~ Music Note Wall Art ~

So last week my darling husband was in the mood for painting and we decided on our living room/dining room wall, which has been a dark green for a couple years now. Now, I have learned the hard way that I have to accompany my husband to the paint store when a paint colour is being chosen. I'll say no more.

So off we go to the paint store, children in tow to find a colour that we both agree on. Well, I like greens, and he does not. So  I gave in to we compromised on Blue Niche by CIL.

Blue Niche

After a couple of coats of paint, our wall is done and I think it looks ok. Nothing fabulous (I'd prefer a shade of green) but it's fine. We took the mirrors down off of the wall above the fireplace and I cast my vote that they didn't go back up.

Now, I needed something to hang above our fireplace and I remembered a rolled paper wreath that I saw somewhere on the Internet but I can't seem to find it now .

I had purchased two books of sheet music a while back to make a bracelet and other various craft projects. I still had a ton of the papers left so I decided to use them. Who doesn't love music!

First I needed to find something to use for the back. Out to my recycling bin I went and came in with this cardboard from a pizza. I don't know if it's gross or not with the grease stains and all but it worked great!

I pulled all the pages of music out of the book binding and used my cutter to cut the titles and torn edges off the music sheets.


Next I rolled the paper and glued them around the outside of the circle.

I continued going around the outside until all the spaces were filled, then I started the next row, placing the rolled papers in between the cracks of the row underneath. I also brought them in a bit so you could see the first row.

Finally, I was done going around and around, rolling and gluing. I had to figure out how to hang this on the wall. I remembered something I saw on Pinterest the other day.

Tada!! A tab off a drink can. I hot glued that sucker in place and it works great. I do suggest that if you make this, to glue this tab on first before you glue your papers on. My rolled papers got a bit squished and it was really awkward to hold and glue this all at the same time. But it worked and I think it looks great. I also think the back looks pretty neat. Check it out below.

Makes a pretty flower, doesn't it.

Now here's a closeup of the finished product.

And the finished product hanging in place ..........

Sorry for the terrible lighting..I had to take this picture at night.

Here is where I need your help. I don't know what else to put up on the mantle. It needs something, but I can't decide. I would love if you could help me with this. I need some inspiration!!

** Update **

I am so excited to tell you all that this project was featured on not one but TWO!! awesome sites. Please be sure to go and check them out!!

This week I'm linking up to these great parties...

TatertotsandJello   Craft-O-Maniac

Homemade Dishwasher Detergent & Rinse Aid

I'm so excited!! While poking around the blogisphere I came across a post for a natural alternative for JetDry. JetDry is so expensive and it seems that you have to add it constantly. Are you excited to find out what it is? I sure was. So instead of using JetDry, just add vinegar into that compartment of your dishwasher. Yeah, just vinegar. I've been doing this for a few months now, and I can tell you it works great. I haven't had any spots on my glasses, or complaints from my husband, so it must be working!

I found a recipe for Homemade Dishwasher Detergent the other day too. It's super easy, and I had 2 of the three ingredients on hand after making my first batch of Homemade Laundry Soap.

So here is the recipe.

1 cup Borax
1 cup Washing (NOT baking) soda
2 tablespoons citric acid

Simply put the ingredients in a jar and shake well to mix. I am still trying to figure out how much to use, but I think two tablespoons should work. I will update this when I find the perfect amount.

I did have a bit of a problem finding the citric acid.  It said in the post I read that it can be found in the canning section at a grocery store, but I couldn't find it there. And then a lady at customer service said they keep it behind the counter at the pharmacy, but the pharmacy was closed.  I ended up finding it at my local Bulk Barn for $4.59. So you don't have to wander around the store aimlessly like I did, this is what it looks like.

I haven't been using it for very long so I don't know if I like it or not. If you try this, I'd love to know what you think.

Finally!!!

So I have been waiting for today for quite some time. I started my blog back in May to document our trip to Ireland. Once we got back it quickly evolved into a craft / DIY blog, which I am having a lot of fun with.

Now after I figured out what this blogging stuff is about I realized that I wanted people to care about what I have to say, to actually want to read my blog. And in blogland the way to do this is to become a follower of your blog.

Every day I checked and nope :(. And then TODAY it happened!!!

