A Reason to GiveThanks!

I have so much to be thankful for this year!  If I had to make a list of things I'm thankful for it would probably stretch a few feet.  I hope your's would too.   This year I would have to add Pinterest to my list of things I'm thankful for.   Yep, Pinterest!  Prior to this year I felt as if I was in a creative slump.   If I had to describe the feeling I would say it was like being overwhelmed with possibilities. If by chance I found myself in a craft store I would leave feeling somber because I couldn't even come up with a project let alone utilize the products!

I couldn't quite put my finger on it but, when I found Pinterest I knew exactly what I had been missing.  I was missing the art of living!   What I failed to take note of about myself was how much joy, peace, and satisfaction I feel when I'm expressing myself creatively.   I had forgotten how much I enjoyed decorating and how much I had longed to one day have a garden.   To make matters worse, I had valuable skills worthy of passing on to my children that were dormant.

That's not the case any longer!   Now when I walk into a craft store my options are endless!   See why I'm so thankful for Pinterest?!     This year for Thanksgiving and Christmas my family gets to oooo and ahhhh over my inventions and not something I brought home from the store.  Let me tell you, it makes a difference!  It certainly makes a difference in how I feel because: rather than wishing I could make something, I'm now making everything!  So, among the many things I'm giving God thanks for this year, Pinterest is one of them. I know, Pinterest seems like such a small thing to be thankful for, but the small things really do make a big difference!  

Here's a little something for the boards, from the boards. :0)

Fall wreath with initial.

An Urban Pastures original, a table cloth made from a drop cloth.

Table runner made from a drop cloth.

Fall leaf project  from Ginger Bread Snow Flakes

Happy Thanks pinning, I mean giving!  

Homemade Lemon Scented Wood Polish

Here's another money saving homemade product that's environmentally safe, works, and easy to make.  It took me all of 15 minutes to make a jar last night and most of that time was spent waiting for the water and oil to get nice and hot.

Lemon Scented Wood Polish

I love this stuff!   A 4ounce jar will last me at the very least 6 months.   I call it my sunshine in a jar.  It works great to condition wood and can be used on any type of wood.  It only requires three ingredients, or 2 if you skip the essential oils.

Here's what you'll need for 4 ounces:

12 tablespoons of extra virgin olive oil (this is for a firm consistency) 16 if you want it less firm
4 tablespoons of beeswax beads or grated beeswax
Essential oils if desired.  There are a few that smell great in this wood polish recipe, Texas Cedar wood, lemon and orange.
Heat resistant jar.  If using 16 tablespoons of oil you will need a jar larger than 4ounces.

                         



I like to warm my oil up in my jar at the same time I'm heating up the water.  First I put just enough water in a pot to cover about 2inches of my jar.  You want just enough water to heat the contents of the jar.  Too much water and you run the risk of getting it into your oil.  This will ruin the polish.  Put the water in the pot, the oil in the jar, and the jar in the pot of water and heat it all up on medium heat.  Wow, that just rolled off my finger tips!

 
Once the oil is nice and hot add the beeswax 1tablespoon at a time, allowing the beeswax to melt between each tablespoon.  Once you add the last tablespoon it should look like this:

I like to use a Popsicle stick to stir the remaining beeswax beads in.  Once all of the beeswax has melted remove from heat and stir in 12-16 drops of essential oil.  I know, I know, that's a lot of essential oil for only 4-6 ounces!   That's because the scent of olive oil is heavy, so in order to really smell the essential oil you'll need to use enough of it to mask the smell of the olive oil. 

To prevent condensation from building up (this will ruin the polish) allow polish to cool completely before placing the lid on.

That's all there is to it!  Once the oil cools it should look like this:

Perfection!!

Three ingredients, 15 minutes, 6 months of natures beauty!!   I Pledge to never buy another can of polish so long as I live (wink,wink)!


Check out the original recipe and take a look at some before and after photos Here.    

