Thrifty Dollars

So, as some of you folks know, I've been Spring Cleaning, shedding assorted stuff from the past three deacades of my life.  I've been blessed with a frugal mother, and learned how to own a sale.  As such, I acquired a TON of stuff. 

While cleaning, I gave myself some horrible muscle and back aches.  An acupuncturist that I used to see for treatment, told me to avoid a full body treatment for a while, I could use two buckwheat hull pillows(a nice sell at $40 each) one hot, the other cold, alternating every half hour until my muscles relaxed.  I nodded, and armed with the sight, feel and knowledge of those, I went home.

I took all of my bundles of scrap fabric(from various quilting projects long done, and seeing as I had no desire to make a crazy quilt...)and found a few fun ones.  I cut them into bandana sized sections.  I folded them in half(to make it double thick), and sewed two sides shut, like a long pillow.  Next, I filled it with 3-4 cups of Asian rice(I always have at least a 40 lb bag available to me, as we eat a ton of rice).   I decided since I was gonna be resting anyway, I may as well have some aromatherapy time.  I added two teaspoons of mint leaves, and two teaspoons of chamomile flowers.  Feeling inspired, I got two teaspoons of Earl Grey(Bergamot)infused tea leaves, and mixed this with the rice.

Once I got them stuffed, I sewed the open end with a nice whip stitch, and test drove them.  I heated one for 30 seconds(to build up a bit of steam for condensation), then stuck it in the freezer, then heated up the other for about two minutes in the microwave(finally, a use for the idiot box!).  It ended up being too hot, so I broke down and drove my thrifty natured self to the store and dove into the bargain bin fleece.  I made a knotted fringe cover, which kept the burning heat away from my neck, and warmed the muscles just nicely.

The only drawback to them is after repeated heating, it gets a nutty aroma(if one doesn't like toasted rice), and the fabric is dingy.  I solved that by making a "pillowcase" for them.

My wee one has one with Jasmine flowers, tea leaves, and mint leaves in it to scent and warm his pillow.  He decided mommy didn't get to have all the "fun".

I discovered that making these also made good family time, as he spent a bit of time counting how many spoons and cups I added to the bags, and had fun using a funnel to fill one.  

Feel free to get crafty!  I'll post more from the crayon box as I break from cleaning!  Who knew Spring cleaning could be such fun!