DIY Life http://www.diylife.com DIY Life http://www.diylife.com/media/feed_logo.gif DIY Life http://www.diylife.com en-us Copyright 2009 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/Fixing a clothes dryer that won't dryhttp://www.diylife.com/2008/01/28/fixing-a-clothes-dryer-that-wont-dry/http://www.diylife.com/2008/01/28/fixing-a-clothes-dryer-that-wont-dry/http://www.diylife.com/2008/01/28/fixing-a-clothes-dryer-that-wont-dry/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

clothes dryer clip artThere's nearly nothing so frustrating as a clothes dryer which returns your freshly washed laundry in the same condition as when you put it in there. Most of us know the feeling we get when we stick our hand in the dryer expecting warm fluffy towels only to find a cold wet lump of terry cloth fabric.

There are three main conditions which most commonly cause this problem to occur. Your dryer vent could be plugged up, your heating element could be failing, or your dryer drum may be refusing to turn. A few tests and observations can quickly reveal the source of your trouble.

Continue reading Fixing a clothes dryer that won't dry

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]]>cleandryerlaundrylintmachineventwasherGary E. SattlerMon, 28 Jan 2008 10:00:00 ESTBuild cold frames now for a head start on your gardenhttp://www.diylife.com/2008/01/10/build-cold-frames-now-for-a-head-start-on-your-garden/http://www.diylife.com/2008/01/10/build-cold-frames-now-for-a-head-start-on-your-garden/http://www.diylife.com/2008/01/10/build-cold-frames-now-for-a-head-start-on-your-garden/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

gardeing trowelI guess it's a little early in the season to begin thinking about gardening, but I can't help it. I live to have my hands in the dirt. I love the feel and the smell of it. That's why I'm bringing you this helpful suggestion on how to get your garden going a little earlier than you might have expected this year. The concept is called cold frame gardening. It's easy and highly effective.

Cold frames are nothing more than small self-contained green houses. They are generally about three feet square with an angled top to face toward the sun. One of the best things about cold frames is that you can build them utilizing materials which might otherwise have been considered scrap.

Continue reading Build cold frames now for a head start on your garden

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]]>cold framecold-frameColdFramefeaturedflatsfrostgardengardeninggreen-houseHGTVplant starterplant-starterplantsPlantStarterRunner DuckRunnerDucksolar gainsolar-gainSolarGainUniversity of MissouriUniversityOfMissouriGary E. SattlerThu, 10 Jan 2008 12:00:00 ESTBilly Mays and Mighty Putty: Nothing new under the sun.http://www.diylife.com/2008/01/08/billy-mays-and-mighty-putty-nothing-new-under-the-sun/http://www.diylife.com/2008/01/08/billy-mays-and-mighty-putty-nothing-new-under-the-sun/http://www.diylife.com/2008/01/08/billy-mays-and-mighty-putty-nothing-new-under-the-sun/#commentsFiled under: , ,

question markTelevision miracle product barker Billy Mays wants you to buy the "new" epoxy putty which claims to fix almost anything effectively and permanently. Billy's not lying to you in the assertion that epoxy putty can make an effective repair in many situations but don't be fooled, epoxy putty is nothing new.

Go to your local hardware store and ask them for epoxy putty, they should have it available for you and you'll save about $7.95 in shipping charges. Epoxy putty works in the manner that Billy says, just knead it to mix it and apply it to accomplish your chosen repair. Epoxy putty does have a limited shelf life so be careful not to buy much more than you need.

Do not use epoxy putty for attaching things which will be suspended above occupied spaces. Do not use epoxy putty for surfaces which will come in direct contact with food. Do not use epoxy putty for towing vehicles and do not use epoxy putty for permanent repairs on any kind of fluid lines while under pressure.

Do make sure that the product is properly cured before putting it into service in any capacity and do take Billy Mays with a grain of salt.

