Monday, February 18, 2013

Recycled Cardboard Birdhouse/ Fairy/Gnome house

I think he needs a house  
lets give him one



Materials needed:
Cardboard (reuse a cardboard box)
Fabric
Glue
Scissors
X-acto blade/ knife
Paint/ Water Proof Spray paint ( optional )
Clothes pins
template
below is the template




here is a Video to help you   


cardboard birdhouse










Birdhouse sundial by mnmill, made with cardboard and the laser cutter.









Saturday, February 16, 2013

Colored Mason Jars

Please Read ALL Instructions

You need 
one teaspoon of Elmer's glue

three drops of food coloring of your choice

mix colors together to get the color you wish 

 1, 1/2 teaspoons of water ..

Mix Elmer’s glue with food coloring and paint it on to any glass to make it look like sea glass when dry. In a bowl
Best Results use a foam brush
this may require 5 - 10 coats to get the color you desire.
Paint  the outside Mason jar or Glass Jar
 any color you want
then Seal the  Jar

Seal the jar with Epoxy Glue or a Clear Varnish to last

many many years of use if you are planning to use this

for Drinking or for food purposes .

 Coat it with a food Grade Varnish found

 in Craft stores



 These look really nice with candles, or electric 

candles, glow sticks etc inside them 

 ~Frisky

Optional ideas by Daw 



if you wanted you put tape on the Jar in a Goddess


 spiral shape or pentacle ,stars, moon, Sun etc other

 symbols and paint as normally and take the tape off

 then paint the symbol in a different color

and then when your done put a LED Battery Candle 


inside imagine how gorgeous that would look

or add a bit of Glitter to this for a Shimmer look



Paint outside the Jars not inside


and Only White Elmers Glue Works


I have not Tested this on PVA glue or other Glues








if you do not use alot of  food coloring it will come out light like this the Darker the food coloring the darker the color   experiment a bit and have fun

for mine I did  ten coats and very dark colors 





Now you might be wondering what to do with them
Well Turn them into Candles 




or Turn them into Storage containers  fill them up with anything you want





or do this idea  Mason Jar Chandelier   

                                   Click here to learn how to make this   










                                           Mason Jar Lamp Tutorial  click here 


















Sunday, January 20, 2013

How to make Dream Pillows


For centuries, the fragrance of herbs have been captured in pillows and sweet bags to purify and scent the home
A dream pillow is a comforting device that helps relax you at night and induces vivid, more imaginative and even lucid dreams.

The idea is that you fill it with specific herbs and essential oils which you naturally inhale during your sleep. This aromatherapy can have powerful effects on your dreams...



What type of dreams do you desire? Soothing, vivid, full of adventures or romance, or do you wish for deep, calm slumber? Simple to prepare, sewing aromatic herbs into small pillows can help bring peaceful sleep, enhance dreams, and encourage dream memory. The practice of placing herbs under one’s pillow dates back centuries, and was originally done to protect against evil, calm bad dreams, foresee the future, bring good dreams, or conjure a lover into one’s life. No matter the reason, herbal pillows are beneficial for adults, children, and pets.

These comfort pillows are also handy for healthy folk, too. With the right scents, you can increase your self awareness in dreams, leading to highly vivid dreams and even lucid dreams. The more relaxing aromatherapy scents can also deter nightmares, night terrors, and other stress-related sleep disorders.



How to Make a Dream Pillow



You can buy a scented comfort pillow online, or make your own - it's pretty easy to do. Here is a list of things you'll need:

A mesh bag
A piece of string
A few aromatherapy herbs
A few drops of essential oils
Orris root to retain the scents
A pillow case / some fabric
A needle and thread
Pillow stuffing
A piece of velcro



Here is a Video how to make it      


- To begin with, fold your fabric pieces in half, good side in.  Then use your sewing machine (or needle and thread) to sew two sides of the case.  You should wind up with something that looks like a bag.



Next, turn the case right-side out, using your fingers to push and shape the corners.  Repeat this process until you have all four pieces of fabric completed.  Set the cases aside and move on to the herbal mixture.

