DIY Life

Links We Love: Cottage Blooms & a DIY Rolling Bar

Diane Rixon — 2009-11-06T12:00:00+00:00

Borrow planting ideas from this gorgeous cottage garden. It's newly established, but already sporting tons of old-fashioned blooms. - A Storybook Life

Convert an antique or vintage travel trunk (AKA a steam trunk) into a rolling bar. Now that's traveling in style. - Ready Made

Makeover time! Let's kick it off with this mirror makeover, which Freckles Chick converted from a gold paint frame to a sleek and contemporary white. - Freckles Chick

And if you like the clean white look you'll really like this secretary desk makeover. Click on a separate link within the post to see "before" shots. - Bungalow

Gorgeous "before and after" shots of thrift store-type finds made fabulous. Yes, dear blogger, you are definitely entitled to a brag session! - Infarrantly Creative

What can one do with a collection of rather lovely cigar boxes? That's the question from a reader, and Benita comes up with some functional yet decorative suggestions. - Chez Larsson

Gussy up a plain knit tank with a silky no-sew collar. The results in this demo, using fabric from a silky silver polyester blouse, will wow you. - Bromeliad Living

What's the perfect paint color for a large, two-story living room with adjoining kitchen? The dilemma: how to make it pop without making it seem cavernous or boring. - Bossy Color Blog

Turn an old knit glove into an adorable Thanksgiving turkey. A fun seasonal craft you can do on a budget. - Crafts by Amanda

Like to do artful things with paper? Check out these free paper-cutting templates. - How About Orange

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Links We Love: Decor for Dudes & Candygrams

Diane Rixon — 2009-10-30T12:00:00+00:00

Filed under: miscellaneous

Photo: Inchmark

Make a candygram to show you care. Place a message inside a shallow box and fill with a single layer of colorful gumballs. Sweet. - Inchmark

See Owlsorts' spooky mantelpieces all decked out for Halloween. Check out the cute Halloween wind spinners, too! - Owlsorts

Colorfully painted glass jars become light-hearted Halloween luminaries. Just add happy or sad Jack-o-lantern faces. - Crafts by Amanda via The Crafty Crow

Still yearning for the perfect last-minute Halloween craft? Check out this clever Halloween calendar: a whole month's worth of easy, inexpensive and fun craft ideas. - Shelter Pop

The trouble with IKEA pieces is that they tend to scream "We're from IKEA!" See how an IKEA hutch can be madeover into something altogether unique with just a loving coat of paint. - The Life and Times of Sticks and Bricks

Examine these photos and learn all about "Dude Design" - the art of making a room look decidedly masculine. - Apartment Therapy

Need another makeover fix? See a drab and dated kitchen transformed with a striking black and off-white color scheme. The highlight: a checkerboard-style painted floor. - Grass Stains via The DIY Show Off

If you daydream about pancake breakfasts in a comfy kitchen banquette, here are a host of photos to inspire. - Cozy Little House

I seriously want this "Gentrification" doormat from The Onion. - The Onion Store via [bb-blog]

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Links We Love: Origami Treat Bags & Fabulous Fall Parties

Diane Rixon — 2009-10-23T12:00:00+00:00

Filed under: miscellaneous

Celebrate pumpkin season! Photo: Hostess with the Mostess

Darling origami gift bags for Halloween treats. A new vlog teaches you how to fold like a pro! - Infarrantly Creative

"The Hostess" shares entertaining ideas for the leafy months of October and November. Inspiration for fabulous fall parties is now at your fingertips. - Hostess with the Mostess

And for your next get-together, here's a recipe to bookmark: delectable (yet easy) cream cheese Danishes. Yum. - Niesz Vintage Fabric

A vintage 50s daybed gets a makeover with new upholstery, new paint and a collection of colorful throw pillows. - Design Sponge

Reuse empty baby wipe containers. The Frugal Village team offers up a bunch of practical suggestions. - Frugal Village

Kids sharing a room? Don't like the bunk bed look? Learn from those who've gone before you, achieving perfectly stylish twin bed décor. - A Life's Design

