DIY Laundry Detergent! Save BIG &Have Fresh, Clean Laundry! | Well, I did it! I have pinned various recipes for homemade laundry detergent for months, now, thinking that soon I would gather the exotic ingredients and muster the courage to make some. I should have paid a lot more attention to those recipes I was pinning. There is nothing exotic about the ingredients, nor is it difficult. I’m actually mourning a little bit, for all the money I have wasted over the years, just not realizing I could do this quickly and simply. Once I actually stopped to look at the details, I was shocked. My own DIY brand! The one thing that they all had in common was that they make gigantic batches – 10 to 12 gallons, at a time.
Why would I bother to make laundry detergent when I could just conveniently grab a bottle off the shelf at the store? These ingredients are easy to find and very inexpensive! Still need a list of reasons to try this? 20¼¢!! Well, if you’re convinced, now; here’s the recipe that I used to make mine. Ingredients Instructions Notes: 7 Green-ish Ways to Lower Household Costs. Thank you for visiting Little House in the Suburbs. Please subscribe and you'll get great simple living tips and how-to articles delivered to your inbox, for free! We’ve already covered the grocery store, but what about the rest of the household expenses?
Yes, being weird suburban homesteaders reduces those costs too. 1. Have a little house. Small houses require less stuff to keep them going. 2. 3. 4. . 5. 6. 7. DIY Ombré Denim. Dip dyed ombré denim has been popping up here and there and not only do we love the look, it’s super easy to do yourself! We’ve combined Tory Burch‘s dip dyed jeans and Miss Unkon‘s ombré 501s as inspiration for a pink infused DIY that could be done in a jiffy. Start by rinsing your shorts with water. A bottle of RIT liquid dye amounts to 1 cup; you’ll dye your shorts with the lightest shade first and darkest shade last. Pour 1/3 of the cup of dye into 2 gallons of hot water and mix. When dyeing dark denim, you will want to use less water for a darker dye. Dip your wet shorts about halfway into the dye and let sit for approximately 10 minutes. (Click images to enlarge) Ring out the excess dye and add another 1/3 cup of dye to your bucket.
It’s that easy: ombré dip dyed denim shorts! DIY Box Braid Necklace. The moment we saw Phillip Lim‘s Box Braid Collar Necklace, we were immediately overcome with a wave of nostalgia. Our memories of a neon, plastic box braid lanyard was suddenly transformed into a sophisticated leather jewelry component. Honestly, brilliant! Inspired by our fondness of Lim’s necklace and our love of utilizing hardware, we made our own interpretation of a box braid necklace. And in case you forgot how to make your favorite childhood summertime craft, take a trip down memory lane with us! Start by cutting the suede in 4 three-yard pieces. Repeat the box braid until you are ready to add washers to the necklace. Once the necklace is finished, trim the ends. Wear it as a necklace, wrap bracelet or even a headband!
(top image via Ssense, rest of images by Honestly…WTF) DIY Collar Tips. You probably have guessed by now that we have a major soft spot for almost all things western . . . bolos, cowboy boots and the like. So when Balenciaga incorporated a modern take on western collar tips into their Spring 2011 Collection, we were beyond thrilled. Who knew these little metal tips are capable of brightening up any button up shirt?! With a pair of inexpensive decorative brass corners from the hardware store, we made our own Balenciaga-inspired collar tips that are to DIY for. Start by drawing 2 lines at 45 degree angles on the inside of each brass corner, creating a small wedge.
Use the cutting pliers to cut out the wedges. Sandwich a brass corner between two pieces of fabric. Once you’ve flattened your corners, super glue a clutch pin back to each backside. Let it dry. Attach your new collar tips to any shirt! We’re excited to experiment with more fancy decorative corners and adorn our collared shirts! (top image from here, rest of images by Honestly…WTF) DIY Rope Bracelet.
