DIY Life

How to spike a watermelon

Francesca Clarke — 2008-05-08T18:00:00+00:00

Earlier this week, Debra taught us how to remove seeds from a watermelon. Reading her post made me keen for summers on the patio, enjoying ripe, juicy watermelon.

Of course, as soon as my mind drifts to watermelon and summer evening on the patio, I'm immediately planning the rest of the moonlight treats, which simply must include spiked watermelon. I remember when we thought that spiking watermelon was a matter of setting chunks of it to soak in a bowl of vodka, but there is actually a right way to do this, and you'll really notice the difference.

This technique seems to the the most effective. Basically, you cut a small hole in the top of the watermelon, and pull out the plug. Next, take a skewer and poke it through the hold at various angles. This will help make passages for the alcohol to flow through (but really the watermelon has plenty of those naturally, so you should be ok). Funnel in about one cup of your favorite alcohol. I think vodka is great with watermelon, but over at Sweet Georgia Blue, they recommend bourbon, so you might like to experiment with it and decide for yourself. Once you've poured in the alcohol, replace the plug and put it in the fridge for a couple of hours.

Invite some friends over, slice the booze infused melon, and enjoy!

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Make the perfect breakfast in bed

Francesca Clarke — 2008-05-05T16:00:00+00:00

Filed under: food, in the kitchen, seasonal, entertaining

Pamper her this Mother's Day with a luxurious breakfast in bed. Older children can probably manage it on their own, but for most families dad will need to coordinate things. The three most important things to consider are the planning, preparation and presentation.

Planning

Take the time to plan a breakfast that you know she'll enjoy. She won't mind you trying something new, but if you're more comfortable, stick with recipes that you already know how to make. Buy all your ingredients ahead of time, but stash them away carefully so that she doesn't suspect her early morning treat.

Prepare as much as you can ahead of time; set your coffee maker on a timer, cut fruit, and pre-mix any batter that can sit overnight.

After the break I'll cover some suggestions for a delicious breakfast in bed:
First and foremost, consider her favorites. Strawberry waffles does her no good if she's really more of a toast and eggs kind of gal. You'll want recipes that look labor intensive, but are either easily prepared, or where much of the prep work can be done ahead of time.

Make up a batch of this almond raisin granola the day before. Pair it with some silky yogurt and an exotic fruit salad.
This baked artichoke fritatta is sure to impress her. It probably isn't something the kids would like, so I'm guessing it isn't part of her regular weekday breakfast run.
Take a page from a famous bed and breakfast recipe, and serve her these cranberry, white chocolate, and lemon muffins.
Even the most basic crepe can be a decedent treat. Top them with her favorite fruit.
Good old fashioned pancakes are always a popular breakfast. My husband likes to pour the batter to make our children's initials and other fun shapes. You could spell out "Happy mother's day" on her plate, or make a giant pancake heart for fun.
Don't pour her a cup of the same sludge you've been drinking all morning; take the time to make her a perfect cup of coffee. If you really want to spoil her, add a glass of champagne and orange juice (now there's something I wouldn't mind waking up to!)

Preparation

Depending on your wife, getting up before her might not be an easy task. If you make an appearance after she's gone for a run, changed the children, fed them breakfast and done the dishes, your pampering plan might lose a little luster. If by chance this happens, the children can shoo her back to bed, but it's best to leave her sleeping as long as you can.

With effective planning, the preparation shouldn't be too difficult. Leave yourselves lots of time. Making breakfast together can be a great way to enjoy time with your children. Spend some time talking to them about why you're doing this for mom. You might even like to take pictures of the children preparing breakfast. She'll enjoy looking at the photos of her little ones covered in flour, having fun, and doing something special just for mom.

Presentation

Take the time to present breakfast beautifully. Don't just slap the food on a plate. Arrange it carefully, presenting it the way you might see in a fancy restaurant. If you're feeling really motivated, learn the right way to drizzle strawberry sauce, and add interesting garnishes.

Once you've got the plate arranged, don't accompany it with your Costco size bottle of syrup; use small serving containers for all your condiments.

