Craft/Project Withdrawal

What are the symptoms of craft/project 

withdrawal?

I'll tell you my experience. I'm taking care 

of my daughter Kim in Texas because

 she broke her foot and required surgery. 

She has 2 dogs and stairs and can't put

 any weight on her foot for weeks. I'm here

 tending to everything and keeping very busy. 

Now yesterday I needed to do something 

Valentines-ey. There was nothing to work 

with; no wood scraps, no glue, none of that

 "saved stuff to use for a project someday". 

What did I find? Cardboard from a box and 

red tissue paper left stuffed in a gift bag. 

Good enough. 

I cut the cardboard into a heart, tore the

 tissue paper, and made the glue from flour, 

sugar, water and oil. Desperate times. 

To hook it on to the nail already in the

 wall I bent a paperclip and taped

 it on the back. 

You could embellish it in all sorts of

 ways. Add lace paper doily to 

edge or add do-dads to the heart. 

This is just the emergency craft. 

I'm sure there are some loose buttons here somewhere...

Cheers!

Links: wine cork wreath,
Between Naps On The Porch,
My Repurposed Life,
The Charm Of Home

Lace Heart Garland

Here's a quick and easy to make

 Valentine garland.

I just taped it to the top of the cabinet.

I used heart shaped paper doilies.

From the Dollar Store.

I threaded a cute red and white 

polka dot ribbon through the slits.

 I didn't even need to cut the ribbon. 

I just laid the spool on top of the 

pie safe, tucked out of sight. 

That way I can remove and reuse it easily.

I attached a little needlepoint door hanger 

to the knob in the wreath.

Be My Valentine

XOXO

from the archives 2/12/12
Links:  Facebook, 
The House In The Roses,
The Girl Creative,
Under The Table & Dreaming,
Between Naps On The Porch

My Top 10 Cleaning Tips

If the New Year has you inspired to tackle
 your cleaning "To Do" list here are some
of my best cleaning tips. Click on any of
the links for all of the information.

#1 The Best Way To Clean Stainless Steel

#2 The Best DIY Outdoor Window Wash

#3 DIY Dishwasher Detergent

#4 Cleaning Wood Furniture

#5 Easy DIY Grout Cleaner

#6 DIY Cleaning Wipes

#7 How To Clean Vintage Ball Jar Zinc Lids

#8 DIY Powder Carpet Fresh

#9 Clean Brass Hardware The Easy Way

#10 Amazing Car Headlights Cleaner

These are all so easy and cheap, and best
of all...they work!
Let me know if you've tried any of them.

Cheers!

Links: Facebook,
Between Naps On The Porch

DIY Effortless Winter Centerpiece

It takes me about 5 minutes to change

 the centerpiece on the breakfast table

 for the seasons.

I've used this one many times.

It works from Fall thru Spring.

I just placed a hurricane lamp in the center of

my large antique bowl, added a pillar candle 

(chosing a color for the season) 

and surrounded it with some of my

gathered pinecones.

I first used this easy centerpiece

 for Fall and it was featured in 

Country Living Magazine.

 To add a bit more color, I cut a few
hearts free-hand from a piece of red
scrap paper. I'll add more and this
centerpiece will be work for
 January and February.

 I decided to add a string of tiny white
 battery-operated lights for the winter.
It makes a nice glow along with the candle
 now that it's dark when we're having dinner.

Cheers!

Links: Facebook, Dwellings,
The Style Sisters, My Romantic Home,
My Repurposed Home, The Charm Of Home,
French Country Cottage,
Naps On The Porch

How To Save Your Christmas Photo Cards

I love getting Christmas photo cards from
family and friends, but what to do with them 

after they're taken off the fridge?
They are too cute to pack-up. 

I take a picture of each card using my iphone.

I categorize them in my photos library

the next time I sync it to my Mac computer

 as Christmas Cards 2014. 

I can see the changes in everyone 

from year to year.

This works with school photos or any photos 

you want to add to your photo library.

You can tag the photos (add names) if

you want to search a particular person

at a later date.

You'll have all the options in your

computer's photo library.

You can even just capture part of a photo.

Below is a close-up shot of photo  #5 .

Now a great thing I like to do is to use 

the photos to fill in any profile pics

 in my phone's contact page.

Below are screen shots of my phone

as I did this. Hope it helps.

Here's John (info have been changed to

protect the innocent) with no profile

pic. See the add photo in the circle?

Go to the edit mode and tap that circle.

You'll have the option of choosing a

photo in your phone; like the ones

you've just taken, or just taking

another one now....take or choose.

I took a close-up of 'Joe'

moved it to center and 

tapped 'use photo'

Now I see 'Joe' when he calls

or when I bring up his contact

info on my phone. 

Everyone in my phone has a photo,

even businesses. Why? Because

it's fun and easy. Let me know if you

have any questions. 

Cheers!

links: Facebook, Coastal Charm,
Dwellings, Between Naps On The Porch,
Savvy Southern Style

DIY: The Easy Way To Clean Stainless Steel

Todays Tip: Cleaning stainless steel
appliances couldn't be easier.
It's so simple!
It's so safe. It's so cheap. 

I just use baby oil...yes! Baby Oil!

Before                             After 

(Taking a photo of stainless isn't easy)

Put a little on a soft cleaning cloth and 

...wipe on ~ wipe off. 

You'll get rid of the drip marks, smudges

 and fingerprints.

Buff off any excess.

 It will leave a nice sheen and a nice smell.

You'll also have soft hands!

I keep a bottle under the kitchen sink.

Lavender scent baby oil is a favorite. 

Try it and let me know how it works for you.

Cheers!

Links: Facebook,
Between Naps On The Porch,
Dwellings, Coastal Charm,