Forgetful? Need reminding?

I've been crazy busy lately!

I got so busy that

I would put a load into the wash and forget it's there!

My max?

...3 times I had to wash the same load

because I forgot it in the washer and it didn't smell so great...

so I had to wash it again...and again...and again!

That same load must have sat in that washer for a week

by the time I finally got it into the dryer.  Yuck!

Usually I get the kids to help me do the wash...

but I just kept forgetting.

Not a problem anymore!

I started clipping a clothes pin on my shirt to remind me that I have clothes in the wash.

Totally works!

I stole the clothes pin off the clothes line in my girl's room.

They use these clips to hang up their art work.

Brandi did an awesome post on her version of it!

(click here to see her post).

The great thing about it...you can use this to remind you about anything!

Yes, I'm wearing it as I post...I have a load I'm waiting on.

happy washing!

mileka:)

Pump...Pump...Pump It Up!

Remember the song with the lyrics...

Pump...Pump...Pump It Up!?

(sing along and move to the music)...

I have fallen in love with pumps (not the shoes:)

bottles with pumps!

Well...if you got a good thing...go with it.

I did a repeat on my toothpaste dispenser (above)!

(click this link to learn more about it)

Guess what this is...

Gel!

No more mess!

We also use oils instead of lotion.

We use olive, coconut and grape seed oils.

It's great slathered all over your body as a body lotion,

as a facial moisturizer,

and as a detangler and leave in conditioner for your hair!

This is what the kid bathroom counter looks like...

Tada!

Nice and neat (most of the time:)!

I used old hand soap dispensers = FREE for me:)

pump...pump...pump it up!

mileka

Did You Know?...Got Gas?

Got Gas?

NO, NOT YOU...your house?

DID YOU KNOW  that if you have a gas WATER heater you could be wasting money?

What do I mean?

DID YOU KNOW...that if you turn your water heater off when it is not in use

you could save yourself over 50%.

(ok...it's not really off.  It's on the lowest setting possible.)

This is what I do.

We only turn our water heater on (up) when we need it...

When do we need it?

When we take a shower
(30 min before we jump in)

(P.S. I don't use the dishwasher to wash dishes.  Our dishwasher isn't the greatest.  It leaves the dishes really wet after a wash.  Even after going through 2 dry cycles they are still wet.  We rent and it came with the house.  We hand wash our dishes-it is less wear and tear on dishes, it saves water, and my kids have learned how to wash dishes...it's a great life skill!  We put our hand washed dishes into the dishwasher and run it on the heat dry cycle.  Tada...dry!)

I taught my older kids how to adjust the water heater and to turn it up to where we want it

and down to the lowest setting.

Now I have helpers...so it's easy to turn our gas up and down:)

What kind of a difference can it make?

Here is what happened to us...

Water heater off when we don't use it (hand wash dishes) $30 month

Water heater on all the time (long story) $70 month

I spent over 50% more.

Crazy!

Save money...shut off your gas

(turn your water heater to the lowest setting)

During the summer we leave it on the lowest setting and never turn it up. 

We live in Arizona and during the summer the water comes out of the tap boiling...lol.)

I tried to convince my husband to let me blow out the pilot light so that it wouldn't heat any water at all and then that ways I could have a $0 gas bill during the summer months

(notice I said months=more than one month of $0 gas bill sounds great to me!)

happy gassing!

mileka:)

Did You Know?...Toothpaste Dispenser

Is your bathroom a mess?

Tooth paste all over the place?

Yes!

The kid bathroom WAS almost always a mess...

NOW...

it's a little cleaner.

Why?...

because we have a toothpaste dispenser.

Have you ever seen that info-mercial that advertises for a toothpaste dispenser?

You know the one I'm talking about.

That sucker costs $20...

(ok...they'll give you one free)...

 $10 each.

I wanted one.  The kids wanted one.

I didn't want to pay $10-$20 for one.

SO I MADE MY OWN!

Yes, it can be done!

my cost = FREE

(I already had everything I needed)

Supplies:

• toothpaste
• soap dispenser (empty and clean!)
• water (distilled preferred)

  Use an empty and clean hand soap dispenser.

Squeeze in your toothpaste.

Dilute with a little water.  I read somewhere that regular tap water can have a high level of minerals which can make "stuff go bad" quicker than distilled water. 

So...I usually have a gallon of distilled water in my house.  $0.83 at my Walmart.

I wish I could give you an exact amount of water to add. 

I'm thinking that you are wishing the same thing.

Each toothpaste is a different consistency. 

You are going to have to figure it out...sorry!

(I added just enough to get it to be able to get it through the pump. 

It is still solid enough to sit in a little glob on the tooth brush).

It works just as good as the thicker version.

and...

the bathroom counter stays cleaner!!!

The kids love to use it and

I love it when the bathroom is clean (cleaner than it used to be).

It's a win-win!

mileka:)

happy brushing!

Did You Know?...Dryer Sheets

Did you know...

that it isn't necessary to use a full dryer sheet?

Did you know...

that 1/4 of a dryer sheet is usually adequate to dry a full load of laundry?



