Homemade Laundry Soap Recipe and Vinyl Cut from the Cricut for the Jar

Homemade Soap Powder and a Wal-Mart large jar, using the Cricut Expressions and vinyl.
The carts I used were All Mixed Up on 2 and A Country Life on 2 1/4.  I originally saw this on Pinterest, which now I can say I am addicted, its like looking at thousands of blogs and remembering by pinning on your board....just too cool! I  also had a pin for the laundry detergent from TipNut.com and here is the original pin from Being Creative to Keep My Sanity Blogspot, go HERE. My recipe is as followed at the bottom.

Using Zote Soap  and a cheap grater from Wal-Mart purchased just for the soap for $2 bucks, that way I didn't have to use the one that is much nice for my foods.I purchased the soap from Amazon.com  because I could not find anywhere around here even in the small Spanish/Mexican Latino stores, but if you live near one that is much more stocked you may find it there. It smells soooo good a lemony fresh scent.

Here are the rest of the ingredients, Baking soda I purchased from Wal-Mart or any other store, the Borax (20 Mule Team)from any store such as Food Lion, Wal-Mart, etc. and the Arm & Hammer Super Washing Soda.

Grate the soap right on the package, it goes very quick and stays in side the grater, you can then just pick up all the pieces and place in a bowl, so you can mix before placing in your large jar. Mixing in the jar will leave a dirty look on the side of the jar from the soap hitting the sides of the jar.....lets face it ..it looks pretty not being smeared all over.

It will look like this add the other ingredients, the Borax, the baking soda, and washing powder to the Zote and mix well. I put a small scoop in, you should use approx. 1/8 cup per load or 1/4 cup for extra dirty.





4 cups Borax
 2 cups Baking Soda
 2 cups Washing Soda
 2 cups Bar soap (grated) I only bought one bar from Amazon
Mix all ingredients well and store in a sealed tub.
Use 1/8 cup of powder per full load

Thank You

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Say It With Letters 12" WREATH Using Bo Bunny Noel Papers and Prima Flowers

The wreath is 12" fits perfect on a 12x12 sheet of paper from Say It With Letters. The DT has such beautiful inspiration of the Say It With Letters blog go check it out HERE. They all are so different and just gives you the warm feeling of the Holidays. Here I used the 12" wreath as a base and covered with the Bo Bunny Noel papers. Then using the Prima Flowers to fill the wreath. Okay I know my past came out....lol!! I used to teach flower arranging at the local college here and you know what I could not doing anything else but use flowers....it was just then flower arranger in me that came out....lol!
The accents are Tim Holtz holiday Christmas Adorments. You can also see them HERE.  The ribbon is from Hobby Lobby  and floral wire.  All the chipboard charms are Bo Bunny from the Noel Collection. I had a lot of fun making this, the sides are painted with an eggshell white which is more beige.

Here the wreath is on my newly repainted door. Just perfect!!

Close up view of the wreath.

The Tim Holtz Christmas Adornment and the Bo Bunny post card from the Noel Collection

The deer from the Tim Holtz Christmas Adornments lying on the Bo Bunny chipboard ornament.

I was trying to show how much it sparkles and is just so beautiful!

Close up of the Prima flowers just beautiful!!! They have some amazing flowers!! Thanks again Prima!

The ribbon was made and floral wire to tie the bow together. The gold just glistens. I used Helmar glues, the best!!!

         Well Hello I know it has been awhile.....but let me explain!! LOL! It all started with September being so busy and going to Art Bliss which anytime I go on an Art adventure...it takes alot of planning because my whole clan goes......well the ones that are left at home. This was also Cody's birthday and Cooper's. Cody turned 14 and Cooper 5!!! Coop will be starting school this coming year....yikes! Most of you who read my blog remember when Coop was born......well hold on because it ha been five years already!
          In the mean time I knew Crystal my 21 yo dd was due to come home from South Korea on Oct. 20.......WOOOOHOOOO! Well we were planning a HUGE party....which took a whole lotta work....oh my!!! Not only getting the house ready, the decorations, the food, the cake, just everything and I know all the planners out there know what I mean....!!!! I was also still teaching and holding down the fort...lol! Then my husband decides well we are gonna paint the whole house after the party....mind you I live in a three story big house...well it seems big! So now we just finished the first floor and we took up the old flooring which was only three years old...and replaced with a gun stock hardwood floor.....just gorgeous!! I also have been to two other art retreats since Art Bliss....well the Donna Downey Art Journal and the Copic Intermediate Certification which was in Georgia over nine hours from here. Yep you can find me coloring too!! LOL! So I hope you see why I have been too busy to post.....I know no excuses but I tell ya there is not enough time in my day!!! I have soooooo much to post and tell ya...but it will just have to wait! Cyber Hugs, Dawn Gallop

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**My Desert Cottage**: Home made Terrarium

**My Desert Cottage**: Home made Terrarium: When last months issue of Country Living came out, I knew I wanted to make this really cool terrarium. The whole thing was made with inexpe...

