Puff Stitch Scarf & Slouchy Beanie

Puff Stitch Scarf & Slouchy Beanie

 

Earlier this year, I was asked to make a birthday present for my mother's friend.  I came up with this...

 

I love this little combo.  It's made from extremely soft acrylic yarn that's washable.  It's stylish and EXTREMELY warm!  Come follow my page on Facebook and order your custom made set! 

I hold daily discount contests so come join the fun & get what you want at a discounted price!

 

This isn't your typical Granny's Crochet!



Naturally beautiful, CHEMICAL FREE Hair! Want it? Here's how...

Let me just start by saying....

I LOVE MY HAIR!!!

Now that I've started making my own DIY/Homemade Hair Products!

Ok, so I know this is a little up close and personal...  With my hair all in my eyes and all, but I was just trying to give you a little peek at that SHINE!!!  I've NEVER had hair so healthy, strong and shiny!  I get no fly aways, no frizz.. I don't have to straighten it or even blow dry it (unless I'm in a hurry)!  It's naturally straight, but it would always frizz up a little or I'd get these little "fly aways"or terrible static...  Not so much anymore!  I'm completely in love with my hair!

The best part...  It was CHEAP and CHEMICAL FREE!

Ok, so you're wondering what I've done to make my hair look like this........ 

                   Right???




Coconut Milk!  That's the secret!  Coconut milk, Coconut milk & More Coconut Milk...  With a couple NATURAL extras...  It's that simple!  Well, almost.... 

Here are my recipes.....

Coconut Milk Shampoo:  (Use Daily)

Mix 1 part Dr. Bronners Liquid Soap to 1 part Coconut Milk.

I used 1 cup Dr. Bronners & 1 cup Coconut Milk.   

Wet hair, lather & rinse! 

Conditioning ACV Rinse: (Use Daily)

1 cup Water

1 Tbsp. Apple Cider Vinegar

A couple drops of honey

5-7 drops of your fav essential oil (optional)

Rinse daily after shampooing.  You can leave it in your hair or rinse it out..  Whatever you wanna do!   

Coconut Milk Deep Conditioner: (Use Once a Week)

1 Can Coconut Milk (or make your own which is WAY better)

1 Tbsp Honey

1 Tbsp Olive Oil

Mix it up, put it in a bottle and apply to dry hair.  Apply just enough to completely saturate your hair.  Leave it in for about an hour then shampoo out!

See... Pretty simple, huh?

If you wanna read more about WHY I'm using these ingredients on my hair, go to my earlier post Homemade Conditioning Rinse & Coconut Milk Deep Conditioner (<~~You can just click on the link)

I've seriously only been using these recipes for about a month now & my hair is 110 times healthier than it was before!  I can truthfully say I have 100% chemical free hair & it looks WAY better than ever before!!  Who's gonna join me in the run for the world's healthiest hair??? 

Want to make your own coconut milk?  If you live in a non tropical area like I do, the best way to get fresh coconut milk is to buy NON-Sweetened, Organic Coconut flakes, water & a blender then follow this tuturial...  Here. <~~~This page gives you a video demonstration as well as teach you a few things about coconuts and coconut milk!  It's pretty interesting...  Check it out!





Crochet Ruffle Bottom Diaper Cover & Matching Headband

Before I went to bed last night, I received the CUTEST picture!  Well, it was a collage picture so I received the CUTEST pictures!

It's time like these when I love my little homemade business!  All my hard work, all my time crunching, all my "OMG, how am I gonna get these 4 orders done and get the laundry done and get the kids to their football and gymnastics practices AND get dishes done AND cook something for dinner AND get the kids bathed ANDDDD get hoomework done.... AHHHHH", seems to disappear & I get absolutely nothing but the thrill, the excitement, the full heartedness of the love people have for my products and I realize why I just love what I do. 

Seriously!?!?  Amy Adams is one of THE BEST photographers ever and RakJPatterns can seriously make some adorable patterns that are extremely easy to follow!!   If you live in the Indianola, IA area, go see Amy for your pictures!  If you crochet, go check out RakJ!  If you want one of these adorable sets for your adorable little girl or if you're a photographer that would want one of these for a photo prop, go see me on Facebook or Etsy. 


