Monday, June 13th was National Sewing Machine Day.  Yes, it's a real thing.  I was also skeptical so I Googled it.  It's real.  In honor of such an obscure and obviously special day,  Caught Red Threaded  is giving away two precut zipper pouch sewing kits!  How to enter: 1.  Visit  www.caughtredthreaded.com 2.  Come back to this post and leave a comment about your favorite item for sale by Caught Red Threaded and why that item speaks to you. 3.  Head over to  Facebook  and like  us  (if you already like our page, please leave a review, compliments are always welcome). It's just that simple.  The kit includes precut fabric, and a zipper.  It will also come with a link to detailed sewing/assembly instructions. My sewing machine works tirelessly for Caught Red Threaded.  Most items made are sold moment after they are finished.  In honor of National Sewing Machine Day, it's been given the...

My daughter has been asking for an emoji pillow since they first debuted 18 months ago. We can't walk into any mall without her fixating on the kiosk, begging to spend money that isn't hers. I'll admit, it's been tough holding my ground on this one. They aren't that expensive. But I know, like everything else in her hoard of a bedroom, she will notice it for a couple days, only for it to be lost in the rubble. Fast forward to this week... This same emoji-pillow-begging-daughter came up with a great idea. She wants to make her own emoji pillow. She told me all about what it should look like, and even presented a drawing.  Now this is an idea I am on board with 100%!  I love that she enjoys crafting, and that she has enough knowledge to know how to draw out a design, choose materials, and then create it.  To make this emoji pillow, you will need the following materials: Sewing machine  Thread 1/2 Yard Yellow Fabric Scraps of Red, Bl...

A friend recently purchased a diffuser. She hemmed and hawed for days before buying it online from Amazon. She even turned down a Groupon offer (which was apparently very tempting!) before finalizing her decision.   So let's say you Google "essential oil diffuser".  Your search comes up with "about 525,000 results.  Of course the process is overwhelming.  Add to it, many people are novices and aren't sure the level of investment they want to make, let alone what style and size to pick.  Let me help you out by narrowing your search. Target  offers a small, but very affordable option.  This one retails for $19.99.  Travel friendly, it operates on batteries or with the included USB cord.  If you want something that will last 1-2 hours, then this is the product for you.  However, if you are looking for something with more oomph, I would recommend the next model. This diffuser by Now ranges in price from $35-$45, depending on the v...

Let's get one thing straight. Whether you are the type of person who attracts mosquitos or not, when you do experience a mosquito bite, your body's natural histamine response causes itching at the site. By itching, I don't just mean a simple itch relieved by a momentary scratching. I'm talking about wooden back-scratcher level of itchiness. And I hate to break it to you if you didn't already know, but scratching only makes it worse. Plus, from a hygienic perspective, it can be very unsanitary to scratch. Bacteria live on our skin. Think of yourself as the "host with the most". Bacteria are also opportunistic. If there's an open wound, say a freshly scratched to high hell mosquito bite, bacteria will set up a breeding program on the spot.  Now, I know you're a smart person. You don't want a skin infection. You didn't even ask for the mosquito bite in the first place; you were just mowing the lawn, enjoying your kid's baseball gam...

Prior to the move last summer to Wisconsin, friends shared the unofficial state bird of Wisconsin is the mosquito. It's "rainy season" here and the mosquito population is mounting. It also happens to be the start of tick season, which lasts until snow covers the ground once more. No one wants to find a tick biting them, in the same manner as no one really hopes to be the next mosquito bite victim. And as if having cellulite wasn't offensive enough, the site of a tick lodged into the back of your thigh is likely to send you into a Google search frenzy. Obviously I'm speaking from experience. Our home is too far north to be concerned about the Zika virus doing harm via mosquitos. Now a deer tick carrying Lyme Disease?  This is a real threat. As a way to limit my chances of playing host to thirsty parasites, I blended together essential oils. You can also save yourself a lot of time, angst, and itching by mixing up a batch of this all natural repellan...

It's rainy season in Wisconsin, and our house is starting to smell more like our long-haired chihuahua than anything else.  He's so close to the ground, a simple walk around the block leaves him muddy and soaked.  I've been playing around with essential oils to find (both the safest for the dog and most pleasant smelling for the people) just the right combination.  In the process, I discovered a few blends that work wonders on our little barking ball of fur. Many products for our pets, available at pet stores and big box retailers, contain harmful/toxic chemicals.  The same is true for the cleaning products we buy for our homes.  We purchase these items as unsuspecting consumers, thinking we are doing our home environment a favor.  In reality, we are creating a chemical storm.  It brews and does harm to our skin, lungs, eyes, etc.  Our fur babies are no exception when it comes to exposure to these harmful ingredients. Why choose essential ...

For nearly two decades, I have been making a version of this recipe that my Bubbie shared with me on the cusp of my 20th birthday. As an undergrad, apartment dweller, I was very proud of my newfound freedoms. When time and money allowed, my roommates and I would spend our time baking treats to eat and share with friends.  Bubbie's version of the recipe was top-secret. I didn't share it with anyone for at least ten years. Part of me was certain no one could make this recipe the way I could (I was young, what can I say?).  If I shared it with one person, how many others would have this coveted list of ingredients wrapped up into a chewy, delicious treat?  The thought of someone else sharing was even more distressing than my doing so in the first place. Once I got over myself, and I'm aware some things take longer than others, I shared this recipe with so much pride... Until it was pointed out to me by one of the recipients that it likely came from the back of a box.  H...