Climbing rope? Bracelets? Count us in. Inspired by Miansai‘s colorful, stackable and adjustable rope bracelets, we were determined to add another do-it-yourself bracelet to our growing collection. With some colorful rope and an S hook from the hardware store, making this bracelet is as simple as mastering the versatile sliding knot. We must warn you though, this project is extremely easy and addicting! Before you begin, seal the tips of the cord by burning them with a lighter. Coil the cord twice around towards the left loop. Repeat the same steps on the other side. Trim and re-burn the tips if necessary. Try making the bracelets with leather cord too. (top image from here; rest of images from Honestly…WTF) DIY Embellished Friendship Bracelets. The weather is warming up and my wrists are feeling rather lonely and bare after hiding under long sleeves all season long.
But after digging up last year’s DIY friendship bracelets, I realized they desperately needed sparkly and shiny upgrades. Today we’re showing you three easy ways to embellish your friendship bracelets, making them all grown up . . . To add rhinestones, you’ll need:a chevron friendship bracelet (tutorial found here)5-6” crystal rhinestone chain (last used here)1 yard of embroidery flossan embroidery needlea pair of scissors Thread the needle with embroidery floss and tie the end into a double knot. Push the needle through the back of bracelet. Stitch the floss between the first two rhinestone links, pushing needle out the middle of the bracelet. Continue stitching between the rhinestone links. Your friendship bracelet is sparkling and finished! Use a Sharpie or marker to make 5 evenly spaced marks along the middle of the friendship bracelet.
Keep stitching. DIY Gold Tube Bracelets. I have very vivid memories of walking into a bead store for the first time, almost 15 years ago, and being overwhelmed by the million and ten ideas that filled my mind. I was immediately hooked on the concept of transforming simple and unexpected elements into something beautiful and wearable. That moment was the catalyst for my eventual path into jewelry design and craft – my higher calling, if you will. Today’s tutorial takes me back to my first foray into jewelry making, where I’ll show you how to make two delightful bracelets using the same basic component.
Get inspired and have fun! For single, adjustable gold tube bracelets, you’ll need: Start by cutting the knotting cord into 2 12 inch pieces. Thread a gold noodle tube bead through one of the strands and cross the ends. And now, all that’s left is the sliding closure! . . . and bring the top cord under both the bottom and middle overlapping strands through the loop, into a knot.
Repeat the same step on the right side. DIY Floral Sunglasses. We always claim to see the world through rose colored glasses . . . but how about rose trimmed glasses? In honor of the widespread floral trend and our love of Dolce & Gabbana‘s Baroque-inspired fall collection, we’re DIYing a pair of outrageously fabulous sunglasses using the same charming little ceramic roses from a recent tutorial. These will surely be a pair of shades you won’t go unnoticed in this summer! You’ll need:a pair of sunglassesa variety of ceramic roses and flowersdisposable container or popsicle sticka handful of toothpicksE6000 Start by squeezing a small amount of E6000 into a disposable container or onto a wooden popsicle stick. I like to use a small amount at a time, as the glue tends to dry quickly. Using the tip of a toothpick, apply a dollop of glue onto the back of the largest ceramic flower. Press the flower firmly onto the outer corner of the sunglasses. Add a few small flowers down the right side of the glasses.
Your floral shades are ready to wear! DIY Woven Chain Collar Necklace. Earlier this month Lauren and I escaped city life with our dear friend Grace, of Stripes & Sequins, for a weekend chock-full of sun and DIY. With an abundant supply of rhinestone and brass curb chain, we decided to try weaving the components together to make our own collar necklaces. It was fun to see how wonderfully different the pieces turned out - each so fabulous in their own unique way!
Honestly, isn’t that the best part about DIYing with friends? You’ll need: Start by laying two pieces of curb chain side by side. Tie on 4 feet of embroidery floss into a double knot to the end of the left chain, leaving at least a foot of extra slack. Thread the floss under the first link on the left side and through the top of the 2nd link on the right side. Continue this weaving pattern. Tie a knot at the end. Using a different color flow, weave the floss around the first few links – again leaving about a foot of extra slack. Continue weaving and tie a knot at the end. Tie a knot onto the chain. DIY Crystal Pendant Necklace. There’s nothing quite as marvelous and essential as costume jewelry – especially when it borders on ‘over the top’ with exorbitant amounts of sparkle and shine.