Alright, so now that you've seen this beauty....  I've got another surprise for you!!  Yeah, I got not only one ADORABLE collage of this babydoll in the diaper cover set, but I got one of a beautiful little girl in her Barefoot Sandals!  Oh yeah...  I'm tellin ya, Amy is awesome! 

These are my Ballerina Barefoot Flower Sandals.  If you're interested in some for yourself, go to my Facebook or Etsy.  These are perfect to wear with your sundresses, a pair of rolled up old jeans or your swimsuit!  Wear them to your backyard barbeque, while lounging around in the shade or wear them to the beach!  These things are adorable!  Start the trend in your area...  Foot Jewelry is big this summer.  Give someone a little view of your feet in something they haven't already seen a hundred times!  One of my customers recently said, "I keep forgetting to take a picture for you.  Everytime I wear them, I'm just having too much fun.  I think these just bring out the fun".  Yeah... They're that awesome :) 

Makeup Remover & Face Wash - Easy & Cheap

The last time I went shopping, I completely forgot I was almost out of my makeup remover...  So a couple of nights ago, I went to wash my face & UH OH, I was out!  AHH!!  It was late & I seriously didn't feel like going to the store to buy face cleaner so I just used my typical cleaner & tried my best to keep it away from my eyes cause that stuff hurts!  It worked great on the REST of my face, but my eyes still had eyeliner & mascara on them.  The waterproof kind!  I was so tired, I said "screw it" and went to bed.  The next morning, I WAS SCARY!!!  My face was all oily & shiny, my eyes were smudged with black all around, I looked like I had wrinkles that I've never seen before (Seriously, I'm only 29...  Do I already have wrinkles??  AHH).  I had black junk IN my eyes..  I looked like a pretty nasty wreck!  Granted, this isn't the only time I've gone to bed with eye makeup on, but it WAS the only time I'd gone to bed PURPOSELY with eye make up on.  The other times, I'd either had a few to drink or was just flat out POOPED! 

Sorry, no pictures of my beautiful, shiny, oily, black smudged self that morning!  haha...  You get NO visuals! 

My sweet, sweet husband actually didn't say anything about my roughness though.  Cudos to you honey!  Point for the hubster. 

Anyway, seeing yourself look 10 years older, overnight, simply because you didn't wash off your makeup will make you want to find a solution quick!  Problem was, I wasn't going to the store looking like THAT to pick up more cleaner.  haha!  That's when my little friend google came into play.  I started researching natural or homemade ways to clean that eye makeup off and seriously got upset at myself for not doing this the night before!  Google has about a billion things normal people keep in their house that'll double as a great makeup remover & I had about a thousand of those things in my cabinets!  (Over exaggeration maybe?  Maybe... but the possibilities seem endless when you're searching)

Here's what I decided to use:
2 cups warm water
1 Tbsp Coconut Oil
1 1/2 Tbsp Baby Wash/Shampoo

Mix it all together, put it in some sort of container, keep it in your bathroom cabinet or leave it by your sink (if you put it in a pretty little container).  Before you go to bed each night, put a little of the cleaner on your cotton swab, on your washcloth, on your little circle face pad, on your paper towel, whatever you decide to use and wipe your face off.  Eyes and all...  It doesn't irritate your eyes or skin at all.  I have sensitive skin and this treats my skin VERY well.  The baby wash is gentle and mild enough to clean my face without irritating it and the coconut oil leaves my skin oil free (yeah, sounds weird, but the good oil gets rid of the bad oil, I guess) without drying my skin.  Oh yeah, and if you have an acne problem, guess what!!  Coconut oil helps prevent acne!!  Check it out here!! 

Oh, by the way...  My husband may have went quite a while not saying anything about how rough I looked (Point-Hubster, remember?), but once I cleaned my face with this cleaner, he definitely noticed!  "Babe, your face looks a LOT less shiny"  haha...  (Maybe I'm taking that point back!)

What do you use to wash your face?  Which homemade recipe works best for your skin? 