The US Department of Energy's Solar Decathlon in Washington DC just wound down. Take a virtual tour of the entries, including the winning exhibit from Team Germany. - via Dwell

Finally, a little Friday fun: style blogger Annie trashes the new Pottery Barn collection as dull and unimaginative. I love this delightfully frank review. And they're big boys. They can take it, don't you think? - Bossy Color Blog

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Daily DIY: How to Light a Jack-O-Lantern

Erin Loechner — 2009-10-20T09:00:00+00:00

Filed under: household hacks, miscellaneous, seasonal

Photo: Inchmark

Tired of burning your fingers each year when the annual "lighting of the pumpkins" festivities come around? Don't worry -- we've got a tip to save those pretty digits, and you can use a surprise tool that you probably already have in your pantry! Curious?

We found the tip from blogger Brooke Reynolds of Inchmark:

"Instead of reaching your hand into the pumpkin with a lit match, light a piece of spaghetti instead. It will burn very slowly, and serves as the perfect tool to light your candle without burning yourself in the process. I realize you can also use glow sticks or touch lights in your pumpkins instead of candles, and not worry about burning your fingers at all, but that's cheating in my book. Half the fun of a jack-o-lantern is seeing it flicker and glow by candlelight."

Smart, right? Go light your jack-o-lanterns and celebrate -- burn free!

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Links We Love: Spookified Glassware & Haunted House Crafts

Diane Rixon — 2009-10-16T12:00:00+00:00

Filed under: miscellaneous

Photo: How About Orange

Spookify your glassware this Halloween with these clever packing tape transfers. Check out the creepy spider and skull votive holders, above. - How About Orange

A front porch all decked out for Halloween. Kudos to blogger, Karla. Someone call Country Living: this effort belongs in a magazine spread! - It's the Little Things That Make a House a Home

Paper cutouts and googlie eyes make candy bars into super, yet super-simple, Halloween gifts. There's even a video tutorial that shows you how. - Kerry's Paper Crafting Blog (via U Create)

Whoo-whoo! Make this haunted Halloween house from old newspapers, old milk cartons and spooky cutouts. - ohdeedoh/Apartment Therapy

Just one more fab Halloween link: enter the Instructables DIY Halloween contest. The deadline is November 8. Gadgets, food, photography, whatever. If you can make it, you can enter it! - Instructables

Got a few minutes of down-time? Fancy yourself a whiz in the kitchen? Try this fun new quiz: "Guess the Bizarre Kitchen Gadgets." - Shelter Pop

Got a DIY kitchen project going on? There are iPod apps to help you out. Like this new app from DuPont that brings solid surfacing samples instantly to your hand. - Hooked On Houses

A pristine white bedroom is transformed with dark gray-green paint ... yet curiously the room looks more spacious than before. - re-nest/Apartment Therapy

Speaking of dramatic paint choices, Casa Sugar is running a slideshow of buildings sporting vibrant orange exteriors. It's not for everyone, but these really work! - Casa Sugar

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Links We Love: Purple Formica & Dreamy Makeovers

Diane Rixon — 2009-10-09T12:00:00+00:00

Filed under: miscellaneous

Stylish makeovers to inspire! Photo: made 2 cREate

A kitchen goes from drab to beautiful and vibrantly modern - all on a tight budget. I love that purple Formica countertop! - Bossy Color Blog

Centsational Girl shows her staircase's transformation from oh-so-generic to eye-poppingly gorgeous. It's CG's entry for One Project Closer's Before and After 2009 competition in support of Habitat for Humanity. Check it out and, if you love it, vote for it. - Centsational Girl

Also up for One Project Closer's top prize is made 2 cREate's Kara. Her stunning bathroom makeover is also absolutely gorgeous. A real work of art. Again, if you love it, vote for it. - made 2 cREate

Wait! Here's another competition worth mentioning. It's the Crafty Chica Challenge. Create an eye-catching Day of the Dead shrine and you'll be up to win a super prize pack. - Craftzine

Speaking of folk art, learn how to brighten up your garden with Mexican folk-style garden flowers crafted from old soda cans. - DIY Network

Like rustic country styles? Check out these photos of uninhabited Russian country houses. The gently dilapidated interiors and exteriors remain quite beautiful. - Beach Bungalow 8

