DIY Life

Rag Rug, Sandcastles, and a Bed of Books - Links We Love

Bethany Sanders — Fri, 24 Jul 2009 15:00:00 EST

Now here's a creative way to upcycle those old books: Make a headboard out of them for sweet dreaming. -- CasaSugar

Make that vacation memory permanent by creating a quilted postcard out of your favorite photo. -- Craftster

Lamps are a complete mystery to me, but this restored lamp looks so great, it makes me want to learn. -- CraftyNest

Not sure to do with those old jeans and t-shirts that aren't in good enough shape to donate? Give them new life as a cute and colorful rag rug. -- eHow

Impress your kids during your next beach trip by building them the sandcastle of your dreams. Howcast shows you how.

If it's not the heat, it's the humidity. If summer's making you sweat, check out Lifehacker's best tips for beating the heat.

So you can't afford a house on the beach ... who can in this economy? With a little creativity and some treasure hunting, however, you can bring the beach to your house. -- Shelterpop

All your favorite fruits are in season right now. Buy them up at your local farmer's market right now while the price is low, then freeze them to enjoy all winter. TipNut will teach you how to freeze them for best flavor.

World's easiest fix: Worried about oil rings on your beautiful granite countertops? Dish it -- or keep them in easy reach, but safe and sound on an attractive dish. -- Young House Love

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DIY*kid: Yarn Bowl

Bethany Sanders — Thu, 23 Jul 2009 15:00:00 EST

Filed under: kids

Looking at your child's messy room, wondering where to start? A good basket or bowl can make organizing a cinch. Baskets don't come cheap, though. Yarn bowls, though, aren't just great family fun -- they're an inexpensive way to help your kids keep their odds and ends organized.

The best part about a yarn bowl is that it can make use of all that leftover yarn you've got laying around from other projects. If the bowl is going in your child's room -- the crazier the colors, the better. If you'd rather display your bowl in a more grown-up area of the house, it's easy enough to choose coordinated colors instead.

Here's what you'll need:

Several yards of yarn, cut into foot long pieces. For interest, try using a variety of different colors or textures.
A play ball or a blown-up balloon -- the size of the ball will determine the size of your bowl.
Glue -- you'll need plenty of it, especially if making a large bowl.

Check out the gallery below for instructions on creating your yarn bowl.

Gallery: How to Make Yarn Bowls

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Unusual Uses: 8 Uses for Toothpaste

Bethany Sanders — Wed, 22 Jul 2009 13:00:00 EST

Filed under: Unusual Uses

Contrary to urban legend, toothpaste isn't a magic cure for a pesky pimple you want gone by morning. But it can take the itch and inflammation out of a mosquito bite.

So often, we go looking for new products to solve our new problems. But toothpaste is one of those old standby's that has multiple uses around a home. In most cases, a white non-gel toothpaste works best, and as always, test a small corner out first to make sure you aren't ruining one of your favorite possessions.

Quick Fixes

Got an old piano? Clean up those ivories with a little toothpaste on an old toothbrush, then wipe clean with a damp cloth. This works for newer, plastic keys as well. Also works well on silver and chrome.
A household pet peeve: That gunk that builds up on the bottom of the iron, then rubs off on your clothes. Use some toothpaste on a (cool!) iron, scrub off with a rag, then rinse completely.
College kids are savvy to this trick: When you're short on spackle, simply fill a nail hole with toothpaste, let it dry, then paint right over it.
Tired of tape marks on your walls? Hang your kids' artwork or small posters with just a dab of toothpaste in each corner. When you're ready to take it down, the toothpaste will clean up with water.

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Harry Potter, Vertical Gardens, and a Kitschy Case for Your Laptop - Links We Love

Bethany Sanders — Fri, 17 Jul 2009 15:00:00 EST

Filed under: miscellaneous

"Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince" opened on Wednesday. Get your fix with some of these fantastic ideas for Harry Potter DIY gear and crafts. -- Instructables

Gear and crafts aren't going to cut it for your Harry Potter fan? Then here's more: How to play a real life game of Quidditch and how to make pensieve punch.