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]]>Billy-Maysepoxy puttyEpoxyPuttyleakmighty-puttyrepairwood-fillerwood-puttyGary E. SattlerTue, 08 Jan 2008 18:00:00 ESTA great bluebird house to build yourself (swallows like 'em too)http://www.diylife.com/2008/01/08/a-great-bluebird-house-to-build-yourself-swallows-like-em-too/http://www.diylife.com/2008/01/08/a-great-bluebird-house-to-build-yourself-swallows-like-em-too/http://www.diylife.com/2008/01/08/a-great-bluebird-house-to-build-yourself-swallows-like-em-too/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

bluebirdOf all the bird species native to North America, bluebirds are some of the most beautiful. During the decades of the 80's and 90's, bluebird populations were in serious decline which spawned nation wide efforts to assist them. One of the most dramatic developments to arise from the movement to assist the bluebirds may have been the inspired design of the Peterson bluebird house and the bluebird trails created with them.

Continue reading A great bluebird house to build yourself (swallows like 'em too)

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]]>bluebluebirdboxdesigneggsfieldfledglingGary E.SattlerGaryE.sattlergifthedgerowhousenestPetersonplansprojectsparrowswallowtrailwood-workingwoodcraftGary E. SattlerTue, 08 Jan 2008 08:00:00 ESTHow to write a song parodyhttp://www.diylife.com/2007/12/30/how-to-write-a-song-parody/http://www.diylife.com/2007/12/30/how-to-write-a-song-parody/http://www.diylife.com/2007/12/30/how-to-write-a-song-parody/#commentsFiled under: , ,

guitar playerHow many people out there remember Weird Al Yankovic? He was the musical satirist who made a name for himself in the 80's and 90's by taking pop songs and twisting them into his own hilarious interpretations of the original works. In particular, some of the parodies he created from Michael Jackson songs were amazingly inspired works of comedy art.

Because of Weird Al, I myself have tried my hand at the writing of parodies and I found it to be fairly simple. You must have the ability to follow a tune in your head and you need a sense of musical timing and rhyme. A slightly warped sense of humor can come in handy also which makes me a perfect candidate for the job.

If you are interested in seeing a working example of how you can write a song parody yourself, I invite you to take the jump and witness the creation of my song parody: "Internet writer", as based on the Beatles song "Paperback Writer".

Continue reading How to write a song parody

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]]>entertainmentfolkguitarmusicparodysatiresongWeird-Al-YankovicwritewritingGary E. SattlerSun, 30 Dec 2007 17:00:00 ESTFix pixels on your LCD screenhttp://www.diylife.com/2007/12/26/fix-pixels-on-your-lcd-screen/http://www.diylife.com/2007/12/26/fix-pixels-on-your-lcd-screen/http://www.diylife.com/2007/12/26/fix-pixels-on-your-lcd-screen/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

video display
There's almost nothing as annoying as purchasing a new electronic device only to find that there are flaws in the LCD viewing screen. The experience is fairly common but not often discussed. Most often, these flaws take the form of stuck pixels which show only one color or dead pixels which show nothing but black.

There was a fix for this problem discussed quite some time ago by our friends at Engadget. The solution they addressed suggested using a video file provided by Best Buy to force those stubborn pixels back into doing their jobs. The video file, which works by flashing red, green and blue colors on the display, seeks to dislodge stuck pixels and make them part of the team again. Mixed reports suggest that the process is at least marginally effective.

It seems to me that a person could attempt the same type of fix without having to hunt down that Best Buy video file. If I was required to try it for myself, here's what I'd do:
  • In any paint program I'd create a set of solid color images including: black, white, cherry red, forest green, canary yellow, royal blue, teal, magenta and cyan.
  • Save those images in a large enough image size so they won't tile if set to desktop background.
  • Set those images to run as a screen saver, slide show. Cycle them as fast as possible.
  • Let that screen saver run all night.
In theory, the rapid fire flashing of the intense colors should break loose those stuck pixels. I'd like to test this process myself but all my LCD pixels are performing pretty well. This process is not intended to bring dead pixels back to life, it's suggested simply for breaking loose a few stubborn ones.

