DIY Fabric Softener

I must say I was a bit skeptical when I saw a blog post on DIY fabric softener. I thought to myself (is this really worth the trouble?)
My answer is YES!!!
This sweet little concoction has produced the softest fluffiest clothes I have ever had!  And the kiddos and superman with sensitive skin are doing great with it.

Here is what you will need to whip this stuff up!

6 cups of HOT water
3 cups white vinegar
2 cups of Suave Conditioner ( I used a green one with a fresh scent)

Mixing

Mix conditioner and hot water well until the conditioner is dissolved completely.  I used a screw on lid container from the Dollar Tree just like my detergent one.  I combined them and shook it up

Add the vinegar and mix well (or shake)

Store in a large container.  I just mixed mine and stored it in the same container it was mixed in.
I eyeball 3 tablespoons into my fabric softener compartment and wash!

The fabic softener (green)  and the detergent (white)

So easy, SO CHEAP, and so worth it!! SOFT clothes RoCk!

Home Made Laundry Detergent {H.E Safe}

I have been a tad bit busy in my day to day Mama duties so I have slacked a little with my blog.  I have been also working on my etsy site!  It is mcvaysnest@etsy.com if you want to check it out!

Here is what you will need for your ingredients { all found in the Wal-mart} detergent isle

Arm and Hammer Super Washing Soda- half a box
Borax Detergent Booster- half a box
Bar of Fels-Naptha heavy duty laundry soap or I used pink Zote Soap, I liked the scent and color - half a bar grated or cut up in chunks and added to a food processor
Purex Crystals - entire bottle in your chosen scent
Arm and Hammer Baking Soda- half a box

The initial products to make this cost about $15 but this will far outlast any pre-made Tide, All, Gain etc .

You can do the entire batch instead of 1/2 boxes but the recipe I used made a ton so I just saved my remaining ingredients for a second batch later.

I used my food processor and cubed up the soap before I processed it vs using the grater.  I thought this sped the process up quite a bit ( I have no patience). 

I dumped all of the ingredients into a plastic tote so I could incorporate them well and then poured them into a screw top container I got from the Dollar Tree. 

Isn't it pretty??

Use 2tbsp per regular load or 4 tbsp for a heavy duty.  Don't be alarmed when you see it does not produce suds.  It is supposed to react that way.  That's because it's not filled with chemical junk! 

Enjoy! I know I really like it.  I even gifted some for my sister's and Mom at Easter with the recipe attached in case they feel a little DIY.

Chapstick Cozy

I saw this adorable chapstick cozy on http://www.littlebitfunky.com and I had to make my own version to put my lipgloss in :)  I am a lipgloss girl, forget the chapstick!

Here is what you will need-

home decor fabric (duck fabric some people call it) or a heavy cotton
D ring's ( find at JoAnn's or Hancock in the notions section)
iron
sewing machine
thread
1/4 inch sewing foot ( or use your footplate for measurements)
chapstick or lipgloss

The full instructions are listed on the above website but I changed mine up a little!

You will first need to cut 2, 9 inch long by 2 1/2 inch wide pieces of fabric

put right sides together and sew along with 1/4 inch seam foot along 3 sides of the 4. You will leave a bottom open to turn right sides out.  I used 2 different patterned fabrics but you can just do one if you want. 

Turn fabric right sides out leaving the unfinished seam open.  Go ahead and press flat, tucking in the unfinished seam as you press.  Then you will take the bottom (finished end) and bring it 2 inches from the top of the cozy and press flat.

Then you will sew around the 3 corners with an 1/8 inch seam.  Then pause to listen for your sleeping baby to make sure he's not up to disturb your project.

Now that your 3 seams are done, insert your D ring at the top where the unfinished seam is.

After inserting your D ring press flat and sew 1/8 seam at the very end of the fabric to make sure you finish off the seam and attach the D ring.

And there ya have it folks!  Chap stick cozy! "Lippy Lipgloss holders" as I call them! Enjoy, and make some for friends! They will love um!

Now get them on your car keys for no more purse diggin'!

 

 

Pony bead ornaments

Sloan and I were trying to figure out what we could do with all the beads we had in our craft drawer.  Instead of stringing a necklace all the way to China, we decided to try making ornaments or suncatchers. I think we will try our heart cookie cutters with pink, clear and red beads for Valentine's Day!


  For the project you will need:
Pony bead ( clear and colored )
regular muffin tin
drill and bit
ribbon
oven
crack a few windows :) Or not, I didn't think it gave off fumes at all but use your best judgement


Step 1 - Preheat your oven to 400 degrees,  take the beads and sprinkle them into the muffin tin to cover the bottom of each compartment.  You can make patterns or sprinkle them random, have fun with it.

 

Step 2- Place in the 400 degree oven for 25-30 minutes.  Check on the beads once and awhile to ensure they are melting and when to take them out of the oven.

 

 

See the melted beads? Pretty!

 

Step 3- Let these babies cool off. I cheated and set mine outside to harden faster.  Once hardened just turn the pan upside down and tap them out.  You will have perfect little circles! I took my drill and put a hole at the top to string ribbon through :)

I tied some onto Christmas gifts and put some with tiny suction cups to have as suncatchers

 

Enjoy!

