DIY Life

3-D Artwork in 1,2,3

Nikki Pepper — 2011-05-02T09:30:00 00:00

Filed under: art, Crafts, Crafts & Celebrations

If regular wall art falls flat, consider this simple 3D canvas project. The materials are around your house!

Wayne Nathan Studio. Photo: Courtesy of Nikki Pepper

Looks like an expensive piece, doesn't it? Well, it is. This is just one bright design from Wayne Nathan Studio's room at the Kips Bay Show House. But with your DIY skills, you can make this 3-D canvas right in your home.

Our take on the 3-D canvas involves common materials and a 1-2-3 project mentality. The size depends on where you plan on displaying your artwork, so plan accordingly.

What you'll need:
-A large white canvas
-Shoe boxes of various shapes and sizes
-Painter's tape
-Masking tape
-Multiple paint colors -- think bright and contrasting!
-Paint brushes

How to do it:
1. Start by cutting the boxes at different angles and placing the pieces on the canvas to create interesting shapes. Once you're satisfied with the layout, use the masking tape to adhere the boxes to the canvas. Tape on the interior for a low profile appearance.

2. Now that your surface is ready, place painter's tape on the canvas, going right over the boxes. Create stripes of different widths and don't be afraid to get creative with designs like arrows or zigzags.

3. Time to paint! Let each section dry before removing the painter's tape. Don't want smears! Once dry, move on to your next color. Repeat until your 3-D canvas is brightly striped.

Voila: Homemade artwork ready for the spotlight. Speaking of spotlight...how about installing recessed lighting above your newly created 3-D canvas? Don't be shy; show off your talent.

Looking for more ways to DIY decorate? Save the money, spend your creativity with these projects:
Hardware Store Decor
Decorate with Wall Tape

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Fireplace Ideas For Spring and Summer

Nikki Pepper — 2011-04-29T12:00:00 00:00

Filed under: Living Rooms, Living Spaces

Just because it's warming up doesn't mean your fireplace should be concealed. Here's how to showcase it in the off season.

Every day that the weather gets warmer we're lightening things up in every way we can. So we don't blame you if just looking at your fireplace makes you sweat. But don't fear -- the stunning rooms at the 2011 Kips Bay Showhouse showed off some pretty perfect-looking fireplaces that added a tremendous amount of glitz to each room without ever lighting up.

So look to them for inspiration and take advantage of the architectural element -- even during its off season.

Left: Amanda Nisbet Design, Inc. Right: Kemble Interiors. Kips Bay Showhouse. Photo: Courtesy of Nikki Pepper

Fireplace Idea #1: Paint
We're not just talking a solid coat or two. Have fun. Take that brush and go wild. (As long as the mantle is properly covered, that is.) Take a tip from this oh-so-pink fireplace by Amanda Nisbet Design and get creative with haphazard brush strokes. It creates a lively patterned effect that really wakes up this paneled backdrop.

Fireplace Idea #2: Mirror the Mantle
Adding small, square mirrors to the face of the fireplace surround easily brightens and livens up the space. Just look at the effect of Kemble Interiors' fireplace. And it's so easy to do! Pick up some mirrors at a craft store and get to work.

Robert Stilin at Kips Bay Showroom. Photo: Courtesy of Nikki Pepper

Fireplace Idea #3: Build Out
A thin mantle -- or maybe just an ugly, outdated fireplace -- cramping your room's style? Take on the project and make it worthy of display. Use MDF to copy this look for a fireplace surround makeover. The Robert Stilin photo above has a sleek, modern look that can easily transform an old, neglected design.

Left: Jeff Lincoln Interiors. Right: Matthew Patrick Smyth, Inc. Kips Bay Showroom. Photo: Courtesy of Nikki Pepper

Fireplace Idea #4: Decorate Above
If you truly don't want to highlight your fireplace, follow the lead of Jeff Lincoln Interiors and Matthew Patrick Smyth and go above and beyond while decorating around the hearth. Decorating the mantle takes the focus off of the fireplace. A promising piece: A super decorative mirror. It will draw the eye up and across. Finish off the look by pulling out your best decorative items and displaying them on the mantle.

Looking for more ways to get your home ready for spring? Check out...
Celebrate Spring at Home like Eva Mendes
Spring Trend: We're Seeing Stripes
Spring Gardening: Get Ready

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Could You Build an Underground Fort?

Nikki Pepper — 2011-04-28T10:00:00 00:00

Filed under: Outdoors

A 1920's instructional on underground forts got us thinking...is a sub-ground hang-out even possible?

Wired

Over on Wired, one industrious blogger discovered a 1929 "Modern Mechanics" featuring surprisingly detailed images and instructions on building an underground fort -- complete with measurements. This ultimate DIY got us thinking: Could someone really pull this off? Consider...

The Underground Fort's Foundation
Digging the hole is basically like digging a foundation for a house. Only in this case, the hole will actually be your house. A tarp or water-proof material is needed for the flooring and plywood is used to support the "walls."

