DIY Life

Earlier this week, I wrote a post with some ideas for planning every family staycation. As I was browsing the Internet today, I found that lots of other people have great ideas, too, but that the most unique ones came from Better Homes and Gardens.

BHG put together a gallery of their 25 best staycation ideas. Some of their more unique activities include:

• turning your home into a spa -- Make some spa-quality products at home and let the pampering begin: for your face, your hands and body, and your feet.
  
• going on a family bike ride
• flying a kite
• having a field day for the kids -- Or, create your own summer camp.
  
• organizing a block party -- You coulc choose to do this in a Mexican or Hawaiian theme, some of BHG's other party ideas.

Whatever you decide to do on your staycation, it seems that the common themes are relaxing and enjoying the people in your life. What's your favorite staycation activity?

Rain, rain go away, but it won't considering it's Autumn, and that's what the weather does best in the Fall. It's almost time to put away that old umbrella of yours though. Before you know it, the snow will be falling gently and you'll forget all about your need for a new umbrella.

When the time comes for you to get a new umbrella, don't throw out the old one -- turn it into a kite for your kiddies! The Sampler has instructions complete with diagrams on how to turn your umbrella into a kite. You use all the parts from the umbrella, so therefore there will be no waste. All you need to make your umbrella into a kite is a sewing machine, an umbrella (of course!), kite string, scissors, pliers, and a permanent marker.

I know this project is geared more toward spring, but since winter is coming soon, you might as well get started on this project now, that way you can actually have a kite by spring, AND remember that you need to buy a new umbrella to boot. If you are one of the fortunate few who do not know what winter is, then this project can be done this weekend, so you'll have a new kite to fly by next weekend.

Kids love kites and the kids in all of us loves kites too. Have you ever tried to make your own kite? Without proper instructions it can be difficult. I remember trying to make my own kite as a kid and being a miserable failure. It probably had something to do with the fact that I was using poster board and sticks from the tree in the front yard but hey, I was trying.

WikiHow has a fun make your own kite project using the much more flyable plastic grocery bag. While its not the world's most attractive kite it does seem to be very functional. Granted, I haven't done this one personally so if it doesn't work I can't help you. This does seem to be a fun project to try with your kids and a way to get them out of the house away from TV and video games for a time.

If you decide to try this let me know how it works. I'd love to know that there is yet another use for the ever present plastic shopping bag.

Last week, I made a little post called Pottercraft, which some of you seemed to like. But no sooner had the post gone up than I discovered a whole new cache of Harry Potter-related projects to delight and amuse... or bemuse, depending on your personal feelings about rampant fandom.

Many of the following projects were found on Instructables, and most are costume-related. A few are quite technical. While it's too late to work them up for a book release party, you can still get a head start on a cool Halloween costume or a present for your favorite Potter fan. There's also a contest where you can vote for your favorites (though not, alas, SophieAngele's dragon wheelchair, which she posted on Craftster).

Join me after the break for more wizardry!