Too high? Too low? Too puny? Get some pointers on the rights and wrongs of wreath hanging. - Hooked on Houses

A Storybook Life shares simple rules for gorgeously decorated walls. Tons of photos will inspire you. - A Storybook Life

Need more decor help? Becky at Houzz explains the secrets to arranging artwork. More stunning photos here, too! - Houzz

Outdated candlesticks are transformed with a coat of spray paint. Learn how to wield a can of paint like an expert. - Chez Larsson

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Links We Love: Moss Walls & Repurposed Ouija Boards

Diane Rixon — 2009-10-02T12:00:00+00:00

Filed under: miscellaneous

Photo: Re-Nest

Dried moss adorns the walls of a Tokyo house. The graceful vine-like patterns are simply spectacular. - Re-Nest

A salvaged window frame becomes a beautiful beach-themed shadowbox at Crafty Nest. A detailed how-to makes it seem easy. - Crafty Nest

Make a "Where the Wild Things Are" hat with this user-submitted pattern at Instructables. You'll need white polar fleece and wire for whiskers, then go get your Max-attitude on. - Instructables

A Ouija board is re-purposed as a set of house-shaped wall hangings. Old buttons, jewelry, stamps and other eclectic found objects add detail and tons of personality. - Craftster

Fall is finally here. Drink it in with these autumn front door photos: home entranceways all dressed up for the season of red, gold and orange. - Daily Decorator

Speaking of Fall, when the ground cools down it's time to think about planting tulips for spring beauty. Tipnut explains the basics of tulip care, including planting tips. - Tipnut

Member Deanna kindly shares her craft room makeover with us. If you're a crafter, you will be inspired by her beautiful pale blue and green apple workspace. - Casa Sugar

Take your cheapo grocery store flowers decidedly upmarket. All you need is a little flower arranging know-how. - Real Simple at AOL Home

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Links We Love: 80s duffel bag & zigzag decor

Diane Rixon — 2009-09-25T12:00:00+00:00

Filed under: miscellaneous

Get in an 80s groove! Photo: Threadbanger

FAME! Celebrate the new movie with a FAME-inspired 80s style duffel bag made out of old umbrellas. This amusing video tutorial tells you how. - Threadbanger

Like rustic cottage style? I adore it ... and I loved this board-and-batten living room how-to by blogger and DIY'er, Kimba. - A Soft Place to Land

"From eek to chic" -- an ugly dining room light fixture is transformed with artfully painted Mardi Gras beads. - Made 2 Create

Stylish and modern, yet still adorably baby-friendly: check out this design proposal. The giraffe-themed nursery in white, baby blue and palest orange and brown is charming. - Hostess with the Mostess

Want to prettify your home, but no time (or patience) to be Martha about it? Join the club. Here are five quick and easy DIY candle projects to try. - Shelter Pop

While you're at Shelter Pop, visit the photo gallery of worst infomercial products. Ever. Bacon Genie, anyone? - Shelter Pop

Beach Bungalow 8 presents an array of upholstered headboards. These photos are all rather inspiring, but I think my fav is the sole non-upholstered example. - Beach Bungalow 8

Meanwhile, over at Bromeliad Living, there are more delicious photos. This time, it's a smorgasbord of décor shots utilizing sassy stripes and zigzagging chevron patterns. - Bromeliad Living

Make a fetching toss pillow from a pair of vintage handkerchiefs. This tutorial tells you how ... and it looks doable even for novice craftsters. - Design Sponge

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Unusual Uses: Microwave Ovens - 16 Sweet Ideas

Diane Rixon — 2009-09-21T12:00:00+00:00

Filed under: miscellaneous

Microwaves: good for more than popcorn! Photo: JoshuaDavisPhotography.COM, Flickr

Popcorn and reheats. I use my microwave for the most boring tasks. (Perhaps we're experiencing a person-appliance relationship rut?) However, I just discovered a ton of unusual uses for microwave ovens and it has me thinking: maybe I need to get more creative in the kitchen! Check out my sweet list of 16 unusual uses for microwave ovens.

