DIY: Repurpose Art Project - A Great Way to Create Beauty Out of Garbage - Scripture Cubes

My very favorite way to create continues to be making something beautiful out of something otherwise destined for the garbage or recycling bin. It feels so darn good! It's both challenging and thrifty, which appeals to me on so many levels. I've found that boxes that once held products or crackers, cereal, and more are a great way to create free (or almost free) canvases for painting or mixed-media collage. If I'm not recycling it, I'm saving it to create with. You can too!

For this project you will need

• Face cream or other small box
• Masking tape
• White Acrylic Gesso (I use Liquitex brand)
• Acrylic craft paints
• Paint brushes
• Stylist (for tiny dots)
• Pencil and high quality eraser (I love a white graphic eraser)

A small face cream box makes the perfect cube for short Bible verses or quotes.

Cover entire the box with masking tape, being sure to cover the box openings and seams.

Paint with one coat of gesso to prepare the surface to paint.

Choose your colors of acrylic craft paints. I use plastic lids from yogurt and cream cheese containers as great little pallets.

Paint the box in an abstract way, blending and adding color. Tip: always use a bit of white when painting in this style.

 Paint entire cube

Lightly pencil in your verse.

Use black paint and a thin liner brush to write your verse.  I also added flourishes and vines, leaves, little berries, etc... Get creative. The stylist is a tool I am never without. It's a perfect little dot maker.

On my first box, I used a Sharpie. That proved to be a mistake. The surface of the cube is bumpy and the Sharpie also was not consistent with the darkness of the ink. So, I went back to what I love the most - a good old paint brush!

Here are the Bible verses I chose

Be still and know that I am God. ~Psalm 46:10

Joy comes in the morning. ~Psalm 30:5

For nothing is impossible with God. ~Luke 1:37

For we walk by faith not by sight. ~2 Corinthians 5:7

A cheerful heart is good medicine. ~Proverbs 17:22

Trust in Him at all times. ~Psalm 62:8

This is the day the Lord has made; we will rejoice and be glad in it. ~Psalm 118:24

In quietness and trust are your strength. ~Isaiah 30:15

"For I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you Hope and a future." ~Jeremiah 29:11

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DIY Cleaner for Wood Floors and Wood Mini Blinds

I have wood blinds on all the windows of the second floor of my house. They get so dusty. As much as I love having everything super clean and tidy, I have this thing about cleaning those darn mini blinds. I really dislike the task. So, I tend to not do it for long lengths of time and then the dust turns to stuck-on grime that cannot be simply dusted off. (Especially in the bathroom where there is moisture) Ugh!

So, a few months ago I did some internet searching for something that I could make that would get the grime off while not damaging the wood. I found this recipe for wood floors via Pinterest from several different bloggers who seem to also have found it on Pinterest. (I LOVE PINTEREST!) If you do too, you can follow me: http://www.pinterest.com/debbienania/

I figured if it was safe for wood floors, I would give it a try on my mini blinds. It worked great and got all the grime off, without scrubbing. I feared the vinegar in the recipe might make the house smelly, but it seems that the combination of rubbing alcohol, vinegar, and water just made my house smell super fresh and clean! 

I now use it on my wood floors, as well, and even on my laminate counter tops. It disinfects as it cleans and I love that!

Super Simple Recipe: DIY Cleaner for Wood Floors and Wood Mini Blinds

Equal parts - 

• White Vinegar
• Rubbing Alcohol,
• Water

Add all of the ingredients to an empty spray bottle. Spray on surface and wipe off with a damp cloth.

(If you have any concerns about your particular wood surface do your own research on what products are safe to use as to not damage the finish.)

For more cleaning and health and beauty projects see my DIY Projects page.

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DIY Linen Spray

I love linen spray! I spray it on my pillow and the tops of my sheets every night. There is just nothing like crawling into a fresh bed with lovely smelling linens and a good book. Awww... Linen spray is expensive from the store, but not if you make it yourself!

You will need

• Distilled Water
• Vodka or Isopropyl Rubbing Alcohol
• Essential Oils
• A funnel
• A spray bottle (this recipe is for a 4 ounce bottle)

That's it!!!

