February 9, 2010 at 12:45 pm · Filed under diy house
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DIY flower arrangements can be presented as gifts for weddings, Valentines Day, or any other special occasion. DIY flower arrangements are well suited for simple house decorations. These add color and elegance to any home. DIY flower arrangements save you a lot of money while at the same time offering an opportunity to have enjoyment and fun.
Some of the essential materials that are needed for DIY flower arrangements are flowers, floral tape, stem cutter, and stem stripper. The first step for creating DIY centerpieces is the preparation of flowers. Assembling of flowers comes next. Securing and measuring the centerpieces are the other steps. You can also add filler flowers and extra greenery according to your desire. Small flowers and candles will add beauty to DIY flower arrangement.
You can make DIY flower arrangements from dried flowers, paper flowers, and silk flowers as well. If you are purchasing flowers from local florists or from grocery stores, always select fresh flowers. Also check petals, stems, and leaves. For creating DIY rose bouquets, select the rose colors to coordinate with your interior décor.
A large selection of fresh flowers with bulk pricing for DIY flower arrangements are offered through online stores. A wide selection of exclusive designs is offered in kit form in many flower shops. Included in the kit are flowers, foliage, vases, and other accessories needed to design DIY floral arrangement.
With the advent of the Internet, it is no longer necessary to spend loads of money for flower arranging courses or floral design books. Plenty of tips and techniques are provided through websites. These websites offer all needed advice on making DIY flower arrangements. You are able to view pictures of popular bridal bouquet styles, wedding flowers, flower arrangement styles, floral design basics, and more.
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February 8, 2010 at 12:44 pm · Filed under diy house
Everyone likes to have home improvement work done but most people are afraid of the words, “do it yourself.” There are many different types of DIY home improvement projects out there but not enough time to do them all. What we will do now is take a look at the steps needed to DIY re-upholster a chair.
1.Be sure to take pictures of the chair before you tear it apart. Be sure the pictures are of the overall chair and its detailing.
2.Now you need to remove all the upholstery being careful not to tear any because they will be used for patterns. Use pliers and scissors for this.
3.Remove the black cloth from the bottom of the chair first. Then remove each piece while making sure to mark each one so you know where they went.
4.Cut and add batting as needed for each section of the chair.
5.Take the original pieces and lay them right side up. Watch for patterns and motifs.
6.Pin the old pieces to the new fabric and cut the new fabric leaving at least 2 to 3 inches of excess.
7.You now need to figure out how much welting you will need.
8.Now it’s time to place the pieces back on the chair after they have been assembled.
9.Next staple the welting to the chair.
10.Now pin the fabric to the sides of the seat to ensure a perfect fit.
11.Next tack and ensure the fit of all other upholstery for the chair and then staple it.
12.You can use the original skirt for the chair or use the old one as a pattern for a new one.
13.Finally trim all of the excess fabric. Use a strong fabric glue or adhesive to attach buttons if needed. And you’re finished.
Now you know next time you need some home improvement you can do it yourself. DIY home improvement doesn’t have to be a struggle and it doesn’t have to take forever. All you need to do is relax and take your time. If you follow the directions to DIY reupholster a chair it should be a great new addition to any home.
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February 7, 2010 at 12:43 pm · Filed under diy house
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Why get your hands dirty by doing the work yourself?
The obvious answers are that it’s fun and can save you money, sometimes big bucks. I want to emphasize that fun and savings go hand in hand. But this has a downside few people realize. You really must love doing the work in order to succeed. If, as a homeowner, you do it just to save the money, chances are it will be a long and trying project. On the other hand, if you love doing it, time will fly by and the money saved, though important, will actually seem an added bonus.
Thus the question becomes: How well suited are you to doing renovation work yourself? Is it the sort of thing you really want to and can do? In short, we’re going to organize your personal outlook. We’re going to find out your “renovation aptitude”!
The Renovation Fantasy
Almost everyone has a secret desire or fantasy. One of the most common that I’ve observed is the desire to run a successful restaurant. For some reason, almost all of us seem to think that we would make great restaurateurs.
