After I decorated my outdoor patio for Fall, I took a step back and realized something was missing from my DIY chalkboard patio table and DIY bottle cap mosaic chairs.
I need an Autumn table centerpiece!
My Fall centerpiece idea was heavily influenced by the growing number of empty mason jars drying in the dish rack (not to mention Husband’s do something with these will ya? look when he empties the dishwasher) and the wine corks in our kitchen wine cork basket waiting for a craft project (and more Husband’s do something with these will ya? look when he sees them taking up counter space.)
Showing posts with label How to. Show all posts
Showing posts with label How to. Show all posts
Sunday, September 18, 2016
How to Make a Quick and Easy Wine Cork and Mason Jar Centerpiece
Posted by
Lisa Nelsen-Woods
at
9/18/2016 09:30:00 AM
2
comments
Tags:
candle
,
centerpiece
,
cork
,
craft
,
crafting
,
crafts
,
decor
,
decorating
,
decoration
,
DIY
,
glass
,
holder
,
How to
,
jar
,
mason
,
recycle
,
reuse
,
tutorial
,
wine
Tuesday, September 13, 2016
How to Decorate a Small Patio for Fall
This post is sponsored by Enbrighten Café Lights by Jasco. All thoughts and opinions are my own #EnbrightenLights
I want to make our small patio more inviting for evening entertaining this fall.
The planter box I built for Husband’s container kitchen garden adds a little privacy since our condo homeowners association will not allow us to install a fence.
And we get fresh herbs and peppers, yay!
I want to make our small patio more inviting for evening entertaining this fall.
The planter box I built for Husband’s container kitchen garden adds a little privacy since our condo homeowners association will not allow us to install a fence.
And we get fresh herbs and peppers, yay!
Sunday, September 11, 2016
How to Make a DIY Fall Flower Wreath
I used to design a door wreath by buying all of the cute flower picks I like and then figuring out what to do with them after I got home. That almost always lead to me making something I wasn't happy with because it often looked like a Hodge Podge of unsymmetrical stuff that didn’t always coordinate in color, size or texture.
Because I bought a Hodge Podge of unsymmetrical stuff that didn’t always coordinate in color, size or texture for the project and didn't think about them beyond, "How pretty! I'm buying it!"
I knew I had to change my ways after reorganized my craft room and finding more wreath making supplies than my small house can hold.
Because I bought a Hodge Podge of unsymmetrical stuff that didn’t always coordinate in color, size or texture for the project and didn't think about them beyond, "How pretty! I'm buying it!"
I knew I had to change my ways after reorganized my craft room and finding more wreath making supplies than my small house can hold.
How to Make a Wreath
Posted by
Lisa Nelsen-Woods
at
9/11/2016 09:50:00 AM
0
comments
Tags:
autumn
,
craft
,
crafts
,
decor
,
decorating
,
decoration
,
DIY
,
door
,
fall
,
How to
,
make
,
outside
,
patio
,
porch
,
tutorial
,
wreath
Sunday, September 4, 2016
How to Make a Renaissance Festival Costume
Besides, it allows me to get my inner history geek, costumer, and creative seamstress on.
Pin this post for later!
First you should decide if you want to make a historically accurate renaissance clothing (or as close as to historically accurate as we can get in the 21st century,) a fantasy type costume, or a little bit of all of the above. There are buckets of different opinions on what you should or should not do, all of which are valid because everyone’s purpose, desire, and budget differs.
Posted by
Lisa Nelsen-Woods
at
9/04/2016 09:33:00 AM
1
comments
Tags:
build
,
costume
,
costumes
,
dress
,
Elizabethan
,
fair
,
Faire
,
Festival
,
How to
,
make
,
noble
,
princess
,
Renaissance
,
SCA
,
sew
,
tutorial
Thursday, August 25, 2016
Friday Favorites Linky Party - Week 335
I started sewing when I was 5 years old. I never owned a new sewing machine. I have a 1978 Kenmore that was very fancy pants in its day. It has a monogrammer and dozens of decorative stitch cams. Sure, new machines can now do those things at the touch of a button, but Bessie the sewing machine is as solid as a rock with her all metal parts. She will sew through just about anything. Every time I think her day is done, my sewing machine repair person makes her run like a top again.
