Letters Hand Written

I think everyone would say they love to get letters in the mail. Not talking bills or solicitations here I am talking a hand written letter from a friend. Why is it that we only send cards and letters at Christmas and Birthdays? That is a shame. Some would say that it is just easier to send an e-mail or use the cell phone and call. The truth is and e-mail and quick cell phone message is not personal anymore. They are for convenience and speed. If you truly love and appreciate someone send them a hand written note or card. It doesn’t have to be on fancy stationary but that would be nice.

Getting a letter written by hand can lift your spirits in so many ways. Some one cared enough to write to you. There is joy in opening the envelope. Your heart starts to race as you anticipate what that person wanted to tell you. As you read you smile and think to yourself you will write back. So do it! Don’t you want to give those feelings to someone else? SO DO IT. Write a quick note, address it, stamp it and put it in the mail box.

I urge you to write someone a note today. Let them in the act know you care enough about them to send a letter vs an impersonal cyber message or quick phone call while you are picking up your groceries at the store.
DO IT and make it a habit!

Homemade air freshener

Have you gotten tired of spending a fortune on air fresheners? There is a simple way to make your own air freshener. Two recipes to try and adjust to your liking:
1/4 cup of hair conditioner
1/2 cup of vinegar
1 cup of water
Put in spray bottle and shake well before using. Do not spray on fabric until after you test it first. Some conditioners can stain.
A back to basics air freshener is:
vinegar and water mixed in a ratio of 1 part water 1/2 part vinegar. You can adjust if you need. Vinegar is also very good to take out cigarette smoke. My Grandfather used to smoke and my Mother would put a cup of vinegar in his room at night and in the morning his room would smell fresh. Toss the vinegar down the sink to keep the sink fresh.
Some people will put a tablespoon of rubbing alcohol in their mixture which I think is used for a solvent when you use conditioner.
I would love to hear your home made recipes.

Saying nice things

There is a lot to be said for saying positive things all the time. For one thing it is very hard to do. If you don’t think so try it for one day. Twenty-four simple hours of not letting anything negative come out of your mouth. Don’t say, “Can I do it?”, Just do it. Let me know how your day goes. This is a fantastic challenge and I urge you to accept.

Laundry soap Homemade

For years my Mother has used homemade laundry soap, both powdered and liquid. Today we were just talking about homemade dishwasher soap so I wanted to share those with you.
1 Cup Borax
1 Cup Washing Soda
1 Cup grated Bar Soap (see list of soaps)
Mix together, seal, 1/8 to 1/2 Cup a load.
Bar soaps to use:
Fels-Naptha, Ivory soap, Sunlight bar soap, Kirk’s Hardwater Castile, and Zote. Avoid perfumed or beauty bars as they will have oils that can stain clothing. You can however add essential oils if you want a smell to your clothing. 5 to 10 drops is enough.
If you want to turn this powdered soap to liquid mix with 2 Cups of boiling water, stir until dissolved. Store in an empty laundry soap bottle. Remember to shake before you add to washer.

Check back and I will pass on the recipe for Dishwasher soap.

New Dress A Day

There is a great Blog out there named New Dress a Day. Way cool if I say so myself.
She took $365 and is making a dress a day with it. My daughter took a prom dress she had picked up at the local Good Will and after wearing it cut to skirt off and made this really great top. I can’t wait for her to see this blog so she will be inspired to continue her creative clothing making. Take time to check out this blog. You don’t have to be some great seamstress to do this it just takes a seam ripper, sewing machine and some good ole creative thought.
(Check back and I will post a picture of my daughter in her blouse.)

Paperwork

There is tons of paperwork that goes with children and school. I have all six of my children in school at the same time this year. That is a bucket load of paperwork.

Beautiful Threads

Today I picked up the most beautiful threads at the Wool N Cotton shop here in San Angelo. If you want to check out the website it is:
www.judithlesterdesigns.com

The thread were Vanessa’s and her site is:
www.myalpacastuff.com

When I finish the next project I will post a picture or maybe I will give you a peak before that. Come back and see.

Baby blanket sizes

I am still working on the baby blanket for Threads of Love here in San Angelo. I would say it is 3/4 the way done. What I am trying to figure out though is how big to make it. I am not using a pattern. What would you say is the idea size for a baby blanket?

That baby blanket

I am still working on the baby blanket. Thought I would have it done by now but am only half way done. There is something really sweet about the Granny Square pattern. I chose a mint green thread. After I finish this one I will know how much it will take for this pattern and I will play with some better threads. Judith at Wool N Cotton has some fantastic threads. If you are in San Angelo, TX you need to stop by her place and check them out.

As soon as I get this blanket finished I will get a picture up for you. Do you have any favorite baby blanket crochet patterns you would like to share?

Family and Business

I found a great article on keeping perspective with families and business. I wish I would have had this article five years ago. Don’t let your business become your identity or how you set your self worth. Keep God first, then family and the business always third.

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