DIY Toolbox

If you like to repair things around your home or apartment, then you need to have some basic tools available in your toolbox. I’m a DIYer and I have my own DIY toolbox with all the necessities. You don’t need to have everything but having these will make the job much simpler. Even things as simple as Velcro can make a job easier. Lisa Hoover wrote a great article which lists all of the DIY uses for Velcro.

“Velcro is one of the handiest tricks around for home improvement and decorating projects. It’s available at big retail stores, small craft stores, and even at some grocery stores. It’s cheap, comes in several different colors, and is available in sheets, squares, strips, and dots of all sizes. Velcro is very strong, yet removes easily from most surfaces (test first in an inconspicuous area). To use, just cut it to the size you need, peel the paper backing off both sides, and stick in place. ” http://www.diylife.com/2007/06/25/inside-the-diy-toolbox-velcro-is-your-friend/

So let’s go ahead and stock the DIY toolbox and don’t forget the Velcro.

Apollo Precision Tools DT0773N1 - 135 Piece Household Pink Tool Kit

Screwdrivers - a great thing to keep handy is a multi-function screwdriver that has several different tips that are stored in the handle. In addition, you should have a set of Phillips and slotted-head screwdrivers and a set of small screwdrivers. Each set will come with different sizes for different jobs.

Hammer - another necessity for the toolbox. I like to keep a large one, 12 ounce, for heavy jobs and smaller one for simple jobs.

Pliers - adjustable pliers which are great for working on plumbing and in tight spots like under sinks and in cabinets.

Wrench - an adjustable wrench for use with nuts and bolts. This is essential in the toolbox since it is used for tightening and assembling.

Level - at least a 10 inch level, preferably longer, is needed for hanging items on walls in order to determine if they are straight. You will need this to hang things such as curtain rods, pictures, shelving, etc.

Apollo Precision Tools DT9773 53-Piece Household Tool Kit with Tool Box

Ladder - a small utility step ladder is good to keep around but a regular step ladder (8 foot is the preferred) is a necessity in order to reach high places for doing things such as changing light bulbs, painting, even changing curtains. It’s much safe to use a ladder than standing on chairs.

Caulking Gun - this along with a spare tube of caulking is good to have around for those unexpected times when you discover something needs to be sealed such as windows or doors.

Utility Knives - along with extra blades for heavy duty cutting. Make sure to purchase the retracting kind which is much safer.

Hot Glue Gun - great to keep in your toolbox along with glue sticks.

Vise Grips - otherwise known as locking pliers. I use this as a third hand sometimes.

Tape Measure - every home and DIY toolbox needs a good tape measure.

Yard Stick - this is best if it is 36 inch metal yard stick. This will even guide you when cutting a straight line.

Goggles, dust mask and ear protection - always a must for safety and you never know when you may need them.

Drill - this is a must and the cordless are easy to use.

Kawasaki 840056 Black 19.2v 4pc Cordless Combo Kit

Jig Saw - in my toolbox, this is a must. I have made many things using a jig saw and a piece of wood.

Sponge Paint Brushes - cheap, disposable and easy to reach for when needed for touchups..

Cordless Screwdriver - not a necessity but is nice to use as long as you have it charged.

Sand Paper

It a must in my house that I have my own toolbox that no one else touches so that when I find something that needs to be done, I can get right on it. It’s a habit for me to scour the discount stores for tools in search for something new and inexpensive. Many times my husband comes to me for that needed tool that can be only found in my DIY toolbox. Do you like to DIY and have your own toolbox? Go ahead and share it. I might be missing something important.

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One of the things I really enjoy doing is making kitchen window treatments. If this is something you have never attempted to do, then I encourage to take a step and try it out. Everyone seems to spend a lot of their time in the kitchen and by changing the window treatment often, it can really change the look of your kitchen and brighten up the surroundings. You can even add accessories to match. Here is a simple way to sew an easy window treatment to add color and brighten up your kitchen.

First, pick out the material that you want to use. Usually you can find inexpensive material at your local store. You can use a sheer or opaque material. If you going for opaque, don’t forget to take a look at bed sheets. A twin size bed sheet is more than what you will need for the average window. For a basic valance you will need three times the width of the kitchen window for fullness.

