Fabric Scrap Cloth Baby Ball

I love traditionally Inspired toys for kids, When my little boy was born I wanted him to have a soft ball to play with that was bright and colorful. I looked on the internet and couldn't find one I liked, Everything seems to have to make a noise these days or have things hanging off them to make the...
By: Pixie Puddle

Continue Reading »

Source: http://www.instructables.com/id/Fabric-Scrap-Cloth-Baby-Ball/

building supplies bungalow remodel bungalow renovation cabinet

DIY Decline: Are Men Less Handy Than They Used to Be?

Filed under: Know-How

A new study shows that less men are doing their own home repairs. Could DIYers be an endangered species?

A walkway and house addition, both built by the writer's father -- Steve -- at her childhood home. Photo: Courtesy of Nikki Pepper

I grew up with a dad who could do everything -- and I'm not exaggerating because I'm his daughter. He built our beds and dressers; he designed and landscaped our yard; he even drew out and built an addition to our house. When it came to fixing things, my dad was the go-to guy, not just for us, but for friends and family, too.

Fast forward to my own home -- a city apartment that I share with my boyfriend. Now, I know that not everyone can build and fix like my dad. And don't get me wrong -- I love my boyfriend just the way he is. But he's just not a Mr. Fix-it kind of guy. At all. We managed through the IKEA boxes, but when it came to buying the right energy-efficient lightbulbs and adding shelving to our closet, I knew who to call.

Luckily, my dad likes being my DIY go-to. But seeing the divide between his home improvement skills and my boyfriends' made me think: What other Gen X-ers out there can't tell a back saw from a jab saw?

Apparently quite a few. AA Home Emergency Response conducted a study that shows a new breed of "techno-sexual" men has surfaced. Home repairs are being ditched in favor of technological prowess. Which leaves me -- and the girlfriends and wives of these techno-sexuals -- with amazing HD TV...but also a leaking sink.

Over the past 40 years, the percent of men able to perform home maintenance needs has steadily decreased. In 1970, 71% of men had a full DIY arsenal, compared to just 44% now. Why the decrease? Two main reasons: Fathers aren't passing down the skills needed and tech savviness has become more desirable.

So how long before DIY goes the way of the dinosaurs? AA estimates that at this rate, DIYers will be "extinct" by 2048. Because the more masculinity becomes more tied up in wires and pixels, the less confident men feel in their ability to conquer DIY projects.

I don't know how accurate this prediction is. After all -- who exactly will be painting fences or installing new windows in 2048? While studies like this one are best taken with a grain of salt, I think it's worthwhile to use it as an excuse to stop and reflect the next time something breaks down in my home. It might just be the perfect opportunity to encourage my dad to pass down his fix-it skills to me.

Want more DIY news? Check out...
DIYing This Weekend? Be Careful!
Cheap Date Ideas: Try DIYing
After a Breakup, Cleaning Can Heal

 

Permalink | Email this | Linking Blogs | Comments

Source: http://www.diylife.com/2011/04/25/diy-decline/

architectural design arizona general contractors atlanta handyman service atlanta home improvement magazine

Home Dust Control Systems

Dust control in your home can be tricky. There are many possible sources of dust in a home. One possible home dust control system is a central vacuum system.

Source: http://www.askthebuilder.com/876_Home_Dust_Control_Systems.shtml

building a retaining wall building a room addition building an addition building an extension

20 New Ways to Use Magic Erasers

Filed under: Essential Skills, Know-How

They might look like your average cleaning tool but you should trust the name here: These cleaning blocks are kind of magic.

Magic erasers can clean almost everything! Photo: Pyrex Love

From Mr. Clean's original "magic eraser" to the generic options, eraser cleaning blocks have made cleaning easier, less messy and dare we say...even fun! Sure, these foam blocks can get the gunk off walls (sometimes even upholstery if you're careful) and other household surfaces, but there are so many more uses for these little blocks of heaven. Here are 20 unusual uses for an eraser block to make the most of your spring cleaning time:

Quick Tip: Cut up one eraser block into four little blocks. It'll make your purchase last longer, and, it'll make it easier for you to get into smaller nooks and crannies.

1. Outdoor Furniture and Toys

Take grungy white resin or white painted furniture by lightly scrubbing with an eraser cleaning block. The eraser gets into crevices and cracks while leaving paint finishes intact. The same principle applies to outdoor plastic toys.

2. Pool Liners

Pool owners, this will make your life easier: A gentle scrubbing on your liner will get rid of the water mark better than any other product.

3. Vinyl

Take an eraser to scuffs on just about anything made from vinyl: siding, boat seats, shoes, etc.

4. Car Interiors

Clean the car seats with an eraser block: Go lightly on leather, but it's okay on fabric and vinyl, lightly scrub the car steering wheel. Eraser blocks get rid of grease streaks left inside after the car's been to the shop, too.

5. Hubcaps

Clean your car's hubcaps with an eraser for a water-free car wash.

6. Refrigerator

Get rid of last year's drippings that are pooled in the back of the fridge. It'll take a whole eraser block, but it gets the job done. The seals that have gotten a bit black and moldy will also respond well to an eraser.

7. Dishwasher Interior

What are those colors inside your dishwasher from time to time? Lime, mold, ewww. Just take an eraser to them and the stains will banish.

