Got Ants?

Got ants? Well I have the solution for you!

I recently bought a house and moved in a few months ago. Everything was going great, most of the remodeling was done, but then I started to notice ants. They were all over the place! We can't have that. Time to solve the issue. My dad and I set out and bought some ant traps at the store and set them around the house. Supposedly they take the bait back to the nest and within days it is suppose to kill them. No more ants, right? WRONG! It seemed like I had more or perhaps they were just wigging out due to the ant bait, but they began to run my counter tops. Time to try something else.

I asked my friends on Facebook what they'd recommend and most said "Borax". I went out and bought a box, created a mixture that I found online and tried it. Success? No. But since so many of them said borax, I thought I would try again. Maybe the mixture just wasn't right. And that was true!

Here is what works:

2/3 C of sugar
1/3 C of Borax
1 Tbsp of Peanut Butter
Water
Recycled Plastic Container w/Lid
Extra Lids

I had some plastic containers that I saved. I'd personally recommend using something that you don't mind tossing in the trash.

In a recycled plastic container, such as a 16 oz sour cream container, combine the sugar and borax. Add a bit of water to make the mixture a soupy paste. Then mix in your peanut butter. Using the lid of a container, spread the mixture in the lid and then place the lid where you see the most ants. I had two lids placed in different areas on my counter. You'll still have left overs in your container. Put the lid on, poke holes into the container, right above the mixture line. I poked holes in a line all the way around. Place this container outside where you see a trail of ants entering the house.

This worked within two days! No joke.

Singing using the pink panther theme... dead ants, dead ants, dead ants dead ants dead ants, dead ants dead ants.

*If you have kids or pets, please keep the mixture out of reach. My kids are older and I did instruct them not to touch the lids. I do have the container outside right on my deck and my dog has not touched it, but please be cautious. Keep your kids and animals safe. Thank you!

I hope this works just as well for you as it did me.

Unicorn Horn - Free Crochet Pattern

Unicorn Horn

Add a whimsical touch to your stick horse, by creating a unicorn horn!

By Sarah Jones

www.facebook.com/TinyTeddiesBoutique

This pattern was created to accompany
the Stick Horse Pattern by Alessandra Hayden of Just Be Happy
Available for purchase on Ravelry, Etsy or Craftsy

Difficulty: Easy

Gauge: Not crucial for this project

Materials

Yarn: Weight 4, Medium (I made mine with: Vanna's Choice Baby - Duckie)

Hook: G/6-4.25MM

Yarn Needle

Scissors

Abbreviations

ch = chain

hdc = half double crochet

dec = decrease

sl st = slip stitch

Rnd = Round

BLO = Back Loop Only

FLO = Front Loop Only
YO = Yarn Over

Special Stitches

half double crochet decrease (hdc-dec):

YO, insert hook in the BLO of the next stitch, pull up a loop (3 loops on hook), insert hook in the BLO of the next stitch, pull up a loop (4 loops on hook), YO and draw through all 4 loops.

single crochet decrease (sc-dec):

Insert your hook in the BLO of the next stitch (do not YO), insert your hook in the BLO of the next stitch, YO and pull up a loop through both stitches (2 loops on your hook), YO and draw through the 2 loops.

Photo Courtesy by Mel's Crocheted Creations

Horn

With G hook, ch14

Row 1: hdc in 3rd ch from hook and in each ch across. (12 hdc)

Do NOT turn.

Working in the rnd and in the BLO...

Rnd 1: hdc in the top of the 1st hdc of Row 1, hdc in the next 9, hdc-dec. (11 hdc)

Rnd 2: hdc in the next 9, hdc-dec. (10 hdc)

Rnd 3: hdc in the next 8, hdc-dec. (9 hdc)

Rnd 4: hdc in the next 7, hdc-dec. (8 hdc)

Rnd 5: hdc in the next 6, hdc-dec. (7 hdc)

Rnd 6: hdc in the next 3, sc-dec, sl st in the last 2. (6 sts)

You've reached the top of the horn. Do NOT Fasten Off.

sl st to close off the top of the horn. Ch 1, turn.

(If a second color is wanted, change colors here)

Working in the FLO (these were created all the way around the horn, creating a twist), sl st in each FLO to the bottom of the horn (approx. 63 sl sts), sc in each stitch around the bottom edge of the horn, join with a sl st (12 sc). Fasten Off and leave a long tail for sewing.

Lightly stuff and sew to the top of the head, placing slightly in front and in-between the ears.

Happy Crocheting!

This crochet pattern is designed and written by Sarah Jones. The pattern and all pictures are copyright protected. You are welcome to use the pattern in any way, but please do not post it online as your own. Kindly link back to this pattern so that others may use it. Thank you for your cooperation.

This pattern has been tested. But if you find any errors, please let me know. Thank you!

A bowl full of lemons.: Silhouette GIVEAWAY!!!!

A bowl full of lemons.: Silhouette GIVEAWAY!!!!: "A SILHOUETTE GIVEAWAY!! I was sent a Silhouette Rhinestone Starter kit this month, to try out and giveaway along with a Silhouette SD Mac..."

Day 12 of 21 Days to Getting Organized

Day #12 Challenge – The Spice Cabinet

I’ll be honest; I didn’t want to do this challenge. Our spice cabinet was a complete mess! Not only were spices up there, but candy and some food too. I’m glad my husband encouraged me for this one! If he didn’t, I most likely would’ve skipped this challenge.

