Artit 12 Piece Paint Brush Set Review

Have I ever said how much I love reviewing art supplies? Well I do!

I just got a 12 Piece Paint Brush Set: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01K4NQNTO to review.

About:

• The long handled brushes are easy to clean because they are made out of nylon.

• The art brushes can be used for acrylics, watercolors, oils, face painting, collage & more.

• The set includes a portable case & an array of paint brushes, and a palette. You can take the set just about anywhere.

• The set works for pros & kids. Kids will need a lesson on taking care of the brushes.

• The set has slots for the brushes, so they stay contained. 

Caring for Your Brushes (Water Based Paints): 

Use a pallet knife or popsicle stick to mix the paint. This will make your brush last longer.

Wet your brush(es) with luke warm water before use.

Only get paint in the bristle part of the brush. If paint gets into the metal also known as ferrule then it can make it difficult to get the paint out of the bristles. That in turn breaks up the glue that holds the bristles in, and makes the bristles so they are no longer soft.

If you are taking a break, wipe the brush on a paper towel and rinse it! Lay the brush sideways across your water container.

Once you are done painting wipe your brush on a paper towel to remove as much paint as possible and rinse it. Clean the brush with soap, or a bought brush cleaner. Remove all the pigment out of the brush. This may take a few steps of loading it with soap, painting the inside palm of your hand, and rinsing it with luke warm water. Read the brush cleaner (if that's what you are using). Some act as a leave in conditioner. In that case you'd leave it in the last step. Reshape the brush with your fingers. Lay the brush flat to avoid distorting the bristles.

Caring for Your Brushes (Oil Based Paints): 


Caring for your brush when using oil based paints is similar as water based paints like acrylics, tempera, watercolor, gouache, or even watered down glue used for collage.

You wipe as much paint away on a rag or paper towel.

Pour a small amount of thinner on a rag or paper towel. I use Gamisol because it's safer for those with allergies and asthma. Wipe your brush some more. Do this until most of the paint is out.

Wash your brush with soap and water, or brush conditioner. Read the brush conditioner to see if it's a leave in kind. Reshape the bristles, and leave it flat to dry.

Important: Don't mix oil based paint with water based paint. You will have a mess. My students that have done this think that something is wrong with their paint.

Rule: You can use acrylics and oils in the same piece.

The rule is acrylics first (dry), and oils can be used on top. The other way around will cause your paint to crack. Plus oils without additives take a long time to dry!

There are exceptions to that rule, but you need to know the technique to break the rule.

Exception: Oil paint mixed with a turpentine (again I use Gamisol) makes a oil wash. Let it dry! Then acrylics can be put on top.

You can do an oil wash, spray it with Crystal Clear (a clear acrylic spray), and add another oil wash. Building up layers like this is super fun!

Cost: 

Price: $35.90, but it's on sale for: $16.77.

Palette: 

With acrylics you can build up layers on a palette. Once you're annoyed with the build up, peel it up. Some of the really cool paint peelings I keep. I cut them, and glue them or paint them into pieces. You can also throw the dry acrylic away.

Oils dry SLOW. That can be good. Artists love mixing time. Oil colors are truer from wet to dry than any water based paint. Water based paint dries darker. Leave the oil paint on the palette for longer, and keep using it. It will be usable for days. When you're done wipe it up with a paper towel. If you let it dry it will be hard to remove. I like to use a sheet of glass for an oil based palette because if the paint dries I can use a razor blade to scrape it up. With plastic I can't do that.

Downfalls of the Set: 

There is no palette knife. I use one to mix my paint. I find my brushes last longer if I use a palette knife. I'd rather have a palette knife then a palette. I tend to be that crazy artist person that grabs the nearest thrown away box to use as a palette.

I really don't use a fan brush. Maybe some people do or did *Cough Bob Ross - But I've never seen anyone migrate towards using a fan brush. I could see the perk of using one for spiky hair, or fur. I like more control than what I get with a fan brush.