Peek-a-Boo Flower Headbands

Peek-a-Boo Flower Headbands

This summer, headbands and sandals have been selling like crazy for Tiffany's Crochet Creations.  Typically, fall and winter months are the best selling times of the year for crochet companies, since soft yarn crocheted together can be so warm & snuggly.  This summer, I decided to come up with a few creations that were feasible for warm months! 

My newest creation: the Peek-a-Boo Flower Headband. 



You can purchase your beautiful Peek-a-Boo Flower Headbands on Facebook or in my Etsy Shop. 

Mention this blog post to receive 4 for $14!  That's only $3.50 per headband!!

You choose your own color combination.  Sizes from Preemie to Adult are available!!  Come by and see me to receive something beautiful, customized just for you!  It doesn't matter where you live... Shop online!!

Make your own Fabric Softener & Dryer Sheets WITHOUT Hair Conditioner!

I do laundry once a week (or at least my HOPE is to only do laundry once a week) and that day's Today... Yuck!!  While I began my first load, I started thinking I haven't written a blog post in a while...  Well, what better to write about than what I'm doing today, right?  Here goes... 


I've made a blog post once before telling you how to make your own fabric softener but the recipe used Hair Conditioner.  There are TONS of recipes out there, and most of them tell you to use hair conditioner.  The recipe worked GREAT!!  Well, since I've started living a little more "Green", I've stopped buying hair conditioner.  I use ACV to rince my hair and Coconut Milk Conditioner to deep condition my hair.  Without buying conditioner, I've been trying out new ways to soften my laundry & "de-static" it. 

First, I tried putting straight vinegar into the softener tub in my washer..  It worked great, but I was going through tons of vinegar!  I wondered if I could get by with using less...  So I tried!  I started filling it halfway up with vinegar, and it worked!  Soooo...  Then I decided I wanted it to smell better.  I started adding essential oil.  I was pretty happy with the results!  Then, I wanted something in my dryer.  I started filling up a spray bottle with vinegar & essential oil.  I would spray the towels and socks in the loads I was drying.   My clothes came out static free & smelling very nice. 

So then I got tired of seeing all this stuff on top of my washer & dryer AND got tired of all the steps.  Come on....  isn't washing & drying & folding & hanging & putting up enough steps as it is?  So now, here's what I do:

Fabric Softener:

Ingredients:
1 gallon of half empty white vinegar
vinegar
water
essential oil.

Take the half gallon of vinegar & fill it the rest of the way up with water.   Add your choice of essential oil to make the scent you like!  Mix it all up & add it to your rinse cycle with every load, or fill your softener tub everytime you wash!

Dryer Sheets:

Fabric Softener (same as you made above)
bowl
wash cloths

Instead of spraying all the socks, washcloths and towels with each load, I decided to start making reusable "dryer sheets".  All I do is put my wash clothes in a bowl and pour my fabric softener over it.  Make sure they're saturated.  Squeeze out any extra and put them outside to dry!  Keep them in an airtight container until you're ready to use.  Add a washcloth to your dryer when you put your load in!  One washcloth should last 3-5 dryer cycles. 

So now, I have 3 containers sitting on the shelves above my washer & dryer; fabric softener, dryer sheet container & my laundry detergent!  It looks WAY less cluttered now! 

Oh, by the way, I also use homemade laundry detergent.  I didn't make up this recipe myself so to make your own, go HERE.

What's your laundry routine? 

Homemade Conditioning Rinse & Coconut Conditioner Recipes

My mother, brother & 3 nephews came to visit us for the 4th!  :)  It's 1:30pm and right in the heat of the day.  At my house, it's 102 degrees at this very moment.  It's HOTTTTT!  The kids are all outside playing in the water, the big boys (my husband and brother) are playing Xbox and my mother & I are researching different homemade recipes, in the comfort of the air conditiong!!  I love that I've gotten her into the homemade/DIY obsession with me.  Love you mom!! 

While looking around my house for something new to create, I remembered I was almost out of my commercial conditioner.  I was using Pantene...  The big bottles you buy at Sam's (so it took a really long time to finally run out of it).  I've been itching to make myself some homemade conditioner.  I threw out the last little bit of that questionable stuff to give me an excuse to finally make myself some homemade goodness!  I decided to make myself some regular, everyday conditioner (more of a rinse) and a deep conditioner that I plan on using once a week...... 

