All Natural Flea Treatments

It's THAT time of year again!!  YES...BUG SEASON!  We live in the country (and I mean COUNTRY!  lol), AND we live by a pond.  I have heard there are some plants to help naturally repel mosquitoes and I am planning on looking into it further and trying it out this summer.  Keep checking with me to see how it turns out.

First things first.  We have two dogs and a cat and although I have kept flea collars on them all, they keep scratching!  I don't want to set off bug bombs (well I DO but I don't want the chemicals and the clean up from the chemicals after).  So I set out to find a more natural option.  And find it I did!! Eucalyptus is a natural flea repellant and safe for cats (AND it smells quite nice!).  Just put a FEW drops on the back of your kitty's neck every two weeks or so to help keep the fleas away!

For your carpets and furniture, you can sprinkle them with baking soda and table salt mixed in equal amounts.  Leave it overnight and vacuum it up in the morning. Try doing this for two rounds to kill the adults, then do it again after about a week and a half to two weeks later and it will get any of the eggs that they have left.  If anyone else has any other suggestions for me to try, send them my way!!! 

From Proper to Rocker

So my husband is a drummer.  So when we had our son I wanted nothing more than to dress our little one up like his daddy!  But it is hard to find that "rocker" style.  I stumbled on this little store owner through a mommy's forum and they just keep growing and growing! I LOVE their merchandise and wanted to share their awesomeness!  Check them out!  From Proper to Rocker

Introducing..My "Super Moms"!

Happy Mother's Day!!!!  I mentioned earlier that I have several wonderful women that I will be joining forces with and working together to build our business.  We are all unique and the goal is to help one another so that we have a greater chance of success!  I can't think of a better day to introduce this part of my blog!!

I have several ladies I am going to start show casing and I will have all of the information for you to get in contact with them if you would like to have something custom designed and ordered.  I will also be adding their products to my online store for easy purchase!  You can click the Toodle Bug Design Tab above to check us all out!!  I will be adding more as I get the images/details from the other moms!  Keep checking back!!

*~ MELISA ~*

(Home Decor * Custom Wall Letters)

*~ Michelle ~*

(Photography * Custom Height Charts)

Michelle Sherman Photography Facebook Page

*~ Brittany ~*

(Premier Jewelry)

*~ Lyndsey ~*

(Custom Binkie Covers * Hooded Towels)

*~ Audrey ~*

(Custom Bird Feeders * Quilts)

Photo Jewelry

I requested pictures from my friends and family to use to make photo jewelry.  I think they turned out great!  I currently have several custom orders that I am working on and I will post the completed pictures soon!  On some of the pictures, I couldn't get my cell phone to focus on the images as well as I would have liked.  If you are interested  in purchasing an item but would like to see a clearer picture first... just message me:  toodlebugdesign@gmail.com 

You can also message me there to make a purchase.  The Necklaces are $20 and the earrings are $10.  Or $28 for a full set!  I will give you 10% off your purchase if you will like my Facebook page and "share" me!  I will also give you an additional 10% off for EVERY PERSON you refer to me!  So you could potentially get a set for FREE!

DIY Candle Making

What you will need:

-Container for the wax

-Wax

-Essential or Fragrance Oil

-Wick that's compatible with your wax

-Pencil

-Double Boiler (I use a plastic measuring cup and regular pot instead)

You can use cups, tin containers, wine glasses, anything like that.  I use Mason Jars.  I found these 12 ounce containers at Walmart for $6.95 per dozen.  With taxes that makes them come to .63 cents each.  Plus, I like them better than the name brand because there is no etching or writing on them and it looks better for my label.

 You can find wax at any local craft store or online.  I personally use soy wax that I order online.  It comes in "chip" form.  That makes it easier to melt.  Wax at Michael's usually comes in a two pound block and it is best to cut it up as small as you can, but it doesn't have to be perfect.  One pound is equal to 16 ounces.  So you can get 2 1/2 - 12 ounce candles or 4 - 8 ounce candles with one container for about $9.99.  (Look for coupons to possibly get 40% off.  Especially at Michael's!).