The basic recipe is:

• 20 drops of your choice of essential oils, (see my favorite combinations below)
• 1 Tablespoon Vodka or Isopropyl Rubbing Alcohol
• Distilled water

Add the essential oils first. Then the vodka or alcohol. Fill the rest of the way with distilled water. Shake before using and spray on linens.

It is nice to freshen up a musty closet full of clothes. I love to travel with it too - it makes a foreign pillow and bedroom feel more like home.

My two favorite essential oil Linen Spray combinations are:

Sweet & Spicy Linen Spray This is also my favorite combination for my Homemade Carpet Fresh!

• 10 drops Sweet Orange Oil
• 6 drops Ylang, Ylang
• 4 drops Patchouli
• 1 Tablespoon Vodka or Isopropyl Rubbing Alcohol
• Distilled Water

Relaxing Lavender Linen Spray

• 20 drops Lavender Oil
• 1 Tablespoon Vodka or Isopropyl Rubbing Alcohol
• Distilled Water

*** WARNING!  CAUTION! *** Essential Oils can be toxic to CATS! And dogs too. Please do your own research on which oils are toxic and under what circumstances. Ask your vet or research on line. I have a cat and I am very careful with my essential oils and cleaning products around her. If your cat sleeps on your pillow - do not spray your pillow!

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DIY Christmas Decorating! Make a Giant Star

I love my new Giant Star! It is sturdy and pretty and it was so darn easy to make. Oh, and affordable too!

You will need:

• Five yard sticks. (I bought mine at Home Depot for .68 a piece)
• Drill (not shown)
• Paint (I used white acrylic craft paint)
• Two packages 100 count tiny white Christmas lights with white cord (If you want to use lights with a green cord, consider using green craft paint)
• Paint brush
• 20 gauge beading wire
• Jewelry wire snips
• Needle nose pliers (for pulling the wire through the holes and coiling the ends)
• Something to put your paint in (I used an old lid)

Using a power drill, drill a hole in the center at each end of the yard sticks (at the 35 1/2 inch mark)

Paint all sides, including edges. Let dry before turning

For better coverage do two coats

Allow to dry. Start wiring. Cut approximately 18 inches of wire. (measure it against one of the yard sticks)

Wrap ends through holes three or four times

Use your needle nose pliers to pull the wire through and secure tightly. Twist ends of wire together and coil the ends up close to the yard stick

Add the next yardstick as shown - criss-crossing the other sticks to start forming your star

When all tips are wired, maneuver so that all the angles are even and then wire at the inside joints, as shown above. Wrap approximately 20 inches of wire around the joints three times and secure on the back side of your star by twisting the two ends together and coiling them

Starting at the top tip of your star, wrap lights around, leaving enough of a tail of lights to hang down to be able to plug in to an outlet. 

Ta Da!!!

The Holiday Season officially starts this week!!! Sooooooo Merry Christmas. I love the first time I get to say that!

For more projects see my DIY Projects page and my Art/Craft Tutorials page. You may find a few gift ideas. 

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DIY Non-Toxic, All-Purpose Cleaner



My kitchen and bathroom are gleaming clean without harsh chemicals! And, they smell fresh, thanks to my new favorite homemade all-purpose cleaner! Yours can too!

Follow the link to my Mermaids of the Lake magazine and make some Non-Toxic, All-Purpose Cleaner today and get cleaning!

For more cleaning and health and beauty projects see my DIY Projects page!



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DIY Maple Sugar Scrub

Maple Sugar Scrub

Oh yum! Another deliciously-scented, amazing body scrub using ingredients from your kitchen pantry! I am so in love with these body scrubs. I have incredibly dry, sensitive skin during the winter months and my homemade body scrubs are saving me money and helping to keep my itchy skin healthy. You are sure to love them too!

Ingredients

• 2 cups granulated sugar
• 1/2 cup brown sugar
• 1 cup olive oil
• 2-3  tablespoons pure maple syrup
• Mixing bowl, measuring cups, spoon, measuring spoon
• Jars or containers with tight fitting lids

Add all ingredients together in a bowl

Mix well

This recipe will fill three 1/2 pint wide mouth canning jars. Do not fill all the way to the top as it may overflow and leak.