First, a little safety note: Drying clothes in the microwave is NOT recommended. It's a fire safety thing, people. I actually know someone whose college roommate started an apartment fire trying to dry lingerie in the microwave. Both girls had to endure the embarrassment of having half a dozen burly firemen coming in to investigate the cause of all the smoke.

As for myself, I've never set fire to anything this way but I did melt a pair of baby booties once while trying to dry them in the microwave. Oops. Bottom line: it's safest to keep clothes out of the microwave.

1. Sterilize and deodorize sponges and cutting boards. Engineers at the University of Florida demonstrated that microwaving a completely wet sponge for two minutes kills over 99% of harmful bacteria. To avoid a fire ensure your sponge is totally wet and heat for no longer than two minutes. Also, be careful not to burn your fingers when removing the sponge from your oven.

This method works for sterilizing cutting boards, too. Scrub thoroughly, then heat on high for one or two minutes, depending on the size and thickness of the board.

2. Sterilize garden soil. Non-gardeners may say "huh?", but keen gardeners know sterile soil is best for starting seed. Spread small amounts of soil on a flat tray and heat 'till it's steaming.

3. Revive dry mascara. Gunky mascara giving you blobby lashes? Heat the tube on high for 30 seconds, then test consistency and heat longer if necessary.

4. Dye fabric. Mix dye with water and immerse the fabric. Heat for four minutes then remove and rinse. Voila! And check out this DIY Life post on dyeing wool and silk with Kool-Aid in the microwave!

5. Warm plates in the microwave. Sprinkle each plate with water and place in a stack in the microwave. Heat on high for about 30 seconds.

6. Get more juice from citrus fruits. Before squeezing or putting through a juicing machine, zap your citrus fruits for 10 or 20 seconds. Aim to warm them, not heat them. This will help you get every last drop of juice out.

7. Peel peaches or tomatoes easily. Microwave a bowl of water to boiling point. Drop your peaches or tomatoes in for a few seconds each. The skin should come off easily.

8. Make sundried tomatoes in the microwave. Okay, no sun involved, but you can still dry tomatoes this way!

9. Dry herbs speedily. Place small bunches at a time between paper towels and microwave for a minute or two. If they're not dry enough to crumble between your fingertips give 'em more heat, 30 seconds at a time until done.

10. Save crystallized honey. A great trick to know about since quality honey is expensive! Simply heat the honey until the crystals melt.

11. Soften brown sugar. Brown sugar can get hard and lumpy over time. Place hard sugar in a plastic bag with a few drops of water or a segment of fresh apple. Microwave for 20 seconds then stir.

12. Proof yeast dough in the microwave. Place a cup of water at the back of the microwave, then place a very large covered bowl containing the dough in the center of the oven. Heat on low for three minutes, leave to rest for three minutes, then zap on low for another three minutes. Let rest for six minutes. The dough should double in size ... in far less time than it normally takes dough to rise.

13. Roast garlic in a flash. Slice the top off a head of garlic to expose the flesh of the individual cloves. Place in a dish and drizzle with olive oil. Add a couple tablespoons of water to the dish, then heat on medium for around seven minutes.

14. Prep veggies for the grill. Zapping vegetables in the microwave just prior to grilling cuts down on cooking time. Great tip if you're cooking for a crowd and need to cook lots of veggies fast.

15. Toast nuts and breadcrumbs. Much faster than oven roasting. Spread thinly on a plate and cook nuts or crumbs on high for one minute at a time.

16. 5 Minute Cupcake. Ahh, the sweetest idea of all. Use your microwave to make an almost instant cupcake in a coffee mug. Yum.