The Underground Fort's Roof
While some fort instructions say to use plywood for this part of the structure, the fort in this illustration uses tar paper.

The Underground Fort's Appliances
Candles and lanterns can easily illuminate your underground hang-out. Just be sure to contain the flames. Just think of it as being in a tent. The stove situation is a bit more complicated though. Certainly you won't be installing a state-of-the-art range and hood. But you can contain a brick or stone fire. And -- most importantly -- make sure to have an exhaust!

The Underground Fort's Safety
Safety is the main issue we thought of when seeing this underground habitat. After all, access in through long, narrow tunnels. And depending on the ground your working with, hazards could be high. While we're pretty sure a savvy DIYer can make this happen, we're still rolling out the caution tape. Although, tree forts leave you hanging on a limb, so which option is less risky?

OK, this is all sounding a little shaky to us. Unless you've got a professional willing to help or consult, we'd advise sticking with your basement or attic as a hideout -- or copy this writer's husband and take up a new "man cave" apartment!

And be sure to check out other DIY ideas:
Easy, Low-Cost Weekend Projects
DIY Solar Projects

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Free Crafts: Nesting Dolls and Tea Towels

Nikki Pepper — 2011-04-25T14:00:00 00:00

Filed under: Crafts, Unusual Uses, Crafts & Celebrations

Antsy to get crafting without stepping foot in an art supply store? These genius ideas make use of things you already have around the house.

Check out this great DIY project -- one of our favorites from the brand new May 2011 issue of Country Living!

How to spice up wooden nesting dolls
Make matryoshka dolls do more than sit pretty by turning a pair into fetching salt and pepper
shakers. With a pushpin, pierce four to six small pilot holes in the top of each doll (from $8.95
for three; arussiansouvenirshop.com). Then, using a 1/16-inch bit, carefully drill through each pilot hole. Fill the bottom half of one doll with salt, the other with pepper. Tightly twist on each
top-and set about dolling up your dining table.

Country Living

Put tea towels to work as a market tote.
Adapted from Clare Youngs's The Perfect Handmade Bag ($19.95;
Cico), this cute carryall requires little more than a pair of small wooden spatulas and two tea towels ($15 each; motherlindas.com).

Step One: Cut six strips of fabric from one towel. Two, measuring 3¾"W x 14¼"L each, will serve as the decorative horizontal bands at the top of the tote and should incorporate the towel's graphics (as shown, left). The other four, measuring 3½"W x 8"L, will form tabs for the bag's handles.Turn under the long sides of each strip and press a ¼" hem.

Step Two: To make a tab,topstitch one of the long sides of a 3½"W x 8"L strip near the edge. Then fold it in half so that the short sides meet, and topstitch the other, now folded, long side, sewing through both layers of fabric. Repeat with the other 3½"W x 8"L strips.

Step Three: Lay the second towel on a flat surface, right side up. Align the long side of one decorative 3¾"W x 14¼"L strip horizontally with a short end of the towel (as shown). Topstitch in place. Repeat on other short end.

Step Four: Flip the towel right side down. To determine where to place the tabs, center a spatula atop one of the towel's shorter ends, and use straight pins to mark the spatula's width. Place a tab at each pinned point, slightly over-lapping the tabs with the top of the towel. Make sure that each tab's closed side lines up with the pins and that the open sides face each other. Remove the pins, then topstitch both tabs in place. Repeat on the towel's other short end.

Step Five: Fold the towel in half, wrong sides together. Pin, then stitch the sides closed using a 3/8" seam; backstitch at the tops for reinforcement. Insert spatulas into the tabs, then hand-sew closed to secure spatulas.

Read the whole article for more practically free crafts at Country Living.

Country Living

And for more Country Living on Shelterpop, check out:
Garage to Garden Shed
Country Living Celebrates What's Country Now

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DIY Decline: Are Men Less Handy Than They Used to Be?

Nikki Pepper — 2011-04-25T11:01:00 00:00

Filed under: Know-How

A new study shows that less men are doing their own home repairs. Could DIYers be an endangered species?

A walkway and house addition, both built by the writer's father -- Steve -- at her childhood home. Photo: Courtesy of Nikki Pepper

I grew up with a dad who could do everything -- and I'm not exaggerating because I'm his daughter. He built our beds and dressers; he designed and landscaped our yard; he even drew out and built an addition to our house. When it came to fixing things, my dad was the go-to guy, not just for us, but for friends and family, too.

Fast forward to my own home -- a city apartment that I share with my boyfriend. Now, I know that not everyone can build and fix like my dad. And don't get me wrong -- I love my boyfriend just the way he is. But he's just not a Mr. Fix-it kind of guy. At all. We managed through the IKEA boxes, but when it came to buying the right energy-efficient lightbulbs and adding shelving to our closet, I knew who to call.

