Save this one for your most ambitious crafters – because the results are absolutely extraordinary. Folded ribbon and fabric triangles pinned one by one onto a styrofoam egg creates a dazzling, almost jewel-like Easter decoration that genuinely looks like a professional display piece. It’s meditative, satisfying, and completely addictive once you get the rhythm going.

What You’ll Need:

Styrofoam egg shapes (available at craft stores in multiple sizes)

Ribbon and fabric scraps in two or three coordinating colors per egg

Straight pins (lots of them – get the glass-head kind for easier handling)

Scissors

Optional: a large decorative ribbon bow for the top of the finished egg

How to Make It:

Cut your ribbon and fabric into squares – roughly 2 inches square works well for a standard-sized styrofoam egg.

Fold one square in half diagonally to make a triangle. Fold it in half diagonally again to make a smaller triangle – you now have a folded “petal” shape with a pointed tip and a folded edge.

Hold the folded triangle with the pointed tip facing toward the bottom of the egg, and use a straight pin to pin it securely to the styrofoam egg, pushing the pin through the two folded layers at the base of the triangle.

Repeat this process with the next square, positioning it so it slightly overlaps the first triangle. Pin it in place.

Continue working in rows around the egg, overlapping each triangle to cover the pins of the previous row. The goal is to cover the entire styrofoam surface so no white egg is visible.

Alternate between your two or three fabric/ribbon colors in a regular pattern as you go – this creates the beautiful quilt-like visual effect.

Once the egg is fully covered, add a decorative bow at the top pinned in place as a finishing flourish.

Pro Tip: Start at the bottom point of the egg and work your way upward in rings – this makes it much easier to keep your rows even. Using ribbon with a slight sheen (like satin ribbon) alternated with a coordinating patterned fabric creates the most stunning color and texture contrast. These eggs look spectacular arranged in a bowl or Easter basket as a centerpiece!

(Pat’s Note: This technique can also be used to make Christmas balls!)

SOURCE: PLAYPARTYGAME.COM

From: The Pioneer Woman:

Clean Your Dishwasher the Natural Way

“Did you know that you need to clean your dishwasher? You do!” says Becky Rapinchuk, the blogger behind Clean Mama and author of the new book Clean Mama’s Guide to a Peaceful Home. “Luckily, white vinegar is all you need.”

Becky recommends pouring one cup of vinegar and running your dishwasher on a quick wash, hot, sanitize cycle. That’s it!

Trade in Conventional Cleaners for All-Natural Products

Conventional cleaning products and products with chemicals that emit harmful VOCs (volatile organic compounds) are not good for you or your home. Making the switch to all-natural, plant-based cleaning products like Humble Suds will bring joy to cleaning and simplify your life with their multipurpose uses.

Three Ways to Dust Your Blinds

“Dusty, dirty blinds? Cleaning them isn’t as difficult as you think,” says Becky. “You can use a special tool, a vacuum cleaner, and/or a little elbow grease and a microfiber cleaning cloth.”

Freshen Up Your Mattress with Baking Soda

Need to freshen up your carpet or mattresses while you’re spring cleaning? Becky has a simple DIY with baking soda that you can make today. Not only does it work but it looks cute too, thanks to some lavender buds mixed in.

Clean Your Shower with a Dish Wand

Are you not exactly a neat freak until spring cleaning time rolls around? Dana K. White gets it. The blogger behind A Slob Comes Clean and author of the books How to Manage Your Home Without Losing Your Mind and Decluttering at the Speed of Life has the hacks for you. She recommends keeping a dish-soap filled, non-scratch dish wand in the bathtub and using it whenever you take a shower. Genius!

Clean Bathroom Exhaust Fan Vents with a Broom

When it comes to spring cleaning, leave no corner uncleaned. If it never occurred to you to clean the exhaust fan vents in your bathrooms, we can’t say we blame you. But Warren says it’s now or never, so remove the vents, shake them out, spray them, and wipe them down.

“If they’re not removable, use a whisk broom to clean them off,” he adds. “They get pretty dirty over the winter.”

Wash Your Kitchen Kitsch in the Dishwasher

Kitschy decor can brighten up even the most basic kitchens. Unfortunately those tchotchkes get the worst kind of dust: greasy dust. Instead of trying to clean them by hand, Dana recommends running them through the dishwasher. Talk about a time-saver!

