DIY Life

Stay safe this hurricane season

Lisa Hoover — 2008-07-14T13:00:00 00:00

Filed under: miscellaneous, seasonal, recalls and safety

Hurricane season has been in full swing for a few weeks now, but thankfully it's been very quiet so far. Don't let the lack of named hurricanes lull you into a false sense of security. The season stretches all the way to November 30th, and the peak of it -- August to October -- is yet to come.

Don't assume you'll have time to make preparations "if the needs arises." Of course, we all remember the devastation of Hurricane Katrina. And in 2004, Hurricane Charley was expected to head into the Gulf of Mexico and collide with Tampa. At the last minute, it made a sharp right turn and landed substantially farther south, obliterating entire neighborhoods and barrier islands.

If you live in a hurricane-prone area, and haven't yet made preparations in case one heads your way, here are a few of the most important steps you can take to keep you and your family safe this summer. You may never need to activate the plans you have in place, but it's good to know they're there.

Make a plan

Spend a few minutes putting together some plans that address various scenarios in the event of a hurricane. Where will you go if you need to evacuate the area? Will you go to a local shelter, or head to a hotel in another part of the state?

Make plans that will take you in three different directions, depending on the predicted path of an approaching storm. For example, if you live on the Atlantic coast, don't just assume you'll "head north," because it may turn out that's what the hurricane is planning too.

In that case, it might be smarter to head, say, southwest. Once you make your plans, forward a copy to out-of-state relatives, so they have an idea of where you might be if you lose communication.

Make a hurricane preparedness kit

Get a large plastic tub with a lid, and fill it with everything you'd need in case you suddenly had to jump in the car and evacuate your home. Somethings to include:

ID, prescription, and medical insurance cards
Homeowner's insurance paperwork and proof of residency
Important phone numbers of people you may need to contact: physician, insurance agent, out-of-state relatives, etc.
Proof of rabies vaccinations, if you're traveling with pets
Cash, in the event ATMs are inaccessible
Non-perishable snacks and bottled water, in case you're stuck in traffic while evacuating (don't forget to bring something for your pets!)
Items you'll need to care for your children along the way: diapers, snacks, toys

See this comprehensive list for additional ideas.

Make a post-storm preparedness kit

To make a survival kit for your home, you'll need another large plastic tub with a fitted lid. If you opt not to evacuate, or if a nearby hurricane or tropical storm knocks out power or water in your area, there are some things you'll want to have on hand.

Bottled water: at least a gallon of water per person, per day
Waterproof matches and grill lighters
Sunscreen
Insect repellent
A device to recharge your mobile phone battery
Several flashlights
Extra batteries
Fire extinguisher
Toilet paper
Boxes of re-sealable bags in various sizes

See this list provided by the National Hurricane Center for additional ideas. On a related note, kits like this one make excellent housewarming gifts for friends who are new to a hurricane-prone area.

What to eat

In case you're without power -- and the ability to use your kitchen -- for several days, you'll want to plan how you'll eat for the duration. Think of it as long-term camping.

Get a propane grill and several tanks of fuel to keep on hand. Inside the grill, store a couple of pans, a small griddle, and some grilling utensils.

If you're home when the power goes out, keep the fridge closed as much as possible to trap the cold air, and plan on eating whatever you can before it spoils. Once you've depleted your refrigerated food, you're not doomed to days of eating tinned meat and beef jerky. Try some of these ideas instead:

Stock up on StarKist pre-packaged marinated tuna and salmon fillets.
Serve pre-cooked rice and potatoes, such as Uncle Ben's Ready Rice and Country Crock mashed potatoes. Just dump the contents in a pan and heat on the grill.
Use your saucepan to heat canned vegetables and boil water right on the grill for tea, coffee, and instant oatmeal.
Add water to instant pancake mix, for flapjacks on the grill's griddle.
Boil some pasta, then top with Butter Buds and dried Italian seasoning.
Melt chocolate bars in a saucepan, for dipping graham crackers and granola bars.

