Muesli: A Breakfast Recipe Super Star

Finding something for breakfast that is healthy, tasty and that will sustain you until lunch, can be a tricky thing. One of my breakfast’s go- to’s, and something that has it all, is MUESLI.

What is muesli?

Muesli, pronounced “MEWZ-lee” is a cold oatmeal dish based on rolled oats and ingredients like grains, nuts, seeds and fresh or dried fruits. This mix may be combined with one or more liquids like milk, almond milk, other plant milks, yogurt and left for a time to soften the oats before being consumed.

It was developed around 1900 by a Swiss physician Maximilian Bircher-Benner for patients in his hospital, where a diet rich in fresh fruit and vegetables was an essential part of therapy. Muesli was not originally intended as a breakfast food, but as an appetizer similar to bread and butter.

Need something substantial for breakfast?

My system does not do well with the standard breakfast of pancakes and eggs, or even most rain cereals. If I eat those kinds of foods for breakfast, I am hungry and searching for something to at 10:00 am.

When I eat my muesli, it will be like 1:00 in the afternoon, and I’ll look at the clock and realize that, wow I should probably eat some lunch. (Now that is not typical for me). I am usually snacking and ready for my lunch by 11:00. I love this stuff.

It is very easy to make and tastes GREAT!

This is just the basic ingredients, but feel free to add or delete whatever you please. I don’t really measure things out, just throw things in.

Muesli Ingredients:

In your blender or food processor, add

Raw, (if at all possible) Unpasteurized Almonds- 1 cup
A couple handfuls of Walnuts- 1 cup
About a 1/2 cup of Old Fashioned Rolled Oats
A few Soft Medjool dates (with the pits removed) or pre-chopped dates work too. (The soft Medjool dates make it taste almost like caramel apples) I get my dates at Costco.

Pulse until the nuts are chopped well, but not too fine.

If you blend too long, it will get soft and become nut butter.

Take the mixture out of your blender and add some of these optional ingredients.

***UPDATE 2/27/2023

I have found a new chopper that I absolutely love for chopping nuts.

Cinnamon to taste ( a couple of teaspoons)
Chia Seeds (which are chuck full of nutrition) check out this site for more info
Ground Flax Seeds are good and good for you.
Dried Unsweetened Coconut
Raw Sesame Seeds

I like to make a bunch and put it in a zip bag or container and keep it in the freezer for the rest of the family to eat during the week.

Add a Cored Apple to your blender.

Pulse until chopped well.

A SIMPLE cheese grater works nicely too, or you can use this handy device that is great for chopping fruits and veggies.

Add some plain YOGURT, CHOPPED STRAWBERRIES, BLUEBERRIES, CHOPPED BANANA or whatever else your heart desires.

Top with a little grade B pure maple syrup.

(Grade B has not been stripped of the many beneficial minerals and nutrients) I prefer the taste of it over the grade A.

LEARN HOW TO EASILY MAKE YOUR OWN GREEK YOGURT HERE.

The nut mix in itself can be a breakfast entree. Pour milk, nut milk, rice, oat milk or soy milk over the top for a non-grain cereal option.

It’s almost like dessert for breakfast.

Muesli: A Breakfast Recipe Super Star

An easy to make grain free breakfast. Yummy oats, nut mix, berries and yogurt or nut milk make a hearty meal to start your day.

Prep Time10 min
Total Time10 min
Serving Size4 Servings

Course
- Breakfast
Cooking Method
- Blender

Ingredients

- Raw, (if at all possible) Unpasteurized Almonds- 1 cup
- A couple handfuls of Walnuts- 1 cup
- About a 1/2 cup of Old Fashioned Rolled Oats
- A few Soft Medjool dates (with the pits removed) or pre-chopped dates work too. (The soft Medjool dates make it taste almost like caramel apples) I get my dates at Costco.

INSTUCTIONS

1

PULSE nuts, oats, and dates UNTIL THE NUTS ARE CHOPPED WELL, BUT NOT TOO FINE. If you blend too long, it will get soft and become nut butter.

2

TAKE THE MIXTURE OUT OF YOUR BLENDER AND ADD the other ingredients.