8. Bathtub and Sinks

Getting rid of dirt and water marks is easier (and not so gross) with an eraser block. Bathtubs can take a tough scrub, but go lightly on sinks -- even a light scrub gets rid of that caked on dirt that you often can't see until you try to get it off.

9. Rust Removal

Scrub anywhere (around pipes in kitchen and bath) that you see rust.

10. Computer

A magic eraser gets rid of oil and dirt that has built up on your keyboard and mouse; you can use it on laptops, too.

11. Phones

Use one on your phone's mouthpiece, too -- it gets rid of the same grime that builds up on your computer.

12. Bugs

Wherever there are smooshed bugs (porch pillars, car windshields, interior walls, exterior doors, exterior light fixtures) wipe them away with an eraser block.

13. Glass Stove Tops
No need to have special stove top cleaner on hand, get rid of burned-on food by lightly scrubbing until the gunk is gone.

14. Dishes and Glassware
Rub hard-to-clean build-up off of thrift store dishes and glassware, like Pyrex bowls, following advice from the blog Pyrex Love.

15. Gutters

Get rid of green slime that builds up on gutters with an eraser. It's another ewww-worthy task, but it'll be almost effortless with an eraser.

16. Mirrors (and Windows)

Many fans of eraser blocks swear it gives them a streak-free and clean mirror, if the pad is slightly damp when you give it a light scrub.

17. Floors

Erase scuff marks, old paint drips-great for most floors (but always go lightly, especially on finished wood).

18. Grout

Which leads us to grout. The eraser does well with most grout (except really old and darkened-beyond-help grout that will remain gray even with best scrubbing efforts).

19. Granite countertops

Everyone is afraid to scrub granite, but an eraser pad, used at first gently and then with a little more oomph as the stains disappear, will indeed get stubborn stains out of granite.

20. Leather

You can use and eraser lightly on leather upholstery, purses or shoes to lift up marks -- just be sure to use a gentle touch.

(Disclaimer-never use eraser cleaning blocks to clean skin, animal fur, glossy, brushed, satin or dark painted surfaces-including appliances, and lastly, never use on delicate fabrics.)

 

Permalink | Email this | Linking Blogs | Comments

Source: http://www.diylife.com/2011/04/18/magic-erasers/

anglia home improvements apartment remodeling apartment renovation apartment repairs

Etched Glass Interior Doors Increase Light in Your Home

Wood interior doors are pretty common, but they don't do a good job (or any kind of job at all) at letting light flow through when the door is shut. For interior rooms without a lot of windows, or homes...

Source: http://www.luxuryhousingtrends.com/archives/2009/01/etched_glass_in.php

bathroom tiles bathtub refinishing bay area contractors bedroom additions

Martha Stewart Celebrates Easter and 1,000 Episodes

Filed under: Crafts, Holidays, Crafts & Celebrations

It's a big week for Martha Stewart -- the home guru celebrates Easter with an "Eggcellent" special and reaches her 1,000 episode. Here's what to expect.

David E. Steele/Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia

Martha Stewart is the ultimate housewife, without even being married. She cooks, she cleans, she makes the bed with her own sheets and comforters. And she crafts like no one's watching. Only we are. We're tuned in and ready for the airing of "Martha Stewart's Eggcellent Easter" this Sunday, April 17th. Lucky us, we got a sneak peek at this one hour special, and we have an assignment for you Sunday viewers -- count all the "egg" altered words she beats into her show. Examples: Egg-cellent. Egg-straordinary. Egg-squisite. Get it? The alterations are endless, so keep your bunny ears perked up.

We'd also like to egg-on all you DIYers to try some Martha projects: "Eggcellent Easter" features recipes for coconut cupcakes and bite-size citrus cookies. Creative decor incorporates moss and lots of eggs. From Emu eggs to ostrich eggs, all are decorated, dyed and displayed with techniques you can do at home! We love the look of the marbled eggs.

Not feeling festive but still want to celebrate Martha? Tune in three days later on Wednesday, April 20th: It's Martha's LIVE 1,000 Episode Celebration. What does a 1,000 episode celebration entail? We're glad you asked. Get ready for the following:

Celebrity
Seth Meyers -- you know, from SNL -- will be making an appearance. (His second one of the season.)

Cooking
Guest chef Mario Batali will be whipping up something delicious.

Comedy
Yup, Martha is going to be funny. She will be reviewing the best bloopers and funniest moments of her 1,0000 episodes. We're hoping she'll revisit her pole dancing episode as well as the time she baked brownies with Snoop Dogg.

But that's just us. We'll have to tune-in Wednesday to see what she shares!

Our other Martha-related stories:
Martha Stewart's Painting Tool Kit
Refinishing Furniture with Martha Stewart Living

 

Permalink | Email this | Linking Blogs | Comments

Source: http://www.diylife.com/2011/04/14/martha-stewart-easter-1000-episode/

add a room addition contractors additions advanced home improvements

Beaded butterfly net

This is A butterfly net that i made with seed beads and delica beads.  I made this for an art show. It is made out of thousands of beads and only took three monthes to make :-)  
By: kerinlove

Continue Reading »

Source: http://www.instructables.com/id/Beaded-butterfly-net/

bathroom remodeling plans bathroom renos bathroom renovation ideas bathroom renovations