DIY Baked Goods/Cake Stand

I'm so proud of myself for accomplishing this next craft. Recently, I got the inspiration from a post that was made on Pinterest (my new favorite website! http://pinterest.com/) Pinterest is a "virtual pinboard." A place to let you organize and collect pins that can relate to your style like DIY crafts, wedding ideas, remodeling ideas, yummy recipes or favorite quotes. In my mind, it's like a collage of a persons favorite things.

Anyways, I saw the photo on Pinterest and I noticed that someone was making a cake stand out of terra cotta pots (you know...those ridiculously bright orange pots you see at the hardware store!?)

I quickly reminded myself of the stash of terra cotta pots that were in my hallway closet. They had been sitting there for almost 7 months now. I had originally used them to hold birdseed and candles for a dinner party at work, but now they were just collecting dust.

So after I made a trip into town to collect some heavy-duty "gorilla-glue" and a can of spray paint, I was on my merry way to completing this craft. And I must say, now that I've accomplished what I originally set out to-do, it feels great! So great that it makes me want to bake a cake and use it!



Supplies:
1 small to medium 4-8 inch terra cotta pot
1 large12-18 inch terra cotta saucer
Ceramic glue (can be found at a hardware or craft store)
Spray Paint
Newspaper
Wet Sponge
Pencil
A sturdy, but heavy object(s) about 5-10lbs.

Directions:
1. Center the base of the terra cotta pot onto the bottom base of the terra cotta saucer. Take a pencil and draw a circle around the pot, in order to mark it's original place.
2. Take a wet sponge and dampen the area inside the circle you drew. This is the area that you will apply the glue.
3. Be sure to follow the glue manufacturers instructions. Place the glue on the dampen area. Do not over glue (otherwise the glue might expand or leave unwanted drips!)
4. Carefully place the base of the terra cotta pot onto the glue. Apply pressure to the pot and saucer by placing a heavy object on top (i.e. a stack of books, 5 lbs. of sugar, etc.)
5. Let the glue dry for 2 -3 hours.
6. Place a layer of newspaper onto the floor, in order to protect the ground from getting any paint on it.
7. Carefully spray paint (with a color of your choice). Tip: I sprayed the top first, than I let it dry for an hour. Then I turned it over and sprayed the bottom and waited another hour.
8. Repeat step 7 and place a second coat of paint onto the terra cotta. Let it dry for another hour.
9. The End!!

Homemade Laundry Detergent....for $0.01 per load!

For the first time in my life, I made my own laundry detergent. IT...WAS...AWESOME. Who knew that making your own laundry detergent could be so easy and cheap!? And when I mean cheap, I don't mean some half-assed batch made with harmful, toxic chemicals. In fact I made eco-friendly natural laundry detergent for about $0.01 per load. Now in all honesty, I'm a single woman. Therefore my loads aren't as large as a family of three or four, but you get the picture. Right? Nonetheless this project was considered to be a great success and the perfect way to fill the void of a quiet evening.

Enjoy the recipe!




















Ingredients:

• 1 bar of soap, grated (I used a honey and oatmeal bar purchased from my local co-op)
• 1 gallon of warm water
• 1/2 cup Natural Borax
• 1/2 cup Arm & Hammer Natural Washing Soda
• 1 gallon of cold water
• 1 Household kitchen grater
• 1 funnel
• 2 empty gallon jugs

Recipe:

1. Using a household kitchen grater, grate the entire bar of soap.
2. Place the grated soap and one gallon of warm water into a large pot (big enough to hold two gallons.)
3. Heat the soap and water mixture over medium-high heat, until the soap is dissolved (3-5 minutes). Do not boil.
4. Add a 1/2 cup of Natural Borax and a 1/2 cup of Arm & Hammer Natural Washing Soda.
5. Heat the mixture over high heat, until it boils. Once it starts to boil, the mixture should become a bit thicker and enough to leave a thick coat on a spoon.
6. Remove mixture from heat and add one gallon of cold water.
7. Let the mixture cool for 15 minutes.
8. Using a funnel, pour the liquid detergent into 2 empty gallon jugs.