Saturday, August 22, 2009

Slow Sew

I just wanted to let everyone know that I probably won't be making much progress on my pj's this week. I will be filling in for the art teacher at one of the local elementary schools for the first couple of weeks of school. I am very grateful for this job. I have been unemployed since May. It's nice to be able to get out and earn a living.
I did get some work done on my sewing today though. :) I realize that I was sewing the wrong pieces together and ripped them out. At least I will be on the right track now when I do get to sew.

Love, peace and sewing pleats!


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Tuesday, August 18, 2009

The First Cut


Well I cut out my pattern today. I was hoping to be able to cut it out yesterday but I discovered the pattern had issues. The yardage on the back was only half the amount I needed. I had also misread what size I was. I had no idea that you had to get measured and go by the measurements not your ready to wear size. I have never worn a size that big! I mean I know I am a voluptuous woman but oh my goodness!It's definitely a good diet/exercise reminder motivator. Well i got my piece of material home and prepared and I was good to go. Here's a picture of my material pinned and ready to be cut. Yes, in case you are wondering I was pinning on the floor. The table hurt my back to much-it's to low. Honey, now you what you can buy me for Christmas-a sewing table. :)

Pinning the pattern made me wish I paid more attention in math
. I was starting to get frustrated Thankfully Sophie came to rescue! For those of you who don't know my husband and I have a miniature dachshund name Sophie. She's my pride and joy. She always into everything and seems to senses when I am stressed or upset. I think that she thinks it is her duty to cheer me up and she always does. Well I was getting frustrated when she jumps off the couch onto the cutting board. She starts sniffing around everywhere and comes across my box of pins. Well being the curious dog she is she sniffs the pins. As soon as she does, she lets out a howl and starts running around the couch endlessly! She made me laugh so hard I started crying. Thankfully no pins got stuck in nose. I think that they scared her more than anything. After that she decided she was going to observe my sewing from afar. :)
Well I cut the pattern out with no problem and have it the sides marked and ready to begin sewing. I am curious of one thing though. Is it normal to label pattern pieces with tape? I never have but then I have never cut out a patter before.
Well I am all set and ready to go. I just need to figure out which machine I am gonna use. I have 3 (I'll explain why I have three for some other blog post). I need to finish setting up my sewing area as well. I am hoping to start the machine work this evening or tomorrow.
Love, peace and sewing pleats!

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Monday, August 17, 2009

Homemade Laundry Soap and Fabric Softener

Those of you know me know I am all about frugality and saving money. A friend of mine just sent me recipes for homemade laundry soap and fabric softener. Thought I would pass them on to you gals. I know we're all trying to save some money. I haven't tried these recipes yet but I will soon.


TIPS FOR LAUNDRY SOAP: We use Fels-Naptha bar soap in the homemade soap recipes, but you can use Ivory, Sunlight, Kirk's Hardwater Castile or Zote bars. Don't use heavily perfumed soaps. We buy Fels-Naptha by the case from our local grocer or online. Washing Soda and Borax can normally be found on the laundry or cleaning aisle. Recipe cost approx. $2.

Homemade Liquid Laundry Soap

- Front or top load machine- best value

4 Cups hot tap water
1 Fels-Naptha soap bar
1 Cup Washing Soda
½ Cup Borax
- Grate bar of soap and add to saucepan with water. Stir continually over medium-low heat until soap dissolves and is melted.

-Fill a 5 gallon bucket half full of hot tap water. Add melted soap, washing soda and Borax. Stir well until all powder is dissolved. Fill bucket to top with more hot water. Stir, cover and let sit overnight to thicken.

-Stir and fill a used, clean, laundry soap dispenser half full with soap and then fill rest of way with water. Shake before each use. (will gel)

-Optional: You can add 10-15 drops of essential oil per 2 gallons. Add once soap has cooled. Ideas: lavender, rosemary, tea tree oil.

-Yield: Liquid soap recipe makes 10 gallons.

-Top Load Machine- 5/8 Cup per load (Approx. 180 loads)
-Front Load Machines- ¼ Cup per load (Approx. 640 loads)

Powdered Laundry Detergent- Top load machine

1 Fels-Naptha soap bar
1 Cup Washing Soda
½ Cup Borax
-Grate soap or break into pieces and process in a food processor until powdered. Mix all ingredients. For light load, use 1 Tablespoon. For heavy or heavily soiled load, use 2 Tablespoons. Yields: 3 Cups detergent. (Approx. 40 loads)

Inexpensive Fabric Softener Recipes

Recipe #1
1 Cup White Vinegar
Add vinegar to rinse cycle. Works great. Removes residue and odors. Also helps to keep washing machine and hoses fresh and clean too.

Recipe #2
1 Container of Name Brand Fabric Softener
4 Inexpensive sponges, cut in half
Pour entire container of softener into a 5 gallon bucket. Fill empty softener container with water twice. (2 parts water to 1 part softener) Add sponges to softener/water mixture. When ready to use wring out extra mixture from one sponge and add to the dryer as you would a dryer sheet.

Love, Peace and No Smelly Sinks! :)

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Sunday, August 16, 2009

The ABC's of Me!

I came across this little game on one of the blogs, Threads to Fabric that I regularly follow and thought it would be fun to feature on mine. It's called the ABC's of Me where I divulge a little bit about myself for each letter of the alphabet.

ABC’S OF ME
A – Age - 30
B – Bed Size – Queen
C – Chore you hate – washing dishes
D – Dog’s name –Sophie
E – Essential “start your day” item – prayer and time with God
F – Favorite color – I have 2 favorite colors purple and green
G – Gold or silver? –silver
H – Height – I’ve been 5’ 11 1/2"
I – Instruments you play – clarinet
J – Job title – Currently I’m not working but when I get a job title I'll let you know! :)
K – Kids – none currently-just my dog and cat
L – Living arrangements – a house out in a rural area
M – Mom’s name –Glenda-it's my middle name too.
N – Nicknames – hey you!, Amazon woman, Xena, CC
O – Overnight hospital stays (except when giving birth) – none yet! Praise the Lord!
P – Pet peeve – I hate rudeness and people being mean
Q – Quote from a movie – From Gone with the Wind-"After all tomorrow is another day!"
R – Right or left handed – I’m a righty
S – Siblings – I’m the youngest of five. I have 1 sister, 1 brother and two half sisters.
T – Time you wake up – Usually 4:30-5 even when I don't have to get up that early
U – Underwear- Yep! :)
V – Vegetable you dislike – I dislike beats, radishes, and cabbage.
W – Workout style – I try to altenate between cardio/weight training (one day) and pilates (the next day)
X – X-rays you’ve had – I’ve had a few,
Y – Yesterday’s best moments – My hubby cooked dinner for me. I love it when he cooks!
Z – Zoo favorites – giraffes-they are tall like me. :)


Love, peace and no smelly feet! :)

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