Got a green thumb but no place to garden? Grab yourself an inexpensive shoe organizer and create a vertical garden. -- CasaSugar

Bring an old dresser back to life with a fresh, pretty paint job and an interesting design. Better than a brand-new piece of furniture. -- ShelterPop

It's mid-July, and your air conditioner is probably working hard. Here's how to give it a yearly check-up so that it'll keep you cool year after year. -- Lifehacker

Mmmm ... sushi. Only you can't eat this felt sushi, it's just pretty and fun to play with. -- Craftster

Keep the kids busy this weekend with a project that requires them to slow down a little -- egg shell people. -- eHow

This is going straight to the top of my "want" list. Remember those cute little kitschy suitcases you used to carry as a kid? Now you can make one -- wait for it -- for you laptop. -- Craftzine Blog

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DIY*kid: Bubble Prints

Bethany Sanders — Wed, 15 Jul 2009 15:00:00 EST

Filed under: kids

Nothing says "summer afternoon" like bubbles. Kids love water play, and bubbles add texture and visual appeal. So what happens when you mix bubble play with art? You get bubble prints -- water color-inspired designs that are both beautiful and and fun to make. Kids just don't get to make bubbles, they get to create multi-colored masterpieces.

Here's what you'll need:

Bowls -- Preferably different shapes and sizes to add interest. Glass bowls won't be stained by the food coloring. Low bowls -- even flat pans like pie plates -- work best, because you'll use less water and therefore need less food coloring.
Food coloring (various colors)
Water
White art paper
Dish soap

Either find a safe place to work outside or cover your work space with plenty of newspaper, and let's get started.

Gallery: Bubble Prints

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Unusual Uses: Bubble Wrap Reborn

Bethany Sanders — Mon, 13 Jul 2009 15:00:00 EST

Filed under: Unusual Uses

We brought home a new patio set last week -- for an imaginary patio that's yet to be built, but that's a story for another day. After unpacking and setting it up, I looked at the huge pile of bubble wrap sitting on my lawn. Surely, there must be a way to reuse this stuff, I thought. So after letting the kids have a few pieces to pop, I got busy looking for new ways to put it to work.

What I discovered is that besides being a fun and addictive noisemaker, bubble wrap is surprisingly versatile. I've squirreled mine away so that I can try out some of these unusual uses:

Use bubble wrap to line the crisper drawers in your refrigerator. It'll protect delicate fruits -- like pears -- from bruising when you toss them in. And when you forget the pears are there and discover them too late ... easy clean-up!
Bring bubble wrap with you to the grocery store to wrap frozen items in before bagging, ensuring they'll still be frozen when you get them home.
Start saving bubble wrap now for when the cooler weather sets in, then use it to winterize your delicate outdoor potted plants.

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Light Fixtures, Cross Stitch and Trivets - Links We Love

Bethany Sanders — Fri, 10 Jul 2009 15:00:00 EST

Filed under: miscellaneous

Looking for a fun summer project? Here are 20 DIY projects that make good use of items you already own. - AOL Home

Remember those paper-mache piggie banks we used to make when we were kids? Here's a grown up version, only this one makes a beautiful light fixture out of cotton yarn. -- CasaSugar

Everyone's got one stuck in their drawer somewhere: A tee that's just too big or doesn't fit right. With a little scrap fabric, you can turn it into an adorable tank top instead. -- Crafster

Hey, wine lovers: Here's a trendy, stylish trivet to brighten up your summertime table ... and make good use of all those wine corks. -- Craftynest

Everyone knows how to go on a picnic, right? Well here's how to have the perfect picnic -- good food, good company, good fun. -- eHow

Your garden needs a water feature, so how about a fountain ... built out of bowling balls? -- Instructables

Too busy spending time outside or on your favorite projects to watch your favorite TV shows this summer? Good for you! If you can't bear missing them, though, check out Hulu's desktop downloader to save and view your favorite shows. At your convenience. -- Lifehacker

Love to cross stitch? Heck, even if you don't, you'll love these amazing designs. And did you know you can even get a cross stitch pillow of your favorite Tweet? Amazing. -- Shelterpop

Rather than pay for pricey reusable bags, make your own out of your old pillowcases. -- Craftzine Blog

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DIYkid - Friendship Bracelets for Your Youngest Pals

Bethany Sanders — Wed, 08 Jul 2009 15:00:00 EST

Filed under: kids

Friendships bracelets are back and more popular than ever, making them a perfect craft for a summer play date. But what do you do when you've got a multi-age group, with some kids too young for braiding thread or stringing tiny bead? Or if your crew is just too tiny or too active to even consider that kind of project?