I assume it’s the thought of serving truly marvelous meals to other people that’s so appealing. Perhaps we see ourselves in a tuxedo or evening dress escorting elegant customers to tables set with fine linen and antique silverware. Or it may be impressing others with our knowledge of vintage wines. Or it may be preparing and serving ethnic meals that we loved as children and now hunger for as adults.
Whatever the fantasy, the reality is almost always jarringly different. The restaurant business is tough and competitive at all levels, and most people who go into it without extensive background, particularly in food service and in financing, fail. Chances are that if one of your secret goals is to be a great restaurateur, you can forget it. The statistics suggest that you will fail at great expense.
To a lesser degree, the same problem prevails in home renovation. Looking at a project, thinking of the money to be saved by doing it yourself, you say to yourself, “Yes, that’s just the thing for me!” However, is it really for you?
Remember, a renovation project can involve:
- Hard, tedious work.
- Working with subcontractors and other people you may not particularly like.
- Discovering only at the end of the project that you really aren’t able to turn it out as planned.
- Realizing that you really don’t have the time to do the work your¬self.
I’m not trying to scare you away. I’m simply pointing out that home renovating, like any endeavor, also has a downside. Simply loving the work and anticipating the profits won’t cut the mustard. You also have to be prepared for the hard knocks.
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February 6, 2010 at 12:41 pm · Filed under diy house
How often has it been that your glorious plans for a dream home makeover keep gathering dust just because you’ve got daunted by either the high costs or the amount of efforts involved? With the general cost of living spiraling out of hand, the home renovation prices have also shot up considerably, making home makeovers quite inaccessible for the most of us.
Though laden with lack of expertise and other such dampeners, yet the concept of DIY projects at home have been gaining immense popularity in the recent years. So much so that today, you will be able to find a number of specialty DIY centers that supply materials, tools and gadgets to the DIY enthusiasts willing to take on the task themselves. Whether you are installing corner curtains, or building a new countertop, get lots of advice!
The Checklist
Before you embark on a DIY journey yourself, it is always advisable that you first do the spadework so that you are well prepared and know what to expect in the DIY tasks. To begin with, earmark the areas you plan to work upon. For instance, if you wish to take up the renovation of your living area, then you need to look for fixtures and tools accordingly and so on.
Moving on, now you need to analyze the level of complexity involved. Experts suggest that if any single task carries a risk of turning out to be more complicated than expected, it is always advisable to seek professional help beforehand. You can ideally be trained in the task to be done and in using the gadgets or tools involved. Alternatively, you can simply outsource the entire task instead of the DIY initiative to an experienced professional.
The Hazards
Lack of foresight and planning is the most critical hazard involved in taking up the DIY projects for home renovations. There have been cases where enthusiastic individuals have literally opened up a Pandora’s Box by starting on renovation projects, which later become too messy to be handled by the homeowners themselves.
In such cases, you carry the major risk of incurring heavy losses in the terms of money, time as well as efforts. The professionals you hire after such blunders are likely to charge you all the more for first correcting the mess you have created. Hence, if you change your mind in-between the DIY projects or fail to estimate the implications beforehand, you might end up defeating the original purpose of saving on the costs and incurring double the expenses instead.
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February 5, 2010 at 12:40 pm · Filed under diy house
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It is considered as a perfect alternative to traditional tiling such as ceramics – DIY Bathroom Tile remodeling. Unlike other tiling options available, it seems like these nature-made panels truly provide a natural look and feel to any surface you choose to coat. If you search for new ideas about easy do-it-yourself tiling options – read the following article.
Introduction
It is considered the most ‘Natural’ tiling method simply because Diy Bathroom Tile redecoration is made of grouping seamless smooth stones fixed onto a sq/ft mesh backing. The largest source of these special tiles is undoubtedly the exotic islands of Indonesia, and to be more precise, it is the Island of Bali. You can practically tile anywhere and for any purpose: Shower bases & backsplashes, kitchen walls & countertops, sink walls, and floors.
Important benefits
What is in it for us?
* Easy to be replaced if needed.
* Provides unique atmosphere and contemporary look and feel to any surface.
* Quick & easy installation that doesn’t require any special skills or professional background.
Tips you want to remember!
