2014 Christmas Project

In June we have our summer solstice, which in the Northwest means that the sky is not getting completely dark at night.  Since it is the official beginning of summer, a summer sun seemed fitting.  We painted our disks neon orange, added a few sunspots and sunshine rays, then put some strings through them.  For a little extra pizzaz, we sprayed each one with some gold glitter.

They will make a wonderful shiny spot on a tree.

2014 Christmas Project

For the month of April we went with the Easter Egg theme.  I put holes in paper maché eggs and put strings through them.  I then paint an acrylic base coat of white.  I had the girls paint and decorate the eggs in any way that made their hearts happy. 

Happy, shiny Easter eggs, all sprayed with glitter.

2014 Christmas Project

For the merry month of May, my daughter and I made posies.

We took a small doily, added a few silk flowers through the center, and wrapped the stems with florist tape so they would not pull back through.  We then rand a piece of colored string though a couple of holes in the top of the doily and tied the ends together.

They turned out very pretty, but you have to hang them carefully or they flip over.

Now to finish April's Easter Eggs and come up with a plan for June.

Happy Creating!!!

Cleaning Lady

Since trying my hand at soapmaking many years ago, I have often thought about making other household cleaners.  Most of the materials to make cleaners easily obtained, and in the quantities used, relatively cheap.

I have been cleaning out the bottles that my cleaners have come in, and setting them aside to reuse when I make my own.  Some of the labels come off easily, and some don't, so I put cleaners of the same purpose in the appropriately labeled bottle.  Problem solved.

I made a fresh batch of unscented Castile soap about a month ago so it would be ready to go when I need it.  I use a regular hand held grater to grate the soap to add in each recipe.


Glass cleaner:

1 cup white vinegar
1 cup water

Mix water together in a spray bottle.  Vinegar is an acid, so use it on marble or other stone as over time it will etch the surface.  Otherwise, clean windows, mirrors, stovetops, counter tops, etc.  The vinegar will cut grease.

All purpose cleaner:

1 teaspoon Borax
1/2 teaspoon washing soda
2 tablespoons white vinegar or lemon juice
1/2 teaspoon vegetable based detergent (I used grated Castile soap)
2 cups very hot water

Combine in a bowl or measuring cup (I used my large measuring cup) and stir until ingredients are combined.  Pour into a spray bottle and clean away.

Liquid dish soap:

1/4 cup of Castile soap, grated
1 teaspoon white vinegar or lemon juice
2 cups very hot water

Combine soap and water, and stir until all soap is dissolved.  An alternative to very hot water is to use cold water and heat the mixture on the stove, stirring often and never boiling, until all the soap is dissolved.  after the mixture has cooled, add the vinegar or lemon juice, then pour into your waiting bottle.

Tile or linoleum floor cleaner:

Dissolve 1 - 2 teaspoons of the above liquid dish soap in 3 gallons of warm water and mop as usual.  To rinse, add 1 cup of white vinegar to 3 gallons of cool water, apply to the floor (I use a clean towel soaked in it) and dry with towels.

2014 Christmas Project

Happy St. Patrick's Day ornaments for the month of March.  On one side is a pot of gold, and the other a lucky four leaf clover.  Gold and silver glitter cover both sides to add extra sparkle once the Christmas lights shine on them.

We got these done early this month.  Keeping the momentum has been a bit tough, but we will keep going until we have a year's worth of ornaments to give away.

2014 Christmas Project

 February's ornaments are simple wooden hearts with paint and either rhinestones or beads hanging from the bottom.  The hardest part was drilling the tiny holes without breaking the wood.

They sparkle so nicely in the light.

Spring Flowers

Spring is on the way.  The primrose under the rosemary bush is blooming and the daffodils are budding.  The rosemary has tiny little buds all over it.

I can feel my blood starting to pick up speed in my body and my hands starting to itch to dig.  Now if only the spring rains would stop long enough for me to prepare the ground.

I have my seeds and I'm ready to plant.  Please weather person, give me a weekend without rain so I can get in the dirt.  I don't have wipers for my glasses and you are making it difficult for me to see.

My crocuses are blooming too.  Lovely shades of purple and white.  As their tiny spiky leaves poke up from the ground I am marking the location.  Some bulbs have gone to deep to bloom.  I will dig them up later and move them to the garden until I have found all I can.

I hope to eventually get them transplanted under the maple trees in the yard.  For now, I have to rescue them from nearly a foot underground in some places.