DIY Life

Links We Love: Stylish Wine Bottle Wrap & Cookie Exchange Invites

Diane Rixon — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 12:00:00 EST

Wine bottle gift wrap made easy and beautiful. This visual confection of tissue and cellophane wrap is finished off with a key fob (pictured) for decorative flair. So pretty. - All Things G&D

These cookie exchange party invitations are simply inspired. Vintage-style tags are tied to sweet mini cookie spatulas. - Brooklyn Limestone

In a similar holiday vein, tiny muslin baggies make perfect containers for homemade hot cocoa mix. Ideal for gifts or party favors. Decorate the bags with fabric transfers ... or just tie-on labels. - Cathie Filian

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Hammer Nails Painlessly

Diane Rixon — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 12:00:00 EST

Filed under: fix-it

Photo: jolien_vallins, Flickr

Hammer nails without flattening your thumb. Yes, it can be done ... if you master the right technique. A gentle tap, tap, tapping is the secret. Here's how to hammer correctly and painlessly:

1. Grip it right. Hold the hammer near the middle of the handle to start a nail. This gives extra precision that will (hopefully!) protect your fingers.

2. Tap gently, swinging from the wrist. This gets the nail started in a hole. Remove your hand from the nail.

3. Swing firmly from the elbow. This will drive the nail into the hole.

Still banging your fingers ... or missing the mark completely? Frustrating! But here are a couple of tricks to try:

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5 Thanksgiving Tension Taming Tips

Diane Rixon — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 12:00:00 EST

Filed under: entertaining

Photo: cardamom, Flickr

The Thanksgiving feast: It's more of an ordeal than a celebration in some families. Ugly family tensions rearing their heads like clockwork each year. Maybe you have a self-appointed family dictator like Marney of the hilarious "Thanksgiving Letter" fame who sucks the fun out of every get-together?

If you're dreading another unpleasant Thanksgiving dinner, why not try some of the following tension taming tips. Who knows? Perhaps you'll become the family peacemaker this year!

1. Have a seating plan. The atmosphere will be oh-so-much improved if you can match like-minded family members at the table. Here's how to do it without sounding like a bossy boots: have the kids make and decorate cute place name cards. If you emphasize it was the kids' contribution to the big day, you'll boost the odds that everyone will obediently sit where you would like.

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DIY & Save: Home Strength Workouts For Pennies

Diane Rixon — Tue, 17 Nov 2009 12:00:00 EST

Filed under: health and wellness

Photo: adifansnet, Flickr

Expensive gym membership draining your bank account? Home gym equipment isn't cheap either. But, wait! There is a DIY alternative. Some creative fitness enthusiasts are making their own strength training equipment ... and saving big bucks in the process. Coming up: three examples that demonstrate how easy budget home workouts can be!

1. DIY Ab Bench. A step-by-step guide tells you how to make a simple abdominal strengthening bench. This one requires just a sturdy plank and PVC pipe screwed to the rail of someone's deck. - Fitness Training at Home

2. Bulgarian Training Bag. An inner tube filled with sand makes a versatile - and cheap! - half-moon shaped training bag. It's a fraction of the cost of dumbbells but can be used in just as many different ways. - DIY Strength Gear

3. DIY Medicine Ball. Stab a basketball, fill with sand then glue it up with Liquid Nails and tape with duct tape. It ain't pretty, but it does the job of a real medicine ball ... without the expense. - Washington Post

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Links We Love: Aussie-style Xmas Wreaths & Hot Home Colors

Diane Rixon — Fri, 13 Nov 2009 12:00:00 EST

Filed under: miscellaneous

Photo: Absolutely Beautiful Things

Aussie-style Christmas wreaths, resplendent with fresh and fragrant blue gum or succulent leaves. Definitely doable in warmer climates. - Absolutely Beautiful Things

Planning a room redo? Shelter Pop predicts next year's hottest home colors. - Shelter Pop

Give little ones a worthy seat at the kids' Thanksgiving dinner table this November. This example in Country Living shows how it's done. -via It's the Little Things That Make a House a Home

Blogger Nicole reveals the yummy and relaxing paint colors used throughout her home. Pretty pinks and "Chocolate Froth" really speak to me. - Making it Lovely

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Landscaping Ideas for Winter

Diane Rixon — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 12:00:00 EST

Filed under: gardening and plants

Photo: la fattina, Flickr

Save your garden from the winter blahs! The further north you live, the more important it is to landscape with winter in mind. When plants go dormant or leafless for months and the lawn turns brown or is covered with snow, you need something else to create visual interest.

