Pin 80 Organizing Marabou with a Hanger and Shower Hooks

Anybody who has ever worked with marabou knows that it can be a royal pain in the butt.  We use it regardless because there is nothing that dresses up a bow quite like it.   It's is even beautiful all alone, taking center stage as a marabou puff.  Once my girls had marabou puffs in one color, they needed them in all the colors.   This left marabou laying around in my craft room.   Every time I would pull out a piece "fluff" would fly everywhere.  I needed a good way to store my marabou that would keep it neat, easy to get to, and easy to see.  I pinned a pin a while back to organize all our ball caps.   It got me thinking (dangerous, I know!) that I could use this idea for marabou.

Source: housedressingstyle.com via Nicole on Pinterest

It couldn't be simpler.......just a hanger and some shower hooks.  I already had the hanger and just needed a box or two of shower hooks.  I picked my shower hooks up at the Dollar Tree.  



I slipped the shower hooks onto the hanger.



Then I just put one color of marabou into each shower hook and I was done.



Simple, quick and cheap.........easy way to get organized.  I think I might actually use this for our ball caps and belts too.

Pin 76 Making your own Tabletop Air Freshener with Baking Soda & Essential Oils

I really am loving today's pin.   I really like this one for two reasons.  First the scent lasts a remarkably long time (especially since these are natural) and second because I can re-use the ingredients from this pin in another pin.  Waste not, want not.

I really love pretty smells, and one of the hardest things for me is easing away from the chemical ridden smells, which just about every air freshener and plug in is filled with.  I feel relaxed when I walk in my home and it smells good. 

I was so happy when I found this pin from The Burlap Bag that tells you how to make your own tabletop air freshener from just two simple ingredients.  Baking Soda and Essential Oils are the star of the show. 

 

Source: theburlapbag.com via Nicole on Pinterest

You could really put this in any small container, but I wanted something that I wouldn't mind sitting on my counters or my end tables.  I gathered everything I wanted to use.



I used:

Small Canning Jars
Essential Oils
Baking Soda
Tulle (To cover the jar)
Twine (To tie around the jar
Scissors (To Trim the Tulle)
1/4 C measuring cup

This really is simple, and doesn't take more than a few minutes.   Put a 1/4 C of Baking Soda into each of your canning jars (or whatever container you choose to use).  Put 8-10 drops of your choice of essential oils into each jar.  I used peppermint, lavender and sweet orange (not together). 



I then cut small pieces of tulle to cover the tops of the jars.   I happen to have a lot of tulle from projects with my girls, but you can use anything that you can put holes in on the top.   You want the scent to be able to spread and the baking soda to be able to absorb the "bad" odors.  After I trimmed the tulle,  I cut a few pieces of twine to tie around the tops.  The tulle and the twine are just eye candy.



If after a few days you don't notice the scent anymore, just pick up the jar and give it a little shake.  Mine have lasted for about 10 days.  You could also add a few more drops of essential oils if you wanted.

When my air fresheners loose there smell I take them and dump them into an old Parmesan cheese container.   Baking Soda makes a fabulous scrub for sinks and stove tops.  I talked about this in a previous pin, located here.  When you scrub with the baking soda from the air fresheners, the scent comes out, so it's like using a scented cleaner, but a natural one.

Pin 71 & 72, Turning Old Socks into Scented Dryer Balls and Cleaning Your Pillows

I really love it when I can bring two pins together!  Is it crazy that it makes the satisfaction of trying pins even better? 

Pin 71 Cleaning your Pillows

Everyone in the house has been sick, and I have washed, steamed and disinfected everything I possibly could.  Germs are the one thing that the kids share without reservation!  Last thing left were all the pillows in the house.  7 beds full of pillows, throw pillows on 4 different couches, throw pillows on 2 love seats, not to mention all the ones on chairs throughout the house. That adds up to a lot of pillows.   Washing all the pillows is a day long chore (at least in this house, ugh!) but there is nothing better then laying your head down on a nice soft fluffy fresh smelling pillow.

 

Source: cleanmyspace.com via Nicole on Pinterest

Simple as simple can be, throw your pillows into your washer.  I have a front load washer and washed two at a time.  Admittedly at the end I did shove 3 in at time. I mean who really wants to wash pillows all day long.  I washed all the bed pillows, then tossed them in the dryer.  The key to drying pillows that come out fluffy not lumpy is adding dryer balls, which if you don't have any you  make them out of old socks (in the pin below)

Now I do have some throw pillows that can't go in the washer, for those I stuck them in dryer with dryer balls and dried them on high heat for about 30-40 min.

