Hostess Jo

Easy Spring Craft

I'm so ready for Spring!  How about you?  Here is an easy wreath to get your home ready for the the season.  I got my original inspiration from my friends at No Fuss Fabulous with their Yarn Wreaths that I absolutely love.  Here are mine and my mom's versions!

Supplies: wreaths, butterflies, bugs, nests and some of the birds from Hobby Lobby (the rest I ordered from a wholesaler).  Ribbon, moss and "Family" from Michaels.  Glue gun and lots of glue!

Grapevine Wreaths

 

Various butterflies and bugs.  I used bees and lady bugs.

 

Birds and nests.

 

Moss and "Family".  I found the "Family" in the scrapbooking section at Michaels.  I was looking for "Welcome" but had no luck.

 

The results: Mine

 

 

 

My mom's:

 

 

I am thrilled with how they turned out!  What do you think?  I love my mom's little bird with the nest.  We wrapped them in ribbon first then placed everything where we wanted it then started gluing.  Both only took about an hour and a half.  Be careful, they are very fragile!  Do you decorate your house for the different seasons?  Hope this inspires you to!

So Fresh and So Clean Clean

I am always looking for different ways to make my house smell good without being overpowering.  Once a fan of commercial air fresheners, now I am seeking a more natural, chemical -free version.  The commercial air fresheners are not only expensive, they hardly ever smell like what they are claiming to.  I found there are many ways to freshen your home without using harsh chemicals.  Here is my first attempt at a natural air freshener:

 

Mmmmm....ahhhhh...can you smell the fresh orange rinds???  I wish you could, my house is full of this clean citrus smell.  AND I am reusing part of the oranges I ate!  I used the rinds of two oranges and covered them with water and let them simmer on the stove.  Keep filling up your water so you don't burn the rinds.  BONUS:  I swear it is clearing my sinuses!  I can't wait to do this with lemons and limes.

Here are some other natural ways to clean your air:

*A couple of drops of lemon oil in your vacuum filter or bag will scent wherever you vacuum with wonderful lemon scent

*Sprinkle your carpet with plain baking soda to absorb odors before vacuuming

*Reuse a dryer sheet by placing it in your vacuum bag to scent your home with the smell of fresh laundry

*Fill a fine mist spray bottle with white vinegar to remove any odors, once the vinegar smell goes away, so do the odors

*Use essential oils like lemon, lavender, orange, etc throughout your home.  You can place a few drops on a cotton ball and hide them.  Or mix oils with distilled water in a spray bottle and spray through the air.

*Plants also clean the air, they take in pollutants with carbon dioxide and give back oxygen

Have you discovered a natural way to scent your home that I haven't mentioned?  Do you find natural fresheners just as good or better than commercial?  I'd love to hear your ideas.

Happy Weekend!