A Healing Aloe Vera Soap

Many of my projects start with a problem that could use a creative solution. This could be a greyhound coat that needs a better design; a bag of neckties that needs to be preserved for a loved one in some way; or a front door space that smashes every wreathe I hang up!

A soap that works for me!

My adventure with soap started with a rash on my hands! Several years ago after an intense gardening season I found my hands were red and raw from continuous washing. I discovered a bar of handmade lavender soap at the Farmer’s Market that was wonderful! As long as I used that to wash my hands the rash was under control. The woman making it was also plagued with sensitivity to soaps and started making it for herself. She decided to sell it at the Farmer’s Market!

Each time I would switch to a different kind of soap the rash would appear again. She eventually closed her booth and I was back to trying to figure out how to help soothe my hands.

Most homemade soaps made from scratch start with lye as an ingredient. This made making my own soap a daunting task. I then discovered melt and pour soap bases, easily found at local craft stores and on Amazon.

A few of the many choices of soap bases.

Many recipes from Pinterest start with a clear Glycerin soap base or just one kind of basic white soap. I had fun making cute novelty soaps for a while. My hands, however, were not happy.

These made cute soaps for dog lovers!

So I tried Goats Milk soap base and my rash got worse. (I did wonder if my dairy allergy would mean I was also sensitive to the Goats Milk soap base.)

I finally found a recipe using Aloe Vera soap base. That was much better but it was really hard to get enough lather to wash my hands. I ordered a book written by Jan Berry, Easy Homemade Melt & Pour Soaps. This had lots of great ideas about how to use melt and pour soap bases.

One recipe in the book used Aloe Vera and Shea Butter soap bases.

I ordered these on Amazon.

I found the dried Calendula flowers (ordered online the first year; grown in my garden last year) made a pale yellow color and the extra Aloe Vera (powder and gel) did the trick to make a soap I could use frequently without problems. Here is my final recipe:

Equipment you will need:

2 4-cup glass measuring cups (heat safe); Saucepan to hold water and the measuring cup; Measuring spoons; Rippled soap cutter; Small strainer; Wood sticks to stir soap as it melts; Silicon molds of choice.

Step 1: Cut the soap base into small pieces. Place soap into glass measuring cup Heat water in the saucepan to boiling and then reduce to simmer. Continue simmering until all soap is melted.

Step 2: When fully melted add:

1 tsp. water to 1/4 tsp of Aloe Vera powder (about 1 capsule) and 1 Tbsp. dried Calendula flowers

Let the simmering soap on the burner and let the Aloe Vera powder and flowers infuse for 20 minutes.

Step 3: Strain out the flowers into the second glass measuring cup. (Sorry, no picture…I couldn’t hold the strainer and the measuring cup and take a picture at the same time.) Put the second glass measuring cup back into the warm water.

Steps 4: Mix until smooth…2 tsp aloe vera gel and 1/2 tsp Arrowroot powder in a small bowl.

Step 5: Add mixture from Step 4 plus 1 Tbsp. Vitamin E oil to the melted and strained soap. Mix well.

Step 6: Add 1 tsp. Essential Oil of your choice. Mix well.

Step 7: Pour soap into molds. This will make at least 6 small bars, maybe more depending on how big the molds are. Have an extra mold ready in case you need it!

Let cool for about 2 hours. Soap will be set and can be popped out of the molds.

Wrap soaps individually with plastic wrap when completely cool and firm.

Novelty soaps are fun to make and share. Soap that doesn’t give me rash…priceless! Try it yourself!

If you’d like to chat about this post, leave a comment or email me at marykisner@comcast.net.

Greyhounds In My Heart

It all started with a friendship and a sewing challenge. Toni Duchi and I have been friends for over 30 years. We first met while we were both employed by the University in the College of Education and that friendship has been steadfast through the years as we each pursued our goals.

Toni’s passion was always for the fate of the many retired racing hounds who needed homes. Her involvement was as much for the dogs as for the interested adopters who wanted some guidance in understanding the needs of these gentle hounds.

