Styrofoam as a Painting aid

My recent purchase of a small microwave included two large Styrofoams.  Instead, of throwing it out; I used them to hold some lawn stakes that I painted. It's great for painting items up right, instead of flat on a horizontal surface.  I used it to add and mix paints sort of like a D.I.Y artists palette. It's great for reuse a few times more; afterwards reuse Styrofoam to hold and stabilize large planters or to hold dry painted twigs in vases.

Vintage Rocker Rocks

Vintage Wood Turn of Century Rocker found at Divine Providence

On my last trip to Divine Providence, I found an amazing vintage tiger wood rocker, very old rocker dates to the turn of the century based on its design.   I fell in love with it when I saw it at the store.  It's an amazing find at only 20.00; great solid design needs to be stripped to original finish.  

The rocker had been painted a dark stain finish, original paint shows light color underneath dark stain.  A new project to take on but happy to start and restore to its old glory.

Somebody send me a photographer!

How to reuse broken Christmas Lawn Stakes

I learned the hard way how to reuse broken Christmas lawn stakes when a destructive squirrel ate through the light cords around these decorations. I had these lighted snowflake lawn stakes which had a  nice hologram style.  The lights were attached by a thin light cord that allowed the electricity to travel to the other stake.  This squirrel digs up my yard and has chewed on electrical outlet cords, and now these Christmas light decorations; not to mention damaged the porch screens. Besides investing in good pest control; I did not want to throw out these Christmas decorations that were damaged so I decided to re purpose them into lawn art. I cut off the remaining cords and decorated the snowflakes with three glow in the dark stars (plastic star shaped discs).  I wanted to find a way to add more to the snowflakes so I want to add some wind chimes to them; then will stake it to the ground.  Another idea, would be to use them as a container plant trellises by adding plant ties around the stake. 

The second set of solar lights that were damaged were the type of lights that were attached by a thin wire; then were attached to small solar panel grid.  The squirrel ate the cord and severed one of the globe lights.  I cut the cords on the stakes and painted each individual globe stake with a pinkish metallic paint. I decided to use these globes as hose guides, instead of throwing them out. 

The solar panel grid I plan to reuse on another project.  Don't throw out these broken items reuse and re purpose them .  There are many craft blogs that can inspire the imagination; keep it out of the landfills.

Driving around Ocala FL

Taking photos in and around Ocala trying out my photo shop skills .

Pumice stone to the rescue

Pumice stone is used to soften rough skin around the feet and elbows; no one would think of pumice stone as a rust cleaner.

I learned of the use of pumice stone as a ceramic cleaner online. It worked to remove calcium and lime stains around toilet and bath tub.  This worked so well, that it restored these items beautifully.  I wondered if this would work on other surfaces, and to my amazement, it did.  I tried using pumice stone on some vinyl tile flooring that had some rust stains from a file cabinent .  I wet the floor with water and the pumice stone and gently rubbed the stone on the rust stain area.  Just gently rub the stone not to scratch the tile; the stone disengrates slightly and leaves grainy residue.  As the stain is removed take wet cloth and cleanup the dissolved residue. The floor looks rejuvenated and restored.  Next, I plan to use it on porcelain tile as well.  Pumice stone is a great inexpensive rust, calcium and lime cleaner.

Five easy New years Resolutions

Every year we make New Years resolutions which include losing weight and getting fit.  We join a gym for about a month then quit.  Here are some resolutions that I think  everyone can keep. 

Donate and recycle unwanted items. 

  Pledge to save money by vacationing in the US.

  Buy made in America items to help US economy.

  Lose weight by eating smaller portions and cutting out soda.

Grow some of your own food in small garden.

These may be hard to keep but making these changes as new habits can make these resolutions less hard to break.

Homemade Household cleaners

Homemade Household cleaners from natural items around the house

Vinyl floors can be cleaned with 1/2 cup of white vinegar to 1 gallon of warm water. Wood floors should be damp mopped with a mild liquid soap.

Use mineral oil and a damp cloth as a furniture polish. To remove mildew, scrubarea with baking soda if stubborn use TSP, a cleaning agent found in home improvement stores like Home Depot.

To make your own oven cleaner mix 2 tbsp of baking soda or TSP in 1 gallon of warm water and scrub with a very fine steel wool pad, use gloves when using this mixture.

Use 2-3 cups spray bottle with 1/2 tsp. of liquid soap, 3 tbsp of white vinegar and two cups of water to create a window cleaning agent. If the windows are very dirty, add liquid soap.

To clean toilet bowl use 2-3 alka seltzer tablets and wait 20 minutes then use stiff brush to remove calcium/rust stains. To remove hard water deposits; pour white vinegar or citric acid bowl cleaner into toilet and leave it to sit overnight before scrubbing. To remove ring around toilet, use dry pumice stone moisten with water and lightly rub along the stain. Pumice stones work on bath tubs too; to remove water rust stains, rub lightly, it will renew these items without glazing them.

These tips are from a book titled Grandmother's Kitchen Wisdom 10th anniversary edition.