tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-73622855440367537082024-02-21T10:15:49.201-08:00A Family That Birds TogetherPamelahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09515981582718418225noreply@blogger.comBlogger35125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7362285544036753708.post-70632485078430447142013-02-16T17:27:00.000-08:002013-02-16T17:27:12.638-08:00Noah's Ark<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiu7JB4ldFi7bf9iRfjj5OgtQk5rB46qiw_jr2cyTY5gVWe3sofcz5qAYhs-97p7B23DjM2HltSszrRnb8vSqa9SIbtoy5bh-eI0oKN0rv0h7joa2tHTKYYpD8kDcVkEZ987EV3h05DdYM/s1600/Noah+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiu7JB4ldFi7bf9iRfjj5OgtQk5rB46qiw_jr2cyTY5gVWe3sofcz5qAYhs-97p7B23DjM2HltSszrRnb8vSqa9SIbtoy5bh-eI0oKN0rv0h7joa2tHTKYYpD8kDcVkEZ987EV3h05DdYM/s1600/Noah+1.jpg" /></a></div>
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For Christmas this year, my husband crafted this Noah's Ark set for our son. Each year he plans on adding a few pairs of animals, and will continue to add to it even when our boy has outgrown playing with it. Our ark is now one of our family's treasures, and I hope it will be an heirloom that will be passed on for many generations.<br />
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This is the ark before it was assembled. After looking at a lot of handmade arks, he designed this one using <a href="http://tomsarks.blogspot.com/">Tom's Arks</a> as inspiration. Tom was even kind enough to respond to questions. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcs7xm1478mXR-czWIeAmrI5qWHNagIl9BKMj_1JWhWBKuGqZ-h0GtFoIwtAURzwX67MikpG7CUWcdgNlEvYp3OLohxc7ffewHvA0fJYILcHnHn2YgphvhGNXmVXyPB2Z8pv42Xo6YSPQ/s1600/Noah+10.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcs7xm1478mXR-czWIeAmrI5qWHNagIl9BKMj_1JWhWBKuGqZ-h0GtFoIwtAURzwX67MikpG7CUWcdgNlEvYp3OLohxc7ffewHvA0fJYILcHnHn2YgphvhGNXmVXyPB2Z8pv42Xo6YSPQ/s640/Noah+10.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
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Here it is assembled, ready to be painted.<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLWgbdAfw0pTED3ENuo7jSwGLRqmUpfaYwoM1Tc2oYwdku_msZqJrXfkawsoDBXDmn2VAR8i59IHEePptb88RPlXpyZdbQpoixKqReUF45uzCY6hvB8nz4gWEYPQCrqeY5HS4ioPhJaVM/s1600/Noah+11.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLWgbdAfw0pTED3ENuo7jSwGLRqmUpfaYwoM1Tc2oYwdku_msZqJrXfkawsoDBXDmn2VAR8i59IHEePptb88RPlXpyZdbQpoixKqReUF45uzCY6hvB8nz4gWEYPQCrqeY5HS4ioPhJaVM/s640/Noah+11.jpg" width="411" /></a> <br />
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This ark has a one-story cabin attached to the deck. The deck and cabin
lift off the ark to make it easier to access the inside of the ark, and
the cabin's roof also lifts open.<br />
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Each animal's rough shape was cut using a scroll saw, and shaped using
the sanding sleeve on a rotary tool. The figures were then shellacked
and painted using acrylic paint, then shellacked again. I love the
detail and character he was able to carve into them.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAhef7oygxbiqerdLwoIcYEC5cxfJ3OxAjb5LcPSeM0Avjtf8qiwM65MD4XKf697cObxezX0ZnU7J1ny1tUMmaC9Ypa0D6gy04metx1Uf5J6kZrNIvwG6GTOGzanmVwZGs_9vEFuvZaso/s1600/Noah+3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAhef7oygxbiqerdLwoIcYEC5cxfJ3OxAjb5LcPSeM0Avjtf8qiwM65MD4XKf697cObxezX0ZnU7J1ny1tUMmaC9Ypa0D6gy04metx1Uf5J6kZrNIvwG6GTOGzanmVwZGs_9vEFuvZaso/s320/Noah+3.jpg" width="292" /></a></div>
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This
Christmas he focused on the traditional African large mammals, and
carved a pair of African bush elephants, Rothchild giraffes, plains
zebra, and African lions. Yes, we are biologist nerds :), and the patterns
of the giraffe, length of tusk and ears on the elephant, and width of
stripes on the zebras mimic these species and subspecies. I can't wait to see what animals climb aboard the ark next year!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDHh78areXBYoDmPONDPOEzoCqcDuln-YWi-mvEnvwWUWj27znkCWu-7Fg1f55IitMDVw5hwbm-WpYXSo_8FeOS9u32dic7EhECkjW_jpJhevSQqq_xel_1_iupYOSrpUx_tWlAAarLoE/s1600/Noah+4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="179" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDHh78areXBYoDmPONDPOEzoCqcDuln-YWi-mvEnvwWUWj27znkCWu-7Fg1f55IitMDVw5hwbm-WpYXSo_8FeOS9u32dic7EhECkjW_jpJhevSQqq_xel_1_iupYOSrpUx_tWlAAarLoE/s320/Noah+4.jpg" width="320" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDTvlWQNi6Z9_BjhBGv-TspAR32xfQ2xy-MCMpzC-0mxNdcInP-nAXzK0s2rUJ484KAa-M9ohH9cM8Dz5wRzbgJudL8o2jchBcQGLRFv6heeM8-wRH48ZSendjnJPdEPpEVx9iQJ7PLhs/s1600/Noah+6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDTvlWQNi6Z9_BjhBGv-TspAR32xfQ2xy-MCMpzC-0mxNdcInP-nAXzK0s2rUJ484KAa-M9ohH9cM8Dz5wRzbgJudL8o2jchBcQGLRFv6heeM8-wRH48ZSendjnJPdEPpEVx9iQJ7PLhs/s320/Noah+6.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgd9VIDZB3FhRqIA2CXgQ7wpMqD1fiM2uyjS3ZlV84w9tajWKdyqKyWhxg6vxaTQbpOPZiKdP93kVUL2lScj0ZvKLleEWiWLGle5uJu9GxXL9HjXUL4ZZTb7SQGi4lBOR8rB5AdLXxHQvQ/s1600/Noah+5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="248" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgd9VIDZB3FhRqIA2CXgQ7wpMqD1fiM2uyjS3ZlV84w9tajWKdyqKyWhxg6vxaTQbpOPZiKdP93kVUL2lScj0ZvKLleEWiWLGle5uJu9GxXL9HjXUL4ZZTb7SQGi4lBOR8rB5AdLXxHQvQ/s320/Noah+5.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbb1gQ1V-3T68mn8hseOox4DGgsSuL_MGu2W0R6JVfxDRDMvhguE7s9CeG9lqRhaKlL9Ikl8yyiJJYcS1Csq5kZSRiTc_OMAmJgE1iDZMcaOwyNXvXtnuqF9yP-qer2T-Iw98-6Th02oM/s1600/Noah+7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbb1gQ1V-3T68mn8hseOox4DGgsSuL_MGu2W0R6JVfxDRDMvhguE7s9CeG9lqRhaKlL9Ikl8yyiJJYcS1Csq5kZSRiTc_OMAmJgE1iDZMcaOwyNXvXtnuqF9yP-qer2T-Iw98-6Th02oM/s320/Noah+7.jpg" width="180" /></a> I must admit the zebras are my favorite! <br />
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The ark was a hit Christmas morning, and though we've needed to make a few repairs because of rough play, I think I like a well-loved ark much better than one that is just a nice piece of art.<br />
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<br />Pamelahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09515981582718418225noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7362285544036753708.post-58073872665732254092012-05-04T23:59:00.000-07:002013-02-16T17:32:42.366-08:00Play Kitchen<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuwsYdfB6awLhojDOOFxIGyW6tI6vf98KE-AjelJWuIfUdqHucYaNH0aWYxz_8EIhPQjSlrvFui8NRNWEg2V2G6j7WOfBMIu9LAOkfxdTFBwtgVxGDlp9Ha3DPWgPPSNmZz-DYXKPEnq4/s1600/DSC01085.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4TWW2QoDmGHhi1yoDqJTdOHY3xTxab2YgVsquvMmFk6zYIvMz1LuHowL1vQ5Ucs1y4h8Z8BAijjFlLr94TkhsKVHLhFZc3C1rBC1DjYlql0TjPdlgczBiblbR-25Uwxl0xNanbGV50Z8/s1600/after.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" height="459" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4TWW2QoDmGHhi1yoDqJTdOHY3xTxab2YgVsquvMmFk6zYIvMz1LuHowL1vQ5Ucs1y4h8Z8BAijjFlLr94TkhsKVHLhFZc3C1rBC1DjYlql0TjPdlgczBiblbR-25Uwxl0xNanbGV50Z8/s640/after.jpg" title="A family that birds together: Play Kitchen" width="640" /></a></div>
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Quick Breakdown:</h3>
<b style="color: black;">Carcass:</b> $15 entertainment shelf from the thrift store (YES-finally found something that would work)! I love the granite-looking top and the curved front, as well as the height. It fits perfectly under the kitchen bar). This is the "before" shot-though I guess it's actually the "during" shot. Originally it had some short feet, and that black thing on the left was attached to the bottom and would swing out-perhaps for hiding a remote? The panel on the left was originally some shelves that were the same width as the ones on the right. I moved the panel over and added a door. I'd also already cut the hole for the sink before I thought to take the "before" photo.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuwsYdfB6awLhojDOOFxIGyW6tI6vf98KE-AjelJWuIfUdqHucYaNH0aWYxz_8EIhPQjSlrvFui8NRNWEg2V2G6j7WOfBMIu9LAOkfxdTFBwtgVxGDlp9Ha3DPWgPPSNmZz-DYXKPEnq4/s1600/DSC01085.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><b><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuwsYdfB6awLhojDOOFxIGyW6tI6vf98KE-AjelJWuIfUdqHucYaNH0aWYxz_8EIhPQjSlrvFui8NRNWEg2V2G6j7WOfBMIu9LAOkfxdTFBwtgVxGDlp9Ha3DPWgPPSNmZz-DYXKPEnq4/s320/DSC01085.JPG" width="320" /></b></a></div>
<b>Doors, drawer and added shelves</b>: reclaimed particle board from Habitat for Humanity.<br />
<b>Knobs:</b> unfinished wood wheels from hardware store, painted and bolted loosely so they spin, unfinished wood handles and a black sphere knob for the drawer (~$12.50, not including the two handles I broke before I realized the bolts included were too long).<br />
<b>Sink: </b>brownie pan from the dollar store. I cut a hole in the top of the entertainment center the size of the pan minus the rim, and dropped it in.<br />
<b>Faucet:</b> pvc p-trap ($4) spray painted copper (because that's what I had already). I thought at first I'd use some blue ribbon for water, but found this cool yarn in my stash and decided to use it instead. I just tied it together at one end, ran it through the pipe, and tied it to one of the bolts I used for the water taps. <br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqRji06wtI0ApUvraNaphcTtHgge47T0HTyWMfye1fkRRbzXecHmU4dehJO26yN4g6YKyMjqnMALibD2Ei4WpAreuyk1jEp4MDfqwPm0t85_h3JpAhiP-6i97MN9fX1xkoVOY_NHFbdYg/s1600/DSC01121.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqRji06wtI0ApUvraNaphcTtHgge47T0HTyWMfye1fkRRbzXecHmU4dehJO26yN4g6YKyMjqnMALibD2Ei4WpAreuyk1jEp4MDfqwPm0t85_h3JpAhiP-6i97MN9fX1xkoVOY_NHFbdYg/s320/DSC01121.JPG" width="320" /></a><b>Oven Door</b>: cut hole with jigsaw, then attached a $4 piece of plexiglass to the back. I found the stove rack 2/$1 at the dollar store. I originally planned on putting one halfway up but they were too short. I may do that if I find one that fits.<br />
<b>Stove Burners:</b> painted wide-mouth mason jar lids <br />
<b>Hardware</b>: I used four of the smallest hinges I could find ($1 for a two-pack), and two magnetic cabinet fasteners to keep them closed ($1). I spent a lot more on screws and bolts than I thought I would, about $5 total including the bolts. You'd think with all the random hardware I already have that I wouldn't have to buy anything...but nothing I had quite worked with that silly particle board.<br />
<b>Paint:</b> One can of red spray paint, and some crafting paint. $3<br />
<b>Accessories: </b>The dish set was part of the present, and his aunt sent the cute wood condiment set from Plan Toys.<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieeyWYXcUbqV5Lpc_GXiwELywfSDJnLSIF3RyRz33YHd69I50k69RchonmolZ9yU1CBdjqSRgGM7uKKBxJHCa-Yl5IDU07Tt1BUzo9jw1eQAWo_Jf72lzTQDPLrJu32yL-6SCsgAXILzc/s1600/apron.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieeyWYXcUbqV5Lpc_GXiwELywfSDJnLSIF3RyRz33YHd69I50k69RchonmolZ9yU1CBdjqSRgGM7uKKBxJHCa-Yl5IDU07Tt1BUzo9jw1eQAWo_Jf72lzTQDPLrJu32yL-6SCsgAXILzc/s320/apron.jpg" width="180" /></a><b>Apron:</b> I made this in a hurry a few days ago when he insisted on an apron like mine while helping me cook. I just used what I had on hand-but love how it turned out. I may make a pattern up and post it if there is interest.<br />
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My little buddy is still at the stage where he wants to do everything I do-and cooking is one of his favorites. Tonight he helped put the chopped apples into a pot and to his delight, he got to sprinkle them with cinnamon sugar. This concoction went over some pork chops, yummy!<br />
For his second birthday I wanted to get him a play kitchen. I looked around, and of course fell in love with the most expensive ones...and suddenly all the plastic ones just wouldn't do. Some of my favorite play kitchens were re-purposed nightstands and entertainment centers. A few months before his birthday I started watching the thrift shops and ooggled every garage sale I passed, without finding anything that would work. A few weeks before his birthday I decided I'd need to make one from scratch. I found some particle board at our local Habitat for Humanity shop-it was odd stuff, and had a light wood laminate sticker on one side, and a darker color sticker on the other. It was the right price though- $3 per 8' board. Luckily the darker color was pretty close to my kitchen cabinets so I drew up plans and started cutting-and immediately ran into problems. <br />
I soon found out the wood I'd bought was NOT intended to be cut with a jigsaw...but ya work with what ya got. The particle board just fell apart when the teeth pulled up. Switching to a scrollwork blade helped, at least the side I'd have facing outward wasn't too jagged but I started to have my doubts. I am the ultimate amateur when it comes to woodworking. I just jumped into the deep end and used black paint to cover up the worst of it...You'll notice I didn't take any closeup photos of my cut edges.<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzmIYFPRorN7z0RLfEnmm4JpgCdRDf6_kHLIDgoPPp1jG0g-xr2crNk6DQZYvaMNCv9AOe0Xb5t39kIo5YyykwssRIMB9FVcDjFW7lnML97ZsqK9DlUUvUpk4Tc6rW_z2nqwDKAneULog/s1600/DSC01117.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzmIYFPRorN7z0RLfEnmm4JpgCdRDf6_kHLIDgoPPp1jG0g-xr2crNk6DQZYvaMNCv9AOe0Xb5t39kIo5YyykwssRIMB9FVcDjFW7lnML97ZsqK9DlUUvUpk4Tc6rW_z2nqwDKAneULog/s320/DSC01117.JPG" width="320" /></a>The night before his birthday I'd cut a few pieces but hadn't gotten very far. I happened to try the thrift shop one more time, and found the entertainment center! I don't think I could have made anything out of that particle board that would have lasted more than a week. That entertainment shelf really saved the whole project. I just had to move one support side over to make it wide enough for the fridge, and add the drawer and stove door to the middle. Sounds simple right? It worked fine but took me two weeks of irregular use of nap-times and evenings. Throw in multiple trips to the hardware store...I guess maybe I should sign up for that rewards card...and two weeks later I got it done. The point is I GOT IT DONE! That's kind of a big deal in itself, judging by all the half-finished projects cluttering my craft room. In hindsight I should have just bought a sheet of nice plywood and I would have been a lot happier with the results, rather than trying to be thrifty and green by using reclaimed wood. I did learn from the experience, and I have to keep reminding myself this is for a TWO-YEAR-OLD. I still might replace the doors later-most of the hard work is done already. The project was not as cheap as I thought it would be considering I went the most inexpensive route I could-it just cost a bit here, a bit more there... In the end I'm happy with the result, and think it was worth it, but I definitely could have bought a decent play kitchen for what I spent-and probably will do that next time.<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhs_1vKHNrBsgqtEmUeo025Xm42inOOcq-BPJtFgCdoTgJkouSy8mVHJw8WC7uIPRglhuEoDpQshBRALqbWD_cwmXLp_0UXDl5EL_Sq9fwRZxjPVC9vObLD9Vq5k7FQaiZvQ_WgFNQElcA/s1600/DSC01110.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhs_1vKHNrBsgqtEmUeo025Xm42inOOcq-BPJtFgCdoTgJkouSy8mVHJw8WC7uIPRglhuEoDpQshBRALqbWD_cwmXLp_0UXDl5EL_Sq9fwRZxjPVC9vObLD9Vq5k7FQaiZvQ_WgFNQElcA/s400/DSC01110.JPG" width="400" /></a><br />
You know what's the funniest thing is about all this? I found a table saw at a garage sale for $10 tonight! Wish I'd found it a few weeks ago...<br />
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<br />Pamelahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09515981582718418225noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7362285544036753708.post-27711574332129263832012-04-13T15:38:00.002-07:002012-04-13T15:38:22.762-07:00Pioneer Themed Family Reunion<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWYQgGNPq5723hzr_Z5-CSJHU5DUtjPZqgcZjwxRusfMM4M3uA0ZwZFtpA9zk0NVksgbMslF3FlT9i9bJyh3wnbjEPy2TiCBBSJk0kdZhnm8juyweKoZOEW0OgRcLLGkZ3q4QxvLt96Vw/s1600/DSC07005.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWYQgGNPq5723hzr_Z5-CSJHU5DUtjPZqgcZjwxRusfMM4M3uA0ZwZFtpA9zk0NVksgbMslF3FlT9i9bJyh3wnbjEPy2TiCBBSJk0kdZhnm8juyweKoZOEW0OgRcLLGkZ3q4QxvLt96Vw/s640/DSC07005.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: xx-small;">Ancestral home, we were lucky enough to be invited in.</span><br />
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It was our turn last year to organize the annual family reunion, and we'd been waiting for it eagerly (ok, maybe not eagerly) but we'd been planning out a Pioneer theme for when our time came. <br />
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To get things started, we sent off a reminder invitation, that hinted of the fun to come a few months in advance. In the invitation we included food or other assignments, and called people the week before to remind them of what they'd been asked to bring.<br />
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<span style="color: #783f04;">Family History Tour</span></h3>
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Our first activity was a potluck lunch. Instead of holding it at the family farm, where the rest of the reunion would be held, we all met at a small town a little to the south. There are several pioneer homes still standing that were built and occupied by our ancestors. My dad is a cartographer-and he made a fantastic map of the town showing locations of ancestral properties that we handed out, and on the reverse we included a brief history of some of the ancestors that had lived in the homes. We lucked out on our first stop. It turned out that the town had hosted a historic home tour the week before, and the distant cousin that lived in the first home had it all spruced up and let us come in. She even gave us a booklet that had some information about the homes we'd planned on visiting, and it mentioned another home we weren't aware of. After a great tour of the property, we finished out the tour as planned, then headed back to the family farm.<br />
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Of course we couldn't have a pioneer themed reunion without some dutch oven food for the evening!<br />
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Activities</h3>
<b><span style="color: #783f04;">Pioneer Crafts for the Kids</span></b><br />
There are a few simple toys traditionally made by pioneer children. We made button wizzers-a simple toy made of string and a button. I'd bought some extra large buttons thinking they would work well, but they didn't make the wizzing sound the smaller buttons I'd brought as extras did, so we ended up using the smaller buttons. <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ev69Op0uAm0&feature=related">Here is a video</a> showing how to make and spin the wizzers. It is easier to watch than for me to try and explain how to pull it. We also made yarn dolls by winding yarn around cardboard squares as shown in <a href="http://www.cvmuseum.com/yarndoll.gif">this tutorial</a>. Corn husk dolls would be cute for a smaller or older group of children than the group I would be doing crafts with.<br />
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<b>Pioneer Games</b></div>
Some of the games we had ready included sack races, three-legged races, tug-of-war, and stick pulls. You are probably familiar with most of these pioneer games. The stick pull is a wrestling game, where two people sit facing each other with their feet together. Both hold onto a broomstick, and attempt to pull the other one off the ground. The first person who's seat is off the ground looses.<br />
Other games that would work for a pioneer themed reunion include pie or watermelon eating contests, watermelon seed spitting contests, horseshoes, egg races (where you put an egg in a spoon and try to finish the race first with an unbroken egg). <br />
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<b>Photo Booth</b></div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_Rp8GY06p1lyut2ZgnbCMgMJ8AWCwx_oK4BM6WL3FpDuDG3XP4tcuNHLIFqjqT5yr8L7YV2Heh581dZ2iiM2zAM_N1oke9LiitrcDHfe8a5ssAytnJIjIjeopuFKTkycdQwKyZl5eFw4/s1600/DSC07122.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_Rp8GY06p1lyut2ZgnbCMgMJ8AWCwx_oK4BM6WL3FpDuDG3XP4tcuNHLIFqjqT5yr8L7YV2Heh581dZ2iiM2zAM_N1oke9LiitrcDHfe8a5ssAytnJIjIjeopuFKTkycdQwKyZl5eFw4/s400/DSC07122.JPG" width="400" /></a>We knew not all of our families would enjoy dressing up, but we knew some would, so we brought some pioneer clothes, and encouraged others to bring some if they had some. I created some costumes on a stick for those who wanted to get pictures but didn't really want to dress up much. <a href="http://ohhappyday.com/2011/05/photobooth-props-diy-and-free-printable-2/">(here are some printables I used)</a>. <a href="http://rightinthemustache.com/?p=352">Here is a link to some great mustache templates</a>, I cut mine out of brown and black craft foam, and attached them to bamboo skewers. <br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhh8I9o9FX0Hh9UyUbJh4eCXkd0c4UwSJ9mzZ8YhjNaA5XJF8UtLDAzfpu3rO8mGQ_EOhe7t4ebMNXLlXkw-Gp5vlPS1iou5MQZCn0hs7YhaHOXPVHBhc_QPz4XmBluu86RhFy08yQLqnw/s1600/Look_familiar.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhh8I9o9FX0Hh9UyUbJh4eCXkd0c4UwSJ9mzZ8YhjNaA5XJF8UtLDAzfpu3rO8mGQ_EOhe7t4ebMNXLlXkw-Gp5vlPS1iou5MQZCn0hs7YhaHOXPVHBhc_QPz4XmBluu86RhFy08yQLqnw/s200/Look_familiar.jpg" width="132" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRUlkJWYJLgeEmOnZL42uKe5zaf2vKO6W_8CMPNciOXQ2EuR4I8CFmbrn445xqwvYkO-EwT3hbxN3SZwmcj9OWhapmCWzm_1eV4p7qT9rwUGSnd4zuvIv8hHi0CWSv0p-rY5cX9Gd9Ues/s1600/Look_familiar.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"></a>I also made a cut-out wanted poster. Technically we didn't have a "booth" because the family farm had so many great backdrops. A simpler backdrop could have been created using cardboard and paint, or a plain sheet. We brought a laptop and blank CD's to burn copies of the pictures onto right after they were taken, so nobody had to bother with e-mailing or mailing them out and trying to figure out who's who etc.after the reunion. We used camera settings and a free Photoshop type program (GIMP) to adjust the photos so they looked old. Some turned out really good. Another option is to provide the backdrop and costumes, then let families take their own photos.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkGDJfwT_TIzv45-rnXN6gT5Qk_TC0Co4p12K72leozML4tIjO41PGyaI5KFlDZforVlVkgbt_zULXeYHBB5qLg8SJwFLKOyZz9uqSLJe8qQLlVd8RaN7NJlVgExJ0hK240A1V_ug7uj8/s1600/DSC07126.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkGDJfwT_TIzv45-rnXN6gT5Qk_TC0Co4p12K72leozML4tIjO41PGyaI5KFlDZforVlVkgbt_zULXeYHBB5qLg8SJwFLKOyZz9uqSLJe8qQLlVd8RaN7NJlVgExJ0hK240A1V_ug7uj8/s400/DSC07126.JPG" width="400" /></a><b style="color: #783f04;">Pinata:</b><br />
It has become a yearly tradition to have a pinata for the kids. I couldn't find a western one I liked, so I just took a box and wrapped it with brown paper, cut out four wheels, and folded another piece of cardboard wrapped in white paper over the top to form a covered wagon. I ran wire under the box and up through the canopy for something to tie the rope to. (If making a homemade pinata, be sure the thing can be broken. I scored the box with a box cutter before wrapping it to weaken it so it would be sure to break. We attended a party where the pinata made for the toddlers had duct tape holding it together. It was cute, but took some strong guys and a baseball bat to finally break it open).<br />
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<b>Homemade Ice Cream...in a bag</b></div>
We let the kids have their hand at creating their own icecream. The recipe and method we used is <a href="http://2littlehooligans.blogspot.com/2011/06/how-to-make-homemade-ice-cream-in.html">here</a>. The only suggestions we have is to DO IT OUTSIDE. The salt and ice tends to get everywhere, especially with enthusiatic shakers. I would double bag the outer bag, and possibly double bag the inner bag. This icecream is a bit softer than soft serve, just shake it until it is thick enough to eat with a spoon, and eat it as soon as possible-it melts fast. If you try to get it thicker, the ice will start to melt too much, and so will the ice cream. This recipe also hardens to a rock if placed in the freezer long...we had to microwave some leftovers to get it soft enough to chisel into serving sized portions :) If you want to make something more like store-bough ice cream, don't do it in a bag, and use a different recipe. We have a hand-crank ice cream maker that is great when you want to involve kids. Ice cream in a bag is mostly for the fun of making it rather than the quality of the end result-though it does taste yummy!<br />
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<b style="color: #783f04;">Quilt Tying</b><br />