Clean Grout Without Any Elbow Grease

Get the sparkling clean bathroom tiles of your dreams by cleaning grout without any scrubbing whatsoever. Dana discovered the most brilliant trick on Pinterest: Simply soak cotton balls in bleach and place them on grout overnight. You won’t believe your eyes when you remove them the next morning!

Declutter by Starting with the Trash

We get it: Decluttering can be overwhelming. Dana recommends breaking the ice with this simple step: Grab a trash bag and start removing trash from all around your home (think: food wrappers, empty packaging, or broken toys). You’ll be amazed what a difference it makes, and the results will motivate you to continue decluttering!

Clean Walls Quickly Using a Sock

Who needs microfiber cloths when you have old white socks? Katrina Springer of The Organized Housewife recommends wiping your walls clean with a multi-purpose wall cleaner and a sock on the hand. “This quickly and easily picks up all dirt on the walls and I find it easier to glide the hand flat over the wall,” she says.

Clean Your Showerhead with a Baggie of White Vinegar

As you may have surmised, a little vinegar can go a long way when it comes to cleaning. “It’s especially great for lazy cleaning,” says Kimberly Button, a certified green living expert and founder of GetGreenBeWell.com. “Just soak something in or with vinegar and let it dissolve the dirt and scum for a few minutes before you come back and quickly wipe it away.”

For instance, soak a showerhead or faucet nozzle in a baggie of white vinegar (using a rubber band to secure the bag) for 15 to 30 minutes. Then, easily wipe away the grime and mineral deposits that have accumulated over time.

Descale Your Coffee Maker

You may be cleaning your coffee maker semi-regularly, but when spring rolls around, it’s a good time to try descaling. This process tackles limescale buildup caused by hard water, which can affect the taste of your coffee. To keep your cups of joe tasting fresh and delicious, brew a pot with a mixture of water and white vinegar or use a professional descaler.

Clean Cast Iron Pans

There are a few household items you should never clean with vinegar. One of them is cast iron. Instead, scrub your cast iron pans with a paste of coarse kosher salt and water to remove any food bits, and then rinse or wipe them clean with a paper towel or clean cloth.

Clean Your Curtains with a Steam Cleaner

“A steam cleaner is one of the easiest ways to effectively clean with no chemicals,” says Kimberly. “High temperatures will kill germs and sanitize.”

Kimberly recommends using a hand held steamer for plush toys, curtains, and pillows. Just remember to do a test patch to make sure the fabric or item can withstand high heat!

Dust Off Your Houseplants

House plants need spring cleaning love too! In addition to doing your usual watering and pruning, you can actually dust off your house plants using a microfiber cloth. This will help your plants breathe better, which in turn will help you breathe better.

Buff Leather Furniture with Coconut Oil

Give your leather furniture a glow up with a little coconut oil and a clean, soft rag.

“You’ll need to apply a very thin layer, and be sure to gently buff it in over the entire piece,” says Kimberly. “You’ll notice dirt and oils on the cloth after cleaning. Let the oil absorb into the leather for at least an hour (if not longer) before using.”

Clean Your Cell Phone

Cell phones are notoriously germ infested, but most of us probably don’t clean them as often as we should. To keep your phone squeaky clean, wipe it down with a microfiber cloth, which is designed to pick up even the most microscopic particles, including bacteria and viruses. Don’t forget to power down first!

Trade in Your Broom for a Microfiber Mop

Kiss your broom goodbye! (Okay, don’t actually do that because, gross.) Jokes aside, you really should ditch your broom. “It actually moves harmful dust into the air and elsewhere,” says Jennifer Parnell, the co-founder of Humble Suds, a line of non-toxic mineral- and plant-based cleaning products. “Instead, choose a microfiber mop to collect dust and get your floor squeaky clean. I really like this version this version where you can collect dust on one side and mop with the other.”

Clean Your Baseboards with Used Dryer Sheets

Used dryer sheets can be repurposed to do a variety of household tasks, including wiping your baseboards clean and buffing water spots from any glass and mirrors around your home.