* Order a small sample of the desired tiles prior to making a complete order – just to make sure it answers your expectations.
* Use only high quality materials such as grout and sealer – you don’t want your tiles to fall apart after few months just because you wanted to save a few dollars.
* In order to maintain these natural stones properly, it is recommended to apply sealants every two to three years.
There are probably many other great benefits provided by this fun & easy coating technique simply because it is versatile like no other tiling method available today.
Conclusion
Many home-makers quickly discover how this Diy Bathroom Tile technique easily opens their imagination as the possibilities for adding beauty and value to any home are endless. For a successful installation it is advised to use the following tips & advices once you prepare for installation.
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February 4, 2010 at 12:39 pm · Filed under diy house
A ductwork system is a network of tubes in your walls, floors, and ceiling s that transports the air from your furnace and/or central air conditioner to each individual room in your house. This network is made of sheet metal, fiberglass, or other materials. Most ductwork systems that have not been modernized could be eating up your energy bills.
Many of these systems are poorly insulated or not insulated at all. This is what raises your energy bill each month. If you are purchasing a new duct system, think about buying one that already has insulation installed. If you’re insulating a duct, make sure it’s in an unconditioned space.
The following is a list of helpful information in order for you to repair small duct damages; along with other miscellaneous tips:
• Inspect your ducts first and check for air leaks. Start looking for tubes that should be joined, but are obviously separated, and then move to the obvious holes.
• If you want to use duct tape to fix the ducts, make sure you’re using the type with Underwriters Laboratories (UL) emblem on it. This kind of tape will decrease the amounts of cracks associated with aging.
• If you’re insulating ducts in the basement, keep in mind that it will make your basement cooler.
• If you’re using the basement as a living area, install the supply and registers in the rooms in the basement.
• In order to prevent moisture buildup on cooling ducts, make sure there’s a well sealed vapor barrier.
• Consult professional help if you are in doubt with repairing ducts.
When ducts are losing heat because of poor insulation, this wastes energy, along with spending more of your money on the energy bill.
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February 3, 2010 at 12:38 pm · Filed under diy house
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So what’s changed?
Consider the dramatic increase over the last 10 to 15 years of electrical equipment in the home such as:
Bathrooms – low voltage lighting, electric showers, under-floor heating (popular in bathrooms with tiled floors).
Entertainment systems – computer systems, videos, televisions’, (every child’s bedroom seems to have a system nowadays).
Bedrooms – electric blankets, hair dryers, hair tongs.
Kitchens – dishwashers, tumble dryers, freezers, microwaves, blenders, sandwich makers.
Gardens – lawn mowers, hedge trimmers, pond pumps and lighting.
Is it any wonder, then, that each year on average there are 10 deaths, 750 serious injuries and 12,500 fires caused either by faulty electrical work carried out by ambitious DIY enthusiasts, “cowboy” electricians or deteriorating electrical installations?
As such, electrical work with a few minor exceptions carried out in the home is being regulated as part of the Building Regulations under Part P and is effective from the 1st of January 2005.
Failure to comply with Part P of the Building Regulations is a criminal offence and could result in the order by the local authority to remove or put right faulty workmanship and fine you up to £5000.00. It could also make it difficult to sell your property in the future.
Will anybody find out if I carry out some electrical work? I can say it was done before January 2005.
If the work involves the installation of cable you can be easily found out because since January 2005 the colours of the cores of the cable has changed. Live is now brown (previously red), neutral is now blue (previously black) and earth remains the same (green/yellow)
What is the scope of Part P?
·Dwellings
·Outbuildings, sheds, garages and greenhouses
·Garden lighting and power supplies (pond pumps etc.)
·Common areas in blocks of flats – stairways, laundries etc but not lifts
·Combined business premises and dwellings having a common supply (pubs, shops etc.)
How can I comply with Part P?
You will not need to notify the Building Control Officer to comply with Part P if you employ a contractor or an electrician who is accredited with a self certifying scheme (belongs to either the N.I.C.E.I.C, E.C.A or other accredited service scheme).
The accredited contractor or electrician will notify their accreditation service of the notifiable electrical work completed by the application of a form (normally done on the “Web”). The accreditation service will then notify the relevant Building Control Officer of all notifiable works carried out in his area (normally on a monthly basis) who will then inform you that he has the required notification.