One additional suggestion: If you suffer from epilepsy, you'd probably rather not attempt this fix.

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]]>Best BuyBestBuydisplayengadgetepilepsyfeaturedfixLCDpixelPSPscreen-saverslide-showvideoGary E. SattlerWed, 26 Dec 2007 10:00:00 ESTManufacturer recalls Billy Goatshttp://www.diylife.com/2007/12/20/manufacturer-recalls-billy-goats/http://www.diylife.com/2007/12/20/manufacturer-recalls-billy-goats/http://www.diylife.com/2007/12/20/manufacturer-recalls-billy-goats/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

recall logoIn response to possible fuel tank leakage, Billy Goat Industries Inc. has voluntarily recalled Billy Goat MultiVac outdoor vacumms. The manufacturer indicates that the fuel tanks on the machines can crack, leading to possible fuel leakage near hot engine parts creating the hazard of fire or explosion. No incidents have been reported to date. The recall affects approximately 1,600 units.

If you have a Billy Goat which is black and green with the product name printed on the collection bag, you can locate the product model number on a label located directly below the height adjustment crank on the left side of the vacuum. To find out if your Billy Goat is affected by this recall you can reference a list of the appropriate model numbers on the original Consumer Product Safety Commission press release.

Please discontinue using your Billy Goat and contact the manufacturer for a fuel tank replacement. You may contact Honda at (800) 426-7701, or you can visit the company website at www.hondapowerequipment.com.
Billy Goat

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]]>billy-goatcleanfirefuel-leakhazardhondaleavesmanufacturingoutdoorrecallvacumevacuumGary E. SattlerThu, 20 Dec 2007 08:00:00 ESTYour next income venture might be right in front of you!http://www.diylife.com/2007/12/18/your-next-income-venture-might-be-right-in-front-of-you/http://www.diylife.com/2007/12/18/your-next-income-venture-might-be-right-in-front-of-you/http://www.diylife.com/2007/12/18/your-next-income-venture-might-be-right-in-front-of-you/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

washcloth puppetsPeople ask me about ideas for things that they can make themselves to sell on Internet sites like Etsy.com. I tell them the trick is to come up with things that can be produced rather quickly with quality results and it helps if it's something they can make uniquely their own. It's also beneficial if the items are practical as well as decorative. A healthy dose of whimsy always helps to capture the attention of curious shoppers.

To see a fine example of what I'm suggesting, take a look at the home sewn washcloth puppets on Sewing.org. These home made little cuties would be relatively cheap to make because they're sewn using basic washcloths and some other common sewing supplies. Sewing.org gives you the full instructions for making them and even includes printable patterns for you.

Continue reading Your next income venture might be right in front of you!

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]]>babybathbathebathroombunnycowetsygiftincomepuppetsrabbitsewsewingsewing.orgshowerwalletpopwashclothGary E. SattlerTue, 18 Dec 2007 17:00:00 EST18 easy homestyle ways to reduce stress on the cheaphttp://www.diylife.com/2007/12/18/18-easy-homestyle-ways-to-reduce-stress-on-the-cheap/http://www.diylife.com/2007/12/18/18-easy-homestyle-ways-to-reduce-stress-on-the-cheap/http://www.diylife.com/2007/12/18/18-easy-homestyle-ways-to-reduce-stress-on-the-cheap/#commentsFiled under: , ,

ickStress, to some degree we all have it. Most of us have far more than we'd like to have but we learn how to deal with it in our own special ways. One way that I deal with my own stress load is by visiting my chiropractor once a month. He puts my frame back in alignment and that simply makes everything I face on a daily basis a little bit easier.