Cut Costs by Using 10% Vinegar

Holli Schaub, co-founder of Humble Suds, says her favorite vinegar hack is buying 10% vinegar and diluting it per the directions. “It’s much more cost-effective,” she explains. “Vinegar is an awesome all-natural cleaner but can get expensive when you use it for a rinse-aid in your dishwasher, fabric softener in your washing machine and so on.”

SOURCE: THE PIONEER WOMAN

I found a good article on the Almanac website with tips on how to gently wake up your garden this spring.

From: Almanac:

Spring may be calling, but in many parts of the country—especially cooler regions—it’s important not to rush the season. Early spring gardening is all about taking a gentle approach, allowing soil to dry, plants to wake naturally, and beneficial insects to emerge safely. After seeing gardens already in full bloom in warmer climates, it can be tempting to dive right in, but patience pays off. These early spring gardening tasks will help you clean up winter’s leftovers, protect tender growth, and prepare your garden for a healthy, productive growing season—without doing more harm than good.

Early Spring Gardening Chores

Wait for the right conditions: Avoid walking on soggy soil, which can compact and damage plant roots. If you must enter wet areas, use stepping stones or boards.

Correct frost damage: Gently press frost-heaved plants back into the soil to protect roots.

Preserve beneficial insects: Delay leaf and debris removal until temperatures consistently reach 50°F or higher. Many insects overwinter in garden debris.

Pick up winter debris: Start by gathering fallen branches and sticks, giving you a clear view of how plants survived the winter.

Rake carefully: Begin with early bloomers so they can poke through the soil without damage.

Prune and clip: Remove old leaves from hellebores and epimediums. Cut back ornamental grasses before new growth begins, leaving 8–12 inches above the crown. Remove broken rose canes. Wait to prune spring-blooming shrubs until after flowering.

Divide overgrown perennials: Early spring is ideal for dividing and moving perennials before buds and leaves emerge.

Weed control: Remove early weeds before they get established—they are easier to manage now.

Soil testing: Test your soil in early spring to determine which amendments are needed before planting.

Early vegetable planting: Cold-hardy crops like peas, lettuce, spinach, radishes, carrots, beets, and chard can be planted once the soil is ready. Use local planting guides or check soil temperature (e.g., peas need at least 45°F to germinate).

Pot summer bulbs: Give begonias and other summer-flowering bulbs a head start indoors or in protected areas.

By following these early spring gardening tips, you’ll protect your plants, soil, and beneficial insects while setting yourself up for a productive and beautiful garden all season long.

Frequently Asked Questions

When is the best time to start spring garden cleanup?

Wait until soil is no longer soggy and daytime temperatures consistently reach 50°F or higher. This protects plants and overwintering insects.

Why shouldn’t I clean up leaves and debris too early?

Many beneficial insects overwinter in garden debris. Early cleanup can harm these important pollinators and pest controllers.

Can I plant vegetables in early spring?

Yes! Cold-hardy crops like peas, spinach, lettuce, radishes, carrots, beets, and chard can be planted once soil temperatures are appropriate.

Should I prune my shrubs and perennials now?

Remove broken branches and old leaves. Wait to prune spring-blooming shrubs until after flowering. Ornamental grasses should be cut before new growth emerges.

Is early spring a good time to divide perennials?

Yes. Dividing perennials before buds and leaves emerge minimizes stress on the plants and encourages healthy growth.

Should I test my soil in early spring?

Yes, testing now gives you guidance on which amendments to add before planting, ensuring optimal growth.

SOURCE: ALMANAC.COM

Polish Stainless Steel Appliances with Olive Oil

Make your stainless steel appliances sparkle this spring by polishing them with a surprising kitchen staple—olive oil! Simply apply a small amount of olive oil to a soft cloth, buff the surfaces, and you’ll be rewarded with a streak-free, gleaming finish.

Clean Oven Racks in the Bathtub

Effortlessly refresh your oven racks by placing them in the bathtub for a deep-cleaning session. Let them soak in warm, soapy water to loosen grime, and then use dryer sheets to easily wipe away grease and residue.

Wash Bed Pillows in the Washer

Want a more refreshing sleep experience? It all starts with tossing your pillows into the washer this spring. A quick spin removes dust, allergens, and the winter blues, leaving you with fresh, fluffy pillows for a rejuvenating night’s sleep.

