DIY Household Cleaning Solutions

 I have been researching a lot lately on making my own cleaning supplies.I just figured that it probably wasn't healthy to have a headache and feel dizzy after I clean- what with breathing in all those chemicals. I read that the companies are not legally required to list their ingredients on the bottles, which quite frankly scares me. 

After comparing different recipes I finally came up with a list of a couple that looked easy enough to make, and all shared common ingredients. This would help cut back on cost I figured. And since I'm weird like this, I ordered my spray bottles from The Container Store cause I wanted them to be cute ;)

Since I have already had some interest in the recipes, I gathered them up in one convenient place!

All Purpose Cleaner

3 Tablespoons white vinegar

1/2 teaspoon washing soda

1 teaspoon Borax

1/2 teaspoon castile soap

2 cups hot water  

20 drops tea tree oil (optional)

Grease Cutter

2 cups water

1/4 cup castile soap

10 drops essential oil (again, I used tea tree)

Surface Spray

4 teaspoons borax

1/2 teaspoon castile soap

Fill rest of bottle with water. 

Since the colors of everything were the same, I added a small drop of food coloring to this bottle just so I could tell the difference- even though they're all labeled.

All Purpose Bathroom Cleaner

1/2 cup vinegar

2 teaspoons borax

Fill rest of bottle with water. 

Window and Glass Cleaner

1/2 cup vinegar

1/2 teaspoon castile soap

1 tablespoon lemon juice

3 cups water  

 

 

I found the labels by just doing a google search for "free printable labels". Sorry I didn't save the link...

Pallet Table with Living Runner

In the process of doing my backyard, and I decided that I needed a table. My little brother was kind enough to take on that project for me ;) 
However, I had NO idea what his idea was, and was totally flabbergasted when he showed up to my house with this bad boy. I swear, my jaw actually hit the floor!!!

 He made me a table using old pallets, braced it, added on legs, and then made a living succulent runner in the middle. 
What can I say, I come from a creative family!!!

He actually just used rain gutters from Home Depot, and drilled in holes in the bottom so that it would drain properly. The succulents are pretty happy here too, and are totally taking off!

I was actually fortunate enough to get my moms old umbrella, and while I was at my Grams house, I saw an old umbrella stand too. My brother was smart enough to drill a hole in the middle to for the umbrella. Pretty amazing, right!!!

And look at the border surrounding the plants!!! I am one proud sissy!!

Sunburst Garden Art

 I have a random corner in my yard that has been neglected until recently. This is the corner where I put my amazing herb garden, so it is slowly coming to life. My hope is that it will be a space that I will actually want to hang out in. A place where I am stoked to be, and enjoy looking at. Of course, that is my ultimate goal for the entire yard, but when you have such a big space that can be challenging. So, I decided that it needed a little flair of myself, and I quickly came up with a plan...

 I got to work with a drill, some wood screws, and my fabulous creative mind ;)

And I conjured up this sunburst sweetness for my corner.

Since I wanted it to be centered on the fence, and with the herb garden, the only place to really do that was on the post. Which is why at certain angles it looks a little funky.

It sure does spice up that back corner, and now that  all of the plants are bigger, it has all filled in and looks amazing!

DIY Herb Garden

My family kindly helped me get my act together and clean up and take care of my backyard. Since it is so large, we had a lot to do. I not only wanted to pick out all the weeds and trim everything up, but I wanted to plant things and make my yard look really amazing. One of the many things that we did was build an awesome, round, tiered, herb garden. We used old concrete pieces that come with a story...

These concrete pieces are from my grandparents old driveway. Which doesn't sound as interesting, until I tell you that it was originally laid out by my great-grandparents. So right now, these pieces of driveway (who would have thought) are on their 4th generation of my family! Pretty cool huh?

This pic is a couple months after we planted. Everything is blooming and filling out wonderfully!

This simple thing in my yard brings me great joy when I look at it. I just can't help but think how cool it is! Not to mention all the yummy herbs that I am going to get out of it! Like Chocolate Mint, Sweet Basil, Pineapple Sage, Peppermint, etc.