Pin 72 Making Scented Dryer Balls out of Old, Holey or Mismatched Socks

I know I'm not the only one out there that has mismatched socks laying around.   It doesn't matter how careful I am about trying to keep socks paired up,  one always seems to go missing.   It is down right irritating.  I didn't have any dryer balls or tennis balls and I knew if I tried to dry my pillows without them they wouldn't come out quite right.  I figured I could find a solution on Pinterest. You just have to love all the things you can find on Pinterest.

Source: campwander.blogspot.com via Nicole on Pinterest

I loved this pin from Camp Wander because not only was it solving my dryer ball problem, but it made all those mismatched and holey socks less annoying.   They were actually going to serve a purpose!  WooHoo!

I wanted scented dryer balls,  so I grabbed some lavender essential oil and 4 socks.   If you just want to make the dryer balls without the scent all you need are socks. 



I put 15 drops of my oil on the toe part of one pair of socks.  Then balled up the sock as tight as I could.   Then take that sock and shove it down inside of the other sock.



Then twist and ball up the sock.  It's like twisting and folding....however you make it work, it's all about getting them tight.  The tighter the better.



Then just toss them in the dryer. 



I dried about 13 separate loads of pillows and they still smelled like lavender.   When your scent starts to fade, just add some more drops of your essential oil and your good to go.

Pin 56 Reusing/Repurposing Empty Beer or Soda Glass Bottles into Glitter Vases

My husband is addicted to a brand of soda called Ski.   Literally addicted to it,  I call it his "crack".   We special order this soda so he can get it in glass bottles still made with actual cane sugar.  He goes through a ton so we also have bottles and bottles and bottles and bottles and bottles and bottles (you get the picture, lol) in our recycling bin.   I reused some in a previous pin, Pin 33 tinting bottles with modge podge & food coloring, and wanted to try something different with a few more.  I'm sure if you have followed my blog you have come to realize that I LOVE glitter, so when I saw this pin I knew I was going to have to try it.

Source: thesweetestoccasion.com via Nicole on Pinterest

Supplies needed:

Glass bottles (beer/soda/whatever you want to try it with)
Fine Glitter
Modge Podge or other glue/adhesive
Painters Tape
Ruler
Marker

First pull any labels off your bottles.   I didn't bother to scrub off any of the sticky goo left from the labels since I was just going to be putting sticky goo back on the bottle  to hold the glitter. 



I then grabbed a ruler and a sharpie and measured where I wanted my tape to go.  It's not necessary to measure if you can create a straight line buy just eyeballing it.....I just don't have that ability.



If you mark your bottle make sure you place your tape just above the lines so the glitter will cover up the marks.   Tape around your bottle.



Now a smart person would have thought ahead and dished out some modge podge and mixed glitter into it, then brushed it on.   If you do this you will want a lot of glitter (at least I would, he he!)  I did mine by brushing modge podge on the bottles in strips.



Then sprinkle the glitter on to the area.  Then just repeat glue followed by glitter till you go all the way around the bottle.  I wanted a very thick coat of glitter so I actually put modge podge on top of the glitter that was already on the bottle and sprinkled on even more glitter.



Let the bottles dry.  Do not do what I did and forget about taking the tape off till they were completely dry.  You will get a much cleaner edge if you remove the tape while the glitter/paint is still damp.



My girls wanted to add some embellishments so I let them, but I actually dont' mind them plain.  These will be getting re-used as small vases.  They are good for lone flowers.  My girls have been wanting me try duct tape flowers so we might make some to put in these. (I wonder if I could glitter those?)



With a flower..



Since everything but the glitter came from stashes or the recycling bin this was a very economical project.....we spent $1 on the glitter at Michael's.  I would probably do this again and again but I'm not sure where I would put them all.