When was the last time you've painted? Painting walls counts. Ha!

Disclaimer: I received this Artit Paintbrush Set to assist with this review. I wrote this post, and was not influenced at all with an opinion. I only review things that I find interesting, or that would benefit my readers or my family.

WW: Crow {Linky}

I've been working on this mixed media piece for quite some time now. I'm doing a series about something beautiful with something being destroyed. I had envisions of  a crow smoking, but a cigarette butt in it's mouth looked so hokey. Even when I cut it down length wise it looked really stupid. 

I thought about stitching wire by it's feet - like the bird was caught, but got out. The problem with that was that crows are really smart. They wouldn't get themselves in a situation like that. 

In the end I went with the drops I started in the background by adding more and more drops - acid rain. It's more of a loose concept, but will still fit into the series. 

It's a really long piece! That makes it a bit hard to see. Click on the images to see them larger. I got comments that putting them extra large makes them impossible to see in the phone view. 

Here's a close up of the face. The eye has light blue thread stitches on it.

Some of the drops are in the background. I added some too. I put clear acrylic on glass one drip at a time. I let it dry. Then I scraped them up with a razor blade. I added a dark color under the drips, and a highlight.

The legs are stitched.

The back of the canvas:

Next I'm working on the owl that can't sleep because of city lights and noises, but I want to start a cute squirrel playing in plastic bag + a jellyfish that is stuck in a jelly jar with other jelly fish around it. I may have a few pieces going on all at the same time.

Do you like to paint, or do you get into any other art form?

Mother's Day

I hope if you're a Mom that you had a great day yesterday! 

Mine started out with a heart card from Isaak that folded out to look like a flower. Isaak said, "Ok now everyone else give her gifts, and cards." He's the only one that had something. I told him, "Isaak that's ok. I don't expect anything. Thank you for your card. I love it!"

I try and make the day as low key as possible. Sometimes Father's Day gets bumped up a bit, but that's only because my birthday lands on it at times. Double whammy, double the fun. ;)

I've been wanting to try out a local place for donuts. We went to LaMar's Donuts. They exist in KC as well, so not exactly just here in Omaha. Close enough. I've heard they are super good. They were offering 1 free Red Velvet Donut with cream cheese frosting, and a coffee. I took it! Everyone picked out their choice of donut, and I got a Butterfinger Donut for us to all split.

Then we stopped by somewhere fast to get a Breakfast Burrito.

I chose to watch an episode of Little House on the Prairie. It's been a year or more since we've watched that. It's crazy how we've taken steps forward, and steps backward with our world. Medicine, scans and care have all gotten better than ever. Back in the pioneer days neighbor's had each other's backs, doctors would care for people even if patients couldn't afford it, doctor's would barter for care, they'd make house visits when needed, you didn't have to have health insurance, or worry about prices going up, they did what they had to do to survive.

Are we better - more advanced today then we were back then? My answer is in some ways we're better, and in others we're worse. What's your answer?

Isaak and Mica went with Travis to the park to practice their mad soccer skills. Mica's struggling. Travis felt like he picked up some things working with him one on one. He stays with the ball, but doesn't kick it hard. He more or less plays patty cake with the ball. That's what coach calls it. I'm just proud of him for trying. He's never asked to try any sport until this year. Way to go out of your comfort zone Mica!

I finished a painting on Mother's Day. I've had it nearly done for quite some time, but the idea sort of looked lame. I had to go a different route. I think it works. I'll try and share it tomorrow.

Then I made homemade Chicken Enchiladas. Travis said, "Are you sure you want to make those? It's Mother's Day." I said, "Certainly! Now go take care of laying the mulch down outside." ;) I made extra - for when I have surgery. I've been saying I'm going to start making extra dishes for that, but it hasn't happened until last night. Life is busy. It's not going to get any less busy, but maybe I'm holding things off to the last minute. Ekkk! Anyhow they were oh so good! I should have photographed it to share a recipe, but I was too hungry, and didn't think about it. Even the boys that usually say, "It's too spicy gobbled them up!" By the way they are both growing. Maybe that's why I can't seem to make enough food! Isaak and Mica ate 2 whole Enchiladas. We had side dishes as well.

