DIY Life

It's time to put those patio chairs back into storage, but first --- why not re-web those few chairs that are in major need of some TLC? Shelterrific shows us how to re-web your chair using basic screws:

1. Measure and cut the length of the strip that you'll need.
2. Take the cut edge of the strip and fold each side in to form this lovely pointy end. Turn the strip over and insert the screw directly through this point so it holds the flaps together.
3. Screw into the hole on the chair. Weave the strip through existing webbing and repeat the folded point on the other side, securing with screw through the hole on that end.
4. Remember to factor in the bit of extra length you'll need for the chair to open and close fully.

Sure, it takes a bit of hard work, but you'll be glad you did it next spring when you remove immaculately-woven chairs from storage.

Have a look at this party. You think you know who's designed it, don't you? Could your first guess be Martha, perhaps? WRONG! Looks like Amy of Eat, Drink, Chic is giving Ms. Stewart a run for her money -- buffet style. How lovely is this ice cream party, complete with DIY-inspired tutorials, printables and adorable personal touches? I'd love to throw a similar occasion to welcome in the fall, with a different color scheme but the same chic style! Amazing!

I'd include fall-inspired M&M's with autumn colors like orange, red, brown and yellow, chocolate ice cream, chocolate sprinkles and the like. Wowza. That sounds so good just typing it all out! I doubt it would be as pretty as Amy's party, but at least it would taste luscious!

For more party-inspired ideas, why not check out a few other inspired ideas from DIY Life?:
-How to Host a Progressive Dinner Party
-Daily DIY: Green Your Child's Birthday Party

Quick! It's your last big camping trip of the season before the weather turns cool and schedules turn [very!] busy. You forgot the charcoal and gasoline, and are in major need of some S'mores. Turns out a single potato chip can burn for over three minutes if you can scrounge up a lighter to give it a jump start. Simply throw a few chips among some brush and braches, light the chip, and you've got a campfire you can snuggle around.


Food On Fire - Funny blooper videos are here

Amazing, right? Of course, there's always the old-school method of starting a fire, but I have a feeling this is way more fun.

Don't have a campsite in mind, but want to brave the great outdoors anyway? Use your own home with these handy tips for camping in your backyard. Or, better yet, fake an evening under the stars with our fake campfire tutorial.

You'll be singing Kumbaya in no time -- with or without the roasted marshmallows. Happy camping!

I've lived in my sleepy Midwest town all summer long and just realized the locals host a Farmer's Market each Wednesday. How exciting? I can't wait to tackle the aisles next week, especially now that I have these foolproof tips from Howcast!:

A few quick tips:

1) Walk around the entire market before buying anything. There's no sense in splurging for the $0.25 tomato when you can get six for a dollar from another vendor.

2) Never visit a farmer's market hungry! You wouldn't do it at the grocery, so don't do it at the market. Otherwise, you're likely to head home with bags of foods you'll never eat.

3) Try hitting the farmer's market late in the day. Vendors typically hate heading home with extra produce, so you're more likely to score a good deal on that pound of grapes. (Hint: If you want the best selection, visit the market early to avoid picked-over produce.)

Ready to tackle your local market? You'll be a produce connoisseur in no time...

I'm planning a backyard bbq baby shower (say that three times fast!), which means one thing -- I need to kick my grill into high gear, and FAST! Our DIY reel this week arrived just in time with Eric Stromer sharing his Trade Secrets on cleaning and caring for an outdoor grill.

Best tip, hands down? Keep your grill covered to avoid summertime rust, cobwebs and other gross things that you don't want crawling around your food when it's time to cook out. In addition, be sure to frequently check the propane tank, firebox, and grates. If you have heavy rust or orange hues to any, chances are they'll need to be replaced. After all, you wouldn't cook on a rusty stove, so be sure you don't cook on a rusty grill.

And while we've got grills on the brain, have you seen this cutie grill from Traeger? Ha! Cute enough to make me switch to vegan bacon... forever.

Here's to outdoor bbq fun!

Help your pup keep cool during these long, hot summer days. Frozen concoctions – doggie popsicles, if you will – are easy to whip up. They're also very economical ... and dogs love 'em!

Most recipes for frozen dog treats include peanut butter. I like this basic recipe from the Humane Society best: combine peanut butter with a bit of water or mashed banana. Freeze your mixture in ice cube trays or just pop spoonfuls onto a cookie sheet. For really large dogs, you can make super-sized chillers using paper cups.