3

Add the apple to the blender and pulse to chop. Or chop with knife, veggie cutter or grater.

4

ADD SOME PLAIN YOGURT, CHOPPED STRAWBERRIES, BLUEBERRIES, CHOPPED BANANA OR WHATEVER ELSE YOUR HEART DESIRES.

5

Add some plain YOGURT, CHOPPED STRAWBERRIES, BLUEBERRIES, CHOPPED BANANA or whatever else your heart desires.

6

TOP WITH A LITTLE GRADE B PURE MAPLE SYRUP. (GRADE B HAS NOT BEEN STRIPPED OF THE MANY BENEFICIAL MINERALS AND NUTRIENTS) I PREFER THE TASTE OF IT OVER THE GRADE A.

7

The nut mix in itself can be a breakfast entrée. Pour milk, nut milk, rice, oat milk or soy milk over the top for a non-grain cereal option.

Jan Howell

My intention for this website is to share tips and tutorials that I have found on my journey of life that has brought me joy, improved health, and peace, in hopes that it will do the same for you. I hope you'll join me on this journey!

Share:

Connect:

Jan Howell

Whether it’s a new recipe, a fun craft, or some handy tips for your garden and home, I hope to empower and inspire you with skills that you can use to create joy, improved health, and to do it in a simple way.

breakfast ideas breakfast recipe grain free Greek Yogurt healthy eating nuts and seeds breakfast

How To Make Healing Salve

You don’t have to be a serious herbalist or witch doctor to make your own healing salve. It is really very easy to whip up and you won’t ever go back to Neosporin or whatever else you are using for

cuts
scrapes
bug bites
diaper rash
lip balm
dry skin

My family uses this a ton!

We recently ran out of our stock of salve, and it’s not like you can just run to the store and grab some, so I got out my supplies and whipped up a batch. I thought I would take a few photos while in the process and share how to make it with you.

SUPPLIES that you will need:

ovenproof pan for infusing oil

cheesecloth
double boiler or two saucepans for melting wax
sterile containers (glass baby food jars, empty recycled hair product or face lotion jars work great)
labels
wooden skewers or spoon

INGREDIENTS:

4 cups Olive Oil ( I buy the big jar of olive oil at Costco)
1 1/4 cup Dried Herbs (I use 1/2 cup calendula, 1/2 cup plantain, 1/4 cup comfrey leaf)
4 – 6 oz Bees Wax (depending on how thick you want it)
1 Tablespoon Vitamin E Oil (helps salve from going rancid)
30 drops each Essential Oils – Tea Tree (Melaleuca), Peppermint, Lavender

*Note: you can alter the types of herbs and essential oils that you put in your salve depending on what your needs are. If you don’t already have these supplies, it may seem like a big investment to make a healing salve. However, the oils and vit E will last a very long time, and you’ll be able to use them for other things.

I like this blend because of the amazing properties of these herbs and oils, making it a great GO TO salve for just about anything.

I am one who likes to know the WHY about what ingredients are in the products I am using. So here is the scoop.

CALENDULA:

Calendula has a long history of use as a wound-healing and skin-soothing botanical.

PLANTAIN:

Plantain is a low-growing herb (weed). It is most often used for stings and bites.

COMFREY:

It is well known to assist healing in any part of the body that is torn or broken.

*If you grow these herbs, dry them and store them in an air tight zip bag so you can make salve anytime. You can also just buy the herbs at your local health food store or online. I like Starwest Botanicals

TEA TREE Essential OIL:

Renowned for its cleansing and rejuvenating
effect on the skin.
Skin irritations

LAVENDER essential OIL:

Widely used for its calming and relaxing qualities.
Soothes occasional skin irritations.
You want to make sure you use good quality, pure essential oils when making salves and tinctures. When making cleaning supplies, it is not as important. If you would like to know where I buy most of my oils, send me a note.

Let’s get started!

1- Preheat your oven to the lowest setting (150 – 170 degrees)

Measure the dry herbs and put them in an oven proof pan

2- Cover with 4 cups olive oil and stir.