The last time I had an appointment with my chiropractor I found a list of stress reducing techniques which actually made me realize that I do a lot more to relieve my own stress than I thought. Stress reduction mentally compounds, which means the less stress you think you have, the less stress you'll actually experience and accordingly, the less stress you'll think you have. The idea feeds on itself.

After the jump, get an idea about how well you might be doing in the ways of managing your own stress.

Continue reading 18 easy homestyle ways to reduce stress on the cheap

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]]>chiropracticdietexercisehealthholidashholisticmental-healthself-helpspitualitystressstress-reductionGary E. SattlerTue, 18 Dec 2007 10:00:00 ESTBuild a LEGO wedding cake to have and to holdhttp://www.diylife.com/2007/12/17/build-a-lego-wedding-cake-to-have-and-to-hold/http://www.diylife.com/2007/12/17/build-a-lego-wedding-cake-to-have-and-to-hold/http://www.diylife.com/2007/12/17/build-a-lego-wedding-cake-to-have-and-to-hold/#commentsFiled under: , ,

sami eating cakeIt has always seemed a shame to me that one of the best parts of the wedding day gets destroyed soon after the wedding ceremony. I have always enjoyed the beauty of wedding cakes and although I have always liked eating a piece, or two, or three, it still seems unfortunate to me that wedding cakes can't survive the celebration intact. Photographs just don't do justice to the memory of a wedding cake. They are after all, hand crafted works of art. So what is a person to do when they want a wedding cake that will withstand the rigors of time? I have found the answer. Although not edible, a LEGO wedding cake is durable enough to keep for a lifetime and to pass on to your heirs.

The LEGO wedding cake web page I have located for you does not have actual step by step instructions for making this beautiful creation but plenty of pictures and good descriptive text give you enough information to undertake the project yourself. The bottom two tiers are constructed slice by slice, allowing the happy wedding couple to give them to wedding guests as keepsakes.

If you're a fan of LEGO construction and you are contemplating tying the matrimonial knot, give some consideration to the LEGO wedding cake. It fits all the requirements of the traditional wedding cake except it's not edible and you really wouldn't want to schmoosh a piece of it into your new life partner's face.

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]]>buildcakeceremonygiftkeepsakeLEGOmatrimonyplansrecyclereducereuseweddingGary E. SattlerMon, 17 Dec 2007 10:00:00 ESTThe many creative uses for retired PC'shttp://www.diylife.com/2007/12/14/the-many-creative-uses-for-retired-pcs/http://www.diylife.com/2007/12/14/the-many-creative-uses-for-retired-pcs/http://www.diylife.com/2007/12/14/the-many-creative-uses-for-retired-pcs/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , ,

computer caseSo you thought that once a PC was retired from data service it just went to the junk heap to be melted down and reincarnated as a Wii controller? Well, that's not what happens all the time. Some computers and their peripherals get a full make over and go on with their lives in the form of something new. Have you ever heard of a computer mouse turned Chia pet? Well, believe it or not, I found one.

A hilarious if not artsy gallery of images resides over at Techlicious.tv , and I'll bet that you will be greatly amused with what you find there. The creations displayed are made from the parts of computers just like the one you might have sitting on your desk. The best part might be that these projects all look like just about anyone could make them if given the right tools and glue. Take a look at the video display which was converted into a hamster cage. Now there's some ingenuity for you!

I guarantee it will be worth your time to take a little look. My favorite entry in the whole group would have to be the tower case hibachi. Please feel free to tell us about PC reincarnations that you have created and tell us how you go about building these things!

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]]>artchia-petcomputercreateengadgethibachipartsPCprojectrecyclereusesculpturetransformerwalletpopGary E. SattlerFri, 14 Dec 2007 14:00:00 ESTTis the season...to repair wood floorshttp://www.diylife.com/2007/12/11/tis-the-season-to-repair-wood-floors/http://www.diylife.com/2007/12/11/tis-the-season-to-repair-wood-floors/http://www.diylife.com/2007/12/11/tis-the-season-to-repair-wood-floors/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

dog on wood floorDid you say that Aunt Jenny's poodles scratched the heck out of your cherry wood flooring in the guest room? Did your riotous nephews gouge the tongue and groove planks in the family room with their radio controlled missile launcher? Is there a way to repair your lovely basswood dining room floor after Uncle Hal slid his chair across it with all 328 lbs of his lumbering carcass? Yes my friends, there is hope for your natural wood flooring even after your in-laws have done everything in their power to destroy it.