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Links We Love: Boo Banners, Moss Pots & Mobiles

Diane Rixon — 2009-09-18T12:00:00+00:00

Filed under: miscellaneous

Welcome the scary season with this DIY banner! Photo: Bridget Baxter, Everyday Chaos

Get some seasonal Halloween fun started with this DIY burlap "Boo" banner. I love it. Stylish, yet so affordable to make. - Everyday Chaos

Moss in your gutters? Why toss it or compost it when you could make these adorable moss pots. Row them on your front steps or bring 'em inside. Just be sure to keep them moist and shaded. - Chez Larsson

New no-drill decorating ideas always grab my attention. Here's a new product for mounting curtain rods without the pesky drilling part. Special brackets clamp onto the corners of your window frame. Easy as pie. - Ready Hang

Plush dark blue carpet (ugh!) covering the floor and sides of a bathtub (double ugh!). But just look at it now! Be inspired by the incredible before and after shots of this bathroom makeover. - ShelterPop

Whoopi Goldberg's $3.99 million Soho loft is up for sale. Take a peek at these snapshots. Marvel at the spaciousness (3600 square feet, in fact) ... and wonder why they didn't put the vacuum cleaner out of sight for the photo shoot. Thanks to Julia of Hooked on Houses for drawing our attention to that small oddity! - Hooked on Houses

Houzz offers up DIY ideas for updating an aging fireplace, along with photos to get those creative nerve endings firing. Cleaning and scrubbing, paint, or even a new façade. With determination, you can drag your fireplace out of the 70s. -- Houzz

Kick up the energy level in your home: add some touches of vibrant orange to your home. Check out these interior design delights in this happiest of hues. - How About Orange

Mobiles. Why must they be the exclusive preserve of nurseries, adorned with fuzzy farm animals and the like? Some designers are rocking the boat (cradle?) with mobiles for grownup interiors. - Apartment Therapy

Virtually visit a bunch of incredible houses, large and small. What do they have in common? Lots of steps, stairs and walkways to keep the heart pounding. Plus a few homes you'd have to row, climb or ski into. If all houses were built like this, we would all improve our health and fitness levels overnight, no question! - AOL Home

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DIY Disasters: Doors (and Roads) to Nowhere

Diane Rixon — 2009-09-17T12:00:00+00:00

Filed under: miscellaneous

Photo: A National Acrobat, Flickr

We all need a morale boost mid-week, don't you think? I do. And nothing makes me smile like big, old can't-ignore-'em construction and public works mishaps. Check out my new slideshow to see what I mean.

What were these roads/doors/stairs/balconies supposed to lead to? What happened? Who is to blame? We'll never know ... but we can have a chuckle at some terrible construction jobs.

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Links We Love: House Numbers & Hand Puppets

Diane Rixon — 2009-09-11T12:00:00+00:00

Filed under: miscellaneous

Feel the (faux) autumn leaves in your hair. Photo: Centsational Girl

Impatient for those golden and red leaves to start falling? Make this Whimsical Autumn Leaves Windcatcher while you wait. Easy enough for kids to do with help. You supply colorful fabric leaves and beads and let them have at it. - Centsational Girl

Pasted with vintage maps, any object becomes a unique and eye-catching collectable. A chic headboard or a stack of antique books. How about paper butterflies crafted from old music score sheets? A collection of photos to inspire you. - Bromeliad Living

The Young House Love bloggers are working hard on a sleek nursery design for blogger John's sister's house. The emphasis is a decidedly non-prissy nursery, with nary an iota of pastel pink or blue in sight. Instead, contemporary lines and colors rule ... all on a tight budget. - Young House Love

Take tired stuffed toys and give them a new life as hand puppets. If you have basic sewing skills and tools, you can do this. I promise you, the whole family will be playing with these cuties. - Infarrantly Creative

Love the vintage domestic look of these fabric covered clothes hangers. No, they're not padded so they won't prevent the dreaded "shoulder nipple," but they are truly adorable. You can use actual vintage or vintage-look fabrics for this one. - Design Sponge

Speaking of vintage style ... stencil your walls. Get the vintage-chic look of wallpaper without the extreme hassles of unraveling paper and mixing buckets of glue. - Whitewall & Co.

