Instagram | March 2014

Wow! March was an amazing month! It was a little colder that I'd like, but it seems we are finally on a warming trend! And that God for that. I'm not sure if I can take any more cold weather! Moving on... March....it was rad! I sewed this cute fold over clutch and then promptly followed it up by this leather clutch! And, how can I forget my awesome trip to Arizona? I am working on a video to share my off roadin' experience at Bull Dog Canyon and Box Canyon (photographs still coming). Upon returning home, I sent off my awesome eco-friend Earth Day Celebrity gifts.  I plan to share more about that soon! And, I also shared this awesome homemade soft scrub recipe! It feels good to be approaching a new season and setting new goals! I am excited to see what April holds. What are your goals for this new month?

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Places and Spaces: Bull Dog Canyon, Apache Junction, Arizona

One of my favorite things to do when we visit Arizona is to take the four wheeler and side-by-side out into the desert! It is so much fun! And, in my opinion, the only way to really see the desert. Photographs will never do this beautiful place justice. Never. Needless to say, I am head over heals, in love with Phoenix and the surrounding area. I means, so much so ... that I am already planning on an early retirement. I think Mark and I can live out there in the Winter, Spring, and Fall and sell our handmade wares. Sounds like a great plan, ay? 

Anyhow, these are just a couple of photos from one day of off roadin'. Bull Dog Canyon is super close to Marks Dads house, so we were able to just drive the OHV's there. Yup, you read that right. On the road! In Arizona, you can drive OHV (off highway vehicles) on the road! As long as it's not a major highway, of course! You'd be shocked at just how fast these babies go! Well, stay tuned. As I sort through my photos, I'll keep sharing bits and pieces. Cheers!

Simple Leather Clutch

Y'all, I made another clutch! Just like my last fold over clutch, this simple leather clutch is the same exact pattern, minus the zipper. Okay, and it is a little smaller too. But, the concept is the same! And, just like the last one, I used all upcyled materials! How cool is that!?!

Unlike last time, this time I will provide a visual tutorial! I didn't take step by step photos, but I have drawn technical illustrations for your reference! 

Supplies

Two 10" by 10" otter fabric squares

Two 10" by 10" lining fabric squares

1 4" by 5" lining fabric for pocket* 

*instructions do not include pocket details

This is a super simple, beginner sewing project! If you can sew a straight line, you're set! With that said, get creative with you fabrics and size. You can adjust the size of this simple clutch to nearly any size. Also, it would be a good idea to use some sort of stiffener or interfacing between the layers if you want your clutch to hold more of a shape. 

Free Printable Wall Art

 DOWNLOAD

Blog Tips | Simple See Thru Text Photoshop Tutorial

So, to follow up my blog tips, site map post I wanted to show you a simple way to make really unique text for your blog. This technique could be used for a banner, buttons, or even post images. Honestly, the possibilities are endless, even using the same background image and different font, as illustrated above!

Harlow Solid Italic 

Vladimir Script 

Needlework Good 

Little Snorlax 

28 Days Later 

Carbon

Homemade Soft Scrub

Homemade Soft Scrub Recipe

1 1/2 cups Baking Soda

1/2 cup castile soap (Dr. Bronner's)

2 tbsp. Water

10 drops essential oil

Mix all ingredients in large bowl. Using a soft cloth, spread scrub onto surface (sinks, showers, etc.) and rub in a circular motion. Don't be afraid to use a little elbow grease! Rinse and wipe clean. To store scrub, place in an airtight container.

I love, love, love to use this recipe for my kitchen + bathroom sinks, as well as my tub. I attempted to take before and after shots of my bathtub...but, it just didn't yield desirable photos. It didn't show just how grimy the tub really was! With that said, in the past, I have used a vinegar and baking soda recipe (which works well for shower heads). However, I don't like it for tubs and sinks as much as this scrub. The vinegar recipe not only smells, well...like vinegar. But, it is far more harsh on my bathtub. This recipe is much less abrasive, hence the "soft" scrub and it smells heavenly! Bonus!