Note: If you're returning home after evacuating the area and you expect to find damage or no power, shop for groceries before you head back. The closer you get to your home, the less likely it will be that your neighborhood stores will be open for business.

The Can Opener Gourmet and Apocalypse Chow are two great resources for additional ideas.

A special note about pets

Some hurricane shelters will allow you to bring pets, but there are special rules you must follow. As you make your hurricane preparedness plans, contact your local Red Cross for details exclusive to your area.

If your plans include evacuating to a motel, assemble a list of pet-friendly options ahead of time. Dolittler is a great place to start looking for more information, but if you can't find the answers you need, check with your local veterinarian for tips.

A special note about kids

Be sure to educate your children about the importance of preparing for a hurricane with some great resources from TexasHurricaneNews.com and the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA).

Let them pack a small bag or box with special items they'll want to take in the event of an evacuation. That pressed flower on your daughter's dresser may seem unimportant to you, but if it comforts her while you're in a motel 300 miles away, it's worth letting her take it.

In the event your family, neighborhood, or town is seriously impacted by a hurricane, contact the Red Cross for information about their special counseling programs for children.

For more information on hurricane awareness and planning:

National Hurricane Center
The Weather Channel
Weather Underground
Federal Emergency Management Agency (for tips on protecting your property)
American Red Cross

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Say "I do!" to these wedding tips

Lisa Hoover — 2008-07-03T16:00:00 00:00

Filed under: wedding, Crafts, jewelry-making, entertaining, gifts

If you're getting married this summer, it's probably a little late to start planning your big day right now. If you're tying the knot next year, however, or just looking for some last minute tips then -- wow! -- have we got some ideas for you!

Blushing brides learn what to do with treasured wedding mementos, hopeful grooms get pointers on the perfect proposal, and if you're the maid-of-honor, you'll be her hero for suggesting economical ways to make table center-pieces and party favors!
Ready, set, plan

If you intend to pop the question, you might want to do it in a creative and memorable way. You don't have to get as elaborate as this guy, but be sure to make it something to remember. When you're shopping for rings, you could consider making your own, but if you're both die-hard DIYers, nothing beats a nut and bolt wedding ring set.

Once your sweetie says yes, you might decide to just elope. If not, it's possible to put together a simple, intimate wedding with very little fuss; you can even write your own vows to give them your own special touch. (If you're writing a wedding toast to each other or to the happy couple, we can help you there, too.) Just remember, a wedding -- yes, even the planning -- is supposed to be fun... don't turn into a Bridezilla.

Save the date

It's not much of a wedding without guests, so invite yours in style. Make your own invitations using free templates, then print and assemble them yourself. For a unique look, do the printing with a Print Gocco silk-screening machine from Japan, following our Print Gocco card tutorial -- or really go wild and build a working letterpress.

Oooh, pretty

When it comes to centerpieces and flowers, you can really save money by doing it yourself. We've got some great ideas for making centerpieces out of everything from mason jars to picture frames, or you can decorate plain glasses or vases with rub-on transfers, then fill them flowers, candy, or shred. For a truly elegant wedding centerpiece, nothing beats a candelabra garden.

Though we have wonderful tips for creating your own inexpensive wedding bouquet that will work for any season, if you're having an autumn wedding, consider making a bouquet of roses out of maple leaves. You can also put your crafty skills to work making a daisy chain to festoon an informal wedding, or making corsages for the bridal party and VIPs in attendance.

Everyone loves party favors

It's not just the bride and groom who get gifts on the big day. Guests typically get favors to take home, and members of the bridal party are often given mementos as well. Consider making some lovely tree branch or beaded earrings for the bridesmaids, and picture frames or personalized throw pillows for the groomsmen.

Of course you'll want keepsakes of your own from your special day. Make a wedding shadow box to hold your trinkets, your very own guest book for people to sign, or make rose petal beads from some flowers in your bouquet.

...and cake!

One of the best parts of going to a wedding is getting to eat the yummy cake. If you want to make your own, there's no need to get icing anxiety. Just make your own pastry bag, then follow these tips on how to frost the perfect cake. Most couples prefer to go with traditional pastries, but if you or your honey is a LEGO fan, then you simply must make a LEGO wedding cake.

