Replies

When we were kids, we ate fried pies, all the dried fruits and a chocolate pudding one.

I love good pound cake.

Some of the best that I have ever eaten, was the Navy C-Ration in a can, that is good.

I manage to eat one, all alone, with a smear of butter on it and lots of good coffee.

9,214 posted on 06/25/2009 4:35:16 PM PDT by nw_arizona_granny ( http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/chat/2181392/posts?page=1 [Survival,food,garden,crafts,and more)

This message contains the following:

1. Violation of Federal Mattress Flammability Standard Prompts Recall by Loyal Bedding of Mattress Sets

http://www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/prerel/prhtml09/09255.html

2. DEWALT Recalls Framing Nailers Due to Serious Injury Hazard

http://www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/prerel/prhtml09/09256.html

3. Big Muddy Motor Sports Recalls Generators Due to Fire Hazard

http://www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/prerel/prhtml09/09257.html

4. OKK Trading To Pay $665,000 Civil Penalty for Violating Federal Lead Paint Ban and Other Child Safety Rules

http://www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/prerel/prhtml09/09254.html

9,217 posted on 06/26/2009 8:47:19 AM PDT by nw_arizona_granny ( http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/chat/2181392/posts?page=1 [Survival,food,garden,crafts,and more)

Dollmaker’s Journey CUSTOMER CONNECTION
Dream ~ Imagine ~ Create ~ Grow ~ Believe ~ Magic
At http://dollmakersjourney.com we help your creative dreams come
true.

June 2009 Issue 91

******************************
Copyright 2009 by Dollmaker’s Journey

Dollmaker’s Journey Customer Connection newsletter is a free e-mail
newsletter. Tell your friends, family and fellow dollmakers about us,
and feel free to forward this newsletter to those who might be
interested. You can visit our companion website at:
http://www.dollmakersjourney.com/

**Notice!**
You can view this issue online. Go to
http://dollmakersjourney.com/newsletter/cc91.html

You can read all the past issues online. Go to:
http://dollmakersjourney.com/newsletter/archives.html
The archives include an easy to follow index to all the past issues.

******************************
Dear Dollmaking Friends,

At five minutes and six seconds after 4 AM on the 8th of July this
year, the time and date will be 04:05:06 07/08/09. This will never
happen again. Just one of those odd little facts you come across every
now and then.

This month we are featuring mermaids. We have 65 patterns on sale,
along with a couple of freebies. Make a mermaid this month and let her
brighten up your bathroom. Paint a wooden base with tan, mix Paverpol
with some sand and miniature seashells, spread it on the base, and add
a rock (you can find interesting ones in your aquarium shop). If you
add the rock while the Paverpol is still wet and put a little Paverpol
on the rock, it will stick to the base. Once the sand dries, the whole
base will be waterproof. Then perch your mermaid on the rock and you
have a beautiful addition to your décor.

One of our designers, Gloria “Mimi” Winer, has a free pattern for a
wonderful doll called Mimi’s Child which can be turned into a mermaid.
It includes a contest, legs, a tail, and flukes. You can find out more
in “Our Gift to You” later in this newsletter.

So bring some fantasy into your life. Make a mermaid this month!

Bonnie and Mary Ann

******************************
JUNE SALE

Summer is upon us here in the Northern Hemisphere and our thoughts are
turning to ocean breezes, sandy beaches and MERMAIDS! Guess this
would be a great time to take 20% off our fabulous array of MERMAID
patterns. Be sure to take advantage of our JUNE SALE. http://dollmakersjourney.com/

INTRODUCTORY SPECIAL – Barbara Willis’s “Cloth Doll Artistry – Design
and Costuming Techniques for Flat and Fully Sculpted Figures” will be
discounted during the month of June. http://dollmakersjourney.com/books.html

Remember, visit our website at http://dollmakersjourney.com at the
beginning of each month to see what our new sale will be. That way you
won’t have to wait for a newsletter.

******************************
MAY QUIZ WINNER

Q: Which explorer is credited with being the first European to see
the eastern shore of the Pacific Ocean?

A: Vasco Nunez de Balboa on September 25, 1513.

Congratulations to Edy Burtis from Corrales, New Mexico. Your name was
selected at random from all of the correct quiz entries, and you will
receive a $10 gift certificate from Dollmaker’s Journey. Watch for
your name in a coming month!

******************************
JUNE QUESTION

Q: Everyone who reads email knows what SPAM is. Why do we use the term
SPAM instead of junk mail?

Everyone who emails in the correct answers by July 15th will be
entered into a drawing for a $10 gift certificate to Dollmaker’s
Journey. The winner will be announced in the next newsletter. Email
your answers to Bonnie at EnchantedR@aol.com Put June Quiz in subject
box. Please include your full name and where you live (state/country)
in your email. NOTE: Several times in the past a winner was
drawn with no name or state/country included. When that happens we
have to draw again. So please, make sure you include this information
with your answer.

******************************
CHARITY CORNER

There is a very special website called “Do One Nice Thing”. Debbie
Tenzer decided to find small problems that she could help solve to
make the world a better place. If you visit her website you can find
many great ideas of places and things to donate for charity. For
example: go to http://doonenicething.com
Click on ideas. Click on healing. Click on beanies for buddies. There
are patterns for beanies for chemo patients (children) with a matching
pattern for a beanie for a beanie baby animal. You can make them,
donate to a local hospital, or send items or money to the children’s
hospital in California to help kids there.
If you sign up for their email, they will send two ideas each month to
help someone in need. Since she began this movement in 2005, people in
90 countries have joined her efforts to do good deeds. Let me know if
any of you participate, and I will mention it in an upcoming
newsletter.

******************************
JUST FOR FUN

Murphy’s Laws for Cloth Dollmakers.
(Compliments of The Kezi Works, Portland, Oregon)

The seam you meant to rip out will be the other one.
The pattern you wanted to make again will have the main part of the
head missing.
If you knock something off your sewing table, it will be your open box
of pins.
Just as you spread the quick-drying glue for the hair, the phone will
ring.
The only thing in the house the cat will bother when you dash to the
store is the head you just finished.
Your lost needle will be found by your son or husband ... while
walking barefoot.
Gathering threads will always break in the middle.
The magnitude of the sewing goof will depend on how much you paid for
the fabric.
When you are in a hurry, the eye of the needle will always be too
small.
If you need 4 buttons, you will only find 3 in your button box.
When your sewing is going extremely well, the bobbin thread will run
out.
The sewing machine light will burn out on Sunday night.
Pinking shears will get dull just by looking at them.
You have 100 spools of thread ... but not the color you want right
now.
As soon as you replace the trim you “lost”, you will find the lost
trim under a pile of laundry.

******************************
CUSTOMER QUERIES

Q: I am trying (very, very hard) to create my own doll pattern (on
the lines of Mary Tressler or Patti Culea) and just can’t seem to get
it right for some reason. Are there any books or web links do you
know of that could help me in my dilemma?

A: Check out our book section at http://dollmakersjourney.com/books.html
for books by Susanna Oroyan and Maggie Baggett that show you different
methods of designing doll bodies. Also, there are some good videos on
how to design doll bodies by Antoinette Cely at http://www.cely.com/shop/mainshop.html
The best online class I ever had to create doll bodies was from Judi
Ward at http://craftycollege.com/academics/dollclasses.html
I took both Design your own doll and Advanced design your own doll
class. They were an excellent introduction into designing your own
doll patterns.

************************************************
ANTIQUING CLOTH DOLLS USING GLUE
By Judi Ward

Editor’s Note: I went to a meeting at Judi Ward’s home last Saturday.
She is creating a series of antique-looking dolls for an exhibit at a
museum this fall. One of the techniques she told us about is how to
antique the face and body using Elmer’s White Glue. The dolls end up
with very fine natural looking cracks that are perfect every time.
Here is what she wrote:

“I just wrote an article for the glue method that June Slack asked me
to test and write about. It works sooo well and eliminates so much
sanding! The article has more tidbits and lots of pictures, but this
is the gist of it. Basically here it is. Let things dry between the
coats of course.

