Stitched Valentine's Day Card

I know, I know Christmas has just passed and already I am thinking about Valentine's Day..... I can't help it!

Valentine's Day is one of my favorites. All of the red and pink, heart decor, and glitter make me feel faint. I know that every day "should be like Valentine's Day" but I love the fact that we set aside a day to let the people in our lives know how much they  mean to us.

This does not have to break the bank however.

Making your own stitched Valentine's Day card is a great way to show someone in your life how much you care. The stitching adds a personal and unique touch, while you can save the $6 you didn't spend on a Hallmark card and add your own sentiment to the inside that will mean a lot more to the recipient. Or, if expressing yourself through words isn't really your thing, you can always google romantic poems/sayings and include one of the many results in your card as well.

Materials:

• Blank cards with envelopes (Can find a pack of 8 at Micheal's $1 spot)
• Yarn or thick thread of your choice
• needle
• shape to trace or a steady hand
• pencil

Step 1:
Take your stencil/shape or freehand a design onto the front of your card lightly with pencil.
Step 2: Using your needle, punch holes closely together around your design. This will help to ensure a uniform stitch.
Step 3: Thread needle and following the holes you already created, work your way around the design.

That's it.
You are really only limited by your creativity in what you want to convey with your cards. Happy crafting!

Button Hair Pins

I am sure almost all of you with girls have a bazillion hair clips, bows, headbands, and pony holders floating around your house and after the holiday gift frenzy might not be thinking about procuring more food for your vacuum. But, in case you are a push over for cute hair accessories and are looking for something mindless to do while your kids watch the Star Wars boxed set, you are in luck!

Materials:

• shank buttons (the type with the loop in the back, not the holes drilled in the middle)

• thread

• needle

• bobby pins

Step 1: Go through your button stash and find some cute shank buttons. These are the buttons that have the loop in the back for attaching them to fabrics. I like to buy my buttons in bulk from large craft stores and there are always gobs of cute shank buttons that I have no idea what to do with, but hate to throw out since they are so darn cute!

Step 2: Assemble your needle, thread, and bobby pins along with the shank buttons you chose. Thread your needle and place the shank button between the ends of the bobby pin so that it is lying flat against the button. Sew the thread through the shank.

Step 3: Pull the thread through the ends of the bobby pin and loop back through the shank.

Step 4: Knot the thread each time you pass it through the shank. Make sure to alternate coming up through the shank from both sides, as to ensure a tight adhesion.

That's it!

Cute and unique hair pins that use up some of those buttons you have no idea what to do with.

Homemade Oxi-Clean

I am not a great housekeeper. I like to think I am. But, when it comes to it, I am a total "shove everything in the basement" kind of girl.

Vacuuming bores me, dusting makes me sneeze, and dishes give me dry hands.

But laundry is another story all together. I am slightly neurotic when it comes to laundry. I am the only one that can do it right in our house.

Maybe it  I smell clothes when they come out to make sure that they emit the right mixture of fragrance and cleanliness, and have been known to rewash clothes that just weren't soft enough. I use a certain detergent, softener, and dryer sheets. I loved all of them but my stain treatment.

It was expensive. I tried cheap knock-off stain sticks, sprays, and pastes. Nothing worked as good as the high-end real deal.

Until now. Homemade oxi-clean. Yay!!!!!

You will need:

• A container with a tight fitting lid
• 1 c. water
• 1/2 c. hydrogen peroxide
• 1/2 c. baking soda

 Simply mix all the ingredients in your container and secure the lid. Shake well before each use and let stain soak anywhere from 15 minutes to overnight.

I personally have not had any problems with color fading/bleeding, but you should always check your own clothes in a not-so-noticeable area first if you are concerned.

Happy washing!