You can use a double boiler for the next step.  But I sell wax melts for my business and I found it MUCH easier to buy plastic measuring cups at the Dollar Tree and labeling them for each individual scent that I have so it's easy to pour and there is ZERO clean up.  If you are doing it this way, fill a regular pot up a little more than half way with water and put the measuring cups inside with the handles hanging out.  My pot has handles on the side where I can hook the measuring cup handles into and it keeps them steady while the water boils.

 This is the way the wax will look as it melts.  You can leave it be until it melts completely, or use a spoon to break it apart so it will melt faster (like I started to do to the container on the right).







***If you would like to add candle dye (available in the candle department at any craft store) this would be the time to do it.  I don't ever use dyes, it's just my preference because I have a young son and him and colored wax doesn't mix well lol.  Follow the directions on the candle dye container.

While the wax is melting, you can prepare your wicks.   Make sure that you buy the wicks that are compatible with your wax.  It will clearly say it on the container.  I got this one at Michael's for $4.99 for six.  Making them come to almost $1 a piece after taxes.

Take your pencil and start wrapping the top of the wick around the pencil in a circular motion until the bottom of the wick is firmly touching the bottom of the container and the pencil is holing it straight up to the top.

 

Once your wax is completely melted, add your essential or fragrance until your wax is the strength you are happy with.  I usually use about an ounce of oil for every pound of wax.  This is totally up to you.  Stir the oil in and pour your wax into the container. 

It's okay if your wick moves a little during this process, just center it again when you are done pouring.  

 Let it cool!

If the top looks a little jagged like this after it cools, you can make it look flat and even by either adding more scented wax to the top or using a blow drier to re-melt it so it will harden evenly.

Trim your wick and decorate the jar with a pretty ribbon or label!  Enjoy!!!

For one 12 ounce jar, the cost is  $6.23!  

If you use the 40% coupons for the wax and the wicks it's only $4.83!

A pretty inexpensive (yet personal) gift to give to people! 

DIY Floor Cleaner

I have NOT made this yet.  But I wanted to post the website that my friend, Lyndsey shared with me.  I will update this post as soon as I try it for myself!  Thanks Lyndsey! :)

DIY Floor Cleaner

DIY Fabric Wreath

I found this cute little owl at the Dollar Tree a few months ago and I've kept him stored away until I found the right craft for him!

I am hoping to make quite a few Christmas wreaths to sell when the time comes, but that's so far away!  So I decided to make one now to sell at my next Trade's Day and to use my owl.  This is how I did it!

Pick out the fabric that you want to use and cut it into strips.  It does NOT have to be perfect in ANY way.

Foam wreaths are so expensive!  These straw ones are almost half the price and if you leave the plastic on, they look exactly the same but STURDIER!  And they are almost half the price of foam. 



Hot glue one end on the fabric strip onto the wreath and wrap it TIGHTLY around the wreath until you get to the end of the strip and secure that end with the hot glue as well.  Keep repeating this step until the wreath is completely covered.







At this point you want to decide what (if any) accents you wish to make.  I wanted to add an accent using the fabric I already had.  So I decided to make a bow with it.

 Take a strip of fabric and run a line of hot blue down each side and fold it over to create a "seamed" look.  REMEMBER!!  It does NOT have to be perfect!!!

Tie the strip into a bow!  The owl already came with some attached fishing line and hanging it from the bow is a REALLY cute option.  Its simple, classy.

Ultimately, I decided to add a beautiful flower that I had by hot gluing it in the center of the bow and perched my owl right next to it (securing it with hot glue as well).  As I've said, I have a small country home.  I think my little country wreath is a sweet accent to my front door. Your wreath can be anything to reflect your personality.  Just have fun with it!!!