do you know plantain?

Are you familiar with Plantain?  Plantain is pretty common in yards everywhere... especially ours.  I always felt that maybe I could do something with this plant or weed as it is commonly called and thanks to a fantastic library book I found that something!  The leaves can be used in salads and I followed a recipe for a facial mask that is very refreshing and that is said to eliminate toxins in the skin, treat skin conditions, tighten skin and even reverse wrinkles!  That's no weed!  That's a backyard miracle worker!  

Plantain Skin Smoothie

1-2 cups plantain leaves

1/4 of an avocado, peeled and pitted

1/2 cup water

Blend all ingredients in blender until smooth.  Apply to any are of skin that is experiencing discomfort.  Let it dry, rinse it off.

Mine took around 30 minutes to dry.  I first removed my make up then applied it before my bath and rinsed it after.  

Here is the cool book the recipe came from.

Homemade Lavender Face Toner

What is face toner you say?  Well, I use it as a skin refresher after I wash my face and take my make up off.  It helps to remove any left over make up that I missed while giving my skin a small dose of vitamin e and a light and wonderful scent.  I also use it before I put on my daily face lotion.

 

I first found face toner while shopping at the Turnip Truck in Nashville.  I had been in the market for a sort of astringent that wouldn't burn, meaning less alcohol, yet also had a nice scent and a refreshing feel.  The brand that I purchased there was Thayers.  I loved it!  When my toner ran out I thought of driving to Nashville or buying some online.  It was then that I checked the ingredients on the bottle and even though I didn't have any aloe vera and can't think of how to make it from my plants in an oil form (yet), I went to Fred's and bought what little ingredients I didn't already have.  I don't recall how much I gave for my lavender oil but I bet it was under six dollars.  The bottle of witch hazel was under two dollars and the vitamin e oil under two dollars.  Plus, once I settled on how much of everything to use, I can make bottle after bottle whenever I run out.  I even made some for the ladies in my family for Christmas this past year.  I mostly made lavender for them but added tea tree for the teenagers that might need a weapon for acne. 

 

Here is the printable recipe for my face toner.  Enjoy!  Let me know how you like it please!

Bottles with tops like these keep you from using too much.

Use a straw for a dropper if you don't have one.

Give er a good shake before each use too.

Use clear contact paper to stick on bottles.

Oh... just noticed I spelled lavender wrong!  Sorry fam!

Simple Santas

This was absolutely the simplest of crafts.  I have needed more boxes for bathtub shelves  lately (thank goodness!)  so we have had plenty of them at the day care to play in.  When I box up a shelf I have to completely man-handle the box, cut it and make it fit because our shelves are made to order. 

That being said I had quite a bit of scrap cardboard.  So I cut a simple oval-ish piece for both kids for Santa's face.  Then I cut out the hat for them from red construction paper and tore strips of newspaper for the beard.  The boys suggested the crayons on their own.  So they used glue sticks and colored and pasted.  I think they turned out great.

I love these.  They are so simple and require very little yet filled the spot called "craft time" in our day.  I get some of the sweetest pictures of these kids.  This one is one of my favorites.

Even though I can't have children of my own, I have been blessed and am continuing to be blessed by the children in my life. 


there... i said it.

Mr. Refrigerator Pumpkin Head

*** UPDATE*** This item is available for purchase at my Etsy shop! 
https://www.etsy.com/listing/111304813/mr-halloween-refrigerator-pumpkin-head


I love when my ideas come to life!  I was talking to my sister outside a couple of days ago and this one hit me.  And I just couldn't wait to invent!

 

This Halloween craft took only minutes to make.  You will need freezer paper, orange and brown craft paint, scissors, tape, black card stock and self adhesive magnets found in the craft section at WalMart.  That's it!

 

First you tear a good size piece of freezer paper.  On the papery side (not the slick side) draw out a pumpkin shape.  It doesn't matter how good you can draw.  It can be just a circle and a stem. 

 

 

Next, mix a few drops of craft paint with a tablespoon of water in a small bowl or egg carton.  Paint your pumpkin, on the paper side, and allow it to dry.  I like to make craft paint in to water color paint.  It goes further and it creates a different effect when you trace lines darker and lighter inside.  don't forget to paint the stem with watered down brown!  When your pumpkin is dry cut it out and put masking tape, rolled up, around the edges on the back and hang on the refrigerator.

 

 

Draw or trace shapes on the card stock and cut out.  Cut your magnets down to size, peel the back off the magnet and stick them to your shapes.

 

That's it!  You have created your own Mr. Pumpkin Head!  Congrats!

This craft helps kids identify shapes as well as parts of the face!  Learning while having fun is just the best!