Compulsive organizer? Not sure? Find your organizational style with this fun quiz! - Shelter Pop

Sleek and stylish, this amazing coffee table is a homemade job. Really. Visit the blog and see how it was done step-by-step. - Chez Larsson

Like unconventional exteriors? I'm really loving this photo assortment of creative ways to display house numbers. Jumbled up. Painted on flowerpots. Cute. - Urban Nest

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Links We Love: Decorating Sins & Kitty Potty Training

Diane Rixon — 2009-09-04T12:00:00+00:00

Filed under: miscellaneous

Walkies with style. Photo: Craftster/Chickpea Sewing Studio

Embroidery hoops become inexpensive wall frames. Yes, really. But instead of holding family snaps, they look super-stylish holding fabric swatches. Use them just for decoration or as message boards. Clever idea, yes? - Shelter Pop

Love your cat? Hate to scoop? Toilet training your kitty can be done. It does take patience and just the right technique, though. Are you up for it? Check out this step-by-step kitty potty training guide. -- karawynn

Say "sayonora" to that ugly view. Learn how to sew Japanese tissue paper into "noren" or paper curtains. The tissues have a fabric-like durability, yet possess a delicate beauty. Finished curtains may be used to cover windows or doorways. - The Paper Place

Fall is here and the season of fresh, crisp apples beckons. Print out this apple usage chart for easy reference. Red Delicious? Excellent for snacking, but not recommended for baking, apple sauce or freezing. Golden Delicious and Granny Smith, on the other hand? Perfect for every purpose. - US Apple Association

Vertical blinds, cheesy themed décor and kick-knackery overload? These are but a few of the decorating sins highlighted this week in a Casa Sugar slideshow. Look, learn, and - if necessary - purge your living room accordingly. - Casa Sugar

Dreaming of a debt-free holiday season this year? Frugal Village tells you how, and the short answer is: planning. Get a game plan and a budget started now for everything from holiday baking to scouting out sales. You'll be so glad come December. - Frugal Village

That chic, thrift store ribbon you got for a song? Dust it off and use it! Turn it into an elegant leash for your pooch, for instance. Craftster tells you how to make the leash and a matching key wristlet from heavy duty cotton webbing, then decorate it with that cute ribbon. Cost: a fraction of what you'd pay at retail. -- Craftster

Beer: its colors, smells and tastes. Yearning to understand beer basics? Don't feel excluded when the conversation turns to brews at your family's annual Labor Day get-together. This Howcast post with handy-dandy video clip will remove all the mystery. -- Howcast

Speaking of food, do you know how to test the doneness of meat? Here's a visual guide you'll want to bookmark if you love to cook. Color photos make it a snap to distinguish medium rare from rare from well done, all using your own hands and fingers as a guide. -- Simply Recipes

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Links We Love: Vanilla Extract & Rubik's Cube Cheat Sheet

Diane Rixon — 2009-08-28T12:00:00+00:00

Filed under: miscellaneous

Recycle paint chips! Photo: Wallula Junction, Flickr

Stephen Fanuka of TV show Open House to the Rescue dishes on contractor/client relationships. The "contractor to the stars" also shares his list of essential tools everyone should own. -- Shelterpop

Mmm. Make your own vanilla extract. Specifically, make lots, pour it into funky glass bottles and let it steep for a few weeks. You'll have a wonderful (and thrifty) holiday gift lined up for all your friends and co-workers. -- Bethany Actually

Speaking of cooking: Learn how to make authentic southern-style backed beans. The Pioneer Woman offers up step-by-step instructions along with luscious photos. Darn tootin.' --The Pioneer Woman

Dust off unused terracotta pots and turn 'em into a mighty budget-friendly birdbath. All you need is glue! This one's posted at Tipnut, but the concept is originally from Patricia's Pots. -- Tipnut

Keep your fridge stocked with only the freshest spreads and preserves. "The Table of Condiments that Periodically Go Bad" helps you know what's fresh and what's not. And, yes, it's designed to look like the Periodic Table. Cute. -- Back Table

Speaking of cute, I know you're just itching to do something crafty with all those unwanted paint sample cards from the hardware store. They're so pretty! I hate to throw them away, too. Here's how to recycle paint chips into adorable rhinestone-studded bookmarks. -- Go Make Something

Still haunted by your Rubik's Cube failure back in '86? Now the time to redeem yourself with these step-by-step instructions on solving the world's most famous plastic puzzle. Some may call it cheating. I call it skill-building. -- WS Binghamton

No digging? No weeding? As a totally lazy gardener, such proclamations get my full attention. Let author Mel Bartholomew show you how to get started with the square foot gardening technique that he masterminded. -- Square Foot Gardening