Use your fine china (you know, the stuff you got for your wedding and haven't used since you had children). A small vase with fresh flowers and a special note or card will tie things together nicely.

Finally, present your breakfast on a serving tray. If you're feeling particularly ambitious and have an extra day to prepare things, why not surprise her with a personalized serving tray? Lisa explains each step in this simple project where she turns an ordinary serving tray into a fabulous gift and a treasured memory.

Cleanup

This one wasn't included in the introduction. Maybe I didn't want to break the alliteration of planning, preparation and presentation, or maybe I was afraid of scaring you off at the thought of a thorough cleanup. Either way, it is as important (if not more) than the other steps.

Imagine how she would feel coming down from a delicious breakfast in bed, and finding dirty pans on the stove and a sink full of dishes.

She'll probably want you and the children to keep her company during breakfast. Don't shy away from this; instead, savor the time together while she enjoys your culinary creation. Just before she finishes breakfast, slip away and draw her a nice warm bath. For the perfect bath, add in a little luxury with scentual bath and body products. Dim the lights, light candles and turn on some music. Hang her robe in the bathroom, set out a big fluffy towel, and make yourself scarce!

Once she's in the bath, it's clean up time for you and the children. Make sure you take care of all the breakfast mess. It would also be nice if she doesn't trip over toys as she comes down the stairs, or pass scattered shoes in the hall on the way to the kitchen. So, don't confine your cleaning efforts to the kitchen; take some time to tidy the rest of the house too.

Even with careful planning, precise preparation, striking presentation, and thorough cleanup there are bound to be mishaps. Remember that things don't have to be perfect. Ultimately, it actually is the thought that counts.

If you have children at home, they should be involved (to the extent that they can), but this isn't a gift reserved for families. If your children are older and away from home, or if your wife is expecting your first, make this sweet indulgence a romantic time of appreciation or anticipation.

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How to have a successful bake sale

Debra McDuffee — 2008-05-01T16:00:00+00:00

Filed under: food, in the kitchen, kids, miscellaneous, money, entertaining

My local moms' group is in the middle of a community service project right now -- raising money to buy backpacks and school supplies for students whose families need a little financial help. One of the ways we are doing this is through bake sales.

We have a good, active group of women who have really come together to share ideas, and now you can benefit from what we've learned about how to have a successful bake sale.

Look for events / locations where there are already lots of hungry people.
Some of our ideas are: at T-Ball and soccer games, at the local concerts in the park, and in front of a local grocery market. Always check with your town to see if permits are required for set-up.

Offer a good variety of treats.
Make sure you offer small cookies, large pies, and everything in-between. You'll need plenty of chocolate... and no bake sale is complete without Rice Krispie treats. We'll even have some vegan treats and cookies for the food-allergic at our bake sales.

Set prices just right for your community.
Do you need a pricing guide to help you get started? This one helped us out, but you'll find that you know your community and what they will pay for certain treats.

More tips on how to have a successful bake sale, dealing with presentation and organization, can be found online. Soon you'll be on your way to raising money for your group, and maybe you can even enjoy a few leftovers!

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Throw a Cinco de Mayo party

Bethany Sanders — 2008-04-29T14:00:00+00:00

Filed under: food, kids, seasonal, crafts, entertaining

When the Mexican militia finally ousted the French army from the city of Puebla (on their way to attack Mexico City), there was reason to celebrate. After all, the French had supposedly come to Mexico only to collect on debts owed to them. Instead, they brought along a ruling prince and set themselves up to be in charge.

The French believed that the Mexican militia could never defeat their modern army, but they did, changing Mexican and perhaps American history forever. The battle took place on May 5, 1862. Every year since, Cinco de Mayo (or 5th of May) has been considered a holiday.

It's a day to party and to celebrate, and also a good time to get a taste of Mexican culture. I'll give you plenty of tips on how to throw your own Cinco de Mayo party after the break.

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Interestingly, the holiday isn't a big deal in Mexico. It's celebrated in Puebla and a few surrounding towns. In America, however, Cinco de Mayo is widely celebrated, especially in cities with large Mexican-American populations.

