The Rains Have Returned

   April here in SW Missouri,  is usually filled with days of rain, but this year mostly dry and very windy with up and down temperatures. The weather forecasters did get the rain day correct this time-haha.  It started late in the day yesterday, we had rain most of the night as well. A much needed rain. I only got to cutting half the grass here which means the other half will be really tall-especially with a week of rain- every day forecasted with rain.

  Larry has always loved the different ornamental grasses so we bought a couple to start from seeds, and I ordered two plants-they came in yesterday and were packed very well. I didn't want to plant them outdoors yet with all this rain coming in though. I will get the rest of the seeds started this weekend..  Larry's vision is to lure the different ducks here on the lake to use the grasses for nesting. So these will get planted near the lake front. I love that he still thinks of tomorrow, with all his setbacks.

 We did decide to go with Directv streaming service for our tv programming . The price is locked in for 2 years and is the same price we were paying with our electric co-op with more channels and no dish-I like that part. It is definitely a learning curve though as the system works a lot different than what we are used to. Just need to take the time to figure it all out.

   The Roku streaming had no phone number to contact their customer service to ask questions. I did figure out that Roku is the tool for the streaming service and then you buy all the packages separate of what you want to watch. In the end Directv was just easier for us and Larry got his movies and I got the sports. We bought quality tv's about 10 years ago and with this streaming service the colors are even more vibrant-like a newer tv. That was a bonus.  In this new age of tv so many choices, and with streaming you can add you tube and lots of other channels to it-nice for a larger screen.

  Last night with the storms coming through I couldn't sleep-I don't sleep through storms very well-so I finished writing the 10 letters to send out to seniors through the Letters Against Isolation project. I am enjoying the process. Having fun dressing up the letters and envelopes with stamps and stickers.. Here is a photo of the backs of the letters. These get mailed to the same facility so I make each letter different. A nice way to "play" with my stamps and also with the wax and seals.

   Yesterday morning I did some errands and the food store had lovely strawberries-yum I also buy blackberries and blueberries which are my favorites in fruits. Thinking of baking up angel food cakes for us-wheat and also a gluten free version. I also bought ingredients for cheesecake in case I decide to bake that for the weekend.

  Happy Friday and weekend. thanks for visiting.

 

Un Paper Towels

   Good morning, I have another post for Earth Day-see also my previous post on re using coffee grounds.

I have been seeing more of the un paper towels around the web. Free the Ocean sells them too but for me rather expensive. Lots of choices on Etsy-some of those listings even have snaps to make the roll easier. There are tutorials on how to roll your cloth towels onto the roll too which I think I would prefer..

Also different choices-ideas on what fabrics to use. Flannel cotton, feed sack cottons. These would be an easy first sewing project too. Those with young children I think these would be fun to make and use with colorful prints.

  I like the feed sack cotton option but some of those are really stiff.  I read about repurposing old flannel sheets. We mostly only use flannel sheets so when they are worn out-which takes years-I cut them up into rags. I wish I would have thought about making them into paper towels as well.

  My craft/art room does still have a stash of fabrics-so I am going to check that out soon. I do use a lot of paper towels, in the kitchen for sure.

  Have you made these un paper towels or bought them? Do you like them?

Here are some DIY links I found. 

This one is from Paper & Stitch and I found it to be very informative She also has an unsewn version

I think the fabric choice is up to what you have on hand in your stash (or want to buy)  as long as it is absorbent like cottons

From HGTV  I found this post about 8 best alternatives to paper towels   Bamboo, Microfiber cloths, and others-these are all for purchase-alternatives to paper towels that are re useable.

There are many tutorials and you tube videos on making these un paper towels. Different sizes as well.

 Here is one that is the size when you tear off a small sheet . Here is one using terry cloth

I even found a pdf pattern on etsy  but there are many free ones online too.

Here is one more tutorial that is Very good. I like her idea of sewing a big X through the towels to keep things in place after washing drying.  I have also seen on other tutorials to top stitch around the edges which I like as well , She also shows about sewing on the snaps. Below is a photo from her site.

I am hoping you enjoyed this post. Please share if you have made un paper towels. I plan on sewing up some soon