Toni was instrumental in helping Nittany Greyhounds expand from foster homes to a non-profit organization with a dedicated kennel. I watched her dreams come true and to-date Nittany Greyhounds have found forever homes for more that 1900 greyhounds. Very impressive and a lot of work! Check out their website: https://www.nittanygreys.org

My involvement with Nittany Greyhounds was subtle at first. I may not have a greyhound but I’ve always enjoyed a sewing challenge. Twenty years ago I was asked to make coats for the newly arrived dogs, based on a coat being used at the kennel. There was no pattern as such and obviously an ordinary commercial dog coat pattern wouldn’t work.

Thus began my introduction to greyhounds! With an initial attempt at tracing around a coat, I made many coats. Every few batches, Toni would suggest a way we could make them better for the dogs. Translating suggestions into pattern changes has been ongoing for at least 20 years! Toni was able to see how the coats actually worked when the dogs ran hard and then watched how they fit when the dogs curled into a cozy ball for a nap. Interpreting these needed changes to actual pattern changes was fun and a real challenge, especially since I do not have a greyhound at home to use as a model.

By now, I’m pretty confident we’ve designed a coat that meets the needs of the dogs…two sizes to accommodate the larger males and the smaller females; a coat that hangs down long enough to cover their rear end; a neck shape that can be folded down like a turtleneck and still unfold to provide cover for their sensitive ears on especially cold days.

The latest changes involved increasing the width across the chest area so the coat is more comfortable when they lie down. Finally, I discovered two layers of fleece (rather than one of fleece and one of flannel) made the coat warmer but also made the whole coat more flexible as the dog moved. I could never have done this design work without Toni, who understood the needs of the dogs!

Some things I’ve learned about Greyhounds

While I did not need to know a lot about dealing with the breed while sewing coats, throughout my time working with Toni I have learned a lot about Greyhounds. Many of the dogs that have come to Nittany Greyhounds come from Florida. The weather is quite different here in Pennsylvania…especially in the winter! The coats have been a necessary part of caring for the dogs. They have thin coats and sensitive skin. They are low to average shedders, but the lack of a heavy coat leaves their skin vulnerable to scrapes, tears and nicks. Many dogs new to the area are comfortable wearing a coat even indoors. In icy conditions some dogs will even tolerate booties to protect them from the snow, ice and salt-treated sidewalks. (I’ve decided to not expand my coat production into booties!)

How are racing Greyhounds raised differently from other dogs?

If you were to adopt a greyhound as a puppy, I’m told he/she would be just like any other puppy. He would need training like any new puppy of any breed. Retired greyhounds come to adoption agencies after 2-3 years of a very different background. Greyhounds are pack animals and kept with their mothers and raised as a pack, comprised of their litter mates and/or other greyhounds their age. Once they begin their racing careers, they are kept on a program of vigorous exercise, training, handling and grooming. They are kept busy, and at all times, share their lives with their pack members.

Once a greyhound is adopted they still enjoy outdoor exercise!

Their down time is enjoyed as true rest from vigorous activity. Much of this downtime is spent in a large crate. It feels safe because in the crate they are not touched by strangers. They are fed on a strict schedule. No one asks them if they are hungry or what they want to eat. The dogs are never asked if they need to “go outside.” Their interactions are with their pack, not necessarily their keepers.

When a greyhound is adopted they are suddenly expected to be a “civilized person in a fur coat.” Some of them don’t even know their names, because they were not used. Suddenly, they are expected to behave in places they have never been taught how to act. They are expected to take responsibility for saying when they need to go outside, to come when called, not to get on the furniture, and not to eat food off counters and tables.

A newly adopted greyhound may need help learning how to navigate stairs, tile or hardwood floors, and glass doors. They are also facing this new environment alone, instead of with a pack of other dogs. Understanding these issues is critical for new adopters. It is no wonder many adopters find their dogs are happier when there are several greyhounds in the family. They’ve been given a pack to hang out with.

And finally…for your next Trivia challenge, a group of greyhounds is called a “leash” or sometimes a “brace.”

