All Things Fee

DIY Compost Tumbler

2012-05-30T08:30:00.000-04:00

I've been wanting to write this post for over a year now! I have a post in my "drafts" called Attempting Compost, that started last year. This is what it would have looked like.

(Ooops! One of my plastic knives that I use for marking plants is in my pile! I know plastic is not compostable!)

Yup. Just a compost pile. Nothing fancy. I had tried to do compost in a small bucket but it didn't go over very well. It became stinky fast. Yuck.

So it was back to the drawing boards, and library for some research.

I first figured out why it became stinky. Not enough oxygen.

That's when I just started a pile in the corner of my garden. Though the pile worked alright, I wanted something a little faster and not so in your face.

So I started looking into composter's, or compost tumblers. My first reaction. Wow, kinda pricey.

My second, I've got to be able to DIY this. So that's where the internet came in handy. I found that a composter could be made out of a 55 galloon drum. So that's the route I went. Once I got my drum, I just needed some hardware, and wheels.

To make your own compost tumbler:

- a 55 gallon drum

-4 wheels (stationary, not casters that spin)

-Something to attach wheels to ( I used plywood)

-Hinges

-Bolt lock

-Drill & Saw

The first thing I did was clean my drum out, I used vinegar because my drum had car wash solution in it.

Next I drilled a bunch of tiny holes throughout the edge to allow oxygen to flow.

Next came the door, I had hubby cut a rectangle out for me.

Make sure you keep your rectable, because you need to reattach it using the hinges and bolt lock.

Attach your wheels to your plywood.

To assemble, place your plywood wheel side up where you want it to be (before you fill your drum!)

Place your drum on wheels and get spinning!

So far this is working great for us! Carter can spin it! I can fill it! And it was so cheap to make!

Phew! Another task off the garden to do list!

I can't wait to share what's growing in our garden this year! If you thought I was crazy ( I did!) last year, wait til you see what we have added!

Playroom Re Organization

2012-05-29T08:30:00.000-04:00

We are "lucky" to have a room that we can call a play room.

It's a spare bedroom on our first floor that is always changing. First it was a catchall, then an office/computer room, then a office/craft room, then a office/craft/play room. And now it's just the play room.

Well, it seems like it's always a disaster. A battle I was sick of fighting so, I've been secretly getting rid of extras, broken or grown out of toys. And still we have a TON left. Sigh. So I decided that seeing as this wasn't working, I needed to figure something else out.

The toy sorters were great, if I put the toys away but Carter had trouble getting the toys back, and the bins out. Plus with Wyatt climbing anything and everything, they were destined to tumble.

Here come the inevitable musical furniture. I had these cubbies on the back porch, and they were perfect for the smaller bins. So I got to work. I wiped them down, and let Carter fill the bins. He sorted them how he wanted them and put them where he wanted them. So far so good! He knows where everything is! So he is actually putting stuff away when asked. A Win Win in my book!

Now, if only I could get some paint on that ugly paneling!

Calling All Crafters: 61st Edition

2012-05-27T12:00:00.000-04:00

* *Happy Memorial Day!* *

Welcome to Calling All Crafters!

A place where you can share your craftiness!

This week I am loving...

Accidently Wonderful's
3 Ingredient Cobbler
(Gotta love easy!)

AND

Ellen's Creative Passages's
Painting Glass Jars
(Oh my word! Gorgeous!)

Want a button?

Here are the "rules":

I want YOU to stop on by, and share what you are up to, cooking, cleaning, crafting, you name it!

If your not a follower, please become one, this let's me easily find and visit your blog too!
Don't like to follow? Prefer Facebook? Like Us!

Tell your friends!

Come back next week to see if your great idea has been featured!

Lifesavers Series: Cleaning my Fan

2012-05-25T08:32:00.000-04:00

Just another tip to save you some time, money and some frustration!

{source}

This is what I've been up to this week!

And boy am I glad I found this tip!

Fortunately I only have one fan ( for now!) and unfortunately it is in my kitchen. Gross.

