How to Make Lemon-Flavored Antacid!

How to Make Lemon-Flavored Antacid!



This home-remedy was made by your great-grandma for years before it was sold under the trade name of Alka-seltzer. Is a great home remedy for stomachs, headaches and flu-like symptoms and can be easily mixed at home using things you already have in your kitchen.







Things You'll Need:





Baking soda




Lemon juice




Aspirin




Water









1


Measure 1/2 teaspoon of baking soda into a glass containing 4 ounces of water.





2


Grind up one aspirin tablet and add the powder to the glass of water. Let the powders dissolve completely.





3


Add 1/2 teaspoon of lemon juice and stir.








Tips & Warnings










Makes one dose! Do not make extra to store for later use!








Do not use this if you are allergic to aspirin, or on a sodium restricted diet.



http://www.ehow.com/how_2091406_make-lemonflavored-antacid.html

How to Make Herbal Bath Bags

How to Make Herbal Bath Bags



Herbal bath bags are little bags, usually made of muslin or cheesecloth containing various herbs. They are designed to be dropped into a warm bath and swirled around to release the aromas and benefits of the herbs. If you want to make your own herbal bath bags, there are some things to keep in mind.







Things You'll Need:





Muslin or cheesecloth




Needle and thread or a sewing machine




Herbs




Oatmeal




Blender or mortar and pedestal




Ribbon



http://www.ehow.com/how_2095676_herbal-bath-bags.html

How to Make Bath Oils

How to Make Bath Oils



Aromatherapy has carved a big niche into our culture, making its way into everything from candles to bath and body products. Bath oils are popular in this category as well. With a few essential oils and everyday ingredients, it is easy for people to make bath oils of their own, either for personal use or to give as creative gifts.







Things You'll Need:





Decorative jars or bottles with lids, corks, or seals




Selection of base oils (almond, olive, safflower and soy are a few examples)




Selection of essential oils such as jasmine or juniper




Vitamin E capsules




Dried flowers for decorative purposes (optional)









1


Determine which base oil you would like to use for your mixture. Also known as "carrier oils", they should always be the foundation of a bath oil recipe. Most essential oils should not be put on the skin while in their concentrated state. Start with about 16-20 ounces of base oil (more or less can be used, depending on the size of the container).





2


Puncture the vitamin E capsules and add liquid to the base oil. Roughly 1 capsule per 2 ozs. of oil should be used. This step can be skipped if using an oil with a vitamin E component, such as wheat germ oil.





3


Choose which essential oil(s) you will be adding to the mixture. Citrus oils can be infused to make energizing bath oils, while mixtures of
lavender
and chamomile can be used for relaxation. Add drops of the essential oils to the base until the desired scent is obtained. Generally, this will be about 15 drops of essential oils per ounce of base.





4


Mix all of the ingredients together thoroughly.





5


Decorate and sent the oil more by adding some dried flowers to the container before pouring in the bath oil.





6


Pour the bath oil mixture into the ready container and seal shut until ready for use.








Tips & Warnings










If giving the oils as a gift, it is a good idea to attach a tag listing the ingredients in case of allergies.



http://www.ehow.com/how_2082973_make-bath-oils.html

How to Make a Smudge Stick

How to Make a Smudge Stick



Smudging is a way to purify and clear negative energy and is often used to invoke positive energy in a particular environment, but can also be used to clear negative energy from one's body. A smudge stick can be made from pine, juniper, tobacco and a variety of other herbs and plants. The most common materials are cedar and sage.







Things You'll Need:





Branches of cedar or sage




Cotton or hemp twine (red is best)









1


Gather small branches of cedar and sage, always asking the plant for permission, before cutting. It is a Native American custom to leave a small gift in place of what you take, for example a small portion of tobacco or a piece of your hair.





2


Choose the twine you will use to wrap the smudge stick. Use a natural material like cotton or hemp, and when possible select a red colored twine. Red is the most common color used in Native American ceremonies for its spiritual power.