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Tips for a great Fourth of July

Lisa Hoover — 2008-07-03T10:00:00 00:00

Filed under: food, seasonal, Crafts, staying green, entertaining, knitting and crochet

Fourth of July celebrations are synonymous with BBQ, fireworks, and picnics. Let's take a look at some of our favorite posts from across DIYLife that will make your Independence Day celebration the best ever.

Whether you plan to grill steaks, burgers, fish, or even corn on the cob, there are a few things you can do to make sure your cookout is red, white, blue, and green. If you're feeling really creative, you can build your own BBQ pit, but no matter what grill you cook on, you're still going to have to clean it.

To keep uninvited pesky guests away while you're cooking (and eating!), build this useful trap to snare wasps, and follow these tips to keep mosquitoes at bay.

Want more cool tips? Keep reading!

What's a cookout without some great food and drink? Here are some patriotic drinks for kids and grown-ups -- so festive that you can only drink them out of special July Fourth BBQ cups. When you run to the store to stock up on party food, make sure you grab a couple of watermelons. Spike one, and use these tips to easily remove seeds from the other one before you serve it.

If you forgot to put the beer and soda bottles on ice, and there's only a few minutes before your guests arrive, don't panic. With this trick, you're only three minutes away from a frosty drink.

Our friends at Switched have some tips on impressing the "kids" (as in "tweens to teenagers") on the fourth using software.

If you're looking for some crafts to commemorate the holiday, make a red, white, and blue Bomb Pop Amigurumi, or dress your tresses with a no-sew all American hair sash. Keep the kids busy as they wait for the fireworks to start by giving them carton catchers out of old milk jugs, or teach them to make a daisy chain (flowering weeds like dandelions make great stand-ins for actual daisies).

Of course, our number one tip for a fun Fourth of July celebration: if you shoot off fireworks, please do it safely.

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Clever ways to honor Dad this Father's Day, page 2

Lisa Hoover — 2008-06-11T15:10:00 00:00

Filed under: kids, miscellaneous, organization and storage, DIY with Dad

Don't forget the romance - Fathers deserve to be spoiled on their special day, and we've got seven ways to romance your man and let him know that you think dads are sexy.

Offbeat ideas - This year Dad might be expecting typical gifts like golf balls and car accessories. Why not surprise him this year with an unexpected present, like a family key keeper or his very own nightlight?

New traditions - Maybe Pop is feeling like handymen are a dying breed, but you can let him know that's not the case. This year, start a new tradition based on our DIY: With Dad series. No other gift in the world will make Dad happier than spending time with his kids, even if it's just pushing a rock across the backyard.

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Clever ways to honor Dad this Father's Day

Lisa Hoover — 2008-06-11T15:10:00 00:00

Filed under: kids, miscellaneous, art, Crafts, sewing

The ties that bind - Dad's probably got enough neckties hanging in his closet and doesn't need another one. If you can get your hands on an old one he doesn't wear anymore -- or one you wish he didn't -- then make him a protective sleeve to fit around his hot coffee cup. As an alternative, you can always involve the kids in a making a skinny tie cake, or just send him a virtual tie to wear while he plays virtual video games.

Picture this - Even thought they might not come right out and say so, dads love to show off pictures of their family just as much as mom and grandma. We've got loads of ideas on how to package your favorite photos besides the standard wood frame from the local department store. How about a frame made from Legos, puzzle pieces, or nuts and washers?

Stylish! - If you're handy with a needle and thread or paintbrush, why not make Pop some monogrammed cufflinks or custom-painted BBQ accessories?

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How to live with curly hair

Lisa Hoover — 2008-05-16T14:00:00 00:00

Filed under: miscellaneous, beauty and skin care

You know how it is: gals with straight hair envy their curly-haired friends, and ladies with straight hair wish they could have bouncy ringlets. As a member of the curly-hair club, I've always envied the people I know whose stick-straight hair looks terrific first thing in the morning -- and doesn't go frizzy at the first sign of humidity.

