txST2xopOf6Fx-_PJeZL4uvQ8KrLhPaQJwU17qliLHJlzbQlDq4caGP1fl-zxiM_NOJVmLQ1IFfMl56pvZjg1ilPjhO0DUw2MMWzmyHwtyXS08zqgiq6PJTnZ50V9pnp3_JjG/s1600-h/yarrow+016.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcSBZRBI8txST2xopOf6Fx-_PJeZL4uvQ8KrLhPaQJwU17qliLHJlzbQlDq4caGP1fl-zxiM_NOJVmLQ1IFfMl56pvZjg1ilPjhO0DUw2MMWzmyHwtyXS08zqgiq6PJTnZ50V9pnp3_JjG/s320/yarrow+016.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5340332564987655042" border="0" /></a>Warm the oil up again<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgev4qCbr9u_whGTxcbwLlhZcjbFePMbkivUIvk69i9Zf00qbzWpiGVcFffjI5Ri6NdIZH2L6FHeAaaeLf6FBAtGMUevrAOBLZD1tGwrFPK4sLTJcS16dTh9zn0gmYtmPqH2sGLJ9UPRKdl/s1600-h/yarrow+008.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgev4qCbr9u_whGTxcbwLlhZcjbFePMbkivUIvk69i9Zf00qbzWpiGVcFffjI5Ri6NdIZH2L6FHeAaaeLf6FBAtGMUevrAOBLZD1tGwrFPK4sLTJcS16dTh9zn0gmYtmPqH2sGLJ9UPRKdl/s320/yarrow+008.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5340333141014169714" border="0" /></a>Shave off the beeswax needed for the next step<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXEU_sbwaRMUxFgp1uv9v5HICJjp8qrktpmazvm39bAbKI2C95EG27XvYyFculncX8cFxbUJAheedT-HPNvBarTLa3wWP35TOyDaWFAZIYJ8CyjcwBOoxink6bvyts8lO85w8e1DPjDZCJ/s1600-h/yarrow+017.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXEU_sbwaRMUxFgp1uv9v5HICJjp8qrktpmazvm39bAbKI2C95EG27XvYyFculncX8cFxbUJAheedT-HPNvBarTLa3wWP35TOyDaWFAZIYJ8CyjcwBOoxink6bvyts8lO85w8e1DPjDZCJ/s320/yarrow+017.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5340332516529002274" border="0" /></a>Add in the beeswax and stir<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaBkn47TCyB2AEJoB7PZokRtbzIzaTQJzRUBpM3x12o58cUEUDt0wLLaFURnDtqnxqZsl94YDHDPxbeEPXf1BmwjlstUb9IRAPNYeTpeBinKW90rKqtURBxEk7HD89xXECykQIndoLXcRU/s1600-h/yarrow+018.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaBkn47TCyB2AEJoB7PZokRtbzIzaTQJzRUBpM3x12o58cUEUDt0wLLaFURnDtqnxqZsl94YDHDPxbeEPXf1BmwjlstUb9IRAPNYeTpeBinKW90rKqtURBxEk7HD89xXECykQIndoLXcRU/s320/yarrow+018.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5340332462099541586" border="0" /></a>Allow the beeswax to melt completely into the oil<br />This is your salve mix<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjh06jPyvhzMKrG9O9_xWcpa_To7Ei_8bzdk4sfx9Y6KBeBrilTow1VFLvuxoJuHfHuZZT0tM5hAhRwGU3D_wFbJ1Rl7tHjCTSWgMzySsmXlJVjh5vQiJu-6YMITiD4m7x9i03s5nB2DFPs/s1600-h/yarrow+024.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 250px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjh06jPyvhzMKrG9O9_xWcpa_To7Ei_8bzdk4sfx9Y6KBeBrilTow1VFLvuxoJuHfHuZZT0tM5hAhRwGU3D_wFbJ1Rl7tHjCTSWgMzySsmXlJVjh5vQiJu-6YMITiD4m7x9i03s5nB2DFPs/s320/yarrow+024.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5340332415024006162" border="0" /></a>Warm up a glass jar under water of increasing temperature<br />Wipe the jar dry<br />Transfer the warm salve mix into the jar<br />Allow to cool at room temperature<br /><br />Voila! Yarrow Salve!<br /></div>Majhadahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11243862184546713808noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3045942852171053246.post-76116370524131334162009-05-14T03:30:00.008-04:002009-05-14T03:44:31.908-04:00Peppermint Lip Balm - Visual RecipeI've been wanting to post this for a while, but my personal life has been a big distraction lately. Not that I mind, but it also feels good to get another recipe up. This one is very simple and requires only little bits of ingredients. It will make just about one tube of lip balm.<br /><br />---------<br />TOOLS<br />---------<br />Set of measuring spoons<br />Stirring stick<br />Candle warmer<br />Ceramic mug<br />Empty lip balm tube<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKZIFLZ_Knq3pEYGGVvjnfhX9mCAlctD8y4JNAiFplTrd2YP7_dcvDb9sDfmz6rrPngMnxeTyJKYbLP_zyyaYnUQuspsYI1aYsUN8k6Y7wmtrGZ9sfDXF_Q2y0OBKo7s8wCmnq8W5BBGR2/s1600-h/balm+004.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKZIFLZ_Knq3pEYGGVvjnfhX9mCAlctD8y4JNAiFplTrd2YP7_dcvDb9sDfmz6rrPngMnxeTyJKYbLP_zyyaYnUQuspsYI1aYsUN8k6Y7wmtrGZ9sfDXF_Q2y0OBKo7s8wCmnq8W5BBGR2/s320/balm+004.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5335579638512579730" border="0" /></a>-----------------<br />INGREDIENTS<br />-----------------<br />1/2 tsp White Beeswax<br />1/2 tsp Cocoa Butter<br />1/2 tsp Sweet Almond Oil<br />3 drops Peppermint EO<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;">-----------------<br />DIRECTIONS<br />-----------------<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5l4NN-3eMsYnCAPvsfizujchlLNOU_Fy-w8D60rplVPKkTznCwu3di8CYRUZ_RmQMMjIBgRaXrlblIxMAdV-KKhfw6bVCu_LAZAII2-ZFAhIr8C4RUYeqFRtIw8dl1KXx6gfU59jMFIEW/s1600-h/balm+006.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 252px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5l4NN-3eMsYnCAPvsfizujchlLNOU_Fy-w8D60rplVPKkTznCwu3di8CYRUZ_RmQMMjIBgRaXrlblIxMAdV-KKhfw6bVCu_LAZAII2-ZFAhIr8C4RUYeqFRtIw8dl1KXx6gfU59jMFIEW/s320/balm+006.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5335579589874650050" border="0" /></a>Heat up the candle warming plate.<br />Place beeswax into little ceramic mug.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghHNEyyxfdzGZAq7PEEXwLt5AZp7k0d3urCLn9GpvprrDZxLx130_Iq7SLJZ_1Eqi1anOlYiPxUVrAAtKoj6VxScfOW_Qn-v-ALEYuO7PU0e072sonGk4cy747TnreuW2EBM2toxZ3wj7Q/s1600-h/balm+007.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghHNEyyxfdzGZAq7PEEXwLt5AZp7k0d3urCLn9GpvprrDZxLx130_Iq7SLJZ_1Eqi1anOlYiPxUVrAAtKoj6VxScfOW_Qn-v-ALEYuO7PU0e072sonGk4cy747TnreuW2EBM2toxZ3wj7Q/s320/balm+007.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5335579544769696930" border="0" /></a>Add sweet almond oil to little mug.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikrb2z8aBfWW9n58yiVgk43zpiSMuF2jx9JV-XptBk7iPMfPUW9swQMQMnW2r6pl9nU09IvEtcaZPoOxYoyQZMErHlJaOIdKTiPGuBbSOirZAY_EB8MJt17w6xJojuwH1UdBWPfhj95Z_d/s1600-h/balm+011.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikrb2z8aBfWW9n58yiVgk43zpiSMuF2jx9JV-XptBk7iPMfPUW9swQMQMnW2r6pl9nU09IvEtcaZPoOxYoyQZMErHlJaOIdKTiPGuBbSOirZAY_EB8MJt17w6xJojuwH1UdBWPfhj95Z_d/s320/balm+011.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5335579484413860770" border="0" /></a>Place mug atop the candle warming plate.<br />Melt the wax and oil.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgd3jlSmaL613l9M-ct3GLiw5xNdgnZj0C3ggtVgavIUYHRuQXq4iidTJwZbVNlT41Y6_6pR7yb4RSwOtwM9JIpiNRPFJDHzaUirnx85ZwM1Wr09ZNWbrMFoe3Jw7GwRV_NjIx3gJ6kfPTo/s1600-h/balm+013.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgd3jlSmaL613l9M-ct3GLiw5xNdgnZj0C3ggtVgavIUYHRuQXq4iidTJwZbVNlT41Y6_6pR7yb4RSwOtwM9JIpiNRPFJDHzaUirnx85ZwM1Wr09ZNWbrMFoe3Jw7GwRV_NjIx3gJ6kfPTo/s320/balm+013.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5335579445915826050" border="0" /></a>Shave cocoa butter into the mug.<br />Stir to distribute.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUAC8DZm5pCHTaqq6kDH8o2aEQ86kKrIxGj8_eJ_8O_1INvOvc-IiYCuDH4hJI4KUetI7ccp5sXum-xKREPLGSjVqE2RKDU9-awluXJYgY8QVBJ2Dy89OybwHD6K7CNe3tFBHfMRAMrV1A/s1600-h/balm+014.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 250px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUAC8DZm5pCHTaqq6kDH8o2aEQ86kKrIxGj8_eJ_8O_1INvOvc-IiYCuDH4hJI4KUetI7ccp5sXum-xKREPLGSjVqE2RKDU9-awluXJYgY8QVBJ2Dy89OybwHD6K7CNe3tFBHfMRAMrV1A/s320/balm+014.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5335579401465301778" border="0" /></a>Add in 3 drops of peppermint essential oil.<br />Stir.<br />It should smell beautifully minty now!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmh-4WGqkYoBBRDqyrewEhLMccpCpjce6hzJ9uDphGoSfGeooo1RY7nznaP8ALcpzgcHG2l-ZmMtAoGLWVN2ewGf_aApdMKzSjrwRRhTJ4LjHkhNjTdiFMhYY8NeQ7BCec5Z2vunKniXmy/s1600-h/balm+016.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 241px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmh-4WGqkYoBBRDqyrewEhLMccpCpjce6hzJ9uDphGoSfGeooo1RY7nznaP8ALcpzgcHG2l-ZmMtAoGLWVN2ewGf_aApdMKzSjrwRRhTJ4LjHkhNjTdiFMhYY8NeQ7BCec5Z2vunKniXmy/s320/balm+016.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5335579352937032866" border="0" /></a>Continue to melt into a uniform liquid.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcmbmDKW4TWSTS1zRJjiqRPCMjlq2BBRtdEXbEPCi0lKSN2fGt_mT1T6Ec9ZN-8MxxucNwVAesNsqEJgkf322wCaxFGS8sZcC-WN7yNy0jZ6Wq9bWfxIY34hodLN4iEWUdcuAQTRZCtzJ6/s1600-h/balm+026.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 286px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcmbmDKW4TWSTS1zRJjiqRPCMjlq2BBRtdEXbEPCi0lKSN2fGt_mT1T6Ec9ZN-8MxxucNwVAesNsqEJgkf322wCaxFGS8sZcC-WN7yNy0jZ6Wq9bWfxIY34hodLN4iEWUdcuAQTRZCtzJ6/s320/balm+026.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5335579305977288386" border="0" /></a>Make sure the pusher is at the bottom of the tube.<br />Pour the warm liquid into the empty lip balm tube.<br />Set aside to cool.<br />Refrigeration speeds the cooling process.<br /><br />TA-DA... some super cheap, very fab lip balm.<br /></div>Majhadahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11243862184546713808noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3045942852171053246.post-89579537785503986992009-05-07T17:37:00.003-04:002009-05-07T17:46:07.160-04:00Thanks to Visitors Worldwide - 10 WeeksAfter 10 weeks of keeping Majhada full of fun recipes, tutorials and interesting bits of inspiration I feel I should thank all of the visitors for their support!<br /><br />THANKS SO MUCH!<br /><br />Thus far I've had visitors from the following places: United States, Australia, Malaysia, Germany, South Africa, Brazil, Bangladesh, Canada, United Kingdom, Malawi, Italy, Croatia, Philippines, Netherlands, France, Reunion, Slovakia, Hungary, Pakistan, Malaysia, Mexico and Dominican Republic.<br /><br />I hope to post a thank you to visitors from many more countries in the months to come.<br /><br />Keep coming back. :-DMajhadahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11243862184546713808noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3045942852171053246.post-77033973191888499242009-04-29T17:14:00.009-04:002009-04-29T17:44:15.845-04:00Tidbits from Southern Region War PracticeSince I have decided not to attend Pennsic this year, I felt the need to sate my appetite for a decently long SCAdian event. While not to the scale of the big war, the Southern Region War Practice plus EKU was a nice local event. There was much to be had in the way of weapons practice, but I decided to not bring my bow in favor of taking it easy for the weekend.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSaidY8Q2oiocGoKY-udYCrmdgmLm0mWQYRqhZYSDk-fyrh7Xcyl8RMixl5netMGIytrB4eYP9gIFXZfRkCO6loGflcchOiDnjM5Bh60HPmkgiaMchSEzQO-uhr2CdGrHkRST0dv5sK4po/s1600-h/sca+003.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 174px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSaidY8Q2oiocGoKY-udYCrmdgmLm0mWQYRqhZYSDk-fyrh7Xcyl8RMixl5netMGIytrB4eYP9gIFXZfRkCO6loGflcchOiDnjM5Bh60HPmkgiaMchSEzQO-uhr2CdGrHkRST0dv5sK4po/s320/sca+003.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5330227910662606914" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;">Fighters out on the field.</span><br /></div><br />The site turned out to be rather nice. I was able to stay in the lodge with showers, which was pleasant minus the snake that found it's way into my belongings! Thanks to one of my lodge mates and his son, I never had to encounter the scary little fellow. I am much appreciative of that.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2Sh-HiMI4scjPtoRbOJhnf90kqrVabpNSzNzxzUMgFsswWHQvX3-G3M6UTpUPTvLD8ZELsDzsOEZnyHT5PtbgfDQ0x9OfuSyIzbdx4c3FHKVUSSRE4zXsYacOB7zEBnvBYchF9OYFYrJX/s1600-h/sca+005.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2Sh-HiMI4scjPtoRbOJhnf90kqrVabpNSzNzxzUMgFsswWHQvX3-G3M6UTpUPTvLD8ZELsDzsOEZnyHT5PtbgfDQ0x9OfuSyIzbdx4c3FHKVUSSRE4zXsYacOB7zEBnvBYchF9OYFYrJX/s320/sca+005.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5330227848123365282" border="0" /></a>The meals at the event were hearty thanks to the hardworking cooks of the Shire of Owlsherst. While I don't have pictures of the feast, I did have the chance to enjoy it and ended up having rather friendly company during the meal.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxr0yXqDMUvQ7kjTN8vdPrbArjXrIWhRl0njLXonq3cfYG5gAbKrlB3Wbcpzqjs32Ztf1NPJotzIM_3mZvA7TCDzSIZfim6wmoL0lp3pQx98cpboTPXIxOJ3PhlBOzBg9FGLzAiqHGmhzy/s1600-h/sca+008.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 286px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxr0yXqDMUvQ7kjTN8vdPrbArjXrIWhRl0njLXonq3cfYG5gAbKrlB3Wbcpzqjs32Ztf1NPJotzIM_3mZvA7TCDzSIZfim6wmoL0lp3pQx98cpboTPXIxOJ3PhlBOzBg9FGLzAiqHGmhzy/s320/sca+008.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5330227749812306482" border="0" /></a>Though still early for a lot a blooming plants, these little ones were popping up all over the woods. They created little pops of color throughout the site. I didn't want to pluck one, but I did consider transplating a few to my own backyard. I eventually settled for just a picture.<br /><br />To be quite honest I really decided to go to the event mainly for the East Kingdom University classes. I ended up having the chance to learn how to spin wool properly, tried my hand at making glass beads, learned a bit about blackwork embroidery, fell in love with viking wire weaving and had the chance to sing with some very welcoming folks.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqwWn8MGWF8RScVuJJRroAYdLREZo2U4CfjofMjJqVnYwfCWvTaaxHwMzePr4EBkGgFJTfBQWvtXd87v4OxUcvVRPZ9tTys-XFrD2OG30QBS3GHvCVhl57WqxejBK1O5cekpJkBUp2_1w4/s1600-h/sca+011.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 238px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqwWn8MGWF8RScVuJJRroAYdLREZo2U4CfjofMjJqVnYwfCWvTaaxHwMzePr4EBkGgFJTfBQWvtXd87v4OxUcvVRPZ9tTys-XFrD2OG30QBS3GHvCVhl57WqxejBK1O5cekpJkBUp2_1w4/s320/sca+011.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5330227671913242866" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;">My second attempt at wire weaving still on the dowel<br /></span></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7mwdfpmtr1b6eSNl342ZGDA9IyHHbnYvrPhfNyU_dM1pJhgNDtJmAUNDesipgfhyphenhyphenalVsj7QVjVPs14_UEMffrOTl1-5Vv0wcQces4GEFmqUhh42MaGut_iZQy0clbo3Ulu3_gGJXIgWDU/s1600-h/sca+015.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7mwdfpmtr1b6eSNl342ZGDA9IyHHbnYvrPhfNyU_dM1pJhgNDtJmAUNDesipgfhyphenhyphenalVsj7QVjVPs14_UEMffrOTl1-5Vv0wcQces4GEFmqUhh42MaGut_iZQy0clbo3Ulu3_gGJXIgWDU/s320/sca+015.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5330227609474541826" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;">The finished wire weaving piece (and my not-so-period pants)</span><br /></div>Majhadahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11243862184546713808noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3045942852171053246.post-2285586777094080522009-04-29T15:54:00.018-04:002009-04-29T17:08:34.079-04:00Djembe Repair - Roping & Tuning (Visual Tutorial)The last in my series of Djembe repair posts involves the roping and tuning of the drum after having placed a new head. Again, my post really acts as a supplement to the instructions for roping and tuning found at <a href="http://hawkdancing.com/Wooddrum/tuningadjembe.html">Hawk Dancing</a>. I am happy with the results.<br /><br />----------<br />ROPING (not the Gyptian type)<br />----------<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmAG67WbGFl2XFCwQgFez-mCoGddvQeOfw-MRkWCzGgeMxLA0puy1ZAbO2XT9ZfpEjx8IWgoo3mtpPQFn0Rp8sV54zkHlK8UnntM__dR0JErD9d8urqbVYVf2cNYT3hJ7VyuUQXKnahwkY/s1600-h/djembe+039.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 259px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmAG67WbGFl2XFCwQgFez-mCoGddvQeOfw-MRkWCzGgeMxLA0puy1ZAbO2XT9ZfpEjx8IWgoo3mtpPQFn0Rp8sV54zkHlK8UnntM__dR0JErD9d8urqbVYVf2cNYT3hJ7VyuUQXKnahwkY/s320/djembe+039.