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.

Harney and Sons Tea!

Ok so this post isn't really "crafty" related other than I was introduced to this wonderful brand of tea at a knitting retreat. The brand of tea is Harney and Sons. My mom and I bought tins of a few different flavors, including Paris, Black Current, and Decaf Midsummer's Peach. The tea comes loose or in silk sachets. Well, Nick really liked the Paris tea and we managed to finish it! I went to the Harney and Sons website to order more and they sure have a lot of teas!! Besides loose tea and sachets, they have sample packets, small tins, and sampler variety boxes. I have been stalking our order ever since I placed it. We were supposed to get it Wednesday, the day before Thanksgiving, but it was delayed, so we didn't get it until today. Totally worth the wait. Anyways, so here's the lewtz (not pictured -- a one pound bag of Paris):

Mariebelle Aztec Chocolate, a sampler box of Harney & Sons sachets, Sampler pouches of loose tea, originally uploaded by Auggy D'Auggy.

Peach Fruit Tea (it smells GOOD), originally uploaded by Auggy D'Auggy.

Small Tins with 3-5 sachets in them, originally uploaded by Auggy D'Auggy.

Peach and Kiwi Strawberry Fruit teas, originally uploaded by Auggy D'Auggy.

Peppermint Herbal, Rose Scented Black Tea, Chamomile Herbal, and Indian Spice (Chai) Tea, originally uploaded by Auggy D'Auggy.

Brown Teapot!, originally uploaded by Auggy D'Auggy.

Monster Hats!

Green monster hat, originally uploaded by Auggy D'Auggy.

My first knitting project. I made this in early 2009.

Monster hat for Nick!, originally uploaded by Auggy D'Auggy.

I made this for Nick as an early xmas present :D