Awesome Finds: ART: Terry Smith

Awesome Finds: ART: Terry Smith

 I am a HUGE fan of art. All art. Outsider art, folk art, classic, you name it I love it. So when I first came across Terry Smith's pieces I knew I had to have one. Terry's pieces are not only beautiful but so affordable. Which is fantastic for an art lover with a tight budget like myself. 

 (Yellow Birch 11" x 8" Water colour Print Limited Edition 250 $30)

Terry has been making art in one form or another for 30 years or more. Starting out with sketching and eventually becoming a graphic artist. She also is an avid photographer and more recently an amazing painter.

 (Jellybean Dreams 9" x 7" Water colour Print, Limited Edition 250, $25)

When asked to tell a little about her art she says,

"I paint images that touch me in some way, inspire me to want to paint it. I'm probably more attracted to nature than anything. Each one takes quite a few hours and days, so it has to be interesting enough to me to hold my attention. With the graphics, I do commissions and free-lance, but not with the fine art, it would take the joy out of it for me. I do them for me. They're good for my soul. I also find I learn something about each subject as I paint or sketch, because I'm really looking at it, find new details I missed at first glance."

(Ship's In, 8" x 11" Water colour Print, Limited Edition 250, $30)

What does the future look like for Terry? 

  She is hoping to pursue a fine arts degree with a major in painting. "I'd really like to immerse myself in it for a time, learn, learn... and try different mediums." She says. 

I can see big things happening for Terry in the future and look forward to seeing all her new pieces.I love Terry's pieces and have one hanging in my home, every time I pass it I stop and enjoy the smile it brings to my day. If you are an art lover I highly recommend visiting her facebook page to see her other amazing paintings and her photography. Now is the perfect time to pick up one of her pieces as well before she becomes super famous and expensive :) 

To visit Terry's Facebook page you can go here and enjoy this Awesome Find.

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I was in no way paid in any form to write this review. It's a sharing of an Awesome Find that deserves mentioning.

Make It: Homemade Natural Beauty Products

Make It: Homemade Natural Beauty Products

  No time or option to get beauty products from a local artisan but still want all natural products? You could buy store brand organic products and spend a fortune or buy regular brands and embrace the chemicals Or you could Make It Yourself!! :)

Natural Beauty Recipes

Herbal Shampoo for Oily Hair

• 2 tbsp. dry peppermint
• 2 tbsp. dry spearmint
• 1 tbsp. dried sage
• 1 cup water
• 2/3 cup baby shampoo

Combine herbs and water in a saucepan and bring to a boil. Remove from heat and allow to steep for 20 minutes. Strain out the herbs and mix the baby shampoo with the herbal water. Pour into an empty, used shampoo bottle.

Dandruff Treatment

• 2 teaspoons dried rosemary
• 2 teaspoons dried thyme
• 2/3 cup boiling water
• 2/3-cup cider vinegar

Place the herbs in the bowl. Pour in the boiling water. Cover and allow to steep for 20 minutes.Strain into the bottle, add the vinegar, and shake. Store in a cool dry place. Shampoo and rinse the hair thoroughly; massage a small amount into the scalp. Between shampoos, massage in a small amount before going to bed. This can help eliminate dandruff.

Chamomile Shampoo

• 1 handful fresh or dried chamomile flowers
• 1 3/4 cup boiling water
• 3 tablespoons pure soap flake, OR save leftover pieces of soap.
• 1-tablespoon glycerin

Place the flowers in a bowl and cover with the boiling water. Let stand for 15 minutes, then strain into the other bowl.Clean the first bowl. Combine the soap and hot infusion in it. Let stand until the soap softens - a few minutes. Beat in the glycerin until well blended. Pour the mixture into the bottle. Keep in a cool dark place.

Fruit Conditioner

• 1 avocado (peeled and mashed)
• 1 cup coconut milk

Combine mashed avocado with some coconut milk. Mash together until it's smooth and about as thick as shampoo. Comb it through the hair and let sit for 10 -15 minutes, wash out.

Banana Conditioner

• 1 ripe banana
• Few drops of almond oil

Massage into your hair and then allow to work its wonders for about 15 minutes. Rinse with soda water and then shampoo and condition as usual.

Rosemary Conditioner

• Rosemary essential oil

Add a few drops of rosemary essential oil to the palms of your hands, work through out your entire hair.

Homemade Hair Spray

• 1 lemon or orange
• 2 cups water

Chop one lemon (or an orange for dry hair). Place in a pot with 2 cups water. Boil until half of the initial amount remains. Cool, strain, and place in a spray bottle. Store in the refrigerator. If it is too sticky, add more water. Add one ounce rubbing alcohol as a preservative and then the spray can be stored for up to two weeks unrefridgerated.

Homemade Hair Gel

• 1/2 to 1 teaspoon unflavored vegetable based gelatin
• 1 cup warm water

Dissolve gelatin in 1 cup warm water. Keep refrigerated and use as you would a purchased gel.

Whip up these natural beauty recipes and give yourself the "spa" treatment without ever leaving home.

