Toy guitar

• Cut a piece of wrapping paper big enough to lay the guitar across diagonally from bottom-right to top-left corner, then fold the bottom corner over the guitar's body to make a triangular pocket.
• Pull the right corner of the wrapping paper over the top of the guitar, then tuck it underneath.
• Pull the left corner across and tape liberally.
• Fold the last corner over the top of the guitar and tape it in place.

• Put it in a jumbo white trash bag that you've decorated, or in a laundry bag or bedsheet that you've covered with stickers and bows.
• Add a giant poster-board gift tag to complete the supersize look.

• Don't wrap it; hide it in the garage or a closet. Create a trail of wrapped clues ("Where's the first place you go in the morning?" and he's off to the bathroom). By the time he's opened each clue, he'll be so psyched for his actual gift that he won't care there's no more paper to tear off.

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• Plain faux evergreen wreath
  
• Glue gun and glue sticks
• Scissors
• Gloves for glue gun use (optional)
• Pine cones
• Gold spray paint
  
• Walnuts
• Christmas balls
• Small photo frames
• Ribbons (Two large identical ribbons)
• A few misc. decorations for fill

Once the ornaments have been placed, with your glue gun put a small amount of glue on the end that is going into the wreath. Press gently, but firmly, on the ornament to make sure it stays in place. Repeat this process for each ornament. Note: You may want to use gloves to do this part so you don't get burnt. I used an old pair of knit gloves that I could get glue on.

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• Cake stands (assorted sizes) with small glass bowl, Pumpkins (hollowed out), or large decorative bowls
• Foliage, such as oak leaves, acorns and branches
• Gourds, figs, star fruit, and nuts
• Dried cranberries or cherries, clementines and grapes

1. Use just one cake stand or stack three on top of each other to create tiers. You may wish to place a small glass bowl on top of the highest cake stand to complete the tier. In that bowl you can place a pyramid of clementines (or star fruit) to add a splash of vibrant color -- making sure not to stack the small citrus so high that they will topple easily.
2. Start placing the leaves and branches on the cake stands. Arrange an assortment of figs, quinces, star fruit, and gourds, and nuts on top of the leaves. If you don't have the cake stands use two or three hollowed out pumpkins (assorted sizes) or two or three decorative bowls placed down the center of the table filled with the same items.

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Add style and organization to your home by making a ribbon-striped bulletin board ... go even further by making one just for Halloween.

Materials:

• Staple gun
• Scissors
• Tacks (optional)
• Cork bulletin board, canvas board, Styrofoam board or fiberboard (available at hardware stores)
• Fabric a bit bigger than the bulletin board
• Ribbon (in various colors and sizes) or you can use twill tape or even seam binding

1. Cut a piece of fabric to cover your board (I used old velvet curtains for my fabric.) Lay the board on the material and cut the material to fit the same shape as the board, leaving enough material (about 2 1/2 inches on each side) to wrap around to the back. Make sure to iron the material if it has wrinkles and/or fold marks.
2. Use a staple gun to affix your fabric securely behind the board, stapling the two opposite sides first. Tuck the corners.
3. Flip the board right side up and lay the ribbons on the board to determine pattern, spacing and length of ribbon. Cut them prior to putting them on.
4. Turn board over again and staple ends of ribbon to the back of the board; pull the ribbon straight and tight over the front of the board and staple to the other end of the back.

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You appreciate your house for its charm, history, and maybe even it's location.

However, the grime between your bathroom tiles and the dust on your windowsills is another story entirely. Basically, you hate to clean, but that doesn't change the fact that you still have to.

So to make things a little easier, I found this great list of 16 essential products, in Real Simple magazine (Nov. 2007), that will help you tackle your entire house with ease.

1. Microfiber cloths - These machine-washable cloths handle almost any chore with just water -- no cleaning products needed.
2. Scrub brush -- Use it on floors, fireplaces, or any rough surface.
3. Spray bottle -- This comes in handy for spraying homemade solutions.
4. Rubber Gloves -- To protect your skin form harmful chemicals.
5. Toothbrush -- This little guy gets into all the places you can't.
6. Dry-cleaning sponge -- Its tiny pores pick up soot, dust, and pet hair from upholstery and lampshades.
7. Squeegee -- It works on more than windows ... try mirrors and shower doors too.
8. Disinfecting Wipes -- They eradicate nearly 100 percent of bacteria and can clean a counter in a flash.
9. Mild Abrasive Cleaner -- This helps you scour scum on tubs and tile with a minimum amount of elbow grease.
10. Vinegar -- Removes mineral deposits from faucets and windows.
11. Dishwashing Liquid -- You name it, it's dirt-cheap and still cleans everything from dishes to windows.
12. All-purpose cleaner -- The name says it all.
13. Baking soda -- A natural scouring powder and it eliminates odors.
14. A caddy (to hold everything) -- This is what will determine your success ... if everything you need is in one easy-to-find place that can move with you ... you're more likely to tackle the cleaning that's needed.
15. Microfiber duster -- With magnetic attraction, it will pick up dust and pet hair on blinds, works of art, and even plants.
16. Hand broom with dustpan -- Convenient for whisking away small spills.