Many people believe that Cinco de Mayo is Mexican Independence Day, but it's not. That falls on September 16th and is celebrated across Mexico. M.E. Williams recently wrote a post on another popular Mexican holiday, the Day of the Dead, which is celebrated in November.

To celebrate Cinco de Mayo, you'll need what every good party needs -- food, drink, music, the right clothing, and fun.

What to Eat

A Cinco de Mayo party is the perfect time to try your hand at some traditional Mexican dishes.

Experienced chefs might try sopes, a regional food that's also highly addictive, or even empanadas.
Sopapillas, on the other hand, are simple to make, as are old standbys like guacamole and quesadillas.
Though traditional recipes vary by region and from family to family, here are a few authentic dishes to make you feel like you've really and truly crossed the border.
Don't let your guests get thirsty! Mexican beers like Corona, Modelo, and Necate are a good choice, as are margaritas of course. Here's a list of several different Cinco de Mayo drink recipes, as well as agua de jamiaca, a traditional non-alcoholic drink made from Jamaica flowers (which can be purchased in most Mexican grocery stores).

What to Wear

The colors of the Mexican flag are red, white, and green, so you'll want to focus on these or other bright colors when choosing your outfit.

Women traditionally wear long, ruffled or flowing skirts or brightly colored dresses, as well as serapes (make your own) or shawls. Try wearing a white, blouse, and don't forget to tie your hair back in colorful ribbons. Men dress in typical western-wear such as embroidered shirts, ponchos, sombreros, and jeans or pants.

Kids might like to try their hand creating their own sombrero, paper poncho, or ribbon streamer.

For footwear, consider cowboy boots or try making your own huaraches.

Time to Decorate

In many cities, Cinco de Mayo is celebrated with parades, parties, and music. If you're throwing your own party, you'll need to decorate. Colored paper flowers are fun to make -- as are paper lanterns -- and liven up any party area in a hurry. Pinatas are a traditional decoration and are a fun project to try at home.

Young children can make these easy paper cup maracas, while older kids and adults might appreciate these sturdier versions. Keep kids busy making this clothespin Mexican dancing doll or this craft, called a God's eye.

It's not a party without music, so look for CDs or download Mexican folk music, salsa, or mariachi to entertain your guests.

Safety First

Cinco de Mayo is a big party night, especially for young adults. If alcohol is being served at your Cinco de Mayo celebration, be sure that your guests have a designated driver or a safe ride home. If you're a party-goer, it's always a good idea to choose your sober driver before you take your first drink.

Now go...and enjoy this popular holiday!

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Crafty Chica's decorative concrete coasters

M.E. Williams — 2008-04-23T09:00:00+00:00

Filed under: home decor, weekend projects, crafts, entertaining, gifts, clay

Back in September of last year, I wrote a comprehensive tutorial for making marble magnets, an easy project in which images are placed under little glass bubbles in a way that really makes them come alive. In that post, I mentioned that the image pebbles could also be used in other projects, like concrete mosaics.

Kathy Cano-Murillo, one of my favorite craft gurus, recently posted the kind of mosaic project I was talking about: Concrete Coasters. The process for making them is similar to making a mosaic tabletop or paving stone, on a smaller scale.

After creating the image marbles, you mix concrete and pour it into coaster molds, then embed the marbles in the molded material and allow it to dry for at least a day. After removing the concrete coaster from its mold, you varnish it to seal it, and add felt padding to the bottom; if you like, you can further decorate the coasters until you end up with something like Kathy's results.

The one thing I would do differently than Kathy? I don't think white glue (also called PVA glue) is the best thing for gluing images to marbles; glass isn't porous, and that kind of glue is most appropriate for porous materials. I recommend using E-6000 glue instead. However, the fact that you're sealing the marbles in concrete probably makes it a moot point.

[via Craft.]

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Warming up the backyard for summer

Kelly Smith — 2008-04-16T16:00:00+00:00

Filed under: backyard science, seasonal, outdoor, entertaining

Winter is drawing to a close and the weather is showing signs of warming. One thing that means is that more time can be spent outdoors in the backyard with friends and family. Fire up the barbecue pit!

But wait -- before getting into full time frivolity, take time to do some preventative maintenance.

