Category Archives: DIY

Y DIY ?
Why DIY?
Why not !

Painted Headboard/ Deep Thought By Cynthia

   Do you cruise right over the DIY shows on TV? Slow-down and watch a few. If you are not a DIYer, then you’re missing out on a lot.

First of all – yes, you CAN do almost any and every project that needs doing in your home.
 
And, yes, you DO want to ! Because of the bucket-loads of money it will save you. ( not to mention the sense of self-satisfaction)

gaucherschat

 
     When you hire a “pro” you are often paying for a lot more than you think. Frankly, the more of a “pro” they are, usually, the more expensive equipment they have.  And many times, they have purchased it on credit or with a loan. So, when they price a job, often they are also pricing in their payments and interest. Also their licensing and insurance and sometimes also the cost of being “bonded”. But you are not going to sue yourself or rob yourself – so these can be eliminated.
     Even if you have “the pro” submit a job bid showing separate prices for labor and materials – Don’t trust it.  Take the materials list into the store and price it yourself. I did this recently and found they were charging three times what the materials actually cost.
 

DYI Chatroom

More great info:
     Here’s a news-flash…. (in most cases)  the folks you would hire to do your projects are NOT Rocket Scientists!  Nope! It may seem that they perform magic and have skills way over your head but, very often,  what they REALLY have… is THE RIGHT TOOLS FOR THE JOB! You wouldn’t believe how much difference it makes. Common tools, power tools, saws, etc. are worth your money to purchase. Avoid the temptation to get the latest/greatest/most expensive. In addition, the tools that are more specialized, or that you are not likely to need very often can be rented (or borrowed?).
     You’ll be amazed at how much is offered for rent by your local Home improvement Store – just ask them ! And what they don’t have, a good Rental establishment will ! And both of these sources consider showing you how to use the items as part of the deal -  just ask !  For outside jobs, requiring really big equipment, many rental places will bring it to you.

casasugar.com

     Any task that you decide to tackle yourself – remember – not only are you saving money over hiring “the expensive pro”, but you are adding a new skill to your own abilities. And you’ll be able to put this to use repeatedly in the future.

CAN U DIY ? YES U CAN !

As if shopping for the gifts and getting them home isn’t enough — wrapping them all can really be a big project. And keeping the kids at bay while you’re doing this? Fogetaboutit!     Instead of keeping them at bay — put them to work. And keep it all simple and low-cost too.

Martha's Moments

Aurelia's Farm Aurelia's Farm

     Try wrapping with plain, brown package paper or, even better, white butcher paper. It’s very cheap and comes in big rolls and is useable for tons of things. Also have some plain bags for gift bags.  If you keep these supplies around, and keep your kids around – you can have wrapping for any and all occasions on hand all the time.

Jane Means

 

 

chdeedoh.com

Bodo

Moms Go Green

 HOW?

1. Wrap a package in the brown or the white plain paper, or bag.

2. Pass it over to your Elves!

3. Armed with stickers, stencils, coloring pens, pencils, paints, ink stamps, glue & glitter* – THEY GET TO COLOR IT AND DRAW PICTURES ON IT AND THEY GET TO DRAW THE WHO IT’S TO AND WHO IT’S FROM RIGHT ON THE PACKAGE!

squawkfox.com

Parents

* Aw, cummon’, what’s Holiday time without glitter? It adds so much… yeah, it’ll make a mess, but designate one Glitter Station, put down some of the butcher paper there, bring the vacuum nearby from the start and you’ll do fine.

The Elf -Made Wrapping Method also works wonders for the packages that you have to ship.   You want them to be wrapped inside their outer layer of package paper, or outer box, and a puffy bow causes a problem. Instead, draw/color or paint a big puffy bow ! Totally flat and no shipping dilemmas.

passionatehomemaking.com

Mega Crafty

 In no time you’ll have a pile of polka-dot packages, reindeer boxes, menorahed gift bags, dradled containers, faux bows and not-real ribbons! And its especially fun to be able to go crazy with the TO: and the FROM: They might not even be names, they might be the kid’s drawings of the faces of the Giver and Getter.

Pigeon Pair

twoheartstogether.com

Jane Means

Once you get the hang of it, you’ve got a real production line going; you’re wrapping each package in the same paper. You just pass it on to the WRAP ARTISTS and they go nuts coloring and glittering!   People LOVE things that are hand-made and personalized. The outside of the package will give them almost as big a smile and what’s inside.