Posts tagged: how-to
How To: Organize Your Thanksgiving.
By Chrisjob
AOL's DomestoBlog ShelterPop has created a very helpful Countdown to Thanksgiving checklist to help you spread the amount of work over the next few days and to guarantee you won't forget anything! So, sure, they presumed you started three weeks ago, and you may have - but whether you've already got your placecards set or are headed to the grocery store this weekend to plan your menu, take these tips from Judy Ketteler with you.
For Example:
Mond » READ MORE
Holiday How-To: Twine Snowmen.
By Chrisjob
Creating the body of these rustic, yet surprisingly contemporary twine snowpeople is simple...Just stack up 3 spools of twine. But the fun and whimsy comes in with this cool trick: wrap some single ply twine around floral wire for some flexible details. The combo of the 2D and 3D elements is unique and somehow quite festive.
"Cut a few feet of twine and unravel it slightly. Squeeze a line of hot glue along an inch or so of the wire and wrap the twine around tightly so the wire is covered completely. Repeat along length of the wire. If you need a longer length, connect lengths of wire by overlapping the ends and wrapping the twine around them as if they were one."
How To: Felt Circle Ornament
By Chrisjob![[Felt+Ornament+7.jpg]](http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_kyYaMHB4tGw/SvC5gpD4dXI/AAAAAAAADww/6K2bCRRRyWY/s1600/Felt%2BOrnament%2B7.jpg)
This festive felt ornament is of the best kind of crafty projects: the final product seems intricate and complex, but the actual design simply incorporates a few felt circles and a basic stitch.
How To: Make a Reversible Placemat Cover.
By Chrisjob
It's nearly 2010! If you've got placemats, they should indeed be round. And if you've got round placemats, you should create your own covers. And! If you're creating your own covers, might as well make 'em two-sided for twice the decorability.
Ikea Hack: The Gorm Shelving Bench.
By Chrisjob
The Gorm Shelving System from Ikea is a unique offering - it's made of real fir, rather than Ikea's might-as-well-have-invented-it laminate-coated compressed fiberboard recipe. Cool, but the downside? Sometimes softwoods simply ain't straight, and your Gorm ends up a little crooked.
No worries, says Randofo. I'll just make a bench outta it.
Sew a Newspaper Dress.
By ChrisjobKnow how there's some really great final projects in the how-to blogosphere, but the means by which they getcha there are quite muddled and badly conveyed?
This newspaper dress from PrixPrix sho ain't oneofum. With an Instructable as fine as the outcome, this "Old Gray Lady" dress created completely of the New York Times and thread (no tape, glue, or staples) will inspire you with every pleat, fold, and seam. These things can be done, friends, and this is how we do 'em.
How To: Vintage-Inspired Partridge Ornament.
By Chrisjob
Five golden rings.... Four calling birds, three French hens, two turtle doves, and a handmade partridge ornament in your Christmas tree!
Holiday How-To: Paper Baubles.
By Chrisjob
These paper baubles are easy to make, versatile in use, and decidely modern. With some cardstock, a compass, and one of my faves - double sided tape - you're ready for some instant seasonal joy.
Lovely.
Homemade Candy Corn Recipe.
By Chrisjob
Candy corn's the kinda thing that divides loved one's right down the middle. Either you hate it, or you love it. And like all good things, if you love it, you should make it. And like those very all good things, the homemade version tastes even better.
Ingredients
1 cup granulated sugar
2/3 cup light corn syrup
1/3 cup salted butter
2 1/2 cups confectioners' sugar, sifted
1/3 cup powdered milk
1 teaspoon vanilla
red and yellow food coloring
What's your favorite thing to do with candy corn. Me? I combines 'em with peanuts. Tastes just like a Payday.
DIY Modern Pop Pumpkin Centerpiece.