Get rid of it! Man breasts? Crow's feet? Annoying browser toolbars? Whatever's annoying you, chances are this site can tell you how to get it gone, pronto. -- Get Rid of Things

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Links We Love: Topiaries and Fish Bowl Jelly

Diane Rixon — 2009-08-21T12:00:00+00:00

Filed under: miscellaneous

Thrifty Décor Chick yearned for a Ballard Décor decorative pear ... but she wasn't wild about the hefty price tag. Learn how she made her own version using an $8 thrift store find and a little DIY ingenuity. - Thrifty Décor Chick

Make a pretty little potted topiary for yourself or a friend. Start one now and you'll have a terrific, budget-friendly gift ready when the holidays roll around. - Design Sponge Online

Fishbowl jelly: a guaranteed kiddie-pleaser. Martha tells you how to make this ingeniously simple dessert for your next children's party. - Martha Stewart

Create a stylish bracelet using just elastic and old buttons. Don't you love it when DIY crafts look cooler than the store-bought versions? - DIY Network

Adore the ocean? Check out this chic and very original bedroom setup. It's nautical-inspired yet also refreshingly kitsch-free, with nary a bowl of shells or dolphin poster in sight. - Ready Made

Factory-made headboards are so blah. Let this slideshow of super-stylish DIY alternatives awaken your creative senses. - Casa Sugar

Speaking of inspiring slideshows, this one demonstrates 20 fun ways to repurpose everyday objects you already own. My top pick: scrap wood becomes rustic shadow boxes for a garden wall. -- AOL Home

Prevent kitty from pigging out: make your own smarter-than-your-feline automated cat feeder. Meow! -- Instructables

Dated glass doors urgently needing beautification? Want to conceal -- not reveal -- the disarray of your stuff to the world? Use decorative paper to pretty up your cabinets. -- Craftzine

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Rag Rug, Sandcastles, and a Bed of Books - Links We Love

Bethany Sanders — 2009-07-24T15:00:00+00:00

Filed under: miscellaneous

Now here's a creative way to upcycle those old books: Make a headboard out of them for sweet dreaming. -- CasaSugar

Make that vacation memory permanent by creating a quilted postcard out of your favorite photo. -- Craftster

Lamps are a complete mystery to me, but this restored lamp looks so great, it makes me want to learn. -- CraftyNest

Not sure to do with those old jeans and t-shirts that aren't in good enough shape to donate? Give them new life as a cute and colorful rag rug. -- eHow

Impress your kids during your next beach trip by building them the sandcastle of your dreams. Howcast shows you how.

If it's not the heat, it's the humidity. If summer's making you sweat, check out Lifehacker's best tips for beating the heat.

So you can't afford a house on the beach ... who can in this economy? With a little creativity and some treasure hunting, however, you can bring the beach to your house. -- Shelterpop

All your favorite fruits are in season right now. Buy them up at your local farmer's market right now while the price is low, then freeze them to enjoy all winter. TipNut will teach you how to freeze them for best flavor.

World's easiest fix: Worried about oil rings on your beautiful granite countertops? Dish it -- or keep them in easy reach, but safe and sound on an attractive dish. -- Young House Love

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Harry Potter, Vertical Gardens, and a Kitschy Case for Your Laptop - Links We Love

Bethany Sanders — 2009-07-17T15:00:00+00:00

Filed under: miscellaneous

"Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince" opened on Wednesday. Get your fix with some of these fantastic ideas for Harry Potter DIY gear and crafts. -- Instructables

Gear and crafts aren't going to cut it for your Harry Potter fan? Then here's more: How to play a real life game of Quidditch and how to make pensieve punch.

