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

Dreaming of a Mediterranean-style oasis in your own yard? Me too! Okay, let's get inspired!

So, what makes certain gardens "Mediterranean," anyway? Well, for starters, they're designed to withstand both lots of heat and irregular rainfall. The garden designs are visually appealing, true. But they're also low-care and eco-friendly. Because plants are selected for toughness, and lawns are absent or insignificant, there's less need for chemicals and watering.

1. It's all about contrast.
Mediterranean styling is pretty easy to imitate. The essential element? Contrast. That is, contrasting hard, structured surfaces with soft, unstructured foliage and blooms. Think tumbling vines atop high stone walls. Think paved walkways next to climbing roses. Think clipped hedges fronting tall, slender cypress trees. You get the picture.

This has been a summer about fountains in our home. Earlier this summer I created a water feature mostly for birds, then I created another one for my three year-old son to enjoy. I did this mostly so that the birds could bathe and drink in peace without being subjected to my son's daily mawing of them. After a few setbacks with his fountain, I finally had a creation that was safe and enjoyable for him. However, I have learned a thing or two about the best placement for a fountain.

The following points might come in handy if you are currently planning a fountain for next summer or if you have one that is not quite working and needs some revising.

While Gary blogged about how to make a soothing water wall or fountain, it would appear this is an entire category of DIY unto itself! I recently stumbled upon this really gorgeous copper waterfall on Mavromatic and had to share. Note that the copper will patina, making it look a little less gaudy (he calls it "Trump-ish"), and the process of putting the copper on the wall is pretty much like putting up shingles. Truly stunning, and while there's clearly a lot of work to put into a project like this, I don't think it is beyond a mere mortals' grasp, do you?

Also note the author has used Sketchup to design the wall structure.

Most people, with few exceptions, are soothed and calmed by the sounds of trickling or splashing water. Since the majority of us are unable to reside close to a shoreline or babbling brook, the building of ponds and fountains has become very popular.

Unfortunately, ideas and plans for building your own source of water pleasure seem to be in relatively short supply and kits to accomplish these projects can be terribly expensive. A fountain style known as a "water wall" has become an extremely desirable home environment detail both indoors and out, but most people just aren't sure where to begin. Water walls are actually quite simple and can definitely be a do it yourself project.

What I shall attempt to provide you with now, is enough quality information to get you beyond the point of just deciding that you can bring your desire for a water wall to reality. If I had the space and funds to actually build you a working model, I'd do that but current circumstances restrict me to only providing you with information at this time.

One of my favorite aspects of a summer patio, other than colorful flowers, is the sound of trickling water. My family happens to live on a mesa in the landlocked Rocky Mountains so naturally occurring water is hard to find. To combat this problem we have created small water features that offer the tranquil sound of water without wasting this precious resource.

When we first began our effort to create a water feature we looked at kits in home improvement stores. Unfortunately, the kits did not suit our needs. They were either too deep, too complicated or too expensive. After looking at the kit contents it became apparent that they were basically a pump, a container and something decorative. Since I am notoriously cheap and resourceful I decided we could create a better water feature on our own and for a much more affordable price. The process is as follows: