Ideas for the New Year

Ah! My mind is buzzing and flitting from idea to idea right now. My fingers are itching to crochet. I barely did any crocheting during my pregnancy. I don't know why because while trying to become pregnant, I made all sorts of things. It was therapy for me. Whenever someone announced a pregnancy, I coped by making them something. Every time I thought I was pregnant I would make things for our future baby (which is why Cai has two baby blankets and I have more stored away). But during my pregnancy, I didn't make much.

But suddenly, I have so many ideas I don't know where to start. Last night I messaged me best friend, who is expecting baby #3, her first girl, and told her to find some ideas on Pinterest for things she wanted me to make for baby girl. I had made things for her first two, including a baby blanket for each of them, so I want to make some things for baby girl too. She sent me a bunch of ideas last night which started me on a Pinterest search, and I found tons of ideas.

Which leads me to a plan I mentioned her on my blog months ago. I'd link to the post I mentioned it in, but I don't even remember when I said it. I want to open my Etsy store again. Actually, I want to open a new Etsy store. I had planned to open it in June, but then I got pregnant and it never happened. This time though, I don't want to do any custom orders; I want to build up some product, list it all, and add new things as I make them. No pressure, No deadlines, Just creating. I know it sounds crazy with a new baby, but if I set aside some time during naps or after bedtime, I can get significant amounts done at a time. I also have some stock already that I have set aside to give as gifts, but I can list those too. And I have the perfect name for it, which I'm not going to share now, but I will if I can get this going again.

Mainly this post is just to blurt out all of my ideas and tentative plans, but I'd also like to know what kinds of crocheted things you would buy. Not just baby things either. Tell me your thoughts and ideas! In the next few weeks I' m going to try to set a date for myself to get this all officially started and maybe even plan a giveaway and a grand opening! Ah! I'm so excited.

Cai's Room: Sources

So a lifetime ago, back when I was 37 weeks pregnant, I promised to make a post about Cai's room with a source list. I have no idea if anybody cares where I got things or how I made things, but it's fun to pretend I'm a real blogger who has more than eleven followers and that people care about things like that. :)

I kept putting off sharing this post because there are a few odds and ends that weren't done, like the lamp on the dresser (it's been painted royal blue and given a new shade since then), and I intended to take more pictures. But, I've realized that if I keep waiting until I do that, it will never happen. Right now though, my little man is in bed (actually, so is my big man), and I have time to make this post while I sit on the couch with Finny. My pictures are clearly not the best, but you get the general idea.

Source list:
Crib: Baby Mod- Modena 3-in-1 Fixed Side Crib, Walmart (gift from Steve's parents)
Dresser: Originally my mom's dresser as a child, then mine and my sisters', then painted green for my brother.
Book shelf: Better Homes and Garden Three Cube Organizer, Walmart
Glider Rocker: Delta Haven Glider and Ottoman Set, Target
Crib Sheet: Sweet Jojo Designs Layla Fitted Crib Sheet, Target
Rug: Homemade with scrap yarn
Crib Blanket: Homemade
Blanket on Rocker: Homemade with scrap yarn
Mobile: Homemade
Star Lantern: Purchased from a small store on Main Street in Bethlehem
Changing Pad Cover: ButtercupForest on Etsy
Wall Art above Crib: Homemade, frames from from Walmart
Alphabet: Purchased from Hobby Lobby and Michaels, some wood, some cardboard, some composite, all painted by me.
Monster Paintings: Homemade
Name on Door: Hand painted gift from a dear friend
Wall Art: Far left hand made by a dear friend, the rest were homemade (I've added a fourth since then)
Paint: I can't even give the paint color for this because my sister and I lightened a paint we already had.
Stuffed Animal in Crib: Hoho from Little Bit Funky

Things I've Tried From Pinterest: Homemade Fabric Softener

I love Pinterest. Mostly because it's become one big bookmark for me. I have links that lead me back to so many amazing ideas and tips. I don't know about you, but there are some of pins I've seen, the ones that get pinned over and over again, that I would like to know more about from other Pinterest users. So I thought I'd do a series of posts sharing my experience with some of my favorite pins starting with...

Homemade Fabric Softener

This pin originally come from Thefrugalgirls.com  I'm pretty sure I've tried some of the other recipes on their list too, but I think this one is my favorite. It is a simple recipe for homemade fabric softener.

What I used

• white vinegar
• Hot water
• Cheap conditioner that I stopped using because I didn't like how it felt on my hair
• A little bit of my actual conditioner because I liked the way it smelled

Why I like it

• It really does make a difference in fabric softness. I have really hard water (well water) and sometimes my towels and things come out really stiff. This totally stopped that feeling.
• I don't have scientific proof, but it must have far fewer chemicals than regular fabric softener.
• It's WAY cheaper than actual liquid fabric softener, which I have actually never bought.
• It makes me feel better about the environment; reusing an old container to store it instead of buying more, not throwing out conditioner I don't want to use, using fewer chemicals.
• Again, no scientific proof here, but I know one of the concerns with regular liquid fabric softener is the heightened flammability for children's clothing. I'm pretty sure this isn't true with the homemade kind.

Concerns

• Sometimes it's hard to remember to make more of it.
• Steve insists he can smell the vinegar on his clothing. I totally disagree. Just in case though, I use really good smelling Gain detergent (I know this totally counteracts my "more natural" motives with the fabric softener, so sue me).

Anyway. I really like using homemade softener. I feel like doing things homemade that either are healthier or cheaper is worth it, but I like to do it a little bit at a time. I'm not going to switch to homemade everything right now, but switching one things at a time is totally worth it!

Homemade Crackers

I made a plate of homemade crackers today. They're not the delicious kind that are so good you want to eat them by themselves. But they're good enough to enjoy with cheese or to have one or two by themselves. Plus they're healthy; I made them with whole wheat flour and wheat germ.