my new natural obsession

For awhile I have been looking into making my own laundry detergent and other natural cleaning products. I've been putting it off because even though the rewards were great, I don't want to make my own. So I have been looking into buying it, but everything I look at just has pretty labels, small bottles, and high price tags. 

When we moved we had no room in the trunk for all our bottles of cleaning supplies, so we had to leave them behind. Now that we're almost out of our regular laundry detergent, and I still haven't replaced the cleaning supplies- I was getting antsy to figure out a solution.

While at the Babes & Babies event on sunday, I met Sophia, a rep from H2O at home. It's french based, natural, organic, and green cleaning company. What caught my eye was the "laundry ball", a plastic ball filled with tiny ceramic balls that do magical scientific things to the water so it cleans better with less detergent. And their detergent? A huge bottle of super concentrated heavenly lavender scented liquid. And you use like one tablespoon for dirty loads. For not so dirty loads, just the laundry ball works fine.

So I continue asking what everything is, and she tells me about the "all in one" kit. It's a powdered clay based cleaner that cleans everything. And it's food safe, too. So you can polish your counters and then eat off of them. But then she said the magic words- that it "works wonders on shower doors." I hate, loathe and despise cleaning shower doors. I've tried everything, and nothing works. So I pretty much bought it just for that purpose.

I was giddy. Do you get giddy at the promise of natural super cleaners? So I bought a "package". In it was:

Laundry ball

Laundry detergent

Dishwashing liquid

a set of microfiber towels for various cleaning tasks

a bar of spot remover

the "all in one" powdered clay cleaner with towel and sponge

It's kinda embarrassing to admit that I haven't really "cleaned" our  new place yet. I've just made due with clorox wipes, shower spray, swiffer pads and windex. And toilet cleaner. Don't worry, I haven't totally lost my mind.

So with all the sewing craziness behind me, this week I'm gonna clean my house. Like for real. I don't mind cleaning most of the time- I find it soothing and I usually work out internal stuggles along the way.

Except for vacuuming. I hate doing that.

And I'll do a review after I use them for a bit and let you know just how awesome they really are!

If you wanna check them out- here is their website: H2O At Home

(photo via)

cleaning, organizing, and cabbage patch dolls

I have had a very busy week! I have been trying to get into a daily cleaning schedule so that house cleaning isn't such a daunting task. And I think I finally have a good one all hammered out.

Tuesday was spent sewing! I finished the back of the Timber quilt, and I finished some aprons that I started forever ago.

On Wednesday and Thursday I helped my mom clean/organize/de-junk her house. As some of you know, I love a good mess (that isn't mine) that I am free to organize and re-arrange. That particular skill is most useful to my past employers, but since I don't have one at the moment, and my mom needs help, I gladly offered my services. I have been itching to dig into some kind of mess of piles with the goal of dust free ultra organization as the reward. And, a never ending supply of fountain Dr. Pepper to fuel the fun!


(I am strange, I know that. My friend Allisen calls it particular. Which is by far a better word than strange.)


We started on Wednesday with all of our (us kids) baby clothes and blankets. We had so much fun! It is amazing to me how much I remember about my favorite clothes from such an early age. A lot of it (the remembering) is because my dad took so many photos of us- so our childhood is very well documented.

So after we went through all the old toys- my mom found all the "birth certificates" from our Cabbage Patch Dolls in a folder. We were trying to figure out who's was who's, (cause they are "born" with such strange names!) and it was quite confusing- so my mom busted out my baby book so we could figure it all out. And sure enough- we did.

Back in 1984, when I desperately wanted a CPK of my own, they were hard to come by. Not only did I demand one for my birthday, (2 days before Christmas) but I also demanded an African American one. Anyway, my mom doesn't remember exactly how she found one, but she did.


And I named her Emily.




That same year, my grandma made us CPK dolls for Christmas. The detail work is amazing- it looks just like the vinyl faced ones! Her name is Ginger, and she has beautiful violet eyes! (at least I think that is her name...)



(Later, I think in '87, I got a CPK with "real" hair. Synthetic hair, that you could wash and brush and put in curlers.) I can't remember her name though.

On Thursday night I brought all my totes of stuff home, and started to go through them. Totes full of my childhood. My baby clothes, doll clothes, stuffed animals, blankets, my troll doll collection (don't ask, you don't want to know) all up to my teenage sculpture addiction- I made millions of tiny people, creatures, and whatnots out of Sculpey clay. (you molded it, then baked it in the oven. Maybe I will post some pics...later)

And, while my baby sister jokingly and joyfully went through my troll doll collection, she asks me "did you make these clothes?!?" And I said "of course I did! Don't you remember the huge troll house I made?" (I found a few photos-yikes-doubt I will post them though)

I then realized that I have been siphoning from my mom's fabric and notion's stash all my life and creating and building all kinds of stuff. Silly, miniature stuff.