You must receive from the contractor or electrician a Minor Works Certificate if the work entails a replacement part or an alteration of a circuit.
OR
An Electrical Installation Certificate if the works entail a complete installation in the case of a new build, a re-wire of a existing electrical installation, the addition of a new circuit, or a major alteration as in the case of replacing a fuse board.
The certificate must be sent to you within a reasonable time of the completed works – one month. The certification and any data must be kept safe, as this maybe required before any future works are carried out or will be required when you sell the property.
If you decide that you are competent or employ a person who is competent by either experience or formal qualifications and not engage an accredited contractor or electrician then you must inform the Building Control Officer before commencement of the work. The Building Control Officer will inspect the completed work.
Depending on the authority, the Building Control Officer will need a completed certificate as part of British Standard 7671 (I.E.E Regulations) and may insist upon an inspection by an accredited contractor or electrician who will supply a Periodic Inspection Report.
This will of course entail a charge for the inspection by the Building Control Officer, which, depending on the local authority can range from £50.00 for a minor notifiable job to several hundreds of pounds for a major notifiable job. If the Building Control Officer also insists upon an inspection by an accredited contractor or electrician with the supplying of a Periodic Inspection Report, this will also of course entail a charge.
In reality, most Building Control Officers are not qualified to inspect the work and as such, will try to dissuade you from carrying out the work; hence the disproportionate charges and the probable requirement of a Periodic Inspection Report. If you do carry out the work yourself and it is acceptable to your local authority, it remains to be seen whether will be acceptable when you come to sell your property.
Therefore, if you are trying to save money on the labour content of the work, it will probably be false economy.
If I do decide to carry out the work myself, can an accredited contractor or electrician certify the work for me, hence saving me the hassle and cost for the Building Control Officer?
No – An accredited contractor or electrician cannot certify work carried out by anybody else, as he cannot inspect the full extent of the wiring especially where it is hidden in the fabric of the building. The only thing he can provide is a Periodic Inspection Report – which is a formal inspection of the wiring system but does not include an inspection of wiring within the fabric of the building i.e. under floors etc. The Periodic Inspection Report is not a certificate. As such it will not comply with Part P although as above, some authorities may insist on one if you carry out the work yourself.
I want to replace a broken socket – are you saying I need to notify or employ somebody that is accredited (Government approved)?
No – for example you can replace existing accessories or replace a damaged cable with like (type and size).
The requirement of whether work is notifiable or not depends on the nature of the work and very importantly, its location. Location is important because some locations e.g. bathrooms, gardens and kitchens could have an increased shock risk!
The information below shows examples of what is notifiable and which is not. The list is not exhaustive and should the work required not fall into any of the categories below or you have any doubt I would strongly urge that you seek advice from a Building Control Officer or an accredited contractor or electrician.
You must be aware that the requirements of the Building Regulations apply to all work carried out irrespective of whether they are notifiable or not.
Areas within a kitchen, bathroom, garden or special location
NOTIFIABLE:
A complete new installation or rewiring
Installing a new circuit (eg, for socket outlets, lighting or shower)
Fitting and connecting a shower to an existing point
Replacing a fuse board
Adding a socket outlet to an existing circuit
Adding a lighting point to an existing circuit
Fitting a storage heater to an existing adjacent point
Installing a supply to a garden shed, garage or other outbuilding
Installing a lighting point or socket outlet in a garden shed, garage or other outbuilding
Installing a garden pond pump including the supply
Installing electric under floor or ceiling heating
Installing an electricity generator
NOT NOTIFIABLE:
Connecting a cooker to an existing connection unit
Replacing a damaged cable for a single circuit (cable to be the same size and type and installed as original)
Replacing a damaged accessory such as a light switch or socket outlet
Replacing a light fitting
Connecting an item of equipment to an existing adjacent connection point
Fitting a storage heater to an existing adjacent point
Replacing an immersion heater
Areas not in a kitchen, bathroom, garden or special location
NOTIFIABLE:
A complete new installation or rewiring
Installing a new circuit e.g. for socket outlets, lighting or shower
Replacing a fuse board
Installing a lighting point or socket outlet outdoors
Installing and fitting a storage heater including the circuit
Installing electric under floor or ceiling heating
Installing an electricity generator
NOT NOTIFIABLE:
Adding a socket outlet to an existing circuit
Adding a lighting point to an existing circuit
Connecting a cooker to an existing connection unit
Replacing a damaged cable for a single circuit (cable to be the same size and type and installed as original)
Replacing a damaged accessory such as a light switch or socket outlet
Replacing a light fitting
Connecting an item of equipment to an existing adjacent connection point
Fitting a storage heater to an existing adjacent point
Replacing an immersion heater
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February 2, 2010 at 12:36 pm · Filed under diy house
Anyone can use it to practically redecorate almost any room or surface setting – DIY Kitchen Tile remodeling is quit fast and easy to use. When you watch these natural stones you understand how powerful, and most importantly how creative nature is. Read the following article in order to learn more about how you can easily remodel any room setting.