3


Lie out your cuttings and form an easy to wrap bundle. Because cedar tends to shed and burn a bit faster than sage, it is best to bundle the cedar in the middle with the sage outside.





4


Tie a loop on one end of the twine and pass the other end through the loop to make a slipknot. Pick up the herb pile and place the slipknot loop around the bottom of the stems, pulling tight.





5


Wrap the twine around the smudge stick until you have reached the top. Be sure to keep a moderate tension. If the twine is too tight the smudge stick will not burn well, however if it is too loose your smudge stick will fall apart. When you have reached the top, reverse the direction, wrap again to the bottom, and tie a knot.








Tips & Warnings










It is possible to buy cedar and sage for making a smudge stick when out of season or if these plants do not grow in your area, however it is always best to collect the materials yourself.








Never burn poisonous or toxic plants. If you are experimenting with other types of plants to make a smudge stick, be sure to research the dangers first.



http://www.ehow.com/how_2085852_make-smudge-stick.html

How to Make a Sedative Herbal Tea

How to Make a Sedative Herbal Tea



Many people are making the shift to investigate and use alternative medical treatment rather than visit their local doctor and pay the exorbitant prices for treatments that only marginally work. This generation has made Prozac and Valium use like popping gumballs at the first sign of anxiety. Here is a natural tea made with herbs that have sedative effects and tend to bring a feeling of calm in their wake.







Things You'll Need:





Boiling water




Sedative herb




Aromatic herb




Demulcent herb









1


Select the herbs that you want to use for your tea. Part of this selection will have to do with the effect of the herb and part will depend on your personal taste. The herbs that have a calming, tranquilizing effect and work to combat nervousness are: bugleweed,
catnip
, chamomile, feverfew, hops, mullien, passion flower, peppermint, skullcap, valerian and verhena. These are the major constituents of the tea that you will make.





2


Choose the herb that you want to use as a flavoring to the tea. The herbs that work well for this are: allspice, anise, caraway, cardamom, cinnamon, clove, coriander, ginger, lemon peel, orange peel and vanilla bean. Whichever one or more of these that you choose will be a personal taste.





3


Decide on the soothing component of the tea. These herbs have soothing qualities that prevent stomach and intestinal upset. The herbs that are used for this are: arrowroot, borage, coltsfoot, licorice root, comfrey root, marshmallow leaves and root, oatmeal, sassafras pith, slippery elm bark and Solomon's seal root. The choice of this may require a bit of trial and error to find which work the best for you.





4


Mix the herbs that you have chosen in proportions of 4 parts herb, 1 part flavoring and 1 part soothing component. If you have chosen more than one herb in any of the 3 categories then the total of all the herbs should be 1 tsp. This amount will be sufficient to make one cup of tea.





5


Place 1 tsp. of the mixture in the bottom of a cup and add boiling water. Allow the herbs to steep for about 3 minutes and then strain out the herbs and enjoy your cup of tea.





6


Drink 1 to 3 cups of tea per day in half-cup doses. For best results, this effect will grow with time.








Tips & Warnings










To maintain freshness store the herb mixture in an air tight container and to keep tea effective and fresh don't brew more than a cup or two at a time.








If you want to try a tea with a bit more strength, you can boil the herbs in a covered pot for 3 to 4 minutes and then strain the herbs out before drinking. This type of preparation is called a "decoction."



http://www.ehow.com/how_2095653_sedative-herbal-tea.html

How to Put On a Sarong

How to Put On a Sarong



The Indonesian word "sarong" can be interpreted in many different ways. Some people know the sarong as a dress, others as a skirt, and some prefer the term to describe a scarf. This is just a few of its uses. Traditionally, the sarong is a large rectangle of decorated cloth, that can be worn in several different ways. It's just a matter of how and where you tie it. Read on to learn how to put on a sarong.







Things You'll Need:





Large rectangle of decorated fabric to create a sarong









Step
1



To create a scarf look, fold the sarong into a triangle, and then another triangle. Then drape the fabric loosely around your neck.




Step
2



Wearing the sarong as a jacket can be done easily by draping it over your shoulders and tying it at the neck.