They work WONDERFULLY!!!  

Seriously, the everyday conditioner probably cost me a cent to make.  I haven't done the math, but once you look at how little of anything I had to use, you'll see that it's basically nothing out of the pocket per use.  The deep conditioner cost barely a little more than the rinse, but less than $2 for a whole bottle.  CRAZY!  For a deep conditioner, I'm spending less than $2 and actually know what every ingredient in it is! 

So, you're probably waiting for the recipes now, right?  I'll make you wait no longer...  Here they are!  

Everyday Conditioning Rinse

1 cup Water

1 Tbsp Apple Cider Vinegar

 A couple drops of Honey

5-7 drops of your favorite essential oil

Here's an explanation of why I used the ingredients I used.  Water, of course, is necessary for absolutely everything living.  It's the base of everything... Or should be if it's not.  Apple Cider Vinegar removes buildup in your hair as well as helps balance the ph level of your hair.  Your hair has numerous cuticle scales which cover and protect the surface of each hair shaft.  Rinsing with Apple Cider Vinegar helps close these scales which results in shinier, smoother hair that's easier to manage.  Honey holds in water molecules so it works as a great moisturizer.  Honey is sticky and many people question it's health benefits for their hair.  Making your hair sticky would definitely make it hard to pass a comb or brush through your hair without damaging it, but dissolving just a couple of drops into a water/acv solution takes away the sticky and leaves the moisturizing benefits! :)  Of course, I added the essential oils to make your hair smell amazing, so you use whatever your favorite is.  I used lavendar!      

After using the everyday conditioning rinse, I didn't even have to brush my hair!  I have naturally, very straight hair anyway, so that probably helps, but just a simple run through with my fingers and letting it dry on it's own is all I needed.  My hair is soft and light after using this rinse.  It feels healthy.  It's not weighed down or oily like it felt after using some of the other conditioners I would buy at the retailers.  This recipe is definitely a keeper for my household. 

Coconut Milk Deep Conditioner

1 Can Coconut Milk

1 Tbsp Honey

1 Tbsp Olive Oil

You'll have to keep the Coconut Milk conditioner refrigerated, as coconut milk does spoil, just like any milk.  If you have normal, healthy hair, you'll need to use the coconut milk conditioner once every two weeks.  If you have dyed hair, use it once a week.  If you have dry/damaged hair, use it 3 times a week for 2 weeks...  Once a week for 2 weeks...  Then you can use it once every 2 weeks. 

This stuff is amazing!  So long name brand conditioners...  Hello homemade GOODNESS!  My hair's never felt or looked healthier!

Orchid Baby Sandals

I've GOT to show these beautiful little things off!!

Orchid Sandals

They're available for purchase at my Etsy Store

Don't forget to "like" me on Facebook to be the first to learn of my newest products and specials.

Homemade Children's Vanilla Toothpaste

My kids ran out of their store bought toothpaste yesterday so I decided to try my hand at making some.  It turned out pretty well...  if we can get past the baking soda taste.  Baking soda has a very strong taste, but it's a great way to clean teeth.  Maybe a stronger spearmint or peppermint extract/oil would cover up the taste a little better?  Maybe that's why almost all store bought toothpastes are some sort of mint or cinnamon flavor. 

Anyway, here's my vanilla toothpaste recipe.  Give it a try... it costs next to nothing and chances are, you've already got the ingredients in your kitchen. 

Children's Toothpaste

3 tbsp baking soda

2 tbsp coconut oil

1 packet sweetener

1 tsp vanilla extract

We will give this one a try for a little while.... Until I find another version of children's toothpaste that may taste a little better, or just cover up the baking soda taste just a little more. 

So here's my first attempt at making my children some toothpaste. If you have any ideas that may work a little better than mine, please let me know!!  

