Homemade | Brown Sugar lip scrub

I am cursed with constant chapped lip syndrome. Winter, spring, summer, fall.. It doesn't matter what season! It probably also doesn't help that I'm a lip biter. Nervous, happy, whatever I'm biting my lips.

I'm trying hard to find natural remedies for such things. I had came across sugar lip scrubs and how beneficial they were for your sensitive lips. The scrub exfoliates the surface layers of your lips and removes the dead outer layer leaving behind beautiful, soft, smooth and (my favorite) kissable lips! Used once a week, twice during the winter will really help keep your lips healthy.

Here's the recipe I use after figuring out what I needed/wanted from my lip scrub:

1c. Brown sugar

1/2c. Coconut oil organic

1/2c. Honey

Mix well, then store in air tight container (I've found the 4oz jelly jars work great!). 

Enjoy your luscious lips!

Homemade & Just For Fun | Reindeer Food

A few years ago I caught wind of a special recipe made just for Santa's reindeer! It's filling and healthy for them AND it adds a little giddy up in their flight.

While waiting for Santa one year, I overheard one of his helpers telling another person the recipe, and so I approached them, curious. He shared it with me, and so here I am sharing it with you!

Take 1c. oats and place in blender until well blended. Apparently it being finely blended makes it easier for them to eat it.

Then, add as much glitter as humanly possible!! This is the "key" ingredient and what gives them their pep. It also helps them see it at night. 

We also add peppermint!

On Christmas Eve, just sprinkle some outside on the ground and it'll be the refreshing fuel they need to continue their journey with Santa!

Personal | hashtags and other sorts

I completely skipped an entire month of blogging. Although the excuse is legit, I don't like excuses.

I recently (late August) got a new job. I went from accounting/bookkeeping to... Ready for it? 911 communications officer. I have been in training pretty much since day one, which let me just throw it out there, is stressful. I was released on the phones Monday Oct 27th. So until I begin police radio training, which will probably take place in a few weeks, I've been able to catch up on some projects. 

We have periods of downtime during the 12-hour midnight shift, so I'm using that downtime wisely, between reviewing work related stuff and getting my projects out of the way (such as this beauty)...

And since starting this job, I'm home during the day, which is a totally new experience for me. Between catching up on sleep I've also managed to work on some of my "at home" projects. 

Here are a few I've been able to accomplish...

I bedazzled some acorns (super cute)

We carved some pumpkins

I made my sons werewolf Halloween costume

I made some cute and warm ear warmers 

I made a tiny hippo

I painted pumpkins 

I created a Halloween wreath out of ribbons

I made a baseball leather key ring for my sons fall ball baseball coach

I started to play with Christmas gift ideas for my boyfriends platoon

Needless to say I've been busy..

I also just opened up my new (and always improving) Etsy store:

https://www.etsy.com/shop/fiveohlove

Right now I just have a few things listed but will add upon that once I see an interest. 

Also, if you are on Instagram, look for the following hashtags to find either of my pages and follow me...

#craftingadhd

#loveyourpopo

#firefliesandsweettea

And that's about it for now. I'll probably be doing another DIY project with coconut oil and essential oils for a Christmas gift giveaway and/or the sugar scrubs. I might also be doing one for the gifts I end up making for my LEO's platoon for Christmas. Last year it was an Officers Survival Kit, which I think ill do again this year along with a nice ornament, but we'll see.

For now, goodnight and good morning.

 <3tlee

Homemade | DIY Whipped coconut oil body butter

It's not even truly autumn yet and already I'm hearing people complain about dry, itchy skin. I started doing some research on a natural solution, and looking for something I could make with what oils and natural stuff I have and decided on a whipped coconut oil body butter that was super easy and quick to make!

I'll admit it smells more like Christmas but I'm going to make another batch with a more "autumn" like scent.

Here we go:

1c, extra virgin coconut oil
20 drops peppermint essential oil
20 drops argan oil (or jojoba)

Take your coconut oil in a medium size bowl and mix with electric mixer fit about 8-10min, until whipped and forming peaks.
Add your essential oil and argan and mix for about another 2min.
Store in a glass container with a tight lid,  and refrigerate until solid.
Afterwards, store at 75 degrees or cooler.
Use a large popsicle stick to get body butter out as to not contaminate the whole jar.

Enjoy!!!

♡tlee

Crocheting | Lucie's BALLZ

Making these was something I stumbled across while making something completely different. 

I was looking for crochet patterns on making little monsters for my son, and my guys children.  I found a great, easy video and before long, I had created some adorable little monsters [to which I will post and give credit to coming soon]. 

