Mess Kits

When I was a Girl Scout, we made mess kits to bring to camp.  A couple of years ago, I decided these would be a perfect addition to our food storage.  The concept is simple: each person needs to have plates, utensils and cups to eat with.  They need to be able to be washed and dried easily, and all without getting dirty again (in the event that you are "camping out."

So, how do you make one?  

1. Take a larger kitchen towel of your choosing (we got ours at the 99 cents store and let each person pick his/her own), and fold each of the shorter ends down about 1.5 to 2 inches.  Sew in place, leaving open the ends. Hint: if you use a thinner kitchen towel, it will allow the dishes to air dry faster. 
2. Then fold your towel in half, so the two new seams are together.  Sew up the sides.  
3. Next, take several feet of ribbon or string and put it through the seams which are now at the open end of your "bag" to make a drawstring.  
4. Now pick out and inexpensive plate, bowl, cup and utensils for each member of the family.  We had fun with this and let the kids each pick out a melamine plate, bowl and cup, since they will not easily break.  

If you put these in your food storage (or 72 hr kit), all you need to do is wash the items and place them in the bag.  If you hang the bag by its drawstring, the dishes will drain and be ready to use for the next meal - plus they will stay free of dust and dirt!

My yarn ball experience

I got this idea from www.addictedtohomes.blogspot.com. They got there's from a Home and Gardens magazine. I loved it and wanted to try it for myself. Couple of things I learned while making this.

1. Use different size Styrofoam balls.
2. Use a thick yarn.
3. Don't think that a simple knot will hold the yarn on the ball. Dab a little hot glue on the knot for added support.

 I used an old but still nice Christmas wreath. I just cut off the holly berries so it could be used year round. This project was fun to do and I think I will even add more yarn balls one of these days. Thanks Melanie for the idea!

Rag Wreaths

 Last week I made two rag wreaths.

Flower rag wreath

Start with an old picture frame. I used a 8x10 wooden frame. Wrap a long strip of fabric around the frame until all the frame is covered and glue to secure. Next glue the flowers on. At this point you need to cut strips of fabric to the size you want. I used thin cream fabric. Tie each strip around the frame in-between the flowers. Knot to secure. Last you add a ribbon to the top for it to hang. I was short one flower on the bottom and will have to glue that one on whenever I make my way to the Hobby Lobby.

 Rag wreath

I made this one for my daughter. Again I used a wooden 8x10 frame. I cut out two different fabrics in strips. one was a light pink corduroy and the other was a dark pink thin fabric. I alternated the fabrics to form a pattern, tying each one with a knot. Do this until all the frame is covered. Next I glued a bow and flower to the bottom front and attached a thick ribbon to the top to hang. I hung it from her curtain rod.