Facial Masks for Dry Skin

Dry skin is caused by loss of hydration or the ability to retain it especially during cold weather. In order to
restore skin’s natural balance you must treat it with skin moisturizers or products that contains natural ingredients. You can also consider a do-it-yourself face cream.

Banana Cream Mask
You will need:
1/2 ripe banana
1 tbsp honey
2 tbsp sour cream or yogurt
Mash the banana. Add honey and cream or yogurt. Apply to skin and leave on for ten minutes. Rinse with warm water.

Cucumber and Cream Mask
You will need:
1/2 sliced cucumber
2-3 tbsp yogurt
Blend the ingredients together in a blender. Apply to the face and leave on for 15-20 minutes. Rinse with warm water.

Crocheted Cellphone Cozy (Pattern)

This pattern is for Samsung Galaxy Y Duos. But can easily be adjusted to the size of your cp.

Abbreviations Used
st = stitch
ch = chain
sl = slip stitch
sc = single crochet
hdc = half double crochet

Materials
Crochet Hook 3.5mm
Red Heart worsted weight yarn
Button (I used a 3 layered flower made of #8 100% cotton yarn instead of a button here).
A needle and small amount of thread

Instructions

Make a slip knot on the hook and ch 12 (or up to width of  your cp)


Round 1
1 sc into 2nd ch from hk and into each of the next 9sts, 3 sc into the last ch.
Working into the unused stitches, 1sc into the first ch and into the next 9sts, 3 sc into the last ch.
Join with sl to 1st sc.

Round 2
Ch 2 (Count as first hdc)
1 hdc in each stitch around
Join with sl to 2nd ch of beginning Ch 2

Round 3 - 17 (or until desired length)
Repeat Round 2
Do not join the last round.

Lst Round
Sl in each stitch around.
Fasten off.

Finishing  (Optional)
Join yarn at center of the back side of the case. 
Chain 20-25. Sc into 11th ch from hook. Sl st to1st ch. Fasten off.
Sew the button at the front side of the case.

55 UNIQUE SEWING AND CRAFT SECRETS

1. To Open that Stuck Zipper: Rub the teeth with a bar of soap orspray with shaving cream.

2. An Ideal Pin Cushion: Use a bar of soap. Makes sewing easier and needle just slides through hard material.
3. To Unwrinkle Plastic Materials: Heat ironing board with iron, lay material on board, then smooth with hands.
4. Neat and Easy Needle Threading: Dip tip of needle in clear nail polish and let dry.
5. How to Remove Scorches: Wet scorched area and cover with cornstarch, then brush off when dry.
6. Lengthen Life of Wooden Clothes Pins: Boil them in a salt solution. 7. A Neat String Dispenser: Nail a funnel to the wall and pull string out of bottom of funnel.
8. Tips on Storing Plastic Curtains: Sprinkle talcum powder between the layers as you go.
9. Basting Made Easy: Just tape then sew around the pieces of tape. 10. How to Revive Old Clothing: Shave those fluffs off with a safety razor.
11. Make an Emergency Clothes Brush: Wrap a piece of tape around the hand, sticky side out.
12. Stop Clothes Catching on Wooden Hangers: Put a coat of clear nail polish over splinters and rough edges.
13. A Needle Sharpening Pin Cushion: Use steel wool to fill your cushion.
14. Quick Needle Sharpening Trick: Rub needle against an emery board.
15. Make a Good Yarn Preserver: Wrap yarn around a moth ball for storage.
16. Handy Tip for Cutting Fur: Use a razor blade on back of fur when cutting and you will not cut any hair.
17. Tips on Sewing Slippery Material: Stick a piece of waxed paper in seam, pull away when finished.
18. Easy Pickup of Needle Spills: Use a small magnet.
19. Excellent Knitting Tip: Keep ball of yarn in nylon stocking - will flow out free of tangles.
20. How to Get Rid of Shiny Pants: Make a solution of one part vinegar to four parts water. Soak a cloth in solution, wring out, place over pants and press lightly.
21. When You Need Heavy Duty Thread: Use dental floss.
22. Make a Handy Tape Measure Holder: Wind tape around an old adhesive tape spool.
23. Prevent Nylon from Yellowing: Add baking soda to your wash and rinse water.
24. Make a Perfect Sock Darner: Pull socks over a light bulb - makes it easier.
25. Restore Velvet Like New: Brush good, then hang in a steamy bathroom.
26. How to Get Rid of Knots on Sweaters: Rub lightly with a piece of sandpaper.
27. How to Remove Lint from Wool: Use a damp sponge and touch lightly.
28. Caring for Leather: Brush with skim milk every three months.
29. Repair Scuffed Patent Leather: Cover with same color polish, let dry; then cover with clear nail polish.
30. Repair Cracking Patent Leather: Before each wearing, rub briskly with your hand, then a soft cloth.
31. How to Soften Leather Shoes: Sponge with black coffee.
32. Create Rainbow Colors for Bottles and Vases: Use floating art colors available from most paint stores. Take a pail and fill it with water, then put a few drops of several different art colors on top of water. You can now take any article you wish and dip down through the colors slowly back and forth. Great for decorating above items, tye-dye shirts, etc.
33. To Protect Your Sewing Bag: Stick the point of your closed scissors into a cork.
34. Neat Pin and Needle Container: Save those stick deodorant containers. They work great!
35. Renew those Worn Out Blankets: Sew cloth on both sides and you have a new quilt.
36. To Ensure the Sections of Material Cut from a Pattern are Accurate: First press the sections before laying them to be cut.
37. Breath Life into Those Worn Lingerie Items: Machine stitch over small breaks.
38. Keep Needles Rust Free: Stick them straight into a bar of soap.
39. Money Making Craft Business You Can Start Today with Low Overhead: Try making seat cushions. In many cases you will be able to beat the high prices charged in stores. Try selling for 50% less.
40. Eliminate the Old Hemline in Your Wool Clothes: When lowering, sponge with vinegar, then press.
41. Save Repair Bills on Your Sewing Machine: Try oiling and delinting first before sending out for costly repairs.
42. Handy Substitute for Hemline Chalk: A bar of soap works fine.
43. Prevent Your Thread from Knotting when Basting: Tie a knot in the thread before snipping off.
44. Remove Stains from Suede: First rub with a emery board, then leave in a steamy shower or apply light steam from your iron.
45. Remove Grease From Valuable Silks: Rub in baby powder and let stand several days, then brush out. Powder should absorb the grease. 46. Tip on Ironing Ruffles: Always iron these on the wrong side and from the edge in.
47. Handy Tip for Ironing Skirt Hems: Always make sure hems are fully dry. Iron from bottom to top, not side to side. Iron with the grain of the fabric.
48. To Iron Embroidered Items: Lay right side down on a terrcloth and press out.
49. Don't Pop Your Button: Cover them with a spoon while ironing. 50. Ironing Seer Sucker: If you ever have to do so, on the wrong side only.
51. Fast Easy Way to Remove Lint: Put your garment on the fluff cycle in dryer for a few moments.
52. Handy Tip for Filling Steam Irons: Your old squeeze bottles work great!
53. Quickie Iron Tip: Place Reynolds Wrap under the ironing board cover. Heats up faster and cuts your time in half.
54. Patchwork Tip: Before your sew a patch on any washable garment, be sure to wash the patch once to avoid shrinkage.
55. Cool Folding Tip: After ironing, be sure to let the garments cool completely before storing.

