Garden Notes

I have been busy the last 2 weeks working in the backyard and garden. I don't know if you remember the raised bed vegetable garden we started last year or not, but you may have noticed that there was not much mention of it after that first post. Why? Because it was an epic fail. Let's just say that my thumb is a little more brown than green. But I am DETERMINED to master this, so I approached the garden with a lot more planning and intention this year.

I started a little gardening journal, where I keeping all of my planting dates and notes on specific care and harvest instructions. I started out by doing some yard measurements and tracking the amount of sunlight each part of the backyard gets each day. Then I tested the pH levels of my soil, which all tested pretty neutral.

I opted to plant a Square Foot Garden this year, and planned mine out using this free online planner. After working in about 9 bags of mushroom compost, I used twine to mark off my squares. My garden is 5' x 10', so I had 50 squares to work with. Because the garden is 5' wide instead of the typical 4', I placed two stepping stones in the very center so that I will be able to reach the middle plants easier.

On the left end of the garden, Phillip will be building me trellis, so I planted 1 square of watermelon, 2 of cantelopes, and 2 of cucumbers. The next row is squash, zuchinni, thyme, and peppers. Next is more squash and zuchinni, tomatoes and peppers. In the middle of the garden are onions, garlic, carrots, and red potatoes. Heading toward the right are the rest of my herbs: basil, cilantro, parsley, and oregano. Then I planted a row of marigolds to help deter pests, leaving the last 2 rows for the spreading of my 5 strawberry plants.

Here are the strawberry plants up close. Because strawberries prefer a more acidic soil, the garden expert at Lowe's recommended pine straw for mulch because she said as it breaks down, it will naturally make the soil more acidic.

Here's a closer shot of my peppers and tomatoes. I will stake the tomatoes when I get back from my trip.

I planted 1 green pepper, 1 red pepper, 1 yellow pepper, and 1 jalapeno pepper. For the tomatoes, I planted 2 Better Boys, 1 Bonnie Grape, and I can't remember the other one. (I have it written in my notebook is at home.) Everything else I planted by seed.

When I was digging up the garden and adding in the compost, I found that some weeds had grown up under the garden border, so I dug up all the grass and weeds about a foot around the bed and added mulch to help prevent regrowth. And because the boys LOVED digging in the garden during the fall and winter, I thought I better give them a new place to dig, so they wouldn't be digging up my seeds. My father-in-law was getting rid a wooden step base last year, and I asked him if I could have it for a potential future little garden. This year, it will just be for digging.

I found this adorable bean teepee idea, so I decided to add one of those as well. 

I planted pole beans, garden peas, and Black-eyed Susans around the teepee, and I hope it will provide a fun hiding place for the boys later this summer.

In addition to the vegetable garden, we worked on some other backyard projects...

Phillip worked on rebuilding the doors on the shed we bought for $100 on Craigslist last year. He did a fantastic  job! I am trying to choose paint colors now. What do you think about this shed's color scheme?

I also worked on the landscaping around the sun porch. Here is the back where it is nice and shady. I had dug up a bunch of huge roots from this area last year, and then just planted wildflowers. This year, I dug those up and edged the area with some old bricks before planting Hostas and a Hydrangea. 

The other side of the porch looked like this...

But I dug it up and planted a Rhododendron, a Hawthorne, and another Hydrangea. I also planted a few small Lily Turf plants and added some mulch. I can't wait until they grow big and beautiful!

I have plans to add a lot of other perennials, but I wanted to start them indoors and then transplant in a few weeks.

This little greenhouse has 72 pods and I started some Delphinium, Fox Gloves, Purple Coneflowers, Calendula, more Black Eyed Susans, Columbine, and Sunflowers. In another container, I started 72 Hollyhocks that I plan to plant along the back of the privacy fence at the back of our yard. But first, I have to finish digging up all of the weeds and brush already along the fence. 

The last area I worked on is in the back corner of our yard near the playset. It was an area I had been putting off because I didn't have the strength to dig up the huge roots back there. I ended up paying a teenage boy from our youth group to come over for a few hours and dig for me. He worked hard and accomplished much more than I ever could have!