Measure from the top of the rod for the length that you need. Usually the length is about 15 inches. Add two inches to the bottom and two inches to each side for the hem. The extra amount needed for the top of the valance is determined by the style you want to achieve and the type of rod you are using. For a regular one inch wide rod, add five inches for the top hem to create a ruffled top. If you are making a tab top valance, add only two inches because you will be adding tabs.

After you have completed your measurements, lay the fabric out on a flat surface. For me, it always ends up being the floor. Mark your measurements with sewing chalk. If you don’t have sewing chalk, you can use your ruler as a guide or use masking tape which comes off easily. Once you have done this, you can go ahead and cut the fabric. Remember and old rule, measure twice and cut once.

Now you are ready to put it together. If you have a sewing machine, a regular straight stitch is all that you will need. You can also use the iron on tape sold in the fabric department instead of a sewing machine. You must first do the each side by folding the fabric l/2 inch and folding again l/2 inch. You will end up with a l/2 inch hem that does not fray. Do this for each side. Use straight pins to keep it in place and sew removing the pins as you go along. If using fabric tape, then just iron each fold. Once the sides are done, go ahead and do the bottom hem repeating the same instructions.

For the top of the valance, fold over l/2 inch of fabric and sew or iron with fabric tape. Now fold over 4 inches and again sew or iron. For a ruffled top, measure down two inches from the top and sew a straight line across the width of the fabric. This will create a two inch pocket for the curtain rod to slide through.

For a tab top valance, repeat the same instructions as you did for the sides and the bottom hem. Then you will need to cut and hem strips of material about 8 inches and length and 3 inches wide to create the tabs. Hem the sides and ends each tab and sew on to the top of the valance. The tabs should be about 4 inches apart.

Now that you have created your own kitchen window treatment, you can use the remainder of the material to make cloth napkins or placemats. With enough material you can even make a matching table cloth. That’s what make this a fun project. Once you have the hang of it, it doesn’t take long and you can have everything in the kitchen match.

If you have some more easy tips to share, go ahead and post below. We love sharing ideas.

Special Features Of The Colonial Style House

When I lived in the Northeast, the colonial style house was quite common to see. Now, living in the Southeast, I no longer come across this style home. The colonial style house is quite an elegant style with a look of days gone by. If you own a home of this type, you are familiar with its appearance and special features.

Image details: Plantation House served by picapp.com

The house itself is usually a rectangular shape brick home and consists of two or more stories. It always has a pitched roof which usually includes one or more gables. The windows are all the same and evenly spaced throughout the house. Most of the time you will find that each window has a set of shutters. It is a very clean looking, straight lined house.

One of the elements that makes a colonial style house unique in design is the grand entry way. On the outside, there are usually a few steps in front that lead to a porch. It is the front columns that give it that elegant appearance. Upon entering, you come into an entry hall usually with the formal living room on one side and the formal dining room on the other. The staircase with its fancy spindles that leads to the upper rooms is in the front entry hall. Everything else is in the back of the house while all of the bedrooms are on the second floor.

The colonial style house will have beautiful wood floors, moldings and woodwork throughout the home. While the molding and woodwork has always been a common decorative element of this type of home, it has only started to become popular in other types of houses in recent years. Another common design feature of the colonial style house is the fireplace. You will always find at least one or more fireplaces in this home.

The best décor for this type of home is Early American. Using spindle back chairs, wood tables and hand made crafts to decorate will bring these homes to life. They appear warm and cozy with the warm colored walls, needlepoint chairs and quilted blankets. The best type of window treatment is a wood or brass rod with tab top curtains.

I remember walking into this type of house and having the feeling that I was stepping back in time. If it was built a long time ago, you begin to wonder who lived there before. What is the history of the home? Even if this is not your style home to live in, it is worth visiting one to appreciate their architecture.

There are many old and new colonial style homes throughout the country. If you live in one, tell us about any special features you have in your home that might be different than others.

Sometimes, when you look around a room in your home and it can be any room, there seems to be something missing. Many times, a simple flower arrangement can bring the room together and give it the personality that is missing. Usually if I keep looking around one of the rooms in my home and feel that it is just not right, I will take a flower arrangement from another room to see if that is what is needed. It is the one thing that will make it look finished. That’s when I know that I need to get another flower arrangement.

