Sunday, February 19, 2012

Homemade Laundry Detergent

Do you ever see something so many times in so many different places that you eventually have to try it for yourself? Homemade laundry detergent seems to be all the rage these days so I thought I would give it a try. I have seen this done on many blogs and all over Pinterest. The recipe is simple and costs about $12 to make. I found all the ingredients all in the same spot at Wal-Mart. I bought a 1 gallon cracker jar to put it in. Here is the recipe that I used:
*6 cups of Borax
*4 cups of Washing Soda
*4 cups of Baking Soda
*4 cups of Fels-Naptha (almost 2 bars)
Measure the first 3 ingredients into a bowl. You might want to use a bowl that has a pour spout. Grate the Fels-Naptha with a cheese grater. If you have a Kitchen-Aid with a grating attachment-use it! Other wise do it by hand like I did! Then mix it all together with a wooden spoon and pour it into an air tight container. Doesn't it look like cheddar cheese?
It has a very nice clean smell to it. From what I have read, it is safe to use in High Efficiency washers. But don't take my word for it!
To use, add 2 tablespoons to your load of laundry, just like you would a regular powdered laundry detergent. I tied a pretty bow on my jar and used a silver tablespoon to measure it out. The recipe said "almost 2 bars"...so I used almost 2 bars and the left over square inch of bar I saved. The label of the soap says that it is a great stain remover. I put it on a little pink plate so that I could use it as a stain remover when needed.
Normally when I have stains to treat, I use Murphy's Oil Soap. No kidding! Just put a little on the stain and use your fingers to really rub it into the stain. Let it sit overnight and then launder as usual. It is an amazing stain remover! But since I didn't have any, I used the Fels-Naptha to treat my stains. I just got it wet and rubbed it on the stain and washed it with my new laundry detergent. Here is a before and after so you can see how it worked. Not bad!
There are so many other homemade cleaners out there, I am definitely going to try my hand at making more. I have found recipes for homemade soap scum remover, dishwashing detergent, toilet bowl cleaner, everything you can imagine! So far I really like my new laundry detergent and plan to keep using it. I hope you give it a try too!
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Monday, February 13, 2012

Dotty Swap

Getting something in the mail that is not a bill is so much fun. One way to ensure that you get fun stuff in the mail is to join a swap or two. I love participating in swaps because not only do I get to make fun things to give to others, I also get great things in return! I recently joined the Dotty Swap at Cutie Pie Cottage. My swap partner was Roselle from Seaside Rose Creations. Here are the goodies I sent to her.
I made a pretty pink polka dot box using a heart shaped chocolate box. There is a frosty pink rose in the middle, 2 sparkly charms and a pink oval that says love. There is a sweet pink ruffly ribbon around the box, lace and pink pearls on the top. I filled it with 3 clothespins decorated in polka dot ribbon and an ornament that has an "R" and pink polka dot ribbon.

I also made a card with red cupcake liners. The back of the card has red paper with tiny white polka dots. Here is the box filled with the goodies. I also sent her a cute little box of conversation hearts!
I have long admired Roselle's beautiful rose creations and I was so excited to receive my package from her. Here is everything that she sent me all laid out.
In one little bag, there was a pretty white paper rose, a ribbon rose and this gold "inspire" medallion. It was tucked inside with 3 pages out of a vintage French book.
Another little bag contained 3 tiny little clothes pins with polka dots...great minds think alike wouldn't you say?!
This pretty tag was on the front of the bag. I love the Paris love notes and the colors!
And now I can say that I am the proud owner of one of Roselle's beautiful, hand painted creations! I just love this little vintage salt shaker that she painted pink and added a sweet little rose bud to. I love everything that she sent me and I hope she enjoys what I sent her as well!
Thank you to Cutie Pie Cottage for putting this fun Dotty Swap together. They are always so much fun! Thank you to Roselle for my wonderful new treasures! I can't wait to do another swap soon...if you haven't tried one yet, I highly recommend it!
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Thursday, February 9, 2012