Step
3



Know that the sarong can also be worn as a dress, by once again wrapping the body with the fabric and knotting above the bust.




Step
4



Understand that some people wear the sarong as a turban, folding it and wrapping it around the top of the head.




Step
5



Keep in mind that the most popular to many swimsuit wearers is the sarong skirt. This type of sarong can be created by wrapping the fabric around your body several times, and knotting it at your hip.


http://www.ehow.com/how_2288651_put-sarong.html

How to Put an Elastic Waistband on a Skirt

How to Put an Elastic Waistband on a Skirt



There are about as many ways of attaching elastic to a waistband as there are types of elastic and types of waistbands. However, two approaches are the best for novice sewers. The first involves attaching the casing after the elastic is in it, helping it to keep from rolling. The second is a simpler method that gives equally good results.







Things You'll Need:





Pins



Elastic



Fabric



Thread



Scissors



Needle







Preattaching the Elastic and Sewing the Casing Before Attaching to the Skirt




Step
1



Cut the elastic between 1 and 4 inches shorter than your waist measurement. You need to have it smaller so that it fits snugly and won't be uncomfortable.




Step
2



Cut a casing three times wider than the elastic, or at least enough to give plenty of room to fold over with the right sides together and stitch the bottom closed. Leave the ends open.




Step
3



Turn the casing right side out.




Step
4



Hook a safety pin to the end of the elastic and slide it through the casing.




Step
5



Push material on the end of the safety pin and then, from the outside, grab the end material and end of the safety pin and push the material down over the attached elastic. Do this until you have reached the other end of the skirt.




Step
6



Secure the elastic in place 5/8 inch from the end, tacking in place on one side of fabric of the casing.




Step
7



Sew the casing onto the skirt, stretching it as you go.


Sewing Elastic to a Waistband With the One Edge of the Waistband Attached.




Step
1



Cut enough material so that the waistband will fit the length of the skirt plus 5/8 inch for each end to allow for a seam allowance.




Step
2



Double the width of the elastic and add 1 1/2 inches for seam allowance.




Step
3



Attach one edge of the band you just cut to the inside edge of the skirt. The right side of the band should be placed on to the wrong side (the inside) of the skirt.




Step
4



Cut elastic about 1 inch shorter than the length you want.




Step
5



Pin the elastic in place after folding one end of the seam allowance over it. Tack it down. Then do the same for the other end.




Step
6



Fold the cloth of the band over the elastic toward the outside of the skirt. Fold under seam allowance and pin the band into place. This encases the elastic in the band.




Step
7



Close the end of the band by stitching across one end. Continue to top stitch the band onto the skirt, but be careful not to stitch on the elastic. Stretch the material as you stitch. Close the casing by stitching closed the other end.







Tips & Warnings









To save a step, if you aren't going to have multiple pieces of elastic in one casing, pin the elastic to one end of the casing before turning it inside out. As you come to the end of the task, stretch and pin the elastic to the other end.








For a little variety, you can make a wider waistband and sew multiple casings by just making a few extra lines of stitches next to each other. Do not stitch the separate lines all the way to the end. Each separate compartment can be a casing for a separate piece of elastic, or the two outside ones can be casings.








If you are concerned that you may lose the far end of the elastic in the casing, as you approach finishing pushing it through, tack the end of the elastic 5/8 inch from the beginning point to one side of the fabric. Push each end of the casing inward and top stitch down.



http://www.ehow.com/how_2095663_elastic-waistband-skirt.html

How to Put a Crimp Tube on a Bracelet

How to Put a Crimp Tube on a Bracelet



A crimp tube can help you give your jewelry projects a nice, clean look. A crimp tube is a metal jewelry finding that has two tubes within it. Once you have a crimp tube in place you can attach a jump ring for part of your clasp. Then you can move on and complete your bracelet.









Step
1



Feed your wire or chain into one tube of the jump ring. Make sure you push it through so that you give yourself a long enough tail to work with.