*Paint the Gesso coat and sand just enough to take off the lifted
fibers. You can do another coat of Gesso if desired.

*Paint the flesh coat. Again sand very lightly. I just rub with a dry,
rough face cloth.

*Do another flesh coat if desired.

*Paint all features and hair etc.

*Paint on a good thick coat of Elmer’s white glue. It may separate as
it sets up. Don’t worry, it seems to self correct, and dries smooth
and clear as glass.

*Now paint on a coat of clear, matte or satin acrylic varnish. I have
used several types and all worked fine. I even used a polyurethane
floor finish and a German wood and bamboo finish.

*As the varnish dries very tiny little “cracks” will appear. At first
you will think nothing is happening, but soon they start to appear.
Let the item dry overnight. You can then rub it with brown shoe polish
and rub most of it off or paint a coat of brown acrylic paint over all
and rub that off. You may have to add a bit of water to a cloth to rub
the acrylic off.

*Finally spray with a coat of Clear, matte acrylic spray like Krylon.

*Viola, you are done and the glue makes the surface so smooth!

*If you use oils let me know how it works. I don’t oil paint so have
not tried it with those.

Note: You can see more of Judi’s tutorials, classes, and patterns at:
http://www.judisdolls.com For patterns and dolls
http://www.picturetrail.com/judisdolls For dolls and mini lessons
http://www.thedollnet.com for classes

********************************
WORDS TO LIVE BY FOR THE FATHER IN YOUR LIFE

My father gave me the greatest gift anyone could give another person:
He believed in me.
- Jim Valvano

There’s something like a line of gold thread running through a man’s
words when he talks to his daughter, and gradually over the years it
gets to be long enough for you to pick up in your hands and weave into
a cloth that feels like love itself.
- John Gregory Brown

******************************
CHALLENGES/COMPETITIONS

Cloth Baby Doll Contest Entries – The Votes Are Counted! Check out
which Baby Doll Won!
http://clothdollbabies.com/

2009 All Dolled Up: Beaded Art Doll Competition
Due date: August 31, 2009
Theme: Earthen Mother
Official rules posted here: http://www.landofodds.com/store/alldolledup.htm

September 4-7, 2009 – DragonCon Art Show and Convention
Atlanta, Georgia
To enter the juried show with dolls that are SciFi or fantasy themed,
apply by April 15.
Information and applications for the show can be found here
http://artshow.dragoncon.org/index.html

September 30, 2009 – Mimi’s Child Interactive Pattern
http://Mimidolls.com for entry forms and instructions
Download free pattern from her website

October 15-18, 2009 – Treasures of the Gypsy Challenge
Houston, Texas
The theme this year is “The Enchanted Gypsy.” Send $20 to Pamela Armas
to receive your challenge packet of “Gypsy” fabric and trims. This
includes the entry fee and shipping. All dolls to be exhibited at the
Houston Quilt Festival!
For more info: GypsyTreasures@cs.com
For packet send $20 to: Treasures of the Gypsy PO Box 748 Mountainair,
NM 87036

******************************
DESIGNER TAG TIP

Paula Starr’s “Soft Sculptures”, an exhibit of 23 delightful dolls,
will be on display at the Sandy Spring Museum in Sandy Spring,
Maryland from June 17 – September 13, 2009. With each doll she has
created a hang tag with a wonderful poem giving a history of that
doll. She says sometimes it takes longer to write the poem than it
does to create the doll. Here is one of her favorites:

Isadora
I thought I could be a ballerina
I tried out and didn’t make it
When you’re overweight and over 60
It’s really hard to fake it!

******************************
UPCOMING EVENTS YOU WON’T WANT TO MISS

June 17 – September 13, 2009 – Sandy Spring Museum Art Show
17901 Bentley Road, Sandy Spring, MD 20860
Featuring Paula Starr’s “Soft Sculptures”
For more information call 301-774-0022

July 8 – 11, 2009 – International Doll Makers Association Convention
2009
Knoxville, Tennessee
For more information call 865-522-2600
Sales room open to the public July 10-11 at 10:00 AM

July 11 - 15, 2009 - National Doll Festival
Atlanta, Georgia
Holiday Inn Select Capitol Conference Center
Free shuttle bus to Marriott Marquis
Email DollFestival@aol.com for further information

July 12 – 17, 2009 - UFDC (United Federation of Doll Clubs) National
Convention
Atlanta, Georgia (Marriott Marquis in downtown Atlanta)
http://www.ufdc.org/Convention2006.html

July 11 – 12, 2009 - ODACA (Original Doll Artists Council of America)
National Convention
Atlanta, Georgia (Marriott Marquis in downtown Atlanta)
http://www.odaca.org/events.php

July 25, 2009 – Black Doll Show and Craft Sale
Riverside Church, South Hall, 490 Riverside Drive, New York New York
11 a.m. to 6 p.m.
For more information contact http://www.blackdollshows.com

July 30 – August 2, 2009 – Enchanted Doll Artists Conference
Albuquerque, New Mexico
http://www.enchanteddollartistsconference.org/

August 8, 2009 – Rockville Senior Center Doll Show
1150 Carnation Drive, Rockville, Maryland
Sales is from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Lots of dolls and doll-related items
for sale
For exhibitor information call 240-314-8800

August 15, 2009 – Day With Dolls
Babylon, New York
http://mysite.verizon.net/vze2r22a/notices/DWD.pdf

September 8-13, 2009 - NIADA (National Institute of American Doll
Artists) National Convention
Arromont, Tennessee
For more information go to http://www.niada.org/info.html

September 16-19, 2009 – Dimensions in Dollmaking 2009
Contemporary Cloth Doll Exhibit at the San Diego Quilt Show
Sponsored by the Imitation of Life Construction Company (IOLCC). The
theme this year is “Make Me Laugh.” Contact Lois Bouncer at
lois@aardvarktozebra.com or 760-438-3431 for the details and forms.

September 25-26, 2009 – California Regional Doll Festival
Millbrae, California (by San Francisco Airport)
For more information contact the Lowmans at DollFestival@aol.com or
call (831) 438-5349

October 8-12, 2009 – The East Coast Art Retreat
Crowne Plaza, Cromwell, Connecticut
Email: info@art-is-you.com
Website: www.art-is-you.com

To save yourself time and energy, get all the details on upcoming doll
related events at
CLOTH DOLL CONNECTION: http://clothdollconnection.com/

*******************************
SPECIAL GIFTS FOR YOU

Gloria “Mimi” Winer has a free pattern called Mimi’s Child (the
instruction book/video is NOT free, but you can win the contest
without it)
http://mimidolls.com/Files/MC-PatternSheets.pdf
She also has a challenge. The winner will receive a doll made by
Gloria which you can see here:
http://mimidolls.com/Dept-Shop/MC_Preview/ChallengeGallery.htm
To see pictures of the finished doll and contest rules, click here:
http://mimidolls.com/Dept-Shop/MC_Preview/index.htm

Gloria says: “This is my first Interactive Pattern. We need your help
to tell us what we did right, and what we got a little bit wrong. In
return for your help, you can win prizes, you get a free update (by
download) of any changes, and you get the pattern at least 40% off
until the end of the Challenge.”