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• Spray paint -- any color
• Tape -- various widths for more decorative appeal
• Stenciled number or letters -- approximately 6 inches in height
• Mat -- around 18 x 30 inches (I used a stiff fiber mat)
• Craft knife (if making your own stencils)
• Tacks

1. Create a border: For mine, I used 3-inch tape about 1 1/4 inches from the edge and then put another border of 3/4-inch tape approximately 1-inch away. I then placed another perimeter of 3-inch tape approximately 1-inch away from the 3/4-inch. Hard to follow: Basically I made it so that I could spray the two 1-inch borders and I put the 3-inch tape on the outsides so that I had more area protecting the mat. Be creative with this and make any number of patterns ... just make sure that you only spray between the taped-off borders. Let this dry before doing the center.
2. Print numbers or letters: You can purchase stencils from a craft store or make your own. I printed the letter 'R' (650-point type) onto card stock, and cut out the inside of the letter with a craft knife and then pinned it to the mat with large tacks.

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There's little doubt that the federal Do Not Call list is a good thing for most people throughout the United States. All you have to do is sign up with your phone number and a valid e-mail address, and you will be protected from most dinnertime annoyances.

The problem: Some of you may have forgotten that the registration is only good for five years, and if you signed up at the beginning, then the five year mark is heading your way.

What does that mean? Theoretically, it means that if your five-year registration expires, marketers can be sure that your number can legally be called again.

What to do: The Federal Trade Commission, which oversees the list, has a simple fix: re-register. But that means millions of people have to remember to do so. It only takes about one minute to register or even re-register so don't forget. In fact, to be safe, check your registration a little more than a month before it expires. Companies have to verify that phone numbers are not on the list only once a month, so if there is a lapse in registration you could be setting yourself up for receiving calls every night for 31 days.

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1. Begin with the inside and outside of the collar. Start at the tips and work your way to the back.
2. Do the cuffs -- you'll have high visibility with these so make sure you do them well.
3. Slide the shoulder onto the end of the board and do the sleeves. Start new the cuff opening then move to the top.
4. Iron the body. Start at the top and go down. The back is low priority -- it will wrinkles from sitting against the back of a chair or in a car.
   
5. Slide the tip of the iron between the buttons.

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1. Distribute pre-sale flyers featuring key items; post them on bulletin boards at locations like the grocery store, the local library, and your post office ... and stick them on mailboxes. You might find that one of your neighbors will buy something even before the sale.
2. Place ads in local newspapers and circulars - If you have not written an ad before, here are some tips: Write quick-read, concise ads. Write when, where and what. Note key items such as antiques, toys or furniture. I did, and my unique children's furniture sold first thing ... with more than a few interested customers coming to check on those particular items.
3. Online classified sites are great for pulling in buyers from outside your area. Mention as many items as you can to attract collectors and post two or three days before the when serious shoppers map out their shopping routes. Ads are free on Craigslist.com and Garagesalehunter.com; Garagesalegal.com charges a small fee of $4.99.
4. Post "For Sale" signs and "Yard Sale" signs. Make large signs for your front yard and street corners. Keep your signage bold and bright, but readable, making letters at least 2-3" tall at a minimum. Black ink works well for information and colored markers for gaining general attention to signs. Also do not put too much information on a sign. Just include all pertinent information about the sale including: address, dates, times, and items sold (if it can fit.)
5. Don't forget to invite friends, neighbors, family members, church members, sports teams, or parents of your childrens' playmates.

1. Start off by setting the scene: Have music playing, something fun and upbeat can set the tone for your customers. Included, I let my kids have a lemonade stand at the yard sale too. Not only did it make people feel more welcome, if they had a drink in their hand it made them stick around longer looking at items and my kids go to walk away with a few dollars too.
2. As silly as it may seem, you should group your items by category, remember most shoppers come with particular items in mind. This also allows for an easy shopping experience and adds to the perceived value of the items.
3. Place furniture near the entrance to the sale - items of scale seem to draw people in.
4. If you are selling clothing, please have a rack or if you don't have one available stack clothes by size and type on tables. Placing items on the ground or mixed in a box forces customers to squat and discourages browsing. And, once a box filled with clothing is mixed and mingled you can be sure that no one will continue to go through it. I had my boys clothing marked by size and displayed nicely and found that people would take almost all the items in the size they needed. Also, if you are selling clothing , make sure it's stain free ... do yourself (and the shopper) a favor and throw out those items.
5. Kids toys should be separated from the other items so that adults can shop without a bunch of little ones crowding in to see the toys. You might want to put the toys as far from the street as possible too, so that moms needn't worry about their kids safety while they shop.
6. Have plastic bags (from the grocery store) handy for anyone clutching onto more than one item ... this will free them up to continue foraging through.
7. Be prepared to do demonstrations. In terms of electronics, have batteries on-hand and electrical sockets nearby to show how things work. Also, include manuals if available. If you don't have the instructions, check the Internet, which may have some manuals for the bigger name-brands' products.
8. Try to keep damaged items to a minimum. That said, there are shoppers who look to find items that they can get for a steal and fix up on their own. Just clearly mark any damaged items and label "as is," if you're unsure of how well an item works.