My goofy boys and I:

What did you do for Mother's Day?   

Random Tid Bits

1. This year and last we didn't have assistants because class sizes are too small for one. I do fine without one, but I do like having one just to give feedback on grading. My opinion isn't going to be the same as someone else's opinion. Often times I'd look at what they would give them, and what I would give them, and average the two. I do give the students certain criteria for what I want, and don't want. That helps with the grading process too.
   
   There's a teacher here that basically gets the owner's wife to comply to be his assistant every flipping week. We're told not to show favoritism in the classroom, but I feel like there's some favoritism going on with him for sure. Actually I think he's just milking her, and she's just unable to say, "No." because she's too nice.
   
   So being the sneaky punk that I am I decided to play her this week as well. I sent her an email: Can you help me for 1/2 a day tomorrow? I won't have a spot to do lecture because there's Portfolio Judging going on in the lecture hall. I really need someone to help with a critique that will last quite a bit of time.
   
   I don't really need her to help me. I just want to see how the person that can never say, "No!" will say no. This is my opportunity to point out what everyone else is seeing - her helping him. She replied with, "I'm sorry so and so asked me to help him already. I really would have loved to of helped out." I replied back with, "Oh man so and so always seems to get your help. :)" The whole office is in anticipation of what she will say. They were cracking up when I told them. I love harmless jokes, poking fun, or putting people on the spot as long as it doesn't hurt anyone.


2. Another health insurance company bailed on the Affordable Care Act in Nebraska. I'm screwed! I'm even more screwed when it changes with not covering even more things in 2020. That is - if that passes.


3. Isaak insists on sleeping in really hot pjs when it really hot outside. He doesn't do this when it's winter time. Then he wants to sleep in undies. By the way Isaak is really looking ultra long! He'll be 9 next week. His features are so little, except for his eyes, but his body is so dang tall!





4. I'm so ready for the school year to end at this point. The classes I had were great this year! I just feel like the students - end of school blues. 


5. I wrote a post about how our city is so dang divided. Here's a map in regards to voting for the mayor this week:

Check out TUSHY

Have you ever heard of TUSHY before? I haven't heard of it until now. It's a way to clean your tush without using toilet paper. In other countries they use a water washing system. Here it's toilet paper that's used all the time. Most brands of toilet papers fill their products with bleach. Not only is toilet paper filled with harmful chemicals, it only wipes a fraction of your stool away. TUSHY on the other hand fully cleans your tush.

  
Your family’s health is important! TUSHY, the chic attachment that transforms any standard toilet into a booty wonderland. They just released a campaign to introduce the game-changing benefits of using a bidet.

In Time To Get With The Clean Poop Program, People, an adorable young boy, Danny, highlights all the health benefits of washing your bum with a TUSHY bidet versus using toilet paper. Geared toward cause-driven millennial families that strive for a healthy and sustainable lifestyle, TUSHY’s campaign aims to break down cultural taboos and encourage proper butt washing for all poopers.

Find the TUSHY launch on Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube. The campaign is in the works. You'll soon see ads on TV too.

Take good care of your TUSHY!

About TUSHY:

We believe a clean booty is a happy booty. The easy-to-install modern bidet attachment is a sleek way to modernize your bathroom. It helps people feel cleaner, keep booties healthier, and helps improve our environment. TUSHY wants to forever change the way people clean their rears.

What brand of toilet paper do you buy? Do you worry about harmful chemicals in your bathroom products?

Disclaimer: I did not receive any compensation for this post. I wrote this post, and was not influenced at all with an opinion. I only review things that I find interesting, or that would benefit my readers or family.

Simply Earth Recipe Box Review

I really love monthly boxes! It's fun to get new and different things.

Recently I got a Recipe Box from Simply Earth. 