There are many ways that you can use plastic or silk flowers around your home. I have at least one arrangement in each room and no more than two. Here are some unique ways to use silk or plastic flowers around the home.

1. Some kitchen cabinets do not go up to the ceiling. Some people tend to use the top as a shelf for kitchen gadgets or to display dishes. Instead, I purchased large silk flowers, about 5 inches in diameter each and the same color as the kitchen. I placed them at the top edge of the cabinets about twelve inches apart and filled in between each flower with green ferns. It really did bring some life into the kitchen.
2. If you have picture window or alcove, purchase a five foot or longer swag made with large flowers and place it over the middle of the window.
3. Use the top of a china closet or hutch to display flowers. The taller the ceilings, the taller the arrangement. You want the eye to go up to the ceiling. Use tall vases and place long bamboo sticks in them to reach the height that you need. If using a flower arrangement, place it on top of a decorative box to make it taller.
4. If you have vaulted ceilings, hang a large silk plant in a corner of the room. Make sure that it takes up at least three to four feet of space from the ceiling down.
5. Use six foot or higher trees in corners or behind furniture. Again, these can be placed on boxes (if hidden) or on end tables for a taller effect.
6. Use a four foot silk tree with flowers on an end table.
7. When using flower arrangements on dining tables, make a statement. Tall flower arrangements tend to be very elegant. Even just a tall vase with bamboo sticks in it is pretty to have on a dining table or end table.

The idea here is that when using flower arrangements, the fuller and taller the arrangement, the less you need to use and the prettier they look. A lot is not always better. Make a statement with just a few but make those few memorable.

How do you use flower arrangements around your home? If you would like to share your ideas or have any questions, please post in the comment section. I always enjoy reading comments.

Ranch style homes have been around for a quite a long time. In fact, they were first built in the 1920’s but became very popular from the 1940’s to the 1970’s. Just about everyone has seen a ranch style home and many people have owned them.. Although they lost their popularity for several years, ranch style homes are making a comeback today.

There are certain characteristics that are a part of a ranch style home. These can vary by location and neighborhoods.

• They are single story homes but can be a raised ranch style.

• They have simple floor plans usually with wide open spaces.

• Rectangular, U-shaped or L shaped.

• Interior may have wood paneling and exposed beams.

• They are long in length with a low roof line, long overhanging eaves and many times are cross gabled.

• Most will have an attached garage.

• Almost all have sliding glass doors, or maybe several, that exit to the patio.

• Some have vaulted ceilings.

• They typically will have large windows and sometimes a large picture window in the living room.

• Stucco, brick or wood exteriors with window shutters are common.

• Most are designed with eat in kitchens.

The ranch style home was built for easy living and movement. Instead of a grand entryway, they have a foyer. Each room flowed into the other. The eat in kitchens were designed with modern built in’s such as wall oven, stove and refrigerator. Many have glass doors that lead to an enclosed patio. Some are actually raised ranch homes. They sit on a half or a fully exposed foundation. These allow for a home owner to have a finished basement.

Today, ranch style homes are again being built, mostly by tract builders, with the average living space being well over 2000 square feet. An older ranch home sells well in today’s market because they are usually located in a developed neighborhood where the trees and greenery have finally grown back.  This makes their appearance very desirable.

When I think of the ranch style home, I think of the TV shows, The Brady Bunch, I Dream of Jeannie and Bewitched. Those shows all had the typical ranch style home. In fact, the first home I bought in Florida was a ranch style home that was built in 1967. It had all of the typical features; rectangular single story, low roof, sliding glass doors, shutters, eat in kitchen. Actually it was quite a nice, comfortable home.

Do you live in a ranch style home or have you owned one? Maybe you plan on building one. What is it that you like about this style? Go ahead and leave a comment below.

One of the most important things to do when purchasing a home is having a home inspection. By doing this, you will not only have peace of mind but will save yourself money by knowing if there are any issues with the home. The cost of the inspection is minimal compared to a major repair that may have to be done. Make sure to use a licensed inspector for this as they are trained to look for things that may not be very noticeable to the untrained eye.. Here are some things that are checked during a home inspection.