<span style="color: #783f04;"><span style="color: black;">We have the tradition of tying a few quilts while at the reunion that are donated to charity after the reunion. It makes a fun gathering spot for chatting too.</span></span><br />
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Food Ideas</h3>
Potluck the first evening, then we had pancakes for breakfast-a fast way to feed a lot of people.<br />
Lunch was dutch oven again-but we cheated a bit to speed things up. We brought frozen roll dough, let it thaw, and fried it up as scones, and topped it with cheese, chili, tomatoes, and salsa. We set up the toppings so people could help themselves to what they liked, and had some side dishes.<br />
We don't have a reunion fund we use for food, instead we try to spread it out so everyone brings an ingredient or side dish. We make allowances for those traveling longer distances and assign non-perishables to them. We try to divide up the more expensive ingredients fairly and assign less critical ingredients to those who aren't sure they can make it.<br />
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<b>Other ideas we didn't use this year but would have been fun:</b></div>
<b>Campfire and sing-along</b>.<br />
<b>Evening Program</b>, with things like stories from ancestor's biographies or journals, skits, humor, talent show, songs, etc.<br />
<b>Mini-museum</b>. Have people bring heirlooms and set up a mini museum with cards describing the objects and the person it belonged to. (You may want to assign someone to keep an eye on them so valuable items aren't handled by children, or suggest a photograph of valuable or delicate items be brought instead of the actual item.) Be sure to include historic photographs and journals, etc. of the people who owned them.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbeyEx4WaeNn7IguHe4Cxk_R4iWgZaVOubnnMtd1XMiSioCZnIf4-Kn1DdGXIoJqqMrj5ZbsV2Dgm8Hvi53I8sVRZpMGRslc_0ebS9MRYMKOyZwwQcx8dfntmSl6_GPYcOahHzrFzOooY/s1600/hollyhock.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbeyEx4WaeNn7IguHe4Cxk_R4iWgZaVOubnnMtd1XMiSioCZnIf4-Kn1DdGXIoJqqMrj5ZbsV2Dgm8Hvi53I8sVRZpMGRslc_0ebS9MRYMKOyZwwQcx8dfntmSl6_GPYcOahHzrFzOooY/s320/hollyhock.jpg" width="176" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">A hollyhock decended from original seed planted by our ancestor.</span></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td></tr>
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<b>History Swap</b>: Collect relevant family histories ahead of time, and create a CD to hand out or sell for the cost of producing it. Include scanned historic photographs. Another option is to post the histories on a website accessible to family members, like MyFamily.com.<br />
<b>Pedigree Charts</b>: Hang a large pedigree chart up, with photographs attached when available. You might have smaller charts available, or cute blank ones for people to fill out themselves as an activity. There are some nice ones available here, and some designed like trees here.<br />
<b>Make some homemade butter</b>: just put some heavy whipping cream into a jar, and pass it around during a meal or program. Have everyone shake it for a minute or so and pass it on until the butter solidifies. Pour off the buttermilk, and add a bit of salt if desired, then serve. <br />
<b>Have a special guest</b>: Have a family member or someone else come in costume and either tell a story or demonstrate a pioneer skill.<br />
<b>Pedigree Nametags</b>: For extended family reunions, Have name tags that look like a partial pedigree so people can see how you descend from a common ancestor. Three generations would be about all you could reasonably fit onto a larger tag.<br />
<b>Hay Ride</b><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIHgDKhfq7-VRrRSCo65UVoGLfWIipzVyelUILcBWzOl7Hdfx9aOMfijNtZNJLVZFoQbEW5LaKIzZ9eLIgTavLvoqGgamWqw7UWr0jqLmY0rf8aEDAMLkEpTddAqFJ_fMRc-recfqOYCE/s1600/DSC07157.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIHgDKhfq7-VRrRSCo65UVoGLfWIipzVyelUILcBWzOl7Hdfx9aOMfijNtZNJLVZFoQbEW5LaKIzZ9eLIgTavLvoqGgamWqw7UWr0jqLmY0rf8aEDAMLkEpTddAqFJ_fMRc-recfqOYCE/s320/DSC07157.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Fun with Grandpa's tractor</span></td></tr>
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<b style="color: #783f04;">What are some tips you have for a successful family reunion?</b></h3>
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<b>Quilt Swap and Auction (for fundraising): </b>another side of my
family has the tradition of raffling off a quilt each reunion. Funds
are used to provide a few things for the next reunion. The catch if you
win...you provide the quilt for the next year. We also bring little
items to sell-things like used toys, books, DVD's, crafts, baked goods,
etc. We buy tickets for $0.50 and drop as many tickets as we want into a
cup by the item. A ticket is drawn for each item<b>. </b><br />
<b>Location</b>: Each of the different family reunions I attend has different ways of organizing the location. Some meet at the common grandparent's home, or when the family outgrew that location, we meet at a nearby park (make sure to reserve your space if needed) or church. Some rotate locations to rotate the longer traveling between members fairly (as possible and reasonable). Pick locations that will still work if the weather turns cold or rainy, or have alternate places to go so you don't have to cancel.<br />
<b>Timing:</b> Would it work best for your family to meet yearly? Every other year? It seems to work best to choose a date at the previous reunion and stick to it. There will always be conflicts, but it helps to have your date on the calendar way in advance so people can plan around it, rather than surprising everyone with a date a few weeks away. It also helps to always use the same weekend every summer, so people get used to having it then. A common ancestor's birthday, anniversary, or a holiday make it easier for people to remember the date.<br />
<b>The "Committee"</b>: how formal do you want your reunion? How much planning is needed? Who is going to keep track of any funds? It is a big job to organize a lot of people, make sure there is enough food, and something for everyone to do. It helps to have a meeting at each reunion where the person in charge of the next reunion is assigned. You might want to rotate through siblings, or some other orderly way so people aren't surprised when their turn comes around. If you have a large family, you could either make assignments for subcommittees now, or let the person in charge for next year make the assignments. What you should avoid is making the same people do the lion's share of the work year after year. As willing as they might be, you don't want them to get burned out, and if someone feels involved and important, they are more likely to attend.<br />
<b>Think of the kids</b>: you may look forward to getting a chance to catch up with family you don't get to see much, but all this sitting and talking is very boring to kids, especially if they don't really know these people. You may want your children to get to know these people who are important to you, but it is a much better idea to do it through activities. <br />
These activities don't need to be grandiose or expensive. As a kid, we waited all summer to be able to go to the "Balloonion". What made it special? A tank of helium and some balloons. We couldn't wait. (Even if the majority of them were breathed in so we could talk funny...). We always knew there would also be a few games and races with a bit of candy for the winners (and losers). <br />
Think of things like Frisbee, sidewalk chalk, bean bag tosses, balls, and if you are brave, water guns and water balloons. Just be prepared for a few adults to get a little wet too. Assign someone to be in charge of the kid's crafts, activities, and games. Every second of the reunion doesn't need to be planned, just have a few fun things for the kids to do when they get bored of chasing each other around.<br />
<br />Pamelahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09515981582718418225noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7362285544036753708.post-89018885526844509772012-03-19T13:41:00.002-07:002012-03-19T13:41:53.106-07:00Toy Box<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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For Christmas some of my siblings wanted to give our mom a "Grandma's Toy Box". My contribution was to paint the exterior, and then I sewed some canvas bags to hold some of the toys with lots of pieces. <br />
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The canvas bags have a basic shape drawn on them with a permanent marker to so even kids who can't read yet know what is inside without dumping them on the floor. The toys shown are all from Ikea...love that place!<br />
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For safety, we installed some brackets that keep the lid from closing too fast. This was a must since the lid was heavy.Pamelahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09515981582718418225noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7362285544036753708.post-51234874050609863312012-02-27T14:11:00.001-08:002013-02-16T17:27:36.780-08:00Easy-Peasy Light Box<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0nr8vqZVzi-pzYeMepYyA2yyqx0BKQj3mKw1rSXq4ymxwsL_6QUAukyavQxnBkjV0frZlKQbWxhpXbBodoGzDBcYmSszHD0cPGOlfu4RiT9ygO7bzN9BnrGU5gzZfTMNPTbxaYY0LVno/s1600/DSC00647.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0nr8vqZVzi-pzYeMepYyA2yyqx0BKQj3mKw1rSXq4ymxwsL_6QUAukyavQxnBkjV0frZlKQbWxhpXbBodoGzDBcYmSszHD0cPGOlfu4RiT9ygO7bzN9BnrGU5gzZfTMNPTbxaYY0LVno/s640/DSC00647.JPG" width="640" /></a><br />
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Light boxes are a great way to introduce a toddler to color and light. Because children are interested in the way light plays over and through objects, they can be used to hold a child's attention while you introduce other concepts. Colorful shapes can be used to teach sizes, shapes and sorting skills. They can also be used to introduce math concepts such as counting and basic fractions. Because light boxes are fun, children use them in sensory, exploratory, and imaginative play. -And by the way, did I mention they are cool? I wish I'd had one as a kid!<br />
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A professionally built light table is pretty expensive, and so are many of the blocks and objects sold for use on light tables. Buying one wasn't an option for us, so I got creative. There are quite a few homemade light box tutorials out there, and I combined a few features from my favorites-using the most economical materials I could find.<br />
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To build your own light box, the name says it all. You need a box, and a light. You need a box with a transparent or translucent top that is fairly durable, and you need a light source that is diffused and not too bright or dim. This leaves you with a lot of options when it comes to making your own. Most tutorials either suggest you build a custom frame with glass or plexiglass tops, or use plastic storage totes. For lighting the favorite is the under-counter fluorescent lights-they are relatively inexpensive, cover a large area, and do not heat up. Battery powered closet lights are also popular for boxes that need to be portable. Other creative solutions for lighting included Christmas light strings and rope lights. The most unique solution I saw used an old flatbed scanner-but I don't have the electronic expertise to rig one of those. <br />
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<b>This is what I came up with:</b></div>
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1. <span style="color: #990000;"><b>Two small totes</b>:</span> Only one child will be using this at a time, so I didn't need a large box. I wanted the totes shallow-you don't need much height for a light box, and I wanted the height of the box to be manageable if I stacked a second tote on top to contain objects. I'd hoped to find something with a flat bottom, but had to make do with two small indentations on the lids and base of the totes. The deciding factor: these were on sale.<br />
2.<b> </b><span style="color: #990000;"><b>Extension cord</b>:</span> I used one I had already.<br />
3.<b> <span style="color: #990000;">Aluminum foil</span></b> to line the tote. Most light boxes are set up so the bottom and sides are opaque, and they are usually lined with something that will reflect light back to the top.<br />
4. <b><span style="color: #990000;">Socket plugs</span></b> ($0.97). I looked at a lot of options for lighting. These totes were slightly too small for the undercabinet lights I already had, or I would have used those. It would have cost about $10 to get a shorter light, and a bit more to buy a rope light, which would have been another good option. These sockets plug into a normal plug, and hold a standard size light bulb. I worried using bulbs like this would make two bright spots, and the rest of the box would be dim, but the tissue paper diffused the light well enough that you don't really notice the two brighter spots much. (And I figure this is a temporary setup anyway).<br />
5. <b><span style="color: #990000;">Light bulbs</span></b>: don't use regular incandescent bulbs, they get too hot and would possibly melt the box and in the worst-case-scenario could start a fire. Compact florescent bulbs can generate heat, but not enough to cause a problem if used for short periods of time. I wouldn't suggest leaving it on for more than an hour or leaving the box unattended without checking the temperature. How hot it gets will depend on the wattage you choose. So far we haven't had an issue with heat.<br />
6. <b><span style="color: #990000;">Tissue paper</span></b>: you need something to diffuse the light a bit so you don't have a few bright spots and the rest is dark. I like tissue paper because it comes in larger sheets, so you don't have to tape it together and it is thin enough to let a lot of light through while spreading the light more uniformly instead of having a few bright spots. Some people like contact paper with an etched glass look.<br />
7. <b><span style="color: #cc0000;"><span style="color: #990000;">Tape.</span></span></b><br />
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<b>To assemble:</b></div>
1. Line one tote with foil, and line the lid with tissue paper. I just used a bit of tape to hold it down. In a few tutorials they've spray-painted the inside of the bottom tote with silver. I figured I can more easily re-purpose the totes if I use foil.<br />
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2. I plugged the sockets into the extension cord, and screwed in the bulbs. Some tutorials suggest drilling a hole in the tote for the cord, but I found the lid closed easily over the cord without pinching it dangerously. Again, this will let me use the tote later for something else when I get around to building a nicer light box.<br />
3. I suggest using some packing tape to hold the lid of the tote down, so it isn't a temptation to open the light box.<br />
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<b>Some ideas for using the box:</b></div>
I tried to find some affordable colored plexiglass or other colored blocks to use with the tote, but everything turned out to be rather pricey. While I'd like to get some sometime-I decided any translucent plastic could be used in the box. First find: some plastic binder dividers. I cut some shapes out of the plastic and we were ready to go! These were heavy enough that they haven't bent yet. I may get some more and make some blocks and cups or cones to play with.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpxMG_3h_v4VJpTEdUa8gn6hO_gUky-GdvFJ_RE7i8O2ulWvWA1oQXzeIg6e5Hi-qAh7l0_RAI2w7nnyz9nrelkaF5jPtm2ZjZuUIutrL3Cc9bSNtv0_lsygCqwra9nsfSabTY7IoD-Ow/s1600/light+table.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="281" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpxMG_3h_v4VJpTEdUa8gn6hO_gUky-GdvFJ_RE7i8O2ulWvWA1oQXzeIg6e5Hi-qAh7l0_RAI2w7nnyz9nrelkaF5jPtm2ZjZuUIutrL3Cc9bSNtv0_lsygCqwra9nsfSabTY7IoD-Ow/s400/light+table.jpg" width="400" /></a>Another favorite activity has been the floral gelatin beads. These are fun to pour and scoop-and there are a few that came out tiny-and we had fun sorting through them looking for the itty bitty ones.<br />
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I bought our beads for $2 at the big W. Each package contains about a teaspoon, but once hydrated, one package was enough to cover the bottom of the tote. These are non-toxic, but can be a choking hazard, so use supervision if your child is curious or mouths objects. These feel wet and rubbery, don't squish too easily, and are pretty fun to run your hands through. They also seem to last indefinitely, and are slow to dry out (a few that fell on the floor and were found a few days later had shrunk to half their size but returned to normal after being soaked). They can be put in a sieve and rinsed if you feel they need it, and I just dump them into a plastic zip bag and keep them in the fridge. I guess they will gradually loose their color but after a few weeks ours still look the same as day one. <br />
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Cons: they do bounce if dropped and can be a bit hard to contain, I have to pick up a dozen or so after each play session but feel it isn't enough of a mess to do away with them. The red ones don't stain fingers or the tote that I used-though a white plastic scoop I let him use picked up the dye. To be safe I rinse out the tote and wipe it down after each use.<br />
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Not everything needs to be translucent-one of the favorite toys to go in the box has been a pile of little plastic animals. The light makes great silhouettes out of the figures, and my little buddy likes moving them into cups and containers then dumping them out. He also picks up random objects to put in the box, and it is fun to stand back and watch him experiment.<br />
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The next thing I'd like to try is salt painting-just pour table salt or sand into the bottom of the tote so it has a good covering, then draw in the salt. This would be a good way to practice letters or shapes, or tell a story. <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ErFLE3SBAUE">Here is a link</a> to a video showing a master artist using this technique. You could even show this video to older children, then have them tell their own story. <br />
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<br />Pamelahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09515981582718418225noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7362285544036753708.post-17775365810526207152012-02-12T09:22:00.000-08:002012-02-12T09:22:41.719-08:00Sherpa Bomber Hat and Gloves<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizQFnhyphenhyphenWL6fNuvHM_2yBTxpBnju6z6rbUUFY0MlaVbeg5f3s3f5Nb74ysHOvtnCDhnZh4YYcTVw7I0ZLnD5DeBu2m_6KdXa8QcniX51yD3btCAUa0sniQcDC3UUciYEuasH6WaW-hMJgQ/s1600/Sherpa+Bomber+Hat.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="383" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizQFnhyphenhyphenWL6fNuvHM_2yBTxpBnju6z6rbUUFY0MlaVbeg5f3s3f5Nb74ysHOvtnCDhnZh4YYcTVw7I0ZLnD5DeBu2m_6KdXa8QcniX51yD3btCAUa0sniQcDC3UUciYEuasH6WaW-hMJgQ/s400/Sherpa+Bomber+Hat.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
I've been wanting to make my little buddy a bomber hat when I found some great Sherpa microfleece last year. I've been searching for a simple bomber hat pattern I could use and finally found one at <a href="http://deliacreates.blogspot.com/2010/10/lumber-jack-hat.html">Delia Creates</a>. I followed her pattern measurements, and it just fits my son's 18 1/2 " head. It probably would have been nice to cut it a bit larger-but I figure it will fit him until we are out of the cold weather. Since the Sherpa fabric was fleece on one side and microsuede on the other, I didn't line the hat, and sewed most of the seams so they were on the outside. I like the look of the fleece peeking through. I rolled the fleece and sewed it down so the bottom edges would look more finished, and I did the same to the brim before attaching it. Since I didn't have to sew the lining, it worked up very quickly! I do like how it comes low in the back to cover his neck, and his ears will stay toasty warm. I left off the ties for now, but I'd like to find some matching twill tape to sew on so I can tie the flaps up if I want. <br />
I thought he should have some matching mittens so I deconstructed a mitten to create the pattern for the ones in the picture. I did make a lot of changes to the mitten pattern, so I think I can post that for you without problem.<br />
Now I just need to make him a jacket, scarf, boots, pants, and goggles!<br />
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<br />Pamelahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09515981582718418225noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7362285544036753708.post-4989904625331728412012-01-31T13:59:00.000-08:002012-01-31T14:09:52.266-08:00Mama's Little Helper<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
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When my little buddy had been walking a month or two, he started trying to do everything I did. He especially liked sweeping, but such a long handle being waved around by someone without much fine motor control was a bit hazardous. Luckily I had a small broom with an aluminum handle that I cut down with a bow-saw and popped the plastic top back on to the cut piece. Perfect! We jazzed it up with some stickers and my little buddy was just tickled. He still gets it out frequently and helps me "seep". Lately he's been wanting to help me "keen" the bathroom and dust, so I thought I'd encourage this while he was still small enough to think it is fun. (He's about 20 months old now). Maybe I'm the one that needs to look for the fun in cleaning...<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsKYd5h4mVkir7hR6gVh5A7XZssFkusznvtdHEjhmL7U_9Py0KrkDjBTO3sealFCmndt36EUdtS2Vrl7bmIwpqXoX5sdAAMzb2cQ4Nc4S8OnFovqMjpWY7-Ov5ErI0-A_K2ilbC6lPTdQ/s1600/mama's+helper.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsKYd5h4mVkir7hR6gVh5A7XZssFkusznvtdHEjhmL7U_9Py0KrkDjBTO3sealFCmndt36EUdtS2Vrl7bmIwpqXoX5sdAAMzb2cQ4Nc4S8OnFovqMjpWY7-Ov5ErI0-A_K2ilbC6lPTdQ/s1600/mama's+helper.jpg" /></a><br />
I made this little kit for him using mostly dollar store items, and things from around the house. He helped me stick stickers on everything, and we are good to go! I haul around my cleaning supplies in a tote, so I found a basket he could use to carry everything-and it doubles as a place to keep his cleaning things when he's not playing with them. I included a microfiber rag, scrub brush, dustpan, duster, a few sponges, and a squirt bottle with a little water in it.<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjn40H5Rv-kfVQ7BhS5ThymwM9dyjjxqmTk8D0B6DB9gPogsotnUWTR2cf2wUNabRTpnMRVFai2prrjoEkckVvgn527d1ZWP5L4ldN0EK7RzDUVLGpF_Cf0vT7bQU6hqelpJMzkLtcseWU/s1600/mama's+helper+3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="346" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjn40H5Rv-kfVQ7BhS5ThymwM9dyjjxqmTk8D0B6DB9gPogsotnUWTR2cf2wUNabRTpnMRVFai2prrjoEkckVvgn527d1ZWP5L4ldN0EK7RzDUVLGpF_Cf0vT7bQU6hqelpJMzkLtcseWU/s400/mama's+helper+3.jpg" width="400" /></a><br />
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We'll see how the water bottle goes-it might be too tempting to squirt everything, but so far my buddy is pretty good about using things like this the way I show him. The only problem I've had so far is with the dust pan. He was "helping" me cook the other day and I didn't see him take a measuring cup and dip it in the sugar. That went mostly on the floor as he went to dump it in the bowl. I helped him use his dust pan to clean it up, and unfortunately it must have been way too much fun, because he now tries to head for the sugar when he has the dustpan. I'm thinking I'll get out some paper punch dots for him to sweep up, or some pom poms until the sugar is forgotten.<br />
