Since now you know I’m lazy when it comes to drying laundry outside and how I picked up the idea of inside laundry line from a previous home exchange our family did, I want to show you how easy it is to install an inside laundry line in your home. Most hardware stores, big and… Continue reading How to Install an Inside Laundry Line
Tag: reduce reuse recycle repair
My Great-Grandmother’s Recipes
I inherited something recently that is very precious: this little notebook. It’s filled with recipes from the kitchen of my maternal great-grandmother, Clara E. Walters. Here’s a picture of her, at age 20, back in 1906. She was an original – for many reasons. I love how she wrote down recipes on the backs of… Continue reading My Great-Grandmother’s Recipes
Why I Use an Inside Laundry Line
I have a confession to make. I don’t hang my laundry up to dry outside because it’s too much work and I’m lazy when it comes to laundry. To go from my laundry area in our basement to the backyard, I have to unlock the door, carry the collapsing laundry line outside, set it up,… Continue reading Why I Use an Inside Laundry Line
Slipcover or Reupholster? Which to Choose?
When it comes to having chairs and sofas redone, there’s usually two choices: slipcover or reupholster. But, which to choose? Either will give you a lovely end result – a new outside garment for a piece of solid furniture - but slipcover or reupholster? Having this type of sewing work done for you can be… Continue reading Slipcover or Reupholster? Which to Choose?
Souvenirs from Spain
When we travel and home exchange, we travel pretty light so we are not usually very big on bringing home a bunch of souvenirs. That being said, who doesn't like to come home with some small reminder of a great trip? Our compromise is to combine getting something we need while on the trip with… Continue reading Souvenirs from Spain
How to Make New Candles from Old Candles
“In case you ever want to live off the grid,” was the answer I gave my 15-year-old son as the reason he should make candles with me. As you can imagine, this was met with a jaw-dropping, wide-eyed dazed look that comes from a teen who would like nothing better than to be plugged-in and… Continue reading How to Make New Candles from Old Candles
Frugal Living with Style Talk
Hi everyone…just a quick reminder that I’m speaking this Saturday, July 26th, 2012 at the Kenton branch of the much loved Multnomah County Library system. My talk begins at 3pm and it’s free! Please come and say hello. If the weather is beautiful and sunny in Portland, I know it won’t be a large crowd.… Continue reading Frugal Living with Style Talk
Sewing Machine Tune-Up
My longtime friend and fellow sewer, Lisa, e-mailed me recently with a question. Lisa wrote, “I'm wondering with all the sewing you do, do you do your own sewing machine tune-ups? Or is there a good deal around town?” Short answer: I do my own now but I’m not allowed to disassemble items that have… Continue reading Sewing Machine Tune-Up
A New Closet Rug
I have been looking for a new rug for the closet I share with my daughter. Yes, with old houses there’s always closet sharing going, isn’t there? My daughter’s bedroom is the smallest room in our house and yet, it has the largest closet -go figure! I re-did the closet several years ago (I’ll need… Continue reading A New Closet Rug
Dress = Top + Skirt
While clothing shopping for my home swap to Spain, I found this super cute summer dress at the Goodwill “Bins.” To clarify, “the bins” are Goodwill’s clearance center where items are priced by the pound and the last stop for clothing before it’s made into rags. You can find some real treasures if you’re willing… Continue reading Dress = Top + Skirt
Go Gingham 