If the home is not occupied, make sure that the electric is turned on and active. The inspector needs the electric in order to check the appliances. He will check the heating and cooling systems, the washing machine, the dryer, the stove and any other appliance that is part of the transaction. He will also inspect the plumbing and electrical systems of the home.

Checking the roof for damage is another thing the inspector will do. He will also check the fascia and soffits and gutters. He will be looking at the foundation and structure of the house for cracks that may cause problems or need to be repaired. He will make note of any rotten or deteriorated wood around the home. If there is a sprinkler system attached to a well, he will put the pump on to make sure that it is working properly and will check the pressure of the well pump. He will also check to see if the sprinkler heads are in place. If there is a pool, he will check the condition of the pool along with the pool pump. Again, he will put the pump on to make sure that it has enough pressure and is working properly.

One of the most important parts of an inspection is checking for termites and other wood destroying organisms. What may look like old wood to you may really be termites. If this is discovered, it should be taken care of prior to the final transaction of purchasing the home. After all, this is not something you will want to be responsible for as soon as you buy a home. It can be an very costly endeavor. If it is wood destroying organisms such as ants, you can possibly replace the wood yourself.

Any mold found on the interior of the home also can become an issue. Mold can be very dangerous to your health. If mold is found, your inspector can advise you on what the next step is to take in order to make certain that it can be removed and will not come back.

The inspector will look at the walls, ceilings and floors. He will also look at any visible insulation, windows and doors. If there is an attic and basement, he will also check those areas along with heating and cooling ducts.

This is why it is vital to have a home inspection done by a licensed inspector. It will give you peace of mind and can prevent you from making a very costly mistake.

Did you or did you not have a home inspection? Go ahead and reply in the comment section below.

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When doing my routine cleaning or maintenance around the house, I always make sure that home security is my main priority. It is really important to consider safety around the home at all times whether there are children, pets or no one around. We, as adults, may think that we are accident proof only to find out the hard way that we are not. Practicing safety in the home extends to everyone who lives there, everyone who visits and also for those who trespass. Here are some general home security and safety tips and reminders for you to consider practicing around your home at all times. Some are very common and some you may not have even thought of.

Here is an excerpt from http://www.homesecurityblog.com

“Unfortunately, most people don’t think or do anything about home security until they or someone they know has had a break-in. Burglars look at homes they think are easy targets. There’s many things you can do to make your home less likely to be burglarized.”

• smoke alarms - for every bedroom and hallway; make sure batteries are always fresh. Install a battery operated alarm in addition to any electric alarms you may have.

• fire extinguishers - you should have at least one or two in the house and one in the garage. It is important to make sure that they are full at all times.

• carbon monoxide alarms - always important in order to detect high carbon monoxide levels especially in winter months when we are heating our homes.

• windows - in addition to latches on windows, there should be locks on each window. These are easily installed and removed to open the window. You can even open the window a few inches and reinstall the lock so that the window cannot be opened further.

• doors- all entry doors should have a deadbolt lock. In some cases, you may also want to install a chain lock. Installing a peephole in each door, especially the front entrance door, is another very good idea. It is advisable to have a lock on screen doors. Some even come with dead bolt locks nowadays. Sliding glass doors have locks but an additional safety measure is to put a rod or piece of wood inside the track.

• garage doors - this is a common place for burglars to enter a home. Make sure that the garage door locks when closed. If you use an electronic garage door opener, make sure that you have programmed it; never leave it with a factory programming.

• motion detector lights - another home safety measure to deter intruders is to install lights that go on when motion is detected outside at night.

• security camera - you can now purchase security cameras and security systems in any large department store or home improvement store. They can be easily hooked up to a television set.

• fence - yard fences should always be locked especially if you have a pool. It is important to prevent wandering children who can fall into the pool or get hurt on backyard toys.

• shrubs - keep all greenery trimmed and away from the house. Do not block windows. This not only will eliminate a hideout for intruders but will also protect the house in case of fire.

• first aid kit - always keep one handy in the home, garage and also in the car.

It is up to us to be proactive to create a safe environment in our homes. What other things do you do in regards to home security? Please share your thoughts and ideas below.