I often add links in my blog posts for items that I recommend. Later someone will email and it will say: “I remember that you recommended this or that. Can you remind me of what that was?” I find the link and send it. I’m guessing others of you are likely wondering but don’t take the time to send an email so I thought I would add a page to the blog that lists some of the items I regularly use and LOVE. Most of these links will take you to Amazon.
Here’s blog post I wrote about fixing up my 15-91 Singer cabinet. I used Restor-a-Finish I love the product. I use it on most any furniture that gets scratched. We have a light and dark oak version at my house but there are other finishes as well.
When Craig and I did the landscaping around the house we used this product for the edging No Dig Edging. You can find it HERE. It’s super quick and requires no digging. Read about it on the blog HERE.
When painting I HIGHLY recommend a no tape edging paint brush. This trim brush will change the way you paint. I HATE taping so this is PERFECT.
I also recommend Goo Gone: Latex and Paint Clean Up if you have old paint or new paint to clean up. I’ve used it on paint that was really old and it cleaned up nicely.
When making brownies and muffins I always use silicone liners. I love them. Amazon has many varieties to choose from. If you are buying them I recommend getting more than 12 in a set. I have 24 and that covers most any cupcake/muffin/brownie recipe that I have.
Here is a link to my HP 5255 printer that I LOVE. You can read my full blog post about the printer and Instant Ink HERE.
It has SERIOUSLY been the best printer I’ve ever had…and still reasonably priced. I also HIGHLY recommend Instant Ink program. Find it by following THIS LINK.
This program sent me a color and black and white cartridge. Then it keeps track of how many copies I make. Then it sends me new cartridges as I need them. I pay a flat fee per month. There is 50 copies for $2.99 a month or 100 copies for $4.99 a month or for busy people 300 pages for $9.99 a month. I don’t pay extra for the ink. It’s just a flat fee. I signed up for the 100 copies. If I go over it’s 10 cents a copy more.
This plan is perfect for me. With the childcare kiddos I regularly print around 100 pages. The pages roll over into the next month of I don’t use them which is great. I don’t print as much in the summer vs the winter.
I guessed I likely bought at least 4 ink cartridges a year at the minimum. At $25, or so, each that’s $100. Now I am paying $60 a year….and I don’t have the hassle of remembering to buy cartridges. Plus I got 4 months free. I automatically got 2 free months and then Buck found an online coupon that gave me two additional months.
I am still in love with my wool ironing mat. HERE IS THE LINK.
Of all the mats I’ve used, this one doesn’t smell and it’s the PERFECT size to be portable.
I LOVE my Instant Pot. I prefer the 8 quart as it can hold a whole chicken. HERE is the link. This is also the one you’ll want if you ever want to try to making yogurt.
If you want recipes for things that I’ve made with the Instant Pot, simply type Instant Pot into the search bar on the right hand column of the blog. I used mine daily.
Another staple in my house is my Bethany House Heritage Gridle. Most people use them to make lefse. I use it for LOTS of things….hamburgers (the good greasy spoon type hamburgers), pancakes, French Toast, grill cheese, quesadillas, raw fried potatoes, steaks, pork chops, American fried potatoes…oh the list goes on. Between this and Instant Pot, they are the most used appliances in my kitchen. HERE is the link.
The Violet Barn is where I get my African Violets. You can find that link HERE.
My heated Mattress Pad is this one….It’s a Sunbeam Heated Mattress Pad. I love turning it on high, then sew and get ready for bed. By the time I crawl into bed, it’s toasty warm.
This is the AWESOME light I use in my sewing room at my machine. I love them so much I bought TWO. I’ve thought about buying a third. That’s how much I love them. HERE is the link. It doesn’t look like it could throw much light but it is night and day difference. It adjust nicely to every machine.
Speaking of lights, this is the light I HIGHLY recommend if you are taking up cross stitch. It has a clip for your chart, a magnifier and strong light. Here is the LINK. I didn’t think I would be able to cross stitch with my “old eyes”…but I surely can with the help of the light.
The offer another light that is similar only if can adjust to be a clamp on light, a table top light or a floor light. Had I know they had them, I probably would have spent the few more dollars and ordered it. I am happy with mine but can see the THIS ONE would be more versatile.
Rosie uses this dog bowl. It is designed to slow a dog down when eating and to stop food aggression.
Instead of buying a second Instant pot, I decided to buy a second liner or pan that goes inside. I opted for non stick Instant Pot Liner this time.
I really like it. If I want to use the Instant Pot, I work on timing. I can fill this one with something else while the other one is cooking.