Hardscapes are what you need. These are permanent, solid objects that complement the planted landscape. We're talking garden benches, pergolas, stepping stones, boulders and picket fences. All of these things define and beautify your garden through the barren months of winter ... and they are effective in hot, drought-prone zones also.

Click on my slideshow to get hardscape ideas for your own yard!

Gallery: Hardscapes for Winter Gardens

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Top 3 Facebook Privacy Tips

Diane Rixon — Wed, 11 Nov 2009 12:00:00 EST

Filed under: computers and internet

Photo: Gauldo, Flickr

Facebook: It gobbles up tons of your time ... but you just can't quit it. It's also gotten so complicated in terms of what and how to share info. Phew. Do you even know how private your FB account is anymore? Could personal information be leaking out without your knowledge? Here are three top strategies for safeguarding your privacy:

1. Create Friends lists and use them to customize access to your profile. Go to your Friends page then, under Lists, click on Friends and start sorting. Lists keep co-workers and casual acquaintances from hearing all about your wild spring break party or close-friends-only baby shower -- without hurting anyone's feelings. Good to know, right?

2. Restrict access by other FB users. Your default settings probably allow other users (people you have not "friended") to view parts or all of your profile, photos and status updates. A quick tweak of your privacy settings fixes that, however. Go to Settings, then Privacy Profile, then alter all the drop-down boxes to "Only Friends."

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DIY & Save: Faucet Aerators Cut Utility Costs

Diane Rixon — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 12:00:00 EST

Filed under: plumbing

Photo: Joe Shlabotnik, Flickr

Here's an easy way to live a little greener and save a little money: install low-flow faucet aerators in your home. Now, don't worry. "Low-flow" does not mean you'll be washing your hands under a puny trickle of water. Nope. That's because the aerator is like a tiny sieve that mixes air into the water stream. You won't even notice you're using less!

Was your home built prior to 1989? Do the fixtures date to that era or earlier? Then chances are high your faucets need the addition of aerators. Turn on the cold water and observe: does the water gush out fast and unrestricted as, say, water from your garden hose might? Or does it flow fast, yet feel somewhat lighter and fizzier in your hands?

If it's the former, you probably need aerators. Unscrew the faucet spigot (the nozzle where the water comes out) to double check. The latter means you probably have them already.

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Unusual Uses: Ramekins - Beyond Crème Brulee

Diane Rixon — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 12:00:00 EST

Filed under: Unusual Uses

Photo: admiller, Flickr

Next time you're scanning the clearance aisle for deals, keep your eyes open for ramekin sets. These adorable yet inexpensive small dishes are best known for serving up luscious crème brulee. However, they're indispensible for all kinds of other household uses. Such as...

1. Handy serving bowls. When your smallest serving dish is too large, grab a ramekin. They are perfect for holding dipping sauces, herbed butter, lemon & lime wedges, pesto, and kosher salt, to name just a few ideas. After the meal, use them to store tiny portions of leftovers.

2. Portion control for snacks. Serve yourself little nibbles in ramekins and you have the advantage of built-in portion control. Try them for holding chips, nuts, goldfish crackers, baby-cut carrots and fresh fruit.

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Links We Love: Cottage Blooms & a DIY Rolling Bar

Diane Rixon — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 12:00:00 EST

Filed under: miscellaneous

Photo: A Storybook Life

Borrow planting ideas from this gorgeous cottage garden. It's newly established, but already sporting tons of old-fashioned blooms. - A Storybook Life

Convert an antique or vintage travel trunk (AKA a steam trunk) into a rolling bar. Now that's traveling in style. - Ready Made

Makeover time! Let's kick it off with this mirror makeover, which Freckles Chick converted from a gold paint frame to a sleek and contemporary white. - Freckles Chick

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Reduce Speeding on Your Street

Diane Rixon — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 12:00:00 EST

Filed under: recalls and safety

Photo: madmetal, Flickr

Whaddya know? A guy attempts a little DIY traffic calming on his own street and gets attention from the cops. No, it's not because he was pointing a radar gun at passing cars, but because of the pink tricycle he planted on the side of the road. Hmm.

