Category: Life Hack

Blanket catch

On By CarynIn dog, Life Hack

A fuzzy blanket on the back of the couch is the favorite spot for both Izzy the cat and Missy the dog. But the blanket doesn’t stay there. Up and over the back of the couch is also Missy’s favorite race track path. (I still don’t quite understand how a 20 pound, stubby-legged dog can vault up and over the couch.) The blanket usually ends up on the floor behind the couch. Arg. So I’m trying a blanket stay. I took 1/2” elastic and wrapped it around the couch cushions (these cushions are not removable).

Half inch elastic wrapped around the couch

I pulled the elastic quite snug and tied it off, then tucked the tied ends into the cracks. The blanket then gets folded in half, slid under the elastic, and folded in half again.

Blanket installed with elastic

When my youngest needs to wrap up in the blanket, it is easy to pull down, but so far I have not found the blanket on the floor, a victim of a high speed ball chase.

Missy in rest mode

Recipe book hack

On By CarynIn Life Hack

I have a precious recipe book that my sister put together from my Grandmother’s most used recipe cards. I don’t want to spill or drip on it, so I cover the pages with a sheet of plastic wrap to protect it.

Recipe book protected with plastic wrap

The cucumber salad is the recipe I use the most often.

Modesty panel

On By CarynIn Craft, Life Hack

Warning: hand sewing ahead.

I picked up a shirt when shopping with the kids and the neckline turned out to be way too low. So I added a modesty panel using cotton knit material. I did attempt to do the whole alteration on my machine, but I had a terrible time feeding the thin knit material consistently under the sewing foot. Frustrated, I turned back to hand stitching; the inside of the neckline had a convenient seam that made making an invisible whip stitch easy. I think the next time around I will hand stitch a decorative edge on the top as well, leaving the machine work for woven cotton and inside seams. The finished product has the look of layers, without the bulk.

Crescent of material cut to cover the low neck line of a knit shirt
Machine stitched top edge
Hand stitching panel to inside of shirt with a whip stitch
Installed modesty panel

Getting better

On By CarynIn Craft, Life Hack

When I tried to assemble gingerbread houses last year for my kids, it was a struggle to get the sides and roof to stay up until the frosting set. This year, they went together much easier. I did actually get out the big knife and trimmed the side walls square, this time. My youngest also helped stabilize as we built. Life lessons: live and learn, follow directions, and accept help.

Gingerbread houses assembled and drying before decorating

Gift bag reuse hack

On By CarynIn Life Hack

Our family exchanges many Amazon wrapped gifts. The bags are fantastic for reuse, and to make it even easier, the tag loops can be reused as well by removing the old tag and looping a new tag in (here is a short video). Even easier, fold the little tag Amazon sends with the gift, and punch a hole in. The paper is flexible enough to thread through the loop to attach the tag.

Old tag removed, new tag prepped
New tag attached

Yes, you could also glue or tape the preprinted tag onto the old tag. I have also been known to make a hand written new tag, but now I have another option to solve the labeling gifts issue. I like choices.