Place oil and herbs in oven and heat for 4-5 hours. Heating the oil infuses the properties of the herbs into the oil.

3- Place a few layers of cheesecloth over a bowl or pan.

When the oil has cooled a bit, pour the herb mixture over the cheesecloth to strain. Squeeze out all the oil.

4- Then I like to strain it again through a piece of 100 % cotton fabric.

5- Melt the bees wax.

I have an old pan that I use only for melting my wax in and I keep it wrapped in a plastic bag when not in use. Place that pan in another wider pan with water in it.

It is VERY important that you don’t get ANY water in the wax, or this will promote spoiling of your salve.

Melt the wax, stirring frequently. (This smells so yummy)

6- Prepare jars

Make sure jars are clean! You can sterilize them by placing them in a pot of boiling water for a few minutes. I usually just make sure they have been cleaned with hot soapy water and dried thoroughly.

7- Add the melted wax to the oil, and mix well.

*By using a wooden skewer to stir with, you will save wasting a bunch of salve that will stick to the spoon.

To test the consistency of the salve, take a spoon and dip into the mixture. Take it out and let it cool a few seconds. Test the consistency. This is the time to add more wax if it is too runny.

8- Add the essential oils and vitamin E now and mix well.

MOVE QUICKLY.

9- Pour the salve into the jars.

You will need to stir in between pourings to keep things mixed up.

You may even need to heat it up a bit if it starts to set up. (Just don’t heat very long at all and use a very low setting, so you don’t loose all the properties of the essential oils.)

Don’t you just love the beautiful green color, and it smells FABULOUS!

I love these little travel-size tins!

I always double the batch because there is always someone who wants a jar, and they make great gifts or party favors.

The jars that you are not currently using, store in the refrigerator so they will last longer and not go rancid.

There you have it, a salve that is chuck full of healing goodness.

You may also be interested in my natural deodorant recipe and tutorial.

Enjoy!

How To Make Healing Salve

An amazing salve for cuts, scrapes, dry skin, and more!

Prep Time5 min
Total Time5 min
Yield4 Batches
Meta LabelLabel Value

Ingredients

Supplies List:

- Oven proof pan for infusing oil
- cheese cloth
- Double boiler or two sauce pans for melting wax
- Sterile containers (glass baby food jars, empty recycled hair product or face lotion jars work great)
- Labels
- Wooden skewers or spoon

Ingredients:

- 4 cups Olive Oil ( I buy the big jar of olive oil at Costco)
- 1 1/4 cup Dried Herbs (I use 1/2 cup calendula, 1/2 cup plantain, 1/4 cup comfrey leaf)
- 4 – 6 oz Bees Wax (depending how thick you want it)
- 1 Tablespoon Vitamin E Oil (helps salve from going rancid)
- 30 drops each Essential Oils – Tea Tree (Melaleuca), Peppermint, Lavender

INSTUCTIONS

1

Preheat your oven to the lowest setting (150 – 170 degrees)

Measure the dry herbs and put them in an oven proof pan

2

Cover with 4 cups olive oil and stir.

Place oil and herbs in oven and heat for 4-5 hours. Heating the oil infuses the properties of the herbs into the oil.

3

Place a few layers of cheesecloth over a bowl or pan.

When the oil has cooled a bit, pour the herb mixture over the cheesecloth to strain. Squeeze out all the oil.

4

Then I like to strain it again through a piece of 100 % cotton fabric.

5

Melt the bees wax.

I have an old pan that I use only for melting my wax in and I keep it wrapped in a plastic bag when not in use. Place that pan in another wider pan with water in it.

It is VERY important that you don’t get ANY water in the wax, or this will promote spoiling of your salve.

Melt the wax, stirring frequently. (This smells so yummy)

6

Prepare jars

Make sure jars are clean! You can sterilize them by placing them in a pot of boiling water for a few minutes. I usually just make sure they have been cleaned with hot soapy water and dried thoroughly.

7

Add the melted wax to the oil, and mix well.

*By using a wooden skewer to stir with, you will save wasting a bunch of salve that will stick to the spoon.

To test the consistency of the salve, take a spoon and dip into the mixture. Take it out and let it cool a few seconds. Test the consistency. This is the time to add more wax if it is too runny.

