When preparing for renovations, there are several pieces of equipment that every person needs, and most homeowners do not own all the tools and equipment that will be needed. When this is the case, using an equipment rental service is a great option, allowing the home renovator to get whatever tools will need for the job without having to buy something they will not use often.
Floor Sanders
The first essential piece of equipment is a floor sander, made much like upright vacuum cleaners they can push the sandpaper back and forth across the floor. When preparing a flooring surface for new tile or other floor coverings, it's essential to smooth the surface out. Floor sanders can be found at most rental services or by doing a quick internet search in your area like, “San Francisco Rental Equipment”.
Shop-Vac
Wet/dry vacuum cleaners, also known as shop-vacs, are essential before and after many home renovation projects. These industrial-strength vacuums can not only pick up debris, but can also suck up water without damaging the machine. Often a good investment for the long-term.
Blow Dry Projects
Wind blowers can be used not only in a conventional sense but are also great for shampooing carpets or painting large areas for quick drying. Great for spills, wind blowers are a multipurpose tool needed for most home projects.
Tile Saw
Tile saws are also essential for renovations in a tiled area of the house. Because tile is delicate and must be cut with a special saw, renting a tile saw is a must for any renovator. Be sure to ask for a demonstration before taking it home to make sure you can use it correctly and safely.
Carpet Stapler
If installing carpet is on the agenda, a carpeting electric stapler can make any job quicker and easier. Laying carpet is a time-consuming job that needs to be done right the first time, and an electric stapler will help make it happen. Consider this tool for your next carpet project.
DIY Craft Idea:
A-Z triangle banner template.
Great for birthday parties, nurseries, etc!
Download, cut out and print!
If you have a boring walkway, this is a simple DIY way to add a bit of curb appeal. The sidewalk leading to the entrance of my house has always been very bland. I wanted to add a burst of color so I ventured down to Lowes and picked up some mums, mulch, landscaping blocks and a couple more pretty flowers. The total project cost under $35. Hope this gives you some inspiration to spice up your front yard!
Free DIY printable Halloween triangle banner designs!
Print, cutout, arrange to your liking, fold on dotted line over some string and tada!
Your very own Halloween banner! Enjoy! Check out more here.
So how’d she stay calm? She channeled her nerves into DIY craft projects and she enlisted the help of all of her BFFs to help. I think the time we spent in a circle working on art projects for the wedding and reception actually worked like a therapy session for her. Not only that, but her wedding had a quirky uniqueness about it that suited her to a tee and it didn’t break the bank. If you want to try your hand at some wedding crafts that will help save your mind and your budget, here are some ideas to get you started.
Egg Carton Flower Centerpieces
These whimsical looking flowers actually require very little manpower to make.
What You’ll Need:
- Paper egg cartons
- Acrylic paint in various colors
- Florist tape (easy to find in a grocery store flower section)
- Pipe Cleaners
- Assortment of buttons
The first step is to cut out each eggcup from the carton. Shape the edges into various flower-like designs. Next, paint them with the acrylic paint and let them dry. I thought that jewel-tones worked the best to give the final product some flair, but choose whatever colors will go with your wedding theme. When the flower cups have dried, poke two holes in the middle and string the pipe cleaner through one side. String it through the bottom-side of one of the buttons, and then pull the pipe cleaner all of the way through. You might want to twirl together a few for longer stems. Next, start at the bottom of the flower cup and slowly wind the florist tape around the stem of the flower. Et voila! Magical, whimsical fake flowers that brighten up any centerpiece.
Wrapped Bottles
My friend also wanted unusual containers to put the flowers in. Since we happened to be drinking plenty of wine while we were crafting, we went with, what else, wine bottles.
What you’ll need:
- Wine bottles (bottoms up!)
- Colored raffia (or really, any twine or fabric or yarn can work for this, choose whatever suits you)
- Glue
We’d already made the egg carton flowers, so we chose colored raffia that contrasted with the flowers to really make both of them pop. Start at the bottom of the bottle and simply wind your raffia or twine up. Wind it fairly tight so that the bottle doesn’t show through. Every couple turns of the thread, add some adhesive and pause to let it dry. It takes a bit of practice, but it’s a great project to work on while having a chat or watching TV.
Mason Jar Souvenir Glasses
My friend’s wedding was an outdoor affair in the summer, and she was nervous that bugs might be a problem. Especially with the sweet cocktails and punches she was planning no serving. Luckily, someone stumbled upon this simple project online that takes a lidded mason jar and turns it into a perfectly protected drinking glass that guests can take home as a souvenir.