Mother's Day Craft Ideas

When Mother's Day rolls around, kids want to show their moms just how special they are. Store-bought gifts and cards are nice, but they lack that personal touch. Something made just for Mom has much more sentimental value, and kids don't have to spend much money (if any) on it.

Even toddlers can make Mother's Day crafts with a little help. Here's a sampling of things kids can make for Mom.

Framed Photos

Every mother loves to look at pictures of her kids. So why not pick out a favorite picture or yourself with Mom and create a beautiful frame for it? There are many ways you can go about making photo frames.

One of the cheapest and simplest ways to make a picture frame is to cut one out of paper. Construction paper, card stock and thick scrapbooking paper are good choices. Or, if you want to make the frame even sturdier, use corrugated cardboard. Just make sure the opening in the middle is large enough to show the part of the photo you want to display, and make the frame any shape you like. Decorate with paint, glitter and stickers. Add a magnet to the back for easy display on the refrigerator.

You can also make frames out of craft sticks. Just glue the ends of four sticks together to make a square, and decorate with markers or paint. Or if you prefer, buy a plain photo frame and decorate it as you please.

Candle Holders

It's easy to make a lovely candleholder out of a small jar. Larger baby food jars work well for tealights and votives. Pint jars can hold votives or small pillar candles.

To decorate, use tissue paper. Mix equal parts white glue and water, and stick the paper onto the outside of the jar, stopping below the rim. Use pieces of different colors to create a stained glass look. Cut some shapes out of the paper if you like, arrange them in a pretty pattern, and glue on top of the larger pieces. Coat with the glue mixture to seal, and let dry.

Bath Salts

Want to help Mom pamper herself on her special day? Make her some homemade bath salts. They will help her relax and leave her skin feeling great.

Just mix 3 cups of Epsom salts, 2 cups of baking soda, and 1 cup of table salt. Add about twenty drops of a fragrant essential oil. Lavender, sandalwood and chamomile are good choices. Mix thoroughly. Present the bath salts to Mom in a pretty jar tied with a ribbon.

Decorative Flowerpot

Moms adore flowers. Creating a unique flowerpot with a plant you've grown for her is sure to bring a smile to her face.

Small unglazed terra cotta flowerpots are easy to paint on. Use acrylic paint to make a pretty scene or design. If you don't have a flowerpot, a styrofoam cup will do. You can decorate it with markers, glitter glue and stickers. When your creation is dry, fill it with potting soil and plant a few seeds. Try to do this a week or two before Mother's Day so the plant will have time to start growing. Don't forget to give it plenty of sun and water.

Mom is sure to appreciate these simple yet thoughtful crafts. They will give her fond Mother's Day memories for years to come!

Skin Care Tips

1. Stay away from things like perfumed soaps and heavily fragranced lotions that tend to irritate the skin and trigger eczema.

2. Avoid leaning your face on objects that collect skin residue like a phone receiver. This can spread bacteria that irritates pores.

3. Toners neutralize pH, clear away any leftover cleansers and it nourishes the skins deficiencies.

4. Don’t pop up pimples. Popping pimples can push infected material further into the skin, leading to more swelling and even scarring.

5. Even soaps with gentle form wash have alkaline which disturbs the natural pH of the skin. Use non-alkaline cleansing gels or creams.

6.  Using an anti-wrinkle cream will help slow down aging efficiently. Pollution weakens the skin so give your skin some help.

7. Always use a broad spectrum sunscreen to block UVA rays that cause skin aging and UVB rays that can cause skin burns.

8. A light moisturizer before bedtime leads to radiant skin. Lotion or cream renews your skin and keeps it soft to touch.

9. Sun protection tip: Sunglasses help reduce crows feet by reducing the squinting which comes from sun exposure without eye protection.

10.  Smoking drains nutrients from your body that could have been used to keep your skin soft and smooth. Smoking can ruin your complexion too!