After years (and years, and years) of trying to wrestle my locks into submission, I've learned to embrace the corkscrews and go with the flow. With a little patience, you can learn to love your locks, and here are some of the best tips I've found:
Never, ever use a brush on your curls... unless you want a head full of frizz that resembles a feather duster. Instead, use a comb, hair pick, or even your fingers. Ideally, the only time you want to use a comb on your hair at all is when it's wet before you style it.

Condition, condition, condition. I use a conditioner made for curly-girls every day after shampooing, followed by a leave-in conditioner after towel-drying my hair. Plus, once a week, I use a deep conditioner that I leave in for a bit while I soak in the tub. Before rinsing, use a large-tooth comb to detangle, working from the bottom of your hair upwards to the scalp.

Don't even try to use a regular hair dryer on your curls: it won't work. Use a diffuser instead. These specially made dryers for fragile or curly hair blow a gentle stream of warm air on your hair, but don't generate enough air current to move your locks. Of course, the best way to deal with wet hair is to let it air dry.

Use products made just for curly hair. They don't have to be expensive -- I buy mine off the shelf at a local big-box retail store -- but they do have ingredients tailor-made for your hair. Be sure not to overdo it, though: choose either mousse or a lightweight gel, but not both. Too much product can make your hair look lifeless and dull, not to mention the crud that builds up on the hair shaft over time.

I have long hair; alhough it's fairly fine, the length still pulls the curls flat and makes them look limp halfway through the day -- an even bigger problem for women with thicker, heavier hair. To revive curls, bend over at the waist, shake your hair out, then mist lightly with water, followed with a light application of hair spray.

Be careful not to handle your hair too much during the day. Curls quickly turn to frizz if you run your hands through your mane, smoosh it under a hat, or twirl it in your fingers. Even fluffing it to restore body can crush curls or pull them apart. Hands-off is the best policy.

Get a great cut that suits your hair's texture and curl. Face it, ladies: no matter how hard we try, us curly-girls will never have Jennifer Aniston hair... so there's no sense in trying. There are plenty of beautiful, sexy styles out there that will make you look every bit as glamorous as a Hollywood star.

Keep up on what's new for curly-haired girls. Check Web sites like NaturallyCurly.com and EasyCurls.com for ideas on trendy hair styles and reviews of the newest products.

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How to remove the label from a wine bottle

Lisa Hoover — 2008-05-16T10:00:00 00:00

Filed under: household hacks, miscellaneous

Though I love a good wine, I'm not a wine snob. Part of the fun of choosing a wine at the store is looking at all the whimsical labels. Sure, a bottle's design doesn't tell you much about what's going on under the cork but if the wine turns out to be not-so-great, at least you have a nice label to look at, right?

I like to keep the labels from some wine bottles that are of particular amusement or sentimental value to me. Here are a couple of tricks I use to get the sticky little buggers off with out wrecking the paper or scraping it off with my fingernail.
First, give the bottle a good soaking. Fill a clean pail or your kitchen sink with enough warm water to immerse the bottle past the label. Of course, an empty bottle will float all over the place so fill it with water before submerging it. Some people recommend adding a few drops of liquid soap but I've never found it to help much one way or the other.

Since every winery uses a different adhesive, it's hard to tell how long you'll have to soak the bottle. In some cases, it may float right off in an hour; in other cases, it may take all night. To test if the label is ready to come off, lay the palm of your hand over the entire label, press down gently, and see if the label begins to slide off. It's tempting to just pry up the corner, but usually all you'll end up with is a ripped corner. If the label doesn't budge, leave it soak a while longer.

If the label seems loose but not quite ready to let go, you might be able to encourage it. Gently blot the bottle dry with a paper towel, the grab a credit card or drivers license. Starting at the shortest side of the label, ever-so-gently scrape your way underneath a fraction at a time. Don't try to rush -- the label might get bunched up or you might slip and rip right through it. Also, think twice before using a razor blade or box cutter for this approach. The combination of glass and wet glue is particularly slippery, and it's easy to lose your grip on a sharp razor.