I pulled everything out and put it in a box and set it aside. I then dusted and wiped down all of the shelves. Unfortunately, some icing color leaked onto the cabinet. As I wiped it up my water and hand turned pink. I’ll tell you, I washed and washed my hands over and over, trying to get the color off. It’s faint, but still there. Yes… my cabinet needed cleaned. lol!

It's done and now I feel much better about my cabinet!

Day 11 of 21 Days to Getting Organized

Day #11 Challenge – The Freezer

I went shopping for food earlier in the week and was a little in a rush when I got back from the store. In short, I quickly took the food I purchased and crammed it into the freezer. More chaotic then it is normally…



It’s time to fix my unorganized mess.

I pulled everything out of the freezer, stacking it in like foods/shapes. I then wiped the entire thing clean. I did this a month or so ago because I forgot my husband forgot that I he had a soda in the freezer and it… exploded! It was a sticky mess and the whole freezer needed cleaned due to the mess it had made. Anyway…

I put the juice and coffee on the door, trying to keep drinks together. Success! Then I put the waffles on the door. Juice and waffles = breakfast. That sounds organized ;)

Now inside I put main course type foods on the top shelf. On the bottom shelf I put the sides and the ice packs. I decided a container would be best for these to keep them all together for those unfortunate incidents. Then I placed them right up front for easy access.



Tetris is a fun game to play! The organization in the freezer is usually like a game of Tetris. Put them in the right places and you can fit more. I’ll be honest; I only tossed old ice cream.

Day 10 of 21 Days to Getting Organized

Day #10 Challenge - The Laundry Room

Wow! Ok… we do have a laundry room, but I am just going to show you the laundry center. Cleaning the whole laundry room would definitely be more than a day, being that we are a family of 7. There has not been a day in which I have completed ALL of the laundry. I hope that will happen one day soon!

We have a lot of cabinet space for the laundry center. I can literally stand on top of the washer or dryer and not touch my head to the ceiling! As a matter of fact, I had to stand on them to clean the cabinets.



So, what does go in the laundry room? I know you should have laundry soap, dryer sheets, stain remover and bleach. I do also have rags, baskets, an iron and an ironing board. But there’s got to be more, right? Why is there so much space? I have not used all of the cabinets that we have available and I don’t see that as being a problem. But I almost feel like I am missing something. In some of the space I have kept light bulbs and some other household cleaners just to keep them high.

I pulled out everything and cleaned the stuff off the top of the dryer. Some of the stuff that was in the higher cabinet was in there when we moved in. After all the stuff was out, I wiped down all the cabinets and the doors, and then I wiped down the washer and dryer. We’ve had the washer and dryer for nearly 9 years and it does show wear, but still has some shine.


I went to the Dollar Tree and purchased some of those great baskets that Toni also has in her storage areas. I bought 12 of them. When washing them I found one was broke. It does suck, but I only paid $1! If I decide that I don’t need all 12 in the laundry room, I will most likely use them in other places in the house.

I took a break, while waiting for the cabinets to dry. Once they were dry, I put all my baskets in their places. I know I will need to invest in a labeler, because I want my family to know where all the items go, so that they can keep the house organized too.

Day 9 of 21 Days to Getting Organized

Day #9 Challenge - Toy Organization

Remember how I cleaned under the sink early? I didn't know what I should do for that day and I really wanted to clean. My husband suggested that I clean and organize our game cabinet. "It's not something that is likely to come up during this challenge".

After seeing the Toni's post for today's challenge, I was happy to see games on her shelf. I really wanted to have a reason to show you my game cabinet and how clean it looks!

Here is what I started with:

This is the top cabinet. As you can see there is absolutely no organizing whatsoever! All of the games are just seemingly thrown in with no rhyme or reason. How can I possibly find the game iIwant to play?

And here is our bottom cabinet. What a mess! I'll tell you that this cabinet is easily accessible to all members of our family and our youngest loves to get into it. The kids mainly love the puzzles and Guess Who. But wait! Some of these games aren't for kids! Time to fix this.

P.S. Yes, that is Christmas garland on the banister. *blush*

We decided it'd be best for the top cabinet to be for the adult games and the bottom cabinet to be for the kids' games. Easier for them to reach, less pieces missing from our games! My husband asked that I sort all of his trivia games. These are on the top shelf. I can hardly reach it, so I put them there because well... he can! Besides, I'd rather be able to reach the fun games. Ha Ha!

The 2nd shelf has games that take a bit longer. The 3rd shelf... games we play more, when we have company over. The container holds Uno and other card games.

Now for the kids' cabinet.

I was planning to put the puzzles on the top. But if you are standing at this cabinet, you're looking down. So the top shelf would be the first seen. Now I know I said they like the puzzles, but really... a 3yo and puzzles do not mix well. Especially if she decides to get them out when one is not looking. :/

Here is my final shot... a full view of the set up of our game cabinet. Neatly organized and now it's easy to find the games we want to play.

OH! Did you notice the handles on the shelves of the kids' cabinet? Those shelves actually pull out for easy access! Very nice for short arms ;)

I did organize some of my kids toys, but decided that I need to invest in some more containers and definitely a labeler! Hopefully I'll get one soon.

Thanks for stopping by! I'm looking forward to the coming days. My house is getting organized and I am loving it!

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