As I always like to say: more is more is more. So how can one possibly turn down the opportunity to customize their very own show-stopping, Verdura-inspired crystal pendant necklace!? Not I. Bling it on. You’ll need:22″ – 28″ of thick gold chain (also available here)assorted sew on rhinestones in settings (also available here and here)1 rhinestone or crystal brooch (with backs clipped off)stiff felt sheet2 jump ringsE6000pliersscissorshole punch or rotary punchwooden spoon & toothpickwire clippers (optional)tweezer (optional) Start by squeezing a dollop of glue onto a wooden spoon. Glue the larger rhinestones onto the felt, working from the center out. Continue adding smaller crystals and rhinestones to the pattern. Once the shape is complete, add the brooch or button to the center with more glue.
Bling bling! DIY Sugar Lip Scrub. This week we’re turning to our friend and beauty expert Sarah Howard, of Beauty Banter, who is indulging us with her delectable brown sugar lip scrub tutorial. Inspired by one of her favorite lip polishes, Sarah recently discovered how simple it was to make her own organic version at home. The timing couldn’t be more ideal as winter’s typically unforgiving weather has us yearning for soft and smooth lips! (PS Be sure to head over to Beauty Banter for our favorite beauty products & tips!) You’ll need:pure coconut oilhoneybrown sugara teaspoona tablespoona mixing bowlan empty jar or 2.5 oz baby food jarlabels (optional) Make sure that the coconut oil is solid enough to scoop up but soft enough for a spoon to dig in. If the coconut oil is too oily, stick it in the fridge for 10-20 minutes. Mix the coconut oil and honey until they bind together. Add two hand packed teaspoons of brown sugar and fold it into the base.
Add one teaspoon of just the oil from coconut oil jar into the bowl. How to add elbow patches to a sweater! Elbow patches are one of my favorite trends this season! Last month, I shared how to hand print hearts on your jeans and we recieved many requests for a patch tutorial! I asked Amanda to show you how she would do it in this next feature.... Enjoy! Supplies needed: cardigan, fabric (this is a great way to use scraps!) 1. 3. 6. Thanks so much, Amanda! Happy Monday, everyone.... xo. DIY Elbow Patch. While perusing Pinterest one evening, I came across an intriguing tutorial on the wonderful art of needle felting. I had to learn more – especially after realizing it entailed repeatedly stabbing a needle up and down into a piece of fabric or sweater.
A satisfying stress reliever that results in something wearable? Sign me up. And now that I can officially call myself a needle felting maven (and nerd), trust me when I say that you’re going to have a blast with this technique. So grab your supplies and let’s get started on a pair of heart shaped elbow patches! You’ll need: With the sweater on, place a piece of tape about half an inch below the elbow. Align and center the bottom of the cookie cutter along the top of the tape. Fill the cutter, spreading out the wool fibers evenly. At the base of all felting needles are tiny, sharp burrs, which grab and interlock the wool fibers. Continue stabbing away until the surface is flat and even. Carefully peel the sweater away from the foam. Ta da! How-To: Make (Cute) High-Waisted Shorts from Goodwill. High-waisted shorts are everywhere this spring. Save your wallet from despair and make your own!
Find a pair of shorts at Goodwill or any thrift store. Don't let the dorkiness fool you, the best ones are super goofy looking on the rack! Make sure you try them on at Goodwill before you buy them. You can fix the length, but you can't fix any poofiness near the hips or belly! Levi's and Lee's usually turn out to be the best shape. Put the shorts on and draw a line with chalk to the length you want. Glide an Exacto knife along where you want your rips. If you're feeling quirky, add some color! Meet Goodwill shopping pros, Kayla Templin and Alyssa Brown. Photo Credit: Becca Courtney. - StumbleUpon.