Luckily, my dad likes being my DIY go-to. But seeing the divide between his home improvement skills and my boyfriends' made me think: What other Gen X-ers out there can't tell a back saw from a jab saw?

Apparently quite a few. AA Home Emergency Response conducted a study that shows a new breed of "techno-sexual" men has surfaced. Home repairs are being ditched in favor of technological prowess. Which leaves me -- and the girlfriends and wives of these techno-sexuals -- with amazing HD TV...but also a leaking sink.

Over the past 40 years, the percent of men able to perform home maintenance needs has steadily decreased. In 1970, 71% of men had a full DIY arsenal, compared to just 44% now. Why the decrease? Two main reasons: Fathers aren't passing down the skills needed and tech savviness has become more desirable.

So how long before DIY goes the way of the dinosaurs? AA estimates that at this rate, DIYers will be "extinct" by 2048. Because the more masculinity becomes more tied up in wires and pixels, the less confident men feel in their ability to conquer DIY projects.

I don't know how accurate this prediction is. After all -- who exactly will be painting fences or installing new windows in 2048? While studies like this one are best taken with a grain of salt, I think it's worthwhile to use it as an excuse to stop and reflect the next time something breaks down in my home. It might just be the perfect opportunity to encourage my dad to pass down his fix-it skills to me.

Want more DIY news? Check out...
DIYing This Weekend? Be Careful!
Cheap Date Ideas: Try DIYing
After a Breakup, Cleaning Can Heal

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Sorting Paper Before Recycling: Do I REALLY Have to Do This?

Nikki Pepper — 2011-04-21T08:00:00 00:00

Filed under: Kitchen & Bath, Storage & Organization, Essential Skills, Know-How

There are so many ways to go green for Earth Day. But that includes a lot of things that eco-skeptics can whine about. In our new series, we ask experts to weigh in on the most annoying, hotly debated eco-tasks. This week: Separating different papers before recycling.

Gary Chun's Album, Flickr

We'll admit -- at times, we're lazy enough to be bothered by separating glass from plastic from paper. So when it comes to taking it a step further band separating newspaper from wrapping paper from printer paper...it sounds hugely overwhelming. Do we need a filing cabinet just for recycling?

We turned to Michelle Drenckhahn from Spacial Adaption and asked: Do I REALLY have to do this?

Michelle Drenckhahn: It depends. I recommend checking with your local recycling pick-up company. Each city/county will have different rules depending on the facilities they own or access.

DIY Life: Are there any general rules for paper recycling?

MIchelle Drenckhahn: Well, my city, for example, uses a private service which only requires two bins, one for all papers and cardboards and one for all glass and plastics. They have high-tech machines that do the separating at their facility. They even send us a spreadsheet to remind us of how and what we can recycle.

DIY Life: What about in the office?

Michelle Drenckhahn: As a general rule, household paper trash is together. Offices, on the other hand, may require more strict rules due to the volume.

Thanks, Michelle! Looks like this is one step we may have the luxury of skipping.
Any other eco-chorse driving you crazy? We want to know! Share them on Facebook.

Want more "Do I REALLY Have to Do This?"? -- check out our feature on unplugging appliances!

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Our Favorite Easter Crafts: No Eggs Allowed!

Nikki Pepper — 2011-04-19T14:00:00 00:00

Filed under: kids, art, Crafts, Crafts & Celebrations

Speckled eggs, marbled eggs, dyed eggs....tired of the same old Easter crafts? We gathered projects with only one requirement: No eggs.

We know, Easter wouldn't be the same without colorful eggs. But how many different ways can you decorate with them? We decided it's time to collect fresh ideas for crafts that think outside the egg -- err, box.

Craftynest

Easter Craft #1: Moss Centerpiece
We loved this craft as soon as we spied it on Craftynest. Even though the flowery stump and moss arrangement is technically a centerpiece, we can see this craft decorating any part of your home. You don't even have to add the lettering -- the colorful arrangement can be decoration enough. Each project is unique due to the authentic wood stumps and moss clumps. What a creative way to bring outdoor elements inside to celebrate spring! Find out how to make this moss centerpiece and get crafting.

nevet5, flickr

Easter Craft #2: Cookies
OK, technically these include eggs -- in the batter. But this Easter, let your sugar cookies take a new shape. Be inspired by spring: Try decorating your sweet treats as birds, flowers, bumble bees and ladybugs. Experiment with food coloring and vanilla icing for the perfect spring hue.

My Paper Crane

Easter Craft #3: Sock Bunny
My Paper Crane has the instructions for this adorable craft. Altered from what we recognize as a sock monkey, this bunny is super simple and super cute. And it's fitting for the season. Get the step-by-step to surprise your little ones with this homemade Easter basket treat.

Looking for more? Try:

-Felt Easter bunny finger puppets from The Purl Bee

-Easy paper crafts from Chez Larson: Mini-Easter Bunting and an Easter Tree.

-A wreath made of Jordan almonds and a crepe paper ball Easter decoration (above) on Country Living's site from stylist extraordinaire, Paul Lowe aka Sweet Paul.

