Tips and Tricks to go Shampoo-free « Rural Spin My hair is thicker, shinnier, and healthier than it ever has been now that I’ve gone shampoo free! I stopped using shampoo, conditioner, and any other test tube-made product on my hair a month ago. Now I only use baking soda and vinegar, and my hair is thicker, shinier, has stopped falling out, and stays cleaner longer than it ever has in my entire life. And this dramatic effect costs literally pennies compared to expensive store-bought products. Not only that, but going shampoo-free eliminates the need to buy gels, mouse, anti-frizz stuff or any of that. Think of the savings! And for those who like to stockpile supplies for a rainy day or buy in bulk, it’s much less expensive to buy gallons of vinegar and pounds of baking soda than worry from where the next deal on shampoo is going to appear. Before you decide to give shampoo-free a whirl, check out this overview. The type of water you have will have an effect on how baking soda (or shampoo for that matter) works on cleaning your hair.
Giant Paper Rose Flower If you loved the beautiful DIY wedding this morning and Nata’s gorgeous paper flower bouquets, you are in luck as Nata is sharing how she crafted them with us! She was inspired by a template created by Morgan Levine on Martha Stewart (as was I in the flowers I created for this styled shoot). I just love that this basic idea has inspired different brides to create their own version of giant paper flowers – you might remember these equally awesome giant paper flowers from this wedding I shared last year. :) Thanks so much Nata for sharing how you created your giant pink paper rose + special thanks to Studio Castillero for the photos of the DIY + her wedding! Materials (to make one giant rose) Step 1: Cut the petals Cut 5-6 teardrop petals and 15-6 heart-shaped petals from the petal colored crepe paper. IMPORTANT: Crepe paper is directional so it matters which way you’re cutting the paper. Repeat until all of your petals are cut Step 2: Cut the leaves + calyx Step 3: Make the rose stem
Creative and Amusing Ads on Buildings Street advertising is a great, largely untapped way for companies to advertise themselves to passerbys. Millions of people live in major cities around the globe, and they have nothing to do while walking down the street besides look around, so street advertising can be highly effective. Check out these creative and amusing ads on buildings that are great ways that companies are advertising to everyday people. 20 brilliant things to make in a jar Via: mycakies.blogspot.com Start saving your old jam jars! From cakes to herb gardens, pies to photo frames, and even entire meals … here are 20 fantastic things you never knew you could make with a jar. (Above: red velvet cupcakes in a jar. Get the recipe here). Via: fatgirltrappedinaskinnybody.blogspot.com Word on the street: salad in a jar is all the rage. Via: bakerella.com Cookies in a jar – a great gift idea. Via: rikkihibbert.co.za For a rustic vintage look, display your photos inside glass jars and bottles. Via: goodfoodbreadandmuffins.blogspot.com Chocolate muffin bread cooked in a jar. Via: pizzazzerie.com Super sweet. Via: simplebites.net Bread, cooked in a jar? Via: marthastewart.com A fabulous visual reminder of your favourite holidays. Via: bigredkitchen.com So let’s just cut to the chase – what about making all your meals in a jar?! Via: runwithglitter.blogspot.com There isn’t a child on earth who wouldn’t be wowed by these: rainbow cupcakes baked in a jar. Via: flickr.com
Flirty Fluorescent Feathers: Another Win for Duct Tape UPDATE: By popular demand, Feather Earring Kits ($15) and readymade Feather Earrings ($20) are now available in the Brit + Co. shop! Ever since creating our nifty neon envelopes, we’ve had neon duct tape on the mind. Should we make a hair wrap out of it? What about a Chevron cuff? Perhaps a box for Valentine’s chocolates? Well, when March came around with its hints of spring, SXSW tomfoolery, and neon theme, the answer was clear: Neon Duct Tape Feathers. Materials: – neon duct tape (we used pink, orange, green and blue tie dye – tie dye duct tape totally exists!) First, fold 6 inches of tape back onto itself so you create a non-sticky piece of neon duct tape. To create your feather shape, sketch one directly on the tape or print out a photo or graphic of a feather, cut it out, and use it as a stencil on the duct tape. For a feathery texture, cut tiny slits in the duct tape feather at a slight angle, similar to the back slash button on your keyboard. So you’ve got your feathers. And poof!
