How to Make Lotion Bars, for Soft Skin all Winter!

My hands are very dry in the winter, and start to crack when its really cold.  I'm always reapplying lotion, it doesn't last throughout the day.  My skin is also very sensitive so I don't use anything with scents, etc..Most of the lotions are made with chemicals and the all natural ones are expensive.  So I researched into making my own.  The ingredients are not cheap, but much cheaper than if you bought the products already made. After you make batches it is well worth it! 
You just rub it on your hands and they will be greasy for a few minutes, but it'll go away then they will feel soft, even after you wash them.  I use it twice a day.  This recipe is based from the site The Wellness Mama, she has great recipes & ways to make them. I found this one to be the easiest for me to make. 

 

If you can find them, buy organic ingredients & unrefined which means raw, not processed to remove impurities or unwanted elements.

Hand Made Lotion Bars Ingredients:
{Equal Parts} I'd start with 1 cup each, will make about 8-10 lotion bars, size shown below
1 Part: 100% Pure Shea Butter (I've switched to unrefined/raw Shea Butter)
1 Part: Beeswax
1 Part: Coconut Oil
If using 1 cup of each ingredient above then:
1 tsp. Vitamin E Oil
30 drops (or more) of Peppermint Essential Oil or you can use lavender, whatever essential oil you like. Peppermint oil is very good for your skin! Read more here.

 

In a double boiler, add the Shea Butter, Beeswax & Coconut Oil. Place over a pot of water, then turn heat on and stir as it begins to melt. Stir until completely melted.

I bought a double boiler to use just for this, then I don't have to worry about cleaning it after.

 

When mixture is completely melted take off of heat and stir in tsp. of Vitamin E Oil & 30 drops of Peppermint Oil, this will give it a light scent, add more drops if you like it a little stronger.  Carefully pour into molds. My daughter's requested silicone hearts. I also used paper cupcake liners, place in a cupcake tin before pouring. Let sit over night. They will easily come out of the mold. I store them in a small zip lock bag after. I also bought small tins for gifts.

 

 

It is cheapest to buy these ingredients on line. I bought my 1st batch at Whole Foods, and spent a little more than I needed.  Cost at Whole Foods:

7 oz Pure Shea Butter, $9.99 (2 of these)

14 oz Organic Coconut Oil 7.99 (aprox)

Beeswax, there probably is someone in your town or near by that is a bee keeper, go that route 1st to see if they have any.  I found 1 near me who sold it for $10 a pound. You can also buy a block at AC Moore or Micheal's in their candle making area, just make sure its pure beeswax.

.5 oz Vitamin E Oil $5.49

2 oz Peppermint Essential Oil $10.99

Easy Tackable Wall Surface for Kids Room

This is an easy way to make a tackable surface. After my son has been taping or tacking stuff all over the walls I finally made this for him. The first thing I did was figure out the best place for it. I decided to put it between the door and dresser, a narrow space where he usually is taping pictures on the wall anyway.
I bought (2) 20" x 30" foam core boards, (micheal's 2.99 each) and I bought a piece of black flannel fabric, with a subtle herringbone pattern. I like having a dark background that isn't too busy so you're pictures pop out. Not shown, an exacto knife, ruler and I also bought some felt to do some cut-outs (optional), felt will easily adhere to the flannel so he can move the pieces around.

 

Foam core comes in different sizes, so figure out what size(s) are best for your space. You want to cut as little as possible, just easier. Butt the pieces together and use duct tape on both sides to attach them.

 

For mine, I taped the 2 pieces together making it now 20" x 60".

 

 

After I laid out my fabic, which is 54" wide, I realized I had to cut back the foam core a few inches so the fabric could wrap around. Its important to use a very sharp blade on your exacto knife & use a cutting board or a large piece of cardboard underneath because you will cut through.  First I drew the line in pencil across. Before you cut, sheer the top layer of paper all the way across, along a ruler's edge. Then go back and cut all the way through.

 

 

I used duct tape to adhere the fabric to the foam core. I actually ran out so I used duct tape on 2 of the opposite sides and used a hot glue gun for the other 2, which worked great.

 

 

I used small 1" nails to attach it to the wall in the corners and along the side near the duct tape seam.

 

Using felt, which is super cheap and can make it custom for your child, I cut out a C for my son's name and Pikachu, from Pokémon, who he is obsessed with right now.  I printed out a picture of Pikachu and traced it on the felt.  He now wants me to add some more characters...I did the C free hand, it came out ok considering it was late, I did this at night while he was sleeping so he could wake up to it.

 

 

 

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