Very Useful App!

I really need want this!

Ok, I don't ever travel to other countries or even have an Iphone, lol! But isn't it wonderful?

What a brilliant use of technology!

New Uses For Old Things! Brilliant!

Did you know that there are many different used for many of our regular every day items. Well, I was surfin' around the net and found a fabulous list at Real Simple's site.

They have listed:

Rubber bands:
1. Open jars with ease. When a small lid won’t budge, wrap a rubber band around it several times to give you a better grip. (I do this trick all the time, very helpful)
2. Decorate Easter eggs. Arrange rubber bands in a pattern around hard-boiled eggs, then dip them into dye. Remove the bands when the eggs are dry. (We used this technique this past Easter see our eggs here)
3. Bring order to your dishwasher.Tether stemware and other delicate, wobbly items to the rack.
4. Wrap a gift. Use multiple colored rubber bands instead of ribbon to add modern flair to a small present. (Particularly handy when you can’t find the tape, and works great when you use a blanket or towel as the wrapping "paper".)

Toothpicks:
5. Label meat. Are these burgers rare or well-done? They all look the same on the outside. Identify just-off-the-grill meats with different-colored toothpicks and they won’t get mixed up.
6. Find the end of the roll. When you’ve finished using tape, wrap the end around a toothpick so you can easily locate it the next time.
7. Glue beads and sequins. Use the sharp ends to apply teensy items to a craft project. (Always keep toothpicks handy when working with beads and/or glue)
8. Sew a better button. Place a toothpick between the button and fabric so it doesn’t go on too tightly and end up tough to fasten.
9. Press a gadget’s Reset button. What fits perfectly into that tiny hole? You guessed it.

Salt:
10. Clean up a cracked egg. Cover the mess with a handful of salt, then wipe up with ease.
11. Dust a wreath. Place a wreath of pinecones or faux evergreen in a paper bag with a 1/4 cup of salt. Fold the top of the bag over and gently shake. (Amazingly this does work)
12. Remove tea stains. Sprinkle salt on a lemon peel, then rub it on a tea-stained cup.
13. Shine brass and copper. Make a paste of a few tablespoons of white vinegar with equal parts salt and flour. Apply with a soft cloth, rinse, and dry. (Works great!)

Post-It Note:
14. Clean a keyboard. Run the sticky side between the keys to collect crumbs and bits of lint.
15. Navigate the roads. Write directions on a note and stick it to the center of your steering wheel for quick reference. (I stick these all over the place for quick reference)
16. Mark containers. Cut off the sticky zone and use it as an ersatz label for travel bottles so you don’t confuse your facial cleanser with your hair gel.
17. File away. Divide a pile of paper into sections using Post-it Notes as you would folder tabs.
18. Play tic-tac-toe. Use a sheet for each X and O. Peel them up and play again until they lose their stickiness.

Felt Circles:
19. Secure slinky garments. Stick a felt circle onto each arm of a hanger to keep clothes from sliding off.
20. Anchor a cutting board. Place a circle under each corner of the board so it stays put while you slice and dice.
21. Prevent tabletop scratches. Attach a circle to the bottom of a vase so it doesn’t scuff surfaces
22. Keep your kitchen quiet. Hush a banging cabinet door by sticking a circle on a corner on the inside of the door.
23. Protect the walls. Position felt on each corner of a picture frame so the edges won’t mark the paintwork.

Clear Nail Polish:
24. Keep an eyeglass screw in place. If your specs are a bit wobbly, tighten the screws and top them with a dollop of polish.
25. Secure buttons. Apply a thin layer of polish to the center of a button to keep the thread from coming loose.
26. Avoid rust stains in the bathroom.Coat the bottom of a shaving-cream can to fend off rings on the ledge of the tub. (This really does work)
27. Seal an envelope. When a flap won’t stay stuck, find closure with clear polish.
28. Extend the life of jewelry. Paint a thin coat onto a costume bauble to prevent it from losing its luster.

Fantastic!

Steph at Jonquils & Ladybugs has just opened an etsy shop and is having a giveaway! She is giving away this adorable handmade bag full of fabric and yarn!!! Check it out!

