Christmas Stockings

I've been wanting to get custom Christmas stockings, but I just didn't want to spend the money.  Last year I attempted to make stockings and it was an epic fail.  This year, I was determined to try again, and if I failed again I was going to resort to ordering ridiculously overpriced "custom" stockings that wouldn't have been nearly as cute or blended as well with my hodge-podge decorating style.

I went on a Google hunt to find a tutorial that I didn't think I would totally botch.  I came across several, and I finally settled on this stocking tutorial.

It was very easy to follow, and she even has another tutorial on how to do the appliques! Before I began, I wasn't sure how to go about making the names; I didn't feel like cross-stitching them and I don't have a machine that does embroidery.  I was excited to learn this new technique, and I'm excited to use it on other projects too.

Laundry Detergent Recipe

I'm always looking for a better way to do things.  I hate buying laundry detergent; it just seems like its throwing money down the drain.   My aunt posted something on Facebook about how much she loves her laundry detergent; so I thought I'd give it a try!  Here's the recipe, taken from the Duggar family website:

4  Cups - hot tap water1  Fels-Naptha soap bar1 Cup - Arm & Hammer Super Washing Soda½ Cup Borax 

1. Grate bar of soap and add to pan with water. Stir continually over medium-low heat until soap dissolves and is melted.
2. 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. 
3. Stir, cover and let sit overnight to thicken.
4. The next day, 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)
5. 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)


I guess there is a powder version of this too, I'll have to try that out once I get thorough my 10 gallons of detergent!

New Fitted Diaper

I've had a free pattern printed out for a Little Comet Tails Tighty Whitey Hipster for at least a year now.  I never got to try one for Moose since she potty trained at 21 months.  Today, I finally whipped up a Medium (Monkey is 6 months and ~16 lbs)  and I love it!! (It took some time trying to figure out how to resize the pattern, but I was able to use my copier to do it.)  Monkey is a tummy sleeper, so I thought thought that a side snapping diaper might be beneficial since its less bulky in front. I used an old t-shirt that a co-worker gave me and moved the forklift emblem to the hip.  The best part of this project is that aside from the thread, snaps, and elastic, it was totally upcycled and free! I'm going to start making more asap!!

    

Welcome

Welcome to my crafting blog.  I'm going to be posting my crafts, links to my favorite tutorials, and any new tips or tricks that I may come across.