Conversation Hearts

My favorite part of Valentine's Day isn't roses and chocolates-it's Conversation Hearts! I have always loved the sweet little bites of sugary goodness, but now I love all the creative things people have made with them too! They are pretty cheap to buy and 12 of them are only 60 calories! So grab 12 hearts (my favorite flavor is the yellow) and take a look at some fun things you can do with Conversation Hearts.
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And here is a little history on the Conversation Heart-I have a history minor so I just love to learn about such things and I hope you find it interesting too! These candies really are a vintage treat!
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"Oliver R. Chase invented a machine in 1847 to cut lozenges from wafer candy, similar to Necco Wafers, and started a candy factory. Daniel Chase, Oliver's brother, began printing sayings on the candy in 1866. He designed a machine that was able to press on the candy similar to a stamp. The candy was often used for weddings since the candies had witty saying such as: "Married in pink, he will take a drink", "Married in White, you have chosen right", and "Married in Satin, Love will not be lasting".The heart-shaped conversation candies to be called Sweethearts got their start in 1901. Other styles were formerly produced such as lozenges, postcards, horseshoes, watches, and baseballs. As of 2010, the classic pastel candy formula is being abandoned. Sweethearts will be softer candies with vivid colors and all new flavors. Line extensions carrying the Sweethearts brand include chocolates and sugar-free hearts.In the 1990s, Necco vice-president, Walter Marshall, wanted to update some of the sayings and retire others, including "Call me", "Email me", and "Fax me". The romantic expressions continue to be revised for young Americans. Necco receives hundreds of suggestions a year on new sayings. Necco produces the hearts from late February through mid January of the following year. Approximately 100,000 pounds of hearts are made per day, which sells out in about six weeks." The new flavors were not favored by people so they went back to the old flavors in October 2011.

{all images found on Pinterest}

What a fun and easy idea this is. Glue a few hearts randomly on a white (or any color) candle and place it in a dish full of more hearts. Simple yet very festive!

Love this idea! A cute little Conversation Heart vignette with topiaries and a frame covered in the candy. Who wouldn't love this?I have seen so many of these wreaths and I think I might just have to give it a try myself. I would add a fun bow to really pretty it up!Now for even more fun, make some Conversation Heart flavored vodka. What a fun drink to have on Valentine's Day! Click here for the how-to.
Apparently you can even make your own Conversation Hearts. I am sure the flavors just wouldn't be the same as the real thing but it would be fun to write your own messages on them. Here is the how-to on making your own!
When I was in the 5th grade, I had a "boyfriend" named David. When he wasn't my boyfriend, I flirted like crazy with him. But as soon as he was my boyfriend, I got really shy. For Valentine's Day that year, I got the big Conversation Hearts to give to my class. I picked out the ones that said not so nice things to give to David. Needless to say, he wasn't my boyfriend for very long!
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I have been hearing so many rumors about Google Friend Connect going away and I am scared to lose all of my followers. So, please be sure to follow me via the Linky Followers tab on the top right hand side of my page.
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Wishing you all a very Happy Valentine's Day!
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Tuesday, January 31, 2012

Stories of Cancer-survivors & in memory

Not a day goes by where I don't hear another story about someone who has cancer or has passed away from it. It is just such a common thing to hear these days and I am not going to lie-I hate it. I hate cancer and everything it does. Cancer has touched my life in so many ways recently. Whether it is someone in my immediate circle, a friend of a friend or a stranger asking to help tell her story-it is always there.
{My father-in-law Sonny & mother-in-law Cheryl}
My mother-in-law, Cheryl, was diagnosed with breast cancer at the beginning of 2010. She had surgery to remove the cancer and went through a year of chemotherapy and radiation. She lost all of her hair and had days when she didn't know if she would make it through another round of medicine. Thankfully, after a year of fighting her battle-she won! She has been cancer free for over a year now and we couldn't be happier!

Unfortunately, not everyone is that lucky. This is Nancy-she is from my hometown and is about 5 years younger than me. She went to school with my cousin and her brother was a friend of my brother's. When Nancy was 17 weeks pregnant, she found a lump in her armpit and the doctors just gave her antibiotics. Not long after that, she was admitted to a tumor institute and was diagnosed with anaplastic non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma. She refused to give up her baby in order to save her own life. Sadly, the baby didn't survive much longer and Nancy passed just a few short weeks later. Her friends have rallied around her and started a dance studio named in her honor. They raise money to donate to cancer research and keep her memory alive. You can read more of her story here and here.