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5330209230396007410" border="0" /></a>I used a section of Dacron rope wrapped around three times and secured with a slipknot for my base "hoop". If you chose to do this, make sure you can fit two fingers comfortably between the ropes and the drum body. This will ensure there is enough room for stringing the verticals.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhMfn-wYQ7SkEVwDxTNPssXJj5etmGOgjM3RoTaHrL62NLrrdWCYxx0muipC84zcqNDWfgvU2H3Sn9gduJpxt2lDCb4wyU_nUfj5xVscX3C09X9PA3rtpaVWfxB66uPJ4s8yaqaRpkC-Mp/s1600-h/djembe+046.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 259px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhMfn-wYQ7SkEVwDxTNPssXJj5etmGOgjM3RoTaHrL62NLrrdWCYxx0muipC84zcqNDWfgvU2H3Sn9gduJpxt2lDCb4wyU_nUfj5xVscX3C09X9PA3rtpaVWfxB66uPJ4s8yaqaRpkC-Mp/s320/djembe+046.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5330209143140862546" border="0" /></a>Next I strung the verticals using another long section of Dacron rope. You are dealing with a lot of rope during this process, make sure it doesn't knot into itself. I worked from the top hoop down and back up again all of the way around the drum. I found it very helpful to sting "anchor ropes" between the bottom and top hoops to keep the head even while I worked my way around with the verticals. These anchors were made using sections of the old rope then removed and tossed aside as I was ready to string new rope in each section.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhH85rNPFSs5-i8_J4m9BPpxVX2UlLh_XaKjaACaNhDhdRC16mVtB15xyZneMehcR1kiYtCQhcFy_hyWbrm-y5lXCQH0B7ORqd5PW9Oa985NuNaGSFbsGFFwvlY7jY22lNrTzEFdVab3VwP/s1600-h/djembe+047.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 230px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhH85rNPFSs5-i8_J4m9BPpxVX2UlLh_XaKjaACaNhDhdRC16mVtB15xyZneMehcR1kiYtCQhcFy_hyWbrm-y5lXCQH0B7ORqd5PW9Oa985NuNaGSFbsGFFwvlY7jY22lNrTzEFdVab3VwP/s320/djembe+047.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5330209065985186226" border="0" /></a>While stringing the verticals, the head begins to pull down a little and you may get some gathers around the skin hoop. I simply pulled the skin to smooth these out as I saw them.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxYD9BtzSFjAErnzBNX3kNpBkoRWJf1PM6jMqSafaIr7Ly77bUqD-v0llXmFz4MGk69BNJFbNZZeZIEw9d6aXZW1FM_-a8WCbC4dhezDWedI5MJeAlGQCtjn_REZu3js3NogoYzj6NaRrA/s1600-h/djembe+048.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 248px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxYD9BtzSFjAErnzBNX3kNpBkoRWJf1PM6jMqSafaIr7Ly77bUqD-v0llXmFz4MGk69BNJFbNZZeZIEw9d6aXZW1FM_-a8WCbC4dhezDWedI5MJeAlGQCtjn_REZu3js3NogoYzj6NaRrA/s320/djembe+048.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5330208981507683362" border="0" /></a>After stringing the veticles by hand the top of the drum looked like this.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwaCrRVGjOpkW0Ia8JRrKNt7aCnar_eEZ3BPNUJ-tzZmcfRcIT8qmyTffeZNCd_owMR5vaaNW8pGFYyG04NbHjW1rWZwcRI3AMUoTwwLHPOsl1pESNGB9FkBLSmTUpqTR9hK6lsF6p5TZm/s1600-h/djembe+051.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 259px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwaCrRVGjOpkW0Ia8JRrKNt7aCnar_eEZ3BPNUJ-tzZmcfRcIT8qmyTffeZNCd_owMR5vaaNW8pGFYyG04NbHjW1rWZwcRI3AMUoTwwLHPOsl1pESNGB9FkBLSmTUpqTR9hK6lsF6p5TZm/s320/djembe+051.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5330208911679584066" border="0" /></a>Using a thick wooden dowel, I tightened each vertical section with as much force as I could muster. There are other rope pulling tools for drums available if you want to make this easier on yourself. Since this was a fairly small drum, hand pulling worked decently enough.<br /><br />----------<br />TUNING<br />----------<br /><br />I will try to explain the easiest way I have found to create tuning diamonds on a Djembe.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiprdGY4a7jGQvoYgKojgKI_jsScngFwqkQDFD1vHyq3GM5ANzPRgyyCzDVuut5tZ6K411OCOGFMIHC5mYwpurqVvpK0dF5CyTJjLXDewRWCrm2LLf1QaU4sonCzjUCqHNQ_RPRXNx5QXZ8/s1600-h/djembe+058.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 251px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiprdGY4a7jGQvoYgKojgKI_jsScngFwqkQDFD1vHyq3GM5ANzPRgyyCzDVuut5tZ6K411OCOGFMIHC5mYwpurqVvpK0dF5CyTJjLXDewRWCrm2LLf1QaU4sonCzjUCqHNQ_RPRXNx5QXZ8/s320/djembe+058.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5330208848411321170" border="0" /></a>Start by drawing the end of your rope under two vertical ropes. Will we call them A and B. They look something like this.<br /><br />Next, using one hand, pull A over B and draw the end of the rope up between them.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvpOzhGrBivyZwNZvjrpkh4piT3mnaixg9AX1RYPqPujTjewwpNBFxjK286qRBVTPo_HNoxgSv0tmedFf6epv_jnYukLk6B3ur7XaDl1xPadqkTUsCgeZh9G5gtulW3OuyhGGK0v5w2Bin/s1600-h/djembe+059.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 197px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvpOzhGrBivyZwNZvjrpkh4piT3mnaixg9AX1RYPqPujTjewwpNBFxjK286qRBVTPo_HNoxgSv0tmedFf6epv_jnYukLk6B3ur7XaDl1xPadqkTUsCgeZh9G5gtulW3OuyhGGK0v5w2Bin/s320/djembe+059.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5330208780490380658" border="0" /></a>You can now pull the rope through to create one section of tuning. It looks like this once the rope is pulled taunt. If it doesn't look like this, try again. You will get into a rhythm of making these as you work around the drum.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoPhtKbONWECB5Rs7MoJnqbafvzeHimWwSKVThn6f9KNDQO4Fe5EyE5TKd5hm8wg1TqQxcaQB8fSEp45A3ZhR9k27E1lOW8shqGSvyCcYAhxBJXAAkpa4bsCOVFnVVH-cPE6iydJH78iQ2/s1600-h/djembe+068.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoPhtKbONWECB5Rs7MoJnqbafvzeHimWwSKVThn6f9KNDQO4Fe5EyE5TKd5hm8wg1TqQxcaQB8fSEp45A3ZhR9k27E1lOW8shqGSvyCcYAhxBJXAAkpa4bsCOVFnVVH-cPE6iydJH78iQ2/s320/djembe+068.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5330208712541338498" border="0" /></a>When you reach the end, you will be confronted by the last vertical which consisted of a one rope A and a two rope B. Treat this just as you have when making tuning diamonds before. Draw the end of the rope under A and B. Pull A over B and then guide the end of the rope through.<br /><br />Finish the rope down to the base hoop in the way that makes most sense to you, yet is still pliable enough to re-tune later if you need to.<br /><br />-------------<br />FINISHING<br />-------------<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOrQPriJE5f23MVKNRRcJpuC04ca12OHhywSKhNSgfVW0cCm59mJ-4sDfKAMuQ5FGVwRFe3WiwBBtxO5zdOAjn9UkJswZt5BEA-SJIBbzHCMPAtDaxTLgcrsi7LLXUxIV_YwPgdobQ5AMn/s1600-h/djembe+071.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 261px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOrQPriJE5f23MVKNRRcJpuC04ca12OHhywSKhNSgfVW0cCm59mJ-4sDfKAMuQ5FGVwRFe3WiwBBtxO5zdOAjn9UkJswZt5BEA-SJIBbzHCMPAtDaxTLgcrsi7LLXUxIV_YwPgdobQ5AMn/s320/djembe+071.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5330208532285164866" border="0" /></a>I wanted to create a more substantial handle that my drum had before. In order to do this I used a size 15 crotchet needle and just worked a very simple single chain stitch.<br /><br />It's basically done by making a loop under the head of the needle as a starting point then repeating this: wrap a new loop under the head, lift the old loop over the head.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEju2Z79JP8awqv54ir27SVQ2KLfJj2MDg3Z6-Zaytyads4cUdr7BvZNHsQeong60yGivzMa-Gae0qouBmlVn7RA_C-nKgVX3BWD94uYihkaor_NEo6Y7YCBS4zljz0IVSeLKtHJyIHT3ub1/s1600-h/djembe+074.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 319px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEju2Z79JP8awqv54ir27SVQ2KLfJj2MDg3Z6-Zaytyads4cUdr7BvZNHsQeong60yGivzMa-Gae0qouBmlVn7RA_C-nKgVX3BWD94uYihkaor_NEo6Y7YCBS4zljz0IVSeLKtHJyIHT3ub1/s320/djembe+074.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5330208457326901650" border="0" /></a>After a while, it looks like this. It makes a sturdy strap for carrying the drum.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6ptf-hzpcQ-zcN7lTPo-5KIxViCWCay_20m-gLfnf4YBDVzLf2C4g947GpF7_unhIhVg2XyC-T9LYJZoQy6Q0TnLa9Mqq7GcBXD9Nnw4ggMrJMCNvFaxotGg9c17t_uccqKsxoUPnBjTS/s1600-h/djembe+078.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6ptf-hzpcQ-zcN7lTPo-5KIxViCWCay_20m-gLfnf4YBDVzLf2C4g947GpF7_unhIhVg2XyC-T9LYJZoQy6Q0TnLa9Mqq7GcBXD9Nnw4ggMrJMCNvFaxotGg9c17t_uccqKsxoUPnBjTS/s320/djembe+078.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5330208384057224498" border="0" /></a>When all of the roping and tuning if finished, pull the goat skin down over the head and wrap with a bandage overnight. Leave it somewhere where it won't be disturbed.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRNWll2n4xbhdGltl7X1H8wQNFuHL7hmCRnl3BZyuD4uGjzpuVP1NgTJDrNWypRjtf8YWx9FCqZwEOY-ELTUIhhjM1PLQdBX0vcQRGUtvBBRsa5JqVVj2wSxCRHYZ1tBD9P1HSWDWUDei9/s1600-h/djembe+080.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 203px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRNWll2n4xbhdGltl7X1H8wQNFuHL7hmCRnl3BZyuD4uGjzpuVP1NgTJDrNWypRjtf8YWx9FCqZwEOY-ELTUIhhjM1PLQdBX0vcQRGUtvBBRsa5JqVVj2wSxCRHYZ1tBD9P1HSWDWUDei9/s320/djembe+080.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5330208326404597970" border="0" /></a>The next morning, remove the bandage. Your drum head will look something like this.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEeqqoLmbmqTxiL6cHKvBWLorxDPLiWa3wblnx661e7Y2zcCOlWXN9i8C92Qg2h4HKvYTVRapmM0yEtVPH6e2tnwna-8Lx9evI6oohbvRaXJSH3fDQonFPQ_fu3TKfaQNGUYVAwkP8ucdE/s1600-h/djembe+082.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 301px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEeqqoLmbmqTxiL6cHKvBWLorxDPLiWa3wblnx661e7Y2zcCOlWXN9i8C92Qg2h4HKvYTVRapmM0yEtVPH6e2tnwna-8Lx9evI6oohbvRaXJSH3fDQonFPQ_fu3TKfaQNGUYVAwkP8ucdE/s320/djembe+082.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5330208273567111154" border="0" /></a>Simply trim off the excess skin from the head and you are left with a rather handsome drum. From what I understand, once you have completely re-headed your drum you will need to play it for about a week and add a tuning diamond or two if needed.Majhadahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11243862184546713808noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3045942852171053246.post-24392553986427433872009-04-23T20:44:00.004-04:002009-04-23T21:01:14.447-04:00Making a Set of Celtic Ogham StavesToday I felt inspired to make a set of Ogham staves. I did some research about these over the past few days and wanted to try to make a set on my own. I created my set from the natural shed of four great trees nearby. It took a while to find appropriately sized pieces and to trim them to vaguely similar lengths. I'm happy that the trees were able to share some fine pieces.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzUhTpc4lCMH-sns-k-mdp-eAPfNHQOfA1LJ88eZIYFQKVTDs-vmEmSKTwRiij5MKkqgamuO2jfA1LLLYd_J0rWGA72A4Q9sOjvqKGvPOLcTYnHWC-u9eum8OPutM17M8ZKYnufc68gs2-/s1600-h/ogham+001.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 254px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzUhTpc4lCMH-sns-k-mdp-eAPfNHQOfA1LJ88eZIYFQKVTDs-vmEmSKTwRiij5MKkqgamuO2jfA1LLLYd_J0rWGA72A4Q9sOjvqKGvPOLcTYnHWC-u9eum8OPutM17M8ZKYnufc68gs2-/s320/ogham+001.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5328053429302772690" border="0" /></a><br />From there I used a knife to carve open areas in which to inscribe each Ogham letter. While I did this, my cat explored around me and acted nasty when I finally decided she must go inside. Once back indoors I used a pencil to place the a letter on each stave with a dot at the bottom to indicate which side goes down. Finally, I went over my pencil inscriptions with a wood burning tool. They ended up looking pretty sexy.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgll9u-PPC8t-vNkdrf3EKWAkqJxLwrbj6esXbpVs8Y07zPqx2iLKMHYJlVek_x5s-HWGKY5-15M0nu1spTIRGeYi29k-urO-tlLync9RTpOxKGLmtIB45uGMHg5XQNEIiQwTgObx3vLqed/s1600-h/staves.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 228px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgll9u-PPC8t-vNkdrf3EKWAkqJxLwrbj6esXbpVs8Y07zPqx2iLKMHYJlVek_x5s-HWGKY5-15M0nu1spTIRGeYi29k-urO-tlLync9RTpOxKGLmtIB45uGMHg5XQNEIiQwTgObx3vLqed/s320/staves.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5328054378426950866" border="0" /></a>Some handsome staves indeed!<br /></div><br />Tonight I will do something special to get them ready for use. In order to get some practice with these, I have offered <a href="http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=24102327">free Ogham readings</a> on Etsy. Actually, I will post some of the basic information from that listing on here just for educational reasons. Here it is:<br /><br />What is the Ogham?<br /><br />The Ogham refers to the ancient Celtic Druidic alphabet. Each letter stave corresponds with one of the 20 sacred trees. Here, the Ogham is used to seek wisdom concerning a certain topic.<br /><br />How does it work?<br /><br />The questioner holds in their mind a question that they are seeking guidance about while the reader calls upon the wisdom of the Divine, the Land and the Ancestors. The reader then casts the staves. The placement of the staves and their symbols indicate a message for the questioner.<br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">p.s. I swear I will wrap up my Djembe repair posts soon. They have been pretty popular lately.</span>Majhadahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11243862184546713808noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3045942852171053246.post-80463636920725024332009-04-21T14:45:00.024-04:002009-04-21T15:40:58.298-04:00Djembe Repair - Goat Skin Head Replacement (Visual Tutorial)<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicdYhOBlinSzNOi7NDieZ1541OTHOrbCoqJLuBhENiJiXDYbzFFLs62NV309xZtt1rN34iBHk1TFX8s3imESqZ_N0lUy5IQDEQzkwz0rmRBh1CoU4lqKP9-suzuDH1LX_cXKz-sqDsEBUg/s1600-h/djembe+024.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 225px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicdYhOBlinSzNOi7NDieZ1541OTHOrbCoqJLuBhENiJiXDYbzFFLs62NV309xZtt1rN34iBHk1TFX8s3imESqZ_N0lUy5IQDEQzkwz0rmRBh1CoU4lqKP9-suzuDH1LX_cXKz-sqDsEBUg/s320/djembe+024.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5327221451267326002" border="0" /></a>Huzzah! Yesterday both my new drum rope and goatskin head arrived. The head was purchased through <a href="http://www.sinclaircitymarket.com/">Sinclair City Market</a> and the rope was purchased through <a href="http://www.radiobooks.com/">Radioware</a> . Both places shipped quickly and had very friendly customer service. It may seem odd that I purchased my rope from Radioware, but they offered the best price on a small order of 1/8 inch Double Braid Dacron Rope. I ended up spending about $5 plus shipping on 50 feet of rope as opposed to ordering 100 feet (minimum order) from a drum shop for about $25 plus shipping.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYuP6ZhGhfwI3TitSNxjCai4ufYqd1YWuIKJA4HBjaXcFZMHwY259FvgXEKfXQ1CuiM-A3YdGPK5rY7akkp8CtHfya47dcCP8Hs-bqpGyo-NxmySGz_AFVNVMaeAwa6TqV2U8M1C7tEUH0/s1600-h/djembe+026.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 211px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYuP6ZhGhfwI3TitSNxjCai4ufYqd1YWuIKJA4HBjaXcFZMHwY259FvgXEKfXQ1CuiM-A3YdGPK5rY7akkp8CtHfya47dcCP8Hs-bqpGyo-NxmySGz_AFVNVMaeAwa6TqV2U8M1C7tEUH0/s320/djembe+026.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5327221386694189122" border="0" /></a>I started by making 14 hoop knots using the instructions at <a href="http://hawkdancing.com/Wooddrum/roping.html">Hawk Dancing</a>. Their method works very well. "Over the ring, through the loop, under the ring, through the loop." Please see their site for some other helpful pictures. A lot of my djembe tutorial photos are a supplement to that guide.