Cook your corn on the cob without cleaning!

Photo from foodwhirl.com

I found this idea, and I don't think I will ever boil my corn on the cob again!  You put 3 cobs in the microwave for 6 minutes, squeeze it out of the husks and you get a cooked, clean, ready-to-eat piece of corn!  To see full recipe, go here.  How great is that?!?!

Curtain tiebacks

I was trying to find some tiebacks other than either the ropes with tassels or the metal u-hooks that are commonly used today as neither of those styles really fit our house decor. I had purchased some jute ribbon for another project so thought I'd play with it a bit and see what I could come up with.

This is my final result and I think I'm pretty happy with it!  (Sorry the bay window picture isn't the best - hard to get a picture of the whole window because of the layout of the room)

Our bay window in the dining room

Family Room

I made 3 loops of the jute to make it a little more substantial. Mine in my family room are about 9 1/2" halved and on the bay window are closer to 8 1/2-9". Then I took the ends and tied them in a knot so that the ends would lay nice side to side & trimmed each end to about 1". And DONE! Simple as that I had new tiebacks! (after I did it 6 times for all my windows!)

Side window of bay window

Middle windows of bay window

I had to figure out how to hold the tie-back back, so I bought little bronze hooks from WalMart for about $5 for 2 I think, and they work just great!

Hook used to hold tie's back

Do you have any handy ideas you've used as tie backs? Any suggestions on improving mine?

Here are some ideas I found when I was looking on Pinterest:

• Use an old doorknob to hold the curtains back.  Or you could buy one from here.

• Rope tie backs

• Jeweled tie backs from Laura Ashley.  I think you could also use a chain necklace to get this sort of look without all the glitz.

• Use a branch!

• Use a swiveleye snap hook, key ring, and cord  

Happy Independence Day!

Tomorrow is the 4th of July and weeks ago I started a project to decorate my door.  This is the final outcome:

Of course I had a little 'Pinspiration.'  Here's where I first got the idea.  And here is a tutorial I found AFTER I had completed mine - so you can use whichever you like I guess! :)

I used:

14 inch white styrofoam wreath form

14 pieces of red felt

14 pieces of white felt

10 pieces of blue felt

lots of straight pins!

Also need:

scissors

pencil/marker - to mark stencil onto felt

3 inch circle stencil - I used a tupperware lid

I used a 14 inch white wreath form that is flat on the back.  Stenciled 3 inch circles onto my felt sheets & cut them out.  

I folded the circles in half and in half again and then pinned them onto the wreath form with straight pins at the corner.  I didn't pay a whole lot of attention or make a certain pattern, I just placed them where I thought they needed to be so that the form wouldn't show through the felt.  (This is where I kind of like the other tutorials idea of cutting them into 2x2 squares - you could just fold the felt sheet up and roughly cut and probably cut down on a lot of time!)

 I also didn't use a certain number of circles or make each section a certain size - I eyeballed it.  But you could probably make a certain pattern if you wanted to ensure that they were all equal.  This is what it looked like partly done.  Make sure when you attached your circles that you vary which direction they go so that you have a fuller looking wreath - it will also cut down on the number of circles you need to fill it up I think.  Also I went to the bottom of the wreath form and left the back blank so that it will sit nice and flat on my door (also why I got the white form with the flat back instead of the green form).

And with all of my felt squares attached!  I then attached a piece of ribbon to the back to hang it with.  I just attached it to the wreath form with a bunch of straight pins - 4 on each end - and it seems to be holding up so far.  My front door doesn't get a whole lot of use though.

I thought it needed a little something more so I removed a few of the blue circles and replaced them with white to resemble stars.  These I made more rosette looking to stand out better.  I also think I should have placed one more on the bottom inside of the blue but it hasn't happened yet...I'll try to get to that today.  :)

Hope you enjoy your Fourth of July!  I always feel a little happier once I see my pretty wreath on my door.  Wonder how long I can leave it up...?   ;)

Fathers Day

Here's the card that M made for her daddy and grandpa's for Father's Day.  I got the idea for the dad one from Pinterest but it didn't have an original source so I'm not sure who came up with the idea.  Then I just adapted that and found a cute Grandpa poem that also incorporated Dad and did the same idea.  They were a hit!