  What Comes in Each Box:

• 5 to 7 Recipes Per Box. 
• 5 Essential Oils.
• Extras to Help With the Recipes.

This Box Was Loaded With Good Things!

Recipes Included: 

Just about every thing I need is in the box! You'll need a few containers, but all the ingredients are there! There were 5 cute recipes cards that were included in my shipment. 

Under Eye Serum

Recipe: 10 drops Geranium Essential Oil + 10 drops Cypress Essential Oil + Camellia Seed Oil + 10 ml roll-on bottle (provided)

Directions: 1. Add 10 drops of each essential oil to roll-on bottle. 2. Fill the rest of the bottle with Camellia Seed Oil. 3. Roll onto the skin gently beneath the eyes.

I was and still am excited about this one! I have such sore and tired eyes right now with these polyps + allergies + add my period in there. Hey at least the last one will come before my surgery next month. The Under Eye Serum works so wonderful. It's great they added two roll on bottles in the box. They are a little harder to come by in my house.

Natural Shampoo + Body Wash

Recipe: 2/3 cups Liquid Castile Soap + 1/3 cup water (there was an error on that I had to get corrected) + 2 teaspoons of Camellia Seed Oil + 10 drops Cypress Essential Oil + 5 drops Juniper Berry Essential Oil 

Directions: 1. Measure out all the ingredients and combine in a bottle with a squirt top. 2. Shake gently before each use. 3. To use, squirt onto a washcloth, bath proof, or directly onto your body.

I will be trying this, but right now I have plenty of shampoo and body wash. 

Natural Conditioner

Recipe: 1 cup Water + 2 tablespoons Apple Cider Vinegar + 10 drops Lemongrass Essential Oil + 5 drops Cypress Essential Oil

Directions: 1. Mix ingredients together in 8 oz spray bottle. 2. Shake bottle before using and then spray hair. 3. Leave in hair for 5 minutes then rinse.

I will be trying this, but right now I have plenty of conditioner.

Natural Facial Cleanser

Recipe: 1 cup filtered or boiled Water + 1/4 cup liquid Castile Soap + 5 teaspoons Camellia Seed Oil + 10 drops Geranium Essential Oil + 2 drops Lemongrass Essential Oil + 2 tablespoons Raw Honey

Directions: 1. Add the ingredients in the order listed and stir together gently. 2. Put the mixture into your foaming soap dispenser and your face wash is complete. 3. 1 or 2 pumps is all you need as the Castile Soap is very concentrated. Use once or twice daily.

I'm hoping to start making this for Mica to use! Puberty is hitting him now.

Makeup Remover

Recipe: 10 drops Cypress Essential Oil + 1.5 tablespoons Camellia Seed + 1 teaspoon Castile Soap + Cotton Rounds 

Directions: 1. Place cotton rounds in a small, seal-able container. 2. In a small bowl add 1.5 tablespoons of Camellia Seed Oil. 3. Add 1 teaspoon Castile Soap to a container add the essential oils. 4. Use to naturally remove makeup. *Note: The recipe card did go from 3 to 5, so I hope I don't miss a step. 

I have to be honest I don't wear very much makeup. Often just using a mild soap like the Natural Facial Cleanser will do the trick. I probably won't make this one. I know people that would use it!

Body Scrub

Recipe: 1/2 cup Sugar (I used White Sugar, but you could use Brown Sugar) + 1 ounce Honey (I used local Honey + 1 ounce Camellia Seed Oil + 10 drops Geranium Essential Oil + 10 drops Juniper Berry Essential Oil 

Directions: 1. Add the ingredients in the order listed and stir together gently. 2. Store mixture in an air-tight jar. 3. Scrub body to remove dead skin cells and be refreshed.

 

 

I am super happy with this Body Scrub! It makes my skin so soft after using it! This would be great as a hand scrub as well. Travis is particular has super dry hands from work! Plaster does his hands in! Next time I may double the recipe to share some with my Mom. 

