12 Nifty Ideas To Try This Month

Materials:

6 5-gallon buckets

Silicone caulk

2 plastic kiddie pools

Power drill

Inflatable kiddie pool

Submersible LED lights (optional)

Dry Ice (optional)

Ice

Drinks

Instructions:

1. Prepare the columns for the fountain. Cover the rim of 6 5-gallon buckets with silicone caulk. Let the caulk dry completely. This will help the buckets stay in place.

2. Drill small holes throughout the bottom of 2 plastic kiddie pools. Place scrap wood under the kiddie pools before drilling to protect your surface.

3. Inflate an inflatable kiddie pool.

4. Place 3 buckets upside-down inside the inflated kiddie pool. Spread the buckets out evenly.

5. Place the first plastic kiddie pool over the upside-down buckets.

6. Place the 3 other buckets in the plastic kiddie pool. Keep the buckets in the upright position directly on top of the 1st set of buckets. This will create a “column”.

7. Place the second plastic kiddie pool over the second set of buckets.

8. Fill the kiddie pools with ice and drinks.

9. As an additional option, add submersible LED lights to illuminate the fountain.

10. As an additional option, place small bucks throughout the fountain. Place dry ice in the small buckets. This will keep the dry ice seperate from the regular ice. Avoid direct contact with the dry ice. Add water to the small buckets to add a “smoke” effect to the fountain.

11. The drilled holes in the two kiddie pools will allow the melted ice to drip into the bottom pools, creating a fountain effect.

Materials:

Mason jars

Steel wool

Vinegar

Aluminum foil

Stain base options:

Thai tea

Black tea

Chai tea

Coffee (instant or ground)

Pomegranate juice

Wine

Paintbrushes

Danish oil

Instructions:

1. Prepare the oxidizing solution. Place steel wool inside a mason jar. Fill the mason jar with vinegar. Cover with the mason jar opening with aluminum foil. Poke holes in the foil.

2. Set the vinegar and steel wool solution aside and let sit overnight. The older the solution is, the stronger the reaction will be.

3. Prepare your stain bases in a mason jar.

4. Test your stain out before applying to furniture.

5. Remove any knobs or pieces from your wood furniture that you want unstained.

6. Apply your stain base and let dry.

7. Apply vinegar steel wool solution for an “aged” look and let dry.

8. Apply Danish oil to finish.

9. Add new knobs if desired.

Dry-Erase Calendar

Materials:

Paint chips

Frame

Dry-erase marker

White glue

Poster paper

Instructions:

1. Cut 35 squares out of paint chips.

2. Arrange the squares in 5 rows of 7 on a piece of poster paper.

3. Glue the squares down onto the paper.

4. Frame the poster.

5. Use a dry erase marker to number the squares.

Weather Tracker

Materials:

Poster paper

Permanent marker

Crayons

Craft knife

2 strips of poster paper

Tape

Instructions:

1. Draw thermometer shape onto a piece of poster paper.

2. Segment the thermometer into 5 parts.

3. Color each part of the thermometer a different color.

4. Label each part.

5. Cut slits in the sides of the thermometer to insert a strip of poster paper through.

6. Fold the edges of the first strip of poster paper behind the thermometer and tape to secure.

7. Insert the second strip of poster paper behind the first and tape them to each other.

8. Draw arrows on the strips to indicate what temperature the tracker is pointing to and which direction to pull the slider.

Daily Schedule Clocks

Materials:

Construction paper

White glue

Marker

Instructions:

1. Cut a circle out of construction paper.

2. Draw the numbers of the clock on the edge of the circle.

3. Glue arrows cut from construction paper onto the clock to point to the time.

4. Make several clocks and label each according to the class day schedule.

Days Counter

Materials:

Index cards

Binder rings

Markers

Instructions:

1. Label 3 sets of 10 index cards with the numbers 0-9.

2. Attach each set of cards to a binder ring.

3. Hang the binder rings and use as a counter for days in school.

Paper Drop-Off Zone

Materials:

File folders

Washi tape

Paper

Markers

Instructions:

1. Tape a piece of paper to the front of each folder using washi tape.

2. Label each folder.

3. Mount the folders to the command center using washi tape to create a paper drop-off zone.

We Miss You A Latte Box

Materials

Box

Coffee

Coffee creamer

Coffee chocolate

Sugar cubes

Instructions

1. Pack all supplies into the box.

2. Label the inside of the box with a note that says “We Miss You A Latte”.

Homesick Box

Materials

Ceramic mug

Paint pens

Locally-sourced jam

Hand-knit gift

Homesick Candle

Box

Instructions

1. Decorate the mug by drawing on it with a paint pen.

2. Bake the mug for 25 minutes at 375°F to set the design.

3. Pack the mug in the box along with locally-sourced jam, a hand-knit gift, and a homesick candle.

4. Label the inside of the box with a note that says “Enjoy These Little Bits Of Home”.

Cheesy Box

Materials

Cheese-flavored snacks

Box

Instructions

1. Pack a box with cheese-flavored snacks.

2. Label the inside of the box with a note that says “Sorry I’m Cheesy”.

Self-Care Box

Materials

Aromatherapy candle

Pumice stone

Cooling eye mask

Bath bomb

Lotion bar

Face mask

Box

Instructions

1. Pack all supplies into the box.

2. Label the inside of the box with a note that says “Treat Yourself”.

Materials

Measuring tape

Wood

Screws

Drill

Screwdriver

4 standard caster wheels

White paint

Paint roller + tray

4 L-shaped brackets

Instructions

1. Measure the width and height of the bed.

2. Cut two planks of wood (A) the height of your bed, plus desired height of legroom x the desired table width. Cut one wooden plank (B) width of your bed + 4 inches x the desired table width.

