Childs French Sock in Frog Creek Fibers Icewine

Childs french sock in frog creek fibers icewine, originally uploaded by Auggy D'Auggy.

This is the Child's French Sock from Nancy Bush's book Knitting Vintage Socks. She adapted the pattern to fit a woman's foot. It's a little tough to see the sock pattern due to the poor quality of the photo (and the awkward lighting). I'm doing it on 3 circular needles because there was no easy way to divide the pattern into 2 and I prefer circulars to double points.

The yarn is by a bunch of gals from Portland I met at the So Much Yarn knitting retreat last fall. These socks are being knitted in their Ebullient yarn in the Icewine colorway. They sell their yarn here - http://www.etsy.com/shop/FrogCreekFibers

Noro socks in 2 colorways

Noro socks in 2 colorways, originally uploaded by Auggy D'Auggy.

Started a pair of simple fingering weight socks using the Noro yarn I made my Old Shale scarf with. I love the colors and I have enough yarn leftover that I can easily make a pair of 7-8" socks. They won't match, but they'll be colorful!!

Hedera socks in Blue Moon Socks That Rock Koi Koi

New Message, originally uploaded by Auggy D'Auggy.

Finally finished these! I had knit them too loose the first time so I frogged and re-knit them. I started the second sock on the train on the way home from Portland and finished it the other day. Yay socks!

WIP: Embossed Leaves socks in STR Lemongrass

WIP: Embossed Leaves socks in STR Lemongrass, originally uploaded by Auggy D'Auggy.

Made more progress on my socks! 8 rows away from the heel! I will be doing the twisted rib heel from the Pomatomus socks instead of the heel in the pattern. I'm worried they might be too loose so I might have to reknit on a smaller sized needle :(

WIP: Embossed Leaves Sock in STR Lemongrass

New Message, originally uploaded by Auggy D'Auggy.

Embossed Leaves Leaves Sock in Blue Moon Fibers Socks That Rock Lightweight in Lemongrass. The pattern is from Interweave's book "Favorite Socks".

Lip Balm with Shea butter and Cocoa Butter

Making lip balm, originally uploaded by Auggy D'Auggy.

I spent the afternoon making Lip Balm! I ordered the lip balm kit from http://www.pvsoap.com and made their lip balm recipe.

I did a little research both on their site and around the web and found some pointers. The main thing I did was melt the shea butter first in a (homemade) double boiler. I mounted a food thermometer to the side of the bowl so I could watch the temperature. I simmered the shea butter between 140-160 for about 30 minutes, stirring occasionally.

I added the beeswax first, then the cocoa butter. I let them melt fully before adding in the next ingredient. Finally I let my oils simmer for about 10 minutes (not exceeding 175 deg) to ensure they were well incorporated.

When everything was done, I turned off the heat but let the bowl stay in the warm water to keep the lip balm soft.

My lip balm has a smooth and firm texture. It goes on smoothly and isn't greasy. It smells so good from the shea butter and cocoa butter, there really wasn't any need for flavor oils.

Pots of lip balm, originally uploaded by Auggy D'Auggy.

Tubes of lip balm, originally uploaded by Auggy D'Auggy.

Making soap for the holidays!

Making soap and lip balm for the holidays!, originally uploaded by Auggy D'Auggy.

I ordered my supplies from Ponte Vedra Soap . They have all natural pre-mixed bases for a variety of cosmetics including glycerin soaps and lip balm. They also sell additional items to mix into these including colors, scents, and flavors (for the lip balm).

Soaps!, originally uploaded by Auggy D'Auggy.

I am using 3 of their melt and pour glycerin soap base - Crystal Clear, Goat Milk, and Shaving. I am also using their Fragrance Oils but I think next time I will look into using essential oils. The synthetics smell great and are the right price, but the essential oils just give the final product a certain depth.

For the lip balm, I bought their kit and a few extra flavor oils. Note that their kit does not come with vitamin E oil. Vitamin E is used as a preservative to keep your lip balm from going rancid. Most drug stores carry it, so it's no biggie.