Crib Springs Repurposed

When our two year old was a baby, we had a crib donated to us, since his big sister was still in her crib.We moved it across country and into two or three different bedrooms, and you guessed it, it got a lot of wear.

The other day, I heard him calling "I broked it!" from his bedroom. Sure enough, the side rail had popped out and the whole bed was wigglier then ever.

We decided it was high time that white crib retired. My husband tore it apart and hauled it out piece by piece. 

Then I saw it. The metal spring "matress box" leaning against the wall. I knew exactly where that thing needed to go next. It hadn't breathed its last after all.

Our apartment dates back to the 1700s. There are no closets, but plenty of 'hat racks' on the walls. 

                                    

That metal frame would be PERFECT for hanging clothing on! So I popped it on the hat rack hooks in Kobe's room and I did a happy dance!

                                     

                                       

                                     

                                      

It works perfectly! I'm considering spray painting it yet....but for now, it is living its second life very well!

I'm thinking of all kinds of fun things I could use it for! A craft caddy hanger, a greenery support suspended from the ceiling, a scarf rack, even a pot n pan rack in the kitchen. 

                                                                      Any other ideas? :)

Dryer Sheet Substitute

You know how those fluffy dryer sheets are constantly floating around on wash day? I'm usually in a hurry when I grab clothes out of the dryer. By the end of the week, my laundry floor has old dryer sheets hiding in all kinds of unlikely places. 

      But I just can't do without them.  I hate static even worse then old dryer sheets. Not to mention that electrical shock that follows you everywhere. It is plain misery.

       Oh! And the cost.... Cheap brands and I don't get along too well when it comes to these little scraps of magic. I shell out the big bucks when it comes to fabric sheets.

I stumbled across this idea one day and I have been thrilled ever since!

                                

        All you need is smallish sponges, fabric softener, water, and an air tight container.

These are the sponges I use. 

                               

Bright. Inexpensive. Great size.

Mix together your favorite fabric softener with tap water. To be honest, I don't have an exact measurement for you here. I started with about half fabric softener and half water, but have cut way back on my fabric softener with great results. Depending on what size cap and brand of softener you have , you may need to experiment a bit. I usually use approximately one cap full of fabric softener to 4-6 cups of water. Often, it's more like a pour of fabric softener into my little pail of water :)

Throw in your sponges.

                               

Congrats! You have dryer sheets.  Just give them a bit of squeeze after they are nice and soaky wet, toss them into your dryer, and you're  good to go. They come out looking like prunes, but hey...throw them back in your bucket and their transformation will begin. Ready for round two :)

Be sure you've got a good tight lid for your container. I use a little empty ice cream bucket from our favorite local creamery.

                               

Enjoy your dryer sheet free laundry floor :) 

Coffee Pod Makeover

My husband let me pick out my own birthday gift last year. Since I always like to save a penny when I can in this over priced world, I scoured the clearance racks in JCP. Sure enough, there it sat. A beautiful, sleek, red CBTL espresso, coffee, tea, hot water machine.  I was more then a little excited! It even had a nice selection of pods to go with it for only $2.99 A BOX!

If I had known then what I know now, I would have wiped the shelves clean and clear and stashed up enough of these dirt cheap pods for a whole year...or two! :)

Like any new thing, we used our CBTL hot and heavy for the first couple of weeks. Then I noticed my pod supply dwindling. This was not a good thing! So I hurried to Amazon (and countless other sights) trying to find the best deal for replenishing our stock. The pods were ..ahem... a bit pricier then I had anticipated.

 The other thing I discovered is that while the more famous  Kerug had lots of options for refilling pods, this CBTL was  more in a class by itself.

That's when I stumbled across an article for refilling your own pods. It works great for me. The good thing? You can use any coffee you prefer. From Starbucks Espresso Roast to the Dark Roasted Beans from the mountains in central America.
            (Just a peak of authentic coffee for you globe trotters and dreamers:)

Ever since I visited the amazing country of Honduras with it's mountains sides of coffee and weathered natives that scratch a living from the vibrant, glossy plants, I have appreciated coffee more then ever!

So without more ado...we will delve into the wonderful Repurposing Pod World.  

1. Pop off the foil of your pod, and empty all the used coffee. 

You will find a small white disc on the top and bottom of the pod. Be sure to save these. My pods all have these sieve like discs. I haven't done this to any other brand of pod besides CBTL, but aren't they all constructed similarly? :)

2. Wash out and completely dry the pods and little discs. 

3. Choose your favorite coffee to refill it.

4. Reconstruct the pod by placing the smaller disc in the bottom of the pod. 

The little poker in the middle should point up.

5. Now you are ready to fill with coffee grounds. Fill them comfortably full.

6.Place the larger disc on top. Poker pointed down.

7. Cut small squares of tin foil to cover the top of the pod.

8. Fold smoothly over the top and tuck around the edges securely. 

If you care to, you can trim the edges of the foil a bit after it is tucked down around the edge. I usually don't bother since appearance is not my main goal here :)

Congratulations! You are finished!  :) 

A little tip:

When inserting it into the coffee machine's slot, you may need to wiggle it into place a bit. I have never had one get stuck for me or clog my machine at all, but they do push down in just a tiny bit harder.

Here's wishing you a splendid cup o' coffee!

(and some extra $$ for your rainy day stash :)