Natural/ Safe Ways to Repel Ants

Natural Ant Repellent 


You can use cinnamon, chili powder, cayenne pepper, black pepper, cloves and bay leaves. Sprinkle the powders where the ants are coming inside and where they tend to congregate. You can mix the chili powder with water to make a paste if you find the powder alone to be ineffective, this can concentrate its deterring power.

Ants don't like the smell of cloves or bay leaves, so put these along their trail, at the entrance or around the kitchen to keep the ants out as well. Even mint oil, or an unwrapped stick of mint gum, could chase the ants back out the door.

Another option is to put apple cider vinegar or white vinegar in a spray bottle either full strength or diluted, and spray the ant entrance and affected areas. You may have to experiment with various concentrations of the vinegar water solution to get it right for your area. The smell will go away pretty quickly for you but will last longer for the ants. Use a fine mist and you don't have to wipe it up, which can help it to be more potent for the insects.


Source: http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20120410084203AAenCjw




Natural "Ant Traps"

¼ cup of sugar
¼ cup of baking yeast
½ cup of molasses
6 index cards or can lids

Simply mix the sugar, yeast and molasses together. Smear them on the index cards or any lid. Put these sticky sides up in the high traffic areas of the ants. Its sticky, its natural and it traps them.

Look to see where the ants are coming in and wash the area with straight white vinegar. Something about the vinegar seems to repel the ants.Let it dry.

There are many natural ways to repel pests like fleas, moths and ants. They are safer on the environment and for the most part worry free.

Source: http://voices.yahoo.com/natural-ways-repel-ants-moths-fleas-679246.html?cat=7

A Few of My Favorite Sewing Projects from 2011

Ruffle Capris, using Jocole pattern

Toile dishtowel up-cycled into an A-line skirt 

Wannabe Matilda Jane Ruffle Pants, made using Carla C Easy Fit pants pattern

Knot Apron dress (without apron), using Little Lizard King knot apron dress pattern 

Knot Dress, made from woman's sundress, using Little Lizard King Knot Apron dress pattern

Knit Ruffle pants using Jocole knit ruffle pants pattern

La Petite Mercerie Fabric Giveaway

Visit Allfreesewing.com, a great website full of free patterns and tutorials for sewers and craft junkies. They are holding a fabric giveaway! To enter, visit here.

Here's a little info about the La Petite Mercerie Fabric line-Based on difference cross stitch designs, designer Emmanuelle Carre created the lovely La Petite Mercerie fabric line in 2010. This fabric line is perfect for creating patchwork quilts, sewing projects and anything in-between. With muted blues, browns and reds, the fabric delivers fun designs without colors too bright to mix and match. La Petite Mercerie incorporates images of sewing notions, alphabetical letters and stripes. Printed by the Lecien Corporation, the fabric is made of fine quality cotton. Create the sewing and quilting projects you’ve always dreamed of with the charming La Petite Mercerie fabric line. 


I love these fabrics! 

Copy Cat- Matilda Jane ruffle pants

I've been 'filing' ideas for clothes for the girls on my pinterest board. I finally got around to attempting a look-alike pair of Matilda Jane Ruffle Pants. I just think they're darling. This pair is not outrageously priced, but I still wanted to at least try making a pair.




Inspiration
These adorable Matilda Jane Herringbone Ruffle Pants

I found a light blue version of this fabric and attempted to make them myself-combining components of two different pants patterns.














The Mindy Lou version ;) 

The Review: Required a lot of patience, but it was all worth it when Ava tried them on and looked cute as a button, leaping and twirling like the free spirit she is!

Super Silly Simple DIY Ribbon Wand

My oldest has been making homemade 'ribbon' wands by tying dish towels and pillowcases to an old toy plastic golf club handle. While I appreciate her creativity for improvising, I'm tired of continually washing dish towels that aren't really being used.... so, I figured I'd surprise her with a 'real' ribbon wand...  ;)

She looks proud, doesn't she?

Want to make your own? I had everything on hand, so this project was FREE.

Here's what you need-

1 tree branch, approximately 12" length, and 1/4" diameter (on hand or borrow from a neighbor)-free
screw eye (on hand or available at hardware store in picture hanging kit)-$1.50
ribbon, approximately 5 ft. (fabric would work too) (on hand or craft store)-$1.50
Total Cost: Free or $1.00 (considering cost/ item used for 1 wand)

1. Find a branch that's 1/4" to 1/2" in diameter. Cut to 12" in length.

2. Sand edges to create flat surface. 

3. Carefully screw the eye hook into one of the edges.

4. Twist end of ribbon and string through the eye hook. Tie and knot again to secure.

The Review: It's nothing fancy (maybe even a bit tacky), but it's for my little 5-yr old. She could honestly care less about what it looks like.

You can find a great tutorial here on how to make ribbon wands with dowels. They recommend them as guest gifts at weddings!