Got plastic patio furniture? Give those chairs and tables a coat of car wax. This will make them easy to clean and minimize fading from the sun.
Got a deck? Make sure all nails or screws are well-seated to eliminate accidents. This is a good time to re-finish the wood, before the weather gets too hot.
Got a pool? This is a great time to put in a slide and load it up with floaty things.

Most folks won't be doing much traveling this summer due to high fuel costs and the airlines shutting up like your favorite watering hole on Saturday night, so plan on spending time in the back yard with friends and family!

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168 ways to be frugal

Anna Sattler — 2008-04-04T19:00:00+00:00

Filed under: food, money, recreation, entertaining

I consider myself a frugal person. When it comes to buying anything new, I check my local thrift stores or shop on eBay to see if I can get the item cheaper. It seems that the only time I decide to spend too much money is when I go to the grocery store hungry.

Besides clipping coupons and going without a night on the town with my husband, I wondered what else I could do to step up my frugality. Lynnae over at beingfrugal.net asked her readers to send her their frugal tips on surviving when money is tight and dollars need to be stretched. Her readers came through in a big way, so she compiled a list of 168 frugal tips to survive a recession.

From saving money on grocery shopping, utilities, transportation, and clothing to saving money on miscellaneous necessities, Lynnae breaks down the great tips her readers have offered into nine categories. While not all the tips are feasible for everyone, there certainly are tips that everyone will be able to utilize.

[via: Curbly]

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How to face paint

Francesca Clarke — 2008-04-02T09:00:00+00:00

Filed under: kids, seasonal, art, entertaining

Along with Spring comes the flurry of kids' birthday parties, concerts in the park, and festivals of every sort. Face painting is part of so many of these festivities. If you think you might get dragged into face painting this spring or summer, you'd better get prepared. Knowing what you're doing will make the difference between a kid who runs to the bathroom in embarrassment, scrubbing his poorly-painted face, and one who doesn't wash their face for a week.

The two most important elements (along with a steady hand and a comfy seat) are the paints and the designs. After the break, I'll tell you what you need to know about each.

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The paint
You can buy crayon-style paints from any craft store. They don't let you do designs that are as delicate, but they are easy to manage; if you're keeping things simple, they might be your best bet. If you want more detail, choose face paint with brushes. You'll also find these at the craft store. Whichever you choose, make sure they are labeled specifically as face paint.

The dollar store also carries face paint: cheaper ones are more likely to irritate the skin, so test them out before painting little faces. Low-quality paints will also crack more easily.

If you want to ensure that the paints are hypoallergenic, and give yourself the most creative variety with color, you can make your own. This homemade face paint recipe is a simple combination of cornstarch, cold cream, food-coloring and water.

The Face Painting Designs page from the UK is a great resource, explaining how to work with each kind of face paint.

The design

Save yourself from that terrifying moment when a child asks you to paint an Optimus Prime Transformer. Instead, have a book of designs for them to choose from. Sure, you can take requests for the color and number on the race car, but you aren't going to start painting a variety of models from Formula 1.

Having designs ready for some popular characters, like this Spiderman, this pirate, or these popular princess accessories, will be a sure hit. Check out these face painting tutorials, where you'll learn to perfect the flower face and doll face, along with a robot and a scary skeleton.

One last thing: practice your designs on real people. Remember that it is better to do a simple design well than to try something complicated and botch it completely.

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Learn to love wine

Bethany Sanders — 2008-03-27T18:00:00+00:00

Filed under: food, entertaining

My husband loves to have a glass of red wine in the evenings, after the kids have gone to bed and the house is quiet again. It's a habit I'd love to share with him.

I picture us curled up on the couch together, sharing a glass of wine and talking about our day. (Of course, in my daydream the children also stay in their beds at bedtime, and there is never, ever an NBA game on TV.)

In any case, it's a habit I don't share with him because I don't like wine. Every time he opens a bottle, I try a glass, but the first sip makes my nose wrinkle up. I realize I don't need a glass of wine to curl up and spend some quality time with my guy, but I'd like to like it, you know?