After he was finished, I planted some Azaleas and added mulch. I also dug up all the weeds along the playset and added mulch. It's looks much cleaner now. 

All that digging, planting, and mulching was a ton of work and every bone and muscle in my body ached all week long! BUT, it was so worth it. After living here almost 2 1/2 years, the backyard is really starting to take shape. The boys and I spend a lot of time out there, and I want it to be nice and peaceful back there. 

I will keep you posted on how everything grows and progresses. My fingers are crossed that this will be my year for the green thumb to kick in!

Always, 

Amanda

DIY Reusable Produce Bags

I try my best to bring my resuable shopping totes with me when I go to the grocery store, but it always feels a bit strange to put my plastic covered produce into my "green" shopping tote. Kind of like the one cancels out the other. So I have had it on my list for a while to make some reusable produce bags, and I finally got around to it.

I used these gauzy, tulle-like curtains that I purchased specifically for this project a while back from IKEA for $4.99. I'm sure you could also find something similar at your local fabric store.

After washing and drying the curtains, I folded one panel over a couple of times and with my fabric scissors, I roughly cut about two and a half feet off of the bottom of the curtain. This gave me a more workable size of fabric. 

Using my cutting board and rotary cutter, I cut four squares that measured approximately 24"x24". 

On two of the squares I cut, I was able to utilize the existing finished edge for the top of the bags.

On the other two, I sewed a simple hem across the top by rolling the edge down twice. You could also serge this end if you have a serger. I didn't worry about measuring or pinning, because these bags are more for function than cuteness.

After hemming the top edge or identifying the already finished edge, I simple folded the square in half and sewed a simple stitch across the bottom and up the side. Then I sewed a second seam across the bottom just for extra durability.

After this I simply clipped my long threads and turned the bag right side out, so that the seams were on the inside.  

And it's as simple as that! I made 4 bags in under 30 minutes. 

I just put them with my totes for my next trip to the store. If you have trouble forgetting your totes at home like I sometimes do, here are some tips I shared before to help you remember to take them with you.

Always, 

Amanda

A Very Craigslist Christmas

If you know me at all, you know that my husband and I are slightly obsessed with Craigslist. You know you have it bad when your 3 year old can't find one of his toys, and asks if you sold it on Craigslist. (And yes, sometimes I have.)

Over the years, we have found amazing deals and saved lots of money by shopping Craigslist instead of retail. Here are a few examples...

Last Christmas, my husband gave me a black Kitchen Aid mixer that he found on Craigslist for $75. I have always wanted a Kitchen Aid mixer, but at $250 retail, it never seemed practical. Now I have one that is in great condition, and guilt-free!

This Christmas, I asked for a Panini Grill, and my husband found such a good deal on Craigslist, that he went ahead and gave it to me. It was brand new, still in the box from Macy's. Retail $60. He paid $20!

A few years ago, I purchased a Bernina sewing machine and serger off of Craigslist for $100. I ended up not using the serger much, so I turned around and sold it for $75. So now I have a really nice sewing machine that I only paid $25 for!

My latest and greatest Craigslist deal was my camera. I had a Canon Rebel XS, and wanted to upgrade. But I had no money to do so. I watched Craigslist for a couple of weeks and found a great deal. I was able to sell my camera and accessories for $400, and drove straight from that transaction to purchase a Canon T1i with a battery grip, extra battery and external flash for $400! So I completely upgraded and gained some new accessories, and it didn't cost me a dime.

We have also purchased computers, iPads, iPhones, clothing, furniture, strollers, carseats, and game systems. You name it, we have probably bought or sold it on Craigslist.

So this Christmas, before you run to the mall to pay full price for something on your Christmas list, I'd encourage you to check your local Craigslist first.

Here are a few of my Craigslist shopping tips...

