Tuesday, December 31, 2013

Homemade Hand Sanitizer

My husband is a nurse, and I am a seventh grade special education teacher.  We know germs.  Unlike my husband, I don't have access to a sink in every room I work in.  And, I don't love the idea of the chemical hand sanitziers that most people use.  So, I began to look for a more natural solution.  
Homemade Hand Sanitizer Ingredients -
Vodka, Tea Tree Oil, and Lavender Essential Oil 



Materials:
- A Small Spray Bottle
- Vodka (any brand)
- Tea Tree Essential Oil
- Lavender Essential Oil



Steps:
1) Fill the spray bottle almost full with vodka 
2) Add five drops of tea tree oil 
3) Add five drops of lavender essential oil
4) Shake to mix


Homemade Hand Sanitizer








*Note: This product does NOT claim to kill 99.9% of bacteria like the products on the market.  However, it is a nice alternative for those of us who do not want to use the harsh chemicals in those.

Monday, December 30, 2013

Mugs with a Homemade Touch

Before (Well, maybe just the blank back...)  - Ordinary Ceramic Mug

After - Sharpie on Ceramic Mug
So, my parents opened a coffee shop in our hometown, Alta, Iowa, called the Hoodlebug.    For their first Christmas, they wanted to give each of their employees something special, but they really couldn't afford much.  I scoured Pinterest trying to find just the right thing.  This is what I came up with:



Materials:
- Ceramic Mug
- Sharpie Markers
- Oven



Steps:
1) Preheat oven to 150 degrees F
2) Clean and dry mug
3) Draw with Sharpie
4) Bake for 30 minutes
5) Remove CAREFULLY
6) Let cool for 30-45 minutes
7) Enjoy your favorite hot beverage

*I recommend hand washing these mugs to ensure ideal duration of your creation*



Most Frquently Asked Questions

1) Where did you get the mugs?
     - I purchased these mugs from Bed, Bath, and Beyond.  They also had plain white ones (without the silver strip).

2) Did you put the mugs in or on anything while they baked?
     - Actually, yes!  Since I was making around 40 of these, I set them on baking sheets (being carefully to balance them) while I transported, baked, and cooled the mugs.

Introduction

Hello!  And, welcome to the Diary of a Part Time Homemaker.  I'm you host, Elizabeth Petersen.  Okay, okay, enough already!  

Seriously, though, this is my blog about all the things I love to do outside of my full time job as a seventh grade special education teacher.  There will be crafts, diy, sewing, upcycling, simple cooking, and whatever else I come across.  I am excited to share some ideas with you, and I look forward to being inspired by you!  Now...let's get started!