By Noreen Doll. My hands often get very chapped. I wash them frequently, which is hard on them. And in the winter time they dry out as well. I've tried all kinds of lotions and oils, which help some, but my hands can still be uncomfortable. Recently, I rubbed a Vaporizing Chest Rub (Vicks is one brand) all over my hands just before I went to bed. I couldn't … [Read more...] about A Fast Way to Heal Chapped Hands
Tips
The Best Back Scratcher I’ve Ever Had!
By Noreen Doll. The best back scratcher I've ever had is a metal pasta spoon. I've mostly lived in a dry climate, and when we run the heater in the house during the winter my skin dries out even more. As a consequence, my back would often itch. It's very difficult to reach your entire back with your fingers, and the itch always seems to be just out of reach of … [Read more...] about The Best Back Scratcher I’ve Ever Had!
How to Remove Furniture Dents from Carpet
By Noreen Doll. Recently I decided to move a heavy bookcase from where it had been sitting for several years. Once the bookcase was gone, there remained a deep imprint in the flattened carpet fibers where the bottom edges of the bookcase had been sitting. I had read about using ice cubes to rejuvenate dents in carpeting, so I decided to try it. I laid ice … [Read more...] about How to Remove Furniture Dents from Carpet
Sharpen Decorative Edge Scissors
By Noreen Doll. Decorative edge scissors are fun to use, and they leave pretty edges on paper projects. A good tip for using the scissors is to not cut quite all the way to the tip when you are cutting. Stop a short distance from the end and then realign the scissors to continue cutting. Cutting all the way to the end can cause the paper to tear instead of … [Read more...] about Sharpen Decorative Edge Scissors
How to Fix a Rusted Paper Punch
By Noreen Doll. I came across an old paper punch that had belonged to my folks. It had been around for quite a while, and because it was old, it was a very well made tool. But, unfortunately, it had rusted some on the inside, and when I squeezed it shut it stayed that way. I had to pry it open again to release it. I was going to dispose of it, but because it … [Read more...] about How to Fix a Rusted Paper Punch
How to Prevent Cord Ends from Fraying While You Work
By Noreen Doll. Do you ever try to thread ribbon or twine through a punched hole only to have the end fray and spread in all directions? One clever remedy I've discovered is to put a drop or two of white glue on my finger tip and then stick the end of the twine in the glue and rub the glue all over the end. Twist the end of the twine in the direction that … [Read more...] about How to Prevent Cord Ends from Fraying While You Work
Embroidery Thread Bobbin from a Milk Jug
By Noreen Doll. I had a little bit of plastic left around the opening of the milk jug and I wanted to be able to use it, because I challenged myself to use as much of the jug as I could. I noticed the plastic was just the right size for embroidery thread bobbins. So I used a bobbin I already had as a pattern, and traced the bobbins around the opening. And … [Read more...] about Embroidery Thread Bobbin from a Milk Jug
Folded Paper Pocket for a Book
By Noreen Doll. It's handy to know how to make a folded pocket for a book, because pockets are really handy for containing loose papers, and books usually come without pockets. I like to put at least one (usually more than one) in most books I make. And they are easy to add to a 3 ring binder, too. Here's how to make a folded paper pocket for a … [Read more...] about Folded Paper Pocket for a Book
Easy Way to Hide Paint Drips
By Noreen Doll. Here's an easy way to hide paint drips when you're painting. Our kitchen / dining room has a lot of brown trim in it, including a chair rail that goes around the dining room walls. Recently we painted the ceiling and walls, and while doing the ceiling, several drops of paint dripped onto the wood trim. By the time we noticed the paint drips, they … [Read more...] about Easy Way to Hide Paint Drips
Speed Dry a Painted or Decoupage Project
By Noreen Doll. When I craft I have a hard time waiting for paint, glue or Mod Podge to dry. So I figured out a way to speed dry my projects. I have an old hair dryer that is too hot on one setting and too slow on the other setting for drying hair. But it's perfect for drying my crafts quickly. When I use the dryer on the high setting, I hold it about a foot away … [Read more...] about Speed Dry a Painted or Decoupage Project
Remove Dried Paint Splotches Easily and Cheaply
By Noreen Doll. While painting recently, we managed to have dried paint splotches on the vinyl floor. Because the vinyl is textured, removing the paint splotches presented a problem. It couldn't just be scraped off because the vinyl wasn't a flat surface - it had tiny ridges. We tried various things, and then discovered that alcohol would soften the paint so it … [Read more...] about Remove Dried Paint Splotches Easily and Cheaply
DIY Alcohol Hand Wipes
By Noreen Doll. Make DIY alcohol hand wipes. Especially during cold and flu season, I use hand wipes a lot. And they are expensive! I keep a bag or two of them in my car, and carry a few with me in a ziplock sandwich bag. Because I use so many, I decided to make my own, and here's how I do it. Materials. Unscented Baby Wipes Bottle of … [Read more...] about DIY Alcohol Hand Wipes
