w i x h a c k a t h o n s f

Author: Aved1961

  • Guest Picks: Create a Home Art Center for Kids

    Guest Picks: Create a Home Art Center for Kids

    I’m on a constant mission to organizeclean, tidy and contain. I can not claim success often, however, as living with children appears inherently disorganized, untidy and not contained. My latest project is to make the world’s most perfect art center for my almost-5-year-old daughter. I will even give up the “most ideal” component to have a place where she can do what she loves — make — and I do not need to measure on scattered paper scraps, pipe cleaners, crayons and pencil shavings, particularly because this art center is tucked in the corner of their living room for all to see.

    That is an assortment of inspirational and organizational tools for my kid’s art center — however, since the space is her very own, she’ll need to give final approval, of course. — Meaghan from The Decorated Cookie

    The Land of Nod

    Function of Art Clips – $10.99

    Below are some cute clips to go with the curtain wires.

    White Multi Organizer – $24.95

    This may have to be my first purchase to arrange all those crayons and scissors and markers, oh my.

    Layla Grayce

    Chalkboard Mini – $18

    I feel these could maybe be the place for my kid to take notes and plan her out. Or they can just be some place to scribble scrabble on the walls unimpeded by matters like scoldings.

    The Container Store

    Elephant Canvas Bin, Pink/Brown – $31.99

    I love these animal-themed fabric bins. They’d be good to store paper and craft projects, or they may be applied as paper recycling bins.

    The Land of Nod

    My Bucket, My Buddy – $12.99

    I’d love a different color bucket for all: pens, figurines, crafts, fabric, pipe cleaners. Although with my kid’s extensive art supplies, I would wind up with enough buckets to fill the whole room.

    P’kolino

    P’kolino Chalk Table and 2 Benches, White – $109.99

    This clever table includes a chalkboard top that flips over to a more traditional table. Additionally, it’s a bonus storage area under the key panel.

    IKEA

    Måla Tabletop Paper Holder – $6.99

    This was a buy, together with the accompanying roster of paper, I made before my daughter could hold a crayon. It is worth every penny — and past. She and I use this not only for large scale drawing, but also for covering surfaces for other art projects.

    IKEA

    Dignitet Curtain Wire – $12.99

    In my to-do listing is finding a cute and clever way to display my prolific artist’s job — but not eternally, given said prolific nature. I’m thinking these drape wires with clips will do just fine.

    Etsy

    Alphabet Wall Decal by Designed Beginnings – $35

    All these are for just in case the children need a bit of letter advice when writing in their journals.

    Goal

    Multidot Metal Square Utensil Caddy

    This is meant for utensils, but it might also be used to divide art supplies. Bonus: It is colorful and inexpensive.

    Stubby Pencil Studio

    Crayon Rocks – $7.95

    This website is filled to the brim with ecofriendly art, craft and school supplies for children. Pencils, markers, projects, stickers, clay — you name it, they have it.

    Fat Brain Toys

    Big Art Set – $28.95

    This kit includes everything they need, and then some: coloured pencils, markers, crayons, watercolors, an eraser, a sharpener and even pastels.

    Fred Flare

    Staple-Free Paper Stapler – $10

    Do you want to learn exactly what this strange contraption is? It is a staple-free stapler. Finally, a safe stapler for children! No longer holes through the palms.

    MoMA Store

    Fine Art Scratch and Sketch – $12.99

    Leave it to MoMA to make sure the arts are coated for children. This sketch and action book guides children in recreating works of their masters. I would have loved this as a kid. Heck, I enjoy it.

    Amazon

    Make and Takes for Kids: 50 Crafts Throughout the Year – $16.23

    This publication is on my own to-buy list. The author’s website, Make and Takes, is full of kid-friendly actions, and this publication would give my daughter and me motive to make good use of an art center.

    Amazon

    Ed Emberley’s Drawing Book of Animals – $6.99

    Sigh, I love Ed Emberley! I had an early version of this publication back in the ’80s — no, probably the ’70s? I recall carefully copying every step to learn how to draw. My mom recently found my copy buried deep in a closet.