In the shower, smooth on to wet skin. Rinse.
Enjoy your soft, healthy skin!

MUY MUY IMPORTANTE!!! VERY VERY IMPORTANT! Oil in your shower or tub can make it super slippery! So, use caution. Also, glass jars may not be a great idea for the shower - if you think you might be clumsy - use a plastic container! If you are giving these as gifts, you could even put it in a pretty, canning jar, but also add a little disposable plastic container for the shower.

I am planning on making a bunch of sugar scrubs for Christmas gifts this year. They are beautiful, practical, and decadent-feeling - a perfect combination for a thoughtful gift! Do you plan to make gifts this year?

For more DIY projects see my DIY Projects page

If you love this you may also love my other Sugar Scrub recipes!

Lovely Lemon Sugar Scrub

Brown Sugar Coffee Scrub

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DIY Lovely Lemon Sugar Scrub

I love this stuff!!!

This amazing, luscious sugar scrub will make your skin soft and smooth and takes only minutes to make. Using ingredients found in your kitchen pantry, you can whip up a batch any time you need it! I plan to make this for Christmas gifts this year.

You Will Need

• 2 1/2 cups white granulated sugar
• 1 cup olive oil
• 4 tablespoons lemon juice
• Jars (This batch filled the two jars shown in picture above, one jar slightly smaller than the other)
• Measuring cup, spoon, and bowl

Poor sugar in a bowl, add olive oil

Stir until well-combined

Add lemon juice and mix thoroughly

Pour into clean jars (do not fill to top, as oil will spill over)

Gently massage on to damp skin, rinse

MUY MUY IMPORTANTE!!! VERY VERY IMPORTANT! Oil in your shower or tub can make it super slippery! So, use caution. Also, glass jars may not be a great idea for the shower - if you think you might be clumsy - use a plastic container! If you are giving these as gifts, you could even put it in a pretty, canning jar, but also add a little disposable plastic container for the shower.

This project was also published in Mermaids of the Lake online women's magazine

For more DIY projects see my DIY Projects page

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DIY Brown Sugar Coffee Scrub



This Brown Sugar Coffee Scrub smells heavenly and leaves my skin soft and smooth. Okay, there are those who claim that the caffeine in coffee grounds, when massaged into the skin, helps to diminish the appearance of cellulite by stimulating blood flow. Hmmm... who wouldn't want that?

It takes just a few minutes to make!

The yummy, fragrant ingredients can all be found in your kitchen pantry!

Ingredients

• 2 cups brown sugar
• 1/2 cup fresh, ground coffee (I used French Roast - oh yum!) (before it has been brewed)
• 1 cup olive oil
• 6 drops vanilla essential oil- (optional) I will leave it out next time as I really could not see or smell any difference by using it. It is in my photo, though... so I thought I should mention it. 
• Mixing bowl
• Spoon for stirring
• Jars with tight-fitting lids

This batch will fill approximately three 4 oz canning jars. I filled one small one for the shower and put the rest of the batch in a large jar for storing.

MUY MUY IMPORTANTE!!! VERY VERY IMPORTANT! Oil in your shower or tub can make it super slippery! So, use caution. Also, glass jars may not be a great idea for the shower - if you think you might be clumsy - use a plastic container! If you are giving these as gifts, you could even put it in a pretty, canning jar, but also add a little disposable plastic container for the shower.

Here's What You Do

Add all of the ingredients together in a mixing bowl and stir with a spoon until the dry ingredients are mixed well with the oil. Spoon into jars with tight-fitting lids.

Smooth on to wet skin, massage, and rinse.

Besides the possibility of getting rid of some unwanted fat deposits, this scrub really is a good thing, as it is economical, smells great, very emollient, and is a wonderful exfoliant. I plan to make up a batch for Christmas gifts!

In addition to authoring this blog, I am also one of the publishers of Mermaids of the Lake online women's magazine. Visit us for loads of information and inspiration!

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