Beeswax beads were purchased locally at New Leaf Market
Lemon essential oil was purchased locally at Earth Fair Market  

DIY Hideaway Storage Unit

Anyone who lives in tight quarters with a family can attest to the fact that organization is a challenge.   Especially when you downsize and lose valuable space like kitchen cabinets, large closets, and a nice sized pantry.  So, it's always a blessing when I run across ideas that are not only useful and simple to implement but ingenious.  That's exactly how I would describe the 'can food organizer' I found on Classy Clutter's blog...ingenious!   Never in my wildest dreams had I envisioned using the space along side my refrigerator to park a storage unit, but take a look at this:

                                                          

Without a doubt, this food storage organizer has to be one of the best organizational tools I've come across in a long time.  I was able to free up quite a bit of room in my pantry with the creation of this storage unit.   Of course I've added more to the shelves since I took this picture.

Thanks to our wonderful friend and neighbor Joe, we were blessed with the perfect piece of wood to make this project a breeze!

Unfortunately, I forgot to take a picture of the before.  That is the "before" my hubby got started on it.  This is what it looked like after he took out many, many nails, removed 4inches, about three or four shelves and added the dowels:

Now it's ready to be sanded.

I wish you could've seen it when Joe brought it to us...it was a hot mess!  I took one look at it and knew immediately what to do with it thanks to Classy Clutter!  


Once this baby was sanded, dowels added, and caulk applied to where the hole were drilled to add the dowels, it was time for a coat of primer.

Next step: a coat of paint, add the casters, attach the handle, and the backboard.   My hubby handled everything except the backboard and that's when my 'mini me' Chelsea stepped in to offer her assistance.  We wanted a similar design as Classy Clutter but instead of painting it we wanted to see if we could get a similar effect using tape.  Yep, that's duct tape on the backboard and it actually turned out pretty nice.  

                                  

Not bad for a piece of wood found on the side of the road huh?   See how it blends in on the side of the refrigerator:

The blurring is intentional but the storage unit shows up nicely! 

 In this case, I definitely have to say with a little sprucing up, "one man's junk is another man's treasure"!

Interested in making this storage unit or viewing the tutorial?  check out Classy Clutter blog spot for more information.    

Mrs. P's Magical Mosquito Mist

Where did the time go?  I must apologize for letting the weeks get away from me!   It's been some kind of busy around here lately!  Without further delay I would like to congratulate Alicia Barrett for coming up with the name 'Mrs. P's Magical Mosquito Mist' and say thank you to everyone who participated both on and off the blog.

Alicia, a bottle of 'Mrs. P's Magical Mosquito Mist' is headed your way and just in time too!  A mosquito borne illness advisory for Leon & Jefferson Counties was issued a week ago.  For more information you can go HERE to read the article.


Hopefully my magical mist will do the trick and  keep the pests away!  

Seven Simple Steps to a Beautiful Tote Bag!

Tote bags in a jiffy!

A few months ago I was in the paint department at Lowe's picking out paint for the kitchen table when I noticed the canvas drop clothes for $4.98.

Canvas Drop Cloth from Lowe's Home Center

I immediately thought, "Canvas; that'll make some nice tote bags."    To make it even sweeter, I could get 2 tote bags from one 4ft. x 5ft. drop cloth and at $4.98 ...that's a steal!   Since I had an idea of what I wanted to make the only thing left to do was find a tutorial or a pattern.

I found some great tutorials and even bought a pattern, but it just wasn't what I wanted.  Don't you just hate it when you know exactly what you want but you just can't seem to find it?   I wanted something really simple, not a lot of details because we wanted to decorate our bags with stencils.  It took a while but I finally found exactly what I wanted, an Easy 5 Step Market Tote Bag Tutorial .  When I tell you it's easy, it's easy!!
Pillow cases were used in the tutorial but I wanted canvas bags so I used a drop cloth.  Great idea for re-purposing old pillow cases!   

You know me, I had to make a few adjustments but even with my adjustments it's still pretty quick and easy.  I could've finished all 4 bags in a day but I allowed 24 hours for the paint to dry from the stencils.

 Supplies:  

1 4ft. x 5ft. canvas drop cloth
1 standard size pillow case
1 yard of fabric for the lining(optional)
stencils (optional)
paint (optional)


Step 1.


