Natural House REVIEW

I don't know about you, but I am on a septic for my house.  I am guessing a lot of people have a sewer system.  So you never think about what you put down your drains at all.  For me I am NOT that lucky.  I have learned a lot about what you can and can not put in your drain.  Plus they are great tips for even on a sewer.  Such as no coffee grounds, no feminine product, oh and yes NO CLEANERS.

Did you know that cleaners can DAMAGE your septic system.  Yes that is correct.  Think about it.  Your septic works, by having good bacteria breaking down EVERYTHING you put into it.  So if you use cleaners that have harsh chemicals in them, that are ANTI BACTERIAL.  What do you think is going to happen to your septic.  That's right, kills off the bacteria and now you have a VERY costly mess on your hands.

So how can you prevent this. Well.....By using NATURAL HOUSE.  They have products designed for your trash (trashy), your sink (sinky), and your toilet (flushy).   I think they names are SUPER cute.  But they of course are all natural and easy to use.  For sinky and flushy, you just pop a packed into the toilet or the drain, and if in the drain, add some water, it will foam up you clean the sink or toilet and then flush/rinse.  that simple.  It adds the good bacteria back into you septic system.




These opinions stated in this review are my own.  I was given the product to try out and post my opinion on them.  In no way do this opinions represent the company.

Amber teething necklaces, Baby leg warmers

So I just LOVE deals.  I know everyone does as well.  Well I have decided to start up a facebook group just for co ops.  If anyone is intersted in joining. 

Right now, I am doing an Amber teething necklace and bracelet/anklet order.  I will be doing a baby leg warmer one as well. 

I just finished up a diaper buy in, and will do another one shortly.  I am also looking for info on what others would like.  I have no problem looking up items

a GREAT way to earn some holiday cash

We all know we are always looking for some extra cash.  Well, just join up this great site, stumpleupon.  Get 5 people to join, and you earn $10 amazon cash. 

So JOIN HERE

• Click here to access your referral link and to share with at least 5 friends via email, Facebook or Twitter.
• Once a friend signs up using your link, you’ll receive an email.  When you get to five, you’ll get your gift card!
• You can receive multiple gift cards.  For every 5 friends who sign up, you’ll get a $10 gift card.
   
  It really is just THAT easy.  

an AWESOME page

So even though I make things and you can always find them at HN Designs, there is another lady that i LOVE her stuff.  I actually own several items made by her.  She has some super cute clothes, but also make some cute giraffes.  Her name is Kimberly  And you should Check out her page.  It is Handmade by Kimberly 

here are some samples of her work

Sidewalk Chalk

What You Need

• A Mold
• 1 cup Plaster of Paris
• 3/4 cup Water
• Medium Sized Bowl
• Powedered Tempera Paint

Here's How:

1. Find a mold for your sidewalk chalk. Anything from a toilet tissue roll or small paper cup to fancy candy molds will work.
2. Mix together 1 cup of Plaster of Paris with 3/4 cup of water.
3. Add color to your mixture using powdered tempera paint.
4. Blend well and let stand for a few minutes.
5. Pour your mixture into the molds you chose.
6. Set aside and let dry completely.
7. Once dry you can remove your chalk from the mold.
8. Set it aside to dry for approximately 24 hours more.
9. Take your chalk outside and create fun masterpieces!

Tips:

1. Powdered tempera paint is available at most large craft stores.
2. Experiment with making swirled colors by adding the paint and stirring very little.
3. Drying time can take from several hours to a few days depending on the size of the mold you chose.

Home made Bubble Bath

Materials:

• 1 cup mild shampoo (baby shampoo) or a mild dish soap
• 1/3 cup Glycerin
• 2 Tablespoons of Water
• Fancy Bottle or Jar
• Essential Oil (optional)

Instructions:
Gently mix together the shampoo, glycerin, and water. If desired, add 10 - 25 drops of water scent of essential oil you desire, and, again, gently mix. Pour mixture into a bottle or jar that can close tightly.
This would make a fun gift! You can decorate the jar if you like. Try stickers, paint, or ribbon!

Bath Paints

What You Need:

• small mixing bowl
• 1 env. unflavored gelatin
• 1/4 cup hot water
• 3 tablespoons sugar
• 1/2 cup cornstarch

 

Here's How:

1. Add one envelope of unflavored gelatin to 1/4 cup hot water. Stir to dissolve gelatin.
2. Let the mixture sit for 10 minutes.
3. Meanwhile, in a saucepan, mix together 3 tablespoons of sugar, 1/2 cup of cornstarch, and 1 3/4 cups of cold water. Stir well.
4. Cook over medium-high heat, stirring occasionally, until thickened.
5. Remove from heat and stir in the gelatin mixture.
6. Add 1/4 cup of liquid dishwashing soap.
7. Stir and let cool.
8. Divide mixture into portions and tint with drops of food coloring.

Tips:

1. Test bath paint carefully before use to avoid skin allergies and stains on bathroom fixtures.
2. Bath paint may leave a residue but should clean up easily with mild bathroom cleaner.

How to make a snow man kit

Here's How:

1. Dig around in your closets (or head to a thrift store) for all those snowman essentials: a button nose, two eyes made out of coal (rocks will work), a carrot nose (play food, perhaps?) a scarf, a set of mittens, two sticks for his arms, a few more buttons for his middle and a couple more rocks for his mouth.
2. Then, have some fun accessorizing. Add a wig, a crazy hat, some jewelry, a pair of shades – whatever you think will amuse the recipient.
3. Finish by sticking all the pieces in a box, and creating a fancy label for your kit.

Tips:

1. Make the buttons and rocks easier for little fingers to manipulate by gluing a small length of wooden dowel to each one
2. Having trouble tracking down carrots? You may be able to find wooden carrots or cones at the craft store

Playdough recipe

All of the playdough recipes below are for children aged 2 years or older and require adult supervision at all times.

