DIY Life

Unusual Uses: Store your server in an IKEA bread bin

Heather Craven — 2008-07-10T18:00:00 00:00

Filed under: household hacks, organization and storage, computers and internet, Unusual Uses

There truly is something for everyone in this world. I would never have thought to combine kitchen storage with geeky computer stuff, but this idea is well worth crossing the two. After thinking it over, it makes perfect sense to store your server in your extra bread bin.

The tutorial for this project is quite clever -- and clear enough for even the most challenged of DIYers. A bread bin is just about the perfect size for a server, and the material is easily cut to fit cords and the like. Once the server is safely tucked in its new home it can live there relatively dust free and out of harm's way.

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Wasp cake brings fun to the table

Heather Craven — 2008-07-10T10:00:00 00:00

Filed under: in the kitchen, seasonal

What better way to add spice to your summer table than a cool, sassy wasp cake! This scary looking creature is an original creation by Cloth and Fodder, and while it certainly involves quite a few steps, the end product is definitely worth the effort.

The wings on this bad boy are made of toffee, and the legs, eyes and antennae are dark chocolate that has been melted and formed. The cake shown is a zesty lemon flavor, fitting for a summer evening, but could be made from your favorite: chocolate, yellow, carrot....

This cake might not be for the beginner baker, but it sounds delicious and well worth all of your hard work. I think it would be fun to fashion a few of them for a small swarm of cake wasps on the table.

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Condiment caddy makes patio dining a stylish snap

Heather Craven — 2008-07-08T15:00:00 00:00

Filed under: food, seasonal, staying green

One of the best parts about summer is outdoor dining. There is something so refreshing about eating outside under an umbrella, enjoying a fresh breeze and the scent of flowers in the air.

For all the pleasures it offers, though, eating outdoors does present a few problems. Sturdy plastic dishes and flatware are a must. And you are not too likely to leave your condiments out on the patio table throughout the hot days. This means many trips to the kitchen for napkins, extra forks and condiments.

Designsponge recently featured a clever, cheap, and super cute solution to help cut down on kitchen trips and make outdoor summer dining a bit easier and more stylish.

The process is amazingly easy; all you need is an empty six pack container, some gift wrap, a pair of scissors and some rubber cement. Then follow the simple directions and -- voila! -- you will have a stylish table caddy.

I like this project for its simplicity and the idea of using something destined for the trash as a productive household item. These caddies could be made even more personal by using a child's painting rather than wrapping paper. Or if you want to take it a step further, they could be used to organize office items such as pens, marker and the like.

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Coke: a great multi-use home product

Heather Craven — 2008-05-15T17:00:00 00:00

Filed under: food, household hacks, miscellaneous, cleaning

In this economy, there's no time like the present to look in the pantry and take stock of things, to distinguish between the must-haves and the fluff.

Things like tinned smoked oysters might not need to be replaced. The same goes for gourmet cookies. And that six pack of Coke? Who needs that, when there's perfectly good drinking water free from the tap? Or so I thought... until I began reading about the many wonders of Coke.

It turns out Coke is more than just a sweet drink that gives you a lift: it can be used for everything from creating a better curl to cleaning stubborn toilet stains. After the break, you'll find a few more clever uses for the carbonated drink....

Preventing slippery floors: In case you happen to be hosting a ballroom dancing party, simply mop the floor with a can of Coke, let it sit for a few minutes and then dance the night away. The stickiness might prove irksome to some, but the safety factor is definitely something to consider.
Jellyfish sting relief: On vacation, do you find your self tangled up with some meddlesome jellyfish, with no doctor available? Grab a can of Coke and pour it over the sting: relief should be forthcoming.
Curls without the frizz: For those of us with naturally curly hair, preventing the daily frizz can be a frustrating issue. It turns out pouring on a can of flat Coke before shampooing will result in perfectly separated curls.
A fabulous tan: One woman writes that she achieves a great, long-lasting tan by dousing her skin with a dose of Coke before basking in the sun.