What you’ll need:
- Mason jars with lids
- Contact paper (We chose a very colorful floral design, but again, choose something that works with your particular wedding theme.)
- Hole punch
- Scissors
- Fabric adhesive
- Striped paper straws
Using the metal lid of the mason jar, cut around the contact paper so that you have a round piece that’s the same size as the lid. Next punch a hole in the contact paper and also in the metal lid at the same spot. Attach the contact paper to the lid, and then screw the metal ring on to keep it in place. Make certain you have extra straws at the reception, but otherwise the glasses are simple to rinse and reuse throughout the evening.
Sewn Paper Table Decorations/Party Favor
What You’ll Need:
- Heavy Stock Paper (think oil paper, contact paper, butcher paper, etc, something that’s fairly thick, but that is also colorful and pretty)
- Thick-gauge sewing or upholstery needle
- DMC floss
- Scissors
- Cardboard
First, decide on the basic shapes you want and then cut out patterns from cardboard. We went with basic shapes like hearts, stars, flowers, and lightening bolts. Fold your paper so that you have the right-sides up and then use your pattern to cut out two shapes. Thread your needle and then start sewing around the edge, loosely. You’ll want to begin with going from the inside out on only one piece of paper so that you can hide the extra thread inside. When you’ve sewn three-quarters of the way around, stuff the inside with the candies of choice and then finish up the edges. You can also do this project using a sewing machine.
Hopefully these ideas give you a jumping-off point for finding crafts that’ll really showcase your inner-artist. Most importantly, don’t lose sight of the fact that weddings are meant to be fun.
Rob Toledo is currently planning his own wedding in the Pacific Northwest. For an even more unique touch, he recommends considering sapphire rings or custom matching wedding bands to add an even more unique touch to your marriage.
Images Courtesy: stock photos
Every time we unwrap a present there's either some gift wrap or a pretty gift bag to then dispose of. But while many people simply throw it in the recycling bin, smart folks hang on to it to be reused.
Whether your priority is saving money or helping the environment, there are loads of clever ways to reuse old gift wrap and gift bags. Check out these eight tips on how to do it.
- Arts and Crafts Materials
Craft hobbyists always have an eye for saving valuable items which others cast away as rubbish, but even if you don't do a lot of crafts, it's worth keeping pretty paper and bags for this purpose. If you have young children they will want to start sticking, colouring, cutting and creating soon enough. Patterned or plain gift wrap can be used for a multitude of arts and crafts, especially for little ones with great imaginations.
- Storage for Kids' Craft Tools
If you have already started a craft box for your kids, it may be in some disarray with all those ribbons, cards, buttons, pipe cleaners and tape. You can use old gift bags to bring some order to your craft box by separating items by type into different bags.
- Packing Material
If you are wrapping something, you can use old wrapping paper as extra packing material. Gift wrap tends to be heavier duty than regular paper so it will help protect goods sent in the post. This is a good choice for paper that is too crinkled or ripped to be reused for anything else.
- Create Gift-Wrap Boxes
Hang on to old gift wrap to help create new gift boxes. Next time you finish with a small cardboard box (such as a face-cream box), hold on to this as well so that you can cover it with gift wrap and transform it into a beautiful gift-wrap box.
- Use to Cover Books
If your kids are expected to cover their exercise books at school, then rather than go out and buy brand-new book covers you could just use old wrapping paper. This is an especially great use for any wrapping paper that was just too pretty to either discard or use as packing material.
- Use as Scrap Paper
Any wrapping paper that is in a perfectly good condition but perhaps not pretty enough to reuse will make great scrap paper. Keep a pile by the phone to take phone messages and also some in the kitchen to create shopping lists.
- Make New Gift Tags
Rather than buy new gift tags, you can use old gift wrap to create new ones. Cut some plain card into a tag shape, stick the old paper on and then make a small hole and push some string through - now you have some brand-new gift tags.
- Make Gift Bags into Wrapping Paper
When you receive a present in a charming gift bag it always seems a waste to just discard it. Instead you can cut the bag into two squares and use to wrap smaller presents.
Reusing old items is both eco-friendly and financially sound, so next time you go to throw your gift wrap away, think instead about what it could become next.
Our guest blogger today is Zoe, an enthusiastic craft blogger and experienced freelance writer. In her free time she loves discovering new craft blogs, and Zoe will have around eight DIY projects on the go at any one time! Currently, Zoe is writing for UK packaging suppliers Ambassador Packaging.
