Coasters

I have been meaning to make some of these for long time, but when I was in the Dollar Store a few weeks back and saw a package of 4 cork squares for a dollar, I figured it was a sign. I traced a circle onto the cork and then cut it with a pair of kitchen scissors and lightly sanded the edges. I used fusible web to adhere cloth napkins on top for a super easy (and cheap) project.

Etsy Finds

Homemade Baby Wipes

OK, I know my babies are 6, 6 and 3, but I have been intrigued by homemade baby wipes for months now, and I finally decided to make some.

There are tons of recipes online, each a little different. Here is the one I used:

• 2 TBSP Baby Wash
• 1 TBSP Calendula extract
  
• 2 Drops Tea Tree Oil
• 2 Cups Water

I went with this recipe because of the tea tree oil (for cleansing) and the calendula extract (for soothing). Rylee had 2 UTI's in 2 months this summer and often has an irritated little bottom ever since she has started insisting on wiping herself, so I thought this might really help her if she uses them when she goes potty. This recipe was a bit pricey because of the oils, but they will go a long way.

Along with varying recipes, there were also varying methods of making the wipes. What I ended up doing was mixing the above ingredients in a jar. Then I took several paper towels, as many as would fit in my wipes container (one of those small Huggies ones) and folded them to fit. Then I poured the solution over the wipes and let sit. After awhile I went back and squeezed out much of the excess back into the jar. I had read about wipes going musty if you made too big of a batch, so I figured this was a good way to start.


I ended up only using a fraction of the solution which I stuck in the fridge. Then when I run out of wipes, I just have to fold up a few more paper towels and the solution is already made up. Not sure how long it will keep--I'll let you know.


And of course, I saw this as a perfect opportunity to get out my hot glue gun! I saw similar wipes containers being sold on e-bay for $30!!! I made mine out of a scrap of fabric I'd used on another project, and leftover bits of ribbon from hair bow making. I think it turned out pretty cute!

Print and Pattern

I recently visited this great site. I love all the graphic prints. How cute is this one?

PJ Bags

We have a problem at my house--laundry. I see it as being a two-fold problem:

1) I am not very good at keeping up with the laundry. I am good at washing and drying it, but folding, hanging and putting away are another story. It gets so bad that there are times when you can hardly walk down our hallway for the piles of laundry that have accumulated. All clean mind you. Honestly, I would rather clean a toilet than fold laundry. (I used to think I was the only sick person out there, but then my friend Kathie shared that she too has the same aversion. We are starting a group called LHA--Laundry Haters Anonymous. Anyone else care to join? I digress.)

2) My kids change clothes an excessive number of times in any given day. Whatever happened to kids wanting to wear the same clothes for a week straight?!

One of the biggest problems it that of pajamas. My boys think that every night warrants a new pair of pajamas. Even though they shower before bed and have finally mastered eating breakfast without getting it on them. But it's not enough to just get a new pair of pajamas. Somehow the old pair wind up in odd places: under their bed, in the toy box, on the bathroom floor, under their sheets. . .anywhere but in the hamper. It had gotten so bad that there were times I would go to change their sheets and find 3 or 4 pairs of pajamas stuck between the bed and the wall.

I finally decided that I'd had enough and decided to try to do something about it. I made these simple little bags for the boys (Dallas Cowboys fabric of course). Every morning when they get dressed, they put their PJ's in the bag so that 1) they don't go missing and 2) unnecessary laundry is not created and 3) they can find them when it's time for bed again. Then every few days we swap out pajamas. So far it's working pretty well! Now if I can just get them to stop changing clothes!!!

More Bows and a Budding Crafter

I found these cute little pom-poms and had to do something with them, and of course my ribbon obsession continues.

While making more hair goodies for Rylee (like she needs any more) she sat on the counter with me and wanted to "make a project" too. So I spread out an assortment of supplies and this little bracelet is what she came up with.

My little budding crafter! Of course, she didn't actually do any of the work--she just instructed me on exactly what she wanted me to do. The little princess is good at giving orders.

I Love Summer Monsoons!