The National Wood Flooring Association has kindly placed instructions on their website to help you recover from some of life's worst known wood flooring disasters. With just a click of the mouse in your trembling hand, you can find the magic solution to repairing damages such as crayon marks, mild burns and dog accidents. You can learn how to remove food stains, grease stains, heel marks and much more. The NWFA website even addresses the difference between wax finished or surface finished floors, so you can be sure you are undertaking the proper method of repair.

So, the next time your neighbor's daughter brings her pony into your oak floored foyer, do not despair. Those hoof marks can be made to disappear. Natural wood has been used for flooring because it is so durable, and the science of repairing wood floors has been refined over time. With a little patience and some elbow grease you can certainly make an acceptable floor repair all by yourself, but you might want to discontinue parking your Harley Davidson in the family room just as an added precaution.


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]]>crayondamagefinishflooringheel-marksplanksrepairscratchscuffswaxwoodGary E. SattlerTue, 11 Dec 2007 11:00:00 ESTDrink your way to health and prosperityhttp://www.diylife.com/2007/12/06/drink-your-way-to-health-and-prosperity/http://www.diylife.com/2007/12/06/drink-your-way-to-health-and-prosperity/http://www.diylife.com/2007/12/06/drink-your-way-to-health-and-prosperity/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

teapotAre you willing to take a guess at what might be the most beneficial beverage available today? Beer might be a good guess, but you'd be wrong. It could be a sports drink if you just finished three sets of tennis. Perhaps it's just good old water, we all need that just to survive. In my case, there's a good chance that it's coffee because I almost live on the stuff. Do you think it's bourbon, milk, or turpentine?

According to a blog post at Yahoo! Food, there's a growing consensus that green tea is the drink of choice for health conscious folks. I've known for quite some time that green tea offers health benefits but I didn't know the full magnitude of the benefits green tea lays claim to. Here is a glimpse at how you might employ green tea to improve your healthy living program:

  • Block the onset of cancer with green tea's beneficial antioxidants known as polyphenols.
  • Soothe irritated skin with green tea's natural antiseptic qualities.
  • Help maintain healthy blood pressure
  • Preserve your brain function
  • Maintain your arteries and fight cholesterol
  • Rev up your metabolism
Green tea has been receiving positive reviews for decades. From what I have read, the stuff deserves all the praise that it gets. Unlike many of the concoctions that you can buy today which contain massive doses of sweeteners and caffeine to give them a jolt and make them palatable, green tea has a nice subtle flavor all it's own which is delicious either hot or cold. Given all the benefits that green tea is claimed to offer, it just might be a beverage you'd like to try.

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]]>antioxidantblood-pressurecholesterolG.E.Sattlergreen-teamemorymetabolismpolyphenolsslashfoodteathatsfitGary E. SattlerThu, 06 Dec 2007 13:00:00 ESTHoliday Gift Guide: Classic gifts for wood workershttp://www.diylife.com/2007/12/03/holiday-gift-guide-classic-gifts-for-wood-workers/http://www.diylife.com/2007/12/03/holiday-gift-guide-classic-gifts-for-wood-workers/http://www.diylife.com/2007/12/03/holiday-gift-guide-classic-gifts-for-wood-workers/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,

cordless drillWood workers are special people and that's why they deserve special gifts. Most of us wood workers are earthy types and hands on people who thrive on creating things of beauty and utility from nature's raw materials.

