We are getting to the age where we have a lot of friends that are having babies. While I thoroughly enjoy shopping from registries, I have always wanted to be one of those people that gave a gift that would really MEAN something. I am a very basic scrapbooker, so I have thought about doing baby scrapbooks, but they are usually something that the mothers prefer to do. Then I remembered that one of the most cherished items we got for our wedding/shower was a throw crocheted by my aunt. Aha! New projects are born.
I have started knitting. Seeing as how this can be hard to learn and frustrating initially, I started out with help - from The Knifty Knitting series. I bought the Long Looms, a couple of small instructional booklets, and a pound of yarn to start. All the things you can make! Blankets, washcloths, socks, hats, scarves, shawls, sweaters, slippers, etc! Some people even cut up plastic bags and knit those into scrubbies for cleaning!
When you knit, you touch every inch of the yarn, so the gift is loaded with love and thought. It's something to do when you are watching TV or a movie. And (of course) although it's a gift loaded with love, it's not very expensive to make, especially if you buy your yarn when it's on sale!
Sunday, February 22, 2009
Monday, February 9, 2009
Vinegar is amazing.
If you followed my blog last year, you know that I am very into the eco movement. Although that blog is no longer very active, I am still very into this movement, as well as into saving myself as much money as possible.
As you also know, I blogged awhile ago about DIY detergent. Well, that of course led to a DIY rinse agent or fabric softener. You know that fabric softener (or FS as it will now be called) is expensive. You have probably complained about it to yourself when you see the price on the shelf at Target or Walmart or wherever you shop. I did some research, and found that instead of adding FS to your laundry, a few tablespoons of vinegar works very well to get soap off the clothes, as well as deodorizing them, and repelling dust and lint. There is no vinegar smell left over after the wash, and the clothes look great. Bonus: no chemicals, and it helps keep your washer in top shape, too! Then to reduce static, we use FS sheets, which are a lot less expensive and less wasteful.
THEN! Then I discovered how amazing vinegar really is! Use it in the dishwasher (just a splash) to make the dishes shinier. Add some essential oils to it and use it as an all purpose cleaner at home. It has dozens of uses in the garden, as a natural remedy, in the kitchen, in the bathroom, in the garage, etc. In fact, it even helps to keep unwanted animals away from your home, and has qualities as a diet-aid!
It costs less than $2 at the store for a larger bottle, and it is turning out to be the most versatile item in my house.
Visit this website and read up: http://www.angelfire.com/cantina/homemaking/vinegar.html
Go now; buy a big bottle! And tell me what you did with it!
As you also know, I blogged awhile ago about DIY detergent. Well, that of course led to a DIY rinse agent or fabric softener. You know that fabric softener (or FS as it will now be called) is expensive. You have probably complained about it to yourself when you see the price on the shelf at Target or Walmart or wherever you shop. I did some research, and found that instead of adding FS to your laundry, a few tablespoons of vinegar works very well to get soap off the clothes, as well as deodorizing them, and repelling dust and lint. There is no vinegar smell left over after the wash, and the clothes look great. Bonus: no chemicals, and it helps keep your washer in top shape, too! Then to reduce static, we use FS sheets, which are a lot less expensive and less wasteful.
THEN! Then I discovered how amazing vinegar really is! Use it in the dishwasher (just a splash) to make the dishes shinier. Add some essential oils to it and use it as an all purpose cleaner at home. It has dozens of uses in the garden, as a natural remedy, in the kitchen, in the bathroom, in the garage, etc. In fact, it even helps to keep unwanted animals away from your home, and has qualities as a diet-aid!
It costs less than $2 at the store for a larger bottle, and it is turning out to be the most versatile item in my house.
Visit this website and read up: http://www.angelfire.com/cantina/homemaking/vinegar.html
Go now; buy a big bottle! And tell me what you did with it!
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