Or mostly. At this point, the buttonhole, cams, and monogrammer are DOA. The things I need to sew a big sewing project.
Meet Eleanor. My first new sewing machine! She is a Brother SE400 Sewing and Embroidery Machine I bought from Amazon (affiliate link for your convenience.) The upside is it was significantly cheaper to buy the sewing machine from Amazon than from a local store. The downside was waiting three long and agonizing days for it to be delivered!
Eleanor will be a fantastic addition to my sewing and serger machine fleet. Bessie will stay in service sewing the construction work - especially when I work with upholstery fabrics. Eleanore will do the detail work. The two sergers will pitch in as needed to do things that only sergers can do.
Let's celebrate with a party!
Or mostly. At this point, the buttonhole, cams, and monogrammer are DOA. The things I need to sew a big sewing project.
Meet Eleanor. My first new sewing machine! She is a Brother SE400 Sewing and Embroidery Machine I bought from Amazon (affiliate link for your convenience.) The upside is it was significantly cheaper to buy the sewing machine from Amazon than from a local store. The downside was waiting three long and agonizing days for it to be delivered!
Eleanor will be a fantastic addition to my sewing and serger machine fleet. Bessie will stay in service sewing the construction work - especially when I work with upholstery fabrics. Eleanore will do the detail work. The two sergers will pitch in as needed to do things that only sergers can do.
Let's celebrate with a party!
Posted by
Lisa Nelsen-Woods
at
8/25/2016 08:45:00 PM
0
comments
Tags:
Brother
,
crafts
,
decor
,
decorating
,
DIY
,
embroidary
,
Friday Favorites
,
How to
,
link
,
linky
,
machine
,
party
,
recipes
,
room
,
sewing
,
tutorials
Tuesday, August 23, 2016
How to Clean and Replace a Roomba Battery
I like technology. I like a clean house, especially when all the exertion it takes is to push a button. Being the early adopter than I am, I have a Discovery Series Roomba robot vacuum sweeper. Being the 400 series (they are now up to the 900 series), it isn’t the most powerful robot sweeper out there. I still like to use it to sweep our bedroom because I don’t have Superman strength to lift the furniture over my head to vacuum under it.
Until the rechargeable battery died.
As revolutionary as iRobot is to give us the first robot cleaners, the company’s customer service is as backward as you can get. The iRobot people at Blissdom were surprised my Roomba Red lasted so long because they don’t service or replace defective products. If you have issues with your Roomba they tell you to buy a new $800 robot to fix the problem.
Seriously? To fix a dead battery?
Until the rechargeable battery died.
As revolutionary as iRobot is to give us the first robot cleaners, the company’s customer service is as backward as you can get. The iRobot people at Blissdom were surprised my Roomba Red lasted so long because they don’t service or replace defective products. If you have issues with your Roomba they tell you to buy a new $800 robot to fix the problem.
Seriously? To fix a dead battery?
How to Repair a Dead Roomba That Won’t Suck
Pin this tutorial for later! Share it with your friends!
Thursday, August 18, 2016
Friday Favorites Linky Party - Week 334
Monday, I was invited to a National College Move In Week blogger event by BSM Media and At Home stores. Maria Bailey showed us examples of this year's dorm room and small space decorating trends as we toured this store. While the focus of the event is college decor, most of what I saw was appropriate for tween and teens too.
Of course, you can use these tips to update and a little zing to adult and family spaces too.
They said social media quote pillows are popular for the dorm but I can totally see the Do More What Makes You Awesome pillow in my studio.
Of course, you can use these tips to update and a little zing to adult and family spaces too.