Back to School Giveaway!

It's that time of year again..."BACK TO SCHOOL". What a perfect reason for our very first giveaway!

The super sweet people over at All Children’s Furniture, who carry amazing children's items like kids chairs, kids decor, toys, and even backpacks, have offered up an amazing "Back to School Giveaway" on my blog!

If you haven't visited All Children's Furniture before, you'll be amazed at their very large variety of products, and often times many of these items are on sale! I know my wish list keeps on growing :)!

The winner will have their choice of one of these fun backpacks (see complete selection of Wildkin here [the $24.95 ones]) (The link has not been taking readers to the Wildkin backbacks only, to see all the eligible backpacks click "Wildkin" on the left sidebar under the Manufacturers heading):


(Click on photo to enlarge)Wildkin - Insect Life Backpack

Wildkin - Butterfly Backpack

Wildkin - Dinasaurs Backpack Wildkin - Princess Backpack
Wildkin - Tropical Fish Backpack
Wildkins - Polka Dots Backpack

(These pictures are a small selection from AllChildrensFurniture.com)
How To Enter:
1. Please visit AllChildrensFurniture.com's eligible backpacks (Wildkin backpacks [the $24.95 ones]), (The link has not been taking readers to the Wildkin backbacks only, to see all the eligible backpacks click "Wildkin" on the left sidebar under the Manufacturers heading): leave a comment and let me know which backpack you'd like to receive if you win.
2. Blog about this giveaway. To make it easy, simply copy and paste this for your post.

Making a House a Home is having a great toy giveaway sponsored by AllChildrensFurniture.com, who carries everything from kids chairs to toys. Giveaway ends September 10th!

3. Post about this giveaway on your Facebook, MySpace or Twitter account.
4. Follow my blog (or let me know if you already do)
5. Subscribe to my blog in a reader - this earns you two entries - leave two separate comments.

Please leave separate comments for each entry.
Giveaway ends Thursday, September 10th, at 11:59pm EST. Winner will be announced on Saturday, September 12th. Open to U.S. and Canadian residents. The prize will be shipped to you directly from AllChildrensFurniture.com.

An Awesome Find!

The other day I was browsing around some online stores. Looking for good deals for Christmas presents. I was pleasantly surprised at something I found at Home Depot.

It's a Hampton Bay 5 pc Tote Set - a picnic in a bag! The tote is very easy to carry, has an adjustable strap.

Inside the tote is the table top which is a lightweight aluminum mesh (table folds in half for easy packing), the legs and 4 cushions (with all weather seat cushion fabric) for this fabulous picnic table. The cushions are very comfortable and can be washed off with a damp cloth. The table is large enough for the 4 place settings and the food you are serving.

It's going to make picnics even more fun. I imagine us using in our backyard and at the park. I can't wait for spring!

photos from homedepot.com

A Trip Down Memory Lane

Do you remember the Fisher Price "See N' Say"?

The original had the "pull string" that could get tangled or worse yet wrapped around a little ones fingers. If you grabbed the spinning arrow (like most kids would) it would cause the sound to drag and eventually cause it to not work at all.




The came the "pull lever"! Much better than the string. No tangled knotted strings. No risk to tiny fingers.

If you grabbed the spinning arrow, it still caused problems. But over all much better than the original "pull string".

Well, have you seen the new ones! Wow, they're fancy, lol! My niece has one and it has a flip screen that gives you twice the amount of "animal sounds", one "quiz" and "song" on each side. I's a lot smaller than the originals (which of course is actually easier for the little hands to carry). Even stopping the spinning arrow does NOT mess up the sound.

Even with the few changes, one thing hasn't changed.....it still brings a lot of joy to little lives.

(photos of "pull string" & "pull lever" see n' says are ebay stock photos)

New Camera!!

We love it! It's a Sony Cybershot DSC-H10! Our antique camera broke a few days ago. I really didn't think we would be able to replace it this quickly, a true blessing! God is so good!

(Photos from bestbuy.com)

It is so easy to use, and takes excellent photos. Audrey ran around taking pictures all day (she has quite the "eye" - see for yourself below).

Don't you agree!