diy

DIY Foam Swords for Kids

Posted on May 18, 2020 by Home

We encourage our kids to play nicely and in a caring sharing way, but doing this can be boring. After all, kids need an outlet for play where they can imagine they are pirates or knights of old having battles and action adventures.

DIY Foam swords for kids are a great way of helping your child harness his or her imagination without anyone getting hurt if the game gets too lively or out of hand. So making a bunch of foam swords is a great way of making sure that everyone has a good time.

How to Make DIY Foam Swords for Kids

DIY foam swords for kids can be as basic or elaborate as you like. There’s no right or wrong way to do it. The only principle to remember is that there should be some sort of handle and that the form that you use will not actually hurt anyone too badly when they are hit with it.

You can make DIY foam swords simply. One way is to use pool noodles – fun swimming pool floating toys that can be purchased during summer months at Walmart or Dollar Tree for under $5 each in a wide variety of colors.

To make your sword, get your pool noodle and cut away some of the foam insulation so that you are left with a rudimentary handle. (You will need around 5 inches for the handle).

You can secure the foam at the handle with Duct tape to prevent it from slipping. You can also ensure that the foam remains in place on the sword end by gluing it. Use foam or simply electric tape to finish off the handle makes it easier to grip.

Make sure that the “sharp end” is well protected and not likely to slip down. Use tape to fix this in place and if necessary protect the end with additional foam. And that’s it. You now have a robust DIY foam sword.

You can also make DIY foam swords out of foam board or cardboard. This way is more time consuming and not as robust, but the finished product can look amazingly realistic.

To do this, you need two sheets of foam board, a glue gun and some silver paint and a pattern.

To make you cut out two sword shapes from the form – two provides added strength when it is taped together.

You also need to cut out the handle shape and any additional embellishments. Fix all the component parts together with glue and decorate with silver paint.

You can find patterns online for iconic sword replicas because this method is often used in cosplay costumes.

However the big question must be whether this type of DIY foam sword will survive an afternoon in the hands of the average kid? In all honesty no, it will not.

So if you are searching for ways to make foam swords for your kids to play with, a trip to your local arts and crafts store or pool shop to pick up some pool noodles is undoubtedly the best option.If you’re an adult in need of a realistic looking foam and fiberglass sword, you can purchase one for all your LARPing needs.

Lemon Air Freshener DIY Tips Using Essential Oils

Posted on May 4, 2020 by Home

An air freshener can make your home smell fresh, as it can mask the odour of unpleasant odours such as bathroom smells, cooking, or pets. The problem for many people is that many air fresheners that you buy do smell artificial and chemically, and they can make your home feel like a public swimming pool. There are health concerns too about breathing in yet more chemicals.

A better way to get some fragrance into your home is to use all-natural essential oils. By making a lemon air freshener DIY, your home will smell natural and fresh without that unpleasant chemical undertone.

How to Create a Lemon Air Freshener DIY

To create a lemon air freshener DIY, you have a couple of options. If you want to diffuse the scent throughout your home, you can use a plug-in aromatherapy diffuser or an oil burner. Simply add a few drops of lemon essential oil to water (to dilute the mixture), and enjoy the pleasant natural aroma of lemons as it wafts through your home.

Alternatively, you can make a fantastic air freshener spray very easily. You need a tablespoon of baking powder, 2 cups of water – distilled is best, and 6 drops of essential lemon oil. Mix the oil and soda in a bowl and then transfer to a spray bottle, topping it up with the water. Shake it until the soda has dissolved, and you are good to go. Use the spray around your home paying special attention to problem areas such as the bathroom and the kitchen.

Where to Find Quality Oils

The key to success in making a lemon air freshener DIY is the quality of the essential oils that you use.

Natural Healthy Concepts provides a wide range of potent natural essential oils of all types, including genuine 100% natural lemon oils. Although synthetic oils may smell nice, they often have added chemicals or inferior ingredients that just do not last as well as the genuine oils. 

When you buy from NHC, you can be confident that all the essential oils they stock are formulated by using only natural methods. Essential oils are highly concentrated plant extracts that contain powerful active ingredients. To make genuine essential oils, it requires that the natural ingredients are highly concentrated and distilled. According to the company’s product information, it takes around 200 lbs of natural lavender to make just 1 lb of lavender essential oil, for example. This is a similar method when it comes to lemon oil.

We found two great brands that caught our eye. The first is an NHC-based brand called Plant Therapy, which offers essential oils at a great price without compromising on quality.

Another great brand is Wyndmere Essential Oils, a trusted U.S. company that has been providing essential oils since 1995.   Surprisingly, buying essential oils and making your own lemon air freshener DIY is actually cheaper than buying an artificial air freshener or room spray. And with the natural antiseptic benefits of lemon oil throughout your home, you can be confident that your home will always smell fresh, clean, and welcoming.

