Thursday, July 26, 2007

25 amazing uses for baking soda

I knew baking soda had a lot of different uses other than for baking. But I didn't know the amazing ways to use it until I googled baking soda uses and found this article.
Here's an excerpt:
Baking soda, which is also known as Sodium Bicarbonate, is much more than a baking supply. It can actually make your life easier. Not only is it economical to purchase, but it's also one hundred percent safe and natural to use everywhere around your house!

Let's look at twenty-five amazing ways you can use baking soda:

In the Bathroom

1. One part baking soda mixed with two parts of ground oatmeal makes a great scrub for your face. Just mix together the two ingredients and add enough water to make a paste. Gently rub the paste onto your face, avoiding the eye area. Leave the facial on for a few minutes. Then, gently remove it with plenty of cool water and a wash cloth. Your face will feel noticeably soft and smooth!

2. Is your skin suffering from a case of Poison Ivy or Sumac? Or, do the kids have Measles or Chicken Pox? Add a half cup of baking soda to a bath tub full of warm water. Soak the entire body. The baking soda will help relieve the itching and irritation. It will also help to soften skin!

3. There are many teeth whitening products on the market today, but the most natural is plain old baking soda. Simply dip your toothbrush into some soda everytime you brush! Not only will it help whiten your teeth, but it will help to clean your breath as well!

Baking soda can also be used to safely clean dentures, partials, and other dental apparatus.

4. You can use baking soda just like a dry cleanser to clean sinks, bath tubs, and toilets. It works especially well on chrome fixtures! It rinses off easily and you don't have to worry about scratches either.

5. Hairbrushes and combs pick up not only loose hair, but they also get oily.
Clean yours once a month by soaking them in a solution of warm water and a teaspoon or two of baking soda. Scrub them with a soft brush, if needed, then rinse them with clean water and let them air dry.

6. Is your hair dull and dingy? Maybe you have a build up of shampoo, spray, mousse, and other products in your hair. Mix a teaspoon of baking soda in with your shampoo the next time you wash your hair. The soda will remove any build up and leave your hair soft.

In the Kitchen

7. A pan with burnt food in it can be cleaned with less effort if you soak it in baking soda and hot water first.

8. To open up a partially clogged drain, pour a half cup of baking soda into it. Follow this with a cup of vinegar. Allow the solution to bubble for several minutes, then run hot water down the drain.

9. Do you love dried beans, but not the gas and bloating they cause? Sprinkle a teaspoon of baking soda in the water when you soak beans. Oila! No more digestion problems!

...read more

One more thing, long time ago (before the internet) I had found and used a recipe for baking soda clay. I had made several decorative items with it, based on the designs from this book. I couldn't purchase the clay originally used in the book, so I was content with the baking soda clay. I thought it would be preserved once dried and painted; unfortunately, most of the finished pieces deteriorated and crumbled due to the weather and only a few were slightly damaged...I recently found them in my drawer so I thought I'd share:


The wall ornament is about 4" x 5". I didn't finish painting the fabric details on the dress... The models on the book are much more detailed.
Btw, it was one of the crafty things that I thought I'd do with my kids then. But (understandably), they weren't interested enough...

Friday, July 20, 2007

Still waiting?


This pic is just too cute, I had to borrow it!

More Crochet Patterns from Garnstudio

Want some more free patterns from Garnstudio Drops Design?

This post follows this which came after this , preceded by this...whew!

Headband in Silke-Alpaca
Headband in 4 threads Muskat Soft
Headband in Eskimo
Wristwarmers in Alpaca and Cotton Viscose
Crochet Bag in Eskimo
Tie in Fabel
Scarf in a mussel lace patttern, crochet with Eskimo
Crochet Bag in Bomull-lin

Wednesday, July 18, 2007

Thank you Stacey!

Incoming packages take too long, as usual, but finally I got my swap package from Stacey! Its for our gadget swap over at Simply Crochet. Look what I got:


I love the little gadgets, the Crochet Fantasy magazine, and the Elizabeth Hiddleson doily book, and the yummy chocolates :)
Thanks Stacey!

Saturday, July 14, 2007

Blog Awards



I got some blog awards!

First off, on Deneen's its the Rockin' Girl Blogger Award

On Vik's blog the Thinking Blogger Award.

And on Chie's , also Rockin' Girl Blogger Award :)

I think, and I rock...how cool is that? Thank you my blogging friends!

Now do I really have to pick out 5 and pass on the award? Hmm...this is the hard part...but this is also my chance to tell you that you and your blog are special to me :)

Here are five - thoughtful and friendly bloggers I have known since I was new at blogging, and I've known them for the past two years.

1. Chie of Chie Crochets - a Super Mom and wife, and a professional crocheter/knitter. I like her chic and neat projects that definitely shows the Japanese artistic trait in her.
2. Deneen of Yarns and Musings - a Super Mom and Wife, Super Crocheter, and Blogger.
3. Kimberly of The City of Crochet - A friendly and popular girl with a demanding job, but always with an adorable crochet or knitting project going on.
4. Tina of Timeless Creations - a Super-duper Mom and wife - she has 3 sons,and a job, but still crochets and knits a lot, some even for charity.
5. Vik of Like Grandma
a sweet and lovable girl, she knits, crochets, and writes from the heart. She founded the Knitting for Homeless group so that she could not only help warm up the homeless in Argentina, but also anywhere else in the world :)

For lack of time and space, I cannot name all...though I know several of you rockin' (and crochetin') girl bloggers whom I regularly visit and leave comments ;)

Ultimate Design

This isn't crocheted, but I think its possible to crochet one - or at least, come up with something as innovative ;)


Dutch designer Tejo Remy has designed and constructed these eye-catching benches made up of tennis balls at Rotterdam’s Museum Boijmans Van Beuningen. A great alternative to those hard cold benches usually in museums!

Original post by CRAFT Magazine

Tuesday, July 10, 2007

Lazy Days...

Thank you for the comments on my previous post. I'm looking forward to share some more on my sister and her b.f.'s vacation here :)

Meanwhile, I have so many things on my crochet to-do list, and I'm somewhat stuck (or lazy) and not doing any of it :p ...But I have a FO to post now, this is what I have made recently. I wonder why I couldn't get myself to make the other animals, only the cats and bears appeal to me. So here are the cats, the bears are still WIPs.


Incidentally, these are from Kristie's Kreations Lazy Days pattern. I used Carmencita yarn for the pink one and Red Heart 3-ply yarn for the brown one.

Sunday, July 08, 2007

Holiday in July

It feels like Christmas holiday here - family reunion, lots of cheer and gifts :)
It isn't that cold though, but summer is over and the rainy season is on.
Last Christmas season we missed our youngest sibling, my sister, who is now living in the U.K. Now she is here on vacation, together with her Dutch b.f. I think they are having a wonderful time so far. They are now visiting some provinces up North and will be back here before the week is over. We are probably going to tour her b.f. around here and nearby cities.
I might be able to share some pics of us later. Meanwhile, here are some of the goodies I got:



Another Knitting magazine! This is perfect for beginners in knitting ;)






And this book - a must have ;)
And a black acrylic yarn with gold metallic.
Thanks again for the goodies, Sis!