Story...

My friend Torie B. told me that you can cut your dryer sheet into 2.  So I tried it and didn't see a difference.  Then I thought...if I can cut it into 2 and it still works just fine...can I cut it into 4? 

So I tried it...and guess what?

It still works!!!

NOW...

I cut my dryer sheets in 1/4.  I get 4 loads from every sheet.

I like to buy the generic brand at Walmart (sorry...I can't remember the brand...because I haven't bought dryer sheets in so long...ooo).  It is $1.00 for 50 sheets. 

But...I cut them into 1/4...so for $1.00 I get 200 dryer sheets.

I do one load of laundry a day. 
2 boxes will last me a full year and then some.

Ahhhh...$2 for a 1 year supply (and some) of dryer sheets.

Music to my ears!!!

Here is my lovely supply of dryer sheets.

Do you love my bucket?  Yes, that's an ice cream bucket.

(In another post I'll show you what to do with all those empty ice cream buckets laying around ...

if you don't have any, start saving them).

FYI:  The only problem I've had is with my whites.  If I only use 1 sheet I'll get some static cling now and then...so I just throw in 2 and that seems to take care of the problem.

happy drying

mileka:)

Dedicated to Torie B...u r awesome!

Featured...yeah!

Knocking It Off

FEATURED!



At our Stake Relief Society Activity

(Queen Creek Arizona South Stake).

4-30-11

"The Wonders of Baking Soda"

(cleaning and personal hygiene products made with baking soda)

To celebrate this wonderful event

I'll be posting awesome money saving tips, cool ideas,

and "did you know?" throughout the month of

April.

Scrub-a-dub!

mileka:)

I got CANned!...again!

I got CANned!...again!

I sooo loved my last CAN project that I did a repeat because I just CAN't get enough.

This time I got CANned in the kitchen.

Tada...

CAN you guess what kind of CAN I used?

(answer at the end of this post)

My kitchen "tool" drawer was full.

I've tried organizing it a few different ways but it still seemed crowded in there.

After my bathroom organize and store project...

(click this link to check it out and

how to instructions for this project)...

it only made sense to do a re-do on my can project.

It's all black so...I heart it!

cost for me = FREE

(already had everything I needed)

answer = large pineapple juice can

Recipe...

Spiked Pineapple Juice

1 large can pineapple juice

1 (or more) can(s) lemon & lime soda pop (according to your taste)

mix and serve cold

Got a kid that doesn't like fruit/won't eat it.

They will drink this!...and ask for more!

Ya...it's got soda pop, but...you can't win them all:)

Chug-a-lug

mileka:)

Organizing & Storage...I just CAN't get enough:)

I've been looking for a way to store my make-up.

Something simple...cute...easy....different...free.

and... it's a no sew project:)

TADA...

Organization!

Supplies:

• empty cans (beware of sharp edges)
• Spray paint (I used some of my left over Krylon)
• Old unwanted t-shirt
• Scissors
• safety pin

I spray painted an empty can.

I used some of my left over Krylon spray paint.

1.  Cut off the sleeve of a shirt

2. Cut off a small section from the sleeve (about 1/4 of an inch wide)

3. Stretch the small section to create a string & cut a slit in the hem of the sleeve

4. Attach the safety pin to the end of the t-shirt string and

thread it through the hole you cut in the hem of the sleeve.

Continue feeding it through the hem and bring it out at the other end.

Tie in a bow:)

It should look like this

5. Put the shirt on the open end of the can.

Adjust your bow tie if needed.

6. Tuck it in.

Finished product.

I repeated the process with a tuna can for smaller/shorter items.

(with no shirt embellishment)

I also used an empty baby food jar and an empty plastic container (that I had lying around),

to give it some variety and to fit different sized items.

I cut another strip off of the shirt and tied it around the tops to tie it in so it matches.

Now everything is nice and neat!

Just the way I like it!

Now I can find my make-up without having to dig in my drawer.

Unfortunately...so can others:p

my cost?

FREE

(I already had everything I needed)

happy face painting!

mileka:)

Personalized Dishware

Problem #1

6 kids + homeschool + home all day  =  lots of dishes to wash!

Solution - kids wash their own dishes...

Problem #2

Denial!

Whose dish was whose?...

The kids didn't want to wash dishes and would blame the mess.

Solution?

Labels!!!

Check this out...

You get 1 bowl & 1 cup!

It's yours!

You clean it!

Each kid has an assigned number

(according to birth order).

Now we know who the dish monsters are!

No more blaming it on the little kids!

If its got your # you clean it!

Supplies:

• contact paper
• pen
• scissors
• spray paint (for plastic - or you can find an art pen that will write on plastic)
• newspaper

 I printed out the font that I wanted. 

At first I tried using a box cutter to cut the numbers out but my blade was dull. 

I ended up using scissors instead. 

I traced the numbers onto the contact paper (put the numbers under the contact paper and trace).

Then I used a scissors to cut the numbers out.  It was a little tricky...I made a couple of mistakes.  No prob...I learned from my mistakes, tried again, and got better results:)

  Ripped a hole in a piece of newspaper (this is where I put the contact paper number).  The newspaper helps to protect the outer surface and keeps paint where I want it. 

