Potato Prints

You say "potato" I say "paint."

Okay, so that's not how the song goes, but it is how the craft goes! That's right... I said craft and paint together..... and here's the mind blower... on fabric!

Instead of buying some fancy stamps you'll use once (if ever) you can create your own "stamps" by cutting shapes into potato haves, dipping them in some fabric paint, and then stamping them onto fabric. Find step-by-step instructions on the article HERE, watch a Martha Stewart video HERE or check out a crafter in action, with great pictures HERE.

How to Cover a Wall Patch with Paint

Patching walls is a normal part of home maintenance, especially if you ever move furniture or have children. Patching the wall is only part of the process. Unless you plan on covering the patch with a piece of furniture or a picture you'll need to match the paint and paint over the area.

Although it's easy to paint over the area INcorrectly, it's also simple to fix it the correct way, once you know the proper techniques. Follow THIS article for info on how to paint over wall patches the right way.

Making Pleated Curtain Swags

Although you can purchase ready-made window treatments from the store, why not make your own?

Simple swags, which drape over the curtain rod, are easy to fashion, and even pleated curtain swags aren't difficult to create either. Designing and sewing your own curtains allows you to better match fabric around the room, and feature a particular theme in color or pattern.

Check out THIS article written by egghead for info on how to make pleated curtain swags.

Extending Curtain Poles

Window treatments enhance the design and turn a plain room to into a room with pizazz!

Although many curtain poles are telescoping, which adjust to the width of your window, from time to time you might have to adjust the pole yourself. Check out THIS article for info on how to extend curtain poles.

Making Wired Star Christmas Ornaments

So Christmas might be over, but in all the rush to get things done during the season, I forgot to complete some of the super-cool decorating ideas I'd collected over the year. One of the nifty ideas I found from Family Fun Magazine was a rustic-looking wire star-shaped Christmas ornament.

Check out THIS article for ways to create a similar ornament and then alter it slightly to fit the color scheme of your Christmas tree.  (I'm still trying to figure out if there is a way to add lights inside... so let me know if you have any ideas!)


(Photo from the Family Fun Website)

Installing Rain Barrels

Rain barrels add a rustic charm to any home, and also help conserve water- talk about a Win-Win!

Although many homeowners might hesitate to fiddle with the downspouts on their home, swapping out a portion of the spout is easy when you check out THIS video and read the instructions on THIS eHow article.

Don't think you are limited to just the traditional wooden-style of rain barrel though. Today's homeowners have many options for collecting water. you can also purchase plastic-style tubs, or more designer rain harvesters such as THIS  THIS or THIS.

PVC Lighthouse Birdhouse

Birdhouses are both fun to make and functional for birds. Instead of breaking out the ole hammer and nails, why not try to make a fun lighthouse themed birdhouse from PVC pipe instead. It's already round, which obviously looks more like a lighthouse, and will make for a great conversation starter with your friends who visit the house.

Follow THIS LINK for info on how to create your own birdhouse from PVC pipes.