Dusting......

 I think I'll dust and clean the cobwebs and blog a little.  It's therapeutic if nothing else. :)  Perhaps I'll I do a little update first. Life doesn't always go as planned.  

A Letter to Heaven

Dear Daddy,
   I sure am missing you today. There is so much I'd love to tell you. I like to think that God lets you look down from heaven and see the happy times. You would be so proud of momma. Not only graduating at 78 but with a 3.75 GPA. Brooke has somehow never forgotten you even though she was only 9 months old when you went to heaven. She seemed to think Darrell was you at times but seemed confused about his voice.  She's taking piano lessons and wants to go back to the violin before too long. She's also talkative and a tad sassy. She would keep you laughing, I know, and she would have you wrapped around her finger. Christopher started guitar lessons like you wanted him to.  He is amazing and loves his music. He has so many guitars. He loves cars like you did, too. He owns 3 right now and one he is rebuiling the engine in.  You would have enjoyed working with him on it. He's dating an amazing girl named Skye and you would so love her, just like we do. Elizabeth had a little girl on your birthday 3 years ago. Do you happen to know about that? Perhaps you had something to do with it? :-)  It just seems like something you would do. Marianne never meets a stranger and loves talking to people just like her great grandpa. She's gorgeous and so smart.  You'd love Mark, too, and be so proud of him and Elizabeth. Elaine graduated from college. You were so proud of her for going back. And one more thing....I can play that little "Floyd Cramer lick" on the piano that you loved so much. I hope I can play it for you in heaven. I know you always wanted me to learn that.
I hope your birthday celebration is awesome. I know in heaven it couldn't be anything but awesome. I love you, daddy, and miss you. I don't know how long before I see you again but I WILL!  Heaven is my ultimate goal!

My Momma

     I'm sitting here tonight feeling a lot of emotions. It's kind of funny because the roles are reversed but in a good way. In just 2 days my momma, at the age of 78, will be walking down the aisle to receive her college diploma.

My sister and I will be decorating her table and beaming with pride as the daughters, instead of the mother.

 I think back to Oct. 28, 1996, when the dr came out of the OR where momma was having emergency heart surgery and told us she was gone. They were still working with her but the 1% chance they could bring her back she would most likely be in a vegatative state for the rest of her life. Using the paddles 3 times, being 14 minutes without oxygen to her vital organs, they replaced and repaired what they could and now said she had a 20% chance of living. It wasn't an easy recovery but God wasn't done. When she was finally weaned off of the breathing machine and able to talk she told the surgeon "thank you" for what he had done. He had just said to her, "You know we lost you."  The surgeon looked at her, pointed to heaven and said, "Don't thank me, Thank Him"  They couldn't even give her a time of how much longer she had to live because they said she shouldn't have lived. (The drs weren't even able to find enough good veins to replace all the bad one's and she had a diseased heart) In Oct. 2014, it will have been 18 years. Momma took care of daddy, who was paraplegic, until he passed away in 2000, finished high school and graduated at the ACE headquarters in TN, pastored a church, went to Israel, and is now graduating college. No one need ever tell me that my God is dead or that He isn't still working miracles. My momma is a miracle and I thank God everyday for her. I never want to take for granted how blessed I am to have Geraldine Francis as my momma and that God allowed me to see, first hand, that He still works miracles today.

March 2014 Creative Dare - I Am

I'm so glad Tracy challenges us because there are times I just think I don't have it in me and then.....she challenges and I find creativity, enjoyment, gratification......well, all you that join in, I know you understand what I'm trying to say.  :-)  I used a background that I had made some time ago and used glaze pens, sharpies, pitt pen, a white pen, watercolors, rub-ons, washi tape, and a white and black charcoal pencil. It was fun and "I Am" trying to "Embrace" (my word of the year) who "I Am" instead of being so critical of myself and how God made me.  :-)

Thank you, Tracy, for........everything!  

