Spring Cleaning - Getting Started.

Welcome to spring cleaning month here is my 1st post.
Where to start... it's daunting, right?  How about this Martha Stewarts cleaning checklist.  Not too huge and scary but covers all the bases.  Like she says though your not going to get your spring cleaning done in a day allow a few weeks.

 

If you are one of those people for whom spring cleaning is enjoyable and you just can't wait to get stuck in then... go to it and keep checking back here for more tips.

If however you CAN NOT stomach the idea here is a cheeky tip.  Throw a party, send out the invites now and then you will HAVE to clean up.

Scratch Mits

My eldest daughter had chicken pox last week and so it won't be long before my little one gets it too.  Within 24hours of breaking out in the spots she had scratched the head of two spots in her sleep.  She is a natural redhead and therefore extremely fair skinned.  I was concerned about her scarring.  I made these scratch mitts from an old t-shirt and thought I'd do a little tutorial for you.  they are made of cotton jersey and don't have any elastic in them so are ideal for children with eczema as well.  they can be worn in bed to prevent damage to the skin by scratching.

I made two versions one from an old t-shirt and one from some cotton jersey I had lying about so apologies that the fabric in the tutorial keeps changing.

Firstly this is what your making. 

Start by tracing around your child's hands leave a gap of about 1cm all around the hands but trace close to their wrists.  Cut these shapes out.

 

Using a zig zag stitch and jersey needles sew around the outside of mits, as close to the edge as you can.  use thred to match your fabric I used a contrasting colour for demonstration purposes.

Turn right side out and your done.  Embellish if you wish but avoid buttons and trims that could be swallowed, we made this fishy pair using a fabric marker.

March Madness

Dear readers

Spring is just around the corner and whilst for many of you this may mean daffodils, bunnies, lambs and getting outside a bit more it also means spring cleaning!

Love it or loath it throughout March I will be posting little tips and a couple of articles on a spring cleaning theme.

Book Review

Thought I'd throw a book review into the mix for some variety.  There is a plethora of books out there on being thrifty and saving money. today I will be reviewing 

As you can see this book certainly has an appealing cover and it's easy to read too.  Although it's mostly text it's nicely arranged in easy to read chunks interspersed with helpful quotes and tips from other Mums.  It's so practical it makes very easy and compelling reading.

The advice author Elen Lewis gives is spot on, very honest, comprehensive & practical.  Elen is very warm too and in no way patronising.  She's the older wiser, been there done that friend you've always wanted.  I wish I had bought this book before i fell pregnant with my 1st child it certainly would have saved me a few pennies.  This is the best baby shower gift you could buy & I have already lent my copy out several times.

There is only one point in this book that I would argue with and that is about pushchairs.  Elen says a pram is a waste of money as baby will outgrow it in 6months.  It's a fair point and I can see where she is coming from but I love my pram I used it solidly for the 1st year with my children.  It was great to know they were warm and comfy and able to sleep lying flat when we were out and about not stuck in a horrid car seat for hours and hours.  I got mine on e-bay and the pram converts to a pushchair seat when they are older it has been worth every penny for the peace of mind it gives about baby's comfort.

Highlights of this book include the chapter on d.i.y nursery decor and the pantaloons tutorial.  Some of the best advice Elen gives is to take arnica tablets after labour to ease bruising - oh how I wish I'd known this after my 1st but it worked wonders for me after my 2nd.  The recipe for baby cake on page 58 is AMAZING described as "sweet, filling, energy-giving and nourishing" it's all that and more!

If you are expecting your 1st baby buy this book, if you know someone who is expecting buy them this book - advice like this at a time like this is worth it's weight in gold.

I plan a few more book reviews throughout the year they may not all be as glowing as this one, I did genuinely love this book.  What are your favoured money saving books?