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I tried using a technique to transfer printed images to wood using acetone as described in <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qI0IW2prnaI&feature=related">this tutorial</a>, but had limited success. I ended up having to go over the image with ink and paint before I was happy with it. Too bad, I was hoping it would work better, I have a lot of projects where I'd like to transfer my art to wood but it seems like it might be easier to just work on the wood. If any of you have a better technique I'd love to hear about it! <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEUIjqOSe-3s06CVWenpunocI1OPXdnqUhI5hI8hwUo_dKQ8aGGHjF1iNyTfHXPbkhr0zp2nmvGNyb8lQzBQcxML6YI1r_QA4UtE1nnQc7D29l4Ti_geGN0n3BnrEPwY_jQrV5kfRP9Zo/s1600/DSC00566.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEUIjqOSe-3s06CVWenpunocI1OPXdnqUhI5hI8hwUo_dKQ8aGGHjF1iNyTfHXPbkhr0zp2nmvGNyb8lQzBQcxML6YI1r_QA4UtE1nnQc7D29l4Ti_geGN0n3BnrEPwY_jQrV5kfRP9Zo/s320/DSC00566.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEUIjqOSe-3s06CVWenpunocI1OPXdnqUhI5hI8hwUo_dKQ8aGGHjF1iNyTfHXPbkhr0zp2nmvGNyb8lQzBQcxML6YI1r_QA4UtE1nnQc7D29l4Ti_geGN0n3BnrEPwY_jQrV5kfRP9Zo/s1600/DSC00566.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgScKtkhI7KCgclD_GTS1aSaQ2HjbtprUUl_k7OPiClC_vcjWdzsBxVeJvgzNML4bcFf9tSnRTSt880RIERKErjj1cpmm86samVHEBdv4Kgngi1j1UEDhmb5aBMYN7XEtOjph9X91EjEtk/s1600/mama's+helper+4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="183" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgScKtkhI7KCgclD_GTS1aSaQ2HjbtprUUl_k7OPiClC_vcjWdzsBxVeJvgzNML4bcFf9tSnRTSt880RIERKErjj1cpmm86samVHEBdv4Kgngi1j1UEDhmb5aBMYN7XEtOjph9X91EjEtk/s320/mama's+helper+4.jpg" width="320" /></a><br />
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Here you can see how it turned out. In the photo I'd started going over the lettering with a very fine-tipped permanent ink pen-a thicker one bled into the wood.Pamelahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09515981582718418225noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7362285544036753708.post-40819416518793566542012-01-24T13:05:00.000-08:002012-08-08T19:58:46.873-07:00Not Beyond Repair<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJJ2XdcfT5m-_SAs1MqYZkkMORorpGQLudUqyAtlwqWtiPGEp-4NAgbT4AiYU0E_kTTX_KEekRi8-J5LDTbNNzTIuMgfovhkau5pK9Dm7xqlsnMWZmcZEjGkXxzN8si7oKc_jHkS2zKlk/s1600/Juicer1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="261" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJJ2XdcfT5m-_SAs1MqYZkkMORorpGQLudUqyAtlwqWtiPGEp-4NAgbT4AiYU0E_kTTX_KEekRi8-J5LDTbNNzTIuMgfovhkau5pK9Dm7xqlsnMWZmcZEjGkXxzN8si7oKc_jHkS2zKlk/s320/Juicer1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
Yeah! A five-dollar fix for something I thought I'd have to toss out! A bit ago I was given an aluminum steamer juicer. They are fantastic when you want to juice a lot of fruit without a lot of effort -see my prickly pear jelly tutorial <a href="http://afamilythatbirdstogether.blogspot.com/2011/10/prickly-pear-jelly.html">here</a>. There are three sections to this kind of juicer-the top section holds the fruit (or vegetable). It has holes like a seive which allow the juices to drip down into the second section. The lowest section holds water that rises up through the fruit to steam it and release juice. The trick to using these juicers is to never let the water in the boiler run out. It is easy to do though, since you fill it up and leave it on the stove for hours to collect all the juice. (I've heard that if you put a few glass marbles in the water, they'll start to make a racket when the water gets low. Definitely going to be testing that one the next time I juice!)<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0nv_rvq15mhSf6gDii2LFhx2lsc_mpvVSTHTwvlqR_Q3y3p8YDzwFqZdOFxZJNKbVwS3gQbIqyHpaEnSHcY3BCdVDRh-EwiTz7OK-BDQrL6iy5sLOpn9jyb5OOjJUKP6eBmuraF0d2AM/s1600/Juicer2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0nv_rvq15mhSf6gDii2LFhx2lsc_mpvVSTHTwvlqR_Q3y3p8YDzwFqZdOFxZJNKbVwS3gQbIqyHpaEnSHcY3BCdVDRh-EwiTz7OK-BDQrL6iy5sLOpn9jyb5OOjJUKP6eBmuraF0d2AM/s320/Juicer2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
This particular juicer had been boiled dry, and some pinholes had formed on the base...making the whole thing useless. I thought I would just order a replacement part-which is usually fairly easy. Unluckily, it appears this company went out of business quite some time ago, and the pot from another brand was slightly too small. I stuck the thing on a shelf hoping I could come up with something...and a while later I read you could repair it with J-B weld epoxy (I'll post the link if I can find it). There may be other brands that would work, but this is the only brand carried by the stores I tried. J-B Universal Epoxy stick was what the original source said to use, when I couldn't find it, I bought J-B Steel Stick Epoxy had all the same characteristics, so I used that. As far as I can tell the only difference was the color. You just need to make sure the epoxy adheres to Aluminum, and double check to make sure it is drinking water safe (though as far as I can tell, all J-B welds are non-toxic and bond with aluminum). <br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_20GsScmGNc_fdbRRwUEzE-H9BjSLIMcB0_HabNtvXUZ3PQwipTQvKPSio9o_U5XqSH6_y8Zz_mbif75eTwU-otxDWVorsXqssWNlQmZfLgdsTeuBWJe6js7g1tpObfg7BeIO2cLBHyE/s1600/Juicer3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_20GsScmGNc_fdbRRwUEzE-H9BjSLIMcB0_HabNtvXUZ3PQwipTQvKPSio9o_U5XqSH6_y8Zz_mbif75eTwU-otxDWVorsXqssWNlQmZfLgdsTeuBWJe6js7g1tpObfg7BeIO2cLBHyE/s320/Juicer3.jpg" width="180" /></a>The putty comes rolled in plastic, which is held in a plastic tube. Slip it out of the tube and unwrap enough of the stick to cut off a section. I found a half inch of putty was overkill for my repair-I used it all anyway, figuring I might not be able to see smaller holes that haven't quite broken through all the way. The putty has two parts to it-there is a darker core that you need to mix together with the outer layer. This only took a few minutes of mixing by hand. The package says to mix until you get a uniform color. It also suggests you do this with damp hands so it doesn't stick-very true. I ended up moving the whole project near the sink so I could keep my hands damp-it gets pretty sticky otherwise, and prefers to stick to you over the metal unless your hands are damp. It was a bit smelly while it was being mixed-you may want to open a window.<br />
Once the two parts are mixed together, press it into the holes and spread it around. It is a bit thicker than chewing gum, so it doesn't spread too easily, it might be easier to put small dots down and smooth them together by pressing them. I got part of the pot a bit wet, and it took some pressure to get it to stick to that spot, but it did stick. You have about five minutes to play with it. I found I had plenty of time to get it the way I wanted before it started to harden. If you have a bigger project though, you may want to mix it in small batches to be sure you have time to apply it. Once you have it where you'd like, you can smooth it down using your fingers, or maybe a plastic spoon. Once it hardens you can drill or sand it if you need to. It should become pretty inflexible after about 30 minutes, and is supposed to cure after an hour. I'm going to give it a few days to set before I try heating it just to be sure. (The product's web site says it can withstand temperatures up to 500 <span style="font-size: small;"><span class="st"><i>°</i></span></span>F.)<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqfriRYYljRDJ6tZ0abRYz55LQwjx-sWOEVh7Eq1D1MdG-xFz-S-mALKYUPZrDrHn0hyKV72yDhf-OefKcp5OaNWXshCNmX7BGBw-GEB4lmpvItXsHyleL7HjKhmGNamRlFJdcTiIe2Tc/s1600/Juicer4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqfriRYYljRDJ6tZ0abRYz55LQwjx-sWOEVh7Eq1D1MdG-xFz-S-mALKYUPZrDrHn0hyKV72yDhf-OefKcp5OaNWXshCNmX7BGBw-GEB4lmpvItXsHyleL7HjKhmGNamRlFJdcTiIe2Tc/s320/Juicer4.jpg" width="320" /></a> It's not a pretty patch, but I'm just happy to have a working juicer. The alternative is recycling the juicer, so I figure I'll come out ahead if it works, not much is lost if it doesn't. I'll post an update once I've tested it...I was just too excited to share this to wait.<br />
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If you try this, let me know how it turns out. <br />
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I even have enough left over to try and patch the leaky garbage disposal!<br />
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<u>Is it safe?</u><br />
The product's web site claims it is non-toxic, (though they suggest you don't eat it...duh). Other information I was able to find
suggests that most epoxy resins are non-toxic when hardened, though
sanding or filing it can release bits that may be swallowed or inhaled. Most health concerns seem to be with the chemicals in the pre-mixed state-most epoxies contain two chemicals that mix to form a strong, non-toxic polymer. Wash your hands after using the putty, avoid inhaling it too deeply while mixing, and you'll probably be fine. If
you are concerned about metals and chemicals, you may want to skip an
aluminum juicer altogether and go with an enameled one. (In the 1960's and 70's there was some suspicion that aluminum could be linked to Alzheimer's, but no study since has been able to link the two, and everyday use of aluminum is considered safe. See the <a href="http://www.alz.org/alzheimers_disease_myths_about_alzheimers.asp">Alzheimer's Association</a> page). Enameled juicers are nice
but more expensive. I figured I'm not going to be using it for food
I'll eat in large enough amounts or frequently enough to bother me. My drinking water
probably has more stuff in it based on what is left behind when it evaporates.<br />
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<a href="http://jbweld.net/faq.php">Here</a> is the company's website if you have other questions.<br />
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Update: I used some more of this stuff to patch two cracks in our garbage disposal that would spray every time we turned it on, and dripped when the dishwasher was run. When I looked up repair options most websites said I'd need a new one, which is not an option for us at the moment. I cleaned the cracks and let the disposal dry for a day without using the sink, then patched up the cracks. I now have a disposal that doesn't leak a bit! Yeah! I'm hoping it will last us for a while-but we'd be happy with any time it buys us before we have to replace it. I still have over half a stick...what to fix next? <br />
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Update again: I just used this juicer to process ten quarts of cactus juice and the patch worked perfectly. I also tried the trick of putting a few marbles in the bottom, the idea was that they would start to jitter when the water level got low and I'd hear it. That myth was busted for me-I don't know if the rings on the bottom of the pan kept the marbles from bouncing but they didn't make any noise. Luckily I checked the water level hourly, and avoided disaster. <br />
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Oh, and the garbage disposal? It's been six months without a drip! Pamelahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09515981582718418225noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7362285544036753708.post-8320087853567399622011-11-29T14:31:00.001-08:002011-12-01T20:32:24.585-08:00Na Na Na Na Batman!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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I made this apron for my sister's birthday after seeing a similar one-and now I need a Wonder Woman one for me!<br />
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I didn't find a pattern quite like I was looking for, so I made one up. The pattern below shows the size and colors to use-I used black but many of the classic batman costumes use a deep blue instead of black.<br />
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Here are some quick instructions-I didn't take photographs while sewing it up, but it should be fairly straightforward...I hope.<br />
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1. Cut fabric pieces. I've allowed for a 3/8 " hem, but you could use a smaller hem if you like, there aren't many places where it would create a problem.<br />
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2. Take the gray piece, and press a 3/8" hem along one of the 15" sides. Pin it to one of the black top pieces so the bottom and sides line up, and the pressed hem is folded inward and is at the top. Clear as mud? Good. Topstitch the gray along the pressed hem with gray thread, and baste the sides together closer to the edge than 3/8". (If you intend to sew the logo on rather than fusing it in place, attach the logo now. See step 8.)<br />
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3. Pin the black top pieces right sides together so the gray piece is on the inside. Sew around the sides and top, leaving the bottom open. At the top, narrow your hem to form a point. Trim and clip seams to make turning it inside out easier. Turn it inside out and press. Topstitch with black thread close to the edges.<br />
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4. Sew the two sash pieces together to create a (nearly) 90" long piece. Press seam open. Fold the sash in half so it is 90" long and 4" high, with the open edge on the outside. Sew one short edge, and the long edge of the sash, then turn inside out through the open end of the sash. Fold in the raw edges of the open end of the sash and sew closed. Press. <br />
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5. Hem two short sides and one long side of the apron skirt. Gather the top of the skirt so it is 15 " wide.<br />
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6. Fold in the raw edges of the top. Press. Insert gathered edge of skirt about 3/8", adjusting gather to fit if needed. Pin in place, then topstitch over all layers to attach skirt to top. (Don't worry if the front seam is perfect, you'll be covering it with the sash.<br />
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7. Pin center of sash to apron, so lower edge of sash is slightly below where the skirt meets the top. Topstitch in place using black thread, and add extra seams to form the "utility belt" If you wish the lines to be darker than mine are, you could use a zigzag or satin seam.<br />
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8. I'll leave replicating the logo to you, I just found an image to use as a template and layered the black, yellow and black together with strong fuseable interfacing, then fused it to the apron. I considered topstitching the logo to the apron, but that really should have been done when the gray was attached so the seam didn't show on the back. I also decided I liked the clean look the interfacing gave.<br />
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*tip-when using double sided fuseable interfacing, it is a lot easier to cut the shape after fusing a slightly larger piece of interfacing to the fabric. Fuse the interfacing to the wrong side of the fabric, and keep the paper on while cutting the shape. Remove the paper just before attaching it to the next layer. If you cut the fabric first, you'll get a mess when the iron touches the exposed interfacing, and if you cut the interfacing first, I've found you don't get as clean of a cut. Start with the biggest shape first and layer up, then fuse the finished logo to the apron.<br />
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9. To finish the top you have a few options. You can create strips of a contrasting color (gray or yellow will help the "ears" stand out) and use D rings to create an adjustable neck loop. You can also use a piece of elastic as I did here, and just sew it to each tip, creating the proper height of neck loop. This didn't work out so well though-it fit me fine but my sister is a bit shorter and it would have worked better to attach a hook and loop to the tips. That would have made it fit her torso better.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihQyQJ_ZHweKyohPPYQacmRNy-6F3kheAidkQQc9FcwyAbUntn9sX242cEIHtovZZkHAep4E5hYVlLmpm4QQcsnkMcp8PoFkNYtyERveKTzKwK390GtA4XJG2IPnQbcJyfY3aAd4Tfj30/s1600/batman+apron+pattern.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="570" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihQyQJ_ZHweKyohPPYQacmRNy-6F3kheAidkQQc9FcwyAbUntn9sX242cEIHtovZZkHAep4E5hYVlLmpm4QQcsnkMcp8PoFkNYtyERveKTzKwK390GtA4XJG2IPnQbcJyfY3aAd4Tfj30/s640/batman+apron+pattern.jpg" width="640" /></a>Hope you have fun with this! I'd love to see any you make-especially if you go for other superheroes!<br />
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<br />Pamelahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09515981582718418225noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7362285544036753708.post-23794790066461065152011-11-07T09:29:00.000-08:002011-11-07T10:00:11.100-08:00Operation Organize: The Housework File<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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One of the biggest causes of stress for me has been the struggle to keep up with housework. I've been on a search to find a way to manage what I need to do, and I came across a great method at <a href="http://organizedhome.com/shes-organized">Organized Home</a>
where index cards are used to organize the seemingly endless list of things
that need to be done to keep up a home. The card file helps me rotate through chores that only need doing
occasionally. This way I don't feel guilty walking past a window that
could use some cleaning, or that dusty ceiling fan-I know I'll get to it
soon enough. After using it for a few months, I've tweaked their system a bit as I've learned what works
for me and what doesn't work so well.<br />
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<br />
Here is a quick summary of
how to set up a card system:<br />
<div style="color: #45818e;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="color: #45818e;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>First step: Inventory</b></span></div>
Walk through
your home with a notepad and write down every chore that needs to be
done, regardless if it is one you have to do daily or one that only
needs attention once a year or so. Don't
worry if you don't think of everything at once, you can add or take out cards whenever you like.<br />
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<b></b><br />
<div style="color: #45818e;">
<b><span style="font-size: large;">Second: Create Your File Cards</span></b></div>
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<b>What to put on the card:</b> For
each chore you listed on the notepad, take an index card and list the
chore in the middle of the card. Decide how often that chore should be done-I divided mine into weekly, twice a month, monthly, every 3 and 6 months, and yearly, and write that on the card-I put it in the top left corner. I only have a few yearly cards, and it turned out each one of them should be done a specific time of year (like changing fire alarm batteries and getting the AC unit serviced) so I'm thinking I'll just keep those cards as a reminder to put them on my calendar.<br />
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On the back of the card I make a note of the date when I get a task done. In the photograph above I put a few more things on the sample card that some people find useful, like the location, time to complete, or a checklist of things to be done to complete the chore (which makes it easier to delegate to other family members if you have help). <span style="color: #38761d;">*Side note: "Cleaning the Family Room" can mean different things to different people. What seems to be obvious to you sometimes needs to be written out. I took a family relations course where the instructor asked everyone to draw a picture of a house. She came up to me and said "No, you're doing it wrong!" and moved on. She came back several times and said this. I had no idea why my house was wrong. Finally she came back and pretended to be frustrated "No! All houses should have two windows, a door in the middle, and a tree!!" We avoid a lot of frustration and conflict with family members if we explain that to us a clean family room consists of the following: Pick up toys. Vacuum. Dust, and Wipe finger marks off the TV. They might feel they are done after picking up toys. If a child (or spouse) has a checklist to check off portions of the task as they go, you'll both be more likely to be pleased with the result.</span><i><span style="color: black;"> </span></i><br />
<b>Colored Cards:</b> There were several options for using colored
cards-at first I used colors for different types of tasks-white was for
housework, blue for paperwork...but found I only had one or two colored
cards. I decided to use the card file for housework tasks only, and I
ended up using colored cards for each area of the house. This way I
pull the cards I need to do for the day, and can quickly group them by
area since I like to tackle one room at a time. <br />
<b>Frequent Tasks</b>: Organized home suggests writing a card for
everything. I started out with cards for daily things like sweeping,
running the dishwasher, etc. Some people really like the satisfaction of filing away cards, but I found it was just one more thing to keep up with. I combined some tasks I always do together-like washing dishes then wiping down the counters and stove. I ended up tossing daily and weekly cards and made a card for each day of the week where I write a reminder of some things I'd like to get done that day-like watering plants and paying bills on Monday, recycling goes out on Wednesday, etc. I use Tuesdays to make sure the kitchen counters are clear and the living room is presentable. I've found I'm a lot more motivated to tackle deep cleaning tasks if I've got a fairly clean house to start with. <br />
<b>One-time tasks:</b> I made one card where I listed odd jobs-things that only need doing once like mending a screen or building shelves for the garage. As I complete these, I cross them off the list and start a new card. I try to get at least one of these done a week. Most of these are fiddly little repairs that don't take much time-like that loose doorknob you only notice when you are heading out the door and don't have time to do anything about at the moment.<br />
<b>De-cluttering</b>: I have several clutter magnets around the home. The worst are the top of the piano, and the chef's cart in the kitchen. Once or twice a week I clean these off so it doesn't become a big job.<br />
<b>Organizing</b>: Once a week, I pick one closet, shelf, or drawer and organize it. Organized home suggests moving through your house systematically -starting in one room and each time you tackle another spot, work your way clockwise through the room, then move on to the next room, and eventually you get back to where you started. I usually pull everything out, wipe or vacuum out the area, and organize everything as I put it back. I take this time to say goodbye to things I don't use or need. I usually keep a laundry basket there and toss everything that doesn't belong there into the basket. (Putting away these items needs to be part of the chore for me or it would just sit there...) Some bigger closets, like the one with my fabric and crafts, take more than one session. I have a card where I note the location of the area organized and the date I last tackled it.<br />
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<br />
<span style="color: #45818e; font-size: large;"><b>Third: Using the Cards</b></span><br />
There are a few ways to use your chore cards. I started out with the calendar system but just switched to a much simpler system. Both are explained below. <br />
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<div style="color: #45818e;">
<b><span style="font-size: small;">Calendar System:</span></b></div>
Organized Home suggests filing the cards using a calendar. An index file with month and days are used to divide the cards up evenly between the weeks, and as a chore is completed, it is filed back into the calendar according to when it should be done next. Divide these evenly through the
calendar. Take the weekly chores and place them all in the first week
on your cleaning days. The monthly chores should be divided into four
(or five) piles and each pile placed in each week of the first month,
chores to be done every three months are divided up by the number of
cleaning days in the first three months and so on. I filed most of the
chores on my heavy cleaning day, Wednesday. Chores that were to
be done on a certain date or season were filed into the month they needed doing. I used <a href="http://organizedhome.com/shes-organized">Organized Home</a>'s
method of dividing up the days of the week so each day is set aside for
certain tasks. If you are interested in how I organize my week,
my post where I explain it is <a href="http://afamilythatbirdstogether.blogspot.com/2011/11/operation-organize-weekly-plan.html">here</a>. <br />
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As you complete a chore, you file it
to the next date that it should be completed on. Weekly chores are put
in the next week's date, the monthy chores one month away, and so on.