I must warn you though that you have to print multiple copies of the poems and hope that the handprints turn out well - especially when you're doing it yourself with a one year old like I did!  I had 2 extras for daddy and one extra Grandpa but they turned out pretty decent I thought!

And here's the gift that M got daddy (I know it's cheesy)  :) Got the idea from here.

He also got this sweet Star Wars diaper from Baby Boy.

purchased from courageousinc off etsy

AND he brought me home flowers - said he wouldn't be a daddy without me....awwwwwwwww.....  ;)

Thirsties giveaway!

Diaper Junction is giving away 2 Thirsties Duo Diapers.  I haven't tried them but have heard great things about them!  Here's the link and information from their blog: http://www.diaperjunction.com/61512-FYSF-2-Thirsties-Duo-Diapers_b_363.html

Here at Diaper Junction we love Thirsties Cloth Diapers and this week we're giving you a chance to win TWO of their popular Thirsties Duo Diapers!

Thirsties Duo Diapers, like the Thirsties Duo Wrap Diaper Covers, are not a one size diaper, but a two-size diaper. Specifically designed to have two generous sizes, the Thirsties Duo Diapers offer the same variability as a one size diaper system, as well as a more comfortable, snugger, leakproof fit for babies on both sides of the size scale;Thirsties will fit a tiny newborn, as well as a much larger, potty training Toddler.

THE GIVEAWAY DETAILS:

This week you can enter to win (2) Thirsties Duo Diapers in the size, color/print, and closure of your choice! Your stash will thank you, trust us!

This Giveaway is open to the USA & Canada only. Winners entries will be verified. Winner has 7 days to claim their prize.

Hair-bow wall hanging

I was at the Farmers Market a few weeks ago and I saw some cute hair-bow holders. I almost bought one but then decided that I could probably make something similar myself, so I waited until I went to the craft store. I knew I'd always get back to the farmers market so I could always buy it later. Well the other day, we made it out to Hobby Lobby, and I found all my supplies needed-plus I already had some ribbon at home that I could use. Here's my finished product!

I thought it turned out great! If you'd like one for your little girl, let me know and I'll make one for you too! This style letter also comes in sparkly light blue which I liked but thought it might clash with M's blue walls.  Of course you could also just buy a plain wooden letter, paint/glitter/stencil however you like but I got this letter 50% off so it was a lot cheaper to just buy this then all the supplies for that!

Now I'm excited to get back to the Farmers Market so I can see how mine compares. I didn't take any pictures or anything of theirs, so we'll see if I end up liking mine or theirs better. :)

Cloth Diaper Safe Diaper Rash Creams

There is always a question as to what diaper rash creams are safe with cloth diapers so here is a great link I found that all cd'ers should have on hand.  It's from Pinstripes and Polkadots which is a great online cloth diaper resource!

I use CJ's BUTTer and have had pretty good success.  I think it's best used for preventing rash rather than curing it once your little one (lo) gets a bad rash but of course it's better than nothing!  I also use coconut oil which works really well - you can usually find this in the organic section of your grocery store.

I think I might buy some of this to try too - Angel Baby Bottom Balm - sounds pretty good!

And don't forget - even if you don't use cloth diapers, you could still use these creams as they are a more natural product to put on your little one's tushy.  =)

Why can't you use any old diaper cream with cloth diapers?  Diaper creams like Desitin or A+D will cause repelling issues with your diapers because of the ingredients in them.  They are made to create a thick barrier on baby's bottom which then transfers to your diapers and causes repelling.  If this happens, you have to 'strip' your diapers which isn't the most fun process in the world...although not terrible if it does!  My mom actually just got some Resinol on one of my diapers and it's currently soaking in hot water and blue dawn to 'strip' it out.

If you feel that you do need to use a cream like A+D or Desitin, you can use a liner in your diaper so that the cream doesn't get on your diaper.  Just be sure that you wash the liner separate from your diapers and don't throw it in the wet bag with them either because the cream could transfer during washing.  Also be sure not to wash cloth wipes that you use to wipe the cream off with your diapers either.