• Be specific in your search. If you just browse categories, you are going to have to look at a lot of junk before you find anything interesting. Use keywords like store names or brand names (IKEA, Anthropologie, Urban Outfitters, Pottery Barn, Canon, Nikon, Kitchen Aid, etc.) to narrow down your search to find quality items.
• Email the seller to ask questions about the product. Ask about scratches, dents, stains, working condition, etc. If pictures aren't posted, ask them to email you pictures. Just be specific in your questions, or they might think you are spamming them. For example, if someone emails me something generic like "Is this still available?", I delete their email. If they mention the product I am selling, and ask specific questions, I will answer them back.
• If I decided to purchase the item, I like to talk to the seller on the phone first to make personal contact. You can tell a lot about a person from a phone conversation. If they sound creepy, don't buy it.
• Have a friend or co-worker ride with you to meet the seller, and meet in a public place like Starbucks. You can never be too safe!
• Check out the item thoroughly before handing them the money. I can't stress this enough! Open it, look at it, plug it in, try it out. Make sure it is in good condition before you purchase it. There are no returns on Craigslist! 
• Bring exact cash to pay the seller. There is nothing more frustrating than someone showing up with their checkbook, not enough money, or large bills that need change.
• Don't make a low-ball offer at the meeting, unless the item is in worse condition than you expected. If you want to try to make a deal, ask early on, not after they have rearranged their schedule to meet you. Be fair. 
• If you have any hesitation, don't buy it. Like I said, there are no returns on Craigslist. I have walked away from some items, and some I didn't, but later wished I had. You are under no obligation  to purchase something that is not in the condition that you expected.

Those are just some of my Craigslist tips. I wrote a tutorial a while back that has step-by-step instructions on how to actually search the Craigslist website. You can check that out here. 

If you have any questions, please feel free to email me anytime at naturallychicmama (at) gmail (dot) com.

Always, 

Amanda

Our First Garden

This weekend, some good friends of ours helped us plant our first garden. 

First, the guys dug up the grass for our plot.

.

While they did this, Little Man snacked on some Ritz Crackers around the garden box my husband built.

When the plot was ready, they leveled the box and filled it up with soil and composted manure. Then we started planting. 


Laura showed Buddy how to plant "baby" seeds.

I made temporary garden markers out of Home Depot paint sticks and a Sharpie until I can come up with something cuter. I would love to buy a metal stamping kit to make garden spoons like these.

When we were finished planting, we gave it a nice light watering. 

I can't wait to see the first signs of growth! Here is what we planted...

Herbs

Parsley

Mint

Dill

Lemon Basil

Italian Basil

Cilantro

Chamomile

Vegetables

Tomatoes

Cucumbers

Okra

Carrots

Squash

Zucchini

Eggplant

Peppers

I want to buy some seeds to plant Baby Lima Beans (Butter Beans), Cherry Tomatoes, and Calendula flowers to make salve.

Are you planting a garden this year? Do you have any gardening tips for us?

Always, 

Amanda

How to Shop Diaper Swappers

I love Diaperswappers!

Not only for the amazing deals I have found on cloth diapers, but also for the community of mama's whose parenting styles are very similar to mine. There are so many discussion forums that have topics on everything you can think of as it relates to natural parenting. 

It has been an amazing resource to me as a mama. But I will have to say that I was a little intimidated at first, because I  didn't know much about posting on forums. So, for any of you that feel the same, I want to take you through the basics.

Anyone can check out Diaper Swappers, but in order to buy and sell, as well as participate in discussions, you will need to create an account. Don't worry...it's free. Just click Join on the upper right hand of the homepage. From then on, you will just Login using your newly created username and password.

To shop for cloth diapers and other items, or participate in discussions, click on Forum on the upper left hand corner of the homepage.

This will take you to a long list of categories and topics. To browse what others have listed for sale, scroll about halfway down the page to The FSOT (For Sale or Trade). 

First you see WAHM Wares meaning items made by a "Work At Home Mom". 

Next you see FFS - Free For Shipping meaning you pay shipping only for these items. 