Scrub Grout with Baking Soda and Hydrogen Peroxide

Scrub any tiled spaces with a simple yet effective DIY cleaning solution of baking soda and hydrogen peroxide. Watch as this powerful combination lifts away stains and brightens grout lines, leaving your floors and walls looking good as new.

Use a Lint Roller to Clean Lampshades and Fabric Surfaces

Simplify your cleaning routine by grabbing a lint roller to remove dust and debris from lampshades and other fabric surfaces. This quick and efficient method ensures a polished, lint-free look with minimal effort.

Clean Tall Windows with a Swiffer Mop

Tall windows don’t have to be a tall order! Cheryl Sousan, the self-proclaimed “neat freak” behind the blog Tidy Mom, recommends using a Swiffer mop to clean high or hard-to-reach windowpanes. Simply wrap some paper towels around your Swiffer, spray some glass cleaner, and wipe your way to sparkling clean windows.

Steam Clean Your Microwave

Look no further than your microwave itself for a quick and easy cleaning tip! You’ll need to mix two cups of water and two tablespoons of distilled white vinegar in a bowl and heat it on high in your microwave until it comes to a boil. Let it stand inside for about three minutes and then use a sponge or cloth to wipe your microwave clean.

Clean Your Bath Mats

If your bath mats are machine washable, this will be an easy one. Simply shake out any debris and then run your rug through a regular wash cycle on the cold setting. Most rugs can also be put in the dryer on low, but be sure to hang dry memory foam mats or ones with rubber backing.

Shake Out Your Doormats
Your doormats, whether indoor or outdoor, get a lot of foot traffic. Give them a good spring cleaning by shaking out debris outside, vacuuming them, and then rinsing them off with a garden hose to remove any lingering dirt.

Polish Your Silverware with a Toothbrush

Is your silverware looking a little less than guest-ready? Remove residue and tarnish easily using a toothbrush and Hagerty Silver Foam.

Wash Your Brooms

Dust bunnies, be gone! To clean your broom, simply take it outside and smack it against a tree to loosen up all the dust and dirt. Then place your broom in a bucket filled with warm, soapy water and let it soak for 30 minutes for rinsing it off with warm water.

Deep Clean Your Washing Machine with Vinegar

Disinfect your washing machine to help it reach its maximum cleaning potential. First run the machine with hot water, then add white vinegar and baking soda, and let them sit for about an hour. Finally, restart the cycle, let the water drain, and wipe it clean.

Wash Your Shower Curtain Liners

Did you know you can wash shower curtain liners in the washing machine? Instead of replacing yours, take a few extra minutes to toss it into your washing machine along with a bath towel or two. After washing, simply hang your curtain back up to dry in your shower.

Give Your Toilet Bowl a White Vinegar Bath

To eliminate hard water stains inside your toilet, soak toilet paper in white vinegar and let it sit on top of the stain overnight. Then simply flush to rinse away the stains!

Freshen Up Your Trash Cans

Make your trash smell a little better by placing dryer sheets on the bottom of the can to help absorb spills and mask odors.

Throw Away Expired Makeup

Using old makeup and tools can lead to skin irritation or infection. Look through your medicine cabinet and toss concealer, eye shadow, foundation, lip gloss, and nail polish that you’ve had for more than one year. Lipstick and blush last a little longer so you can keep them around for up to two years.

Care for Your Garbage Disposal with Lemons

“For spring cleaning, I like to do the little extras that don’t get done on a daily, weekly or even a monthly basis (unfortunately!),” says Warren Weiss of Scrub!, a cleaning service in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
To make the garbage disposal smell nice and to keep the blades sharp, Warren suggests cutting a lemon in quarters and run it through. Easy peasy, lemon squeezy!

Use a Pillowcase to Dust Ceiling Fans

Use an old pillowcase to dust all of your ceiling fans, says Cheryl. Simply slide the pillowcase over each blade and then pull the fabric back, keeping all the dust and dirt contained.

Add Essential Oils to Your Cleaning Solutions

While you’re up there wiping down the blades of your ceiling fans, Warren suggests adding an essential oil to your cleaning solution.

“That way, when I turn on the fan, it makes the room smell great,” he shares.