This is Heather. I don't know Heather, but she reached out to me and asked me to share her story. Diagnosed with pleural mesothelioma, Heather is a survivor and wants to share her story with others who might be faced with a situation that we so commonly see these days. I encourage you to read her story and find hope.
My hope is that you read these stories and learn from them. If you feel like something just isn't right, do whatever it takes to get the answers that you need. Don't take the first answer that you get, keep seeking answers and second opinions until you find someone who will help you find the right diagnosis and the right treatment. Not all stories have a happy ending, but some do. If you are ever faced with this horrible thing we call cancer, I pray that you come out a survivor!
Dedicated to Nancy and her precious baby girl
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Wednesday, January 25, 2012

Vintage Sears Canisters

My grandma had a set of these Sears Victorian Girl canisters when I was little and I would spend hours in the kitchen just staring at them. I loved the different scenes on each canister. For as long as I can remember, I wanted my own set of these canisters. My grandma is one of those people that constantly changes her kitchen decor theme, so I knew she wasn't using these anymore. I asked if she still had them, and if she did if I could have them. Apparently, she decided to get rid of them not too long before I asked. She said she asked all her kids and grandkids if they wanted them and no one did so she gave them to her sister-in-law. Wrong-she didn't ask my mom or me, but that is pretty typical of her. I was a little sad but that didn't deter me from getting my own set!

My husband and I had taken a trip to Northern Idaho a few years ago and I saw a set in a thrift store. Unfortunately, a lid or two was missing so I didn't buy it. I finally found a set on Ebay that was in great shape. The price was right and I was the lucky winner! This isn't my grandma's set, but it is the same set that she had so it is still special to me!
I think that I may be missing one canister. After looking on Ebay, there appears to be one that is a smaller size down from the largest canister. So now I am on the lookout for that one too.I also found that there are salt and pepper shakers and a napkin holder that go with this set. Those are on my lists of wants too!
I even saw a set of cups and saucers that match! Boy, I better be saving up my pennies so I can complete my set!
There are so many cute details on these. Each little girl has a pretty little dress and a ruffly white apron. The biggest canister has a girl rolling out a pie crust, maybe, with a rolling pin, a hutch full of dishes and a cute little kitty begging for a treat at her feet. The next one has a girl grinding coffee so she can make a fresh pot to share. Her kitty is lying on the floor. The third one has the girl sittling in her rocking chair in front of her fireplace with a cute little puppy on her lap.
The girl on the smallest canister, or sugar holder, is enjoying a cup of tea on her ruffled rug. And the creamer has a girl icing a yummy cake! The scenes are all different and all so cute. I could still just stare at them for hours!
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Thursday, January 19, 2012

I got a new camera!

I finally bought myself a new camera! I couldn't stand it anymore and there was money for it burning a hole in my pocket. I didn't get the fanciest, most expensive camera out there, but I did get a nice one. My new camera is the Canon Rebel T3. I think it is very much deserved and it will get a lot of love and attention! Since I work at a college, I get to take as many free classes as I want...so that means I will be taking as many photography classes as I can! I will also be taking some graphic arts classes too. I can't wait to go home and play with it and show you some pictures that I will be taking! This is so exciting for me!
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Wednesday, January 11, 2012

Packing and moving

Via Pinterest
The time has finally come-we are in the middle of packing and moving. We thought we had another month to get it done, but Monday night my realtor called and said we had only one week to get out of there! With tears streaming down my face, I called my cousin, who will be renting from and asked her if there was anyway we could move in sooner than our original February 1st date. Thankfully she said yes, otherwise we would have been homeless for a few weeks. Talk about lighting a fire under us! Yesterday I got some boxes and the packing began last night after work. Thank goodness we had already started a little, otherwise we would be hurting even worse. The plan is to pack as much as we can after work each night, load it in to the back of the truck, and Cody will unload it at the new house on his lunch break. Hopefully by this weekend we will only have the big stuff left. My parents and my brother will be there to help with that. It is a little depressing knowing that we are losing our home due to something that was out of our control. We worked so hard to make that house our home and for nothing. Don't get me wrong, we will be living in a bigger house for less money, but it isn't ours to do what we want to it. Someday, we will have the home of our dreams, but today we just wait and let life do what it wants to do. So while I pack, load, clean, move and unpack, I may be away for just a short while. I will soon be back to share our new place with you. Thank you as always for all of your wonderful comments and thoughtfulness-it really does mean the world to me!
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