Christmas Chandelier

I LOVE decorating for Christmas and it's getting to be that time of year. This year I was inspired by two pins on Pinterest for the chandelier over my kitchen table:

Source: homebyheidi.blogspot.com via Rachel on Pinterest

Source: bowerpowerblog.com via Rachel on Pinterest

So this last week while I was at Hobby Lobby (a place which I have now fallen in love with!! Why does it have to be so far away!!). I purchased some pine and beaded picks. (both were 50% off that sticker price)

I used some ornaments I already had on hand and clear thread (fishing line would be a better choice, but I didn't have any).

Here's what I started with (please ignore the popcorn ceilings, I know I sure try to!):

This I started adding the pine:

Then the beaded picks:

And finally the ornaments:

A super simple project, that I think added some instant holiday cheer for not a lot of cost! I just hope our kittens don't think I hung some cat toys for them to play with!

I look forward to getting all decked out over the next week or two!!

Homemade Dishwasher Soap

I made my own dishwasher soap and it works!! I saw this on Pinterest and thought I would give it a try.

Source: crazycraftbugs.blogspot.com via Rachel on Pinterest

I followed the recipe exactly (well actually I doubled it) and have been using it for 2 weeks. Now we luckily do not have hard water, or soft water for that matter so I have not used the suggested vinegar in the rinse aid portion of my dishwasher.

Advantages:

• Cost savings, All of the ingrediants were less that $10 at least 100 or more uses out of my double batch. Plus I still have Borax and Washing Soda left for the next time.


• No smell, it is totally scentless.


• Cleaning, so far it seems to be doing as good or better than what I was using before!