For those of you dealing with cold weather this winter, I have something that has completely made my curling-up-on-the-couch time much more cozy. I will be the first to admit that I did not make this, but that I think you could if you have any basic sewing ability (which, we will all agree, I do not!).
This, my friends, is a rice pad. It's a simple piece of fabric sewn up into a square, filled with plain white uncooked rice.
Mine has a little cover that can be removed with a piece of Velcro. And yes, those are teddy bears on the fabric. Yes, my nickname from childhood is "Care Bear." And yes, my mommy bought this for me!
Here's a good photo of the interior bag. Just a super-simple square filled with rice. I have heard of people adding dried lavender or some other good-smelling thing to the rice. Mine is just plain.
On a cold winter night I throw my rice pad into the microwave for 3-4 minutes. Then I can curl up on the couch with it, or put it in my bed to warm my tootsies! It's really convenient because, unlike a heating pad or electric blanket, I don't have to get up and turn it off if I fall asleep. It just cools off on it's own, which is safer and also more convenient in the middle of the night! It stays warm for about 1-2 hours, depending on how long you've microwaved it.So if you have a spare half an hour, some extra material and some uncooked rice, whip up one of these little guys! I just love mine!
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Yours is very fancy! We have made these out of "socks"..clean ones:)! Of course, one time my middle child somehow got it undone and you can only imagine what happened!
They are toasty!
-sandy toe
My family swears by these! Ever since my mom was given one as a gift and figured out to make them. We use them for headaches, neckaches, sinus pressure, backaches- even my macho husband! And of course, I use mine as a bed warmer, too! The science of the rice bag still baffles me! Good to know there's another rice bag/pad fan out there! - Alicia (from Ohio)
I am SO going to make one of these! My feet are always freezing at night when I first go to bed but if I wear socks or slippers I wake up annoyed a couple of hours later after I have warmed up. This looks like it could be a great solution!
That would be soooo cozy during the winter time!
Awesome, now I have a project for this weekend!
What a great idea! My daughter has always been "care bear" to us!
How cool, I bet my 4yo son would love this, too!
I never did tell you that we loved your meatloaf recipe!!!
Have a great day!
These are great!
I've heard they're great. I just might have to pull that sewing machine out of the closet.
I have never seen one of those...how neat! I'm always going to bed with freezing feet, so this would be a lifesaver for me...and my hubby! I may just try to whip one up today! ♥
Sewing is one of those things I must learn to do before I die! I can barely sew on a button-pathetic! I'd love to have one of these. I'm always cold!
My BFF, Carrie, is also a CareBear:)
Very cute and a great idea for these cold winter nights!
Janet
I have one from origins that I love...probably not as cost effective but I love it just the same.
Sounds cozy.
I put a link to your laundry room on my most recent post. Just FYI.
A good friend of mine made me and my husband each one for Christmas. She put lavender in it and made a "pillow" case to go over it. I love it and use it every night! Great idea.
Carrie...I swear you and I are cut from the same cloth! I have a rice pad that I heat up every night and take to bed with me. I also use it when I'm sitting at the computer late at night because I get cold. Just holding it keeps me warm! (Just make sure you don't accidentally microwave one for too long...I did that once and boy did it smell...scorched rice...yuck!) Other than that, one of the best things I own!
I have seen those at the craft shows but didn't know if they really work. Think I'll be getting one next time!
Thanks for the reminder of this project--I've seen them in the past but didn't have a microwave then. They look like such a good idea!
~ Sarah
Okay, don't laugh but I might just have to make one of these for my dog. He gets so cold at night in his little cage.
That sounds like a great idea to use up that rice in my pantry that I have now sworn off (too many calories!).
But I wonder: How long does it stay warm?
Oh, I think my husband would just LOVE me if I made one of these for HIS cold toes-eys at night. Thanks for sharing!
Angie
"Nana's Box"
Those are so fun to make...I shared a similar idea on my Christmas gift list....:) Care Bear...how perfect...:) Love you, Meme
I have a one made of a sock that I use on my neck and shoulders when they are achey!I bought it at a craft fair, don't you just love craft fairs!
Awesome idea. Guess I live under a rock, since this is the first I'm learning of them. I might have to try to make one. I can sew a straight line.
Oh, how I wish I had some fabric and uncooked white rice...and what was that other thing...oh yeah, sewing abilities! I may commission my MIL to make one of these for me☺ DH would be thrilled, b/c I tend to warm my tootsies under his hiney...I can't help it, it's just at the right spot when I curl up trying to stay warm.
Happy Wednesday!
My hubby bought me one for my birthday last Nov and I love it! Mine smells like a cup of herbal tea when it's warm!
OH...I am very excited about winning the charms, they are so cute! Thanks so much and congrats on your 100th post!