While at her new website, check out her great video on stuffing
http://mimidolls.com/DCC_Demos/DCC_Demos_Stuffing.htm
For help on specific techniques, click here:
http://mimidolls.com/Dept-Download/index.htm
You can see more of her patterns at http://dollmakersjourney.com/mimi.html

*************************************
NEW PATTERNS/BOOKS/CD-ROMs/DVDs/MOLDS

Raggedys, Snow Babies and Witches - Oh My! We’ve just added five more
delicious patterns from GINI SIMPSON. It will be hard to decide which
one to make first. Stop by and take a peek - http://dollmakersjourney.com/simpson.html

You’ll be advancing your needle sculpting technique with UTE VASINA’S
charming “Little Folk.” Stop by a take a look at this great pattern.
http://dollmakersjourney.com/vasina.html

SUSAN BARMORE never seems to run out of ideas for the most fascinating
dolls. We’re adding her clever “Mermaids on a Stick,” the enchanting
“Cosma” and her eerily unique ‘Butterfly Witch.”
http://dollmakersjourney.com/barmore.html

We have something old and something new from elinor peace bailey.
You’ll find her lovely bead jointed doll “Maggie Goes Shopping” and
her spritely new “SeaBreeze” along with a great selection of her
classic patterns.
http://dollmakersjourney.com/epb.html

It’s never too early to start thinking about holiday projects. We
just love MAUREEN MILLS’ “Pumpkin Seeds” and we also have another of
her sweet Raggedies - “Annie’s Pet.”
http://dollmakersjourney.com/mills.html

We’ve been waiting for months for the release of BARBARA WILLIS’S
extraordinary new book - “Cloth Doll Artistry - Design and Costuming
techniques for Flat and Fully Sculpted Figures” and it was so worth
the wait! With Barbara’s skillful guidance you are going to take your
dollmaking and embellishment skills to a whole new level through the
creation of any one of the wonderful array of projects in this 128
page book. As an INTRODUCTORY SPECIAL we’re discounting this
wonderful book all month long. Be sure to get your copy soon!
http://dollmakersjourney.com/books.html

ALLISON MARANO has retired another class and turned it into a terrific
CD. You are just going to love her delightful “Grapevine Girls!” Click
here to find out all the wonderful techniques you’ll be learning
http://dollmakersjourney.com/marano.html

We are adding two darling pindoll/barrette doll patterns from DEANNA
HOGAN that are perfect for summer - “The Swimmer” and “Miranda the
Mermaid.”
Stop by and take a peek. http://dollmakersjourney.com/hogan.html

“Rose Red” is an enchanting medieval beauty from the lush imagination
of BARBARA SCHOENOFF. We know you are going to fall in love with her
costuming.
http://dollmakersjourney.com/schoenoff.html

******************************
DESIGNER DOINGS

Check out the July/August issue of Belle Armoire, p. 74, for a special
jacket that Jane Houck created. She worked on it for months using
fabrics purchased at a lovely quilt shop in Melbourne, Australia. You
can seek some of Jane’s fabulous patterns at http://dollmakersjourney.com/houck.html

******************************
SUPPLIES

For your convenience we now have NYLON/LYCRA. Designers such as
SUZETTE RUGOLO use this 4-way stretch fabric over sculpted faces to
cover the center seam which is a terrific technique to learn.
http://dollmakersjourney.com/fabrics.html

We’ve just added another color of our new Deersuede - a very nice
medium dark shade called “Cocoa.” http://dollmakersjourney.com/fabrics.html

Over in the HAIR Department you’ll find a new shade of Straight Wool -
a beautiful BROWN. http://dollmakersjourney.com/hair.html

*******************************
NEWS FROM THE HOME FRONT

Bonnie recently attended a meeting at Judi Ward’s new townhouse in
Rockville, Maryland, where she saw amazing dolls and learned to make a
doll stand out of a Lay’s Potato Chip canister and clay. Judi Ward
invented a wonderful doll stand that works for dolls from 9” to 14”.
It uses Plastic Potato Chip containers, bleach containers, or other
empty plastic containers. Go to http://www.picturetrail.com/judisdolls
and click on the Bleuette in Cloth Album to see step-by-step pictures
of how to make this unique stand. You can put plaster or wood putty
(we used Crayola air-dry clay) in the base to add weight and cover it
with tiny rocks, flowers, moss, etc. We sculpted tiny roses, leaves,
mice, etc. from clay to add to the base. She discovered that a
plastic dish soap bottle was almost impossible to cut, and the spine
was too stiff to bend around a wooden dowel that she inserted in the
clay to provide back support to the stand. Bonnie is thinking of
turning the back into a tree trunk by wrapping with fabric and
covering with vines of Apoxie Sculpt running down the back and onto
the base.

Mary Ann was sorry to miss the meeting at Judi’s but she was up in New
Jersey. Besides visiting with her parents for Fathers Day Weekend,
she and Jim drove into Philadelphia to spend a marvelous afternoon at
the Philadelphia Museum of Art. They saw an awesome clothing display
depicting French fashions from the late 1800’s. What intrigued Mak
the most were the white mannequins that had intricate hairstyles made
entirely of white wired ribbon. Hmmmmm……the synapses starting
firing. On Saturday Jim and Mary Ann drove further north to Jersey
City to spend the afternoon with his son Sean and wife Lisa and son
Mike and his girlfriend Becky. They enjoyed a wonderful meal at this
little hole in the wall French restaurant that was out of this world.
Mary Ann has to put a new roof on her house this summer so she and Jim
are planning a variety of interesting day trips rather than a regular
vacation. More adventures to come.

******************************
WEBSITES:

Links to favorite websites for unusual things like tiny buckles and
zippers for dolls from a new customer
http://www.adams-harris.com/just_stuff.htm

Go to the bottom and click on sculpture to see some wonderful work by
Richard MacDonald
www.richardmacdonald.com

Laura Balombini has wonderful contemporary art dolls here:
www.lbalombini.com

******************************
We’d love to hear your thoughts about our Customer Connection
newsletter.

Contact the editor Bonnie B. Lewis at EnchantedR@aol.com with any
comments, suggestions, etc.
Please feel free to pass this newsletter on to any of your friends.
Help us spread the word about Dollmaker’s Journey! All we ask is that
you forward it intact, with all the subscription information included.
Thanks!

—~—~-————~—~——~——————~-———~—~——~
You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google
Groups “Dollmakers Journey CUSTOMER CONNECTION” group.

For more options, visit this group at
http://groups.google.com/group/dollmakersjourney?hl=en
-~—————~——~——~——~———~——~———~—~-—

Good site:

http://clothdollbabies.com/

Difficult to believe Baby Anne is a cloth doll:

http://clothdollbabies.com/challenge2009/index.html

9,224 posted on 06/28/2009 5:08:04 AM PDT by nw_arizona_granny ( http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/chat/2181392/posts?page=1 [Survival,food,garden,crafts,and more)

http://bohemianrevolution.com/

SCAM ALERT: burning plastic smell coming from your refrigerator?

Posted: 26 Jun 2009 11:19 PM PDT

9503_inside_our_refrigerator

Tonight, I discovered my refrigerator was emitting a burning plastic or rubber sort of smell, and the kitchen was hazy with something smoke-like, but more white (it may have been smoke, I don’t know). I pulled it out and unplugged it, and eventually aired the toxic fumes out of the apartment.

Apparently, this happens all the time. My particular model, and Kenmore side by side, is now known for blowing up like this after about 5 years. We all grumblingly accept that appliances are built not to last so we’ll have to buy them more often, but does corporate greed really need to kill someone before they do something about it? This malfunction can start fires. What if it happened while you weren’t home to stop it?

But it’s not just Kenmore. It’s also GE. And Maytag. And Whirlpool. And yes, it can happen because people don’t clean the refrigerators as recommended, but that doesn’t seem to be the only reason. It’s a part called a compressor relay that seems to be the culprit. What do you want to bet, all these brands are using the same part from some manufacturer?

I’m having a repair person out tomorrow, if I can get one to come. Even if the refrigerator can be repaired affordably, I’m not sure I can ever trust it again. But what one could I trust? This is just insane. Like we don’t have enough crap to worry about in our daily lives. It just makes me want to go live in a cave.

9,226 posted on 06/28/2009 6:35:56 AM PDT by nw_arizona_granny ( http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/chat/2181392/posts?page=1 [Survival,food,garden,crafts,and more)

http://bohemianrevolution.com/mineral-salt-deoderants-green-and-frugal/

Mineral salt deodorants – green and frugal
by Jen (June 17, 2009)

748846_the_perfection_of_natureAbout nine months ago, I started using a mineral deodorant. You know, the ones you find at the health food store that look like a piece of quartz crystal. Some of them are roll-up, some are just a piece of mineral in a pouch, and some are a spray-on version (which I have not tried). The advantages of using a deodorant like this – if it works – is that it’s cheaper than store brands of deodorant and anti-perspirant (in that the one roll-up I purchased has lasted nine months and has quite a while yet to go), it’s greener (just one ingredient – no weird toxic crap to get showered off you and into the sewage system), and it’s less likely to pose health problems for you (again with the lack of toxic weirdness, and I assume you know about the connection between antiperspirants and Alzheimer’s).