From: www.allsands.com/Fashion/naturalbeauty_wwy_gn.htm

Homemade Rinse: For shiny hair, rinse with cider vinegar; one half cup to every quart of water. If natural highlights are what you're looking for, use chamomile tea, or make your own rinse by steeping chamomile flowers in hot water, then strain. Remove build up caused by hair sprays and other products with a rinse of Witch Hazel. Whichever one you use, make sure you catch the liquid in a bowl if you want to rinse your hair more than once.

Facial: A refreshing facial is as simple as pouring boiling water over chamomile flowers in a bowl. Just hold your face a few inches above the water and let the steam work its magic. (You can do this, and then later use the liquid for your hair.)  

Astringent: If you need an astringent after your facial, Witch Hazel is an all-natural one that can still be bought for about one half of what the name brands cost.

Baths: For an all over beauty treatment, relax in a tub full of water with one half cup of powdered milk, which acts as a skin softener. To make your beauty bath do double duty, add a cheesecloth or muslin bag filled with your favorite herbs. Soothing herbs are chamomile flowers and rose flowers. For a stimulating bath, you can use basil, bay, rosemary, or thyme. Sage and strawberry leaves relieve aching muscles and joints. Or, you can make a cleansing body scrub with a handful of oatmeal and two teaspoons of sea salt.

--from http://styles101.homestead.com/hrecipes.html

Herbal Ingredient List:

• Burdock: root helps prevent dandruff
• Catmint: leaves encourage hair growth and soothes scalp irritations
• Chamomile: flowers soften and lighten hair
• Flannel Mullein: lightens hair
• Goosegrass: tonic and cleansing, helps prevent dandruff
• Henna: red hair dye and conditioner
• Horsetail: non-fertile stems and branches strengthens the hair
• Lavender: antiseptic, antibiotic, stimulates hair growth, and degreases
• Lime: flowers clean and softens
• Marigold: lightens hair color
• Nasturtium: for hair growth
• Parsley: enriches hair color and gives a nice luster
• Rosemary: tonic and conditioner, one of the best herbs to use, gives luster and body, also slightly darkens the hair
• Rhubarb: the root makes a yellow hair dye
• Sage: tonic and conditioning, darkens the hair
• Southernwood: encourages hair growth and helps prevent dandruff
• Stinging Nettle: tonic and conditioning and helps prevent dandruff
• Witch Hazel: leaves and bark are astringent and cleanses oily hair

 WooHoo Stay at home spa day and since you don't have to drive bring on those drinks and pamper yourself :)

Would Love your comments :)

MAKE IT: Duck Tape Wallet

MAKE IT: Duck Tape Wallet

So Ive been seeing these duck tape wallets around and thought they were neat and looked pretty easy to make. I gave it a shot and they are really easy to make. What you need: Roll duck tape & sharp scissors.

1. Cut a strip of duct tape 8.5 inches (22cm) in length or more and place it sticky-side up.

2. Cut a second piece of equal length and place it sticky-side down, covering half of the first piece lengthwise. The other half of this new piece will now be sticking to the flat surface.

3. Fold the sticky part of the first strip down over the second.

 4.Flip the two strips over and place a third strip sticky-side down to cover the remaining sticky part of the second strip. Once again, the other half of this new piece will now be sticking to the flat surface.

5.Continue flipping and extending the width of your duct-tape sheet until it measures at least 7 inches (18cm) from top to bottom not including the sticky edge.

 6. Fold the last sticky edge over and trim the edges so that the sheet is a rectangle of 7 by 8 inches (18 x 20cm). This will make your wallet approximately 3.5 inches (9cm) from top to bottom.

7. Fold the rectangle in half lengthwise and tape the two sides closed to create a large pocket. Your crease should run in the same direction as the lines of the tape. This pocket is where you will place your bills.

8. Fold the pocket in half and press to make a folding crease.

9. Personalize as you like at this point. I added card pockets by cutting two pieces of tape and sticking them together and taping the sides to the wallet repeating three times overlapping. For my picture pocket I made a square like the initial wallet but smaller then folded and cut a center square and taped three sides to the wallet leaving an opening to slide the pic inside.

That's it your done. I'm thinking about picking up some of the fun duck tape they now make, skulls, pink, camo and making a few of these for my Etsy store

I gave this one to my son who keeps loosing his wallets, he loved it :)

Awesome Finds: Kelp Me!

Product Review: Kelp Me!

If you have yet to hear of Kelp Me! or have been debating trying this line of seaweed infused body care products wait no longer. 

Made with all natural products, including seaweed harvested along the beautiful shores of Newfoundland and Labrador, this line of beauty care products will not let you down. Not only is it good for your skin, it smells good, and feels good.

Founded by the gorgeous Heather Jones, who hand makes all the products herself. Her line has won among other awards and honorable mentions the Award for Excellence for Outstanding Youth Craftsperson from the Craft Council of Newfoundland and Labrador. 

