Posts tagged: summer
How To Use Up Your Tomato Tonnage.
By ChrisjobEarlier this summer, it seemed as if we'd never get any red tomatoes...the high amounts of precipitation kept the leaves limited and the fruit green.
But now...here they come, faster than any household can consume. Here's three ideas, quick "sun-dried" tomatoes, DIY ketchup, and an easy freezing technique, that uses your bounty to the fullest.
What to do with Cherry Pits!
By SustainableSuppers
Hiya!
I'm piggybacking a bit here on Chrisjob's fantastic Cherry Jubilee Week posts. They've been fantastic.
Once you're done preparing your cherries for all of those scrumptious creations, what can you do with the pits? Plenty, it turns out.
You can doctor your vinegar into something gourmet.
You can make a heating pad.
You can make cherry hooch!
Go here for more, or just click on http://www.SustainableSuppers.com
Ciao!
Cherry Jubilee Week: Easy Cherry Syrup and a Sparkling Cherry Cooler.
By Chrisjob
So, on Saturday, I went to pick up my weekly CSA harvest, and the wonderful young lady pointed to an enormous box of bing cherries, and said, "Also, you're welcome to take as many of those as you want, but they're super ripe, so they gotta be used today."
"Really?" I said, as I grabbed a produce bag.
"Yeah. Take the whole box if you want..."
Well, I DID want, so I took the box, and realized, as I popped my third into my mouth on the walk hom » READ MORE
How to Make Summery Butterfly & Dragonfly Cards
By simplyfunstuff
If you a need a last minute card for any occasion, try my delicate & delightful dragonfly and butterfly cards originally inspired by these butterfly paper clips by Jessica at HowAboutOrange.
Materials:
Blank Cards & Envelopes in the color of your choice
Oragami, Scrapbooking Paper, or any other Decorative Paper
Scissors or Butterfly & Dragonfly punches (found at scrapbooking or craft stores)
White glue
How-To: Homemade Citronella Candles.
By ChrisjobSome old candles or block wax + citronella oil + recycled food containers + a few tools = homemade citronella candles. Keep them buggies away with your own DIY citronellas, which, apparently, are only basic wax candles scented with citronella oil, a plant-based insect repellant, from a species in the lemongrass family.
Materials
1. old wax candles, or any type of safely melt-able wax
2. crayons
3. container for melting wax
4. wicks
5. citr » READ MORE
Curbly Video Podcast: How To Make Simple, Delicious Compound Butters.
By Chrisjob
Compound butters combine the best of both worlds - the bright and bold punches of fresh herbs and seasonings with the velvety wonderfulness of whole butter. And with the grills a-blazing and the summer-fresh produce this time of year, there's every reason to create all sorts of 'em to keep on hand.
40 Watermelon Carving How-tos!
By DIY Maven
These watermelon creations from watermelon.org take the concept of the watermelon basket to a whole new level! With forty designs to choose from (plus detailed instructions) there's something for every occasion!
How To Ripen Tomatoes.
By Chrisjob
I can't speak for the rest of the States, but in my climate, the intense amount of rain and cool temperatures equals little sun, very few fireflies, and enormous homegrown tomatoes still a bright green on the vine. So, here's a few options from TipNut to encourage ripening on and off the vine.
How to make a no-sew tie back halter.
By DIY Maven
Turn this...
What the Craft shows us how to make a quick no-sew halter top from a 'large-ish' t-shirt. All you need to make one--besides said tee--is a scissors! For the entire tutorial, follow this jump » READ MORE
Dandelion Syrup. Has Anyone Ever Tried It?
By Chrisjob
This recipe from 5OrangePotatoes calls for 250 dandelion tops and 12 hours of simmering and reducing. That's quite a collection of resources and time. But more interesting, what does it taste like? Like dandelion greens (which I adore)? Like other edible flower-based foods? A floral hint to an otherwise simple syrup?
Anyone have any thoughts before I spend twelve hours collecting dandelion tops and another twelve cooking them down?
Post your thou » READ MORE
Another Piewacket Giveaway!
By honeywestThe fantastic store Sandpiper, with two locations in Atlanta and an online boutique is giving away
a beautiful Ili leather wallet and a $100 giftcard! for details visit my blog Piewacket!