Easy. Set the big kids up with their materials, then get the little kids started on these simple preschool-sized friendship bracelets. They'll feel like big kids -- since they're doing the same project -- but rather than someone making a bracelet for them, they can actually do this project themselves.

Here's what you'll need:

toilet paper or paper towel tubes, one for each child
poster paint -- preferably white
paintbrushes
multiple colors of tissue paper, cut into small squares
paper plate or cardboard
glue (optional)

Then just follow the easy steps in the gallery below.

Gallery: Friendship Bracelets for the Preschool Set

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Unusual Uses - 10 Uses for Baby Shampoo

Bethany Sanders — Mon, 06 Jul 2009 15:00:00 EST

Filed under: Unusual Uses

Take a look in your bathroom vanity. Chances are -- especially if you've got young kids in the house -- there's a bottle of baby shampoo hidden in there somewhere, even if those kids aren't babies anymore. And if you don't, baby shampoo is inexpensive and easy to find, and often even turns up in thrift stores and garage sales.

That half-used bottle -- or an inexpensive new one -- is a soapy gold mine. Baby shampoo can be used for jobs around the house, as a stand-in for personal care products and for family fun, too. Here are some ideas:

Around the House

Zipper stuck? Don't get annoyed. Instead, dip a q-tip in baby shampoo and rub it on the stuck spot. It'll lubricate the zipper and get things moving again.
Groan. You've just discovered that you shrunk your favorite sweater in the wash. You can hand it down to your daughter, or you can try to resize it using a sinkful of water and some baby shampoo. Use it to wash your delicates, too!
Some baby shampoos contain mineral oil, excellent for revitalizing leather shoes, coats and purses. Dab a little shampoo onto a soft cloth and rub the shampoo onto the leather, leaving it soft and gleaming.
Take advantage of shampoo's natural grease-cutting properties. Mix it with a little baking soda and use it to clean your chrome faucets.

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July 4th, Building Kites, and a Mini-Fridge Wine Cooler - Links We Love

Bethany Sanders — Fri, 03 Jul 2009 15:00:00 EST

Filed under: miscellaneous

It's not too late to add some flair to tomorrow's big July 4th barbecue. For some excellent ideas on the ultimate July 4th party, go visit ShelterPop.

So the boss just handed you an impossible deadline ... what now? According to Lifehackery, the answer is a mix of time management, caffeine and strategy.

Drain cleaners are not only an inefficient way to unclog your bathtub or sink, they're terrible for the environment. There's a better way, and Lifehacker's got it: DIY Drano.

Keep the kids busy times two: Day one, build a kite. Day two, fly it. -- eHow

Forget ants ruining a picnic ... what happens when they're climbing your dining room table? Instructables has easy tips for getting rid of ants for good. -- Instructables

Not only do fresh herbs add flavor to your dinner, they're also an attractive addition to your yard's landscape. Learn how to plant, grow and maintain herbs in your own backyard. -- DIY Network

Want to invest more into your wine collection than your wine fridge? Here are some simple instructions for turning a mini-fridge into a wine refrigerator. -- WikiHow

If you're really on a budget, though, pinch pennies by storing your wine in this Fed-Ex wine holder. -- Craftzine.blog

Now I know what I'm doing this weekend! Check out this stylish but simple craft: Turn a plant stand and lazy susan into a side table. -- Craftynest

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DIYkid - Marker Cap Pencil Holder

Bethany Sanders — Thu, 02 Jul 2009 15:00:00 EST

Filed under: Kiddie Crafts

It's pouring down rain, the kids are getting restless -- time for a craft to keep everyone busy! The perfect kiddie craft -- in my opinion, anyway -- is one that you can create out of items you've already got laying around your house. And it's also really helpful when you create something that can make your life easier down the road.

Today's craft achieves both those goals. A marker cap pencil holder is made from the caps of used up markers and one lone sock -- things you can rescue from the trashcan. And when it's complete, it'll make an adorable place for your kiddo to keep their pens and pencils organized while they're doing homework this fall.

Difficulty rating: Easy

You'll need:

a clean, dry tuna can
several marker caps
one old sock
felt
ribbon
various embellishments
glue

Take a look at the gallery below for easy step-by-step directions.

