Christmas Fabric Wrap

This year, my daughter Erin suggested we wrap gifts in fabric – not paper. I think it’s a great idea as we can re use the fabric year after year. I picked up fabric scraps at the thrift store. I also came across some lightweight cotton place mats that will be a nice size to wrap a small gift.  I have a few older table clothes that my mom sewed for me many years ago. I think I’ll re purpose them into wrap also. I hope you give green gift wrapping a try.

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Quick Buttermilk

I’ve never actually bought ‘buttermilk’  – ever. When a recipe calls for it I use this substitute.

Lemon and Milk: Place 1 tablespoon lemon juice in a measuring cup. Add milk (not skim, it’s too thin) to reach the amount of buttermilk called for; stir and set aside for 5 minutes.

Next time a recipe calls for buttermilk, try this. I think you’ll like it.

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Tea Bag as Bug Bite Soother

When I was in the North, I sure got alot of bug bites. The bugs up there take out a portion on the skin so the bites are sometimes very bloody and always uncomfortable. I brought bug repellant but nothing for when the sneaky things bit the spots I missed with ‘bug dope’. I had plenty of tea bags though. Sure wish I read this on Real Simple before I went to the North. I would have tried it. Maybe you can try it if you get a bug bite.

A smart way to soothe itchy mosquito bites: Place a cold, used tea bag on the sting and let it sit for five minutes. Tea will help ease sunburn, too: Brew a pot and pour it into a bath of lukewarm water. Soak until you feel relief.

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Outdoor Quiet Area

When we replaced our 12′ by 32 ‘ deck last year I was so happy to set up this hidden  sitting spot.  In the morning, we love to sit out here to: have breakfast; read; and enjoy the sounds and scents of nature. Sometimes I practise meditation here.  An outdoor area is so easy to set up. I previously had the bistro table, bought the umbrella at a garage sale (5.00) and picked up the mat on sale (20.00).   The plants are on stands with rollers so I can wheel them around. Bamboo blinds are good for creating privacy also. I use them in another sitting area on our property. Because this area is not permanent, we take it down before the snow arrives.  I hope you give this a try if you aren’t enjoying your outdoor space.

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BBQ Potting Stand

Last summer when our BBQ broke, my husband made me this potting table.  For the top he used old floor boards that we had taken from our 1913 home.  I painted the top blue – left over paint from my chair project.  I like the wheels on it. I wheel it around to differant areas of the yard. In addition to using the stand for potting, I use it as an extra serving table when we’re entertaining.  I think it looks pretty with a plant on it.

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Happy Feet

Yesterday, I returned home after 17 days volunteering in the North West Territories. My feet were in need of special attention.  Once again, I gave myself a pedicure. It really is quite simple and inexpensive.

 Follow these steps :

1). Soak your feet 10 minutes in Epsom salts. Remove old polish.

2). Exfoliate with a scrub – (there are many homemade recipes online)

3). Clean, trim and shape nails

4). Apply lotion

5) Optional – apply a few coats of polish (light pink looks clean and natural)

To keep it up – lather your feet with lotion before you go to bed.  Any lotion will do. Put on cotton socks and leave them on overnight.  If your feet are very dry and cracked add Vaseline to your lotion or use Vaseline by itself.   Each time you shower or bath, use a pumice stone on your heels and rough spots. You can exfoliate at this time also. Do not try to remove all dry skin at one time.

If you keep this up, you will have pretty feet year round.

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Uses for Lemon Juice

‘Let food be thy medicine and medicine be thy food” ― Hippocrates

I like this list of uses for lemon juice. Thought you might too. Have a wonderful day. Linda

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Repair and Reuse Old Things – Chair

You know it is so much fun to find an old piece of furniture and give it new life. I found 4 chairs at a thrift store for 5.00 total. The local hardware store had few paint choices but we found suitable paint. My husband lightly sanded them and I painted them (royal blue).  In about 12 hours we had great looking chairs in our weekend place. The chairs can be used around  a kitchen table; in the corner of a bedroom; or anywhere extra seating is needed.  It is so simple to refinish things. Just give it a try.