8

Add the essential oils and vitamin E now and mix well.

MOVE QUICKLY.

9

Pour the salve into the jars.

You will need to stir in between pourings to keep things mixed up.

You may even need to heat it up a bit if it starts to set up. (Just don’t heat very long at all and use a very low setting, so you don’t loose all the properties of the essential oils.)

Don’t you just love the beautiful green color, and it smells FABULOUS!

Jan Howell

My intention for this website is to share tips and tutorials that I have found on my journey of life that has brought me joy, improved health, and peace, in hopes that it will do the same for you. I hope you'll join me on this journey!

Share:

Connect:

Jan Howell

Whether it’s a new recipe, a fun craft, or some handy tips for your garden and home, I hope to empower and inspire you with skills that you can use to create joy, improved health, and to do it in a simple way.

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10 Simple Gift Wrapping Ideas: Brown Paper Charm

Let the gift wrapping begin!

I’m all about simple when it comes to wrapping presents. I like to use items that are unique, available, and even repurposed. Brown craft paper and twine are some of my most favorite ways to wrap a present.

Those of you who know me, and perhaps received a gift from me, know that I like my brown paper and twine. I have to tell you something about the twine. Years ago I was shopping at Restorations Hardware (back when they had cool home stuff) and found this HUGE thing of twine. I got the whole deal for like $5. I don’t think I’ll ever run out.

You can get it online HERE.

So obviously, I use it for EVERYTHING. But you know, it works for so many things. You can dress it up, or be rustic and casual with your crafting.

Ya, ok I also have a thing for brown craft paper as well. I used to print and sell my clipboard calendars on brown paper, which was an icon of mine for years until I stopped printing them.

You can get brown craft paper on rolls quite cheap at stores, or you can also just use an upcycled brown paper bag.

10 Gift Wrapping Ideas

1- Colored Rubber Bands

Seriously, how simple can it be? Just wrap a few, or a lot of colored rubber bands around a small box and top with a bow. You are good to go. I love having a bag of colored rubber bands around, they really do come in quite handy for a lot of things.

2- Reindeer Box

Kids and adults like getting a gift wrapped up like a cute little reindeer.

What you need:

brown paper or brown paper bag
2 brown/black pipe cleaners
glue gun/glue
black marker
red pom, pom

This example is just for a small box, but you could use a bigger pom, pom and larger antlers if you wanted.

Instructions:

Wrap your gift in brown paper
Glue the nose, using a glue gun, to the front end.
Draw on the eyes and mouth.
Fold a pipe cleaner in half, and just start forming the antlers in random lengths. They don’t have to be exact.
Leave about a 1 inch folded tab on the bottom for gluing.

3- Dried Orange Slices

Several posts ago, I showed you how to dry orange slices. The bright orange color adds such a cheery look to any craft project AND gift wrapping.

Instructions:

Dry the orange slices (video directions HERE)
Apply to package using a hot glue gun.
Wrap the package with a few loops of twine (optional).

4- Paper bag sewn closed with sewing machine stitching

This particular brown paper bag gift wrapping is embellished with some sprigs of Elderberry bush. I love how the blue berries and greenery look against the brown bag.

I have also added a tulle bow. Tulle is a fun fabric to work with. There are so many fun things to make with it, including a simple tied bow.

Instructions:

Using a sewing machine is a fun unique way to seal the top of a gift bag. You can use a variety of stitches and colors of thread to give the look of your choice.

Place the gift inside the bag and fold the top over several times. You can cut off some of the bags if it is too tall.
Take it to the sewing machine and sew across the top. Get creative and play around with different types of stitches and colors.
Embellish the bag with a bow, sprig of greenery, bell, or whatever you fancy.

5- Mini Rosemary Wreath

I absolutely LOVE rosemary. Rosemary is awesome to cook with, craft with, and just enjoy the look in the garden. I am lucky enough to have a place on the South side of my house where it thrives and doesn’t freeze in the winter. We go out even during the winter to clip off some sprigs for a recipe or crafting.