Pin 55 Using Glue Dots & Glitter To Upcycle old Glade Candle Jars

A little while back I showed how to clean out your old candle jars ( Pin 22).  It took me a while to figure out what I wanted to do with them.  The bigger ones I knew I wanted to put in the kids bathroom for cotton balls & qtips,  but the smaller ones I figured would still hold candles.  I didn't want them to be boring, but couldn't figure out how to spruce them up.  I searched through my pins, but nothing really "spoke" to me.  So I sat staring at my screen, all my boards were pulled up, I was just staring and staring at all the board covers.....why was nothing moving me?!?!  I had been concentrating on my craft, upcycle and for the home boards.  Turns out I should have been paying attention to my Easter board. My poor Easter board only has one lonely pin, but turns out it was just the pin I needed.

Source: bhg.com via Nicole on Pinterest

Now I know that these are Easter Eggs, but they gave the inspiration to put glitter polka dots on my candle holders.  All you need is Glitter, which I love, and Glue Dots, which I love! 



Take whatever container you have that you would like to add glitter polka dots to and make sure it is clean.  Then just place your glue dots where you want them. Ignore the spray paint on my hand, and the glitter I already managed to get on the candle.....(What can I say, I'm just having a messy day!)



Now it's time to glitter......I LOVE glitter!  Fine glitter worked much better.   The easiest way I found to apply the glitter was to dip my finger in it then tap it onto the glue dot.  It wasn't as messy this way, and the glitter stuck better since I was pressing it into the glue dot.  This is a really quick project.



Ignore the fact that I didn't really brush the loose glitter off yet.......I was in a hurry to move on to my next one.   Trying to finish up crafting for the night so the kids and I can settle in and watch Ice Age Continental Drift.  Gotta love family movie nights, especially when they will be illuminated by my newest glitter polka dot creations.

Pin 50, 51 & 52 The Magic Circle, Crocheting in the Round & Crochet Jar Covers

I really like to find ways to re-use items.   I get this weird sense of pride whenever I "save" something from the trash or recycling bin.  I have re-used glass jars before by painting them, but when I saw a pin with a crochet jar cover I couldn't help but think it was perfect.   I can re-use my jar and some of my yarn stash (that is only slightly out of control).  Now, the best way to start a jar cover is a magic circle..........so that is where our pins begin!

Pin 50 The Magic Circle (Crochet)

The simplest way to start crocheting in the round is a Magic Circle.  This allows you room to do all your stitches without being crowded and the best part is it allows you to pull everything tight so there is no hole in the middle where you started.  This pin has pretty good pictures and directions on how to do the magic circle.   It might be awkward at first, but once you get the hang of it, it is the way to go.

Source: crochetme.com via Nicole on Pinterest

Follow the directions in the pin and wrap the yarn around your fingers.....then make your first stitches,  remember your 3 sc count as your first dc.  Sometimes I forget that!



Once you complete the number of dc you need, it will look like you still have a gap....don't fear, that is the beauty of the magic ring.



Just take the end of the yarn and pull, and your circle will close the gap



Then just join with a slip stitch.   Your first round (Round 1) is complete.  Since the bottom of the jar cover is done in rounds we are going to move on to a pin that shows how to properly increase.

 

 

Pin 51   Crocheting in the Round (How to Increase)

This diagram is one of the easiest to read that I have seen.  It shows the increases for when you are crocheting in the round.

Source: mimibazar.cz via Nicole on Pinterest

If you are not used to reading diagrams, let me see if I can break it down without being too confusing.  The symbols that look like t's stand for single crochet.  The symbols that are o's stand for slip stitches.  The Darkened t's that are joined at the bottom and look like it makes a V are 2 single crochet in the same stich of the previous round......I think I might have lost myself there, so if you have any questions fire away!   I did mine with double crochet to keep the project quick.

The way I remember it  is.....Round 1 double crochet in your magic circle (in my example I will go 12 stitches) join with slip stich.  Round 2, do 2 double crochet in each of your previous double
crochet for a total of 24 stitches,  join with slip stitch.   Round 3,  you will do 2 double crochet in your your first double crochet of the previous round, then 1 double crochet in the next stitch.  So basically you will do 2 double crochet, then 1 double crochet, 2 double crochet, 1 double crochet till you get to the end of your round and join with a slip stitch.  That will give you a total of 36 double crochet.  For my project this was big enough.   If you need to move on to Round 4, you would  do 2 double crochet in your first double crochet of the previous round, then 1 double crochet in your next 2 stitches, then 2 double crochet in the next stitch.  You would continue doing 2 double crochet then 2, 1 double crochet till you reach the end of your round.  You should have a total of  48 stitches.

