Pain in the Neck!

I love to make new things from old stuff!

With the holidays coming, and things getting so busy, I'm getting a bit stressed.
And when I get stressed, I get a neck ache. Not to say I'm a pain in the neck,
which I can be...but that stiff neck, between the shoulder blades pain. ARG!

So to get the kinks out in the morning or at the end of a long day, it's good to put a warm rice bag on those achy muscles.  Also a great gift (just use a brand new pillowcase or pretty fabric) for Christmas or a birthday.
*I made two, one for me and one for a gift. So I used an old plain pillowcase for the insides, and a nice new flannel one for the outer case.

Today's project is:

Rice bag neck warmer

You'll need:
~a cotton pillowcase (any old one is fine, remember we are recycling)
~long grain rice (not instant)
 2 small bags (36 oz.) will fill one bag, with a bit left over.
~scissors and a sewing machine
~velcro fasteners (optional)

Now some of you may not have a sewing machine, but know someone who does. If you do the cutting out and measuring everything first, I bet that friend of yours that has a sewing machine would be happy to help you. All the sewing is quick, straight stitching.  Hey, make one for you and give the other one to her.

You will lay out the pillowcase out, and measure about 8 1/2" from the edge, and mark lengthwise. Cut this long piece out. One side will hold the rice. The other side (slightly wider) will be the cover.
*This is IF you are using one pillowcase to make 1 bag. If you are making two bags, cut both plain case and pretty case in half lengthwise.

Take the 8 1/2" piece and cut off the 'hem'. (You want the inside bag to be shorter than the cover) Leave the hem on the wider (10 1/2" piece)


Turn cases inside out, and sew along the long edge of both. You will leave the end open to put the rice in.  Turn pillowcases right side out again. Set the larger one aside for now.

You must now divide the smaller 'rice' bag into thirds and mark. This will give 3 rice pockets within the bag. You don't want all the rice to bunch up at one end, right?

Now measure two cups of rice and pour into the bag. Take to the sewing machine and with the rice at the end, sew on the first marked line (about 9" from the end).  Fill again with 2 cups rice, and sew the next pocket (18" from the end). And lastly fill the last section with 2 cups rice and sew up the end completely.

Now you can take the larger piece that you put aside earlier, and add a little velcro closure at the hemmed end. This is optional, but a nice touch.

Now, if you get the outer case dirty, you can take it off and wash it, leaving the rice bag intact. Remember heating the rice is okay, getting it wet is NOT.

To heat up the neck warmer, put the whole thing into the microwave for 2 min.
It will smell like rice, but feel soooo nice!!
You can use this over and over with no worries about cooking the rice. And the shape of the rice bag conforms nicely to any achy part.
Perhaps you can warm your feet, and use it for warm lumbar support.
Hey you could even use it a bed warmer on these chilly nights.
Heat it up, and put it between the sheets a little while before you slip yourself into bed. Who needs an electric blanket? (Just an electric microwave)

tip of the day:
Since we are using rice, why not make a quick shoe deodorizer with that little bit left over in the rice package?
Get a couple of clean socks, mismatched is a good way to use up those "lost in the wash" ones.  Pour some rice into it, some baking soda, and perhaps some potpourri, I like to use the lavendar I dry myself.
Sew or knot or twist tie the end shut and mush, smush and squash the contents around to mix,  then stick one in those smelly sneakers.
These should absorb the moisture and leave a nicer smell.

That's all for today!
:D

Hold it right there!

I love to take old things, and make them new!

I hope you are finding my projects fun and easy to do. I’m finding it fun to look around my house and discover all the recycled projects I have done. I amaze myself at all the things I have reused. Is that a good thing?

Project of the day:
recipe or photo holder

You need:

~a container (metal is best) but you can certainly use other things.
Here I used an empty spice can.

~Plaster of Paris (available at any hobby store: Michaels, Joann’s, Hobby Lobby, some hardware stores, perhaps Walmart)

~18 gauge wire (you could use a coat hanger, but it’s pretty thick and you need some muscles for that one)

~pliers

1. Cut a piece of wire twice as long as you want your photo holder to be.

2. Using pliers, curl the end several times to create a double curl. *

3. Read directions of Plaster of Paris (you need to add water to the powder mix to the consistency of thick cream)

4. Prepare plaster and pour into your container (the plaster heats as it sets, so metal is the best. I’ve used glass, but it has broken upon heat setting. L

5. Insert wire and hold til set.

*note: I curve the end of the wire (not the photo holder end) so it will not 'pull' out of the plaster easily. We don't want a straight up and out wire fixture.

This is a great gift for cooks. Add some new kitchen towels, utensils (see my website for some awesome, classy serving utensils) some recipe cards and ingredients. Put in a pretty bowl, wrap in cello, add a bow, and you’re set to go! Or how about a housewarming gift!

I have also used this idea for a new baby gift. I bought a pair of baby shoes at the thrift shop. I used one for the wire photo holder. I poured the plaster into the shoe, added the wire, and let set.

I added some baby goodies, and put their baby announcement on the photo holder. (you could also put some money on it). Place in a basket or diaper bag. You'll be the hit of the baby shower!

What a great momento!

TIP OF THE DAY:

If you use plastic grocery sacks to line your garbage cans, here's a tip to keep them under control. Take an empty Kleenex box, and stuff it full with the plastic bags. The top of the Kleenex box should have that plastic around the opening, this works best to keep the bags inside.
You can put these in every room, inside the cabinets to have your garbage can liners ready. And you'll be surprised how many you can jam in these. It sure is neater than all those bags floating around!

For gifts, check out my website: www.arttowearbydee.etsy.com

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THAT’S ALL FOR TODAY!

:D