Rosemary smells AMAZING! Adding a little sprig or wreath of rosemary not only adds such charm to a gift but also a clean aroma.

Items you’ll need:

A fresh sprig of rosemary. (Dried rosemary will crack when bending).
Floral wire or tape (2 strips cut to approximately 2 inches)
Ribbon for the bow (optional)

Instructions:

Cut a sprig of rosemary long enough to make the desired size of the wreath. (approximately 7-8 inches)
Bend the sprig to form a circle, overlapping ends about an inch.
Take the wires and wrap them around the ends to secure them in place. Try to wrap underneath the little leaves to hide the wires.
Embellish with a bow (optional)
Using a glue gun, apply to a gift package.

6- Bias Tape Trim with Button

Homemade bias tape is a fun way to add a fabric trim to any gift. Who would’ve thought? Such a fun way to add color to any gift wrapping. Just think of all the little fabric prints that you could use. You can just use a solid color of bias tape if you want. That you can buy at the store in several sizes and colors. But colors are limited, and they don’t sell printed bias tape.

I have a tutorial on how to make your own bias tape. You can locate the video HERE.

What you’ll need:

A strip of bias tape.
Hot glue gun/glue
Button or bow for the top (optional)

Instructions:

Simply wrap around the gift overlap about an inch.
Cut
Using a glue gun, glue the end of the trim to the backside, then overlap the other end and glue in place.
Leave just as it is, or embellish with a shiny button or whatever you choose.

7- Buttons, buttons, buttons

Here’s a fun way to use those buttons you’ve been saving. Am I the only one who has a jar, or two, of random colored and sized buttons? I eventually use them for something. Not only do I use them, but I also love the look of a jar filled with multi-colored gems sitting on my shelf.

What you need:

Handpicked buttons of your choice. Enough to cover the area you want.
Hot glue gun/glue
Twine for wrapping (optional)

Instructions:

Handpick and arrange the buttons in a way you like before gluing.
Keep them there, and one at a time add a dollop of glue to each button and adhere to the package.
Do the same thing with each button.
Wrap with a string of ribbon or jute (optional)

8- Holiday Baubles and Twine

Go through your Christmas decorations and look for a little miniature of things. These mini plastic bulbs look so cute tied up on a package.

Instructions:

Tie an arrangement of bulbs together with a thin piece of ribbon or cording.
Wrap the gift with jute or ribbon and insert the loop with the bulbs and tie a bow.

Simple, straight forward addition to any gift.

9- Rosemary & Bells

Little jingle bells are a great way to add a festive look to a holiday gift.

Items you’ll need:

jingle bells
ribbon or twine
rosemary or other greenery sprigs

Instructions:

String the bells onto a strip of ribbon or twine. (I love this red & white twine)!
Wrap the gift with twin, inserting the loop of bells.
Tie a bow.
Tuck the sprigs of rosemary under the twine.

Simple greenery & twine

One last shout out for ROSEMARY.

Just a few sprigs of rosemary, or any other greenery, tucked under a bow of twine is a classic and natural look.

So there you have it, a few gift wrapping ideas perhaps you haven’t thought of.

Perhaps this will get your brain thinking outside the box as far as gift wrapping goes. Don’t stop at the standard way of wrapping gifts, look inside your craft box, and use what you have!

Have fun wrapping!

Jan Howell

My intention for this website is to share tips and tutorials that I have found on my journey of life that has brought me joy, improved health, and peace, in hopes that it will do the same for you. I hope you'll join me on this journey!

Share:

Connect:

Jan Howell

Whether it’s a new recipe, a fun craft, or some handy tips for your garden and home, I hope to empower and inspire you with skills that you can use to create joy, improved health, and to do it in a simple way.

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5 DIY Christmas Craft & Gift Ideas

Yep, the holiday season is here and I’m feeling the intensity of all the hustle and bustle. ARE YOU? There is a big part of me that wants to just nestle in and make some kind of Christmas craft. Christmas would just not be the same without a DIY project of some kind.

I hope you’re carving out a little time to just chill and create something festive. It doesn’t have to be a major thing, sometimes it’s those simple little projects that are the most rewarding. If you want a little project or Christmas craft to whip up, here are a few fun ideas.

