DIY Life

Embroidery hoops become inexpensive wall frames. Yes, really. But instead of holding family snaps, they look super-stylish holding fabric swatches. Use them just for decoration or as message boards. Clever idea, yes? – Shelter Pop

Love your cat? Hate to scoop? Toilet training your kitty can be done. It does take patience and just the right technique, though. Are you up for it? Check out this step-by-step kitty potty training guide. -- karawynn

Say "sayonora" to that ugly view. Learn how to sew Japanese tissue paper into "noren" or paper curtains. The tissues have a fabric-like durability, yet possess a delicate beauty. Finished curtains may be used to cover windows or doorways. – The Paper Place

Fall is here and the season of fresh, crisp apples beckons. Print out this apple usage chart for easy reference. Red Delicious? Excellent for snacking, but not recommended for baking, apple sauce or freezing. Golden Delicious and Granny Smith, on the other hand? Perfect for every purpose. – US Apple Association

Vertical blinds, cheesy themed décor and kick-knackery overload? These are but a few of the decorating sins highlighted this week in a Casa Sugar slideshow. Look, learn, and – if necessary – purge your living room accordingly. – Casa Sugar

Dreaming of a debt-free holiday season this year? Frugal Village tells you how, and the short answer is: planning. Get a game plan and a budget started now for everything from holiday baking to scouting out sales. You'll be so glad come December. – Frugal Village

That chic, thrift store ribbon you got for a song? Dust it off and use it! Turn it into an elegant leash for your pooch, for instance. Craftster tells you how to make the leash and a matching key wristlet from heavy duty cotton webbing, then decorate it with that cute ribbon. Cost: a fraction of what you'd pay at retail. -- Craftster

Beer: its colors, smells and tastes. Yearning to understand beer basics? Don't feel excluded when the conversation turns to brews at your family's annual Labor Day get-together. This Howcast post with handy-dandy video clip will remove all the mystery. -- Howcast

Speaking of food, do you know how to test the doneness of meat? Here's a visual guide you'll want to bookmark if you love to cook. Color photos make it a snap to distinguish medium rare from rare from well done, all using your own hands and fingers as a guide. -- Simply Recipes