I live where it gets hot in the summer! One of the upstairs rooms has 3 enormous west facing windows so the hot afternoon sun bakes this room for several hours each day. Even though the windows are double paned, the windows, the shades, and the room really heat up by early evening. We have a swamp cooler, and a ceiling fan in this room, but it’s an uphill battle … [Read more...] about How to Insulate Windows from the Summer Sun (Cheaply!)
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Gingerbread Man Wreath from a Brown Paper Bag
By Noreen Doll. This gingerbread man wreath is a great craft to make with kids. And it recycles brown paper grocery bags. Or you could make it from brown kraft paper or brown paper packaging material. Instead of buying gingerbread man ornaments, as I did, you can make gingerbread men with the kids. Gingerbread men can be made from brown paper bags and … [Read more...] about Gingerbread Man Wreath from a Brown Paper Bag
Cheap Amateur Painting Tips
By Noreen Doll. Periodically we need to repaint a room in our house, and in the process have found some ways to make painting cheaper and easier. Of course, we always buy good quality paint, but we've discovered some cheap tricks to help keep the costs down. Foam Brushes Get a couple of bags of multiple sizes of foam brushes. They do edges nicely because of … [Read more...] about Cheap Amateur Painting Tips
Easy, No-Mess Way to Paint Baseboards
By Noreen Doll. We love this super easy no-mess way to paint baseboards. Before when we've painted, we used a paint edger, which needs to be wiped free of paint after each use. This left us with tons of paint smeared paper towels or rags, and we usually managed to get some paint where we didn't want it anyway. This time we applied packing tape along the edge … [Read more...] about Easy, No-Mess Way to Paint Baseboards
How to Coffee Dye or Tea Dye
By Noreen Doll. Sometimes you want to craft with a dingy or antique white color fabric, and it can be difficult to find just the shade you want in a store. By knowing how to coffee dye or tea dye, you can get just exactly the shade you need. First you need to decide on what kind of fabric you want to use. 100% cotton seems to work best for dyeing, but do try other … [Read more...] about How to Coffee Dye or Tea Dye
Cheap Laminating
By Noreen Doll. You can use packaging tape for cheap laminating if you don't have - and don't want to buy - a laminating machine. I make sure the tape I laminate with is completely clear. One thing it is really nice for is preserving recipe cards. I have a few old recipe cards written by hand by relatives who are long gone. And I think it's pretty special to be … [Read more...] about Cheap Laminating
No Sew Fingerless Gloves
By Noreen Doll. (Look for my sewing version of fingerless gloves on Jewelry Making Journal.) Make a quick pair of no-sew fingerless gloves from a pair of knee socks. During cold weather, when I am working at my computer or crafting, my wrists and hands often get very cold. Because I need my fingers free to type or craft, I can't wear gloves for warmth. And … [Read more...] about No Sew Fingerless Gloves
Note Paper Toddlers Can Make For Mom
By Noreen Doll. Note paper toddlers can make for Mom is a fun and easy Mothers Day gift for toddlers to create. This particular set of note paper toddlers can make for Mom was made for a Mom who loves green, trees, and leaves. She loves this notepaper so much that she uses them very stingily because she can't bear to part with them. These stamped sheets can be made … [Read more...] about Note Paper Toddlers Can Make For Mom
Haunting Halloween Notepads
By Noreen Doll. Haunting Halloween notepads are a wonderful idea for a small Halloween gift! Done in assembly line fashion, you can make a lot of them in a short time. These Halloween notepads are perfect for Trick or Treat, small gifts for friends or co-workers, or for kids to make to give their friends. Another great way to use them is as Halloween party … [Read more...] about Haunting Halloween Notepads
Acrylic Post-It Note Holder
By Noreen Doll. Craft an easy acrylic Post-It note holder for all your friends, co-workers, or kids' teachers. All you need are an acrylic photo frame, a pad of Post-It notes, and a few embellishments. This is a great way to use up left over crafting supplies! What You Need Acrylic Photo Frame - that can stand by itself, either 3x5 or 4x6 Pad of Post-It … [Read more...] about Acrylic Post-It Note Holder
Large Round Gift Bag
By Noreen Doll. Create a large round gift bag for an unusually large candle or other large round item. We needed a Bunco gift and decided to look for candles at the after Christmas sales. While we were looking over the candles, we spied a very large red candle with 3 wicks on top. When we picked it up, it weighed a ton! The label said it was 6 inches wide x 12 … [Read more...] about Large Round Gift Bag
Free Toddler Games
© by Noreen Doll. These free toddler games are inexpensive and easy to make, as well as fun and educational. Because they are made of craft foam and other durable materials, unless they are chewed on, toddlers can have fun with them without destroying them. These free toddler games would be great for travel, or to use as stocking stuffers or basket … [Read more...] about Free Toddler Games
