Making Grapevine Wreaths

I have a monster grapevine in my backyard! It's a very old and delicious seedless variety that was planted long before we lived here. It grows like a weed! It's a good idea to prune back some of the runners in the summertime. This helps the vine put more energy into the fruits. It also helps us find the clusters of grapes more easily.

Craft stores regularly sell grapevine wreaths in all sizes; they are great for a multitude of different decorating and crafting purposes. But if you have a grapevine growing in your yard or garden, then there's no need to purchase one. They are easy and fun to make!

The preparation: Prune those extra long, fruitless vines off your plant. From the vines you've pruned off, select the longest ones. You want them to be green and pliable as well. Do this soon after you prune; they start becoming brittle as they dry out. Remove the leaves, but leave the curly tendrils. Once you have a good selection of de-leafed vines, you are ready to begin.

The Project: Start with a nice long vine and curl it into the size of wreath you desire.
Wind it together to create a simple circle and tuck in the loose ends. Don't worry if it's not a perfect circle. You will be able to shape it easier as you add more vines. Tuck the end of another vine into the circle and then wrap it around, tucking in the other end as you finish. Use more vines to wrap around and around. As you go, wrap the vines in different directions and start in different locations. As it becomes thicker and stronger, you can pull it into a nicer circle and it will hold it's shape.  Stop when it is firm enough to hold it's shape and when your desired thickness is achieved. Let them dry on a flat surface until they are brown and thoroughly dried.

This is a great project for a summer or fall evening. My home doesn't have air conditioning of any kind, so we like to sit outside in the summer evening and enjoy the cooler air. Plus, we just love being outside! The other day, we spent an hour or so in our backyard. My husband played his guitar and I made three grape vine wreaths of varying sizes. I love lazy summer evenings like that!

I am already brainstorming on some great ways to use them, so watch for follow up posts...

Check out another great wreath idea using twigs and acorns HERE.

Shared at these great blogs:

Home and Garden Thursday at A Delightsome Life

The HomeAcre Hop at Black Fox Homestead
Home Sweet Home at The Charm of Home 
From the Farm Blog Hop at Sunny Simple Life 
Clever Chicks Blog Hop at The Chicken Chick
Creative Home & Garden Hop at Little Homestead on the Hill 
Sunday Linky at Suburbs Mama 
Silver Pennies Sunday at Finding Silver Pennies 
Tuesday Garden Party at An Oregon Cottage 
Garden Tuesday at Sidewalk Shoes 
Tuesdays with a Twist at Stone Cottage Adventures 
Rock 'N' Share at The Shady Porch 
The Backyard Farming Connection Hop 
Down Home Blog Hop at Tilly's Nest 
What We Accomplished Wednesday at Green Willow Pond 
 Feature Friday at Blissful and Domestic
Craftastic Party @ Sew Can Do
Monday Funday at Lines Across
Mostly Homemade at Homegrown & Healthy
What'd You Do This Weekend? at The Tumbleweed Contessa
Cottage Style Party at Lavender Garden Cottage

Thank you Silver Pennies!

Thank You Summers Acres!

Thank You 1840 Farm!

Thank You Chicken Chick!

Toggensuds Goat Milk Soap Review

I won an online giveaway! 

Thanks to Hannah at Lovely Little Life and Donna with Toggensuds Goat milk Soap Shop! I was recently the lucky winner of an online giveaway for Toggensuds homemade goat milk soap! Toggensuds is located in northeast Georgia in a small town known for it's agriculture, friendly people, and country living. The soaps are made using the milk from Toggenburg goats, the oldest known breed of dairy goat and originating from the Beautiful Swiss Alps.

Why goat milk?
The benefits of using goat milk is no secret. In fact, it has been used for ages. Cleopatra, who was famous for her beauty, is well known for her skin care regimen which included regularly bathing  in goat's milk. Goat milk soap has alpha-hydroxy acids that naturally soften the skin.  Goat milk is loaded with essential nutrients, vitamins and also contains natural emollients and triglycerides that act as a natural moisturizer. Read many more benefits of goat milk soap at the Toggensuds website.

I was super excited to try out their soaps! They arrived in fun wrapping with business cards, and an information sheet. They are beautiful soaps! I've always loved homemade soaps and have tried a lot of different kinds over the years. I could tell right away that these were quality soaps! They come in a variety of natural scents and also unscented. They have a creamy smooth lather when you use them and they leave your skin feeling clean, soft, and smooth. If you are used to commercial soaps, don't expect the same amount of bubbly lather. Commercial soaps use additives to increase lather, but a good quality homemade soap doesn't contain these things and is much healthier for your skin.

I definitely recommend trying Toggensuds soaps, you and your skin will love them!

 Check back next week for part two of  Summer Essentials. I will be sharing some delicious ideas on how to stay better hydrated. Believe me, you won't want to miss out!
Until then, make sure you check out part one HERE.

Lavender Oatmeal Facial Scrub

Everyone knows that oatmeal is a heart-healthy food, but did you know it's good for your skin too? Colloidal oatmeal, or fine, powdered oats moisturizes, helps relieve itching, and soothes irritated skin. When my poor husband got a severe case of poison oak, the doctor had him soak in oatmeal baths to help relieve the painful rash. Oatmeal also has excellent exfoliation properties. It gently helps scrape away dead and dry skin cells from your body. Dead skin cells increase the appearance of fine lines, so exfoliating regularly will help your skin stay healthier and help you look younger.

This easy to make facial scrub also utilizes the many benefits of lavender. Lavender is well known for it's relaxing properties, but it also has many other desirable characteristics. It has long been used for a multitude of reasons. It's calming aroma is a perfect way to unwind at the end of a long day.

Lavender Oatmeal Scrub:
1/2 Cup Oatmeal 
Using a food processor, pulse until a fine-ground texture is achieved.
Stir in 7-10 drops of therapeutic-grade lavender essential oil
Package this in a pretty jar for an inexpensive and thoughtful gift, or enjoy using it yourself!

To use, take about a tablespoon full of the mix and place it in the palm of your hand. Add enough water to create a paste. Apply the paste to your skin in a gentle circular motion, paying particular attention to your T-zone (The area around your nose and your forehead). Use even pressure and avoid over-scrubbing. Allow the scrub to dry on your skin for a few minutes, then rinse well.

This scrub is also effective when used to exfoliate and soften the skin on the elbows, knees, and the bottoms of your feet. Enjoy!

Linked up Here: 

Flaunt it Friday, 

Do Something Crafty, 

Frugal Friday,  

Happy Hour Friday

Sunday Show Off,  

Super Sunday Party,  

Not "Baaad" Sundays,  

Silver Pennies, 

Suburbs Mama Link Party  

Home Acre Hop at Black Fox Homestead 
Homesteaders Hop at Simply Living Simply 
Simply Natural Saturdays at The Pistachio Project

Thank You Black Fox Homestead!

Thank You Homegrown On The Hill!

Thank You Clearwater Farm Journal!