If the soaking method doesn't work for you, you can also try steaming off the label using the steam setting on your iron, or melting the glue with a hair dryer. I've had very limited success with either of these methods, but depending on the label, they might do in a pinch.

Once you get the label off, let it air dry, then fold it into a layer of paper towels and press it between two heavy books. If you want to preserve your labels for a long time, laminate them or store them in the pages of a photo album.

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Clever ways to honor mom this Mother's Day, part 3

Lisa Hoover — 2008-05-07T15:00:00 00:00

Filed under: miscellaneous, seasonal, Crafts, jewelry-making, gifts, health and wellness, beauty and skin care

Give mom a home facial with these steps from our recurring series "The Scentual Life"

Save some money by making fabric flower cards for mom.

Make mom the perfect breakfast in bed with these tips.

Our series "Avant Yard" brings you the top 10 Mother's Day gifts for gardening.

Need a frame for photos? Make this clever fold-out album for her.

Another regular series, "Kiddie Crafts," features a variety of Mother's Day ideas that you can try.

And "The Scentual Life" brings you a how-to on a home spa, with a focus on feet-- because we know how much mom is on those!

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Clever ways to honor mom this Mother's Day, part 2

Lisa Hoover — 2008-05-07T15:00:00 00:00

Filed under: miscellaneous, seasonal, Crafts, jewelry-making, gifts, health and wellness, beauty and skin care

If you're good with your hands and have some nice rocks and stones handy, consider making Mom a water feature for her yard. You can put one together in a single afternoon for about $25, but your mother will enjoy it for years to come.

Remember making a necklace out of yarn scraps and soda can tabs when you were a kid? Even though it maybe wasn't the prettiest jewelry she'd ever owned, she wore it proudly because you made it. This year, make her a necklace out of pink rhodonite. She'll wear it just as proudly, but this time she won't struggle to keep a straight face.

Serve Mom breakfast in bed in a keepsake tray she'll love. Dress up an inexpensive serving tray with pictures, handprints of the grandkids, and some pretty bows, then use it to take coffee and toast to your Queen for the Day.

If you've got a Flickr account, upload some photos you know mom will love, then make a free picture cube. Or, you could go a little more high-tech and build her a digital picture frame. To really amaze your mom with your crafty skills, give her a box of specially covered pencils that, when lined up, reveal a picture of you!

Taking Mom out to lunch? Make her the prettiest corsage she's ever worn. For a more subtle approach, or as a good craft for the kids, make flower pins from fabric, felt, or yarn instead.

For a quick list of some great gifts (including a couple of spa treaments) keep reading!

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Clever ways to honor mom this Mother's Day

Lisa Hoover — 2008-05-07T15:00:00 00:00

Filed under: miscellaneous, seasonal, Crafts, jewelry-making, gifts, health and wellness, beauty and skin care

Mother's Day is right around the corner, but if you don't have a gift yet, there's no need to panic. We've rounded up a bunch of posts to spark your creative juices and make your mom feel like a queen.

If you're planning to give mom flowers -- or if you get some yourself -- keep them looking fresh for a long time with these simple steps. Some, like changing the water daily, you might already be aware of, but did you know you should also trim a bit of stem off each day?

Looking for a perfect Mother's Day craft for little tykes? How about terracotta flower pots covered with handprints of the grandkids? Older kids can take a crack at making roses out of maple leaves or coffee filters.

Moms, if you get roses from the kids this year, keep the fallen petals as they drop and make rose petal beads. The project will take some time, but in the end you'll have a beautiful necklace that smells great and will always remind you of Mother's Day 2008.

Speaking of flowers, if your mother likes the look of fancy framed professionally photographed exotic plants, but doesn't care for the price tag, make her one yourself. You don't need to be a photgraphy expert; just use these tips to take some professional-looking pictures, get them developed and framed, then watch Mom smile.

