DIY Gel Air Freshener

I know that it's been awhile, but I'm back.  Part of the reason is for being sick and the other part is for trying to figure out what I want to take on as a challenge.

I already tried an air freshener that didn't work so why not try another.

Website

http://sewstylishboutique.blogspot.com/2011/07/gel-air-freshener.html

Their Picture

Directions

All you need is:

2 Envelopes unflavored Gelatin 

1tsp or more of some perfume or other fragrance

1/2 cup hot water

1/2 cup ice cold water

Food coloring 

A small jar like a jelly or baby food jar

Mix the gelatin and hot water in a bowl until the gelatin in dissolved. Stir in Fragrance and food coloring, then the ice water. let set in a cool place. ( do not put it in the frige)  

My Thoughts

It smells great, when you put your nose to it.  I would assume that's the essential oil that I chose.  I cannot even smell it about 6 inches away.  It definitely will not scent up a room.  Oh well.  I guess it's just easier to buy air fresheners.

My Picture

Yeah I went ghetto and put it in tupperware.  I figured there was no point in making it look nice if I don't know how it's going to turn out.

Diaper Pail Deodorant Disk

I have a special needs child.  Even though she's 3 and 1/2, she's no where near ready to be potty trained.  With that comes an extended use of the diaper pail.  It reeks!!!!  I have tried the ones from Arm and Hammer and even 3 at a time with no luck!  So what could it hurt to make one and see what happens?

Website

http://zksim.blogspot.com/2012/01/stinky-diaper-pail-make-your-own.html

Directions

For baking soda disks, you will need:

• distilled or boiled water
•  2 cups of baking soda
• your choice of essential oils 
• a muffin pan
• paper muffin cups

Add a few drops of essential oil to a small amount of water. Mix the water with the baking soda. Mix well. Gradually add and mix more water until you have a thick paste.

 Press about ½" of paste into each muffin paper and let dry 24 hours. Tear the paper off. After you've used each disk for a month or so (however long you find it effective), crumble the disk into the diaper wash. Baking soda deodorizes and softens the diapers.

This recipe made me a year supply. Happy Diapering! :) 

My Thoughts

Our pail still reeks!!!  It's beyond repair I believe.  We should just invest in getting another since we don't know how long we will be using it anyways.  These disks might work in the fridge or something less potent, but not a diaper pail.  Luckily the only time we smell the pail is when we have to empty it and put in a new bag!!

Room Air Freshner

I don't really like candles, so I thought this would be a great alternative.

Website

http://www.theburlapbag.com/2011/12/diy-room-air-freshener/

Problem

I can not smell this at all!  Even standing next to it!  I put extra scent into it and waited another day or two, and then put more scent into it - still don't smell it!  This sucks because I love cucumber melon scent!

Wallpapered Stairs

I thought this was a great idea to spruce up the stairwell.  I was going to have to paint them anyways because they were pretty scuffed up.  So I decided to cover up the marks instead.

Website

http://lovelycraftyhome.com/2011/11/28/a-new-love-textured-wallpaper/

About 1/2 hour and 40 bucks later, I have a new stairwell.  I love it!!  It went faster when I made a template and followed that.  Also the wallpaper didn't stick well the first time so I mod podged it.  Much better!!  I used paintable wallpaper so if I decide to add color sometime, I can!

My Pictures

Magnetic Board

There's directions on how to make a decorated magnetic board.

http://www.brownpaper--packages.com/2011/09/just-love-jen.html#more

This sounds great if you love DIY.  The problem is that frames are expensive.  I bought the metal and was going to cover it.  The edges are sharp so it does need to be protected somehow.  I couldn't think of anything else but to get a frame.

So I went to Kohls and they had message boards for buy 1 get 1 for $1.  So I paid $26 for two.  This ended up being cheaper than making one.  So I need to return the metal to Home Depot.  Money and time were saved by purchasing something on my own.

Weekly Schedule

I needed a weekly schedule to keep everyone else organized.  I have a book that I keep everything in, but the others in the home weren't aware of what was happening and when.  I found the schedule on Pinterest but it did not lead to a website.  So I improvised again.  This one was simple to replicate.

This was a photo frame that I put scrapbook paper in.  It works as a great dry erase board.  I love it.

Grocery List Holder

I found this grocery list holder which I thought would be great because we don't ever use a grocery list.  This means I end up with duplicates all of the time.  Unfortunately when I clicked on the pin, it doesn't take me to a site about the holder at all.  So I improvised.

I found the board at Michael's and used scrapbook paper to cover it.  The roll is just calculating tape from Staples.  I used string to hold the roll onto the board.  And that's it!