Hi, I am 70 and the mother of five children, all grown, 4 boys and 1 girl with twins my last two. I am a do-it-yourselfer and am always looking for ways to save money (with 5 children, it got to be a way of life). I am adept at sewing, gardening, home dec and baking. I enjoy this newsletter immensely and have learned so much from it.
Photo Album for RecipesI bought this photo card holder to hold the recipes that I make over and over again. I leave it out on my counter top. It makes it handy and attractive at the same time.
Computer Shortcuts Using the Control KeyMost average users know a few keyboard shortcuts but here are additional shortcuts that many folks under-utilize. If you spend a few moments learning them, you'll find them incredibly useful.
Brown Bag WallpaperI live in an old home and many times the plastered walls have cracks in them. Here is an alternative if the cracks keep showing up soon after you paint. I "papered" my walls in brown paper and rosin paper that have been painted.
Sunset (San Diego, CA)I have seen a lot of sunsets, but this one taken from my son's house in San Diego is one of my favorites.
Cream Soup BaseThis is a base to make your own cream soups. As you know, they can get very expensive and are used in so many casseroles, etc so this is a money saver.
Almond Puff PastryThis recipe has been around for a while but some of you younger gals might not be familiar with it. At first glance the directions look difficult, but are not at all. It just involves 3 steps.
4-H Breadmaker RollsBelieve it or not, this recipe is at least 54 years old. When I was in 4-H, another member and I gave a demonstration on making rolls. I have since adapted it to my bread maker.
Make Monitor Print LargerIf you have difficulty seeing your monitor, rather than get your reading glasses, hold down the control key with your left hand and with hand on mouse scroll away from you to make the print larger. To make it normal again, scroll toward yourself. This makes life much easier.
Make a Bathroom Vanity from an Old...Use an old dresser to make a vanity for your bathroom. I crackled this one and then also did some sanding to bring out the gold, as this was the basecoat. Then I stenciled over the top and poly coated it.
Fabric Sample QuiltWhen I worked at a wallpaper store, periodically they would toss out outdated books and I would save the fabric samples. Eventually, I had enough to make a quilt and then bought enough of the navy fabric to finish it.
Glamorous Bathroom Wall TreatmentThe walls in my bathroom were not in super good shape when I bought my 100 year old house, they had the old bumpy type plaster. After several attempts at painting, I finally came upon a solution.
Dyed Coffee Filter WreathThis colorful wreath is made from coffee filters that have been dyed with food coloring.
Kitchy ApronThis is cute apron that is feminine with the ruffles, yet kind of tailored because of the prints chosen. Aprons are really making a comeback and you will enjoy making this one!
Homemade Get Well CardI recently had a friend (who is a newspaper editor) go through a heart attack. I wanted to give him something instead of just buying a commercial get well card. I saw this idea on a blog and thought "how appropriate, he just had a heart attack and he is an editor"!
Rose BagThis is a unique tote bag that looks much more difficult than it is. This bag is easy to make. It has a square bottom and inside pockets. First cut out the basic tote bag. Then use iron-on heavy interfacing to give it some body.
Easy Elegant Knitted PurseThis is an easy project as it is a straight piece. There is no shaping involved.