Want to have that "spa experience" without spending a ton of money?
Then head to your kitchen and try these fun and organic beauty tips.
Items You Will Need:
Real Mayonnaise, Bananas, Honey, Baking Soda, Cucumbers, Lemons
How to Make Your Own Deep Conditioner
You will need:
Mayonnaise
Yes, mayonnaise. My mother swears by it. It's very simple actually, all you do is work the mayonnaise into your hair and wrap a plastic grocery store bag over it. Leave it on for 30 minutes and then make sure to wash out fully. The mayonnaise will act as a deep conditioner that you will not have to do as often. Trust me- you will look silly, but it is worth it.
How To Make Your Own Face Mask
You will need:
1 small Banana
1 tablespoon of Honey
Smash up a banana and mix will 1 tablespoon of honey. Rub the mixture over your face to create a face mask. Leave on for 30 minutes and Voilà- a natural anti-wrinkle face mask!
How To Refresh Your Eyes
What you will need:
1 Cucumber
If you are doing your own spa treatment, you can't forget the cucumbers! Cucumbers help with puffiness so slice one up and put over your eyes. Save the rest for a salad!
How To Tone Your Skin
Item:
Lemons
Lemons are a natural toner. Squirt on your face after your banana face mask. Lemons can also be used to help lighten age spots.
How To Whiten Your Teeth
Item:
1 teaspoon of baking soda, pinch of salt, teaspoon of water
Mix the baking soda, water and a pinch of salt to create a paste. Brush over your teeth to help brighten them up a bit. Baking soda can be harsh on teeth if done too often, so only do it once of a month or so.
There you go! An easy and refreshing spa from your kitchen! If you have other ideas, leave a comment!
First used in military food preservation, canning was invented by French confectioner Nicolas Appert in 1810. Known as the “Father of Canning,” Appert developed the technique of placing food in a glass jar, sealing it with cork and wax, and placing the jar in boiling water. His method works because heat destroys any bacteria inside and also forces air out of the jar. As the jar cools, a vacuum seal forms. Because the process was so simple, his process of food preservation quickly spread around the world. While there have been a few modifications over the past 200 years, modern canning remains largely unchanged from Appert’s original method.
Autumn is the perfect time for you to embark on your first canning adventure, with its beautifully ripened pears, apples and kiwis. While canning is not difficult, it is a very precise practice that must be monitored meticulously, or your contents could end up producing toxic bacteria.
This is my absolute favorite recipe for autumn fruit canning. Not only can you spread this apple pie jam on your toast and waffles, but it also pairs superbly well with a bold cheese like Roquefort. Oh yes, it tops off ice cream pretty well, too. You can eat it all yourself, but this canned apple pie jam recipe doubles as a delicious homemade holiday gift, too!
Ingredients
- 4 cups of tart apples, peeled and chopped (Granny Smiths are my go-to type)
- Water
- 1 1/2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon
- 1/4 teaspoon nutmeg
- 1/4 teaspoon ginger
- 4 cups white granulated sugar
- 1 cup brown sugar, packed
- 1 (1 3/4 ounce) box of dry pectin, plus an extra in case you need to add more
- 1 teaspoon butter
- Ball Home Canning Basics Kit or equivalent: 21 ½ qt enamel water bath canner, canning jar rack, 6 ball regular mouth pint mason jars, 6 lids and rings, ball lid wand, canning funnel, jar lifter and plastic spatula
- Tablespoon in glass of ice water
Preparation Directions
- Boil water in water bath. Add jars and lids.
- Put chopped apples in Pyrex measuring glass. Fill glass with water (with apples) to the 4 cup mark. (If you are using a smaller cup, fill it up to the 2 cup line twice.) Pour into stovetop pot.
- Add lemon juice, cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, pectin and butter. Mix together, stirring constantly, and bring to a rolling boil.
- Add white and brown sugar, stirring until mixture returns to a boil for about 1 minute
- Dip cold spoon in mixture and remove. If the mixture thickens to a jam-like consistency, remove from heat. If mixture is runny, add ¼ of a pectin package more to mix and bring to a boil again for about 1 minute.
- Remove from the heat, and skim off any foam.
- Remove jars and lids with tongs and dry off (carefully!).
- Ladle mixture into hot jars, leaving 1/4-inch headspace. Remove any air bubbles with plastic spatula. Wipe off any spilled jam with a wet cloth.