It's not hard to buy gifts for a wood worker but sometimes it's hard to buy just the right one. If your wood worker isn't giving any hints about what you might give them, I have some suggestions here that might make the endeavor a bit easier for you. I present to you my Holiday Gift Guide of Classic Gifts for Wood Workers.

Continue reading Holiday Gift Guide: Classic gifts for wood workers

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]]>apronbird-feederbird-housebuyingChristmasclockcnc-routercordlessdrillsG.E.Sattlergiftsguideholidashkitsmanufacturersnail-apronplansprojectsscrew-drivertool-belttool-boxtool-chesttoolswoodwood-workingGary E. SattlerMon, 03 Dec 2007 15:00:00 ESTFrugal holiday shopping and entertaininghttp://www.diylife.com/2007/12/03/frugal-holiday-shopping-and-entertaining/http://www.diylife.com/2007/12/03/frugal-holiday-shopping-and-entertaining/http://www.diylife.com/2007/12/03/frugal-holiday-shopping-and-entertaining/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

Christmas wreathThere are dozens of ways you can save money and protect your budget while gift shopping. This is especially important during holiday time because most people will be spending money in amounts above their normal budget and they'll be spending that money in places they might not normally shop. It's the responsibility of each of us to be our own smart shopper. With some assistance from Consumer Action, I have brought you this list of suggestions for saving and protecting your money during the holiday shopping season.

Continue reading Frugal holiday shopping and entertaining

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]]>buyingChristmascreativegiftsholidashholidaymoneysaveservicesshoppingsolutionsGary E. SattlerMon, 03 Dec 2007 10:00:00 ESTMake a diaper wreath as a gift!http://www.diylife.com/2007/11/28/make-a-diaper-wreath-as-a-gift/http://www.diylife.com/2007/11/28/make-a-diaper-wreath-as-a-gift/http://www.diylife.com/2007/11/28/make-a-diaper-wreath-as-a-gift/#commentsFiled under: , ,

diaper wreathWho could dispute that one of the best gifts you can give or receive is the gift with a practical use and that saves money for the recipient? Everybody likes to save money, and the parent of a new baby is certainly no exception. That is why I have always liked the hand made diaper wreath project. It's a gift that you can make by yourself. It's nearly 100% usable, and it will save that new parent a few precious dollars at a financially stressful time.

Continue reading Make a diaper wreath as a gift!

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]]>babybowsChristmascraftdiapergiftholidashparentdishshowerwreathGary E. SattlerWed, 28 Nov 2007 14:00:00 ESTFinding the best organization for year end donationshttp://www.diylife.com/2007/11/26/finding-the-best-organization-for-year-end-donations/http://www.diylife.com/2007/11/26/finding-the-best-organization-for-year-end-donations/http://www.diylife.com/2007/11/26/finding-the-best-organization-for-year-end-donations/#commentsFiled under:

piggy bank pictureHave you ever been in the position where you'd like to give some money to a charitable organization but you don't know which charity will make the best use of your donation? Do you know if a particular charity serves your financial intentions? In the past, it was quite difficult to determine the relative value of an investment in a charitable organization. In the information age however, you can now research individual charities with ease to make a comfortable decision about who you're going to send your money to.

Charity Navigator is a website dedicated to researching and reporting on the monetary performance of charitable organizations large and small. Sites of this kind are extremely valuable and Kiplinger.com names Charity Navigator as one of it's 25 Best Web Sites for 2007.

Continue reading Finding the best organization for year end donations

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]]>25-Best-Web-SitescharityCharity-NavigatorinvestKiplingermoneyGary E. SattlerMon, 26 Nov 2007 15:00:00 ESTChristmas wreaths are my favorite DIY Christmas project.http://www.diylife.com/2007/11/26/christmas-wreaths-are-my-favorite-diy-christmas-project/http://www.diylife.com/2007/11/26/christmas-wreaths-are-my-favorite-diy-christmas-project/http://www.diylife.com/2007/11/26/christmas-wreaths-are-my-favorite-diy-christmas-project/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

Christmas wreathDecorating Christmas wreaths was my favorite part about owning my feed store. I would buy the wreaths undecorated from local wreath makers and then I'd take them back to my shop to beautifully decorate them from a huge variety of floral decorations and dollar store trinkets. The smell of fresh balsam boughs filled my shop with the pungent aroma of a freshly cut Christmas tree, taking me back to fun and joyful Christmas times as a kid.

