Household Hint

I think this is my first post regarding a household hint.  It is really a simple idea I had some time ago.  I use Oxi Clean Versatile Stain Remover for soaking clothes with stains, and also add it to loads of clothes in the washer.  I did not like having to find the spoon that is included in the plastic container.  So, one day I decided to simply tear back a small portion of the paper top and started just sprinkling it into the washer.  I found that such an easier way to use this great cleaner.

I know this is crazy simple idea, but I did feel creative when thinking of it!

 Unopened container of Oxi Clean.

 The paper top slightly torn back to create the opening to pour from.

After I use the amount I need, I just fold the torn edge back over the container and put the lid back on.

Fish Pocket Cargo Pants

It's time to send the September package to our grandchildren Evie and Canaan who live in England with their dad and mom (who happens to be Jessica of Sunnystitching ).  I made a pillowcase for Evie that I mentioned in my most recent post...click here to see it; it turned out really pretty.

Of course, I also wanted to make something for Canaan and decided to make another pair of cargo pants using the same pattern from the Remade Pants and Train TShirt previously posted.

I had some leftover lightweight cotton denim fabric that I had previously purchased from JoAnn's Fabrics. However, I wanted to use a colorful print for the pockets this time and went to JoAnn's with a friend Liz.  She suggested the cute fish fabric that I used....she is really good at choosing fabrics.

The pattern is Simplicity 3856, a very versatile pattern. Canaan wears the size 3.

The cargo pants are so easy to make!

A close up of the cute and happy fish fabric used for the pocket. the seams in the middle of the pocket are for the tuck

This is the "side" view of one of the legs where the pocket is sewed.

The finished Fish Pocket Cargo Pants!

Canaan, Papa wants to take you fishing when you come in December.

Maybe you can wear your "Fish Pocket Cargo Pants"

We love you, Nanny and Papa

Pink Pillowcase

Last year Jessica (SunnyStitching) and I made a quilt for Evangelyn's new bed.  We used pieces of fabric from clothes we had sewed for her and also some clothes that were her favorites.  The quilt was so beautiful and cheerful when finished.  Click here to see Jessica's post about it..you will love her fabulous blog.  I have included a picture of it below.

Several months later I used the left over scraps to make a fun "Pig Pillow" for her bed, and also made a "Pig Pillow" for her brother Canaan using scrap fabric from clothes we had made for him.  Evie still did not have a cute pillowcase so I then decided to make her one and used still remaining fabric from the pig. Here is a picture of the pigs showing the patchwork.

I found a great pattern online.  From the pattern choices for the pillowcase, i chose the basic pattern.  Then I purchased some soft cotton fabric, pink with white polka dots at JoAnn's Fabric store for the body of the pillowcase,  and started cutting and sewing.  I used the patchwork fabric leftover from the pig for the band of the pillowcase. So, the pillowcase will be shipped this week, along with the cargo pants I made for Canaan.   I think Evie will really love it.

To our precious Evie......sleep tight. 

Love, Nanny and Papa

Flaming Marshmellow - Photo of the Week

Jerry and I made smores with Henry and Corey on our barbeque grill the night of the Final Volleyball Game of the 2012 Olympics.  I took this by accident....a great accident!!!..

"The Flaming Marshmellow"

Horse Nightshirt for Corey

Wow, this is my first post in several months.  Sure hope I can remember how to do this!!!!

My granddaughter Corey is 10 years old and this summer she was blessed to have attended a horse camp at the Palomar Christian Center.  She loves horses and had such a great week there.  I had hoped to finish the nightshirt before she went to the camp but just ran out of time. 

I used McCalls Pattern M4963 and purchased the soft cotton fabric at our local JoAnn's Fabric store.  I have used this pattern for several years to make various nightshirts ad love it.  It is so easy to follow.

Pictures are below.

 I chose to make her the size Girls 10-12

 Finished!

 The nightshirt fit Corey perfect! ... and looks so so great on her!

A big thank you to anyone viewing this post.....there is definitely a season for everything.

Summer is over and sewing is back!!!!

Snails and Beer

We usually have a lot of snails that like to eat the vegetables we plant in the garden.  A friend told us she had heard of two ways to keep them away.  First method was to put crushed eggshells around each plant since the snails would not walk over them.  Next was to bury small containers level with the soil and put beer in them.  Supposedly the snails would crawl into the beer.

So we tried it!

And Guess What!..............It worked and has still worked as the vegetables have gotten larger!

Here is a photo of the first snail Jerry caught in the beer.  However, yesterday he caught 10!!!!  They must like the inexpensive beer we get at Trader Joe's!

Our garden is growing.....

Two Little Sheep

Jerry and I wanted to add two sheep to the Nativity Scene that we made last year with Corey, Henry and our neighbor's daughter Lily.  We drew the figures of Joseph, Mary, the manger and Baby Jesus on pieces of wood.  Jerry cut them out.  We all then painted them and put them in our front yard last December.  We did purchase the lighted star at Lowe's Home Improvement here in San Clemente.

However, we really missed Evie and Canaan helping us.  They had not arrived from England yet.  We knew their visit at Christmas would go by very fast.  So we decided that when they came during the summer we would add two sheep.

Jerry cut the sheep out.  He outlined them and Evie, Canaan, Corey and Henry all got to paint them together.

Here is the picture that he found online to use as a guide.  He drew it using squares to make it larger.

Then he cut the two sheep out of wood and drew on the faces.

Before the children painted them, Jerry used a Sharpie Pen to outline the details so after they were painted he could see the details and outline them again.

 

After the sheep were painted white, they used a light brown for the faces and then traced the details with a Sharpie Pen.  The feet, eyes, nose and mouth were painted with black acrylic.   After the paint dried, Jerry sprayed them with a clear matte finish.

 Oh....they are so cute!!!!!!!!

 

They are going to look so nice when added to the Nativity Scene.