Thanks for letting me share my adventures with Greyhounds. If you’d like to chat about this post, send me an email at maryjkisner@gmail.com .

From the bookshelf: The Secret Life of Plants

This is the time of year I find my mind drifting to Spring gardening season. I’m looking longingly at our garden seeds and have been sorting through photos of our garden over the last several years. Wow! The year of sunflowers was spectacular and that giant pumpkin vine sure took up a lot of space!

This plant was taller than me!
This pumpkin vine is taking over!

Today, with the freezing drizzle outside, I broke down and dusted the living room. Shock! I know! Cleaning is always my last resort when I get bored! While I was watering my plants (all four of them) I was mindful that I don’t pay the same attention to them that I do to our outside garden plants.

My attention was drawn to my bookshelf with the stack of gardening books. (I’m so easily distracted!) I pulled out a book I had read in the 70’s that I found so interesting at the time: The Secret Life of Plants, by Peter Tompkins and Christopher Bird, 1973. This book was quite detailed about the early experiments conducted by Cleve Backster in the 1960’s. Backster was considered “America’s foremost lie-detector examiner,” (Tompkins & Bird, 1973, Pg. 3).

When he attached electrodes to a plant leaf in his office–mostly out of curiosity to see if the plant responded when being watered–he was astounded when there was a response. He tried a few other simple tests. The plant responded wildly when he just thought about going to get a match to burn a leaf. From that point forward his research shifted from human responses on the lie-detector, to find out if plants had real emotions and if the intent to harm was enough to trigger the response. Did plants actually have real emotions?

Maybe I just need to talk with my plants more!

Just reviewing the Table of Contents of the book reminded me how far this initial research continued to influence major agricultural systems and research into how to tap into plant sentience (feelings) to affect growth. If we understood how plants feel, could we provide the right conditions for their growth? This path veered to the esoteric and extra sensory perceptions of the plants ending with a final chapter about the community of Findhorn, Scotland. This community was able to grow incredible plants in very harsh conditions by encouraging them telepathically to succeed.

So…should I be working harder to encourage my house plants to stay healthy and green?

I was curious to see if this book (published in 1973) was still in print. I searched on Amazon and yes, the book was reprinted in 1989 (with a new graphic on the cover) and was still available. Of course, thanks to Amazon’s search engine (If you liked this book here are some others you might like!) I found this next book: What a Plant Knows: A Field Guide to the Senses, by Daniel Chamovitz, 2012.

Technology and science have now caught up and revised many of the conclusions in the Tompkins & Bird book. I can see I’ll read this next one with great interest. It has been over 40 years and I’m curious how history now views the book. I was not disappointed. Here is a direct quote from Mr. Chamovitz, in the Prologue:

“My book is not The Secret Life of Plants, if you’re looking for an argument that plants are just like us, you won’t find it here…Worse than leading the unwary reader astray. The Secret Life of Plants led to scientific fallout that stymied important research on plant behavior as scientists became wary of any studies that hinted at parallels between animal senses and plant senses.” (Chamovitz, 2012, Pg. 6).

I’m looking forward to reading about the latest research in plant biology! Stay tuned for From the Bookshelf: What a Plant Knows.

As always, if you’d like to chat about this post, email me at marykisner@comcast.net.

Recycled Neckties for Projects

Recycled neckties that have been prepared by opening them up, removing the inner padding and pressed flat can now be treated as small bits of beautiful fabric. Remember, necktie fabrics are usually not color-fast so while you will not be washing them be careful to not sew them into a project that will need to be washed.

However, you will need to reinforce each piece of fabric with lightweight interfacing using a steam iron and a damp pressing cloth. The colors won’t noticeable fade but your ironing board will be at risk of staining. Always have a piece of muslin or an old handkerchief ready to protect your ironing board!

This is one brand of interfacing that works!
Necktie with interfacing ironed on.

You will probably want to cut the tie into 2 or 3 pieces to do this ironing, depending on the size pieces you need for your project. If you are making a 12″ pillow cut the tie into pieces about 14″ long. Once all your pieces are stabilized with interfacing you are ready to lay out your projects. Treat your tie pieces just as you would any other fabric!

