Milk Jug Washer Necklace

Sorry I'm so late at getting this post up but life sort of got in the way!

Did you guess what these little gems were made of though???? Not that you don't know now from the title.

We had a few guesses and they were pretty close but not quite right. And I did make a Necklace out of them.

Dawn had suggested"In assorted sizes and colours these could make a great wall hanging ".

If any one has the patients to do that, that would look really neat! I don't know if I will every get around to doing it, but if anyone does I would really love to see it.

Milk Jug Washers (that's what I am calling them).

I have seen all these really cool washer necklaces lately that are wrapped in embroidery thread. I really love them all. Check out all these cool ones I found.

Add caption

Source
(This one is crocheted, I will be trying this next).

Source


Pretty ha? Well I didn't want to have the weight of the washers. Mostly though I'm cheap and didn't want to have to go buy a bunch when I could make some out of plastic and they would be lighter too! I used yarn and not embroidery thread as well because I had the colors I wanted in the yarn.

So let's get started making some...

Here is what you need to make the washers and the necklace

clean empty milk jug (of course you could use other plastic objects)

sharp pointy edge scissors

yarn

yarn needle

permanent marker

Round objects the size you want your washers to be the size of the middle.

(If you already have washers you could use them to trace,this would be the easiest.

Not pictured:

Jump rings.

Necklace chain

Cut your milk jug into flat pieces. Draw on you 'washer's with permanent marker using your circular objects.

To cut the middle out I cut across the inside circle several times then cut out the middle. This makes it easier to cut.

Start wrapping your yarn around your "washer".

If you run out of yarn use a yarn needle to weave the yarn between the yarn and the "washer" and pull tight to secure. Cut of the excess yarn. Do this when your washer is completely covered to finish it off as well.

Arrange your wrapped "washers" how you would like them for a necklace.

Using matching yarn, starting on one side of your arrangement start wrapping around two "washers" at a time to secure together. Weave in the ends of your yarn.

Continue to your next "washer" and do the same.

Keep doing this until your arrangement is all securely joined together.

Add Jump rings to both sides of your arrangement.

Add a chain and your done!

I made "Mini Me" one as well her's I just placed one on top of another added a charm on top and used matching yarn for the chain which holds all the layers together.

So what do you think? Does it pass as a "Washer Necklace"?

I love it! My "Mini Me" saw hers waiting on the table and was so excited!

These would make fun inexpensive gifts as well.

If you make one let me know, I would love to see it!

I link up to THESE parties.

Can YOU Guess what These are?

I have been working on something. Kinda fun ha? I love the colors? Alright now, this is a little teaser.....What do you think these are? 

Do you think you know? Are you sure?

What do you think I will be making with these?

Really try to think of what the base is made from!!!

Let's see if anyone can guess.?.?.?.?

I will be back tomorrow with a tutorial for these little gems. In the meantime get guessing and leave a comment on what you think the answers are.

HAPPY DAY!!!!



Homemade Cleaners

Do you make your own cleaners? I have a few that I have been making for a while now. But I am trying a few more. I have tried the Dry Laundry Detergent recipe. At first I liked it but then our clothes didn't seem to be getting quite as clean. Our whites started to look dingy so I went back. I loved the money saved but it wasn't worth it if our clothes weren't coming out as clean. Maybe it was the washer we had at the time I don't know I haven't dared to try it again now that we have a new washer. Have any of you had luck with making your own laundry soap? If so what recipe have you used?

I was running out of cleaners so while making up my regulars I decided to try out a few new ones.

Here is what I made.....

Fake Windex: I have been using this one for quite some time and have been pleased with how it comes out.

Fake Windex

(Source: Fake it Frugal)

Empty Windex Bottle

1/8 Cup (1oz.)  White Ammonia

1/4 Cup (4oz.) Isopropyl Alcohol

1 drop Laundry Detergent

Water - To Fill The Bottle

Fake Clorox Clean-Up: This is one I'm just trying I will let you know if I like it after I've used it a few times

Fake Clorox Clean-Up

(Source: Fake it Frugal)

1 Empty and Rinsed-Out Bottle of Clorox Cleanup/Empty Plastic Spray Bottle

1/4 Cup Bleach

1 Teaspoon Laundry Detergent

Fill the rest of the bottle with Water and Shake!

Fake Febreeze: I love the smell of this but if I'm not careful it leaves white marks on mirrors and my wood floor so just be careful where you spray. I haven't noticed it leaving marks on fabric.

Fake Febreeze

(Source: Fake it Frugal)

1/8 Cup of Your Favorite Fabric Softener
2 Tablespoons Baking Soda
Hot Tap Water - To Fill the Bottle to the Top

Homemade Shout: Also a new one I am hoping works well, we use a bunch of this!

Homemade Shout

(Source: One Good Thing by Jillee)

2/3 cups Dawn Dish washing Liquid

2/3 cups ammonia6 Tbsp baking soda2 cups warm water

Mix everything together then use a funnel to pour into an old Shout bottle or other spray bottle.

To use: shake bottle then spray on stains as you normally would. I usually let mine "soak in" for a few minutes at least. Then launder as usual.

Homemade Comet: This is one I'm trying out, so I will let you know how it works as well.

Homemade Comet

(Source: The Robinson's Home Sweet Home)

2 cups baking soda

1/2 cup Borax powder

Drops of essential oil (completely optional, but gives great fragrance)

Large mixing bowl

A clean, empty plastic powdered Parmesan cheese container

Dump the powders into a large mixing bowl. Mix thoroughly with hands. Sprinkle in several drops of whatever essential oils you enjoy or have on hand.I used tea tree oil. (Tea tree oil also has antibacterial and anti fungal properties which aids in the cleaning powder of the product) Mix with hands again thoroughly, breaking up any clumps. Spoon into clean Parmesan cheese container. Use it to clean like you would ‘Comet’ cleaner.