If you can't complete a chore, you make a note on the card and file it
as if you'd done it. If you've skipped it twice, you should tackle that
chore before others the next time it comes up.<br />
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Pros: This is highly organized and it can be satisfying to refile each card months away as you complete the task. You can easily file cards that need to be done seasonally. Looking at the cards daily was motivation for me to keep up on things.<br />
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Cons: If you have a bad week and don't open your box...it can get complicated. You can easily skip a chore or two and refile it, but A whole week of traveling or being sick throws it all off,
and I had to unpack the files and re-divide them several times. This got old. <br />
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<div style="color: #45818e;">
<b>Rotating System </b></div>
Instead of
filing the cards into specific dates, I have one divider for each group
of chores based on how often they need doing. I then figure how many chores I need to finish that week
in order to cycle through the whole pile within that time frame.<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqANRLkWNecjnyGo-p7eMQi_PQ22EZisK19omZ8MH7DDdueNI_HbeT3ZK6-bxx-DftC5mL1KezEw6eqdeQMdu0iixXm68muINeB8xYbj1mVu9Z8RT-Lf0f8ua6zKyLNyJPHR9a1J1efpA/s1600/DSC08826.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqANRLkWNecjnyGo-p7eMQi_PQ22EZisK19omZ8MH7DDdueNI_HbeT3ZK6-bxx-DftC5mL1KezEw6eqdeQMdu0iixXm68muINeB8xYbj1mVu9Z8RT-Lf0f8ua6zKyLNyJPHR9a1J1efpA/s400/DSC08826.JPG" width="400" /></a>I've set aside every Wednesday for heavy cleaning, and Fridays for lighter cleaning. When using the cards, I go through as many of the chores as I can on Wednesday, and finish the pile on Friday. I've found I'm a lot more successful if I get all my weekly chores done on Tuesday-things like mopping and vacuuming, so I have a clean (ish) house to start with on Wednesdays. It is easier to do things like wash windows if I'm not looking at sticky spots on the kitchen floor. <br />
I have sixteen monthly chores, which need to be done every four weeks. That means I needed to do four a week to rotate through all of them by the next month. I had nineteen that need to be done every three months, which means I have twelve weeks to do them all. If I do two a week, I'll cycle through them in less than three months, but I figure that will make up for an off week now and then. I figured I'd use any fifth Wednesdays to catch up on odd jobs. I ended up needing to do four monthly chores, two three-month chores, and one six month chores. Chores that
need to be done at a specific time of year will go into my planner
instead of the file.<br />
I ended up with the following task list for each week:<br />
-Four Monthly<br />
-Two 3-Month<br />
-One 6-Month<br />
-Organize one closet, shelf or drawer<br />
-Do one odd job<br />
As a job is completed it is filed at the back of its section. If you don't get to it, you just leave it where you'll pull it next week.<br />
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Pros: If I have an off week, I just pick up
where I left off instead of having to refile everything. It is a simpler system but still gets the job done. <br />
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Cons: I haven't noticed any so far. I'll keep you posted :)<br />
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<div style="color: #45818e;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>Fourth: Don't Get Discouraged!</b></span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;">Depending on how clean things were to begin with, it may take a while before your home is to where you'd like it to be. I still get frustrated that it takes hours to clean the kitchen, and only 15 minutes to make it look like I haven't touched it in a week. That's when I put on my martyr hat and start over :) At least the living room...oh. Nevermind. </span><span style="font-size: small;">It helps me to focus on the positive-every window you wash, every drawer you sort through, gets you closer to your goal. At least I have a plan now, where before I'd just go hide in a book.</span><br />
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Again, I suggest you visit <a href="http://organizedhome.com/shes-organized">Organized Home</a>. I found it very useful, even if I ended up using a modified version of their system. They may have suggestions that would work better for you. In addition to the housework organization file, they have tons of other ideas, and they even have a holiday version of the card file to keep track of everything that needs to get done for the holidays! <br />
(I am not affiliated with <a href="http://organizedhome.com/shes-organized">Organized Home</a> in any way, I'm just a big fan!)Pamelahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09515981582718418225noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7362285544036753708.post-78523692383899045322011-11-03T10:59:00.000-07:002011-11-03T19:38:25.084-07:00Operation Organize: A Weekly PlanI've been reading a lot of home organization blogs, and I found a method of organizing housecleaning at <a href="http://organizedhome.com/shes-organized/get-organized-with-SHE">Organized Home</a> that I'm giving a try.<br />
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One of the first things they suggest is to set up a regular weekly schedule, with days dedicated to the following.<br />
<ul>
<li>a heavy cleaning day</li>
<li>a light-moderate cleaning day</li>
<li>a quiet day (for bills and paperwork)</li>
<li>a
shopping/errands day</li>
<li>a family day</li>
<li>a free day </li>
</ul>
Wait...there are only six there! Only two cleaning days? How can I possibly keep a clean house with two cleaning days? I thought about it, and that free day looked awfully appealing...so I decided to try it. My schedule came out like this:<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEha5VQJ7DlyAwm-3yF0JNWejjPJ_fGiCXsLsEXugwAbCNusogE6M1cndanvL-du0uok7YMh0s2BA1bg0nH_hAMDcA4hxPJu3_-QpCHFZNONo_8daGAKB6x3nysEWGIZiUtHSRkdDtbfcIQ/s1600/blog+monday.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="164" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEha5VQJ7DlyAwm-3yF0JNWejjPJ_fGiCXsLsEXugwAbCNusogE6M1cndanvL-du0uok7YMh0s2BA1bg0nH_hAMDcA4hxPJu3_-QpCHFZNONo_8daGAKB6x3nysEWGIZiUtHSRkdDtbfcIQ/s320/blog+monday.jpg" width="320" /></a><br />
Monday: Desk Day. First I deal with paperwork that needs filing, mailing, shredding, scanning or recycling. I walk through each room and pick up papers, put them in one big pile and deal with them. I pay any bills due that week, check balances on accounts, and followup on any e-mail that needed dealing with. I also use the day to plan the week-figure out a menu, check schedules and make appointments.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsh2wYBr96yDkY-dktEDUIWbxfsVfowjGcN5NDgv3K6MUyxDqKT0DofNg-LwQ2wzEypvJxXKVg1Wtlg28_Jq5GLVOAMJtiIaLmAH3w7Luigm0cOrQEoWJSf7l02LaDIl16mBDOMDkSPoA/s1600/blog+tuesday.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="168" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsh2wYBr96yDkY-dktEDUIWbxfsVfowjGcN5NDgv3K6MUyxDqKT0DofNg-LwQ2wzEypvJxXKVg1Wtlg28_Jq5GLVOAMJtiIaLmAH3w7Luigm0cOrQEoWJSf7l02LaDIl16mBDOMDkSPoA/s320/blog+tuesday.jpg" width="320" /></a>Tuesday: Errands and Shopping. I live in a small town that I can get groceries and a few other things, so I try and concentrate most of my errands that require a trip "into town" on this day to save gas and time. After trying this schedule for a while, I found I was a lot better about getting heavy cleaning done if I had the basics done, (vaccuming, clean kitchen counters and floors, etc.). I also found I rarely needed the full day for errands, so I moved my weekly chores to Tuesday.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhseACh339D_gwvhm5O41TaNlssuV-mTHba7aaVX5mhS-kNKjstpyV_mCQZ-8nI7VBCrENR5vgvs04t0IyS71QTKv7QYmOIHXQutT_qvyzBYA9VxDwO4NpS1w7_ydoWjJ8TnZBaKZxl40c/s1600/blog+wednesday.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="168" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhseACh339D_gwvhm5O41TaNlssuV-mTHba7aaVX5mhS-kNKjstpyV_mCQZ-8nI7VBCrENR5vgvs04t0IyS71QTKv7QYmOIHXQutT_qvyzBYA9VxDwO4NpS1w7_ydoWjJ8TnZBaKZxl40c/s320/blog+wednesday.jpg" width="320" /></a> Wednesday: Heavy Cleaning. This is the day that I try and get some of the cleaning done that goes beyond weekly chores. In my next post I'll explain how I rotate these jobs, but they include things I only need to do monthly, or every 3 to 6 months. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhX-8oVUkQt5GOqxdJy9BjdE6STEnUyQ3E97688lPcxOdQTUgZ8s8qE1gAkecCF7l9p06GkJ9S1iHyigH9PmiT_GGk27bf7Cnfr5rO5SL2OjJK8v4ccsWOvn9UycBzgWy-6NRowgm85d6o/s1600/blog+thursday.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="168" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhX-8oVUkQt5GOqxdJy9BjdE6STEnUyQ3E97688lPcxOdQTUgZ8s8qE1gAkecCF7l9p06GkJ9S1iHyigH9PmiT_GGk27bf7Cnfr5rO5SL2OjJK8v4ccsWOvn9UycBzgWy-6NRowgm85d6o/s320/blog+thursday.jpg" width="320" /></a><br />
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Thursday: Personal Day. Whee! This is when I work on hobbies and projects I want to, or take the day to finish a book or pinterest or blog...without any guilt! I wanted a free day in between the cleaning days.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOseVbexGbKHLo8DPLB4So4WJ3a8AiDe8omaAHAa9YaBakbch-X-LfFsR0ZVm4ZIxeowB-2R0WZS5u3EzoYhNnx4tmojqSpOZq9_ny-nNPQmMl0m81_87N8opO6UY8Xjs0cfyBZfIOq0M/s1600/blog+Friday.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="168" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOseVbexGbKHLo8DPLB4So4WJ3a8AiDe8omaAHAa9YaBakbch-X-LfFsR0ZVm4ZIxeowB-2R0WZS5u3EzoYhNnx4tmojqSpOZq9_ny-nNPQmMl0m81_87N8opO6UY8Xjs0cfyBZfIOq0M/s320/blog+Friday.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Friday: Moderate Cleaning Day. I use this day to finish any big projects that I didn't get done on Wednesday, and to get the house looking nice for the weekend.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_2rDCe1pwxXGh9g53oLr6HqDDdj29m6xTRtWCGyPvTx-c52ZNbg88XcWUvqlKz0mFaSrDA4d-YlksgNjj6yt3qRAwuRiq73_GBjPe14ZQ5Nk-DMqLvt1Fz4b6V20Rm1gAPV_WlC_5a_g/s1600/blog+saturday.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="168" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_2rDCe1pwxXGh9g53oLr6HqDDdj29m6xTRtWCGyPvTx-c52ZNbg88XcWUvqlKz0mFaSrDA4d-YlksgNjj6yt3qRAwuRiq73_GBjPe14ZQ5Nk-DMqLvt1Fz4b6V20Rm1gAPV_WlC_5a_g/s320/blog+saturday.jpg" width="320" /></a><br />
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Saturday: Family Day. I picked this day for family day, because everyone is home and we end up planning most of our family activities this day.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjB9MMOVXdgS2x6Ppy0RfqsPM4fMruKZ7HI9U7yCMQodWFQBXJdcOGW7Yfn0noqDUaesL5tYYP5vQWGtbtX1c6y3uhScJ5BambVRrDyW-WGpG_715MfQhSniCSUmSUvIJt5JfnvHkkRgDI/s1600/blog+sunday.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="168" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjB9MMOVXdgS2x6Ppy0RfqsPM4fMruKZ7HI9U7yCMQodWFQBXJdcOGW7Yfn0noqDUaesL5tYYP5vQWGtbtX1c6y3uhScJ5BambVRrDyW-WGpG_715MfQhSniCSUmSUvIJt5JfnvHkkRgDI/s320/blog+sunday.jpg" width="320" /></a><br />
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Sunday: Another Free day, this is our Sabbath. <br />
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There are still daily chores that need attention regardless of what the day is dedicated to-we still need to eat, the baby needs his routine, and I like to try and get dishes done and toys picked up daily etc. Some activities (like reading or mopping) are currently limited to naptimes, but the point is that I now have a specific time set aside to get it done-and I get things done a lot faster now that I've mostly eliminated procrastination. It is easier to dig into the housework when I don't feel it hanging over my head constantly. I set aside evenings as family time as well, and try to get that day's tasks done by then. <br />
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After following this schedule for a while now, I've found it works really well for me. It has reduced my stress level considerably, and it is flexible enough that I can rearrange dedicated days to fit that week's schedule. Most importantly, I still have time dedicated that week to get housework done-but it no longer dominates my schedule. I now have time for the important things that make life worth living.Pamelahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09515981582718418225noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7362285544036753708.post-40279020366729436262011-10-21T09:09:00.000-07:002011-11-07T09:42:12.220-08:00A few random facts about losing weight I learned in kindergarten...or physiology...or somewhere.<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPAdQooQSqM0nmft5MIjU4D69pXXeRCpZ-_Wg0iwA8ySvA7hrFKJ1bUkHYSrtDRk7evIgsbgLsEn2xD3qFwzuTbGdYFekdun6waRGLFEGzbku2kxnNXh6rsQTpvueXWK8RL6NsnGEwiY0/s1600/DSC07565.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPAdQooQSqM0nmft5MIjU4D69pXXeRCpZ-_Wg0iwA8ySvA7hrFKJ1bUkHYSrtDRk7evIgsbgLsEn2xD3qFwzuTbGdYFekdun6waRGLFEGzbku2kxnNXh6rsQTpvueXWK8RL6NsnGEwiY0/s320/DSC07565.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">All this talk of food made me hungry. Here is a picture of an asparagus quiche I made.</td></tr>
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I wrote this post for another blog my sisters and I have to help each other stay healthy. I thought I'd share it here. <i> </i>I am a bit leery of promises that I can lose 50 pounds in a month like Rachel Ray just by following one little trick, or shed the pounds by only eating one miracle food, or by dropping a food group entirely. I feel if there was a quick and easy cure for obesity, we'd already know about it. Basically I figure if it sounds too good to be true, it probably is. I'd much rather look into the science behind weight loss and how the human body processes calories, and tried to sum up some of the random facts about weight loss that I've found helpful over time, presented in no particular order.<br />
Hope you find it useful :) <i> </i><br />
<br />
<i><span style="font-size: xx-small;">*I am not a doctor, dietician, or a
nutritionist, just a biologist who likes to know what's going on with
her body when she's trying to lose weight. I am not promising you'll loose 50 pounds in a month, or anything else. Some of these facts may be replaced in the future as science learns more about how our bodies work. Haha, I love small print!</span></i><br />
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1. <b>Your body has a set point</b>. This means your body will try
very hard to maintain the same weight-and it is a lot easier to raise
your set point than to lower it. You'll need to get started losing
weight by being diligent with exercise and careful of how you eat.
Lowering your set point is more successful when you lose weight slowly,
and maintain it for a few months before trying to lose more. People
tend to lose about 10% and plateau, and while this may not be the end
goal you are looking for, let your body adjust to your new portion sizes
of food and rate of exercise. After a pause, kick things up a notch
and go for your next 10%. Slow weight loss is much more likely to stay
off for good. <a href="http://www.webmd.com/diet/guide/ideal-weight-or-happy-weight"> (Here is a good article explaining what a set point is and how it affects weight loss. )</a><br />
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2. <b>Sleep matters</b>. If you aren't getting enough sleep, you
probably won't lose weight as fast. They haven't pinpointed exactly
why, but one reason might be that you are up longer and get hungry again
a while after you'd had dinner, and eat when you might be sleeping.
You also don't have the control you might if you are rested, and lack of
sleep messes with your metabolism either way.<br />
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3.<b> Don't deprive yourself</b>-just be strict with portion control.
Complete deprivation of a favorite food will lead to binges, then guilt,
then you might get depressed and throw in the towel. Eat a shake if
you want, just don't do it every day, or finish it if you start to feel
full.<br />
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4. <b>You don't belong to the clean plate club anymore</b>. It is ok to leave food on the plate. Learn to pay attention to when your body says you are done, not when the plate does.<br />
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5. <b>Eating out</b>...it can be HARD to stay on track when eating
out. Remember these places are there to sell food, and most don't care
how healthy the food is, as long it tastes good so you buy a lot and
come back for more.<br />
Here are a few tricks:<br />
Go for the salad if you like-but skip the dressing and toppings like
cheese and croutons. Some of those salads have more calories than
getting a hamburger meal. Ask for the dressing on the side and just dip
your fork or each bite. You'll eat less of the dressing but still get
the taste.<br />
Grilled chicken (hold the mayo) is also a good option, and don't feel
too bad about a plain old hamburger now and then-sometimes it can be one
of the lower calorie options.<br />
Sometimes you can ask for half portions for half the price even if it isn't on the menu.<br />
Don't be afraid to ask for other favors-like sauces on the side and requesting the meat be grilled not fried.<br />
If you know they are going to give you a large serving, ask for a
container when you start, and put half in before you even start eating.<br />
If you are eating with other people, eat slowly, so you don't feel like
you need to take more to be social while others are still eating.
Remember to keep sipping your water, and move the glass directly in
front of you when done to give your hands something to do while you are
waiting. <br />
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6. <b>Drink enough water</b>. Sometimes it is easy to confuse thirst
with hunger. If you think you feel hungry, try a glass of water first
and wait a bit to see if you really want to eat. Drink a glass just
before eating a meal. There is a reason resturants serve lots of water
with their meals...<br />
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7. <b>Eat colorful food</b> (no, not a bowl of Trix). Naturally
colorful foods usually have more nutrition per calorie, and are visually
satisfying than a plate of beige food. Try for a variety of colors
with each meal-and include white. White fleshed fruits like apples and
pears may help reduce the risk of strokes.<br />
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8. <b>Go whole grain.</b> Brown rice, whole wheat bread, oatmeal, etc. have more fiber and nutrition per calorie.<br />
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9. <b>Fiber is good</b>. Besides filling you up and keeping your
digestive tract moving, it binds with fat in the digestive tract so less
is absorbed. Make every calorie coming in work for you by bringing
with it fiber or vitamins, etc. Avoid highly processed food-white flour
and refined sugars are the worst culprits when it comes to delivering
empty calories.<br />
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10. <b>Snacks are good</b>-if you pick them wisely. Eat meals at a
regular time, and plan for a few healthy snacks in-between. If you let
yourself get too hungry, you'll overeat at the next meal. When you feel
deprived and hungry all the time while dieting, you'll be less likely
to stick to it. Combining a carb and a protein will keep you satisfied
longer than just a carb. <br />
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11. <b>Don't give up</b>. If you slip and eat something you shouldn't,
this doesn't give you permission to give up on the rest of the day or
week. Let it go, and keep on track. If you stub your toe, you don't
keep kicking the rock...<br />
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12. <b>Be aware of the law of diminishing rewards</b>. The first bite
tastes the best, but the more you eat, the more your brain starts to
tune out the flavor. (The same thing happens with smells-you'll notice a
scent when you first walk in a room, but once you've noticed it, you
tune it out. It happens with touch as well. You probably won't notice
it until I mention it, but can you feel where your shirt is touching
you?) You may want second helpings, but you won't have the same
satisfaction when you eat it. <br />
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13. <b>Spice it up</b>. Flavorful food is a lot more satisfying than
bland food, and you'll pay more attention to it, helping you notice when
you start to feel full. Texture, color, variety and temperature are
important too-warm foods are more filling, and crunchiness and taste add
variety to the food. If food isn't appealing, you tend to eat more of
it in search of satisfaction. Have fun preparing your food, and enjoy
eating it! <br />
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14. <b>Are you done?</b> Your body takes a bit of time-sometimes 30
minutes-to get the signal to your brain that you are full. Stop when
you first notice this feeling-you probably have already eaten a bit more
than you needed in order to feel satisfied for a while. Resist
munching a bit more, but if you must, then switch to something with few
calories. Eating slowly also prevents overeating for this same reason,
you don't eat as much in the time between when you are full and when the
signal hits your brain. This is why you sometimes are enjoying a meal
and all of a sudden realize you ate WAY too much. Blah.<br />
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15. <b>Have strict rules about where you eat</b>. Make each meal a
ceremony-set the table, sit down, and don't do anything else while
eating-focus on the food. Most empty calories are eaten while reading
or watching TV. If you must munch while reading, keep something like a
bag of precut veggies ready, and have a specific place you eat and
read. Avoid eating while on the couch, so it doesn't trigger hunger
cues whenever you sit down.<br />
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16. <b>Write it down.</b> It is easy to eat more than you think you are
if you aren't keeping track. Besides keeping track of what goes in,
try keeping track for a few days of the times you get hungry-and what
you are doing when you first feel hungry, and how you feel when you
notice you have a craving. You might be surprised to find you expect a
snack every time you sit down to the computer-or you get cravings when
you finish something and are a little bored. Recognizing triggers will
help you control cravings. If you consistently get hungry at the same
time of day no matter what you are doing, try planning a snack for that
time. <br />
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17. <b>Eat Breakfast!!</b> Some carbs with a protein get your
metabolism going...which is a good thing. Your body shuts down a bit to
conserve energy while you sleep. Once you eat in the morning, it gets
things going, and you burn more calories while just sitting there. Eat a
bit just before exercising if you plan on going first thing in the
morning to help you make the most of the workout-even a handful of
almonds or something helps.<br />
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18. <b>Food Food Everywhere!</b> Our bodies are not equipped to deal
with a surplus of food. Throughout history, a lack of food has
typically been the problem. We are designed to crave fats and sugars,
and then hang on to every calorie coming in. You aren't weak, you are
just designed this way. This doesn't mean you have no control, it just
helps to recognize why it is so hard to walk away from food. Sometimes
it helps to have an internal dialogue that goes like this: "Yes, I see
you, you lovely bowl of (insert favorite treat here), and my body thinks
it needs you. It is my brain that controls my arms though, and I'm
going to tell them to go get that apple and a glass of water first.
When I'm done with the apple, I'll think about coming back when I'm a
little more objective."<br />
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19. <b>Leave emotion out of it.</b> Don't ever reward yourself with
food, or comfort yourself with food, and be very careful about how you
entertain yourself with food. Come up with other things that you find
rewarding, comforting, or entertaining, and don't eat because you are
sad, happy, or bored. Eat because you need to fuel your body.<br />
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20. <b>Be careful of diet food</b>. Artificially sweetened foods may not be your friend for the following reasons:<br />
Many people end up overeating the diet food and take in more calories than they would eating regular food. <br />
Your body knows the difference. A recent <a href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2892765/">study</a>
showed that your body has a natural drive to satisfy sweet cravings-and
if deprived by abstinence or substitution, it will trigger binging
behavior. Diet drinks were associated with weight gain because sugars
trigger full feelings and also trigger pleasure hormones after eating
while artificial sweeteners
don't-so more food is eaten in an effort to trigger those physical
responses.<br />
Eating artificial sweeteners also increases sugar dependence. A diet high in sweet flavors increases sweet cravings.<br />
Sweet tastes increases your appetite-you eat more if you eat something sweet just before a meal. <br />
Low fat foods may be a good choice-but check the calories. Many low fat
foods are not healthy because the food manufacturer attempts to
compensate for the taste by increasing the sugar or adding sweeteners.
Read the label before eating it. Low fat food that doesn't compensate
is usually ok.<br />
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21. <b>Set yourself up for success</b>. First, get rid of any junk in
your house that will tempt you to eat poorly. Second, plan your meals.
Besides saving you money by preventing impulse buys, you have a plan.
Figure in leftovers and plan for nights you just don't feel up to
cooking by stocking the freezer with some quick, healthy options. Plan
for snacks-if you chop up the celery, wash the grapes and peel the
carrots ahead of time, they'll be ready when you get a snack attack.
And EAT before you go shopping :) I had the WORST craving for pie the
other day while in the grocery store...the only thing that saved me was
that the dang things cost $7 and I wasn't about to pay that for
something I could make myself...<br />
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22. <b>Happy Holidays!</b> If you have a party or a holiday coming up,
don't let it derail you. If you know candy will be around the house or
at work, allow yourself a piece, but don't go back. (It can help for you
to not throw away wrappers. Leave the pile to remind yourself of how
much you've actually eaten!) The same with holiday treats-take small
portions, and plan before you go how much dessert you will eat and stick
to it. Let's face it, holiday food is good, fun to make, and the
holidays wouldn't be the same without it. Go ahead and have some! Just
remember a small piece of the pie tastes the same as the whole thing.<br />
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23. <b>Sorry, there are no miracle foods, pills, or tricks to weight loss </b>(that
work long term). It takes a good old combination of eating fewer
calories than you use up during the day. It's simple physics. Energy
in, energy out. Remember the word of wisdom, and practice moderation in
all things. <br />
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So, now we know all this, the trick is to turn knowledge into action.