Creative Window Seat Ideas Redesign your window to create a cozy corner to curl up in the sun. What would you wish for? For the second part here Origami bow tutorial Good Afternoon! I found a tutorial for origami bow's {Here} but as it was in Korean, I thought I would a) give it a go and then b) try and give you the steps in English. I am a complete origami novice and it took me a few tries to get it right so don't give up! Hopefully with my instructions I have cleared up where I went wrong so you won't make the same mistakes. Grab some origami paper (You can use any paper as long as it's cut into a square) and some scissors and away we go! 1) Start with your square of paper, fold in half horizontally and vertically, crease well and unfold. 2) Fold diagonally, crease well and unfold. 3) Your paper should know look like this 4) Follow the creased lines and fold you paper like this 5) Press down and fold the closed side down by 1/2" creasing well 6) Unfold your paper and you will see the creases and the small square in the middle. 7) This next step I found a bit confusing as there is an order to folding the lines. 8) Fold the corners down like this
Stab Bound Journal Make a hand bound journal with elaborate side stitching for yourself or as a gift. The stitching is a lot easier than it looks and is so much nicer to hold than a spiral bound edge. Supplies and Equipment – sharp utility knife and cutting surface BE VERY CAREFUL WITH THE SHARP BLADE – rulers – drill with 1/16th inch bit OR a small paper punch BE VERY CAREFUL WITH POWER TOOLS – fancy cover paper – I used Cavallini Vintage Tickets Wrapping Paper – 20″ x 28″ – 1 sheet of 8.5×11 for endpapers (this can be fancy or the same paper as your pages) – 10 sheets of 8.5×11 paper for pages – 3 yards of embroidery floss – mat board – I used Crescent No. 33 White & Cream Smooth Mat Board – Yes Stikflat Glue or other archival glue that leaves paper flat – heavy object to use as a weight – waxed paper – cutting/hole punch template – click here to download – thin cotton or linen fabric (optional) – needle with an eye large enough to fit embroidery floss – brush for glue Stitch down through the next hole.
TetraBox Light by Ed Chew Liquid to Light Designer Ed Chew takes a green step in the right direction with the TetraBox lamp, a light object made from discarded drink packets that would have otherwise ended up in landfills already packed to the brim. The design is achieved by unfolding the packets and refolding them into hexagonal and pentagonal sections that are then pieced together to form a geodesic sphere or any other desired shape. Designer: Ed Chew These Adorable Color Block Crayon Candles Can Be Made At Home!Stylish Board A candle which represents beauty and love is adored by all women. Any kind of candle that makes a soft burning light gets our attention and it is even more is we face any designed candles. Though there are different types of candles with their size, fragrance and type; all types are not liked by everybody. Some adores the fragrance of the candles and other may look for the cute colors. Via: Brit Speaking of colors, when we look for some colored candles; it might have happened that we did not get the color we have been expecting to get. Color block crayon candles are the ultimate solution for making the accurate colored candles at your home! If you are having any party at your home or you are looking for a theme color considering your home decoration, you can choose the number of colors used in your furniture and other decoration and then apply those colors in your color block crayon candles. Crayons can be used for candles in many different ways.
Zippy Wallet Tutorial The Zippy Wallet Tutorial is here! Bear with me, this is my first tutorial. Although I've probably followed and read a couple hundred tutorials, you never know. {Key chain tabs not included in instructions} Here's what you need: 1 piece of exterior fabric 5" x 9.5" (interfaced) 1 piece of lining fabric 5"x 11.5" (this is also the binding & lining for the exterior pocket) 2 pieces of fabric (same as lining) 3" x 1.75" for tab (interfaced) Must have: sewing machine coordinating thread 7" zipper (you could use a 6" zipper or larger, but this is what I had) interfacing snap, button, velcro (we'll discuss this later) It would be nice to have: clear ruler self healing mat rotary cutter Let's go! Cut your exterior fabric into 3 pieces: 5" x 3.5", 5" x 3.5", 5" x 2.5" (for the exterior pocket) Cut your lining fabric into 4 pieces: 5" x 3.5", 5" x 3.5", 5" x 2.5" (lines the exterior pocket), 5" x 2" (make into binding for exterior pocket) Now onto the fun part!