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/Clean and de-clutter with Flyladyhttp://www.diylife.com/2008/07/22/clean-and-de-clutter-with-flylady/http://www.diylife.com/2008/07/22/clean-and-de-clutter-with-flylady/http://www.diylife.com/2008/07/22/clean-and-de-clutter-with-flylady/#commentsFiled under: , ,

bucket of soapy water and cleaning ragsI have a very busy house. Two teens in full-time residence, three teens in part-time residence, five toddlers here during working hours. And one very patient husband. (There are still more offspring, as it happens. They're just old enough to live elsewhere.)

It's also a very small house, particularly for the number of people. Oh, and an old house, so that not every bedroom has a closet, and there is really no front hall to speak of, and certainly no front hall closet. I think I have now established my clutter and cleaning challenges, no?

Continue reading Clean and de-clutter with Flylady

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

]]>chorescleancleaningdomesticdutiesflyladyhomehousehouseholdhousekeepinghousewifehousewivesmaintenanceorganizationorganizingIlona PeltzTue, 22 Jul 2008 08:00:00 ESTSalvaged wood + doorknobs = shelfhttp://www.diylife.com/2008/07/21/salvaged-wood-doorknobs-shelf/http://www.diylife.com/2008/07/21/salvaged-wood-doorknobs-shelf/http://www.diylife.com/2008/07/21/salvaged-wood-doorknobs-shelf/#commentsFiled under: , ,

wooden coathook railYearning for more closet space, but you have no space for a closet? A row of hooks can work just as well, and this one, from Apartment Therapy, is not only stylish and efficient, but also eco-friendly.

The rails are salvaged wood, the hooks are old doorknobs, and the shelf above is a metal stud, folded in at either end. The entire project cost its designer US $17, and a little time.

If you don't have a box of old doorknobs rattling around your basement -- though we can't imagine why not -- you can try thrift stores or garage sales, or, as the article suggests, use garden faucets from your local hardware store instead.

For more instructions on creating your own salvaged wood shelf, follow the link!

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

]]>coat-hookcoat-raildoor-knobsexpire-images2008-8-18recycled-woodrepurposesalvaged-woodshelfshelvesIlona PeltzMon, 21 Jul 2008 20:00:00 ESTHow to trim bangshttp://www.diylife.com/2008/07/21/how-to-trim-bangs/http://www.diylife.com/2008/07/21/how-to-trim-bangs/http://www.diylife.com/2008/07/21/how-to-trim-bangs/#commentsFiled under: ,

woman with long bangsYour 'do is getting a bit faded, but you just don't have time to get to the stylist , or you don't want to fork out that much money so soon. You could put off the trip to the salon another three or four weeks if it weren't for your bangs, which are in your eyes and driving you crazy!

What to do?

With this very simple trick from Darla at Chic Critique, you can get yourself those extra days, and you can do it yourself!

Continue reading How to trim bangs

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

]]>bangsbeautybeauty-tipscutDIYeconomizerhairhair-carehair-cuthair-trimhaircuttrimIlona PeltzMon, 21 Jul 2008 16:00:00 ESTOpen a stuck jarhttp://www.diylife.com/2008/07/21/open-a-stuck-jar/http://www.diylife.com/2008/07/21/open-a-stuck-jar/http://www.diylife.com/2008/07/21/open-a-stuck-jar/#commentsFiled under: , ,

elastic band on lid of jarYou reach for the jar of salsa. A dollop of that on each plate, and dinner's done! Except that the jar is still sealed, or perhaps is just stuck, and you can't get it to open.

There are a few things you can try. First on the list is the ever-popular "give it a whack" strategy.

That gentle tap shown in the video is a far cry from my version. In our home, we deliver a series of lusty wallops around the edge of the lid with the handle end of a sturdy butter knife.