Summer Bloom Headband FREE Pattern

Summer has officially showed up with this crazy drought and some excessive temperatures!  For the past few weeks, the kids and I have been outside, playing in the water, sucking down popcicles and just having some serious fun.  Today is a CHILL day!  I'm catching up on housework, crocheting some orders that have now become seriously behind and enjoying the air conditioning INSIDE the house. 

Well, I decided to actually write a pattern for one of my most popular summertime girly accessories.  Until now, I've made them all from memory without writing the pattern.  For all you crochet lovers out there (whom cannot crochet yourselves) they are only $7 in my Etsy store.  For those of you who know how to crochet (youtube is a GREAT teacher), here's the pattern :)  Enjoy!!!

Summer Bloom Headband

Ch. 4, join with sl st

Rd. 1 – (makes flower center) Ch 1, 12 sc in loop, join with sl st to first sc

Rd. 2 – (makes top layer flower) Ch 1, Working in front loops only. [sc in next sc. Sc, hdc, 3 dc, hdc, sc in next sc.]  Repeat [] 5 times, making 6 petals.  Join with sl st to first sc.

Rd. 3 - Working in back loops (behind 6 petals), [sc in next sc.  Ch 3, sk next st.]  Repeat [] 5 times, making 6 chains.  Join with sl st to first sc.

Rd 4 – (makes bottom layer flower) [Sc, hdc, dc, 3 tr, dc, hdc, sc in loop make by ch 3’s in previous Rd]  Repeat 5 times.  Sl st in first Sc.   

Fasten off with long tail (for sewing flower onto headband)

                  
                                                                       Headband

Make a chain long enough to go around your head when stretched slightly.  Measurements are listed below.

1 dc in each ch. 

At the end of your ch, sl st both ends of headband together. 

Sew flower onto headband on top of place headband joins together. 

Enjoy!!

If you want different color flower petals or a flower center, fasten off previous color and join new color.  Play around with this pattern to create exactly what you like! 

Age                       Headband Circumference (inches)

0-3 Months                               12 ½”

3-6 Months                               14”

6-12 Months                             17”

1-3 Yrs                                      18”

3-7 Yrs                                      19”

7-15 Yrs                                    19 ½”

Adult                                          20”

This chart gives you sizes for appx ages.  Head sizes do vary upon person.  If you want to make a snug fit, measure circumference around head and subtract 1 ½” to get headband circumference. 


If you try this pattern and notice any difficulties understanding it, please let me know!  I'm still very new to this pattern writing thing, as I have always crocheted from memory.  Now that I'm selling multiples in each of my products, I figure a pattern might be handy to have :)  Once again, enjoy!!  These are SUPER cute on babies/girls/ladies of all ages!

Homemade Shampoo & Body Wash using Castile Soap for my Son

I can't live without my homemade Shaving Cream!!  When I went to visit my mother this week, I left it for her, telling myself I would just make myself some more.  Well, instead of making more tonight when I shaved, I used my old Skintimate.  YUCK!!!  My legs are NOT as soft and I feel like I have alligator skin.  My legs don't feel as smooth, I didn't get a close shave and I miss the velvety feel of my legs after shaving.  You wouldn't think I'd miss my homemade concoction this much.  I used Skintimate for years so I thought I'd be ok going back....  Ummm... No..  I will definitely be making my oh so soft Shaving Cream tomorrow and will never look back!  Mom, hope you know how much I love you!!!  :) 

Enough of the venting....  Let me tell you why I didn't have time to make my scrumptious shaving cream tonight.  While we were on vacation, my son ran out of his shampoo and body wash so I bought him some store bought junk until I got home to make him some homemade goodness.  Tonight, I made some more amazing goodness....  (I'm loving this homemade/natural thing!!  I feel so creative, responsible, a little more earth friendly, as well as pocket friendly :) ) 

DIY Shampoo:

1/2 cup Dr. Bronners Liquid Castile Soap (I have Lavendar)
1/2 cup Tea (green or whatever you wanna use)... brewed 30 mins.
1 Tbsp. Olive Oil
1 tsp. Honey

Now, I'll explain the ingredients.....
-Castile soap is completely natural/organic soap that works wonders.  It has tons of different uses!  Well worth the money...  A little goes a LONG way.
-Tea is an amazing herbal treatment for your hair as well as body.  Chamomile tea works great on blonde hair.  Sage tea works great for dark hair.  You can also use just plain old green tea, black tea (to darken your hair) or typical Lipton tea!  It all works great. 
-Olive Oil nourishes, conditions, improves the strength and elasticity in your hair leaving it healthier and more managable.  It also leaves a clean, invigorated scalp!
-Honey is full of vitamins and nutrients that are great for both your hair and body.  It holds in water giving your hair extra moisture.   