I love the wide variety of uses that come from a single drink. Sure, Coke is packed with sugar, and not the best beverage to consume on a daily basis, but it has so many practical and wacky uses. I believe it's a keeper for the pantry.

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Sixteen year-old converts gas guzzling truck to electric

Heather Craven — 2008-01-31T16:00:00 00:00

Filed under: cars and transportation, staying green

Not all teens are caught up with video games and prowling the malls, one innovative sixteen year-old boy has taken his 1988 Mazda pickup truck and given it a new life as an electric car. Wow! Andrew Angelloti saved up a wad of $6,000 from his part time gig as a life guard and spent it on the required parts for his eco-conscious vehicle.

The process of converting the older car involved using 20 flooded lead acid batteries to create 120 volts, which he then coupled to a 60 HP 9" electric motor. The results are pretty impressive, Andrew can reach speeds of up to 55 MPH and can travel up to 40 miles at a time from one charge. Angelloti is so smitten with his first creation that he has decided to give his handy work another go and is currently overhauling a 1992 Toyota Tercel that will out perform his current creation.

What a refreshing bit of news. Not only is this young man using his time and talents in a productive manner but he is doing good things for the planet. A great example of some serious DIY initiative and teens everywhere!

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Help your kids survive huge, public events

Heather Craven — 2008-01-22T12:00:00 00:00

Filed under: kids, miscellaneous

Although my family lives in a fairly secluded area, several times per year we attend local events that attract thousands of people. I always cringe when these extravaganzas come to town because I like my children where I can see them, right next to me and not wandering about in gigantic crowds. Next week the biggest of the big events will be here, the Winter X Games. My older two children have already begun to vibrate in happiness at the mere thought of this outdoor party. The local schools will let out, there will be carnival games, free samples galore, cool athletes performing even cooler stunts and thousands upon thousands of people. A couple of years ago my older son, then just 12, did not show up at the designated meeting place and much drama ensued. As a result of that snafu we have implicated a plan for times such as the upcoming games, I call it The Plan.

The Plan consists of common sense, synchronized clocks and an airtight understanding of everybody's expectations. It goes something like this:

Know the lay of the land. The X Games happens to be on the side of a ski mountain. There is no parking, only buses. It is cold. There is more noise than humanly imaginable. This said, I make sure my son knows exactly what events he wants to watch, the safest routes to get there and the times during which they occur.
Know the schedule. Get an event planner several days before the happening. This way you can plan which events are the most alluring. By coordinating the times and days, a bus schedule can also be established.
Stay in communication. Due to the noise level of this particular event, communicating by phone is difficult. My son carries his own cell phone and we establish a schedule throughout the day when he will either find a quiet location to call or text me a message.
Allow time for crowd control. Just because an event ends at a certain time there is no guarantee that my son will be able to catch the bus immediately following said event. If something ends at 7 p.m. I give him at least 20 minutes to maneuver through the throngs of people.

Although the above points are not rocket science it helps to keep everybody aware and abreast of any and all plans. Since implicating it we have had no lost family members and large events have been much less stressful.

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Create a snow labyrinth with just a pair of snowshoes

Heather Craven — 2008-01-21T16:00:00 00:00

Filed under: recreation, seasonal

This video presents a creative way to spend some time out in the cold and keep warm at the same time. The videographer has a good idea, but one I believe can be made even better. Why not repeat the process of making snowshoe imprints in the snow every time there is a snow storm? In addition, by adding snow to the walls in between the trodden trails, the labyrinth will increase in height and create more intrigue. By the end of the winter your yard could be an entertaining spot sure to attract the entire neighborhood.