Vicky from Mess for Less left a comment on my post for the Weekly Menu Board that I made. Vicky, Vicky, VICKY!!! Thank you! Thank you! THANK YOU!! You made my day!!

You should all go over to Vicky's site and check out her awesome blog. It's full of great ideas to do with your children like her -  Colorful Dancing Milk or her Color Drop Game.

Go check her out! But wait before you leave ---- see over there on the right hand side, the little googlelike button that says Join this Site....Go click it and follow me!

Now go check out Mess for Less! 

Thanks again Vicky :)

      

~ Weekly Menu Board ~

I came across this awesome Menu board at Made by Meech a while ago and knew that I had to make one.

I had been looking for a way to make myself more organized when it came to meals. This was perfect.  Of course I had to change it up a bit.


I bought an old picture frame from from the thrift store for $3.99.  It was that standard old brown frame but the size was perfect. With a few coats of spray paint, my trusty Cricut machine, some scissors, glue and scrapbook paper I had kicking around I came up with this.

If you take a good look at that picture you will find a crafting disaster. When I was nailing the cardboard backing into place I must have obviously hit it a bit too hard. I didn't notice until I flipped it over but I cracked the glass. I tell you, I'm glad the kids weren't around because there were some terrible words coming out of my mouth. I've been on the lookout to find another piece of glass that will fit into this frame but haven't found anything so far.

I use a dry erase marker on the glass and it works wonderfully. On the left hand side I have made a space for each day of the week. This is where I write in what we're having for supper. I'm wishing now I would have made the letters darker so you can see them, but I like the subtlety of them. On the right hand side there is a space for a grocery list.

  

My husband and I have iPhone's, so before we head out grocery shopping we just snap a picture of the list instead of writing it out on paper. It works great.

On the bottom right hand side there is a section for important dates coming up. Birthday's, picture day at school, you get the idea.

This menu board has saved me time, money, and a little bit of my sanity. Now instead of asking me what's for dinner, the kids know where to look.

As always, I look forward to and appreciate all the comments that you leave for me.

I will be linking up to the following awesome sites!

Homemade Laundry Soap

While poking around Pinterest today I came across an awesome tutorial on how to make homemade laundry soap. Hmmm......interesting, I thought. How could I not try this?! After reading all the comments after her tutorial I went down to Superstore and picked up a box of Borax and a box of Washing Soda....seriously I have never heard of Washing Soda before but yeah it's there in the laundry aisle.

To make this home made laundry soap you'll need the following

• 1 cup Borax
• 1 cup Washing Soda
• 1 bar of soap (I used Ivory)
• 4 litres hot water
• 4 litres cold water
• big pot
• funnel
• big pail (or something that will hold 8 litres of water)
• Containers to store the finish product in (2 - Milk Jugs should fit it)

This is how I did it:

1. Put 4 litres of hot water into pot on stove, set on high.
2. Grate your bar of soap and add it to your pot of hot water

3. Once the soap has melted, add 1 cup Borax and 1 cup Washing Soda and bring to a boil.  This took about 5 minutes or so.

4. After it's come to a boil, carefully pour it into a bigger container and add 4 litres of cold water and stir.

5. When slightly cooled pour into containers. A funnel helps with this part.

Once this cools it will coagulate!! It gets thick like gelatin. That is ok.

This is how much I got out of one batch. 

When using it in your washing machine you only need 1/2 cup. I have a front load washer...which takes "special" detergent. Apparently because it does not bubble it is safe for front load washing machines. If I do find a problem I will be sure to update.

I am so amazed right now.  So my son (who would kill me if he was older and could read) soaks through his pull-ups at night and it takes about 2 rounds in the washer before the smell comes out of his sheets. I just went to throw the first load of clothes I washed with this in the dryer and had to check if his sheet still smelled. Nopa..nothing...no pee smell at all!! And only one wash!! YAHOOO!! (Sorry for some reason I thought I had to share that!)

This is going to end up saving us a ton of money.  The laundry soap we usually buy is $8.99 for 64 loads. 

The Borax cost $5.99 and the Washing Soda was $5.69 and the bar of soap...lets say $1.00. That's it. I'll round up the numbers, so $13.00 for I don't even know how many loads of laundry...over 600 for sure. Wahoo!!  I would love to hear your comments on this.

Thanks again to Erin @ Why Not Sew for posting this great tutorial!!


Up Next.......Homemade Fabric Softener!!!