Continue reading Open a stuck jar

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

]]>elastic-bandjarkitchenkitchen-hintsloosenloosen-lidopenopen-jarstuckstuck-lidIlona PeltzMon, 21 Jul 2008 12:00:00 ESTGet rid of fruit flieshttp://www.diylife.com/2008/07/21/get-rid-of-fruit-flies/http://www.diylife.com/2008/07/21/get-rid-of-fruit-flies/http://www.diylife.com/2008/07/21/get-rid-of-fruit-flies/#commentsFiled under: , ,

cluster of dead fliesThat decorative bowl of fruit on the end of the table has suddenly become a haven to a horde of ravenous fruit flies. You get rid of the over-ripe fruit that attracted them, you clean down the area, but you still have the little wretches. You can swat them, but wouldn't it be fun to trap them?

The people at Chow.com have a great tip for making a fruit fly trap, which involves a small dish of wine, a sploosh of water, and a drop of soap, stirred up with a finger. It would take about 10 seconds to put together.

One of the commenters suggests putting plastic wrap over the surface of the bowl, and making pin pricks in it -- apparently the flies can get in the holes, but are too stupid to get out again.

In fact, once you've watched the video, read the comments. There are a few more very creative fruit fly trap ideas there, too!

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

]]>bowlchowcling-wrapdish-soapfliesflyfoodfruitfruit-flieshow-tokillkillingpest-controlpestsplastic-wraptraptrappedtrappingwaterwineIlona PeltzMon, 21 Jul 2008 08:00:00 ESTStack a set of shelveshttp://www.diylife.com/2008/07/17/stack-a-set-of-shelves/http://www.diylife.com/2008/07/17/stack-a-set-of-shelves/http://www.diylife.com/2008/07/17/stack-a-set-of-shelves/#commentsFiled under: , ,

shelving unit of boxesA set of ten boxes, nested one within the other. The largest is perhaps two feet square and a foot deep (60 cm x 60 cm x 30 cm), the smallest half those dimensions.

You can purchase the yummy unit shown at right through Seletti, or -- using instructions provided by those generous folk at Seletti -- you could make your own very personal unit, and save yourself a significant bundle of cash!

You'll need a collection of sturdy wooden boxes in various sizes, decorating materials, and two sections of heavy-duty strapping.

Continue reading Stack a set of shelves

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

]]>boxboxescratecratespaintshelfshelvesshelvingwallpaperwoodwoodenIlona PeltzThu, 17 Jul 2008 16:00:00 ESTUnusual Uses: dryer sheetshttp://www.diylife.com/2008/07/17/unusual-uses-dryer-sheets/http://www.diylife.com/2008/07/17/unusual-uses-dryer-sheets/http://www.diylife.com/2008/07/17/unusual-uses-dryer-sheets/#commentsFiled under: , ,

shining a faucetYou're generally an eco-friendly sort. You try not to use that dryer much, and when you do, you cut your dryer sheets in half to make them go further.

It still rankles a bit that you then throw them right out, though, doesn't it? You could always make your own, re-usable dryer sheets, of course: they're far less expensive, less loaded with chemicals,and less wasteful.

If, however, you happen to have a box of Bounce sheets lying about the laundry room, you'll be happy to know that the creative sorts over at Apartment Therapy have come up with a list of 20 uses for used dryer sheets.

Continue reading Unusual Uses: dryer sheets

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

]]>anti-staticcleaningdryer-sheetsfabric-softenerhousehold-choreslaundrylaundry-sheetsre-userecyclerecyclingIlona PeltzThu, 17 Jul 2008 12:00:00 ESTCupcake tree for your weddinghttp://www.diylife.com/2008/07/11/cupcake-tree-for-your-wedding/http://www.diylife.com/2008/07/11/cupcake-tree-for-your-wedding/http://www.diylife.com/2008/07/11/cupcake-tree-for-your-wedding/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

six-foot tiered cupcake treeCupcakes have come into vogue as a sweet alternative to the traditional wedding cake. No fussing with cutting the cake, and guests can choose from a variety of flavors. Besides that, a well-decorated cupcake is just plain adorable!

If you have a couple hundred guests, though, that's a couple hundred cupcakes, at least. Where on earth do you serve them? Cupcake stands are the norm, but generally these hold only a couple of dozen.

