Sunday, May 22, 2011
Ginger Pattern
My pattern arrived in the mail yesterday! I am so excited. Now I need to take my measurements so I can get started. I'm still deciding on fabric- but I am picking from my stash, so it is narrowed down very slightly!
Monday, May 16, 2011
Ginger Sew Along
I am joining in on a sew along! I know, I still haven't finished a jacket for the Jacket A Month challenge. It is still in the works. I am just slow- and I get tired of working on the same thing. I guess I am just so used to instant gratification that it is hard to stick with a project that requires actual thought and work. This sew along, however, should be quick and simple. I hope.
Sunni, over at A Fashionable Stitch, is running this sew along. Check it out!
I have ordered my pattern and hope to get it within the week!
Sunni, over at A Fashionable Stitch, is running this sew along. Check it out!
I have ordered my pattern and hope to get it within the week!
Friday, May 6, 2011
I Make Soap
Yep, I make soap. Not bar soap, although I am planning on getting to that soon, but Laundry Soap. It's really not hard, and I'm sure I've posted about it before, but I gotta tell you, if you don't make you're own, you're missing out.
Of course, I had to use up all my store bought laundry detergent before I started making my own, so it took me awhile to get there, but now, I hate it if I run out and have to use my backup bottle of store bought laundry detergent. I try my best to make sure that doesn't happen, but, you know how it is when you're a busy mom, sometimes you forget or just don't have time.
So, because I love my laundry soap so much, I wanted to share the recipe I use, which I found on my friend Caitlin's blog. She got it from someone else, and it's basically the same recipe all over the internet. This is definitely not my original concoction, just something I love.
You will need:
Castile Soap (I use Kirk's Coco Castile)
Arm & Hammer Washing Soda
20 Mule Team Borax
Cheese Grater
Large Containers to store supplies in
1 cup measuring cup
Wide Mouth Funnel (only if you're messy like me)
This is how I do it. I buy a bunch of castile soap all at once, usually 3-4 bars or so. I grate all of it with the small grate side of a box grater and keep it in a glass jar with a sealed top.
I transfer the washing soda into a glass jar with a sealed top and I transfer the borax into a glass jar with a sealed top. I do this because I find that these products tend to get hard and clumpy if I store them in their boxes, but if I put them in a sealed jar, they stay fresh and fluffy and they're easier to work with.
Once you've prepped all your stuff it becomes really easy to mix up a batch of soap. All you do is use a 1:1:1 ratio. This is how much I make at a time:
2 cups Grated Castile Soap
2 cups Washing Soda
2 cups Borax
You don't have to be perfectly exact, just close and don't worry about packing it down either. This is elementary science not rocket science, it's meant to be a little inexact after all.
I keep my laundry soap in a sealed glass jar, but as long as you have a container that closes tightly, you're good to go. A tightly closed container helps greatly with the next part, and it keeps your detergent fresh longer.
Seal your container and Shake It Up, Baby! That's it, you've got the best laundry soap ever invented. If you want a scented laundry soap, go for a scented Castile Soap like Dr. Bronner's instead of Kirk's which is unscented.
I am planning on learning how to make my own castile soap soon, and I'll make sure I post all about it when I've tested it out a few times.
Happy Creating!
Kristin
Of course, I had to use up all my store bought laundry detergent before I started making my own, so it took me awhile to get there, but now, I hate it if I run out and have to use my backup bottle of store bought laundry detergent. I try my best to make sure that doesn't happen, but, you know how it is when you're a busy mom, sometimes you forget or just don't have time.
So, because I love my laundry soap so much, I wanted to share the recipe I use, which I found on my friend Caitlin's blog. She got it from someone else, and it's basically the same recipe all over the internet. This is definitely not my original concoction, just something I love.
You will need:
Castile Soap (I use Kirk's Coco Castile)
Arm & Hammer Washing Soda
20 Mule Team Borax
Cheese Grater
Large Containers to store supplies in
1 cup measuring cup
Wide Mouth Funnel (only if you're messy like me)
This is how I do it. I buy a bunch of castile soap all at once, usually 3-4 bars or so. I grate all of it with the small grate side of a box grater and keep it in a glass jar with a sealed top.
