Multitasking DIY table-picture

That idea I had long before the basement reno. This is nothing new, but ... or expensive (~ 2000$), or does not fit my "custom" area. During summer time I have my felting table outside and enjoy summer and outdoors while felting without bothering about wet and water. But winter season is different, besides my basement is not just for felting. Therefore during the reno I enforced the framing with additional horizontal studs (at specific height) so I could attached hinges without big problem or doubt that it would be sturdy enough.

For that reason I rummaged in my reno leftovers and was back to my favorite Home Depot for some lumber and hardware. Archie always a big help :o)

 

Checked my "mobile" felting table's frame for dimensions. This table/picture IS heavy.

Filled with wood filler gaps between the planks, primed and painted with white exterior latex paint, then mixed the paint with sand and made textured surface for future oil painting. Inside (backside) painted also with same paint a few times so the surface would be more or less water resistant.

Three hinges for sure will keep this table/painting strong. Vertical hinges' parts attached well to vertical studs and the horizontal - to horizontal studs.

There were a question -how to construct the legs part (should be sturdy enough to work). But then came simple solution. Browsed through Ikea "table tops and legs" section and found perfect legs + storage unit, that works as base when the table is open or like side table/storage when it's closed.

A small abstract painting session and Voilà! 

Laid back mood

After intense felting month I'm in laid back mood after Carlisle Country Craft fair. It was interesting it was fun and it was coooold :(  The first day after a few hours of sitting in the chair I without compunction took of slippers from my "shop's hostess". I'm the boss, I'm not? :) One of the visitors suggested to put on my mittens too, I actually was ready for that, just was in denial mood, it was August for heaven's sake.

My shop's hostess still with warm slippers :)

Here some colorful pics from the preparation time, before country and cottage crowd was entering the site.

 

Found a friend at the pasture next to my booth, shared some breakfast waffles :)

Found more soles at Walmart, that inspired me to make a few more boots

 ....  forecast of future cold winter inspired to try mittens too

... and of course slippers, slippers... :)

 

Now I had some time for the photos of some earrings

... and the soap

 

nettle tea, turmeric, alkanet, charcoal, paprika powder, titanium oxide, zinc oxide / Coconut water, titanium oxide, green clay

 dandelion-nettle tea, plantago, parsley, titanium dioxide, charcoal./  milk powder, chocolate, milk, cocoa powder, zinc oxide, titanium dioxide

Soapy mood

I got into soap making/witching mood :o) Love the herbal mixes, oil infusing and searching about oils and herbs and their benefits to skin and overall health. I think in all woman there is the witch in side and the possibility of creating your one "wonder mix" during the soap making gives somehow amazing feeling. Besides I did extreme testing to my soaps - by felting my wool slippers. If after 3-5 hours in soapy process my hands feel as being in spa treatment, I think this is a good soap, besides all PH readings are 7 and superfat - from 7 to 10. But these are just numbers, most important factor is feeling of smooth hands ( and every felter knows exactly what I mean). All soaps are made from skin loving oils as olive, coconut, grapeseed, avocado, safflower, sunflower, Shea butter... plus all kind of additional luxury special treatments for the skin : 

 

Whitening - papaya, milk, charcoal     /  Nourishing - Avocado-cucumber, milk

 

Cappuccino - Goat milk, coconut milk, yogurt, whey (coffee, according to article from Skin Ageing: Natural Weapons and Strategies, from US National Library of Medicine, is very strong photoageing product)

Man's spa - Banana milk, dead sea mud, charcoal/ Beer, whey, charcoal

Really treat for our men, besides all the goodies these soaps has additional fragrance oils that strongly distinguish from unisex or women soaps ( fresh marine with warm sandalwood and more).

Soothing - honey, alkanet root infused oil, calendula infused oil, sea buckhorn oil

Camouflage - turmeric-green tee, goat milk, zinc oxide, titanium oxide, activated charcoal, green French clay ( UV protection properties soap)

Antibacterial - sea salt, ginger  - green tea, pine needle infused oil, sea buckhorn oil, calendula infused oil. But mainly importance is - four thieve essential oils mix that gives this soap strong antibacterial/antiviral properties.

silky deodorant - silk, turmeric powder, Arnica Flowers infused oil, alum, carrot pure. Besides the alum that works as natural deodorant I added essential oils the reduce the unwanted odor (as lemon, cinnamon and orange)

And of course I'm in prep mode for Carlisle Country Craft and Old-fashioned Market days and easy easy adding more eco friendly slippers to my collection

 

 

No I did not forget my workbench. Just finished one more tutorial and a bracelet that was waiting a long time and made me feel guilty and all excuses for "not enough time" just not good enough.

And the best news - looks like the summer is coming. To tell the truth I was pretty pessimistic.

Our neighbor's cats are out for sunshine warm and Archie is very very interested in these "strange animals"