1. Mark all items clearly and try to use tags, it seems to add to the perceived value of each item and It also makes collecting the money easier. Use tags that will not damage sale item and try not to put stickers or labels on the item that leave a residue.
2. Charging in dollar increments keeps making change from being such a pain. I usually price kids' clothing at $1 per item, $2 to $5 for jackets, and things like jewelry at three or four pieces for $1 or $2. Keep in mind you can really sell a lot of small items that are priced to sell. I easily sold 20 items at $1 a piece to someone who wouldn't pay $50 for a piece of furniture ... so your small priced items may really bring in the big bucks.
3. For big ticket items, like a dining room table or a sofa, try to find the original cost of the item in a catalog and tape the photo with price to the item. This often confirms to the buyer they indeed are getting a very good deal, which will close the sale.
4. For yard sale shoppers who haggle, let them make the offer. You might be surprised that they are willing to pay even more than you would have suggested.
5. Keep your money in a cash box, not in your pocket. And, keep it in a safe location and remove money throughout the day. Don't forget to start the day with small denominations and coins.
6. When you only half an hour before you close, you might want to decide to cut prices by 50 percent. Remember the idea is to price your items so they do not come back into your house.

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It's there. Staring, as if it had eyes. Nagging, a constant reminder of your bad judgment.

Sadly, that miniskirt is never going to fit you again. Not today, not five hopeful pounds from now. (Three words: Give it Up!)

Time to let go and embrace some closet therapy. Just in time for fall, why don't you throw a swap party? Unload clothing and accessories that you don't wear anymore (or never did) and get some new ones.

The Rules
Display each item so everyone has a chance to see what's available. Everyone can take turns picking out the item they desire and try them on. You may want to have guests pick a number out of basket as soon as they arrive, in the event there are some really good items that more than one person wants.

The best part is that you'll have your girlfriends there to approve your pick and give you their opinion your choice is a good one for you.

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You want a floor so clean you could eat off it, yet you can't remember the last time you had the time to do some deep down real cleaning. In fact, sometimes you don't have time at all ... so when I saw this headline on iVillage: 10 things you can quit cleaning right now, I had to stop and read it. After all (as you can probably tell), I love having a clean house, but I wouldn't mind being able to cut a few things out of my routine either.

Many of the solutions are devoted to disposing of items instead of cleaning them, so after reading it I was slightly disappointed (and who washes their soccer balls anyway?) I used to be a big fan of tossing versus washing, and I'm still very tempted by the idea, but then again I feel guilty about creating more waste. Take a look at these 10 ideas (from the article) and tell me what you think.

1. Sneakers: Just buy dark-colored ones and wear them until they fall apart.
2. Grill grate: When you're done grilling, leave the grill going. Close the cover over the grate and let any residue cook off for 15 minutes. Throw that wire brush away.
3. Soccer balls: Everybody expects them to be marred and mud splotched. Think of it as a badge of honor.
4. Shower curtain liner: They're cheap. Throw your mildewed liner out and buy a new one every six months.
5. Pillow: A washed pillow takes hours to dry. Throw it out and buy a new one every six to eight months.
6. Stove drip pans: Use your grungy ones for everyday cooking, and keep a shiny new set to use when guests come.
7. Ventilation ducts: Despite the advertising, regular professional duct cleaning is unnecessary.
8. Fireplace walls: Everybody expects a fireplace to have blackened walls. And you'll breathe even easier if you give up fires altogether.
9. Waxing the car: The newer finishes are so tough that cars don't need it anymore.
10. Making the bed: Give it up -- doctor's orders. This one I have to disagree with ... there's nothing better than crawling into a bed that's made ... especially after a very hard day.

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Some ticks are so small that they can be difficult to see. Ironically the small ticks are the ones that you should be most aware of. Ticks may get on you if you walk through areas where they live, such as tall grass, leaf litter or shrubs -- even in your own backyard. They also seem to fall from trees.