The Oils and Fillers:

Juniper Berry $11.99 Individually

Lemongrass $6.99 Individually

Geranium  $13.99 Individually

Cypress $9.99 Individually

Their oils are all pure, and not filled with extra chemicals. The best part about getting this package for me, I can smell all the oils. Yep I can smell with all the meds I'm on right now! Some smells aren't great smells like garbage and the compost filter that needed to be replaced. These smalls are wonderful!

These 2 fillers came with the set as well. I already had some Castile Soap, but I didn't have any Camellia Seed, which is great because I've been wanting to try it! They sell the Camellia Seed separate for $9.99. Castile Soap only comes in the box, but it's easy to find in any natural store.

Costs:

• 12 boxes (over 12 months) is $35 per box
• 3 boxes (over 3 months) is $39 per box
• 1 box is $49

Out of the recipes Simply Earth put in their box, which one would you most want to try?

Disclaimer: I received this Simply Earth Recipe Box to assist with this review. I wrote this post, and was not influenced at all with an opinion. I only review things that I find interesting, or that would benefit my readers or family.

WW: Baseball {Linky}

I thought it would be fun to go to a Storm Chasers Baseball Game at Werner Park. The theme for the night was Star Wars. Parent Savvy was giving aways Star Wars Lego sets. I entered the giveaway many times, but sadly they didn't call our name off.

Most of us were excited to be there!

Then there was this child. He wanted to go home. Every picture was a glare. BUT he soon changed that glare when the fireworks started.

I'd Like to Introduce You to Xehar

I'm so excited to introduce you to Xehar! They have some giveaways going on right now that you just don't want to miss!

Here’re so many options of how to spend your spring Saturday, but, hey, what could be possibly better than having a glass of wine at a Hollywood-style party with cameras flashes, fashion show, models, live music, and a lot of people you simply strive to meet? Pretty much nothing So mark your calendar, pick a nice outfit, call a couple of girlfriends, and join Xehar Biggest Fashion Event on May 13, 2017!

So, what exactly is that about?

Xehar, an international fashion company, located in Los Angeles, California, is having a big celebration of summer, fashion, and women’s empowerment. They prepared a nice party for all their fans with a lot of fun, runway fashion show, live music performed by an international DJ, free professional photoshoots for everyone interested, free hair/MUA services, free fashion styling sessions, and more, and more! Any awesome prizes, giveaways and gifts?

Yes, yes, and yes! And you don’t have to present to be selected – so even if you’re not even close to LA, give it a try and register today: 

• 1 Winner is going to receive an once-in-a-lifetime opportunity 
• 1 Winner is going to receive $700 shopping spree + $700 AMX gift card 
• 1 Winner is going to receive a trip for 2 to LA + a night stay at a hotel!

If you weren’t able to make it to the event, no worries! Just sign up to make sure you entered the ruffle, and stay tuned - winners will be announced in June!

Any useful people attending? 

Hey, we all want a little help with making our big plans come true – well, here you go, we’ve got all the right people of the industry right here, in one place! Make connections with famous bloggers, photographers, stylists, designers, journalists, and all kinds of LA fashion adepts – meet-and-greet, ask for an advice, discuss collaborations, get involved in their projects… Opportunities are endless!

Special Guests:

1. @thecaylajean

2. @mustangsallytwo                                            

3. @jamie_jetaime

ALL SUBSCRIBERS WILL GET EXCLUSIVE EARLY ACCESS TO OUR UPCOMING

XEHAR APP:

Ready to start a new chapter in your fashion life?

Register now to secure your spot as space is limited, and join Xehar Biggest Fashion Event on Saturday, May 13, 2017, 2-6 pm

PST. REGISTER http://xehar.com/community/ GET A FREE TICKET http://xehar.com/get-my-free-ticket/

Disclaimer: An Apel a Day will be working with Xehar to get the word out about their company. Please check them out! I wrote this post in exchange for a PayPal payment. I only share information on this blog that I feel like will benefit my readers.