Samples of projects

Of course, pillows are most common:

Pillow made with small squares
Pillow made with strips

Wine bags and small cosmetic bags use the same principles:

Four or five strips can make this wine bag
One novelty tie can make an interesting picture!

I’ve even explored using left over pieces in crazy quilt projects:

I ended up putting this in a frame!
Three crazy quilt blocks from neckties!

Keep your eyes open for free collections of neckties…you never know what you might be able to use them for!

Email me if you’d like to chat! marykisner@comcast.net.

Enjoy!

Ways to Recycle Neckties

A new batch of neckties from a friend!

Better question…why would I want to do that? I might have had that question on my mind 10 years ago. I was volunteering for a local Home Health and Hospice organization. I was offering my services to make memory bears from a loved one’s clothing after they passed. I must have made over 100 bears during that time. However, one family asked if I could make something out of a collection of neckties and my quest to find an appropriate item began.

Some neckties can be very colorful and unique. However, there isn’t a lot of fabric in a tie. It is often not washable or colorfast. While some items are made with whole ties sewn together side to side, like a skirt or throw, they end up quite heavy. I did not get enough ties in that first batch to make anything large.

The inner lining of neckties tends to retain odors from the wearer or cleaning solutions. This is often a layer of wool felt or polyester fabric. I found it was just easier to take them apart and remove the inner lining that retained odors. This gave me tie-shaped fabric pieces about twice the width of the tie tapering to much smaller at the other end. Ties are cut on the bias (diagonally across the fabric) which makes them too stretchy to work with and is made in three pieces so two seams are about in the middle of the tie. Adding an iron-on interfacing was essential to use the fabric in other projects. To make something I was limited to small pieces or strips of varying weights and colors.

I knew I could not make a bear out of bits and pieces of fabric. A little research on Pinterest for memory items showed many folks had made pillows out of neckties, along with other small items composed of strips, squares, or freehand shapes. The photo below shows a pillow made from four neckties. The back of the pillow was a piece of polyester satin. This made a very nice memory pillow for the widow.

Pillow made from neckties

Once I figured out the process to convert a necktie into small but useful pieces of fabric, I was challenged to find other ways to use neckties. First, of course, I cranked out a bunch of pillows just for fun! This pile I mailed to a niece in California who works as an Activities Director at a gated community. She used them as prizes and gifts in her activities. Obviously, I was focused on making squares from the neckties at the beginning!

Too many pillows!

Where do I get neckties to recycle?

I have obtained neckties from friends and acquaintances who have cleaned out attics and closets. Sometimes garage sales have a few for sale. Thrift shops, like St. Vincent DePaul’s, and Goodwill usually have a collection. I have paid as little as $1 to as much as $4 per tie. That can be very expensive if I’m not careful. Sometimes specific name brands are worth much more. Check eBay to search for specific names if you find something you like. Used Jerry Garcia ties often cost $15 or more (in a Thrift shop!) so if you find one in a pile of free ones, you might want to consider donating it back to the shop so they can benefit from the sale. I hate to cut up a collector’s tie!

Sometimes one novelty tie can make an ordinary bag really different!

What is a door quilt?

Right now I’m creating a series of quilt blocks that I can hang on my front door instead of a wreath. I’m limited with only a few inches of clearance between the door and the storm door, so a fluffy wreath ends up getting squished between the doors. From that, I will find an assortment of broken twigs and other materials on the floor! So, time for a new solution!

Christmas time door quilt from neckties.

I started at Christmas time with a Christmas stocking made of assorted recycled neckties. In January I decided to try a quilt block using the Cathedral Window pattern. That should look OK until after Valentine’s Day. The next one will be a spring quilt block of some kind…still under construction!

This all started with being frustrated trying to find a door decoration that would work! And…of course…it’s keeping me busy during this continued lock down situation. That’s a win/win! See you next time! If you’d like to chat about this post with me you can email me at marykisner@comcast.net.

My January entertainment!