Beneath that is ISO - In Search Of. This is where moms list all of the things that they are wanting to buy. I've never created an ISO list, but some mama's have a list a mile long. 

After that, begins the cloth diaper categories. For more info on the different types of cloth diapers, you can read through my past posts under the label Cloth Diapering. 

And although it's not pictured, if you continue to scroll down past the cloth diaper categories, you will find categories for Baby Carriers, Craft & Hobby Supplies, Photography, Homeschooling Items, etc. 

Okay, back to the tutorial...let's pretend I wanted to buy some Pocket Diapers (which I do recommend). I would click on Pocket Diapers under FSOT, and that would bring me here.

Each title is called a Thread. The name beneath it is the username of the person who started the thread, in this case the seller. Threads are listed newest to oldest, and each time someone posts a reply to a thread, it bumps that thread back up to the top making it new again. If you are the seller, you are allowed to post a reply to your own thread every 24 hours to bump it back up so it doesn't get lost on page 4 or 5, where it is less likely to be seen. 

One of the learning curves of forums is learning all of the abbreviations. For example, let me translate the thread title circled in red (pictured above)...."8 EUC (Excellent Used Condition) FB (FuzziBunz Brand) Small (Size) & 1 HH (Happy Heiny) OS (One Size) Cow Print". 

For a cheat sheet of all of the abbreviations commonly used, click here. 

So if I were interested in those diapers, I would click on the thread title, which would bring me to here.

To the left, you see the seller's profile. In the center is the description of her diapers and below that are lots of pictures which are VERY important. (For more info on what to look for when buying used diapers, click here.) If you look at the price, you will see ppd next to it which means postage paid. That means you are just paying the price listed with no additional tax, fees or shipping. This is how most people list their items on Diaper Swappers. 

Above the seller's profile, you will see a button to Post Reply. This is where you respond to the thread. Keep in mind that this is a public response for everyone to see. In order to see the seller's response, you will have to check the thread again later or you can subscribe to the thread, and have a notification sent to your email every time someone posts a reply to the thread.

Here is what a reply looks like, and it can be found directly below the original thread post. All replies are numbered in sequence.

This interested buyer replied "PM'd you" which means she sent the seller a Private Message. They will now communicate back and forth through private messaging, which works very similar to email, only it's done on your Diaper Swappers user page. You can also set up your profile to notify you by email whenever you receive a Private Message. In order to send a Private Message, you must have posted at least five times. Not necessarily start a thread, just posting replies counts as well. I did this by going up to the discussion forums and chiming in on a few topics. 

In order to send this seller a Private Message, I would simply click on her username for a drop down menu. 

One last thing, in order to buy or sell on Diaper Swappers, you will need to set up a PayPal account to make and receive payments. PayPal is very user-friendly, safe and best of all...free! Here is a great tutorial to show you how to use PayPal.

I hope this has helped you to learn the basics so you can start shopping. For more detailed information and tips on using Diaper Swappers, click here. 

As always, if you have any questions, feel free to leave a comment or send me an email!

Always, 

Amanda

How To Shop Craigslist

So if you know me in "real life" or have read much of my blog, you will know that I am a big fan of buying used. I LOVE Craigslist, yard sales, thrift stores, hand-me-downs, dumpster diving, free stuff at the curb, etc. In fact, I cannot tell you one piece of furniture in my house that was purchased new. We always look to buy used whenever possible. And not just furniture, we also buy used clothing, cloth diapers, baby gear, electronics, and jewelry.

One of our favorite places to shop for used items is on Craigslist. Craigslist has gotten a bad rap with some people because of it's personal ads and the movie "The Craigslist Killer", but it's really a great site that some people have just used poorly. When used properly, Craigslist can be a great tool that will save you lots of money.

A question my husband and I get asked a lot about Craigslist is whether or not you have to set up an account. You DO NOT need to have an account or username to shop or sell on Craigslist. You can set up an account for selling purposes if you would like to manage your listings, but there is also the option to sell without setting up an account. I am just going to cover shopping on Craigslist in this post.

