a different kind of family portrait

These have sat on my sewing/craft table half-finished since before Easter. I am so glad to have them done!




All along I planned on having the boys face to the right and the girls to the left but now that it is done I am wondering if I should have gone the traditional route and had all the silhouettes facing the same direction. Thoughts?

i want this

homemade laundry detergent

When my friend Becca told me she had made her own laundry detergent I knew I had to try it. I love to make things myself, it gives me a great sense of accomplishment. More than that I love to save money. And best of all, making your own detergent is better for the environment- less chemicals and packaging.

This is the recipe I used:


1 bar Fels Naptha bar soap (about 4 cups grated)
2 cups 20 Mule Team Borax
2 cups washing soda

Grate the soap. This can obviously be done my hand but my parents gave me a fancy KitchenAid grating/slicing attachment for Christmas (thanks Mom and Dad!) and it made quick work of the grating.



Mix the grated soap with the borax and washing soda. Store in an air tight container. Use 2 tablespoons per load.

(I love how the grated soap looks like lemon zest. Makes me want to make lemon bars.)

I also used 1/4 cup white vinegar in the rinse cycle in place of fabric softener (I usually use dryer sheets). The clothes didn't smell like vinegar but I think I might try adding lavender essential oils to the vinegar.

My next way to save money is to stop using shampoo. Sounds gross, I know. Read this and you'll want to try it too!

***update: see this post for a new laundry detergent making tip!