- “Set” the lid on top with lid lifter and tighten the band around it.
- Process in water bath for 10 minutes.
Canning Directions
- With jar tongs, place jam-filled jars into bath. Make sure the jars are covered with at least 2 inches of boiling water.
- Cover bath with lid and let boil for 10 minutes.
- Lift the jars out of the water with the tongs and let them cool overnight.
- In the morning, remove (or at least loosen) the rings so they do not trap moisture and rust.
- You can ensure your lid is sealed by pressing the center with your finger. If it does not pop, it is sealed. If it is not sealed, you can still use the jam if you move it to the refrigerator immediately.
- Once cooled, they’re ready to store!
Tips:
To prevent your apples from darkening (as they do naturally when exposed to the air), place the cut fruit in a solution of ¾ cups of lemon juice and 1 gallon of water. Let it sit for a few minutes and then drain it.
Do not use water bath canning for low acid foods, such as meat, seafood or vegetables. These need to be processed in a pressure canner.
If you’re using your jam as holiday gifts, dress up your jars in some festive packaging. Order your own custom canning labels online, and finish the jars off by tying the lids with red, green, or white ribbon!
Blankets are back, and as strong as ever. Choose washable fabrics for easy cleaning. Microfiber, polyester, cotton and other fabrics are warm and inviting. Choose plain, patterned, woven or knit blankets and use as throws or wall decorations.
Natural decorations such as pumpkins, gourds, branches, leaves and dried flowersare always in fall style. Find many items in the back yard, at farmer's markets or from friends. Plastic fruits find an inviting place among the natural items. Cover them with glitter, beads or sequins for more interest. Corn and corn stalks, dried grasses, dried flowers and leaves adorn walls, mantle pieces or become interesting centerpieces.
Never forget scented candles to announce the fall season. Have several in different widths, heights and scents. Choose apple pie scent for a special intimate evening. Light a pumpkin pie candle for a dinner party. Vanilla, bearberry and other fall scents are available to make the evening special.
Use traditional and non-traditional containers for interest. Natural baskets, wooden chests, glass vases, old canning jars with wire locked lids all provide a fall look with natural colors. Fill the jars with pebbles, glass beads or small ornaments to highlight the room.
Purchase bedding, linens and towels in fall colors to carry the theme throughout the house. In bathrooms, linens and rugs sport fall colors and patterns. Curtains need not be changed unless they are brightly colored and do not fit the scheme. Inexpensive, washable curtains are available, often at discount prices. Since they will be hung for only a season, they need not be expensive or heavy. Separate thermal or light-blocking liners can provide insulation.
Floor mats, rugs and area rugs change the entire look of the room. Lay an area rug on top of existing carpet and place furniture strategically to keep it from moving. At the end of the season, these roll up for storage or can be sold or given away. Hang an interesting area rug on the wall as a removable mural.
Cover furniture that has seen better days with slipcovers in fall colors. Blankets work well for this too. Tucked in at strategic points, attached with safety pins or upholstery pins, they bring tired furniture into the season. Cover dining room chairs with covers and tie with contrasting ribbons.
Tablecloths, runners and napkins in complimenting colors to the décor make the table a focal point, especially for dinner parties and regular meals. Carry the other elements to the table, kitchen and dining room. Inexpensive dishes in complimentary colors or patterns bring style to the décor.
Fall decorating need not be expensive, or a headache. Purchase different items throughout the year at garage sales, flea markets and at clearance bins. Many items can be dyed, spray painted or embellished with glitter, beads, and so forth. With minimal effort, the house will look spectacular and warmly inviting.
Nicole Rodgers has been blogging in the design, fitness, and eco friendly industries for three years. Last year Nicole decided in order to save money and be prepared to this fall she bought all her fall decorations at an after christmas sale. This year Nicole also made sure to find more modern decorations to go with her the decorations her bought last year. Nicole made it a priority to check her local daily deals section in the newspaper to find everything she wanted.
Decide if the blind will hang inside the window frame, covering only the window opening, or if it will cover the window frame also. Measure the length and width.
Cut the face fabric 150mm longer than the length and 50mm wider than the desired shade width. The lining fabric should be as long as the face fabric but 25mm narrower. Press under a small hem along all sides of both face and lining fabric.
Mark the lining fabric for dowel rod pockets. These will determine the size of the pleats in the finished shade. 200mm to 300mm is the usual size range. Measure up half this space from the bottom of the shade, allow for the width of the fabric tape, and then measure up the full amount to mark the bottom of the next rod pocket. Ignore the extra 150mm at the top of the shade for now.