Using a standard size pillow case placed on top the drop cloth as a guide, cut out your bag.  The measurements are 19 x31.

Step 2 and 3. 

With the remaining fabric, cut out 4, 4inch x 22inch pieces.  Stitch each piece together at ends and secure each end with a finishing stitch to avoid fraying.  With right sides together stitch fabric together to make the strap.  Finish edges to avoid fraying and turn right side out.  Stitch loose ends together and finish edge with a finishing stitch to avoid fraying.  Note: Finished end will not be visible once the strap is attached.

Step 4.

Ashley used a Martha Stewart stencil set on her bag and an alphabet stencil set I picked up a few months ago on sale at Wal-mart.  We found a bargain on Scribbles iridescent paint, .99¢ on sale at Joann's Fabric.   I love, love, love how Ashley combined two of the colors to create the effect on the leaves.  Her creative juices are really starting to flow!

Note:  Allow 24 hours for paint to dry and heat set before proceeding.

Step 5.

With wrong sides together, use the piece you cut out for the bag and cut out the lining leaving a 2inch allowance on the top and bottom.  Fold lining down 1 inch and iron in place. Fold the remaining 1 inch over the top of the bag and iron in place. Top stitch lining to the top and bottom edge of fabric.
Note: You can also use bias tape.

Bianca's bag

Step 6 & 7.

For the pocket I cut a 8inch x 8inch piece out of the remaining canvas, ironed a 1inch seam around all four sides, top stitched my sides before attaching it to the front of the lining.  Using a top stitch sew pocket in place.   Position strap by pining in place. Top stitch strap to bag and handles. Once the strap is attached to the bag, with right sides together pin bag together at sides and stitch.  Secure sides with a finishing stitch to avoid fraying.  















  

'C' is Cuteeee!!  

Actually, 'C' is for Chelsea.  That girl's got some mad skills!  I love how she blended her colors also!


Three days, 4 bags, 7 steps and lots of fun!    Pretty simple huh?

Go for it!

Bug What?

Two weeks ago I stood in my driveway saying fair-well to some family members when suddenly the mosquitoes began to swarm all around us.   Believe me when I say, the mosquitoes looked like they were on steroids!   We didn't stand there long saying our goodbyes because one of my sisters-in-law was a bit shell shocked having been bitten up by mosquitoes in South Florida.  No joke!  She was actually having an allergic reaction to all of the bites.  This year, the mosquitoes have been pretty bad here in Florida because we've had quite a bit of rain.  



Lucky for me, I found something that works like a charm!    

Homemade mosquito repellent!  

It's all natural, safe for you and the environment, and it actually works! I got the idea after visiting one of our local plant nurseries. The girls and I were shopping for herbs and lucky us...we hadn't gotten out of the car good before the mosquitoes went to work on us! I almost made a bee-line out of that place but I was a woman on a mission that day, so instead of fleeing I took cover inside one of the buildings on the property. I am a big wimp anyway when it comes to being outside so it doesn't take much to send me fleeing.

I couldn't help but wonder how anyone could work in those conditions. It's a freaking bug kingdom, mosquito haven! Don't get me wrong, I love, love, love Native Nurseries! The grounds are gorgeous, the staff is extremely helpful, and the selection of herbs and vegetables are the best!

Isn't this just perfect for mosquitoes?

Curiosity made me ask one of the clerks how they managed to work outside around all the plants without being eaten alive by mosquitoes. The clerk held up a bottle of Badger Anti-Bug Spray and what happened next would've made the perfect commercial for Badger Bug Spray. If it wasn't for the fact that it cost $11.99 for a 4oz. bottle I would've purchased a few bottles right then and there.

My GOODNESS...$11.99, what's in that stuff?! I hated to take up her time but when I saw that it was all natural I wanted to read the list of ingredients on the back of the bottle to see what was in it. Yep, it's 100% all natural and organic too! Apparently, this stuff is all the rave! I tell you what, follow this LINK and I'll let these guys tell you all about it.

