DIY, here we go!

I decided that since I'm sort of staying and working here and there (Body Shop Athletics and Thirty-One) and the coupons aren't like they used to be, I better start trying to save a little extra money.  I'm not very crafyt, but I'm trying!  I checked online for all my ingredients, but decided that I would make the 30 minute trek across town to Devine Street in Columbia, SC to Earth Fare.  We really need one of these in Lexington!!

So, I decided I wanted to do homemade lip balm.  So, I found some tins at Etsy here.  Super sweet girl who sent me what I thought I needed.   I should have ordered more because I'm having a hard time finding a good price anywhere else.  I also cannot take credit for the recipe, but you can find it here.  I thought I took step by step pics, but I didn't.  I'll make more and post pics next time.  But, here is my finished product.  I want to decorate the top of the tins, and figured I'll use mod podge.

So, next DIY was Mens' Shaving soap!  Again, recipe found here!

So super easy to do.  I don't like that the hemp seed oil is green, but that's ok.  I actually tried this on my legs and under my arms and I LOVE IT!  No more store bought shaving cream for me!!  it doesn't lather a whole lot, but just enough.  Wesley liked it too.

Step by step process.

 I used a pot and a giant canning jar I found at Target.  Placed enough water to melt the soap.

 I kept stirring to make sure it didn't burn.  Also, didn't get the water above medium setting.

 This is the melt and pour soap I found on sale at Hobby Lobby.

 And the soap molds.  I couldn't find them today when I tried to make more so I used a coffee cup.

 Mixing the oatmeal.  When the soap was solid, the oatmeal settled to the bottom.  Looks cute though.

                                                                     Mixing it all in.

                                             Cooling and adding the oatmeal.

                                                    adding the hemp oil/vit E mixture

                                                                         the shea butter

                                                                essential oils

See the oatmeal?  It still works great!

Ok, so today, I decided to make my own laundry detergent.  Again, here is your website with the recipe.  I replaced the soap she recommends with Fels naphtha (1.37 at Walmart).  Here are my pics.

               The fels Naptha is for cleaning and stains

 the grated Fels Naptha

 added to boiling water to melt

 OOOPS!  a little too much heat!

 3 gallons warm water

 adding the Borax    and washing powder                                                                                 \

 melted fels naptha

After all is said and done, I spent the least amount of money on the laundry detergent.  I have 4 gallons of it right now and who know how long that will last. I have almost full boxes of Borax ($3.00) and Washing powder ($3.00)  The Fels Naptha is $1.37 and I have one extra.  I hope it cleans well, cause I'll be using it for a long time!

The lip balm and shaving soap are a little more pricey, but I'm using them for us and gifts, and still coming out cheaper that buying the same stuff!