Posted by
Lisa Nelsen-Woods
at
8/18/2016 08:46:00 PM
0
comments
Tags:
At Home Stores
,
bedroom
,
BSM Media
,
budget
,
crafts
,
decor
,
decorating
,
DIY
,
dorm
,
Friday Favorites
,
How to
,
link
,
linky
,
Maria Bailey
,
party
,
recipes
,
room
,
tutorials
Sunday, August 14, 2016
How to Make Wine Cork and Bungee Cord Ties
Messy extension cords are taking over my workshop, power tool cords in particular. I think I wrap them well when I put my tools away only to find the cords are a tangled mess the next time I need to use them. Ugh!
To go along with my upcycled workshop scheme and more importantly I always have a stash of wine corks I use to clean sandpaper (read the tutorial on Condo Blues here) in my workbench I stopped what I was doing and whipped up a set of homemade power cord organizers.
This idea isn’t a new one but there are a few tips and hacks I haven’t seen written down and want to share.
To go along with my upcycled workshop scheme and more importantly I always have a stash of wine corks I use to clean sandpaper (read the tutorial on Condo Blues here) in my workbench I stopped what I was doing and whipped up a set of homemade power cord organizers.
This idea isn’t a new one but there are a few tips and hacks I haven’t seen written down and want to share.
Tips for Making Wine Cork and Bungee Cord Organizers: Everything You Need to Know!
Thursday, August 11, 2016
Introducing My Friday Favorites Linky Party - Week 333!
I see so many fantastic DIY, home decor and green living projects on the Internet I want to share with you. I do that mostly with the Condo Blues Pinterest, Facebook page, and Twitter accounts (give me a follow, pretty please?) but oh my goodness friends, you have so much awesome going on I could be sharing your projects 24/7 on those channels and barely make a dent in all of the wonderfulness I admire and want to feature.
Not to mention, there are just as many fantastic and creative projects and recipes out there that I haven't found that I would share if I knew about them.So let's have some fun adn fix that, shall we?
We shall!
I'm joining Jerri at Simply Sweet Home in co-hosting her Friday Favorites Linky Party! Every week you will have the chance to share your favorite DIY, craft, recipe, and creative projects using the Linky Tools at the bottom of this post. The best part of the party is not only are you sharing your creative genius with the Condo Blues blog community but also on the nine other blogs of party co-hosts!
Not to mention, there are just as many fantastic and creative projects and recipes out there that I haven't found that I would share if I knew about them.So let's have some fun adn fix that, shall we?
We shall!
I'm joining Jerri at Simply Sweet Home in co-hosting her Friday Favorites Linky Party! Every week you will have the chance to share your favorite DIY, craft, recipe, and creative projects using the Linky Tools at the bottom of this post. The best part of the party is not only are you sharing your creative genius with the Condo Blues blog community but also on the nine other blogs of party co-hosts!
Posted by
Lisa Nelsen-Woods
at
8/11/2016 08:30:00 PM
0
comments
Tags:
collection
,
crafts
,
DIY
,
Favorites
,
Friday
,
green
,
How to
,
link
,
linky
,
party
,
recipe
,
roundup
,
tutorial
Monday, August 8, 2016
How to Make Flamingo Wall Hooks
I needed several decorative wall hooks to organize my craft room. I want something fun, yet versatile, since I have a pile of conference lanyards, craft aprons, and race medals in need of some serious organizing.
I headed to my workshop and made the perfect wall organizer using my all time favorite pieces of kitsch – plastic pink lawn flamingos!
I headed to my workshop and made the perfect wall organizer using my all time favorite pieces of kitsch – plastic pink lawn flamingos!
DIY Pink Lawn Flamingo Wall Organizer
Posted by
Lisa Nelsen-Woods
at
8/08/2016 02:25:00 PM
0
comments
Tags:
apron
,
crafts
,
decor
,
decorating
,
DIY
,
flamingo
,
home improvement
,
hook
,
How to
,
kitsch
,
medal
,
organization
,
organizer
,
race
,
rack
,
towel
,
tutorial
,
wall
Wednesday, August 3, 2016
How to Make a Grass Hula Skirt
My husband and I are invited to a friend’s annual August luau. Last year they had a woman give the party hula lessons. I want to be prepared and wear a grass skirt as part of my Hawaiian party attire.