Remember that if you want different results you need to do something
different. Diets don't work. You have to commit to this way of living.<br />
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<b>Asparagus Quiche</b><br />
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<i><span class="b">This recipe was submitted to Allrecipes.com by Michele O'Sullivan.</span></i><br />
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<span class="bb">Ingredients:</span><br />
<span class="b">1 pound fresh asparagus, trimmed and cut into 1/2 inch pieces.<br />10 slices of bacon<br />2 eight inch unbaked pie shells<br />4 eggs<br />1 1/2 cups half-and-half cream<br />1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg<br />salt and pepper to taste<br />2 cups shredded Swiss cheese.<br />1 egg white, lightly beaten (I skipped this and just used some of the egg mixture).</span><br />
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<span class="bb">Directions:</span><br />
<span class="b">Preheat oven to 400 degrees.<br />Steam asparagus until tender but not overcooked.<br />While asparagus is cooking, cook the bacon until crispy. Drain and set bacon aside.<br />Beat together eggs, cream, nutmeg, salt and pepper. <br />Brush
pie shells with egg white (or egg mixture). Sprinkle crumbled bacon
and chopped asparagus into pie shells, top with shredded Swiss cheese
into both pie shells.<br />Pour egg mixture over bacon, asparagus and cheese, dividing it equally between shells.<br />Bake
uncovered for about 35-40 minutes or until firm. Let cool to room
temperature before serving. (We ate it hot and it was pretty good that
way too.)</span><br />
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<span class="bb">Number Of Servings:</span><span class="b">12</span><br />
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<span class="bb">Preparation Time:</span><span class="b">prep time 25 minutes, baking time 35 minutes</span><br />
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If you have any other tips please share!!Pamelahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09515981582718418225noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7362285544036753708.post-38411780306502172512011-10-11T22:11:00.000-07:002011-10-11T22:12:01.529-07:00Operation Organize: The Epiphany<div class="deleteBody">
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I've just had an epiphany. Or a paradigm shift. Or both?<br /><br />I'M NOT ORGANIZED! I'm walking a pretty thin line between order and chaos.</div>
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Don't laugh. I assumed that having a fairly clean house meant I was organized. I thought filing all my papers meant I was organized. I thought managing to feed the baby at regular intervals meant I was organized. I've even made a lot of progress tackling some of my personal clutter monsters, like my fabric hoard, and patted myself on the back for how organized I was.<br />What I've just realized is the constant battle to keep the house clean and looking nice was actually causing me a lot of stress. I realized that whenever I finish a major cleaning project and sit down for a moment, I hear this little nagging voice saying "cat box, weed the garden, clean the garage, mop the floor..." and it goes on and on. Of course my perfectionist expectations add a lot of unrealistic items my List of Things That Must Be Done. <br />I find I'm easily overwhelmed by this seemingly endless List so I plug my ears and start singing LA LA LA I CAN'T HEAR YOU! The guilt at killing another house plant because I didn't get around to watering it, or when I don't get yet another birthday card off in time nags at me as well. There's so much to do sometimes I end up not doing anything-I've certainly perfected the skills of avoidance and procrastination. All this stress and guilt builds up and when someone asks me to do something for them I slip into my martyr mode and wince resentfully every time a straw is dropped on my back. This List interferes with things that are really important to me, but aren't demanding my immediate attention-like family time or exercising. I can see how easy it would be to just ignore everything and let it pile up to the point I get to guest star on Hoarders.<br /><br />You'd think I would have figured out what I was doing wrong YEARS ago! I've been reacting to life instead of being proactive. I've learned how to take care of things (usually) just before they become a crisis, instead of being organized so I'm able to take care of things long before they become a problem. I've been so busy trying to get everything on my List done that I've wasted a lot of time that I could have been using to to do things that I love.</div>
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<br />Alright. The first step to solving a problem is recognizing it. Check that one off the List.</div>
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<br />Second step. I need to make a plan.<br /><br />The perfect plan would:<br />1. Organize all the housework and paperwork I need to do so I know I'll get around to everything before it becomes a crisis or is too late.<br />2. Has a system that is regular enough that it becomes a habit to do things that need daily or weekly attention.<br />3. Has some built-in down time, so I don't need to feel guilty about sitting down and reading a book or doing something trivial I love.<br />4. Frees up time for the things in life that are more important than a floor you don't stick to-like Family, Health, Religion.<br /><br />I think any system at this point would be an improvement. I'm tired of treading water trying to just keep breathing. </div>
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I'm off to do a little internet surfing for solutions-and since this post is a bit long, I'll stop here and outline the plan in the next one.</div>
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Pamelahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09515981582718418225noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7362285544036753708.post-76266855585484882582011-10-11T22:02:00.000-07:002011-10-11T22:02:32.521-07:00Homework Stations<br />
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There is no quick and easy way to get kids to do homework, but these stations might eliminate some of the excuses and avoidance tactics kids sometimes use. In addition to being portable, they are fun and easy to put together-you certainly don't have to dress them up as much as I did-but I don't have girls, so I love the excuse to make something girly once in a while.<br />
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Some things I like about this idea:<br />
<ul><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSKrAz4fszQBq5lj9wAqfXChpT6yVHlsN0QfQ18MaAZo1sJyMwg9qAllLHThwJooc2kCWGXkTNjHKrAEIoa0cqFdaz-YR-X01iqRH2Dy9noV5Za9EuMwWf-vurMDOdkpQk8HyyBN6wxWU/s1600/Homework+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSKrAz4fszQBq5lj9wAqfXChpT6yVHlsN0QfQ18MaAZo1sJyMwg9qAllLHThwJooc2kCWGXkTNjHKrAEIoa0cqFdaz-YR-X01iqRH2Dy9noV5Za9EuMwWf-vurMDOdkpQk8HyyBN6wxWU/s320/Homework+2.jpg" width="320" /></a>
<li>All supplies are in one place. No more "I can't find a pencil! I need glue!" and so on. This prevents the child from having to embark on the dangerous supply safari, from which they may never return...</li>
<li>The sign on the front flips back and forth between "Working on it!" to "I'm done!". This may be an incentive in itself for some kids. It also allows the parent to see how it's coming without having to nag as much, shifting the responsibility for making sure it gets done more to the child.</li>
<li>There is now a specific place for homework to be deposited when it comes in the door, and a place to leave it when it's done out of the dog's reach. If used regularly, it will become a habit to check their station for completed homework as they head out the door. </li>
<li>I always work better when things are organized-and cuteness makes me want to use it even it if it's for a task I'm not looking forward to all that much. I think the same applies for kids. </li>
<li>This idea is easily customized to fit the needs of your child, any box or container from a decorated cereal box to a little basket will work. Just fill it with supplies that are used often, and decorate it up with something the child likes. Involve the child and they'll be even more likely to use it.</li>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyy6z3kU8E8Za_xB7LF2vUXvGg5rRMFBQRRva_lmDvMSTqHY3YqTY7M6KtDH0MiX07kpfzTA3tDNiNdOUeVJGHPFRHdNLNDcT9pQWRjgAUNzJ8lWvVyljsyDtnBg3xYYE_zkK3_nsKzTg/s1600/Homework+3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="268" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyy6z3kU8E8Za_xB7LF2vUXvGg5rRMFBQRRva_lmDvMSTqHY3YqTY7M6KtDH0MiX07kpfzTA3tDNiNdOUeVJGHPFRHdNLNDcT9pQWRjgAUNzJ8lWvVyljsyDtnBg3xYYE_zkK3_nsKzTg/s320/Homework+3.jpg" width="320" /></a><b>Filling the crates:</b><br />
I color-coded the baskets and items in the baskets so each girl knew who the item belonged to. In addition to a pencil case full of things like scissors, glue sticks, colored pencils, pens etc. I added a ruler, and a blinged-up monogramed notebook. The cover is removable so the notebook can be replaced as it is used up. If the girls had been older, I might have included a calculator and calendar. <br />
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<b>To make the crate liner:</b><br />
I used some mini milk crates that were going for $1 during the back-to-school sales. They were ok, but I wanted to line them to help contain items, and to spiff them up a bit. These instructions include dimensions for the mini crate I used, but can be used to make a liner for most straight-sided containers. If you want to line a basket that narrows at the bottom and don't know how to adjust the pattern, make a straight-sided liner based on the widest point, then insert the liner into the container with the seams towards you. Pin the seams to fit your container, and re-sew the seams. Do this before hemming the liner or inserting elastic.<br />
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1. Measure the opening of the container you want to line. The mini crate I used had an opening of 8x6 3/4". Halve both measurements, and in the corner of a piece of tissue or larger paper draw a box using these dimensions (mine was 4x3 3/8").<br />
2. Measure the height of the interior of the container. The mini crate I had was 6" tall. Extend both lines by that amount.<br />
3. Draw a line parallel to the height lines to form your seam allowance line. I put my seam allowance at 1/2". <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4YT5nMtWjGy4XrdTNSFeLR3x0fmqMbQ5xVsvfs2ry5iYPc1CdXhBom_2wg8NHjnLcxLBkfMp-BP0FycyKTi7jJXT_1-B7JIsRzZWUJ93zVwGSBodisO_1d6a3K8g_40-1fhXvzpDVhuY/s1600/Homework+5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4YT5nMtWjGy4XrdTNSFeLR3x0fmqMbQ5xVsvfs2ry5iYPc1CdXhBom_2wg8NHjnLcxLBkfMp-BP0FycyKTi7jJXT_1-B7JIsRzZWUJ93zVwGSBodisO_1d6a3K8g_40-1fhXvzpDVhuY/s320/Homework+5.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
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4. To allow yourself enough give in the fabric so you can wrap it over the top, lay a ruler between the corner of the box and a point about 1/2 inch short of the end of the height line. Extend the seam allowance line along this angle for about 3", or more if you'd like the fabric to extend down further. Remember to allow an extra 1/2 inch or inch for hemming. Repeat for the other corner. Extend the line back to the edge of the paper to complete the pattern.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZ33adBpIaVBxN012vWqGLf4aK9602oGxIKtLHYbOebVglG0s8auHCnDi5hsRIGuYLTzNZ5h7Dseigiz9S_sdG5ZNJOvVMtdaU4lQSe1VFpL2_WVugrXOXmo86_I1zPx91CM5LCO6oFP8/s1600/Homework+4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="574" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZ33adBpIaVBxN012vWqGLf4aK9602oGxIKtLHYbOebVglG0s8auHCnDi5hsRIGuYLTzNZ5h7Dseigiz9S_sdG5ZNJOvVMtdaU4lQSe1VFpL2_WVugrXOXmo86_I1zPx91CM5LCO6oFP8/s640/Homework+4.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Your completed pattern should look similar to this.</td></tr>
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5. Cutting: fold the fabric in half, then in half again. Position the corner of the pattern over the corner of the fabric, then cut. (I bought some fat quarters to use for this project, but found they are slightly too small. Oh well, more for the stash).<br />
6. Fold fabric so two adjacent cuts are together, and sew. Repeat for each side, so your fabric forms a box.<br />
7. Trim extra fabric from the corner and press seam open.Check fit at this point. <br />
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7. Create a rolled hem around the top by folding the fabric over 1/2 or 1/4 inch, depending on how thick you want the hem (be sure to allow enough room to thread your elastic through). Fold over again, press and sew. on the corners, create a rounded corner by rolling it as shown in the photo. Trim extra fabric at the corners if needed. If threading elastic through the hem using a safety pin, leave one opening, if using a threader (I love these!), leave another opening halfway around. The corners can be a bit tricky to thread elastic through, so if you keep all the folds going the same direction it helps. Another option is to set your machine on a zig-zag the same width as the elastic, and sew the elastic to the inside edge of the fabric, pulling the elastic taut as you sew to create a gather. The unfinished edge can be hidden by ric-rac or ribbon once it is on the container.<br />
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8. Measure elastic length by wrapping it around the exterior of the container, and cutting it about 3 inches short depending on the give of the elastic. You should be able to take the cut piece and stretch it around the box without it being too taut, but having enough give to overlap the ends about an inch.<br />
9. Thread elastic through the hem and sew ends together. Finish hem by stitching the opening.<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2DW6vBfqyPnk4lPy5M03cKrE7ji3_gsPF3CQAfXzELJRhs1cRqEn5YaWQiUtMzRXBQKkIAttekW81t3N13PKUV7HlSjk4-hpqf315ud2kw_aP-VFGB8AoY6i0yhy-hV_XxWrpdrnUQUo/s1600/Homework12.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2DW6vBfqyPnk4lPy5M03cKrE7ji3_gsPF3CQAfXzELJRhs1cRqEn5YaWQiUtMzRXBQKkIAttekW81t3N13PKUV7HlSjk4-hpqf315ud2kw_aP-VFGB8AoY6i0yhy-hV_XxWrpdrnUQUo/s320/Homework12.jpg" width="320" /></a>10. Place liner into container and adjust the gather so it is even.<br />
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The finished boxes are ready to decorate!<br />
<br />Pamelahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09515981582718418225noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7362285544036753708.post-71548096352536400822011-10-03T08:00:00.000-07:002011-10-16T13:46:21.450-07:00Homemade: Review of Homemade Dishwasher Powder<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6DxV0I5HzkehO4UqeOG8-esFbdmdWvQhd_08Dd3Fd1W_9NuVvJRGvW-XbDLziwmLnIJYMSPsSJtyUn3cM1TA7UC7RW5IjhLwFtTAfd6Byqr8x_60IxB1hyphenhyphenjqvmUeOnoupIuhEZknJHFc/s1600/DSC08265.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6DxV0I5HzkehO4UqeOG8-esFbdmdWvQhd_08Dd3Fd1W_9NuVvJRGvW-XbDLziwmLnIJYMSPsSJtyUn3cM1TA7UC7RW5IjhLwFtTAfd6Byqr8x_60IxB1hyphenhyphenjqvmUeOnoupIuhEZknJHFc/s400/DSC08265.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
Last week I posted a review of <a href="http://afamilythatbirdstogether.blogspot.com/2011/09/homemade-laundry-soap.html">homemade laundry detergent</a>, to see if it was cost effective and able to clean clothes as well as commercial products. I thought I'd try homemade dishwasher detergent since the basic ingredients were the same.<br />
Rather than post a long list of similar recipes, I thought posted a basic recipe and list optional ingredients separately. The recipes I found all included Borax and washing soda, usually in a 1:1 ratio.<br />
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<div style="color: #a64d79;">
<u><b>Basic Recipe</b></u></div>
<div style="color: #45818e;">
<ul>
<li>1 cup Borax</li>
</ul>
</div>
<div style="color: #45818e;">
<ul>
<li>1 cup Arm and Hammer Washing Soda.</li>
</ul>
</div>
<div style="color: #c27ba0;">
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<div style="color: #c27ba0;">
<b>Optional ingredients:</b></div>
<div style="color: #45818e;">
<ul>
<li>1/3 cup Epsom Salts </li>
</ul>
This ingredient serves as a water softener, one recipe called for Kosher or pickling salt which is similar to table salt, but lacks the iodine, and usually has coarser crystals.</div>
<div style="color: #45818e;">
<ul>
<li>1 package powdered lemonade </li>
</ul>
This is added because it is a cheap source of citric acid, which will help with hard water residue. These should be the packets where sugar has not been added yet.</div>
<div style="color: #45818e;">
<ul>
<li><strike>Dish Soap</strike>: NOT recommended.</li>
</ul>
Some recipes suggest adding a few drops of liquid hand-washing dish soap,
however most dishwasher manufactures STRONGLY recommend against using
any soap that suds. </div>
<div style="color: #45818e;">
<ul>
<li>Essential Oil</li>
</ul>
A few drops for the smell, though if you are adding the lemonade, it shouldn't need any.</div>
<div style="color: #45818e;">
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<div style="color: #45818e;">
<b>Rinse Aids:</b></div>
<div style="color: #45818e;">
<ul>
<li>Fill dispenser with white vinegar, or pour a cup in the bottom of the dishwasher. This helps with hard water residue.</li>
</ul>
</div>
<div style="color: #45818e;">
<ul>
<li>Lemi-Shine: mostly citric acid, but it worked wonders removing hard water residue on my cups when vinegar just couldn't do the job.</li>
</ul>
</div>
<div style="color: #45818e;">
<b style="color: #c27ba0;">Directions:</b> use one tablespoon per load, two if you have hard water. </div>
<div style="color: #45818e;">
<br /></div>
<div style="color: #45818e;">
<b style="color: #c27ba0;">Notes:</b><span style="color: #c27ba0;"> </span><b> </b><br />
<ul style="color: #45818e;">
<li><b>Film on Dishes</b>: Many people complain of a film on their dishes after switching to homemade powder. This film is caused by minerals from hard water being deposited onto the dishes and dishwasher, and is not leftover detergent. I have VERY hard water, and had this issue while using commercial dish-washing powder. Using a bit more detergent helped, as did adding vinegar in the bottom of the dishwasher, but I still ended up having to wash many of my glasses and plastic-ware with vinegar to get the deposit off after a while. My sister suggested Lemi-shine, and using this to replace some of the detergent about once or twice a week has made a huge difference in how much film is on my dishes. I expect to need to use Lemi-shine. I'm not trying to advertise a particular product, but so far I haven't seen a generic brand works for me. </li>
<li><b>Want a higher yield recipe?</b> 4 lbs borax (equals about 11 cups), 2
3lb 7oz box washing soda (one 3lb 7 oz box is about 5.5 cups), 3 cups
Epsom Salt, 24 (yes, the recipe I saw said 24, I'm not sure you need
that much, see what works for you) packs of lemonade powder.</li>
<li><b>Where can I get the ingredients?</b> I found both borax and washing soda in the laundry aisle at my supermarket and at Walmart. </li>
<li><b>Clumping?</b> Homemade dishwasher detergent tends to settle into
clumps. Stirring or shaking the container each time you use it is
supposed to help, as does storing it in an airtight container. I
noticed clumping beginning after a few days, and I live in a very dry environment.</li>
<li><b>Is Borax Safe</b> <b>to use on dishes?</b> According to the product's <a href="http://www.20muleteamlaundry.com/about#kitchen">website</a>, using borax in the dishwasher is one of the intended uses. I wouldn't eat it, but I figure it will be rinsed off enough to not cause problems. Yes, you can kill ants with it-a little borax mixed with honey has solved a lot of kitchen ant problems for me, but the logic that borax kills ants, therefore it is a pesticide, therefore it is toxic to humans, makes some assumptions that I couldn't find scientific basis for.</li>
</ul>
</div>
<b>To sum up:</b> My water is so hard I figured I'd add the salt and lemonade, just to give the homemade powder a fighting chance. I didn't figure in the cost of using Lemi-shine since I have to use it either way, though I should note that I need to use it now every wash, instead of once a week. Surprisingly, the cost per ounce was slightly <b><i>higher</i></b> to make my own powder than it was to buy an expensive brand. It was somewhat effective in cleaning, it leaves a film on some dishes, especially plastics, and doesn't seem to remove food as well as the commercial powder I usually use.<br />
Will I make it again? No. The reason I was interested in making homemade dishwasher detergent was to save money. Unless I can find the ingredients for a significantly lower price than I did, I will go back to using commercial powder.<br />
<br />
<br />
<b>Price Comparison:</b><br />
<br />
<table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="MsoNormalTable" style="border-collapse: collapse; margin-left: 4.65pt; width: 552px;">
<tbody>
<tr style="height: 12.75pt; mso-yfti-irow: 0;">
<td nowrap="nowrap" style="border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; height: 12.75pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 216.6pt;" valign="bottom" width="289"><div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt;">Homemade Dishwashing Detergent</span></b></div>
</td>
<td nowrap="nowrap" style="border-left: none; border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; height: 12.75pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 41.4pt;" valign="bottom" width="55"><div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt;">Cost</span></b></div>
</td>
<td nowrap="nowrap" style="border-left: none; border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; height: 12.75pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 47.5pt;" valign="bottom" width="63"><div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt;">Ounces</span></b></div>
</td>
<td nowrap="nowrap" style="border-left: none; border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; height: 12.75pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 35.8pt;" valign="bottom" width="48"><div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt;">Cups</span></b></div>
</td>
<td nowrap="nowrap" style="border-left: none; border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; height: 12.75pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 72.5pt;" valign="bottom" width="97"><div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt;">Tablespoons (Loads)</span></b></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 12.75pt; mso-yfti-irow: 1;">
<td nowrap="nowrap" style="border-top: none; border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; height: 12.75pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 216.6pt;" valign="bottom" width="289"><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt;">1 - 4 lb
12 oz box Borax</span></div>
</td>
<td nowrap="nowrap" style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; height: 12.75pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 41.4pt;" valign="bottom" width="55"><div align="right" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: right;">
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt;">$2.98 </span></div>
</td>
<td nowrap="nowrap" style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; height: 12.75pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 47.5pt;" valign="bottom" width="63"><div align="right" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: right;">
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt;">76</span></div>
</td>
<td nowrap="nowrap" style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; height: 12.75pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 35.8pt;" valign="bottom" width="48"><div align="right" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: right;">
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt;">11</span></div>
</td>
<td nowrap="nowrap" style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; height: 12.75pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 72.5pt;" valign="bottom" width="97"><div align="right" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: right;">
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt;">110</span></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 12.75pt; mso-yfti-irow: 2;">
<td nowrap="nowrap" style="border-top: none; border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; height: 12.75pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 216.6pt;" valign="bottom" width="289"><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt;">2 - 3 lb
7 oz boxes Arm & Hammer Washing Soda</span></div>
</td>
<td nowrap="nowrap" style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; height: 12.75pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 41.4pt;" valign="bottom" width="55"><div align="right" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: right;">
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt;">$6.48 </span></div>
</td>
<td nowrap="nowrap" style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; height: 12.75pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 47.5pt;" valign="bottom" width="63"><div align="right" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: right;">
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt;">110</span></div>
</td>
<td nowrap="nowrap" style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; height: 12.75pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 35.8pt;" valign="bottom" width="48"><div align="right" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: right;">
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt;">11</span></div>
</td>
<td nowrap="nowrap" style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; height: 12.75pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 72.5pt;" valign="bottom" width="97"><div align="right" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: right;">
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt;">110</span></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 12.75pt; mso-yfti-irow: 3;">
<td nowrap="nowrap" style="border-top: none; border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; height: 12.75pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 216.6pt;" valign="bottom" width="289"><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt;">3 Cups
Epsom Salts</span></div>
</td>
<td nowrap="nowrap" style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; height: 12.75pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 41.4pt;" valign="bottom" width="55"><div align="right" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: right;">
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt;">$2.22 </span></div>
</td>
<td nowrap="nowrap" style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; height: 12.75pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 47.5pt;" valign="bottom" width="63"><div align="right" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: right;">
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt;">33</span></div>
</td>
<td nowrap="nowrap" style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; height: 12.75pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 35.8pt;" valign="bottom" width="48"><div align="right" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: right;">
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt;">3</span></div>
</td>
<td nowrap="nowrap" style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; height: 12.75pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 72.5pt;" valign="bottom" width="97"><div align="right" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: right;">
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt;">30</span></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 12.75pt; mso-yfti-irow: 4;">
<td nowrap="nowrap" style="border-top: none; border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; height: 12.75pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 216.6pt;" valign="bottom" width="289"><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt;">24 - 0.23
oz packets of powdered lemonade</span></div>
</td>
<td nowrap="nowrap" style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; height: 12.75pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 41.4pt;" valign="bottom" width="55"><div align="right" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: right;">
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt;">$4.00 </span></div>
</td>
<td nowrap="nowrap" style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; height: 12.75pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 47.5pt;" valign="bottom" width="63"><div align="right" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: right;">
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt;">5.52</span></div>
</td>
<td nowrap="nowrap" style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; height: 12.75pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 35.8pt;" valign="bottom" width="48"><div align="right" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: right;">
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt;">0.25</span></div>
</td>
<td nowrap="nowrap" style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; height: 12.75pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 72.5pt;" valign="bottom" width="97"><div align="right" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: right;">
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt;">2.5</span></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 12.75pt; mso-yfti-irow: 5;">
<td nowrap="nowrap" style="border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border: none; height: 12.75pt; mso-border-right-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 216.6pt;" valign="bottom" width="289"><div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
</td>
<td colspan="3" nowrap="nowrap" style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; height: 12.75pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 124.7pt;" valign="bottom" width="166"><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt;">Total
Cost</span></div>
</td>
<td nowrap="nowrap" style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; height: 12.75pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 72.5pt;" valign="bottom" width="97"><div align="right" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: right;">