So today I'm closely reading this article from WikiHow on how to acquire a taste for wine. I realize now that I was limiting my options. I've only ever really tried to like the wines my husband does, when in fact there are hundreds of varieties out there. Other suggestions include:

Mix wine with a spritzer or even just add ice.
Enjoy the wine experience. Rather than just taking a gulp, look, smell, and slowly taste.
Try different foods with your wine. Fruit, cheese, and meat are popular.
Change the wine you drink with the season.
Learn more about wine and how it's made.

So I'm going to try a little harder and see if I can't love wine yet. I have high hopes, but if it doesn't work there's always a nice, ice cold beer instead.

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Sign Language cookies spell it out

M.E. Williams — 2008-03-27T13:00:00+00:00

Filed under: food, in the kitchen, kids, crafts, entertaining

Who doesn't love personalized goods? (I'm sure that some people will respond, "Anyone over the age of eleven," but that doesn't explain the appeal of vanity plates on cars.) Customizing an item just for the intended recipient is likely to make them feel special no matter what their age is... particularly if it's their birthday.

Sure, if you have something to say, and you want to eat your words, you can buy sugar letters for birthday cakes at almost any store that sells baking supplies. There are more creative ways to personalize treats, though: Craftster user Jsully03 made cookies that use American Sign Language manual alphabet letters to spell out a message to her young daughter, who was born deaf.

To duplicate her creation, all you need is a sugar cookie recipe (premade cookie dough is just fine), a hand-shaped cookie cutter with relatively well-defined fingers (you'll be shaping them into different positions; try local stores for the Wilton version), knowledge of the ASL manual alphabet, and, of course, an oven and a baking pan.

More impish bakers may be unable to resist using this idea to show the world how they feel about rock 'n roll; I certainly wouldn't blame them for doing so.

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Faded flowerpots get easy spray paint makeover

Diane Rixon — 2008-03-17T18:00:00+00:00

Filed under: crafts, gardening and plants, entertaining

Concrete and terracotta flowerpots look better as they age. Plastic pots? Hmm. Not so much. Let's face it: although they're light and durable, they lack style. They also look terrible when they get old and faded. Well, member Melody of the wonderful gardening website Dave's Garden has submitted a fantastic how-to article on flowerpot makeovers with spray paint.

Melody recommends Krylon's Fusion(R) spray paint because it's designed to bond with plastic, which means it resists chipping and peeling as time goes by. She used the Hammered Finish line with beautiful results! I love how this looks, and I'd like to give it a try with one of my own aging and faded plastic pots.

Tip: be patient with your prep work. For the paint to bond with the plastic, it's critical to start with a smooth and completely clean surface. Therefore, allow plenty of time for scrubbing old pots down, washing them thoroughly, and leaving them to dry completely before cracking out the spray cans. I know, it's hard to have prep work patience -- because the spraying is definitely the fun part!

For more easy crafting ideas involving flowerpots and spray paints, check out Francesca's post on decorating flowerpots with your kids and Anna's post on stenciling with spray paint.

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Dyeing to know: turning the Chicago River green for St. Patrick's Day

Diane Rixon — 2008-03-17T08:00:00+00:00

Filed under: seasonal, outdoor, entertaining

Have you ever seen the Chicago River on Saint Patrick's Day? As you probably already know, it is colored a brilliant shade of green for the occasion. This has been a Chicago tradition for decades now. It provides a bit of family-friendly fun for the kids, and a welcome midday distraction for the Loop's office workers. The green color achieved is shockingly bright -- I mean so bright you'll think your eyes are deceiving you.

So how do they dye the river green? I went looking and was delighted to find that it's no big secret. According to Green Chicago River, the event organizer's official site, it takes 40 pounds of vegetable dye to create a carpet of green that lasts four to five hours. Of course, they don't dye the entire river with that--just one section a couple of blocks long.

Interestingly, the vegetable-based dye replaced an oil-based dye that was initially used. Environmentalists lobbied for the change, arguing that oil-based dye was hardly an eco-friendly substance to be shoveling into a river.

Also of note: the earliest attempts to dye the river resulted in major overdoses. The first year, 1962, the organizers dumped 100 pounds of the stuff into the river, and the water stayed green for a week!