Unfortunately there is one teensy problem with this plan.
Have you ever tried to buy a grass hula skirt or for that matter any Hawaii themed clothing in August when it is 100% still officially Summer?
You’ll be out of luck because everything in the store is Fall, Halloween, and Christmas is starting to trickle in too. Argh!
Fortunately making a Hawaiian grass skirt is quick and easy with supplies you can find year round!
Unfortunately there is one teensy problem with this plan.
Have you ever tried to buy a grass hula skirt or for that matter any Hawaii themed clothing in August when it is 100% still officially Summer?
You’ll be out of luck because everything in the store is Fall, Halloween, and Christmas is starting to trickle in too. Argh!
Fortunately making a Hawaiian grass skirt is quick and easy with supplies you can find year round!
Hawaiian Inspired Grass Skirt Tutorial
Sunday, July 17, 2016
21 Unique Bottle Cap Crafts to Inspire You!
I remake and makeover a lot of things using bottle caps but as our collection grows I need new recycled DIY ideas.
If you look at my Pinterest Crafts board you will see I have bottle cap projects on the brain. It seems like after I complete one bottle cap decorating project I see and pin a bunch more. (Follow me @condoblues on Pinterest pretty please?)
I can’t be the only one that doesn't this, can I?
I thought I’d share the bottle cap craft love and show you some of my favorite recycled bottle cap projects from around the web to inspire you.
You can just drool over them like the bottle cap house. I doubt my Home Owner’s Association will let me do that or Husband for that matter.
If you look at my Pinterest Crafts board you will see I have bottle cap projects on the brain. It seems like after I complete one bottle cap decorating project I see and pin a bunch more. (Follow me @condoblues on Pinterest pretty please?)
I can’t be the only one that doesn't this, can I?
I thought I’d share the bottle cap craft love and show you some of my favorite recycled bottle cap projects from around the web to inspire you.
You can just drool over them like the bottle cap house. I doubt my Home Owner’s Association will let me do that or Husband for that matter.
Posted by
Lisa Nelsen-Woods
at
7/17/2016 10:30:00 AM
3
comments
Tags:
bottle
,
bottlecap
,
cap
,
craft
,
crafting
,
crafts
,
decor
,
DIY
,
green
,
home improvement
,
How to
,
ideas
,
interior design
,
jewelry
,
projects
,
recycle
,
reuse
,
tutorial
Thursday, July 14, 2016
How to Make an Outdoor Chalkboard Paint Table
My outdoor mosaic bistro table and chairs developed so much dry rot mushrooms grew in the table and chairs. I decided to repair it rather than replace it for a greener, cheaper, and more personalized patio table and chair set.
Also, I didn’t find a replacement that I liked in the store. That’s the real incentive for this project.
I got my reused bottle cap craft on and made four coordinating recycled bottle cap mosaic chairs. Read the bottle cap chair tutorial here on Condo Blues. Now it is time to turn my attention to making over the outdoor bistro table with chalkboard paint.
Also, I didn’t find a replacement that I liked in the store. That’s the real incentive for this project.
I got my reused bottle cap craft on and made four coordinating recycled bottle cap mosaic chairs. Read the bottle cap chair tutorial here on Condo Blues. Now it is time to turn my attention to making over the outdoor bistro table with chalkboard paint.
Outdoor Game Table Tutorial
Tuesday, July 12, 2016
10 Ways to Reuse Plastic Food and Laundry Measuring Scoops
Even though Husband and I try to run a low waste home with careful shopping and find new reuses for what we can't recycle through our city's recycling program, there is one thing we are swimming in and loathe to regularly send to the landfill: plastic laundry and food measuring scoops.
