Condo Blues: July 2022

Friday, July 29, 2022

How to Dye Fabric Shoes and Sandals

I needed a pair of sandals. After a fair bit of shopping I found a pair of wedges that fit (this is harder to do since I have to shop in the kid’s department) but are the wrong color. However the price was cheap enough that I thought I’d try my hand at dying a pair of the white shoes black and other pair brown – the colors I wanted.

I’ve dyed 100% cotton fabric shoes. I’ve also dyed suede shoes using this exact suede dye with great success. (Disclosure: I am including affiliate links for your convenience.) Dying these sandals will be a bit more challenging because they are a cotton and synthetic fabric blend and all of the fabric dyes I’ve used up until now require 100% natural fiber fabric.

 Can you dye polyester fabric and synthetic fibers? Yes you can! Here’s how.

 

How to dye fabric shoes and sandals the easy way
Save this shoe refashion idea to your Pinterest boards for later! Share it with your friends!

How to Dye Cotton Blend Shoes

Friday, July 15, 2022

How to Remove, Paint, and Install Vinyl Shutters So Easy!


After many years of sun, snow, wind, and rain the vinyl shutters on our house are faded. Instead of replacing them, I’m going to spiff them up so they look better than new.
Can you paint vinyl shutters? 


Yes you can! Here’s everything you need to know.

 

can i paint vinyl house shutters
I don't mind heights and was taught how to walk on a roof safely as a kid. If you are not confident with heights or ladders please hire a pro. Either way, keep reading this tutorial so you know what is involved in this simple DIY project! Save this tutorial to your Pinterest Boards for later! Share it with your friends!
 

How to Remove Vinyl House Shutters

Tuesday, July 5, 2022

Easy Self Watering Patio Herb Garden

At first my husband and I grew the typical basil, oregano, etc. we'd buy at the grocery store after the growing season. Then we started adding a couple of "I wonder what that bougie herb tastes like" plants  for fun. It turned out to be a tasty budget living hack because I use this exact Nesco dehydrator to dry my fresh herbs and use during the rest of the year for free instead of paying a much higher price at the fancy grocery store. (Disclosure: I am including affiliate links in this post for your convenience.)

  We. Need. More! 

Insert Mad Scientist laugh here: Mawhaha! 

Living in a condo my vegetable gardening space is limited to my small patio. It took a bit of a think until I realized the same indoor small indoor space organizing idea can also be applied to outdoor spaces. If you can't build out, build up!

I got the ball rolling last year, when I scored this metal plant stand for 5 bucks at Goodwill last summer. Since most herbs like cilantro, dill and the like grow tall, I wasn't sure how to mange growing herbs on the second shelf and gave it a test run with  the current pots last season.