If you would like to join in......Check out Tracy's blog here. :-)

2014 Creative Dare

I'm so thankful for Tracy Weinzapfel Burgos and the Mixed Media Monday Group for the encouragement to create when sometimes.....I just don't think I have it in me.  Here is my entry for the January Creative Dare . My word is "Embrace"

Word of the Year Search

Once upon a time there was a mom who loved her family so much but was struggling. Struggling against the sicknesses that kept her from doing the things that a mother usually does. A wife, a daughter, a sister, a friend, a Sunday School teacher and much more but I just couldn't do it all. I wanted to so badly and it would make me so frustrated the tears would come. I would pray over and over, "Lord, if you'll just let me feel a little bit good tomorrow, I just want to feel like getting up."  Ok, so I didn't get a miracle and even after 3 surgeries, numerous tests, and doctors, I still have a lot of health issues. But.....sometimes God doesn't choose to heal you or take away the pain for reasons only known to Him. It doesn't mean He doesn't care. He just sees those things down the road and what you're going to need to make it through those. Ah, but he sent me a friend. Not just a friend but someone who taught me that in spite of my pain and frustrations I can make beauty. Lots of beauty all around me. And then she introduced me to one of the most loving group of people that have been there for me through so many things. When I didn't want my family to know how much I was worried I could tell them all about it, ask for prayers and I received some of the most encouraging words that were what I needed. When I first began watching  Tracy Weinzapfel I thought art journaling was one of the craziest things I'd ever seen. People made a huge mess of a page, slapped more mess on it, scribbled on it and called it "Art Journaling"? No beauty or art could I see. lol  Then Tracy taught me the true beauty of art journaling and became not only my teacher but an amazing friend. What I love about her....She is real! She is kind to everyone and tries so hard to make sure she doesn't miss giving each new member a welcome to the Mixed Media Monday group and encourages each new artist even though we have grown to over 500!   I haven't done much creating since October but they love me anyway!  haha  They continued to encourage me and they've encouraged me right into creating again and it feels so good!!!  Love that Angie and I are challenging each other.  I just don't have a word for the year and asked for help. MMM came through once again and I decided to write down words from everyone that posted. It didn't stop there. Since I still don't have my word chosen......I got out that page that Yvonne encouraged me to underwrite on (and boy, did I ever lol) and began to create. Now there are all those beautiful words I wrote down on that page and the reminder of the wonderful things my friends said to me. It isn't my most beautiful page ever but it makes me so happy.  I also tried some things out that I had wanted to try so I could share some alternatives for supplies with others that can't afford some of the more pricey things. It worked!  :-)

Angie.....On the left is how the page looked before (minus the flower I drew lol) If you look close at the top photo on the right you can see the underwriting faintly.  These are before I started outlining all my flowers.

On the left is my finished page.  I used a homemade gesso (Shannon Green). It's great if you like texture which I do. I had heard that you could use eye shadow for shimmer sprays. Then I got to thinking (scary, I know lol) Could you use other makeup? My daughter thought it sounded good and got me some things to try. Then I bought a kit on clearance after Christmas. The upper pink flower was done in lipstick with blush rubbed on top. It is outlined in liquid eyeliner. The stem of the orange flower is done in green eye shadow. Different colors. I found you can use the eye shadow as a chalk to get one effect or wet it and use it like a paint for a different effect. I'm still experimenting but you can get a lot of things at the $1 store, $ General, etc. I sure hope this help some of you. We went through a really rough time a couple years ago when hubby's company almost went under so I understand how you can long to create but not have the funds to buy fun stuff.  

Whew!  I really shouldn't try to make up 2 months in one post! ;-)

I do want to say "Thank You" from the bottom of my heart to the awesome people at Mixed Media Mondays! So thankful for you!

Sept Mixed Media Monday Dare

  Check out Tracy's monthly dare and see all the great entries.
 http://tracywburgos.typepad.com/treasure_the_momentlove_l/2013/09/september-2013-creative-dare-share-your-home.html

 The background is used baby wipes from when I'm painting.  I tore the clouds and bush out of a baby wipe, too. The house is just background papers cut up.  I am tired and wasn't even going to do the dare since I've been so down because of physical issues but decided to "buck up" and do it.  I'll add more details later.

I used sequin waste and shelf liner for stamp texture.  Notice that my tree was an after thought and I had already done my cloud.  I may put some leaves there later.  lol  I did a little doodling and that made it fun.  The roof is from the paint roll off when I was playing with my gelli plate. 

The contentment is a little squished so I may redo it later. I actually loved doing this and it did help.  I should listen to Tracy more often.  :-)  And below is what happens when you decide to art journal to and from church. I now have a nice little pattern on my skirt.  lol

Watercolor - Another August Challenge

I just couldn't resist trying another watercolor! :-)  This one took 1 hour and 11 minutes. I didn't think I would enjoy watercolors as much as I do. The picture on the left was the inspiration for the page I did on the right. I did what Tracy would tell me to do....I made it my own! :-) Thanks again for always teaching something new and fun, Tracy!  http://tracywburgos.typepad.com/treasure_the_momentlove_l/2013/08/august-2013-creative-dare-let-it-go.html  Be sure to check out all the wonderful entries and if you haven't done yours this month.....well, what are you waiting for????  ;-)

Watercolors - August Challenge

This was my first "real" attempt at watercolors. I like to sketch things first so I can "perfect" them.  lol  I still need to do more doodling and put a quote but I found out that it can be fun to just start painting without following lines. :-)  I didn't time this one so it wasn't for the Challenge.  This one was inspired byt this Mixed Media Mondays video. 

