365: Days 33-47

A bit of embroidery:

Some sketching: I want to get a pirate shit tattooed on my other arm.

A bit of knitting: 

And a bunch of other stuff:

Experimenting with needle Felting | How To

Well, I had a blank sheet of brown felt, ordered from Hart's Fabric. I made needle booklet out of a small piece of it, thought I should do some needle felting on the rest of it.

To begin with, here are the BASICS OF NEEDLE FELTING:

Materials:

Felting Mat, Needle Felting tool. This is what mine look like:

You'll also need some, WOOL. It works better if it is unspun.
Here's what mine looks like, (I've got tons of the stuff.)

Basically, you just poke the wool with your needle in the shape you want it. It's easy. But, it is difficult to achieve what you want. The CONCEPT is easy, I should say.

I wanted the same bird as the one tattooed on my arm. I drew the shape on a piece of paper, cut it out, and traced it on the felt mat. With black pen ink. 

And Then I just started felting. I thought the finished product kinda looks like a seal. What do you think? Maybe if you tilt your head to the left? ha

Anyway, I also decided to outline it with blue embroidery thread. Looks pretty. It would go nicely in a baby boy's room, I think. I need a frame.

Two-Color Crochet cowl | Free Pattern

Click Here for the pattern From the Purl Bee

Herbalism: Garlic

Herb of the day: Garlic

Source

USES:

common cold, flu, plague, blood pressure, cholesterol, antibiotic, improves iron metabolism, 

Herbalism: Cloves

Herb of the Day: Cloves

Source

You may know them for your grandma's pumpkin pie. Or, if you're like my boyfriend, you may like to smoke them in a cigarette. (Personally, I think clove cigarettes taste JUST like Christmas.) Cloves are the unopened pink flowers of the evergreen clove tree. When they are dried, they turn brown.

USES:

Anti-inflammatory, tooth aches, dental health, antiseptic, flatulence, loose stools, indigestion, nausea, diarrhea, vomiting, bad breath, skin care, headache, respiratory problems, blood circulation, blood purification, premature ejaculation, 

Herbalism: Marshmallow

Herb of the day: Marshmallow

(Althaea Officinalis)

Source

USES:

bronchitis, cough, hoarseness, tonsillitis, fights infection, boosts immunity, dry or wrinkly skin. when you grind the root, it releases a gel like substance, if you apply it to cuts or sores, it provides relief.

CONSUMPTION:

Make the root into a tea, mix the root with water for minor cuts and burns, 

Herbalism: Turmeric

Herb of the Day: Turmeric

(Curcuma longa)

Source

Turmeric is best known for being one of the ingredients in curry, and comes from the root of the Curcuma longa plant. It is also the reason American mustard is so yellow!

USES:

anti-inflammatory, cleansing, flatulence, jaundice, menstrual difficulties, bloody urine, hemorrhage, toothache, bruises, chest pain, colic, cystic fibrosis, arthritis, cancer, round worms, intestinal worms, healing wounds, 

GIVE AWAY!

jessicaNdesigns is hosting a giveaway!
Go check it out! Go!

CLICK HERE

Herbalism: Sage

Herb of the day: SAGE

Source

USES:

anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidant, anti-septic, skin, teeth, bones, memory, gargle sage tea to help with sore throat or bad breath, diabetes, regulates menstruation, anxiety, stress, depression, digestion aid, colds, cough, lots of people consider it a holy herb, and burning it will push away evil spirits.

CONSUMPTION:

Mediterranean food, tomato and cheese salad, tea

2CATS AND CHLOE GIVEAWAY!!

This fabulous chic is making a custom bracelet for one lucky winner!

Source

Hop on ever to her blog, here, to enter!

Herbalism: Cumin

Herb of the Day: Cumin

Source

USES:
Anti-oxidant, digestion, insomnia, respiratory issues, asthma, bronchitis, common cold, lactation, skin, boils, cancer, weak memory

CONSUMPTION:
Cumin is widely used in Indian, or Jamaican food, and such. We put it in almost everything.

Slim Kicker | Level up your Body

A very nice lady emailed me a few days ago regarding this amazing site that she was affiliated with.
That site? SlimKicker

The site is deal if you want to lose weight, gain weight, or if you just want to maintain optimal health.

I signed up. (it's free) AND I LOVE IT. 

You can log in what you eat, how much you exercise (even the small things, like house work)

It keeps track of how many calories, fat, sugar, etc that you need, and how much you have consumed per day. They have challenges, giveaways, rewards.
IT'S GREAT!
I would suggest this site for ANYONE. You don't need to be trying to alter your weight to enjoy this.

Herbalism: Jamaican Dogwood

Herb of the Day: Jamaican Dogwood

Source

Generally, it grow is tropical areas such as Southern Florida, the Florida Keys, Latin America.

USES:

Anxiety, sedative, headaches, nerve pain, cough, diuretic, fear, inflammation, promotes sweating, reduce fever, fish poison, painful menstruation, toothaches.

CONSUMPTION:

Use the Stem bark or root bark in a tea or tincture.

Martha Stewart contest!!

• GRAND PRIZE: Over 100 skeins of yarn plus a Martha Stewart Crafts Knit & Weave Loom Kit; retail value $1,000.00.

• Additional prizes include Martha Stewart Crafts Knit & Weave Loom Kits and subscriptions to Martha Stewart LivingMagazine.

CLICK HERE TO READ DETAILS AND ENTER

Free Pattern | All Free Knitting

For Slip though scarf Pattern, click here.

Herbalism: Dandelion.

Herb of the day: Dandelion

(Taraxacum officinale)

Source

USES:

diarrhea, constipation (yes, both) known to prevent or cure liver disease, diabetes, urinary disorders, acne, anemia, bone health, skin care, weight loss, high blood pressure, anti-oxidant,

CONSUMPTION:

You can throw the leaves and flowers into Salad, like any other leafy green. You can make a tea with any part of the plant.