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Rehabbed fire bell makes for a serious alarm clock

Heather Craven — 2008-01-21T13:00:00 00:00

Filed under: household hacks

Waking up in the morning is never an easy task, and for many people actually rising when the alarm clock rings is a lost cause. If you happen to fall into the category of not hearing your daily alarm, here is the ultimate clock for you: the fire alarm. The assembly looks fairly easy, requiring just an old fashioned fire alarm bell and a cheap, battery powered alarm clock. It is sure to not only wake you up with a jolt, but to scare the heck out of you with your first waking breath of the day.

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Bring back yesteryear with a nostalgic homemade feather quill pen

Heather Craven — 2008-01-21T10:00:00 00:00

Filed under: kids, Crafts

A trip down the road of yesteryear is such a novelty for most kids these days. Rare is the moment when most children are not surrounded by modern gadgets seeped in technology. But if you are looking for a bit of fun for an afternoon project with your children, look no further than the old fashioned feather quill pen. All you need is:

A medium sized feather. This is even more fun if you have happened upon it while on a nature walk rather than buying one at a craft store, though a craft store will likely have a nice selection of various sized feathers.
An X-acto knife.
India ink

Then simply cut the bottom of the feather quill at an angle and make a small slit in the angled cut. Dab the feather in ink, blot it on a paper towel and start writing.

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Try some creative remedies to combat dandruff

Heather Craven — 2008-01-20T16:00:00 00:00

Filed under: miscellaneous

Dandruff is one of those niggling problems that is just embarrassing enough that although many people suffer from it, few are willing to seek help. Instead shoulders everywhere are sprinkled with white flakes and self-conscious individuals. Dandruff shampoos are often harsh and leave scalps dry and itchy. But there is help, and creative help at that. Following are a few ideas to help those with flake challenged scalps:

Mouthwash: First wash hair with regular shampoo and then rinse with an alcohol based mouthwash. Follow up with your regular conditioner.
Lemon juice: Massage 2 tablespoons of freshly squeezed lemon juice into scalp and rinse. Follow up with an additional rinse of 1 teaspoon lemon juice mixed into a cup of warm water. Continue this daily regime until dandruff symptoms subside.
Salt: Give your scalp a daily scrub down with a salt massage before you wash your hair. The scrubbing action should relieve the dandruff problem after several applications.
Aspirin: Crush a couple of tablets into your regular shampoo. Leave the mixture in hair for a couple of minutes before rinsing. Follow up with a regular shampoo wash.

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Create a bee sculpture out of paper

Heather Craven — 2008-01-19T10:00:00 00:00

Filed under: art, Crafts

I don't aspire to much in life, but if I could learn to create something as cool as this paper bee sculpture I just might consider it a success. This tiny bit of wonder is just six centimeters in length and was originally listed for sale on Etsy. The artist is no longer selling them but has left directions on how to create your own wee bee. It appears that many tiny pieces of Bristol paper and a steady hand are involved, but the end result is such a masterpiece that I believe the effort is well worth the end result. And if you do create one, or any other bugs for that matter, be sure to take a picture and share the end result with us here at DIY.life.com!

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Cat litter is for more than just your kitty's unmentionables

Heather Craven — 2008-01-18T16:00:00 00:00

Filed under: miscellaneous, pets

Cat litter is a household product to which I have rarely given much, if any, thought. Recently I saw a neighbor sprinkling it under the tire of his car that was deeply embedded in a snowbank. Sure enough, after laying some of the fine gravel under and around his tires, he was free of the embankment and ready to go. As handy as that bag was for him, there are actually a multitude of uses for cat litter. Some of them have a bit of the yuck factor, but others are downright innovative. In no particular order, some of the more interesting uses are as follows:

Barbecue safety: Keep any and all barbecue flames at bay by layering generous hand fulls over the bottom of your cooking kettle.
Picture perfect dried flowers: Preserve and dry fresh cut flowers by filling a plastic container with litter and placing flowers among the gravel bits. Cover with an airtight lid until the flowers have dried.
Deep cleaning mud mask: Mix warm water and a couple of hand fulls of fresh litter into a paste and spread on your face until dry. Follow with a warm water rinse. The mud makes for an amazing deep cleaning facial.
Mole prevention: Moles dislike the smell of used cat litter just as much as humans. Pour some of the foul smelling litter down a mole hole and get ready to have a mole-free yard.

