DIY Cleaning Products

I have to say I NEVER thought I'd be one of "those" people praising the benefits of handmade cleaning products but...........well here I go!

Nearly 4 years ago when I was expecting my first child, I decided to go chemical free in the house, out of safety. It has taken me so long to actually go ahead and do this because I seriously did not think DIY products would work.........I was wrong and I'm kicking myself.

The products I have made are AMAZING, so much so that I will not be buying shop bought products again, they actually work better than anything I have purchased.

I have no idea how much money I have spent over the years on trying to clean soap scum from my ensuite bathroom. Maroon tiles and maroon grout is an absolute nightmare, so much so that I just dont have the time like I did before children to spend scrubbing something that will look just as bad in a couple of days.

Out of desperation I googled and found a perfect product that has worked, finally, after 13 yrs I can say those tiles are no longer a problem.

Starting with the right:

All purpose cleaner: 3TBS vinegar, 1/2 tsp washing soda, 1/2 tsp castile soap, 2cups hot water.

Febreeze/antibacterial wipe: 1 cup water,20 drops of lavender oil.

Citrus cleaner: 3 oranges, peeled and steeped for 7 days in vinegar, strain.

Grease cutter: (this is by far better than anything I have tried) 2 cups water, 1/4 cup castile soap, 10 drops of lavender.

Bath, sink and tile cleaner/cream clenser: 2/3 cup baking soda, 1/2 cup castil soap, 2TBS vinegar, 1/2 cup water and a few drops of tea tree oil.

"My miracle maroon tile cleaner" better known as Soap scum remover: 1cup dishwashing liquid (it specifically said to use blue dawn, i didnt have any and used palmolive) 1 cup of nearly boiling vinegar, mix both together and spray while hot.

I have also made a batch of washing powder, kindly the recipe was given to me by a friend, I am yet to see the washed and dried result so will add to this when I do.

Pete

Ruler Growth Chart

It is usual for me to make and swap or make and gift most of the work on here..................this one is a gift to my boys so its not leaving the house.................because I LOVE it!

You can find this idea on a lot of different sites but all I have seen are in imperial measurements.
This would have been a lot easier for me, with less fiddling with text, in the end I decided to go with cm as the boys will be educated in the metric system.

I purchased this pine length from my local hardware and softened the corners and edges with sandpaper.

The text is a font I chose from my word program, Felix Titling, there was a lot to choose from but I think this looks like it fits in with the theme.

I chose to carbon copy the numbers onto the board and then black Sharpie them..............with all intentions of going back and using an acrylic over the top.
The sharpie has come up really well and honestly took me so long I dont think I could do it again in paint!

The boys love the end result and I have to say it looks pretty cool in thier room, very boyish! lol

Pete

Beautiful Butterfly

Today I managed to do a 5 x 5 canvas, the first for me in a long time.

I like working a lot smaller and although I find canvas amazing to work on, theres nothing like a 2 1/2 x 3 1/2 card to get me fiddling. lol

The background is Tim Holtz crackle medium in spiced marmalade which is perfect for sponging vintage photo ink over, it really shows off that amazing crackle..
Tim holtz script stamp and Kaisercraft Tigerlilly have been stamped in Stazon saddle.
I have used alcohol inks to mottle the edges and also to sponge through honeycomb metal ribbon.

I have sealed the piece using homemade Mod Podge (love it!!).

The butterflys are perfect for the lady I have been inspired to do this for, everyday she uploads to my page perfect sentiments and even more perfect butterfly artworks.
Orange rocks!

This one is for you Claire.........you just need to let me know your favorite quote to add to the blanks.

Pete

A Scrappy Good Day

I have a new stamp set from Kaisercraft "hummingbird" and I am loving it at the moment.

This ATC series has been made from my "scrap" paper, you know the paper you use to wipe up blobs of paint, stamp off ink and practice font!
This is the first time Ive tried using this as a background, and I dont know why I havnt listened to my creative peers and used it before now.

I have added to the background edges by swiping jade and lime acrylics using a piece of card instead of a brush.

The foreground has been double and triple stamped to layer the fauna component. Small pieces have been masked and made to fit the layout.

Tombow markers have been used to shade and give depth to the outline of areas.

The bird is a vintage hungarian postage stamp which I have photocopied and collaged.

I would recommend giving a piece of scrap backing a chance! lol

I love the effect.

Pete

Egg-cellent shaped ATC idea

This is the first shaped swap for RSA ATC swap for the year.
Inside/outside and back and front needed to be decorated or embellished.
My initial idea is not what i got down on paper but I am happy with the result.

Both the bird/fauna and the butterfly are stampsets are from Kaisercraft, I have cut and reworked the sets to fit how I will use them. Stamped with black Stazon.

The background is an online background as is the nest.

The front and back of the ATC I have used the "barndoor" technique, which has turned out better than standard crackle medium........I will be using this again and again.

Pete

Front

Inside

Harlequin man

This is my entry into the Paperarts WTA for April.

Pete

"let them eat cake".....ok!

RSA ATC March, collage series.

You know when you make something that is exactly what is in your head..............this is it. I loved making this one.

I bought the papers, which are from "graphic 45" and did not think i would be using them for an ATC series. I bought them for some frames in my bedroom. ATCs are perfect for the offcuts!

The background is the backside to the butterfly images, and Marie Antoinette is from my collection of images.

I have handcut the floral pattern to sit in 3D using glue dots.

All edges have been sponged using Tim Holtz distress ink in faded jeans and vintage photo.

The cake and stand I have taken from a Google image search.

Overall it is a pretty simple series that I think works really well.

So i liked how this series turned out, so made a single atc for the Paperarts WTA for this month...........fingers crossed for me! ;)

Pete