Think you've been bit by a tick? First things first. Don't panic. Yes, it's true that Lyme disease is the most common tick-borne disease in the United States, but your risk of developing Lyme disease after being bitten by a tick is very low. If you think you're experiencing the symptoms of Lyme disease, visit a doctor as soon as possible.

To remove a tick:
Locate the tick and remove it as soon as possible because risk of infection increases between 24 to 72 hours after the tick attaches to the skin. You are less likely to get sick from a tick bite if you remove the tick within 24 hours.

To help protect yourself and your family before getting bit:
- Use a chemical repellent with DEET, permethrin or picaridin (Use this to the letter, so you don't get future health problems.
- Make sure kids use product with less than 10% DEET in it.)
- Wear light-colored protective clothing
- Tuck pant legs into socks
- Avoid tick-infested areas
- Check yourself, your children and your pets daily for ticks and carefully remove any ticks you find.

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Sigh. Summer's fading fast.

Which means it's time to start thinking fall and school. Before you get the chills, how can you hang onto summer for a little longer?

Seashells, naturally. Why not turn one of your old mirrors or pictures frames into a beautiful reminder of your warm weather days. There's nothing better to lift your spirits than the thoughts of fun in the sun.

• A framed mirror
• Craft glue or a hot glue gun
• A paint brush
• White paint
• Seashells of various kinds and sizes, make sure you have enough for the project.

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Here's how:

• Mix a full pot of 1 part vinegar (any brand) to 2 parts water and pour it in your water reservoir. Turn the coffee maker on. Once the mixture has run completely through, then turn the drip coffee maker off and let it cool for 15 to 20 minutes.
• In the meantime, pour the vinegar and water mixture down the drain. If you are cleaning a coffee maker that hasn't been cleaned regularly, repeat this step again with a fresh vinegar and water mixture and after the coffee maker has cooled.
• Next, rinse the pot out thoroughly with warm, plain water. Then, fill the water reservoir again with clean water and turn the coffee maker on. This will rinse out the coffee maker. To make sure all of the vinegar and water solution is completely gone repeat the rinsing process one more time after letting the pot cool for 15 to 20 minutes.
• When you are finished, don't forget to wash the coffee pot itself with some dish detergent and water and wipe down the outside of the coffee maker with a soft cloth and some detergent and water or a little all-purpose cleaner. If you have a chrome surface, you can be wipe it down with a little all-purpose cleaner sprayed on a cloth. Don't spray into the unit, just spray the cloth as you want to control where your cleaning solution goes.

Cleaning your drip coffee maker on a monthly basis will make it last longer and keep your coffee tasting the best it can possibly be.

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• a pump,
  
• tire levers, and
  
• at least one spare tube-just don't store the tube with sharp tools.

• Unseat one sidewall from the rim with a lever. Pry the tire up and skin the sidewall off the rim. Use plastic levers (or plastic-coated steel) so you won't dent or crack your rims.
• Remove the dead tube and whatever caused the puncture.
• Pump up your fresh tube enough that it holds its form and insert.
• Remount as much of the tire as you can by hand before levering the rest into place, which can be a Herculean feat with newer tires. Make sure the tube isn't pinched by the tire. Pump 'er up.

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Working from home can provide a rewarding and flexible lifestyle. In fact, to most it sounds ideal - no daily commute, no boss to report to, no cubicles filled with annoying co-workers, and you can eat lunch when you want, for as long as you like. You can even take a nap if you want to!

Unfortunately the biggest complaint from people who work at home ... they don't actually get any work done. According to one study, only 14 percent of people who work at home put in a full eight hours ... the rest put in three hours or less.

If you're reading this and you're currently working from home .. well, 'er odds are you probably fall into the three hours or less percentile. If so, here are some suggestions from WIRED on how to change that and successfully get your job done.

2. Separate your workspace.
If your computer is in the living room, you're more likely to succumb to the Xbox, Oprah, or the bong. Section off an area of the house, preferably a room with a door, to be your home office. Spend time there only when you're working.

3. Firewall your attention.
Let's face it: You're not going to get that presentation together when the kids want lunch, the dog needs a walk, and your sister-in-law keeps phoning about your nephew's birthday party. Get a babysitter, turn off the ringer, and shut the door to signal you're off-limits.

4. Create small deadlines.
An entire day of working at home stretches before you, and it feels like you've got all the time in the world... why not watch a little M*A*S*H? Avoid procrastination by setting mini deadlines -- for example, must finish revising this document by 10:30 am so I can be at the gym by 11 -- to break up your day and instill urgency in your tasks.

5. Limit email to specific times.
When you're working by yourself, email starts to feel like your lifeline to the rest of humanity. As a result it can quickly take over your day and trash your productivity. To keep this from happening, only check your email at scheduled times, like when you start work, 10:30am, 2:30pm, and at the end of the day. In between, turn off your email program and get to work.

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