    IKEA

    Måla Easel – $14.99

    I’ve got this easel. It’s by far the best buy, given how cheap it is.

    Restoration Hardware Baby & Child

    Chalkboard Easel – $119

    You can also fancy things up a bit more with this chalkboard easel. Additionally, it comes in a white, scalloped framework.

    Scandinavian Design Center

    Vera Carpet, Cerise – $99

    I discovered these rugs only by searching for washable carpets that might work under an art center. All these are Pappelinas, plastic carpets from Sweden. Washable and well priced, they come in a variety of sizes and a whole lot of cool designs and colours.

    Urban Outfitters

    York Trash Bucket – $24

    This simple and pretty bucket goes seamlessly together with the surrounding living room decoration. If they made one for recyclables too.

    More:
    How to Split a Nook for Play
    Homeschooling Spaces Make the Honor Roll

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  • Guest Groups: Creative Mother's Day Presents

    Guest Groups: Creative Mother's Day Presents

    I love that we have a special day to honor our moms. With only a little thought, we can go beyond a pot of marigolds and a card. We can honor our moms with special, creative gifts that will be treaured for several decades. — Shannon from Shannon Berrey Design

    RedEnvelope

    Gardening Gloves – $29.95

    These gardening gloves are a practical but fashionable gift for moms who like to garden. These pretties shield so beautifully with their tiny embroidered monogram.

    Etsy

    Custom Cut Paper Child And Family Portrait By Annie Sklaver

    Family portraits consistently earn a mother’s heart swell, however, about embracing a creative, handmade three-dimensional portrait? These gorgeous small shadow box presents are created from your particular family photograph.

    UncommonGoods

    Mother And Daughter Letter Book – $38

    My mother has good stories, but I can not possibly remember them all. This letter publication is intended as a memory collection for daughters — a keepsake from their moms. With prompts to promote handwritten letters between the two of you, it’s a gorgeous way to start talks and is also a terrific way to find out more about the woman you helped produce.

    Etsy

    Family Recipe On A Platter By Custom Sepia – $60

    I love preparing meals from my mother’s recipe cards. Though the cards now have cluttered edges and a small yellowing because of age and wear, I love seeing her handwritten recipe. You can have these fairly memories transferred to a porcelain platter which can be used and cherished for years to come!

    RedEnvelope

    Year Of Seeds – $79.95

    This entertaining gift comes as a pair of 12 seed packets and small pots that enable you to make a fairly windowsill garden year-round. Mother can have a fresh bloom every month.

    Etsy

    Custom Made Illustrated House Portrait By Rebekka Seale Art & Illustration – $150

    Our homes hold so many memories. What a lovely gift it would be to receive a custom painting of your property. These sweet watercolors can be lettered with a title and address, and you can even add your pets to the lawn.

    Etsy

    Personalized Acrylic Tray Catch-All By Lime Tree Gifts – $14

    I love the size of the acrylic tray (6 by 6 inches). What a pretty way to store her cosmetics, jewelry or keys!

    Terrain

    Napa Valley Bath Company Breathe Bath Milk – $18

    I came home with this tiny bottle of bath milk whilst visiting Napa. Made from natural buttermilk and abundant sea salt, it creates a wonderful, relaxing bath.

    Humanité

    “S’Mother” – $20

    In case you have a mother who loves to put the advice on thick, then you’ll love this humorous book written by a man who, after years of therapy, shares the letters and stories of his own mother.

    UncommonGoods

    Customized Brick Memory Vase – $250

    A bouquet of flowers is a wonderful present for mother, but put them within this one-of-a-kind vase created from the photos, and it is a fantastic gift that lasts well beyond the fade of these blooms.

    Etsy

    Traditional Silhouette Collection Custom Small Plate By Aedriel Originals – $50

    Modern meets conventional in those brightly-edged plates sporting a hand-painted shape of mother’s little one!

    My Publisher

    Photo Book Quality And Craftsmanship

    We all have so many digital pictures of our kids, but I am attempting to do a better job of actually printing my photos. These photograph books are such a great way to maintain your memories and they’re amazingly professional. Create one and then order reprints for every one of the moms, grandmas and sisters in your life!