Travel Toiletry Bag Review

I've been slowly trying to build up a stash of travel items for my kids. Mica got an adult sleeping bag for Christmas, will soon get a bigger and nicer duffle bag, and now I have a Travel Toiletry Bag: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B06XYZVTZ1 he will get.

The boy doesn't use a razor yet, but he does use a toothbrush, toothpaste, mouthwash, fingernail trimmers, deodorant, shampoo, body wash, and face soap always. This toiletry bag is big enough for all that, and more!

I like that this bag is a classy black. It can be used for women, men, boys, or girls.

Cost:

$14.99 with free shipping!

This Travel Toiletry Bag Has: 

• 1 main storage compartment
• 2 side pouches with dual zippers
• 1 external pocket on a side pouch
• Different mesh pockets in different sizes 
• A hook when the main part is unzipped to hang it up 

 A Lot of Stuff Can Fit in the Main Part of the Bag!

The Side Pockets Have Elastic Bands:

• This helps objects hold still
• Certainly great for bottles that hold liquids

The bag doesn't take up a lot of room when it's all unzipped:

Different Items to Place in the Toiletry Bag:

• Toothpaste
• Dental floss
• A small bottle of mouthwash 
• A small bottle of shampoo, conditioner, and body wash
• Brushes or combs
• Tweezers
• Fingernail trimmers
• Vitamins or medicine
• A small first aid kit
• For men a shaving kit
• For women hair things
• Makeup
• Essential Oils

When to Use a Toiletry Bag:

• An overnight stay
• Vacation
• A business trip
• A school trip
• Camping
• A cruise 
• If someone is in drama it could be easily brought with them to put on make-up, and to take it off

It's waterproof, so you can take this into a locker room, or have it near a sink with no worries about messing it up.

Do you have a toiletry bag for when you go places?

Disclaimer: I received this Travel Toiletry Bag to assist with this review. I wrote this post, and was not influenced at all with an opinion. I only review things that I find interesting, or that would benefit my readers or family.

Random Tid Bits

1. It's getting down to the wire...semester wise. I imagine I'll be just as busy as I am now the rest of the year. It was a pretty good year overall. There's only about 3 students in 3 classes that were unmotivated, or problem like. That's WAY better then last year.
   
   Guess what? I get last years class back again next year. I have them in 1st year, don't teach them in 2nd year, and get them back again in 3rd year. I've listened to the 2nd year teachers complain about them. Most of that class is very happy to get C's, they don't care about deadlines, are hardly here, and will be hard to place. I hope the class doesn't shut my workplace down! Seriously I could see the placement numbers being that low for the class that doesn't care.
   
   Enough negativity, I'm happy with my student's this year! They are hard workers, happy, respectful, and get their work done! :)


2. Medical bills are flooding me. I'm feeling stressed about that. It's only going to get worse. My 3 allergy shots will not be covered by insurance. I begged for taking them every other week, but he said it's too dangerous. So far no reactions. They are diluted in the beginning. Part of me wants to say, "Come on shoot me up, so I feel it! I'm spending $$$$ on this!" 


3. I saw this doll in a store called Tuesday Morning. Do you have that store where you live? They have discount things in it. Certainly better than other discount stores. Anyhow it's an old man that speaks Spanish. Kind of odd. Ha!





4. Mica's been oh so moody. I wonder if it's his age (puberty), or just that he doesn't feel well (allergies)? The boys don't have allergies allergies as bad as I do, but they have them. 


5. They've kind of dropped my past student's murder case in the news. He was the one that got murdered. I unfortunately was thinking it was drug related. :(
   
   His case brings up the questions - Do you think some cases are dropped quickly because of where the situation happened (like a bad part of town), or the nature of the case (like drug, or prostitution related for example)?
   
   While it is true that some people play with fire more than others. I still think every life is important. One person growing up on the streets could end up changing their life around.
   
   A person I went to grad school with was like that. He was a drunk living on the street. He decided to turn his life around, went to college, and did so well he was valedictorian. His speech was amazing!