So I climbed up there with a pillow case and got to work.

Just slide your the pillowcase over the fan blade and pull all the dust inside.

Worked like a charm!

Slowly Checking...

2012-05-23T08:30:00.000-04:00

off the garden to do list!

If you remember, I shared some of my pins and to do list with what I wanted to update this year in my garden.

And I am happy to say I am slowly making progress!

First off the list, the fertilizer barrel. Also known around here at "poop soup".

All this is, is a 55 gallon (plastic) drum with a spigot inserted in the side. My husband had to help with that, as I didn't know if I could get it to be water tight.

Whats nice is that even after my days of "poop soup" I can always just open the top up for rain water instead.

Do you fertilize? If so with what? How's your garden shaping up this year?

Calling All Crafters: 60th Edition

2012-05-21T08:38:00.000-04:00

Welcome to Calling All Crafters!

A place where you can share your craftiness!

This week I am loving...

Shaken Together's

Pink Lemonade Cups and Whoopie Pies

AND

The Pursuit of Happiness'

Diaper Cover

(Love the cover and the hat!)

Lifesavers Series: Bubble Station and Solution

2012-05-18T07:06:00.001-04:00

Just another tip to save you some time, money and frustration!

With the nice weather coming, and staying for a while I decided to try my hand at bubble solution making!

With that said, I went with this corn syrup, dish soap and water mixture. Even though I was tempted to go with the cornstarch one, but I didn't have enough on hand. Maybe next time.

Do you make your own bubbles?

Super Hero Sewing: How to

2012-05-17T08:44:00.001-04:00

Yesterday I shared what I made for my nephews Super Hero Party.

Each piece was so simple, I thought I would share how I made each item all at once!

First, this is what I made as his gift:

A Batman cape, complete with bat "points"on the bottom.

To make the cape, I first cut two pieces of fabric the length I needed.

Then using right sides together, I pinned the heck out of it. It was slippery!

Using chalk, I drew my points on the bottom. The center was the longest. And tapered the sides.

I cut around my chalk lined and sewed around three sides. Just like a pillow case.

Next I flipped it right side out, and ironed away.

Using each point as a guide, I topstitched from each point to the top. To hold the two pieces in place.

Lastly I made a collar with velcro and sewed them together.

Next I whipped up Wonder Womans crown!

Using a single piece of felt, I folded it in half the long way.
Then I folded it in half the short way, and started cutting my shape.
I started cutting from the tip, and to the sides. I left the bottom attached.
Next, cut and sew your star to the front of the crown.
Measure a piece of elastic so the crown will fit your head.
Slide your elastic in the sides and topstitch all the way around.
Done! Super simple!

For the Wonder Woman Logo:
I printed off the logo from a search, the size I wanted.
Then I placed it under my felt, and started tracing with puffy paint.
Let dry completely.
Cut out ( the picture is before I did!) And either stitch it to a shirt, or safety pin it so it's not permanent.

Next up was Captain America!

To stencil the shirt, I just cut a star out of regular paper, and slowly painted the edge and free handed it.

If you have a more complicated design you can freezer paper stencil it too.
Super simple!

For the no sew cape, I used fleece. Felt would work too.
Just like the bat cape, I started by measuring my length.

Next, I folded it in half, the long way so that I could cut out his neck hole.
Because I wanted it to be a no sew project I cut and oval to make my tails long enough to tie.
And that's it! Again. So fast!

Lastly, little Super Wyatt!

Using my machine and a quote I saw online somewhere I embroidered him a bib.

To make the bib I followed the same steps as the no sew cape! Making it look like a cape and not a bib shape!

What do you think? Could you make these? Aren't they fun?

Superhero Sewing

2012-05-16T08:30:00.000-04:00

My nephew LOVES super hero's. If you've seen a little boy in the library, grocery store, etc. in a cape it could have been him.

So for his birthday, my sister threw him what else, A Super Hero Party!

