Feed: The Happy Housewife? - AggScore: 72.8

Organize the Refrigerator

Whose refrigerator doesn’t become disorganized?  I know mine does.  Jessica shares a system that helps to keep her frig organized.

Read her Tips for Organizing the Frig at Good (Cheap) Eats.

For more ideas to help you simplify and organize one day at a time, visit the Organized in 365 Archives.

Have you shared a great organizing tip on your website? I’d love to feature it on TheHappyHousewife.com. Submit your Organized in 365 tip.

Don’t have a blog, but have a great tip? Submit your Organized in 365 guest post here.

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Living Full-Time at a Campground

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Related Stories

• Sponsor Spotlight: February
• Live Chat: Win a Kelty Backpack Carrier!

Free and Fun Family Activities in Your Local Area 2/17 – 2/19

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Sponsor Spotlight: February

This website uses affiliate links. Please view my Disclosure Policy for more information.

Related Stories

• Living Full-Time at a Campground
• Live Chat: Win a Kelty Backpack Carrier!

FREE Block of the Month Club

One day I will learn how to quilt. One of my good friends is an amazing quilter, but unfortunately while we were neighbors I never got around to learning how to quilt!

Remember the quilt she made for Cora?

If you are a quilter, you’ll definitely want to check out the Amy Gibson Craftsy Block of the Month. Here’s a few of the details:

Enroll free any time during the year and get instant access to all the lessons you’ve missed. As with all Craftsy courses, you can take the class at your own pace and your access never expires. Plus you get a great online community to share ideas with, and Amy at the ready to answer questions and help you along. We’d offer our 100 percent money-back guarantee, but we don’t have to, because it’s FREE!

Free block of the month club, with access to all the previous lessons??? Sign me up! They do ask for your email to sign up for the club, but it is totally free!

Click here to sign up for the free Block of the Month Club from Craftsy.

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Dry Erase Freezer Inventory

Chest freezers can be difficult to organize – they’re like a big, deep cave! You can’t eat what you can’t find, and nothing upsets Nicole more than having to throw out something that she didn’t realize was hiding in there.

She came up with an inventory that cannot be misplaced, because it lives ON the freezer. Dry Erase marker + a freezer is all that is required!  Read more at Baby Food Scoops.

For more ideas to help you simplify and organize one day at a time, visit the Organized in 365 Archives.

Have you shared a great organizing tip on your website? I’d love to feature it on TheHappyHousewife.com. Submit your Organized in 365 tip.

Don’t have a blog, but have a great tip? Submit your Organized in 365 guest post here.

This website uses affiliate links. Please view my Disclosure Policy for more information.

Cuties Clementines Contest and Giveaway

One of my favorite snacks are clementines! They are portable, don’t require refrigeration, or even silverware! I also love that they are so easy-to-peel my almost three year-old can peel them herself!

My kids love them too, they are a great snack for road trips, field trips, school lunches, or even at home. I try to keep them on hand for an easy go-to snack in the afternoon to keep kids happy before dinner!

This week I’m partnering with Cuties California Clementines and Mandarins to put some clementines in your child’s hands.

Not only do you have the opportunity to win some Cuties on my site, you also can enter their cutest kid contest on their website. Upload a video of your child, doing what they do best – being a cutie, and you could win a $150,000 college education for your child or other awesome prizes!!! Just go to Cutie’s Kids and upload your video for a chance to win!

After you upload your video of your cute kid (I think I have about seven videos on my phone I could upload right now!) leave a comment and be entered to win one of ten $10 coupons for Cuties Clementines! Like Cuties on Facebook and leave an additional comment for an additional entry. Giveaway ends February 20, 2012.

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3 Ways to Mend Holes in Blue Jeans

The following is a post from Jackie of Blessings Overflowing.

When I go shopping for clothes it always amazes me how expensive blue jeans are that have holes in them.  If I want holes in my blue jeans all I need to do is let my boys wear them for a few days.  They are always getting holes in their jeans, especially in the knee area.

One way to deal with holes in jeans is to just cut them off above the knee and turn them into shorts.  However, a boy can only have so many pairs of jean shorts.  With it still being winter, shorts aren’t practical right now.  So, what’s a mom to do?

Mend the jeans!

Today I am going to share 3 ways that you can mend a pair of blue jeans that have holes in them.  Even if you are thinking, “I don’t know how to sew,” I would encourage you to scroll down and check out these ideas because not all of them require the use of a sewing machine.

