End ant invasions pronto with Talon gel

I have found a truly fantastic product which gets rid of ants like no other pest treatment I've ever seen. Upon my recent invasion of ants, the faithful old borax and sugar mix was barely making a dent in their numbers. I couldn't use my own kitchen bench, guests were commenting and while I hate killing anything, it was driving the whole family crazy.  Thank goodness for Talon Ant killer gel! It works immediately (I saw ants leaving food and running to this gel), they swarmed it and as the product promises, they are gone in 48 hours. I can leave food out on the bench now and there are none to be seen. The gel works for 14 days, but at $8 for 5ml, it is totally worth it!

A sticky end to nail biting

We found a low cost and easy solution to helping our daughter stop her nail biting habit. We used good quality sticking plasters and stuck them to the ends of each finger, cutting to fit where needed. It's best to use a 'good' brand like Band Aid, which will stay on for a while. These days, Kinesiology tape would probably be my go-to, as I think it sticks best (when heat activated). Sometimes I would paint the bitter tasting polish over the top of the sticking plaster as a reminder if her fingers got to her mouth. She was motivated to stop, and we promised she could have nice nail polish on when her nails grew out, so there was a carrot as well!

A much loved gift from Grandpa's shirts

While searching through the craft section in the Vault, I came across a contribution titled 'Loving keepsakes from recycled clothing'. This inspired me to write in and tell you what I did with my late husband's shirts.
 
He had a lot of flannelette check shirts, which he loved to wear in winter. I cut up the shirts into even squares, leaving the pockets on some squares - I replaced the pocket buttons with gold ones from my button tin. I then sewed the squares together and detailed them by sewing some bright blue ribbon down and across each section. After that, I backed the lot with a flannelette sheet – the end result was a lovely shirt rug!
 
I gave this rug as a keepsake to my seriously disabled grandson, who just loved his Grandpa to bits. My grandson could keep his treasures in the pockets I had left on the squares, as they had a flap that could be buttoned up.
 
Even though Grandpa's Shirt Rug is nearly worn out, my family will always think of it as a special keepsake. I thought you might like to read about my efforts; I just love making something new and useful from something old.

Wedding gift that won't burn your pocket

I have found a low-cost wedding gift that will last throughout any marriage. While it does not cost much, each part of the gift has meaning and it is great to give a close family member or friend. You will need to put together a nice bunch of candles, in pairs of the following colours: white, green, dark blue, pink, cream, red, purple, light blue and silver.

Wrap the candles up with a ribbon or put them in a decorative box or basket, with the following poem attached (author unknown):

A basket of candles that come in a pair
In all different colours, for you two to share
The white ones burn first
They are wrapped in white lace
To celebrate your first married night
In your new chosen place.
The green pair is taller, and also much thinner
Burn with the first company you have over for dinner
The dark blue candles are for after your first fight
Use them to burn while making up all night
Pink candles set the mood and pave the way
For your first married Valentine's Day
Now, when your first year of marriage is through
the cream anniversary pair will light for you two.
Red candles aflame, both your futures are bright
Celebrate promotions you've worked toward with all of your might.
By this time we hope, maybe, just maybe
You can light the purple ones, on the birth of your baby.
And just when you thought you'd put these away
Take the light blue ones out for your fifth anniversary day.
Now just one more pair left for the big 25
The anniversary pair that will keep your love alive.
Congratulations Bride and Groom (insert name here)
On the start of your forever
May the two of you always be happy together
And burn these candles
Just the way we said
But please don't forget - blow them out before bed!