<br /><br />The 15th hoop knot looks very confusing, but is simple once you get it. For this step, the new knot is basically cradled in between the strings of the old. Hawk Dancing has a few photos describing this. Those photos perplexed me a bit, but I found it helpful just to think "Over the ring, through the LOOPS, under the ring, through the LOOPS."<br /><br />Be patient, it will take a few tries to make the final locking knots.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIV67JN6UJNJ7GvKEaN3zgywAACBeV0_GObWL5xWQauAkOCXO7cU3Ps6RwzhG-px-uciKEg_9j-h4Dht_Vxww2bZzXxdBeJsGfLgXMhG4gWsR0j0U6dn9Kn3uI_QQoPbk6g6u5Qv_vDeRN/s1600-h/djembe+028.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 318px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIV67JN6UJNJ7GvKEaN3zgywAACBeV0_GObWL5xWQauAkOCXO7cU3Ps6RwzhG-px-uciKEg_9j-h4Dht_Vxww2bZzXxdBeJsGfLgXMhG4gWsR0j0U6dn9Kn3uI_QQoPbk6g6u5Qv_vDeRN/s320/djembe+028.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5327221334622871506" border="0" /></a>The fully knotted top hoop looks like this.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEir7eExJlxqYvjrPlZA_04RVUNxyQcItWOqj2ZzqxjHsvBHIPZUtNw9epvf7hYuOC7lGwYO7swXKsIerak5TyFa1yxTobNPyY1gS09abIqKeE4XCf_7A7g5g9ouIrVuIy1eGL7rzYTg4maw/s1600-h/djembe+031.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 243px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEir7eExJlxqYvjrPlZA_04RVUNxyQcItWOqj2ZzqxjHsvBHIPZUtNw9epvf7hYuOC7lGwYO7swXKsIerak5TyFa1yxTobNPyY1gS09abIqKeE4XCf_7A7g5g9ouIrVuIy1eGL7rzYTg4maw/s320/djembe+031.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5327221280396726370" border="0" /></a>I then soaked the goatskin in room temperature water for an hour.<br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">I would suggest leaving for a while and coming back to work on this instead of watching over it or continuously checking the skin to see if it is ready yet.</span><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjw5TNp-V7CJ5VDFi_9hlcpZnNLiJN2jk66X0bwM6W4aEvpr6DJtwjgh-UVutr6i3YrA6anY0ucHC6beX3Sp1IWCNul4SXNHUnAv2cQH83ffrc-EbkLX4eWKf1y722I0beWvmAlha4YMkpE/s1600-h/djembe+033.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 242px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjw5TNp-V7CJ5VDFi_9hlcpZnNLiJN2jk66X0bwM6W4aEvpr6DJtwjgh-UVutr6i3YrA6anY0ucHC6beX3Sp1IWCNul4SXNHUnAv2cQH83ffrc-EbkLX4eWKf1y722I0beWvmAlha4YMkpE/s320/djembe+033.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5327221234128191826" border="0" /></a>Lay the wet skin out on some cardboard.<br />It looks like a very moist tortilla right now.<br />Don't make a wrap though, that would be foul.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMwmG5vs6usd3DZ1IUAtGztwDXC1GNhVWy8bV3pb-SjpbPoosyikj8dtttzCzQR4lG4nUHS49QtQ5_T8FZu1QtImI5GYFGEyV4Os_py2III3Y2FGc1i5XdcaeZpJByWDBnPF9x4du5RcZv/s1600-h/djembe+034.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 264px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMwmG5vs6usd3DZ1IUAtGztwDXC1GNhVWy8bV3pb-SjpbPoosyikj8dtttzCzQR4lG4nUHS49QtQ5_T8FZu1QtImI5GYFGEyV4Os_py2III3Y2FGc1i5XdcaeZpJByWDBnPF9x4du5RcZv/s320/djembe+034.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5327221182353955042" border="0" /></a>Hawk Dancing suggests piercing the skin while it is laying flat on the cardboard in order to create holes to run a cord through.<br /><br />I found it MUCH easier to just pinch the skin inbetween my fingers and snip it carefully to make about 1/4 inch long slits.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMTYABaq7XbkBMFwGqMr8I67O5h_1TR485Dzu9t3JuplSUxBCQZz3IMF5qeVJ78hQEVN0Ymi8gkr-JwhKQneZlolU3bPAkM_wWtD79dOJa44wzNd5pcFaNPcfHOwW9BOzRVIinjA8R3raZ/s1600-h/djembe+035.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 270px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMTYABaq7XbkBMFwGqMr8I67O5h_1TR485Dzu9t3JuplSUxBCQZz3IMF5qeVJ78hQEVN0Ymi8gkr-JwhKQneZlolU3bPAkM_wWtD79dOJa44wzNd5pcFaNPcfHOwW9BOzRVIinjA8R3raZ/s320/djembe+035.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5327221130012774530" border="0" /></a>The approximate placement of those slits are indicated by the numbers on the picture above. You may make more if you feel the need to.<br /><br />Once all the slits have been made and the skin is laying hair side up, center the metal hoop on the skin.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivWdWa2YJUA1TePoZVSHbacYFhejFpsuI1Cfm14gCv2YVq_l_38ltdbw6qgX3PHEYJZ76RNugL_XUD1zL7yPJ9sH9AaO5aqHtw1t1hd3264Li-oZ0eMM_3cJntf9q_dM8mnFQdlEVIlyPy/s1600-h/djembe+036.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 258px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivWdWa2YJUA1TePoZVSHbacYFhejFpsuI1Cfm14gCv2YVq_l_38ltdbw6qgX3PHEYJZ76RNugL_XUD1zL7yPJ9sH9AaO5aqHtw1t1hd3264Li-oZ0eMM_3cJntf9q_dM8mnFQdlEVIlyPy/s320/djembe+036.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5327221076010472994" border="0" /></a>You can now begin to thread a cord through the slits. Follow an "out, in, out, in" pattern.<br /><br />I used the old cord from my drum for this step since I didn't want to waste a section of the sturdy new Dacrop rope.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtfyKCV7I5wi4NOJSaXPt4AxSzQMnshlj4eFEt2dJDPiMHpMci3OdHTXeZ_6D3sgNGqm1cosV6yiNhxfvs3kNx_HpzfOlm0zBAkTG4hS8F7nB5PafkoKH06mZTG5AsZReuMuBJK4eeCCwk/s1600-h/djembe+037.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 258px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtfyKCV7I5wi4NOJSaXPt4AxSzQMnshlj4eFEt2dJDPiMHpMci3OdHTXeZ_6D3sgNGqm1cosV6yiNhxfvs3kNx_HpzfOlm0zBAkTG4hS8F7nB5PafkoKH06mZTG5AsZReuMuBJK4eeCCwk/s320/djembe+037.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5327221026454643122" border="0" /></a>When you have threaded the cord all the way around, carefully pull the cord tight to gather the skin around the metal hoop.<br /><br />Make sure the metal hoop stays centered while you do this in order to prevent later frustration with the skin.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi33AJUUpBQx_RzJzfRS5sIeDyfHKcY2sAMpBqqi_31HXZ5sM12FMAHrWXU_0oUIfcgvqsl0XhfEVLa65hkPBGXpRygb8QZyuES3UqL4vMmDp2sA5dhF4qWFKTSPzJ9v8B_ItRJoDVtVO5q/s1600-h/djembe+042.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 229px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi33AJUUpBQx_RzJzfRS5sIeDyfHKcY2sAMpBqqi_31HXZ5sM12FMAHrWXU_0oUIfcgvqsl0XhfEVLa65hkPBGXpRygb8QZyuES3UqL4vMmDp2sA5dhF4qWFKTSPzJ9v8B_ItRJoDVtVO5q/s320/djembe+042.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5327220919189993250" border="0" /></a>Now place the skin onto the top of your drum body.<br /><br />Carefully place the top hoop over the skin. When you do this, make sure your knots are on the outside edge of the hoop.<br /><br />Flatten any areas where the skin has folded or puckered under the top hoop.<br /><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;">Note: </span><span style="font-style: italic;">In my next post I will cover the process for roping and tuning the djembe.</span>Majhadahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11243862184546713808noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3045942852171053246.post-12635780619209675812009-04-21T01:51:00.016-04:002009-04-21T02:38:30.558-04:00Aloe & Mint Natural Toothpaste - Visual Recipe<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXZm7gHrErlP3PIm6vzRVw9NOCxYDqIaATRjUjnSkgfCE7sPE8e9qPW8COtVJkTobSuX5BwdS1-OoW4LFwrQOhAC2qOIgQrgO8FUvwYRJwUv5EYp7rA8U7ZIIukkgbTBIYE732FFYGQDxT/s1600-h/paste+024.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 234px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXZm7gHrErlP3PIm6vzRVw9NOCxYDqIaATRjUjnSkgfCE7sPE8e9qPW8COtVJkTobSuX5BwdS1-OoW4LFwrQOhAC2qOIgQrgO8FUvwYRJwUv5EYp7rA8U7ZIIukkgbTBIYE732FFYGQDxT/s320/paste+024.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5327019228382175266" border="0" /></a>Since I am about half way through my tube of toothpaste, I decided it was time to learn how to make it on my own. In doing research I found mostly tooth powders and very liquidy concoctions predominated the homemade toothpaste market. This recipe is a fine medium between a thick commercial toothpaste and a liquid herbal toothpaste. In developing this recipe, I tried to strike a balance of liquid, grit, flavor and practicality. I really like the idea of making toothpaste for two reasons. Firstly, it's overall more cost effective than store brought toothpaste. (Especially if you have all the things you need already.) Secondly, I feel it provides one step towards reducing my dependence on consumer products. It's a bit empowering to be able to make a daily essential on my own rather than just accepting the product as a given manufactured entity.<br /><br />---------<br />TOOLS<br />---------<br />Small mixing bowl<br />Measuring spoons<br />Wooden stirring stick<br />Mortal and pestle set<br />2 oz squeeze bottle<br />Funnel<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9LunVBtrbHlF_ZmHIfkSlcqkXteWsoMJqOqVVol2aNp8M9bDXZ03FmetGHvwCK5Au_2OdoG8tIO6Ft0o600sad0U46jY8-qdD8GLQV_TVjs3tOEu-76Q6yI0rlVmOikAzDSIgM2vIZRbG/s1600-h/paste+001.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9LunVBtrbHlF_ZmHIfkSlcqkXteWsoMJqOqVVol2aNp8M9bDXZ03FmetGHvwCK5Au_2OdoG8tIO6Ft0o600sad0U46jY8-qdD8GLQV_TVjs3tOEu-76Q6yI0rlVmOikAzDSIgM2vIZRbG/s320/paste+001.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5327019183747088258" border="0" /></a>-----------------<br />INGREDIENTS<br />-----------------<br />2 T Aloe Vera (food grade, 100%)<br />2 T Glycerin<br />2 t Baking Soda<br />1 t French Green Clay<br />2 t Dried Peppermint Leaf<br />1/2 t Orris Root Powder<br />10 drops Peppermint Essential Oil<br />3 drops Vitamin E Oil<br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Note on Aloe Vera:</span> Do not use the kind of aloe intended for sunburns! That is a topical ointment and shouldn't be consumed. You will want 100% aloe leaf gel for this recipe. It comes as a liquid dietary supplement in a jar at health food stores.</span><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;">----------------<br />DIRECTIONS<br />----------------<br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiM0NDkzY91zuuFro0-66w-LsASxLbhyphenhyphenRJ1RJ7R-rFuNuUKRkybMcuX_h86dlMWZ9UynOR36O5SfG_Dmgd_4OQjc3K0pNd4D22Brrl_yZThdb7LyT1SnPpxg71VcnC4hIhYqrXx_2BeKN-N/s1600-h/paste+003.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 262px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiM0NDkzY91zuuFro0-66w-LsASxLbhyphenhyphenRJ1RJ7R-rFuNuUKRkybMcuX_h86dlMWZ9UynOR36O5SfG_Dmgd_4OQjc3K0pNd4D22Brrl_yZThdb7LyT1SnPpxg71VcnC4hIhYqrXx_2BeKN-N/s320/paste+003.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5327019139706984706" border="0" /></a>Start with 2 tablespoons of aloe vera gel in a bowl.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6FQc4U8MI6QoTIuLtU3y0oK5YFIlxXdnjZEpRdCD-Sbs9qVUAlAZNICIqcsoz_5y3kUVP2BaGR9ZG4SsbK4it6aekdv0VgZsGdgonjXClG1lTeo6ZbpEkjCOnc4_mhwljouCzc1CKFOKo/s1600-h/paste+005.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 271px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6FQc4U8MI6QoTIuLtU3y0oK5YFIlxXdnjZEpRdCD-Sbs9qVUAlAZNICIqcsoz_5y3kUVP2BaGR9ZG4SsbK4it6aekdv0VgZsGdgonjXClG1lTeo6ZbpEkjCOnc4_mhwljouCzc1CKFOKo/s320/paste+005.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5327019102709073538" border="0" /></a>Add in 2 tablespoons glycerin.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjOHRFFxSkBpvUiNpOevNq-GcKf81xtbpGSzAMVgILBz6O3qSs7eUDidPBVMLEvKj-AGJXmLfkxT315x6iTr_xZKBpzk-MmPg6fZFHO7C1pLLP-tgBtAxQUShQvYR0rM_jLAU5VAZOJBIn/s1600-h/paste+008.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 266px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjOHRFFxSkBpvUiNpOevNq-GcKf81xtbpGSzAMVgILBz6O3qSs7eUDidPBVMLEvKj-AGJXmLfkxT315x6iTr_xZKBpzk-MmPg6fZFHO7C1pLLP-tgBtAxQUShQvYR0rM_jLAU5VAZOJBIn/s320/paste+008.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5327019054780267394" border="0" /></a>Stir well.<br />Aloe will separate a bit. You want this.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdmYDld-iGxwuqejnX5ZdrddvRi9DIpxy3dJNbJawWj9tDyRCEEBpTD0R2joMWZ8szcaEzPBrgJFC4oizXpbuYgqHe7P9I4YjZtI7R-TrfZFmRjFgrfCrhMLAtxsluzj7Wg4qpRJ0qNFp5/s1600-h/paste+009.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 259px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdmYDld-iGxwuqejnX5ZdrddvRi9DIpxy3dJNbJawWj9tDyRCEEBpTD0R2joMWZ8szcaEzPBrgJFC4oizXpbuYgqHe7P9I4YjZtI7R-TrfZFmRjFgrfCrhMLAtxsluzj7Wg4qpRJ0qNFp5/s320/paste+009.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5327018987838373426" border="0" /></a>Add in 2 teaspoons of baking soda.<br />Use 1 teaspoon if you aren't that keen on the taste.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvJnFoOBNT83G0DnGkyW2xg_98fiwO5vXdxmQhADYdrdvqeMtko_-HQFQHayfJawJjlWC2pUEKrvL-3AfjQw4DxPMg6waQN707XtWeVzaV_551G3iNBiEOHFFqDaX0J_XJWCeSOpMvDy0a/s1600-h/paste+012.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvJnFoOBNT83G0DnGkyW2xg_98fiwO5vXdxmQhADYdrdvqeMtko_-HQFQHayfJawJjlWC2pUEKrvL-3AfjQw4DxPMg6waQN707XtWeVzaV_551G3iNBiEOHFFqDaX0J_XJWCeSOpMvDy0a/s320/paste+012.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5327018947547914594" border="0" /></a>Stir until a little foamy.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVpibklrTdUved6GHMzUhvQjRgo7Q3o9Ny5Aw2TOjKPNBMjElRDuGFwcwgA1jQ2GH0AqQY36nZXeP6EFTNAl60D5B0o4kik2xUXyyH2hzNnzSv-99Ztwo75D0squrGMyd11p7z8ta3b0hb/s1600-h/paste+014.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVpibklrTdUved6GHMzUhvQjRgo7Q3o9Ny5Aw2TOjKPNBMjElRDuGFwcwgA1jQ2GH0AqQY36nZXeP6EFTNAl60D5B0o4kik2xUXyyH2hzNnzSv-99Ztwo75D0squrGMyd11p7z8ta3b0hb/s320/paste+014.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5327024283920153218" border="0" /></a>Add in 1 teaspoon of french green clay.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjO2h8kMZP6j7P8GNK6v_WyYMDLmCKDOs9kmDEmPqTEybW1PNkeNauGf7szbBb89Tj7wt4l1ky9e7fvhjmrky7SBAJTYyb9KweeFxUSWCxuOlcOqaQxGZ185HfkNHd_d84c8Z_uIAFtJ6dC/s1600-h/paste+015.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 265px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjO2h8kMZP6j7P8GNK6v_WyYMDLmCKDOs9kmDEmPqTEybW1PNkeNauGf7szbBb89Tj7wt4l1ky9e7fvhjmrky7SBAJTYyb9KweeFxUSWCxuOlcOqaQxGZ185HfkNHd_d84c8Z_uIAFtJ6dC/s320/paste+015.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5327024333594933938" border="0" /></a>Stir until it takes on an even light green color.<br />Right now it will taste like a late night pottery studio.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzs_IXV2aoD0sRNelxMhmgMvg900vWY8DxTqHNtwC3ZbNDu5637PzeoynkwkNt83ZCfXWYHfdh7TFpFNW0zGRw73h19eERUn9RoE2-tuQT0puig0URg4QVAk1J-EnkmW2FfL-3NQtNynTi/s1600-h/paste+016.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 244px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzs_IXV2aoD0sRNelxMhmgMvg900vWY8DxTqHNtwC3ZbNDu5637PzeoynkwkNt83ZCfXWYHfdh7TFpFNW0zGRw73h19eERUn9RoE2-tuQT0puig0URg4QVAk1J-EnkmW2FfL-3NQtNynTi/s320/paste+016.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5327024396441650770" border="0" /></a>Grind 2 teaspoons peppermint leaf into a powder.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOfZKQ6E7tW8DddmHzadr_AWXR8zJg3GUKlHd2XBoUSQPFGdp6r7359Gh6_sWSciVlwImsejIGLXqFT8LaCxhYUECQg4WZhJDFIgSGsA2FKBXoeyKSvSXwJZYPfPE_xf04Y4mogeL-rA1I/s1600-h/paste+017.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 265px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOfZKQ6E7tW8DddmHzadr_AWXR8zJg3GUKlHd2XBoUSQPFGdp6r7359Gh6_sWSciVlwImsejIGLXqFT8LaCxhYUECQg4WZhJDFIgSGsA2FKBXoeyKSvSXwJZYPfPE_xf04Y4mogeL-rA1I/s320/paste+017.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5327018894029271202" border="0" /></a>Add the peppermint leaf to the mix.