If you have a problem with speeding cars on your street, I'll concede it's not really practical to stand out there all day with a radar gun anyway. So here are some suggestions that might really work to solve your traffic issues once and for all.

1. Invest in a brightly colored "kids at play" driveway sign. I'm willing to bet these signs are more effective than the presence of actual children. Why? It's because the signs are designed to be all official-looking. Responsible drivers react automatically when they see a "go slow" reminder.

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Find Swine Flu (H1N1) Shots in Your Area

Diane Rixon — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 12:00:00 EST

Filed under: health

Photo: so.salem, Flickr

Neighborhood Walgreen's not offering the swine flu (H1N1) shot? Never fear. The much-discussed national vaccine shortage is a reality ... sort of. (The government says it's more of a logistical problem than an actual shortage at this stage.) But it doesn't necessarily rule you or your kids out of the running for a dose.

First, though, are you eligible? As of right now, the vaccine is on offer to folks considered high-risk for H1N1: pregnant women, those 6 months old through 24 years, people who live with or care for children younger than 6 months old, healthcare and emergency medical services personnel, and people 25 through 64 years old with certain illnesses.

Important Thing 1: People aged 65 and older are not included in the high-risk group unless they qualify via one of the other risk categories. Babies under 6 months of age are too young to receive the vaccine.

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DIY & Save: Last-Minute Holiday Saving Strategy

Diane Rixon — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 12:00:00 EST

Filed under: money

Photo: mamamusings, Flickr

You shop the sales. You've already reduced your holiday spending budget. But let's face it: the holidays are still going to cost you. Really smart budgeters contribute small amounts all year round to holiday savings accounts. For the rest of us, it's not too late! Here are some last minute ways to put money aside for holiday gifts.

1. Open a holiday account. No, it's not too late. Do you have any free funds sitting in your checking account? If so, transfer them immediately to your holiday fund. It's a start.

2. Cut the lattes. Yes, it's annoying when budgeting experts keep reminding us not to fritter money away on expensive little luxuries. If you like to indulge in little treats for yourself, however, now's the time to go cold turkey. Not forever. Just for the next few weeks, and put that money aside. It will add up over the next few weeks.

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Unusual Uses: Ziploc Bags 10 New Ways

Diane Rixon — Mon, 02 Nov 2009 12:00:00 EST

Filed under: organization and storage

Photo: Barkdog, Flickr

I put Ziploc bags up there with sliced bread in terms of usefulness. They're like the ultimate affordable organizing tool. If you're only using bags to freeze leftovers or tote sandwiches to work, you're missing out! Read on for 10 new ways to use Ziplocs:

1. Compact wet wipe storage. Like traveling light with your baby or toddler? Me, too. I never bought a bulky diaper bag and I also ditched the plastic wet wipes container early on. Instead, I always carry a baggy with a small stash of wipes, which takes up only the tiniest amount of space in my messenger bag.

2. Diaper changing mat. Speaking of diaper duty, a gallon or larger size Ziploc makes a perfect super-compact changing pad. No, it's not padded (unless you add an old t-shirt or something), but it will keep your tot's head off icky public diaper changing surfaces.

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Links We Love: Decor for Dudes & Candygrams

Diane Rixon — Fri, 30 Oct 2009 12:00:00 EST

Filed under: miscellaneous

Photo: Inchmark

Make a candygram to show you care. Place a message inside a shallow box and fill with a single layer of colorful gumballs. Sweet. - Inchmark

See Owlsorts' spooky mantelpieces all decked out for Halloween. Check out the cute Halloween wind spinners, too! - Owlsorts

Colorfully painted glass jars become light-hearted Halloween luminaries. Just add happy or sad Jack-o-lantern faces. - Crafts by Amanda via The Crafty Crow

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Jack-O-Lantern Longevity Tips

Diane Rixon — Thu, 29 Oct 2009 12:00:00 EST

Photo: jeffk, Flickr

Planning the perfect Jack-O-Lantern this Halloween? Don't let your labors go to waste: preserve your pumpkin for as long as possible. Yes, there are ways to delay the spread of rot and mold ... and you may be surprised to find what really works the best!