First, this is what I made as a gift:

A Batman cape, complete with bat "points"on the bottom. He opened it up as soon as we got there and wore it all day!

To join in on the fun, we all decided to surprise the birthday boy by dressing up!

Here's what my gang wore!

I transformed into WonderWoman!

Complete with tshirt and crown!

Carter wanted to be Captain America.

So I made stenciled him a Star tshirt. And then he wanted my nephews present (a cape)

So he got a red no sew cape!

And Wyatt didn't want to be outdone.

So I embroidered him a bib.

Come back tomorrow for the how to's for all of these projects!

Jalapeno Popper Dip

2012-05-15T08:40:00.001-04:00

If you like Jalapeno Poppers, you will LOVE this dip!

It was so yummy!

Here is the original recipe.

And here is how I made it:

(I changed a few ingredients because of what I had on hand, and it was still awesome!)

2 packages (8 oz) of cream cheese

1 cup mayo

8 oz chopped jalapeno peppers, drained

1 cup shredded cheddar cheese

1/2 cup Parmesan cheese

1 cup crushed Ritz crackers

To make: Let your cream cheese soften, or use a double boiler. Mix your cream cheese, Mayo, Chopped Jalapeno peppers and cheddar cheese. Pour into a baking dish. Mix Parmesan cheese and crushed crackers and top. Bake until golden brown on top. Serve with dipper of choice. We tried it with Tortilla Chips, and Crackers. But I imagine celery, sweet green and red peppers would be yummy too!

Definitely a crowd pleaser, and will be making again!

Calling All Crafters: 59th Edition

2012-05-14T07:24:00.004-04:00

Welcome to Calling All Crafters!

A place where you can share your craftiness!

This week I am loving...

Suzy's Artsy Craftsy Sitcom's
Quilled Topiaries

AND

Life on Walnut Street's
Yardstick Drum Table
(Oh my word! Gorgeous!)

Want a button?

Lifesavers Series: An Entire Board Full!

2012-05-11T08:30:00.000-04:00

Alright, I've been a bad blogger this week! I didn't test out any new Lifesaver tips!

But I do have a whole Lifesavers board of tips that I can share, from my pinterest!

I did pin a few that I want to get the ingredients for and try for next week though!

Here are some of my favorite tips from the past too!

Clean your dishwasher

Shower Magic

Tin Foil Saves Produce

There you have it, my top three Lifesavers tips! I use those on a daily/weekly/monthly basis now.

Whats your favorite Lifesaver?

Garden Updating

2012-05-10T09:30:00.004-04:00

This year not only did I plan my garden, and read up on the spacing of plants.

But I have a laundry list of things I am working on too!

(I tell you more when they are finished!)

A better compost pile/bin- I currently have a pile, and it's just ok.

A fertilizer barrel- for manure tea, or as I like to call it poop soup.

Better supports- I have typical supports but want some fun ones too!

Markers- I don't necesarily need these but I found so many cute ones!

Plant Asparagus- already purchased just need to plant!

Here's what I've been inspired by:

(all are in my Grows Board on Pinterest too!)

{source}

Hopefully the rain will go away and I can go out and play (in the dirt)! It's been raining for what seems like weeks, which is great for my garden but not so much for my projects that need some finishing!

What garden plans do you have in the works?

Taco Pasta

2012-05-09T10:31:00.001-04:00

I made this the other night, and boy was it good!

The only thing I changed about the recipe is that I added a can of corn!

Yum. Definitely going to add this to our meal planning!

This reminded me of the lasagna stoup I make. And next time I am going to prepare it more like the stoup, so that I dirty just one pan! To do so, I am thinking of following the directions for the stoup, and instead of adding the lasagna ingredients adding the taco ones!

What My Pal Sent Me...

2012-05-08T08:18:00.002-04:00

I was like a little kid waiting at the candy store, waiting for my package to come.

The suspense was killing me!

Here is what Jennifer Dawn sent me!

LOVE!!

The shirts for my boys are so beautifully made!