(Chair as purchased at thrift store)

(Light sanding)

(Enamel paint)

( 4th coat of paint)

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Easter Egg Cups

Hi Ladies,

Easter is just around the corner.  Today I was thinking about how I will decorate the table for Easter dinner.  I’ll put a small vase  of daffodils in the centre of the table.  Along with that, each guest will have an Easter Egg Cup at their place setting.  These egg cups are so simple to put together. Just put a little Easter grass in each egg cup and add a few chocolates.  Have a nice Easter.

Note:  I picked these cups up at a flea market for about 2.00 total. This is my second Easter using them as a decoration.  I just love them!

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At Home Hair Care

No matter how we feel about our hair, we want it to be healthy, look good, and require little maintenance.  After reading a few books, and researching online, I have come up with a routine that works well. 

Cut hair every 3 months. Trim bangs at home in between cuts when needed – about every 3 weeks.  Use trimming scissors  – not household scissors.  They’re under 20.00 at your local pharmacy. (Search youtube for a bang cutting demonstration)

Color hair every 3 months – if need be.  If you’re not comfortable, use a professional. I use  a color close to my natural ash brown color for ease of maintenance.

Touch up your roots every 8 weeks at home. Using a semi – permanent works well.

Wash hair using Sunsilk Hydra TLC shampoo and conditioner – this contains amino acid and keratin. It is very gentle on the hair and the color stays in longer. I have being using it for 2 years now and it is very gentle. My hair color  fades very little.

Wrap wet hair in a turban and allow to dry almost completely before styling with a blow dryer or straightener.

 Consider giving one of more of these tips a try and you will not regret it. Have a nice day. Linda

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Homemade Laundry Soap

I’ve been making and using my own laundry soap for two years now.  I thought it was a good time to give an update.  I am still very happy with the soap, it cleans very well; is quick to make; and my cost is under 15.00 per year.  Many of my friends have tried it and liked it.

If you are not making your own soap, I hope you give it a try.

Here is a link to my original post. https://flourishnow.wordpress.com/2010/02/12/homemade-laundry-soap/.

Ingredients

– 1 cup grated Sunlight bar soap – about 1/2 a bar (cost 2.00 for 2 bars)

– 2 cups boiling water

– 1 cup Arm & Hammer washing soda (cost for one box about 5.00)

– 1 cup Borax (cost for one box about 5.00)

– 1 gallon of warm water (16 cups or 4.55 litres)

Method

-grate 1 cup bar soap and melt in 2 cups boiling water, stir until melted

-once melted pour into big pot (I used a canning pot)

-add 1 cup washing soda and 1 cup Borax

-stir together – until dissolved

-add 1 gallon warm water (16 cups or 4.55 litres)

-stir until mixed well

-pour into empty laundry containers or a big pail

-use 1/4 cup per load – cold/warm/hot water

-shake or stir each time you use

One batch makes about 6 litres (roughly 1 1/2 US gallons) and costs about 2.00 per batch – maybe less.  You will have enough ingredients to make many batches. I filled a little more than 3 – 1.89 litre laundry jugs for less than a dollar per jug.  As you can see it is pennies per load. The batch may go gel like and clumpy, this is normal. Shake well with each use. Pre treat stains before washing.

–  sud less

– can be used in HE washer

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Repair and Reuse Old Things – Dresser

I sure like restoring and reusing things. I previously saw the Sherwin Williams paint color ‘Naval’ on Favorite Paint Colors. I really liked the color and was waiting for the perfect item to use it on. I came across this small chest of drawers and decided it was the piece to paint the color ‘Naval’. I think it looks great, don’t you? Now I have extra storage space in my laundry area, or where I need it. It’s so easy to fix something up. I simply sanded this piece lightly; washed it down; painted it; and applied new handles. I let it dry for at least 8 hours before I applied the 3rd and 4th coat of paint, just to be sure the paint was cured. All in all, it was a weekend project. Let’s keep things out of the landfill and reuse where we are able.

