Making Your Own Linen Spray

Lavender Linen Spray

Lavender is known for its wonderful aroma and soothing benefits. You can make this spray for ironing, to freshen sheets and towels in the linen closet, on old linens to freshen them, as an air freshner and on your pillowcase just before going to bed - it will relax you and help you fall asleep.

Ingredients for a 5 ounce bottle:
4 ounces of distilled water (tap water will cause it to become cloudy)
1 ounce of 100 proof vodka or ethanol (rubbing alc0hol -do not use isoproyl)
10 drops of lavender essential oil
5 ounce spray bottle ( dark glass works the best)

Mix the essential oil into the alcohol, the alcohol will take on the scent of the oil. Slowly add the distilled water stirring constantly. Fill the bottle

Store in a cool dark place and shake well before using. Test on fabric in an inconspicious spot before spraying the entire piece.

Other non staining essential oils such as juniper, eucalyptus, rosewood or peppermint can be substituted for the lavender.

Written by Debbie - Two Old Crows

Vinyl Records

As a teenager of the sixties many of an afternoon was spent drinking Coke and listening and dancing to vinyl records spinning on a small record player with girl friends. Today I wish I had that record collection back but through poor storage and cleaning it was lost. Vinyl records are abundant today though at backyard sales and flea markets and most are very inexpensive. The proper care, handling and storage of these will mean the difference between ruined, warp records and ones that can be played and enjoyed for years to come.

Storing Vinyl Records
Vinyl records should be stored in there jackets in a vertical position never horizontal, they may warp if stacked.

Vinyl records should never be stored in sunlight and should be kept away from heat, records should be stored in place where the temperature in never above 70 degrees and never below 45 degrees- never store in an attic. Records should be stored in a dry relatively cool place humidity may cause record and record jackets to grow mold- do not store in the garage or basement

Handling Records
Records should only be handled by edges or on the label, the dirt and oils on your hands can damage them.Keep your records in their jackets when not in use and wipe with antistatic cloth before playing

Cleaning Your Collection
Basic cleaning should be done by wiping the record with a antistatic cloth
If mold or mildew are apparent on the record wash with damp cloth and a few drops of a mild soap being careful not to get the label wet, rinse with warm water and pat dry

Unwarping Records
You can try to salvage a warped vinyl record but do this only at your own risk- sometimes it only makes it worse. Place the record between two pieces of clear glass and place outside in the sunlight. I have had this both work and be a complete failure.

Slipcovering a Headboard

An easy way to change the look of your bedroom decor is to slipcover a headboard. You can either recover the one you have or pick up one cheaply at a flea market or yard sale. Its really quite easy to do in fact the hardest part is choosing the fabric.

Directions for a headboard with corners
1.Measure the width of both your headboard and footboard then add 1 inch to the width measurements for seam allowances.
2.Measure the length by start at the back lower edge of the headboard, up and over the highest point of the headboard, then down to the front bottom edge and then add 2 inches to the length measurement for seam allowances.
3.Cut your chosen fabric the measured width and length plus seam allowances. The resulting rectangle is folded in half and stitched along the sides to form a slip cover. Be sure the right sides of the fabric are facing when you pin and sew the slipcover. You can add piping if you desire
4.Wrap your headboard with foam batting to eliminate hard edges.
5.Attach ties to the bottom edge of the slipcover made of 3 by 13 inch strips of the fabric. Velcro could also be used.
6.Slip the cover over your headboard and fasten ties or Velcro.

Directions for a curved headboard
1.Use it as a template for the slipcover. Trace the curve of the headboard on freezer paper or newspaper. Add two inches for seams. 2.Place the pattern on your chosen fabric and cut out.
3.Sew the top curve making sure the right sides of the fabric are facing each other before sewing
4.Wrap the headboard with batting
5.Attach ties to the bottom edge of the slipcover made of 3 by 13 inch strips of the fabric. Velcro could also be used.
6.Slip the cover over your headboard and fasten ties or Velcro.

By using your imagination along with tapestries, old quilts, velvets and trims you can give your headboard a country, French, shabby chic or any look you wish.

Caring for Antique Glassware

Many of own pieces of glassware that have been passed down through our families and hold great sentimental value for us or we may have purchased a piece of glass at an auction or flea market that we just love, regardless it need to be handled with care. Here are a few tips I have found helpful in taking care of glass.

1.Avoid the dishwasher. Old glass is fragile and can not take the abuse of a dishwasher. Glass should be carefully washed in the sink in warm soapy water, as an added precaution I like to wash old glass in a plastic tub thus preventing it being chipped or broken on the hard surface of the sink. Use soft bristle brushes made of nylon or plastic for scrubbing. Wash items one at a time to avoid collisions and dry with a soft lint free towel
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2.Avoid putting glass in direct sunlight or near a radiator, temperature changes either hot or cold can stress glass causing it to crack and break

3.Avoid dropping by carrying glass with both hands. Remove stopper and lids and carry separately

4. Change water in vases every two to three days so that they will not become stained by the water and residue

5. When storing glassware remove all stoppers and lids to trapping dampness that will then discolor the glass

How to Care for Antique Photos

Do you have old photos of your family members and ancestors that you would like to preserve for future generations, if so you need to take proper care of them. Not taking care of old photos will not only make them lose their value but you will literally be able to watch them disintegrate before your eyes.

Never place old photos in direct sunlight. The suns rays will fade the photo to the point you will not even be able to tell who or what it is. Humidity is also bad for photos, so be sure to store photos in a dry place. Do not store photos in the attic, basement or garage.

Antique photos should be handled with care. If one is bent the mark made will be permanent. Many antique photos are on cardboard rather than paper. Bending them breaks up the picture exposing the cardboard
When labeling photos it is not a good idea to label directly on the photo. Ink often reacts to the photo's ink and bleed through the photo so if you must label ,label on the back with pencil avoiding pressing very hard so as not to leave an embossed impression.

Never touch the image of old photos with your bare hands. The oils in your skin will attract dirt that will allow the growth of damaging mold spores. Try to always wear white gloves when handling old photos

Surface dirt can be removed with a soft brush further cleaning should be left to professionals

Painting Old Furniture

Great pieces of old furniture can be found at auctions, flea markets and estate sales, usually they just need a little tender loving care to make them a great piece once again and in most instances are economical to buy. By following the simple steps below you can turn your old finds into great pieces.

Remember to always work in a well ventilated area

First clean the piece with a mild soap and water removing all the chipped paint and dirtIf you piece has old wax buildup, shellac or old varnish you must dull this with a solvent such as paint thinner, rubbing alcohol or mineral spirits otherwise it will repel the paint. Use steel wool dipping it in the solvent and then rubbing over the piece. Rinse the pad in the solvent and repeat the process as necessary. Let the piece dry thoroughly.

Sand with medium grit sandpaper switching to a fine grit sandpaper as the surface becomes smooth, wipe the dust away with a tack cloth. You can use a dry bristle brush in tight areas to get the sanding residue out.

Be sure to wipe the piece completely-any sanding residue left will show up in your paint.

Paint the entire piece with a stain blocking primer giving it one coat. Let dry thoroughly then lightly sand and wipe with a tack cloth to give a smooth surface

Paint the piece with a basecoat of paint of your choosing then sand lightly and let the piece dry. Add a second coat to completely cover the wood

Now the piece can be decorated with a folk art motif, stenciling or any detailing you like.....or left plain.

Varnish with a good varnish to protect your work and add durability to the piece