Beetle Watercolor

Tiny Frame

All Natural Hibiscus and Beet Powder Blush

So I scrapped the last design and ingredients, and have been wearing this kind instead. It contains all natural and all powder ingredients. I'm also selling it on Etsy here.

This blush contains hibiscus flower powder, beet powder, lavender powder, and arrowroot. 

Now I have two ultimate favorite skin care items, geranium lip balm, and this blush. Ooohh lala.

Geranium Lip Balm

I made a batch of Geranium lip balm last night. All natural and organic. These are on Etsy.

The printed labels for these lip balms have a design using a watercolor I created.

Lavender Hydrosol

After five hours of steaming, I collected the the most beautifully scented hydrosol.

It also produced a small amount of essential oil that I will have to store away for a few months to age it.

Hydrosols

In the making

After I finish and post the end products of my recent creations, I'll be posting recent art works.

Rosehip and Calendula Lotion

I've been making different kinds of lotions lately. I've been researching oils that would work well as a predominant face lotion, so I came up with my favorite concotion (so far). 

It smells amazing and works wonders on my face and most importantly for my sons keratosis pilaris (I think the raw shea butter/coconut oil combination basically does the trick for him).

Ingredients:

 Unrefined raw ivory shea butter

organic coconut oil

all natural beeswax

rose hip oil

calendula oil

jojoba oil

almond oil

pure Aloe Vera

 lavender oil

organic white tea powder

and I mixed all of my ingredients with rosewater.

All Natural Lip Balms

I'm allergic to many ingredients in modern products (primarily salicylic acid and sodium laurel sulfate, however I have a large list of ingredients to avoid unfortunately), therefore having the option to actually make and use all natural beauty products has saved my life. One of the websites that lists ingredients found in beauty products and it's adverse reactions is Toxic Beauty.

I started all of my chap-sticks out with beeswax and coconut oil then experimented with different combinations of essential oils. My favorite combination is pure lavender oil, jojoba oil, calendula oil, vitamin E oil, and vanilla oil. I also like to add organic white tea powder, wild rose extract, and rosewater for different beneficial reasons.

 This concoction also gives off the most intoxicating all-natural scent.

I made each label easily with decorative paper, X-acto knife and Mod Podge.

I've also made lip balms with real boiled fruits such as this one featuring cranberries.

DIY Rock/Stone Rings

You can virtually make any kind of ring with a ring setting and E6000 glue, though there is something truly magical about using crystals and stones.

Herbal All Natural Soaps

I'm back tracking now. I made a variety of organic and all natural beauty projects over summer break. One of my favorites are the simplicity and benefits of making organic goat's milk soap.

 I included real dried herbs: chamomile, lavender, red rose petals, rosemary and calendula. These were also mixed with raw unrefined ivory shea butter, and a different recipe for each soap using pure essential oils: almond oil, calendula oil, jojoba oil, rosehip oil, and lavender. Some have also been mixed with beeswax or coconut oil. Then I ended the project with hand cut paper labels to add to their beauty.

Cork Boats in the Wabash River

DIY Cork boats drifting in the Wabash River

Stamps

Tiny house stamps

Rabbit Stamp

Milk Art

Milk + food coloring + dish soap = artsy science experiment. Luke wasn't as intrigued with this as he is with paints. 

Bird Feeder

Luke and I took a trip to the park to set up a bird feeder.

Birdhouse made with acrylics and sealed with Outdoor Mod Podge.

Pointillism

Toddler pointillism with pencil erasers and acrylics. 

Hans Bellmer Color Etchings

I was absolutely oblivious to these works and they have instantly become a favorite of mine. I favor pastel color palettes and surrealist work, therefore the combination is beyond enticing to me.

L'Escalade des Fillettes

(1969-1972)
color etching

Fillettes dans les Cordes

(1969-1972)

color etching

(Artwork titles linked to source)

Terrecotta Pots

Terrecotta Pots painted in gouache. Left is by mommy, right is by Luke.

We planted mini daisies and sunflowers and they are already sprouting!!

Abstract Canvas

A beautiful piece painted in gouache by Luke. 

This was a pre-made color palette using the same concept as this post. 

Paint splatters were created with the help of mommy.

Easter Eggs

First time myself or Luke has ever dyed eggs. I just let Luke do his thing. He always has the most interesting color combinations, even by accident.

3rd Grade Paper Mache' Masks

Printmaking

Stamps created from soft lino and oven bake clay. Printed with acrylics diluted with water.

Self Portrait

Graphite and Gouache.

This is second transfer from the rough sketch using a light board. Instead of blending to create value I left my pencil marks simplistic and open because I thought it would contrast well with the abstract gouache background.

This was the first transfer from rough sketch which initially the subject was going to be colored in warm colored pastels and the background in cool colors but I scrapped it.