This would be so pretty at any event!

Love this little nook!

Reused trampoline! Love this!! back yard cuddling :)

Coasters from corks and old picture frame.

Transferring pictures to tiles.

{Hula Hoop} Chandelier —So fun and cheap!

{DIY “bubble” chandelier made from clear Christmas ornaments on string}

Fabric covered magnetic FRAME -DIY TUTORIAL!! Use it in the bathroom for makeup or office for pictures, notes, business cards, keys, etc. Great way to organize. So many possibilities. LOVE the bright colors!

Mini Home Makeover

Written by Dottie Zimmerman. Posted in Columns, DIY, Monthly Issues

Home-sweet-what-mess-did-I-get-myself-into-with-never-ending-projects-home. That’s how the saying should go. Still alive and kicking at a mere 70 years old, our house has lots of character and also lots of projects. I’ve found (à la learning the hard way) that when beginning a “project,” the best way to avoid tears or feeling overwhelmed and intimidated is to start small. In most cases there are little fixes that can be done that make a huge difference. The top of our basement stairs was one of those spots that I wanted to just hide away — old, dingy and blasé. With a few, simple cosmetic makeovers it looks like a whole new space and one I don’t need to hide away anymore!

To Do

• Rip up old floor and retile it
• Replace light fixture
• Replace switchplates
• Paint door
• Redecorate space — chalkboard, curtain and rod

Materials and Costs

• 12 x 12 groutable, self-adhesive tiles, $15
• Tile adhesive, $8
• Mini polyester roller, $1
• 1/8-inch tile spacers, $3
• Premixed grout, $9 (comes in different colors to match your tile choice)
• Plastic putty knife, $1
• Paint, $5
• Curtain material, $3
• Rod and curtain rings, $9
• Light fixture, $7
• Switch plate and switch, $3
• Chalkboard, $12 (antique store find!)
• Utility knife

Mini Makeover Tips

• Use curtain rod ring, clips and a couple of yards of fabric, hemmed at each end. This lets you pick a patterned or textured material that is unique to you and your space.
• Don’t be afraid to ask questions at your hardware store — they’re always very helpful and willing to give advice.
• If you have a small space to paint, like a door, look at buying the paint testers. They’re much less expensive than a quart or gallon, and you can still get any color you want mixed. Another bonus — less waste!

How to Tile

1. Remove baseboard trim, if any. Do this gently to avoid damage. Rip up existing floor*. Fill in any gaps or cracks with a patching compound. Make sure your surface is even and level.

* Mine was a laminate that I had to break up, scrape and sand. The sub-floor was wood, which worked well as a surface when I adhered the vinyl tile.

2. Using the mini polyester roller, spread tiling adhesive over the sub-floor. Let dry for 90 minutes.

3. Using the 1/8-inch spacers between each tile, measure and fit tile to floor. Leave paper backing on tiles when first measuring and fitting. The spacers help to create consistent spacing for grout lines. If tile needs to be cut, use a utility knife to score and snap*. Remove paper backing and stick down tiles. Again, use spacers. Let set for 24 hours.

* Trimming & shaping tile was easier than I expected — if needed, use needle-nose pliers for tight contouring!

4. Use the plastic putty knife to push grout in-between tiles. Scrape excess grout from surface. Use wet sponge to clean the surface of tiles — don’t let grout sit on tile surface too long because it will leave a cloudy residue. Let dry for 24-48 hours.

5. Once grout is dry, re-attach baseboard trim if applicable. If tile is in a heavy moisture area, seal grout with a paint-on sealant.

* Ceramic tile needs to be adhered to backer board
with mortar.

Stump Seats

Written by Dottie Zimmerman. Posted in Columns, DIY, Monthly Issues

Finally, it’s porch time! I love pulling out the patio furniture, planting flowers and getting my backyard decorated for the summer season. My husband and I retrieved three tree stumps from a friend’s removal effort last summer. They provide the extra seating we need for nights around the bonfire or happy-hour on the deck. To spruce them up (no pun intended), I made small cushions to provide extra comfort for our guests and ― of course ― cuteness. You may also consider making coordinating throw pillows.

Materials * Found tree stumps

* Outdoor canvas material * Matching colored thread *

* Pillow stuffing

* Ribbon Tools

* Sewing machine

* Pencil, chalk or other fabric marker

* Ruler * Rotary cutter and/or scissors *

* Fabric pins

* Iron

* Needle and thread

1. Measure and cut two circles* of fabric with rotary cutter or scissors.

2. With fabric pieces facing inward, use machine to sew a ½ inch seam along the curve of the circle. Leave a 2-inch opening.

3. Turn fabric right-side out through your 2-inch opening. Iron seam flat.

4. Use stuffing to fill pillow to desired thickness.

5. Hand stitch the opening closed.

6. If you wish to add a cinch in the middle of the cushion, pull a few stitches through the center to tightly pull the front and back of the cushion together. Add button for decoration.

7. Hand stitch ribbon to the underside of the cushion, close to the edge allowing for enough slack to tie a knot or bow.

I love to sew, but I am by no means a master seamstress. This is the fun in improving techniques yourself; just have a good time and see it through. There is no better place to exercise your creativity and do-it-yourself spirit than in your outdoor decorating. It provides a flexible, commitment-free space that you can have fun with from year-to-year! I’d love to see and hear about your projects, please send pictures anytime to dottie.zimmerman@gmail.com.

Tags: DIY, outdoor seating, sewing