do it yourself divas: July 2014

An Alternative Way to Curl Your Lashes

12:55 PM

Here is an alternative way to curl your lashes if you are at all like me - afraid that your kids will bump you while you are pinching and curling your lashes and then a chunk of lashes get ripped out. What a scary thought! I found this idea while watching Twist Me Pretty on YouTube so I had to share. Guys, she helps me do my hair every week. I love her channel!

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So, instead of pinching to curl your lashes, you simply apply mascara and then press the form of the eye lash curler at the root of the lashes or around the lashes so they curl up while the mascara dries. Brilliant I tell you. The only thing you need to watch out for is smudging the mascara onto your lid, so just be careful and kind of shut your eye lid a little bit while you press. If you would like to watch a demonstration of this technique, here is the Twist Me Pretty Makeup Tutorial. Enjoy!

-Steph

DIY

DIY: Essential Oil Sunburn Relief Spray

12:42 PM

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This spray feels sooooo good on a sunburn! My Mother-In-Law has taken all the essential oil classes and it comes in really handy for me when anyone in my family needs help. This week, we stayed at our little beach for too long without sunscreen. A quick call to my Mother-In-Law and we had the solution.

In a squirt bottle:

4oz of water

25 drops of lavender

10 drops of peppermint

Spray on your sunburn as often as you need and enjoy the nice cool, soothing relief that this spray has to offer.

-Steph

DIY

DIY: Formosan Fried Cabbage

8:47 AM

If you want a quick and yummy meal that even the kids will love, try our Formosan Fried Cabbage. It's actually packed with vitamins and oh so delicious! Watch the video below to learn more about the nutrients in this dish.

Guess who's voice it is narrating... our Mom! Thanks to our brother Andrew for making this movie for us. More movies to come so please SUBSCRIBE to our new channel and show us your support. Have a wonderful day!

DIY

DIY: The Cure for Cold Sores

3:17 PM

I want to share a little secret with you... An incredible wonderful secret that will change your life forever! I know the cure for cold sores, chapped lips, and basically any other ailment with the lips. Actually, I even use this secret ingredient to kill zits and help heal scrapes and cuts.

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All you need is a little dab of this secret ointment. Smooth it directly on your cold sore, or chapped lips, or any sore for that matter, and you will be amazed with the results. My sweet mother use to get horrible cold sores all the time. By simply applying this ointment to her lips each night she has been able to completely rid herself of cold sores once and for all! This is tried and true!

Where can you get this secret ointment? What is it called?

This incredible secret ointment can be found at your local Cal Ranch or other farming/ranch store. It is called Corona. It is typically used to help sooth the udders of a cow, but it works wonderfully as a multi-purpose ointment that seems to heal just about anything.

You're Welcome! Happy Healing!

-Megan

DIY

How to Eat Healthy On a Budget

8:26 AM

This info was just too good, I had to share. Eating healthy doesn't just make you feel amazing, but it saves you big money when you start thinking about the medicals bills you will ultimately pay if you choose to consume the bad stuff.

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Source: TopMastersInHealthcare.com

Baby and Kids

DIY: The 4 Squares Nightgown

11:38 AM

With only 4 pieces of stretchy fabric, you can make this cute and comfortable nightgown for your little girl. It's easy! I give credit to my Mother-In-Law for coming up with these adorable nightgowns.

UPDATE! We Have A Video Tutorial Now!!

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*Measurements for my 6 yr. old:

Front and Back Pieces

Around widest area (hip/bum) = 22" + 2" = 24"

Desired length from collar bone down = 20" + 1" = 21"

So I need to cut 2 rectangle pieces 24" wide x 21" long

Sleeves

Around widest part of arm = 6", Double that number = 12"

Desired length from base of neck down the arm (to the elbow) = 11" + 1" = 12"

I need to cut two squares 12" wide x 12" long

Elastic

I used .5" wide elastic. Measure loosely around the base of the neck and then add 1" for seam allowance. For my 3 yr. old and 6 yr. old I used the same measurement of 15".

Cut pieces

Lay out the back piece right side up. On the upper right hand corner, lay the sleeve exactly on top of that corner (right sides together). Pin in place approximately half or three fourths of the way down, depending on how much space your child's arm needs. I recommend pinning 3/4 of the way down in most cases.

Repeat on opposite side.

Fold the sleeves in half, so that the pins are now covered.

Lay the front piece of fabric on top. Make sure the right side of the fabric is facing down.

Pin the outer edges of the front piece to the sleeve it's laying on (the same way you pinned the sleeve to the back piece). Be careful to only pin together the two layers of fabric - it can be tricky since there are four layers there. If you pinned 3/4 of the way down on the back piece, make sure to pin 3/4 of the way down on the front piece.

When you open the folded sleeve, it will look like this below.

Sew down the sleeves where your pins are. Start at the top and stop where you placed the bottom pin.

Here's what it looks like after you sew the sleeves.

Pin up the sides, around the curve of the arm pit area, and down the sleeve.

Sew the sides closed. This is one straight stitch from the bottom of the dress to the end of the sleeve. You can do a zig-zag stitch too if you would like. I always sew at the edge of my presser foot.

Fold over the neck 3/4" and pin into place.

Sew around the neck like so and leave a small gap so you can string the elastic through.

Sew the elastic together.

Pull it right side out.

Finish the edges however you want. I chose to add lace. You could leave it as is, hem it, serge it, or do whatever you want.

Supplies we LOVE: Gingher Scissors and the Project Runway Sewing Machine!

-Steph

Baby and Kids

Oreo Ball Pops in a Flower Arrangement

1:11 PM

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We just celebrated the birth of my first born. My heart could burst! Since she was so excited this year when she first saw our poppies bloom, I made her birthday cake poppy-like. Poppies for a PRINCESS!

My inspiration...

My creation...

{Here is my Oreo Ball recipe.}

Enjoy!

Supplies List:
Cupcake Cups
Cake Pop Sticks
Oreos
Cream Cheese
Almond Bark

-Steph

DIY

DIY: How to Hang the Flag this Fourth of July

3:00 PM

This is sort of a Christmas in July trick...

Go dig through your Christmas boxes and find those "all-purpose light clips" that hang your lights so beautifully at Christmas time.

Then simply sting some twine or thread or yarn, or basically whatever you have handy, through your flag and clip Old Glory up with the light hooks, and let her fly.

...and here is a helpful tip given by the Chicago Tribune!

How to Display the Flag, Source: Chicago Tribune

The kiddos wanted to get in on the picture taking fun... Also, I got those chairs from a local thrift store! SCORE!

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Happy Fourth of July from my house to yours! How blessed we are to live in this beautiful Free country. I am so grateful for all those who have protected our nation and fought for this land that I love!

-Megan

DIY

All Natural Mosquito Repellent Plant

10:00 AM

Our little neighborhood is notorious for it's abundance of mosquitoes. This was a problem because, I love being outside this time of year as much as possible, and take advantage of the beautiful warm Utah nights. I had to find something to fast so I could enjoy the short Utah summer to it's fullest. I did a little research and discovered this amazing little plant that repels those nasty little blood suckers.

It's name is the citronella plant.

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Not only does it repel mosquitoes, but it also smells amazing. Like it's name states, it smells citrusy. I bought two and placed them on my porch on either side of my back door. It is amazing how well they work. I can sit on my porch in peace and enjoy the warm summer starry nights without those pesky bugs bugging me!

Oh, and they produce these little lovelies too! Beautiful, huh?!

One last tip, if you rub their leaves the lemony smell will rub off onto your hands and you can put it on your skin to protect you from the mosquitoes as well! AMAZING I tell you!