Quick review
What makes this special tiling solution unique is the fact that Diy Kitchen Tile redecoration is based on similar beach-stones manually and carefully attached onto a mesh backing of 12″ by 12″ size. The islands of Bali & Sumatra in Indonesia are probably the largest source of these beautiful rock tiles. It seems like no other tiling technique enables you to redecorate practically anywhere inside and outside your house: Flooring (including patios), bathrooms, backsplashes, kitchen walls, and much more.
Quick advantages
Let’s examine what is in it for us and how it can easily enable you to redesign any surface at home:
* Can be used on surfaces at home that have high traffic and that need to stand up to a lot of action.
* Easily adjusted to almost any surface size especially when it comes to tiling around taps and small narrow areas.
* Provides unique atmosphere and contemporary look and feel to any surface.
Looking for useful tips?
* These stone panels have their weight, so if you intend to install backsplashes use small carpenter’s nails to hold the tile in place so you can easily grout it.
* Don’t rush! – make a plan; make sure you know how to install these panels, even make a small trial first just to see that you can handle it with no problem.
* Order a small sample of the desired tiles prior to making a complete order – just to make sure it answers your expectations.
If we search a little more, we could easily find other great benefits provided by this enjoyable home improvement technique simply because it provides numerous opportunities whether for the average or professional home-makers.
Final words
What makes this unique Diy Kitchen Tile technique so special is the fact that it easily beautifies any interior or exterior areas in your home or office, providing it with a true natural look & feel. For a successful installation it is advised to look at these tips and advices just as you are ready to begin with installation.
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February 1, 2010 at 12:35 pm · Filed under diy house
Let’s face it, not everyone can afford to spend a lot of money on elaborate Halloween costumes, especially if you’re living on a fixed income. Likewise, not everyone can afford to spend a lot of time making them either, especially those without sewing abilities. Wouldn’t it be nice if you could create your own costumes with little time or money invested? Well you can. In fact, there are numerous costume ideas that can be created yourself for next to nothing. Better still, there’s little or no sewing involved. All you need is a little imagination and some creativity, something most of us already have tucked away somewhere inside us. And if for some reason you don’t have it, I’m sure the kids do.
An interesting way to come up with ideas for costumes is to keep a trunk or box somewhere handy and fill it with miscellaneous items. This can help spark the imagination. For instance, load it up with old clothing, fabric of varying lengths, pantyhose, fashion accessories, artificial flowers, pipe cleaners and other craft supplies, aluminum foil, yarn, old sheets or curtains, etc. Nearly anything can be used. Instead of traditional Halloween bags for candy, use other items related to your costume and store them in the ‘imagination box.’ For example, you can implement items such as old pocketbooks, pillowcases, garbage bags, baskets, doctor’s bags, small backpacks, or even diaper bags.
Ever since my kids were old enough to participate in trick-or-treating activities, I have made their costumes. Once Halloween approaches, I begin asking them what they would like to be. Then I scour the house and our box of goodies to find whatever I might already have on hand, making a list of the items with which I need. Generally, these few items can be purchased at the local thrift shop or dollar store so there usually isn’t too much money invested in the project.