Rubbery Playdough

2 cups baking soda
1 1/2 cups water
1 cup cornstarch

Mix with a fork until smooth. Boil over medium heat until thick. Spoon onto plate or wax paper.

Nature's Playdough

1 cup flour
1/2 cup salt
1 cup water
2 tablespoons oil
2 tablespoons cream of tartar
beet, spinach, and carrot juice

Mix flour, salt and oil, and slowly add the water. Cook over medium heat, stirring until dough becomes stiff. Turn out onto wax paper and let cool. Knead the playdough with your hands until of proper consistency. Use as is, or divide into balls and add a few drops of the vegetable juices to make green, pink, and orange.

Playdough

4 cups flour
1/4 cup powdered tempera
1/4 cup salt
1 1/2 cups water
1 tablespoon oil

Mix together flour, powdered paint and salt. Mix water and oil, and food coloring if desired. Gradually stir the water and oil mix into the flour mix. Knead the playdough as you add the liquid. Add more water if too stiff, more flour if sticky.

Alum Playdough

2 cups flour
1 cup salt
2 tablespoons alum
1 cup water
2 tablespoons oil
liquid food coloring

Pour dry ingredients into large pan. Stir together to mix. Stir oil and food coloring into the water. Pour liquid into the dry ingredients while mixing, squeezing and kneading the playdough. If too sticky, add more flour. Keeps best in the fridge.

Just Like the Real Playdough (so they say)

1 cup flour
1 cup water
1 tablespoon oil
1 tablespoon powdered alum
1/2 cup salt
2 tablespoons vanilla
food coloring

Mix all dry ingredients. Add oil and water. Cook over medium heat, stirring constantly until reaching the consistency of mashed potatoes. Remove from heat and add vanilla and food coloring. Divide into balls and work in color by kneading the playdough.

Oatmeal Playdough

1 cup flour
2 cups oatmeal
1 cup water

Gradually add water to flour and oatmeal in bowl. Knead until mixed (this playdough is sticky, but unique in texture.) Model as with clay.
Tip: Add cornmeal or coffee grounds in small quantity for texture.

Nutty Butter Playdough

1 cup peanut butter
1 cup powdered milk
1 cup honey
1 cup oatmeal

Mix together and play. Make sure this playdough is not used by infants under 12 months of age, who should not consume honey.

Kool-Aid Playdough

2 1/2 to 3 cups flour
2 cups boiling water with 1 package Kool-aid (any flavor)
3 tablespoons corn oil
1/2 cup salt
1 tablespoon alum

Mix ingredients and knead with flour (may take up to 1 extra cup). Use more if the dough draws moisture in high humidity. Keeps well, has a nice fragrance and is very colorful and very flexible. This recipe is super soft and makes great playdough hair.

Gifts that you can make.

Homemade Gifts for Kids

As the holiday approach our thoughts start swirling around gift giving.  I know for one, I HATE the commercialization of the holidays.  I don't mind giving gifts, I actually ENJOY it.  But I like to give what I feel the others need.  Weather it's handmade or bought, I want to give what I like for them.

Kids seem to be even harder.  They see all the commercials and NEED it all.  Just ask them.  I like to keep it to things that I can make and that they will enjoy.  So here are some ideas. 

1) Crayons - every kid loves to color. Well what about making new crayon with their old? This may have a small invest, as the best are the plastic candy molds.  You just melt down the crayons and pop into the mold.  If you want to just purchase some, I would recommend checking out Isabella's Blue Moon Boutique

2) Playdough - why spend money on something that you can make at home? Every kid loves playdough!  Check out these great recipes. For just a few dollars or less you can have TONS of fun.  And this is something even the kids can help you with.


3) Sidewalk Chalk - Now who doesn't LOVE sidewalk chalk.  This one can be a bit more expensive, BUT you can decide the shapes.  The molds you bought for the crayons, you can use them here as well.  OR use items around your house.  the toilet paper roll, cookie cutter, the possibilities are endless for shapes.  Here are some recipes. 

4) Bubble Bath - Bubbles, bubbles, bubbles!!! This simple easy recipe for bubble bath will have your little ones laughing and playing in the tub in NO time!

5) Bath Paint - This is my all time favorite recipe! I cannot wait to make this for my kiddo's! Simple, easy, and loads of fun.

6) Snowman Kit - Who loves snowmen? I DO!! Okay, okay...this is for the kids, but kids LOVE them too!!! This simple, easy, and awesome kit will make any child light up when they open it up under the Christmas Tree! Especially if it snows on Christmas day. I guarantee that you have everything in your home right now, or outside of it :-)

Now you realize that Christmas is about 6 weeks away.  So let's get crafting.  Looking for something else, or have anything else to add. Let me know.  I will make some more posts on other fun things to make. 

when everyone is sick......

This week has seem to be never ending.  The little one was sick all weekend, and was so mucusy he could hardly breath without the humidifer .  At least that only lasted the weekend.  But then it seems everyone else this week hasn't been feeling good for one reason or another.  so FINALLY this morning it seems as if everyone is finally better. 

That of course is a good thing.  I have hardly sewn anything in the last week.  I did work on a new project.  Turned out great.  Can't post what it is yet, but soon.  Have to make a few tweaks and a few other ones, and then will post all about them. 

I almost have the monster wool longies done.  Never imagined them taking so long, but with the pain in my right arm it's going a TON slower that i expected.  I am only about to get 2-3 rows on a leg done a day.  I almost have the one leg done.  I am hoping by thanksgiving to have the pants completed for him.  I do have to get into a doctor about the pain. 

Well off to get everything together for class this morning.  Not sure what I will finish up there, but i have a few things to get done.