-Two more sugar-coated ideas from The Kitchn: Homemade Marshmellow Peeps and Golden Chocolate Easter Eggs.

Looking for more ideas, including crafts with eggs? Get some Easter ideas from the craft guru herself, Martha Stewart.

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Meetup Groups For DIYers

Nikki Pepper — 2011-04-14T12:00:00 00:00

Filed under: Crafts, Crafts & Celebrations

Looking for a group of friends to sew with? Decoupage with? Or just swap renovation tips over pizza? We've got the best DIY-themed community activities all over the country.

Etsy Labs

Even if you love your friends, chances are they don't share 100% of your interests. So why not seek out a new group of people to craft/build/create with? I tried it this week at the Brooklyn-based Etsy Labs. As subway trains rumbled across the Manhattan Bridge outside Etsy's window, I stitched together a DIY wallet with 50 new friends. Jealous?

My wallet, in all its glory. Photo: Nikki Pepper.

My newfound discovery got me thinking. If Meetup lead me to Etsy Labs, what else is out there for DIYers? Here's my findings, broken down by region, to help you DIYers find your own meetup. Whether you're a scrapbooker or a stamper, there's a group for you.

Northeast Meetups
- Long Islanders can cook and craft as part of the group All Fired Up! Join these women -- ages 25-35 -- for some yummy, crafty fun.
- If you're in the NYC area, be sure to check out Etsy Labs, a group with over 3,000 members that turn up for weekly free craft events. Be sure to sign up ahead of time though!

Past Etsy Labs crafts Photo: Etsy Labs Meetups

Southeast Meetups
- Join crafters in Georgia for weekly "crafty Tuesdays." True to their name -- Screen Printing & Mixed Media & Crafting for Everyone! -- this group covers a range of creative forms. Upcoming events include book making and a yarn swap.
- DIY and contribute to your community at the same time through D.I.Y.Home Projects & KY TimeBank Service Exchange. Spend an hour helping someone fix their roof or paint their house and they'll owe you an hour of DIY time on your house.

Mid-West Meetups
- Leather bracelets and bird mobiles are on the list of upcoming events for The Chicago Rebel Craft League. Join the existing 255 "crafty souls" to complete projects for all experience levels.
- Join Stampers Anonymous to satiate all your papercraft urges. Every month they host a Ladies' Night, along with various other crafting events. Past meetups include Cards & Coffee and open workshops where you can bring any current projects you're working on.

West Coast Meetups
- DIYers of California should check out Fixer-Upper DIY Homeowners Salon & Social Club. This meetup is support-group style with members swapping renovation tips and stories over beer and pizza. Now that's our kind of social scene!
- The Art of Crafts is a Seattle, Washington-based group that provides a wide variety of projects. Members have made soaps and placemats in previous classes. Coming up: Decoupage Easter eggs.

Find a meetup close to your home, and let us know what your group does! And if you're looking for crafty projects to complete on your own, check out...
Apartment Gardening: Turn a Filing Cabinet Into a Planter
Silverware Crafts for your Home
Illuminate Old-School Photo Negatives

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Martha Stewart Celebrates Easter and 1,000 Episodes

Nikki Pepper — 2011-04-14T08:00:00 00:00

Filed under: Crafts, Holidays, Crafts & Celebrations

It's a big week for Martha Stewart -- the home guru celebrates Easter with an "Eggcellent" special and reaches her 1,000 episode. Here's what to expect.

David E. Steele/Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia

Martha Stewart is the ultimate housewife, without even being married. She cooks, she cleans, she makes the bed with her own sheets and comforters. And she crafts like no one's watching. Only we are. We're tuned in and ready for the airing of "Martha Stewart's Eggcellent Easter" this Sunday, April 17th. Lucky us, we got a sneak peek at this one hour special, and we have an assignment for you Sunday viewers -- count all the "egg" altered words she beats into her show. Examples: Egg-cellent. Egg-straordinary. Egg-squisite. Get it? The alterations are endless, so keep your bunny ears perked up.

We'd also like to egg-on all you DIYers to try some Martha projects: "Eggcellent Easter" features recipes for coconut cupcakes and bite-size citrus cookies. Creative decor incorporates moss and lots of eggs. From Emu eggs to ostrich eggs, all are decorated, dyed and displayed with techniques you can do at home! We love the look of the marbled eggs.

Not feeling festive but still want to celebrate Martha? Tune in three days later on Wednesday, April 20th: It's Martha's LIVE 1,000 Episode Celebration. What does a 1,000 episode celebration entail? We're glad you asked. Get ready for the following:

Celebrity
Seth Meyers -- you know, from SNL -- will be making an appearance. (His second one of the season.)

Cooking
Guest chef Mario Batali will be whipping up something delicious.