1- Orange Pomanders

I have been making orange pomanders for years and it just doesn’t seem like Christmas until we have made a few orange pomanders. I love the cheery orange and green color they add to the holiday decor, and the citrus clove aroma is amazing!

It is a fun, easy project to make with the kids. This is a good time to sit, turn on some Christmas music, and enjoy each other’s company while you make something fun for the holidays.

You can find the complete tutorial HERE.

2- Christmas Stockings

It’s always fun to have a unique Christmas stocking, and one that is made from a variety of upcycled sweaters is the best! Of course, you can make these from woven cotton fabric as well.

In this tutorial, I walk you through the process, which is quite easy and quick. You can find the tutorial and pattern link HERE.

3- sweater stars

These little stars are a unique little craft. They can be made from upcycled sweaters, which really give them a cozy texture, or knit and woven fabric pieces can also be used.

You can embellish them with a cute button, jingle bell or felted wool ball.

These stars are cut hung on a doorknob, hung on the tree, or sitting on a cupboard.

See the tutorial and get the FREE PATTERN HERE.

4- felted wool mistletoe

I love having greenery in my house in the winter and a cute little sprig of mistletoe with its contrasting white berries and a red ribbon hung above the door is a breath of fresh air to me and a great way to get a few more of those heartfelt kissaroos. Who couldn’t use a little more loven in your home?

This is a fun and unique way to use a piece of felted wool. Regular felt pieces can also be used.

The tutorial can be found HERE.

5- Dish soap gift

If you’re looking for a NON-FOOD gift for your neighbors or friends, this dish soap idea is kinda fun. A plate of cookies or Christmas candy is a nice gift, but sometimes I like to give something that is not SWEETS and a little more practical.

I love Mrs. Meyers’s holiday scent soaps. The pine and peppermint scents are so yummy. You can get the whole story and free PDF download HERE.

There you have it, 5 Christmas crafts to choose from. I hope you’ll take the time to slow down, gather your family and friends and enjoy some holiday crafting.

Seasons Greetings!

Jan Howell

My intention for this website is to share tips and tutorials that I have found on my journey of life that has brought me joy, improved health, and peace, in hopes that it will do the same for you. I hope you'll join me on this journey!

Connect:

Jan Howell

Whether it’s a new recipe, a fun craft, or some handy tips for your garden and home, I hope to empower and inspire you with skills that you can use to create joy, improved health, and to do it in a simple way.

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DIY Sewing Machine Bookbinding: Paper Meets Fabric

Two of my favorite materials to work with are unique PAPERS and FABRIC. In this DIY bookbinding tutorial, I am going to show you a project where the paper meets fabric. Bookbinding has always fascinated me and I have dappled in different ways to do it. In this post, I will be showing you how to bind a booklet using a sewing machine and how to apply a strip of fabric or (of course) a strip of an upcycled sweater.

I use this sewing method all the time when I make booklets to put in my traveler’s journal. Such a unique way to add charm to your planning!

It’s really quite simple, and of course, there is always a feeling of satisfaction that comes with it. The joy of making something with your own hands is what motivates those of us who like to diy (DO IT YOURSELF).

The thing is, if I’m going to spend time making something, it better be useful. These little booklets are very useful.

What do you use these booklets for?

Journals

Calendars

Notes

Health journals (I print out a monthly health journal and this bookbinding method works like a charm).
Sketch booklet
Gifts

There are several ways to finish the binding edge: fabrics, felt, thin felted sweater, or nothing at all. There are times when I just bind the center without fabric like my health journals. These are something that I print out every month.

Items and things you’ll need for this DIY bookbinding project

7-10 sheets of paper (any size)
Cardstock cover paper (optional)
Sewing machine
Paper clips
Scissors
Extra sheet of paper that is cut the same size as your inner sheets for guide (I recommend using a paper that is a different color than the booklet paper, so you can have a contrast)
Durable needle for your machine (universal size 100, or denim needle works great)
Ruler
paper cutter (optional) I really like this one and have had it for years!
Exacto knife
Corner punch (optional)

Fabric Binding

Fabric strip cut to 1 ½ inches x length of booklet PLUS 1 inch
Heat & Bond (lite) cut the same as your fabric strip
Iron and ironing board

FELT OR SWEATER

A strip of felt or felted sweater cut 1 ¾ inch x length of booklet PLUS 1 inch (You don’t want the fabric to be too bulky or thick).