Now, you don't have to know me that well, you can just read a few of my blog posts and figure out that I wasn't just reading the list of ingredients for the heck of it. Nope! I was trying to figure out if I could make my own version, especially since it's all natural. It just so happened that I had most of the essential oils on hand.

Lavender, Lemongrass, Citronella, & Tea-tree Essential Oils  

Ready for the recipe? It's simple...add 15-20 drops each of the following essential oils to 16-20 ounces of Baby Oil; lavender, lemongrass, citronella, & tea-tree. I forgot to add it to the picture but rosemary is also in there.

On a serious note: NEVER, EVER USE ESSENTIAL OILS DIRECTLY ON THE SKIN!!!!!!!!! You must, I repeat MUST use a carrier oil!

I chose to use a baby oil with Aloe & Vitamin E but you can also use almond oil or castor oil. I recently saw a recipe that used witch hazel. Say what!! Two of the carrier oils for Badger's Anti Bug Spray are soybean & castor.

Also, I only intended to make my own version of Badger's Anti-Bug Spray for personal use therefore; I make no claims that the ingredients in my homemade "stuff" are equivalent to the ingredients found in Badger's bug spray. The only claim that I am willing to make is that: I got a little creative and made something that actually works!

I'll even give you an opportunity to try it for yourself! I don't suggest you put it on and run naked in a field after a summers rain! However, if you put it on and say...go mow the lawn or in my case, enjoy an evening outside (fully clothed) with your neighbors, you probably won't be eaten alive by blood thirsty mosquitoes.


So, help me help you by coming up with a name for my "stuff". Besides, I hate the name "The Stuff'...It lacks creativity! On the other hand, if you asked the girls, they would tell you the name was just fine and that I am just being picky. They would also say "It's not like you're trying to market a product!" Here's what I say: "Unless you want to stand there for 10 minutes trying to figure out what I mean when I ask you to bring me the "The Stuff", we need to come up with a better name for it!" You want to know what else I said? Okay, I better not say that!


Here's how it works: Just drop a line in the comment section with a suggested name. We'll have a drawing from the top three names and announce the winner in 2 weeks.


Stay tuned!

Sweet Surprise!

I am struggling with the fact that Rachael turned sixteen today, and my daughter Bianca is soon to follow!   I don't know about you, but to me it seems like time is going by crazy fast! Next thing you know we'll be watching them march down the aisle.  THAT thought just made me light headed!  Told you I was struggling!

Rachael styling her apron! 

I surprised the birthday girl with an apron I made especially for her sixteenth birthday.   I know, cute right? No...not the apron, Rachael!   Remember her face because you'll be seeing her on stage around town in various performances and later on Broadway.  Don't forget, you read it here first!


I had a time making that apron!  It was the first time I made anything except towels, pot holders, and bags without cutting it out first from a pattern.  What can I say, I like structure/direction.  No, I need structure/direction!  Now, I've made aprons before but never without using a pattern.  I am a pattern girl.  Give me a pattern and I can make just about anything.   I've always been too worried that my garment would turn out horrible if I didn't use a pattern, but when I saw the aprons on Modest Maven's blog I was determined to make it for Rachael.   Aren't they just beautiful!

Fully Lined Aprons by Modest Maven

I tried my best to follow the Tutorial, but I ended up off the path more than a few times.   Well just to be honest, I veered off path from the very beginning.    I switched up the design a bit because I wanted Rachael's apron to look more like a jean jumper.  A panel left over from a curtain I had became the top and bottom for the apron so I had to get creative.  Great idea for re-purposing right?

  

Sometimes, creativity requires a lot of effort and tailoring so, give it a lot of thought before diving in.  Let me just say, my seam ripper got a lot of action!   In this case, it was well worth it from the look on Rachael's face and the out come.  

A little R&B added and I am done!

I'll definitely be making this apron again and I'll use the tutorial to do it!   Well, maybe not the apron in the picture. There can only be one exactly like that one.  After all, Rachael can only turn sixteen once in her life time and today's that day.

Happy Birthday Rachael!

We truly hope you enjoy being sixteen and all the things that come with it!

Love, Mrs. P. and the gang!


Interested in making this apron?  Visit Modest Maven and tell her I sent you!