Comedy
Yup, Martha is going to be funny. She will be reviewing the best bloopers and funniest moments of her 1,0000 episodes. We're hoping she'll revisit her pole dancing episode as well as the time she baked brownies with Snoop Dogg.

But that's just us. We'll have to tune-in Wednesday to see what she shares!

Our other Martha-related stories:
Martha Stewart's Painting Tool Kit
Refinishing Furniture with Martha Stewart Living

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Apartment Gardening: Turn a Filing Cabinet Into a Planter

Nikki Pepper — 2011-04-11T11:03:00 00:00

Filed under: Crafts, Patios, Porches & Decks, Outdoors, Crafts & Celebrations

Yes you can have a garden, even in an urban home. No yard is no excuse.

Sasquatch Books

"Apartment Gardening: Plants, Projects, and Recipes for Growing Food in Your Urban Home" is what every city-dweller with a green thumb needs.

Author Amy Pennington explains how to make recycled planters from everything -- wine boxes to milk crates. And she even provides recipes so we know what to do with our edible blossoms. Minted arugula salad, anyone?

Even if you're not living in an urban environment, you'll love the recipes and can easily use the project ideas for deck and indoor planting.

Luckily, Pennington and the crew behind "Apartment Gardening" was kind enough to share a sneak peak of one of our favorite projects from the book. Check out this super creative filing cabinet planter!

****

My friend Matthew Parker is one of those people who has vision. Everything in his funky little colorful house lines up and is orderly, but is also backed by wacky wall treatments like I found in his hallway-purple and white zigzag. He is utterly creative, and I steal hundreds of ideas from him. We were chatting urban garden design ideas recently when he casually mentioned using an old file cabinet as a planter. A light bulb went off! Old metal file cabinets are a dime a dozen at secondhand stores everywhere.

They don't cost much-in the neighborhood of fifty bucks-and while they are ugly to look at, if you remove the drawers and turn them onto their backs, they make an awesome planter. File cabinets are deep, so you'll automatically have a deeper planter than you can buy retail without the hassle of making your own. Having a deep planter opens up your growing world quite a bit; you can start trying deep-rooted plants like tomatoes, kale, or rhubarb.

Sasquatch Books

If you're into the whole shabby chic thing, drawers can be used for shallow planters, as well. Just give them a coat of paint and plant away. When repurposing any item, it is smart to consider possible pitfalls of what you are attempting. Or at least that's what my friend Patric is always telling me. He's awesome at identifying potential problems with all the crazy ideas I come up with. The looming obstacle for this project, so he says, is making sure the planter is structurally sound. Filing cabinets are made from thin sheet metal. You may have tried to stand on top of one at some point, to change a light bulb, only to feel the top buckle under your weight. Something similar will happen if you turn it on its back, and fill it with soil and then water. To address this, for this project we use a piece of blocking wood-a 2-by-4-inch piece of lumber cut to the width of the cabinet. The blocking wood both provides support and gives you a secure base to drill the casters into.

Materials
-One file cabinet
-Five or six locking and swiveling casters
-Four 1 1/2-inch pan head screws appropriately sized for the holes in the casters
-Six to ten 1-inch pan head #8 screws
-One 2-by-4-inch by 8-foot board
-One small tube construction adhesive
-Four cans nontoxic primer spray paint
-Four cans nontoxic exterior gloss spray paint
-Electric drill with 7/64-inch and 3/8-inch bits

Directions
1. Remove the drawers and any attached hardware from the inside of the cabinet. Measure its interior width. You will need to cut a few pieces of 2-by-4-inch boards to this length. The number of pieces depends on the size of the cabinet. A two- drawer cabinet will need three pieces: one on each end and one in the center. A three-drawer cabinet will need four pieces: one on each end and two evenly spaced across the center. This wood support is called the blocking wood.

2. Cut the blocking wood so it fits snugly across the floor of the cabinet and rests squarely against the sides. Do not make it
so tight that it causes the cabinet to bulge. (It is possible that the blocking wood pieces may have to vary slightly in size in
order to get them to fit precisely.)

Apply a few beads of construction adhesive to the blocking pieces and fit them into the cabinet. This is just to hold them in place-no need to go overboard with the glue. Allow them
to dry for at least an hour.

3. Turn the cabinet over so the top is facing down and the bot- tom is facing up. Place casters in the corners of the cabinet, lining them up with the blocking wood. With a marker, trace the caster screw hole locations onto the cabinet and set the casters aside. Using the drill, make pilot holes where you've marked your casters through the cabinet and into the wood.
Return the casters to the cabinet and screw them into place at the corners.

4. Now, add any supporting casters and place the casters along the middle of your cabinet. (For a two-drawer cabinet, you will also place a caster on the blocking in the center. For a three- drawer cabinet, you will need to place one caster on each
piece of blocking.) Drill pilot holes, then screw the casters into place.

5. To keep the bottom of the cabinet from sagging under the weight of soil and water, you need to add some support. For
support, you will add screws across the length of the center pieces of blocking wood. Adding screws in this manner effec-
tively transfers the load (that is, the weight) across the cabinet floor to the edges, which are the cabinet's strongest points.