Just to be on the safe side, I like to keep all of my crafting dishes separate from anything I would prepare food in.  So in a bowl designated for crafting purposes only, mix one herb at a time.  I like to spend a bit of time here, experiencing each herb.  The scents, visual aspects, and textures of the herbs can be amazing!

When you have all of the herbs in your bowl, add in the rice.  Give it another gentle mix with your hands.  Separate the mixture evenly into the four empty cases.

To seal your pillow, fold the rough edge into itself and pin shut.  If you try to sew it without pinning, you may end up with rice or herb bits in your machine.  Once you’ve sewed the edges shut, snip off any threads that are sticking out.








Your pillow is now ready to use or give away as a gift!



To use, simply insert the Dream Pillow under your pillowcase, where you can experience the aromas of the herbs while you sleep.   If you are going to give these pillows away as gifts, I find it’s a good idea to add a label with the ingredients in case the recipient has any allergies.







What to Put in a Dream Pillow






Many types of plants can be used in herbal dream pillows, but here are some
of the most common and versatile.




Aniseed - calming 

Balsam fir - relaxing 

Calendula - prophetic dreams 

Catnip - eases babies troubled sleep, relaxing, induces sleep 

Chamomile - induces sleep, relaxing, pleasant dreams 

Cinnamon - exotic & romantic dreams 

Clary sage - induces sleep 

Cloves - romantic (use sparingly) 

Damiana - vivid dreams 


Jasmine -exotic & romantic dreams 

Hyssop - anti-nightmare 

Lavender - relaxing, induces sleep, visioning, vivid dreams, romantic dreams, balances extreme conditions, is transforming 

Lemon balm herb - calming, induces sleep, visioning, vivid dreams 

Lemon verbena - lightness and feelings of flying (use sparingly) 

Lemongrass - mildly exotic feeling 

Lilac - peaceful dreams (use sparingly), sensuality (use generously) 

Mandarin - induces sleep 

Marjoram - induces sleep, promotes restful sleep, comforting dreams 

Mimosa flowers - exotic feeling (use with lemon balm for peaceful, colorful dreaming) 

Mint - visioning, vivid dreams, clarity 

Mugwort - problem solving, prophetic dreams, relaxing, clarity, stimulates dreams, repels bad spirits, symbolizes health & hope, liked by elves, attunes to etheric 

Neroli - induces sleep 

Passion flower (leaves or flowers) - calming 

Patchouli - induces sleep 

Petitgrain - induces sleep 

Rose - induces sleep, relaxing, peaceful dreams 

Rose geranium - visioning 

Rosemary - keeps bad dreams away, calming, induces sleep 

Sandalwood - induces sleep 

Scullcap - visioning 

Thyme - induces sleep, peaceful dreams 

Uva ursi - visioning 

Valerian flowers - calming 

Vetivert - induces sleep 

Willow - connection to and power in the Dreamtime 

Woodruff - induces sleep 

Wormwood - helps to ingest prana, open the medicine eye, and go between worlds, induces vivid dreams 

Ylang ylang - induces sleep


Aniseed (Pimpinella anisum) -- Curtin's Healing Herbs of the Rio Grande
suggest that in folklore the fragrance of anised keeps men from dreaming.
It's useful in relaxing blends.

Balsam Fir (Abies balsamea) -- Fir needles are a pleasant addition to
relaxing blends, good in combination with lavender, hops, and roses. They
impart an outdoors feeling to dreams.

Calendula (Calendula officinalis) -- In folklore it is said that combining
sage and calendula blossoms will make dreams come true. Calendula, in small amounts, can add restfulness to a blend, and moderate more spicy
ingredients.

Catnip (Nepeta cataria) -- This herb has been used for centuries to ease
babies' troubled sleep. Today, we use it in adult blends to induce
relaxation and sleep.

Chamomile (Matricaria chamomilla) -- Chamomile is used for relaxation and
pleasant dreams. People who are allergic to ragweed should probably avoid
using this herb in their blends, as it sometimes causes similar reactions.

Cinnamon (Cinnamomum zeylanicum) -- Cinnamon has recently been proved by fragrance researchers to be one of the most erotic aromas for men. Cinnamon comes from the bark of a tropical evergreen tree. Use it sparingly in dream blends for an exotic, romantic texture.