The above mentioned uses require a steady supply of cat litter, but if it means your barbecues will be safer, you can have fresh looking flowers all year long and your skin will be toned and fresh, then it is well worth it.

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Turn your old blender into a hip lamp

Heather Craven — 2008-01-17T16:00:00 00:00

Filed under: household hacks, in the kitchen

Sometimes I run across a gem of home improvement so amazing that not only do I wish I had the talent to create something similar, but I wish I could meet the person who thought up such a concept. The author of The Black Table has taken old blenders left behind by partying roommates and turned them into cool, sturdy lamps. By using:

10 feet of electrical cord with an attached plug on one end
an electric tester
an electric light socket
a switch
two wire caps
needle nose pliers
light bulbs
wire strippers
electrical tape
and a blender

You, too, can take your old blender from old and funky to new and fun. Everything you need to know is listed on the Black Table site and included are a set of detailed instructions and pictures to make the process that much easier. I am not quite brave enough to embark on this DIY adventure but it does look like it would be sassy and fun.

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The best thing to do on a snow day, build an igloo

Heather Craven — 2008-01-16T18:00:00 00:00

Filed under: kids, recreation, seasonal

I live in the Colorado Rocky Mountains where this winter we have been slammed with one snow storm after another. This has meant a couple of snow days for my three children that have left me wondering just how to fill the long afternoons without turning on the television and plugging in the video games. The obvious answer is to head out into the great white wonder, but there is only so much my three kids and I can do before we get cold and bored. One of my newest ideas is to build an igloo with them. When my brother and I were kids, my parents would help us pile a huge mound of snow that we would then pound do to create a compact mountain. Once done, we would tunnel into the mound until we had created enough space in which to sit and feel pleased with ourselves. However, I am picturing something a bit more grand for my three offspring the next time we venture outdoors.

I recently found a site outlining the basic steps of igloo assembly. The instructions are simple and the graphics look easy enough for my group to follow. The needed tools are few, just a snow shovel and a small. flexible saw. The very top of the igloo looks a bit more detailed than the bottom, but if we end up with a skylight atop our icy home we will have a better vantage point to watch the flakes fall.

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Make a quick paper cup for just about anything

Heather Craven — 2008-01-12T10:00:00 00:00

Filed under: food, miscellaneous

You just never know when you might be in need of a small container. Sure, you can be prepared with small plastic containers or a water bottle. But what about those times when somebody wants a drink of your water and you just don't feel like sharing their germs? Or maybe you find yourself with a car full of children and all of them wanting some chips but you don't want the crumbs all over your newly cleaned upholstery? These are the perfect times to whip up a small paper cup.

The classic cup pattern that many of us learned sometime back in middle school is a practical and cheap solution to situations like the above examples. You will need a square piece of paper and the set of directions to whip up the cup, you could either print out the directions or take a minute or two to memorize them. Once done, it should be easy to construct the cup when the need arises. Typing paper is likely best if the cup is intended for drinking, but if you plan on using it for snack, recycling a magazine page could work just as well.

A word to the wise: these cups are not meant for long term us nor are they intended for hot liquids.

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Save some cash and make your own feathery Christmas trees

Heather Craven — 2007-12-06T12:00:00 00:00

Filed under: seasonal, Crafts

A few years ago I saw a beautiful trio of white Christmas trees constructed out of what appeared to be white feathers in the window of a ritzy home decor shop. They were so stunning that I entered the store only to discover they were far beyond my holiday decorating budget. I have never forgotten the trees and recently set out to recreate the project on my budget, under $10 rather than the three figure price tag I originally spied in the fancy shop. At a local craft store I found a package of two styro foam cones for $2.98 and a some white feathers for another $2.89. Then it was home to visualize the final project and figure out how to do it.