Bookbinding Instructions

Watch the Video Tutorial Here on YouTube

If using a printed calendar or planner pages, download, and print.

Cut paper to the desired size.

Fabric Style Binding

1 -Cut strip of fabric and Heat & Bond.

2- Place fabric strip face down on the ironing board. Apply bonding strip with the bumpy side next to the fabric. Line up edges and press using an iron without steam.

3- Let that cool while you sew the pages.
4- Take your cover sheet (card stock) and place paper stack on top of that. (I recommend testing your sewing machine to see how much paper it will handle) Most machines are able to handle up to 7-10 sheets.

5- Fold your guide sheet in half and place it on the left side of the paper stack. Line up edges and paperclip in place.

6- Take it to the sewing machine and sew along the edge of the guide paper. Backstitch at the beginning and end of the seam. Clip threads

7- Starting from the top sheet, start folding the papers in over to make a center crease. Do one side of the notebook and then the other.

You’ll notice that the inner pages will hang over a bit, no worries.

8- Take the Exacto knife and using a ruler, slice off the excess paper. It will take several passes to cut through all the layers.

9- Pull off the paper strip from the Heat & Bond. Fold the strip in half lengthwise and finger press to make a crease.

10-Slide the booklet inside leaving about ½ inch overhanging. Make sure it is against the edge and press in place. Flip it over and press the other side.

Cut excess fabric off with scissors.

UPCYCLED SWEATER OR FELT BOOKBINDING

1- Take your calendar or paper stack and cut them in half.

(If using my printable calendars, fold the pages towards each other). If using plain paper sheets, arrange them so you have the outer cardstock on top and one on the bottom.

2- Paper clip the top, right side, and bottom of the paper stack together, lining up the edges.

3- Apply the right side of the sweater strip face down on the left side of the paper stack. Leave ½ on each end. Take it to the sewing machine and sew the fabric strip to the paper stack. Backstitch at the beginning and end of seam. Sew slowly making sure your machine can handle the thickness. Trim threads.

4- Fold the fabric strip around the edge to the front.

5- Keep the fabric pulled tight as you sew in “the ditch” of the previous seam. (Right next to the fabric edge) Backstitch at the beginning and end of seam.

6- Flip over and using your scissors, trim away excess fabric right next to the seam. Be careful not to cut into the seam. Clip off the excess fabric on the ends as well.

If your sweater fabric was prewashed and “felted” it should not fray. Some thick knit fabrics will also not fray and can be used as well as fleece. Get creative.You can round the corners of the booklet using a corner punch. (Optional)

Ta-dah!

Now wasn’t that a fun little bookbinding project.

Be sure to check out my post about the 2020 printable calendars that I have designed and that work great for bookbinding!

Stay tuned for some more bookbinding techniques coming up!

Jan Howell

My intention for this website is to share tips and tutorials that I have found on my journey of life that has brought me joy, improved health, and peace, in hopes that it will do the same for you. I hope you'll join me on this journey!

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Jan Howell

Whether it’s a new recipe, a fun craft, or some handy tips for your garden and home, I hope to empower and inspire you with skills that you can use to create joy, improved health, and to do it in a simple way.

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2020 Printable Calendars: Simple Minimalist Style

I just turned the last page on my calendar; where did the year go? Only one month until 2020. Are you calendar ready? My 2020 printable calendars are ready to roll. These simple minimalist style calendars are something I have been designing for over 25 years, and I can’t stop, because not only do I keep getting requests for them, I NEED THEM!

They are SIMPLE, functional, and have lots of room to write on. I’m a doodler and like to write down notes, so I need some open space. I also don’t like a lot fluff on my calendars, so the minimalist style really appeals to me.