To shop on Craigslist, you first need to go to the main website at www.craigslist.com and then select the city that you are in or near.

If you have something that you are specifically shopping for, go to the search box and type in the item you are searching for. If not, you can just browse all listings in certain categories in the "for sale" section in the center of the page.

When searching for a specific item, use key words that you think the seller would probably use in the description. For example, if I just type in the word "table", it will give me tons of results. But if I type in "dining table", it will narrow that selection down a bit. If I want to be even more specific, I could type in "antique dining table". Run your search several times using different key words. In this example, I will search for "cloth diapers".

The search results show me the titles of the posts, the city the seller is located in, the price they are asking, whether or not there is a picture of what they are selling (pic), and the date the item was listed, starting with the most recent listing. If one sounds interesting to you, click on the title in blue. I clicked on the title "NEVER USED CLOTH DIAPERS" at the bottom of the picture above and it brought me to the complete listing description below.

These diapers look and sound good, but the seller does not indicate the brand of diapers. So before purchasing, I would email to ask the brand so that I could do a little research by "Googling" the brand to see if there are any online reviews. To email the seller, I simply copy and paste the "reply to" email address into my regular email "To" section.

Here is how I would typically word the first email.

"Hi, 

I am interested in the cloth diapers that you have listed on Craigslist. Could you tell me the brand of the diapers?

Thanks!"

I would then wait for an email back from the seller, and we would email back and forth until I am ready to make or decline the purchase. If I want to move forward with the purchase, we would then decide on a time and place to meet to make the transaction.

You can also include your phone number in the initial email or ask for their number if you would rather discuss the items that way. My husband prefers to text. Whatever is easiest for you. I personally begin all of my transactions through email, but then like to make meeting arrangements by phone.

Here are a few tips I have regarding the actual transaction:

• Choose a public place to meet. I usually meet people in a busy grocery store parking lot or at Starbucks. 
• Ask the seller what kind of vehicle they will be driving, so you know how to find them.
• Bring the exact amount in cash. Most sellers will not accept a personal check and many do not have change.
• Examine the item closely before paying. If it was misrepresented by the seller, and you do not want to purchase it, it is okay to decline. If you still want it, but feel it is worth less than they are asking, see if they will take less. 

Here are a few tips I have for buying used cloth diapers:

• Check elastic to make sure it is still tight so that you won't have leaks.
• Check velcro to make sure it still sticks well.
• If the diapers have snaps, check all of them by snapping and unsnapping them.
• Look for any tears in fabric that would affect functionality of the diapers.
• Stains aren't a big deal to me because they sun out easily, and my baby will be making his own. :)

I hope that this has been helpful for those of you wanting to purchase used items. Please leave a comment with any questions you have and I will answer in the comment section so that it will be helpful to others.

Always,

Amanda

Cloth Diapering 101: Getting Started

I have a couple of friends who are expecting and are thinking about using cloth diapers. They have both asked me about what they need to get started, so I thought I would post my advice here on the blog in case any of you are wondering the same thing.

First up, I would recommend purchasing used diapers from either Craigslist or Diaper Swappers. That will save you a lot of money up front and allow you to try out cloth diapering without investing too much money. If you have never shopped Craigslist or a FSOT (For Sale Or Trade) Forum before, tomorrow I will be posting some tips on using these.

Next up, you need to determine how much you want to spend starting out. If you want to keep the costs down, I would recommend going with prefolds and covers. If you can afford to spend a little more, I would recommend going with one-sized pocket diapers.

Prefolds and Covers
If you are going with this option, you will need to purchase about 24 prefolds, 2 snappis, and 4 covers. (Around $100 NEW plus tax & shipping/$75 USED no tax, shipping included) That will have you washing diapers every 2-3 days. I would recommend Cloth-eez (GMD) or Little Lions Prefolds. My favorite covers are the Thirsties Duo Wrap and/or the Imse Vimse Cover. And then Snappis are a must have when using prefolds. For photo instructions on using prefolds, click here and scroll down the page a little bit. You can also use fleece and/or wool covers. Click here to read more about these types of covers.