<br />Stir until a medium earthy green.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieVn63Tq7MyLycMnfhN07soVw57Zk6T3kZMAJxkq96FJ787nkdbTPq0zk2WM4WpdMWQwb-K3DQLQ_1r8lhv0b74Rf9s31AcKa2KY3G0xrMnstlVYkgoGAFx_Cjbe0gazxQ03FXWPpfA8HP/s1600-h/paste+018.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 246px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieVn63Tq7MyLycMnfhN07soVw57Zk6T3kZMAJxkq96FJ787nkdbTPq0zk2WM4WpdMWQwb-K3DQLQ_1r8lhv0b74Rf9s31AcKa2KY3G0xrMnstlVYkgoGAFx_Cjbe0gazxQ03FXWPpfA8HP/s320/paste+018.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5327018827172580514" border="0" /></a>Add in 1/2 teaspoon of orris root powder.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZ-5omY5FCzQgSaPQ9bkk0InSHSY4wx4F7VrhVSH3QR6H5g4TsHFhb3HBzG6OEyTr0pOXeQdAwGAhN8l2oWjsCZ-HfOGfSVpQMC7ECSkZbhpvj2rh6hGXuk_dFUEUnkJ7TpYi6_-E6j5Ad/s1600-h/paste+019.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 256px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZ-5omY5FCzQgSaPQ9bkk0InSHSY4wx4F7VrhVSH3QR6H5g4TsHFhb3HBzG6OEyTr0pOXeQdAwGAhN8l2oWjsCZ-HfOGfSVpQMC7ECSkZbhpvj2rh6hGXuk_dFUEUnkJ7TpYi6_-E6j5Ad/s320/paste+019.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5327018775112255426" border="0" /></a>Stir well to break up any orris root that may clump.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjitE_Fb0MIWe9m2euzAmJVFNWIUvdjouF1G62BSAI6CHKxTKTj7Pi-7j7MwZG8Rvu1L0M1KFZ7myIbtXq-Ys2wg4GsM8gQ7yq3s8RVj-trDBh4MVOOyOgKuRrP-mYOrsripz7Vd33j4AMc/s1600-h/paste+020.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 233px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjitE_Fb0MIWe9m2euzAmJVFNWIUvdjouF1G62BSAI6CHKxTKTj7Pi-7j7MwZG8Rvu1L0M1KFZ7myIbtXq-Ys2wg4GsM8gQ7yq3s8RVj-trDBh4MVOOyOgKuRrP-mYOrsripz7Vd33j4AMc/s320/paste+020.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5327018721600006706" border="0" /></a>Add in 10 drops of peppermint essential oil.<br />Add in 3 drops of Vitamin E oil.<br /></div><br />Upon adding these oils, you will notice quite a change in the consistency of the toothpaste. Right now the recipe is very close to the right consistency, but I will likely revisit this one later.<br /><br />Finally, transfer the toothpaste to a 2oz squeeze container for use.<br />A funnel will be very helpful during this step.<br /><br />-------------------------<br />DIRECTIONS FOR USE<br />-------------------------<br />1) Squeeze three of four drops of the toothpaste onto your toothbrush.<br />2) Scrub in well.<br />3) Spit.<br />4) Rinse.<br />5) Have shiny, clean and minty teeth.<br /><br />Please note: This recipe will not bubble in your mouth like some commercial toothpastes. There is typically an ingredient in those to create bubbling. Bubbles do not equal cleaning power though. The clay and baking soda will more than take care of cleaning duties in this recipe.Majhadahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11243862184546713808noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3045942852171053246.post-3918094186857237312009-04-20T01:00:00.007-04:002009-04-20T02:42:50.380-04:00Respectable Steampunk, Beyond Cogs & Watch BitsSteampunk items have really only come to my attention within the past year or so, thus I am by no means an expert on the matter. However I feel that good steampunk creations are a combination of Victorian nuance with fantastic function or mechanics. I've seen some beautiful water cooled computer casings and intricately detailed mechanical insects. Unfortunately, I've also seen a plethora of items that were non-functional, impractical or wholly dependent on watch parts and cogs for their edge. Granted, there are some nice pieces that incorporate watch parts and cogs but predominately more that lack originality. The saddest thing that I've seen as of late was a gathering of machine embroidered cogs on a kitchen item with the word "STEAMPUNK" printed underneath. I really expect to see distressed pink shirts with screen printed bronze cogs over the breast at the mall any day now.<br /><br />In thinking about a post regarding steampunk items, I chose a few rules. No cogs, no watch bits, no keys and nothing terribly expensive. Just handmade items with a little edge that could be enjoyed by any steampunk lover without being glaringly obvious. Initially I started by thinking "Okay, I'm a Victorian... what do I practically need?". Things like momento mori, mourning items, combs, hats, gloves and snuff boxes came to mind. I found surprisingly slim pickings in areas I expected to find many. Few people make steampunk silhouette portraits for instance. Seems odd to not find many mourning items though considering mourning was practically an Olympic sport in the era. In the end I went in a slightly different direction, but tried to keep the essence of function, edge and a bit of Victoriana in mind. I've only selected a few items to share here which hopefully appeal to a wide audience. I look forward to finding a few more to post eventually.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://ny-image3.etsy.com/il_430xN.66651371.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 400px;" src="http://ny-image3.etsy.com/il_430xN.66651371.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a>NYC Souvenir- by <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=5557018">BROOKLYNrehab</a><br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;">What respectable Victorian with an interest in the sciences doesn't want a specimen from the notorious Columbidae of New York City? This item is methodically preserved by the seller and would make a lovely addition to a cabinet of parlor curiosities.<br /></div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=18826734"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 400px;" src="http://ny-image3.etsy.com/il_430xN.49909415.jpg" alt="" border="0" /> </a>Antique Microscope Slide Pendant- by <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=31158">Aminyitray</a><br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;">How simplistic yet clever! This pendant is a perfect way to carry bleeding edge Victorian science around with you wherever you wander. This seller has a number of scientific curiosities which might interest the steampunk aficionado.<br /></div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=23481718"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 532px;" src="http://ny-image3.etsy.com/il_430xN.65470603.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a>Starving Child Eating Lobster Tote- by <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=6909502">UtilitarianFranchise</a><br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;">The image on this bag is deliciously eerie. It reminds me of an etched frontispiece to a horrific Victorian novel about possessed sea creatures. This is the kind of bag that is just yearning for a proper lady to store her cross stitch samplers and crotchet doily projects inside. I really wish this image was on an evening bag though. Perhaps one with a ornate clasp closure and a delicate chain handle.<br /></div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=17491976"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 299px;" src="http://ny-image0.etsy.com/il_430xN.45466532.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a>The Individuated Scarf of Self Actualization- by <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=5226610">FuschiaMinute</a><br /></div><h1 style="margin: 0px; font-size: 18px; font-weight: bold; text-align: center;"><br /></h1><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: left;">What a freaking fabulous name. That being said, I could absolutely see this scarf being paired with a simple brown waistcoat, a pair of spectacles and a leather field case for the gent who wants to survey the country side while still keeping all of the luscious colors of impressionist paintings close at hand for inspiration.<br /><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=21058739"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 299px;" src="http://ny-image0.etsy.com/il_430xN.57337000.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a>Floozy Flytrap by <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=5267122">GrandmaWasAFloozy</a><br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;">Now here is a simple, elegant piece that has a bit of edge to it. It's delicate appeal is really enhanced by the addition of a silver button closure and a bloody fabulous name. The crafter behind this item sells a number of exquisite items that have a Victorian feel and a lot of bite.<br /></div></div>Majhadahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11243862184546713808noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3045942852171053246.post-54680532900924554192009-04-20T00:19:00.014-04:002009-04-20T03:17:45.681-04:00Stress Less Rosemary Mint Scrub - Visual RecipeI really am loving these visual recipes! They are attracting visitors from all over the world too. The pictures make every step of my processes easier to convey. Today I will be covering a divine rosemary mint salt scrub. The scent is amazing, absolutely one of my favorites. It's ridiculously simple to make, exfoliates skin well and leaves you feeling silky smooth. This scrub is intended to be rubbed onto the skin immediately before rinsing off in a warm shower. A commercial scrub is nowhere near as pleasant as this one.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjY1EMW0a-Vx9r4_me21oMPgfLsUov9GpcavhLNelci3x3uGmECKJVbc-H4XmhATD4R7e-dd-5PoViBYB3oTzFZemUiAjr2LtjRCy1i-eQzAi5E6h1IysEhzdJxD5qKfDCupGcHLjMnhUM2/s1600-h/scrub+015.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 210px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjY1EMW0a-Vx9r4_me21oMPgfLsUov9GpcavhLNelci3x3uGmECKJVbc-H4XmhATD4R7e-dd-5PoViBYB3oTzFZemUiAjr2LtjRCy1i-eQzAi5E6h1IysEhzdJxD5qKfDCupGcHLjMnhUM2/s320/scrub+015.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5326624703906907826" border="0" /></a>---------<br />TOOLS<br />---------<br />Measuring cup<br />Wooden stirring stick<br />Plastic container<br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">Note:</span> <span style="font-style: italic;">Since this is a product that you would want to keep in the shower, <span style="font-weight: bold;">I would highly advise against storing it in a glass container</span>. Although it may look sleek in glass, glass is dangerous to have in a bathroom.</span><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmLBS8XIlnpYZBBnJlkqRDVevzB_tRX9Io7Lqf8MpYu6w5YsG5SBOoPaMaf4x11-XUFTOHghn3KjZMXzXalH9ayW9_1eJXHGvbLPBhAj9a4nESQW8qDpMtZq8FucQ2_YqwCsD_GaUwblJM/s1600-h/scrub+002.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 252px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmLBS8XIlnpYZBBnJlkqRDVevzB_tRX9Io7Lqf8MpYu6w5YsG5SBOoPaMaf4x11-XUFTOHghn3KjZMXzXalH9ayW9_1eJXHGvbLPBhAj9a4nESQW8qDpMtZq8FucQ2_YqwCsD_GaUwblJM/s320/scrub+002.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5326626286854829874" border="0" /></a>-------------------<br />INGREDIENTS<br />-------------------<br />1 c Epsom Salt<br />1/2 c Sweet Almond Oil<br />10 drops Rosemary Essential Oil<br />10 drops Peppermint Essential Oil<br />1 heaping T of Dried Peppermint Leaf<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-LntlxucROXdLceG-8w7BmlXWCeKps2mFtk7J99Fts_1bQeaowQnIxtf0aGGXJvOVCPsTvm_kRFrdpHOsrRPd70tM7XSZjJOfhK9qTVY3NEqhBclrxATkGcxGZUzBXfcZj_BARfvy9tLe/s1600-h/scrub+005.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 239px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-LntlxucROXdLceG-8w7BmlXWCeKps2mFtk7J99Fts_1bQeaowQnIxtf0aGGXJvOVCPsTvm_kRFrdpHOsrRPd70tM7XSZjJOfhK9qTVY3NEqhBclrxATkGcxGZUzBXfcZj_BARfvy9tLe/s320/scrub+005.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5326626223440247506" border="0" /></a>Measure out 1 cup of Epsom salt.<br />Transfer to plastic container.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhrsBkBrq1fTYQv8Xfxd0afT16xwS7D90JEFSK-_1YYYi4Cnh9k8HB854LEEqNjD-kPOP14PeR6QaOTLME8ZB3-Mt9URHXU447e6p9qpso07Rnj3LN1iJSn6V6GUmvGRLJj9i6u3tRHfN5/s1600-h/scrub+007.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 253px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhrsBkBrq1fTYQv8Xfxd0afT16xwS7D90JEFSK-_1YYYi4Cnh9k8HB854LEEqNjD-kPOP14PeR6QaOTLME8ZB3-Mt9URHXU447e6p9qpso07Rnj3LN1iJSn6V6GUmvGRLJj9i6u3tRHfN5/s320/scrub+007.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5326626129923245106" border="0" /></a>Measure out 1/2 cup of Sweet Almond Oil.<br />Add to Epsom salt.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfSQv2_aUCwBVFwu2huE3u5w9n53dCB9sCYDFAiHLUQ35dBSAdJgp_n29ze-rdxw590rsDP0X-UDJHlna3OUr-cYi-qW2CkdRp6fHiUeBaxHlfMYdmOXOFTRr1CCAlqvgjL8ezAip0S10-/s1600-h/scrub+009.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 248px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfSQv2_aUCwBVFwu2huE3u5w9n53dCB9sCYDFAiHLUQ35dBSAdJgp_n29ze-rdxw590rsDP0X-UDJHlna3OUr-cYi-qW2CkdRp6fHiUeBaxHlfMYdmOXOFTRr1CCAlqvgjL8ezAip0S10-/s320/scrub+009.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5326626022362580706" border="0" /></a>Mix until oil is evenly distributed.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhriB42bfkGR3OsGC_HJrZxmZJOScyGnKm36vY8hKJYr6DufcrZocSWZHo0yFYlpcl73A4E7mZ96yF-S7x4imk0Hc4DbDANzORbBy5SS-cj8jXLygnU9cDR4AcA0GfthdHft-hjuWcx1AsV/s1600-h/scrub+011.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 249px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhriB42bfkGR3OsGC_HJrZxmZJOScyGnKm36vY8hKJYr6DufcrZocSWZHo0yFYlpcl73A4E7mZ96yF-S7x4imk0Hc4DbDANzORbBy5SS-cj8jXLygnU9cDR4AcA0GfthdHft-hjuWcx1AsV/s320/scrub+011.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5326625984772747906" border="0" /></a>Add in essential oils and stir again.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_-yDEtaIsDl2lfVxK2G9q8cZ6guJxfALJwC-B6y3kjaYRse7PZyax_SK-oNmC9P53Tl5T17aFg_yg7zjEhJUtmduABx18j6Dx9LcKQa7ZpG4Iuavf_c2U_xTG59H8NpkW68jUwj5tsYL8/s1600-h/scrub+012.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_-yDEtaIsDl2lfVxK2G9q8cZ6guJxfALJwC-B6y3kjaYRse7PZyax_SK-oNmC9P53Tl5T17aFg_yg7zjEhJUtmduABx18j6Dx9LcKQa7ZpG4Iuavf_c2U_xTG59H8NpkW68jUwj5tsYL8/s320/scrub+012.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5326624802439445442" border="0" /></a>Your scrub will now look like this.<br />It will also smell AMAZING!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFhndLochedgFjkjEgWFL3590WanWp6_YV3ATDe07OhfyIn_5U_F2gyTjRWPpqWLYyaBVQP0DgrjXKCGsk8xqstxvUxAtwcDE-ecFv1oeZbfiSLtl4_TxOd_K6SBy2UXCncXCrMM1cm7h6/s1600-h/scrub+013.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 242px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFhndLochedgFjkjEgWFL3590WanWp6_YV3ATDe07OhfyIn_5U_F2gyTjRWPpqWLYyaBVQP0DgrjXKCGsk8xqstxvUxAtwcDE-ecFv1oeZbfiSLtl4_TxOd_K6SBy2UXCncXCrMM1cm7h6/s320/scrub+013.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5326624750646425842" border="0" /></a>Add in 1 heaping tablespoon of dried peppermint.<br />Stir so that the leaf is evenly distributed.<br /><br />---------------------------<br />DIRECTIONS FOR USE<br />---------------------------<br />1. Rub the salt scrub onto your skin immediately before you shower. Move in circular motions while rubbing to exfoliate well.<br />2. Rinse the scrub away with warm water. The salt will rinse away and the oil will remain to moisturize the skin.<br />3. Breath in deep. This essential oil combination used in this recipe is a great aromatherapy stress reducer. The warmth of the water on the oils really activates the scent.<br /><br />Alternatively, this can also be used as a foot scrub or added to a hot foot bath after a long day of walking or standing on your feet during work.