Everything old is new again

Well, not everything, but my washing machine looks like new again.  My washer had gotten GRUNGY. Dirt in the lid, dirt in the bleach dispenser, and soap scum all over the agitator.  It needed a facelift.  I filled the washer with water and 2 cups of vinegar and let it sit for an hour. Then I got out my trusty scrub brush and went to town on the agitator. I removed the bleach dispenser and soaked it in vinegar. Then I broke out the Q-tips and detailed the rest of the machine. I drained the machine, rinsed it with plain water, then refilled it with water and 2 cups of bleach and let it sit another hour.  After rinsing it one final time, it looks like new again!
Before:
(notice the nastiness in the lip of the lid and in the bleach dispenser, and the scum on the agitator)

After:

I even used the Mr. Clean magic eraser to get off the scuff marks that were on the front near the bottom, but I couldn't get a good picture of it.
Now that I have a new-looking machine again, I don't want to use it!

Teacher Appreciation Gifts

I like to give the teachers something they can use and reuse every year. This year I found these cute insulated cups.  I filled the cups with different berry flavored drink mixes, added a bow around the straw, and hung the strawberry shaped tag off the top.  These little gifts come together really quick, and I think it's something they will actually get some use out of.

Economical Charcoal/Fire Starters

I'm always looking for ways to save money and recycle things around the house. My husband uses a chimney style charcoal starter for his grill, but since we don't get a newspaper, we never have any paper to use in the chimney. That's where this project comes in. By using things found around the house, I can make charcoal starters that work even better than the newspaper. You only need toilet paper or paper towel tubes, dryer lint, and wax.  I use Gulf wax now, but when I first started making these, I used half-burned taper candles that were just taking up space in my cabinet. If you have old candles to use, that makes this project completely free! 

First, cut your tubes into sections that are approximately 2 inches long:

Next, fold down two sides of the tube like this:

Now fold down the other two sides:

You have now made a cup shape:

Fill this cup with some of your dryer lint:

Arrange all of your cups on a piece of wax paper. The paper will protect your work surface if any melted wax seeps out of the bottom of your cups.

After all of your cups are filled with lint, it's now time to melt your wax.  I use an old can in a water bath on the stove.  I have read from several different sources that you can melt wax in your microwave, but when I tried it, it started a fire in my microwave.  I don't recommend it.

After the wax is completely melted, pour it over the lint in the cups.

 When the wax is completely hardened, your fire starters are ready to use!

Happy Birthday Dad!

Today, December 19th, is my dad's birthday! It was my turn to pick the challenge at BBTB2 this week, so of course I wanted to do something special for my dad's big day. I chose the candle from the Wrap it Up cartridge. Please go check out all the fabulous creations that my DT sisters have created, and post a link to your new project featuring this cut, or any other candle, and join me in wishing my dad a very special happy birthday!

Papers - My Mind's Eye
Candle - Wrap it Up (4.25")
Fancy scroll work - Storybook (3")

Melissa chose the challenge for BBTB2 this week, and she picked the mouse. My little guy is in the giving mood, handing up his gift for you. Come join us for the challenge this week, there are mice on a lot of different cartridges you can use!

Mouse and sentiment - Winter Frolic cart
PP - BG cupcake

Woo Hoo, Witchy Woman...

...See how high she flies.

Susan chose the witch from Happy Hauntings for this weeks challenge at BBTB2.
I love all things Halloween, so I really enjoyed this weeks cut.
Now normally, I'm an angel (cough cough), but I broke out my alter ego for this project :-)
Come join us this week with your witchy creation!

PP - BG Eerie, and BG Crude
Letters - My Little Shoebox
Charm - Frost Creek
Witch cut at 2.75"

What hill? I don't remember any hill.

Agnes chose the cut at BBTB2 this week and she chose the vulture from Life's a Party.

I will be perfectly honest here and tell you, I will be the big 40 this year, so that was my inspiration for my party set.

I started with the tombstone, which I cut at 11”, and then decided to perch the vulture on top (cut at 5”). The skulls around the bottom of the tombstone weren’t part of that cut. They actually are in the section with the pirate party cuts, but that’s another great thing about this cartridge, you can mix and match different embellishments. The wording was cut from Plantin Schoolbook, set at ¾”.

The next thing I made was the invitation. I cut it at 5.5”. The brackets are actually from the “RIP” cupcake topper, but I thought they looked great on here also.

And what’s an over the hill party without a couple of jabs at the birthday girl/guy? The glasses were cut at 4” and the favor/gift box was cut at 10 ¾”.