But does it work?I tried them years ago, and wasn’t impressed. But last year, I bought a mineral roll-up that had more detailed instructions than those I tried years ago, and that made all the difference. For nine months, the mineral deodorant has done everything I always wished an antiperspirant would do (more on this in a minute). I’m totally satisfied, and even though I’m keeping a bottle of Mitchum on hand just in case it can’t handle some really hot day in the future, so far I’ve done fine in 90+ degree weather and I feel quite confident with this stuff.

Since everyone sweats differently, I’ll tell you a bit about my history with antiperspirants and deodorants. I’m not a big sweater, but for some reason whenever I sweated at all, it would have a mild odor, and leave the odor on my sleeves, and make me feel stinky. Also, any antiperspirant I tried would just stop being effective after anywhere from 6 to 18 months.
The antiperspirant fallacy

I did some research and learned: it’s not actually sweat that stinks, it’s bacteria that forms in your armpits. Stopping sweat won’t stop bacteria forming. Stopping sweat is also not good for you. You only need to stop the bacteria from forming, and the mineral deodorants do just that as long as you apply them immediately after your shower/bath. Don’t give the bacteria any time to form before applying the stuff! Just wet the mineral block (thoroughly) and rub it all over your armpit (or whatever part you’re deodorizing), liberally.

* This type of deodorant has never left anything visible on my skin or clothes.
* I never, ever stink, not even a little.
* I can re-wear shirts/tops more often before laundering them because this doesn’t leave a trace of scent or gunk on my clothes.
* You will still sweat with this. If you are concerned about wet spots on your sleeves, this may not work for you. However…
* I have less wetness with this stuff than with antiperspirants. I haven’t found an explanation for that, but I wonder if by blocking the sweat glands, antiperspirants actually encourage the sweat glands to fight back and produce more? I’m totally making this up, but whatever the reason, I rarely have any wetness at all.

There are plenty of other natural deoderants to try if you find mineral deodorants don’t work for you. If you prefer to continue using antiperspirants, experts advise just using a thin layer rather than slathering on tons of the stuff – it’s actually more effective in small doses (and, of course, that reduces any potential health risks and makes the product last longer).

9,227 posted on 06/28/2009 6:42:01 AM PDT by nw_arizona_granny ( http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/chat/2181392/posts?page=1 [Survival,food,garden,crafts,and more)

A frugal craft that would be fun to play around with, will work for any holiday or simply for fun and almost free....granny

http://zakkalife.blogspot.com/2009/06/kid-craft-suncatchers.html

[photos]

Thursday, June 4, 2009
Kid Craft: Suncatchers
Here’s an easy craft project for kids to make this summer, suncatchers. This craft project can be tailored for just about any age. Also, most of the supplies can be found around the house. Simple directions below.

Supplies:
Plastic from packaging - kids toys, veg/fruit containers, etc.
Permanent markers
Coloring book (optional)
scissors
suction cup (optional) - can be found at the hardware store
1 paper clip
hole punch

9,228 posted on 06/28/2009 7:00:48 AM PDT by nw_arizona_granny ( http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/chat/2181392/posts?page=1 [Survival,food,garden,crafts,and more)

http://simple-green-frugal-co-op.blogspot.com/2009/01/how-do-we-choose-between-budget-and.html

25 Sustainability Changes That Save Money

1. Take advantage of your local library for books, music, and videos.
2. Walk or bike, use public transportation, carpool with neighbors and co-workers, and consolidate any car errands to one or two days per week.
3. Think about getting rid of your car to save money on insurance, maintenance, and gas.
4. Use a clothesline instead of the dryer.
5. Replace paper towels & napkins with cloth. You can make rags out of old clothing, and cloth napkins out of old sheets and curtains.
6. Barter and trade with neighbors and friends.
7. Utilize Freecycle, Craigs List, and other local free exchanges.
8. Shop at thrift stores and garage sales, and arrange clothing swaps with friends and family.
9. Make your own lunches for school and work.
10. Stop buying snacks and take-out food, and instead cook at home. If you need to save time, there are many quick seasonal recipes. I’ve posted a few here.
11. Buy in bulk: buy from bulk bins at your local market, buy large quantities of staples via special order from your local market or online, buy a whole case which generally comes with a case discount, and buy large packages of food you use regularly. If buying in bulk leaves you with too much food, go in on the purchase with a friend or set up a community buying club.
12. If you are really needing extra help, go to your local food bank. That’s what they’re for!
13. Buy fruit and vegetable seconds and day old bakery items. These are generally significantly reduced in price - often by 50% or more. Generally you’ll need to cook with them right away.
14. Pick your own produce at a local farm.
15. Grow your own food.
16. Learn to preserve food by canning, drying, root cellaring, freezing, and pickling. You can find books about how to do these things at your local library.
17. Plan your menus. If you plan your menus for the week, you will use all of the food you’ve purchased, you’ll be able to shop just once a week, you can make sure to utilize seasonal items, and you can save time and stress by not having to worry about “what’s for dinner.”
18. Recycle and compost as much as possible to reduce trash collection fees.
19. Mend and repair. You can pick up books from the library on how to sew, knit, repair furniture and cars, and so on. And there are often free classes on such subjects - ask at your local college, community center, bulletin boards, and do a search on the internet. You may be surprised at what’s out there!
20. Make your own cleaning and body products from simple and cheap ingredients like vinegar, baking soda/bicarb, hydrogen peroxide, corn starch, cooking oil, lemon juice, and water. You’ll find several recipes here at the Co-op, and at Down To Earth. I’ve recently shared my deodorant and hair washing methods. Eileen just wrote about going entirely no ‘poo.
21. Unplug or turn off power switches to appliances when not in use, to save electricity.
22. As they burn out, replace incandescent bulbs with CFLs. They cost more initially, but they will save significant amounts of electricity and will last many times longer than an incandescent bulb.
23. Reduce shower times, bathe less often, and use bath water to water outdoor plants and flush toilets.
24. Turn off the television, get rid of your cable bill, and take up reading, knitting, and walking more regularly.
25. Use coupons. I recently bought a book of coupons for local shopping. The book cost $20. The first coupon I used saved me $25. I win!

Stay safe, healthy, and happy. Things will get better. In the meantime, the most important thing to remember is that we all survive better if we stick together. Now is a great time to be a strong member in your community. You are probably more knowledgeable and better equipped than most of your neighbors, so if you can, try to help them get through this crisis, too!

Thanks for reading.

Posted by Melinda

9,229 posted on 06/28/2009 7:01:07 AM PDT by nw_arizona_granny ( http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/chat/2181392/posts?page=1 [Survival,food,garden,crafts,and more)

To: All; Velveeta

I thought I’d leave you with this quote that really sums up the learning I’ve experienced:

Life is not a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty and well preserved body, but rather to skid in broadside, thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and proclaiming, “Wow, what a ride!!!”

http://simple-green-frugal-co-op.blogspot.com/search/label/Simple%20Living

9,232 posted on 06/28/2009 11:03:55 AM PDT by nw_arizona_granny ( http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/chat/2181392/posts?page=1 [Survival,food,garden,crafts,and more)

http://simple-green-frugal-co-op.blogspot.com/search/label/Simple%20Living

Expensive Children?

Posted by Bel
From Spiral Garden

A multitude of articles have been written recently about the massive costs involved in raising children. Estimates range between approximately $120000 and $600000 to raise one child to adulthood. As the mother of a larger family, that is not good news for me! When thinking about a lot of the expenses used in these calculations, though, I gratefully realised that our lifestyle allows us quality at a lesser price.