I also bought these…Stackable Steamer Insert Pans.
Here I am using them in action. I have beets cooking in the insert pan and below I have sweet potatoes. Both needed the same-ish cooking time so I made them both at once.
I am a little jealous. My son Buck got one of these for Christmas.
It’s a Ninja Instant Pot/Air Fryer all in one. If one of mine die, I might have to break the bank and get one of these. For now, I’m hoping my air fryer and my Instant Pot both have long lives. I do know if my Instant Pot does die, I’ll be in town the next day to get another. In my life, it have moved to the necessity column.
Another thing I love and ended up buying a second one of…The Gypsy Quilter Cutting Gizmo.
When I have a chain of pieces I’ve sewn together, this can’t be beat for a quick and easy way to cut them apart. I like it so much I have one upstairs and one downstairs.
I’ve been on the hunt for slippers. I like wearing something in the house in the winter and like slippers…but they have to not look like big floppy slippers, after all, I’m working. Besides, sloppy slippers aren’t really safe for me with all the kids in the house. I ended up going on Amazon and ordering two pairs…this one….FitKicks Crossovers Women’s Foldable Active Lifestyle Minimalist Footwear Barefoot Yoga Water Shoes (YEP, all of that is the name)
Oh my word…I adore these.
I also bought this pair… FitKicks KOZIKICKS Active Lifestyle Slippers Indoor/Outdoor Footwear Shoes for Women. These are a snug fit with a rubber grip bottom. They are lined with sherpa type lining and are warmer than the first pair.
I intended to return one of the pairs after I tried both of them on. I ended up not returning either pair as I loved them both. On colder days I wear these…on warm days the other pair. This one comes in lots of different colors solids and these fun prints.
I was looking for a simple robe. I ended up looking on Amazon and ordered this U2SKIIN Kimono Bathrobe for Women with 3/4 Sleeves, Lightweight Cotton Short Robe Ladies Longewear for SPA Bathing Wedding. I love it. It’s a heavier weight T-shirt type fabric.
This one is a heads up. I get an American Girl Bitty Baby for all the granddaughters at some point. I went to but a second sleeper for Lucy’s baby for her birthday. On a whim I checked at Amazon. They had them.
If you buy at American Girl, these are $20 each. (YES they are American Girl brand) When I got mine at Amazon, they were $14.99. I got the polka dot one on the right. I have Prime so shipping didn’t cost..at American Girl, it would have. I just thought I’d give you a heads up to shop around.
In the kids department, I also recommend this wagon-Radio Flyer All-Terrain 3-in-1 EZ Folding Wagon for kids and cargo. Kelli, Kalissa and I all have one. It’s collapsible. It can cover bumpy terrain.
Two kids can easily fit inside. I’ve even put three smaller ones inside. When we walk Carver and Gannon for a long time we plopped Gannon’s carseat inside and there was still room for Carver. There is a strong magnet that holds the handle into this position. I love it. You can also zip down the side flaps and use it as a chair. It’s super handy if you are going to a county fair or attraction.
Quilter retreats mentioned that they use these to get their items in and out of retreat location. Less trips in and out. Easier on the back and legs.
I have these cribs for the childcare. I have three of them and have had them for several years. Delta Children Folding Portable Mini Baby Crib with Mattress. I ended up buying a 3″ mattress to go with them and these Jersey Knit sheets. These are great for Grandma’s house…not too expensive but yet good and sturdy. These have went through babies and babies and babies sleeping in them and they are still going strong.
These easily collapse. I keep one upstairs for grandbabies and two downstairs for childcare. These are 3/4 the size of regular cribs but I’ve still had Carver sleep in one before and he is 3.
I love THESE large binder clips as those are my preferred size.
I also been using THESE smaller ones in the tin. These have been working great for me and are much cheaper than the Clover brand ones.
For Christmas I got Karl THESE slippers. He has really liked them and happy news, they come in a size 15. That’s what Karl needs.
These are the best gardening gloves. They are Wonder Grip Nicely Nimble.
They have lasted two seasons and I’m pretty tough on them.
For now, that’s the things I can think of that I’ve recommended as of late. If you can think of anything else, please let me know. I’ll add it to the list. Here’s my email rogjok@iowatelecom.net
You can help support the blog through the links you find in blog posts. If you click a link it will take you to Amazon. If you purchase the item, Amazon then sends me a percentage of the sale. It is only 4% or something like that and it costs you no extra money. Amazon does that as a type of payment for “advertising” for them. I do not take advantage of that and recommend odd things…only things I like and use. I appreciate it so much whenever you use a link.