Want to replicate the Chicago River effect in your own yard? Try dyeing your pool green for a fun St. Patrick's Day celebration. Pool dyes manufactured by Party Pool come in red, blue and -- yes! -- emerald green, and can be purchased from pool supply stores like Pool Center.

Happy Saint Patrick's Day to you!

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Sushi cake

M.E. Williams — 2008-03-12T16:00:00+00:00

Filed under: food, in the kitchen, kids, crafts, entertaining

I love the look of sushi, but unlike some other writers around here, I can't stand the taste of it. In fact, I can't even tolerate the flavor of fish! (Ironic, I know, given that I frequently post about Japanese stuff: I'd last about a day in Tokyo.) But there is something that I do famously love to eat, and that something is... cake.

I was therefore completely charmed by Craftster user .mila.'s Sushi Cake, created for a friend's birthday. It looks like a slice of kappa-maki (cucumber roll) or maybe anago-maki (saltwater eel roll), but no fish, seaweed, or rice is to be seen.

Instead, it's four layers of cake and chocolate mousse filling, with a layer of strawberries in the center.The "rice" is shredded coconut, the "nori" ("seaweed" wrap) is buttercream icing tinted green with food coloring, and the "filling" at the center of the roll, really just on top of the cake, is gummi candy in appropriate colors. Wasabi is represented by more green icing, and sliced strawberries stand in for the pink ginger (gari) that usually comes on the side. .Mila. even put chopsticks and soy sauce on the side.

I don't know about you, but I would be thrilled to eat this sushi on my next birthday.

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How to make Irish beer bread

Francesca Clarke — 2008-03-11T09:00:00+00:00

Filed under: food, in the kitchen, entertaining

Leading up to the 17th, grocery and specialty stores are stocking their shelves with Irish foods. If you're planning traditional Irish bread for your St.Patrick's day menu, consider making it yourself.

I find bread recipes hard to tackle at the best of times. Beer bread is even more complicated and admittedly, I've only ever made it from a package. "Just add beer" is about all the instructions I thought I could manage. That is until I found this recipe for Lazy Irish beer bread. With a 10 min. prep time and only 45 min. in the oven, you'll be enjoying fresh baked Irish beer bread in less than an hour.

Check out the comments from people who have made this bread. They rave about how good it is, adding in that it's simple and cheap to make.

Don't forget: Better beer makes better bread.

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How to make green beer

Francesca Clarke — 2008-03-10T13:00:00+00:00

Filed under: food, entertaining

Green beer is a St. Patrick's day tradition in many homes, restaurants, and pubs. You don't need to be a chemist to mix this celebratory drink. All you need is beer and food coloring. Simply add food coloring to your favorite beer, mix it up and enjoy.

The beer
Choose a lighter beer, one that will take the color easily. If your favorite beer is of the darker variety, it will take more coloring.

The color
It was suggested by a commenter on Slashfood, where we were reminded of this cool St. Patrick's day tradition, that blue food coloring works best; by mixing it with the yellow beer, you should achieve a true green color. I tried both blue and green food coloring. Take a look through the gallery and decide which one you think worked best.

For the purists among us who don't want to tamper with good beer, enjoy a Guinness. If you're in the St. Patrick's day spirit, but aren't really a beer drinker, follow me through the break and I'll share some other green cocktails along with a few non-alcoholic ones.

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If you're not into green beer, but want to sip on a festive drink this St.Patrick's day, check out some of these other recipes:

Emerald Isle
Make a minty green martini with creme de menthe instead of vermouth.
Green Mist
This fruity cocktail mixes banana liquor, creme de menthe, brandy, and ginger ale.
Green Goblin
Served with a lime wedge, this sweet and sour drink will spread the St.Pattie's day spirit.
Zen Master
This original and refreshing cocktail is made of green tea liquor and cucumber.
Green Apple martini
Vodka and green apple schnapps. My personal favorite.