I transfer the washing soda into a glass jar with a sealed top and I transfer the borax into a glass jar with a sealed top. I do this because I find that these products tend to get hard and clumpy if I store them in their boxes, but if I put them in a sealed jar, they stay fresh and fluffy and they're easier to work with.
Once you've prepped all your stuff it becomes really easy to mix up a batch of soap. All you do is use a 1:1:1 ratio. This is how much I make at a time:
2 cups Grated Castile Soap
2 cups Washing Soda
2 cups Borax
You don't have to be perfectly exact, just close and don't worry about packing it down either. This is elementary science not rocket science, it's meant to be a little inexact after all.
I keep my laundry soap in a sealed glass jar, but as long as you have a container that closes tightly, you're good to go. A tightly closed container helps greatly with the next part, and it keeps your detergent fresh longer.
Seal your container and Shake It Up, Baby! That's it, you've got the best laundry soap ever invented. If you want a scented laundry soap, go for a scented Castile Soap like Dr. Bronner's instead of Kirk's which is unscented.
I am planning on learning how to make my own castile soap soon, and I'll make sure I post all about it when I've tested it out a few times.
Happy Creating!
Kristin
Thursday, April 21, 2011
The Latest Dress
Okay, Brielle is a fashion diva. She's got her own style going and no matter what I want her to wear or what I like, she's not going to wear it unless she thinks it's fabulous.
So, when it came time to make some new dresses for Brielle, I decided to let her design her own wardrobe, with some boundaries, of course. Basically, I let her pick her pattern, I let her pick her fabric, and I let her pick her ribbon. I had to approve of what she chose, since I have to look at it, but we worked together and came up with some great new fashions, designed by Brielle.
This is the first dress in a line of 4 that she's "designed". I think it turned out pretty cute. I made a size 6, since her size 5's hanging in her closet are getting short, but I should've made a 5, because pattern sizes are always bigger than store bought clothes. The next 3 will be made a 5 with the length of a 6 most likely.
I tried Laura's tips on pressing and it really made a big difference in how accurately the dress came together. The fabric also seemed much easier to work with than it usually does.
One other thing I do when I'm making dresses is serge any edges that will remain raw when the dress is fully assembled. Not only does this eliminate the need for pinking shears, it keeps the fabric from fraying, and it makes the inside of the dress look more "professional" or "store bought." If you don't have a serger and you sew a lot, I highly recommend investing in one. Mine is a Kenmore, and I got it from sears for under $200. It's not fancy, but it works and works well.
Personally, I love the contrast of this red dress with the sky blue ribbon. The next fashion designer could be living in my home. Okay, maybe not.
One thing I've learned from this experience is that if I let them pick as much as possible, they'll love it and wear it until they've worn it out.
Happy Creating!
Kristin
*This project was made using New Look pattern 6845 and Michael Miller CX3744_Red Quarter Dot and Offray 1 1/2" wide grosgrain ribbon.*
So, when it came time to make some new dresses for Brielle, I decided to let her design her own wardrobe, with some boundaries, of course. Basically, I let her pick her pattern, I let her pick her fabric, and I let her pick her ribbon. I had to approve of what she chose, since I have to look at it, but we worked together and came up with some great new fashions, designed by Brielle.
This is the first dress in a line of 4 that she's "designed". I think it turned out pretty cute. I made a size 6, since her size 5's hanging in her closet are getting short, but I should've made a 5, because pattern sizes are always bigger than store bought clothes. The next 3 will be made a 5 with the length of a 6 most likely.
I tried Laura's tips on pressing and it really made a big difference in how accurately the dress came together. The fabric also seemed much easier to work with than it usually does.
One other thing I do when I'm making dresses is serge any edges that will remain raw when the dress is fully assembled. Not only does this eliminate the need for pinking shears, it keeps the fabric from fraying, and it makes the inside of the dress look more "professional" or "store bought." If you don't have a serger and you sew a lot, I highly recommend investing in one. Mine is a Kenmore, and I got it from sears for under $200. It's not fancy, but it works and works well.