<br /><br />-------------<br />CAUTIONS<br />------------<br />Salt on cuts, scrapes and wounds hurts. A lot. Don't use this scrub if you've just nicked yourself shaving or if your skin is otherwise sensitive.Majhadahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11243862184546713808noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3045942852171053246.post-78501644760090315012009-04-17T22:21:00.015-04:002009-04-17T22:52:53.737-04:00Night Repair Skin Salve - Visual RecipeI'm almost completely out of the salve I use on my cheeks and palms every night before bed. Today I decided to make a new test batch and document the recipe along the way. This recipe takes some waiting time for certain steps, but otherwise is relatively simple. Again, this is something you can prepare in a small batch and does not require much work space.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: left;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJoD27sk_igyvZResy8RXdtFF7DpfFLw8i4lh166auyqyc8I-Clt2-g_r7Xf2KGUS4fg4DIicLkfbBxJFwSBJLfeaAV_FmYk27NCGeSO7vGP7MgWf0Q3D3QNv4fobYOXq2IZQEyp_sJxRA/s1600-h/salve+002.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 256px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJoD27sk_igyvZResy8RXdtFF7DpfFLw8i4lh166auyqyc8I-Clt2-g_r7Xf2KGUS4fg4DIicLkfbBxJFwSBJLfeaAV_FmYk27NCGeSO7vGP7MgWf0Q3D3QNv4fobYOXq2IZQEyp_sJxRA/s320/salve+002.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5325852735032901730" border="0" /></a>----------<br />TOOLS<br />----------<br />Candle warmer<br />Small ceramic mug<br />Cup measure<br />Measuring spoons<br />Wooden stir stick<br />Cheesecloth<br />Apothecary jar or empty tin<br /><br />-------------------<br />INGREDIENTS<br />-------------------<br />3 T Dried Rose Petals<br />2 oz Oil Base (prefer jojoba, sweet almond oil works too)<br />1 t Granulated Beeswax<br />15 drops Rose Absolute Oil (in carrier)<br />10 drops Lavender Essential Oil<br />5 drops Vitamin E Oil<br />3 drops Orange Oil<br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">Notes about oil bases</span>:<br />I would advise against using olive oil as a base for this recipe as many olive oils have a natural smell that competes with the essential oils in the salve. Also, Vitamin E oil is very necessary for base oils other than jojoba. Vitamin E oil acts as a preservative for the oils that have shorter shelf lives.<br /></div><br />---------------<br />DIRECTIONS<br />---------------<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgA2zZzbC6RBzX1s1z9gjVs0Lwe2bBVYHN7w-hzoixvkLCWQWk6hWs-Xvz6qzjnnFyIIAEvzqqnoMKOFS5qBpun7VDEteuj7yPoPJ6AKaNTwnPT_IPCm7skpgu2L_zxIoqFJlhPINrVcGf/s1600-h/salve+005.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 314px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgA2zZzbC6RBzX1s1z9gjVs0Lwe2bBVYHN7w-hzoixvkLCWQWk6hWs-Xvz6qzjnnFyIIAEvzqqnoMKOFS5qBpun7VDEteuj7yPoPJ6AKaNTwnPT_IPCm7skpgu2L_zxIoqFJlhPINrVcGf/s320/salve+005.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5325852666124603330" border="0" /></a>Turn on candle warmer.<br />Place rose petals in the mug.<br />Place mug on the warmer.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEsEkhQPSMoYYy0eEyPNrfI1MxDskJaE2FbPwRiDqGK6Ggb1IfY9fAH2m3jmT3Egs0n0yObUVDQZY76p9vMR7mEg2lZws2j6UUql_YABbgM-NwmB0q5MtHIn5jotN4biUEsG30th5u-tJC/s1600-h/salve+009.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 279px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEsEkhQPSMoYYy0eEyPNrfI1MxDskJaE2FbPwRiDqGK6Ggb1IfY9fAH2m3jmT3Egs0n0yObUVDQZY76p9vMR7mEg2lZws2j6UUql_YABbgM-NwmB0q5MtHIn5jotN4biUEsG30th5u-tJC/s320/salve+009.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5325852612557695890" border="0" /></a>Add oil base and mix well.<br />(Oil should cover the rose petals.)<br />Allow to infuse for 3 hours.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQgyTKxMRTf_5sgyFvCmHk13AjdAuSslOCKZoUrgX2_1kAvubO_e95z2sUdPbvdSX3_ZncDyg3HowgV-cm-KA8GckpOg7iWXHnZVDX27fcfqcu-FllPPoOlta6k1s7yiHb5vurcE_jDa72/s1600-h/salve+010.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 237px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQgyTKxMRTf_5sgyFvCmHk13AjdAuSslOCKZoUrgX2_1kAvubO_e95z2sUdPbvdSX3_ZncDyg3HowgV-cm-KA8GckpOg7iWXHnZVDX27fcfqcu-FllPPoOlta6k1s7yiHb5vurcE_jDa72/s320/salve+010.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5325852540981797554" border="0" /></a>Strain infused oil mix through cheesecloth.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsu0rdcF4LP8XZYPz-EMI7cPgzzoDZ80W7ui7e-Cey26wEIeUX_8snlt5vBEasF83Q0SyN_JwuCoYlWnE9ewRWniDiV2FGkChijtNcqy2AncWq6GtnOmtrUnj1AwQAa5JDLCCo5oxc4ULS/s1600-h/salve+011.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 272px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsu0rdcF4LP8XZYPz-EMI7cPgzzoDZ80W7ui7e-Cey26wEIeUX_8snlt5vBEasF83Q0SyN_JwuCoYlWnE9ewRWniDiV2FGkChijtNcqy2AncWq6GtnOmtrUnj1AwQAa5JDLCCo5oxc4ULS/s320/salve+011.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5325852496836242930" border="0" /></a>Squeeze any extra oil out.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJraiRD-ZxJ4ntZRTvxaOR8NxmrOs_Y6FYwFXbV3el7wALbnj9LZtXMOdA3HGLFEw4c6X0ySM0-SHMdGzbA8cakVIDVo2rzYmJS82yaIgj79NKq8yQb-x0HL4Jy1CG-cnPTn8qkSopXrAS/s1600-h/salve+012.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 287px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJraiRD-ZxJ4ntZRTvxaOR8NxmrOs_Y6FYwFXbV3el7wALbnj9LZtXMOdA3HGLFEw4c6X0ySM0-SHMdGzbA8cakVIDVo2rzYmJS82yaIgj79NKq8yQb-x0HL4Jy1CG-cnPTn8qkSopXrAS/s320/salve+012.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5325852449410987298" border="0" /></a>Your infused oil will look something like this.<br />Bits of petal on the bottom is normal for now.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGGjD2BmkbyJ9MLl3tSfMT42TGDz2JkdZTizAOXM0V5T-6oQbiuY30cm3E_24fUB9v5Fj978mBhEP3L_1kcBohU82lmZ4WpQyd0hD0G5hFoV__a4s4U43hw1u3q-EWblC1ZH0ADXYt43YM/s1600-h/salve+013.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 283px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGGjD2BmkbyJ9MLl3tSfMT42TGDz2JkdZTizAOXM0V5T-6oQbiuY30cm3E_24fUB9v5Fj978mBhEP3L_1kcBohU82lmZ4WpQyd0hD0G5hFoV__a4s4U43hw1u3q-EWblC1ZH0ADXYt43YM/s320/salve+013.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5325852398607115746" border="0" /></a>Stir in beeswax.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiK-sadGlk_qYoH2F9XWKcYKAgAXtHGXaggg8jnF7dCVG66PVCNtEY59i0enGV4NTBFnyqEGZVJqSqblrojDFQ79YSYfdoPhpKd4WCWF0XHJvyWPDKaDRf6SlRos6PUnomiwhR4GmpfigIJ/s1600-h/salve+014.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 280px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiK-sadGlk_qYoH2F9XWKcYKAgAXtHGXaggg8jnF7dCVG66PVCNtEY59i0enGV4NTBFnyqEGZVJqSqblrojDFQ79YSYfdoPhpKd4WCWF0XHJvyWPDKaDRf6SlRos6PUnomiwhR4GmpfigIJ/s320/salve+014.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5325852346158501810" border="0" /></a>While the salve is melting, add the other oils.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7y38Ozk6Rad6pvJpjWMr_9NpoaOYMgV8ZSr4iNNaUmYtnQVTDPLo4zgW_ajCnZRNC2oCB-TSjEk7R-XYr_0zorxiyd-7Zx50zNJHrmDkVTJMsY0a_1sPCF6gjOXY148qpf2jVuzL1vU4k/s1600-h/salve+017.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 273px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7y38Ozk6Rad6pvJpjWMr_9NpoaOYMgV8ZSr4iNNaUmYtnQVTDPLo4zgW_ajCnZRNC2oCB-TSjEk7R-XYr_0zorxiyd-7Zx50zNJHrmDkVTJMsY0a_1sPCF6gjOXY148qpf2jVuzL1vU4k/s320/salve+017.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5325852096988729538" border="0" /></a>Transfer your hot salve to a jar or tin.<br />(Any petal bits should stay in the mixing mug.)<br /><span style="font-style: italic;">Remember to warm glass jars first before pouring in hot salve!</span><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMUbLzQuK9IZTzbcmkGYeWNJQ3CB9FrCsmm2xQP_J4mtzSmQjs-Y5VvYX4OL4h1nOHcL9VMku2368GZ3xq6Gj6_MnZrPzA8MpiRl7kmhkLTJMUXEbcT6-jW13uiBaIoJ_3J0YGDgaDEUyI/s1600-h/salve+018.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 283px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMUbLzQuK9IZTzbcmkGYeWNJQ3CB9FrCsmm2xQP_J4mtzSmQjs-Y5VvYX4OL4h1nOHcL9VMku2368GZ3xq6Gj6_MnZrPzA8MpiRl7kmhkLTJMUXEbcT6-jW13uiBaIoJ_3J0YGDgaDEUyI/s320/salve+018.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5325852041304670290" border="0" /></a>The finished product.<br />It looks solid here, but is actually creamy to the touch.<br />It blends nicely into skin and has a light floral scent.<br /></div>Majhadahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11243862184546713808noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3045942852171053246.post-694029786948599902009-04-17T00:29:00.017-04:002009-04-17T08:42:55.228-04:00Lavender Mint Facial Masque - Visual Recipe<div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: left;">Today I will be covering my recipe for a soothing lavender and mint clay facial masque. This recipe is easy to make, takes about 15 minutes and requires minimal work space. Enjoy!<br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh45R_xQ3wsSwzFdPeTmRdrM4K5rdwsE49FF8sDP25ZWmg5489j2_x51ctKhv59-jFU6oN3p8xy010IDchWtsfcqb4cOHzT_vClvSjbsFMNTb-pLXoDp1s4RNtOeGj8uUUnCueL0S20rzvo/s1600-h/mask+002.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 231px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh45R_xQ3wsSwzFdPeTmRdrM4K5rdwsE49FF8sDP25ZWmg5489j2_x51ctKhv59-jFU6oN3p8xy010IDchWtsfcqb4cOHzT_vClvSjbsFMNTb-pLXoDp1s4RNtOeGj8uUUnCueL0S20rzvo/s320/mask+002.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5325513497865641826" border="0" /></a>--------<br />TOOLS<br />--------<br />Two small mixing bowls<br />A small mixing spoon<br />A set of measuring spoons<br />A mortar and pestle set<br />A glass apothecary jar<br /><br />-----------------<br />INGREDIENTS<br />-----------------<br />2 T French Green Clay<br />1 T Dried Lavender Buds<br />2-3 drops Peppermint Essential Oil<br /></div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">---------------<br />DIRECTIONS<br />---------------<br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRK74TQhocHB1LlWKdqX5HVC3y6OnZ1TynYpBLgxuskR9vHD9OCQuMvZpI0JVf2zVrvL3zIZQ1P-ko1UfvB3QyxcTY4La_GL6nnoT8feDWwEI9_jTIwg7_hoViKiDSrsx2af0DOGbr8RrD/s1600-h/mask+005.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 282px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRK74TQhocHB1LlWKdqX5HVC3y6OnZ1TynYpBLgxuskR9vHD9OCQuMvZpI0JVf2zVrvL3zIZQ1P-ko1UfvB3QyxcTY4La_GL6nnoT8feDWwEI9_jTIwg7_hoViKiDSrsx2af0DOGbr8RrD/s320/mask+005.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5325513457566632482" border="0" /></a>Scoop 2 tablespoons of french green clay into a bowl, set aside.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0TX_rukGqFrRgPHD77r5KnAXLRvxMWufbprXDSwLN5n_I2uIDgSjygYALTw8G89riCQiwOvEEsUxBWCuGycyKosCkqfnRqJp2p2zf285Y43BKAZP3IjbQV5Wugs-6siZ23w2aWlsczDIw/s1600-h/mask+007.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 293px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0TX_rukGqFrRgPHD77r5KnAXLRvxMWufbprXDSwLN5n_I2uIDgSjygYALTw8G89riCQiwOvEEsUxBWCuGycyKosCkqfnRqJp2p2zf285Y43BKAZP3IjbQV5Wugs-6siZ23w2aWlsczDIw/s320/mask+007.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5325513418551685442" border="0" /></a>Scoop out 1 tablespoon of dried lavender buds.<br />Transfer to mortar.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjikMMC_U8mdSNX3uNUTb8FBvj5iTQL10W54o2rKkKOvObFXFzxr0QHwjCFyJ_JXj4huAkvf1dR4CkfsFq_bFvhPIHwCLkFU-Z6qNeVi64HqRt98ptQI-7koFgu-aK1JDPKOITY4D1JrTwZ/s1600-h/mask+010.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 272px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjikMMC_U8mdSNX3uNUTb8FBvj5iTQL10W54o2rKkKOvObFXFzxr0QHwjCFyJ_JXj4huAkvf1dR4CkfsFq_bFvhPIHwCLkFU-Z6qNeVi64HqRt98ptQI-7koFgu-aK1JDPKOITY4D1JrTwZ/s320/mask+010.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5325513379636765138" border="0" /></a>Add 2-3 drops of peppermint essential oil to lavender buds.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfIYl-3kvxU5MzVB8a_OIoftvAocR2ayDw8s3-xLpy0Utoh5GFnpVFB9S0Sx1cUEeDpArsWOKetqwrKV-zUCdcPnWD_Sx2gk-PYaifb2NBGdC2Wv5Zv56I25R7qZElnBPbZezHDGsG7tkS/s1600-h/mask+011.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 251px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfIYl-3kvxU5MzVB8a_OIoftvAocR2ayDw8s3-xLpy0Utoh5GFnpVFB9S0Sx1cUEeDpArsWOKetqwrKV-zUCdcPnWD_Sx2gk-PYaifb2NBGdC2Wv5Zv56I25R7qZElnBPbZezHDGsG7tkS/s320/mask+011.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5325513332762085602" border="0" /></a>Grind buds for about 5 minutes using mortar and pestle.<br />This mix should feel mostly powdery with a little grit.<br />Rub it between your fingers to make sure.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_FPFU8VhJSdJcPN1agemBLq_HQkvzfw3z9PT_KvX1pVIsK_NPcXs6O04rLVS8IIrBBDsmSdXYWPqkofnIZOFXJVOMFDBlmLiropeyg4EVzA-VlQ9NsIkGBG50cDnpfMnlvY3xL9dbpSHV/s1600-h/mask+013.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 284px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_FPFU8VhJSdJcPN1agemBLq_HQkvzfw3z9PT_KvX1pVIsK_NPcXs6O04rLVS8IIrBBDsmSdXYWPqkofnIZOFXJVOMFDBlmLiropeyg4EVzA-VlQ9NsIkGBG50cDnpfMnlvY3xL9dbpSHV/s320/mask+013.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5325513294713218722" border="0" /></a>Transfer powdered buds to the bowl with the french green clay.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEaaCiSRpDlXPDjxPn0BJyhyphenhyphenw5oAqqjhDZN0kWtxLNBS0x8j5yPE8vAsHXpdB8Lej3aAB7yRd9Ukr05h5H9s3K15IRpDPqiM7l2HroQDHb6ZSDjEcQfVTwOOfjSjME5lZtgdiIFfjSFsWv/s1600-h/mask+015.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEaaCiSRpDlXPDjxPn0BJyhyphenhyphenw5oAqqjhDZN0kWtxLNBS0x8j5yPE8vAsHXpdB8Lej3aAB7yRd9Ukr05h5H9s3K15IRpDPqiM7l2HroQDHb6ZSDjEcQfVTwOOfjSjME5lZtgdiIFfjSFsWv/s320/mask+015.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5325513240874333954" border="0" /></a>Mix together until buds are evenly distributed.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6I22kJ14NZ-zz8wbScfjellsclexcdLr7cffDrICv8oniXMcALDhWb1qOiHnevqzPdQiFm9Y0ttWADH5xhcbpwJGyu84LRNvIydl9emBFzqNf3GMWYUDHEskewb9DjqAcRct432Awu4Qz/s1600-h/mask+018.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 250px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6I22kJ14NZ-zz8wbScfjellsclexcdLr7cffDrICv8oniXMcALDhWb1qOiHnevqzPdQiFm9Y0ttWADH5xhcbpwJGyu84LRNvIydl9emBFzqNf3GMWYUDHEskewb9DjqAcRct432Awu4Qz/s320/mask+018.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5325513189151934610" border="0" /></a>Transfer into an apothecary jar for storage.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfv5W8GIw63UOnK47LSX0APSo3bn8MlcJTOwUXQbI14gSKW_aHEiVkvB0lKLYCJjzp9SV59369pra6st1mXGQk0FFLfsHLZN8ZMS35OcKqOg87daFsbdLx_b7pZQpX2tYoX6_-ZnGrdPhl/s1600-h/mask+020.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 256px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfv5W8GIw63UOnK47LSX0APSo3bn8MlcJTOwUXQbI14gSKW_aHEiVkvB0lKLYCJjzp9SV59369pra6st1mXGQk0FFLfsHLZN8ZMS35OcKqOg87daFsbdLx_b7pZQpX2tYoX6_-ZnGrdPhl/s320/mask+020.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5325513135440593490" border="0" /></a>Ooo, pretty!<br /><br />--------------------------<br />TO USE AS A MASQUE:<br />--------------------------<br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjigLofPY8RCWxRb2CtiKug9535gYOTv_4g0-hRGF5neYVtTiGS_Jvdb0_row6ZDEdslGox4n6LuogWhoY_EINeKyYifoRSpuoImfASglkT1h1nD0WYwOQEev22nH7V_oawBe5R61TiYLJg/s1600-h/mask+022.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjigLofPY8RCWxRb2CtiKug9535gYOTv_4g0-hRGF5neYVtTiGS_Jvdb0_row6ZDEdslGox4n6LuogWhoY_EINeKyYifoRSpuoImfASglkT1h1nD0WYwOQEev22nH7V_oawBe5R61TiYLJg/s320/mask+022.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5325513096096543650" border="0" /></a>Mix 1 heaping teaspoon powder with 2 teaspoons of lukewarm water.<br />Rub the paste onto your face in circular motions.<br />Avoid your eyes and lips just to be safe.<br />Allow to dry.<br />Rinse off with warm water.