 Here you can see the number stuck on (a cup).  NOTE:  press the contact paper down VERY firmly.  I recommend running your finger nail along the edges.  If it is not stuck on good then the paint will leak out.

I used spray paint specifically designed to stick on plastic.  If you use this stuff it will stick onto your plastic and stay!  Believe me...we've used the dishes a bunch of times already and they have held up excellent!  (how do you like my black spray paint nail polish?)

The kids love it!

my cost

Spray Paint $4 (Walmart)

Contact paper $1 (Dollar Store)

Plastic dishware that we already had = FREE

Total = $5

I was totally low on supplies and actually had to buy:(

But I only used a little of each...

which means...lots of left overs...

which means...

more FREE projects to come:)

Happy eating!

mileka:)

Office Organization: File Magazine Box

My paperwork was a mess!

I needed something!

I had a ton of Capri Sun boxes laying around (I heart boxes:)

When in need...use what you got!!!

This is what I got...a file folder holder

or

turn it upright and use it as a magazine holder

Supplies:

• capri sun boxes (or another type of box)
• measuring tape/ruler
• pen
• box cutter
• tape
• spray paint (optional)

1. Find a box.

I used a capri sun because I had a ton!

They were on sale:)

And...they are very sturdy!

2.  I measured 4 inches from the end

(of the closed side or just tape a side closed).

This is how I wanted my box shaped.

You can always alter this design to be what you want.

3.  I drew a line from the 4 inch mark to the other opposite end (on both sides).

Then I cut along the line (on both sides) and around the top and bottom of the box.

 4.  I taped the end of the box.

 Before & after.

Tada!

a File/Magazine Box

Here it is on my shelf:)

You can use it like this...natural cardboard...or

paint it black.

Take a look at the difference between the two.

Can you tell what color I chose to go with?

Cost for me...$1

(for spray paint)

Happy organizing!!!

mileka:)

Fabric Wall Hanging

 For a while I wanted "gratitude" up in my house somewhere.

I thought about vinyl but didn't want to pay for it
(u know me:)

It was before I figured out how to make faux vinyl.

(click here to learn how to make faux vinyl)

I decided that the next best option would be to make a wall hanging.

I didn't have any spare wood on hand to make one.

So, the idea just sat around in my head. 

(Remember reading about the power of patience?

If not click this link to read more).

Then one day as we were driving to the community pool we passed a house with a ton of trash sitting out on the curb.  I didn't want to stop.  My hubby said that it looked like there might be some good stuff (I didn't see anything...because I didn't look in it...duh).  I got out and took a look.  I actually did find a ton of good stuff.  I think the best find was this frame. 

It is pretty big.  It still had its glass in it.  The picture wasn't great but I know I good find when I see it. 
We loaded up the stuff into the back of our van and went swimming.

About a week later I finally figured out what to do with it.  I wanted to paint "gratitude" on the glass (like I did in my hand painted mirror project...click this link to check it out).  So I got started.  I took out the picture, cleaned the glass, and painted the frame.  The frame was dry and I was putting the glass back in when it broke...I wanted to cry...I almost did.

I had my heart set on finishing my project.  I had to walk away so that I wouldn't get angry.

I sat on my bed thinking of how I could still make it work.  Then it came to me...use fabric...paint on the fabric.  I had fabric!  I had the perfect color.

I knew that if I painted on the glass I could just wipe away my mistakes. 

Painting on fabric is totally different.  One mistake and it's done.

I decided to use a stencil.

Here is how I did it...

Supplies:

• frame (with backing-or make one out of cardboard)
• paint (for frame/lettering)
• paint brush (I prefer foam brushes for stenciling)
• fabric
• box cutter/exacto knife
• Packing tape or hot glue gun (with glue:)

1.  Prep frame (paint if needed)

2.  Place the fabric into the frame from the back.

3.  Place the frame backing into the frame.

4.  Pull the fabric along the edges pulling the fabric taut/tight.

5.  Tape the fabric in place to the frame backing/backboard

(make sure the fabric is taut/tight).
I used good old clear packing tape ($1 at Walmart).
It is what I had on hand.

6.  Secure the frame backing/backboard into the frame

(double check to see if the fabric is taut/tight)

Did I say that enough?..ok...I think you got the message:)

7.  Find a font and saying you like. 

Use your computer to enlarge the letters to the size you want.

For large projects it will run onto multiple pages.

8. Cut out the lettering with a box cutter/exacto knife/etc. to create the stencil.

Remember...not to totally cut out the center pieces. 

Leave it connected with a little bridge.  This gap can get painted in when you are done.

9.  Tape pages together(if necessary) and tape the stencil to the fabric.

10.  Paint the lettering using an up and down "blotting" stroke.

You don't want to use sweeping strokes as that will force the paint under your stencil.

Go slow.  Take your time.  Hold each letter down as you paint.

11.  Remove the stencil.  Fill in any gaps.

Tada!

my cost = FREE

(I had or found everything I needed)

mileka:)