Updates on my Facebook page "A Bite to Eat" and my website A Bite to Eat

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.

I haven't been completely idle...just "blog idle!"

Here are some things I've done in the past few months...

I have been too busy I guess!

So sorry bloggers for the extended vacation from my blog! I've been working, quilting, camping, fishing but no blogging! :(  I've gotten interested in blogging again from a website called "Pinterest." I'm learning all about "pinning" and I'll add a link to the side of this site as I'm sure you'll want to check it out! What a great way to collect and catalog ALL those ideas you see on websites and blogs! Now I have to go set up my Pinterest boards (things I like and bloggers I want to follow)!

It'll soon be the start of another school year so I'm in the mode of looking for ideas for my classroom. This year I'll be teaching a 1st/3rd combo room - what was I thinking when I said I'd do it!! My brain is always "a-buzz" with new ideas in August!

I'm still here!

I need to do a better job with my blog...poor thing! Maybe that'll be one of my resolutions...among many! I'm still having fun crafting when I squeeze in the time (granddaughters come first!). I've been working on "The Very Hungry Caterpillar" quilt for my 3 yr. old granddaughter. Eric Carle is one of my favorite children's authors so I HAD to get this kit a couple years ago. It was a breeze putting it together and the quilting...well, my local quilt shop said, "Have fun with it! Do large colorful running stitch quilt stitches and have fun!" Well, I did. I'll post the finished product as soon as it's complete...it's getting close! :-)

Happy New Year everyone! May peace and plenty fill your households. May the Lord bless you with good fortune and good health and the moments to enjoy them all!

Brenda

Fall Blog Hop

Hop on over to "Cards by CG" to get in on her Fall Blog Hop (lots of give aways!!) and gather new ideas! There are also links there to other great sites for ideas!

God’s gift of summer and fall

It’s August and I’m wondering the same as most people…how can these summer days go by SO fast! While I’m sad about our beautiful summer coming to a close, I’m excited about the crisp fall season ahead. Fall gives me a time to regroup, reminisce of family traditions and settle into a more normal “crafting” time and routine. Summer days are spent outdoors – camping, fishing, time with family in our wonderful surroundings, without the binds of a regular schedule. Colder weather brings us inside…crafting, playing board/card games, playing with grandchildren and back to school. Today my daughter and I worked on note cards-cutting, stamping, ‘cricutting’, coloring, gluing- before she heads off to her PhD residency. A nice intro to God’s gift of the fall season. 

My Cricut's Getting a Break!

My Cricut is jealous! Over the last month I've been spending most of my spare time with a new fishing kayak...a Native Manta Ray 12 I've named "Reel Therapy." (In the winter my Cricut is my "real" therapy!)  My hubby and I have had lots of fun already (him with his fishing kayak and now me with mine) fishing on some small walk in lakes with them!

I did cut out over 200 small boxes (from TBBM) for a wedding reception. Hope to have a picture for you in the near future! My daughter has been using the Cricut to scrapbook and make notecard gifts...so cute...hope to have a pic of those soon as well. And yesterday my granddaughter and I cut out tiny fish and seahorses (from PDDU) then glued them on long toothpicks for cupcake decorations for a beach themed

retirement party.

Answer: A Fishing Rod Leash!

Did you guess correctly?? I'll use it while fishing from my kayak. The velcro band will go around the rod handle and the snap will attach to my vest or in an eye strap on the kayak. I also made a paddle leash.

What Do You Think??

Now what do ya think I might create with these?? Pictured - J Clips, J Clip Clamping Pliers, an old coiled phone cord, a snap, shrink tubing, and industrial strength Velcro. No Cricut Expression involved in this one! Update coming soon...

A Blog Find-Check it out!

Outside my classroom door

I used the rain coat, raindrops, hat and umbrella from pg. 42 of the Everyday Paper Dolls cartridge to dress my "students." When each child finished his/her morning work she could choose which "ensemble" she wanted her doll to wear. I'm hoping to weave in some May flowers soon using the Walk in My Garden cartridge (if May doesn't come too quickly)!!

Too Many Things, Not Enough Time!

It's too bad I can't clone myself - - - that's the only way I'd have enough time to more thoroughly enjoy and experience all the things in my life that make me who I am...church activities, work, grandchildren, children, family activities, vacationing, reading a good book, crafting, crafting, crafting (and there are a lot of categories within crafting!!), camping, fishing, cooking, ... and the list goes on! It's been almost a month since I've posted. Within that month I've been busy with other things...obviously!! BUT...I did run across Tim Holtz's site this morning and he has 4 GREAT videos demonstrating his new Alterations product line! Now I know which things I want...ALL of them! Somehow I have to justify that (but I did order 2 of his new fade away embossing folders)! Check them out...you won't be sorry!

Tim Holtz Alterations

Blog Trip

Seems I start my Saturday mornings visiting others' blogs. It's a nice start to my weekend and gives me inspiration! It's like going on a road trip to different shops but in my craft room and in my pj's! This is the blog I visited this morning and I can't wait to get back to it to check out all her cool videos and projects (like post it note holders, skinny notepads, tying patterned ribbon, altered journals, and how to video/photograph projects)! Want some great ideas? Go check out Kerry's blog! Thanks Kerry!

Kerry's Paper Crafts

Blog Newbie Tip thanks to LadybugLair!

Thanks to the blog newbie tip on the LadybugLair blog I've enabled all comments to be directly sent to my email addy! I also learned that I had to enable the option for anonymous comments. Hope that makes it easier for those of you who might have had trouble commenting in the past...live and learn! And...Thanks to all who've responded to my posts with your lovely comments thus far! Check out LadybugLair's  blog for great organizing and storage ideas (among other ideas)! Thanks Linda!

Do you love mini books and albums?

Mini albums are SO darn cute! My daughters and I have been having SO much fun making Meander books and journaling things in our lives. It's also given us an opportunity to revisit memorable moments together. While traveling online this morning I happened across several exciting sites with mini book/album tutorials! If you like mini albums you must visit those posted below. You'll be inspired!

Let's Book It with Tech'Knowledge'y

Scrapbook-Crazy

Accordian Fold Mini Scrapbooks


Here's a peek at the Meander book I've been working on that I promised to post when completed (I think it was in January...where'd the time go?). You ask...is it complete? I say...No, I keep finding little things to add!

Our first kayaking trip down the river and hubby and I at a campground.

Fishing along the kayak trip and the final approach to our destination...we made it! So much fun on a beautiful day in Michigan's upper peninsula!

Other camping adventures with friends including geocaching!