Unclog Kitchen and Bathroom Drains

“Did you know that some Feng Shui masters say that clogged drains deplete finances, health, aspirations, travel, clog sinuses, and simply, wreak havoc in general?” asks Cheryl.

SOURCE: THE PIONEER WOMAN

Supplies Needed for Clay Pot Leprechaun Hats:

      Small or Medium Clay Pots

Green Multi-Purpose Acrylic Paint (you can also use spray paint!)

Paint brush

Black Ribbon (I used 3/8” and 1/2”)

Gold scrapbooking paper or Gold Vinyl

Hot Glue Gun/Hot glue Sticks

scissors

Xacto knife

Step 1: Spray or paint the pots

Step 2: Make the hat band

I wrapped with black ribbon towards the bottom of the clay pot.  Since the pot is not a true cylinder, you will have to adjust in the back to get the ribbon to sit properly in the front.  Use hot glue to secure in place.

Step 3: Add the Buckle

Next I used my Xacto Knife to cut out the buckles.  I had some gold cardstock left over from this Santa Bin.   I just used that.  I hot glued them in place as well.

Voila! You’re done!

SOURCE: https://www.thatswhatchesaid.net/clay-pot-leprechaun-hats/

I saw this DIY tutorial for a birch log candle holder and I fell in love!  It does take a little bit of skill with a drill (my husband will handle that part), but it really is a clever, romantic Valentine’s gift.

Items you‘ll need:

Birch pillar from the craft store OR a piece of birch log you cut yourself

Tealight candle

Colored pencil – light brown

Pencil

Knife

Drill

Drill bit – 1 3/8″ spade bit or slightly larger

Start by marking out the size of your candle and drilling a hole in the top of your birch pillar. Trace the bottom of the tealight in the center of the birch log, then place the bit down in the middle of it.

With this kind of bit, you might need to rock the drill back and forth a little while drilling to get a good hole.

Sketch the design you want on the front of your birch pillar.  It doesn’t need to be perfect. You want it to look like it was carved spontaneously into the side of a tree.

Carve your design with an old, dirty pocket knife. You know, to make it as authentic as possible. But really, if you have some kind of special carving knife, that would probably be even better.

I wanted the design to “pop” a little bit more from far away, so I shaded it in with a light brown (hazel) colored pencil. Not 100% necessary, but I think it made it look better.

Put a tealight candle in the top of your birch candle holder and you’re done!

SOURCE: DIYCANDY.COM

I found an article on raisingteenstoday.com that shows quite a few do-it-yourself Valentine’s gift baskets! 

Love You More Than Chocolate

How sweet and simple is this idea? Simply fill a red or pink basket or bucket with all their favorite sweet treats, add festive ribbon or string and a crazy cute gift tag like this one and you’ll have an inexpensive, yet adorable gift that says “I love you.” 

I Love You from the “Bottom” of My Heart

if you really want to get creative, roll underwear in a gift basket or bucket to look like a bouquet of flowers and pop in a few chocolate roses and heart-shaped decorations for a Valentine’s Day gift that’s sure to put a smile on their face. 

I’m NUTS About You

Such a cute and creative way to show ’em how much you care. Fill a simple bucket or basket with their favorite nutty candy bars and peanutty snacks and add a cute printable tag like this one for a sweet (and slightly nutty) gift they’ll always remember.

Valentine’s Day Spa Basket

Pamper your favorite Valentine with this “Valentine’s Day Spa Basket!” Head over to the grocery store, Dollar Store, craft store or the Target dollar section and buy her favorite lotions, soap, candle, bath salt and loofah sponge. Any bestie, sweetie, tween, teen or mom would love this basket. (This basket can easily be modified for guys, too!)

I Won the Lottery When I Met You

Looking for a fun, creative idea that’s out of the norm? Who could resist this “I Won the Lottery When I Met You” Valentine’s basket? Decorate any box or fill a basket with lottery tickets and a few Valentine’s Day decor items for a basket that looks like a million bucks!

SOURCE: RAISINGTEENSTODAY.COM

After the chaos of holiday season, the new year means a fresh start. It’s a motivating time to set goals, whether it’s trying a new hobby, eating healthier or getting more organized. If the new year has you re-evaluating your lifestyle, decluttering the house is one way to improve your daily routine — and, professional organizers swear January is the best time to do it.