Money’s well-researched article on the costs parents are facing included a list from University of Queensland’s Dr Paul Henman. He divided the costs into 10 groups, listed below in descending order:

* housing
* childcare
* food
* energy
* clothing and footwear
* household goods and services
* leisure
* personal care
* transport
* health

How does a family save money on those criteria?

Housing –
* When choosing location, try to balance commuting and price
* If possible, with work and family commitments taken into consideration, a small town will generally offer better value for money housing
* Everyone doesn’t need their own room, take a tip from other cultures where sharing and multi-use rooms are the norm

Childcare –
* do the sums, is it cheaper to stay home while the children are little, at least part of the time?
* are you aware of all subsidies and refunds available to you for childcare?
* have you looked into all options for childcare?

Food –
* Grow your own
* Buy in bulk
* Cook from scratch
* Meal plan
* Save ‘treats’ for special occasions
* Don’t eat empty calories – price food items per kilo and learn where your money is better spent (eg: 1kg of potato crisps cost about $20, whereas a loaf of wholewheat bread costs only around $4 per kilogram – try to get some nutrition and value for your money).

Energy –
* teach good habits from a young age – eg: shorter showers, switching appliances off at the wall
* try to heat/cool fewer rooms by sharing spaces
* discuss energy use as a family, so everyone is responsible – it’s about treading lightly as well as the cost

Clothing and Footwear –
* for as long as possible try to use recycled clothing and handmade or altered items
* buy quality, make it last

Household Goods & Services – (includes education)
* wait – don’t rush out to get what you think you ‘need’
* look at all your options – consider secondhand goods, buy quality appliances to last, think about homeschooling (often described as the ultimate private education)

Leisure –
* don’t skimp on really important things, fun matters so make it quality fun!
* find cheap and free things to do as a family to strike a balance

Personal Care –
* looking good and feeling good are important, but needn’t cost a lot
* go for quality over quantity and learn some DIY beauty tricks – have a pamper session with friends or family
* stay away from products laden with chemicals – they’re not necessarily any more effective than cheap and natural alternatives, but they’re certainly more likely to cause problems for the person using them, or the planet

Transport –
*car pool
* maintain your vehicle so it lasts longer
* combine trips to save time and fuel

Health –
* prevention is better and cheaper than cure – eat well, look after your teeth, exercise and live a balanced life
* don’t skimp on health care, if everything else you have vanished into thin air, your health would be all you have left - it’s all that really matters in the long term
* Australia is extremely lucky to have a lot of free healthcare for children - from clinics for babies and children, to bulk-billed (ie: free) medical treatment by most GPs, quality care in many public hospitals, ambulance transport in our state, and free dental care for school-aged children, including a new program for teenagers

Those are just a few hints from our family. Do you have any tips to share for saving money in any of the categories above? Do you think the estimates are accurate?

Related Posts by Bel
Menu Planning for Many
Enough
Babysitting Clubs
Real Nappies (diapers)
Read more...
Posted by Bel , Links to this post , 11 comments

[They have lovely children, look like real kids....granny]

9,233 posted on 06/28/2009 11:09:08 AM PDT by nw_arizona_granny ( http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/chat/2181392/posts?page=1 [Survival,food,garden,crafts,and more)

http://simple-green-frugal-co-op.blogspot.com/search/label/Simple%20Living

Our Next Generation

Heather Beauty That Moves

Many years ago, when my now 11 year old daughter was just 2 1/2, my husband entered law school full time. I went from being a full-time stay at home mom to a working out of the house mom... five nights a week. The schedule wasn’t terrible, I was able to be home with her during the day and would leave just before 5:00 in the evening. On nights that went according to plan, she would go to bed at about 7:30. All in all, I didn’t feel like I was missing that much, and it enabled my husband to pursue his degree.

At some point during that time, as a simple ‘dinner’ solution (according to my husband), movie night in our home was born (popcorn was the main course) and over the years it has become so much more than just another tradition for our family. It’s more of an institution really and is usually only capable of being cancelled for weddings or funerals. It’s a serious night around here.

I guess why I am sharing this here on this blog is not because of the inexpensive popcorn that we dine on each Friday night (for years and years now - that’s a lot of savings!), or the simple hot cocoa that accompanies (gently heat up some milk in a pan, add a little cocoa powder, vanilla and maple syrup - so easy i can’t believe the hot cocoa mix industry even exists!), it’s the underlying thoughts and reflections that seem relevant to share and discuss in this space. Nothing fancy is required to make our family movie night happen each Friday, yet we start planning and thinking about it by Tuesday of each week because it is such a highlight for us. Every single one of our friends and family members knows that if it is Friday night, our little gang can be found huddled together with fistfuls of popcorn watching who knows what for probably the tenth time. But we don’t care about how many times we’ve seen the movie, because we are safe and snug together, creating memories and living gently.

I know that when my daughter is grown she will remember our movie nights just as she will remember that we baked our daily bread, that we ate dinner together by candlelight, that our food didn’t come from a box but rather the earth and that her mom cooked from scratch, that sometimes I sewed clothes for her, that we grew a little bit of our own food and personally knew the farmers that grew much of the rest, that we tried our best each day as a family to be good stewards of the earth... she will remember all of this and so much more.

I wonder, what homespun and simple living memories will your children or grandchildren take with them as they grow and become our next generation? Read more...

Posted by heather , Links to this post , 18 comments

9,234 posted on 06/28/2009 11:14:17 AM PDT by nw_arizona_granny ( http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/chat/2181392/posts?page=1 [Survival,food,garden,crafts,and more)

[Has photos, it does not surprise me that Cottonwood would be a healer, as it is also an emergency food plant for livestock.

During the depression, Mary and Jay cut branches off the big trees in the Gila River bottom, drug them home to feed and keep their cow producing milk for the children....
granny]

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Healing Cottonwood Salve

by Throwback at Trapper Creek

A well stocked medicine cabinet should include some homemade soothing, and healing ointments and salves. Making your own salve allows you to control the ingredients, and keeps the expense down. A common salve that is easy to make is Calendula salve, but I’m going to show you how to make Cottonwood Salve today.

Supplies needed:
Dormant Cottonwood Buds
Olive Oil (organic, extra virgin is best for your skin)
Beeswax
wide mouth jar to make infused oil
assorted small jars and lids for salve
double boiler or a small and large kettle and canning rings

A popular European and Native American remedy for burns, it is just as useful today. Containing salicylates (think aspirin) it is also useful for pain, sprains and inflamation. Known for its natural antiseptic properties, it also helps with tissue regeneration.

Commonly known as Cottonwood or Balsam Poplar, Populus balsamifera, Populus trichocarpa.
A tall vigorous tree, look for it next to rivers, lakes and streams or in any moist area. If you are not sure if you have found the right tree, rub a leaf between your fingers, and an aromatic sweet scent will tell you if you have hit paydirt. But, mark the location, as the buds need to be gathered while the tree is dormant, in late winter through early spring.

How to gather buds from a 100’ tree? Let Mother Nature help you. With cottonwood being a somewhat brittle tree, winter wind and ice storms will take their toll, and bring down limbs for you. I am not too keen on widespread wildcrafting, because if everybody is out foraging, the natural landscape will suffer, but Cottonwood trees are prolific and can take losing a cup of buds here and there. Look for tight, pointy buds that haven’t started to open yet. They should be a little sticky and very aromatic. The scent is heavenly.

There are many ways to make infusions. The easiest is to place your buds in a wide mouth jar and completely cover with oil, so the buds do not mold. I prefer not to use heat, and I leave the buds in oil for a year, in the dry pantry. If you are in a hurry, you can heat the oil and buds gently and strain when the oil smells strong enough to you.

Cottonwood buds are antioxidant so no vitamin E or gum benzoin is needed. Good olive oil also is not prone to rancidity, so this infused oil keeps at least a year or more and is useful in itself. The addition of beeswax adds to the keeping qualities of the cottonwood, so you can expect this salve to keep several years.

