Mason Jar Hack!
My oh so brilliant (really) husband has been using linseed oil paints. He needed a paint brush safe to keep his brushes in linseed oil while he wasn't using them. So off to the thrift store to pick up a mason jar. He drilled some holes (special bit and water involved) added grommets and rods and made this awesome paint brush holder!
When I saw it my mind instantly jumped to yarn! I don't know if our house is more debris filled than others or not. We've got cat hair, saw dust, teenager crumbs and what ever else crawls, spills or blows it's way in. So, although I love how pretty they are, a yarn bowl just never seemed secure enough for my house. I love the idea of the mason jar. Firstly because I'm a mason jar junkie. I've been collecting antique jars for years. Secondly, I like to be able to see my yarn when I work. Right now I'm working out of reusable bags...not transparent. I hate being surprised with only a few inches left on the skein. So I bought some Ikea mason jars and Brian drilled a hole straight in the top. He sanded and polished the hole so that we didn't need to bother with grommets. The grommets are rubber so I thought that they might be grabby with the yarn. The polished glass is perfectly smooth. Here's my delightful yarn safe!
An Orchid Hint!
It seems that everything I do turns into an obsession at some point. For the last few years, besides knitting and designing, it's been orchids! I'm not an expert but I'm having success and lots of blooms! Here's a hint that I just learned...and if you look at the picture of the twiggy thing with a new blossom shoot, you can see that it works! When your Phalaenopsis is finished blooming, cut it just after the second joint(?) on the stem and if you're lucky it'll bloom again! Lucky Me!! :D
Home Made Laundry Detergent
We've been making this for years. So I thought that I'd just share our recipe. It's a pretty common mixture and I've seen the same recipe many places. It doesn't work like "Tide" or a commercial product...but I know what's in it and it doesn't give me a headache! It's also low sudsing, so I've never had a problem with it in my front loader. Checking with your manufacturers manual is always a good idea though.
What you need:
2 bars Sunlight Laundry soap or some other pure soap...I've used Ivory before and it was fine.
2 Cups Borax
2 Cups Washing Soda
A big container or bucket with a lid. I use a 5 gallon bucket from Home Depot
Some essential oils that you like (optional)
What you need to do:
Grate the 2 bars of soap in a large pot and add 4 cups of water. Slowly on medium to low heat melt the soap...don't boil it and try not to get too enthusiastic stirring it. When all the soap is melted pour the hot mixture into your 5 gallon bucket or container. I mix the 2 cups of Borax and 2 cups of washing soda together in a bowl first, then add it to the hot soap mixture in the bucket. Now you can stir gently and continuously if possible, you'll see that it becomes quite thick and gelled. I find it handy to grab a husband or child at this point, if you have one and can catch one! While continuing to stir add 32 cups of hot water to the bucket. If you want to add essential oils at this point you can. I've been known to get pretty darn creative with this part. Usually though, I use tea tree or eucalyptus (about 15 - 20 drops) That's it! Stir it once or twice as it cools.
Using it:
I typically use about 1/2 cup per load. If you have a greasy or oily spot, I use a Sunlight Laundry bar to rub on the stain before washing. I always use vinegar in the fabric softener dispenser. It makes for a really clean rinse, seems to help with static and keeps the washing machine fresh!
What you need:
2 bars Sunlight Laundry soap or some other pure soap...I've used Ivory before and it was fine.
2 Cups Borax
2 Cups Washing Soda
A big container or bucket with a lid. I use a 5 gallon bucket from Home Depot
Some essential oils that you like (optional)
What you need to do:
Grate the 2 bars of soap in a large pot and add 4 cups of water. Slowly on medium to low heat melt the soap...don't boil it and try not to get too enthusiastic stirring it. When all the soap is melted pour the hot mixture into your 5 gallon bucket or container. I mix the 2 cups of Borax and 2 cups of washing soda together in a bowl first, then add it to the hot soap mixture in the bucket. Now you can stir gently and continuously if possible, you'll see that it becomes quite thick and gelled. I find it handy to grab a husband or child at this point, if you have one and can catch one! While continuing to stir add 32 cups of hot water to the bucket. If you want to add essential oils at this point you can. I've been known to get pretty darn creative with this part. Usually though, I use tea tree or eucalyptus (about 15 - 20 drops) That's it! Stir it once or twice as it cools.
Using it:
I typically use about 1/2 cup per load. If you have a greasy or oily spot, I use a Sunlight Laundry bar to rub on the stain before washing. I always use vinegar in the fabric softener dispenser. It makes for a really clean rinse, seems to help with static and keeps the washing machine fresh!