Gallery: Marker Cap Pencil Holder

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Unusual Uses: Six Ways to Reuse a Six Pack

Bethany Sanders — Wed, 01 Jul 2009 13:00:00 EST

Filed under: Unusual Uses

There are a lot of great reasons to pick up a six pack of some cold, icy beverage in the summertime -- grilling, boating and lounging at the beach, for instance. But before you toss out those six pack rings or that cardboard six pack bottle holder after your brew is gone, consider the idea that you could put them to work for you instead.

Six pack rings, especially, are dangerous to marine wildlife. Birds and fish can get tangled in the rings, leaving them unable to eat or swim. Cutting the rings before disposing of them is one way to make them safer, and cardboard six packs can always be recycled. But as DIYers know, reusing is more frugal and more fun!

Here are six great ways to reuse a six pack holder:

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Invent your own sport and win big bucks

Bethany Sanders — Tue, 29 Jul 2008 11:00:00 EST

Filed under: recreation, health and wellness

DIY fans already know and love Instructables. But in the tradition of two-great-tastes-that-taste-great-together, the how-to site has paired up with active wear company Horny Toad in an invent a sport contest. Whether you're an inventor with a flair for athletics, or an athlete who loves to be creative, this contest is for you.

Simply come up with the rules for your original sport, make a list of necessary equipment, and if you're really enthusiastic, make a video. Send the information about your invented activity to Horny Toad and they'll post it on their website. The winner will receive a $350 gift card to spend on Horny Toad active wear.

If you need a little inspiration, or if you just want to try some of these newly invented sports yourself, check out some of the recent entries, including Crazy Croquet, WiFi Hunting, or this cool and inexpensive DIY skating or snowboarding sail. If you're the more visual type, check out their slide show of invented sports, some of which definitely belong in our Don't It Yourself category!

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Make a terrarium with your child

Bethany Sanders — Mon, 21 Jul 2008 15:00:00 EST

Filed under: backyard science, kids, gardening and plants

Got a kiddo who's driving you stir crazy on a rainy day? Or maybe you just have a budding botanist in the family. Either way, this kid's terrarium from National Geographic is sure to be a hit with kids of all ages.

Have a responsible child run down to the basement and dig out that old fishbowl... you know, the one you bought after you won that goldfish at the county fair? Wash it out with soap and water, then rinse well. While it's drying, gather the rest of your materials:

potting soil
horticulture soil
small stones
plants of your choice
scissors
water
decorative figure of your choice (a Polly Pocket? Ben 10? Let them decide.)

Visit National Geographic Kids for details on the how-to of this nifty terrarium, but basically you're going to layer the stones, then the charcoal, then the potting soil. Put your plants in the dirt, decorate, and place in a sunny place! Leave it to your children to prune the plants as necessary... responsibility is good for them!

(via Craft)

Gallery: Terrarium ideas for inspiration

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Tandem bike you can make yourself

Bethany Sanders — Fri, 18 Jul 2008 14:00:00 EST

Filed under: recreation

Tandem biking has grown in popularity over the last few years. Far from being the quaint "bicycle built for two" of the past, tandem biking is all about serious fitness these days. The larger, stronger person sits in the front, steering the bike and controlling it, while the "stoker" is the person who powers from behind.

Tandem biking has several benefits. It's a great activity for two people with different fitness levels. It also offers a mental challenge along with the physical workout -- partners must team up to find a rhythm that works for them. But most of all, it's just a whole lot of fun.

The drawback, of course, is the price. Low-end models go for about $500, while top of the line bikes can reach around $2500.

You can make your own tandem for a lot less than that, however. Find a couple of used bicycles, then make your way over to Instructables, where they'll teach you how to build your own tandem bike. You'll need to be at least a little knowledgeable about the parts of a bicycle and how they work, but if you are, this is a fairly simple hack.

[via Make.]

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Attract bees to your garden

Bethany Sanders — Fri, 18 Jul 2008 12:00:00 EST

Filed under: gardening and plants, nature

Colony collapse disorder, the mysterious phenomenon that has entire colonies of honeybees vanishing into thin air, has brought the state of our bee population to the forefront. Not many people realize this, but bees pollinate about 90% of our flowering crops. What that means is: without bees, we don't eat.