Step
2



Crimp the one chamber of the crimp tube closed using your crimping pliers. Make sure the chamber is closed tightly around your wire or chain.




Step
3



Take the tail end of your chain and feed it back into the open chamber on the crimp tube. Make sure you leave a small loop on the outside of your crimp tube.




Step
4



Open a jump ring and put it through the loop you just made. Once your jump ring is in place, close it back up. You can use your fingers or needle nosed pliers to open and close a jump ring.




Step
5



Use your crimping pliers to close the second chamber in the crimp tube. Once closed, you're ready to continue stringing your jewelry to make your finished bracelet.







Tips & Warnings









You can avoid scratching the precious metals in your jump ring or crimp tube by placing clear plastic tape over the threads of your pliers before handling your jewelry findings. This will allow you to grip the findings without leaving dents.



http://www.ehow.com/how_2191344_put-crimp-tube-bracelet.html

How to Purchase Women's Vintage Accessories

How to Purchase Women's Vintage Accessories



Do you love the vintage look? By vintage I am talking about anywhere from the 1980's and earlier. I personaly like the 60's hippie look. Anyone can find good, cheap, vintage accessories, if you look in the right places. Here are a few tips on buying vintage accessories







Things You'll Need:





First you will need to have a listing of thrift stores, rummage sales, yard sales, church sales, and non profit organizations that offer used clothing and accessories. Check your local newspaper.









Step
1



Be early. "The early bird catches the worm". Other people will also be looking for old stuff. Head right over to the clothing section. Be sure to look under tables, where old clothes are sometimes stored in boxes. If your dealing with a thrift store it doesn't hurt to ask the clerks if they will put aside vintage accessories for you, just be sure you tell them what your looking for.




Step
2



Here are a few suggestions on what to look for. Hats, gloves, scarves, shoes,including boots and slippers, purses and wallets, jewelry, umbrellas, nylon and tights, sunglasses, and prescription frames. You can sometimes find vintage make-up that is unused, and vintage perfume.




Step
3



How do you know if it's vintage? You can usually tell just by looking at it. Sometimes it will be a reproduction, but if your buying it with the intent to use it yourself it won't matter. Research labels and styles on-line and keep a list of what you want to find. The more you "thrift shop" the easier it will be for you to spot a vintage item.







Tips & Warnings









Be sure to look the item over carefuly. If it's vintage, it's been around for a while. Make sure it is in good condition, or that it's cleanable or fixable. Look for tears, stains, missing clasps, etc.








Don't spend a lot on vintage accessories. Remember most thrift stores, and other such stores recieved these items as donations.



http://www.ehow.com/how_2199644_purchase-womens-vintage-accessories.html

How to Purchase Designer Clothes Inexpensively

How to Purchase Designer Clothes Inexpensively



When it comes to clothes, do you have champagne tastes but only have a beer budget? You can purchase beautiful clothes without shelling out a small fortune.







Things You'll Need:





Phone book



Cash









Step
1



Scan the phone book for thrift and second hand stores.




Step
2



Visit each store and carefully look through their racks of clothes. Hidden among the many hangers of suits and dresses, you will find such designer names as Armani,

Prada


, Versace, Calvin Klein, Gloria Vanderbilt, Gucci, Oscar de la Renta, Mary Quant, Ralph Lauren, Vera Wang and Jean Paul Gaultier.




Step
3



Buy any designer piece, even if it's not your size. There is a resale market for these pieces.




Step
4



Sell the designer clothes that don't fit you to your friends--after all, you went to the trouble of locating the clothes. Your friends of various shapes and sizes will be clawing your door down to buy these excess pieces from you, at marked-up prices, of course.


http://www.ehow.com/how_2242625_purchase-designer-clothes-inexpensively.html

How to Purchase Colored Diamonds

How to Purchase Colored Diamonds



Buying colored diamonds can be a fairytale experience. But you don't want your fairytale to turn into a nightmare by going in uninformed or being taken advantage of by unscrupulous dealers. Use the guidelines below when buying your colored diamond to help turn your fairytale into a reality.









