What genius invents this stuff anyway?

Remember using magic pens? The markers you use to write in one color then change it to another with color changing pen? Then if you don’t like your work you use another pen to erase the color completely?

  

 Well, they brought them back and they are just as amazing as I remember them to be.   

The same week, R bought them “Friendship Wheels”. These foam gadgets make professional looking embroidery floss bracelets, A LOT easier than the confusing knotted friendship bracelets we grew up making. All you do is move the strings around the disc in a pattern and voila! A perfect bracelet. It’s actually pretty addicting – like mindless crochet. 

  

They also make great  “Auntie” gifts.  

My next fun purchase will be Zipit bedding – the fitted sheets with blankets attached that you zip. But it’s been so humid lately, I can’t even mutter the word “blanket” without breaking into a sweat.  

Current project: Wool Dryer Balls

I love having soft laundry but I strongly dislike dryer sheets. They are expensive and the smell gets to me. Plus, the scent in any softener is totally artificial and probably bad for Sebbie’s allergies.

So, I finally decided make dryer balls. Dryer balls are yarn balls made of pure wool. When added to your laundry load in the dryer, they basically pummel your clothes to softness. They also soak up moisture in your laundry load, shortening drying time. Bonus: you can add 1-2 drops of ESSENTIAL OIL so they will give your laundry a light scent. (You mean it saves energy AND uses oils? No brainier.)

To make them, you will need pure wool yarn. I got mine on Amazon for $7. (Make sure it doesn’t have ANY acrylic and DOESN’T say “super wash” or “machine washable” or it won’t “felt”.)

I followed the instructions here:
http://www.diynatural.com/how-to-make-wool-dryer-balls/

If you are in a rush, here’s a quick recap:

1. Roll the yarn into tennis ball-sized balls.
2. Insert the balls into the leg of an old panty hose and tie off.
3. Wash on hot and dry on high a couple times. You will know they are ready when the strands of the ball start to “felt” (mesh) together.
4. Remove from panty hose, add a 1-2 drops of your favorite essential oil, and pop them in the dryer with your next laundry load!

PS. If you’re really lazy (or intimidated), you can buy some ready made ones on Etsy here:

https://www.etsy.com/search?ref=gslsb&q=wool%20dryer%20balls 

 PSS. If you want me to make you a set, text me now so I can add to the gang of yarn I’m ordering on Amazon. (1 skein makes 2.5 small baseball-sized balls.)

Beach clean up wreaths

Ross took the girls to their very first beach clean up. He brought home some pieces he thought would be good for an art project.

Inspiration piece by an amazing local artist named Mary-Jo: (I pined over her wreaths for years and finally got one this past Christmas.)

Our two modest attempts: (According to her daughter Megan, Mary-Jo would probably lovingly say, “Needs more driftwood.”)