 

 

Mini Cupcake pan Advent Calendar

I wanted an advent calendar that wasn't chocolate with Avary's Galactosemia it just isn't an option. The chocolate ones are cute but lacked the meaning I was trying to get across too (Jesus is the reason for the season, not presents)
 I wanted to be able to create my own and personalize it to our family.  I looked at my mini muffin tin and realized it was 24 compartments.  I have seen people on Pinterest try to use 2 regular muffin pans but who wants huge pans hanging on your wall? And trying to join them together?  Not this gal :) No thanks!

 Supplies you will need

24 count mini muffin pan
ribbon ( to tie on top to hang)
Drill ( to add another hole on the top to hang ribbon from)
Drill bit
Adhesive magnet roll ( got mine at HL for $3.50 with half off coupon)
Computer and printer ( to make the 1-24 numbers and print them out)
Card stock ( to print numbers on)
circle punch ( mine is 2 inches)
Word on computer ( to create tags that go inside of tins and the numbers)
Command hooks ( optional )

A lot of supplies I already had on hand so this project cost me little to nothing to create.  If you do need to buy these things they are all something you would definitely use again :)

Take your Word program and make your 1-24 numbers.  If you don't have Word go online and search for numbers pictures and you will come up with a TON of free printables I am sure.

 Print out the numbers on card stock

Take the self adhesive magnet paper and peel off the backing.  Stick the numbers card stock on top of the adhesive side so the magnet will be on the back of the number once it is done

Take your circle punch and punch out all of your numbers

Take the Word program again and make 24 things to do for every compartment.  I made a lot of biblical ones to show the true meaning of Christmas.  Feel free to experiment and add candy, small treats etc in the compartments.  Use your imagination :)

Print out the list of the 24 things to do and cut them out

Fold all of the ideas and place each one inside the tin and cover with the 1-24 magnets

Drill your second hole at the top of the pan and loop the ribbon and tie a knot at each end to hang the advent calendar

Viola!  You have a calendar to use every year!  You can save your ideas for each compartment or do new ones each year

I organized my print outs in the order I wanted to do them.  ( I didn't want to camp out under the Christmas tree on a school night) LOL

Have fun!  Merry CHRISTMAS!

 Some examples of the print outs for the compartments,  I had read Luke 2 along with various christian related activities also.  Feel free to do one that suits your family :)

 The calendar with the paper's inside.  Sorry for the glare, the pan is of course shiny!

The calendar hanging on the wall. I use the 3m hooks that are removeable.  They ROCK!  I also let the girls take turns pulling off the magnet every day.

Fa, la, la,la, la, la, la, la, la!!! Mercury glass Vases

Since we've moved back to Iowa, I must say Hobby Lobby or HL as I refer to it,  has called my name.  I just love this store and all the goodies it has to offer.  I also have great luck with all of the sales they seem to have in their ads every week. 
As I strolled through the aisles one day after dropping doodle bug off at preschool, I noticed in the spray paint aisle a spray that had a shiny mirror colored lid.  I picked it up and I instantly knew what the Goodwill vases were going to be used for!  Mercury glass mantle decorations for Christmas!  I grabbed my 50% off coupon ( this stuff was expensive) and headed to the register with Mr.Man. 

Here's how you can turn ordinary glass into a mirror like finish :)

Krylon spray paint in Looking Glass ($11.99 at HL) I used my half off coupon
Assorted vases in different sizes and shapes ( $6 for 5 vases) I used only 3 in this project
newspaper
well ventilated area or go outside (this project smells!)
a pokey thingy ( this is a very technical term I know)  you need something to stick inside the vase to blot the paint once you spray it inside the vessel
Stuff to put inside your vases once they are done, or you can leave them empty

Start by shaking the crap out of the spray paint.  I did for 2 minutes like the instructions say, and you will want to do this every time you use the paint.  I sprayed 1 light coat into each jar and blotted with the newspaper.  I did this about 5 or 6 times making sure each coat was completely dried.  I did not spray the outside, just the inside. I still have a lot left in the can as a little bit goes a long way.

 It turned out beautiful. 

Enjoy!

Snowy Peppermint Play Dough

Sloan and Avary LOVE play dough, and I mean LOVE...
  I got so tired of the play dough plastic containers that were hard to open and close for their little hands that I decided to make our own.  I wanted something wintery ( is that a real word)??
 I came up with the recipe I always use and just added peppermint extract and some glitter. (It's hard to capture the glitter with the camera)
 
1 Cup Flour
1/2 cup salt
2 tbsp oil
2 tsp cream of tartar
1 cup water
food coloring ( or keep it original)

Heat the oil in a pot. Remove from the heat and add food coloring and water.( I do this so the food coloring mixes evenly)  Stir in all other ingredients. Continue to cook over low heat until mixture is firm, about 4-5 minutes. Remove from heat, and set clay mixture on wax paper to cool.
Store in an airtight container

We made blue, pink and the original was a creamy white.  I tell ya what...  It smells up the whole kitchen when the girls play with it, and I love the little twinkle of glitter :)  Enjoy!