Pin the fabric tape strips to the wrong side of the lining fabric. Place face sides of lining and shade fabric together. Sew along the long edges of the fabric tape strips to create each pocket. Stitch along outer edges, leaving one side open. Turn right side out and press so that the lining side does not show from the front.
Place dowels in pockets and stitch the open side closed, either on the machine or by hand. Sew a ring to each end of the dowel pockets, about 50 to 75mm in from each side.
Wrap the extra length of the shade top around the board and glue or staple it in place on the back side.
Insert the screw-eyes into the wide, back side of the board at the same spacing from the sides used for the rings.
Screw in L-brackets onto back side of board, above the eyes, at a spacing to allow mounting the shade as desired.
Cut two lengths of cord to twice the length of the shade. Tie one cord to one of the bottom rings and thread it up through the others on that side. Repeat on the other side. Run each cord through its respective screw-eye then run both cords through the eye on the side desired for raising and lowering the Roman blinds.
Tie a knot just past the screw eye, to allow both cords to pull evenly as one.
Mount the shade to the window frame. Pull the blind, adjusting the folds as it closes. “Training” new Roman blinds to fold properly requires opening and closing them a few times.
About the author
Kieron Casey is a BA (Hons) journalism graduate who blogs on a number of topics including DIY, home improvement and Roman blinds.
This Week's Featured DIY Site is:
I've been getting ideas from this awesome craft blog for a while. Therefore, it is this week's featured DIY site!
Crafty Nest has tons of lovely ideas for all you DIYers out there.
Crafty Nest has tons of lovely ideas for all you DIYers out there.
Featured Guest Post
I absolutely love decorating. But, I don’t have a huge budget to do it with. So the easiest way that I have found to decorate without spending a fortune is to shop my own house instead of a store. If I want a new accessory, or even a new look for a whole room, I check out what I’ve already got and try to figure out how to use it in a new way to fit the look I’m wanting. I think about how it can be made over to feel like a brand new item. With a little creativity, even the cheapest of items can look nice.
Things that I like to have on hand for making changes to my décor:
I also used it here, to cover this frame with broken glass.
Even grass planted in a disposable plastic cup looks nice when the cup is wrapped in Jute.
I don’t believe that decorating a home needs to be expensive, and reusing what we’ve already got is a great way to keep costs down. When we’re craving a change to our décor, we don’t always need to run out and buy new stuff. We have the old stuff for a reason: once upon a time, it was something that we liked, and with a little creativity it can be again!
Brooke
Inside-Out Design
I absolutely love decorating. But, I don’t have a huge budget to do it with. So the easiest way that I have found to decorate without spending a fortune is to shop my own house instead of a store. If I want a new accessory, or even a new look for a whole room, I check out what I’ve already got and try to figure out how to use it in a new way to fit the look I’m wanting. I think about how it can be made over to feel like a brand new item. With a little creativity, even the cheapest of items can look nice.
Things that I like to have on hand for making changes to my décor:
- Mod Podge (a glue/glosser)- I use this stuff when I want to recover an item like this photo box-turned-recipe box. I was tired of the original red color, so I covered the box with cut out recipes from an old cookbook.
I also used it here, to cover this frame with broken glass.
- Spray paint, in a couple neutral colors like black and white- The look of an item can be completely transformed using spray paint. I paint and repaint items around my house all the time depending on what look I’m going for.
Before:
After:
- Hemp cord (also known as Jute)- This is very versatile and can be used in many ways to decorate with. I like it for wrapping around vases, pots and bowls to give them a new look.
Even grass planted in a disposable plastic cup looks nice when the cup is wrapped in Jute.
- An old book that I can rip pages out of- Book-page-covered items are everywhere and for good reason- somehow everything looks smarter when it’s covered in text. Use pages torn from a book to recover everything from picture frames to flower pots, or even the backs of shelves. Make art for your walls by cutting shapes from book pages and using Mod Podge to apply them to a canvas.
I don’t believe that decorating a home needs to be expensive, and reusing what we’ve already got is a great way to keep costs down. When we’re craving a change to our décor, we don’t always need to run out and buy new stuff. We have the old stuff for a reason: once upon a time, it was something that we liked, and with a little creativity it can be again!
Brooke
Inside-Out Design
This Week's Featured DIY Idea:
Laura has an awesome collective list of 21 crafty ways to make your walls pretty. Check out her site, it has tons of other cool ideas.