Pocket Diapers
If you have a little bit more money to spend, I would definitely go with pocket diapers. I know when I posted about pocket diapers before, I wasn't a big fan. But that was before I tried the bumGenius One Size Pocket Diapers. They are amazing and now I use them exclusively. These go on just like a regular diaper and are very easy to use. The other great thing about these is that you can use the same diaper as your baby grows. You can also purchase replacement elastic and hook/loop (velcro) for repairs if necessary. This allows you to use the diapers for years on multiple children. They are definitely worth the investment in my opinion. I have 18 diapers (Around $325 NEW plus tax & shipping/$200 USED no tax, shipping included ) and that is enough for me to only have to do laundry every 2-3 days.

The other things you will need to get started are:

• Special Laundry Detergent (Click here to read my recommendations.) 
• Something to put your dirty diapers in at the house and also a small wetbag (or a large ziplock bag) for when you are out. (Click here for more information.)
• If you want to use cloth wipes, you can make your own or just use washcloths. (Click here for my recipe for homemade wipe solution.) You can also use regular wipes, you just have to remember to throw those away in a separate pail or trash can. 

One tip that I have if you are cloth diapering a newborn baby is to either protect the inside of your cloth diapers from the meconium poo by using flushable liners, or use disposables for the first few days until all of the meconium has passed.  

So that sums up my advice for anyone asking the question..."What do I need to start cloth diapering?" Of course there are other kinds of cloth diapers out there. You can read more about these by reading through  "Cloth Diapering 101" on my Natural Parenting page. If you have any questions, please leave a comment and I will also answer in the comment section so that everyone can read.

Always,

Amanda

Remember Those Shopping Totes!

In my efforts to become more "green" and live an environmentally friendly lifestyle, I am not doing very well in one very simple area.

No matter how hard I try, I almost never remember to take my reusable totes when I go shopping. So I have a pantry full of plastic bags that shame me every time I open the door, and a huge collection of shopping totes that sit unused.

For my One Small Change for November, I thought that I would make more of an effort to use my shopping totes. Because I have had such a difficult time remembering to use my totes, I thought that I would ask for tips on an online forum that I am a part of.

Here are some of the great tips that I received.

• Take the totes back to the car immediately after unloading them -OR- place them by the door or your purse so that you remember to take them with you when you leave to go shopping -OR- make a sign to keep by the door that reminds you to take your shopping totes with you.
• When putting the totes in the car, put them on the floor in front of the car seat so that you will see them when you take the baby out -OR- keep them in the front seat so that you don't forget them.
• Keep small, thin totes (ChicoBag or Waste-less were recommended) folded inside your purse, diaper bag or clipped to your key chain so that you always have one on you.

So if you are out doing some last minute shopping for your Thanksgiving meal or hitting up those Black Friday deals, try to remember to take your totes so that you can reduce your carbon footprint by just a little this Holiday season!


Always, 

Amanda

Homemade Lavender Laundry Detergent

A little while back, I mentioned that I would soon be trying out some homemade laundry detergent based on a  recipe I found here. Well, I am already on my second batch and I love it! It's easy to make and does a great job at getting our clothes clean.

Here's the recipe...(For a printable version, click here.)

Homemade Lavender Laundry Detergent
(Makes approximately 5 cups)

2 cups finely grated lavender castile soap*
1 cup borax
1 cup baking soda
1 cup washing soda

*I use Dr. Bronner's lavendar soap. It smells so good!

I wanted to make some type of spot treatment as well. I did a little "Googling" and found this idea. I've used it a couple of times and it works well. You basically take the soap bits leftover from making your detergent, place them in a small jar (I reuse a baby food jar), add boiling water, and allow the soap to melt. 

