about Calli
Hi, I’m Calli. These days I am learning how to “Make it Do.” You never know what life will bring you, and lately it’s giving a lot of us lemons.
“Make it Do” is about turning lemons into lemonade.
As a mother, I have found myself seeking wisdom from my mother and my grandmother, Maxine Platts Morgan. Even though I never knew my grandmother, I grew up hearing stories about her. She was resourceful and cheerful, even during hard times.
I aim to borrow some of that old wisdom, and throw in a bit my own creativity, to help myself (and anyone who reads this blog) make life sweeter.
I can’t help asking, can a downturn in the economy actually mean an upturn in our resourcefulness, our creativity, and our outlook on life? In this blog, I explore how happiness can come from simple things, and how good old fashioned hard work and resourcefulness might just be making a welcome comeback….
I would love to hear your ideas, suggestions or anything else you want to share. Drop me a line at: callimakesdo@gmail.com
Cheers,
Calli
Calli, I love you. This is the cutest blog. I love all of your ideas. I had no idea your mom could quilt like that….amazing. Hope we can get together soon. I love lemonade!!
i use the borax for ants too but mix equal parts borax, powdered sugar and powdered laundry detergent and sprinkle it around the foundation of the house, it works every time. A friend’s husband who worked for Orkin told me about it. He also said if you have mice to mix cracked corn (like chickens eat) and plaster of paris and put out for them. I didn’t have mice but I know the ant one works. I love your site. Thanks for sharing…and yes, the economy does drive resourcefulness, I’m sure
Good Morning. I enjoy reading your blog and have used some of your tips. I like the mini bundt cake idea but how do you keep the frosting from smearing in the container?? Also, did you use the butter frosting on the chocolate cakes?? I have the same recipe I got from my cousin who is the happycottagequilter blogger but I also serve it with just powdered sugar frosting.
Have a grand day.
Hi Becky, I do use the butter frosting for the bundt cakes. I use 2 tbsp of milk (see the recipe in the post) so the frosting is on the firm side. It makes it more of a workout for your hand when piping a lot of bundt cakes! I lined the bottom of the box with a piece of scrapbook paper, placed the cake carefully on an opened cupcake paper and lowered them into the box. I transported them very carefully. I did see a few of the teachers open their box and the frosting was in perfect shape. But if you look carefully at the one I took the picture of… there is a little frosting that must have touched the side of the box. I didn’t notice until I was putting the pictures on my blog and the cakes were delivered. Oh well. I have also made a glaze with powdered sugar and milk (or lemon juice for lemon cakes) and drizzled it over the top. I think sprinkled powdered sugar looks very nice as well. Good luck and happy cooking…
Hi Calli,
I just found your website and have probably spent over an hour reading through all of your posts. You have such wonderful ideas! I can’t wait to try some of them :) I can’t believe how creative you are! I’m so excited to learn from you. Thanks for sharing :)
Just found your blog, somehow, and have been reading for hours! Love the window cleaning recipe. Had no idea you could use water and rubbing alcohol. Maybe now I won’t dread cleaning those darn windows…maybe… Oh, and so delighted to read that you’re from Highland too! Love it!
Thanks for your blog! With the way the economy is going I have felt a strong leading to learn to be more self-sufficient and resourceful. I found you through Stumble and am so glad I did. Thanks again!
Calli,
You probably don’t know me – one of those many Platts cousins of your mom’s! Anyway, your dad posted your site on the Platts Family Facebook Group page. So, I spent about 3 days looking and reading and marveling at you, your site and your family!
I just thought I should let you know that since reading your blog, I have made 5 hooded towels, barbecued pork sandwiches and pulled pork tacos . . . and still looking to find the 20 Mule Team Borax . . .
This may not seem out of the ordinary to you, but let me just say that I haven’t cooked for years . . . have been looking for hooded towels that are big enough to cover my 3 year old grandson’s bum (the ones that you can buy are too small!) and am hoping that the 20 Mule Team Borax can get rid of the smelly dish rags that I just throw away after about 2 uses!