Cast of characters: Beeswax, and infused cottonwood oil.

Decanted oil, I used wide mouth pint canning jars. That way I know at a glance how much oil I have, so I can measure my beeswax accordingly.

I wanted to make a firm salve, and the general salve recipe is 1 oz of beeswax to 5 oz of oil. Firm salves form a protective barrier, softer salves (less beeswax) will allow for more absorbency of the herbal properties. If this is your first salve making experience, use half the recommended amount of beeswax, when the wax and oil have melted, pour a little into one of your containers and let it set up. If you like the consistency, you’re done. If it is too soft, reheat and add the rest of the beeswax and continue.
To get my beeswax down to a manageable size, I chopped it with a hatchet. I use beeswax in my some of my soap recipes too, so I can eyeball 1 oz sizes. I do weigh the beeswax though, after I have it in smaller pieces.

I made a double boiler with a large kettle, and some canning rings. The oil and beeswax should be gently heated to preserve the herbal qualities of the cottonwood.

While the oil and wax is heating, wash and dry your jars and have them ready for pouring. For this batch, I used an assortment of jars: 4 oz jelly jars, wide mouth 1/2 pint, recycled mustard jars (for the barn) and a real salve jar so I can share some salve as a gift. Always try to have a extra jar or two, I always do this when I am canning too, just so I don’t have to go looking for one more jar when I have hot food waiting. Put down some newpaper too, if you pour like I do.

Pour the warm oil into your jars...

While the salve is cooling, you can wipe your pan to clean it. If the salve in the pan starts to harden just put the pan back in the water bath to remelt and wipe again, and then you can wash with warm soapy water.

When the salve has cooled, you can scrape the paper, (if you’re as messy as me) and the jar threads and add the cleanings to your jars. Let cool overnight, or all day and wipe the rims clean and put the lids on for long term storage. Too soon and it may sweat and add moisture to your jars.

Once you have made and used some of this salve, you will love it!

Posted by Sadge , Links to this post , 17 comments
Labels: Emergency Preparedness, Natural Remedies, Organic Gardening, Poultry Livestock and Pets

Granny notes:
This reminds me of an Excellent Doctor, in San Diego, Dr. Bill Shepherd, I am sure he is retired now.

He was the best GYN in San Diego, 2 different doctors suggested him, when I needed surgery.

You went to his office, sat on the floor, if all the chairs were taken and you waited for your turn.

I asked “Why!!” and the lady I asked, said “We know that when we need him he will be there...” And it was true, he was.

Even way back then, folks told me things, never figured it out, but they did and do.

He could never remember my name, but knew where every stitch was that he had put in.

Once I found him late and upset, cussing upset, for he had been invited to watch a couple hot shot society doctors do surgery and they botched it.

Another Time, he was heart sick, for one of his lady clients, had lost her husband, to lockjaw.

While she recovered from Dr. Bill’s surgery, her husband offered to do the heavy work in the rose garden and he got a puncture wound..........

His hoity toity society doctor did not know about lockjaw and let him die.

And if anyone knows a nurse in San Diego, named Ruth Zukor, I am still thankful to her for all her help, thru a bad sickness, LOL, she was another of Dr. Bill’s patients and my nurse in the hospital.

Ruth was/is an Angel.
granny

9,242 posted on 06/28/2009 3:27:12 PM PDT by nw_arizona_granny ( http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/chat/2181392/posts?page=1 [Survival,food,garden,crafts,and more)

To: All; Velveeta

LOL, this is a 2 wet towel day.

Hot and getting hotter.

Yesterday, during the worst of the heat, the shut off the electric for 3 hours.

No wind, no storms, LOL, just a gently flick of the switch and no electric.

granny

9,243 posted on 06/28/2009 3:29:21 PM PDT by nw_arizona_granny ( http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/chat/2181392/posts?page=1 [Survival,food,garden,crafts,and more)

http://simple-green-frugal-co-op.blogspot.com/search/label/Natural%20Remedies

20 Household Uses For Vinegar

Melinda Briana Epler, One Green Generation

I have stopped buying traditional cleaning products completely now, and have a cleaning cupboard that holds just a few things: vinegar, hydrogen peroxide, baking soda, olive oil, lemon juice, Bon Ami, and locally-made biodegradable soap made from olive oil.

Vinegar is my most frequently-used item, so I thought I’d share how I use it first!

Worried About The Scent Of Vinegar?
With all of these uses below, there will be a faint scent of vinegar. Remember when I wrote about Redefining Normal? Think of this as the new normal! The vinegar scent will go away quickly, pretty much as soon as the vinegar dries. And it is a lot better than the smell of artificial chemicals and fragrances that just aren’t good for you to be breathing. If you truly hate the smell, try adding a few drops of lemon juice, a cinnamon stick, or a sprig of rosemary, oregano, or lavender to your vinegar solutions.

Also, I use organic white vinegar because I think the scent is easier to cover up and it dissipates more quickly, but many people prefer apple cider vinegar. Try both and see which works best for you!

Twenty Household Uses For Vinegar

1. Washing Windows and Mirrors. I have a small spray bottle, bought in a drug store, that I fill at about 1 part vinegar to three parts water. Just good old-fashioned white vinegar you can buy in any store, or make yourself. With that, I spray windows and mirrors with the vinegar solution, and wipe with a soft, clean towel. Others use newsprint and swear by it - that has just never worked for me, but give it a go if you have newspapers lying around.

2. Washing Kitchen and Bathroom Surfaces. When cleaning my bathroom or kitchen, I use Bon Ami and a rag to really wash the surfaces. Then I spray all surfaces with that same spray bottle of 1:3 (vinegar:water), and wipe with a rag. The vinegar gives a shine to the surfaces, gets rid of soap scum, and also kills most germs and molds.

According to a Heinz spokesperson in this article, repeated studies have shown that their vinegar kills 99% of bacteria, 82% of mold, and 80% of viruses. Quite frankly, we are as a society far too focused on antibacterial everything - we need a few of them around for our children’s immune systems to develop fully, for our immune systems to adapt, and to ensure that we’re not creating monster super-viruses.

If you cook with meat and want to be extra safe, you can always wash cutting board surfaces with hydrogen peroxide to kill the other 1% of bacteria (I do not clean with chlorine bleach as I think it is awful stuff).

3. Toilet Bowl Cleaner. Pour 1/2 cup straight vinegar into the bowl, let stand for 20 minutes, and scrub clean. You can do this with hydrogen peroxide as well.

4. Mopping Unwaxed Floors. Add 1 cup vinegar to 1 gallon hot water. This makes them shine nicely, too. On some wood floors, the vinegar will actually strip the wax. Ours are so old and have so many layers of wax on them, that it works great.

5. Dusting. I don’t use this mixture on wood (I use a pure oil instead). But I do use it on other hard surfaces. The same way I use it in the kitchen: spray with the 1:3 solution, and wipe with a rag. Alternatively, spray on the rag and then wipe the surface clean.

6. Cleaning the coffee machine, coffee and tea pot, coffee filter, and tea strainer. If your coffee machine is not making as good of coffee as it used to, chances are that there is a buildup of minerals, coffee oils, and other residue. Fill your coffee pot or espresso reservoir up to the full level, with 1 part vinegar to two parts water, and run that through the machine. If you haven’t done this in a while, you may want to repeat the process. Then run just pure water through the machine to clear it out. And you can soak coffee and tea pots, coffee filters, and tea strainers in the same solution to remove residue and stains.

7. Cleaning the refrigerator. That same 1:3 solution works perfectly. I usually make a fresh batch with warm water, as that seems to work better inside the cold refrigerator.

8. Unclogging Drains. If water hasn’t yet backed up, pour 1 cup of baking soda down, followed by 3 cups boiling water. Repeat if the drain doesn’t clear. If the drain still doesn’t clear, follow with 1 cup of vinegar. This makes it bubble, fizz and usually that does the trick! If this does not work, we usually buy enzymes from the local health food store.