For safety reasons, I prefer to use make-up or face paint as opposed to masks. You can easily make your own out of food coloring and corn starch. This is not only safer than using masks, but it’s also cheaper, easier to apply, and comes off just as easily with mild soap and water. A simple cream can be made with one part corn starch and two parts food coloring to create the desired shade for your costume. Apply to the face with your fingers just like foundation. And with a few drops of red food coloring and a little corn syrup, you have home-made blood for those ghoulish costumes.
One year my daughter went as a witch. It isn’t as difficult as you might think to come up with creative ways of putting this outfit together. In fact, they can be as easy or difficult as you can handle. For the witch ensemble, I simply used a tattered black dress and a witch’s hat my daughter already had. I mixed up some green face paint and added a wart with an eyeliner pencil. For her hair, I used some fiery, red-orange yarn that I attached to the hat with Velcro. Add a small broom and there you go.
Another year, she was a butterfly. The butterfly was fashioned together by cutting a pair of wings out of some cardboard, which I decorated with multi-colored pieces of felt (you can also use aluminum foil and decorate with sequins, glitter, etc.). The body of the butterfly consisted of nothing more than a black sweat suit; however, a dark-colored leotard should work just as well. Wings can be attached in whatever way is easiest for you. They can be sewn onto the back of the sweatshirt or fastened with elastic bands fitted around the child’s arms. You could also try using Velcro for felt-covered wings. This not only sticks to the felt but to the shirt as well. Add an antennae headband and, if desired, some face paint. The headband can either be purchased from the dollar store for a couple bucks or put together yourself using an ordinary black headband with black pipe cleaners attached.
I transformed my son into a lively jack-in-the-box one year. This idea came about through my own childhood memories. My mother also made a lot of our costumes growing up. Aluminum foil would incredibly become a tiara, a wand, or antennas. Lacy curtains would suddenly become flowing gowns. Her creativity was amazing, and one costume in particular stood out above all others—a kitchen table. She had taken a simple cardboard box, cut out a hole in the bottom, and slipped it right over my head. After draping a tablecloth over the box, my protruding head became the centerpiece with a carefully placed ‘hat’ made from a pair of pantyhose and artificial flowers.
And from this kitchen table costume, another one was born—the jack-in-the-box. It uses the same ‘box’ concept and originality. I simply took a box, decorated it, and attached it to my son with suspenders (can use elastic as well). On one side of the box I fashioned a handle. He wore dark sweatpants and a regular long-sleeved shirt that I attached ruffles to. I painted his face to mimic that of a joker.
A few years back, my kids decided that they wanted their costumes to match. We looked around the house and soon enough found ourselves with a cowboy and an Indian. For the cowboy, my son donned a cowboy hat and boots, a western shirt, blue jeans and a denim jacket. All of which we already had. To accessorize the look, I tied (loosely) a red bandana around his neck and fastened the holster (complete with toy guns) around his waist. Once again, these were items that we already had on hand.
My daughter, of course, was the Indian. Her costume was also something we had just lying around. I took an old brown pillowcase and cut a v-neck hole in the bottom that was large enough for my daughter’s head to fit through. I then cut two more holes in either side for her arms. I hand-stitched designs around both the neck line and bottom of the ‘dress’ and with a pair of scissors, I carefully cut slits along the edges to give it a frilly look. If you don’t sew, that’s ok; you can easily use fabric paint to decorate the dress instead. To set off the dress, my daughter wore braided pigtails with a feathered headband around her forehead. The only item I purchased for this was a pair of moccasin slippers from the dollar store. To hold all their candy, my son carried a pillowcase ‘loot bag’ while my daughter used an old harvest basket lined with an orange towel.
Ever had the option of dressing up for work with the most original taking first prize? This one worked for me. Once again, I borrowed the idea from my mother, giving it my own twist—a tomato plant. For this costume, I wore a dark green leotard with green hose and slippers. I found a dark green table skirt and simply cut out holes to allow me to both slip it over my head and run my arms through. I pinned some green artificial leaves onto the leotard and table skirt along with little tomatoes made from Styrofoam balls that were painted red and topped off with green stems (you can also use tomato pin cushions found in craft stores). I finished it off with a green beret full of leaves. By the way, I took the prize.