Needless to say, you have inspired me – at least for one busy weekend – and believe me, that is alot!! Good luck with this project – it is awesome!
Roxie from St. George
hi hi hi! Nice to meet you! DIdn’t realize you had twins, too. We had 3 kids in 22 months, but you beat me, girl. Yeah, I like to tell people that after the haze clears, twins are an amazing blessing, an amazing feat, simply put, amazing.
Your blog is lovely. Can I subscribe to it? Couldn’t find the gizmo on your blog side bar…
Terresa, I agree with you about twins… the first two years were a serious challenge for me. But I have loved every minute of it since. I love how they are alike and how they are different. I love the special bond that they have. Luckily all three of my kids are great friends.
There is a RSS feed on the side bar it’s just hard to see. I really need to spruce it up! all the best, Calli
i love all your ideas and the cleaning ones are great too- just what I have been looking for! Do you have a list for all your recipes for the cleaning supplies and what they are used for?
hi, i have just found your inspiring blog via your school bag tutorial and i am so pleased i have. i shall be back for future reads.
with warm wishes
ginny x
Returning from a couple days of motorcycle riding in the woods, ran across a thicket of chokecherries perfectly ripe, and so heavy with fruit that within 10 minutes I had gathered almost a gallon of them. My mom used to make it but could only give a few general comments about the process, so I thought I’d try that intraweb thing to get a ch-ch syrup recipe, and ran across yours. Nice site, Many Thanks! I’m sure my methods lacked some of the flair of yours, but the purple mud is so good that my mouth sort of waters just thinking about it. By the way, if you by some fluke happen to have a twin sister who is single, you are more than welcome to forward my email to her. ….now to get that purple stain off my countertop…. -Treed
I love your blog! Due to the economy, I was laid off and now am a stay at home mom, but I am having a tough time adjusting to the change. Your blog has been very helpful. I love all of the hints on it and I look at it every day.
I ran across your blog the other day when I was looking for a new craft project. Where in the world do you get all your energy?!?! I’m looking forward to making this one of my routine blog visits.
Hi ,
I just read your blog ,I am agree.
with,love
Calli, I just found your blog from Design Mom’s pregnancy stories! I am preggo with twins now myself— and my first boy will be 20 months old when they are born!
I love reading your story and resonating with the same feelings of shock and joy— and a bit of nervousness about what the future holds. But I know that amazing moms have done it before, and I can learn a lot from people like you.
Anyway, I’ve subscribed to your blog now, and I look forward to learning from you. :)
Hi Calllie: I’ve just discovered your blog; thanks so much for the fabric flower brooch – it’s so gorgeous. I’d make it tomorrow – but the link to the template pattern says that pattern doesn’t exist. Help!
Hi Jan, I think I’ve fixed the problem, give it a try and let me know if it doesn’t work. cheers, Calli
Calli,
I found your blog and I simply think it’s wonderful. I believe that your philosophy closely resembles mine. Raising two children, one that has special needs, I tend to make do with what I have been given. I am frugal and quite proud of that fact. But I learned most but from growing up and making do. I actually enjoy it now. Thanks for sharing! I will defintely place your blog on my list!
Hi Calli! Your blog is an inspiration! I’m wondering– have you ever read The Hidden Art of Homemaking by Edith Schaeffer? Your “Make it Do” philosophy reminds me a lot of her. Thanks for the awesome blog and great ideas. Merry Christmas!
Jasmine, I haven’t read her book, but it sounds like I need to. Thanks for the recommendation.
Good, old-fashion, resourcefulness is never out-of-style :) A lot of us are continually recycling the “old” way/style. This down turn in our economics just might get more to do recycling the old fashion way. Keep being creative !
nice place, travel everyday!
Hi, Calli! My name is Arlene and I’m from Brazil. I knew your blog by chance and fell in love with each post: it reminds me of my days of a child while on vacation on the farm of my grandparents. Good times! Your children are beautiful and your talent is amazing! Forgive me for bad grammar. Hugs and thanks for sharing a piece of your life! Peace, health and happiness!