 Her line of products include:

Gardener's Soap (Carrot juice, ginger, and seaweed extract)
Hippie Scrub (Patchouli soap)
Choco-Latte Soap (Chocolaty and coffee-y, with seaweed extracts, of course)
Fisherman's Soap (Minty refreshing goodness)
SLS Free and Natural Shampoo (available in peppermint or clove)
Body Wash (same as our soaps, except liquid! available in peppermint)
Lip Balm (naturally sweet and minty)
Moisturizing Cream (thick cold cream, in a nice lemongrass scent)

I personally can say after using both her soaps and her creams I would recommend them and buy them again. They did an amazing job on the winter dryness and redness I was having on my face and they just smell awesome.
 You can visit her facebook group here and contact her for purchases. If you live in the Avalon area of Newfoundland you can find her at local farmers markets and her products can also be found in some local shops.
  If you have tried this amazing all natural line comment and let us know your experiences.


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All reviews are unbiased and honest. In no way do I receive monetary compensation for product reviews and highlights. They are truthful accounts of my personal experience with each product and service.
If you have a product or service you would like reviewed and highlighted on Eco-Wife e-mail me a product description and your contact information.

Make It: Wet Hair Turban

Yes I bought one of those Turbie twist things that you see in the seen it on t.v section. Years ago before I was sewing. They may be tacky but for someone with long hair they are awesome. If you don`t know what they are you use them when you get out of the shower to wrap your hair in instead of a towel. They stay up and in place. I use mine all the time but it`s been a pain only having one unless you do laundry daily, I`m more of a every second day laundry gal :) I wanted a few more but at 12$ each I thought why pay for it when I can make them myself and re-purpose some old towels in the process. Super easy here`s how:
You will need one long towel, scissors, a turbie towel thing or a coat hood, sewing machine, thread, elastic, washable marker or fabric marker, pins.

1. Fold your towel in half
2. Lay your turban on the folded towel on the fold, If you are using a hood the above picture shows you how to extend it for the right size.
3. Trace out your pattern with your marker or you can pin your fabric down. Cut out your pattern through the folded fabric.
4. You will need to cut a 1 inch piece of elastic.

 5. Fold the elastic in half and place the loop between the two sides with a little sticking out the top. Pin your elastic in place.

 6. Sew around the top curve of the fabric, make sure to back stitch a few times over the elastic to make it strong. Then Sew around the bottom curve. You could fold in the opening and do a finishing stitch but I did not bother. Trim the excess elastic ends.

 7. Turn inside out and you have your very own Wet Hair Turban!! :) Easy Right. My daughter modeling our new wet hair turbans :) This one really does adjust from my head to hers. One towel made two turbans for me and it`s another option for old towels.

Make It: Homemade Reusable Scrub Mitts

 I don`t know about you but with kids, a daycare, and pets my house gets dirty, A LOT. So I clean a lot which is why I started making my own cleaning supplies to save money. One of my most favorite and easy homemade cleaning supplies are homemade scrubbing mitts. I use these baby's for everything. Cleaning the counters, the tub, pots pans, and best of all once you use them just rinse out and use again or throw them in the washer. Buying scrubbers may be cheap but those things add up and they add to landfills. These are so easy to make and SO much better than bought ones. 

You will need: 

*Terry cloth big enough for your hand front and back with extra for seams. The ones I used here are dish towels but you can use old towels you have laying around.

* Microfiber scrubbing cloth, I got mine at the dollar store. They are awesome sheets of scrubbing goodness. You can cut them and sew them to anything. I also use them on my reusable swiffer mop cloths.

* A sewing machine (You could do this by hand though)

* Thread and scissors.

 Take your terry cloth and place the two pieces on top of each other.

Place your hand on the doubled up terry cloth to see how big your mitt should be. If you are making them for a friend make sure to add extra room for bigger hands.

 Cut around your hand a square, keep in mind seam allowance for sewing and turning inside out.

 Separate the two pieces and pick which side you want your scrub material. Lay the other side of the mitt to the side for now. Cut a strip of your scrubbing cloth to the size you want, I recommend at least an inch wide and make sure it`s the full length of your mitt fabric across the top. I always add the scrub material to the top of the mitt that way you can use your finger tips to scrub.

 Now just sew your scrub to the top of the fabric. No fancy stitching needed. By the way look at my sewing machine lol it`s ancient but does the job :)

 Now place your scrubber attached material facing up in front of you. Lay your other fabric facing down on top of it. You want the right sides facing each other. I did not have to finish any sides because I will be sewing together the cut ends of the fabric and using the finished ends (I cut my fabric leaving the bottom finished end of the dish towel) as the opening to the mitt. If you have all cut ends you can sew a finishing seam around the opening to the mitt but really that`s up to you terry cloth will not frey too much and it is a scrubbing mitt not a dress :)

 Your mitt should look like this with your scrub material on the inside. Turn it inside out and poke the corners on the inside to have a clean square mitt. That`s it! All together this might take you 15-20 minutes to make and you have an awesome so-much-better-than-store-bought multipurpose reusable scrubbing mitt. Scrub on one side and wipe on the other.

 For all you busy bees that just don`t have time to make one for yourself I also sell them in my etsy store located under links at the top right hand side of the page (Sewn Sweet Designs).

 You can have fun with these and make coordinating mitts to match your kitchen.

 Now you have one less excuse to clean :) (No need to thank me for that)