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Say It With Letters "COZY" with Yarns and Felt

Say it with Letters "COZY" word is now available for sale in Deb's shop at Etsy. Go HERE Also check all the inspiration in the shop.  Some amazing talent from the other designers. I have decorated the letters with the warm cozy yarns that are so soft and warm and cozy feeling.  The buttons are organic cotton buttons....so beautiful.  The machine is hand felted using the wool felt and several fibers.  I braided the three yarns together to make the bow on the y. 

The "C" with the coconut buttons....just so cute.

Love the feel of the yarn and buttons I purchased at Hancock Fabrics.

Here is the "O" with the felted heart.

Close up of the heart.

The "Z" more of those coconut buttons.

The "Y" with the braided yarn bow.

Here are the letters unfinished and are for sale at Say it with Letters Etsy shop
Go HERE perfect for any of your decorative needs

Another close up.

Say it with Letters has announced the new Design Team here is the new team, and a fine team it is.

Announcing... the Say It With Letters Designers....

Senior Designers:

Dawn Gallop

Laurie Griggs

Julie Ann Shahin

Designers:

Raechelle Bellus

Joyce Gleason

Julie Masse

Stacy Rodriguez

Kim Schofield

Cathleen Smith

Pamela Young

YEAH!!!! Lets give the new DT a shout out "CONGRATULATIONS"

I'm so thrilled to be continuing on the team, I have absolutely enjoyed myself.

Thanks Deb!!!

So many great cut outs to choose from my wish list is long.

Check out the Etsy store and the Blog for more great ideas and selections.

Sorry for the delay again in Blogging but the Hurricane Irene put quite a punch to North Carolina.

Have a wonderful week.

Dawn

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Apothecary House using Fabulous Papers By Echo Park

The Apothecary House.......all began from paper my husband went and bought me at my request I called Archiver's to see if they had it and they said YES! He stopped and picked it up for me and he didn't get home to real late that night so the next morning I walked into my studio knowing I was going to use it....I looked around thinking what do I want to do???
I saw this old nick nack shelf that I had purchased at a junk store (who doesn't love that?) I thought perfect an apothecary house.....I just adore those tiny bottles anyway......I used those fabulous Echo Park papers Apothecary Emporium and was so pleased with the results.  I included some herbs and spices to add to the effect. The papers were so perfect for this. The paints were basic white and Tim holtz crackle effects. I edited the picture in Photoshop.

More 7 Gypsies bottles and a handmade mortar and pestal and a tiny brass spoon.
The stickers are also from 7 Gypsies

The skull I hand built out of paper clay....love that stuff!

Here is another tiny 7 Gypsies Bottle with the "9" sticker also by 7 Gypsies
I always try to put a nine in my art work........

Here is what it looked like before the alter the cobwebs were an added bonus!

Echo Park

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I Love My Nook Sewn Cover for Halloween

A cover for my Nook
the other day I decided to make a cover for my Nook and I just purchased this adorable
Halloween fabric at Joann's and thought how cute.....now my husband said get making the Christmas, LOL!
I used felt, my sewing machine and batting.

Here it is inside the cover it fit perfect.

Here is the inside that plaid fabric was such a cute perfect Halloween print

The other night we made brownies, every now and then I break down and make some sweets for the children.
Dusty had been crying to play the game like Cooper but he just was to small and was having trouble so I told him we could make brownies, he did everything from the eggs to the water and the stirring. Next thing I looked he was eating the batter, I ran to get the camera and within seconds he was just about covered in brownies. Oh well he didn't care he forgot all about the game.

He said "these brownies yummy" he added nuts, and chocolate chips. We were so glad we could finally add nuts to the brownies now that Amanda is not home, she hates nuts in things so the boys were all doing the happy dance over getting to add nuts in the brownies, after they were done cooking they had ice cream on top.....and no I didn't have any!!!

         Hope everyone is having a super week~ although it has just began. I have been so busy getting the boys ready for school, open house, supplies, etc. whew!! The two littlest boys are so wanting to go now, and to think poor Coop missed the deadline by 20 days, he was born on Sept. 20 and the deadline for K is August 31. He is so ready and wanting to go to school.  Oh well he will just have to enjoy another year with me and Dusty. Well I am off to bed...have a great week. Dawn

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Say It With Letters Mermaid

Say It With Letters mermaid that is just perfect for my bedroom. I decorated her with hand spun hand dyed merino yarn, by Tamara Lovelace and wool that I hand dyed the green circles.  The felt ball was cut in half. Hand painted and decorated with a tiny mirror and shells that I have had since forever.......along with the starfish. Used Liquitex paints.

The hand dyed wool felt was dyed in water with Ranger Adirondack Bottle Green ink.
The purple was bought like that.

I think the mermaid came out so pretty.

Close up of the mermaid and the mirror.