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt;">$15.68</span></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 12.75pt; mso-yfti-irow: 6;">
<td nowrap="nowrap" style="border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border: none; height: 12.75pt; mso-border-right-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 216.6pt;" valign="bottom" width="289"><div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
</td>
<td colspan="3" nowrap="nowrap" style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; height: 12.75pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 124.7pt;" valign="bottom" width="166"><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt;">Cost per
Ounce</span></div>
</td>
<td nowrap="nowrap" style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; height: 12.75pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 72.5pt;" valign="bottom" width="97"><div align="right" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: right;">
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt;">$0.07</span></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 12.75pt; mso-yfti-irow: 7;">
<td nowrap="nowrap" style="border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border: none; height: 12.75pt; mso-border-right-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 216.6pt;" valign="bottom" width="289"><div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
</td>
<td colspan="3" nowrap="nowrap" style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; height: 12.75pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 124.7pt;" valign="bottom" width="166"><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt;">Cost per
Load (double for hard water)</span></div>
</td>
<td nowrap="nowrap" style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; height: 12.75pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 72.5pt;" valign="bottom" width="97"><div align="right" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: right;">
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt;">$0.06</span></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 12.75pt; mso-yfti-irow: 8;">
<td nowrap="nowrap" style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border: none; height: 12.75pt; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 216.6pt;" valign="bottom" width="289"><div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
</td>
<td colspan="3" nowrap="nowrap" style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border: none; height: 12.75pt; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 124.7pt;" valign="bottom" width="166"><div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
</td>
<td nowrap="nowrap" style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border: none; height: 12.75pt; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 72.5pt;" valign="bottom" width="97"><div align="right" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: right;">
<br /></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 12.75pt; mso-yfti-irow: 9;">
<td nowrap="nowrap" style="border-top: none; border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; height: 12.75pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 216.6pt;" valign="bottom" width="289"><div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt;">4 lb box Cascade Complete 4 in 1</span></b></div>
</td>
<td colspan="3" nowrap="nowrap" style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; height: 12.75pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 124.7pt;" valign="bottom" width="166"><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt;">Total
Cost</span></div>
</td>
<td nowrap="nowrap" style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; height: 12.75pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 72.5pt;" valign="bottom" width="97"><div align="right" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: right;">
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt;">$6.97</span></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 12.75pt; mso-yfti-irow: 10;">
<td nowrap="nowrap" style="border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border: none; height: 12.75pt; mso-border-right-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 216.6pt;" valign="bottom" width="289"><div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
</td>
<td colspan="3" nowrap="nowrap" style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; height: 12.75pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 124.7pt;" valign="bottom" width="166"><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt;">Cost per
Ounce</span></div>
</td>
<td nowrap="nowrap" style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; height: 12.75pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 72.5pt;" valign="bottom" width="97"><div align="right" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: right;">
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt;">$0.06</span></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 12.75pt; mso-yfti-irow: 11; mso-yfti-lastrow: yes;">
<td nowrap="nowrap" style="border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border: none; height: 12.75pt; mso-border-right-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 216.6pt;" valign="bottom" width="289"><div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
</td>
<td colspan="3" nowrap="nowrap" style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; height: 12.75pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 124.7pt;" valign="bottom" width="166"><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt;">Cost per
Load</span></div>
</td>
<td nowrap="nowrap" style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; height: 12.75pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 72.5pt;" valign="bottom" width="97"><div align="right" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: right;">
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt;">$0.06</span></div>
</td>
</tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<b>Effectiveness:</b><br />
<br />
I am having a problem with the film others complained of. It seems worst on plasticware. I tried a few loads without Lemi-shine to see how it would go, and I had to re-wash a lot of the plastic as the film built up over time. Using Lemi-shine and adding vinegar to the rinse dispenser helped, but not well enough to satisfy me.<br />
<br />
<br />
Update: After several weeks of using this recipe, I am increasingly
dissapointed by how ineffective it is. The slight film builds up over
multiple washes even using Lemi-Shine and vinegar unless hand washed with soap...and that to me is a
dealbreaker. I'd ignore it but the film tends to build up on my baby's
dishes the most. I've also noticed more food is left behind than when I
used commercial powder, and I don't think I can blame hard water for
that. I've gradually increased the amount of powder until I put three
tablespoons per load hoping that would help, I'm using vinegar as a
rinse, and I'm using two or three tablespoons of Lemi-shine a load
(which is a lot more than I used to use, and that stuff isn't exactly
cheap). I'd really hoped to give you a glowing report about how well it
cleaned and how much cheaper it was, but now I'm wishing I hadn't made
so much of the stuff. I think my only solution is to use the homemade
powder for the pre-wash, and use commercial powder for the main wash
until it is gone. Hopefully if you make it you have better results. I'm including a few pictures of the film. <br />
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I washed half of the green cup to show the film better.<br />
<br />Pamelahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09515981582718418225noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7362285544036753708.post-54006365458183365082011-10-02T22:08:00.000-07:002011-10-11T21:35:29.887-07:00Prickly Pear Jelly<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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One of my favorite things to do is to make jelly, especially jelly from wild fruit. I thought I'd share my (fairly) painless method of making prickly pear cactus jelly-and yes, it is worth it.<br />
<br />
<b>Collecting the Fruit:</b><br />
First you need to collect the fruit. There are many varieties of prickly pear cactus, and as far as I know, both the fruit and pads are edible on all Western North American <i>Opuntia</i> species. These are the flat, beaver-tail shaped cactus. Not all of them produce a good fruit for eating though-I have a beautiful purple prickly pear in front of my house, but the fruit are too shriveled and dry to use. You want to find some that are a deep purple-red in color, and are nice and plump (there are some varieties where the fruit is ripe when yellow or green, though none of these seem to grow wild in my area, so I am unfamiliar with them, or how well their fruit works for jelly). The flesh should be firm, if the fruit dents without much pressure from you, it is probably getting too ripe to use. The fruit is sweet and edible without cooking-but between the thorns and seeds, I prefer to juice it. <br />
You can collect the fruit from public lands-usually a small amount for personal use is permitted-though if you plan on selling the fruit or products (like jelly) check the regulations. If collecting on private land, please get permission, and make sure no pesticides or herbicides have been used near the plant. The time of year the fruit will be ready depends on the weather, the species and your location, but is usually ripe in late July through September.<br />
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This fruit comes from a cactus, which makes collecting and handling the it a bit difficult. The big spines aren't the problem. You can see and avoid those for the most part-it's the glochids that will make you crazy. You know, the ones you don't know are stuck in you until you brush your hand against something. They don't hurt all that much, but finding them to pull them out? Good luck! (If you do get some in you, try pressing some duct tape down over the spot, then peeling it up. This will pull up any loose ones, though if you have some that are in deeper, you'll need tweezers...and a magnifying glass.)<br />
Yes, you can use gloves-but trust me, you'll get poked anyway, and you'll end up having to toss the gloves because the glochids get stuck in the gloves, and end up getting in you whenever you use them after that. I've found the easiest way to get the fruit is to use some kitchen tongs. They keep your hands out of the way of both the big spines and the glochids. I suggest you put the fruit in a plastic bucket to further contain the spines. If it's a bucket you want to use again, you'll need to hose it out, then use something abrasive to get rid of all the spines. A better idea is to ask your bakery if they have any buckets they are going to toss, some of their frosting and dough comes in buckets. I've even picked up some at Dairy Queen before. Then you can just recycle the bucket when you are done.<br />
<br />
Processing:<br />
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It's always best to use the fruit as soon as possible, though you can probably store it in a cool place for a few days. Again you need to deal with the glochids-getting some of these in your mouth or throat would not be fun. Some traditional methods of getting rid of the spines are to roll the fruit in sand, or singe the spines with flame. I've tried burning off the spines using a candle, but it was time consuming, and it turns out that if you are making jelly, you don't need to remove the spines. After rinsing the fruit with a strong spray of water, I use tongs and a knife to cut each fruit in half. I put several layers of cheesecloth in the food basket and place the fruit inside. It helps to clothespin the cheesecloth in place until all the fruit is in the basket. I've found that you can steam the fruit whole, but it helps to cut the fruit at least once, though you don't need to cut it up much. I also put a few layers of cheesecloth around the end of the hose to catch any spare glochids that may come through. The less you disturb the fruit once it is in the basket, the fewer glochids will be released. Follow the instructions from the steamer manual from here. You'll know you are done when the fruit stops releasing juice. You can press the fruit at this point if you want, but I don't usually get enough juice to make it worth it. With most fruits, the jelly looks much clearer and prettier if you don't press the fruit, and I don't want to press any glochids through the cheesecloth with the cactus fruits.<br />
(A few tricks: put a bottle in a drawer next to the stove to catch drips, and so you don't have to handle a hot jar of juice. Another trick is to put a few marbles in the water pan-they will start to rattle when the water level gets too low, so you can avoid boiling the pan dry-which is bad...Very bad.)<br />
<br />
If you don't have a juicer, place the fruits whole into a pot, bring to a boil, and boil for ten minutes. Mash with a potato masher, then boil for another ten minutes. Pour juice out through cheesecloth to strain. <br />
<br />
<br />
Making Jelly:<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmKvdlEjlXscM0xNV2ffrmAFr1rN_nDaRpmgZk7f-uWzbXVOKmagKPxYinwp3B8iPQP9DUcSdoL_kNxHIAz1sKWsF4ECM2LkA4O-7ZfuGM4bEkFV24_hlXkUDt5-vrXDyrCrjWICd3iO0/s1600/cactus+jelly3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="256" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmKvdlEjlXscM0xNV2ffrmAFr1rN_nDaRpmgZk7f-uWzbXVOKmagKPxYinwp3B8iPQP9DUcSdoL_kNxHIAz1sKWsF4ECM2LkA4O-7ZfuGM4bEkFV24_hlXkUDt5-vrXDyrCrjWICd3iO0/s320/cactus+jelly3.jpg" width="320" /></a>Once you have the juice you can make jelly immediately, or you can freeze the juice to make it later. Find a recipe from a reliable source such as a university extension office or official canning website like Ball or Kerr. Jelly is a little safer to experiment with than other canning foods, but you don't want to risk wasting your work on something that is potentially dangerous to eat. Recipes from these sources have been tested for safety. <br />
It always helps if the little ones don't get tired of you cooking and try to push you out of the kitchen.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
This recipe is from <i>Preserving Food in Wyoming: Wild Berries and Other Wild Fruit </i>by the University of Wyoming Cooperative Extension Service, College of Agriculture and Natural Resources, p. 23. You can find the entire publication <a href="http://www.wyomingextension.org/agpubs/pubs/B1210-3.pdf">here</a>.<br />
<br />
<br />
<b>Prickly Pear Jelly</b><br />
3 cups of cactus juice (made from approximately 12 cups ripe cactus fruit)<br />
½ cup lemon juice<br />
1 package of powdered pectin<br />
4½ cups of sugar<br />
Jelly bag or three layers of cheesecloth<br />
<br />
Mix cactus juice and lemon juice with powdered pectin. Place over high heat and stir until the mixture comes to a rolling boil. Add sugar, bring to a vigorous boil again, and boil for 1½ minutes stirring constantly. Remove from heat, skim off any foam, and pour quickly into hot half-pint or pint jars or hot sterilized half-pint or pint jars leaving ¼-inch headspace. Wipe sealing edge of jars with a clean, damp paper towel. Adjust lids and process in a boiling-water canner, for 10 minutes, adjusting processing time for altitude. For good instructions on using the water bath canning method, and a chart for adjusting processing times, go <a href="http://extension.usu.edu/files/publications/factsheet/fn_canning_fs-02.pdf">here</a>.<br />
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If you'd like to make syrup instead of jelly, just omit the pectin, and follow the directions as listed above.Pamelahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09515981582718418225noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7362285544036753708.post-33251867715315569232011-09-26T12:05:00.000-07:002011-10-11T21:01:10.091-07:00Homemade: A Review of Homemade Laundry Soap<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<br />
In an effort to be more frugal, I've decided to test the affordability and effectiveness of some homemade products. Powdered homemade laundry detergent seems to be highly praised, so I thought I'd start with that.<br />
<br />
Most homemade laundry detergent recipes are similar, so I researched the ingredients to find out why they were added to the recipe. It turns out there are three ingredients that are nearly always included, and several ingredients that are optional. Instead of posting all the recipes I found, I posted a general recipe you can adapt if you decide to make your own.<br />
<div style="color: #134f5c;">
<br /></div>
<div style="color: #a64d79;">
<u><b>Recipe for Homemade Laundry Detergent</b>:</u></div>
<div color="#45818e">
<b style="color: #c27ba0;">Necessary ingredients: </b></div>
<ul color="#45818e" style="color: #45818e;">
<li><b>1 cup Borax </b>(Cleans, disinfects, and softens water).</li>
<li><b>1 cup Arm & Hammer Washing Soda</b> (This is sodium bicarbonate, and alkali salt that breaks down grease and dissolves stains. It softens water by binding with chemicals that cause hard water, allowing the detergent to form more suds and work more effectively).</li>
<li><b>1 bar of Fels-naptha soap</b>, Pink Zote Soap, Kirk’s Castile unscented soap, or Ivory Soap, just don't use something heavily perfumed. (Cleans). </li>
</ul>
<span style="color: #45818e;"></span><br />
<div style="color: #c27ba0;">
<b>Optional Ingredients: </b></div>
<div style="color: #45818e;">
<ul>
<li><b>1 cup Oxyclean</b> or store brand oxyclean </li>
</ul>
This is a mixture of washing soda and powdered hydrogen peroxide. The baby version only has these two ingredients, the regular mix has some detergent added. Some people complained of whites gradually getting dingy with homemade detergent. This will counteract that. Some people opted to just add a scoop to whites and loads that were especially grubby to save money.</div>
<div style="color: #45818e;">
</div>
<ul color="#45818e" style="color: #45818e;">
<li><b>1 cup box Arm & Hammer Baking Soda</b></li>
</ul>
<div style="color: #45818e;">
Some recipes include this as a whitener and to make it smell nicer, it also softens water.</div>
<div style="color: #45818e;">
</div>
<ul style="color: #45818e;">
<li><b>White Vinegar</b> </li>
</ul>
<span style="color: #45818e;">Some people claimed using this as a rinse helped remove buildup of hard water residue and killed a musty odor others complained of. Some didn't like the strong smell of vinegar and suggested an extra rinse cycle to get rid of the vinegar smell, though other sites claimed the vinegar smell disappeared after drying. My machine isn't programmable and I'd have to babysit the machine to be able to add the vinegar, if I end up having to do this, it will probably be a deal-breaker for me. Stiff towels are a good indicator that you have too much detergent residue left after the wash. </span><br />
<ul style="color: #45818e;">
<li> <b>Calgon Powder<span style="color: #45818e;"> </span></b></li>
</ul>
<span style="color: #45818e;">This was also suggested as a solution to the buildup of hard-water residue, the suggested amount was around1/2 cup but amount may need to be increased based on how hard your water is. </span><br />
<ul style="color: #45818e;">
<li> <b>1/4 cup Cascade dishwashing detergent</b> per load</li>
</ul>
<span style="color: #45818e;">This detergent contains an enzyme that helps break down protein stains</span>.<br />
<ul style="color: #45818e;"></ul>
<ul style="color: #45818e;"></ul>
<ul style="color: #45818e;">
<li> <span style="color: #45818e;"><b>A few drops of essential oils</b> </span></li>
</ul>
<span style="color: #45818e;">This makes it smell pretty-the favorites are usually citrus or lavender.</span><span style="color: #45818e;"></span><br />
<div style="color: #45818e;">
<br /></div>
<div style="color: #45818e;">
<b><span style="color: #c27ba0;">Directions:</span> </b><br />
Grate or shred soap with cheese grater or food processor. Mix all ingredients together, and use one-two tablespoons per load using the directions on your machine. This soap can be a little slower dissolving in water than store-bought soap, so it works best to put the soap in the machine and start the water before adding clothes. </div>
<div style="color: #45818e;">
<br /></div>
<div style="color: #45818e;">
</div>
<div style="color: #45818e;">
<b style="color: #c27ba0;">Notes:</b><span style="color: #c27ba0;"> </span><b><br /></b></div>
<div style="color: #45818e;">
<b>Hot or Cold?</b> Some sites claimed using hot water was essential when using homemade, others claimed cold worked fine, still others claimed you only need hot water for whites. Detergents begin to lose their effectiveness below sixty degrees either commercial or homemade. </div>
<div style="color: #45818e;">
<b>Hard Water?</b> If you have hard water, you will need more detergent-this is true of store-bought detergent as well. </div>
<span style="color: #45818e;"><b>High Efficiency Machines?</b> I do not have a high-efficiency machine, so I am not aware what special needs these machines have. Some claim that this is not a high-sudsing recipe, so it is ok, but I don't have enough knowledge on this point to make recommendations.</span><br />
<span style="color: #45818e;"><b>Pre-treating Stains?</b> Some sites recommend rubbing stains with the Fels-naptha soap, others suggest using Dawn Dishsoap. I haven't tried either method. I think for now I'll stick to presoaking in water and Oxiclean. If I end up testing pre-treatment methods, I'll post the results. I have to pretreat stains for my regular detergent anyway so I don't think it is a reflection on how well this recipe works.</span><br />
<span style="color: #45818e;"><b>Want a larger yield recipe?</b> 4 lbs borax (equals about 11 cups), 2 3lb 7oz box washing soda (one 3lb 7 oz box is about 5.5 cups), 11 bars soap. </span><br />
<span style="color: #45818e;"><b>Where can I get the ingredients?</b> Most larger supermarkets have these ingredients. I found everything at our small Walmart, though the only bar soaps available there were </span><span style="color: #45818e;">Fels-naptha soap and Ivory.</span><br />
<span style="color: #45818e;"><b>Shredding the soap?</b> Some people complain of the tediousness of hand-shredding the soap, but others said it was no big deal. The soap I was shredding was a little hard to shred by hand-I could have done it but after a few minutes I decided to just do in in the processor. I tried both of the options my little food processor offers, the shaving option came out looking like grated cheddar, the cutting option made it little pea sized lumps. I was hoping for more of a powder to make it easier to mix everything together. I ended up going with the cheese curls, then chopping those down. I think Ivory would powder up better. I don't think shape matters much with effectiveness unless you have chunks too big to dissolve during the wash.</span><br />
<br />
<i>I tried to anticipate your questions, though this is my first attempt at making the soap. I'll try to answer any other questions you may have, but this is my first attempt too. In a few months, after using up this batch, I will post an updated review. Thanks!</i><br />
<br />
<u><b>To sum up:</b></u><br />
When I added everything up, the cost is nearly the same as cheap commercial laundry detergent, and about half that of the nicer brands. If you shop around and find the ingredients at a low price, and use a less expensive bar soap, you may be able to cut the cost of making your own even further than I did. I haven't figured out how to get the $0.01 per load that some makers of their own soap got.<br />
Homemade worked just as well as store bought, and worked even better when Oxyclean was added. Will I make it again? I was really hoping the cost difference would be greater. I would definitely switch if saved me more money, it was easy enough to make, especially using a food processor, and it does the job.<br />
<br />
<br />
<b><u>Price Comparison:</u></b><br />
<br />
<br />
<table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="MsoNormalTable" style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 620px;"> <tbody>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt;">Homemade Laundry Detergent</span></b></div>
</td> <td nowrap="nowrap" style="border-left: none; border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; height: 12.75pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 48.0pt;" valign="bottom" width="64"><div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt;">Cost</span></b></div>
</td> <td nowrap="nowrap" style="border-left: none; border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; height: 12.75pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 48.0pt;" valign="bottom" width="64"><div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt;">Ounces</span></b></div>
</td> <td nowrap="nowrap" style="border-left: none; border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; height: 12.75pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 65.25pt;" valign="bottom" width="87"><div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt;">Cups</span></b></div>
</td> <td nowrap="nowrap" style="border-left: none; border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; height: 12.75pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 72.5pt;" valign="bottom" width="97"><div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt;">Tablespoons (Loads)</span></b></div>
</td> </tr>
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt;">1 4 lb 12 oz box Borax</span></div>
</td> <td nowrap="nowrap" style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; height: 12.75pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 48.0pt;" valign="bottom" width="64"><div align="right" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: right;">
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt;">$2.98 </span></div>
</td> <td nowrap="nowrap" style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; height: 12.75pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 48.0pt;" valign="bottom" width="64"><div align="right" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: right;">
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt;">76</span></div>
</td> <td nowrap="nowrap" style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; height: 12.75pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 65.25pt;" valign="bottom" width="87"><div align="right" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: right;">
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt;">11</span></div>
</td> <td nowrap="nowrap" style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; height: 12.75pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 72.5pt;" valign="bottom" width="97"><div align="right" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: right;">
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt;">110</span></div>
</td> </tr>
<tr style="height: 12.75pt; mso-yfti-irow: 2;"> <td nowrap="nowrap" style="border-top: none; border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; height: 12.75pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 231.5pt;" valign="bottom" width="309"><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt;">2 3 lb 7 oz boxes Arm & Hammer Washing Soda</span></div>
</td> <td nowrap="nowrap" style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; height: 12.75pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 48.0pt;" valign="bottom" width="64"><div align="right" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: right;">
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt;">$6.48 </span></div>
</td> <td nowrap="nowrap" style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; height: 12.75pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 48.0pt;" valign="bottom" width="64"><div align="right" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: right;">
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt;">110</span></div>
</td> <td nowrap="nowrap" style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; height: 12.75pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 65.25pt;" valign="bottom" width="87"><div align="right" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: right;">
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt;">11</span></div>
</td> <td nowrap="nowrap" style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; height: 12.75pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 72.5pt;" valign="bottom" width="97"><div align="right" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: right;">
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt;">110</span></div>
</td> </tr>
<tr style="height: 12.75pt; mso-yfti-irow: 3;"> <td nowrap="nowrap" style="border-top: none; border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; height: 12.75pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 231.5pt;" valign="bottom" width="309"><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt;">11 5.5 oz bars Fels-Naptha Soap, grated</span></div>
</td> <td nowrap="nowrap" style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; height: 12.75pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 48.0pt;" valign="bottom" width="64"><div align="right" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: right;">
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt;">$10.67 </span></div>
</td> <td nowrap="nowrap" style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; height: 12.75pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 48.0pt;" valign="bottom" width="64"><div align="right" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: right;">
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt;">60.5</span></div>
</td> <td nowrap="nowrap" style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; height: 12.75pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 65.25pt;" valign="bottom" width="87"><div align="right" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: right;">
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt;">5.5</span></div>
</td> <td nowrap="nowrap" style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; height: 12.75pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 72.5pt;" valign="bottom" width="97"><div align="right" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: right;">
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt;">55</span></div>
</td> </tr>
<tr style="height: 12.75pt; mso-yfti-irow: 4;"> <td nowrap="nowrap" style="border: none; height: 12.75pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 231.5pt;" valign="bottom" width="309"><div align="right" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: right;">
