Lots Going On Here

There has been a lot of nesting happening in The Hen House these days. My thrifty nature has dictated every move. In the laundry nook, Manly hung this shelf I found at the Goodwill for $1.99. I altered it a bit with some leftover spray paint and a strip of oil cloth. I thought the oil cloth would make for easy lifting from the shelf and easy cleaning, and it does. The jars are jars I have used for flour or other dry goods over the years. My new favorite storage container is the glass milk jar. I keep a few and take a few back for the $1 bottle refund. I use a powdered laundry detergent which I purchase in bulk or in cardboard boxes, to avoid the dreaded plastic bottle. I use vinegar as a softener and brightener for whites. I also use the baking soda for a bright lift to heavily soiled loads. I wish I could get Borax in bulk. I use it for tons of household cleaning and a bleach replacement. The cute bee container was a Marshalls find. They had a whole line of them. I wish I could have purchased more...Oh well. I have this one. I am able to purchase baking soda in bulk, I just bring my container in to the store for a refill. No waste at all!

All the sewing is the first bit of a new line of Home Goods I am working on this week: Napkins, Tea Towels, Pillows and Bulk Bags, etc. Most of the fabric is re-purposed, but I couldn't resist this Far, Far Away pattern. Rapunzel and The Owl and The Pussy Cat are the two I settled on, but I want them ALL. I always like to put a little hand made detail, like embroidery. What do you think?

Trying to keep my hands busy...