We are the first owners of our condo built long after the US 1978 lead paint ban. We don’t have peeling paint and my family doesn’t lick the walls (which in my opinion would mean we have a bigger problem!) As far as any scaremongering about lead being everywhere in every home, we figured we’re good.
Except.
Maybe not.
I like to upcycle and recycle found, salvage, and old stuff in my DIY projects. Swap meets, antique shows, and flea markets are my playgrounds. Some of my favorite transformations started out as thrift store finds or from the side of the road. I didn’t think I had to worry about lead in my project materials because I generally steer clear of chipping paint because it is a pain to sand smooth.
I recently discovered chipping paint does not mean an item is covered in lead paint. Neither does the color of the paint. Actually bare wood or stained items can test positive for lead because of something in the stain or varnish.
Monday, April 4, 2016
Thursday, March 24, 2016
Recycled Pallet and Pot Planters
A big wood barrel planter is so welcoming at the end of a driveway, on a front porch, deck, or patio. Unfortunately those expensive buggers start to crack and rot a few years after you buy them.
If only there was a way, to get a lasting wood barrel planter look for less. Then we can get down to the business of buying and growing pretty plants and not replacing their planters every other year.
There is something to say for a lasting rustic garden like this one.
If only there was a way, to get a lasting wood barrel planter look for less. Then we can get down to the business of buying and growing pretty plants and not replacing their planters every other year.
There is something to say for a lasting rustic garden like this one.
Photo courtesy of Make the Best of Things
Posted by
Lisa Nelsen-Woods
at
3/24/2016 08:00:00 AM
0
comments
Tags:
decorating
,
DIY
,
easy
,
free
,
frugal
,
gardening
,
Gardens
,
green
,
Homes
,
kitsch
,
recycle
,
reuse
,
saving money
Tuesday, March 22, 2016
Zipper Yoga Mat Tote Bag Tutorial
Yoga is my favorite form of exercise. Husband thoughtfully gave me a better and slightly thicker sticky yoga mat so I didn’t have to borrow his mat anymore. Awww. What a guy!
He offered to buy me a new yoga mat bag too. I told him I had all of the materials I need in my craft room to make a yoga mat bag.
Three months later I finally got around to making it.
My bloggy friend Jen Goode from 100 Directions asked me to be part of her National Craft Month celebration. Jen’s blog collaboration was the kick in the seat I needed to design and sew the yoga mat bag I planned from recycled and stash bust craft materials.
He offered to buy me a new yoga mat bag too. I told him I had all of the materials I need in my craft room to make a yoga mat bag.
Three months later I finally got around to making it.
Wednesday, March 16, 2016
Felt Peep Easter Bunting
You know it is Easter season when Peeps start peeping their wee little face at you from rows upon rows of packages in the candy aisle. Love them or hate them - their seems to be no in between - it is full on Peep Season.
I like marshmallows but for some reason, eating marshmallow Peeps is not my thing. But decorating with Peeps? That's something I am into.
I like marshmallows but for some reason, eating marshmallow Peeps is not my thing. But decorating with Peeps? That's something I am into.
Sunday, March 13, 2016
How to Make a Corner Window Cornice
Our Master Bedroom has a windows on each wall in a corner and high ceilings. Installing a corner window cornice will tie the windows together and solve several window decorating problems:
- A window cornice will add visual height to the wall while also visually bringing down the high ceiling.
- I can use small scale curtain rods I already have. I don't need to buy new curtain rods that meet in the corner or need to have a custom corner window curtain rod made or cut to order.
- I can hang off the shelf curtains lower on the wall and just touching the floor so they look like custom length curtains. The cornice hides the curtain rod and hardware.
- I can make a lightweight custom window corner for practically nothing because I am using cardboard boxes to build it.
- It’s a no sew project. If you can use a stapler, you can make this project!
How to Make a Cardboard Window Valance
Posted by
Lisa Nelsen-Woods
at
3/13/2016 09:00:00 AM
0
comments
Tags:
architecture
,
cheap
,
corner
,
cornice
,
decorating
,
design
,
DIY
,
easy
,
frugal
,
furniture tutorial
,
green
,
How to
,
no
,
saving money
,
sew
,
tutorial
,
valance
,
widow
Friday, March 11, 2016
20 Rainy Day Weekend Projects
Around here weekends are for building, home improvement, and a big bunch of DIY projects because I have two uninterrupted days of outdoor work time.
Unless it rains.
Unless it rains.
Posted by
Lisa Nelsen-Woods
at
3/11/2016 08:00:00 AM
0
comments
Tags:
bath
,
Better
,
cheap
,
crafts
,
decorating
,
DIY
,
easy
,
frugal
,
Gardens
,
Homes
,
ideas
,
project
,
roundup
,
saving money
,
tutorial
Wednesday, March 9, 2016
How to Adjust a Shower Water Temperature Valve
The shower in our guest bathroom runs cold and takes forever to heat up. It can be sign your water heater is ready to heave its last breath. Sure enough after 11 years of faithful service, our water heater went to that great metal recycling plant in the sky.
Well, actually, it went to a metal recycling plant down the round but in the sky sounds more poetic.
Shower water still took forever to heat with the new water heater. I thought it was set at a lower temperature until we passed inspection from the natural gas company.
Nope.