But, in the midst of creating these monsters, I had figured out how to make a ball.  I know that sounds simple enough, but after showing my creation on my Instagram account, a friend asked if I could make one for her cat, Lucie.  I started getting cute ideas of filling them with catnip and jingle bells [which actually didn't make the final cut on the original BALLZ].

I happily went to town making these cute catnip balls, mixing the plush with catnip in a lunch baggie, stuffing the balls, and then allowing the balls to "soak" in the lunch baggie filled with catnip.  I soon shipped them off... three BALLZ and a short handwritten note to Lucie.

Introducing: Lucie's BALLZ

A few days later, I got a picture of Lucie and an adorable video of Lucie and her mama opening up her package! 

[Please watch the video.. it's so sweet!!]

All tuckered out after all that excitement!!

Lucie's "glazed over" look ... silly (and beautiful) cat!!

 

If interested in having some made, email: firefliesandsweettealee@gmail.com

 

♡tlee



Baseball | DIY Laces bracelet

I enjoy ripping apart baseballs and making something from them [of course the whole time my son is watching in agony, as if he feels the pain and anguish from each ball as it's being torn apart, and questions my motive the entire time].

Once I figured out how easy and kind of fun making bracelets out of the laces was, I became a laces bracelet machine.

I keep mine simple but I've seen some that have their child's number on them, or bedazzled somehow.

[The next go around my baseball mama bff, Jeanne, and I are going to make cuffs out of the leather and bedazzle the heck out of them!]

First, I always make sure the baseballs I'm using are genuine leather.  That synthetic type, I don't know if this is just me, or what, but it doesn't seem to wanna work with you as much, not as pliable, etc.

Grab that exacto knife and CAREFULLY cut the leather around the lace, leaving enough room to where you can trim it down at the end.

Once you've cut the lace from the ball, cut the lace in half and cut off maybe an inch of the leather from the ends, so you have enough thread to 1) make a loop on one end, and 2) tie on a button of your choice.  Make sure to play with the placement of each as best as you can so it's not too loose and not too tight!  Before you put the button on and tie the loop, I soak the laces in HOT water for a few minutes, then in Vaseline for a couple days.  I did mine for a week, I'm sure you can do take it out in two days.  Wipe off the Vaseline as best you can, then pin it to a cork board, or something you can use to stretch it out straight for another day or two.

Once it's stretched out & straight, you're ready to decorate how you will, and show your support to your little league baseball or softball player!! 

Simple as that!  Enjoy!!

♡tlee

Crafting | DIY Ombre painting and song lyrics - fun personalized crafts!

Hands down one of my all time favorite songs is Van Morrison, Moondance! And although it was Morrisons version I fell in love with, my favorite Irish singer, Ryan Kelly of Celtic Thunder did an amazing cover. I had that song stuck in my head ALL day last Thursday.

Digging through my crafts, I realized I had this fantastic piece of wood from Michaels that I've yet to do anything with. All of a sudden it dawned on me!

"It's a marvelous night for a moondance."

Yes!

I had had a similar epiphany with a blank piece of canvas. I got out my paint and brushes and went with the flow.. light to dark orange ombre with the lyrics You are my Sunshine in a bright blue. Brilliant!

(Most everything I hang is crooked bc I have a 7yr old who hardly ever walks lightly, and in case you were wondering, that heart picture is super easy and fun to make, I love to work with buttons!)

And it was after that painting that I realized ombre painting is fun and simple. You grab 2 or more colors and just paint and blend. I don't even rinse out my brushes, which I think helps the blending process. I am a bit messy when it comes to painting but especially ombre! I had paint on me, my son (who insisted on sitting beside me as he read), the table, the floor, wall and dog.

I sometimes free hand words/letters but I knew I wanted this more "elegant" than "laid back" so I printed the lyrics, scribbled with pencil on the back then taped the paper to my project and traced away. This idea I picked up from this lovely blog.

The end product, in my opinion, is gorgeous and I absolutely love it.

From start to finish I want to say it took round about 5 hours. I was up until a little after 1am completing this.. mostly due to the fact I have OCD and it's hard for me to stop something that I've started and that I'm super excited about.

I had a friend mention I should custom make these and sell them around the Christmas craft circuit. 

Hmm, I just might. 

If anyone is interested, email me at tlcawthorn@gmail.com and please put CRAFTS or something in the subject line!

♡tlee

Baseball | End of season baseball goodie bags

As the end of my son's MP2 spring season came near, I panicked. I needed to come up with an end of season gift to give back to the kiddos for having such a great season, and just to let them all know they are appreciated!