<br /></div></div>Majhadahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11243862184546713808noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3045942852171053246.post-49633848475886283032009-04-16T16:39:00.018-04:002009-04-21T15:04:28.077-04:00Djembe Repair - How to Wrap a Drum Hoop ( Visual Tutorial )Last night I picked up some beautiful blue batik pattern fabric for wrapping the top hoop of my Djembe. I got 1/2 of a yard of this 45" fabric. I cut 1 inch wide strips out of it and barely needed two of those strips to wrap the hoop. I will likely use the rest of the fabric to make a head cover eventually.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivT_z882_yhu-bX-FrqCRBRIhDYD7vbueIUfYmehQiayP5gqFIwaq7Zjhwa2bKomsYkOOdo4GqqpnVonZEySQ-b8n0hF6jtmAL3wx4hkc8kpXxdZkUGAcgWUFZquzUARLlPgY3fptOD9u4/s1600-h/djembe+020.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivT_z882_yhu-bX-FrqCRBRIhDYD7vbueIUfYmehQiayP5gqFIwaq7Zjhwa2bKomsYkOOdo4GqqpnVonZEySQ-b8n0hF6jtmAL3wx4hkc8kpXxdZkUGAcgWUFZquzUARLlPgY3fptOD9u4/s320/djembe+020.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5325396828621593234" border="0" /></a>As you can see below, the hoop was originally wrapped in a black fabric. It actually was a very thin, almost gauzy tape and really not of high quality. I decided to wrap the new fabric right over the old since the old stuff was so thin and I didn't want to deal with the frustration of trying to unravel the black tape from the hoop.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtZj5LwY667VQkhDU7h_BPHq0m5C5miuCmRUg48kC7k9LCbr86fQA3ZB_ELQMtNEb8JW4E7QBcycNTt2rEQV4gAw4YnW9zbd4qoLIZEdje2KYoL72s7ssosC6a_CINgegLRhrb0BjOXn8A/s1600-h/djembe+013.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 257px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtZj5LwY667VQkhDU7h_BPHq0m5C5miuCmRUg48kC7k9LCbr86fQA3ZB_ELQMtNEb8JW4E7QBcycNTt2rEQV4gAw4YnW9zbd4qoLIZEdje2KYoL72s7ssosC6a_CINgegLRhrb0BjOXn8A/s320/djembe+013.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5325396979468295746" border="0" /></a>I started by folding the edge of my blue fabric over just enough to create a clean edge on one side. The picture offers a decent demonstration of this. I then put a little bit of glue on the hoop and wrapped the blue strip over once. Holding the blue strip taunt, I continued to wrap clockwise around the hoop at about a 45 degree angle. This ensured that the strip wound nicely around the curve while cleanly covering the raw edge on the other side.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBvM91f94H5M_1f0hkHhTZuKzSYk8z-PIKlD4w-mhm4NC9oJYJu_GMjcOqVKDbabHITEz_fAz57k0sxUhqmGAU2CPMzXRqy9Jv00fx_KIPamswQ7DpV_c8P8sRgwyaicpDYhLN3QtjDT8d/s1600-h/djembe+014.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 242px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBvM91f94H5M_1f0hkHhTZuKzSYk8z-PIKlD4w-mhm4NC9oJYJu_GMjcOqVKDbabHITEz_fAz57k0sxUhqmGAU2CPMzXRqy9Jv00fx_KIPamswQ7DpV_c8P8sRgwyaicpDYhLN3QtjDT8d/s320/djembe+014.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5325397235572617842" border="0" /></a>When I had finished wrapping, I folded over the end and used some glue to seal it to the hoop. The effect was a nice spiral that was snug against the hoop all of the way around. I'm really happy with how it turned out. It almost looks like drops of blue water against a black background, which goes nicely with the fish motif on my drum.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQgcSfslUcGwgJf6uWFp9_s-SkndZfKBrkB9fUpX847TowMY-BqEAU8mNu8zlbQK1-XRtaSL_cZnifUNy1aSHVL2poKPOoiEhV5NwO34ZS890AV7LvCXK7JYYkflUagokYCntHtKtNbiM6/s1600-h/djembe+016.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 266px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQgcSfslUcGwgJf6uWFp9_s-SkndZfKBrkB9fUpX847TowMY-BqEAU8mNu8zlbQK1-XRtaSL_cZnifUNy1aSHVL2poKPOoiEhV5NwO34ZS890AV7LvCXK7JYYkflUagokYCntHtKtNbiM6/s320/djembe+016.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5325397653506891570" border="0" /></a>I also ordered new rope and goat skin for the drum today. I was able to get the rope at about 1/4 the price I had seen on many drum sites, but I will explain more about that later. My next Djembe post will likely be after those items arrive and can be put to use.Majhadahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11243862184546713808noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3045942852171053246.post-34530670695876846962009-04-14T00:10:00.004-04:002009-04-21T15:02:34.728-04:00Djembe Repair - Basic Drum Care ( Visual Tutorial )About six years ago, an old friend and I picked up cousin djembes while on a trip to Erie, PA. I used mine on occasion, but for the last few years it has been neglected. It turns out that through three or four moves, exposure to heat and general drum loneliness, my djembe was in an unhappy state. The head had dried and cracked in the middle. The body was scratched and had bits of cobweb inside.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgc9kL8ppZo8f5RlkLgrmJLzAOTXDGFkU8AaewZznBtn0j249gonXlx7EO5KRJdSXTGcdjJv_4n3__Zi2VncZRZpyjKf_i_8lLd3CMpc-sDsuXMuI_CRK_6ox5Jr-b7ErkQ6p8U4Tg78UKX/s1600-h/djembe+001.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 284px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgc9kL8ppZo8f5RlkLgrmJLzAOTXDGFkU8AaewZznBtn0j249gonXlx7EO5KRJdSXTGcdjJv_4n3__Zi2VncZRZpyjKf_i_8lLd3CMpc-sDsuXMuI_CRK_6ox5Jr-b7ErkQ6p8U4Tg78UKX/s320/djembe+001.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5324328147820331026" border="0" /></a> What happens to goat skin after heat and neglect.</div><br />Recently I've been reading about some drum circles in the area and decided to check in on the status of my drum. I knew I needed a new head and generally how to go about replacing it, but needed details. I found a nice set of instructions over at <a href="http://hawkdancing.com/Wooddrum/rehead.html">Hawk Dancing</a> and went to work.<br /><br />First I found the end of the rope, which was at the end of the drum handle and began to unweave. I would suggest that anyone who ventures into this pay close attention to how your rope is woven for the handle and tuning rows.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiy3FRysKeuCtnmotbUNbFQxUGv28hh0QLAs9lkn09xw3_nTVMmOl6YJtD4vbUnwaQrLEP8PrqmyUakOhybc7s_sAzl7-WFNE5_b6hVMVFE3qtXcrGLUzLetqVk6jlPZLfH2V_05igAMFNw/s1600-h/djembe+004.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 263px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiy3FRysKeuCtnmotbUNbFQxUGv28hh0QLAs9lkn09xw3_nTVMmOl6YJtD4vbUnwaQrLEP8PrqmyUakOhybc7s_sAzl7-WFNE5_b6hVMVFE3qtXcrGLUzLetqVk6jlPZLfH2V_05igAMFNw/s320/djembe+004.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5324327640965972306" border="0" /></a>My poor djembe with the rope unwoven and the head removed.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7mnvH1vvYN0ODHNrwrH3LiG05QkK_s0em4aHwozQgLIIbWvBFwPb-C0fvW029c4dWl-oX9ppa8hhhxRuBJVlLkU9v9IpDqOptFoPh-MB9PVrjwmkD95Z6ck_Q6xThEYpTA2pfIxaLHtZd/s1600-h/djembe+010.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 256px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7mnvH1vvYN0ODHNrwrH3LiG05QkK_s0em4aHwozQgLIIbWvBFwPb-C0fvW029c4dWl-oX9ppa8hhhxRuBJVlLkU9v9IpDqOptFoPh-MB9PVrjwmkD95Z6ck_Q6xThEYpTA2pfIxaLHtZd/s320/djembe+010.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5324329068394195698" border="0" /></a>Next I wiped down the drum with a clean cloth and prepped the playing edge for re-heading by applying and rubbing in few coats of beeswax. From my inspection of the drum, it seems that this step was skipped originally. I'm hoping this will improve the sound once I'm all finished.<br /></div></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjc0a1Jg9F8eEvbBs2kk_tnxyEXdmuTfRLV5xebQrox5Lgd_ZXcxTdwykoilyOTHt9j-jMSWxRbMEygVlJ0xfV4mKXP2oqepA3PQXUKyYyaMvOMebIRf20A70Ot7Tt5VtasbBIQ_wcT9x5/s1600-h/djembe+009.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 205px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjc0a1Jg9F8eEvbBs2kk_tnxyEXdmuTfRLV5xebQrox5Lgd_ZXcxTdwykoilyOTHt9j-jMSWxRbMEygVlJ0xfV4mKXP2oqepA3PQXUKyYyaMvOMebIRf20A70Ot7Tt5VtasbBIQ_wcT9x5/s320/djembe+009.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5324330519004571490" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />Finally, I used my <a href="http://majhada.blogspot.com/2009/04/ultimate-beeswax-wood-polish-visual.html">Ultimate Beeswax Polish</a> to breath some new life into the wood djembe body. I have to say the combination of the wood, beeswax and lavender oil makes this drum smell amazing! The polish also diminished most of the scratching and left a nice satin finish on my wood. Now I just have to get a new goat skin drum head and get ready for Part II.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9b_Zxj5KWS2HBf4S4UImzIUWy8xFMb1rNVAhGPJ2CP2yhjSF2JtDja_Qq_3PqrYvCNw_J8RKLqfAXn0DWlXJ0OwZ6nvNgzcbf1QCmzc3d6XwYo3Sl1ecLPS1sDthNRQyw_ThwYyHw4QDP/s1600-h/djembe+012.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 223px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9b_Zxj5KWS2HBf4S4UImzIUWy8xFMb1rNVAhGPJ2CP2yhjSF2JtDja_Qq_3PqrYvCNw_J8RKLqfAXn0DWlXJ0OwZ6nvNgzcbf1QCmzc3d6XwYo3Sl1ecLPS1sDthNRQyw_ThwYyHw4QDP/s320/djembe+012.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5324332063262636898" border="0" /></a>Majhadahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11243862184546713808noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3045942852171053246.post-38151585658530371232009-04-13T17:54:00.019-04:002009-04-13T18:39:22.807-04:00Ultimate Beeswax Wood Polish - Visual Recipe<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEmik-Ku_rSPpMJVQ1xSMZ7GCXCVEPGqc8pZ4VL-on-SVGze2LeAI4jYAWswY_PdVzi1FhNId_wVCuTLekbbChv9OrpRe-bWSuzFT7otVYh7VhlIU5GpGQgH4UgVhuODK_KUN9LNXKAdU-/s1600-h/polish+012.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 242px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEmik-Ku_rSPpMJVQ1xSMZ7GCXCVEPGqc8pZ4VL-on-SVGze2LeAI4jYAWswY_PdVzi1FhNId_wVCuTLekbbChv9OrpRe-bWSuzFT7otVYh7VhlIU5GpGQgH4UgVhuODK_KUN9LNXKAdU-/s320/polish+012.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5324302063662376834" border="0" /></a>Today I would like to share an easy to create, yet simply amazing beeswax polish. I developed this for polishing a wood drum, but it has many uses. The ingredients included make it safe to use as a polish for any type of wood item, to rehydrate dry skin or even condition leather. The nice thing about this recipe is that it can be made in small batches and does not require a double boiler or even kitchen work space. The final product is a semisolid base that liquefies quickly without becoming greasy. When used on wood, you will need to rub a clean cloth into the finished polish, then apply to the item using circular motions.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTxvjp-Mzq-91VMhzeTJuj7clNRu8q7KY6dhqHNDB9GM9rM-gydIaDiP4cYSJiYIc7MV4xO5yV45S8Jtc7bNXAAyNGG98PAHvjg9b4xXyG5970Sy3tgtNxWIX9gOrNtyaQvs1-43Zrb2g-/s1600-h/polish+001.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 228px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTxvjp-Mzq-91VMhzeTJuj7clNRu8q7KY6dhqHNDB9GM9rM-gydIaDiP4cYSJiYIc7MV4xO5yV45S8Jtc7bNXAAyNGG98PAHvjg9b4xXyG5970Sy3tgtNxWIX9gOrNtyaQvs1-43Zrb2g-/s320/polish+001.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5324302013304649346" border="0" /></a>---------<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">TOOLS</span><br />---------<br />Candle warmer<br />Small ceramic mug<br />Wooden stirring stick<br />Small foil sheet<br />Measuring spoons<br />2oz Apothecary jar (plastic or glass)<br /><br />-----------------<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">INGREDIENTS</span><br />-----------------<br />1.5 Tablespoons granulated beeswax<br />3 Tablespoons Jojoba oil<br />1/4 teaspoon Vitamin E oil<br />10 drops Lavender essential oil<br /><br />(These ingredients will create approximately 2 ounces of polish.)<br /><br />----------------<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">PROCESS</span><br />----------------<br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnJxQBjvAcPEFXwkeSgKRUG4wOrbg-mguF26z1zOwHmgFTvaBOJos8U4dwtiOzVeBzsCR1K1twVkQCBjTbnbuRfoPPkaN7Db-TxrBqNbt_Ewr-oEd9XpGEutmId_jnzx1TZVglR_40bZVV/s1600-h/polish+003.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 266px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnJxQBjvAcPEFXwkeSgKRUG4wOrbg-mguF26z1zOwHmgFTvaBOJos8U4dwtiOzVeBzsCR1K1twVkQCBjTbnbuRfoPPkaN7Db-TxrBqNbt_Ewr-oEd9XpGEutmId_jnzx1TZVglR_40bZVV/s320/polish+003.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5324301945651521538" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-style: italic;">Heat up your candle warmer and place mug on top.</span><br /></span><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPV5lYKhPCQjsO9nvpARiA19AHRI-x0vJlecAJSSu_2gBIpPo1ir7MzrjmL0xiZ2O_QGvLxQZ9bcye4-KL_D8_tKXQfPk58Gd6tRWWWg91UNqSeiWV9upxF6ZwklJef1XAFIiEhGgwusQR/s1600-h/polish+004.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 297px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPV5lYKhPCQjsO9nvpARiA19AHRI-x0vJlecAJSSu_2gBIpPo1ir7MzrjmL0xiZ2O_QGvLxQZ9bcye4-KL_D8_tKXQfPk58Gd6tRWWWg91UNqSeiWV9upxF6ZwklJef1XAFIiEhGgwusQR/s320/polish+004.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5324301904375962690" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-style: italic;">Add 1.5 Tablespoons of granulated beeswax.</span><br /></span><br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjv1g4Sg2zYpSoz33kB4s0M9zCtSHWhwwDGL4cTSTCR2AJM3d4Y1rxeY4NR5NZVKwjdyStL0zAL124RhaJQ81_04GhmyxvKGLRpXkq5BGxPE7a_R-iudPMCBJWNWmt4XXLI_dQTfxe5qQT1/s1600-h/polish+005.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 269px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjv1g4Sg2zYpSoz33kB4s0M9zCtSHWhwwDGL4cTSTCR2AJM3d4Y1rxeY4NR5NZVKwjdyStL0zAL124RhaJQ81_04GhmyxvKGLRpXkq5BGxPE7a_R-iudPMCBJWNWmt4XXLI_dQTfxe5qQT1/s320/polish+005.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5324301858522413410" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-style: italic;">When the beeswax has half melted, add all oils.</span><br /></span><br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2cNIVS4D8964P56GDfYTeAPtUx_SNhdCINrGAiCUOmJ8Q0SFiw3L6tdUQfeVy3cVs1BWJ4akrknGzMvNGZ6PXoOrrY46P1qu02L3VgDosRzmExCY46ob4wllyGxs1EXGllTxN_-UO0F2b/s1600-h/polish+006.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 251px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2cNIVS4D8964P56GDfYTeAPtUx_SNhdCINrGAiCUOmJ8Q0SFiw3L6tdUQfeVy3cVs1BWJ4akrknGzMvNGZ6PXoOrrY46P1qu02L3VgDosRzmExCY46ob4wllyGxs1EXGllTxN_-UO0F2b/s320/polish+006.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5324301813812267618" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-style: italic;">Cover the mixture with foil to retain heat and allow to completely melt.</span></span><br /><br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0lUOeZx3PQ6AH7E33Y8pGDU0dPVLKgTjg4WhfMaWgVx4MWmAmdTmiwBHP56vq3fK6qf8_w_3udqog98T2Es7AkvpUxDapWJIM0OLtHWP99prAu4MUp0TyhllQkKvmQFtZQlU2sqA-AbOY/s1600-h/polish+008.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 218px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0lUOeZx3PQ6AH7E33Y8pGDU0dPVLKgTjg4WhfMaWgVx4MWmAmdTmiwBHP56vq3fK6qf8_w_3udqog98T2Es7AkvpUxDapWJIM0OLtHWP99prAu4MUp0TyhllQkKvmQFtZQlU2sqA-AbOY/s320/polish+008.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5324301762028408786" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-style: italic;">After 30-45 minutes the mix should be fully melted.<br />Stir to make sure.</span><br /></span><br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9-Hs_1h9xDcyBT8Gd1gcq_ZoV75TQKwYsmbFnrOwmSfQsSQF19Q27IOPmySk3U5zN_x1x7Wkx_WOqmQo9-PAhk6cHlyCy5yXSuw7_IA1sIxvWrAxn0bXmEGgkZcIzCP3M1-U-liGA4q0q/s1600-h/polish+009.