The natural gas inspector told me our hot water heater passed with flying colors and is already set at the correct temperature. He said the issue is with the faucet not the water heater. The water temperature regulator (also known as a scald valve) on the faucet is set too low.
Well, actually, it went to a metal recycling plant down the round but in the sky sounds more poetic.
Shower water still took forever to heat with the new water heater. I thought it was set at a lower temperature until we passed inspection from the natural gas company.
Nope.
The natural gas inspector told me our hot water heater passed with flying colors and is already set at the correct temperature. He said the issue is with the faucet not the water heater. The water temperature regulator (also known as a scald valve) on the faucet is set too low.
How to Adjust the Water Temperature Regulator on a Kohler Shower Faucet
Posted by
Lisa Nelsen-Woods
at
3/09/2016 08:00:00 AM
1
comments
Tags:
adjust
,
bath
,
DIY
,
faucet
,
fix
,
green
,
home improvement
,
How to
,
Kohler
,
plumbing
,
regulator
,
saving energy
,
saving money
,
shower
,
temperature
,
tutorial
,
valve
,
water
Monday, March 7, 2016
How to Make Bottle Cap Tiles
I want another ear phone, phone, and table charger organizer for the living room to hold the overflow from the Cigar Box and Wine Cork Storage Box I made last month.
I found a decorative Indian spice box during a 10 minute tidy in the kitchen that will a few quick tweaks will fit the bill just fine thank you.
The interior wood dividers easily popped out of the box in my hand. I wanted to add feet to the bottom of my DIY decorative storage box. What to use?
Bottle caps!
I found a decorative Indian spice box during a 10 minute tidy in the kitchen that will a few quick tweaks will fit the bill just fine thank you.
The interior wood dividers easily popped out of the box in my hand. I wanted to add feet to the bottom of my DIY decorative storage box. What to use?
Bottle caps!
Sunday, February 28, 2016
DIY Allergy Friendly Homemade Furniture Dusting Spray
Dusting is not my favorite chore. I tried to make it easier by using a feather duster to dust the stuff on bookshelves and other hard to reach up too high places.
Until my allergist put the kibosh on that. He says feather dusters push more dust around than they pick up (including my fancy ostrich feather duster as well as the even fancier lambs wool dusters.)
Which for most of you will still work all fine and dandy but not for me. I have a litany of seasonal allergens including and especially dust mites. So how exactly am I supposed to dust the furniture without commercial dusting sprays or a feather or lambs wool duster?
In this instance, my allergist recommended the best way to clean dust and dust mites is also the most non toxic and cheapest cleaner in the world – water!
Until my allergist put the kibosh on that. He says feather dusters push more dust around than they pick up (including my fancy ostrich feather duster as well as the even fancier lambs wool dusters.)
Which for most of you will still work all fine and dandy but not for me. I have a litany of seasonal allergens including and especially dust mites. So how exactly am I supposed to dust the furniture without commercial dusting sprays or a feather or lambs wool duster?
In this instance, my allergist recommended the best way to clean dust and dust mites is also the most non toxic and cheapest cleaner in the world – water!
How to Make Nontoxic and CHEAP! DIY Dust & Allergen Furniture Spray
Pin this post for later!
Posted by
Lisa Nelsen-Woods
at
2/28/2016 09:17:00 AM
0
comments
Tags:
cleaner
,
cleaning
,
cleaning and organization
,
DIY
,
frugal
,
furniture
,
furniture tutorial
,
health and beauty
,
How to
,
kids
,
nontoxic
,
reuse/recycle
,
saving money
,
tutorial
Sunday, February 21, 2016
12 Things I Do Not Buy and What I Use Instead
Like most of you, I buy things on sale to save money where I can. Unfortunately, I’m just as guilty as anyone else who ran to the store to
buy two things and came out with a buggy of stuff because I found a sale or a deal.
Sometimes I saved money and often times I didn't. The light bulb went off when I decluttered and
organized the basement of our old place. Most of the Donate Pile was
stuff I bought on sale because I thought I was saving money at the time.
The easiest way to stop those intermittent money leaks disguised as saving was to stop buying things I didn't need even if they were on sale. I either gave up using it, found a reusable for a disposable, or repurposed something to take its place - all are extremely green, painless, and low cost options!
So scoot over to my food blog Lazy Budget Chef to read my post:
Make sure you read the comments. A bunch of super smart folks shared their money saving tips there too!
Did you enjoy this post? Get more like it by subscribing to the Condo Blues RSS Feed or to Condo Blues by Email.
The easiest way to stop those intermittent money leaks disguised as saving was to stop buying things I didn't need even if they were on sale. I either gave up using it, found a reusable for a disposable, or repurposed something to take its place - all are extremely green, painless, and low cost options!
So scoot over to my food blog Lazy Budget Chef to read my post:
12 Things I Do Buy
Make sure you read the comments. A bunch of super smart folks shared their money saving tips there too!
Did you enjoy this post? Get more like it by subscribing to the Condo Blues RSS Feed or to Condo Blues by Email.
Posted by
Lisa Nelsen-Woods
at
2/21/2016 09:05:00 AM
0
comments
Tags:
coupons and deals
,
craft
,
DIY
,
food and drink
,
frugal
,
green
,
health and beauty
,
How to
,
reuse/recycle
,
roundup
,
saving money
,
shopping
,
tutorial
Subscribe to:
Posts
(
Atom
)