RECYCLE NEWSPAPER INTO YARN, YOU GUYS. GREAT IDEA!

I saw this initially on Pinterest, I think,
but today I saw it again here, while stumbling.
These spools look so amazing. I will definitely try this at some point!

Source

Herbalism: White Willow Bark

Herb of the Day: White Willow Bark

(Hyssopus officinalis)

Source

USES:

headaches, anti-inflammatory, muscle pain, fever reducer, anti-rheumatic, astringent, migraines, menstrual pain, lower back pain, bursitis,

CONSUMPTION:

Can be made into a tea, or taken in capsule form.

WARNINGS:

Should not be given to small children, or combined with blood thinning medicines.

Herbalism: Mustard

Herb of the day: Mustard

Source

USES:

anti-inflammatory, rubbed on chest to help with congestion, headaches, cold, cough, laxative, appetite, asthma. If needed, because of intoxication.

CONSUMPTION:

We all know how to eat mustard, ammirite???

Just kidding, it can be mixed with water, or made into a poultice, and applied to the chest to help with congestion, bronchitis, and asthma. Or even added to a bath.

Herbalism: NUTMEG!

Herb of the day: Nutmeg

Source

USES:

SKIN CARE, pain relief, sedative, liver & kidney detox, bad breath, diarrhea, indigestion, bloating, fatigue, stress, inflammation, abdominal pain, strong antibacterial, asthma, tooth aches, depression.

CONSUMPTION:

Nutmeg powder can be added to any food or drink. It can also be added into your daily scrub to help with skin blemishes. The essential oil can be used to swab on toothaches, to help with bad breath, for skin, etc..

ANOTHER GIVEAWAY!!! WOOOOOO!!!

I do not know HOW I come across so many of these!

Anyway, here's another one over at All Free Knitting!
They are giving away A Handknit Romance! You can click here to enter the giveaway!

Herbalism: Black Cohosh

Herb of the day: Black Cohosh

Source

Black Cohosh is related to the buttercup, larkspur, and peony, and is apparently common in Eastern North America. -_-
(I say this annoyingly because I had no idea. IT COULD'VE BEEN IN MY BACK YARD IN FLORIDA.)

Native Americans used it a lot.

USES:

Foliage can be used as an insect repellent, The roots are useful for all of the following reasons: Anti-inflammatory, sedative, menopause, sore throat, colds, hives, constipation, depression, kidney problems, menstrual cramps, muscle pain, pain in childbirth, arthritis, anxiety, This herb is VERY good for women of all ages. It relaxes the uterus during menstruation, helps to ease contractions, and eases menopause problems.

CONSUMPTION:

Can be taken in tea form, supplement, or tincture.

FACEBOOK!!!!!!

I FINALLY got myself around to creating a Little Blue Chair facebook page.

Stop by and 'like' my page ;)

Handwriting meme

I saw this over at Craftyminx. She is one of the blogs I listed. The others are, 

A Beautiful Mess, 

Untangling Knots, 

OH SO LOVELY VINTAGE, 

and Living In Yellow.

These are the questions:

1. What is your name

2. Blog URL

3. Write: The quick brown fox jumps over the lazy dog.

4. Favorite quote

5. Favorite song (at the moment)

6. Favorite band/singers (at the moment)

7. Say anything you want

8. Tag 3-5 bloggers

The following is my current favorite song,

'First Day of my Life' -Bright Eyes

Herbalism: Valerian Root

Herb of the day: VALERIAN ROOT

USES:

Menstrual cramps, Stomach pain, sleep aid, anxiety, insomnia,

Can be consumed as a tea.

GIVEAWAY!

This one is at All Free Crochet, Enter, here.

Herbalism: Hops

Herb of the Day: Hops

Most commonly known for giving beer it's bitter taste, 

The Chinese, as well as ancient Greeks and Romans, have used Hops for centuries.

USES:

Digestion, Leprosy, tuberculosis, dysentery, Infection prevention, sedative, women's health, insomnia, hyperactivity, anxiety, arthritis, diabetes, Menopause, fibromyalgia, shock, toothache, anti-aging qualities.

CONSUMPTION:

If taken as a relief for infection or intestinal trouble, use as fresh leaves as you can get.
If using for a sedative, use dried, aged leaves. The sedative quality increases immensely over time.

Hops should not be given to children under 2.

Knitting update

People have been buying tons of my headbands! (By 'tons' I actually mean, '8' have sold, lol)

Most of them live in Florida. So, me, being in California, cannot photograph them in their new headbands!

But I've made a deal with them that they had to take pictures of themselves.
Lefty received his, he loves it.

They're going for $10 each. (:

GIVEAWAY!!

This week, I have been discovering many beautiful people, who host many beautiful blogs.

Including, Living in Yellow, And They Lived Happily Ever After, and many more.


In fact, 'And They Lived Happily Ever After' is hosting a giveaway!

You can hop on over to her blog, here, to find out how to enter!

Herbalism: Ginger

Herb of the day: Ginger

The ginger root typically grow in very wet, tropical environments.

USES:

Migraines, gas relief, cancer, morning sickness, motion sickness, pain, inflammation, stomach, cough, cold, congestion, heartburn, menstrual pain, vomiting, nausea, gall stones, diabetes, high cholesterol, arthritis, skin, toothache, antibacterial, anti-fungal, 

AROMATHERAPY:

Nausea, vomiting, soothing against motion sickness

CONSUMPTION:

Ginger root can be consumed in pretty much any fashion, it is delicious as a tea, with a bit of cinnamon, lemon, and honey. Ginger root can be added into stir fries, or to zest up any meal.