Magic Soap

So...I was on Pinterest today (big shock...I know) and I came across this Pin. I am really not a fan of homemade cleaners. I usually end up disappointed and cleaning the tub (or toilet or counter) over again. But I was curious. I love Dawn for my dishes and I know the hard water cleaning wonders of vinegar. I had an empty spray bottle....so I figured WHY NOT.
I only made a little so as not to waste it when it didn't work very well. Boy. Was. I. Wrong. Loved it. I used it on my shower and it made it sparkle. Then I used it on my dogs. Don't laugh....I had run out of doggie shampoo and they needed a bath so bad. It was perfect. Not too foamy...cut through the oily top coat and rinsed like a dream. After that chore I cleaned the tub I had just bathed them in and it looks (and smells) terrific. I am a believer and thought you might want to try this. I love Pinterest. I love clean bathrooms. I love sweet smelling dogs and sunshine....Hope your weekend is fabulous!!!

A Springy Welcome

It's been a while since I've made a wreath. Shocking, I know. Seems like for a while there I was averaging two a week! I did a tulle wreath this week...I needed something springy....spring-like....springish....Anyway...I bought some tulle at Hobby Lobby because it was half off.
I tied it around a straw wreath base I had in the project room....(you know if Hoarder's ever comes by I am SO in trouble!!) I bought these flowers from Pick Your Plum. They offer deals on craft supplies in a daily email. They came unpainted....so I colored them up!!
Now my door looks as springy as the weather here!! Hooray for 80* for all the month of March!!!
Are you enjoying the weather in your neck of the woods??

Excuses

My New Year's Word (you know...to work on) this year is WHY NOT. I will admit to slipping in my resolve here and there. That dang inner critic has gotten in the way time and time again. I have prayed, I have cried....I have tried again. After all....WHY NOT. Just about the time I am going to give up, my loving Father in Heaven gives me a little perspective.....a little guidance. Today it was in the form of a blog post someone posted on Facebook (please read it). It was the push I needed to keep trying. I hope you get what you need today, my friends.....today and every day.

"It's not our circumstances that keep us from reaching our dreams. It's our excuses that keep us from reaching our dreams."

The Ugly Duck

I found this little guy while I was standing in the check-outline at Good Will. I asked Jo if she thought I was crazy to like him. She said that he would be cute with some paint. So he came home with me.
She was right. He looks so much better with some paint!!
I put him here for a minute....but it just wasn't right.
Here we go. The perfect spot for my no-so-ugly friend.
I do love him now. He makes me smile.

Avoidance

It all started in Idaho. On the last day of my visit, Kim and I stopped at a craft store on our way to the airport. They had some kits made up for the cutest little table runners. It came with the fabric, buttons and instructions. The lady gave me a quick tutorial and I was on my way. Shortly after I got home my fabulous sister chicks from MN came for a visit. Together we sewed up these 15 minute table runners. They really were that easy.
As you know, I do like to do three of a project. It gives me a chance to work out the kinks. Well, this project was so fun to do (combining my love for fabric with my love of an easy project) that I did a few more than three. Thirteen to be exact...The first two and a couple weeks later eleven over two days. Sometimes when my life gets a little chaotic I tend to shift my focus to something that I can control.
A nice fabric project, for example, can be just the distraction one needs. Did it help me finish my daughter's graduation quilt? No. Did it give me any ideas for her graduation party? No. Did it help at all with the plans for my son's wedding? Not in the slightest. Or did it get any planning or list making done for our over-night church activity? Nope. So why did I chose now to obsess over table runners?
Avoidance. Pure and simple. I can't get a handle on any of those other things....but table runners....cake. No worries there. And it kept my mind so busy I didn't have time to think about (or worry about) anything else.
As for a tutorial....I don't have pictures, but I can explain it to you. Take 1/2 yard and 1/3 yard of some pretty fabric. Put the right sides and sew a seam down the long sides of the fabric to form a tube. Turn your tube right side out and will have a long rectangle. Arrange it so there is equal fabric on both sides and press with a hot iron.
Now take it and fold it in half the long way so the dominant fabric (the fabric that is bigger...you know the fabric on the back) is folded together. Sew a seam along the top and the bottom of the runner. Fold it down to a point so it forms a pocket. Press it flat. Then you can add a button to hold it down or some ric rac or even pretty ribbon. The choice is yours.
Here are the 13 first attempts. I am certain there will be more. Most likely during another really busy time in my life.....like next week!!!