DIY Woodland Creature Decorations for Your Cabin

Posted on February 10, 2020 by Home

Decorating your cabin or family room with woodland creature decorations is not only easy to do, it is very fun and effective too! These types of rustic decorations create a peaceful and natural vibe in your space and transform an ordinary room into something much more stylish and comfortable that your guests will admire and your family will love.

Where to Get Woodland Creature Decorations

One easy way to do this is to simply buy some animal prints. Alternatively, find animal images that you like in magazines or even printed on wrapping paper. The choice is up to you. Add your pictures to traditional wooden picture frames and hang them in your cabin.

Thrift shops can be a fantastic resource when you are thinking about decorating your cabin. Look for woodland animal inspired furnishings, such as deer antler coat racks or other woodland creature decorations like cute squirrels, foxes, or bears to add to your ambiance. Old paintings can also create a great atmosphere. Rustic style antiques such as old clocks, umbrella racks, boot scrapers are things you’ll find while browsing the thrift shops and flea markets. 

DIY Woodland Creature Decorations

If you are handy with DIY skills, why not try making your own woodland creature decorations? Try buying a stencil kit of woodland animals and decorating the wooden walls in your cabin with them. The beauty of decorating a cabin in a rustic style is that your painting does not have to be perfect. The whole aim is that it should like homespun and individual, so you can do pretty much anything and it will still be effective.

Making a rustic sign for your cabin is easy and only requires rudimentary DIY skills. Get four 24 inch lengths of pine (total length 96 inches), or use pallet wood and cut to the required size. Drill the pieces of wood together and then apply a wood stain – grey can be a fantastic neutral color for signs, but the choice is up to you.

Choose stencils – or if you have a steady hand, paint your own lettering. There are plenty of lettering stencils available, so this does give you plenty of scope if you want a slightly professional finish. On the other hand, writing your own sign is far more individual. Draw the lettering onto the sign and mask the area around the letters.

Paint the sign either by spraying (if you are using a stencil) or by hand. Leave it to dry and then coat with varnish to protect it.

What about a woodland creature inspired by a hanging mobile? Although these are often associated with nurseries and small children, they can look great hanging in a corner of your cabin. Add hanging crystals to catch the light matched with wooden animal cutouts and pine cones. Wind chimes too can look fantastic too and are just the thing for any balcony or porch.

Woodland creature decorations are fun and can help make your cabin look like a charming woodland home. Once you start creating the theme in your cabin, you will never run out of ideas or inspiration. 

DIY Beach Decorations for Bathroom

Posted on February 4, 2020 by Home

Beach decorations can look great in your bathroom, bringing the natural world into your home and creating a seaside atmosphere. Fixing up your own DIY beach decorations for bathroom settings is easy to do and is an inexpensive way of personalizing your bathroom. Keep reading to learn how!

Beach Decorations for Bathroom Ideas

Stripped distressed planking can look very effective. If you don’t want to bother adorning your cupboards or your door with genuine recovered bleached-out wood, you can find fablon (decorative adhesive film) that looks very convincing, and this is washable so it is easy to keep clean.

Sticking with the driftwood motif, finding some real bleached driftwood can help create the seaside vibe. You can use this just as an ornament or if you fix hooks, you have an attractive and individual clothes hanger.

If you are going for beach decorations for bathroom settings, why not bring home some beach-found objects, such as stones and shells? These genuine beach-found objects add a touch of authenticity to your bathroom. Adding some ornaments such as colorful fish, a starfish, or even some cool flip-flops will add a playful vibe to the beach ambiance.

The key to choosing beach decorations for your bathroom is to use objects and pictures that introduce the light, fun, and fresh air of the beach. How about some stripey material for your shower curtains, or some pictures of cool or fun beach scenes?

Let the Beach Work for Your Health Too

Now that you have got your bathroom suitably beachy, you might want to think of the other benefits of being by the seaside. One reason that we all love going to the coast is that it makes us feel so healthy and alive. Obviously, you can’t bring genuine sand, sea, and ozone-laden fresh air into your bathroom, but this doesn’t mean you have to give up on sea-inspired health benefits

Nordic Naturals is a brand that specializes in fish oil supplements. Fish oil contains omega-3 fatty acids, which are extremely important for your health. Omega-3 fatty acids help maintain mood and fight anxiety and depression. They can lower the risk of heart disease, improve joint health, eye health, and more. For children, omega-3 fatty acids are crucial and can help prevent ADHD. Also, try fish oil supplements from Vital Nutrients.

Another great option for health is to introduce some probiotics into your life. The Allergy Research Group provides a complete range of supplements that will help keep your digestion functioning in tip-top condition and comes with additional benefits such as improved mental functioning, resistance to illness, and more.

One reason we all love the beach is that it makes us feel so good! Using some beach decorations for bathroom settings and improving your health by the use of natural supplements will ensure that you don’t have to wait for summer to come around in order to enjoy some seriously beachy health benefits. 

