The Best Window Cleaning Tricks Around {or so they say!}

I love a good cleaning tip. As I sit here typing this, the sun is streaming through my window showing off big filmy streaks where I'd last cleaned them. From up close it isn't visible, but from where I sit it's ugly. Time to clean some windows so those vibrant Fall colors can be seen in all their glory. Dirty windows are probably my biggest pet peeve. I clean once a week at my church where there are tons of windows that inevitably get fingerprints - LOTS of them. The only problem is that even way up high where no one can reach without a 10-20 foot ladder, there is a dusty film. I have found some great ways to clean your windows without streaks.

1. For crystal clear glass, use coffee filters to wipe down the windows instead of a paper towel or clean rags. {Source}
2. Go here to find a natural recipe for No Streak Windows!
3. And this list has several homemade glass cleaners on it that look easy and effective.

And THIS is the BEST Outdoor Window Cleaning Trick EVER. I've been looking for this forever. Windex once had a great outdoor window cleaning system that came with a long-handled wand. The disposable pads went on the wand with the cleaner on them. You just had to spray the windows with the water hose, then, scrub with the wand and rinse the windows off again. The windows would be sparkly clean. Then, I think they discontinued them because I've never been able to find them again. And then I found this recipe from Raining Hot Coupons and I'm so excited! Visit her to see her other window cleaning tips, as well!

How To Easily Clean Your Windows
Ingredients:
8 Cups Warm Water 1 Tablespoon Liquid Jet Dry 2-3 Tablespoons Laundry Detergent or Dish Soap
Instructions:
Mix all ingredients until well combined. Next rinse windows with hose or spray bottle to get off any dirt or dust. Brush solution onto the windows and doors making sure to cover all areas. Windows will now air dry, streak and dirt free. No need to dry off or wipe. You should be left with sparkling results!

Do you have window cleaning tips that you swear by? Do you make your own cleaners? Or do you buy a product that you can't live without?

This is part of my 31 Days of Home Economics series. You can find the whole series at the tab above {Home Economics}.

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Hostess Gift Roundup

I've never met a hostess that didn't like a hostess gift. It's always appropriate to give a hostess gift when you are invited to a home. It doesn't have to be expensive or big, just something that says 'I appreciate the invitation and am happy to be here.' This post is dedicated to hostesses near and far who have taken that next step toward hospitality and opened their homes to guests young and old.

These are some ideas for you. Maybe they'll spark some creative ideas in you to make your own hostess gifts for those hospitable friends and family of yours.

Hostess Gifts to Buy or Make:
{because I realize sometimes we don't have the time to make a special gift}
~These adorable Acorn Ornaments are way too cute and would be perfect for giving to your hostess on Thanksgiving or at another Fall get together!

{Moths and Rust Etsy Shop}

~Tea for the Season along with a tea ball or cute tea cup would be very cute!

 

{Stash Tea}

~Bread with Homemade Jam would be a great hostess gift, wrapped in a new kitchen towel. So cute! Get FREE PRINTABLES for your jam here.

{Life is {Sew} Daily}

~This Peppermint Sugar Hand Scrub is divine....and SO easy and cheap to make!

{Less-Than-Perfect Life of Bliss}

~This Homemade Vanilla Extract looks like a great idea!

{The Happier Homemaker}

~ You can also check out my Pinterest board - Hostess Gifts - for more great ideas! While you're at it, Follow me on Pinterest!

This is part of my 31 Days of Home Economics series. You can find the whole series at the tab above {Home Economics}.

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Sew Many Gifts to Make, Sew Little Time

Handmade gifts are so thoughtful and unique. I love receiving a handmade gift and I think it's much more personal than buying sometimes. It depends on who you're giving it to. Not everyone feels that way, but I sure love the thought behind it. Instead of showing you everything I have made for gifts, I wanted to share some of the cute stuff I've found today while searching handmade gift tutorials. I hope you enjoy! Go check them out! I'm definitely making a few of these soon.

How about this fabulous Reading Pillow at the Polka Dot Chair?! This is definitely on my to-do list! This is the perfect gift for that book worm on your Christmas list!

I love these Coffee Cozies by Practically Functional are fun and easy! They make great 'Just Because' gifts, teacher gifts, or just for that coffee lover in your life!

These cute Dish Towels by Random Thoughts of a Super Mom would be a perfect for a bride-to-be or as a hostess gift!

This Diaper Clutch by Funky Polkadot Giraffe is really cute, but very practical! Great baby gift! Or make it for your own baby.

Make an Apron from your husband's shirt! {Or get one from Goodwill to use!} These are cute and most of the time sturdy. Cute project to do and gift to the cook on your list!

Or order these cute sewing craft kits for those young seamstresses on your list and let them make their own gift! My daughters love these! You can get free shipping on these kits on orders over $25. Christmas is in 75 days! Don't delay!

 

What are your favorite gifts to sew or receive? I'd love more ideas! Feel free to leave a link in the comments telling us your favorite gifts to sew!

 

This is part of my 31 Days of Home Economics series. You can find the whole series at the tab above labeled {Home Economics}.

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Sewing Tutorials for Beginners

If you've been following along the past few days, you've read a lot about sewing with patterns and WITHOUT patterns. Now, it's time for some easy tutorials for beginners. I've been sewing a long time now and still enjoy easy projects. Not all sewing has to be difficult or take hours and hours in order to be done well. That's what this blog is all about. Are you ready to try some fun projects??

This Bowtie Tutorial is one of my most popular posts and probably the easiest sewing project ever. Try it! You'll have fun with this one!

This is about as simple as it gets with an Elastic Waist Skirt. You could make these all day long. They're easy and can be made in a lot of different colors, styles and lengths. Try it! Or go to this post to see a list of tutorials I found for making other elastic waist skirts.

This 15 Minute Table Runner is fun and easy! Straight lines only. You can make yourself a table runner for every occasion on the cheap!

Make a Pillow Cover with a velcro closure to change out with the seasons in just a few easy steps! You can personalize it however you want and the tutorial shows you how to use freezer paper to make a stencil, as well. The sky's the limit with this.

You can also find hundreds of tutorials on Pinterest or Google. Just type in what you're looking for or 'sewing tutorial' and you'll be overwhelmed with options!

This is part of my 31 Days of Home Economics series. You can find the whole series at the tab above labeled {Home Economics}.

Like this post? Will you please share it with your friends on your social media? You can also follow me on Facebook, Google+, Pinterest and Twitter. Click the social media icon of your choice in the right sidebar.

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Tutorial Roundup {Elastic Waist Skirts}

I've been noticing a trend lately and thought I'd throw together a few links to good elastic waist skirt tutorials. I've done a few {click here}, but these are a few more that caught my eye and I wanted to share them with you! Elastic waist skirts are about the easiest clothing item to sew, in my opinion. Whether you're a beginner or an expert sewer, these are fun and easy! I hope these will inspire you to get your machines out and whip up a few for summer!

 {Delia Creates}

 {SEWBON}

 {a small SNIPPET}

 {FRESHLY PICKED}

 {MADE - danamadeit.com}

 {MADE - danamadeit.com}

Please click over and check out these tutorials and show the bloggers some love. 

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Shop for these products:
Dritz 9532W Braided Elastic, White, 4.5 Yards by 1/2-Inch