a cottage project - revamped boat seats

Our time at the cottage was so wonderful! When our cousins from Kalamazoo arrived, they brought a boat along. Here's what it looked like after we finished our project. Before this, it was in pretty bad shape, including some moss growing on the foam on the front cushions, but after washing it up a bit we tackled it with a staple gun, a scissor and some new fabric.

Lisa and I will always remember the summer we did this project! Maybe a little on the down and dirty side, but it was fun to let loose and not have to be ultra precise for a change. We enjoyed being on the lake doing something creative, and it ended up looking pretty good, even if I do say so myself!

Here's what it looked like before we started and in progress...

Ah, ready for relaxing on the lake! We all piled in and went for several boat rides. One of the highlights for little f was when we ran out of gas. As he began to panic, an older gentleman walked out onto his dock and hopped in his pontoon boat. He drove out to us and asked where we wanted to go. We tossed him a line and he tied it to his boat. Little f could see the propeller and wake up close, so it was quite exciting for him. And we were all so thankful for that gentleman.

"Why that gentleman help us?" little f asked. That's just what you do when you are on the lake. We all help each other, because we might need someone to help us another time. What a cool way to teach him about paying it forward.

recipes for homemade cleaning products

Here they are!

All purpose cleaner
1 quart warm water
1 t liquid soap (dish soap or castille soap)
1 t borax (powder)
1/4 c vinegar
5-10 drops essential oil (tea tree is good disinfectant)
1-2  drops food color
Mix and put in spray bottle. Good for walls, countertops, carpet, upholstery, tile floors and more.

Glass cleaner
1 quart warm water
1/4c vinegar
5-10 drops essential oil
1-2 drops food color
Mix and put in spray bottle.

Laundry soap
Grate 4oz castille soap into 4c hot water - stir to dissolve.
Fill 5 gallon bucket 1/2 full with hot water, add melted soap.
Add 1c washing soda (baking soda works too) and 1/2 c borax - stir to dissolve.
Fill bucket full of hot water and let sit for 24 hours.
Fill soap container 1/2 full and add more water.
Add essential oil (10-15 drops).
Use 1/2c per load.

a little giveaway!

This month I am giving away a DIY tote bag kit to celebrate the holiday season of giving and my 100th blog post! Cut from recycled fabric, it has a pocket of Heather Ross' Mendocino Mermaid fabric, one of my current faves!
Winners will be drawn at random and announced on Monday, December 13.
Tell your friends! Tell your friends to tell their friends! Want to get your own DIY tote bag kit? Check out my etsy shop for more. Want to get something already made? There are plenty of bags already done here!

How to win:
1 entry - check out my etsy shops and comment on this post, telling me about your favorite item, whether it's a piece of clothing, an accessory or a handbag.

2nd entry - become a follower of this blog and add a comment.

3rd entry - good karma entry - inspired by my blogging friends! Do something nice for someone else and then tell us all about it in another comment.

Here's a pic of one of the finished totes, to give you an idea of the size and scale:


I'm so excited, I'm looking forward to hearing from you and sharing the goodness that fills my life!