1.  Iron-On Patches

You can easily purchase iron-on patches for blue jeans which can be cut to size. However, you can also make your own.

a.  Measure the size of your hole.  Cut a piece of blue jean fabric that is at least 1/2 inch larger than the hole.  (Old blue jeans that are beyond repair are an excellent source of patch fabric.) For example, this hole was less than 1 inch square so I made the patch 1 1/2 inches square.

b.  Cut a piece of Heat n Bond that is just slightly larger than the patch.  Use Heat n Bond Ultrahold (Available at craft stores.) for this project as it is heavy duty and requires no sewing.

c.  Iron the Heat n Bond to the patch for 2 seconds. Once cool, pull away the paper backing and trim any excess Heat n Bond.

Please note that if you use an iron-on patch you may find that the corners may peel with repeated use or washing.  Therefore, I recommend this method on small holes only.  Optionally, you can hand sew the patch on before ironing it to the jeans.  Just pin the patch over the hole, then use a needle and thread to stitch it down, and then follow the next step.  

Place the patch over the hole, right side up, and iron for 4-6 seconds.  Allow to cool and then test to be sure the patch adhered to the jeans.

2.  Hand Sewing

Hand sewing a hole or rip in a pair of jeans is something I recommend only if the tear isn’t very wide.  The use of a blind stitch makes the hole disappear and the stitches “invisible”.

a.  Begin by cutting away some of the threads around the hole.  Don’t cut the actual fabric, just the frayed parts.

b. The stitch needed to sew an invisible seam is a vertical blind stitch.  Start 1/2 inch from the right edge of the hole and insert your needle from the inside of the jeans up through the top.

c.  You will make stitches that are vertical and that go across the hole from top to bottom.  Make several small stitches and gradually make them bigger until they are the height of the hole.  After a few stitches pull the thread taught and your stitches will become invisible.

Once you pass the hole go past it to the left 1/2 inch, gradually making your stitches smaller.  Remember to pull the thread in order to make your stitches invisible.  Tie off your thread and cut close to the jeans.

3.  Sewing Patches (2 Methods)

Method 1:

This method of sewing on a patch requires the fabric to be folded under and stitched on using a straight stitch on a sewing machine.

a.  Cut a piece of blue jean fabric (or fabric of your choice) larger than the hole.  Iron the edges to the wrong side 1/4 inch all around.

b.  Using a seam ripper, open the INNER seam of the jeans approximately 4 inches above and below the hole.  This will be much easier than trying to sew the patch on with the jeans as is.  Pin the patch in place.

c.  Using a straight stitch, sew the patch to the jeans using a 1/8 inch seam allowance.  Take care to keep the jeans out of the way underneath where you are stitching. Backstitch at the end.  Stitch the side of the jeans back together (Turn the jeans inside out first.).

Method 2:

This method of sewing on a patch uses a satin stitch on a sewing machine.

a.  Cut a piece of blue jean fabric (or fabric of your choice) larger than the hole (The patches pictured above were 3 inches by 3 3/4 inches).  Round off the corners with a pair of scissors.

b.  Using a seam ripper, open the INNER seam of the jeans approximately 4 inches above and below the hole.  This will be much easier than trying to sew the patch on with the jeans as is.  Pin the patch over the hole, centered on the jeans.  (I covered both knees so that they would be matching.)

c.  Using a tight satin stitch (Zig-zag stitch set to a wide width and a narrow length), sew around the entire patch.  Backstitch at the end.  Stitch the side of the jeans back together (Turn the jeans inside out first.).

Side note:  If using a fabric other than blue jean material to make patches, I recommend a sturdy fabric such as corduroy or twill.  If you use a decorative cotton fabric just be aware that children who make a hole in a pair of blue jeans are likely to make a hole in your decorative patch, too.  :-)

Bonus Idea:  Get Creative

I saw this idea on Pinterest, but the site wasn’t in English.  So, I decided to try it myself and share what I did with you.

a.  Cut any stray threads away from the hole and use Fray Check (Available at your local craft store.) to seal the edges.  Cut a piece of red felt or fleece that is slightly larger than the hole (mouth).  Cut a piece of white felt or fleece that is as wide as the hole and longer (teeth).  Also cut 2 white circles (eyes).

Here are my measurements.
Hole-2 inches wide by 3/4 of an inch high
Circles-2 at 3/4 of an inch
Red Square- 2 1/2 inches
White for Teeth-1 1/2 inches high by 2 inches wide

b.  Cut the white piece of felt or fleece to look like teeth and use Fabri-Tac (Available at your local craft store) to adhere it to the red square (Do not use Fabri-Tac on the actual pointy parts of the teeth.).  Use Fabri-Tac to adhere the white circles above the hole and to adhere the “mouth” to the inside of the hole.  Allow the Fabri-Tac to dry.

c.  Using a needle and embroidery floss, stitch the mouth and eyes in place.  This will provide extra durability.

