Homemade goods part 1

Ok, fellow bloggers. If you are spending too much laundry detergent, you need to make your own!! I did it and it's absolutely wonderful and SO cost effective. Want the recipe (this is for powdered detergent)?

1 bar of soap (use Zote, Fels-Naptha, Ivory, or Kirk's Castile...I personally like the Kirk's Castile. It's all natural)
1 cup borax (use 20 Mule Team brand)
1 cup washing soda (Arm&Hammer)

Finely grate the bar of soap into a bowl. Stir in the borax and washing soda. Stir until well mixed, and voila! You have laundry detergent! And you only need 1-2 tablespoons per load (2 tablespoons for something heavily soiled, have a huge load, or if you just prefer that). If you only use 1 tablespoon, that's roughly 48 loads of wash! And it's CHEAP, people! And the borax box includes ideas for all sorts of other household uses. It's amazing stuff.

If you want to make more than this amount, you obviously just double, triple, etc the recipe. You can reduce the amount of borax or washing soda to your liking if you don't like this particular mix. It kind of depends on your water (whether it's soft or hard) and laundry needs. I like the higher concentrate because my hubby works in a job that soils his clothes pretty good, and the extra borax and washing soda add a stain fighter boost.

I must say...I've been using this recipe for a couple months, and I've noticed a difference. I feel like my clothes smell fresher and are softer. AND some of my clothes that used to make me itch (I have super sensitive skin) no longer make me itch! It's wonderful. And also VERY safe for baby clothes! You can find all the ingredients in the laundry aisle of your local Fred Meyer. I didn't have any luck finding them at Safeway or Target, so check Fred Meyer if you have one close by. Except the Ivory and Kirk's Castile soap. You'll find that in the soap isle, but the Zote and Fels-Naptha are specially made for laundry, so they'll be in the laundry isle.

One quick tip for the powdered detergent though...make sure you put the powder in the washer WITHOUT clothes. Let the water run until there are several cups of water in the bottom and the soap starts to dissolve...then add your clothes. If you don't do this, it won't ruin anything, but you might have little soap spots on your clothes. They'll come out the next time you wash them.

Christmas is coming early...

To our household! Today I get to go pick up my Christmas/birthday/valentine's/easter (etc) present.

 

Isn't she beautiful? Yes, that is Anthro's Rosette Quilt. I've been coveting it for the last 6 or 7 months. I have to touch it every time I walk into the store. Well, Anthro was lovely and sent me a 15% off coupon for my birthday, and THIS is what I'm using it on! My hubby is wonderful. Thank you, babe!

Nursery!

I got an ok from our landlords to paint the nursery any color I want...yay!! My hubby isn't crazy about having to paint it back when we leave, but he knows how much I want it painted, so he's letting me do it. We should be finding out this little one's gender in 2 or 3 weeks, so I'll post our colors/theme soon! Stay tuned.

New project...coming soon!

I just bought myself this media stand off Craig's List for cheap. We're currently using our coffee table to house our television, cable box and DVD player. I think it's time for an upgrade. Well, that and I want my coffee table back!

I think this thing is going to get a paint job and maybe a little something on the glass...I have ideas in my head :)
I'll post pictures when I'm done! You'll have to forgive the poor picture quality. I stole it off the Craig's List ad.

Nursery photo inspiration

I know, I know. I just posted on the pom poms, but when I said I can't stop thinking about how to decorate, I really meant it! I think I'm getting obsessive over here! Here are some photos (baby related or not) that I'm finding inspiration from. I hope they inspire you a little too.

I love the vintage feel with the white walls and dark warm wood. It's so cozy.

LOVE the painted spindle cribs. A spindle crib will be a must for this munckin!



A photo mobile...what an awesome idea! It would be so cool to put baby or child pictures of your grandparents, parents and yourself and spouse on there.




I'm in love with this dresser (both color and style) as well as that rug! Ok, and the rocking chair. Um...I guess I just love it all! Bright and cheery without being overwhelming. LOVE. And it's very gender neutral, which is a plus because it saves you money on baby #2 (or 3 or 4, etc).



Love, love, LOVE this wall art idea! I'm a sewer and quilter, so this just screamed at me. And it's such a great way to add color to dull walls. We're in a rental, and we're stuck with stark white walls. This would be the perfect way to add some visual interest.

This is very girly, but I just love the bunting, twinkly lights, and vintage/eclectic feel. Um...I pretty much love everything from knack.

I know, I've got a bit of a mobile obsession here, but these bamboo cut mobiles from petite collage are to die for! My problem is going to be only picking ONE!

Another adroable mobile from petite collage

Ok, can you see what I love these so much??

I love the vintage and very natural feel of this mobile and I really wanted to incorporate birds or owls into my design...but how do I choose just ONE mobile?! Bah! I'm sunk...

Nursery decorating ideas

I've been daydreaming about decorating the baby's room a lot lately. Unfortunately, I can't really act on any of it until we know the gender...which won't be for another 6 to 7 weeks...which seems like forever, but I know it will come faster than I realize. I've decided that if it's a girl (because I think this just might be too girly for a boy), I'm going to decorate with paper pom poms. Have you seen those? I'm in love with them. My best friend used them in her wedding, and I absolutely loved them. The more I thought about it, the more I decided they would be adorable for a baby girl's room. I'm inspired by these pictures. Don't you just love them?

Big news/changes!

Well, with a title like that, I might as well just come right out and say it - we're having a baby! The reason for my lacking in posts and projects lately have been the queasiness, throwing up, and exhaustion that come with growing a baby. And you're not exactly supposed to inhale paint fumes with a baby in your belly. So painting projects are on hold until May or so (due date is April 30th!). I have a BUNCH of sewing projects for the nursery lined up, but alas, my sewing machine is on the fritz and waiting to be serviced at the sewing shop. I'll be posting my ideas/plans soon. I just don't want to get myself too excited before I can actually do anything.

So there you have it. The reason for my silence. Now I'm just anxious to find out what this little munchkin is! We have to wait another 8 weeks for that though... :( Sigh. It'll go quickly, I hope.