backpacking
Want to embrace your wanderlust on the cheap? If you're high on adventurous spirit, but low on funds, this community can help you plan a trip to anywhere. Offering plentiful tips on how to travel light, you can post about inexpensive hotels and youth hostels if you're into urban exploration or discuss camping gear and mosquito netting for the great outdoors. Hitch your backpack, pitch your tent, and carpe diem!

I made these beeswax candles today. Beeswax candles are very expensive to buy and supplies from a craft store cost just as much, but if you want to make your own cheaply, you can and it is fast and easy.

Always use 100% natural materials when making your candles. You can use beeswax (my favorite), soy wax, palm wax, or other natural waxes. Never use regular candlemaking wax which is made from paraffin. It is a petroleum byproduct and is extremely toxic. Also, be sure that your wicks are lead-free. Most candle wicks contain a lead core which holds them straight. The lead is released into the air as the candle burns and settles on your furniture, clothing, carpets and children's toys and is breathed into your lungs.

I do not know if it is true, but it is said that beeswax candles actually clean the air by creating negative ions which stick to pollutants in the air which then become too heavy and drop to the ground. Whether or not this is true, beeswax and other natural waxes are far more clean-burning than paraffin wax. Unlike the other types of natural wax, however, beeswax has a pleasant warm scent. Beeswax is also very slow-burning, so the cost is made up in how long the candle will last.

Beeswax can be very expensive. The lowest mid-range price I have seen is about $5 per pound which is not too difficult to find. I purchased ten pounds several years ago from a company in Canada (sorry, I no longer know the name) for about $35 and I still have most of it left. It's great to use for candles, soap, lotion, lip balm, and other recipes. Windmill Hill Farm sells beeswax for $4.25 per pound, but they are sometimes sold out. I usually find some of the best prices on Ebay.
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Stolen from Ziltopia as I'm curious.

A show of hands ...
People who read my LJ on a regular basis, even if you do not comment, do so now. I would like to know my viewing audience.

Thanks.

I keep reading about how some pro gardeners use cinnamon as a fungicide and sometimes a cure-all for other plant problems. Does anyone around here do so?
I'd like to hear from you if you do.
I'd like to make a list of all natural remedies that can be used successfully on plants and then post it here so everyone will benefit from it.
:)

Everything aches. A hot bubble bath with radox is running.

Ouchies.

bookfails
Planning to do your part to help boost the declining publishing industry this holiday? Better check here first. Sure, there are plenty of folks who post glowing reviews of their favorite books. But what about the epic fails? Compose and/or discuss snarky, incisive critiques on the books you despise most.

foundphotos
Ever stumble across a frayed photo in your grandmother's attic? How about a faded picture tucked in the sleeve of an old novel at a used book sale? This is the place to post them. An amazing, eclectic collection of photographs sure to delight anyone with a penchant for history or nostalgic memorabilia.

note_to_cat
Having trouble conveying the concept of accountability to your cat? Now you can share letters to your significant felines and give public witness to your declarations of love and domestic negotiations. Whether you want to publish an apology for falling short on your cat-nip obligations or you need to raise a delicate hygiene issue.

I buy gifts all year round and put them in a specific drawer. I bought gift bags at the weekend and separated all the gifts out that I have bought through the year so now I know who I have to buy extras for :)

I banned the person who was trolling the community about global warming. If you want an in depth discussion, please leave the childishness at the door. In addition, anyone can check our tags for past topics and discussions.

Also as a rule, we don't allow image macros in the community. If you have a problem with this please re-read the rules on the info page. I believe macros degrade posts and turn it into a game instead of a real discussion. I'm thinking about a rule against reaction gifs too since they do the same thing but this is hardly a problem (and we don't really use them around here). Tell me what you think of this idea so far.

Many thanks and holiday greetings,
~mod

Ready for new homes:

Handheld vacuum cleaner, sandwich toaster, scanner, fan heater, old PC CD Roms, CD jewel cases, a bag of yarn

Rehomed: (thanks mum!)

several tops, a bag of yarn and some toothpaste samples

I've also backed up a lot of old data CDs onto a flash drive, and am about to destroy the old CDs!

...all 5 noms being safe and sound when I got back from out of state! And zomg bigger too, even weensy Numero Fiveo.

We're thankful for milkweed and Texas winters

I'm not fat, I'm just big-striped!

Double UT fan...hook 'em Horns!

Numero Fiveo hanging out on the trunk

Your Guide to Recycled and Reusable Gift Wrap

Looking for inexpensive ways to wrap gifts? Maybe you just want something a bit prettier and more handmade looking than the pre-printed papers. Or perhaps you want something that is easier on the environment. Try these ideas to satisfy all of your green budget gift-giving needs.

Click here to read the full article

Have a perfectly wonderful HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!!!! NOV. 30TH BE SO BLESSED!

Work still exciting

Running behind on LJ but will managed to catch up this weekend despite having a lovely anniversary weekend planned with Grom.

(We didn't really have an anniversary date so I made one up *lol*)

This is Hamlet. He was my second needle felting project. Hamlet will be making an appearance in my daughter's stocking this Christmas. I made him last night while waiting for two pies to bake. I cheated on his ears a bit. They are not made of wool. I cut them from scraps I had of recycled plastic felt then just felted them right to his head. They are on quite firmly. To make the tail, take a very small bit of wool and twist it as if you are making it into yarn. Twist it very very tightly so that it begins to wrap around onto itself. You may have to do it two or three times until you get the tail shape you want. Then place the tail where you want it with the ends spread over the back and felt the tail firmly onto the pig so that it cannot be pulled off.






Total time to make: about 1.5 hours
Oz wool roving used: slightly less than 1/4 oz
Cost to make: less than $1
Size: about 3" long and 2.5" high