Archive for the ‘Home’ Category

Home Pressure Washer Dos and Don’ts

Sunday, May 9th, 2010
Pressure washer in action.
Image via Wikipedia

A pressure washer can be a useful and coveted addition to a homeowner’s collection of tools. Unfortunately, a pressure washer used improperly or in the wrong area can also cause a lot of damage. Understanding how and where to use a pressure washer is essential.

A pressure washer is handy for many outdoor cleaning tasks, such as washing sidewalks, driveways or detached window screens. Care should be taken around rockwork or when special landscaping materials are present, however. Always test the washer in an inconspicuous area and adjust the pressure level or discontinue use, if necessary.

A pressure washer is commonly used to clean siding prior to painting. Exercise extreme caution when spraying exterior walls. Follow the manufacturer’s instructions regarding pressure level and angle of spray. Avoid windows, doorways and eves. Also, to avoid creating leaks, never use a pressure washer to clean the roof.

Do not use a pressure washer to wash the family car. Although invaluable for many chores, the high pressure generated by a quality washer may damage the paint or window seals. When washing a vehicle, confine the use of a pressure washer to the undercarriage. (more…)

Simple Play Area Ideas

Friday, April 30th, 2010

A simple yet delightful play area can be created using materials provided by nature. Expensive play equipment is unnecessary and may actually inhibit creativity. To design a play area that will grow with the children, use the natural features in the garden and add minimal age-appropriate enhancements.

Open Areas

Children need to run and play. Allow plenty of open space for active games and quiet lounging. Invest in inexpensive, portable play equipment like a croquet or badminton set. Even the smallest of children can participate with age appropriate modification of the rules.

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Unusual Newborn Baby Gifts - DIY (tutorial)

Wednesday, April 28th, 2010

Greeting a newborn child in the big world is a fantastic oportunity to make a unique gift for the young mum and baby. Of course we can get anything out of the box, but we can also step up and give an awesome, handmade present. We have a lot of possibilities to work with because a little baby needs a lot of special items.

[photo by: clevercupcakes]

Most popular presents for a new born child are: necessary diapers and towels, baby bottle, baby powder, teat, clothes, baby socks, baby blanket, pram toys. Sometimes people give something else but these are the most frequent gifts, ones that one doesn’t have to put much thought into. Present wrapping is another dilemma, in a broader perspective it is a way of eventual presentation that will make the gift look special and is often underestimated. The giver should definetely put some thought into it. We suggest an original solution: diaper cake or baby bunch.

For begginers a quick review of most amazimg projects of this kind of activity:

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Gardener’s Calendar for April

Sunday, April 25th, 2010

April is a month of unpredictability and change. Although the days may be sunny and warm, the threat of hail or frost is ever present. During the month of April, the gardener must be vigilant in protecting any delicate seedlings from damage.

Use this time to finish tidying the garden and prepare for the busy growing season ahead. Ensure that all pruning has been completed and prepare the strawberry beds. Finish planting fruit trees, canes and bushes and renew the grease band around fruit trees, if necessary.

[photo by: Tie Guy II]

Due to the warmer weather and increasing amount of light, rapid growth can be expected in the garden during April. Take advantage of dry days to finish digging and preparing the garden for sowing and to hoe between crops that have wintered over. Early crops may be safely planted if protected by cloches. (more…)

Home Decor – Trash to Treasure

Thursday, April 22nd, 2010

To create cool home decor on a budget, look no farther than the closet. Cast-off clothing and linens can be transformed into a multitude of home decor items such as decorative pillows for the sofa, large floor pillows or rugs, framed or unframed art, and placemats, napkins or coasters. Old luggage or a briefcase that is no longer used can be combined with legs or set atop a base to serve as functional furniture with built-in storage. Use your imagination and reuse potential trash to make home decor treasures.

[photo by: denise carbonell]

Recycled Clothing

Simple throw pillows can be made from any shirt, blouse or cardigan sweater. Cut the garment straight across just under the sleeves and sew closed at the top and bottom. Use the buttons as the opening to insert a pillow or to cleverly store linens or out of season clothing.

Frame decorative motifs or interesting fabrics and hang as art. For larger pieces, mount on stretcher bars and hang without framing. Use the ample fabric from a full skirt or dress to sew a matching set of placemats, napkins and coasters for everyday dining or a special occasion. Cut stained or torn garments into strips and weave a rug. (more…)

How to Sugar Preserve Edible Flowers

Monday, April 19th, 2010
A sunflower, a typical sign of summer.

Image via Wikipedia

Beautiful, edible decorations can be made for a variety of occasions such as garden parties or weddings. All that is needed are organically grown edible flowers and two simple ingredients.