<br /></div>
</td> <td nowrap="nowrap" style="border: none; height: 12.75pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 48.0pt;" valign="bottom" width="64"><div align="right" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: right;">
<br /></div>
</td> <td colspan="2" nowrap="nowrap" style="border: none; height: 12.75pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 113.25pt;" valign="bottom" width="151"><div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt;">Total Cost</span></b></div>
</td> <td nowrap="nowrap" style="border: none; height: 12.75pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 72.5pt;" valign="bottom" width="97"><div align="right" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: right;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt;">$20.13</span></b></div>
</td> </tr>
<tr style="height: 12.75pt; mso-yfti-irow: 5;"> <td nowrap="nowrap" style="height: 12.75pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 231.5pt;" valign="bottom" width="309"><div align="right" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: right;">
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt;">Total Ounces</span></div>
</td> <td nowrap="nowrap" style="height: 12.75pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 48.0pt;" valign="bottom" width="64"><div align="right" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: right;">
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt;">246.50 </span></div>
</td> <td colspan="2" nowrap="nowrap" style="height: 12.75pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 113.25pt;" valign="bottom" width="151"><div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt;">Cost per Ounce</span></b></div>
</td> <td nowrap="nowrap" style="height: 12.75pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 72.5pt;" valign="bottom" width="97"><div align="right" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: right;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt;">$0.08 </span></b></div>
</td> </tr>
<tr style="height: 12.75pt; mso-yfti-irow: 6;"> <td nowrap="nowrap" style="height: 12.75pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 231.5pt;" valign="bottom" width="309"><div align="right" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: right;">
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt;">Total Tablespoons (Loads)</span></div>
</td> <td nowrap="nowrap" style="height: 12.75pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 48.0pt;" valign="bottom" width="64"><div align="right" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: right;">
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt;">275</span></div>
</td> <td colspan="2" nowrap="nowrap" style="height: 12.75pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 113.25pt;" valign="bottom" width="151"><div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt;">Cost per Load</span></b></div>
</td> <td nowrap="nowrap" style="height: 12.75pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 72.5pt;" valign="bottom" width="97"><div align="right" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: right;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt;">$0.07 </span></b></div>
</td> </tr>
<tr style="height: 12.75pt; mso-yfti-irow: 7;"> <td nowrap="nowrap" style="height: 12.75pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 231.5pt;" valign="bottom" width="309"><div align="right" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: right;">
<br /></div>
</td> <td nowrap="nowrap" style="height: 12.75pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 48.0pt;" valign="bottom" width="64"><div align="right" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: right;">
<br /></div>
</td> <td colspan="2" nowrap="nowrap" style="height: 12.75pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 113.25pt;" valign="bottom" width="151"><div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
</td> <td nowrap="nowrap" style="height: 12.75pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 72.5pt;" valign="bottom" width="97"><div align="right" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: right;">
<br /></div>
</td> </tr>
<tr style="height: 12.75pt; mso-yfti-irow: 8;"> <td nowrap="nowrap" style="height: 12.75pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 231.5pt;" valign="bottom" width="309"><div align="right" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: right;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt;">Regular Tide Detergent 169 oz box, 120 loads</span></b></div>
</td> <td nowrap="nowrap" style="height: 12.75pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 48.0pt;" valign="bottom" width="64"><div align="right" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: right;">
<br /></div>
</td> <td colspan="2" nowrap="nowrap" style="height: 12.75pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 113.25pt;" valign="bottom" width="151"><div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt;">Total Cost</span></b></div>
</td> <td nowrap="nowrap" style="height: 12.75pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 72.5pt;" valign="bottom" width="97"><div align="right" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: right;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt;">$20.47</span></b></div>
</td> </tr>
<tr style="height: 12.75pt; mso-yfti-irow: 9;"> <td nowrap="nowrap" style="height: 12.75pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 231.5pt;" valign="bottom" width="309"><div align="right" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: right;">
<br /></div>
</td> <td nowrap="nowrap" style="height: 12.75pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 48.0pt;" valign="bottom" width="64"><div align="right" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: right;">
<br /></div>
</td> <td colspan="2" nowrap="nowrap" style="height: 12.75pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 113.25pt;" valign="bottom" width="151"><div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt;">Cost per Ounce</span></b></div>
</td> <td nowrap="nowrap" style="height: 12.75pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 72.5pt;" valign="bottom" width="97"><div align="right" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: right;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt;">$0.12</span></b></div>
</td> </tr>
<tr style="height: 12.75pt; mso-yfti-irow: 10;"> <td nowrap="nowrap" style="height: 12.75pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 231.5pt;" valign="bottom" width="309"><div align="right" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: right;">
<br /></div>
</td> <td nowrap="nowrap" style="height: 12.75pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 48.0pt;" valign="bottom" width="64"><div align="right" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: right;">
<br /></div>
</td> <td colspan="2" nowrap="nowrap" style="height: 12.75pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 113.25pt;" valign="bottom" width="151"><div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt;">Cost Per Load</span></b></div>
</td> <td nowrap="nowrap" style="height: 12.75pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 72.5pt;" valign="bottom" width="97"><div align="right" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: right;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt;">$0.17</span></b></div>
</td> </tr>
<tr style="height: 12.75pt; mso-yfti-irow: 11;"> <td nowrap="nowrap" style="height: 12.75pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 231.5pt;" valign="bottom" width="309"><div align="right" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: right;">
<br /></div>
</td> <td nowrap="nowrap" style="height: 12.75pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 48.0pt;" valign="bottom" width="64"><div align="right" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: right;">
<br /></div>
</td> <td colspan="2" nowrap="nowrap" style="height: 12.75pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 113.25pt;" valign="bottom" width="151"><div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
</td> <td nowrap="nowrap" style="height: 12.75pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 72.5pt;" valign="bottom" width="97"><div align="right" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: right;">
<br /></div>
</td> </tr>
<tr style="height: 12.75pt; mso-yfti-irow: 12;"> <td nowrap="nowrap" style="height: 12.75pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 231.5pt;" valign="bottom" width="309"><div align="right" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: right;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt;">Regular Sun Detergent 85 oz box, 80 loads</span></b></div>
</td> <td nowrap="nowrap" style="height: 12.75pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 48.0pt;" valign="bottom" width="64"><div align="right" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: right;">
<br /></div>
</td> <td colspan="2" nowrap="nowrap" style="height: 12.75pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 113.25pt;" valign="bottom" width="151"><div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt;">Total Cost</span></b></div>
</td> <td nowrap="nowrap" style="height: 12.75pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 72.5pt;" valign="bottom" width="97"><div align="right" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: right;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt;">$4.98</span></b></div>
</td> </tr>
<tr style="height: 12.75pt; mso-yfti-irow: 13;"> <td nowrap="nowrap" style="height: 12.75pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 231.5pt;" valign="bottom" width="309"><div align="right" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: right;">
<br /></div>
</td> <td nowrap="nowrap" style="height: 12.75pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 48.0pt;" valign="bottom" width="64"><div align="right" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: right;">
<br /></div>
</td> <td colspan="2" nowrap="nowrap" style="height: 12.75pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 113.25pt;" valign="bottom" width="151"><div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt;">Cost per Ounce</span></b></div>
</td> <td nowrap="nowrap" style="height: 12.75pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 72.5pt;" valign="bottom" width="97"><div align="right" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: right;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt;">$0.06</span></b></div>
</td> </tr>
<tr style="height: 12.75pt; mso-yfti-irow: 14; mso-yfti-lastrow: yes;"> <td nowrap="nowrap" style="height: 12.75pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 231.5pt;" valign="bottom" width="309"><div align="right" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: right;">
<br /></div>
</td> <td nowrap="nowrap" style="height: 12.75pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 48.0pt;" valign="bottom" width="64"><div align="right" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: right;">
<br /></div>
</td> <td colspan="2" nowrap="nowrap" style="height: 12.75pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 113.25pt;" valign="bottom" width="151"><div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt;">Cost per Load</span></b></div>
</td> <td nowrap="nowrap" style="height: 12.75pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 72.5pt;" valign="bottom" width="97"><div align="right" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: right;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt;">$0.06</span></b></div>
</td> </tr>
</tbody></table>
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<i>I added the package totals together to get the total ounces, then I figured ~10 tablespoons detergent per cup, about 27.5 cups for a large batch, so about 275 tablespoons. This is a pretty rough estimate since I didn't measure the amount of detergent precisely, I just wanted to get an idea if the cost was comparable. Ivory Soap was $4.27 for a pack of nine bars, if you used that, your cost would be a bit less.</i><br />
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<u><b>Effectiveness:</b></u><br />
Here are the images of the results (apologies for the quality):<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqk9nP6uh-tLun8MPm1gazZKjFOYsWsUXNLfUzfTNsMmM0qVfNHSfSRJx8NjeYpAtFTToqaNTD3Ahn6oBil7E7iSSo80Zn-hfDwP5f8i58XidNs5VhqfHU7yc-6VbTce9286xgryVTfQE/s1600/stain+guide.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="276" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqk9nP6uh-tLun8MPm1gazZKjFOYsWsUXNLfUzfTNsMmM0qVfNHSfSRJx8NjeYpAtFTToqaNTD3Ahn6oBil7E7iSSo80Zn-hfDwP5f8i58XidNs5VhqfHU7yc-6VbTce9286xgryVTfQE/s640/stain+guide.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
Now, I wasn't expecting stains like these to come clean completely, but I thought it was a quick way to compare cleaning ability. I took some white cotton cloth, and stained strips with soil, ketchup, grass, driveway oil puddle, and soy sauce. I made mini stained quilts and soaked two of them in Oxyclean water for about two hours. Then I washed one the pre-soaked, and one of the un-soaked in two seperate loads. I used hot water for both loads, and added Oxyclean to both loads because I wanted to keep it as close to the way I normally wash as possible. I but added the reccomended amount of Sun brand detergent to one load, and two tablespoons of homemade detergent to the other load. Thinking back I should have made one more and washed it in water for a control. Does your kid need a science fair project?<br />
I was a little surprised at the results. The winner? Presoaked + Homemade. The looser? Unsoaked Homemade. For some reason, combining Oxyclean presoaking with the homemade detergent yeilded the best results. I was also a bit surprised that the presoaking didn't make as much of a difference as I thought it would, I guess the Oxyclean I added to the wash did nearly the same job as presoaking.<br />
I'd like to do this test again, without the oxyclean in the wash at all, and try it with a more expensive commercial brand.<br />
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<u><b>Pretreating Stains: </b></u><br />
Of course I'll have to pretreat stains using homemade detergent, just as I do with store-bought soap.<br />
Let me explain, no, there is to much. Let me sum up:<br />
<ul>
<li>Work fast if possible, fresh stains come out more easily.</li>
<li> Avoid rubbing stains with bar soaps, many stains can be set in by doing this.</li>
<li>Avoid heat: if the stain doesn't come out with the first wash, don't put it in the dryer, re-treat and re-wash.</li>
<li>Pretreat with a stain remover that contains enzymes if the stain is a protein stain like blood or grass.</li>
</ul>
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Here is a good site on <a href="http://laundry.about.com/od/stainremoval/u/stainsuserpath.htm">removing stains</a>.Pamelahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09515981582718418225noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7362285544036753708.post-39325291172028896992011-09-15T20:45:00.000-07:002011-11-08T14:02:24.628-08:00Bird Bath<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHjohomq3O-Od4UAx-OsKSB5_kB3TrX5TVWbvMRQwp02XrWXgOIIgXAoSPPs31PW5-MQJw1FY9KmbF8O2cA8Yuq-CDxpCoquwbOlvpXPcVIwtBpACYA8cous7o3QuOdaxFkY1iHVP_Q88/s1600/birdbath+finished.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHjohomq3O-Od4UAx-OsKSB5_kB3TrX5TVWbvMRQwp02XrWXgOIIgXAoSPPs31PW5-MQJw1FY9KmbF8O2cA8Yuq-CDxpCoquwbOlvpXPcVIwtBpACYA8cous7o3QuOdaxFkY1iHVP_Q88/s640/birdbath+finished.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
This is the project that has taken up most of my freetime the past few weeks. I probably could have gotten it done in a few days if I hadn't been limited to naptimes. This way of doing it worked out for me though, because it gave me time to leave it alone and come back with a fresh eye. <br />
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It started with a towel rack that seemed to spend most of its time on the floor waiting for me to find a mini screwdriver and reattach it...again. I got tired of it and asked for a new one for my birthday. The new rack was shorter than the original one, so that meant I needed to patch the hole and paint over it. Instead of trying to match the builder's beige that is through the whole house I thought I'd try a new color. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinVqAuRP6WIApcLskKlpP_0iDaXQqZRnBaXUVXVhlk6jC2a_ox-CWxM0sSG8TrAdcE9CPDZPDz0An3Qi7WaFQTVLMTK2nxlLsrOyUzUW1ufbzdj26qXIkDCSoSSrwyn23bgIS05a8kqpk/s1600/Wall-Stencil-Tree-Branch6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinVqAuRP6WIApcLskKlpP_0iDaXQqZRnBaXUVXVhlk6jC2a_ox-CWxM0sSG8TrAdcE9CPDZPDz0An3Qi7WaFQTVLMTK2nxlLsrOyUzUW1ufbzdj26qXIkDCSoSSrwyn23bgIS05a8kqpk/s200/Wall-Stencil-Tree-Branch6.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
I then happened across some stencils on Pinterest that I fell in love with. (See? I don't spend ALL my time pinning things I'll never do...) While the stencils would have sped up the process considerably, I decided to freehand it to save a little. Here is the link to <a href="http://www.cuttingedgestencils.com/wall-stencil-decal.html?category_id=1016">Cutting Edge Stencils</a> if you want to do it the easy way.<br />
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Step 1: Select Colors <br />
Paint chips are nice and everything, but be aware the lovely soft blue-gray you pick out might turn into an <i>awfully</i> bright baby blue on the wall. Yes I looked at the chip on the wall in the actual room under different light conditions. I found out the hardware store had an extremely limited supply of test samples, so scratch the idea of getting a base coat and a few darker shades of the same color in sample sizes. Also scratch the idea of getting a sample and painting a patch on the wall first. Lesson learned.<br />
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On my second attempt I found a color that looked very gray in the store when they dabbed the top of the can. I almost didn't have the courage to try it on the wall, but compared to the sample I brought in of the baby blue it was the closest to what I had in mind. I got enough of the lightest shade to cover the walls with a bit left over, and to save money, bought a small can of paint several shades darker and mixed the darker shades myself. Just to be safe, I painted a patch of each shade I ended up using on a paint stick. This way I can get a color match if I need to have more paint mixed up.<br />
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Step 2: Paint base coat (again)</div>
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Just as I hoped-the paint looked more of a soft blue when on the wall. I painted the ceiling a slightly darker color, which matched the color of the lightest branches.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4p2B3KxRXj8eAb_n5xFybdOFAC7ugo0LvH4nHgRr4siDx6PU7FVpRsdNo8b3VsR2g_PNEO9oET9n49EyWBwaJ3kuOC9VEvSLevQK_VmrzUmHIjpQ8_QsXBwQ-5ix4xILzUprDcJTiO3I/s1600/birdbath+leaf+outline.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4p2B3KxRXj8eAb_n5xFybdOFAC7ugo0LvH4nHgRr4siDx6PU7FVpRsdNo8b3VsR2g_PNEO9oET9n49EyWBwaJ3kuOC9VEvSLevQK_VmrzUmHIjpQ8_QsXBwQ-5ix4xILzUprDcJTiO3I/s320/birdbath+leaf+outline.jpg" width="261" /></a>Step 3: Paint the branches</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfthBRz8-LgWjZFTo7Clltux4SVA59L2C2xBej8GZ_RdqAZYIER3CV4yQFNnSEZD9jw2PeSai2kUpdnd3_8ELOtU9vFaqdssXyi-NnisUXFJl-fxa25_aJfpN1V8V-fc_WKrqLucWVao0/s1600/birdbath+leaf+outline+filled.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfthBRz8-LgWjZFTo7Clltux4SVA59L2C2xBej8GZ_RdqAZYIER3CV4yQFNnSEZD9jw2PeSai2kUpdnd3_8ELOtU9vFaqdssXyi-NnisUXFJl-fxa25_aJfpN1V8V-fc_WKrqLucWVao0/s320/birdbath+leaf+outline+filled.jpg" width="277" /></a> I found it was easiest to use a soft narrow paintbrush and outline the general shape of the branches and leaves first. The overall design flowed better when I laid it out on a large scale rather than trying to finish each leaf before moving on. You can do an outline of the general shape in chalk if you are intimidated by beginning the mural. Regular chalkboard chalk wipes off easily, though be sure to wait until the paint is completely dry! It's also easier to start with narrow lines and add to it than try and fix a line that turned out thicker than you wanted. It took me nearly a week of procrastination before I got up the nerve to start the mural. The branches look nice with two shades, the lighter going behind the darker.<br />
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A trick I learned in Jr. High from my art teacher: if something in a drawing just looks wrong to you and you can't figure out why, try using a mirror to look at your work. Your brain will see it as a new image and will more than likely focus on the problem spot you missed earlier because you'd been staring at it too long.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3dhKV-NLwqGutD1IUFLBlyck7w3Yd_GNIcHDlLvSoCduqP4vCDxhkzGgBEr8yzc_u0EttfUyG39RvnHVxPyUtjV-QUvgzZy6nKW6IjnX0iEHTA0a2b_vWiDXwPZbSnVFpl2hQN7YSwVg/s1600/birdbath+bird+guide.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="302" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3dhKV-NLwqGutD1IUFLBlyck7w3Yd_GNIcHDlLvSoCduqP4vCDxhkzGgBEr8yzc_u0EttfUyG39RvnHVxPyUtjV-QUvgzZy6nKW6IjnX0iEHTA0a2b_vWiDXwPZbSnVFpl2hQN7YSwVg/s320/birdbath+bird+guide.jpg" width="320" /></a><br />
Step 4: Birds<br />
I wanted the birds to look realistic-we are bird nerds after all. I could have free-handed the birds, but decided to create some stencils to speed the process up. I found some images of chickadees (I used a few different species, but the overall shapes were similar enough I thought I could get away with it. Yes, we are THAT nerdy). I resized the photos in Microsoft Word so they were nearly life size and then cut them out. (Did you know chickadees are about 5-6 inches from beak to tail? Told ya we were nerdy!) I only planned on using each stencil once so I used regular copy paper. If you plan on re-using the stencil, use cardstock, or you could buy some stencil plastic or try contact paper. Using a very dry brush, I outlined the bird. A wet brush might leak under the stencil and ruin the lines. Just dip your brush in the paint and dab most of it off onto a paper towel. Remove the stencil and fill in the bird. I didn't try to cut out the feet-these were so thin I just free-handed it again. Some of the birds needed their feet in a slightly different position to look right on the branch anyway. If you aren't sure where you want the birds, try taping the bird you cut out to create the stencil on the wall and step back to see if you like the arrangement.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNR7bKXEv6QbCkyHsvlwHfj2Sj8WK26R3wtRcsVF-8K1E3R8gQpvNeVzzM6mV2B20bYKueXjV2YWYnC2sGqWz08cogPLdJcDX17wg7cHdfzWimdWd5eBQfHC21C_wH4cO51bdhtxV5ylc/s1600/birdbath+wet.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNR7bKXEv6QbCkyHsvlwHfj2Sj8WK26R3wtRcsVF-8K1E3R8gQpvNeVzzM6mV2B20bYKueXjV2YWYnC2sGqWz08cogPLdJcDX17wg7cHdfzWimdWd5eBQfHC21C_wH4cO51bdhtxV5ylc/s320/birdbath+wet.jpg" width="250" /></a></div>
I did freehand this one, since I couldn't find a wet bird I liked. I thought it would be funny to have one next to the showerhead.<br />
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Step 5: Touching up<br />
I found that the paint I selected was opaque enough to make touching up the little mistakes easy. It was hard to tell if I'd filled in the paint well while it was wet, and the birds looked better once I'd done a second coat. Some branches were thicker than I liked, some leaves blended together too much so I dabbed in some to create little openings, and I smoothed out a lot of the lines that looked rough from painting on a textured wall. This mural would have been so much easier on an untextured wall, but it still worked out.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLY7K0SeRAyIix4iGssPR6ASW-ct0GTg24tflj4WF0P3xJqbiO7Z1kSCVhqo3mD6Ocok_q09hk_Acad6GCsy6-wlZ22NgqP_dnpNi7A6zlH5IMZOnZI5vgQf-J3q9PXKLU3p2m83zs7-U/s1600/birdbath+floater.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLY7K0SeRAyIix4iGssPR6ASW-ct0GTg24tflj4WF0P3xJqbiO7Z1kSCVhqo3mD6Ocok_q09hk_Acad6GCsy6-wlZ22NgqP_dnpNi7A6zlH5IMZOnZI5vgQf-J3q9PXKLU3p2m83zs7-U/s320/birdbath+floater.jpg" width="320" /></a><br />
This bird ended up perched in the air, I must have moved the stencil as I taped it up. No problem, just extended the branch a bit.<br />
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Sorry about the photographs-it's impossible to really show you how it looks-I just can't back up any more to fit it in.<br />
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The big reveal: My husband walked in and said "Oh, look! Chickadees!" (WHEW! Mission accomplished!) I was worried he'd think it was a bit girly, but he liked the colors and the fact that the chickadees were silhouetted instead of painted realistically. That would have taken me <i>forever</i>.<br />
<br />Pamelahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09515981582718418225noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7362285544036753708.post-86708519656768587362011-08-22T15:25:00.000-07:002011-11-08T14:01:36.270-08:00Waterwall<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2BNe-CX774D0vFjRMPcWt3oS9TSkX7E2X5XgUsGSdMZ8M0jri8KhFp2thqQdkxeWlHF3ZQ4suSId6H4sEL4oKYu3y8s1Ld69eECoGhsYx8OqxkGURNbl3Wv8jZo3cguUn-cufM-XBOY8/s1600/waterwall3.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5643811895994460162" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2BNe-CX774D0vFjRMPcWt3oS9TSkX7E2X5XgUsGSdMZ8M0jri8KhFp2thqQdkxeWlHF3ZQ4suSId6H4sEL4oKYu3y8s1Ld69eECoGhsYx8OqxkGURNbl3Wv8jZo3cguUn-cufM-XBOY8/s320/waterwall3.jpg" style="cursor: hand; cursor: pointer; float: left; height: 320px; margin: 0 10px 10px 0; width: 198px;" /></a>My little buddy is definitely a water baby.
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I thought I might as well encourage some good old scientific inquiry-I mean fun playing in the water.
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Water walls are a frame that holds a variety of containers and tubes that can be rearranged to explore how water moves-and is a great way to cool off on a hot day. It always seems to be the simple things that provide the most fun!
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjxWXTU6OiFJPPD0RvC67wJNBW7C3IUU8o9I8x8ch7kpo_zAErR8R4UqpjGd-8o7XrXQ3LU6oTFRMkquieVjRULAX_OjHKoipZ2oRiLIqHhoWqad0s-3mZ8vlxlUdmaeM0n9rLuE6zxjo/s1600/waterwall1.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5643811885560933570" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjxWXTU6OiFJPPD0RvC67wJNBW7C3IUU8o9I8x8ch7kpo_zAErR8R4UqpjGd-8o7XrXQ3LU6oTFRMkquieVjRULAX_OjHKoipZ2oRiLIqHhoWqad0s-3mZ8vlxlUdmaeM0n9rLuE6zxjo/s320/waterwall1.jpg" style="cursor: hand; cursor: pointer; float: left; height: 154px; margin: 0 10px 10px 0; width: 320px;" /></a>
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To make your own waterwall, first construct a frame. I took two 1 1/2" x 3/4" boards, and cut them so the short length would be as wide as a roll of plastic hardware cloth I had. I put two screws in each corner to keep it square and spray-painted it.
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You can skip building a frame and use some pegboard, hang everything on a chain-link fence, or just duct tape everything to a wall. I found one person that used suction cups with hooks on her shower wall.
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-TxX4_2Yp9QPABygDf8WN_bq5-ZaVKyAurIHZL7gi8-S7EYBZ7r5Khd1OpDHGGhiyhiHWN0Huq3uDz9lLSfF5n2-mDrW4-MNTJyQjyj-biABvYQ-eO80Q2zkK-d7qfU2ayp4PxAdCTx0/s1600/waterwall2.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5643811889111536338" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-TxX4_2Yp9QPABygDf8WN_bq5-ZaVKyAurIHZL7gi8-S7EYBZ7r5Khd1OpDHGGhiyhiHWN0Huq3uDz9lLSfF5n2-mDrW4-MNTJyQjyj-biABvYQ-eO80Q2zkK-d7qfU2ayp4PxAdCTx0/s320/waterwall2.jpg" style="cursor: hand; cursor: pointer; float: left; height: 296px; margin: 0 10px 10px 0; width: 320px;" /></a>For the inside of the frame I stapled some plastic hardware cloth to the frame.
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It turned out the roll wasn't quite as wide as advertized on the package so I had to run three strips across the frame instead of running it the length of the frame. I figured that when the cloth wore out I could easily replace it with something more durable.
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Next you need some containers and something to fasten them to the frame with. I'd saved some plastic containers, and really lucked out at the dollar store where I found some accordion tubes that hook together and hold their shape when bent. (Pop-toobs can be bought <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Pop-Toobs-Case-of-24/dp/B004IPNN0W">here</a>). <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlW3DP6sRCoRlnUcBv2d20Nir3mNRFIytxv6WrBGXIUOWfxHIOZvr0AeFgSZa_uEB4VuzD0mGgUcLvjBp9OR2NIaHwBKgR_sere2CXOHHAJWL-mz53NfjcQri97_utOBy_qvQvYpreyGE/s1600/waterwall5.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5643811910359195186" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlW3DP6sRCoRlnUcBv2d20Nir3mNRFIytxv6WrBGXIUOWfxHIOZvr0AeFgSZa_uEB4VuzD0mGgUcLvjBp9OR2NIaHwBKgR_sere2CXOHHAJWL-mz53NfjcQri97_utOBy_qvQvYpreyGE/s320/waterwall5.jpg" style="cursor: hand; cursor: pointer; float: left; height: 320px; margin: 0 10px 10px 0; width: 164px;" /></a>I cut the containers up, taped the tubes to the bottles and poked holes in various places to create drips. I also found a few tubs at the dollar store to catch (most) of the water. I looked at a lot of options for attaching the containers and tubes to the frame, from wire to Velcro, and finally decided to use pipe cleaners. They added color, were kid friendly, and are easily removable so I can re-arrange things when this configuration gets old.
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My one year old loved it, so mission accomplished.
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I think next time I'll tweak a few things: I didn't think to raise one of the short lengths of board to make a gap for the tubs to go directly under all the dripping. I also think I'll use chicken wire or some metal hardware cloth when I need to replace this though.
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(Safety note: Be sure to secure the frame so it can't tip over on kids, and don't leave kids unattended-I'm sure you are aware toddlers can drown in a few inches of water in a tub like these. You might want to tape over some of the cut plastic edges if they turn out a little sharp.)