I put the lid on and shook it up a little to help speed the process. After a few hours, it will turn into a mousse-like soap jelly. If you get a little spot on your clothes, just dab a bit of the soap jelly on the spot and rub in. This works as a good concentrated pre-wash treatment. If you get something on your carpet or furniture, just take a bit of the soap jelly and rub it onto the spot with a rag and a little bit of water. It should come right out. For extra stubborn stains, use a little baking soda mixed with hydrogen peroxide. 

Note: I still continue to use Charlie's Soap for my cloth diapers. Click here for more information on selecting the right detergent for your cloth diapers.

Always, 

Amanda

No More Paper Towels!

So I kind of forgot to post a change for September, but now I am back on track. For those of you that don't know, One Small Change is basically a challenge to make one environmentally friendly change per month to reduce your carbon footprint.

We have recently made the switch to using cloth napkins and rags in place of paper towels. It was a change I had been planning to make for a while, but for some reason it seemed like a lot of work. A few weeks ago I was rummaging around in a bin at the thrift store and found a bag full of cloth napkins for $2. Granted, some of the colors are very mid-80's, but those are great for the extra messy dinners that cause more staining. I also found a great deal on some adorable dish towels at IKEA (pictured above), and I just cut them in half and hemmed the edge to make a set of 6 napkins that match my kitchen. That switch was easy!

Now switching from paper towels to rags for household cleaning was a little bit harder for me because of the "gross" factor. I bought a set of colorful rags from Wal-Mart, and use them according to color. The yellow rags are for the dirtiest jobs like toilets and the cloth diaper pail. I wash those with the cloth diapers. I know they get clean, but for some reason I feel better knowing I'm not wiping the mirror with a rag that was previously used on the toilet.

So here is my "un-paper towel" system:

• Cloth napkins for meals
• The dish cloths we have had since we got married for wiping tables, counters and faces
• The dish cloths I knit for washing dishes
• Blue, green or white rags for bathroom counters, mirrors, shower walls, and floor messes
• Yellow rags for toilets and the cloth diaper pail

I do keep an emergency roll of paper towels in the pantry for cleaning up the occasional nasty bug because I have major bug-a-phobia! But as long as they are out of sight, I never think to reach for them for the other stuff.

Making the switch was much easier than I thought. I'd love to hear about any changes you are making in the effort to be more environmentally friendly. Please leave a comment to share with the rest of us!


Always, 

Amanda

Homemade Dryer Balls

If you want soft clothes without using the chemicals found in fabric softener and dryer sheets, I recommend that you switch to using dryer balls. Not only do they soften your clothes without harsh chemicals, they can be used over and over again. So your saving money and saving the planet. Sounds good to me!

It's easy to make your own. Here's all you need...

• 1 skein of 100% wool yarn (Lion Brand Fisherman's Wool works great and is available at Jo-Ann's, Hobby Lobby)
• 1 large blunt needle
• 1 pair of pantyhose

Wind the yarn around two fingers a few times...

Remove the yarn from your fingers and continue to wind over the center 1-2 times...

Fold this in half to use as the base of your ball...

Start winding the yarn to form a tight ball, switching directions regularly...

Continue to do this until they are about the size of golf balls...

Use the large blunt needle to hide the yarn tail inside the ball (see below). Tie some pantyhose tightly around each ball to hold it together during the felting process. To felt, simply throw them in with your laundry to wash and dry on hot a few times.

Remove pantyhose and begin to add yarn to increase the size of your dryer balls until they are about the size of baseballs.

Secure the tail of your yarn by threading it through the eye of your large blunt needle and pushing it through the ball. Trim the tail to be level with the edge of the ball.

Once again, tie pantyhose around the balls and felt by washing and drying several times on hot. 

Remove the pantyhose and they are ready to go!

To use, simple toss them in the dryer with your load of laundry and run as usual. I keep mind in the dryer in between loads so I don't forget to use them. And so Buddy won't play with them...he thinks Mama made him toy balls. :) 

The dryer balls bounce around, "beating" the clothes to keep them soft. If you miss the scent of fabric softener, add a few drops of your favorite essential oil to your dryer balls to make your laundry smell nice.

Always, 

Amanda