DIY: Dry Erase Wall Calendar

I've started decorating my house.  Super Frugal (Pinterest inspired) Style.

You see...while the house we bought may be new to us, it is definitely not new.  It was built in the late 70's.  I really don't mind that, except that in the foreseeable future it will need a few repairs.  (Starting with ripping out the nasty animal/urine stained carpet that was SUPPOSED to have been cleaned professionally.  Never happened.).  So...I need to be saving money anywhere I can on more "frivolous" things. 

That's why I am ecstatic about today's project.  It didn't cost me a thing.  I had all the supplies already (that NEVER happens).

I have been scoping out Dry Erase Wall Calendars on Pinterest and found a few that I liked but didn't LOVE.  So...I used those ideas as a "guideline" and made up my own.  Now...before you all go thinking I am a creative genius, you are wrong.  This took me HOURS upon HOURS to think up...and it really only evolved as I got going.  I'm really surprised it turned out so cute...to tell you the truth.

Supplies used:

*Picture frame (I used an old one my mother-in-law gave me years ago...Walmart has them for cheap)

*Paint for frame (if you want to change the color)

*Polyurethane to seal paint (which I haven't actually put on yet because SOMEONE threw it away during the move....Roberto!)

*Strip of my new favorite fabric (Paisley Floral Cream -by Sophia, purchase at Jellys Roll 2 Go)

*Coordinating Scrapbook Paper

*Permanent Marker

*Wrapping paper (with grids on the back)

Honestly, the HARDEST part was trying to measure and evenly space the boxes.  I may, or may not, have sworn in my head (or even out loud) a few (many) times.  Seriously!  I ended up using wrapping paper that I (surprisingly) had.  I used the grids to help measure the two inch length (my boxes are 2.75 inches by 2 in) so at least a few of my lines would be strait.  :)

FYI...the days of the week ("Sunday, Monday, etc") and "notes" were written directly on the scrapbook paper, the boxes are drawn on the INSIDE of the glass (so the lines stay month after month), and the month ("May") and days of the month ("1, 2, 3, etc") are written on the OUTSIDE of the glass (so you can erase and change them every month).

I'm really REALLY happy with the finished product.  

It's to be the main focal point on the empty kitchen.  I was sure to incorporate all of the colors I want to use in the entire room to draw them all together. 

More Super Frugal (Pinterest inspired) projects to come, I am sure.

Custom Coat Hanger---Yes! It's finally up!

If you'll remember, several weeks back, I set out to find a solution for this problem:

I think you will agree that this coat rack is far to small for our families "needs".

I was inspired by Katie from Project: Possible and her post project: from empty wall to mud room to create something workable for my family/home.

I headed off to Home Depot and picked up an piece of scrap wood for $.87 and a round stick to cut dowels out of.  Then I sat on it and sat on it.

I sat on it because I realized that, while I loved her idea (and was SO in need of it's inspiration), it was not exactly what I wanted.  What I wanted was something a little fancier (because it would be a major decorative piece in my scantly decorated home), something that would last for a lifetime, and something that would easily accommodate our growing family (nope, not an announcement).

But...what I wanted was definitely going to cost me more than the $1.80 I had already forked out.  I so wanted this project to be super cheap.  Bummer.  What was a girl to do?

In the end, I turned from what was most frugal and, instead, went for what I really wanted, despite the cost difference.  (My mama always said, "Buy the best you can afford.")

At least I still used the $.87 piece of scrap wood.

I sanded, painted, distressed, polyurethane-ed, measured, drilled and added hooks (just under $4 each)....and this is what I ended up with.

 I LOVE IT!

Yeah...it cost me more than I originally intended but....the results are priceless.

Where else are you going to find a custom made coat hanger with seven (yes, 7!) double vertical hooks, spaced 3.5 inches apart, in the precise color you want....for under $35 dollars?

Nowhere!  

Believe me...I looked.

And....despite our sincerely lacking carpentry skills, my husband and I FINALLY got it hung on the wall.

(See how nice and organized everything is?)

How To: Homemade Laundry Soap

I was first introduced to the idea of Homemade Laundry Soap quite a while back by my friend Sheena.  I was thoroughly intrigued but didn't do anything about it at the time.

Then, last week, I noticed that I was just about out of liquid laundry detergent...and try as I might, could not find any on sale for a price I was willing to pay (oh, I miss the days before the economy tanked that I used to get this for free with coupons....all of the time).  So...I thought...what the heck...let's try homemade.

So....I did.

It was SUPER CHEAP (about $1.59 for a 5 gallon bucket's worth--look for price breakdown below) and SUPER EASY to make (only took 25 minutes....start to finish). 

Homemade Liquid Laundry Soap

4 cups water

1 bar Fels-Naptha soap 

(found in the laundry isle)

--or you can use any soap and/or soap scraps

1 cup A&H Super Washing Soda

1/2 cup Borax

Yield: 5 gallons (concentrate)

7-10 gallons (diluted)

Grate bar of soap.  Place in a saucepan with water. 

Melt on medium-low heat (don't boil it), stirring continually, until all soap is liquified.

Fill a 5 gallon bucket half full with HOT tap water.  Add melted soap, soda, and Borax.  Stir well until all powder is dissolved.

  Finish filling the bucket with hot water.  Stir, cover, and leave overnight (giving it a chance to thicken). 

Here's what it should look like after it's sat for a while.

(like a lemon ice slushy)

Now...this 5 gallon bucket is the concentrated version (pre-treat stains with it).

The original "recipe" calls for 50/50 dilution with water, but my friend recommends using it in it's concentrated form (after trying it diluted for several months)...so you can decide what works best for you.  

Here's what I did.

I filled a container (can use an old but clean, empty laundry soap container...mine wasn't quite empty yet so I used an alternate) and filled it 3/4 full with the concentrate (see that compromise?) and the rest of the way with water.   

Shake container before each use.

You can also add your favorite scent of essential oil for a "custom" smell.  Just a few drops in your smaller container (it will be wasted in the 5 gallon bucket because the smell will dissipate over time).  

But...the essential oils are not "essential" (ha ha ha).  The Fels-Naptha has a nice lemon-y smell on it's own.  But...go ahead and play with it...it's your soap.   

This is a low sudsing detergent.



For front loading machines (yes, it is good for front loaders) use about 1/2 cup detergent.


For top loading, 3/4 to 1 cup

Try supplementing with 1 cup vinegar which has the power to naturally disinfect and soften the fabric.  (I'm definitely going to remember to do this when I do my MANY loads of "soiled" sheets.....**sigh**...boys).  (Thanks for the tip livingrichwithcoupons).

Either way...whether you dilute it or not, it is going to save you a LOT of money. 

Price breakdown

(as of Saturday at my local Walmart)

Water 

(free...he he he)

Fels-Naptha $.97 

(1 bar per recipe)

Arm & Hammer Soda $3.24

(abt 7 recipes @ 1 cup...$.46 per recipe)

Borax $2.98

(abt 18 recipes @ 1/2 cup...$.16 per recipe)

 

Total:  $7.19

or $1.59 per 5 gallon bucket

I'll let you know how it works.  

I've got more laundry tips coming.  So keep you eye out.