DIY Body Wash:
1 cup Dr. Bronners Liquid Castile Soap
1 cup Water
3 Tbsp Coconut Oil (melted)
5-7 drops of your favorite essential oil(s)

I've read others have had problems getting the castile soap to lather.  This lathers wonderfully.  Both of these soaps (body wash & shampoo) are very thin but you won't have to use much at all.  A tiny bit goes a very long way with these recipes.  They both lather wonderfully and leaves your hair/skin feeling soft, clean and moisturized!  I made these for my 8 year old son so they're very mild.  I plan to make another version with coconut milk for myself soon!! 

I hope these help you in your discovery into making your own, natural bath products!  If you have any questions or want to leave feedback after you try, feel free to leave a message.  Don't forget to sign up to get my email updates to the right! 

Gotta buy more bathroom cleaner? DON'T! Clean your bathroom the homemade way.

Today, I decided to tackle my bathrooms...  I've been putting it off all week because I just knew it was going to take me hours with sponges, rags, toilet cleaner, tub/shower cleaner, glass cleaner, disinfectant, tile/grout cleaner, etc.  The list goes on and on and on and on.......  With 5 people in my house, 3 being boys, the bathrooms get disgusting.  I generally clean the bathrooms once a week, minus the typical pickup, but that still doesn't seem like enough and the cost of cleaners gets outrageous. 

Enough is ENOUGH....   Back before they had all these millions of different types of cleaners, people still had clean bathrooms, right??  I remember going to my grandmother's house and it always being so clean and fresh but I never saw tons of chemical filled cleaners.  She always had vinegar and baking soda though.  With remembering that, here's what I came up with to clean my bathroom:

Tub/Shower: 50/50 water & vinegar.  Mix in a spray bottle, spray and wipe clean.  It easily wipes soap scum away.  If you have any real tough spots, make a paste of baking soda & water to apply to the stain OR wet stain with water, sprinkle baking soda to area & spray with vinegar solution.  When it foams, scrub the area with your micro fiber sponge/towel. 
Countertops: Same as Tub/Shower.  Half vinegar and Half water.
Toilets: Sprinkle some Baking Soda down the drain (you won't need much), pour in 1 cup of white, distilled vinegar.  It will foam up (like your old volcano science project as a child).  Scrub the inside of your toilet with your toilet brush and the foam.  Your toilet will sparkle! I use the vinegar/water spray to clean the outside of the toilet.
Mirrors: Vinegar & Water spray.  Clean with pieces of an old T-Shirt or Micro Fiber Sponges or Towels.  Paper towels don't work so well using this cleaning method.  This works better than my Windex!! 
Floors: I have tile floor in my bathrooms.  50/50 vinegar & water works GREAT at cleaning the spots/dirt while leaving my floor sparkling. 

To sum it up, to clean your bathroom you need this:
Vinegar, Baking Soda, Water, micro fiber towel/sponge (essential oils, optional) 
That's it!  Vinegar disinfects as it cleans, naturally, so you won't need to use any extra antibacterial or disinfectant cleaners. 

If you want to leave your bathroom smelling nicely after the vinegar dries & the pickle smell goes away, simply add 10-15 drops of your favorite essential oil to your spray bottle.  The pickly vinegar smell will disappear as it dries, leaving the great scent of your essential oil.  I, personally, don't like citrus much and love the smell of lavendar, so that's what I used.  I love having the relaxing, lingering smell of lavendar floating through my house :) 

If you try this and have comments, suggestions or anything to add, I'd love to hear from you! 