    Minted

    Eat Sleep Poop Journals By Voss – $16

    What a fun gift for a new mother! This candy diary is personalized with your baby’s photograph on the front cover. What a fun way to record all of the milestones and stories.

    Olive & Cocoa

    Bella Rose Le Coeur – $98

    This wooden box houses a variety of small rosebuds in the shape of a heart surrounded by lush moss. I bet mother’s never obtained roses like this before!

    Hobby Lobby

    Kids Stepping Stone Kit – $10.99

    I know this is an oldie, but it’s a goodie! Of all the Mother’s Day presents I’ve received, the hand-print stepping stones my kids have left me over the years are so valuable. They are sprinkled throughout my flower beds.

    Etsy

    Custom Cut Monogrammed Initial Pillow By Studio Design Lab – $49

    I am aware this mama would love a monogrammed pillow! The shield design adds such a pretty backdrop and the colors offered are extensive. I love that although it appears super fancy, it’s constructed of recycled felt and can be thrown in the washer.

    Etsy

    Vintage Glass Box Collection By No Carnations Home – $38

    This modest vintage glass shadow box collection would be ideal for mother to sit on her dresser. It can hold additional buttons, a special necklace, a small photo or a lock from a first haircut. Curating your collection consistently makes it more special.

    Etsy

    Digital DSLR Camera Bag Gray And White Chevron Printing By Darby Mack

    Just like a lot of moms, I have gotten to where I barely leave the house without my camera. This fantastic camera bag is so spacious that it can double as your purse. And also the chevron print is about as stylish as they come!

    Etsy

    Poppy Field Chalkboard Locket

    On the outside, this tiny locket is covered in poppy fabric, however, inside is a modest magnetic chalkboard. Write an “I love you” to mother and slide her favourite picture of you indoors.

    Etsy

    Single Custom Photo Bubble Necklace by Melissa Schmidt

    This is among my favourite pieces of jewelry. This necklace is created with small blown glass baubles which are filled with tiny negatives of photos you provide the artist. Mine are filled with my candy kids, wedding memories, my beloved dog and my favourite image of my mother!

    Next: 50 Presents for the Design-Loving Mother

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  • Paver Repairs: Restore Beauty and Safety

    Pavers are one of the most popular choices for driveways, walkways, patios, and pool decks across Central Florida. They’re stylish, durable, and offer a clean, custom look that can instantly boost curb appeal. But even the highest quality pavers are not immune to wear and tear. Over time, you may notice sinking, cracking, shifting, or discoloration—clear signs that it’s time for a repair.

    At Trinity Pavers, we specialize in paver repairs that go beyond surface-level fixes. Whether you’re dealing with uneven stones, broken edges, or drainage issues, our team has the experience and tools to bring your pavers back to life.

    What Causes Pavers to Shift or Sink?

    There are several common causes of paver damage, especially in Central Florida’s climate. Heavy rainfall, sandy soil, tree roots, and improper installation can all lead to uneven or unstable surfaces. Cars and foot traffic add stress over time, while poor drainage can wash away the base material underneath the pavers.

    Some of the most common issues we repair include:

    • Sunken or uneven areas
    • Cracked or chipped pavers
    • Loose or rocking stones
    • Weed and grass growth between joints
    • Poor water drainage or pooling

    Ignoring these problems doesn’t just affect the look of your outdoor space. It can also create tripping hazards and lead to more serious structural issues.

    How We Fix Pavers the Right Way

    At Trinity Pavers, we take pride in doing paver repairs correctly. First, we assess the root cause of the issue—not just the visible damage. We lift the affected pavers, inspect and rebuild the base if necessary, and reset the stones with precision.

    We match replacement pavers as closely as possible to maintain a consistent appearance. If the entire area needs an upgrade, we’ll walk you through your options so you can make the best decision for your home and budget.