6. Using a 7/64-inch drill bit, make pilot holes across the center pieces of blocking through the metal as you did for the cast-
ers. Start 1/2 inch from the edge of the cabinet. Drill pilot holes every three inches until you run into the casters. It's not criti-
cal that the spacing be totally even. Finally, go back and add the screws for support.

7. Next, you need to make some drainage holes. Change the bit in your drill to 3/8-inch and drill through the cabinet, avoiding the blocking. You will need two rows of holes spaced every four inches or so.

8. In well-ventilated area far removed from any objects you don't want subjected to drifting spray paint (such as your car or
your neighbor's car), spray paint the exterior of the cabinet with two coats of primer and two coats of your finish color.
You do not need to paint the entire interior of the cabinet, but make sure to get the first few inches around the edges, as soil will settle over time and expose the interior slightly. Also, be sure to let each coat dry completely before spray painting over. Finally, be sure to follow the instructions on the can, never holding the can too close. If you apply spray too thickly, it will run and create drip marks down your planter. (For specific instructions, see Spray Painting Containers on page 139.)

9. When the planter is completely dry, it is ready for soil and plants! Make sure to lock your casters once you start filling your cabinet planter, and remember to fill the soil to the tip top of the planter. This allows for full sun to hit the surface of your soil-a crucial step in germination.

(Patric's construction note: When someone is talking to you about building something and trying to intimidate you with big words like blocking, bracing, or transferring loads, you will now know what they are talking about.)

Looking for more inventive gardening ideas? Check out:
The Citrus Peel Planter
Cool Modern Planters
Polaroid Planter: A Picture of Creativity

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Cardboard Art For Your Wall

Nikki Pepper — 2011-04-08T08:00:00 00:00

Filed under: home decor, art, Crafts, papercraft

Why not decorate your wall with cardboard art? We found this colorful project worthy of your time and talent.

Design*Sponge

Over on Design*Sponge, they're sharing a genius project that turns cardboard blah into watercolor wow. We love the variety of colors and designs artist Ann Wood uses. And her step-by-step -- which uses materials as simple as buttons, a hammer and pliers -- makes this project approachable for anyone. Get the details on her ink splatter technique and how she recycles old lace into a stunning "mane." But the best part: This project recycles old cardboard boxes. So grab one out of your recycling bin and get ready to start crafting.

Want more great craft ideas for your home? Check out:
Citrus Peel Planter
D IY Jewelry Holder

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Silverware Crafts for your Home

Nikki Pepper — 2011-04-07T10:01:00 00:00

Filed under: in the kitchen, Crafts, Small Projects, Crafts & Celebrations

Maybe you have an old set of mismatched silverware or maybe you're just feeling crafty. Either way, have we got projects for you...

Silverware is great on the dinner table, but we knew it had even more potential. So we went looking and found these three silverware crafts. (Okay, the last one is plastic -- but it still counts!)

Or So She Says

Or So She Says posted this silverware-turned-windchime craft. A perfect housewarming gift for the cook who has everything. Want to give it a try? Check out the step-by-step.

Design*Sponge

Design*Sponge brightens up your foyer or mudroom with these colorful block hooks. Perfect for hanging keys or the kids' jackets. Get the step-by-step instructions to make these hooks happen in your home!

ReadyMade

Or, try this version of silverware hooks. ReadyMade takes on the project with old spoons. We like the idea of flattening the spoons and mounting right onto the wall. Make this silverware craft by following these instructions. No spare spoons? No problem! Let a flea market be your craft store.

ReadyMade

And here's the plastic silverware craft -- another from ReadyMade. How can you not love this nifty idea? This craftster saw a candle holder in those extra party forks and spoons. And now -- we do too!

Ready for more DIY projects?
Make Jewelry Holder
P lant Seedlings in a Citrus Peel

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10 Paper Towel Roll Crafts

Nikki Pepper — 2011-04-06T09:30:00 00:00

Filed under: organization and storage, staying green, Unusual Uses, Storage & Organization, Know-How

Don't be so quick to toss those empty paper towel rolls! They deserve a second life and here's why:

Ah, those empty paper towel rolls. (And yes, plastic wrap, tin-foil and toilet paper rolls.) Always there for us when we need them but never appreciated once the paper towels are gone. But why not take advantage of their round shape and some creative ideas? Instead of having the cardboard go to waste, use the empty roll for one of these neat ideas!

Apartment Therapy

Empty paper towel rolls become... Cord Holders
Organize TV cables, extension cords, and all those unnecessarily long wires tangled in a cabinet somewhere with empty cardboard rolls. Get the details from Apartment Therapy.

Merriment Design

Empty paper towel rolls become... Napkin Rings
Paper towel rolls make the perfect base for homemade napkin rings. Just cut the roll into your desired width and decorate with fabric.

