July Finishes for ALYOF link Party!

Here we are again people,at the tail end of yet another month!  So lets get right to what was accomplished.

First on my list was Clutches for my niece...

She wanted six,I ended up making seven,with the one for her,included in this photo.

This one,for her sis-in-law who is helping her,or being her wedding planner.

Next up,the Triple Zip Pouch,for my secret swap partner.  If she does not like this one I will make her another,as I have until the 17th of Aug,to send it.

All twenty crayon rolls that I made,because a customer at the FM requested some :)

My favorite of the three bags I made from the new pattern I tried out.

Next on my list was make soap,laundry(which I already posted about)and bar soap.  I ended up using a plastic tray with shallow circles from the recycle bin,and for the actual bar at the back,a shortening bar tray,also from the recycle bin.  This batch is scented with LemonGrass essential oil,I decided not to add any dye to my soap.  Not pictured,is a batch of Lavender scented soap.

The last item on my goals list is,start at least two Christmas projects,well,I have them cut out.  You will just have to trust me though,because I forgot to take pictures of the cut up fabric! (oops)

My projects list...

Did not make any more progress on this quilt after this photo,but there was at least some progress.  No progress on the Try something New,but it will happen,and when it does you will hear about it!

Make some bags from stray quilt blocks...bag number one

Bag number two,there are still 5 or 6 to go,but two is a good start.  The last two,pillowcases and list a few items,did not happen but,again,they will soon,and since they were only projects... I am okay with that.

I am tired,but happy about getting so much accomplished :)  However,this next month I plan to take it easy for a change!

ALYOF Mid ~ Month progress

Half the month has flown by already,which means it is time to show my progress on my list (s)...

This is the photo from the book (Simple Choices,by Abby Lane Quilts).  This quilt is titled Simply Spring,AKA my birdie quilt,which is on my projects list.

Here is my version,the blocks are made up with Polka Dot Stitches fabrics.  My birdies are from other fabrics in my stash.  Right now they are just pinned on,since I need to purchase some steam a seam before I can attach them.

The wings and tail feathers pattern pieces cut out of freezer paper.  I still need to pick the fabrics for these pieces...

On to some goals,here are all 20 of the crayon rolls that were sewed up last week!  Obviously I can not count to 20 as I only came home from the store with 19 packs of crayons...

Three new fabric journal covers all ready to go,just need one more composition book for the one in the center.

A few more only,these are chalk board journals.  Killing two birds with one stone,as these have been pinned on one of my pinterest boards for quite a while.

Laundry soap,these are just what would not fit into my big jars!  The one on the left is made with Fels-naptha bar soap,the one on the right is made with pink zote bar soap.  They also both have super washing soda,and 20 mule team borax,I have been using these for around a year now.  They work just as well as store bought at a fraction of the cost :)   Still trying to figure out what to use as molds for my bar soap...

No progress on the clutches yet but,I do have the fabric!  The new bag pattern,bag is in progress and I will post about it as soon as it is finished,or at least to a stage where you can tell what it is from the photo.  Stalking my triple zip pouch partner,and have some fabrics in mind...

DIY Laundry soap

Have you ever made your own laundry soap?  No,me either,that is until this weekend!

Pictured are the items you will need to make your own laundry soap.  With the exception of a medium size bowl.  (forgot to include that in the photo)
1. cup Borax
1. cup Arm & Hammer Super Washing Soda
1. Bar Fels Naptha soap
disposable gloves  (to protect your hands)
jar/container for storing
wax paper (or you could just grate the soap into the bowl)
Grater

Note:  You will want a grater with smaller holes!

Here is the Fels Naptha soap all grated,looks like cheddar cheese!  It has a lemony scent to it.  As noted above,you will need to use a grater with smaller holes.  The one I used was really to large,so the next trip to the thrift store, I will be looking for another grater.

Add one cup Borax.

Next add one cup of Arm & Hammer Super Washing Soda.  Mix the three ingredients together.

Pour into your desired container.  As you can see my Fels Naptha soap is not evenly distributed throughout the mixture.  This is why you need to grate it using the small holes on your grater.  That aside,it still worked quite well!  I just used an old cap from a vitamin container as a scoop.  For Mr. P's jeans I used 2 caps (since he has been welding at work lately),for the rest of the laundry I used 1 capful per load.

This has been pinned on one of my boards on pinterest for a little while now.  Here is the pin/recipe with better photos and instructions too!  Check it out,you will see how it looks when using the smaller holes on your grater :)  Pretty!

Next time I am going to use a lavender soap instead of the Fels Naptha.  The store bought laundry soap I used had a lavender scent which I loved.  Let me know if you try this out!