I've made one for a baby shower years ago, but it's always different when you get a handmade gift from someone else.

Super cute, bright yellow earrings ( I've already wore them!)

A beautiful crochet washcloth, again I make these for presents and never keep them. Weird. I know.

And a bunch of little craft trinkets, Carter already stole the super cool animal shaped beads. He plays with them like they are little toys, not beads!

Thank you Jennifer Dawn for being my pal! I love everything in my package!!

(I especially can't wait for the rain to go away to take some beautiful pics of my boys in their matching shirts!)

Calling All Crafters: 58th Edition

2012-05-07T07:46:00.002-04:00

Welcome to Calling All Crafters!

A place where you can share your craftiness!

This week I am loving...

Sew Can Do's
Batman Dress-up Set
(Oooh. I have a nephew who loves batman and has a birthday coming up!)

AND

Ellen's Creative Passage's
New Patio Umbrella
(I know so many umbrellas that could have been saved!)

Want a button?

Here are the "rules":

I want YOU to stop on by, and share what you are up to, cooking, cleaning, crafting, you name it!

If your not a follower, please become one, this let's me easily find and visit your blog too!
Don't like to follow? Prefer Facebook? Like Us!
(we are so close to 150 likes on Facebook! When we hit 150 there will be a little surprise for all of you!)

Tell your friends!

Come back next week to see if your great idea has been featured!

Lifesavers Series: Degreaser?

2012-05-04T08:30:00.000-04:00

Just another tip to save you some time, money and frustration.

This week I'm not sure what to call this post.

But in the past, I called the same mixture Shower Magic.

Curiosity got the best of me, and I've been wanting to use this magic solution in my home other than the shower. And I found the perfect place.

My stove hood.

Yup. Works like a charm!

I just spray it on the greasy hood, used a dry washcloth to work it in and ta-da!

A clean hood!(Until we make bacon again!)

A little knitting...

2012-05-03T08:14:00.000-04:00

I've been working on a knitting project for a new baby...

It's Purl Bee's Chevron Blanket.

See the books? Have you checked them out yet?

Itty Bitty Nursery, Itty Bitty Toys, and Itty Bitty Hats all by Susan Anderson of Spud and Chloe!

Not sure what I'll make out of them, because there are so many cute patterns!

What have you been knitting, crocheting lately?

It's Craft Night!

2012-05-02T06:59:00.001-04:00

Today's the day!

Not sure what I am excited about? It's Craft Night!

Remember?

Here is what I came up with!

Well, I had a complete fail first. And then got sidetracked!

My first attempt for Craft night, was a recycled bowl. I cut 1/4" strips and started swirling, and swirling and swirling. But that only got me so far. Too flimsy. See?

So it was back to the drawing board.

I thought if I could make thicker strips that it would go a little bit smoother.

But when I made the strips I got sidetracked. And started making gum wrapper chains.

Because I folded an entire sheet of magazine paper in half the long wise three times, it was pretty big and thick so it wasn't going to be the pennant/banner I thought. It didn't bend much. But it does make a cute little marker corral though.

So I then cut my paper in half length wise, and folded it in half lengthwise in half, then in half and and then in half ( that's what I mean by three times, does it make sense?) and I went back to my bowl idea.

Here is what I have so far. I've used about half a magazine here, and it's still pretty small. I'm going to add more and see how big I can get it before I modge podge it to stand like a bowl.

That's what I came up with! What did you? Make sure you link it up!

Now, a couple things:

-Be sure to only link up items made with magazines.

-We'd really love it you followed Kari and I!

(either through our blogs or Facebook!)

-Be sure to spread the word about the party so more people can link up, visit and join in on the fun!

Package Pals!

2012-05-01T08:44:00.002-04:00

Jamie over at C.R.A.F.T is the mastermind behind Package Pals!

Jamie loves getting mail, and knew she wasn't the only one! So she wanted to see who else likes getting mail and starting matching Pals.