Photos © Lara Rossiginol
Create A Summer Getaway–in Your Garage!
By DIY Maven
This charming one-stall garage was transformed into an outdoor getaway from spring to fall. What was done with all the tools and what-not usually found in such places, My Home Ideas doesn’t say, and I really don’t care. » READ MORE
Create Fresh Summer Scented Linens Year Round.
By ChrisjobI was born in 1982. We ALWAYS had an electric clothes drying machine, and I admit the only times I've used a clothesline to dry my clothes have been outside the United States.
But, I've read the poetry. I know the images. I've seen the commercials. The smell of the sun on your bedsheets is, apparently, an amazing thing. And with THESE tips, apparently even folks like me, can get in on it. All year long.
A Few Treehouses
By lilybeeYou know what sucks about treehouses? That's right, absolutely NOTHING! From tacked on shacks made of old pallets to grandiose castles made of... money, and every Ewok-inspired leafy perch in between, treehouses are brilliant. They are very essence of summer and childhood distilled, with winter on the way and a milestone birthday just passed I could use some of both. So, here are a few particularly inspiring examples of what happens when trees and architecture get together and party... some of them considerably nicer than my apartment.
Wow » READ MORE
10 Ways To Re-charge Your Creative Batteries (on a late summer day)
By ModHomeEcTeacher
The past week has caught me under the weather. The impending end of summer always gets to me in some sneaky way. It's been a relief to slow down and just lay low. Maybe I worked too had last week on that Knotty Pine Problem (which I still need to finish). I have lots of design work, sewing classes and upholstery projects coming up, but it's necessary to re-charge the batteries, embrace the transition and let the creative juices flow again. » READ MORE
How To Make a Shirred Fabric Summer Dress
By threadbangerThis week a special SewingTips 101 will show you how to shirr fabric and create a cool new summer dress. So check out the videocheck out the video and get to work on some easy breezy summer clothes! For more DIY projects, subscribe to Threadbanger on iTunes!
For this project you will need:
Elastic thread
Regular Thread
Pins
Scissors
A Sewing Machine
Fabric
For this dress you'll need to buy elastic thread and hand wind the elastic thread around » READ MORE
How To Save Water in Your Garden and Yard.
By ChrisjobSummer water needs lead to shortages in some places, and increased water bills everywhere. Beyond bigger investments like rain barrels (which really aren't that expensive or inconvenient) and gray water systems, here's few tips from CasaSugar to better use water in your lawn and garden.
- Raise your mower's blade. Apparently, longer grass needs less water.
- Don't water unless the soil is dry 1 1/2 inches down
- Water your garden early
- Clump plan » READ MORE
What To Plant Now: Seeding for Late Season Success.
By Chrisjob
Hmmm...Who knew? It's not too late to plant new vegetables to enjoy this season, even from seeds! Beans, carrots, summer squash, cucumbers, herbs like parsley, basil, and cilantro are still fine for summer, and its actually time to start planting cold weather crops broccoli, kale, kohlrabi, and turnips. And you can wait until mid-August for greens such as lettuce, spinach, and argula. "Starting seeds in July can be tricky, though, because it’s so » READ MORE
How to make a PVC Sprinkler Water Toy
By DIY Maven
Although this PVC Sprinkler Water Toy has been dubbed ‘Kidwash 2', it’s totally awesome for adult-types too! Inspired by Kidwash, this version uses mister jets. For supplies, you’ll need to head to your hardware store for 3/4" pipe and the following fittings:
2 ten foot lengths of PVC
3 end caps
1 threaded female chose connector (slip fit)
2 elbow joints (90 degree)
2 T connections
1 pack quarter mister jets (12 count)
For assembly instructions, » READ MORE
The “Oh wow that was totally easy!” Skirt-Making Tutorial.
By ChrisjobI can't (or shouldn't) even wear skirts, and this has even got me excited. Create a custom and perfectly summery skirt with just a bit of clever measuring and an elastic waistband. These can seemingly be made in under a half an hour with no wasted fabric.
Step 1: Measure yourself.
Step 2: Calculate the fabric.
Step 3: Cut!
Step 4: Side seam.
Step 5: Finish your edges.
Step 6: Press!
Step 7: Elastic waist time!