This is much prettier than the one I have. I got the idea of using a tube sock from our prenatal class instructor. It's great to use during those tough 9 months!
We used one for my first baby's colic. Just warmed it up and laid it on her belly to help her feel better. While nursing my second child, I used it to help relieve clogged ducts. Simple idea, so many uses!
Oh yes! I absolutely agree! Those things have been my friend for the past week! You can always find one at the foot of my bed!
Aren't they fabulous? My husband and I each have our own hot bags stuffed with oats, although mine also has some lavender :o) and my children each have a teddy bear with an oat bag (purchased from Sears online)that can be removed and heated. They especially love to take theirs to bed with them when are not feeling well. These bags are a staple in our home during the winter.
What a great idea!!! It's so cold here, well to us GA people it is.
I may try and do this. I don't sew but my mom does.
I made those one year for neighbor gifts with a card that said, "Wishing you a warm and cozy Christmas!" including instructions of how to warm them up. I used a funnel to fill the bags and it worked great! My girls love to take them to bed in the winter. Under the covers they stay warm almost the entire night!
Stephanie
Hi, just stopping by for the first time. What a treat!! And I am so going to make one of these "whatcha ma call its"! I'll be back...
~*Debra
So cozy and so cute! I'd love to make one - my feet get so cold! :)
My oh my, that looks sooo cool! I may have to attempt it????
ooh these are so great! My mom made some for Christmas. I love them! They are perfect for a sore neck or shoulders
I tried making this once and I used plain white rice and it burnt in the microwave!! AHHH! What a stink that was! I'm going to try it again and hopefully not stink up the house again!
Oh I make these all the time!!! My hubby loves them. I put scented essential oils in mine.
A friend gave me one of these just last week (I think mine may have dried beans in it). I was so happy because my toes have been so cold at night lately.
I also had a long one years ago that I would use when a migraine kicked in. It did help.
We have one of these that is made to fit around your neck....Pat loves it....they really hold the heat well!!
Hope you are hanging in there....thinking about you:)
Lisa
you could not have posted this at a better time. i have a friend who has been diagnosed with some 'female' issues and is having upcoming surgery. i've been thinking of a little gift for her to make her comfortable, especially those weeks leading up. (she has been in some major lower back pain...) i'm getting out my sewing machine this weekend. i can't sew much, but i can do straight lines so this is my kind of project. thanks so much - you always have the best ideas!
~nicole
I was just telling my husband about the rice bag the other day. It was such a comfort growing up!! I am going to have to make one soon...never thought about it before. Thanks for sharing!!
I do not have one of these, but I have friends who swear by them. I need to make one for each of my kids...their bedrooms get rather cold during the winter.
I love mine, too. I use it often after lugging around my chubba whubba all day.
Hey, I have one of these too. It was given to me as a Christmas gift and I absolutely love it. It was especially great when I had my wisdom teeth pulled. (Did you know you can freeze them, too?) I have seriously thought about making some of these for gifts. Cute, inexpensive, and homemade, what could be better?
I have one of those! I made it about 10 years ago, use it every day of every winter, and it is still going strong. Mine has a really classy name...."Foot Warmer".
OK I paid about $15 for one of these years ago with lavendar in it...and now I find out how easy it is to make! Mine is long to wrap around my neck/shoulders and I love it! I fall asleep with it all the time -- perfect for painting aches. :)
ANOTHER CREATIVITE STORY HOW AWESOME ARE YOU ! THAT IS PRETTY NEAT .
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I've seen the tube ones that you lay around your neck, but these are a great idea. I have an elderly neighbor that might love one of these. Mimi
I have several made out of corn feed and love them too. My kids all have their own and love taking them to bed with them. I would like to try one with rice and lavender.
Love this idea! My old day-care provider used to make smaller rice pads that she kept in the freezer for Boo-Boos. I like the hot rice pad idea better as I'm always cold in the winter!!
a friend of mine just sent me this link and it looks like there is a ton of cool stuff on here
http://thelongthread.com:80/?p=2021
We have one like this that has corn in it, but it's the same idea. We actually keep it in the freezer for all the minor injuries my boys have. :) But it can be popped in the microwave to heat it in a jiffy. I think I'll go heat it up and carry it up to bed with me now!
You had asked about Tobin having a January birthday and how that was. Actually, I think it's great! I was so glad that he was born in January, rather than Christmas; I personally think the pre-Christmas birthdays (like my husband has) are more likely to get overlooked or diminished than the January ones. By January 12, Tobin's birthday, I was done with Christmas and ready to focus on something else; and it actually brightened a cold, often-gray month. Make sense?
I can hardly wait to hear about your new little one's birth!
Thanks for this. When I came in from the cold last night with lower back cramps I grabbed a nice thick knee sock and filled it with rice. WOW! HOT! and I couldn't believe how long it held the heat. Ahhhh. Thanks!
Annie
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