Now, there are lots of pumpkin preservation tips out there. Most popular suggestions include greasing the pumpkin all over with Vaseline or white craft glue, or soaking it in a bleach solution. Others swear by coating your Jack with acrylic spray or just plain old hairspray. You can even buy a special pumpkin-preserving spray called Pumpkin Fresh for this very purpose.

The debate has been greatly aided by an experiment from the folks at the (very fun) site, My Science Project. The conclusion: keep away from the white glue, Vaseline and acrylic spray. These substances encouraged mold to grow like crazy! The bleach solution was top for the first few days, but your best bets for longevity are a) apply Pumpkin Fresh or b) just leave your pumpkin au natural.

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Free Grocery List Templates & Printables

Diane Rixon — Wed, 28 Oct 2009 12:00:00 EST

Filed under: organization and storage

Photo: cesarastudillo, Flickr

Say goodbye to crumpled Post-its in your purse. Say hello to streamlined grocery shopping: try one (or more) of these free grocery list templates and printables. They'll help you to help yourself keep track of your purchases. We all need a little organizational help sometimes, right?

Grocery Wiz is a fun way to plan your shopping and a wonderful way to ~~waste time~~ get organized. Click on a category, such as "Frozen Foods" or "Cleaning Supplies" and you can check off the items you need and add notes. Best of all, the site automatically matches items with available coupons!

Laura, aka The Organizing Junkie, shares her shopping template with the world. It's my top pick: lots of white space means more room for scribbling. While you're there, check out Laura's other links and additional downloads, including a menu planner and family travel checklist templates.

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DIY & Save: 15 Thrifty Halloween Costumes

Diane Rixon — Tue, 27 Oct 2009 12:00:00 EST

Filed under: crafts

Photo: milgrammer, Flickr

Strapped for cash? DIY'ing your Halloween costume can certainly save you some hard-earned money. Best of all, you can be cheap without looking cheap, since homemade costumes equal creativity at Halloween! I've been scouring the Web for clever yet thrifty ideas for this year's scariest season and (drum roll) have come up with 15 fabulous yet super-thrifty ideas.

1. Solo Cup Lobster. Red shorts, socks and t-shirt, with a plastic cup/plate shell. Brilliant! Extra Butterfingers for anyone who comes to my house wearing this outfit.

2. Balloon Boy. Yes, it's expected to be this year's Big Thing for Halloween. And it's a pretty easy one to make. All you'll need to do is dress up in a large box (with holes for head and arms) and carry a large silver balloon.

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Unusual Uses: New Ways to Twitter

Diane Rixon — Mon, 26 Oct 2009 12:00:00 EST

Filed under: Unusual Uses

Photo: ydhsu, Flickr

Sometimes maligned as a forum for pointless chatter, pro Twitter users know it ain't true. Today we link to some Twitter defenders who share their ideas for creative Twittering. Any Twitterer worth his/her tweets should have a few of these unusual uses up the proverbial sleeve!

Get out of jail (yes, really) or otherwise alert friends that you're in danger.
Write a book ... 140 characters at a time.
Employ a digital assistant: an app that reports back whenever you're mentioned by other users.
Talk to your houseplants. - Daily Bits

Use the Commuter Feed app to monitor traffic in your area.
Share your location with contacts using Mologogo.
Track your cigarette usage with Qwuitter, and hopefully motivate yourself to end your unhealthful habit.
Receive public safety alerts. Fire alerts are now available to Los Angeles Twitterers ... and possibly your area soon!
Guilty conscience? Send anonymous confessions. - Odeo

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Links We Love: Origami Treat Bags & Fabulous Fall Parties

Diane Rixon — Fri, 23 Oct 2009 12:00:00 EST

Filed under: miscellaneous

Celebrate pumpkin season! Photo: Hostess with the Mostess

Darling origami gift bags for Halloween treats. A new vlog teaches you how to fold like a pro! - Infarrantly Creative

"The Hostess" shares entertaining ideas for the leafy months of October and November. Inspiration for fabulous fall parties is now at your fingertips. - Hostess with the Mostess

And for your next get-together, here's a recipe to bookmark: delectable (yet easy) cream cheese Danishes. Yum. - Niesz Vintage Fabric

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