Homemade Fire Pits

By Kathrine  |  2011/12/13 18:11 Posted in DIY Design  |  Comments Off

On any given summer night you can find people in your neighborhood huddled around their fire pit with friends and family. Pot luck dinners are an inexpensive way to come together, slow down, and enjoy life. The only problem is the cost of purchasing a fire pit.

Some of fire pits are very expensive and require upkeep to insure you are able to use the fire pit year after year. Many people are now opting to make their own homemade fire pit.

I have seen it all, from a metal wheelbarrow in the middle of yard to an old wooden sandbox filled with stones acting as a fire pit. Neither of these are good ideas. Metal gets very hot, and even with stones wooden boxes tend to start on fire themselves. If you are planning on my making your own fire pit take proper cautions by choosing the correct materials and location for your fire pit.

It is a good idea to know where the electric, water, and gas lines run in your yard before you grab a shovel and start digging your fire pit. The last thing you want to do is cost yourself hundreds of dollars by not choosing a good location. Make sure you choose a spot at least 10 feet away from the house to avoid accidentally catching the house on fire. Once you have found the perfect location make a whole at least 12 inches deep and 2-3 feet wide.

You will not want to leave a muddy pit in your yard as there are many options to finish the project off. You may purchase cement mix to frame the outside of your pit as well as 2 inches above the rim to avoid the grass catching on fire. If you do not want to mess with cement you can also begin laying rocks and gravel in the pit to help with any water drainage. Before you know it, you will have your very own fire pit to gather your friends and loved ones around to sit back and enjoy quality time with.

Oh No! The Toilet Has Clogged

By J Schrage  |  2011/12/05 00:19 Posted in DIY Design  |  Comments Off

Let’s pile on the bad news.  Not only has the toilet clogged but it’s the only toilet in your apartment; you don’t have one of these toilet plungers; you don’t have a toilet auger and your new boss is due to arrive at your house in 10 minutes.

Before you panic, it’s worth noting that most “soft” clogs will resolve on their own.  Soft clogs are generally the result of too much toilet paper being flushed down the toilet trap and getting stuck.  Hard clogs are a different matter entirely, but for the sake of this article we’re assuming the problem is a soft one.

As you don’t have time to see if it will clear on its own, it’s time to head to the kitchen and get a bucket full of hot water and some detergent.  (Some people swear by coke, but I’ve tested it, and don’t see any point in using it instead of hot water).   You don’t want the water to be at boiling point as you’ll run the risk of damaging the porcelain of your toilet bowl.  You just want it nice and hot.

If you bowl is full to the brim, unfortunately there is not much you can do until some of the water has seeped away.  But if there is space (and there usually is) add the hot water and let it sit for a few seconds.  As you don’t have that much time on your hands, squirt in some dishwashing detergent (ideally of an eco-friendly variety).  

The hot water combined with the lubricating effect of the detergent should help breakdown and dislodge the blockage – giving you that encouraging sucking sound of a toilet unblocking itself.  The detergent is more dense than plain water so will sink to the lowest spot in your trapway, freeing things up as it does so.  

Don’t bother trying to stick a wire down the trap.  You won’t get far enough round the bend to do anything significant to the blockage.  Also you may end up scratching the toilet.

Good luck!  Ding Ding.. Is that the doorbell?

Mess and Mistakes with Home Decor

By J Schrage  |  2011/11/30 20:35 Posted in Decorating Ideas  |  Comments Off

Decorating a new home can be a challenge for anybody, and outfitting your home decor to suit your style, without removing it’s style completely can be a difficult task.

There are plenty of messes and mistakes that can be made when decorating your home decor, so lets start with messes.

The biggest mess when decorating a home is clutter.  Trying to keep clutter down can be difficult when you find yourself wanting to decorate everything but the truth is, simplicity is sometimes better.

Often you don’t realize how cluttered your decorating is becoming because of the actual mess you are making.  Stips of wallpaper, cardboard boxes, packaging material.  It son gets scattered around your home and can disguise how much stuff you are packing in to one space.

I ended up getting one of the best Austin maids to clean up which allowed me to focus on decorating while having an unadulterated view of my home interior so I could see just how much I was packing in to a room.

Once you can ensure your home is not becoming too cluttered you might want to also check where your home decor is positioned to help ensure that your room is as open and as light as possible  This is of course down to personal preference, some people prefer snug and cozy, over open.  However, if you are trying to sell a home, open is definitely the way to go.

While mess in a home is a relatively common mistake, some hownowners go in completely the opposite direction.  While mess is bad, don’t forget that your home is your personal space. If things are too sterile, empty, and unloved, your home may as well be straight out of an Ikea catalogue.  You can help prevent this by adding some personal touches to your home, and make it a part of you.