To sugar preserve flowers, start with edible flowers that have been organically grown without the use of pesticides. Pansies, violets and nasturtiums are all good choices. To be completely safe, grow the flowers yourself.

Prior to picking the blossoms, assemble all needed equipment and supplies. For this project you will need scissors, a paper towel, a small bowl of egg white, a small bowl of super-fine sugar, a small paintbrush, a large plate and a cookie sheet covered with parchment paper.

Pick the flowers in the morning while it is cool outside. Cut the stems as short as possible and lay the blossoms on a paper towel to dry. Keep the batches of picked flowers small as the sugaring process is time consuming and must be completed in one sitting.

Gently hold each flower by the back and coat thoroughly with egg white, using the paintbrush. Ensure that no part of the front, back or sides is missed. Hold the flower over the plate and sprinkle with sugar until completely coated both front and back. Lay the blossom on the plate if necessary to complete this step. Gently bump or blow on the flower to remove excess sugar. (more…)

Simple Composting at Home

Friday, April 16th, 2010
Compost
Image by mjmonty via Flickr

Composting at home is good for the environment. Not only does it provide a nutrient-rich amendment for the soil in the garden or flower beds, composting also reduces the amount of waste that must be hauled to a landfill. Most everyone, even folks with a tiny garden, can find a place to compost.

Composting is not difficult. Basically, a compost pile is comprised of carbon and nitrogen. The carbon component breaks down slowly and is supplied by dry materials such as fallen leaves and dead plants. The nitrogen comes from green materials that break down quickly such as grass clippings or weeds. For the best compost, a mix of the two is needed. Items that should never be added to a compost pile include meat and dairy products or human and animal waste.

There are a variety of inexpensive and easy ways to begin composting. The easiest option may be to simply heap yard waste and plant-based kitchen scraps and egg shells in a corner. Simply add to the pile as more material becomes available and turn it over once each summer. Each spring, dig the finished compost from the bottom and add to the garden. (more…)

How to Make a Flower House

Thursday, April 8th, 2010

A beautiful yet uncomplicated flower house can be made from just a few materials. All that is needed are four poles or thin boards and some bird netting. Perfect as yard décor or a playhouse for the kids, a flower house adds style and fun to any landscape. Flower_House

To build a simple flower house, construct a four-sided tipi-type structure from poles or thin boards cut to the length needed for the desired height of the flower house. Either cut top end of the poles or boards at an angle to fit together snugly and fasten with screws or lash them together with twine.

Once the frame is secure, wrap it in bird netting on three sides and plant vines or annual climbing flowers around the base. Morning glories, nasturtium and sweet peas are all good choices. For additional visual appeal, plant non-climbing flowers around the base, as well. To add fullness and year-round greenery, consider adding ivy. Be aware that the frame will need extra stability to support the additional weight if ivy is included. (more…)

Spring Cleaning - Where to Start

Tuesday, April 6th, 2010
Pair of windows

Image via Wikipedia

Spring is here and with the season comes the traditional spring-cleaning. In addition to the long-standing practice of deep cleaning each spring, the brighter days and warmer weather often inspire the desire for a clean, fresh indoor environment. But with so much to do, where is the best place to start?

Start at the Top

Ceilings and high shelves or corners are easily overlooked during the dim days of winter and are often the most neglected areas in the home. Cleaning these places makes an immediate and highly visible impact. To get the most out of your spring cleaning, use a duster attached to a long handle to clean the area where the walls meet the ceiling in each room. Also dust around light fixtures or anything attached to, or suspended from, the ceiling. Pay special attention to cobwebs and shake the duster outside often during this process. Remove and clean all items from high shelves and replace after the shelves have been thoroughly cleaned. (more…)

Honour the True Meaning of Easter

Tuesday, March 30th, 2010

With the wide variety of secular Easter activities commonly available today, such as egg hunts and the anticipation of a visit from the Easter bunny, it is easy to forget the true meaning of this sacred holiday. Rather than being totally swept away by the commercial hustle and bustle of Easter this year, slow down and take time to reflect.

Easter is a Christian religious holiday celebrating the resurrection of Jesus Christ. To honour the true meaning of Easter this year, plan to attend one or more special services at your own church or a neighbouring place of worship. Take the whole family, even those members who may not attend regularly.

As an alternative to attending traditional services, commemorate Easter by visiting one of the beautiful historic chapels and churches that abound in England and the rest of the UK. Options to consider include:

Roche Chapel, Cornwall – Built during the 15th century into the rock on a granite outcrop near the village of Roche, the chapel remnants on this beautiful site often invoke an eerie feeling.

Lindisfarne Priory – Founded in AD 635 on the Holy Island of Lindisfarne, the Priory is rich in history and has been a place of pilgrimage for 1,300 years. (more…)