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Here are a few blogs that inspired this waterwall:
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<a href="http://shareandremember.blogspot.com/2011/06/our-water-wall.html">Share and Remember Blog</a>
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<a href="http://progressiveearlychildhoodeducation.blogspot.com/search/label/water%20play">Let The Children Play</a>
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<a href="http://pre-schoolplay.blogspot.com/2011/05/water-wall.html">Pre-School Play</a><br />Pamelahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09515981582718418225noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7362285544036753708.post-90534086733327453882011-06-22T10:08:00.000-07:002011-09-26T12:06:16.856-07:00How to Hack your Swiffer (Because You are Thrifty, or because You are Trying to be Environmentally Responsible)I was given a Swiffer Jet mop. It is a lot more convenient than mopping, but I have a hard time paying for the disposable pads and solution. I usually use three pads each time I mop, and it adds up. I'm not terribly fond of their cleaning solution either, it always seems to leave a film on the floor.<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4eoxlOsfj35ctWxcs0evnZHlyxDKIhRgos6mZStpiWhpZoxvaV2wCclmshCpYkXWYuyFNH46gchhs2InRZmsc9LYXfwpXW6O0DdNy0xrt1dXi0a3f-xAEmtBMphWueqbDzNhheTnc-2I/s1600/DSC06305.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5621095092280947490" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4eoxlOsfj35ctWxcs0evnZHlyxDKIhRgos6mZStpiWhpZoxvaV2wCclmshCpYkXWYuyFNH46gchhs2InRZmsc9LYXfwpXW6O0DdNy0xrt1dXi0a3f-xAEmtBMphWueqbDzNhheTnc-2I/s320/DSC06305.JPG" style="cursor: hand; cursor: pointer; float: left; height: 320px; margin: 0 10px 10px 0; width: 214px;" /></a><br />
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After a little research I found it is easy to make this device more economical and cut down on waste.<br />
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You need a Swiffer Jet or similar wet mop, microfiber cloths, pliers, and a sewing machine or serger.<br />
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When I first got the mop I tried to figure out how to refill the bottle but had given up. It turns out you just need some pliers to give you enough grip to twist the lid off. The first time I tried it the lid came right off, but the second time I refilled it the lid didn't come off as easily, but I got it off eventually. I'm not sure why. Once the lid is off, you can refill it with your favorite floor cleaner, or just use a vinegar-water solution. (If you have hardwood floors, make sure your solution is safe to use on them).<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIAqZ4COvrNikeHOl-1ulQwAk0W4RHJuMYqvCQod7Ch4qWCspJR9gsgARiJ_To-ZjPhdPZvDbAbsBfG2xqfxiKWR_cptB5Sb7Xmt72a1XKOV7JA1rZBSbUkltCZ1G3yoZShZRG3ghZu7w/s1600/DSC06309.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5621095073865096914" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIAqZ4COvrNikeHOl-1ulQwAk0W4RHJuMYqvCQod7Ch4qWCspJR9gsgARiJ_To-ZjPhdPZvDbAbsBfG2xqfxiKWR_cptB5Sb7Xmt72a1XKOV7JA1rZBSbUkltCZ1G3yoZShZRG3ghZu7w/s320/DSC06309.JPG" style="cursor: hand; cursor: pointer; float: left; height: 214px; margin: 0 10px 10px 0; width: 320px;" /></a>I bought the thickest microfiber cloths I could find at the dollar store and used an original pad for a guide as to how to fold it. It doesn't matter much if it's a little bigger than the original pad.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNBe2wCaEUJuaipJKenlSuQ1aupZ92XE9pLkKld2kF136W971jSzJbBwk1Gz9Kw0YOs0lFbd8ne7Q47LUBEk-v7I6W4nhxWlTHW23_rND02avn5vd6jr5k-qNyG_e87Dzn-g0hG-5i7wE/s1600/DSC06315.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5621101800352585954" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNBe2wCaEUJuaipJKenlSuQ1aupZ92XE9pLkKld2kF136W971jSzJbBwk1Gz9Kw0YOs0lFbd8ne7Q47LUBEk-v7I6W4nhxWlTHW23_rND02avn5vd6jr5k-qNyG_e87Dzn-g0hG-5i7wE/s320/DSC06315.JPG" style="cursor: hand; cursor: pointer; float: left; height: 214px; margin: 0 10px 10px 0; width: 320px;" /></a>I folded it so the edges were inside, and I surged the sides to hold it together.<br />
My Swiffer has some Velcro that holds the pad on, if your mop doesn't have this, you could sew some elastic to the pad to hold it to the mop. Microfiber sticks well to the Velcro, but you could use elastic to hold a pad made out of other fabrics, like old towels to the mop.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9gcCx09jigqyqO7RkNBZSkzzlRGFgstCqwrOXvEefmF8kQLBA8pCZP4i5REIsYBESJT4Z1SkasLbZM0QHwAgfEMGf6D_ZfiSzH34clVF49olcg11Q8hC2N9y-ugSZl4nvh_G4dR2aZvM/s1600/DSC06316.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5621095071847654930" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9gcCx09jigqyqO7RkNBZSkzzlRGFgstCqwrOXvEefmF8kQLBA8pCZP4i5REIsYBESJT4Z1SkasLbZM0QHwAgfEMGf6D_ZfiSzH34clVF49olcg11Q8hC2N9y-ugSZl4nvh_G4dR2aZvM/s320/DSC06316.JPG" style="cursor: hand; cursor: pointer; float: left; height: 214px; margin: 0 10px 10px 0; width: 320px;" /></a>The homemade pads are machine washable, and you can flip them over once one side gets dirty. After testing the new pads, I decided to sew across the pad a few times to keep all the layers together. The microfiber worked so much better than the disposable pads ever did, and I only ended up using one (flipping it over once) instead of the three disposable pads I usually use.<br />
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I'm feeling so thrifty and eco-friendly right now! Now I just need a steamer mop...Pamelahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09515981582718418225noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7362285544036753708.post-75989730462531899162011-06-22T09:44:00.000-07:002011-06-22T10:07:03.070-07:00Quick Quiet BooksI'm working on an overly ambitious quiet book but in the meantime I wanted a few quiet books for my little buddy. I just used what I had around the house, and this is what I came up with.<br /><br />Changeable Albums<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqHV5oiD4kk2WWqgwCgxuGYqq0m8dCP9cWK7FQVUnqB27WLbesxjAYkbuDKiRT0mhbUMpHNP3g8olKTeStE2OsOFHb_sIXSWmghSKzcMg1USnb21uZoxplVEO5waWiMwHZp9TgUKND_D8/s1600/DSC06599.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 180px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqHV5oiD4kk2WWqgwCgxuGYqq0m8dCP9cWK7FQVUnqB27WLbesxjAYkbuDKiRT0mhbUMpHNP3g8olKTeStE2OsOFHb_sIXSWmghSKzcMg1USnb21uZoxplVEO5waWiMwHZp9TgUKND_D8/s320/DSC06599.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5621088149519721122" border="0" /></a>I have two little accordion style photo albums I'd picked up on clearance ages ago but hadn't done anything with, so in one book I put pictures of grandparents and our family, with the idea I could teach him names, especially of those who don't live close. I had an extra spot so I put in a picture of the cats too. :) The other book I cropped some pictures of him so I had a closeup of his eyes, nose, mouth, hands, and ears, and one picture of his face. Once he learns these words, we can change the pictures to teach him colors, numbers, etc. He likes looking at these, and likes playing with the snap. I thought I'd also pick up a few mini photo albums and put cut out pictures from magazines, or put postcards in them. They will hold his interest longer if some of the pictures change occasionally.<br /><br />Magazine Saver<br /><br />L<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFaE451RgEedZije6IwvQzYmvMsIpZB8WY2Js7zBJblbSTrTJHbi8VvlXTYRtP1__7wSq4x9OYSwv2gEdNaGwY5V0G-mrnYblZPbeonpNSeHFnDziYWYhVxoCh_FoVmKH7MGCmSYhIjvs/s1600/DSC06596.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 180px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFaE451RgEedZije6IwvQzYmvMsIpZB8WY2Js7zBJblbSTrTJHbi8VvlXTYRtP1__7wSq4x9OYSwv2gEdNaGwY5V0G-mrnYblZPbeonpNSeHFnDziYWYhVxoCh_FoVmKH7MGCmSYhIjvs/s320/DSC06596.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5621090862880776066" border="0" /></a>ittle Buddy likes reading his magazine but insists on turning pages himself. He does pretty well for a one-year-old, but in the meantime I've been putting his magazine into sheet protectors to help it last until the next month's issue. I simply cut the magazine along the fold line, and insert one page into each protector. I used heavy weight sheets and this has worked well. I keep a few favorite pages from each issue and just leave those at the back, and I've been saving some of the coloring and activity pages for when he's older. I also save a few pictures for clip art and projects before recycling the rest. This magazine is available online so I can always go back and get copies of stories, so I don't feel bad cutting it up. Judging by how often the stacks of magazines get touched in our library, I feel I'm getting more out of it this way.Pamelahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09515981582718418225noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7362285544036753708.post-90160862540876859782011-05-08T19:58:00.000-07:002011-06-22T11:12:10.672-07:00Temporary Sandbox<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjc1SfERH-zBRLMOx7ZDPkU6H7OVxYQCvhXHq5LxmvJeuHF2I82uD7u0k6TxJNcinrvBFSxJ_k2DPkWeJJ7EYzjVtsX-3yAZ-9V6IvGte_inI4oxaX4nTVzrHERZIKS33DE0C_NJ75R2k/s1600/DSC05226.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjc1SfERH-zBRLMOx7ZDPkU6H7OVxYQCvhXHq5LxmvJeuHF2I82uD7u0k6TxJNcinrvBFSxJ_k2DPkWeJJ7EYzjVtsX-3yAZ-9V6IvGte_inI4oxaX4nTVzrHERZIKS33DE0C_NJ75R2k/s320/DSC05226.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5604552477957451314" border="0" /></a><br />Problem: Our backyard isn't so toddler friendly at the moment, so I thought a little sandbox would give my little buddy something to do while I worked back there. We aren't ready to put something in permanently and I wanted something cheap but functional until then.<br /><br />Oh, did I mention we have a cat problem?<br /><br />We have a cat Problem. There is a feral colony that gets fed at the vacant trailer behind us. I have yet to convince the cats my square-foot garden isn't just a glorified litter box, and the last thing I wanted was buried treasure in this sand, so the number one priority of a sandbox was that it has a lid.<br /><br />This is what I came up with:<br />Smallest kiddie pool at K-mart: $8.00<br />Sand: free from the side of the road. We have a lot of fine grain sand here!<br />Cover: $2.00 for the doohickie that holds the string tight. The waterproof fabric was from Freecycle (yeah Freecycle!)<br />Little Buddie's smile: Priceless!<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiArLV1-uUSE3VQsrdJfjR-deqsYukBKisc1XvLcg0Pm7fqfqP0oGlLx0Ol6BfKZenN5-Ph8dykNLBub-JynqU2OfCfSv2soQVmPDmYWwBifhVo-t-jpGpW4Rlq9M7r3qYpchNuy5kZSj8/s1600/DSC05057.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiArLV1-uUSE3VQsrdJfjR-deqsYukBKisc1XvLcg0Pm7fqfqP0oGlLx0Ol6BfKZenN5-Ph8dykNLBub-JynqU2OfCfSv2soQVmPDmYWwBifhVo-t-jpGpW4Rlq9M7r3qYpchNuy5kZSj8/s320/DSC05057.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5604552467834781074" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />If you were wondering how I made the cover, I laid out the fabric and traced around the upside-down pool about five inches out from the edge.<br />I sewed a fold around the edge and threaded the string through using a safety pin. I decided the string was too light so I tied some heavier string to the light string and pulled it through, and threaded the ends through one of those thingamabobs that hold string tight. I'm sure they have a real name but I can't think of it right now. I found them with the buttons at W mart<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrrutHQoJ_j26LvTwVMpgNOZzuV7mBGCtq72xzu1-Gpzn2UyMxaEep5Rw_O-EXdKH4f03hfME7EMbG60PGE0oQBth_c1Q8yX0p5gfS6nOUHHtNr_1WvJQ4GSNZKAoHCKIMNH5ksFMpftQ/s1600/DSC05046.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrrutHQoJ_j26LvTwVMpgNOZzuV7mBGCtq72xzu1-Gpzn2UyMxaEep5Rw_O-EXdKH4f03hfME7EMbG60PGE0oQBth_c1Q8yX0p5gfS6nOUHHtNr_1WvJQ4GSNZKAoHCKIMNH5ksFMpftQ/s320/DSC05046.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5604552470597973858" border="0" /></a>.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_aGr5M6DLn7WmhzzL26VvbiIGycigMAF5WPWutuKKIQgYN1Xpbrs5uI5EbDKrCEzs-e6iuHr1vOiLWRINkD1ZJwLp8l7ofC-zHK0KptJq7256H2Pq0IAlZBKNSynXA_D9jmaFlX-8FQ8/s1600/DSC05048.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_aGr5M6DLn7WmhzzL26VvbiIGycigMAF5WPWutuKKIQgYN1Xpbrs5uI5EbDKrCEzs-e6iuHr1vOiLWRINkD1ZJwLp8l7ofC-zHK0KptJq7256H2Pq0IAlZBKNSynXA_D9jmaFlX-8FQ8/s320/DSC05048.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5604552477541417698" border="0" /></a><br /><br />There cat problem solved. Did I mention we have a cat problem?<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWD3zt9Zez_gzhOqA_XvnImcPlPNsK8dN3vHhtI6g4MPjXI32e_VVTW71xHnlW9248INvG8bVY_e7GTZhQRw-IWy1ZW-jxaQaQRe4jRw1TlVxz4c-kzvbTsqJbtzIeY5OecWMEbaz0xLY/s1600/DSC04311.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWD3zt9Zez_gzhOqA_XvnImcPlPNsK8dN3vHhtI6g4MPjXI32e_VVTW71xHnlW9248INvG8bVY_e7GTZhQRw-IWy1ZW-jxaQaQRe4jRw1TlVxz4c-kzvbTsqJbtzIeY5OecWMEbaz0xLY/s320/DSC04311.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5604552462141483154" border="0" /></a>Pamelahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09515981582718418225noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7362285544036753708.post-24869956940287368592011-04-18T12:48:00.000-07:002011-04-18T13:56:14.703-07:00Organizing Fabric: the Mini BoltI admit it. I am a fabric hoarder.<br /><br />I used to see fun fabric and buy it, thinking "that would make a nice dress", or "I'll think of something to use this for, it's such a great price!". (Darn you Wally Mart $1.00 fabrics!!) I kept my stash in plastic bins, and when I needed fabric for a project...I'd go out and buy it because it was too hard to get to the right bin without emptying the entire closet.<br />I came across a way to organize my fabric so I can see what I have, and I can pull it out without having to move a lot of other fabric. Mini bolts are so easy that I almost feel a little stupid for not thinking of it myself. I don't know who to give credit to for this idea, but I'd like to bake you a pie!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXW5GAIzj2b9MltXalOBcwEm6inOEn9_tqwuNns9Kr5bD__vI3O6FmB1OR5HpKXM25rEpfL7QmCw89scrZCjUA0vS_1Uf81rAwVA2duvrjCyT3eROzEBSwamStQxPAr-EkRlp6FfbVGds/s1600/DSC04288.JPG"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXW5GAIzj2b9MltXalOBcwEm6inOEn9_tqwuNns9Kr5bD__vI3O6FmB1OR5HpKXM25rEpfL7QmCw89scrZCjUA0vS_1Uf81rAwVA2duvrjCyT3eROzEBSwamStQxPAr-EkRlp6FfbVGds/s320/DSC04288.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5597013703017151890" border="0" /></a>You'll need: 1/2 yard or more of fabric (any smaller pieces, like leftovers and fat quarters are too small). I guess you could use smaller cards and make mini-mini bolts if you wanted. For now, all my scraps are in a bin, waiting for me to make a quilt. Of course I'll get around to it! I hope.<br /><br />You'll also need some stiff paper, such as cardboard, chipboard or very thick cardstock. Cut the paper to about 6"x11". This works well for fabric 45" or 60" wide. I tried the heaviest weight of cardstock I could find between nearby megamarts, craft stores, and office supply places. This (110 lb) cardstock only worked for very lightweight fabric-cotton print was too heavy. My sister found some paper about twice the weight of cardstock at a specialty paper store that worked well. After I'd finished rolling my fabric I realized the cardboard from a cereal box would be perfect. Just have your friends save their boxes for you for a while...<br />If you don't want to bother cutting down paper, you can purchase mini bolt cards.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoPd1uYEWuZlRl_j2WXMp566_ZYg3gTYZVJbH6F-dK6vveGaijMjm0819J3-b7-Mf9FaEQY2cPVRf-uJTyTizWX_flQZXV7Q2iyyXEeg6R0r6AeVorTYgZQfBelAIT2oMCPMfIv6OFsek/s1600/DSC04289.JPG"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoPd1uYEWuZlRl_j2WXMp566_ZYg3gTYZVJbH6F-dK6vveGaijMjm0819J3-b7-Mf9FaEQY2cPVRf-uJTyTizWX_flQZXV7Q2iyyXEeg6R0r6AeVorTYgZQfBelAIT2oMCPMfIv6OFsek/s320/DSC04289.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5597013694652404370" border="0" /></a>Fold your fabric selvage to selvage (that's the uncut length of your fabric).<br />For 45" wide fabric, fold it in half again, as shown in the picture. If you have a piece 60" wide, fold it selvage to selvage, then fold that in thirds.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVz24bTMP315fS44AFH58ouafv4aRukq1ihvEI6AZ1CpKBFdO3dq9L6yMjnoNirKmGHGg1zOa22x_ASixum3xbzTVsMFT6Gy9L4KSBooIhKj4zS0JLrxCMwbTPeIijzyN8VXBnK_iKlyA/s1600/DSC04295.JPG"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVz24bTMP315fS44AFH58ouafv4aRukq1ihvEI6AZ1CpKBFdO3dq9L6yMjnoNirKmGHGg1zOa22x_ASixum3xbzTVsMFT6Gy9L4KSBooIhKj4zS0JLrxCMwbTPeIijzyN8VXBnK_iKlyA/s320/DSC04295.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5597013688211016818" border="0" /></a>All you do is roll it around the card.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtcHaTSTKp4hmtD-pQLB9S4Ue7nDg9Trd3L1f1jqOYXqioAkzYBclrYTa9_IFz0WTAk4O1wOT0hUgWouVMbBuf97-vxAhZzODCsv7myKgKUkt7OPa9LteRAb3UwjWQtuXt_-Woknw3q5g/s1600/DSC04287.JPG"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtcHaTSTKp4hmtD-pQLB9S4Ue7nDg9Trd3L1f1jqOYXqioAkzYBclrYTa9_IFz0WTAk4O1wOT0hUgWouVMbBuf97-vxAhZzODCsv7myKgKUkt7OPa9LteRAb3UwjWQtuXt_-Woknw3q5g/s320/DSC04287.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5597013685314446370" border="0" /></a><br />You can store them on shelves, but I found some boxes that were the perfect size to put the bolts into. Now I need to get sewing and reduce the number of boxes. The idea is that I won't need to buy fabric for a while unless I need something very specific. I can also quickly thin the stash of odd fabric that if I am honest with myself, I know I'll never use.<br /><br />It also feels really good to be so organized and not feel like I'll be buried if I open the closet door a little too far.Pamelahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09515981582718418225noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7362285544036753708.post-56638298134992850962011-03-23T20:23:00.000-07:002011-03-23T20:34:54.201-07:00Warm Fuzzy<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6rTbJbR8AaWtf6PWpaf1-iZW-iOa_LmvsEZGLYQWB1hqGr9hgx8jFso3WqVxxvyED42lYo03YQGJlrqf3jMmVhjY4ptipo29u_eP1Uv15jFr_I_ECl9lrBQoCWv8T_smX8OjW3mN9Tic/s1600/monster.jpg"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 246px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6rTbJbR8AaWtf6PWpaf1-iZW-iOa_LmvsEZGLYQWB1hqGr9hgx8jFso3WqVxxvyED42lYo03YQGJlrqf3jMmVhjY4ptipo29u_eP1Uv15jFr_I_ECl9lrBQoCWv8T_smX8OjW3mN9Tic/s320/monster.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5587482809131540674" border="0" /></a><br />For my sister's birthday, I wanted to make her a corn heating bag. I had some green fleece, and as I cut it out I decided to embellish a little.<br /><br />These are simple to make, just pick up some feed corn (DON'T use popcorn!) from your local farmer's store, or rice will work as well. Fill a cotton bag with the seed, leaving enough room that it can wrap partly around feet, your neck, etc. Sew the bag shut, and create a case out of fleece, flannel, or something else snugly.<br /><br />To heat the seed, place the cotton bag in your microwave for a few minutes (don't overcook) and insert it in the case. It will stay warm for at least a half hour, sometimes longer, and is a nice alternative to a plug-in heating pad. A sachet of herbs, like lavender can be included in with the seed, or you can sew a pocket on the outside of the cotton case for a little aroma-therapy.Pamelahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09515981582718418225noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7362285544036753708.post-66471799630914823162011-03-23T14:34:00.000-07:002011-03-23T15:24:09.527-07:00Cakes for GraceThese are some cakes I've made for my friend's little girl, Grace. My friend likes to pick out the napkins and party plates first, then has me design a cake to match. I like the creative challenge, the hardest part for me is matching colors.<br />I hesitate to charge for making cakes because I'd feel obligated to make it perfect, so for now I do it for the practice.<br /><br />1st Birthday:<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtO5g1Y9phy08ZRMgFgon40YXkyk-RMTY1PX670c3_fNze9azK3xMGIO5YRSdmOyrBSkMK5R180QjJT7P3Qb4wWupvGZ47iij4LaXDkBksx74Gw2XHY9hP31sktQtz8y8Biehp9-GacFk/s1600/HPIM6792.JPG"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 242px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtO5g1Y9phy08ZRMgFgon40YXkyk-RMTY1PX670c3_fNze9azK3xMGIO5YRSdmOyrBSkMK5R180QjJT7P3Qb4wWupvGZ47iij4LaXDkBksx74Gw2XHY9hP31sktQtz8y8Biehp9-GacFk/s320/HPIM6792.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5587393878794020770" border="0" /></a>It is easy to see why I stick with fondant, my piping skills need a lot more practice. At least I spelled her name right-that's the most important part right? I used the Wilton flower cutting set to make the flowers and free-handed the butterflies. I pressed them a little so they wouldn't lie flat and let them dry.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />2nd Birthday:<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhq-EkN0qQVu708m_Q0ayAwY92ECYhy3lAblseL5V6ZpELhcMFsOCAazMHhHs0-HyrrqUnAiAA_k5KWCXQbGQNveN7EP2LhGGyfV3go93xPlwF6nzDCu4EY4bMz9A-DVisD_YutnBdsf-E/s1600/DSC07518.JPG"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhq-EkN0qQVu708m_Q0ayAwY92ECYhy3lAblseL5V6ZpELhcMFsOCAazMHhHs0-HyrrqUnAiAA_k5KWCXQbGQNveN7EP2LhGGyfV3go93xPlwF6nzDCu4EY4bMz9A-DVisD_YutnBdsf-E/s320/DSC07518.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5587393883204459922" border="0" /></a><br />I found a Pooh coloring page and used it as a template to cut out the red and yellow fondant. It needed a little something more, so I etched the lines in with a small knife and painted them in with some food coloring. For the sides I rolled long snakes of each color and cut them to roughly equal lengths. I lined them up and rolled them flat. Maybe there is an easier way to do this, they weren't as straight as I'd hoped, but it worked out well enough and I loved how the colors turned out.<br /><br />3rd Birthday:<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-cdD1zoTxiIZAT6Hk5U5aKzTCsFthkqtFC6gIBFDK3zk2djNFjefYo2zsSKGfqrBoG_ontQyzHl2j01D2UpIZjckazuEbsZcGkqrN0u-gArG4xYAahibB8YK0NXdQAdCFZFL1VEn3Avo/s1600/DSC08988.JPG"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-cdD1zoTxiIZAT6Hk5U5aKzTCsFthkqtFC6gIBFDK3zk2djNFjefYo2zsSKGfqrBoG_ontQyzHl2j01D2UpIZjckazuEbsZcGkqrN0u-gArG4xYAahibB8YK0NXdQAdCFZFL1VEn3Avo/s320/DSC08988.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5587393888846935634" border="0" /></a>This one was fairly simple, I used the flower cutouts and butterflies again. Note to self: some of the Wilton's purple gel food coloring turns BLUE if transported in a warmish car.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />4th Birthday:<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3k9oICEVv2l3xIJDwpfIR-toZf1cjLFJkT3trr0MYnN7X-RrbNlkugrOtNoIYdCGaJMu3v600a5S_TCWkuXGLtEC6K_rQkCcFennP42lCmngMd4jE-0RtciWKHK7hWeF4qw_80OjsqAs/s1600/DSC04272.JPG"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3k9oICEVv2l3xIJDwpfIR-toZf1cjLFJkT3trr0MYnN7X-RrbNlkugrOtNoIYdCGaJMu3v600a5S_TCWkuXGLtEC6K_rQkCcFennP42lCmngMd4jE-0RtciWKHK7hWeF4qw_80OjsqAs/s320/DSC04272.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5587393893526628946" border="0" /></a><br />I love how curly Grace's hair is and had the idea of making a little princess topper when I saw the princess tiara napkins. I copied the tiara onto the front of the cake and made a mini one to go on her hair. The girl is all fondant except the hair, which is colored royal icing I piped into ringlets. I used white fondant for the skin and star, then colored it in with non-toxic chalk. It made the rosy cheeks easy.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiUPhHXCBc4_JcOatdSLb0FErkhLNS8ixP5nTz9Kq55PRC061q_omczyquO6_oCIhQ80ktpKA8y32e2rLVSp9wfs9871ieGE4Vfpo0wSc7XJXvAzCFBUGxm9MhSGPmi7EloeGn0arTSG0/s1600/DSC04270.JPG"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiUPhHXCBc4_JcOatdSLb0FErkhLNS8ixP5nTz9Kq55PRC061q_omczyquO6_oCIhQ80ktpKA8y32e2rLVSp9wfs9871ieGE4Vfpo0wSc7XJXvAzCFBUGxm9MhSGPmi7EloeGn0arTSG0/s320/DSC04270.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5587393897654645026" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />Haha, ignore the dishcloth in the background, I just noticed it was there!Pamelahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09515981582718418225noreply@blogger.com0