4 Concerns For Buying Large Chandeliers

By J Schrage  |  2011/11/28 16:27 Posted in Home Decor  |  Comments Off

Are you redecorating and you don’t know where to start? A good idea is to select one truly special accessory, and to do all he redecorating around that object. If you are redecorating your living room or your dining room, you could start with a spectacular, large chandelier. Chandeliers are interior design accessories that have the power to completely change the space. When shopping for a chandelier, there are more things you need to consider:

  1. Very large rooms can be decorated with two large chandeliers. Not only the room will look more balanced, but you’ll have the right light intensity. It’s very hard to obtain enough light on every corner of the room if you have only one, central chandelier.
  2. You can find large chandeliers in every possible style: from Victorian to ultramodern, minimalist ones. If you already have the furniture, buy a chandelier that match the furniture. But, if you are starting from scratch, just pick the one that really likes you and buy the right furniture for it.
  3. Before buying a large or small chandeliers, ask a specialist to calculate how many light bulbs you need to ensure the normal level of ambient light. Large chandeliers have at least six arms, but you can find ones with eight, ten or even twelve arms.
  4. Large chandeliers are quite expensive items- a good quality one is around 500 $. So, make sure it’s just what you want and it’s the right item for the room. Otherwise look into used chandeliers as an alternative.

The Best Sewing Machines for DIY Home Decor Projects

By Ericka S  |  2011/11/20 23:53 Posted in Home Decor  |  Comments Off

If you make a lot of your home decor items such as pillows and drapes you probably know that having a good sewing machine is very important. If you don’t currently have a sewing machine or you in the market for a new one, here are some of the best sewing machines for do-it-yourself home decor projects.

Brother CS600i Computerized Sewing Machine

This machine has 60 built in stitches that are great for all kinds of projects. It also is a computerized machine which means you can download different stitches and patterns from the internet if you happen to find a stitch or pattern that you absolutely love. This machine works great all kinds of fabric from silk to corduroy. The nice thing about this machine is that although it is a high quality sewing machine and has a lot of features to it, the CS600i won’t cost you a fortune. In fact, you can buy this machine for approximately $170 on sale, when it normally retails for over $400.

Singer 7470 Confidence Electronic Sewing Machine

This sewing machine is slightly more expensive than the Brother CS600i, but it is well worth the money. It has 173 built in stitches which is more than enough for just about any home decor project you could want to do. Of those built in stitches there are plenty of decorative ones which look great on things like decorative pillows and crafts like fabric blocks. This machine was actually made with ease of use in mind and although it has a lot of features it is a very simple machine to use.

Whether you go with the Brother sewing machine or the Singer one, you will be getting a high quality machine that is one of the best on the market for home decor projects.

The Best Christmas Decorations Are Made At Home

By Kathrine  |  2011/11/19 04:14 Posted in Home Decor  |  Comments Off

Christmas can be a really expensive time of year, especially if you want to buy a lot of presents for all your loved ones and have extensive dinner celebrations. There are plenty of ways though to cut down on the costs, without looking cheap.

One of my favorite things to use for decorating the home and giving it that real Christmas feel, is making origami Christmas ornaments together with the kids.

When we first began doing this several years ago, the results were far from perfect, but many a times have we looked back at the photos taken with our 3D digital camera during that period, remembering the beautiful moments we spent as a family, laughing and chatting away while making these decorations.

Over the years we have actually gotten pretty good at it, and have moved on to making more complicated origami decorations, and many people compliment us on our original christmas decor whenever they walk in to our home.

Now, if you think that making your own Christmas origami ornaments is far too difficult for you, think again! It really is not all that hard to do, but far more important than the end result, is the fact that it is the perfect way to spend quality time with your kids!

Protect Your Home’s Design by Addressing Common Roofing Problems

By Ericka S  |  2011/11/16 16:58 Posted in Home Decor  |  Comments Off

After you’ve gone through all the hard work of making your home look perfect, the last thing that you want to happen is for a leaky roof to destroy your expensive wallpaper and carpets.

Other than the foundation of your home, your roof also defines how well your house will stand against the heavy and constant barrage of the elements. Not only does your roof shield your loved ones against the elements but it also protects your home’s structure against water damage. But as with any other structure in your home, your roof also needs to be properly maintained, repaired and replaced when necessary.

 

As roofs are bound to yield to deterioration over time, understanding the proper and efficient ways to address your roofing problems is one of the best ways to avoid a costly roof replacement. To help you out, the Roofing Oklahoma website has summed up some of the most common problems in shingle roofing and how to best remedy them.