First I cut the feather to fit the smaller cones, I found cutting them into thirds fit nicely. Then I simply began gluing the feathers in a circular pattern and then continued until the top of the cone. I alternated the feather sections, using the end pieces and the middle pieces in the same row to avoid an appearance of conformity. Because feathers and glue are not the best combination, I tried to apply the hot glue to the quill of each feather to avoid a sticky mess. The finishing touch was glitter applied in a random pattern to give the appearance of snow. I plan to try the process again, this time using a larger cone to round out my two small ones. But overall I am pleased to have my pretty feather trees and to have finished the project for under ten dollars.

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No snow in your neck of the woods? Fry yourself a Texas snowflake

Heather Craven — 2007-12-03T17:00:00 00:00

Filed under: food, in the kitchen

I happen to live in a part of the country where we experience the winter season to the fullest. This means cold weather by mid-October, snow by Halloween and always a white Christmas. A warm holiday is something i have never experienced and can't imagine seeing. Nevertheless, there are many households who never see a fleck of snow during any holiday revelry.

Snowflakes are not just to be found in the high mountain clouds, they can be created in any kitchen anywhere there is a stove and the right supplies. To cook one up you will need:

Uncooked tortillas.
A pair of scissors.
A frying pan.
A sprinkling of powdered sugar.

Simply cut the tortilla into a desired snowflake pattern, fry it up in a pan, and sprinkle with powdered sugar. This fun treat is sure to bring smiles to all faces.

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Bring Christmas to your baby with a tree mobile

Heather Craven — 2007-11-30T14:30:00 00:00

Filed under: kids, seasonal, Crafts

Small children and babies are so often fascinated by the twinkling lights and beautiful colors of the holidays. Unfortunately those things are sharp, too small, or just downright dangerous for a baby to hold or touch. Martha Stewart offers a simple solution for babies to enjoy the holiday fun without the fear of them ingesting a string of colored lights: a tree mobile.

This design is absolutely beautiful in its simplicity. All you need to create you one is:

a utility knife or Xacto knife
some colored matte board
a glue stick
string or thin wire

Follow the directions for cutting and assembly and this beauty can be yours and your baby's to share and enjoy!

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Create a beautiful vase of roses from maple leaves

Heather Craven — 2007-11-26T12:00:00 00:00

Filed under: seasonal, Crafts

Huh? Yes, roses from leaves. It's not a weird joke but actually a clever method of folding and rolling maple leaves to create a rose, or roses if you feel so inspired. You simply need a generous hand full of colorful maple leaves, some string, and a pair of scissors.

The leaves can be fresh or, since it is cold in many places and the maple leaves have scattered to the ground for the winter, silk leaves are available at most craft stores. Then consult the directions and begin folding your way towards some beautiful maple leaf roses.

These flowers are great since they don't wilt and can be dried out to last for quite some time. Not only are they a nice touch to any table, but they add seasonal splendor to just about any holiday centerpiece. This project would make for a perfect hostess gift for upcoming holiday parties or pleasant pick me up for just about anybody in your life.

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Create your own beautiful bows for holiday presents

Heather Craven — 2007-11-21T12:00:00 00:00

Filed under: miscellaneous, seasonal

One of my favorite aspects about giving gifts is the wrapping of the present, for me it is all about the presentation. There are many trinkets available in stores to adorn packages, but I often enjoy making my own bows to add more of a personal touch to a gift. Over the years I have evolved from making mere curly-cues with ribbon to creating massive bows out of ribbon I already have on hand.

Not only does the final product reflect more of the giver to the receiver but the ribbon can be easily recycled and used again and again in one form or another. The above video offers a simple method to make a large bow but it can easily be used for smaller bows or even fuller bows with more ribbon. Take a leap and give bow making a stab this year!

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