I have found balloons to be quite useful for costumes; however, they should only be applied to those of older children or adults. Once again, safety is important and balloons tend to pop easily and small children can accidentally try to eat the balloon pieces. Balloons are inexpensive and come in a wide variety of shapes, colors, and sizes. You can create one-of-a-kind costumes with hardly any work involved. Imagine a bunch of grapes (like that from Fruit-of-the-Loom). Choose a purple sweat suit or leotard and attach purple balloons carefully with small safety pins. Add some ivy vines and top it off with a matching hat full of ivy leaves. This could also be used for other berries as well with appropriate colored sweats and balloons. For instance, you could try raspberries, strawberries, or blackberries.
Then again, why not go out as Mr. Bubble? Wear white and use some white balloons to instantaneously become soap suds. Accessorize with a scrub brush and a hat or bag made up of bath materials such as sponges and empty shampoo, bubble bath, or soap containers. When you apply balloons to any costume, however, try not to put any on the backside. This could make it difficult to sit down.
Other interesting costume ideas might include a scarecrow using denim bib overalls, a plaid or flannel shirt, rope or twine for belt, a straw hat, gloves and boots. Stuff all the pockets with straw. Turn an old sheet into a ghost. Create a hobo from some old clothes and add a hat. Paint the face with a five o’clock shadow and fashion an old hankie to a stick. What’s autumn without leaves? Use a dark-colored sweat suit (with hood) and pin silk leaves all over it. Walk around carrying a rake and gather candy in a leaf bag.
Remember, a little imagination can go a long way; and best of all, it’s free to use.
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January 31, 2010 at 12:32 pm · Filed under diy house
When you have an investment property, it is very important to spend the extra money to make it look nice so you can keep it rented. An empty house is a negative return on your investment.
I had a tenant move out at the end of last month. I got a call from our property management company last Friday saying they had someone who wanted to move in this Friday! Not bad having a property sit less than a month. The property management company had a list of items that I needed to either pay someone to do or do myself, but fast either way. One of those items was repainting the interior of the house because the last paint job was bleeding through and looked spotty. We got a quote to paint the house. It is not a large property…just 1112 sq ft. They wanted $1950.00 to paint the house. We decided this was far too much to pay and that we would do the work ourselves.
We completely repainted the interior of the house in one and a half days. The “we” was me and a friend. The tools we used were varied. We used old fashioned rollers, a roller that had a reservoir that you pulled the paint into and then painted until it needed refilling, and an airless contractor series paint gun with the roller attachment.
The airless gun worked well, but was heavy and required two people to move from room to room without making a mess. It also took twenty minutes to clean. I like this tool for fast exterior painting when you can afford to have overspray, but it wore me out for interior painting. Still, it gave excellent results. I do recommend cleaning the roller after each room.
The tool with the reservoir worked well and was less cumbersome. Because we bought 5 gallons of paint in one can, it required we have a smaller container to put the paint in to before sucking it into the reservoir. Overall, it worked well.
Then, the old fashioned rollers…they worked well. You had to keep going back to the tray for more paint. They took the least amount of time to clean as you could either rinse the roller to use later, or just throw it away and start with a new roller later.
The first day, we tried to paint room by room. Things were going pretty slowly and we were worried that we might not finish in our allotted timeline of being done that weekend. After two rooms, we realized this was not the most efficient method and we decided a new approach.
We decided that framing each room was the most time consuming part of the job. We both started painting along the ceiling line and around the doors and outlets. We did the rest of the house and called it a day. A very long day…
***Important note! Only frame the rooms that you have enough paint to complete. If you are low on paint, go buy more and start fresh on the next room. Otherwise, you could end up with extra work on your hands when you realize that the paint does not match perfectly.***
The next day, we went back and finished the house in just a few hours. Because we only had to focus on painting the large areas, the painting went much more quickly. After finishing, we left the house for a while we allowed the paint to dry and our eyes to adjust back to seeing normal things. When we went back, we looked for any spots that needed to be touched up and happily found that there were very few to touch up.
So, save yourself some time and make sure that you have the right tools and frame the rooms first.
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