Got a green thumb but no place to garden? Grab yourself an inexpensive shoe organizer and create a vertical garden. -- CasaSugar

Bring an old dresser back to life with a fresh, pretty paint job and an interesting design. Better than a brand-new piece of furniture. -- ShelterPop

It's mid-July, and your air conditioner is probably working hard. Here's how to give it a yearly check-up so that it'll keep you cool year after year. -- Lifehacker

Mmmm ... sushi. Only you can't eat this felt sushi, it's just pretty and fun to play with. -- Craftster

Keep the kids busy this weekend with a project that requires them to slow down a little -- egg shell people. -- eHow

This is going straight to the top of my "want" list. Remember those cute little kitschy suitcases you used to carry as a kid? Now you can make one -- wait for it -- for you laptop. -- Craftzine Blog

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Light Fixtures, Cross Stitch and Trivets - Links We Love

Bethany Sanders — 2009-07-10T15:00:00+00:00

Filed under: miscellaneous

Looking for a fun summer project? Here are 20 DIY projects that make good use of items you already own. - AOL Home

Remember those paper-mache piggie banks we used to make when we were kids? Here's a grown up version, only this one makes a beautiful light fixture out of cotton yarn. -- CasaSugar

Everyone's got one stuck in their drawer somewhere: A tee that's just too big or doesn't fit right. With a little scrap fabric, you can turn it into an adorable tank top instead. -- Crafster

Hey, wine lovers: Here's a trendy, stylish trivet to brighten up your summertime table ... and make good use of all those wine corks. -- Craftynest

Everyone knows how to go on a picnic, right? Well here's how to have the perfect picnic -- good food, good company, good fun. -- eHow

Your garden needs a water feature, so how about a fountain ... built out of bowling balls? -- Instructables

Too busy spending time outside or on your favorite projects to watch your favorite TV shows this summer? Good for you! If you can't bear missing them, though, check out Hulu's desktop downloader to save and view your favorite shows. At your convenience. -- Lifehacker

Love to cross stitch? Heck, even if you don't, you'll love these amazing designs. And did you know you can even get a cross stitch pillow of your favorite Tweet? Amazing. -- Shelterpop

Rather than pay for pricey reusable bags, make your own out of your old pillowcases. -- Craftzine Blog

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July 4th, Building Kites, and a Mini-Fridge Wine Cooler - Links We Love

Bethany Sanders — 2009-07-03T15:00:00+00:00

Filed under: miscellaneous

It's not too late to add some flair to tomorrow's big July 4th barbecue. For some excellent ideas on the ultimate July 4th party, go visit ShelterPop.

So the boss just handed you an impossible deadline ... what now? According to Lifehackery, the answer is a mix of time management, caffeine and strategy.

Drain cleaners are not only an inefficient way to unclog your bathtub or sink, they're terrible for the environment. There's a better way, and Lifehacker's got it: DIY Drano.

Keep the kids busy times two: Day one, build a kite. Day two, fly it. -- eHow

Forget ants ruining a picnic ... what happens when they're climbing your dining room table? Instructables has easy tips for getting rid of ants for good. -- Instructables

Not only do fresh herbs add flavor to your dinner, they're also an attractive addition to your yard's landscape. Learn how to plant, grow and maintain herbs in your own backyard. -- DIY Network

Want to invest more into your wine collection than your wine fridge? Here are some simple instructions for turning a mini-fridge into a wine refrigerator. -- WikiHow

If you're really on a budget, though, pinch pennies by storing your wine in this Fed-Ex wine holder. -- Craftzine.blog

Now I know what I'm doing this weekend! Check out this stylish but simple craft: Turn a plant stand and lazy susan into a side table. -- Craftynest

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Open a Sealed Envelope, the Sneaky Way

DIY Life Staff — 2009-06-19T17:00:00+00:00

Filed under: household hacks, miscellaneous

By Debra McDuffee

You've done it again. After writing your long letter to Aunt Martha -- on your homemade fabric flower cards, perhaps -- you've sealed the envelope, only to realize that you've forgotten to include little Harry's latest school photo.

You could either rip open the envelope, pop in the picture, and tape it closed, or you could try a sneaky way to open the envelope -- an undetectable way.

There's always steaming open the envelope, TV detective Veronica Mars' method of choice. This is wet and messy, though, so you may want to try putting the envelope in the freezer instead. Just a few hours in the zero -- or subzero -- environment, and the envelope should open on its own. You can reseal it after you put in Junior's picture.

I hope you aren't getting any illegal ideas, now that you're an expert at this....

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