Straight Stitching vs. Free Motion Quilting

If you are intimidated by free-motion quilting, this is an easy way to straight stitch your quilt with a cross-hatch pattern. All you need is some blue painters' tape in the width of the cross hatch you want. Lay the tape out and stitch along the side of the tape. I laid mine out diagonally, but you could lay it out to achieve a square pattern instead of a diamond. Then, keep moving the tape until you have quilted up one side and down the other.

I wanted to cross-hatch this table runner. I thought the appliqued flowers needed a trellis to ground them. I decided that the wide painters' tape was best. However, I have used a smaller width on smaller projects.

Easy Peazy. Hope this helps.

My Newest Favorite Tool

I have been trying to figure out how to get the most out of metal ointment tubes. It's easy with flexible toothpaste tubes, but there is a lot of waste in the metal ones.

Then, I found a Metal Tube Squeezer Tool 
on Amazon.

PERFECT!

LOVE IT!

Extra Tip:

There are also plastic ones 

for flexible tubes, 

but those are easy to adjust

 with a back edge of a comb.

Recommend! Give it a try!

Tiny Tidbit for Today-Clean the Shower

2014 Best Tip: Fill a Dish Wand with 1/2 Dawn original dish soap and 1/2 Vinegar.  Keep in shower and clean as you shower. Eco-friendly and will not hurt your skin.  Saves a lot of time on cleaning day and you keep the scum and mold at bay! Love it!

Tiny Tidbit for Today - TV Remote

Tired of your TV partner surfing through the channels or having to ask for the sound to be turned up or down? Solution: Get another remote.  Yes, you can have two remotes for one TV!

 

Then, you can control the sound, too!  You can do your own surfing!  Save it for a surprise and your TV partner will think he/she is going crazy:)

Wheel It!

One of my best purchases...

...a spinning Lazy Susan. 

I use it in the fridge for my jellies and in the cabinet for my pills.  It save space and makes it easy to see what's in back!

TINY TIDBIT FOR TODAY - Thawing Frozen Chicken

To thaw frozen chicken pieces quickly-place them in a bowl; cover them with cold water; add a couple of tablespoons of salt.  

Have a great day, Esmee

Tiny Tidbit for Today - Brass or Metal Allow?

A magnet will not adhere to brass.  If it does, it is probably brass plate with a metal alloy base.

Have a great day! Esmee

No More Toggle Bolts! Yea!

This is our find of the year. We just moved and started hanging pictures on our drywall.  Alas, we haven't found a stud yet.  (Yes, we have a stud finder.  It is obviously not a 'good' stud finder.)  Then, I found these at Big Lots.  Since then, I have found them at Walmart. 'Picture hanging' at our house is now a snap. These couldn't be easier on your marriage and your walls:)

Voila!  How easy was that?

Pop the Cork

The three best tools I have to open a bottle of wine.  That is, a wine bottle with a cork!  Although, I am not against buying wine with a screw top.

1. Manual Corkscrew
2. Battery Operated
3. 'Gizmo' to remove the foil

Place a fabric softener sheet in the bottom of a pan with burned on grease. Cover with water, let set at least 30 minutes. Use sheet to scour pan. Wash and rinse. 

Some burned on residue
may take more than sheet. 
I use SOS.

Tip: Get a Stool

If you are 'height challenged'-like me-

 get a stool.  

I got mine in a great green color at Bed, Bath, and Beyond for $13. 





I have now seen them at Big Lots* and Walmart* in black for $8 to $10. I like my green one and I'm sticking with it.  

*When I went to their web sites, I really didn't see any comparables...but I did see them in the stores near me.

Squeaky Cabinet Doors

We have just moved and found a lot of squeaking cabinet doors.  We are not sure how the previous owners could have survived the squeaks over a period of time. We couldn't for even a day.

I found this tip in a Kroger mailer and it has worked...so far.  Now passing it along to you!

Endust! Spray it generously on the offending hinge.  Wipe off the drips.  

Others have recommended   WD-40, but we do not like the oily residue and smell.

Try it and see what you think.

Picking up!*

I got mine at Wal-Mart

This hand-held Dirt Devil is a must-have for me in the kitchen.  I can sweep every day and suck it up in this little vacuum.  I can clean under chair cushions. A quick sweep and vacuum right before company comes. I can pick up small spills around the counters...flour, chips, coffee grounds.  Accidents Happen!



* Giving credit where credit is due.  Thanks, Sherri, for the idea!

My Favorite Thing Tip: 01252011

I know they look funny!
But, easy to use!

I
love
my
egg
poachers!


I got them on a shopping trip to the Heights with my daughter.  (Aside:  Love shopping in the Heights...part of my "small neighborhood")


We had been looking for an egg poacher of the metal variety...preferably a two egg one!  No luck!  (I should have checked EBay.) Thank goodness!  I was forced to think outside the box.  Then, I found the "pod".


I have used a one-egg poacher,
but now "I" am one-half of "Two".  





I have also tried an egg poacher used in a microwave oven...I never got the hang of it.

Once a week...
poached eggs on English muffins
with ham and cheese.  
Yummmmm!* 




Also, posted on my blog: 
"Eating In and Out and About".

What would I do without??? Tip No.: 012011

The two kitchen tools I can't seem to put down are the kitchen scissors and the tongs.  

My husband bought the scissors over ten years ago from one of those "gadget" ads that are in the back of magazines.  It is one of the best purchases he ever made, not considering my new 2010 Honda CRV!  


They are indestructible.  They will cut anything; plus, last week I discovered they will open a bottle...ok, I know I'm slow at times! 


The tongs...called "tweezers" in our house...are used to turn bacon when frying, serving spaghetti from the stove and grabbing things that go down the disposal.  


(added tip:  do not put your hand down in the disposal when it is "live"....unplug it first! ).  No, I did not find out the hard way. No, I don't think it will turn on without help.  I am more confident fishing around for a lost marble-don't ask!-or piece of metal when it is unplugged.  Peace of Mind is worth something!