9. Cleaning the Iron. I have only done this once, because I so rarely use my iron (I spray clothing with a fine water mist to get wrinkles out), but this does work! When an iron needs to be cleaned, you’ll see white or murky residue inside the water reservoir. Fill the reservoir with 1 part vinegar to two parts water, and then run the iron on steam mode until it’s out of water (you can do this in the air or onto a rag). If the residue isn’t gone, you may need to repeat the process. Then run straight water through and do the same thing.

10. Fabric Softener. Add 1/2 cup vinegar to the rinse water. Note: Most natural fibers do not cling very much, so don’t worry about fabric softeners at all if your load is all cotton. And make sure you don’t over-dry. Or better yet, line dry your clothing and you don’t have to worry about it!

11. Alternative to color-safe bleach. Yes, you can have two-in-one power! Vinegar doubles as a color-safe bleach and fabric softener: add 1/2 cup vinegar to the wash water, add the soap, and let the washer fill up before putting clothing in. If you’re also looking for a fabric softener, you probably won’t have to add more vinegar during the rinse cycle (above), but try both ways and see what works.

12. Vinegar Hair Rinse. I have posted here and here about my hair treatment. I haven’t used shampoo nor conditioner in over 6 months, and I love it. Basically, I mix 1 part vinegar with 8 parts water, and add a cinnamon stick and a bit of vanilla for a nice fragrance. Did I mention I love it??!

13. Denture & Mouthguard Cleaner. Soak them overnight in pure vinegar, and rinse in the morning. (Note: I’m not to the denture age yet, but I do have a mouthguard because I grind my teeth at night!)

14. Kill Weeds. Yes, it’s true! My mom taught me this. Pour vinegar full strength onto weeds in sidewalk cracks, and along the edges of the yard, and presto - they die! She’s been doing it for years. Gardening aficionados, do you know what it’s doing? It’s neutralizing the nitrogen, so it’s essentially starving the weeds.

15. Ant Deterrent. It’s not perfect, but it will help. Clean the surfaces with a 1:3 vinegar solution. Then make your own - or purchase - a natural cleaning solution that contains orange oil and spray it on the ant paths. Leave for at least a few days, until the ants find another place to go. Then clean it up with the vinegar solution. This has worked for me all over the country: north, south, east, and west.

16. Increase soil acidity. If you’ve tested your soil and found it to be not quite acidic enough, you can add a cup of vinegar to a gallon of water when watering acid-loving plants, or when preparing the soil to be planted. Wait a few days before planting seeds or fragile seedlings, but hardier plants will be fine.

17. Cat urine. Yes, this is where we really discovered the magic of vinegar. If a cat pees on something that you can throw in the washing machine: wash it in hot water with a cup of vinegar (if it’s really bad, it doesn’t hurt to put in more vinegar). If a cat pees on furniture (eg, sofa, bed, plush chair): first blot up as much pee as you can with a towel. Then you want to really douse the area with vinegar, full strength, making sure that it gets deep into the cushions as far as the cat urine had. After several minutes, dab the area with a towel (or two), to get up as much vinegar as you can. And then cover the area with a doubled-up towel, and top with a couple of heavy books to help get up the rest of the liquid. Leave that for several hours.

This works because the main ingredient in urine is ammonia (like the nitrogen discussed above, when killing weeds). Ammonia is a base, so vinegar, an acid, neutralizes it.

Note: We have used this method on a couple of furniture items that we really cared about, and it did not stain them. But do use with caution. At the same time, generally the cat pee has a greater chance of staining than the vinegar (so at that point, what do you have to loose).

18. Cleaning Gold Jewelry and Tarnished Brass. Ok, I haven’t done it (because when I wear jewelry it’s generally silver), but I know many people that swear by it. Submerge jewelry in apple cider vinegar for 15 minutes. Then remove the jewelry and dry with a towel. For tarnished brass, simply pour a bit of vinegar on a rag and rub off the tarnish. For super sticky tarnish you may need to soak it a bit in the vinegar.

19. Food-Related Uses: For Instance, Pickling, Canning, Curdling Milk or Soymilk to Simulate Buttermilk, Homemade Salad Dressing, A Nice Addition To Pasta, etc. This topic is for another post, but of course in addition to all of the above uses, vinegar is incredibly useful as food!

20. There Are Many More. If you have another use for vinegar, please share it with us in the comments!!

Save Money, Time, and Anguish!

Ok so, with this list, you can now stop buying a whole lot of other products that you don’t need and save a ton of money! Also, there is no need to worry about trying to find natural products in the grocery store, because now you can make them with vinegar and water (and sometimes one other ingredient).

If you want to save more money by making your own vinegar, check out Rhonda Jean’s great instructions (with more here) - it’s surprisingly easy.

And finally, if you have children and/or pets, please consider replacing your hazardous cleaning products with safe products such as vinegar. If you need incentive to do so, please read Kendra’s post here.

What Else?

For those of you who are using vinegar for household needs, what did I leave off this list?
Read more...

Posted by Melinda , Links to this post , 34 comments
Labels: Living Well on Less, Natural Remedies, Simple Living, Sustainability

9,244 posted on 06/28/2009 3:36:58 PM PDT by nw_arizona_granny ( http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/chat/2181392/posts?page=1 [Survival,food,garden,crafts,and more)

[LOL, I don’t mind borrowing a good idea from a Greenie!!! and there are a lot of them here, I think it is a collection of bloggers, and this is the hub or middle point...granny]

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[photos]

Getting crafty, out and about!

Posted by Compostwoman, The Compostbin

Here are just a few ideas I use when working with children, or just playing in the woods with Compostgirl. Some are ideal for doing on a walk, some are an activity to do in your garden, all of them are fun. Some can be done without adult help.

Nature provides us with so many things. Some of these can be used to decorate our homes, or provide homes for creatures that help to pollinate plants and prey on garden pests. After you have made some natural craft item, using what nature provides to decorate your home, why not give something back, in the form of a bird feeder or minibeast home?

A few safety tips
Before you start, always get permission from the landowner if in any doubt!
Make sure children are well supervised and don’t collect anything poisonous.
Only collect loose, dead or fallen material from the ground.
Don’t pull bits from living plants or trees.
Only take items if there are plenty, and always leave some for the habitat or food source that they may provide.
Don’t touch bracken between July and September – the spores are hazardous.
Supervise children using sharp tools such as scissors, knives,needles, skewers etc.

Make a Mobile
Collect cones, leaves, seeds, nuts, feathers, sticks etc.
Find a stick you like.
Tie or thread the collected treasures on to long pieces of string (if you want to thread them get an adult to help make the holes).
Tie the top end of the string to the stick.
Continue making more strings of treasures (using different length strings can look good), and tie them along the stick until you are happy with the effect.
Then make a loop from string and tie this at the centre of the stick to hang it up with and you have made a natural mobile!

Make a Wild Crown or Bracelet
Take a piece of thinnish card (cereal box card is good) and cut it into strips about 5cm wide by 50cm long (for a crown) or shorter for a bracelet. You can adjust the size to fit and then fix the ends of the card together with glue or tape.
Put a long strip of double-sided sticky tape all the way around the outside of the card strip. Make sure it’s completely covered so that your treasures will stick well.
Now, go for a walk, gathering any nice natural materials that you find and sticking them on the tape as you go. Remember to press them firmly onto the sticky tape on the bracelet or crown so that they don’t fall off easily.
If you prefer, you can go collecting first and then this activity can be done back at home later with all the treasures you have gathered.

Colours from the Wild
Cut some stiff cardboard into squares or rectangles (approx. 10x10cm or 8x10cm) and cover one surface with double-sided sticky tape. Collect small pieces of natural materials to make a textured mosaic on the surface each one. The finished effect can look really beautiful, so why not make them into a collage, or frame them? Or use them to make birthday cards?