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DIY for Earth Day, part 3

Lisa Hoover — 2008-04-22T01:00:00 00:00

Filed under: household hacks, kids, miscellaneous, toys, bathroom, plumbing, staying green, DIY Earth

Water: can't live without it. Learn some painless ways to conserve it around your home, both inside and out.

Have you just gotten home from the market loaded down with organic food and don't know what to do with the plastic grocery bags? Go fly a kite!

Are ready to commit to a low-flush toilet and aren't sure how to retrofit your commode? We can help.

In many homes, the bathroom is the last vestige of privacy (unless you have kids) and also one of the most eco-unfriendly spots in the house. Here's several things you can do to change that (sorry, no advice on how to keep the kids from interrupting your bath).

For even more Earth-friendly tips, be sure to check out our sister blog, Green Daily.

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DIY for Earth Day, part 2

Lisa Hoover — 2008-04-22T01:00:00 00:00

Filed under: fix-it, household hacks, miscellaneous, preventative maintenance, gardening and plants, staying green, cleaning, DIY Earth, health

Make spring cleaning a little less onerous this year by tossing out the harsh chemicals you usually use and cleaning up with essential oils instead. Find recipes for bathroom cleanser, dish soap, glass cleaner, and more.

Many people like to celebrate Earth Day each year by planting seeds and flowers in the yard. Before you haul out the hoe and shovel, consider making seed bombs. Let 'er rip!

Have you pledged to your family and your wallet to cut down on fuel consumption and pedal around on your bike instead? Pull that forlorn bicycle out from the corner of the garage, dust it off, and then use these handy tips to give it a tune-up.

Weed killer and other pesticides can be bad for the environment and terrible for your health. Try this approach that uses a common household ingredient that you probably have leftover from Easter.

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DIY for Earth Day

Lisa Hoover — 2008-04-22T01:00:00 00:00

Filed under: household hacks, miscellaneous, gardening and plants, staying green, DIY Earth

Eco-friendly. Go green. Environmentally aware. Call it whatever you want, we love it when the DIY tips we give you are also good for the environment. As we celebrate Earth Day today, let's take a look at some of the ideas we've shared in in the past that can help you get green.

Nothing says "I'm helping save the Earth" more than a compost pile filled with leftover food scraps and grass clippings. Here's everything you need to know to start your own compost heap, including what kind of organic materials you can toss in (egg shells) and what you can't (meat scraps).

This long list of ideas on how to make your home eco-friendly covers everything from programmable thermostats to spark igniter pilot light systems. Even if you already practice green living, you might find one or two ideas on here that you never thought of.

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Make scrapbooks online with Smilebox

Lisa Hoover — 2008-03-28T10:00:00 00:00

Filed under: kids, miscellaneous, scrapbooking, computers and internet

Make a postcard - it's easy!

If you've ever wished you could make scrapbooks of your kids' lives the way all the cool moms you know do, then you ought to take a look at Smilebox. It's an online scrapbook maker that lets users create their own cool scrapbooks to post on a blog, email, or print out to show off to others.

Smilebox requires Flash 9 to run and only works on Windows for now. Since I'm all thumbs when it comes to crafts -- especially scrapbooking and other uber-creative projects -- I wasn't sure I believed the Web site's claim that I could create my own scrapbook in "less than five minutes."

That turned out to be true.

Once you register, the site walks you through each step, from choosing which of your digital photos to use all the way to emailing the finished scrapbook of your kids to an unsuspecting grandmother. Each design is customizable, some even down to the color of the flowers, and the end results are pretty slick indeed.

The basic service is free, but you can pay to upgrade to other plans for additional features and ad-free projects. While Smilebox is clearly aimed at moms, I could easily envision my elementary school-age children using it to create scrapbooks of their own. Be sure to bookmark the site, it's a great rainy day project for the kids.

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Clean your Scooba so it keeps cleaning for you

Lisa Hoover — 2008-03-25T12:00:00 00:00

Filed under: preventative maintenance, cleaning

If you've been reading DIY Life for a while, you know that I really love my Roomba. Well, now my loyalties are divided because I recently met Roomba's floor-washing cousin, the Scooba.