If you're an enterprising DIY bride, however, you might just want to craft a cupcake stand to beat all cupcake stands, and put a solid 375 cupcakes on the one, enormous tree! You could consider it the centerpiece to the reception hall!

Continue reading Cupcake tree for your wedding

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

]]>aisledashbuildcakecraftstercupcakecupcake-standcupcake-wedding-cakedessertDIY-brideDIY-weddingguestsmakemarriagereceptionweddingwedding-craftIlona PeltzFri, 11 Jul 2008 18:00:00 ESTKeep those pins and needles sharphttp://www.diylife.com/2008/07/10/keep-those-pins-and-needles-sharp/http://www.diylife.com/2008/07/10/keep-those-pins-and-needles-sharp/http://www.diylife.com/2008/07/10/keep-those-pins-and-needles-sharp/#commentsFiled under:

tomato pincushion with strawberrySee that photograph? Remember those traditional pincushions? Perhaps you even own one yourself. The larger pincushion is a tomato, the smaller a strawberry. You see them all the time, but have you ever wondered about that strawberry?

Turns out that it's filled with metal filings and is used to sharpen pins and needles! Just push the dull and/or rusted pin into the strawberry a few times, and it comes out clean and sharp! How about that?

If you don't have one, they're easy to make. CraftyPod put one together by sewing a pincushion and stuffing it with 00 grade steel wool. Head on over and check out the very well-illustrated instructions. She warns that it's a little hard on the fingertips, but in short order you, too, can have an efficient pin-sharpener!

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

]]>dull-needlesneedle-sharpenerneedlespincushionpincushion-strawberrypinsrusted-pinssharpensteel-woolstrawberrytomatoIlona PeltzThu, 10 Jul 2008 16:00:00 ESTBrush your dog's teethhttp://www.diylife.com/2008/07/09/brush-your-dogs-teeth/http://www.diylife.com/2008/07/09/brush-your-dogs-teeth/http://www.diylife.com/2008/07/09/brush-your-dogs-teeth/#commentsFiled under:

brushing a dog's teethDo you have a dog? If so, do you brush its teeth? Though I grew up with dogs, I have no recollection of anyone ever worrying about doggy dental care -- which probably explains why they all had really bad breath.

"Dog breath" was our highly original term for it. I had no idea this meant they were likely suffering from periodontal disease, which left untreated could lead to bacterial infections which could hit any of a large number of my poor pets' internal organs.

You can help keep their teeth clean by feeding them hard, crunchy foods and specially-designed dog biscuits. Beyond that, though, your dog does indeed need his teeth cleaned, two or three times a week.

Just how does one accomplish this?

Continue reading Brush your dog's teeth

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

]]>brushcaninecanine-dental-caredental-caredogdog-toothbrushdog-toothpastedoggypuppypuppy-buzzpuppybuzzteethtip-nuttipnutveterinarianIlona PeltzWed, 09 Jul 2008 12:00:00 ESTAloe vera for healthy skinhttp://www.diylife.com/2008/07/08/aloe-vera-for-healthy-skin/http://www.diylife.com/2008/07/08/aloe-vera-for-healthy-skin/http://www.diylife.com/2008/07/08/aloe-vera-for-healthy-skin/#commentsFiled under: ,

aloe vera plantI'd taken the kids to their grandparents' some years back, and my eldest managed to brush her hand against a hot element on the stove. It was a mild burn, but painful!

While I was racing for an ice cube, Grandma simply reached for the plant in the window over the stove, snipped off a bit of its pointy leaf, gave it a squeeze so that some clear goop oozed out, and then rubbed the damp innards and goop of the leaf onto my daughter's hand. Grandma repeated this a few times that day. It seemed to do the trick.

"It" was an aloe vera plant, of course. Not only did Grandma use it for burns, but for mosquito bites, bee stings, and just about any other surface skin pain. I always wondered if this was just psychosomatic: My kids all believed 100% in the healing properties of Grandma's "magic plant", but a little research shows that it really does do all that stuff! (It's also pretty effective as a laxative. Who knew?)