Crochet Kindle Cover

A friend of mine needed a cover for her kindle, so several months later (I know-procrastinator here) I was able to give her this beautiful crochet case.

 

Since I already have lots of yarn, the only thing I needed to buy for this guy was the button. I was pretty jazzed on the way the colors look together.

The little lotus flower is the same pattern from Creative Yarn for the Lotus Cuff. 

 

Its just the perfect little size, and the flap that buttons over will help keep her kindle in the case rather than slipping out- totally defeating the purpose!

How fun to be able to see something so pretty every time you want to read a book!

A peek at my sketchbook/doodle book

Not the best photos, but here are some super random doodles that have helpfully kept my hands busy. Enjoy!

Sir Elephante

City Scape. Quick fun with lines.

Flowers in vases

Love Birds. Kisses!

A Flower Wonderland

Making Sheet Yarn

I have been wanting to try to make sheet yarn for a while now, and finally just decided to do it. After researching a couple different methods, I finally settled on this one. I cut down the sides, and stopped about an inch from the end-turned-and kept going.

Since these sheets simply don't fit our bed the way  others do, I decided to say goodbye, and hello to something else just as fabulous, with my favorite color.

 

I thought this way looked easier because I didn't want to have to make a bunch of strips and then tie them together, and this way your yarn turns out to be one continuous piece, with no tying involved.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

This whole deal was and still is very time consuming. I'm not quite done yet, but I am super jazzed on the fact that I have started, and have a massive ball of sheet yarn. Plus, I'm pretty excited about getting to use it once its all made. I have a pretty special project in mind for this stuff...

Crochet Floor Cushion

This thing is my pride and joy as of the moment. I'm completely in love, and am ready to tell the world!
I have been working on this bad boy for longer than I should have, but now that it is finished, I am so stoked!

This is where it started...

I started off with a granny mandala pattern from Crochet With Raymond
I made two different ones, with different colors (except for the white).

I had some extra memory foam lying around, and have been cutting it up for random projects. I used some for a pillow, and then used some for this cushion. I wanted it to be pretty thick, cause I know my butt will fall asleep if its too thin. I decided that three layers high was enough for my desired effect.




Once I had the top and bottom done, and had my base measured and cut out, I was able to eyeball the size I needed for the side. I just measured the height, and made a long strip going around.

Then I attached that long strip to both sides using a single crochet.


AND....TA DA!!!!!!!

Isn't she amazing?!?!?!?

I love how both sides are a different color scheme!

This cushion is a great size, and is really comfortable to sit on! I love how it looks with my cool pillows in the background too!

Come on- You know your in love too...

Twinkle, Twinkle

Something super amazing happens in my living room every day. In the late morning/ early afternoon, the sun hits these bad boys...




They are little mirrors, that are supposed to bring good luck, and good energy to your home. (Thank you Santa!)

When the sun hits them, they make these twinkly reflections on my ceiling.

I have three of them laid out on the window sill behind my couch. This is the perfect spot for them, and they stay lit up for several hours on a sunny day.

I like to tell people that they look like stars twinkling in the day light, indoors.
I can't help it, every time I see this I smile. It just makes me so happy!

Its extra fun on a windy day (been lots of those lately) cause then all the little dots really start to twinkle. The wind moves the tree outside the window which blocks the light now and then- it truly is amazing


In Feng Shui, it can be really important to have crystals and mirrors that help to reflect the light in your home. I love that these so easily do that, and anything that makes you smile when you see it makes for good energy and good Feng Shui!

Its like a natural phenomenon happening in my own living room :)

Toilet Paper Tube Owls

Saw a couple pictures of these cuties and one rainy day I decided this would be a fun little activity to keep me from getting too bored.

After drawing up these little guys, I thought they should have a little fun in the rain...


They don't look too happy, do they?

Here's a sneak peek at a super rad project I will be sharing with you guys in the next couple days...