First batch of homemade laundry detergent

3 bars Fels Naptha, 1 - 4# 12 oz. box Borax, 1-55 oz. box Super Washing Soda, 2 c. baking soda, 3# Sun brand Oxy Clean, 1-2 containers Purex crystals

Cut Fels Naptha into chunks to fit into food processor.

Grate Fels Naptha using food processor.

I took the extra step of mixing the grated Fels Naptha and a cup of the Oxy Clean in my VitaMix 5200 blender.

This extra step made it more like a powder.

Pour all ingredients into large container lined with garbage bags. I used 2 bags, one inside the other.

In goes the last ingredient! Have some kleenex ready...the dust particles smell wonderful but sure make you sneeze!

Gather up the first bag and snug it up with a twist tie. You don't want any escaping!

Tuck the secured bag inside, gather outside bag and secure tightly.

Mix in bags by shaking it around, kneading it, rolling it over and over...you get it!

Finished product sure smells good!

Find a 1-2 tablespoon scoop and get busy washing! Use 1-2 tablespoons per load. My first load is washing as I write this post!

Fingerprint key chain
1st Graders' Christmas gift to parents...

Needed (I got my supplies at JoAnn Fabrics):

...and a small holed plastic straw.

     Students take a small amount of Sculpey clay, soften it between their fingers, roll it into a ball and flatten it into a small pizza/cookie shape. Help each student press fingertip into soft surface. Punch hole into disk shape using plastic straw. Bake all on cookie sheet (I used parchment paper to line cookie sheet so I could print each child's name next to his/her fingerprint shape), 275 degrees for 15 min. (Sculpey III, 275 degrees per 1/4" thickness). Cool. Print names and date on backs. Thread split ring and Sculpey shape on jump ring. Pinch jump ring together.