My Pal is Jennifer of The Life of Jennifer Dawn.

After a couple emails back and forth, Jennifer and I realized we were both teachers, and had kids very similar in age! So Jamie made a perfect match!

Jennifer also told me she is a girly girl through and through.

Just take a look at her blog and what she makes. So I knew pink was in order!

Here's what I sent!

A little something for her sewing stash...

and a little something for her!

Calling All Crafters: 57th Edition

2012-04-30T08:22:00.000-04:00

**Don't forget this Wednesday is Craft Night!

Save any Magazine crafts for Wednesday's link party!**

Welcome to Calling All Crafters!

A place where you can share your craftiness!

This week I am loving...
(Seriously, I almost featured 4 or 5 of you! Keep the great crafts coming!)

Sew Fantastic's
Paint Chip Calendar
(I love dry erase calendars, and paint chips! Perfect!)

AND

Accidently Wonderful's
Baked Buffalo Chicken Dip
(I've been wanting to make! And now the recipe fell into my lap! No more excuses!)

AND

The Creative Paige's
Simple Spring Printable
(Is it not perfect?!?)

Want a button?

Here are the "rules":

I want YOU to stop on by, and share what you are up to, cooking, cleaning, crafting, you name it!

If your not a follower, please become one, this let's me easily find and visit your blog too!
Don't like to follow? Prefer Facebook? Like Us!
(we are so close to 150 likes on Facebook! When we hit 150 there will be a little surprise for all of you!)

Tell your friends!

Come back next week to see if your great idea has been featured!

Lifesavers Series: Dried Out Baby Wipes

2012-04-27T08:30:00.000-04:00

Just another tip to save you some time, money and some frustration!

Please tell me I am not the only person who finds open packages of wipes, after they are dried up?

I have a terrible habit of throwing wipes in the car, forgetting they are there, throwing in another package and then I have found two or three in there all dried up. Boo.

Not anymore! I used to just wet them, and they were okay. But this recipe makes them feel just like new!

Or if you are out, it tells you how to make some from paper towels!

2 cups water, 2 tbsp. Baby shampoo, and 1 tbsp baby oil.

(This makes quite a bit, so I just poured a little in each package until they were back to normal)

Whatcha Making?

2012-04-25T09:00:00.001-04:00

I've started my magazine craft for Craft Night!

Have you?

Not sure what I am talking about?

Back to Banana... Bread.

2012-04-24T08:30:00.000-04:00

Last week I asked over on facebook what you all do bananas, other than banana bread.

Julie shared this link, with tons of ideas.

While some looked super yummy, I went for easy.

I baked a loaf or two of banana bread.

But last year I used a recipe (my recipe was similar to this) from a friend.

Here's the recipe from last night's batch!

1 3/4 c flour

2/3 sugar

2 tspns baking powder

1/2 tspn baking soda

1/4 tspn salt

1 c mashed banana

1/3 butter, or margarine, or shortening

2 tblspn milk

2 eggs

Mix dry ingredients, then wet. Mix all together. Bake at 350 for 50-60 minutes.

I've also used this recipe (my recipe was similar to this, not exact) from a friend.

Calling All Crafters: 56th Edition

2012-04-23T08:44:00.000-04:00

Welcome to Calling All Crafters!

A place where you can share your craftiness!

This week I am loving...

The Pless Press's
Enchiladas with Sour Cream
(LOVE enchiladas, but I only make them from a box! It may be time to switch it up!)

AND

Lady with the Red Rocker's
Magnetic Necklace Change Up
(I need this! It would cure a lot of castoffs!)

Want a button?

Here are the "rules":

I want YOU to stop on by, and share what you are up to, cooking, cleaning, crafting, you name it!

If your not a follower, please become one, this let's me easily find and visit your blog too!
Don't like to follow? Prefer Facebook? Like Us!
(we are so close to 150 likes on Facebook! When we hit 150 there will be a little surprise for all of you!)

Tell your friends!

Come back next week to see if your great idea has been featured!