(r)Ice Pack Bundles I was recently going through my stash of fabric.  I like to save even the smallest of scraps because you never know how or when they may be handy.  From small appliqués to American Girl Doll quilts, these scraps have been helpful in a variety of projects.  This past summer, I made a gorgeous picnic blanket, and have held on to a variety of sizes of scraps.  Turns out, there were a dozen pieces of fabric about 5"x9".  These were perfect inspiration for making Small (r)Ice Packs.   Photos Above: Some of my larger scraps, organized by like sizing To make your own, start with any size fabric you like, but keep in mind that if using these as pocket warmers, boot warmers, ice packs for bumps and bruises, something in the 4"x4" finished size category is just about perfect.  (It's important to note that my sewing is like my cooking.  I tend to wing it with the materials/ingredients I have on hand.  If you want to be more precise, pl

Last week, I had an opportunity to experiment with various essential oil brands.  Knowing that no two brands are created equal, I have been on a quest to find the best of the best, while still keeping my price point affordable.  Until now,  Aura Cacia  has been my essential oil brand of choice.  I have also used  Now  Foods Essential Oils, but found their quality lacking when compared with Aura Cacia.  Back to last week.  I met with a representative from  doTerra .  Since I possess a vast knowledge of essential oils, including their properties, healing powers, and how/when to blend them, we were able to have fun, and not just make this about education. The most telling aspect of the session was when we performed a side by side comparison.  We chose to compare Lavender.  The brands compared were Aura Cacia and doTerra.  The first was in smell, which I can not convey to you in a blog other than through my own words.  Aura Cacia, which has been suitable to meet my needs for the last two