For the uninitiated, Roombas and Scoobas are robots that vacuum and wash your floor, respectively. I was skeptical that either device would do a particularly good job, but I'm happy to have been proven wrong. To keep my Scooba happily cleaning my floors for a long time, I baby it just like I do my Roomba. If you've got a Scooba, here's how to keep it in tip-top shape.

The owner's manual recommends that you never use anything but plain water, diluted household vinegar, or the cleaning solution specifically designed for iRobot products. More than just a gimmick to sell more cleaning fluid, it's actually smart advice. Strong products like bleach or harsh chemicals will cause your Roomba's sensitive parts to break down quickly, and the rubber gaskets and seals aren't made to withstand strong cleaning products.

Before you run your Scooba, make sure to move as many objects out of its way as you can. Although it has a spiffy rubber bumper to absorb shocks as it nudges up against furniture or walls, it's still probably best to move that life-size steel porcupine out of the way. Of course, don't forget to move any area rugs up and out of reach unless you want them to get an unplanned scrubbing.

Even though the Scooba is designed to vacuum up dust and hair before washing the floor, a quick swipe with a broom or hand-vac ahead of washing will get any larger bits of debris that could clog the mechanism or lodge in the wheels.

Clean the Scooba thoroughly after each use. Remove the tank, empty and rinse the dirty water chamber and vacuum port, and pull any hair and debris off the brush. Be sure to dry the surface of the unit well before plugging it back into the charger.

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Personalized serving tray makes a great gift

Lisa Hoover — 2008-02-14T19:00:00 00:00

Filed under: home decor, miscellaneous

Even though we're pretty savvy DIYers around here, I know there's a lot of you out there that have really got it going on. Take my good friend Jill, for example. She recently came up with a terrific make-it-yourself gift for her mother-in-law -- a personalized serving tray.

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Jill bought an inexpensive serving tray -- the kind you'd use to serve someone breakfast in bed -- and then dug into her collection of family pictures. Using her best scrapbooking skills, she cropped assorted photos into various shapes or gave them scalloped edges with scrapping shears.

Whether you use traditionally developed photos or print them onto photo paper at home, be sure to laminate all the photos before you cut them. This will help them hold their shape and protect them from the glue you'll use to secure them to the tray.

Once she readied the photos, Jill layered the tray with colored cardstock paper as a background, then put washable paint on her sons' palms and placed their handprints on the tray. After the paint dried, she arranged the pictures, some stickers, and a few labels bearing personal messages all around the tray.

When everything was fixed just-so, Jill glued everything in place then coated the tray's entire surface with Mod Podge to seal it and give it a high shine. For added flair, she also glued some additional messages of love on the back of the tray and coated them with Mod Podge as well. As a finishing touch, she tied a bow on that handle.

For less than $30, Jill put together a handmade gift that her mother-in-law will treasure for years. I like this idea so much that I'm downright jealous. We'll see if I ever puppy-sit for her again!

[Thanks, Jill!]

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Make a thing a day at Thing-A-Day

Lisa Hoover — 2008-01-25T13:00:00 00:00

Filed under: art, Crafts, music, photography, scrapbooking, wood working, soap-making, jewelry-making, knitting and crochet

If you like to make stuff -- and if you don't, I guess you wouldn't be here -- then you'll love this idea. Inspired by a year-long class project at NYU, Thing-A-Day is a unique idea designed to encourage people to create one new item, object, tool, or work of art every for the entire month of February. Now in its second year, there are already more than 40 people signed up to participate.

The process is simple (well, simple to write about, the execution may be another matter). Beginning February 1st, you'll make one thing of your choice each day, then hustle over to the participant blog and post details of what you've done (including pictures, if you choose) before midnight. Then repeat the next day. And the next. And the next.

Organizers say you should spend at least 20 minutes a day on your creation, but not more than an hour on each project. Short on ideas? Be sure to comb the archives of DIY Life for more ideas than you could use in a month's time.