Now, for those of you who are not drinking this St. Patrick's day, but still want to join in on the festivities, here are a few non-alcoholic recipes:

Green Grape Glacier
White grape juice, sparkling water and fresh green grapes. Serve this one ice cold.
Mattoni Secret
This recipe uses some more unusual ingredients, but it is sure to keep your friends guessing and asking for more.
The Director
Coconut and lime come together to make this a fresh, sweet creation.

Share some of your favorite St.Patrick's day drinks in the comments. I'll leave you with this St. Patrick's day toast:

Here's to a long life and a merry one.
A quick death and an easy one
A pretty girl and an honest one
A cold beer - and another one!

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Monopoly game pieces recrafted to wine charms

Ryan McFarland — 2008-02-20T18:00:00+00:00

Filed under: in the kitchen, crafts, jewelry-making, entertaining, gifts, RECrafted

Every Wednesday I will be bringing you a project that has been recrafted from something else. I dabble in everything from paper crafts and sewing to construction and electronics so there will be a broad range of projects. The focus being the reuse of items -- often items available for little money or even free.

This month I raided the game closet for inspiration. For years I have stocked those shelves with thrift store purchases. By keeping an eye out for odd games and even the standby classics I have more games than I will ever likely play. A few duplicates give me the raw materials for some nostalgic projects.

We entertain often enough to have the occasion to need to distinguish one glass of wine from another. For some reason people congregate in the kitchen and by milling around, glasses of wine end up misplaced and the ownership of fuller glasses disputed. Putting a unique ring on each glass stem will help people remember which glass is their own -- but there may be arguments over who gets the shoe!

To make Monopoly piece wine charms collect the following items.

The metal playing pieces from a Monopoly game
Cheap wine charms or jewelry wire
Needle nose pliers
Drill (or rotary tool) and small bit
Beads (optional)

Some of the game tokens will not need to be drilled to be attached to the loop. Be extremely careful drilling holes in metal. Hold the game piece tightly with the pliers. I have found that the variable speed of a rotary tool allows for slowing down the drill bit to a less frightening speed (but still quite capable of making holes). Plan out how the game piece will attach to the wire loop before you touch the drill bit to the token.

I found cheap wine charms at a dollar store but you can easily make your own by using jewelry making supplies if you want them to be detachable. Perhaps you can match them to your hand-painted wine glasses and leave them on permanently. Throw some beads onto each ring for a splash of color if you would like. Monopoly not your game? Some of the Clue game pieces would work well for wine charms also.

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8 great things to make with origami

Anna Sattler — 2008-02-16T10:00:00+00:00

Filed under: seasonal, wedding, art, entertaining, papercraft

I am so in love with the art of origami, but sometimes feel like a new born babe who just can't get her hands to move correctly to fold a piece of paper into a magical work of art. I can do an elephant, a flying bird, and a gift box, but can't do a lampshade or even a hedgehog.

The possibilities of what you can create are endless, as is clear in this article on Wisebread; 8 fun and frugal things to do with origami. If you have a wedding coming up, make your own centerpieces. Make someone you love an origami greeting card. Give a gift in an origami fabric container. Make jewelry. You can even turn your old business cards into neat origami works of art.

Anytime you get bored and think there is nothing to do, pick up a piece of paper or cloth and turn it into something amazing. Just don't let your boss catch you at your new found craft! You may find yourself fixing that piece of paper into a "hire me" sign.

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Scrabble tile coasters

M.E. Williams — 2008-02-15T10:00:00+00:00

Filed under: home decor, weekend projects, crafts, entertaining, gifts

Everyone needs coasters, right?

A set of Scrabble tile coasters were recently one of Craftster's featured projects. They're simple, requiring more patience than time or skill. The creator, Jessfun23, glued Scrabble tiles to thin cork sheets in clever drink-related patterns, then coated the tiles with a sealant.

She chose Mod Podge, but any waterproof, non-toxic clear sealant should be OK. Some sealants might yellow over time, but there's no ideal soft base for coasters that won't deteriorate over time anyway (most coasters have a finite life span by definition). Another Craftster user, TracyinNH, was inspired to try this project with a felt bottom and denim edging, for an entirely different look. You could try running a metallic gold paint pen around the edges before applying the sealant, or edging each coaster with glue and glitter. The possibilities are endless.