Damaged Shingles – if a part of your shingle has already chipped off, then you will need to replace them immediately. As this is quite common, it would be best to ask your contractors for any leftover or excess shingles used during your roofing installation. If there is none, you can always buy a new one at any home center depot or lumber yard. When removing shingles, locate the nails first and carefully remove them before prying the damaged shingles out.

Curled Shingles – as asphalt age, their corners have a natural tendency to curl. To delay this, you will have to glue down the curling sections of your shingles at the onset.

Cracked Shingles – another common roofing problem encountered by mane homeowners is that of cracking. As explained by www.roofingoklahoma.org, cracked shingles do not necessarily have to be replaced. If the shingles are still intact and in good condition, you can make do with applying a strong sealant to cover the crack.

By identifying and properly correcting the problems in your roof, you can help keep your family and home protected as well as save thousands of dollars in roof replacement costs.

Make the perfect Elmo nursery

By Kathrine  |  2011/11/16 13:20 Posted in Home Decor  |  Comments Off

Do you have a tot who is totally in love with the little red guy? Then they will love a Sesame Street themed nursery. Here are my tips for creating the perfect Elmo bedroom:

1. Keep the walls neutral.

There is a couple of reasons for this. Firstly, I know it is tempting to put up themed wallpaper, or a pasted on border to get the co-oridnated look, but based on my own experience I urge you not to do it. It is expensive, it takes a lot of time and effort, and unlike an adults room that once papered will be good for up to ten years, you will likely be changing the theme of this room within a couple of years.

So instead use paint. Since all things Sesame Street are very brightly colored with strong reds and blues, you should paint the walls a neutral color so as to not clash with the other things in the room, and not over stimulate your child at bed time.

2. Sesame Street Bedding

There’s lots of different types of Elmo bedding to choose from. If you are on a tight budget go for plain bedding, then buy an Elmo comforter of fleecy blanket to throw over the top.

3. Toys

There are some fantastic looking toys you can use to adorn shelves, or leave within reach to be played with, like the new rock star Elmo toy, or the latest talking Sesame Street plush toys.

4. Wall hangings

For inexpensive wall hangings look out for posters that you can frame, or even gift paper that you can cut out the characters from to make a collage, for a truly unique addition to your child’s bedroom.

Remember, whilst it may be easy to just hop into Amazon and buy all the matching Elmo wallpaper and bedding, creating your own handmade additions, like a framed collage, is what will make your baby’s room unique.

Decorating Your Garage Floor With A Coating

By Erik P  |  2011/11/13 00:41 Posted in Decorating Ideas  |  Comments Off

One place that people really fall down when it comes to decorating the home is in the garage.  What you say, the garage does not need any decoration?  I beg to differ.   You can make it look really good if you follow these garage floor coating tips that I am going to tell you about.

First, when you choose a color don’t go with the industrial, battleship grey color.  This looks worse than using operating room tile in your kitchen.  Go with something that adds a little bit of pizazz to what you see.  Ok, maybe it may look a little gaudy at first but it will grow on you and it definitely will be a conversation piece the next time your in-laws come around.  Besides that, why be boring.

Second, once you choose a nice color be sure you also add color flecks.  This gives you a very nice two-tone look which feels great to a guest.  Also, these flecks act as safety material against slips if the floor gets wet.

Third, be sure you do a good job of placing the coating on the floor.  It really looks tacky when you have a peeling problem.  The material for this kind of floor is going to be an epoxy.  Epoxies are long lasting and they will also protect against damage from such things as oil spills and drips and road salts.

There you have it, three reasons why decorating with a garage floor coating is a good idea and why it will help make your house look so much better.

Compare Cuisinart Griddler Prices

By Julianne  |  2011/11/12 17:53 Posted in Home Cooking  |  Comments Off

My wife gave me my honey do list this morning. You know that list, honey do this, honey do that. Actually this one will be quite easy. She is starting to do her Christmas shopping, so she is now comparing prices and shopping for the lowest prices for the items she wants to get. That has now become my job since I feel more comfortable on the Internet than her.

What she wants me to do is to compare prices for the Cuisinart 5 in 1 griddler. She knows I love shopping for the best deal on a product. I don’t like shopping at all, but I do love looking for the lowest price. It just kills me that if I don’t shop hard enough, that I will have overpaid for the product. And I hate overpaying.

So where do I begin this search? I made myself a cup of coffee and got comfortable in front of my laptop. I figured I’d put in compare prices Cuisinart griddler and see what comes up. I found a web site called http://www.squidoo.com/cuisinart-gr-4n-5-in-1-griddler-the-cuisinart-griddler-review. I found this site to be very helpful. First it offered a review on the product. Secondly it pointed me to perhaps the lowest price for this appliance that I had seen on the Internet.