“January is the perfect time to refresh and reset after the busy holiday season,” says Lindsay Melvin, owner and lead organizer of Orchid Organizing. “I recommend starting with areas that have accumulated post-celebration mess — the kitchen, living room and entryway.” Keep in mind: Starting small, like with a single drawer, will help you avoid getting overwhelmed.

Not sure where to begin? From packing away seasonal decor to purging the pantry, here are the things professional organizers always do around the house in January.

Seasonal decor

As you take down your holiday decorations, assess your collection. Are there items you didn’t use this year that could be given away or donated? Most thrift stores will accept seasonal decor. Once you decide what to purge, “consolidate remaining decor into clearly labeled bins or totes,” says Melvin. If you want holiday decorating to be easier next year, take note from Beata Kozlowski of Tidy Step by Step, who always takes photos of what worked well, so she can easily recreate it.

The kitchen — namely, your fridge and pantry

Over the holidays, you spent a lot of time in the kitchen — cooking and hosting — and chances are, it’s accumulated clutter. “After the influx of holiday treats, pantries and refrigerators can become cluttered with gifts, expired items and half-used ingredients,” says Gretchen Moen, chief clutter cutter of Cut the Clutter.  Make room for healthier eating habits in 2026 by streamlining the pantry, fridge and kitchen cabinets. Donate any unopened, unexpired items to your local food pantry. It’s also a great time to check your specialty appliances, utensils and gadgets — give away any unused items.

Expert Tip: “Declutter one drawer or cabinet per day to make the task more manageable.” — Gretchen Moen

The entryway

The entryway is a high-traffic area — especially when you’re hosting, so it can quickly become a catchall for coats, shoes and outdoor gear. “Consider setting up organized drop zones for each member of your family with functional pieces, like benches with storage,” says Victoria Tran, founder of Sorted. Bring in systems for shoe storage, hooks for jackets and sort through piles of mail. “January’s colder weather makes it a great time to organize the entryway, ensuring that coats and shoes are easily accessible,” adds Tonia Tomlin of Sorted Out.

Toys and kids’ items

Your kids probably received a lot of new toys and clothes last month. Get them involved in deciding what to keep and what to purge. “With the ‘one in, one out’ rule in mind, ask your children to consider letting go and donating some of their toys and clothes to make room for the new items they received over the holidays,” says Emily Mass, owner of Spaces by Emily.

Your desk

Returning to work after the holidays can be challenging — but an organized desk can put you more at ease. “A clean workspace can help boost productivity and reduce stress,” says Tomlin. “January is a great time to sort through paperwork, files and office supplies that have piled up throughout the year.”

The new year is an excuse to get your finances in order — especially with tax season coming up. “Winter weather often keeps us indoors, so you have the time,” says Kozlowski. Sort through old doctor bills, tax documents and other financial paperwork, creating organized folders (whether digital or physical).

Digital devices

Once you’ve organized your physical spaces, consider a digital declutter — think emails, photos, apps and cloud storage. “Technology decluttering takes priority this year,” says Kozlowski, who also suggests consolidating streaming services and digital subscriptions.

“Many people start the year by organizing their digital files and emails,” adds Tomlin. “This helps reduce digital clutter, making it easier to find documents and stay organized in a tech-heavy world.”

SOURCE: GOODHOUSEKEEPING.COM

These sweet little air fresheners couldn’t be easier to make!

From Country Living:

One of these DIY Christmas tree-shaped air fresheners will keep a car, closet, or office smelling fresh. Added bonus—they are made with essential oils, so no nasty chemicals involved.

To make: Trace the shape of a wooden Christmas tree ornament on a scrap of fabric twice. Cut out and glue to the front and back of the ornament. Once dry, soak the fabric with an essential oil of your choice (we used cedar). Thread twine through the ornament loop for hanging.

Depending on which ornaments you can find at the dollar store, you can match your essential oil to the shape. For example, a gingerbread man ornament?  Use ginger.  Buy a candy cane?  Use peppermint essential oil.  And another nice oil for trees would be pine!

SOURCE: COUNTRYLIVING.COM