Seasonal centerpiece – Turn a large pumpkin or squash into a bowl.  Fill it with ornamental gourds and small pumpkins.

Autumn chandelier – Suspend burnished miniature pumpkins and gilded maple leaves from a chandelier with thread.

Curvaceous container – Turn a narrow-necked gourd into a vase by sawing off the gourd’s tip.

Post from: Keeping the Castle

1. Try to unscrew your shower head yourself.  Many of them can unscrew with your hands.  If this doesn’t work, you’ll need some plyers.
2. Wrap your plyers in tape (this is to keep them from scratching up your shower head).  Remove showerhead.
3. Use a toothpick to remove large clumps of build up.
4. Submerge the showerhead in vinegar.  You can use a bowl, bucket, etc.  Soak the showerhead all day or overnight.  If you don’t want to remove the showerhead from the wall, then you can try filling a bag (maybe a Ziploc) with vinegar and tying the bag around the showerhead with a rubber band or something strong enough to hold the weight of the vinegar.  The vinegar will dissolve the mineral deposits.
5. Remove showerhead from vinegar submersion and reattach to the shower.

Enjoy your clean showerhead!

image sxc.hu

Post from: Keeping the Castle

Hello all! Lou Manfredini here, Ace’s “Helpful Hardware Man.” I’m excited to share some easy tips on adding curb appeal to your home this summer. Keeping the outside of your home looking great has two purposes: you’re able to see a home you’re proud of every day and it increases your home’s overall value.

One of the most important things you’ll want to do is to keep your home’s exterior paint and caulking in tip-top shape. If you have a painted home and there are areas that could use some TLC, follow this advice:

• Scrape off any loose paint and sand the areas to feather the edges of the scraped paint to the rest of the surface.
• Spot prime the areas with a good exterior, stain-killing primer like Ace Stain Halt, which is low-VOC and easy to apply and clean up.
• Finally, repaint the siding with a satin finish exterior paint to repel moisture.

If the front door is looking a little shabby, consider repainting that as well. After all, it is the first thing people see when walking up to your home. To make your door shine, follow these simple steps:

• Start by using a sanding sponge to level off the old finish of the painted surface.
• Next, prime the entire surface with a durable primer like Ace Stain Halt. It is easy to apply, cost-effective and clean up is a breeze – all you need is soap and water.
• Once the door is fully dry, lightly sand the door before applying at least two coats of a high-quality exterior paint in a semi-gloss finish. Choose a color that complements your home and be sure to use a really good brush – it does make a difference.

Finally, finish off your entryway with new accessories. Replace door handles, doorknockers and house numbers with shiny new versions or simply paint your old ones to get that “brand-new” look. These small changes can really make a big splash!

How have you added curb appeal to your home?

image (c) Karen Weideman

Post from: Keeping the Castle

Better Homes & Gardens always has great do-it-yourself projects and home improvement ideas.  BHG has step by step instructions on how to upholster a headboard.

To make this headboard you’ll need plywood, foam, and about 7 yards of fabric.  Check out BHG’s step by step instructions.

image from Better Homes & Gardens

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Get a grill – If you already have a grill, then get it working.  Clean it up and change any needed parts.  You also might want to get a grill cover to keep the rain and weather from causing damage.  I don’t know about you, but once summer rolls around I enjoy cooking outside.  It keeps me from heating up the house and there are so many foods that taste great when cooked on the grill.  Have some friends over, grill some meats and veggies, and have fun!

Start a garden – I’ve been meaning to start a garden these past few weeks, but I just haven’t had the time.  Last year I enjoyed peppers and tomatoes and this year I plan to plant more things.  Starting a garden is on my priority list for next week.  Come summer, I’ll be enjoying fresh vegetables off the vine.  They seem to taste so much better when you’ve grown them yourself and it definitely saves on your grocery budget.

Put in a deck or patio – Decks and patios can be expensive, but you can save a lot of money if you build them yourself.  Decks and patios can be used for years to come and they make such a great hangout spot for your summer get togethers.

Plant some flowers and plants – It’s hard to enjoy your yard when it doesn’t look good.  Plants and flowers are one of the easiest ways to spruce up a yard.  Personally, I like perennials because they come back each year, don’t require a lot of fuss, and they’re a more thrifty choice.  Check with your local stores for tips on plants and flowers to plant in your area.

Image: sxc.hu

Consider the little things – Sometimes minor changes can make a difference.  Is your garden flag tattered and faded?  Does the outside light provide enough light?  Changing minor things can make your yard more appealing and comfortable for you and your guests.

Get some lawn furniture – I have always wanted some nice outdoor furniture.  Maybe one of these days I can make this purchase.  I have a big deck this year so it would be nice to sit outside under and umbrella and have lunch.  If you already have outdoor furniture, then now is the time to get it cleaned up and ready to use.  If it looks a little worn, then it may be possible to clean it with a Mr. Clean Magic Eraser or perhaps you could just replace or recover the cushions.

Hang up bird feeders – Even if you don’t have much money this year, chances are you can afford a bird feeder.  There’s something very peaceful and calming about watching beautiful birds outside your windows.

Consider some outdoor storage - To put it nicely, outdoor junk is very unattractive.  I can’t stand to see things lying around the yard.  If you don’t have a shed or outbuilding, you might consider getting one.  If you can’t afford a building or if you don’t need something that large, there are other storage options such as storage benches and deck boxes.

Get the bugs under control – It is hard to enjoy the great outdoors if there are pests flying around.  You certainly don’t want your guests to be eaten up by bugs while they’re visiting.  You may want to try citronella candles or torches.  Also, keep in mind that there are also some pretty neat traps and repeller gadgets out there now.

Think about some decor – From arches and trellisis to ponds and fountains, there is something out there for everyone.  Look online or drive around different neighborhoods and look for things you like.

These are some of the things you can do to make your yard more enjoyable this summer.  What suggestions do you have to add to this list?

Post from: Keeping the Castle

image from bhg

Post from: Keeping the Castle