First, I came up with the essentials: peanuts and cracker jack [ahh, see what I did there], big league chew, Baby Ruths and my home made laces bracelet [coming soon to a blog near you!]. The peanuts I put in a cello bag and tied with red and blue ribbon [probably a little too girlie, but it was really cute!].

Here was my box o' baseball supplies [and a big thank you goes to one of my closest friends who found the cracker jack and big league chew on amazon for a great deal!]:

[* warning: please make sure to check with your team regarding allergies.. chances are if you've made it to the end of the season you've probably brought snacks a time or two and already know who, if anyone, has an allergy *]

I also managed to find this great site to make certificates of achievement for the boys. I included a group shot taken of the whole team, and then signed them myself. I think they truly enjoyed hearing their name being called along with being recognized for something awesome! After printing them, I rolled them up nicely and tied red and blue burlap thread around them. It was a good touch!  

Even though I couldn't find the -right- color blue, I found red and blue paper bags at Walmart for pretty cheap. I wrote each boys name on a bag, including coaches. I then set each bag up on the floor, and outside each bag I placed one of each item outside the bags, then started stuffing!!

In the coaches bags, I put a little extra in with a bag of Combos, Slim Jims and what I coined as "Kisses for Coaches."

And lastly, here is gift we gave our head coach. The idea came from a fellow baseball mom and great friend of mine!

I honestly think a team is only as great as the support you have from your parents and coaching staff. 

Have a great Thursday, y'all! Almost the weekend!

♡tlee

Baseball | [DIY] Blood [literally] , sweat and baseball keyrings

I'm proud of all my crafts that I attempt. Some more than others definitely, but still even with my worst projects, I can't help but get a goofy grin and share my creations when I'm done.

The baseball key rings is probably my favorite to make at the moment.

Not bc it's probably one of the most simple [but that sure does help] but just bc it's making something fun from something I love.

While making a set the other day, I accidently stabbed myself with the exacto knife.. so crafters heed this warning:

GO SLOW, PAY ATTENTION AND BE CAREFUL!

After almost passing out, almost throwing up [give me a break, I just STABBED myself], and after almost calling the bf to come sew me up, I was fine. I had some crocheting I needed to get done as well, but I figured I'd give my hand the rest of the night off. Literally, it looked nothing more than a papercut, but it went in my hand as far as the exacto knife is long. Ouch.

But, no blood was wasted and I finished them up the next day.

When I made more on Sunday, I went about 10x slower than usual was more efficient.

Here are the "how to's":

1) take your full grain leather covered baseball, and your exacto knife (this is what I've found to work the best... use what your comfy with), and SLOWLY pull out the laces, pulling away from your face/body.

2) Once you've pulled out all the laces, pull the two leather halves off the ball. They will be sticky, which is a good thing!

3) Take your key ring and pull the leather half through the ring, lining up the tiny holes with both halves.

4) Get your teams favorite colors (I use embroidery floss), thread the floss through your needle, tie a knot at the end of your string and go through the bottom of the top half first, so the knot is now on the "inside" of the leather [so it's concealed], then go through both layers [same hole], and slowly pull the floss through. Continue to do a whip stitch all the way around.

And boom. You now have a unique baseball leather keyring with your favorite team colors.

^ GO UVA ^

Personal & hi y'all | Crafts! And a little about me.

Ever since I was younger, I've always enjoyed crafts.  That was something my mom inspired me to do, and something that I continue to this day with my son.  Sometimes when I'm feeling silly, I'll grab a blank canvas and my paint brush, or if I'm just feeling quiet, I'll grab my crochet hook, and attempt to create something wonderful [I say "attempt" bc I'm still getting the hang of crocheting.. but I can make a pretty awesome scarf].

First, a little about myself?  I'm a mother, first and foremost.  It's the best, and hardest, job I've ever done.  How cliché, right?  It's true.  I would never trade that for anything.  I'm also a "baseball mom", to be more exact, which is a very specific and important title [more on that later].  I'm a girlfriend.  To a super wonderful guy.  He helps come up with ideas for me to try next, mostly with my crocheting.  He won't like me saying he's sweet, and he'll deny it, but he is.  I'm a bookkeeper.  How drab.  But, it pays the bills.  And it's something that [sometimes] keeps me on my toes.  I have two fur babies, Tessa [border collie mutt] and Joe [half Maine coon].  And I love my friends and family, close and extended.  Without all the above mentioned, I wouldn't be who I am today.

So here it is.  My simple crafty musings from a simple, crafty [baseball] mama!

Enjoy :)

Oh and PS. The background picture was taken late summer 2013 in Shenandoah National Park.