Showing posts » Curbly | DIY Design Community

badbadivy's blog

Showing 1-20 of 120

Fall Lawn Care Tips

By badbadivy Grass_large

It's about that time to start getting your lawn ready for winter, depending on where you live. What should you be doing at this time of year to get your lawn ready for winter? Here are a few tips:Use a quick-release fertilizer. It's important to give your lawn the feeding it needs before winter sets in. Fall is actually the most important time of year to fertilize, but it is often forgotten. Instead of using a slow-release  fertilizer like you would use in spring and summer, you want to use one that quickly releases nutrients to the soil. Keep watering... »MORE

October 10, 2007
1 comment
Viewed 381 times
Heart 0

Make A Quarter Ring!

By badbadivy Quarter_ring_large

When my grandfather was in the Aleutian Islands during World War II, he got to missing my grandma, who he had left back in Pasadena, California. He was a Navy Seabee, and he was building...I don't know, something. There are precious few family stories about his time in the Islands during WWII- one of them was when he offered to drive a tanker truck because he was bored and wanted to get off base. The only problem was, he had never driven a tanker truck before. Fortunately, he managed it without looking too much like an idiot. But the family... »MORE

October 09, 2007
4 comments
Viewed 2110 times
Heart 0

Gardening is best done with native plants

By badbadivy My-garden-kicks-ass_large

To be honest, my garden sucks right now because of the drought here in Tennessee. I've written a couple of posts about it on my gardening blog here and here. While doing some research for the drought posts, I got some interesting info about gardening with native plants. Native plants are easier to keep alive, simply because they are adapted to the environment you already live in. Native Tennessee grasses are faring better in the drought than other types of grass. They are also generally cost effective because they are local to the area.Also because of their natural adaptations they... »MORE

August 21, 2007
0 comments
Viewed 362 times
Heart 0

Ant Killa!

By badbadivy Ant_large

Y'all, I have a major ant problem. The hot and dry conditions in Tennessee have been hell on my plants, but good for ants, apparently. I put Amdro down to kill the fire ants, and I don't have a fire ant problem anymore, but I sure do have a regular ant problem.The ants have taken over my entire property. I have ants in my car, ants in my house, there are even ants in my mailbox. I've tried all the natural ant-killing methods I know of, like Borax and boiling water, and putting tiny ant heads on stakes- all to... »MORE

August 16, 2007
5 comments
Viewed 698 times
Heart 0

Forget Business Cards, Make Your Own Stickers!

By badbadivy Stickers_large

I love stickers, it runs in my family. I have an aunt that you don't even have to look at the return addy to know it's her when you get a letter from her. She puts tons of stickers on the envelope. My granny thinks it's annoying, but I think it's cute. So when I saw that you can make your very OWN stickers today, I was all over that. Etsy Labs has the 411. Their idea #3 is the most awesome: 3. Do like graffiti artists do and lift a stack of postage stickers from the P.O. and - draw on... »MORE

August 16, 2007
0 comments
Viewed 991 times
Heart 0

Kitcshy Inspiration

By badbadivy Tv_shelves_large

As you can see by my posts, I love me some kitsch. This post on Saucy Dwellings on LiveJournal is like kitsch heaven! I gained a ton of inspiration from this post, from the TV shelves to the pictures hung on the wall to the MANNEQUIN! I heart mannequins! Go see for yourself, but here's a peek:  »MORE

August 13, 2007
1 comment
Viewed 822 times
Heart 0

What to craft, what to craft?

By badbadivy Eggs_anapaulaoli_large

Sometimes I just feel like crafting but don't know what to do. That's when I turn to etsy's pattern section. There are all kinds of patterns there from sewing to knitting to amigurumi crochet patterns- which is an addiction of mine, when I have time, anyway. My particular favorite patternmaker is anapaulaoli. She has the cutest patterns and they are easy to follow, which is really important to me- I'm the very picture of adult ADHD.  Check out her super cute egg pattern, which is going to be my next purchase here soon: Can we say WANT?! I knew we could.... »MORE

August 10, 2007
2 comments
Viewed 681 times
Heart 0

Cute up your doors with wrapping paper

By badbadivy Door_large

Check out these easy instructions for using wrapping paper to cuten up your doors from Grace at Design Sponge.  Just think what you could do- you could theme this with a kid's room, you could make your closet door match your clothes- anything! Whee! Via Craftzine »MORE

August 09, 2007
5 comments
Viewed 743 times
Heart 0

Yet more hanging bed inspiration

By badbadivy Lebeanock_large

Seriously, I don't know what it is with me and hanging beds, but I want one in the worst way. Well, clearly not bad enough to actually go out and buy one, but you know how it is.  This one looks very DIYable, however, and DIYable inexpensively. It's Le Beanock by Tracie Herrtage, a former model-turned-sailmaker-turned-welder-turned extremely awesome furniture designer. This is more couch than bed, but I think it could just as easily be made into a bed. What do you guys think? Should this be the one I finally end up doing myself?  HT: FreshHome  »MORE

August 09, 2007
4 comments
Viewed 2798 times
Heart 1

Beat the heat: how to survive without air conditioning

By badbadivy Ac_large

Tennessee and many other areas are going through a massive heat wave right now. Some people have to deal with this heat without air conditioning. Here's a guide to getting through the heat wave without air conditioning.Make a swamp cooler.  Blow a fan over a pan of ice. Seriously, it's just that easy, and it makes a major difference in the temp. Change the ice out when it melts. Fans, fans everywhere. When my air conditioning decided to break during a Tennessee heat wave, I went out and bought a crapload of fans. I made swamp coolers out of many... »MORE

August 06, 2007
1 comment
Viewed 1293 times
Heart 0

DIY this: Sofa hanger

By badbadivy Sofa_hanger_large

I hate linking to the same blog twice in two days, but I had to, yo. This sofa hanger is so cool, and a perfect solution for people who don't have the space for actual end tables. But what is SO awesome about it is how simple this would be to DIY. You wouldn't even need any major construction skills, just hammer, nails, saw, stain. Casa Sugar says it would be more for people without kids or animals, but I think it actually woule be better for people with kids or animals- you could take the hangers on and off of... »MORE

August 03, 2007
3 comments
Viewed 966 times
Heart 0

Tighty whiteys gross me out!

