Needles-n-Pins Stitcheries: Lemongrass Drain Opener

I know that essential oils have all kinds of uses and remedies, but I thought this one was really different. Who would have thought that an essential oil could be used to open drains! This oil is lemongrass and I know from a friend that lemongrass oil is great as a mosquito repellent, but who would have thought it would open drains. Hmmmmm...........learn something new everyday. :)

Commercial drain cleaners contain toxic chemicals and they can make your eyes burn and harm your lungs.You can use this recipe to open your clogged drains and for monthly maintenance. 

Recipe.....

10 drops of Lemongrass Pure Essential Oil

1 cup baking soda

3 cups boiling water

Put the baking soda and lemongrass oil in the sink drain, then pour in the boiling water. Once the fizzing has stopped pour more boiling water down drain. Plunge as needed to open the drain. 

Stock Photo

Sounds pretty easy to me. I have a bathroom drain that is notorious for draining slow so maybe I will try this on that drain. Now all I need to do is get the oil.....hmmmm.....maybe I can get it from my friend. :)

Have a great week!

Colleen :)

Needles-n-Pins Stitcheries

Needles-n-Pins Stitcheries Blog

Jacquie's Up-Cycle Nation: Woodland Summer

August has arrived signaling the final days of summer.  With play dates and vacation frolic coming to a close, make the most of the hours remaining with woodland celebrations!  These Etsy up-cycle artists help by putting the exclamation point on cute!

Take the woodland critters to the picnic, classroom, or the office, with a whimsical lunch bag from alittlelark.  Each bag is made with eco friendly recycled cotton canvas for feel good treats inside and out.

Turn heads with over-sized soft sculpture moth brooches;  perfect for wearing or adorning a billowing curtain for woodland magic. Willowynn creates forest fabulous works of fiber art!

 Bring the forest home with these playful cut outs from MettaPrints. Lightweight, easy to assemble and oh-so-eco-friendly!

Read all about woodland fox facts with this info-zine illustrated by LyndseyGreen. This shop is stocked with sweet characters on a variety of useful products. Bonus: 10% of the sales on select items are donated to prevent animal cruelty.

Woodland sweeties look right at home when painted on rescued tree bits.  From hibernating porcupines to majestic mountains, TangentsBySHS covers the "woodsman in us all".

For more woodland wonders search recycled woodland on Etsy.

LOVE  &  UP-CYCLE NATION!!

Jacquie Wheeler

Hand of Bela Peck

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https://www.etsy.com/shop/BelaPeckHome

http://handofbelapeck1759.blogspot.com/

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NEEDLES-N-PINS STITCHERIES: SUMMER POTATO SALAD RECIPE

Hope everyone is having a great summer so far. I have heard that some parts of the country have been very hot so hopefully all of you are surviving the heat. 

Summer is only half over so there is still time to have those picnics and BBQ's and what is one of the all time favorite foods for those? Yep....potato salad. This is my own recipe that I have been making for years. I don't know where I got it, but my family loves it. I thought I would share it with you today. :)

Now I am one who does a dollop of this and a pinch of that so you will have use these ingredients to suit your preferences.  

Here it is......

Ingredients:

6 potatoes (red or russet...your choice)

4 hard boiled eggs

Appx 2/3 cups of bottle Italian salad dressing (I use Kraft)

Appx 2 large spoonful of dill pickle relish

Appx 3 large spoonful of Miracle Whip

Paprika

Instructions:

Boil and cook the potatoes until done. Cool to touch.

Peel the potatoes and cut into hunks.

Put potatoes in bowl and add the Italian salad and stir to coat the potatoes. Refrigerate for 2 hours. After the potatoes have been refrigerated hard boil 4 eggs, peel and add to potatoes. Add relish and Miracle Whip and mix well with the potatoes and eggs.

Sprinkle top with paprika and walla................you have a great salad for your picnic or BBQ. 

My family always likes this potato salad and I usually have some left over for the next day's lunch. :)

Have a great picnic!

Colleen :)


Needles-n-Pins Stitcheries


Needles-n-Pins Stitcheries Blog

Jacquie's Up-Cycle Nation: Drinks On The Patio

 The backyard patio is relaxation perfection for lazy summer days shared with good friends or the solitude of a good book.  Make that outdoor space a little greener with the newest creations from these Etsy up-cycle artists.

Wine barrels turned lounge chairs make an eclectic focal point for backyard lounging.  This set made by RenderedUseful2 invites guests to linger in stylish comfort.

Create a table top succulent garden with planters from  Rehabulous. Browse this Etsy shop to find new innovations in up-cycled bottles. Hostess gifts and house-warming heaven fills this artist's inventory!

Upgrade patio lighting with this handsome pendant lamp crafted by pic76. Perfect for the patio and the man cave!

From up-cycled glass tumblers to wine barrel furniture to glass jewelry, bottlehood is a one stop patio shopping destination! 



Keep summer sentiments fresh with a  MarvelousMessages t-shirt.  Made from recycled materials, these tees have the feel of organic cotton with stay-cool wicking properties.  This Etsy shop is brand new so swing in and see what's on trend!

For more fabulous up-cycled patio decor search recycled patio on Etsy.

LOVE  &  UP-CYCLE NATION!!

Jacquie Wheeler

Hand of Bela Peck

http://www.etsy.com/shop/Handofbelapeck?ref=si_shop
https://www.etsy.com/shop/BelaPeckHome

http://handofbelapeck1759.blogspot.com/

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Hand-of-Bela-Peck/294397987277061?ref=hl

Sunday Blog Party - Christmas In July

Welcome to our Sunday Blog Party. We would love to have you show us your handmade items for Christmas in July.

You are allowed to add 3 links to your shops or your blog.

The rules are simple:
1. Follow our blog
2. Handmade items only.
3. You may list up to 3 items each week.
4. Family friendly items only.

The success of this link party depends on the participants so spread the word to your friends, visit the shops,  post about it on your  blog, in a forum or on your favorite social networking site, grab the button and put it on your blog or website.
Just click on the Add Your Link button below and add your items.
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