Hi, I am 70 and the mother of five children, all grown, 4 boys and 1 girl with twins my last two. I am a do-it-yourselfer and am always looking for ways to save money (with 5 children, it got to be a way of life). I am adept at sewing, gardening, home dec and baking. I enjoy this newsletter immensely and have learned so much from it.
Photo Album for RecipesI bought this photo card holder to hold the recipes that I make over and over again. I leave it out on my counter top. It makes it handy and attractive at the same time.
Fabric Sample QuiltWhen I worked at a wallpaper store, periodically they would toss out outdated books and I would save the fabric samples. Eventually, I had enough to make a quilt and then bought enough of the navy fabric to finish it.
Cream Soup BaseThis is a base to make your own cream soups. As you know, they can get very expensive and are used in so many casseroles, etc so this is a money saver.
Computer Shortcuts Using the Control KeyMost average users know a few keyboard shortcuts but here are additional shortcuts that many folks under-utilize. If you spend a few moments learning them, you'll find them incredibly useful.
Brown Bag WallpaperI live in an old home and many times the plastered walls have cracks in them. Here is an alternative if the cracks keep showing up soon after you paint. I "papered" my walls in brown paper and rosin paper that have been painted.
Homemade Seasoned Rice MixThis is handy to have and is much cheaper than buying the pre-made mixes.
Sunset (San Diego, CA)I have seen a lot of sunsets, but this one taken from my son's house in San Diego is one of my favorites.
Make a Bathroom Vanity from an Old...Use an old dresser to make a vanity for your bathroom. I crackled this one and then also did some sanding to bring out the gold, as this was the basecoat. Then I stenciled over the top and poly coated it.
Make Monitor Print LargerIf you have difficulty seeing your monitor, rather than get your reading glasses, hold down the control key with your left hand and with hand on mouse scroll away from you to make the print larger. To make it normal again, scroll toward yourself. This makes life much easier.
4-H Breadmaker RollsBelieve it or not, this recipe is at least 54 years old. When I was in 4-H, another member and I gave a demonstration on making rolls. I have since adapted it to my bread maker.
Glamorous Bathroom Wall TreatmentThe walls in my bathroom were not in super good shape when I bought my 100 year old house, they had the old bumpy type plaster. After several attempts at painting, I finally came upon a solution.
Almond Puff PastryThis recipe has been around for a while but some of you younger gals might not be familiar with it. At first glance the directions look difficult, but are not at all. It just involves 3 steps.
Dyed Coffee Filter WreathThis colorful wreath is made from coffee filters that have been dyed with food coloring.
Refinishing an Old End TableI got this table free at a garage sale. It was not in the best of shape as one drawer was stuck and the outside just needed help. I was pretty sure I could refinish the top, but the bottom of the end table had too much "curly ques" to spend the time on.
String BasketI was making a cloth to put on top of my son's end table in the colors to match his room and the fabric raveled easily so I had a whole pile of these threads from the project. I thought "there must be something I can do with these".
Zipper Flower PurseA purse with unusual trim.
Pearl Button PinThis is a pin I made from saved pearl type buttons. It is very easy. Use any buttons that you have cut off clothes. The white pearl buttons are easy to find. Use different sizes to keep it interesting but fairly close in size.
Drapery Sample Tote BagI made this purse from drapery samples. Using a basic pattern from a sewing pattern book, I cut out and interfaced a tote bag. I also cut the lining at the same time.