Cloves (Syzygium aromaticum) -- Cloves add a hint of spiciness, especially
when used with roses in romantic mixtures, but use them sparingly. Just 3
or 4 cloves in a blend is plentiful.

Hops (Humulus lupulus) -- This herb is actually the flower from a perennial
vine and there are several varieties, including some considered "bitter" and
others "sweet". Sweet hop flowers are the ones for dreaming; they induce
relaxation and peacefulness.



mugwort: visions and prophetic dreams

mullein: repels bad dreams

rosemary: avoid nightmares and headaches; great for memory; use sparingly

st. johns wort: banishes spirits



Jasmine (Jasmine officinale or J. odoratissimum) -- The delicious fragrance
of jasmine will almost encourage dreaming when you're awake! The dried
flowers lend an exotic and romantic feeling to dreams, especially for women.

Lavender (Lavandula spp.) -- Lavender aids in easing headaches when you are awake, and is useful in relaxing blends alone or in combination with roses and mugwort. Combined with jasmine and roses, lavender adds warmth and familiarity to romantic mixes.

Leather -- While it seems an unlikely ingredient, leather is tanned with a
product that comes from oak bark. The scent of fresh leather trimming adds
excitement and energy to dream blends.

Lemon Balm (Melissa officinalis) -- In aromatherapy, lemon balm is used to
relieve depression, anxiety, insomnia, and nervous tension. This herb
combines well with roses, lavender, thyme, hops and mint. A mix of lemon
balm and lavender, in equal parts, is useful in relieving headache and
stress.

Lemongrass (Cymbopogon citratus) -- A native herb of tropical regions,
lemongrass adds a bit of color and a soothingly safe, mildly exotic feeling
to blends.

Lemon Verbena (Aloysia triphylla) -- Native to Chile and Argentina, this
shrub produces delightfully aromatic leaves that can add a bit of lightness,
even feelings of flying, to the dream blend when used in small amounts.

Lilac (Syringa Chinensis) -- Use lilac for sweet, safe, and peaceful dream
mixes, in small amounts. It's also good in mixes for the sickroom, and for
travelers' blends. In larger amounts, lilac adds sensuality.

Marjoram, Sweet (Origanum majorana) -- Sweet marjoram is often used in
blends to ease nervousness and restlessness during sleep. I find that this
herb adds a dimension of warmth, safety and comfort to dreams.

Mimosa Flowers (Acacia dealbata) -- Somewhat like jasmine, only milder,
mimosa can add an exotic, more complex feeling to dreams. Mimosa and lemon
balm are a good combination for peaceful but slightly colorful dreams.

Mint (Mentha spp). -- Just a small amount of mint works like a tuning knob
on a television. It adds clarity, vividness, and color to dreams.

Mugwort (Artemisia vulgaris) -- In folklore it is said that this herb causes
the dreamer to remember his or her dreams. It does seem to increase
clarity, while also encouraging relaxation.

Passionflower (Passiflora incarnata) -- Used as a mild sedative in herbal
medicines, passionflower adds a quieting effect to the dream pillow.
Flowers and leaves are both used, but flowers are preferred.

Rose (Rosa spp) -- Rose petals create a feeling of loving thoughts and
warmth. Used with more exotic herbs in romantic or adventurous mixes, roses keep the feeling of the dream grounded in safety and peacefulness.

Rosemary (Rosmarinum officialis) -- In folklore, rosemary was used to ensure
sleep and keep away bad dreams. Rosemary works well with a bit of lavender, roses, mugwort, and hops for a relaxing night's sleep without notable dreaming.

Thyme (Thymus spp.) -- Herb lore of old claims that sleeping on a pillow of
thyme allows the dreamer to see faeries. I generally combine thyme with
roses, hops, lavender, and rosemary for a peaceful, quiet dream


There are other herbs do a bit of research and common sense  on herbs   if you are allergic obviously do not use that herb
pick another herb

you can make the Dream pillows look like anything you Desire have fun with your dream pillow 





































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