This is my first watercolor for the august-2013-creative-dare-let-it-go. It took me 1 hour and 2 minutes!  :-) I was so into doing this page that I finished it at the rodeo we went to.  lol  I wonder if I'm the first person to art journal at a rodeo.  haha   I also love that Yvonne and I did similar paintings without knowing what the other was doing.  Great minds think alike! ;-)

I feel like I am constantly saying the same thing over and over but I am so thankful that I met Tracy and feel so blessed by all she's added to my life!

July's Creative Challenge

I think I had more fun with this challenge than usual!  I picked something totally "out of the box" for me but a style I've always thought was so whimsical and fun. I had been in a bit of a funk creatively and had went through some things that totally threw me for a loop. I love how getting involved with a challenge from Tracy can get your mind off of things and actually make you feel better. The words I used were things that helped me get through the tough time. There are still some things ahead health-wise and other but.......I do believe the worst is behind me.  :-)

I did the background with my homemade gelli plate and I just had to try the credit card lines that Tracy makes look so fun.  lol  If you would like to join in on the Creative Challenges check out Tracy's you tube channel and her blog .  Thanks once again, Tracy!!!!!  

June Creative Challenge

I totally missed May's Challenge.  I started it...even got the hardest part done, writing the letter, but in spite of good intentions.....it still isn't done. So.....at the last minute I am blogging and uploading my June Challenge. Life threw a few totally unexpected curves with some shocks and surprises but I have learned.....When you can't trace His hand, Trust His heart!  How ironic that "Trust" is my word of the year!  I am so learning to trust and sometimes....it isn't so easy. 

Back to challenge... In spite of it all "I DO have many reasons to smile" "We are all in this together" and I will still have to work on believing that "You are amazing just the way you are" in regards to myself.  Working on it but not there yet.

The background I made using my homemade gelli plate. I got a little carried away using tape and used drywall tape and then masking tape on top of that before putting my words on. The black in the upper right and lower left is washi tape. Well, generic washi tape, that is.  lol  This is not my favorite page I've done but I'm glad I made myself take the challenge.  I "needed" this!  Thanks once again, Tracy!
Just had to add.....my daughter just read my page and informed me...."This is what you need"  :-)

Homemade gelli plate *Updated

I am one of those people that weigh it over long and hard before I make a purchase. I like to try something out multiple times to see if I'd really use it. The gelli plate looks like so much fun so since I have been laid up a bit, I have been watching lots of youtube videos on gelli plates and art journaling and also reading blogs.  I found two that seemed to make the most sense to me. I lay awake til around 4am Sat. morning and decided.....I have to do something. So I folded some laundry, put dishes in the dishwasher, did a few other things and..............made a gelli plate.  lol  I went back to bed around 5:30am so the gelatin had plenty of time to harden so my daughter and I could play.  :-) I apologize for the quality of pictures.  I think we left the camera at momma's so had to use my phone.

Here is the written recipe and the video I got it from.

Homemade gelli plate

12 packets of knox gelatin

3 cups of boiling water

3 cups of cold water

1 Tbsp of bleach 

(the bleach I found from a sweet older lady on youtube and now don't know where it's at. It will help it to last longer)

Mix (gently) the gelatin and 3 cups of cold water. Slowly stir in hot water. Add bleach. Pour into cookie sheet, pan, etc.  I used an ~9X13 baking pan.  Leave it on the counter to gel for at least an hour. wrap with plastic wrap and store in fridge. If you are going to use the top of it be careful that the plastic is smooth because it will make places in the geletin.

Homemade gelli plate video

*UPDATE  Lindsay at The Frugal Crafter is awesome!  You'll want to subscribe to her Youtube channel. Not only will you save money but if it's like me.....her energy will make you want to get up and get something done. :-) Anyway, she found a way to make a permanent homemade gelli plate. How cool is that? I am going to use mine with bleach until it gives out on me and then make one with her recipe.  

 The Frugal Crafter Homemade Gelli Plate Recipe 

 Here is the permanent gelatin plate recipe, remember if you damage the plate you can nuke it on high in the microwave for a minute and reset it!