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Need shelves? Try rain gutters

Lisa Hoover — 2008-01-16T14:00:00 00:00

Filed under: home decor, kids, organization and storage, weekend projects

My kids and I are voracious readers and we seem to accumulate books at the speed of light. Basic build-it-yourself bookshelves are fairly inexpensive but, let's be honest, they're also really boring. The other day, I went looking for some new and interesting ways to store books and came across the neatest idea at FamilyFun.com: rain gutter shelves.

Here's the plan: measure the walls where you want the shelving to hang, then run down to the nearest home improvement store. Gutters are typically sold in ten-foot lengths, but ask to have them cut shorter if you need to. Then grab a handful of brackets to attach the gutters to the wall, some decorative end caps, and head home.

Hammer the brackets to the wall (use a level to make sure your shelving will be straight), then insert the gutters and place the end caps. There you have it, instant bookshelves!

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Mouse in the house? Here's how to clean up

Lisa Hoover — 2008-01-02T15:00:00 00:00

Filed under: cleaning

Although some people think little mice are adorable (I admit it), the truth is that the wild mouse population in North America can carry a rare but deadly disease called Hantavirus. According to the Center for Disease Control (CDC), the illness is contracted by handling mouse droppings or even breathing the air where infected mice have been.

Recently, a reader wrote in to DIY Life to ask for tips on cleaning up after an invasion of mice in the family kitchen. The reader had already washed, rinsed, and dried the cabinet shelves but wanted to know what else we could recommend to make sure the area was truly clean. That's a great question, and here are some things to try.

The number one thing to use when cleaning up after a mouse? Bleach, and lots of it.

1) Mix equal parts bleach and water in a spray bottle and saturate any area where you suspect mice have been. Let soak for at least five minutes.

2) While wearing rubber gloves, wipe up the wet area with paper towels. Wet clean paper towels with water and wipe the area several times to rinse the bleach. Dump all the dirty paper towels into a plastic bag, tie securely, and put it in the trash.

3) Wash your hands.

There are a couple of important points to keep in mind. If you use a mop to clean a large surface, be sure to discard the mop head when you're done. Better yet, use a disposable mop like those made by Swiffer or Clorox.

Do not sweep or vacuum mouse droppings. Doing so releases fine particles into the air that may carry harmful bacteria, germs you don't want in the air you're breathing.

This time of year, it's common to get a mouse in the house. While the chances that you're little visitor carries a disease is small, it's better to be safe than sorry so always make sure to clean up the area well.

Do you have a question for DIY LIfe? Drop us a note and we'll do our best to find you an answer.

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How to care for your American flag

Lisa Hoover — 2007-11-12T16:00:00 00:00

Filed under: miscellaneous, seasonal

Are you one of the millions of Americans celebrating Veteran's Day today by flying the flag? There's more to properly displaying Old Glory than just running it up the flagpole, so here's a refresher course on what you need to know.

Learn the proper way to fold the flag. Once you take it off the pole, you can't just wad it up and stuff it in the closet. Grab another person and take a minute to fold into in the familiar triangular shape you've probably seen over the years. If there's no one else around to help you, lay the flag on a clean flat surface (not the floor), and fold.

Contrary to popular belief, it's not necessary to destroy a flag that has touched the ground. It's possible to wash or dry-clean a flag that is dirty or soiled.

Though many people prefer not to fly the flag during inclement weather, many flags are made of all-weather material these days. They're meant to be used during rain, sleet, snow. Just remember to take your flag indoors during high winds so it doesn't become tattered.

A damaged flag must be disposed of properly but burning it isn't always practical. Simply take it to your local VFW post or American Legion hall and they'll make sure your flag is disposed of properly.

Flying your flag at night? The Flag Code specifies that it should be "properly illuminated" but doesn't offer specifics. A strong porch light or a spotlight on the ground underneath should suffice.

If you're displaying more than one flag, make sure the American flag is always higher than any other.

Teach your kids about the American flag with any of the great resources from these sites. Feeling creative? Make your own flag.

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