(Chest of drawers lightly sanded)

(First coat of paint on the drawers)

(First coat of paint on the frame)

(4th coat of paint and new knobs )

(Sherwin Williams – “6244 Naval”)

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Repair & Reuse Old Things – Cabinet

I really like to re-use where I can.  In order to make my small kitchen a little more functional, I really needed an additional storage cabinet. A fitted cabinet wouldn’t do, I needed to find something old or have one custom built. I came across this cabinet (see below) in an online ad. My husband and I drove 1 hour to a small town to purchase it. It took us about a week to repair it and paint it.  Here are the before and after shots.

Ladies, once again, I want to encourage you to reuse and recycle where you’re able.

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Homemade Household Disinfectant

With lots of bugs in the air, I’ve been using disinfectant a little more lately. I really like the mixture below and I’ve been using it for sometime now. I make a larger batch and keep the extra on hand until I have the time to make more. I use it in the bathroom; kitchen; on door knobs and any other place that needs a good cleaning. It is so easy to make; cost effective; and leaves fixtures very shiny. Give it a try; I’m sure you will be happy with it.

1 TBSP liquid dish soap

½ cup vinegar

½ cup rubbing alcohol

½ c water

Mix and put in spray bottles

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Vintage Metal Table

This past summer I came across an article in Real Simple featuring artful outdoor furniture pieces. Being a gardener, I was very interested in acquiring a piece or two. I thought ‘I’ve seen stuff like that at the thrift store’. I decided to keep a look out for older metal pieces that I could spray paint.  In October, I came across a brilliantly blue (painted) vintage metal table.  It was $2.00. I really liked the snowflake pattern and thought the bright blue would look great in my new garden. I brought it home and stored it in the shed.  Meanwhile, in the back of my mind was the desire to add to our living room a visually lightweight, gold colored table.  So just the other day, I decided to spray paint the blue metal table, that was in the shed, gold. Well,  I’m really happy with the outcome. I used Tremclad Hammered paint ($8.99 per can). Just 2 coats and the job was done. I want to stress how home decorating can be done on the smallest of budgets. If you have patience, shop used, and use spray paint! As for the garden piece, I’m confident I’ll find other items at the thrift store or at a garage sale in the future. I hope I’ve encouraged you to reuse where you can and be adventurous with your decorating.

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Easy to Make Cushion Covers

An easy; fast; and inexpensive DIY decorating project that I have tried, and that has worked out very well, is sewing cushion covers. Cushions add a new look to any room instantly.  I went through a phase of buying various cushions, but storage became a problem. I decided to sew a few covers to put over existing cushions. Now, when I change the covers for a new look, I store the unused covers in a drawer. Having made a few sets now, I am really pleased with the outcome. Also, I purchase the fabric at the end of a season in order to get a good price. Here are easy instructions to change the look of a room quickly:

Supplies

Sewing machine

Pillow form – or use an existing cushion

Thread to match fabric

Fabric – Front – upholstery fabric.

Fabric – Back – upholstery fabric.

Velcro

Note: when pressing fabric, do not place iron directly on the fabric. Place a t-towel on the fabric and iron the t-towel – to prevent damaging the upholstery fabric.

Measure:

Measure your pillow form or cushion and subtract one inch from the length and width measurement (to allow for a snug fit). For example, if your form/cushion is 16 X 16 then subtract one inch from the length and width for tight fit (15 X 15). Add ½ inch to each side for seam allowance (16 X 16). We are back to the original measurement.  Add 7  inches to the back piece (for the overlap). Using the above example, the dimensions will be 16 X 16 for one front piece and 16 X 23 for one back piece. Cut your fabric to the correct dimensions.

