Succulents: Free Plants
Succulents: Free houseplants that even I can’t kill. About three years ago, I planted a tiny succulent plant in a pot outside my back door. Since that time, it has multiplied like crazy. When I recently undertook my zero-cost bathroom makeover, I decided that the room needed plants, preferably on the south-facing window ledge. But this was a no-cost renovation so there was no budget available to buy plants and anyway, I’m...
Planning Your Kitchen
Planning your kitchen If you’re remodeling or reorganising your kitchen, it’s very tempting to design it yourself. After all, you know your kitchen and the habits of your household better than anyone else. You want your kitchen to be gorgeous, you know that the more attractive the room is, the more time you and your family will spend there creating delicious meals … and memories. For many years I was a kitchen...
Bathroom Makeover at Zero Cost
My ‘new’ bathroom with no budget. I have to admit that my bathroom was a complete embarrassment. It’s extremely tiny and dates from 1949. In the intervening years, someone had added a rather horrible, cheap wood vanity (which I had NO money to replace) and a completely out-of-period acrylic sink (ditto). Other than that, it has original fittings — so therefore they are somewhat old, to say the least....
Almost Instant: DIY Artwork
Help! I need artwork for my bathroom. Recently, I gave my tiny bathroom a long overdue overhaul on a budget — actually a budget of zero dollars. It was looking good but I had one huge problem. The previous owner of our mid-century apartment had left us with a mysterious hole in the tiles. What’s more, it was the first thing you see as you enter the bathroom and it was really bugging me. I needed to cover it quickly and for...
Fix Anything with Bondic Liquid Plastic
The throwaway society is really becoming a thing of the past. Today we see that it’s good common sense, a great money saver and good for the planet if we repair broken goods. But it’s not always that easy. That’s why we’re happy to recommend the Bondic system which can see to so many small repair jobs around the home, at work or in the car. You can see exactly how it works in the videos below but you’ll...
10 Tools Every Woman Needs
Start With Some Basics Every woman needs her own tools. Every woman should know how to use them. Man in the house or not, young or older, handy or otherwise, there are a few tools that are essential to make life–and do it yourself projects–easier and fun. Whether you’ve bought your first house or are moving in to your first apartment, they will be used often over the years. Kids nearing independence should know how...
The Magnetic Wristband by MagnoGrip
Saves Time A magnetic wristband that will hold screws and nails as you work. This one of the best ideas I’ve seen for any do-it-yourself project. Talk about a time saver! How many times have you stood on a ladder, drill or hammer in hand, ready to nail or screw something to a wall, only to drop the screw? Back down the ladder–careful now–then back up. I would guess more than fifty percent in our household. It...
Electric Guitar Kit Review
Electric Guitar Kit Review. I was given an electric guitar kit for my birthday, which was in February. The fact that I finished in June gives you an idea of how many difficulties I had making it. I don’t want to put anyone off making a guitar from a kit, because it’s been great fun to do and I have learned so much. I’m just pointing out that how much you already know about woodwork, finishes, and electronics, will determine how long...
Want an Easy Way to Shampoo Your Own Carpet?
Want an Easy Way to Shampoo Your Own Carpet? This time of year, between the rain and dirt, the floors and the carpet tend to need more attention. Actually post holidays they usually do anyway. For me that usually meant paying someone $100 plus to come out and shampoo it for me several times a year, or renting a big unruly machine myself, hauling it to and from the store, and doing it myself. That didn’t sound so overwhelming when I...
D-I-Y Essential: The Magnetic Wristband
D-I-Y Essential: The Magnetic Wristband I love this magnetic wristband. So much so that I have to tell everyone about it. Isn’t it funny how some of the littlest inventions can be the most used, handiest gadgets around? Everyone in my family old enough to use a hammer or a screwdriver will be getting one of these sometime this year. Do you often find yourself on a ladder working on one project or another? It must be one of Murphy’s...
How to start a car using jumper cables
How to start a car using jumper cables Or jump leads, as I call them, English-ly. In my years of owning cars that have been, quite honestly, less than perfect, I’ve had a lot practise at starting cars and a dead battery is often the cause. You know what I mean,you turn the ignition key and all you hear is that ominous click. But this isn’t just a malady can can affect the old, rather dodgy vehicles I’ve tended to...