7 packets of gelatin (6Tablespoons)

mix into:

1 cup of alcohol mixed with 1/2 cup glycerin (room temperature)

then add:

1.5 cups boiling water and pour it into a shallow pan to set.

My daughter and I played with the one I made again and had so much fun. I did check to see how much the ingredients would cost for this one and it's approximately $9 - $10 give or take some. Since I already have the alcohol it will be less for me. :-) *

Below you can see me getting it out of the pan and after I had laid it on the baking sheet. The bottom photo is my daugher using stamps in the paint to make a print. She and I had so much fun and I loved that she "wanted" to create with me. <3 p="">

Here are some picture of my daughter creating and some of her pages. 

More pictures of the pages my daughter did.  I love the one on the right. She used bubble wrap.

Here are 4 prints I got from one time.  I put the stencils on and got two, and then after I took them off, was able to get two more.

If you use too much paint.....you will get what happened below.  Still pretty but not quite what we were going for. :-)

On this one the first print is with the stencil on, the second is with the stencil off, and the third is where I laid the stencil down on a piece of paper after I took it off. 

This one is the same...first one with stencil on, second with stencil off.  

TIP! If you are using a stencil with words place it backwards on your gelli plate to get it correct on your print. :-)

 I hope this was helpful to some of you. And I'm thinking.....with as much fun as my daughter and I had....it would be well worth my money to get a gelli plate. It was an inexpensive way to try it out and see if I would want it and......I plan on having lots of fun with it next week.  If you have any questions feel free to ask.
Hugs!

Mixed Media Monday's April Challenge

Once again Tracy has given us a great challenge that so often makes us work outside of our comfort zone and then.....we are so glad that we did.  :-)  April's Challenge was to create a page and come up with 5 words that we would want someone to think of when they remembered us.   I put a lot of thought into some of my words....others just came easy. 

My first word "Faith" - Definition of FAITH

1

a : allegiance to duty or a person : loyalty

b (1) : fidelity to one's promises (2) : sincerity of intentions

2

a (1) : belief and trust in and loyalty to God 

I hope that my faith is one that will leave footprints to lead others straight to God.  God, who is so full of mercy, love and forgiveness that they realize they "can" overcome things that they thought impossible and be the amazing person God made them.

"True" -

¹true

 adjective \ˈtrü\

1

a : steadfast, loyal

b : honest, just

I want them to remember that I was true to God, true to my family, true to my friends.

"Compassion" - 

: sympathetic consciousness of others' distress together with a desire to alleviate it

I truly care about others, sometimes I kind of wish I didn't so much :-), but I want to always have compassion and do what I can to ease the load.

"Laughter" - enjoyment or happiness expressed by laughing

Wow, was this an emotional word.  :-) I have always been a happy person.  I love to have fun and I love to laugh. I don't have a soft, quiet laugh. No matter how hard I try....if it's funny or I'm happy.....it just bubbles out. 99% of people enjoy my laugh and have told me so, but that 1% can sometimes be so cruel whether alone or in a crowd of people. I wish I didn't care and it didn't bother me but......it does.  So, I thought....I'll just put the word "Fun".  I explained the challenge to my daughter and that I needed to have 5 words to be remembered by and her reply.....your laugh. She did not like it that I wanted to put fun because of some not liking that I laugh lots and I laugh loud. She loves me "for me".  Do you know how much that meant to me? Needless to say.....for those that love me "as is".....For you......remember my laughter.  :-) 

"Creative" -  someone who is creative has a lot of imagination and new ideas

And I "love" to get inspiration from other people creativity. Tracy has not only inspired me in more ways than she could ever know but has given me a whole group of inspiring, caring friends that I will be ever grateful for.  Thank you, Tracy, for how much you give of your time and yourself to all of us! We are truly blessed because of you! 

Faux Gelli Plate :-)

So many of us have found the gelli plate printing so interesting and would love to try it, but sometimes.....life gets in the way of us spending the extra money for "just fun" things.  The company my husband works for decided to save money on insurance and make higher deductibles, dr visit fees, etc. so after 3 surgeries since last August and another coming up.........I can't justify the extra money for too many of those things right now. I know Von is just one who would like a gelli plate....but is patiently waiting.  :-)  Well, I saw something online that gave me the idea to try this and since it worked....I thought I'd share it for Von and anyone else who would be interested. 

After trying it with one sheet of craft foam/fun foam I realized that it really needed to be 2 thick or buy the thicker foam. Since I already had the thin I glued 2 together.

