Tuesday, August 28, 2012

Lately...

Welp school started today and I'm slowly, and reluctantly, getting back into the swing of things. I always feel so overwhelmed the first day back when my professors go over all of the projects, assignments, quizzes, etc for the semester. However, I am looking forward to spending some time in the field (an elementary school in the area) working with a class two days a week. Posting may or may not be a little slow around here as I get adjusted. 

I did want to pop in and share some of the things I've been up to lately. Brandon, my boyfriend, just transferred over to University of North Texas, which means we'll be doing the long distance thing for a while. He's got a whole new apartment and a whole new roommate so I wanted to help him out by making some pillows for his place. 


We found this great ship print linen-y fabric at Ikea. He's kind of got a worldly traveler theme so it fit in perfectly with his room. 


I used this great tutorial over at Running With Scissors. I love that the inserts can be easily removed when the covers need to be washed. 


I also finally got around to making scrapbook tile magnets. This is one of those projects that has taken me FOREVER to get done. I purchased the tiles a year or two ago and then just recently ordered these super strong magnets from Amazon. Of course now I can't find the original source of the magnets. This isn't where I first saw it but I like how in this post she uses them to write a message on a metal tray. 





I know I already mentioned this cutting board...but seriously I love it! I have very little working space in this tiny kitchen of mine and the board gives me so much more surface area. 


It fits perfectly over the sink and can hold a lot of vegetables. 


and I do mean a lot


Anyways, I looked into conditioning treatments for it and came upon this awesome mineral oil and beeswax recipe. Of course I got it all over my hands in the process of slathering the board, and I couldn't believe how soft it made them. It really conditioned the dry, peely areas I tend to get around my nail beds. 


I added a little sugar to help exfoliate. With mineral oil and beeswax selling fairly inexpensively, I think this could be a good replacement for expensive hand scrubs. 


It's like a manicure in a jar!


I realize there is some controversy on whether or not mineral oil is okay for skin. The argument is usually more focused on infant use (mineral oil is what is used for baby oil). Personally, I think it's okay  especially in small doses on hands, but you may want to decide for yourself after reading up. It's just a little discovery that I thought I'd pass on to you. 

Here are some articles I referenced in my research:


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20 comments

Li-Sha said...

i love those pillows! i think i need to get some good pillows for my couches. good luck with school this semester!

p.s. long distance sucks. i feel like there's no sugar coating that haha. thank goodness for skype!

Miss Pomelo said...

I like those pillows too. Ikea has nice fabrics. In Málaga (Spain) they are very cheaps.
I remembred about the cat of your roommate, sorry for the confusion :)

Jennifer aka Scrappin' Aggie said...

Good luck with your semester! I loved going into the schools too! My favorite one was where I also got to do my student teaching In Bryan. Miss those days :(

Thanks for the idea for the pillows - much easier than sewing zippers in all the time!

Fightin' Texas Aggie Class of '97

Krugthethinker said...

Awesome pillows! I just made some out of t-shirts for our couch...I'm very slowly picking up skills :) Hope you have a fantastic semester!

Ash said...

I love those pillows!! I wanted to make something out of that print too!

-Ash P
http://distractedashley.blogspot.com

Unknown said...

I completely understand posting slowing down as school starts. I am going from at least 2 posts per week to maybe a post every two weeks. It's tough, especially with all the work that goes into each one. but your projects are always gorgeous!

Unknown said...

I love your blog and I'm an aggie too! Gig 'em!

http://prettygirlinanitworld.blogspot.com/

Lucy said...

Now that beeswax thing I may have to try! I have terrible trouble with peeling nail beds, so of course I pick and bite and them and make it worse. I need something like that but I always find hand cream is too thick and gooey.

stephanie said...

I've found the best exfoliator is a mix of beeswax, coconut oil and sugar. And best, it's not carcinogenic! And for natural hydration, you can use plain coconut oil and your hands will be soo soft.

Armymum said...

If this post twice I'm sorry.... 1st comment came back with an error msg....

Katy, which cutting board from Ikea? I need a new one!!! Want to put in my request for Xmas...

Katy said...

armymum13:

Here's the link! really inexpensive.

http://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/products/30087148/

Armymum said...

Thank you!!!!

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Tif said...

Awesome blog! New follower...hope you have a moment to come on over and sit a spell with me over at:

Ramblings of a Southern Belle
http://www.her-southern-ramblings.blogspot.com

Tif

TiAnna Wright said...

I love those ship pillows! What a great idea!

The Forsythia said...

Hi Katie, I was just sitting here sewing on a game day dress in UGA red and black based on your colorblock dress tutorial and watching some football, and who should come on but the Texas A&M Aggies versus the Florida Gators! Welcome to the SEC girl! Thanks so much for all your great tutorials too, they've really gotten me back into sewing. Such a wonderful hobby! Thanks again :)

Diana said...

Great pillows! They look so awesome!

Jacqueline Sodré said...

Hi Katy, I love your blog!! I loved these pictures ... Beautiful! So cute!!
I've posted on my blog about you, make a visit http://euamovisitarblogs.blogspot.com.br/.
It's in Portuguese, because I'm Brazilian. Kisses ....

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