Thoughts of a Grasshopper

I read about dryer balls a while ago and had some yarn to make them.  Dryer balls are said to cut drying time by 20% and they soften your clothes in the dryer so you don't need to add a dryer sheet.  I had read that you can put some lavender oil drops on the balls to scent them for the laundry but I didn't do that because not everyone in our house likes that scent. I had 3 skeins of each color and ended up with a dozen balls.  In order for the balls to felt, you need to use 100% wool .  I had some other yarn I was going to use that said it was wool but upon reading the label, it was 80% wool, not good enough.  It has to be 100% wool. After I wound the balls, I used a needle to thread the ends into the balls. Then I put the balls in the legs of some hose and tied between the balls with linen thread to help the balls hold their shape.  One place I read said not to use the wool yarn to tie between the balls because it would melt to the hose and be a has...

I seem to be slowly converting to making some of my own items due to the chemicals that exist in what is offered at the store.  12 years ago I went through a phase of making my own cleaners so I wouldn't have to worry about my kids getting into something they shouldn't.  I got lazy about it several years later and went for the convenience of buying.  About 7-9 years ago I started making my own laundry soap because it saved us money and still did the job.  Two years ago I started buying essential oils and used them with household cleaners I would make or for personal care.  I've moved on to a whole new level now - deodorant! I started off by making the spray and the roll-on for myself and my girls.  We are 50/50 as far as liking the spray and the roll-on.  I prefer the spray but I'm very liberal with squirting myself and it probably doesn't last as long (4-5 days) in the bottle due to that.  I've never had any odor using the spray.  Whe...