Rice Bags Rock

We LOVE rice bags!  We make them in all shapes and sizes. Heat them in the microwave for 2 to 3 minutes and take them to bed with you for aches or to keep you warm:)
I made one that fits perfectly into the front pocket of my daughters hoodie and she loves to use it for cramps.

You can use any kind of fabric but my favorite is flannel.  This rice bag was made from a pair of old pjs. I have made them out of cotton and fleece and a mix of one side cotton and one said fleece.

Cut the fabric the size you want it be.  I usually make them about 4 inches by 10 inches. 

 They are great if they are smaller or larger  It's just a personal preference.

Put your fabric right sides together and sew around three sides 

the width of the foot on the machine, leaving one side open for filling with rice.

After sewing three sides, clip the corners diagonally to

 help it look nice after you turn it back right side out. 

Fill it with as much rice as you'd like

turn the top open edge inside and pin it for easier stitching

stitch the opening closed the width of the machine foot again

Clip the threads and your rice bag is complete:) They make cute gifts.

  I just made 3 for my neighbor for her birthday because they only had one

 and her daughter took it to college with her:)  

One night I caughter my 11 year old using 3 rice bags in bed at the same time!

You can also freeze them to use as a cold comfort too.

*when in a pinch, fill a long sock with rice and tie it off with a knot,

I'm a little comfort bag-

just keep me by your chair

two or three minutes in the microwave

and I'll warm you everywhere

or freeze me for a little while

and fix that boo boo up in style

instead of a compress made of ice 

you'll find this pillow extra nice.

Rustic Lemonade Stand

My friend asked me to help decorate her daughter's outdoor reception this past May. The Bride really wanted a Lemonade Stand for part of her decor and use as a display and serving area. I started googling Lemonade Stand Ideas and all of them seemed to require too much effort to make the entire base first and then add the wood and top, so I came up with this idea.....

I had  bought this "blind" cabinet in March from the KSL classified ads because I wanted to try to make a kitchen island out of it.  It's 24 inches deep so I felt that it was too wide for the space I had.  It was only $20 so I didn't feel bad about not using it and donating it to our garage to use as storage.  

We had weathered cedar fencing from 3 fence panels that we had replaced last fall.   So.....I put the two things together and came up with my solution for the Lemonade Stand!  

The main area of the fence panels is all tongue and groove cedar. We wrapped the back and sides of the cabinet with the tongue and groove, using my neighbor's nail gun to adhere it on.  We also spray painted the front and sides black in case any gaps would show thru.  I'm thankful Scott thought of that because we had plenty of gaps!  

We had left over weathered wood from my dad's wood pile that we had used to make the Barn Doors for the Ward Fall Ho' Down.  We used that for the top/counter of the stand and also the "sign".  Scott even figured out how to notch the sides of the sign into the counter so it would all be flush. Because of all the wood on it, it is heavy.  I want to add locking casters to help maneuver it better.  Someday those will be put on. ;) 

Finished Front View

Back View

I love that my Lemonade Stand is made out of a cabinet because it has a drawer and a closing cupboard with a shelf to store things on/in. The right side is big enough to hold my cooler for ice! 


 P.S I have the drawer front and a burlap curtain for the right side.  Hopefully I'll be able to add those pics soon!