I used one of the plastic sheets you use for your oven on top, put 3 different colors of paint on, used my brayer and.......it worked.  :-)

 I should have used more paint but I actually like the way it came out.  This was the first page.

This page was after I sprayed on some water and used what was left. I'm anxious to try this with stencils, masks, and whatever else I can think of.  

By the way.....I met Von through Tracy Weinzapfel Burgos and we have so much fun on our Mixed Media Monday Nights at 6pm PST. We'd love for you to join us.  :-)

March Mixed Media Monday Challenge 2013

The Mixed Media Monday March Challenge was.........Use buttons and lyrics of a song that means a lot to you      Well, I used buttons for my clouds and lyrics to a song  but I don't think I could say that the song means "a lot" to me!  lol  Since I was a teenager I have wanted to someday own a milk cow.  I may get sick of milking her, I may not like it at all, but I at least want to try.  :-)  I did this page for fun and had planned on creating a serious one but life kinda changed my plans. I did get to try something new on this page, though.. I did an image transfer using mod podge and a picture I printed out of my ink jet printer using plain old printer paper. :-) I did brighten it up some with markers and paint but I love the way it turned out.  I used stamps for some texture and the flowers and also more buttons as the flowers. 

It was a fun page and I'm ok with it, that I didn't get another page done.  Maybe April will be a better month for my physically and I can still do that "serious" page.   I look forward to each Monday now and I used to dread them!  Thanks, Tracy!  <3 p="">

Wish it. Dream it. Do it.

I look forward to Tracy's Creative Challenge each month.  I was so looking forward to the Mixed Media Monday Night Coaster Swap but with having to have surgery and Brooke having so many issues with her teeth I didn't think I could swing it. I was really disappointed but Tracy said she'd have more swaps and I was looking forward to seeing all the pictures. Imagine my surprise when I get a package of my own. These awesome artsy ladies have the sweetest hearts!  It was a totally rough day and Brooke and I were heading for her to get her expander put on and she was really nervous.  What an uplift that package was to me!  I already felt that art journaling could help bring healing in it's own way but it also brought some of my most wonderful and caring friends. I'll try to take pics of the soon and share them on the blog.  For now......I'm going to share my February Challenge art journal page.

I used Americana white paint (by Deco Art) in my homemade gesso, script wrapping paper, baby wipe I painted with and dried, paper tape, Basic Grey die cuts and transparencies, Plaid/Folk Art Inspiration stencil, charcoal pencil, a plain old school pencil and a walnut stain Distress Ink Pad.  :-)  The red is just an envelope I put behind it to take the picture. I wasn't real happy with it at first but the more I worked on it....the happier I got.  Check out Tracy Weinzapfel's blog and join in on the fun!

Trust

"TRUST"  So much in this one word.

Definition of TRUST

1

a : assured reliance on the character, ability, strength, or truth of someone or something

b : one in which confidence is placed

2

a : dependence on something future or contingent : hope

One Scripture that comes to mind the most when I think of this word.....Psalms 37:5 Commit thy way unto the LORD; trust also in him; and he shall bring [it] to pass.    

 Tracy Weinzpfel is my awesome art journal teacher and our challenge for January was to put our word of the year to canvas. I decided to try something I'd seen and put mine on cardboard. This year has started out with me having surgery, my Uncle almost dying, my sister going through health issues, my daughter going to have surgery, and much more. I am truly "having" to trust. Trust God, first and most of all but also trust my instincts, trust that things will be ok, etc. It isn't always easy but I am ever learning. 

And by the way......Tracy isn't "just" my art journal teacher....she is a wonderful friend that God sent along just when He knew I needed her most. She has been and is such a blessing in my life!

Grateful.......

Wow, life has sure thrown us some crazy curves but I still have much to be thankful for.  I took Brooke for what I thought was a normal dentist visit and many x-rays, tests, and appts later we are waiting to hear what the best plan of action is!!!  She has a tooth that grew toward her nose instead of into her mouth and they think a cyst or tumor caused it to do so. So thankful that they say it is not cancer, tho.
I did finally finish my Grateful Journal that was the Creative Dare from Tracy and I'm quite pleased, if I do say so myself.  lol  I'm not real good with the camera I used so the colors in some of the pages aren't true but at least you'll get the gist of what I'm thankful for.  :-)

I cannot imagine life without God!  I turn to Him when there is no one else to turn to. I'm thankful for the plan of Salvation and His forgiveness and mercy.