Personally, I love the contrast of this red dress with the sky blue ribbon. The next fashion designer could be living in my home. Okay, maybe not.
One thing I've learned from this experience is that if I let them pick as much as possible, they'll love it and wear it until they've worn it out.
Happy Creating!
Kristin
*This project was made using New Look pattern 6845 and Michael Miller CX3744_Red Quarter Dot and Offray 1 1/2" wide grosgrain ribbon.*
Wednesday, April 20, 2011
Our New Look
Check out the new look! It's awesome, right?
Laura recently undertook the task of redesigning the blog and it's gorgeous. Great job, Laura!
Don't forget to grab a button from our right sidebar to put on your blog before you leave, and also, let us know what you think of our new look.
Happy Creating!
Kristin
Laura recently undertook the task of redesigning the blog and it's gorgeous. Great job, Laura!
Don't forget to grab a button from our right sidebar to put on your blog before you leave, and also, let us know what you think of our new look.
Happy Creating!
Kristin
Monday, April 18, 2011
Easter Egg Dye
Okay, so this year, I wanted to dye easter eggs with my kids, just like every year, but I did not want to haul them all to the store just to buy that little egg dye kit thing. I mean, I already have eggs in my fridge and I have vinegar too, so I wanted to know, is there a way to make your own egg dye that actually works.
Well, I'm here to tell you there is. I found this recipe on Food.com and it works really well. I'm so glad too, because I would much rather pull the food coloring out of my cabinet than go down to the store with all 4 of my girls to buy 1 egg dye kit.
And, the bonus is that this dye is just as easy as the kit is to use. Piece of cake (or should I say egg shell). Follow the link here for the recipe and enjoy the endless color possibilities you can make from your own pantry.
Good Luck!
Kristin
Well, I'm here to tell you there is. I found this recipe on Food.com and it works really well. I'm so glad too, because I would much rather pull the food coloring out of my cabinet than go down to the store with all 4 of my girls to buy 1 egg dye kit.
And, the bonus is that this dye is just as easy as the kit is to use. Piece of cake (or should I say egg shell). Follow the link here for the recipe and enjoy the endless color possibilities you can make from your own pantry.
Good Luck!
Saturday, April 16, 2011
How To: Remove Crayon From Furniture
Okay, here's the deal. My kids, being kids, have on ocassion, colored with crayon on their toy bins or something like that. I mean, it happens right. But, no matter how much muscle you've got, you can't get that darn crayon off without a little help.
This happened to me the other day and I was in no mood to run to the store for some sort of goo remover to clean it up with (since I'm out and all).
That got me thinking of all the cleaning tips I'd heard watching BBC America's "How Clean Is Your House?" I remembered once that they said that hairspray removes lipstick from wood doors rather well. In my opinion, lipstick and crayon are rather similar, considering they're both rather waxy in nature, so I tried it, and I'm here to tell you that using hairspray to remove crayon from hard, nonporous surfaces works really well.
Supplies needed:
You still need the elbow grease associated with any scrubbing task, but it works and my furniture is back to looking brand new, shiny and beautiful.
So next time your toddler gets a little artistic on your kitchen table, rest assured that you can have it looking beautiful again in no time. All you need to do is raid your beauty supplies.
Good Luck!
This happened to me the other day and I was in no mood to run to the store for some sort of goo remover to clean it up with (since I'm out and all).
That got me thinking of all the cleaning tips I'd heard watching BBC America's "How Clean Is Your House?" I remembered once that they said that hairspray removes lipstick from wood doors rather well. In my opinion, lipstick and crayon are rather similar, considering they're both rather waxy in nature, so I tried it, and I'm here to tell you that using hairspray to remove crayon from hard, nonporous surfaces works really well.
Supplies needed:
- hairspray
- paper towels
- elbow grease
You still need the elbow grease associated with any scrubbing task, but it works and my furniture is back to looking brand new, shiny and beautiful.
So next time your toddler gets a little artistic on your kitchen table, rest assured that you can have it looking beautiful again in no time. All you need to do is raid your beauty supplies.
Good Luck!
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