Neat blog! My friend Candy at Deal With It, Simply! linked to you so I went over to see what you were doing.
I love your blog! Love the inspirational quotes, creative ideas, and willingness to share your talent! Thank you!
emilie
p.s. (I love “wordpress” too)
you are one of those gifted and talented women i aspire to be like – thanks for sharing and inspiring!
Hey Calli! Found you thru Tasty Kitchen and thought I’d take a peek at your blog. Very nice…I’m in a very similar ‘boat’, learning to roll with the punches life throws at us. I want to find the joy in everyday things, not what all is ‘wrong’ with it. We can rob ourselves of precious moments when we do that! I love your Teddy Roosevelt quote too. Thanks for sharing, and I’ll be trying a few of your recipes! Hope to see you around!
Hi Calli, I found you when I was looking for a Car seat cover for my new grand baby I love your site. You got yourself a new fan
hello Calli, my name is Rebeca. I just found you website and LOVED IT!!
I love all your tutorials and new cute little things you share here!
thanks
I live in SLC and I love to sew!
Rebeca
Hello Calli,
Your blog is very sweet and special. I have enjoyed reading it the past several months. I love your twins! I am guessing that they are identical. If so, are they mono mono? I have girls about the same age who are mono mono and such a joy. Please come take a peek at them at my ‘creative’ blog….
http://monkeyscandoittoo.blogspot.com/2010/03/jelly-roll-skirts.html
Have a super day!
Yolanda
Calli, the way you look at life I have absolutely no doubt that you will persevere :) Wishing you all the best of luck in everything you do. Great Blog btw.
Hallo Cali,
read your blog and i really like ur attitude ,i made some bags from the scrap fabric and i found out hard to make but its nice when im done ,i dont wann waste the scrap materials so i tried it ,thanks
Love your blog! We are doing the same thing around here as far as “fix it up, wear it out, make it do or do without!” It is definately my motto! You are a fantasitc photographer, also!
The past few days, I’ve been coming back to your blog to look at the cute little “monkey” smiling with her babushka! She is a doll and it makes me smile to see her sweet little face! Love your blog! God bless!
I am enjoying your blog for the first time. I like your quote. have you heard this one old pioneer quote… “Use it up, wear it out, make it do, or do without!” I love it and try to live by it out of necessity, more than ever befor.
Thanks for providing a wonderful resource.
How do I print off your recipes without all the pics…tks
Hi Pete, The best way is to click on the link to Tasty Kitchen that is found on each recipe post. Here is a link to my recipe box on Tasty Kitchen. From there you can choose to print in a full page or recipe card sized formats. Most of my recipes will print in a page or two… and without all the pics. That way you don’t end up using all your ink! Good luck, Calli
I just love your site, you are an inspiration, keep it up the great work! Ingrid
My friend just shared your site with me and I am in love with it! It’s adorable, user friendly and full of information. It makes me want to sew and I don’t even own a sewing machine (i.e., CLUELESS!)…maybe that’ll be a New Year’s Resolution? Off to wander around…
I love your site! Its full of wonderful ideas, and very easy to use. Thank you for taking the time to share!
Hi Calli,
So lovely to read your blog. I am a working mother from Sri Lanka and was inspired by your blog. I also feel that these days most people are running after what money can buy when infact you can make wonderful things with what you have at hand. I will be sure to follow your blog. It is a strength to come across people who think like you do and at the same time inspire others to do the same. Love and best wishes, Dhilma
Hi Calli,
Your website is beautiful and I agree with your idea of a downturn in the economy being an opportunity for an upturn in resourcefulness and creativity. I’m inspired by your blog already and can’t wait to read more! Thanks for sharing, Faun
I just spent an hour on your blog. Someone posted a link to your advice on cleaning mattresses, and I got lost in the wonderful stuff I found here. Thanks!