Sews2Reap

I am still working on making my Kansas house feel like home. The more of my own creations I incorporate the more it becomes home.  This is my inspiration. I actually just started playing around with fonts and colors to get a general idea.  It is so easy to design a simple stencil on the Silhouette! This is a 36x24 inch canvas. I painted the area I want the stencil to cover in gold metallic and let it dry. You can see the stencil tucked under the canvas. Next, I started dropping the colors I wanted to blend along the top.  These are the colors I chose plus black and white in case I needed them.  Vinyl doesn't stick very well to canvas or painted canvas. You can use a spray adhesive to help. I chose to just be careful and brush gently.  This is just a dry brush with strategically dropped paint.  It says "savor" and ties all the colors together on the main floor of the house. Don't forge...

It takes a while for a new house to feel like home. For me, it is all the personal touches.   I finally got my sewing space set up so I can work again! This room is larger than my last one but it is in the basement and has NO windows! UGH! I am so thankful that the Bernina has so many wonderful lights on it or it would be a nightmare to sew in there. I am working on getting some better light and we will eventually open up the rest of the basement allowing natural light in. This is a lovely Waverly fabric I ordered online. Our new house has high ceilings and I needed 9 yards to make two curtains! 😲 I also bought 9 yards of plain curtain lining. It is actually very easy to make lined curtains. A lined curtain will last longer, hang better from the rod, and block light better. Plus, it just looks finished and professional. I chose to make the tabs out of the lining to conserve the more expensive fabric. I want to make a few throw pill...

One of the many things I replaced in my home was all the fragrance products.  I no longer use store-bought air fresheners, most candles, and wax melts because of the toxic fragrance in them.  I think I was saddest about the wax melts because I had so many cute warming pots. I found it was easy and very inexpensive to make my own. I also noticed that the fragrance was purer. The easiest way to use your wax warmers is to put a little coconut oil in a drop or two of pure organic food extracts like vanilla or a few drops of essential oil. That is is it! Essential oils are heat sensitive and if you have super hot warmers they may not work as well. I have had good success with mine though. Also, not all food extracts smell good. If you choose to go that route it will take some trial and error. Vanilla is usually pretty safe though.  Pure Coconut oil with 1/4 tsp pure vanilla and 2 drops Young Living cinnamon bark essential oil . I...

I try to add a new product with my monthly order whenever possible. Most months I have so many needs that I can only fit one new item. This month I was able to get two! I love them both! Let's talk about lipstick.  I love lipstick. Often, it's the only makeup I wear along with mascara. The thing is,  I'm getting older and have trouble with many lipsticks feathering, but not the Cinnamint Infused Lipstick. I ordered Untamed.  It is my new favorite and I will be ordering more colors next month.  So here it is on with no other makeup, my usual look. I'm fair complected, and this is a great winter color for me.  Another product used daily in our home is the lavender lotion. It goes a long way and so nourishing to the skin.  I was getting ready to order another bottle when I thought I have never even tried any of the other options. WELL, the Genesis lotion is great! I love the light scent and how far a little dab goes. I am so glad I ventured...

Right now I am using Basil Vitality in many of my dishes and I thought I would share a few with you! Appetizer: This is my take on the classic tomato salad. I used fresh mozzarella and Roma tomatoes sliced and layered.  Put about 2 tsp Himalayan sea salt in a glass dish and drop one drop basil into it. Mix it well and sprinkle over the top of the prepared tomato and mozzarella. I didn't use all my salt and you may not either.  Then add cracked pepper and a bit of dried parsley. To finish, a good balsamic vinegar drizzle is nice.   Main Dish: This is a bruschetta pizza! I had a small French bread that I halved lengthwise. In a glass or metal bowl mix 1 Tbsp olive oil with a dash of salt, pepper and a drop of basil vitality  Lightly brush the cut side of the french bread with olive oil mixture Dice 3 to 4 Roma tomatoes and 1 green onion finely and add to the bowl that had the olive oil ...

There are so many reports on the dangers of toxic cleaners. Have you read this one? IMPACT OF CLEANING PRODUCTS ON WOMEN'S LUNGS AS DAMAGING AS 20-A-DAY CIGARETTE HABIT: STUDY The point of cleaning is to make our environment healthy and safe. If it is making your environment toxic and hurting your health it is time to change.  Did you know that I save around $15 a month by using Thieves cleaner instead of the stuff I used to buy at the store? It has replaced my toilet cleaner, floor cleaner, and shower scrub. I can use it on my granite countertops, wood floors, baseboards, and dust my furniture with it. I have put it in my dishwasher with vinegar in place of the rinse aid.  Here is a recipe for making foaming cleaning bombs . They can be used in the toilet or the dishwasher! If you just keep the mix in a jar instead of pressing into molds it is a good scrub for tubs, grout etc. Cost breakdown: (on the Young Living products the price is wholesale ...

This recipe started with one I got from a WW meeting.  It is 2 points for the chicken or tofu version. Pictured is the chicken version but this could be made with tofu for the same points. It is also gluten-free if you pay attention to your soy and hoisin sauces. This version is mostly 0 point foods, the sauce and nuts are where the points are. :) VEGAN VERSION 1/2 cup shredded or finely diced red cabbage 1 can water chestnuts (drained and diced) 1/2 a large bell pepper diced 1/4 cup cashews chopped 1/4 cup diced green onion 1/4 cup diced carrot 1/2 cup diced celery 7 oz extra firm tofu drained, dried and chopped. I like to drizzle with soy sauce and set in the fridge to marinate. 2 TBS Hoisin Sauce Mix everything together but the lettuce in a large bowl.  Divide onto 4 plates with lettuce leaves. Options: Add sesame seeds if you want, but don't forget to track the calories/points 1 tsp is 1 WW point.  CHICKEN VERSION ...