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 243px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9-Hs_1h9xDcyBT8Gd1gcq_ZoV75TQKwYsmbFnrOwmSfQsSQF19Q27IOPmySk3U5zN_x1x7Wkx_WOqmQo9-PAhk6cHlyCy5yXSuw7_IA1sIxvWrAxn0bXmEGgkZcIzCP3M1-U-liGA4q0q/s320/polish+009.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5324301657961732930" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-style: italic;">Transfer the melted mix to a jar.<br />Allow the polish to cool at room temperature until solid.</span></span><br /><br /><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;">Note:</span> </span><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-style: italic;">If using a glass jar, acclimate the glass to heat by running the sealed jar under increasingly hot water for a minute or two before pouring in the polish. This will prevent your glass from cracking.</span></span><br /><br />-------------<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">RESULTS</span><br />-------------<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1ev9mT8BYpCxcy0jlPeVkGcJXQWpLGhh6kqXBiAhrUXt8uaNNHmUwzLMVeFZgKY7HG-737jrML5CQJkHLR6f1_EczpWhre6XG4WdmsfZeNVBO_JmYE1jc-EvthyI0rYqxO0iN4Yawqyts/s1600-h/polish+015.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 182px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1ev9mT8BYpCxcy0jlPeVkGcJXQWpLGhh6kqXBiAhrUXt8uaNNHmUwzLMVeFZgKY7HG-737jrML5CQJkHLR6f1_EczpWhre6XG4WdmsfZeNVBO_JmYE1jc-EvthyI0rYqxO0iN4Yawqyts/s320/polish+015.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5324301540341506802" border="0" /></a>Before polish application.<br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgytZP1INzVoPDyDZU1nkbUSGgXeIjZoRbpC8SPhQ-YUu4BBHYAa29Rv7PsRHfVJstTxpaXjOs7anulumZe-sOjjzl3D1OfCWFDvgs9e41Vv__8BYFD0spxls4kNdyMVtz_u2eek2HIu9J7/s1600-h/polish+014.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 177px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgytZP1INzVoPDyDZU1nkbUSGgXeIjZoRbpC8SPhQ-YUu4BBHYAa29Rv7PsRHfVJstTxpaXjOs7anulumZe-sOjjzl3D1OfCWFDvgs9e41Vv__8BYFD0spxls4kNdyMVtz_u2eek2HIu9J7/s320/polish+014.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5324301587496386466" border="0" /></a>After polish application.<br /></div>Majhadahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11243862184546713808noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3045942852171053246.post-21249926435267036232009-04-08T13:19:00.006-04:002009-04-08T17:34:41.841-04:00Limoncello UpdateThe birthday limoncello reached a major milestone today. After over 40 days, the batch was ready for step 7 in the Limoncello Quest process... adding the simple syrup. Since I was off from work today due to an injury, I had a good bit of time to devote to this process.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJEImE__l65xQqu0rAvvgJI0y447mhXAR5m4Pis-7OXejXKJ7AXEKp0hWtABXeboyx1CcVZw5HszftjHUxRnD6aHHzXJCNKrMf0GVPXhyWXHCk_ZgFYdDWLM03lpfa9qQBxrO0nP3FAk4v/s1600-h/limoncello+002.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 206px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJEImE__l65xQqu0rAvvgJI0y447mhXAR5m4Pis-7OXejXKJ7AXEKp0hWtABXeboyx1CcVZw5HszftjHUxRnD6aHHzXJCNKrMf0GVPXhyWXHCk_ZgFYdDWLM03lpfa9qQBxrO0nP3FAk4v/s320/limoncello+002.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5322372805580526786" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;">After about 45 days of isolation, the budding batch of limoncello enjoys a few minutes in the sun.</span><br /></div><br />I started of by making a simple syrup on the stove. As I was pouring the filtered water in to begin the syrup it hit me that my limoncello really needs to be split between two bottles. While the syrup was cooling, I poured out and measured the mixture thus far. 6 cups of liquid plus another 2 of zest solids.<br /><br />I cleaned out another bottle and split the syrup evenly between them. I then split the original mix evenly. I learned that it's not simple to get the solids back in, but making them into little balls first helps. When I was all finished today, I had doubled my limoncello quantity due to the addition of simple syrup. It's looking like I will have about a gallon by the end of this all.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimkCf-8-6n-qmQMyyTwiEljBbogeZqoBhbabrPMxyrG7rZr6EwYBMmiuNjnobK88lXLJ3vlwk8e7ceZj9RG7W7X6RkkmEAWaPH6TDSJFuqs2tV_cH9O11gaK37voevrLC9JVmjXTj4tguf/s1600-h/limoncello+007.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 254px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimkCf-8-6n-qmQMyyTwiEljBbogeZqoBhbabrPMxyrG7rZr6EwYBMmiuNjnobK88lXLJ3vlwk8e7ceZj9RG7W7X6RkkmEAWaPH6TDSJFuqs2tV_cH9O11gaK37voevrLC9JVmjXTj4tguf/s320/limoncello+007.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5322374696416114034" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;">The two bottles of limoncello can now keep each other company until early June when they will be filtered and bottled.</span></div>Majhadahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11243862184546713808noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3045942852171053246.post-42312334264449303392009-04-03T00:01:00.002-04:002009-04-03T00:30:13.804-04:00Awesome Waldorf Toys<div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=15841499"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 344px;" src="http://ny-image0.etsy.com/il_430xN.40038752.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;">Spring Lyre- by <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=5254288">Palumba</a></span><br /></div><br />I'm not much of a baby oriented kind of person, but since I have a niece I think about what toys I would go for if I had a kid from time to time. I do enjoy some cute Scadian babies with period looking toys and amber teething necklaces. I also have been into Waldorf inspired toys lately. Two people from my herbalism class are teachers at a Waldorf school so I did a little research into Waldorf related things lately to get a better idea of what they do. You can find some great information on <a href="http://www.WhyWaldorfWorks.com">www.WhyWaldorfWorks.com</a>. In the process I ended up coming across some fabulous developmentally appropriate toys that inspire creative play and are intended to nurture the growth of the whole child. Below are some examples from Etsy that I really like.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=23046426"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 179px;" src="http://ny-image0.etsy.com/il_430xN.64011620.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;">Beeswax Modeling Clay- by <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=5656802">Twinkle of My Eye</a></span><br />-What a great natural alternative to play doh!<br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=22899934"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 240px;" src="http://ny-image0.etsy.com/il_430xN.63528028.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;">Starry Night Playsilk- by <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=5104517">Vivid Tribe</a></span><br />- The dye job on this silk is so inviting.<br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=22837975"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 327px;" src="http://ny-image1.etsy.com/il_430xN.63318849.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;">Felt Horse Pattern- by<a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=5536548"> Woolhalla</a></span><br />-Think how cool it would be to make a little felt heraldic blanket for one these cuties!<br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=20224570"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 240px;" src="http://ny-image3.etsy.com/il_430xN.54555215.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;">Tree Stacker Puzzle- by <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=6286854">Small Town Toys</a></span><br />-I know some of the kids I work with would love this. It's a puzzle and a size stacking project.<br /></div><br /><a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=6286854"></a><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=22727946"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 159px;" src="http://ny-image2.etsy.com/il_430xN.62952002.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;">Ohio Maple Triangle Teether- by <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=5645113">Little Alouette</a></span><br />- The texture of this is described as "sanded silk". So alluring.<br /><br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=14354285"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 223px;" src="http://ny-image3.etsy.com/il_430xN.35152075.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;">Hand Carved Maple Rattle- by <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=22306">Canadian Wood Crafts</a></span><br />-Start them young with this and it's an easy transition to a Bodhran drum later on!<br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=22845884"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 207px;" src="http://ny-image0.etsy.com/il_430xN.63345472.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;">Crotchet Salad Pattern- <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=46754">Whimsy by Jess Nicole</a></span><br />-This is just so cool. Makes me wish I could crochet.<br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=23020690"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 179px;" src="http://ny-image0.etsy.com/il_430xN.63926804.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;">Olka Rabbit- by <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=7142452">Green Man Shop</a></span><br />-This cutie has a interesting back story to read up on. Plus I love the great color and texture contrasts on this bunny.<br /></div>Majhadahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11243862184546713808noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3045942852171053246.post-8998200804094443192009-04-02T00:16:00.000-04:002009-04-02T00:16:01.295-04:00The Witticism About Making the Best of a Situation<div style="text-align: center;"><br />Also known as making some lemonade!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?ref=sr_list_13&listing_id=19474792&ga_search_query=lemon+bird&ga_search_type=tag_title&ga_page=1&min=&max=&order=price_desc"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 295px; height: 423px;" src="http://ny-image1.etsy.com/il_430xN.52049361.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;font-size:85%;" >Appealing- by </span><span style="font-size:85%;"><a style="font-style: italic;" href="http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=39466">Laura E Horning</a></span><br /><br /></div><span style="font-weight: bold;">Problem</span>: I really like organic lemonade. Organic lemonade is way too expensive sometimes. Santa Cruz got me addicted when their bottles were 99 cents, now they are $3.99. Grr.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Solution</span>: Make my own darn organic lemonade.<br /><br />---------------<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Ingredients</span><br />---------------<br />3/4 c of Santa Cruz Organic Lemon Juice<br />3/4 to 1 c of Domino Organic Sugar<br />1 c of Filtered Water<br />Additional water to taste<br /><br />-------------<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Directions</span><br />-------------<br />- Add the lemon juice directly to the pitcher<br />- In a small sauce pan add 1c water and the sugar<br />- On low heat, stir until the sugar is dissolved. This will create a simple syrup<br /><span style="font-style: italic;">(Psst... simple syrup is the secret to good lemonade. It keeps the sugar evenly distributed and prevents nasty settling at the bottom of the pitcher.)</span><br />- Add the simple syrup to your pitcher<br />- Add at least a quart of filtered water and stir<br />- Add more water to taste<br /><span style="font-style: italic;">(I like a pretty watered down and slightly bitter lemonade so I tend to use less sugar and more water.)</span><br /><br />Now for some more Lemonade related Etsy things!<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?ref=sr_list_2&listing_id=21395299&ga_search_query=lemon+pin+cushion&ga_search_type=tag_title&ga_page=1&min=&max=&order=price_desc"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 381px; height: 308px;" src="http://ny-image0.etsy.com/il_430xN.58467328.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-style: italic;">Pucker- Lemon Pin Cushion by </span><a style="font-style: italic;" href="http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=6326392">Stacy Jean</a></span><br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?ref=sr_list_8&listing_id=20222020&ga_search_query=lemon+handspun+yarn&ga_search_type=tag_title&ga_page=&min=&max=&order="><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 384px; height: 329px;" src="http://ny-image0.etsy.com/il_430xN.54547308.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-style: italic;">Spiked Lemonade - Handspun and dyed wool yarn by </span><a style="font-style: italic;" href="http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=94173">Betty's Loft</a></span><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?ref=sr_list_18&listing_id=22172307&ga_search_query=lemon+poppyseed+soap&ga_search_type=tag_title&ga_page=1&min=&max=&order=price_asc"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 380px; height: 284px;" src="http://ny-image3.etsy.com/il_430xN.61075483.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-style: italic;">Lemon Poppyseed Goat Milk Soap- by </span><a style="font-style: italic;" href="http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=55298">Carvel Country Soapworks</a></span><br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?ref=sr_list_2&listing_id=21739640&ga_search_query=citrus+juicer+pottery&ga_search_type=tag_title&ga_page=&min=&max=&order="><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 381px; height: 252px;" src="http://ny-image2.etsy.com/il_430xN.59623834.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-style: italic;">Blue Green Citrus Juicer- by </span><a style="font-style: italic;" href="http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=5842348">Lily Pottery</a></span></div></div>Majhadahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11243862184546713808noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3045942852171053246.post-67400490674436031032009-04-01T00:10:00.001-04:002009-04-02T17:55:51.531-04:00Showing Off a Few NecklacesI just wanted to use a post to show off some of the jewelry items I made a few months ago. These were quite different for me since I tend to do renaissance reproduction bead work. I did have all of these posted on my Etsy, but some have since expired. I may post them again if the mood strikes me. Feel free to comment on which ones you like the most and why.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><br />Turkish Odalisque</span><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">Pearls, Rainbow Fluorite and Adventurine</span><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhizjUzCKZn1t-bMVX7hZn1GRMlvWgHGAOmbLBleSB0fDdLuJSkLg1Tf9xM3HvO7MSXqAHpQr-vg5X_zJ3G8eevCkFk2tdpA0nCju69ZoHH461p-QO5JEX295hD34N70lcXPf8Yv1ilpB52/s1600-h/TurkishOdalisque04.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 310px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhizjUzCKZn1t-bMVX7hZn1GRMlvWgHGAOmbLBleSB0fDdLuJSkLg1Tf9xM3HvO7MSXqAHpQr-vg5X_zJ3G8eevCkFk2tdpA0nCju69ZoHH461p-QO5JEX295hD34N70lcXPf8Yv1ilpB52/s320/TurkishOdalisque04.