Tub Scrub: I have used this a few times now and have been happy with the outcome, seems to be working well.

Tub Scrub
(Source: Food.com Pinned here)

12 ounces white vinegar

12 ounces liquid , blue dawn detergent

Heat vinegar in microwave until hot and pour into squirt bottle.

Add the Dawn soap. Put the lid on and gently shake to incorporate.

You now have a powerful cleaning product that will melt soap scum and tub and shower buildup, clean sinks, appliances and just about anything. Just spray it on, scrub, rinse and be amazed. For tough soap scum build-up, spray the mixture on and allow it to sit as long as overnight. Then, scrub and rinse.

Do you have any other homemade cleaners that you have used and worked well? I would love to hear if you do. I really love the money I save making my own. It's crazy that most of the cleaners are mostly water and that is what we pay for the ones we get from the store. That and the added chemicals that we don't need!

Honey Roasted Cashew Recipe



My husband and I have a Chinese resteraunt we like to go to. The servings are HUGE and we always have lunch for the next day. Well one of our favorite meals we get there is their Cashew Chicken. It is covered in honey roasted cashew's and is soooo good. I have ordered this dish other places and it is not the same any where else. Once you have it with the honey roasted cashews, plain cashews are not the same!

Well the other day I was trying to recreate this dish at home. I looked and looked for honey roasted cashews but with no success. I couldn't find them any where! Of course I live in a small town with only a few stores so my options were few. However, I loved the fresh Honey Roasted Cashews I made they were even better than the ones you could buy. Maybe you have plenty of stores where you live and can find Honey Roasted Cashews but this recipe is awesome and only takes a few inigredients. So I thought I'd share.

To start Preheat your oven to 320.

In a small sauce pan combine 1/2 Cup of honey and 2 Tablespoons of butter. Bring to a boil for 2 minutes stirring constantly.

Pour your honey mixture over your nuts and toss to coat.

Place on a parchment lined cookie sheet. Bake for 10-15 minutes or until your nuts are glazed and light brown.Cool.

Combine nuts and superfine sugar in a bowl and toss to combine.

Don't have superfine sugar? No problem just toss granulated sugar in a blender for a few seconds. Just don't leave it in too long. I almost turned mine to powdered sugar.

Enjoy your yummy homemade Honey Roasted Cashews!!!

And here is a recipe card you can save to your computer and print out!

Hope you like this recipe! If you make it let me know.

Make sure to check out the places I party!



"Tote"ally Cute tote

A few months ago I had applied and was chosen to receive 1/2 a yard of fabric from Kim at Fabric Fascination and in exchange I would do a tutorial with it.

I was so excited when I  received this adorable Anthology Sweet Dreams Fabric. I had a hard time deciding between making a skirt for my daughter or a bag for her to carry her journal/art supplies in. She has been asking for me to make her a bag so I went with the bag idea and am so glad I did, I love how it turned out!

To get started here is what you will need:

1/2 yard of exterior fabric

1/2 yard of lining fabric

1/2 yard fusible interfacing

Button (optional)

Let's get started cutting our fabrics.

Main Fabric: Cut 2 pieces 18.5 inches long by 14 inches wide.

You will also need to cut 2 of these pieces from fusible interfacing as well.

Lining Fabric: Cut 2 pieces 12 inches long by 2 1/2 inches wide. Cut 2 of these pieces from  fusible interfacing as well. These will be the handles we will be cut the lining pieces a little later.

Iron your fusible interfacing to the fabric pieces they correspond with.

To prepare your bag:

Take one of your rectangles and mark the middle lengthwise. Measure and mark 3 inches from the middle on both sides.

Fold each mark over to the middle mark and iron and pin in place. Do this on the other exterior piece as well.

Place the pieces print sides facing each other pin on the three sides leaving the top open and sew around making sure to back stitch at the start and end of your sewing.

Turn your bag so the the right side is showing and fold in half. Use this as a pattern for your lining piece. fold you lining fabric in half place the piece your using as a pattern on top and cut around it leaving sewing allowance. This picture looks like I left more sewing allowance than I did. You don't want your lining to end up wider than your exterior of your bag so only leave what you will need.

If you would like a pocket inside of your bag now is the time to add that.

Place your lining pieces together right sides facing and pin together. Leave a big enough space on the bottom open for turning. I like to place two pins where I need to leave it open so I remember not to sew it shut. Sew around making sure to back stitch at the start and on the opening spaces and the end.

Take your main  tote piece turned inside out and place both seams at the corner making sure to line them up. Mark up 1.5 inches. Draw a line all the way across at that mark and stitch. Repeat this on the other corner and both corner's of the lining.

Trim of all four of these corners.

With the Right side facing out of your lining piece and the wrong side facing out of your main piece,

place the lining inside of the main piece and pin in place and sew around.

Pull the outside piece through the lining and the lining piece back into the outer piece.

Iron and sew around the top of your bag.

Fold your handle pieces in half and iron. Open up and fold each side into the middle and iron.

Fold and iron both ends up 1/2 inch and press in place.

Fold the Handle back in half and press. Repeat with second handle piece.

Sew along the edge of both sides of the handle on both handles.

Mark 3 inches from the middle on both sides of the bag and pin and sew handle in place. Repeat with other handle on the other side of the bag.

Tae was too sick to take a picture so I will have to get one with her and add later;(

If you want you can sew on a little bow and a button and your done!

If you end up making one of these bags, I would love to see it!

Thanks you sew much Kim for the opportunity to make a tutorial with this gorgeous fabric!

If you would like to make this bag with the Anthology Sweet Dreams Fabric make sure to visit Kim's Etsy shop FabricFascination.