Erika G., Flickr

Empty paper towel rolls become... Art?
Check out this image we found on Flickr. This wall art is made up of paper rolls. Never know what those empty cardboard rolls can become!

And those are just our first few...

Empty paper towel rolls become... Gift Wrap
For small gifts -- like jewelry or money -- these rolls are perfect! Just place gift in tube, then wrap with paper or tissue. Tie ribbon on the ends and trim excess paper for a surprising, delightful paper gift wrap alternative.

Empty paper towel rolls become... String/Yarn Storage
You crafters know what a tangled mess embroidery thread and yarn can be. Why not wind around a empty cardboard roll? No more knots!

Empty paper towel rolls become.... Kids' Craft Supplies
Keep them for craft projects. Let the kids get creative and see what they can make out of them. A totem pole is a creative idea to get them started! Even young kids can play with the rolls and color on them. A safe, fun craft for any age.

Empty paper towel rolls become... Boot Forms
Tired of your boots falling over in your closet? We have a solution! Stick an empty roll in each boot so that they stand up straight and keep their shape.

Empty paper towel rolls become... Garden Protector
Seedlings might need the extra support to get growing. Cut length-wise along the empty paper towel rolls so that you can slip them onto the stems. When the plants are strong even enough to stand on their own, simply remove the roll.

Empty paper towel rolls become... Linen Press
We all have table linens that make an appearance once a year, then back in the closet. So what's the best way to store them without having a day full of ironing when we want to use them again? Store napkins by rolling around an empty tube. Use a wrapping paper roll for larger linens and say goodbye to holiday wrinkles!

Empty paper towel rolls become... A Knife Sheath
Flatten the roll and cut to desired length. Close one end with heavy tape. Slide over a a knife blade for safe storage.

For more creative unusual uses, check out Uses for Old Phone Books!

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Illuminate Old-School Photo Negatives

Nikki Pepper — 2011-04-05T12:00:00 00:00

Filed under: Crafts, photography, Unusual Uses, Living Spaces

In a digital world, what are you supposed to do with the piles of photo negative strips from not-so-long-ago? We have the perfect solution.

Poopscape.com

We love using items lying around the house. And with photography living a digital life now, we're sure you have photo negatives in draws, boxes, and possibly even the envelopes they came in. No need to keep them for reprints anymore, so why not repurpose for this awesome project? Poopscape Projects posted this DIY lamp that we think is just brilliant! Illuminate a room and those old memories.

Check out the step-by-step for this neat photo negative lamp project! You'll just need some Mod Podge, a frosted glass lamp and yes, those negatives...

Want more DIY projects? We have them! Why not make:
A Light Bulb Vase
A Terrarium

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Napkin Ring Ideas to Liven Up Your Table

Nikki Pepper — 2011-04-05T10:00:00 00:00

Filed under: home decor, Crafts, papercraft, Crafts & Celebrations

We found napkin ring ideas you're sure to love -- and sure to pull off for a dinner party tonight!

Napkins are a must for any dinner party. So it goes without saying that napkin rings are just what you need to kick it up to the next level. But don't buy -- DIY! Use these creative napkin ring ideas and your table will be a sure hit.

Ginger & George

Leather isn't just for your sofa anymore. Why not wrap a strip of this fabric around your napkins? We love these napkin rings from the blog Ginger and George. The feather detail livens up any table. Get the step-by-step instructions so you can make this napkin ring idea happen in your home!

Merriment Design

This easy-breezy napkin ring idea comes from Merriment Design. By recycling those empty plastic wrap or tin-foil tubes, you can have festive napkin rings. Who would've thought? We love how you can make it your own by choosing any fabric you wish. So get creative, and get the project instructions here!

StyleAtHome.com

And we couldn't help but share these wire beauties from Style At Home. If you're a knitter -- or interested in trying -- we recommend this napkin ring idea. Might sound a bit tricky, but the step-by-step instructions and material list simplify the project. These rings add shimmer and elegance to any table.

Want more DIY ideas? Check out:
Make a Jewelry Holder
Clever Uses for an Old Ladder

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Unusual Uses for Cork

Nikki Pepper — 2011-04-04T08:00:00 00:00

Filed under: Crafts, Unusual Uses, Kitchen & Bath, Small Projects, Crafts & Celebrations

You know we're obsessed with finding out-of-the-ordinary ways to utilize everyday materials. Today: Cork!

Whether you polish off a bottle of wine a week, a month or a year, you'll still left with any number of corks that you have no idea what to do with. But who knew you could be saving those babies up for a bathmat, a wreath or any number of creative ideas we found?

craftynest.com

Cork Use #1: Bath Mat
We found this creative bath mat on Craftynest.com. It's composed of corks that were sliced lengthwise. Check out the step-by-step to construct one for your bathroom.

Design*Sponge

Cork Use #2: Lamp
Cork can be at your bedside with this unusual use. Design*Sponge posts the complete instructions for making a cork lamp. We love how you can just post your after-hours thoughts on your lamp, alongside inspirational photos.