By badbadivy Undies_large

Seriously, they really do. And this rug grosses me out too. I wouldn't even walk on it if I lived in a house that had one of these. Heck, I wouldn't live in a house that had one of these, tighty whiteys gross me out that badly.  My new fave blog, Casa Sugar has a "Love it or Hate it" poll going on- 75% agree with me that it's horrible. What do you guys think? Fun or horrible?  »MORE

August 02, 2007
8 comments
Viewed 498 times
Heart 0

Make your own Moleskine-like notebook

By badbadivy Notebook_large

I had a Moleskine notebook. It was beyond fabulous, I absolutely loved it. Then I managed to lose it. I about cried, because Moleskine notebooks are expensive. Fortunately, I can now make my own Moleskine-like notebook, thanks to Michael Shannon. The equipment needed isn't too odd, and even though there are a lot of steps, it seems to be simple enough to be able to do on my own. Here's the materials list:Materials Needed:  24 sheets of paper 8.5 x 11 inches One 8.5 x 11 inch sheet of a "special" paper. A piece of Naugahyde that measures 9 x... »MORE

August 01, 2007
0 comments
Viewed 671 times
Heart 0

From attic to nursery!

By badbadivy Before_large

I read a whole lotta blogs. One of them is Lavender Sparkles, a nice mish-mash of lots of stuff. Yesterday I read a fab posting about Amy's attic transformation. It's so awesome that I had to share it here for inspiration. Go see the amazing transformation. Here's a before pic, but you have to go over there to see the results:  »MORE

July 31, 2007
2 comments
Viewed 541 times
Heart 0

Sewing in style: Hello Kitty sewing machines @ Target

By badbadivy Hellokittysewingmachine_large

Target! How I love thee! Let me count the ways. Well, other than the $50 Target cover charge, which is maddening. Has anyone ever walked out of Target without spending at least $50? I know I have not been able to.So, here's the latest thing I absolutely need from Target:  A Hello Kitty Sewing Machine. I have been considering buying a sewing machine for some time to replace the one from 1970 that my mom gave me. It works, but it's getting a little long in the tooth. The Hello Kitty sewing machine is only $60 and is a very... »MORE

July 30, 2007
10 comments
Viewed 991 times
Heart 0

Say it's not so, Simple Green!

By badbadivy Funky_large

I've always loved Simple Green. It cleans grease perfectly, and it's a nifty shade of green. I use it on laundry, to clean counters- you name it. So I was sad to learn today that Simple Green contains ethylene glycol butyl ether (EGBE), which is on California's list of toxic air contaminants. Apparently EGBE can cause:Some animal studies indicate that it produces reproductive problems, such as testicular damage, reduced fertility, death of embryos and birth defects. People exposed to high levels of EGBE for several hours have reported nose and eye irritation, headaches, vomiting and a metallic taste in their... »MORE

July 30, 2007
1 comment
Viewed 307 times
Heart 0

I was gone, but now I'm back

By badbadivy Cannot_unsee_large

Hey Curbliers! I missed you guys. This month's been crazy, I launched a new website and my DIY-ness and writing has definitely suffered. So has the cleanliness of my house! Craaaazy!  So, in an effort to make up for lost time, here are a few of the awesome things I've seen in my internet travels over the past couple of weeks: Mood furniture is cool, but what if I'm a terrible mood and don't want anyone to know?  Well, cooking's sort of a DIY thing. Here are some healthy breakfast cookies from Wise Bread.  Scare the crap out of my friends?... »MORE

July 27, 2007
1 comment
Viewed 207 times
Heart 0

Tell me about which blogs you read!

By badbadivy Badbad_medium

Because over 300 in my feed reader is not nearly enough. Today, I sorted everything into folders to make things easier to read and I found I read very few home improvement/design/DIY/gardening blogs. Which is weird, since I write about that stuff.  I read one of the sites I write for, Shakadoo, and that's fab, and I obviously read Curbly, but who else are y'all reading? Hook a sista up!   »MORE

July 18, 2007
4 comments
Viewed 392 times
Heart 0

Crown Royal quilt: impressive on two levels

By badbadivy Crown_blanket_large

Now, here's something that would be downright awesome to DIY. It's a quilt made of Crown Royal bags. Isn't that the coolest? Not only is it recycling, which is fab, but it is also beautiful. And if you DIY it, it shows off your mad drinking skills.   [Photo credit: smileatu84 on eBay]  »MORE

July 16, 2007
1 comment
Viewed 1108 times
Heart 0

I wanna work here!!

By badbadivy Bathroom_large

Seriously, Curbliers, is this not the funniest bathroom placard ever? My friend Casey snapped a shot of this- get this- at work. Now that's got to be the coolest workplace ever, not to mention the most drama-filled workplace ever.  On a serious-er note, I've got to figure out where to buy this. I'd like to nail it to my bedroom door, or something.   »MORE

July 09, 2007
4 comments
Viewed 410 times
Heart 0
Showing 1-20 of 120