    Our team also takes steps to improve long-term durability, such as compacting the base properly, using quality joint sand, and sealing the surface if requested. When we finish a job, your pavers won’t just look better—they’ll function better too.

    paver repairs orlando or give us a call to get started. Your outdoor space deserves to look and feel its best—and we’re here to make it happen.

  • How to Tell If a Guava Is Ripe?

    How to Tell If a Guava Is Ripe?

    Gardeners outside Hawaii, Florida and Southern California must protect guava (Psidium guajava) trees from chilly, and even cool, temperatures since the tropical shrub, hardy to U.S. Department of Agriculture planting zone 10, develops best when summer temperatures are over 60 degrees Fahrenheit. Whenever your guava fruits, starting in its second to fourth year, do not allow the care you’ve put in your tree go to waste by harvesting in the wrong moment. Baseball-sized guavas immediately go from hard and sour, to overripe mush. Learn to pick and eat guavas in their summit, and that means that you can, quite literally, enjoy the fruits of your labour.

    Look at the colour of the fruit. If it changes from bright green to light yellow with a touch of pink, depending on cultivar, it’s ready to choose.

    Smell the fruit. As stated by the California Rare Fruit Growers, the odor of this guava changes when it’s ripe becoming musky, candy and”penetrating,” so you need to be able to smell it without needing to put the fruit up on your nose.

    Press gently on the rind of this fruit. Though the skin may be thin or thick, depending on variety, a ripe guava should be slightly soft under stress.

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  • The Size of a Prefabricated Granite Backsplash

    The Size of a Prefabricated Granite Backsplash

    Producers normally make prefabricated granite backsplashes to match coordinating granite countertops, premeasuring equally for standard kitchens or baths. Although habit granite cuts allow more design flexibility, the backsplash provides both uniformity and affordability for remodeling your house. Some variety is present at the height and thickness, but the most popular size is more readily available and simple to install.

    Standard Sizes and Variations

    A standard kitchen granite backsplash comes prefabricated with a height of 6 inches, while those made for baths are 4 inches higher. The span is generally 96 inches to get a kitchen counter backsplash to as brief as 20 inches for a bathroom vanity counter. You can reduce the distance of most backsplashes to fulfill your requirements. In case you’ve got an unusually large spout that causes water to dab higher than normal, start looking for a backsplash with a height of 7 inches. The extra height may also be useful for covering drywall damage from the elimination of a preceding 4- or 6-inch piece of granite. Though they’re more uncommon, you can order complete backsplashes with a height ranging from 15 inches to over 24 inches. A thickness higher than 3/4 inch is rarely required, and the excess weight could lead to damage to the wall.

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  • What Type of Gas Can Lawn Mowers Use?

    What Type of Gas Can Lawn Mowers Use?

    Do not make the mistake of assuming you know what type of fuel to enhance your lawn mower. If you use the wrong type, you can do harm to your mower’s engine, and sometimes, you could invalidate your guarantee. The mower’s owners manual must outline the specific recommendations to your model, but generally speaking, mowers utilize high quality unleaded gas or a fuel-oil mix.

    It Depends on the Engine

    Most four-stroke engines need new unleaded gasoline with an octane rating of 87 or greater. It’s possible to use gas with ethanol, but over 10 percent ethanol is generally not recommended. Mowers with lookup engines utilize that same type of gas, but with the accession of a high-quality two-cycle motor oil. The proportions vary with manufacturer, but in Briggs & Stratton two-stroke mowers, for instance, the proportions are 50 parts gas to 1 part oil. Another important point to notice: If you’re going to be saving your mower for over 30 days, add a fuel stabilizer to a full tank of gas. This will keep the gas from breaking down and damaging the mower’s engine and carburetor.

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  • Plywood Finishing Tips

    Plywood Finishing Tips

    As a raw material for cabinets and furniture, plywood has a lot going for it. It’s constructed in layers, that makes it resistant to warping, and it comes in 4-by-8-foot sheets, letting you make broad tabletops and cabinet faces without having to laminate boards. Since plywood has a veneered surface, it is harmful to oversand this, and you must do something about the advantages. Apart from that, it is as easy to finish as wood.