This recipe is probably one of my favorite natural cleaning products. I hope you give this simple recipe a try! Do you have a favorite natural cleaning product? 

** Just a few side notes**

** There are blog posts in circulation that have used this recipe and included vinegar. DO NOT combine vinegar and castile soap. 

** Make sure to rinse really well after use or you may leave an undesired film behind.

** Store in an airtight container or  mason jar. However, I usually just make a batch when I need it! 

DO IT ANYWAY

So, I don't usually post on Tuesday, especially this late in the afternoon. (Well, with the exception of last Tuesday when I was in Arizona and NONE of my scheduled posts went live and I had no internet or 4G, can you say helpless!) My apologies for that ramble. M o v i n g  o n...even though I never post on this day and time, I say DO IT ANYWAY! Well, actually Ben Folds Five said that. I just danced and sang the lyrics from my desk.

I absolutely adore Ben Folds Five and I swoon over the piano licks in this song! Oh, did I mention Fraggle Rock totally steals the show in this music video! (SPOILER-they totally sing the Fraggle Rock theme song at the end!) Did I just date myself? When Ben Folds got back together a few years ago, I was stoked! This album, like all of the others, is nothing short of amazing! I really dig the message of this song and on a day like today, when I'm not feeling like doing much of anything...I listened to this and it kicked my butt into gear!

If you're feeling inclined, you should listen to the whole album! I mean, why not? It may not be as upbeat as this song, but...it's totally worth a listen! Give it a try....I dare ya'!

Arizona Road Trippin'

Hi y'all! I'm back! Give me just a few days week to get back into the swing of things! Mark and I had an amazing trip out west to the Phoenix area to spend some time with family. I always LOVE going to Arizona. It's by far my favorite place (that I've visited) in this great country! It's always hard for me to leave because it just feel like home. Maybe someday we can retire there and sell our handmade wares! I will share some more photos once I sort through them and get them edited and cropped for the blog! Until next time!!! 

Banana Mocha Smoothie

Oh so simple, oh so yummy! This is one of my favorite afternoon pick-me-ups! I usually make it on the days that I work from home! I have to confess something to you. I usually use leftover coffee from the morning! Yes, it's true. A coffee snob using leftover coffee. Hey, if it works..it works.  Right?

Banana Mocha Smoothie

1 Frozen Banana

1 cup coffee

1-2 tbsp. Nutella

5-10 ice cubes

Combine and blend.

Fold Over Clutch

Saturday morning, I felt an urge to sew. Now, it has been some time since I've sewn something for fun. I've sewed a few samples for my day job here and there...but, I've not made anything for myself since ... I'm embarrassed to admit this, before college. YIKES! I know...to long, right? I used to make clothes for myself all the time. Then, I got a degree in apparel production, got a job in the industry, and well....the joy of sewing sort of vanished. I was worried that would happen. It did. When your spend all day designing and talking about apparel, construction, notions, fabrics, etc. It kind of takes the relaxing part out of the hobby, you know?

I didn't take step by step photos of this process because...like I mentioned....I felt an urge to sew for fun. Instead of trying to give you a detailed description of how I made it...or drawing you technical illustrations. (which I do both for my day job) I am going to spread a little love an leave you with a couple of  great tutorials on how to make your own! I hope you enjoy! -Ruth-

Simple Fold Over Clutch DIY
This tutorial is super simple to follow and has excellent photographs!

Leather Fold Over Clutch
This tutorial uses leather and a metal zipper, awesome!

Instagram | February 2014

Is it March, really? I mean...seriously? How does this happen? I feel like I am saying the same thing every month, like a broken record. February certainly was an interesting one! It's been freezing everywhere in the country, a really cold winter. I am sure you can tell because my February Instagram has several photographs of fire, fire wood, and soup. Ha! I am just so ready to succumb to the sweetness of spring! Are you ready for it to be over too?