I know a lot of you out there prefer a more modern way of planning, and use a digital calendar. I’m old school and still enjoy a hard copy to write on. So, if you’re like me, and like a paper calendar, you may be interested in these easy to print calendars.

2020 printable calendars

Clipboard Calendars

The clipboard calendar is one of my most wanted calendars. You can use it in so many different ways.

Meal planning, business planning, whatever you need to schedule, you can print one up for each area of your life. Put it in a clipboard, or hang it on your fridge where the whole family can see what’s going on.

I love these little magnetic clips.

There are three different clipboard calendars available this year, color script, black script and the watercolor calendar. You can read more about them HERE.

By the way, I do have planner stickers with my watercolor artwork available in my Etsy shop.

Planner Calendars

The planner calendar is something I personally use for ALL my planning. If I were to loose this, I would be in trouble. Everything in my life gets scheduled in here. I like it because it can fit in a ring binder, disc binder, or traveler’s notebook (which is what I prefer at the time).

Get the details HERE.

Pocket Planner Calendars

This pocket calendar is perfect for those who don’t like big and bulky. They measure 6.75 inches (16.51) cm x 4.5 inches (11.43) cm. and works well with B6 slim Traveler’s Notebooks, Midori, Fauxdori, junk journal or can be used alone.

I have them available in the watercolor style or simple black script.

Here is a video tutorial showing how to bind the planner calendars with fabric and upcycled sweater fabric. They are soooooo cute!

These make really fun charming and original gifts!

See the tutorial on how to bind the calendars.

So are you 2023 calendar ready?

Jan Howell

My intention for this website is to share tips and tutorials that I have found on my journey of life that has brought me joy, improved health, and peace, in hopes that it will do the same for you. I hope you'll join me on this journey!

Share:

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Jan Howell

Whether it’s a new recipe, a fun craft, or some handy tips for your garden and home, I hope to empower and inspire you with skills that you can use to create joy, improved health, and to do it in a simple way.

What is muesli?

Need something substantial for breakfast?

Muesli Ingredients:

In your blender or food processor, add

Pulse until the nuts are chopped well, but not too fine.

Take the mixture out of your blender and add some of these optional ingredients.

Add a Cored Apple to your blender.

Add some plain YOGURT, CHOPPED STRAWBERRIES, BLUEBERRIES, CHOPPED BANANA or whatever else your heart desires.

Top with a little grade B pure maple syrup.

Muesli: A Breakfast Recipe Super Star

Ingredients

INSTUCTIONS

Jan Howell

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SUPPLIES that you will need:

INGREDIENTS:

CALENDULA:

PLANTAIN:

COMFREY:

TEA TREE Essential OIL:

LAVENDER essential OIL:

Let’s get started!

1- Preheat your oven to the lowest setting (150 – 170 degrees)

2- Cover with 4 cups olive oil and stir.

3- Place a few layers of cheesecloth over a bowl or pan.

4- Then I like to strain it again through a piece of 100 % cotton fabric.

5- Melt the bees wax.

6- Prepare jars

7- Add the melted wax to the oil, and mix well.

8- Add the essential oils and vitamin E now and mix well.

9- Pour the salve into the jars.

The jars that you are not currently using, store in the refrigerator so they will last longer and not go rancid.

How To Make Healing Salve

Ingredients

INSTUCTIONS

Jan Howell

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10 Gift Wrapping Ideas

1- Colored Rubber Bands

2- Reindeer Box

3- Dried Orange Slices

4- Paper bag sewn closed with sewing machine stitching

5- Mini Rosemary Wreath

6- Bias Tape Trim with Button

7- Buttons, buttons, buttons

8- Holiday Baubles and Twine

9- Rosemary & Bells

Simple greenery & twine

Jan Howell

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The Latest

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1- Orange Pomanders

2- Christmas Stockings

3- sweater stars

4- felted wool mistletoe

5- Dish soap gift

Jan Howell

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What do you use these booklets for?

Calendars

Items and things you’ll need for this DIY bookbinding project

Fabric Binding

FELT OR SWEATER

Bookbinding Instructions

Fabric Style Binding

UPCYCLED SWEATER OR FELT BOOKBINDING

Jan Howell

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