Sorry mom!

In that teenage art project box included a mobile- really- a mobile I had made from wire, felt frog shaped beanbags and clay butterflies. I have had this delusion that my creativity had blossomed and branched out over these past few years into making things I had never made before. Obviously not.

it really really was...

...such a nice day today- so clear and beautiful! So warm!

We got to sleep in and Danny was lazy, (cause he seems to be sick again!?!) but I actually got a lot done today...

It started out with some wonderful news from a friend that totally made my year.

Then I went outside to get something from the garage. And I noticed what a beautiful day it was. I let Tilda come outside with me, and we milled about the hideous backyard. I keep having these ideas like I should rake the leaves (we don't have a rake) and clean up the garden. "eh," I thought, "not today."After the cat rolled around in the dirt a few times, I made her go back inside.

Ohh that messy messy garage.

So I decided to spend the day in it. I went through all the piles of boxes left over from 2 moves. I didn't get rid of much, but I organized the mess, so that if I need to find something, (like today) I actually can. I got keepsakes and things in light tight bins so they won't get ruined by sun or water, and the non important crap in the clear boxes. I only have so many good bins you know. I would have just replaced all the clear ones, but Danny said that I would have to make do with what we have. And he was right. It all worked out.

No more cardboard boxes! Spiders and water can get into those. (and really, I don't need any spiders in my life.) Except for the stuff that is Danny's. He still has not gone through his boxes from his single life. If he doesn't mind that spiders can nest in his boxes of whathaveyou, then I don't either. (shudder) Not enough to risk him getting mad at me for going through his things and angry deadly spider families, anyway.

Then I went grocery shopping, which is never fun. But I had to get it done before the crazy week I am about to have. (working every day this week)

Now I am itchy and tired and I think I am covered in creepy spider bites. And my foot hurts. Last night when I was sewing, I stepped on a needle. Yeah. Stepped on. Apparently it fell off my desk, and pointy end into the carpet. Then I stepped on it, and screamed a little. It's not that bad, it just hurts, since it's on the bottom of my foot, and I have been standing most of the day.

I really wanted to be lazy today. But Spring was here (at least for today, stupid March) and so I happily cleaned and organized. I always feel so much better after I organize. I had a boss once (at a restaurant) that would tease me that I was "nesting" when I cleaned off the shelves and reorganized stuff. Since I have been working at a baby store, I know very well that organizing does not mean "nesting".

I am still in awe of the wonderful news that I heard today. It is a true and honest miracle- and I am so so happy and excited and delighted about it!

And, 3 of my friends are pregnant! Seriously! 3. Who knew that working at a baby store would land you with so many pregnant friends...

Little Fat Jack, I have not forgotten about you. I have some delightful things for you- as soon as your mama is ready to party with the rest of us!

spring forward!

Out of the gloom and doom of winter, out of the moody blues and into longer, sunnier days. Which means longer, sunnier and happier days ahead for me.

I loved being able to open up all of the windows in the house today as I cleaned. Fresh air makes me happy. It makes my house happy. And it makes cleaning house a lot more pleasant. Having a sick husband really messes up the house a lot faster than usual. (Danny was sick all weekend- nasty cold) Good thing he went to work today!

Little Tilda and I took a little afternoon break in our dismal yet sunny backyard. I do not enjoy gardening, and I so do not have a green thumb. I have killed nearly all of the houseplants I have ever had. But that backyard... I need to do something about it. But for now, that matter is on hold.

I stripped the sheets and blankets and pillows off the bed, and put fresh ones on. I decided to take off the heavy winter down comforter and swap it out with the lighter spring/summer quilt. As I was putting the laundry away, I thought about cleaning out my drawers. "It'll only take a minute", I thought. Then it was "nah, not today." That too, is on hold.

As the day wore on, so did my allergies. And now, at bedtime- I think it's more than allergies. My left nostril is completely plugged up, and constantly running at the same time. My head is throbbing, and I am extra whiny. I really, really hope that this doesn't get worse!

In other news:

My friend Kelley just had a baby boy yesterday afternoon. I haven't seen any photos yet, but I am super excited to meet him! (after I get better that is)

I am working on a new quilt, out of the Timber fabric collection that I posted earlier. I have the top finished, I just need to pick out fabric for the back and the binding, and then I am going to take it to get machine quilted. Ohh I am so excited to see it finished!

I can't wait to get in that clean comfy bed!

'Night!