I am also blessed with a wonderful church and church family.  Our Pastor and his wife are the best!  I thank God for them.

I'm thankful for "Love" and for the love of my life......Chris.  In May it will be 25 years and I wouldn't trade him.

I am blessed with a multitude of friends. My besties,  Fibro friends, Family friends, Art Journal friends, just lots and lots of friends.  I love my friends!  <3 p="p">

Music!  What a blessing music is.  So many times I've sang and played the piano until I could smile in spite of the pain or fears.

 I sure have awesome family. Too many to go into names but I am blessed extremely with close loving family.

Art and "Mixed Media Monday" seems to go hand in hand.  At a time when life was so scary and I was facing things that I never imagined I would face......I found Tracy and art!  Through Tracy I gained a group of art journal friends that are such a blessing to me.  God knows just what and who we need and when. :-)

Autumn.......my favorite time of the year!  I LOVE to walk through the leaves and hear the crunch under each foot step. I love the colors, I love the leaves blowing in the wind, the leaves on the ground, decorating my house.....I just love Autumn!  :-)

I could go on and on with my many blessings but alas the journal only had so many pages.  lol  I truly am blessed far more than I deserve!

Life and so much more......

Wow!   What a difference a month can make!  I am so very thankful for the great weeks I have had.  Yes, I still have some pain at times and the rainy weather isn't always my friend but........that is nothing compared to how I used to feel.  I can actually get up in the mornings without feeling like I can hardly make it through the day.  I've only had to take a nap a few days compared to having to most days before!  I never dreamed one small surgery could make such a difference.  The night I had so many problems and had to go to ER was scary but, Thank God, if that's what it took for them to find and fix my problems.....I won't complain!
I meant to make this post about my art journaling and such.....but.....I'm just so thankful that I feel better that I wanted to share.
In the past month I have......Made a trip to and from Louisville, Ky in one day, for my Aunt's 80th birthday party, went on a 2:30am trip to Shoals, Horseback riding, cleaned house like crazy, got up "early" almost every morning, (early for me lol) made and decorated cake/cupcakes, baked like crazy, and I have done so much more and I'm still able to go!  I cook so much that Brooke said they're all gonna be fat!  haha  I am just so incredibly thankful to feel like doing "normal" people stuff!  God is so good!
I am also thankful for Bro.and Sis. Gibson, our current pastor and his wife!  They have been such a blessing to our church!  The teens and kids just love them, too!  We are going to have an awesome Pastor Appreciation Month for them and I am super excited about it!  It's going to last all month and not just one day!
Life.....I feel like I'm actually getting to live life!  I don't want to go one day without remembering how much I have to be thankful for.  So many days it was like I was just existing and I would be so happy for just one day of feeling good and now.......I have more good days than bad!!!!!    This is the perfect month to do Tracy's challenge......A "Grateful" journal!  I truly am Grateful!

Homemade Dishwasher Soap

I tried something new today and I am really happy with how it worked.  I'm trying to do more than just pin ideas and actually try some of them.  ha ha   I made the dishwasher soap and used it today and my dishes look great. I also put vinegar in the rinse agent spot like it said and I plan on continuing to do that, too.  I'll put the recipe below and also the website that I got it from.


Home Made Dishwasher Detergent

• 2 c borax
• 2 c Arm & Hammer washing soda
• 2 c lemi shine*
• 1 c kosher salt

 The borax, washing soda and lemi shine should be in the laundry and dishsoap section  Kosher salt should be with the baking items.  

  

 

1. Combine all ingredients in a bowl and stir until mixed.
2. The citric acid in the lemi shine will make everything get a bit hard.   The lady suggested letting this mixture sit out in a bowl for a couple of days, stirring often so that's what I'm doing. You will still get a few little "balls" of detergent, but that is just fine!  You just don't want it all in one big piece!  
3. The lemi shine suggests running an empty dishwasher cycle with just that in order to clean your dishwasher.  
4. Fill your rinse aid spot with white vinegar.  I did this and the dishes looked great!
5. Use 1 tbs of detergent per load of dishes.  I do about a 30/70 split with 30% in the pre-wash spot and 70% in the wash spot.  If you don't have a prewash spot, you can put it all in the wash spot. My first time using it I did use 1 - 1/2 TBSP

*You can experiment with the lemi shine amount.  The original recipe that the lady on the website found  called for only 1 cup but said to add more if you have hard water.
http://simplydesigning.blogspot.com/2011/05/hard-water-stains-dishwasher-detergent.html