Creating a bee-friendly yard may not solve the issue of colony collapse disorder, but it is a great way of doing your part to encourage a healthy bee population. It'll also ensure that any of your own fruit, vegetable, and flower crops get pollinated, so that you have fresh food to eat and a beautiful yard to enjoy. In addition, the same plants that draw bees bring other pollinators, like butterflies.

So how do you go about attracting bees to your yard? It's not difficult at all. Read more about it after the break.

Continue reading Attract bees to your garden

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Make a fortune cookie

Bethany Sanders — Wed, 09 Jul 2008 18:00:00 EST

Filed under: food, in the kitchen, entertaining

My favorite fortune, read after dinner at a Chinese restaurant, says:

Life is full of choices. Today, yours are good ones.

It's been stuck to my fridge since I got it, reminding me that I have the ability to think before I act or speak, something I... well... occasionally have trouble with.

According to Wikipedia, 110 tickets won the U.S. Powerball because people played their numbers based on those found in their fortune cookie. The numbers printed are used in a vast number of cookies, which may make them seem a little less lucky, but I think those lottery winners would disagree.

Fortune cookies, though not truly a Chinese tradition, are an entertaining end to a Chinese-themed meal. Some people believe you have to eat the whole cookie before you read the fortune, or that if the fortune is unlucky, you shouldn't eat the cookie at all. Learn more about how to make a fortune cookie after the break.

Continue reading Make a fortune cookie

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Make your own butter

Bethany Sanders — Tue, 08 Jul 2008 20:00:00 EST

Filed under: food, in the kitchen, kids

I don't know about you, but when I think of homemade butter, I picture long afternoons spent at a butter churn. But did you know that you can make fresh, tasty butter in the comfort of your own modern kitchen? Not only is it simple, the results are immediately edible.

Apartment Therapy's Ohdedoh shares the simple steps for making homemade butter. All you need is some heavy cream, a jar, and some kids to do the shaking. Or, you can make life easier for everyone and put the cream in your food processor with either a plastic blade or its regular chopping blade. I'm not saying your kids won't like to shake, but when they get tired out, it's your biceps that are going to be aching.

When it's done, you can either eat it immediately or "work it" and store it in the fridge. For more details on how to make this yummy treat, check out the gallery below. Before you begin, I highly recommend baking a batch of homemade muffins or bread. You'll thank me later, I promise.

(via Craftzine)

Gallery: Simple homemade butter

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Becoming a morning person

Bethany Sanders — Tue, 08 Jul 2008 08:00:00 EST

Filed under: health

Let's face it: the world is built for early birds. Businesses open early, as do schools, and even trite old sayings assure us that unless we're up early, we won't be getting the worm. Want to be healthy, wealthy, and wise? Better not sleep in! It's not easy being a night owl.

Some people are able to create a life where being a night owl is to their benefit. But others are forced to live an early bird life despite their late night ways. If you have to get up early for work or for school and are finding it difficult, Newsweek has nine ways to change your habits and become a morning person.

Practical tips include setting consistent sleep and wake times for yourself (which means no sleeping in on weekends!), keeping your shades open to let the early morning light in, changing your workout time to earlier in the day, and avoiding large meals and alcohol just before bed.

As a morning person who is married to a dyed-in-the-wool night owl, I can't guarantee that these tips will change your natural body rhythms. But they might make those early mornings a little easier.

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How to throw pizza dough

Bethany Sanders — Wed, 02 Jul 2008 20:00:00 EST

Filed under: food, in the kitchen

Mmmm.... pizza. Not only does it make a tasty meal, it's the perfect dish for the end of the week when your fridge is full of odds and ends and not much else.

Pizza is also a no-stress meal for families who love to be together, but who like different things. You can either make personal pans or let everyone top their own corner of a pizza with their favorite items.

Either way, pizza-making is a lot more fun when the dough gets thrown around. Throwing a pizza dough is no small feat (heck, I have trouble just getting it to stretch out to meet the corners of my pizza pan), but it's not impossible.

If you're cooking for a pizza-loving household, check out WonderHowTo, where Chef Michael Kalanty from the California Culinary Academy will show you some surefire tricks for throwing your own pizza dough.

The secret appears to be in pinching the edge, presumably so it doesn't fall on the floor. That's where my first attempt will likely end up... better make a little extra!

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