If you like my posts, don't forget to sign up to get my posts via email by putting your email in the "follow by email" area to the right.  I promise, your email goes nowhere but here.  Your email is confidential  :) 

In search of a new DIY Fabric Softener that SMELLS good

My last Fabric Softener Recipe works great but isn't exactly what I like/want for my own laundry so I've been searching for something new to use during my rinse cycle on laundry days. 

My latest Fabric Softener used hair conditioner as one of the ingredients.  After researching ingredients in my hair conditioner, I do NOT plan on purchasing anymore when my Pantene runs out.  I will be using an all natural, safe way to condition my hair..  More on that when I run out of my current conditioner. 

After tons of research, I think I've found another GREAT way to make my softener.  Vinegar has been proven to be excellent for clothes.  It helps keep lint from attaching to clothes, it removes soap residue, it helps remove odors from clothing and helps boost your detergent power among many other advantages.  Google it... You'll see for yourself! 

Baking soda helps soak up odors and helps regulate the ph level in your laundry rinse water keeping it from becoming to acidic or alkaline.  Adding it to your rinse cycle is supposed to act as a balance to suspend detergent or mineral deposits which leave clothes feeling stiff. 

Add some water & essential oil and I should have a "better than I've ever imagined softener"... right??  No....

I ALMOST fell for using both of these in a fabric softener... BUT... I remembered, when both are mixed together, they react, foam up, leaving nothing more than a little salty water.  Remember mixing the two in your clay volcano when you were a kid??  It makes for some awesome lava...   If you're googling ways to make your own fabric softener & you find one that tells you to mix these two ingredients, remember you're only wasting your vinegar & baking soda...  Might as well just throw it in the trash now.  Seperately, they work fantastic.  Together, they end up canceling each other's magic, leaving you with nothing more miraculous than salty water..  

For right now, I think I'm going to try using my white distilled vinegar & adding some of my "linen" essential oil to it.  I use the baking soda in my homemade laundry detergent anyway...  Maybe the use of both of them, at different times, will work great!  Let's just hope the laundry ends up with a good, clean, linen scent, just how I like it!!   

Anyone else have any ideas???  I'd LOVE to hear what's working for you!   

Update: This works GREAT!!  I simply use white distilled vinegar and add my essential oil to it.  Appx 15-20 drops per half gallon (that's enough for me).  I use appx 1 cup of the mixture per load of laundry.  My laundry comes out SO soft and smells great!  Give it a try! 

Baking Soda & Peroxide... after my Stove Fire

My husband was cooking while letting me relax and read a little of the book I've been reading. (Btw, the Hunger Games trilogy is AMAZING!  If you haven't read it yet, you should!  I can't put it down.)  Suddenly he calls, "BABE... COME HELP!!".  I run from our living room to our kitchen to see what!?  A Stove Fire!  AHHH! 

Those of you who have been following my blog know I usually add visuals of my posts.  Sorry....  No visual of my stove fire.  I was a little too busy trying to PUT OUT THE FIRE. 

Just so you know, everything's fine.  No damage was done - to anything - at all.  Just a little visual damage...  Just needs to be cleaned up a little... 

After the fire, I got to wondering what caused the fire.  Had my husband spilled something on the burner??  No...    How long had it been since this stove, under the cosmetic top, had been cleaned?  I've cleaned that stove daily (most days several times a day) since we moved here a few months back.  Surely they had it cleaned pretty well before we moved in, right??   WRONG!!  I took the stove top apart and OMG that thing was DISGUSTING!!  No WONDER IT CAUGHT ON FIRE! "Just needs to be cleaned a little??"  Uhh....  How about, "I'm gonna have to give this thing the scrub down of my life because, surely, it's never been cleaned!". 

This is actually pretty embarassing.  I've been cooking just above a build up of other people's filth!

I need something stronger than my normal vinegar/water mixture.  I bring out the hydrogen peroxide & baking soda :)  I mix it together in a bowl to make a paste to a consistency I like and rub it all over everything with the dark, black, burn marks on it!

I let it sit basically ALL DAY!  It was several hours at least.......

This stuff works AMAZING!

This is my new, Miracle Cleaner!!

Just look at my stove now...

Besides the stove being pretty much ancient, it's beautiful!!  And CLEAN!!