This is what Round 2 looks like



and Round 3 looks like



Crocheting in the round is how you start most hats, can be used for the jar covers like I'm doing, pillows or even blankets.  

Pin 52  The Crochet Jar Cover

The possibilities are endless here.   You can use a variety of stitches, of yarns and of colors.

 

Source: lovethebluebird.blogspot.com.au via Nicole on Pinterest

To start your covers, begin with the first two pins.  Make your magic circle and crochet in the round till it is big enough to fit the bottom of your jar/tin that you are using.  I am just using a small coffee tin for this one.



3 rounds was large enough to fit the bottom of what I was working with.  If it is just a little bit smaller don't worry about it.  The yarn will stretch some.  Next all you do is crochet one stitch in each of your previous stitches.  You can single crochet, double crochet, or even treble.  I chose to follow the directions in the pin,  She did 2 sc in the  first stitch of the previous round, then skipped the next stitch, then did 2 sc in the next stitch, then skipped the next stitch till you get to the end of your round and join with a slip stitch.  Do this till you reach the height you want.



I switched up colors at my Daughter's request.  She wanted these to put on your her desk to keep her paint brushes in ( She is an extremely talented painter)



I did not follow the directions for the scalloped edging in the pin, I did 1 sc, then skipped the next 2 stitches, then did 5 double crochet in the next stitch, then skipped the next 2 stitches, then sc crochet in the next stitch.  and repeated for the round, and joined with a slip stitch.



These work up really quickly, and you can even add embellishments if you want too.  My middle daughter was home sick from school last week and decorated these jars for me. Not too shabby for a 9 year old!



A nice quick project. I see more of these in my future!  Oh and before I forget I used a G sized hook, and used Sugar and Cream Cotton Yarn along with scraps of  Red Heart Super Saver Yarn.

Pins 38, 39 Vinegar to clean a Microwave & Dryer Sheets to clean a Bathroom

Bowl of Water & Vinegar to clean a Microwave

I rarely use our Microwave.  It is definitely used by the kids in the house most of the time.  So imagine what I must have seen when I opened the door to heat up a cup of coffee.........OMGosh, I was totally grossed out.  I was so grossed out that I will NOT show of picture of it.  No one in the house seems to know how to throw something on top of what they are heating up.  You can tell that things have "popped" all over the microwave.   It also had a smell of all the food remnants left in it.  It was not a pleasant smell.   I had to do something about this, but did not feel like scrubbing it down.   Pinterest to the rescue.......

Source: craftylittlegnome.blogspot.com via Nicole on Pinterest

Just put Water and Vinegar in a bowl and heat it up.......the pin said for about 5 min.  I only went a little over two.  I also don't know what I was thinking, because I kind of forgot the water part and just used vinegar!   It worked really well though, and most definitely killed any odors that had been lingering.  I could wipe off all the crud with a light swipe of a paper towel.




Now because I forgot the water, the vinegar smell was a little overpowering for a few min.  but it quickly died away..... I'm definitely going to have to remember this one!

Dryer Sheets to Clean the Bathroom (used ones at that!)

I passed this pin by a few times, before I finally pinned it.  I mean you really expect me to believe that someone uses Dryer Sheets after they've been used in the laundry to clean a bathroom?  I have used them before for other things like cleaning baseboards, keeping drawers or trash cans smelling pretty........to clean a bathroom?  That just sounds like someones lost their mind.  

 

Source: thekrazycouponlady.com via Nicole on Pinterest

I did not try mine on the toilets, but on my sink and faucet.  I hate cleaning them.  The kids always seem to get toothpaste everywhere.   Not the worst they have looked, but annoying none the less.



When I first started I realized that when the sheets got wet they made a big smeared mess.  I then took a dry used dryer sheet and went back over the faucet and it cleaned it right up and made it all nice and shiny.  I then took it all over my sink top and it shined it up really well too. 



I also tried it on my Bathroom Mirror, and believe it or not it worked really well. It didn't leave any streaks.   I couldn't find any good way to take a picture of the mirror......I do not have great photography skills!  Literally dryer sheets, that have already been run through the dryer, Wow!



The little grooves in the dryer sheets turn out to be powerful little scrubbers.   I think I will come up with some cute container to store the dryer sheets in, because these could work well in between cleanings......I would still want a cleaner to kill all the germs, so not a stand alone method. 
No harm in trying it if you already use dryer sheets in your laundry.