Posted by
Lisa Nelsen-Woods
at
7/12/2016 12:12:00 PM
0
comments
Tags:
budget
,
frugal
,
green
,
hacks
,
How to
,
measure
,
plastic
,
recycle
,
reuse
,
saving money
,
scoops
,
tutorial
Sunday, July 10, 2016
How to Make a Bottle Cap Mosaic Chair
Ewwww! |
The cute little mosaic tile bistro set on our patio has lived outside in the rain sleet and snow for a very long time.
How long?
Long enough for the elements to take their toll and dry rot the wood base of the table and all of the chairs.
Well, when I can’t buy I DIY!
Recycled Bottle Cap Craft Tutorial
Sunday, June 26, 2016
How to Keep Your Dog From Being Scared of Fireworks
Fireworks are fun for the family to watch but are torture for your dog.
Big bangs, sizzles, and firecracker pops in Dog World mean “Panic! Run away from the noise! It is something that will hurt you! Run!”
In Human World, we stand there and stare at gunpowder exploding over our heads and say, “So pretty!” Which probably isn't very smart Human World.
Big bangs, sizzles, and firecracker pops in Dog World mean “Panic! Run away from the noise! It is something that will hurt you! Run!”
In Human World, we stand there and stare at gunpowder exploding over our heads and say, “So pretty!” Which probably isn't very smart Human World.
How to Desensitize Your Dog to Fireworks
Fortunately, there are several methods you can use to keep your dog from crying, whining, barking, and freaking out during a fireworks show on the Fourth of July.
Posted by
Lisa Nelsen-Woods
at
6/26/2016 09:17:00 AM
0
comments
Tags:
afraid
,
behaviore
,
desensitize
,
dog
,
fear
,
firecracker
,
fireworks
,
freak
,
How to
,
Lacey
,
out
,
scared
,
thunder
,
Thundershirt
,
training
,
tutorial
Wednesday, June 22, 2016
How to Install a New Doorbell Chime and Button
Normally I’m a fix it instead of replace it kind of gal but neither Husband nor I have any great love for our builder basic doorbell. When our doorbell wouldn’t chime even after I replaced the transformer, we took the opportunity to upgrade it to a door chime we can actually hear from upstairs as well as down.
I wanted a pretty doorbell button to replace the plastic builder grade monstrosity we had. Husband thought the door chimes that played different music and tones are more fun than the faint, “ding dong!” that bit the dust.
So of course we acted like two dorks testing all of the doorbell chimes in Lowes multiple times to find one we liked.
Sorry Lowes fellow shoppers.
Sometimes we are 12.
We bought the Utilitech Wireless Doorbell and Utilitech Antique Brass Doorbell Button (affiliate links for your convenience) to coordinate with the front doorknob and lock. This particular doorbell comes with a bunch of chimes (we are currently using the Westminster chimes setting.)
I got the opportunity to pick out a prettier doorbell button. Most importantly this doorbell lets us hardwire it to our current doorbell wiring although you can also install it as a wireless doorbell if you like.
We wanted to stay with a hardwired doorbell so we didn’t have to play Where are the rest of the rechargeable batteries? Did you recharge them? game on a regular basis but that’s just us.
I wanted a pretty doorbell button to replace the plastic builder grade monstrosity we had. Husband thought the door chimes that played different music and tones are more fun than the faint, “ding dong!” that bit the dust.
So of course we acted like two dorks testing all of the doorbell chimes in Lowes multiple times to find one we liked.
Sorry Lowes fellow shoppers.
Sometimes we are 12.
We bought the Utilitech Wireless Doorbell and Utilitech Antique Brass Doorbell Button (affiliate links for your convenience) to coordinate with the front doorknob and lock. This particular doorbell comes with a bunch of chimes (we are currently using the Westminster chimes setting.)
I got the opportunity to pick out a prettier doorbell button. Most importantly this doorbell lets us hardwire it to our current doorbell wiring although you can also install it as a wireless doorbell if you like.
We wanted to stay with a hardwired doorbell so we didn’t have to play Where are the rest of the rechargeable batteries? Did you recharge them? game on a regular basis but that’s just us.