Step
1



Know going in what color diamond you are looking for. And since there is a wide range of shades in each different color, have an idea of how much you are willing to compromise in terms of color. More vibrant colors will prove much more costly.




Step
2



Choose a cut that accentuates the color of the diamond. Some cuts do a better job than others of bringing out the color and subtle nuances of a colored diamond. You also want to make sure that it is ideally faceted.




Step
3



Opt for color over clarity when choosing a colored diamond. A brilliantly colored stone with a few inclusions is more valuable than a pale counterpart with perfect clarity.




Step
4



Pick a setting that will show off your new diamond. Also, choose a setting color (such as yellow, white, rose gold or platinum) that will accentuate the diamond's color.




Step
5



Decide whether you are willing to buy a treated diamond. Know going in that these will look nice but that they often won't resemble the natural thing. Treatment may also devalue the stone.




Step
6



Compare like-colored stones when trying to determine a fair price. All things being equal, pinks will cost more than yellows and blues will cost more than pinks. You must compare 2 diamonds of the same color family to get a realistic idea of pricing.




Step
7



Use the same guidelines that you would implement for buying a regular diamond. These include using the 4 Cs as a guide and making sure you obtain a report on the diamond from the Gemological Institute of America or other national laboratory. See the eHow article "How to Shop for a Diamond."







Tips & Warnings









Pricing for colored diamonds is based on several factors, including the color itself, the saturation and purity of color, and the rarity of the stone. Because so many factors are involved in the pricing, comparing individual stones may be difficult to do.








As with all your jewelry purchases, buy your colored diamond from a reputable jeweler. This will help ensure that you are getting what you pay for.








Expect to pay more for a natural-colored diamond than for a white one.



http://www.ehow.com/how_2079383_purchase-colored-diamonds.html

How to Purchase Clothes at Outlet Shops

How to Purchase Clothes at Outlet Shops



When a clothing manufacturer can't sell items for full price, its loss is your gain. Outlet shops stock slow-sellers and slightly flawed products, typically at 25 to 75 percent off the retail price.









Step
1



Call the outlets you want to visit and ask about upcoming sales where already-reduced prices are sometimes slashed even more.




Step
2



Use the Web to familiarize yourself with the retail prices of the items you'd like to buy, so you'll know what kind of bargain you're getting at the outlet. Set priorities.




Step
3



Examine garments carefully for flaws. If you find a flaw in an item that isn't marked as a second, ask for an additional discount.




Step
4



Ask about the store's return policy. You may be looking at a long drive back to the store, and many outlet purchases are nonreturnable. Find out if you can return clothes to a store's non-outlet location near you, and get the answer in writing.







Tips & Warnings









While most retail shops sell clothes for the following season, outlet shops usually offer the current season.



http://www.ehow.com/how_108248_purchase-clothes-outlet.html

How to Properly Measure Yourself for a Bra

How to Properly Measure Yourself for a Bra



How does your bra fit? Is it too tight, loose or odd fitting? Have you ever wondered if you are an A, B, or C cup size? Here's the rules to a proper bra fitting that will have your precious assets sitting pretty.







Things You'll Need:





Tape measurer









Step
1



MEASURE YOUR BAND OR (CHEST) SIZE- This is the area under the bust where the band of your bra usually sits.




Step
2



ROUND TO THE NEAREST NUMBER- If your measurement is even then add 4 inches to the band size. If your measurement is odd then add 5 inches to the band size. For example band size is 32 add 4 inches and total band size is 36. Or band size is 31 add 5 inches and band size is 36




Step
3



BUST SIZE- Measure the fullest part of your bust (breast area). Use actual numbers here.




Step
4



DETERMINE CUP SIZE- Your accurate bust size is going to be an equation of your bust size (minus) - your band size = your cup size. The following are the cup sizes: 0=AA, 1=A, 2=B, 3=C, 4=D, 5=DD

For example: bust 36inches - band size 34 inches you are a B cup


http://www.ehow.com/how_2289896_properly-measure-yourself-bra.html