It turns out they're not hard to grow, either. It's best to get yourself a large one. Not only are the larger ones more potent in their healing properties, but the plant grows slowly. Don't hesitate to nip off a section of leaf as needed, though: even as it heals your skin, the plant heals quickly, too!

If you'd like to grow your own aloe vera plant, Tipnut provides some sound basic information.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

]]>aloe-veraburn-treatmentburnshealinghealing-plantshealthy-plantshome-healthskinsucculentsTipnutIlona PeltzTue, 08 Jul 2008 18:00:00 ESTFold that paper, neatly!http://www.diylife.com/2008/07/04/fold-that-paper-neatly/http://www.diylife.com/2008/07/04/fold-that-paper-neatly/http://www.diylife.com/2008/07/04/fold-that-paper-neatly/#commentsFiled under: ,

woman reading newspaperA newspaper is a great way to pass the time when on a bus or a subway, or sitting in the coffee shop. The problem is, a broadsheet-style newspaper (which is to say, most of them), is awkward. You don't want to be the obnoxious guy (or gal) with their arms spread wide, blocking the view and crowding the fellow sitting beside you.

There is a way for you to catch up on the news without catching your neighbor in the eye with the paper. Check out the four easy steps on Real Simple. A matter of a few simple folds, and you'll be able to scan, flip through, read, and store your paper within a minimum of space, and without annoying the people around you.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

]]>broadsheetfoldMartha-StewartnewspaperReal-SimpleIlona PeltzFri, 04 Jul 2008 18:00:00 ESTOrganizing couponshttp://www.diylife.com/2008/07/03/organizing-coupons/http://www.diylife.com/2008/07/03/organizing-coupons/http://www.diylife.com/2008/07/03/organizing-coupons/#commentsFiled under: ,

alphabet file boxIf you're a coupon-clipper, you'll know the challenges:
  • how to keep those bits of paper, plastic, and cardboard from taking over your purse or the drawer in the kitchen,
  • and how to develop a system that ensures they get used before they expire.
The super-helpful people at Tipnut have put together a list of suggestions that pretty much guarantee you'll find the system that will work for you, whatever your organizational style -- or lack thereof! You like the casual efficiency of envelopes? You can do that! You prefer an accordion file or a wallet, a card file or a binder? It's all there!

Continue reading Organizing coupons

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

]]>accordion-filebinderclipclippingcoupon-organizingcoupon-storagecouponsfile-boxideasorganizeorganizingsuggestionstipnuttipnut.comtipswalletzippered-binderIlona PeltzThu, 03 Jul 2008 20:00:00 ESTMake a map pursehttp://www.diylife.com/2008/07/03/make-a-map-purse/http://www.diylife.com/2008/07/03/make-a-map-purse/http://www.diylife.com/2008/07/03/make-a-map-purse/#commentsFiled under: , ,

purse with a map patternPlanning a road trip this summer, and want the perfect accessory? How about a map purse? Or, for you guys, a map bag. Instead of lip gloss and lotion, you can put... um... manly things in it. Spare socks? A razor?

Perhaps it should best be the "car bag" and hold things to make the trip more comfortable: tissues, a water bottle, sunglasses, chewing gum, and, a little art-comes-to-life, maybe your maps can go in the map bag.

I envision using it as storage inside the car rather than as a purse to carry around town, because I'm just not sure how sturdy it would be. Most women I know carry a load of stuff in their bag. Would a map and two layers of contact paper, no matter how well-stitched, be up to the job?

To make one, follow the instructions here at Sonya Style. If anyone makes one, feel free to report back and tell us how it holds up!

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

]]>artbagcraftsmapmap-pursemapspursesouvenirsouvenirsstoragetraveltravel-accessorytravel-storageIlona PeltzThu, 03 Jul 2008 08:00:00 ESTReducing mosquitoeshttp://www.diylife.com/2008/07/02/reducing-mosquitoes/http://www.diylife.com/2008/07/02/reducing-mosquitoes/http://www.diylife.com/2008/07/02/reducing-mosquitoes/#commentsFiled under:



Yesterday was Canada Day up here, which is to us northerners what the Fourth is to you down there. Canada Day: day to head out to the cottage, or perhaps just to the back yard; there to kick up your feet, kick back a few beverages (and maybe a few grown-up popsicles), and ... swat a few mosquitoes. Ugh. Vile blood-suckers. Who invited them to the party?

