By Noreen Doll. A friend moved into a place that was in really bad shape, and she asked for ideas on how to clean it. The oven was awful, but she didn't want to have to spend hours trying to scrub it. So we tried a trick that I had done before. And this was the result. Look at the window. We had a job ahead of us! Supplies. Whisk Broom with … [Read more...] about Clean Your Oven Without Scrubbing
tips
Milk Jug Ideas
By Noreen Doll. Never throw away a milk jug or vinegar jug again! There are so many ways a milk jug can be upcycled or re-used. Other plastic bottles, such as vinegar jugs, soda bottles, and water bottles can also be used again. In fact, think how any plastic container can be re-used. Because plastic is so durable, it is much better to find ways to upcycle it … [Read more...] about Milk Jug Ideas
How to Turn a Soda Can into a Flat Sheet of Aluminum
There are lots of great crafts you can make from aluminum cans. And the colorful logos on the cans add to the finished project. For most projects you need to first turn a soda can into a flat sheet of aluminum. When I'm cutting aluminum cans, I like to wear a kevlar glove on the hand holding the can to prevent cuts. The can edges are really sharp when … [Read more...] about How to Turn a Soda Can into a Flat Sheet of Aluminum
Placemats Are a Great Teaching Tool
By Noreen Doll. We've discovered that placemats are a great teaching tool. Kids love to use the colorful mats at mealtime, and they can't help seeing and learning what's on the mats. Our kids are voracious learners, and they've learned so much from place mats. We've had some really interesting ones, including a U.S.A. map with states and capitals, the solar … [Read more...] about Placemats Are a Great Teaching Tool
Easy Way to Clean Blinds
By Noreen Doll. A friend who had just moved into a new (to her) house asked me if there was any easy way to clean blinds that had accumulated grime over the years. I suggested we try hanging them outside on the clothesline to clean them. After they were hung, we hosed them down from side to side, starting at the top, with a hard stream of water from the … [Read more...] about Easy Way to Clean Blinds
Easy Way to Make a Shamrock
By Noreen Doll. Shamrocks can be a bit tricky to make look nice and even, but here's an easy way to make a shamrock. All you need is one heart, and you can make any size shamrock depending on the size of heart you use. Here's how you do it. Supplies. 1 Heart (How to make a heart pattern.) 1 Sheet of Paper Pencil with Eraser An Easy Way to Make a … [Read more...] about Easy Way to Make a Shamrock
How to Cut Holes in the Middle of Something
By Noreen Doll. I make lots of projects that require holes in the middle where they are hard to cut. Here is an easy way to cut holes in the middle of something. If the item is soft and flexible and bends easily, cut the hole like this. Fold the item in half so you can see half of the hole on either side. Using sharp scissors, cut a small slit in the … [Read more...] about How to Cut Holes in the Middle of Something
A Fast Way to Heal Chapped Hands
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
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