Think peanut butter's boring? Check out EHow's suggestions for more creative combos. How about garlicky tuna and yogurt? Or apples with yogurt and liver? Yeah, I think it sounds gross, too, but your dog will probably sell his soul for a taste.

Fall may be fast approaching, but we still have a few glorious weekends to catch some rays before we close the book on another summer. In fact, I'd love to spend my entire Labor Day weekend in this chlorine-free pool, salvaged from a former stock tank.

How does one go about finding a stock tank? There are many resources, including Behlen Country, High Country Plastics, or Hi-Qual Manufacturing. Or better yet, keep your eye open for a farming estate sale or antique market. However, do your research. After all, not all stock tanks are created equal. Watch out for larger corrugation on the metals, as they can be a bit uncomfortable if resting your back against the inside of the pool.

Once you've chosen your stock tank, find out how Cathy, a mother of two, created her stock tank pool right here. From there, all that's left to do is soak up the sun!

A great-fitting swimsuit is well worth some TLC. Quality suits don't usually come cheap, so protect your investment! And, hey, even if you got your favorite swimsuit for a song, you'll still want to make it last, summer after wonderful summer. Here are a few tips to keep your suit looking brand new!

1. Avoid sitting directly on concrete or other rough pool-surround materials. If you must, at least don't ever scoot forward or back on your butt. Try sitting on a towel to protect your suit's seat.

2. Keep your favorite suit out of the hot tub. Heat damages the fabric, reducing its elasticity. Use an older suit for soaking in the hot tub and reserve your favorite/s for beach and pool-side fun.

When it comes to home décor, I've learned to get more for my money. If you're currently renting, chances are you're doing the same – shopping for Pottery Barn looks at bargain basement prices. Shop even smarter: Time your purchases to take advantage of clearance sales on seasonal product lines!

August is a great time to shop for outdoor supplies, especially furniture and décor for your patio or balcony. So start keeping an eye out for those hot late-summer deals! Need inspiration? Check out my slideshow of thrifty buys for balcony beautification. It's all about getting great looks at an affordable price.

Oh, and for sensible tips on making the most of your outdoor spaces, take a look at Oh My Apartment's balcony decorating ideas and also HGTV's guide to decorating a balcony.

No tilling? No digging? No weeding? No kidding! It's Lasagna Gardening: an easy, non-backbreaking way to create garden beds. Organic materials piled up in deep layers (just like a lasagna) create a super-fertile spot for growing just about anything -- without the hard work!

Patricia Lanza, author of the gardening classic Lasagna Gardening, was kind enough to chat with DIY Life about her celebrated no-dig method and her own beautiful garden. Read on!

1. How big is your current garden and what are you growing right now?

My current garden(s) encompass our lake property where we live and a sunny plot at my Aunt Violet's house. The house property has a lot of shade and part-shade. I grow low-growing and ground-hugging plants in a curved bed that borders the front walk, with bulbs, perennials, annuals and flowering woody shrubs in the remaining border gardens.

Needing some serious visual impact for the yard? It's not too late to plant your curbside garden or front porch containers with bright, heat-tolerant annuals. If you're on a tight budget, however, choose carefully. Opt for plants that are cheap, tough, vibrantly hued and fast-growing.

Looking for suggestions? Allow me to share with you my 5 favorite summer-loving annuals:

1. Dusty Miller
2. Geranium
3. Impatiens
4. Coleus
5. Melampodium

Summer camping really blurs the line between outdoors and indoors. That's a good thing ... most of the time. I'm a pretty nature-loving kind of person, but even so I hate dealing with flying and scuttling insects up in my face all the time. Hate it when bugs invade your campsite? Here are a few tips to keep them at bay!

1. Don't pitch your tent near standing water since this is where many flying insects prefer to live and breed. Kind of obvious, but worth stating up front.

2. Pitch your tent facing into the breeze so flying insects are unable to congregate around the entrance. If the weather is warm and winds are not too strong, try an exposed site where the breeze can really help you out with bug control.

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

I love living in Florida, but I hate, hate, hate the bugs. As if the mosquitoes aren't bad enough, we've also got untold billions of ants to contend with. All these creepy crawlies can turn a pleasant picnic into an ordeal. Fortunately, there are lots of quick and easy tricks to help keep them at bay this summer. Here are a few of my favorites:

• Go natural. Citronella oil can discourage mosquitoes, of course. But did you know that lemon and garlic (oils or fresh) can be used to repel flies, mosquitoes and ants?

• Wipe the tablecloth down with plain old white vinegar. Flies don't care for the smell, apparently.