This is not just a blog about sewing. I am also a great fan of using household items to make my own cleaning products. I am posting a recipe for a homemade herbal carpet deodorising mix.


Start with some baking soda in a bowl. Add herbs from your garden. I prefer to use dried ones and you can do this very easily by putting the herbs on a plate in the hot water cupboard.

For a lovely lavender scented one I would use about 2 cups of lavender - flowers and leaves can be used - with the same amount of baking soda. Crumble or process the lavender coarsely and mix with the baking soda. You can use it straight away or leave it in a screw top jar overnight for the scent to permeate the soda. You can make some in advance and store in a glass jar with a screw top lid.

To use, sprinkle over your carpet and leave it for an hour or two, or even overnight. Then vacuum up.

One of my favourite herbs for this was Tansy as it works as a flea repellent. I also used to crush the tansy in my hands and then stroke my cats, starting at the top of their head then let them go. Always do this outside so the fleas can jump off. I let the crushed tansy dry out and put into sachets which I tucked in between the squabs on settees and chairs.

One of the reasons I started this blog was because I joined a group making crazy patches. We each make a block a month and post it on our blogs for other members to view. I have decided to make mine using cat materials and am calling it Crazy Cats. I got the idea from a magazine (and altered it, like I do)

I am also refusing to buy material unless i absolutely "HAVE" to. I need to reduce the stash. I found some material I seem to have far to much of. Personally it is not to my taste at all so I am assuming I was given it. I have cut twelve 12.5" squares out so i have enough for the year and will be sewing my cat materials onto them

I will be sewing all the finished squares together and backing them with polar fleece and either tying the blocks to the backing or using buttons. It is to be a Christmas gift for my granddaughter this year.

I have kind of colour co-ordinated each block and any gaps will be filled in with embelishments as I go. fairies and cats go together so there will be a few of them sprinkled in on various squares.

That's the first two done to get me started. Now off to do blocks for the other swaps I am in.

happy sewing evferyone.

This is the last day of 2011.I have decided to post a few photos of my much loved furbabies to end the year.

This is Daisy who turned out to be a Dude but is adored regardless

Teddy on the left also hid his gender under long fur for quite a while. Poppet, his brother, being short haired, could not play such tricks

This is a delightful wall hanging I was sent all the way from Canada. Thank you Barbara for such a beautiful gift.

I am uploading photos of blocks I have received in swaps this past month. The first is from the Christmas block swap.

This next one is from the 12" block swap

These are from the 6" block swap. I asked for any pattern in creams and purples

Christmas has been and gone for another year. Presents given and received and now there's a lull before we usher in the New Year.

I received some awesome gifts. One online group I am in has a Xmas present swap each year and I was overwhelmed at what I got in my parcel.

I took part in a Christmas swap in one of my on-line groups. I enjoy these swaps and spend time collecting bits and pieces for my partner through the year. When I was told who my partner was, I emailed her and found out that she liked paua shells. I found paua shell material and made her a mug bag and a coaster. I included some of the materials I had used, added a small body form for her to dress and a small pattern. then I added a thermal mug. I find my cuppa's get neglected and go cold in an ordinary mug. I filled it with chocolates and posted it off. My box from her arrived today but I only have to wait a few days to open it and I can be strong for a wee while.