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5319192685014391154" border="0" /></a><span style="font-weight: bold;"><br />Rita's Autumn Dream</span><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">Pearls, Red Jasper and Pewter</span><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDKftdhtKayuuF3pvbkikdlc0Bf3iXTqnq1AU2jyxYSCQqXQdQ8dWA7ll6W8ttVeOVt6zKXZJgaybwtm8kmHXOy_Ok5zlX6WCIWk3MWlwtVJlm_FlqZ6SHEPFXT31tDSigKJrZXofYNgn5/s1600-h/RitaAutDream02.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 242px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDKftdhtKayuuF3pvbkikdlc0Bf3iXTqnq1AU2jyxYSCQqXQdQ8dWA7ll6W8ttVeOVt6zKXZJgaybwtm8kmHXOy_Ok5zlX6WCIWk3MWlwtVJlm_FlqZ6SHEPFXT31tDSigKJrZXofYNgn5/s320/RitaAutDream02.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5319192591471760066" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Jacob's Beloved</span><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">Rose Quartz, Rhodochrosite and Sterling Silver</span><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjprR6JmvmSt-fWFr3e65m7EnN6vGUdumnGaHA0kQ0Lk2gNIlV9aKf1aiL9h1-GTA4QZou5IT09CTXzgQd3rQ20rdfeCev6WzPi3eM55EaFRCmXzPAilLlzgV3qnHtCHN3-DKfnG07C4gp9/s1600-h/JacobsBeloved03.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 266px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjprR6JmvmSt-fWFr3e65m7EnN6vGUdumnGaHA0kQ0Lk2gNIlV9aKf1aiL9h1-GTA4QZou5IT09CTXzgQd3rQ20rdfeCev6WzPi3eM55EaFRCmXzPAilLlzgV3qnHtCHN3-DKfnG07C4gp9/s320/JacobsBeloved03.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5319192472390786338" border="0" /></a><span style="font-weight: bold;"><br />Hidden in the Oak</span><span style="font-style: italic;"><br />Rhyolite, Pearls and Cast Metal</span> </div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikT_70DI-GM2v_XdBZ3s8OWU148eLcclm-BR4dU0wtx5Ac09bO9XYv9RP1p86OuPBEOTGcXTs_1dK2LPLV1zPEvaTzZUIKjxWyymH3LHdPwvsMGWqX4D_pth7NlqP5PAhdZ-_IRDAWRdYM/s1600-h/HidMossOak01.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 257px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikT_70DI-GM2v_XdBZ3s8OWU148eLcclm-BR4dU0wtx5Ac09bO9XYv9RP1p86OuPBEOTGcXTs_1dK2LPLV1zPEvaTzZUIKjxWyymH3LHdPwvsMGWqX4D_pth7NlqP5PAhdZ-_IRDAWRdYM/s320/HidMossOak01.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5319192367640487122" border="0" /></a><span style="font-weight: bold;"><br />A Heart of Gold</span><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">Amethyst, Gold Vermilion Beads w/ Gilded Glass Pendant</span><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmog3MWpOL_edAgTzIcDixhGwcm37vua0z0dpxJzJBeqb_GYzKXWHH3Y365sdteFn5mOSCQIaTDXpKDG131tviR-57p2fGdou-M0Cxk26p3TCXq5IxSxTv3cth4ugMt9xwT9Fs9PPfBuzw/s1600-h/HeartofGold01.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 308px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmog3MWpOL_edAgTzIcDixhGwcm37vua0z0dpxJzJBeqb_GYzKXWHH3Y365sdteFn5mOSCQIaTDXpKDG131tviR-57p2fGdou-M0Cxk26p3TCXq5IxSxTv3cth4ugMt9xwT9Fs9PPfBuzw/s320/HeartofGold01.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5319192272995024898" border="0" /></a><span style="font-weight: bold;"><br />First Love</span><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">Czech Pearls, Purple Fluorite and Garnet</span><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPobIYbEpUiXakiOQZQJxUSQflorOLkwJR4pMFIEmwinjBXqdvYUbu0FNP-4PGMGuvCAU2YzLDiuvuPA0PJCT3O5YYn9m_7URLCBdfHb33epWBvGt4ZzX3XaMfDiq36ixSwrS_LLoxIzku/s1600-h/FirstLove02.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 312px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPobIYbEpUiXakiOQZQJxUSQflorOLkwJR4pMFIEmwinjBXqdvYUbu0FNP-4PGMGuvCAU2YzLDiuvuPA0PJCT3O5YYn9m_7URLCBdfHb33epWBvGt4ZzX3XaMfDiq36ixSwrS_LLoxIzku/s320/FirstLove02.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5319192188902395490" border="0" /></a><span style="font-weight: bold;"><br />Winter Solstice</span><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">Amethyst and Glass</span><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6F8c_i7N6aIE2Q0pIGjCgRmjW1x_cCUTEhUweiMkVtaVN_OeJnkfmk_Fdk9uKZ6uORhw68Y-OQ5l3UE-pSK4V6moEteIDsCEGy8LiK3wJMbCLQO-x9XrX00JCOpVZu73DMMX57v0Q2v4Q/s1600-h/EndlessGalaxy02.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 291px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6F8c_i7N6aIE2Q0pIGjCgRmjW1x_cCUTEhUweiMkVtaVN_OeJnkfmk_Fdk9uKZ6uORhw68Y-OQ5l3UE-pSK4V6moEteIDsCEGy8LiK3wJMbCLQO-x9XrX00JCOpVZu73DMMX57v0Q2v4Q/s320/EndlessGalaxy02.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5319192071813672898" border="0" /></a><span style="font-weight: bold;"><br />Czarina Alexandra</span><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">Czech Pearls, Crystal Spacers and a Vintage Pendant</span><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoULoMKjEODru5_V-R4DLpgWs84u-xzCZpvNtmbFPdnY4ynfMqpNunpici4EMRDCHsdY-DDQ6OYLuMhe4qFrjvrf_u7hAmK-Jpg2J8GkMKujlrTraLTrpaxqp6oTw1zAAhbDFbpgW6l1Co/s1600-h/CzarinaAlexandra05.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 237px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoULoMKjEODru5_V-R4DLpgWs84u-xzCZpvNtmbFPdnY4ynfMqpNunpici4EMRDCHsdY-DDQ6OYLuMhe4qFrjvrf_u7hAmK-Jpg2J8GkMKujlrTraLTrpaxqp6oTw1zAAhbDFbpgW6l1Co/s320/CzarinaAlexandra05.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5319191999638781266" border="0" /></a><span style="font-weight: bold;"><br />Besotted Naiad</span><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">Shells, Pearls and Cast Metal</span><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFeMZndlqu-51qOg5YePAn1QqxYTsYrdEfo1DkRtVuNlnlyM2UVb6A0cLkEtIU8WvO0GY2b74u8z3J4E3e1s-CTEEn7l0EN1GH5KlM0DKuGZg_WaWx_HQpkBm25CqH7ywQxuuhBC_oHtRD/s1600-h/BesottedMaid02.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFeMZndlqu-51qOg5YePAn1QqxYTsYrdEfo1DkRtVuNlnlyM2UVb6A0cLkEtIU8WvO0GY2b74u8z3J4E3e1s-CTEEn7l0EN1GH5KlM0DKuGZg_WaWx_HQpkBm25CqH7ywQxuuhBC_oHtRD/s320/BesottedMaid02.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5319191810502869538" border="0" /></a><span style="font-weight: bold;"><br />Tudor Sweetheart</span><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">Czech Pearls and Glass Bicone Beads</span><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkdEG3htj1skLAndP4kqo-1zy5AhbLS-5o3quBjVLM0iqwTD2nSK_vQ5W-TBDic3jgkK5gMtEMVoKUPShz_pr1XZ0vXCpjjg4teAu8_Z2NHMLRjCJQwoRR-xFIKQ_kn5rYZUxOGbCeOZcs/s1600-h/ATudorSweetheart03.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 248px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkdEG3htj1skLAndP4kqo-1zy5AhbLS-5o3quBjVLM0iqwTD2nSK_vQ5W-TBDic3jgkK5gMtEMVoKUPShz_pr1XZ0vXCpjjg4teAu8_Z2NHMLRjCJQwoRR-xFIKQ_kn5rYZUxOGbCeOZcs/s320/ATudorSweetheart03.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5319191644462288498" border="0" /></a>Majhadahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11243862184546713808noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3045942852171053246.post-15578230946779502872009-03-31T11:30:00.000-04:002009-03-31T11:30:08.506-04:00My Budgie Weighs One Ounce<div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: left;">Nikolai has been with me for one month now, which would make him just about 3 1/2 months old. He/she is really the sweetest budgie I've ever had. He's learned a lot over the past few weeks. He is able to give kisses, step up, step down, grab a ball and drop it into my palm and touch a target object on command. I have training sessions with him at least twice a day. We work on the things he knows already and try to learn new tricks.<br /><br />His very beautiful coloring is yellow face type 2 cobalt opaline cinnamon.<br /><br />He just got a new play gym a few days ago that he absolutely loves. He usually gets at least 45 minutes or so out of the cage to play on the gym by himself each day. He's very tame and will entertain himself on the gym while I read do something else nearby. Out of curiosity I used his play gym today to weight him. I put a scale on top of the cage, put the gym on the scale, then put Nik on the gym. Sneaky huh? Well, adorably enough the little fellow officially weighs only one ounce.<br /><br />Just for reference, that weight is equivalent to an empty ring box and a spool of thread.<br /></div><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJIAfHO4vRFubBUGTw2GGUaV8qZcbm6GPDAqiXpsa_L2G_YPGY6XfbaJRLqvx6A9BYEF7yfBd7jjpOiFalnn7vOSibSXFJHdmJ4nQOMav6RQsUjT50q4F-upEuKyWBc2lM8OLgeiWadaHV/s1600-h/nik2.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 274px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJIAfHO4vRFubBUGTw2GGUaV8qZcbm6GPDAqiXpsa_L2G_YPGY6XfbaJRLqvx6A9BYEF7yfBd7jjpOiFalnn7vOSibSXFJHdmJ4nQOMav6RQsUjT50q4F-upEuKyWBc2lM8OLgeiWadaHV/s320/nik2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5319184888107170514" border="0" /></a>"Hey, I found another budgie in this shiny part of my gym! "<br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipyuJ-7vDYG0CYb3bl09ysKFvHWAGLhZ-fHF7pJmQZDcv-oSHfK62eACTt9AVVqezRQvbTrngv81XhszLH72EaC0R3cRAITlgg_ge83vZjKHdwVXjSp73CtbqhRHpPdFWRmkUqTWZCCEj-/s1600-h/nik1.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 315px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipyuJ-7vDYG0CYb3bl09ysKFvHWAGLhZ-fHF7pJmQZDcv-oSHfK62eACTt9AVVqezRQvbTrngv81XhszLH72EaC0R3cRAITlgg_ge83vZjKHdwVXjSp73CtbqhRHpPdFWRmkUqTWZCCEj-/s320/nik1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5319184826474529810" border="0" /></a>Nik's color mutation is very beautiful.<br />Note the little patch of blue on his belly.<br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dzzl-aiNf7f2judFOZP0wuIr6kqVUPLPecx5iIUzXFOmlB68qixYPfmfMORISbklYo8Js6ZbeM4fy_ny8vx-w' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe><br />A short video of our training sessions.<br />That's millet all over the table. Spoiled bird.<br /></div>Majhadahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11243862184546713808noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3045942852171053246.post-14998499752382828592009-03-30T22:03:00.000-04:002009-03-31T09:41:10.825-04:00A Gentle Push Towards IlluminationIn getting back to all things medieval in my life, I've increasingly found myself thinking "I should try my hand at illumination." In the past I've taught classes on herbal preparations and reproduction jewelry making, but I realized that I want to engage in something that really takes unique personal talent. Herbalism surely requires knowledge and research. Jewelry making does take some planning, patience and supplies. Then there's illumination. That take research, skills, planning, supplies, practice and some natural talent that's hard to duplicate. Since I've been drawing for most of my life and painting on and off since I was 10, I'm surprised I didn't pursue illumination earlier. I've taken a short class, read quite a bit on the topic, accumulated a few supplies but for whatever reason I've hesitated to really delve in fully.<br /><br />So the universe decided to give me a big push this week. A good smack across the head really.<br /><br />First I found the perfect box to keep all of my illumination supplies in. A lovely wooden sketch box with brass latches and a leather handle. The box had plenty little compartments inside and even a place to store a bristol paper pad. It was also 50% off. Sweet.<br /><br />Then I unearthed all of the little brushes I knew I had but couldn't find.<br /><br />Then I found an amazing on-line source for images of period illuminations. Some nice detail images of diapering and faces that excited me.<br /><br />Finally, someone in my shire send out a message that she was parting with a bunch of illumination and calligraphy books (for FREE) ... and some illumination supplies (for very cheap).<br /><br />I'm proud to say that I now own 50 vials of period pigments, some gum arabic powder, a brush dish, some pergamenta paper and 5 very great books all for an extremely reasonable sum.<br /><br />Yes, universe, I can take a hint.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrw37lvaMDHgH6YO5RnbXyKRhWTPq84y75Pllw7pdx4Z9dQ7xVu7j9LoCppejrd_nFbRjsm66XMfYD9dT4D9E5eOst_xfCX0rk9Hd6WU4cnhyphenhyphenLv2-dYTMa983qEx0aqWYzld8P7e_4jY00/s1600-h/illumination+001.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 210px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrw37lvaMDHgH6YO5RnbXyKRhWTPq84y75Pllw7pdx4Z9dQ7xVu7j9LoCppejrd_nFbRjsm66XMfYD9dT4D9E5eOst_xfCX0rk9Hd6WU4cnhyphenhyphenLv2-dYTMa983qEx0aqWYzld8P7e_4jY00/s320/illumination+001.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5319173318645602818" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-style: italic;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Above</span>: Inside the illumination box. Everything fits so perfectly, it's destined.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Below</span>: All of the new books.</span><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhazUQQHNEcvG45U41FP9_Wy6zOwXgjtuD2jghfnhBpq_DkCBoBJHIFKMim5cpIKdM2fQzMskn7vQp8ttAiP7K5DbhWdrc7fbwNohB22VFsDP2dq34GbA_FbaZx5qLpEcwIGskL5noQ5aWs/s1600-h/illumination+007.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 241px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhazUQQHNEcvG45U41FP9_Wy6zOwXgjtuD2jghfnhBpq_DkCBoBJHIFKMim5cpIKdM2fQzMskn7vQp8ttAiP7K5DbhWdrc7fbwNohB22VFsDP2dq34GbA_FbaZx5qLpEcwIGskL5noQ5aWs/s320/illumination+007.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5319173366758506290" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2DG32Wqoa9M30f63_lngTj7Ujuev8Z6383o4YBeMBemRmvGBxFjNqxIhadVnZYcVZ4g3i2pLkBVETMzBrRKfyzKoV-7HbWPeuuOZiYZRagegQp0WwJAdTC6f8QVYe-k-G8n_M6etG3CeN/s1600-h/illumination+008.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 307px; height: 279px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2DG32Wqoa9M30f63_lngTj7Ujuev8Z6383o4YBeMBemRmvGBxFjNqxIhadVnZYcVZ4g3i2pLkBVETMzBrRKfyzKoV-7HbWPeuuOZiYZRagegQp0WwJAdTC6f8QVYe-k-G8n_M6etG3CeN/s320/illumination+008.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5319173431341322834" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMSt4E5szz_sonuXZM2tLD2GvwiIoWexBWjbim1RB1du0H8Np1kquNEasm51ZTB08-0g6GNF8od0dYVdoJ4sUml1UjNhU0ktWb3VAz7LbabKNYT_xsNpDpm3bifBw6ZO1xFrsRU2W-KWw6/s1600-h/illumination+009.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 283px; height: 277px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMSt4E5szz_sonuXZM2tLD2GvwiIoWexBWjbim1RB1du0H8Np1kquNEasm51ZTB08-0g6GNF8od0dYVdoJ4sUml1UjNhU0ktWb3VAz7LbabKNYT_xsNpDpm3bifBw6ZO1xFrsRU2W-KWw6/s320/illumination+009.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5319173544623300690" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjV66w7DWoXo88PIWTb8vs4zp-YRgDSscPd1Du5mRpQJD9AZaVVgSO6tFhQsT7EoyKm3Go38NRT92vOjkdXEWcMaTe1_PO7f2ADjcspJRLPkBhvqEUetI8OENRjiCLVddu9LN5pjaKvi1u7/s1600-h/illumination+010.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 279px; height: 290px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjV66w7DWoXo88PIWTb8vs4zp-YRgDSscPd1Du5mRpQJD9AZaVVgSO6tFhQsT7EoyKm3Go38NRT92vOjkdXEWcMaTe1_PO7f2ADjcspJRLPkBhvqEUetI8OENRjiCLVddu9LN5pjaKvi1u7/s320/illumination+010.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5319173654455197682" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgG4o_56LUqkS7weirYPMy6CFLpxKe7gh42Xy9HsuT1IfHKOsqMzVNlj3zCvk0ag736oRQ4KMRir7Q5cj9HR3CnRLZh1faUbXexyyZ7BG7AL8o_z6Hejpt9iMVmJS7EFvI2CTwRpuFUyGwu/s1600-h/illumination+011.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 283px; height: 284px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgG4o_56LUqkS7weirYPMy6CFLpxKe7gh42Xy9HsuT1IfHKOsqMzVNlj3zCvk0ag736oRQ4KMRir7Q5cj9HR3CnRLZh1faUbXexyyZ7BG7AL8o_z6Hejpt9iMVmJS7EFvI2CTwRpuFUyGwu/s320/illumination+011.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5319173728334642018" border="0" /></a><br /></div>Majhadahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11243862184546713808noreply@blogger.com0