Let's Make Napkins

For awhile now, we have been using cloth napkins.  My first haul of them came from an estate sale. I was not choosy about their color. I just wanted them for everyday use. And I needed a lot if them since we eat all our meals at home most days.

The first ones started to wear out, so I bought a few more last fall from a craft mall. They were salmon in color, but so cheap. I also looked on Etsy, but did not have the extra money.  I considered making my own, but I gave away my cantankerous sewing machine last year.

Then I saw this easy tutorial on how to make everyday napkins. I wanted to buy cotton duck as it called for, but I am trying to save my pennies, so I put on my thinking cap. I had bought some nice flat sheets from Goodwill for my son to use as a green screen. He no longer finds the need for two.  Also, my gracious mother has a nice new sewing machine that she was willing to let me use. So... this is what happened.

15 wonderful napkins for everyday use!  I've washed them once and I had to trim the little strings from the developing fringe.  I think they are going to be very useful.  If I can find another sheet, I may make more soon.

Distracted Housewife

I've been a little distracted this week.  I did purge my living areas, but did not do any detailed cleaning, just the normal upkeep. I didn't even look at Flylady's website.  (For shame!)  I wanted to do a lot more, but I found myself thinking of a new kitty more than cleaning.  Maybe I am just not motivated to lift the couch cushions and vacuum there.  I didn't feel like doing it last month either.  Next week I hope to get back on track, unless a kitty actually comes to live with me.  Then I will be busy with cat integration.   :)

Finished for Now

Yes, I'd love to paint, get window treatments, have bedside tables, and an iron bed frame, but.... we are on a tight budget and this is real life.  (Van got new brakes.  Kitty goes to the vet.  I decide it's time to add a new kitty to the mix.  :-)  Kids need next year's pricey school books.)  So, I make the most of what I do have, a clean, spacious bedroom!  Thanks to my dear husband for hanging up the last picture.  It is a picture that he bought for me for a wedding present, so it is special and deserves a prominent spot in our room.

Progress Report

During...

Just a couple more photos of our room.  The boys and I moved the bed, dresser, and bookcase today.  Whew!  I vacuumed under the bed, too.  Felt great!  I decided the bookcase doesn't fit in here.  I've always thought that, but didn't have a spot to put it.  It fits in the extra closet, but I don't know if that is the best place for it, either.  I need to think about that some more.  Jeff is going to help me move the pictures and hang up the TV on the wall this weekend.  I also have a mirror that was my grandmother's and I think it will look nice above the dresser.  I will post pictures when we are done.  Just doing a simple rearrange to the room, but hopefully it will make our room more functional and cozy.  And clean!

 The bed is no longer under the window!  I can sit up in bed!  

Before: Master Bedroom

Take a Big Girl Pill

This week I'm back in the master with Flylady.  So far I've managed to clean the blinds, declutter the bookcase, restack the junk in the extra closet, dust, vacuum, and clean the bathroom area connected to the space that only the cat and I use.  I also used wood soap on my grandmother's chair that recently came to live here.  Oh, I also culled my closet giving up a much loved tattered sweater set that is also too big.  That's two sweaters gone this month.   We were gifted a small TV,so the old bulky one went to Goodwill.  The new one can be hung on the wall, but that's a project for another time.  I tossesd trash and got rid of two "rat nests" of stuff that landed in our room for lack of another home. 

I've been contemplating our use of this space lately.  The room has corner windows on the only wall that the bed can fit.  My side of the bed is below the window.  This means I can't sit up in bed to read.  I like to read before I go to sleep.  If we move the bed, we have to take it off the bed risers first and move the stuff under the bed, too.  So, I want to be really certain I want to move it.Most likely, the bed won't get moved.
 
The small extra closet in our room is so under used.  It has no shelves, no rod.  Because we rent, we don't want to install them.  But, the space would be so better used with at least a bar to hang clothes or even a shelving unit.  It's really low on the priorty list, so there it sits. 

I really like having a focus for my cleaning each week.  I didn't think there was this much to do in our room.  And I'm proud of myself for "taking a big girl pill " and getting rid of more things.  I need to do this in all areas of my house!  I will.