How to Replace a Hard Wired Doorbell
Wednesday, June 15, 2016
How to Make an Iron Throne from a Lawn Chair
Everyone and I mean EVERYONE wants to sit upon the Iron Throne.
If you watch Game of Thrones you know exactly what I'm talking about. If you don't I'll give you a quick rundown:
And I want one.
If you watch Game of Thrones you know exactly what I'm talking about. If you don't I'll give you a quick rundown:
- There is a very uncomfortable chair they say is made from 1,000 enemy swords but it is really more like 200 forged by some guy named Shemp. Instead, they say it was forged by a Dragon because that sounds more majestic than A Guy Named Shemp and His Anvil.
- If you sit on the pointy sword chair you can brag you rule all of the Seven Kingdoms in this made up Dungeons and Dragons kind of world called Westros where everybody hates everybody - eventually.
- Each Kingdom has their own ruler who has a Special Chair or Bench which is more comfortable than the Iron Throne.
- All of the Comfy Chair Rulers (or their conniving relatives) want the Uncomfortable Sword Chair and will do anything to get it. This usually involves killing people at weddings. So mean!
- No one is smart enough to upholster the Iron Throne so the swords won't cut the person who plops their tush on it.
And I want one.
Sunday, June 12, 2016
How to Make a Power Tool Battery Charging Station
I made an easy sandpaper organizer and a quick woodworking clamp rack. My latest project – a power tool battery charging station and organizer is the last workshop organizer I need to keep my bench top clean and my power tool batteries charged and organized. Woo hoo!
I built the workbench from reclaimed materials too.
How to Build a Hanging Power Tool Battery Charger and Organizer
Posted by
Lisa Nelsen-Woods
at
6/12/2016 09:30:00 AM
0
comments
Tags:
battery
,
charger
,
DIY
,
home improvement
,
How to
,
organizer
,
plans
,
power
,
reclaimed
,
recycle
,
station
,
tool
,
tutorial
,
wall
,
woodworking
Monday, June 6, 2016
How to Install a Delta In2ition Showerhead with H2Okinetic Technology
Replacing the current showerhead with a hand shower shower head in the guest bathroom was always in the plan. I like how the hand shower in our Delta Faucet Company In2ition showerhead makes it easy to clean the Master Bathroom the soap out of Lacey’s fur.
Being kind of a geek about showerhead and faucets, I wanted to know what the difference is between the Delta In2ition showerhead I have and like and the new Delta In2ition Showerhead with H2Okinetic Technology provided by Delta Faucet Company to facilitate this test and tutorial.
Each type of Delta In2ition showerhead is supposed to give you a different shower experience while saving enough water to earn the Watersense label - using less than 2.0 gallons of water per minute (gpm.) Although truthfully after using both of these showerheads, you would never guess less water is coming out of either one. It feels like I'm taking a shower with more water not less!
Being kind of a geek about showerhead and faucets, I wanted to know what the difference is between the Delta In2ition showerhead I have and like and the new Delta In2ition Showerhead with H2Okinetic Technology provided by Delta Faucet Company to facilitate this test and tutorial.
Keep
reading for a chance to win a Delta In2Ition Shower with H20kinetic
Technology Showerhead sponsored by Delta Faucet Company!
Each type of Delta In2ition showerhead is supposed to give you a different shower experience while saving enough water to earn the Watersense label - using less than 2.0 gallons of water per minute (gpm.) Although truthfully after using both of these showerheads, you would never guess less water is coming out of either one. It feels like I'm taking a shower with more water not less!
Posted by
Lisa Nelsen-Woods
at
6/06/2016 08:34:00 PM
0
comments
Tags:
bath
,
bathroom
,
bathtub
,
change
,
Company
,
contest
,
Delta
,
faucet
,
giveaway
,
H20kinetic
,
How to
,
In2Ition
,
install
,
replace
,
shower
,
showerhead
,
Technology
,
tutorial
,
win
Subscribe to:
Posts
(
Atom
)