By Chrisjob
I love fall, but I simply can't get into acorns and dried corn husks in my home decor. So, this pop-ish pumpkin centerpiece. A bit of paint, a bit of tape, a lot of autumn, and a bunch of fun. Try it this weekend, and it'll last you until Thanksgiving...I mean, as long as your pumpkins do.
Halloween How-To: Vampire Blood Lollipops.
By Chrisjob
Whether or not you care about the influx of vampire art/literature/tv/films over the last few years, you can't deny the sugary excellence that is these "bloody" lollipops. Make 'em for your party, for Trick-or-Treaters, or for yourself!
Ingredients:
- 2 cups sugar
- 2/3 cup light corn syrup
- red food coloring
- white lollipops stick - you can find them at your local craft store.
How To: Repair Damaged Drywall.
By Chrisjob
Any active home eventually results in some damaged drywall. Nail and screw holes, banged up paint jobs, even cavitiy-ish gapes from errant doorknobs, tools, and other sharpies.
Thankfully, it's an easy(ish) fix, and HandymanHomeRepair has got a perfect how-to for getting the job done.
How To: Quick and Easy Homemade Ice Packs.
By Chrisjob
Your handpacked lunch. Sore joints. Picnics. Having a quick source of cold is infinitely helpful for keeping what you need chilled, and doing it well.
As it turns out, you can make your own - infinately sizeable and shapeable - but just limited how water freezes by adding something with a much lower freezing point, like alcohol....both the rubbing and the, er, vodka kind.
How To: Easy Paper Square Wall Art.
By Chrisjob
Leslie handpainted some patterned paper, and so as to reuse her work, scanned it in, printed it out, and then made even more art with it. Armed with a square punch, she cranked out the graphic, geometric framed piece, perfect for complmenting with a lovely fall persimmon.
DIY Photo Reflector.
By Chrisjob
At the rate folks are cranking out DIY photostudio equipment (here, here, here, and here), it's entirely possible to create a fully functioning and incredibly lit studio shopping only at home improvement and craft store.
So, add this one to the list. A DIY collapsable photo reflector that looks identical to those sold commercially. Whether its reflectivity is as awesome isn't clear, but I can't imagine that shininess is for naught.
8 Killer Halloween How-Tos!
By Chrisjob
So, I found this great collection of Halloween and Fall How-To projects, and at first, I was like "I'ma share the fondant pumpkins;" and then, "No, I'ma do those drilled LED pumpkins, or perhaps that crazy bat!"
Paint a Floor Canvas.
By Chrisjob
Oh my goodness, rugs are such a pain to purchase. They're either 1) crazy tacky, or 2) crazy expensive.
So, make your own. Begin with a preprimed canvas, and get creative. The result is a surprisingly durable floor covering that can be as graphic or demure as you design it.
How To: Tile Over a Brick Fireplace
By ModHomeEcTeacher
Photo Image: Susan Jablon Mosaics
A designer friend once told me that our brick fireplace with its' expansive raised hearth and built in bookshelves was "just too much for the room." I decided I liked it and bid her adieu. However, after I got a load of these artsy new tiles, I may have to rethink this. It is getting chilly and that fireplace will soon be blazing for long cozy nights of t.v., entertaining, snuggling and reading. Hmmmm.. » READ MORE
Make Your Own Beer Cap Pub Table
By ModHomeEcTeacher
Here's a sure way to show your buds you're both a manly man AND a crafter. Hey, I'm always game for a new way to reuse a dinged up table top. Americangypsy illustrates his crafty side in an Instructable where he turns an ordinary coffee table into a colorful, patterned beer cap pub » READ MORE
DiY: BeDazzle Your Drapes with Studs
By ModHomeEcTeacher
Image: WestElm
Advertised as Nailhead Trimmed drapes, upon consideration, these really can't possibly be decorative nailheads attached to fabric drapes. More likely, they are all dressed up for a sophisticated, yet edgey way with shiny metal studs like bikers use to trim their leather garb. Here's a source for all sorts of studs that could be-dazzle your decor. » READ MORE
