Kid’s Chore-Charts

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Thinking this will be a fabulous way to keep the kids involved with their chores. They can help create the doorhanger, and write down their chores on the clothespins.

Plus, it’s a good visual reminder of what’s left to do before mom gets home! Guess what we’re making next weekend!

 

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Frozen Dots!

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My kids always beg for those frozen ice cream dots at the mall. This is a wonderful alternative, much cheaper -and made at home. Depending on your kiddo, they can help, too!

STEP 1 – place zipper bag in large cup.

STEP 2 – fill with your favorite yogurt.

STEP 3 – snip small hole in corner of bag.

STEP 4 – make dots/blobs on a cookie sheet.

STEP 5 – freeze overnight.

STEP 6 – scrape from cookie sheet.

STEP 7 – eat! (or store in air-tight container in freezer)

(should keep for about a month in the freezer)

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Summer T-Shirt Project

With my new work schedule beginning, I’ve decided to look for craft projects they’ll enjoy when I get home from work – or long weekends. Allie likes crafting projects she can create, and then wear. I think I’ve found a good place to start, with this borrowed project from another awesome blogger.

Please – post pictures if you try this one out!! (and watch for our pics soon!)

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I’m going to show you four ways that I used bleach to design some cool summer tees! Ready?

OK, supplies:

- cotton t-shirts – this is crucial. It has to be at least 60% cotton or the bleach and dye will not grip the fabric.
- bleach (a bleach pen is good too)
- spray bottle
- plastic table cover
- Tulip One-Step Dyes
- Tulip Sticky Fabric Stencils

This is what the shirts look like after the bleach has been washed out. you can see how the color is lifted! Now they are ready for colorful dye!

1. STENCIL TECHNIQUE

 

Place stencils all over the front of the shirt. You can use all parts of the stencils!

 

Apply bleach over areas you want lifted. TIP: For a cleaner  edge, brush on lightly. I gobbed way too much on, which is why my design is blurry, but I still like it!

 

Let it sit for 20 minutes and then peel away stencils. Wash in cold water and a bit of laundry soap. Hang to dry.

 

 

2. STRIPES

Wash shirt and dry. Apply bleach in an extra Tulip Dye bottle and make stripes across the shirt. Let it sit for 20-30 minutes, wash in cold water with a bit of laundry soap in the machine, let dry.

 

Dampen shirt with water bottle and mix Tulip One Step Dye in teal and mix according the package directions. Apply to the top and bottom of the shirt. Let sit for about 6 hours and then wash and hang to dry.
Finished look!

3. FAUX PATINA BLACK SHIRT

This is one of my favorite techniques! Wash and dry your new black t-shirt. Cover the top portion with a bag or cardboard. Scrunch the bottom. Use a spray bottle with bleach and heavily saturate the black fabric, but don’t move it. The color will life to a bronze/orange/grey.

 

Wash with a bit of laundry soap in your machine and set out flat. 

 

Mix the Tulip One-Step Dye in teal, lime green and purple. Apply to all the bleached areas, randomly. Let it sit for about 6 hours and then wash in your machine and hang to dry.
 

 

Here it is! Doesn’t it look like patina?

 
 

 4. TAPED STRIPES

Use blue painter’s tape to make stripes. You can also add dots. Use bleach in a spray bottle and spray over entire shirt. Let sit for 30 minutes and then wash with a bit of laundry soap in the machine, hang dry.

 

I as going to add dye to this, but after I looked at it, I decided I liked it as is!!
Posted in Kid's Craft Projects | 2 Comments

Dry Goods Storage – Brilliant!

Another one of Joel’s finds… what a GREAT way to store your dry goods. Pictured, they’re storing rice, beans and such.

I’m wondering if flour, sugar, baking mixes, and other dry ingredients could be stored in this fashion?

I know I’m going to use this method for my laundry soap dry ingredients! (although the crazy part of me would only use one bottle/soda type for one product… would need to keep the lids/bottle colors consistent for my head)

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Chocolate Chip Storage

Ingenious way to keep chocolate chips fresh & sealed.

Cut the top off a small water/soda bottle… about 2 inches from the neck. Save the lid. Thread the open end of the packaging through the bottle spout. Pull the packaging through the opening, and pull down snuggly towards full end, turning it inside-out. Screw bottle lid in place. Chips are now sealed, and also pour conveniently!

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My New Pantry

Again, poor Joel keeps making more work for himself. We’ve discussed pantry options, versus root cellar, etc. I think this is the most asthetically pleasing pantry idea I’ve seen to date, and I’m loving the dry storage bins for root veggies.

I can’t wait for this pantry! :)

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Bean Garden Trellis

Joel tends to find more work for himself, when cruising the world wide web. He happened upon this lovely idea this morning, and now will be building one at our new house. I’m thinking it would work nicely for all things which climb…

Posted in For The New House, Gardening | 1 Comment