What's your favorite handmade gift idea?

That's a great idea! I'll be on the lookout for some dishes at my local thrift store. Where do you buy your grout?

How you do that, I would like to try it ?

Sandra, what makes the polyester yarn a better choice for hot pads?

Polyester as you know is basically plastic. When it touches the burner or flame, it becomes molten and can pop onto your hands or face.

When you use them for hot pads, they are on your table or counter.

Cotton should be used for pot holders as when in contact with the burner or oven unit, they burn quickly and become ash. While it's not best to make them come into contact with the direct source of heat, at least they will not hurt you or hurt you as bad.

I hope that helps!!

Naomie, do you have a certain type of container you like to use for your succulents? I picked up some china cups from a VOA store and thought I would plant some in those??? My idea is to drill a few holes in the bottom of the cup and affix it to the saucer with some small pieces of maybe broken china for drainage.

You can plant in almost anything you wish, and they do grow better, (in my experience), if they have drain holes. I have planted in old fountains, hub caps and even a rusty crusty old cement mixer. For me they grow like weeds. Whatever container I use first I place some gravel at the bottom, then a thin layer of sand just to cover the gravel. Then the potting mix and then the plant. I generally top with decorative rocks or pretty aquarium gravel. Since the sun is blazing in my area, I have a small section on the north side of my house where they are really happy. And any of the leaves, (I call them "niblets") that fall off, I just lay on top of a pit of soil and it will start a new baby.il

I did make a whole slew of them for all the girls at work for their birthdays that did NOT have a drainage hole. The container needs to be a bit deeper to avoid over watering. Once a week I circled the office and checked on them and gave them water as needed. All doing well in yucky work lighting.

I read that succulents should be watered once a week during their growing season. I like "niblets". :) Thanks for this great feedback!