You can purchase one of these of your very own at Say It With Letters Etsy store. Deb has a wonderful selection of cut-outs perfect for all your artsy needs.
Also check the blog out for loads of inspiration.

Say It With Letters Blog

Hello everyone I hope you are having a super sweet week. I have been busy with the boys getting them ready to return to school next week. All the shoes and clothes bought just a few more basic supplies. Whew! That was a job! LOL! Also getting myself geared up for ARTBLISS Workshops  which I can hardly wait, I have signed up for the charm swap again too which I have never even showed you guys all the fabulous charms I have made in the past.....I know it is almost impossible it seems to even post things.....I am always creating something but to get it on the Internet can be another thing. I have also been working on the boys costumes and sewing some other goodies.....well better go finish up with the dinner dishes. Hugs to all, Dawn

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Say It With Letters Margarita Glass "Tequila Makes Her Clothes Fall Off"

Say It With Letters Martini Glass with a Margarita Style

I just love it! I made it for my outdoor kitchen

(which where it is, is protected)

Bruce Jr. painted the tiki bar last week with a Magaritaville flair...which made this just fit right in!
The fabric was machine embroidered on my ancient embroidery machine, I bought it brand new in 1995 and paid $5,000 and yes it still works!!!! Gotta love it! A Janome Memory Craft 9000, I have asked for a new one that is computer friendly and Bruce just won't budge!

The theme came from the famous song by Joe Nichols Tequila Makes Her Clothes Fall Off, which everyone who knows me
I am not a country music fan, I know.....but my children are so I am so exposed to it, and my husband laughs at me when I sing the songs.



The wooden cutout is perfect for all your poison drinks...lol!

The ribbon is unknown but the flowers came from WalMart. I used fabri-tac Adhesive

The boa came from Michaels.



The lime is made from wool felt which I hand sewed the lime wedges on, I think it was such a great added touch.

Hello again!! I hope you have been having a wonderful summer. I taught this week at my house and had such a great time, but managed to get this cute little glass done......now I think I really need one. I have been trying to get more projects done now since my garden season is coming to an end. I have so enjoyed this summer, I really hate to see it end, but on the other hand I do like the regular routine of the fall. Well better go...have a wonderful week! Dawn Gallop

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Stuck On You Sketches "Sandy Toes and Salty Kisses" using the Creative Imaginations Beach Cottage Collections

Stuck On You Sketches

This week the sketch is by sweet Leah 

Who doesn't love the Friday reveal at Stuck On You Sketches??

The team has put together an awesome take on the sketch.

Check it out SOUS

I had a super time with this layout I had a babysitter for most of the afternoon so I could actually put together this wonderful layout. I used the pp from Creative Imaginations Beach Cottage Collection which the minute I laid eyes on it...it was in my basket.

I bought it in May while in Florida. I was feely beachy sooooo of course this is what I put togther.

I wanted to name it treasures of the Sea.....but this also fits so well. Cooper at Nags Head in 2010. The boys LOVE the beach, well who doesn't?? 

The title is so perfect It is from Silhouette SD I cut from Bazzill Raven paper. I used half of a wine faux cork, sea shells,

Prima flowers, starfish, coral, sanddollars and more. Even the sand in the bottle. The ribbon I made using my Pfaff felting machine. Which I soooo love!!! It is just amazing!!!!

The Mermaid is just a favorite of mine anyday! I hand painted it using the Twinkling H20's now Creative Imaginations is selling them!!! Awesome I have had mine for many years from Luminarte. They are just awesome...I can't say it enough.
Then I went over them with a few Ranger Stickles.



I also added Copic markers to her skin tone. Raffia, stitched the background diecut which is from Cricut using the Lacy Labels Cartridge, and TH Distress Inks on the labels (diecuts)

The quote is fabulous and oh so perfect.......
“I dropped a tear in the ocean, and whenever they find it I'll stop loving you, only then.”

--Anonymous

---

Oh my don't you love that quote.??



Here is the picture I used of Cooper at OBX 2010 edited in PhotoShop

Sketch By Leah Schaeffer

I took this adorable picture of my granddaughter Abigail this week, she has been her all week even spent the night, which is hard for her, she's a mommies girl. She loves the pool she asks all day Grandma Dawn we going to the pool now? I always love the summer, and it has flown by...like usual. Sad I wish it could be summer a bit longer. They eaten nutty butties and popsicles all week.  I made them zoo pancakes for breakfast today and Abigail told the boys I made them for her. The cutest little story she was sad and missed her mommy and daddy last night so I was holding her in the bed all the boys were around her in a circle tring to comfort her it was like she was a brand new baby...I just thought how thoughtful and caring they were. I'm gonna miss ya Abigail when ya go to school! She starts school this year, Cooper is three months younger than her and he can't start till next year because of the deadline and he is sooooo ready, the school system has had so many cut backs they have elliminated the 4 year old program which Cooper could utilize but not now. Cooper is so READY!!!!

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