Lovely Indeed!

Cork Use #3: Trivets
Keep this DIY in mind for when you need a housewarming gift! The blog Lovely Indeed! posts the easy how-to for this trivet. We like this idea as cork coasters too!

Elaine with Grey Cats, Flickr

Cork Use #4: Stamps
Carve shapes and symbols on the flat end of a cork for homemade stampers!

And even more uses for corks....

-Pin Cushion: You'll never have to search for your pin cushion when you can just grab a cork and use one to secure pins and needles while sewing.

-Furniture Covering: ReadyMade posted a DIY filing cabinet makeover. Instead of living with the vile green, the reader used piece of cork to cover the cabinet. Genius!

-Wreaths: We've seen a number of wreaths constructed of corks. And don't forget that you can dye the corks colors for holiday decor!

-Place Card Holder: If you score the cork -- creating a narrow slit -- you can rest a place card in the cork. This is a cute way to decorate a dinner party...especially one with plenty of wine on hand!

We have more unusual uses too! Check out uses for phone books and egg cartons!

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DIY Ceiling Fan: Add a Chandelier!

Nikki Pepper — 2011-04-01T12:00:00 00:00

Filed under: home decor, Crafts, Know-How, Living Spaces

This DIY ceiling fan transformation uses simple materials for an incredible result. We're certainly fans!

House*Tweaking

You've probably never complimented someone's ceiling fan -- and why should you. Unless you've shelled out the cash for a swanky model, yours probably looks like everyone else's. Not anymore. House*Tweaking introduced this fantastic DIY ceiling fan upgrade which takes advantage of a shimmery, neutral chandelier. This easy upgrade will up the wow-factor of any stock ceiling fan.

For the step-by-step on how to make this happen in your home, check out House*Tweaking!

Get more DIY project ideas:
Recycle Light Bulbs into Vases
New Uses for old Phone Books

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3 Creative Ways to Store Knives

Nikki Pepper — 2011-03-31T12:00:00 00:00

Filed under: organization and storage, Kitchen & Bath, Small Projects, Storage & Organization, Know-How

With these three ideas, you can store knives efficiently and creatively. (And we promise, your knife block will look nothing like your neighbors'.)

Knife blocks generally fall into two categories: Super high-design/super expensive and super basic/regular price. Instead of scouting out the few pieces out there that are attractive and affordable, we've got three of the best DIYs out there.

Shelterrific

Think popcorn is just for the movies? No way. You can bring kernals to the kitchen in a calorie-free way: Just choose any ceramic vase you wish, then just fill with popcorn! (Un-popped, of course.) We love how you can customize this idea to fit as many knives as you need -- and yes, that the kernals work in separating the knives and keeping them sharp. Check out Shelterrific for the details.

DIYLife

Another creative way to store knives? Why not build a wooden box and fill it with skewers! (And you thought they were just for shish kabobs!) Get the step-by-step to make this knife block in your home.

2Modern Blog

No room on your counter? No problem! Check out this magnetic block that mounts on the wall. We came across the idea on the 2Modern blog. Learn how to make this happen in your kitchen by following the instructions listed there.

Want more DIY ideas? Check out:
Make a Jewelry Holder
Uses for Old Phone Books

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The Citrus Peel Planter

Nikki Pepper — 2011-03-31T10:00:00 00:00

Filed under: Crafts, gardening and plants, nature, Know-How, Outdoors

Had a yummy citrus snack and about to toss the peel? Don't! Fill that baby with a plant for a giftable, adorable planter.

A Roman Apartment

What a sweet idea! My Roman Apartment made a seedling planter made out of a citrus peel. This idea is super creative -- not to mention colorful -- because it provides the perfect space for a starter plant and it recycles. (Which we are big fans of!)

It only takes a few holes in the bottom for draining and the proper soil and seeds to turn your trash into an awesome, organic display.

Check out just exactly how it's done on My Roman Apartment. Get the step-by-step and get planting!

Also check out these creative unusual uses:
New Ways to Use Phone Books
Recycle Old Light Bulbs into Vases

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Make a Jewelry Holder

Nikki Pepper — 2011-03-30T08:00:00 00:00

Filed under: home decor, Crafts, Bedrooms, Small Spaces, Know-How

Who knew that humble peg board and an old picture frame could make for a perfect jewelry holder?

Three Men and a Lady

We were looking through the DIY projects on the blog Three Men and A Lady and fell in love with this creative jewelry holder. All it takes is a frame and a peg board. Add some spray paint and various hooks for a I-can't-believe-you-made-that look. You don't have to worry about your necklaces and bracelets tangling and you'll always be able to find what you're looking for.

Visit Three Men and A Lady for more project pictures and the step-by-step instructions so you can get started!

Three Men and a Lady

Get more great DIY projects:
Recycle Your Old Light Bulbs into Vases
N ew Ways to Recycle Phone Books

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