The gallery provided with this blog post shows a nice variety of wreath types and styles but it only scratches the surface. Use the pictures to stir your imagination.Wreaths can be made from any variety of materials and can take many forms. All you need is a fairly rigid support made in the shape you desire. In the case of grape vine and other similar wreath materials, the material itself serves as the wreath form.

Gallery: A Christmas Wreath Gallery

Encircled LampA bit differentA table wreathMore leafy can be niceThe Classic

Continue reading Christmas wreaths are my favorite DIY Christmas project.

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]]>bowChristmasChristmas-wreathdecorateholidashholidaymakeribbonwindwreathGary E. SattlerMon, 26 Nov 2007 11:00:00 ESTBuild your own super hero, Pow!http://www.diylife.com/2007/11/20/build-a-super-hero-in-your-spare-time/http://www.diylife.com/2007/11/20/build-a-super-hero-in-your-spare-time/http://www.diylife.com/2007/11/20/build-a-super-hero-in-your-spare-time/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Hero Machine screen capture
Have you ever been caught in a sticky situation and wished that a super hero would come to the rescue? Not to worry folks, now you can make your own super hero online and have them ready to serve you at a moment's notice. Under Ground Online has made it easy for you to assemble the component parts which will give you a really cool looking super hero character portrait. Granted, it's only a picture of a super hero but it's your own creation and perhaps even an extension of your ego.

You can choose male or female, human or mutation. You get to choose their entire outfit, piece by piece. You even get to give them awesome side arms and other weapons. What you can't do is make a replica of a well known super hero which already exists. Well, you can make a replica but that would be naughty.

All you aspiring cartoonists out there owe it to yourself to take a trip to Hero Machine 2.5 to give it a try. It's easy, it's fun and if you get hit with a mega dose of gamma rays while you're working on your super hero creation, perhaps the attributes you have chosen shall be transmuted into your DNA making you into a real super hero... but probably not.

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]]>buildcartooncreateDNAdownloadsquadexpire-images:2007-12-20Hero-Machinemakesuper-heroUGOGary E. SattlerTue, 20 Nov 2007 10:00:00 ESTLearn how to replace a light switchhttp://www.diylife.com/2007/11/19/learn-how-to-replace-a-light-switch/http://www.diylife.com/2007/11/19/learn-how-to-replace-a-light-switch/http://www.diylife.com/2007/11/19/learn-how-to-replace-a-light-switch/#commentsFiled under: , ,

wall switchI was going to write a blog post for you about how to replace a light switch. As I did my research in an attempt to present the information in a complete and concise manner, it occurred to me that all I was doing was trying to reinvent the wheel. So, rather than writing something which would simply qualify as another layer on top of a multitude of existing quality information, I present you the highlights from: "Gary's favorite electrical switch replacement tutorials:"

How to replace a light switch from About.com

Better Homes and Gardens, replace a switch.

Michigan State University explanation of how to replace a wall switch.

I invite you to review these three step-by-step tutorials. You will find that they each provide a good basic guide to getting the job done. I've also included a nice list of electrical safety tips from the Natural Handyman that you can review and share with your friends and loved ones.

Always remember that when electricity is not treated with the appropriate respect, it can become an effective killer in the blink of an eye. When it comes to electrical repair, there can be no guess work involved.

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]]>diagnoseelectricallight-switchrepairreplacewall-switchwiringGary E. SattlerMon, 19 Nov 2007 16:00:00 EST