Acquiring the letter tiles for this project is probably the largest obstacle to hurdle. I did some research, and was able to find some surprising and interesting options... not just for sources of tiles, but also for the look of the tiles themselves. There's even a totally different way, shown in the photo above, to make a similar coaster. You'll find something for almost everyone, including your favorite l33t g33k, after the break.

While you can usually find Scrabble games in thrift stores and at yard sales, and sites like eBay are also a good place to look, you can order special tiles that will take this idea to the next level. Behold:

L33t Tiles: D035 n3-1 h3r3 5p34k l33t? Black tiles with green pixelated letters... l33t letters. You may also be amused with the special L33t Rules for Scrabble.
Maxi-Aids: Sells a variety of tiles, including large-print tiles and overlays, and standard replacement tiles.
Pro-Tiles: These plastic tiles are used in competitive Scrabble and are available in several different styles, but they all have one factor in common: they are absolutely flat, so that players can't reach into the bag and feel around for a specific letter. This might make them better for coasters than wooden tiles with indented characters on them.
Hasbro: Scrabble's manufacturer is happy to sell you replacement tiles.

I wouldn't pay more than $10 for 100 regular wooden tiles, including shipping: you can probably get a brand new game in your own neighborhood for that price, then use the board for a different project. Unusual tiles may be worth the premium cost, if you like them.

The photo at the top of this post shows a different kind of Scrabble coaster: these are made with scrapbooking paper with a pattern of Scrabble tiles. (This paper, from EK Success's Hasbro collection, seems to be out of production. You could get a similar effect with Scrabble tiles on a color photocopier, but selling the results might get you in trouble.) The paper is glued to a plain white ceramic tile and then covered in sealant. You can put circles or panels of felt or cork on the bottoms of the ceramic tiles after they've been sealed.

Finally, if you love Scrabble, you may be interested in Scrabble Tile Pendant instructions from etsy's LittlePutBooks. You can purchase them for US$14, at this writing; simply search the shop at the link.

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The Scentual Life: Create romance with essential oils

Debra McDuffee — 2008-02-12T13:00:00+00:00

Filed under: miscellaneous, seasonal, entertaining, Scentual Life

Join me each week as I explore the naturally aromatic side of DIY.

Helpful recipes for your "scentual" pleasure: from essential oils,

herbs, and other botanicals to soap-making, body care products and other useful blends.

Valentine's Day romance . . . red wine and chocolate, candlelight, a dozen red roses and . . . . cinnamon buns?

According to research done by Dr. Alan Hirsch, cinnamon buns are the most aphrodisiac scent for men. How can you incorporate their scent into your romantic Valentine's evening without baking up a batch?

Use some essential oils. Combining cinnamon essential oils with some of the less spendy ancient aphrodisiac scents makes a great romance enhancer. Scent the room and some body oil and you are on your way to a Valentine's to remember.

Next page: a recipe for romance

Use this blend to scent the room:
- 3 drops cinnamon essential oil
- 5 drops vanilla absolute or vanilla infusion
- 5 drops ylang ylang
- 2 drops patchouli

You can use this blend in an aromatherapy diffuser or light bulb scent ring, add a drop or two to a candle's melted wax (not the wick or the flame) or put a drop or two on a tissue and put it in front of your forced hot air heating vent.

Next page: body oils for a memorable, soothing massage

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The Scentual Life: Create romance with essential oils - Body Oil

Debra McDuffee — 2008-02-12T13:00:00+00:00

Filed under: miscellaneous, seasonal, entertaining

A body oil is just as easy and can be used as a massage oil, a bath oil or for massage. I love to use rice bran oil, but olive oil and sunflower oil work just as nicely and are readily available at the market (for when you are picking up your chocolates, of course!).

To each ounce of oil, add:
- 5 drops vanilla infusion
- 1 drop cinnamon (go easy because this essential oil can feel sensitive on the skin when used in large amounts)
- 3 drops ylang ylang
- 2 drops patchouli
- 4 drops sweet orange

Now who said you couldn't create your own romantic mood?

Back to page 1.

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