    Edging Tips

    Whether you are using plywood having a center made of fiberboard or softwood, the layers are visible to the borders. A frequent strategy is to cut strips from timber which matches the plywood facing and glue or nail them. An even simpler approach is to cover them with vinyl or metal beading. Should you choose to prevent the excess function that installing beading entails, however, you can round the edges with sandpaper. You’ll likely find voids — small gaps in the plywood layers — which need filling, and when there are a huge number, the filler may may be apparent. In cases like this, try painting the borders after sanding and filling using a color that blends with the face veneer.

    Sanding

    When sanding plywood, it is important to treat the surface as the veneered layer it is and prevent bearing down with a orbital sander, or you may mud straight through it. This is especially easy to do when sanding borders. Use the machine to smooth the grain, then quit using it and complete the sanding by hand, going with the grain using 120- or even 150-grit sandpaper. This is also the best method to remove the swirl marks left by the orbital sander, which may only appear when you apply the finish. To avoid surprises, then check for them with a rag dampened with mineral spirits before you stain and complete.

    Overcoming the Blotches

    Plywood comes with a variety of wood facings, and a number of them have a grain which accepts stain unevenly — a few examples are birch, fir and pine. You should treat those with wood conditioner before applying a pigment-based stain. The conditioner is similar to a very dilute end — it soaks to the seals and grain it so the stain spreads out evenly without blotching. An alternative is to use a thin coat of shellac. Shellac is a surface layer, and it wo not penetrate deeply enough to cause blotching or other hurdles.

    Painting and Finishing

    Just as you should precede a crystal clear finish using a sealer, you need to prime plywood before painting it. If your job involves knotty plywood, use a solvent-based, stain-blocking primer to stop tannins in the knots from bleeding through the paint. Water-based primers and sealers raise the grain of the surface layer, and that’s easy to knock down by using a light hand sanding, using 220- or even 300-grit sandpaper. You’ll probably need two or more coats of paint or complete, and you’ll get the smoothest surface by sanding every coat lightly after it dries and before you apply the next one.

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  • How to Treat Wood Furniture So It Doesn't Crack

    How to Treat Wood Furniture So It Doesn't Crack

    Well-maintained wood furniture includes a soft sheen and supple feel, yet badly washed and cared-for pieces are the opposite: dry and cracking. Oil-based cleaning solutions eliminate grime and hydrate the furniture, while the application of shine aids in keeping the wood soft and smooth. Taking care of your wood furniture correctly prevents cracking, fading and other harm, ensuring you will enjoy your investment for years.

    Gentle Cleaning

    Dust furniture with a lightly dampened soft cloth or a vacuum cleaner and extra-soft brush attachment. This removes dirt and dust particles and guarantees that subsequent cleaning methods wll not push them into the wood grain or scratch the surface.

    Mix a cleaning solution that works for your particular furniture. Dissolve 1 tablespoon gum turpentine and 2 tablespoons boiled linseed oil in 8 cups of very hot water. Instead, mix equal parts turpentine, white distilled vinegar and boiled linseed oil. Opt for a commercial wood cleaner in position of them if desired. Examine the solution — even store-bought products — at an inconspicuous area before proceeding.

    Wash the furniture together with the solution of the choice. Put on gloves, dip a rag or nonabrasive sponge into the solution, and wring it out thoroughly. Wipe down a small section, buff the cleanser away with a clean, damp rag, and then buff with a dry rag. Repeat this process, working in sections, until the furniture is clean. This prevents the option from sitting too long in one place, and enables you to dry each section fast. Moisture sitting on timber promotes cracking, so quick drying is vital.

    Employ a hydrating furniture shine to the surface of the timber after cleaning. Cleaning solutions containing linseed oil and many commercial timber cleaners have polishes constructed in; but some wood requires much more. Mix 1 tablespoon lemon juice extract with 4 cups mineral oil, or mix 1/2 cup all white distilled vinegar and lemon oil with 1 1/2 cups olive oil. Implement this to the timber, using a buffing movement, with a soft rag. Let the oil sit for 10 to 15 minutes and buff away the excess.