Form the overlap (opening) in the BACK fabric:

Fold the back piece in half.  Iron to form a crease. Using the above example again, the measurement is now 16 X 11 ½ when folded.  Cut fabric in half along the crease. You now have 2 pieces of back fabric -16 X 11 ½ inches each.  Fold the 11 ½ inch right side under ½ inches to wrong side. Sew down.  Fold right side under another 1 inch to wrong side. Sew. Press. Repeat for the other 16 X 11 ½ piece. You now have 2 back pieces measuring 16 X 10. Place one back piece over the other back piece – right sides together. Overlap the 1 “seams at the centre, until the two pieces together now measure 16 X 16 “- not 16 X 20.   Pin. Baste together. (This forms the opening in the back of the back piece).

Complete –

With right sides together, sew front 16 X 16 piece to back 16 X 16 piece – ½ “ seam.  Trim corners. Push out corners with knitting needle or pencil.

Press. Turn to right side. Press.  Determine where you would like to place the Velcro for the closure. Pin in place. Sew. Insert your form/cushion. Close. The cover should be a little snug. You are done.

(Velcro – I used 2 strips on 2” for each cushion)

Variation – if you would like to make a cover without an opening then follow these instructions.

Measure your pillow form with a tape measure. Do not rely on the measurement on the packaging. Subtract ½ inch from each side (to allow for a snug fit). For example, if your form/cushion is 16 X 16 then subtract ½ inch from the length and width for tight fit (15 X 15). With right sides together sew ½ inch seam all around. I like to use a very small zigzag. Leave about an 8 inch opening (a space large enough to stuff your form/cushion inside).  Trim corners. Push out corners with knitting needle or pencil. Press. Turn cover to right side.  Press. Stuff form/cushion into cover. Work cushion down to corners. Hand sew opening closed.  You’re done.

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Homemade All Purpose Cleaner

I’m wondering if you’re making your own general purpose cleaner.  I’ve been using this mixture for sometime now and I really like it. I like to keep bottles in the kitchen, bathroom and shower.  It’s inexpensive; easy to make; smells nice; and cleans wonderfully. I think you’ll like it if you give it a try.

½ tsp baking soda

2 tsp Borax

½ tsp liquid dish soap

2 cups hot water

Mix and put in spray bottles

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Dehydrated Apples

Today I spent some time chopping apples to dehydrate.This is one way we use the apples from our apple tree.  This year we have abundance.  I use the dehydrated apples mostly in baking and Gerry, my husband, adds them to oatmeal cereal as its cooking. We use them in homemade snack mix which includes things like nuts; dried cranberries; and chocolate chips.

To dehydrate the apples,  I chop them in uniform pieces; mist with lemon juice; place in a single layer on the drying rack; turn on the machine; occasionally rotate the racks; and leave them for a day or two.When they seem to be like chewy leather, I turn the machine off and leave them for another couple days.

Afterward,  I put them in paper bags and put the paper bags into a glass jar. Why not give this a try.  Enjoy!

Additional instructions for dehydrating can be found  on the internet and at your local library.  Overall, it isn’t complicated.  I started a few years ago when I had an abundance of apples.  I found one dehydrator on Freecyle for free and the other I picked up for 5.00 at a thrift store.  I keep track of things I dehydrate in a note book. If you dry something too much – no worries,  just mist with a little water.

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Flower Cards

Ladies, if you are interested in flower gardening, you may like this idea. When your flowers are looking their best, take pictures. Print the photo and glue it to a blank note card (available at craft stores).  Now you have a lovely card. I use my cards for all occasions. Have a nice day. Linda

By the way, I also use landscape photos on my cards. Fall photos look great too.

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Mirror and Glass Cleaner – Homemade

I really enjoy cleaning the glass and mirrors in my home weekly. I feel the house looks so much brighter with the added shine.  I also use glass cleaner on fixtures in the bathrooms for a nice sparkle.  I have made my own glass cleaner for many years. It is so simple; convenient; and inexpensive. Here is what you need:

¼ tsp of liquid detergent

3 tablespoons of vinegar

2 cups of water

Mix and pour into spray bottle

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