It's been a very wet summer so far in my neck of the woods, and the mosquitoes are loving it! Thankfully, Howcast has a terrific video with several practical tips on dealing with the itch-inducing varmints.

I wasn't surprised to be told to get rid of any standing water, though I was a little appalled to hear that a small plastic lid with some pooled stagnant water could be breeding ground to thousands of them. Doesn't the very thought make you itch?

Continue reading Reducing mosquitoes

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

]]>canada-dayDEETgarlic-spraylemon-eucalyptusmosquitomosquito-repellentmosquito-screenPicaridinrepelrepellentstagnant-waterstanding-waterIlona PeltzWed, 02 Jul 2008 12:00:00 ESTMargarita pops: Why should the kids have all the fun?http://www.diylife.com/2008/06/30/margarita-pops-why-should-the-kids-have-all-the-fun/http://www.diylife.com/2008/06/30/margarita-pops-why-should-the-kids-have-all-the-fun/http://www.diylife.com/2008/06/30/margarita-pops-why-should-the-kids-have-all-the-fun/#commentsFiled under:

cherry popsicleIf you've ever tried to make your own grown-up version of your kids' fruit popsicle, you'll have discovered that alcohol doesn't freeze so well. In fact, a little googling showed physics-deprived me that alcohol does indeed freeze, but needs much colder temperatures than provided by the average home freezer (which I'd discovered myself through trial and error, but now I know why).

Well, boo. What if mommy (or daddy or Aunt Suzie or Uncle Fred) wants a margarita popsicle while the tots are having their wholesome real-fruit-juice frozen goodies?

Epicurious has a great way around the non-freezing alcohol problem. What you do is take a few regular store-bought lime popsicles, and over top of them you pour a lime juice-tequila mix, and then rim the popsicle with salt. Is that not brilliant??

While lime margaritas are one of my top three summer vices, if you prefer something else, this would be a very simple recipe to modify for just about any fruity summer drink

[via: Tipnut]

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

]]>frozenfrozen-tequilamargaritapopsiclesummer-drinkssummer-snackstequilatreatIlona PeltzMon, 30 Jun 2008 18:00:00 ESTMake a backyard catapulthttp://www.diylife.com/2008/06/30/make-a-backyard-catapult/http://www.diylife.com/2008/06/30/make-a-backyard-catapult/http://www.diylife.com/2008/06/30/make-a-backyard-catapult/#commentsFiled under: ,

home-made catapult

Is your ten-year-old son interested in the Middle Ages? Or are you a ten-year-old boy at heart? Whether you're a history buff, or you just like firing stuff, you'll love these make-your-own catapults.

Storm the Castle, a medieval-theme website, provides instructions for making catapults in various sizes: the backyard two-foot Ogre, the tabletop ten-inch Troll, and the Teeny-tiny, made of popsicle sticks.

If you're interested, Storm the Castle provides tutorials and/or sells kits, so that anyone who can read can put one together. All three catapults can shoot with considerable force, so you're reminded to take appropriate safety precautions:
  • don't fire anything sharp or too heavy
  • don't fire in an enclosed space
  • always wear safety goggles.
If you're letting a child build this, you might consider only letting them play with it under adult supervision, depending on his/her age and general level of common sense (or lack thereof)!

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

]]>catapultcraft-sticksmedievalmedieval-warfaremiddle-agespopsicle-stickssafety-gogglesstorm-the-castleIlona PeltzMon, 30 Jun 2008 12:00:00 ESTRemove ink with tea bagshttp://www.diylife.com/2008/06/27/remove-ink-with-tea-bags/http://www.diylife.com/2008/06/27/remove-ink-with-tea-bags/http://www.diylife.com/2008/06/27/remove-ink-with-tea-bags/#commentsFiled under: , ,

used tea bagsIn my house, ink on skin happens when my teenage kids want to make a "mental" note. With a pen, or sometimes, in a moment of hormonal lunacy, a Sharpie. Perhaps you have a creative toddler in your house, or perhaps you even do it yourself. I've been known to jot down a critically important "must remember" note on the nearest available surface -- even if it is the palm of my right hand!