Mending jeans has proven to be a great way to save money for our family.  Have you ever mended a pair of blue jeans?  What method did you use?

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Vegetarian Soup, Stew, and Chili Recipes: Free Download

Today on Amazon download 25 Delicious and Nutritious Vegetarian Soup, Stew and Chili Recipes (The Ultimate Guide to Vegetarian Cooking) for free!

If you don’t have a Kindle you can still download these free ebooks to your smart phone or computer. All you need to do is download one of Amazon’s free reading apps.

Remember that Amazon prices fluctuate constantly, so verify the price before purchasing. 

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Family Routine Checklist

Here is a fun way for kids to keep track of their morning and evening routines.  Find out how Claudia does it at La Casa nella Prateria.

For more ideas to help you simplify and organize one day at a time, visit the Organized in 365 Archives.

Have you shared a great organizing tip on your website? I’d love to feature it on TheHappyHousewife.com. Submit your Organized in 365 tip.

Don’t have a blog, but have a great tip? Submit your Organized in 365 guest post here.

This website uses affiliate links. Please view my Disclosure Policy for more information.

The Great Backyard Bird Count

“The Great Backyard Bird Count is an annual four-day event that engages bird watchers of all ages in counting birds to create a real-time snapshot of where the birds are across the continent. Anyone can participate, from beginning bird watchers to experts. It takes as little as 15 minutes on one day, or you can count for as long as you like each day of the event. It’s free, fun, and easy—and it helps the birds. “

The 2012 Great Backyard Bird Count takes place this Friday, February 17th through Monday, February 20th.  You can find more information on how to participate at www.birdsource.org.

Photo credit

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Baked Bruschetta Chicken

The following is a post by Kristia from Family Balance Sheet.

Baked Bruschetta Chicken is a delicious meal that is easy to prepare on busy weeknights.  The ingredients are simple: chicken breasts and canned tomatoes. Serve with a garden salad or steamed vegetable and dinner is served.

You can find more delicious meal ideas at the Recipe Index.

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Free Download: The Breakfast Taco Book

Today on Amazon.com download The Breakfast Taco Book for free.

I’m not sure I could write an entire book on breakfast tacos- but someone did and today it’s free on Amazon so don’t miss it!

If you don’t have a Kindle you can still download these free ebooks to your smart phone or computer. All you need to do is download one of Amazon’s free reading apps.

Remember that Amazon prices fluctuate constantly, so verify the price before purchasing. 

This website uses affiliate links. Please view my Disclosure Policy for more information.

Clothing Storage and Organization

Laura at Organizing Junkie has a great article on storing and organizing children’s clothes. When we moved from Maryland to Florida I had twenty bins of kids clothes in storage!

Laura’s post is filled with simple tips to help you keep your children’s extra clothes organized. There are even free printables to help with organization so definitely click over and download them.

For more ideas to help you simplify and organize one day at a time, visit the Organized in 365 Archives.

Have you shared a great organizing tip on your website? I’d love to feature it on TheHappyHousewife.com. Submit your Organized in 365 tip.

Don’t have a blog, but have a great tip? Submit your Organized in 365 guest post here.

This website uses affiliate links. Please view my Disclosure Policy for more information.

Homeschool Mom Reward Yourself

The following is a post from Stef.

When was the last time you took a moment for yourself (that was not located in the bathroom or consisted of grocery shopping)?  As homeschool moms we have the tendency to forget about ourselves because we are so focused on lesson plans, printables, curriculum, field trips, co-ops, crafts, oh right and dinner, laundry, diapers, discipline … phew!

Some days we’re staring at a mountain of what to do next.  Not only do we put our needs at the end of the pile, but we do not reward ourselves.  We think we’re big girls now and we do not need a pat on the back.

I want to tell you it’s okay to stop and take time to pat yourself on the back.  YOU ARE DOING AMAZING THINGS!  Regardless of how your children are behaving today!  Do not for one second forget to reward yourself for your hard work and accomplishments or sadly you will burn out!

Why not take an extra step this month and love yourself a little more?  Rather than just pat yourself on the back, why not reward yourself.  Here are a few suggestions:

• get your nails, toes, hair, whatever done
• go out for a girl’s night dessert
• take an evening to sit at a book store with a book for YOU
• grab a cup of coffee and chocolate bar (my favorite reward)
• buy fresh flowers
• do something for you!!

You do not have to spend a ton of money, but friend – love yourself a little more this month.  Reward yourself.  You deserve it!

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