DIY Moss Wreath

SO I saw this picture on another blog and just had to have the wreath but refused to pay more than $30 for it... I decided why can't I make this? Oh but I can! So I went to Michael's (with my 40% off coupon and bought some moss) and also bought different moss at Walmart for $2 a bag (which I actually liked the best), the hottest hot glue gun (I figured why not?), and at a later date went to Hobby Lobby (also with a 40% coupon) and bought the green Styrofoam wreath. I got the 12", if anyone cares.

 

here's the moss from Walmart:

and the moss from Michael's:

So while I was babysitting I decided to start. It is very easy and a fairly quick project. Only about an hour. BUT LET ME WARN YOU 2 THINGS!

1. It is VERY messy... the moss that is.
2. The glue that comes out of the hot glue gun is... hot. I mean extremely hot. I may or may not have gotten some on me and may or may not have been able to get it off in time... ouch >_<

I got a picture of it before it was done:

What was neat about the Wamart moss was that I could actually roll it out because it was one big moss sheet... or whatever you would like to call it. Then I filled the holes with the Michael's stuff.

And here it is done!

Up on my door! (yes I know I have an ugly door... that's my next MAJOR project... Installing a "new" door.)

My Free Heavy Trash Table

I wasn't really sure how this would turn out but I sanded and sanded and sanded. I had huge gouges everywhere (which is why I sanded and didn't just strip it). After doing research AFTER I had painted like 6 coats of paint on it (I wanted that brand new store look) I didn't realized how important primer is... Next time I will do that. But i did go ahead and put a sealer on it since it will be the family table.

Before:

After:

Dry Homemade Laundry Soap (HE)

So, after making 2 batches of the liquid, I just wasn't happy with the non-smell. So I looked and looked and looked and finally found a recipe that used Purex Crystal Softeners but I substituted those for the Downy Unstopables. (I LOVE THE SMELL OF THAT STUFF!) and our clothes were starting to look dingy... This recipe also includes Oxi Clean. BTW THIS IS GREAT FOR FRONT LOADERS! HE just means little suds which is perfect for front loaders.


Recipe:

• 1 (4 lb 12 oz) Box of Borax- Found in the detergent aisle
• 1 (3 lb 7 oz) Box of Arm & Hammer Super Washing Soda- Found in the detergent aisle
• 1 (3 lb) Container of OxyClean- Found in the detergent aisle. (I actually use the Kroger brand because it is $4 for 3.5lbs as opposed to the name brand $9 for 3lbs.)
• 2 (14.1 oz) Bars of Fels Naptha Bar Soap- Found in the detergent aisle
• 1-2 (55 oz) Bottle of Purex Crystals or Downy Unstopables- Found in the detergent aisle (Optional but I do it for smell)

 I dump everything in a new trash bag and carefully roll it around to mix then put it in my gorgeous glass container I got from Wal-mart in the Household section.
 
I use a cup of white vinegar as a fabric softener. I have found that my clothes are whiter after using the vinegar as well. I read somewhere that it is because it works great with the washing soda. NO it does not make your clothes smell like vinegar. In fact, it is a natural deodorizer as well as softener!