But once you don't need that note any more, you're stuck with it: ink just doesn't come out so easily. It's one thing to scour your own arm raw trying to remove that black stain, but just try doing that on an outraged toddler! It's a three-man job... unless, that is, you have a teabag.

According to a post by writer Lisa Katayama at Lifehacker, it's a simple matter to steep the teabag, let it cool briefly, then scrub away. Ink should lift right off -- even permanent marker stains.

Katayama's book, Urawaza: Secret Everyday Tips and Tricks from Japan, which features this tip, has been getting a lot of coverage at Lifehacker lately. She refers to urawaza as "life hacks and unmapped shortcuts" that were developed in Japan during the economically lean days that followed World War II. Now that they're available in book form, why not check them out?

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

]]>bookscleaning-tipink-removalink-stainsjapanjapaneselife-hackslifehackerremoving-inkremoving-stainsskinstain-removaltea-bagtea-bagsurawazaIlona PeltzFri, 27 Jun 2008 13:00:00 ESTPredicting the weather: Keep your eye to the skyhttp://www.diylife.com/2008/06/25/predicting-the-weather-keep-your-eye-to-the-sky/http://www.diylife.com/2008/06/25/predicting-the-weather-keep-your-eye-to-the-sky/http://www.diylife.com/2008/06/25/predicting-the-weather-keep-your-eye-to-the-sky/#commentsFiled under: , ,

A cloudy sky in Arizona, by Flickr's pagedooley.You're heading out for the day, you missed the weather forecast, and you have no idea what to take along? Don't panic.

It doesn't take a degree in meteorology to be able to predict the general patterns of weather a day or two in advance. Just look up. The answer's in the clouds. It's also over at Instructables, where there is an excellent page on clouds and weather prediction.

Do you remember your grade school science? I'd bet that at some point along the way, someone told you about cirrus, cumulus, and stratus clouds. They may even have explained that clouds float along at three different heights, too.

Put those two bits of information together, and you have pretty much all you need to know. In the very simplest terms, the higher the cloud, the fairer the weather.

[via Lifehacker.]


Continue reading Predicting the weather: Keep your eye to the sky

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

]]>cloud-formationcloudsmeteorologyprecipitationweather-predictionIlona PeltzWed, 25 Jun 2008 08:00:00 ESTBAD project idea: cell phone popcornhttp://www.diylife.com/2008/06/24/bad-project-idea-cell-phone-popcorn/http://www.diylife.com/2008/06/24/bad-project-idea-cell-phone-popcorn/http://www.diylife.com/2008/06/24/bad-project-idea-cell-phone-popcorn/#commentsFiled under: , ,

frightened manYou know, there are some DIY projects that are such a bad, bad, bad idea that you can't imagine people need to be told NOT to do them, and yet they're out there! Here we have just such a bad, bad, bad idea.

It's the cell phone hoax -- you know, the one where someone apparently makes a kernel of popcorn explode using their cell phone? Seems it's done by taking the magnetron out of your microwave and cooking the kernel from under the table. Do we really, really need to explain that a magnetron is dangerous? That there's a good reason it's carefully housed inside a casing inside your microwave?

That reason would be radioactivity. You know, the stuff that causes cancer, mutations, sterility and/or death, which is really not something you want to broadcast willy-nilly all over your kitchen.

So, yes, you likely can pop a popcorn kernel this way. And your future children may all be born with three eyeballs. Are you sure it's worth it?

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

]]>cell-phonecellulardangerous-prankmagnetronmicrowavemicrowave-safetynot-liablepopcorn-hoaxradioactiveradioactivityIlona PeltzTue, 24 Jun 2008 18:00:00 EST