How to Fix a Hole in a Cabinet Door

Posted on February 3, 2020 by Home

Fixing a hole in a cabinet door is not difficult, but you have to do it right or your repair will look worse than the hole itself! However if you do it right, it will save you money and a whole load of hassle. If you’re wondering how to fix a door in a cabinet door, keep reading to find out the best way to do it.

How to Fix a Hole in a Cabinet Door: Step-by-Step

Step 1

First up you need to prepare the area around the hole. Sand down the hole to remove any old or chipped paint, remove the dust, and wipe away any residue so that the area is smooth and clean.

Step 2

Once the area is prepared and you are ready to start, mix the wood filler. Epoxy wood filler comes in two parts that have to be mixed together. You need to ensure that you do this in a well ventilated area, because you don’t want to inhale fumes. Wear protective gloves, eye protection, and a mask. This might seem extreme, but you don’t want the filler to splash into your eye as you mix it. You don’t want to breathe in those toxic fumes.

Step 3

Wood filler dries out very quickly once it is exposed to air, so you have to work fast. How to fix a hole in a cabinet door will largely depend upon the size of the hole.

If the hole in your cabinet door is small (around ½ inch diameter or less) you can use toothpicks to fill the hole. Dip the toothpicks into the resin and stick them into the hole. Carry on doing this until the hole is completely filled.

If the hole is bigger, you need to fill it with something that fills the space. Line the hole with the resin and then add your filling material such as dowling, cork, or a custom made piece. Add the wood filler on top until the surface is even.

Step 4

Leave the wood filler to dry completely. It can take up to 8 hours for it to dry, but check the packaging for more information.

Step 5

Once you are confident that the area is dry, you can snap off the tooth picks with shears. Try not to pull them away from the hole.

Step 6

Once you are satisfied that the hole is filled, you need to get your sander out or use sandpaper to make sure that the finish is smooth. If you can still see marks – or the surface is uneven, you can add a light layer of wood filler over the top. Do this and you will need to wait for it to dry again before you can sand it down. However it is worth taking time and doing it properly.

You will probably find that your cabinet door will need re-varnishing or painting, but the good news is that once you have finished, your cabinet door will be as good as new. Learning how to fix a hole in a cabinet door is an easy DIY skill that anyone can do, and as long as you follow all the steps you can rely on a successful result. 

Woodworking Letters: How to Carve Words into Wood

Posted on December 10, 2019 by Home

If you love DIY wood projects, you’re in the right place! Wood carving is one of those great hobbies that is not only enjoyable; it creates extremely satisfying great results. If you are thinking of getting started on wood carving and are considering which type of project to embark on, you may hit upon the idea of making a sign for your house or your shed. Woodworking letters into a sign seems like a worthy ambition but how do you ensure that your efforts pay off with great results? Keep reading to find out!

Getting Started with Woodworking Letters

First, you need some good quality woodworking tools. To create woodworking letters by hand, you need a good quality chisel and a dummy (a mallet specially designed for carving letters). Alternatively, you can use knives or gouges or whatever you feel comfortable with.

The second thing you need of course is your wood for the sign. However, if you are new to carving woodworking letters, you should not even touch this yet. Instead, practice your carving skills on scrap pieces of wood so that you get an understanding of how deep you need to carve, the angle, and how to create the best possible effect from the wood. You can pick up free wood scraps at a local hardware store.

Which Type of Wood Should I Use?

The type of wood you use will large depend upon how you want it to look. However, some woods are far easier to work with than others.

Basswood is a great wood for beginners. It is inexpensive and easy to use and because it has very little grain and is soft, is a good one to start with.

Butternut and Aspen are also similarly priced and are easy to carve. Although these woods are all technically hardwoods, they are on the softer end of the scale.

Oak is a beautiful wood, but it is fairly hard and may be difficult for the novice hand carver. Oak works fantastically well with power tools but unless you are already experienced with power tools and creating woodworking letters it is not the best choice to start with. 

Black Walnut is beautiful. It is also expensive and not that easy to work with.

Designing the Sign

Once you feel confident with your carving skills, you need to design your sign. You can do this via your computer’s Word program. Find the font that you want with the correct line spacing and print out the word in the correct size. If your printer cannot provide this for you, a trip to your local printing or copying store will provide what you need.

Using some spray glue, stick the lettering to your piece of wood so that you can follow the pattern with your chisel. Once you have outlined the design, you can remove the paper from the wood and go it alone.

Using a Router Instead

If you don’t want to carve by hand, why not use a wood router? There are numerous router attachments specifically designed for creating woodworking letters. You can use a router freehand or use a simple plan and results can be equally impressive. 

Is it is good as hand carved sign? Yes! Is it as fun to create? This comes down to personal preference but for our money, you can’t beat hand carving for satisfaction and enjoyment.