    Dust furniture frequently with a damp, soft rag, at least once a week, to keep it clean. Polish the furniture just as required to keep it shiny and hydrated. Just wash hardwood furniture when it’s visibly dirty even after dusting, typically every few months.

    Placement, Household Environment and Waxing

    Avoid placing wood furniture in direct sunlight. The light and heat bleach the wood and cause it to dry out more rapidly than it needs to, prompting cracking.

    Maintain an even level of humidity in your property. Extra humidity causes the wood to expand, even though a dry environment causes it to contract. This back and forth prompts cracking. Run a dehumidifier during the summer and a humidifier during the winter to maintain a consistent atmosphere.

    Apply paste or liquid wax occasionally to return shine to wood furniture and create a protective barrier. Waxing too often creates accumulation, so only do this when conventional polishing doesn’t work. Liquid and paste wax do help to repel water and protect the timber from heat, but they are not a substitute for a protective, clear finish. Implement either product based on particular manufacturer directions. Paste wax usually needs a cloth, even though a cloth or brush works for fluid wax.

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  • How to Clean Brushed Nickel Bathroom Fixtures

    How to Clean Brushed Nickel Bathroom Fixtures

    Brushed nickel fixtures have a multi layer, giving them the charm of antique fixtures but the functionality of fresh ones. Manufacturers dull the shiny metal surface by sanding, creating etch marks that provide the fixtures a jewelry finish. Even though you can clean brushed nickel fixtures exactly the exact same way as any other metal fixtures, they require regular polishing to brighten and guard the pectoral layer. Keep them looking their very best with daily cleaning and monthly waxing.

    Wipe fixtures clean using a soft, damp rag or chamois cloth daily.

    Spray a cotton swab using glass cleaner or hard-surface cleaner to clean hard-to-reach areas, such as where the faucet and sink match.

    Dry the fixtures using a soft rag or chamois cloth. Rub quickly back and forth to buff the nickel to a shine.

    Spread a coat of paste wax, such as car wax, on dry fixtures every four weeks. Use a soft, dry cloth and polish in a circular motion.

    Buff the waxed surface aggressively with a soft rag or chamois cloth till you’ve removed all the glue as well as the fixtures shine.

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  • How to Change a Dishwasher With Stick & Peel Paper

    How to Change a Dishwasher With Stick & Peel Paper

    The time for the latter might be today for black kitchen appliances if it’s correct that design tendencies enjoy a replay after which a heyday. After years of conveyor facades steel is now sharing center stage with basic black. If you are falling again to the look of the bold kitchen color, but not enough to buy a dishwasher, then you can make a quick update and stick one or paper that is pre-sized to match your own appliance.

    Clean front of your dishwasher together with the household cleaner you normally use to eliminate dirt, oil and dust. Stick to this surface cleaning with a thorough cleaning. Mix a 50-50 solution of vinegar and water in a spray bottle, squirt the surface and wipe with paper towels.

    Measure the dimensions of your dishwasher and write the amounts down. Cut a large piece of peel in case your newspaper isn’t already pre-cut, following the cutting lines onto the back of the newspaper and stick paper. Magnetic dishwasher covers can be found in types that are low-tack.

    Hold the cut paper up against the front of the dishwasher. Peel back this paper’s corner and press it up against the corner of this dishwasher. Smooth the upper part of this newspaper to this dishwasher’s corner, smoothing the paper as you do exerting pressure. Pick up the newspaper and make some alterations now before covering the remainder of the dishwasher and going down.

    Peel the paper down since you smooth the paper moving to the left from the center to the right and then from the center and operate from the middle of the dishwasher side. This method should help minimize the creation of any wrinkles or creases in the newspaper. Continue to flatten the newspaper using the fabric that is soft till you reach the base of the panel.

    Measure back from your work and examine it. Do not worry over the presence of an air bubblejust pop it and flatten it with the fabric. If the stick and peel paper is misaligned unpeel it from the corner and attentively reapply it. Flatten the most tiny of wrinkles using a charge card. Make any alterations as soon as possible; many peel and stick papers”cure” within a few hours.

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