Corn (or Grass or Lavender) Dollies
Gather a bunch of grass, corn or lavender with good long stalks.
Tie the stems firmly together just under the heads and trim the bottom ends of the stalks with scissors so that they are all level.
About mid way down from the heads tie the bundle again. This is to make the body. Then below this divide the bundle in two – these will be the legs of the dolly. Secure them just a little back from the very ends with string, leaving a short piece that you can bend up for the feet. Now take a smaller bundle of stems and cut off any flower heads and fasten each end. This will be for the dolly’s arms. Using a pencil or a small stick, carefully ease the stalks apart just underneath the ‘head’ of the dolly so that you can push the arms through (you might want to get an adult to help you). Now tie across and around the body and arms of the dolly, to secure them. Your dolly is now finished! Decorate with flowers, leaves or whatever else you fancy. Similar dollies can also be made using thick string or raffia.

Corn (or Grass or Lavender) Plaits
Tie 3 stems of corn (or grass or lavender) just below the heads. Plait the stems until you are happy with the length of your plait. Tie the ends of the stems with string or ribbon and trim.
To make a hoop, bend the head end of the plait round so it is overlapping the stems and the top of the head is just below the ends of the stems. Then tie them together with string or ribbon and make a loop for hanging.

Bark Rubbing
Place a sheet of paper on an interesting tree and rub over the paper with a wax crayon. Find as many different textures as you can and use lots of different colours. Use them to make a picture or collage, then stand back and admire the result!

Feeding the Birds
Collect large open pine cones and/or washed and dried yoghurt cartons.
Tie a length of string around the cone so that you can hang it from a branch or bird table. Smear bird food mixture (see the ‘recipe’ below) into the cracks in the cones (warning – this gets messy!).
Make a hole in the bottom of the yoghurt carton. Tie a knot in a length of string and thread it through the hole with the knot inside, so the pot hangs upside down. Make sure the knot won’t pull through. Now fill up the yoghurt pot with the bird food mixture and leave to set (right way up) in a cool place.

Hang your feeders out in the garden and watch the birds enjoy their treat!

Bird Food Recipe Mix
Check no one is allergic to any ingredient before you start! Make sure you have put plenty of old
newspapers down, and wear old clothes or an apron (and don’t forget to roll up your sleeves!).
For your special birdseed recipe mix you will need:
Birdseed, raisins, grated cheese, and a selection of other suitable seeds if you like, such as pumpkin or sunflower which are both good.
Take 100g of softened vegetable fat or lard (put it somewhere warm for about an hour) and cut it into small pieces.
Put all the ingredients in a mixing bowl and squash together with your hands (messy!).
You can now shape it into balls around twigs, squish it into pine cones, or fill up yoghurt pots with it.
Leave everything in the fridge to set, and when they’re firm hang them outside for the birds to enjoy.
Don’t forget to wash your hands when you’ve finished!

Making Homes for Minibeasts
Help minibeasts survive in your garden by making them houses!

Ladybirds, beetles and minibeasts of all sorts: These little creatures like small places to roost. Tie bundles of twigs (hollow ones are even better!) tightly together with string. Wedge the bundle in a place on the ground, in the fork of a tree, beneath a hedge or anywhere out of the way in your garden where it won’t be disturbed. Minibeasts will hopefully find it an ideal home over the winter. Red mason bees will particularly like bamboo bundles done like this.

Bumblebees: Take a medium-sized plant pot with just one hole in the bottom and loosely pack it with dry shredded paper, straw or grass. Dig a hole big enough to bury it completely in the ground, ideally in a sunny place in some undisturbed corner with long grass. Bury the plant pot upside down in the earth so that the hole in the bottom is level with the surface of the ground. Carefully fill in around the edges with soil. You can re-cover the top with turf, just as long as the hole is still clear of dirt so that the bees can find it.

Slugs, snails and woodlice: Make a big pile of leaves in a shady and quiet corner of your garden, and watch all the little wigglers move in!

Beetles, centipedes and millipedes: Make a nice mixed pile of logs and twigs in a shady corner (you might want to ask an adult for help with carrying and positioning bigger pieces). You could put your pile of leaves next to it!

I hope this post has given you some ideas for things to do outside!

Read more...
Posted by Compostwoman , Links to this post , 2 comments
Labels: children, Eco Club, education, Fun things, Simple Living

9,245 posted on 06/28/2009 3:42:30 PM PDT by nw_arizona_granny ( http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/chat/2181392/posts?page=1 [Survival,food,garden,crafts,and more)

[What fun for the 4th, a Hobo party, LOL, I suspect that they did not have knowledge of the hoboes.........granny]

http://simple-green-frugal-co-op.blogspot.com/search/label/Simple%20Living

Austerity Parties

By Kate
Living The Frugal Life

Originally uploaded by Inkyhack

I left home two years before I graduated from high school. So I know what it’s like to have no money and to live on a shoestring budget without any safety net. Fortunately, I can look back and say that on the whole it was a positive experience. I took on a lot of responsibility for myself at an early age, and nothing disastrous came of it.

One of the things I remember fondly from those years was a recurring event that some of my friends would host. These friends were all older than me, but I was drawn to bohemian types, so they didn’t have much money either. About once a month they’d host what they called austerity parties. This was back in the late 80s, in a large liberal university town, so it was partly an ironic joke and partly dead serious.

These parties took place in cramped little apartments, or sometimes in parks. There were never enough chairs, so people sat wherever they could. The atmosphere of cheap fun was invariably festive, and of course it was always potluck. Some guests even dressed up in Hooverville attire, or brought their contributions in large tin cans. I remember bean dishes, collard greens, bread pudding, boiled potatoes with butter, and lots of vegetable dishes from various cultures. The friend of mine who often hosted it was vegetarian, but some dishes showed up with small amounts of meat in them. If there was wine, it was in a jug. The food was surprisingly good for the most part.

After everyone had eaten enough, someone usually broke out Monopoly, or some other board game. Someone else would bring out a guitar or put on some Italian opera. Others just carried on talking and socializing. Conversation was rich and lively. Some people who came obviously had no need to cut corners, but they had no pretenses and enjoyed the celebration of frugality anyway. Everyone had a blast, and always wanted to know where and when the next austerity party was going to be held. I remember once that it was someone’s birthday, and when a friend had asked what she wanted as a gift, she had answered. But the gift giver wasn’t sure whether she’d said she wanted some “Plato,” or some “Play-Doh.” She was intellectual enough to read Plato, but also creative enough that she might really have wanted Play-Doh. So she got to unwrap a slim used volume of Plato, and homemade batches of Play-Doh in several colors. Everyone roared with laughter, and to be honest, I can’t remember which gift was the one she had really wanted.

I’ve been thinking back over those austerity parties in recent times. I wonder if the magic of them was that most of us really were living on tiny budgets, but determined to enjoy life anyway. Instead of trying to hide the fact that we were poor, we decided to embrace it and have fun with other people in the same situation, or with those who were willing to meet us at the economic level we could afford. I’m really grateful that I fell in with such a crowd at that age. If I had socialized with people who prioritized appearances and the display of whatever wealth they had, I might have ended up with a good deal of debt early in life. I deeply admired these people and their ability to have fun doing something so outrageous as celebrating their own poverty. Of course, this was strictly financial poverty, not an intellectual or cultural impoverishment. It seemed terribly sophisticated and counter-cultural to me at the time. I found such a lifestyle and an attitude quite novel, but worth imitating.

I suppose I’ve been thinking back on those austerity parties lately because of the economic situation we are in at a national and even global level. Perhaps such a defiant celebration in the face of recession and growing poverty has something to offer us now. It is difficult to be optimistic when the news seems so unrelentingly bad. But communal festivity is good for the spirit. There is comfort in the company of others who are in the same situation, in seeing them unbowed and celebrating. If frugality is the new black, then perhaps the austerity party should be revived.

What dish would you bring to an austerity party potluck? Would you dress up as a hobo? What would make it a fun evening for you and your family? Read more...

Posted by Kate , Links to this post , 12 comments
Labels: Building Community, Living Well on Less, Simple Living

9,246 posted on 06/28/2009 3:46:14 PM PDT by nw_arizona_granny ( http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/chat/2181392/posts?page=1 [Survival,food,garden,crafts,and more)

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