3. Attach 2 caster wheels to the bottom of each B plank.

4. Attach the A plank in between the B planks with L-shaped brackets.

5. Turn the table onto the wheels and roll over the bed.

Materials

2 terra-cotta pots, one smaller than the other

Heavy duty tape

Planter caddy

2 bricks

Sand

Accent pebbles, optional

Instructions

1. Close off the drainage holes on both pots using the tape. Tape both sides for a good seal.

2. The cooler works best in a shaded, breezy area.

3. Place down the plant caddy.

4. Lay down 2 bricks and place the bigger pot on top.

5. Pack down a layer of sand so that the top of the smaller pot is flush with the bigger pot once placed inside.

6. Fill the space between the 2 pots with sand. Avoid getting sand in the smaller pot.

7. Pour water into the sand. The sand will settle and go down, so fill it up again until it meets the surface.

8. Add some optional accent pebbles to make it look pretty.

9. The cooler works best when the sand is wet, but make sure not to overfill or the smaller pot may move around.

10. Place your drinks or snack in the pot and cover it with a damp towel. The damp towel helps cool the pot down.

Materials

2 picture frames (Each should be longer than the TV, and the two combined should be wider than the TV)

Wood planks

Screws

Sliding brackets

TV, mounted on wall

Instructions

1. Measure the length on tv A, depth B, and width C.

2. Create a frame to mount between the frames and the wall. Make a rectangle out of 2 C-length planks and 2 B-length planks. Screw them at every cover so the frame is solid and stable.

3. Mount the frame right above the tv with wall anchors and screws.

4. Screw on sliding brackets on either end of the front of the frame.

5. On the top back of each picture frame, screw on the other side of the sliding brackets.

6. Slide the picture frames onto the frame mounted above the TV.

7. Slide to open and close the frames when you want to hide the TV.

Materials

Dish soap

Clean broom with stiff bristles

Cup

Instructions

1. Generously pour streaks of dish soap in a dirty bathtub.

2. Scrub the bathtub using a clean broom with stiff bristles.

3. Turn on the shower to clean the soap suds, using the broom to help direct the suds into the drain.

4. Use a cup to help wash off hard-to-reach corners.

Tip: If you are planning to do this often, keep a clean broom aside specifically for cleaning the tub.

Materials

Scrap wood

Rain gutter

Tape measure

Power drill

Rain gutter end caps

Silicone caulk

Spray paint

Wood plank

Level

Chalk

Wood screws

Rain gutter bracket

Soil

Plants

Instructions

1. Trim your rain gutter to your desired size.

2. Place your gutter over a scrap piece of wood.

3. Use a tape measure to measure out markers every 4 inches on the inside of your gutter.

4. Use a power drill to carefully drill holes on every 4-inch marker. Use the scrap wood to protect your work surface.

5. Add the end caps to the ends of your rain gutter.

6. Use silicone caulk to seal the end caps in place.

7. Spray-paint the gutter if desired. Do not spray-paint the inside of the gutter.

8. Cut a plank of wood to match the dimensions of your rain gutter.

9. Place your plank of wood on the fence. Use a level to level out the plank. Mark the position with chalk.

10. Find the fence post on your fence.

11. Attach the wooden plank to the fence post with wood screws.

12. Install rain gutter brackets onto the wooden planks.

13. Secure the rain gutter in place on the brackets.

14. Fill the rain gutter with soil and plants.

15. Water the plants, starting at the top gutter. The excess water will drip into the lower gutter gardens.

16. Water the lower gutter garden as needed.

Materials

2 shelf slide rails

Wood planks

Scrap wood

Power drill

Countersink bit

Wood screws

Wood strips

Wood glue

Silicone wood brush

Circular saw

Coat hooks

Level

Eye hooks

Instructions

1. Cut out 2 pieces of wood, the same length as the slide rail. This will be the top and bottom pieces of the frame.

2. Cut out 2 more pieces of wood to a desired length for the sides of the frame. This will be the height of the frame.

3. On the top and bottom of the side pieces, pre-drill two holes. Drill over a scrap piece of wood to protect your surface. The holes should be over the top and bottom pieces. Follow up with a countersink bit.

4. Attach the top and bottom pieces to the side pieces with wood screws to create a rectangular frame.

5. Cut out 2 pieces of wood the length of the inside of the box. These pieces should be parallel to the side pieces.

6. Align the 2 inner pieces with the holes on the slide rail.

7. Secure the inner pieces to the frame. On the top and bottom pieces, pre-drill a hole and countersink. Attach with wood screws.

8. Attach the 2 slide rails to the two inner pieces of the frame.

9. Cut out strips of wood mirroring the frame the same thickness as the slide rail.

10. Attach the strips to the top, the bottom, and one of the side pieces with wood glue. Use a silicone glue brush to evenly spread out the glue and to remove any excess.

11. Cut out a piece of wood with the dimensions of the frame. This will be the cover of the sliding rack.

12. Attach the 4th wood strip to the side of the cover piece with wood glue.

13. Align the frame and rails to the top cover piece. Attach the rails to the cover piece.

14. Rotate the blade on a circular saw to 45 degrees.

15. On a wood plank, measure out ⅓ the length of the plank.

16. Use the circular saw to make a 45 degree cut.

17. Cut the 45 degree pieces to fit the inside of the frame.

18. Attach the 45 degree pieces to the back of the frame with wood glue. The longer side of the 45 degree piece should face the outside of the frame.

19. Attach coat hooks to the cover of the frame.

20. Use a level and mark the position of the frame on the wall.

21. Attach the remaining 45 degree pieces to the wall to mirror the 45 degree pieces on the back of the frame.

22. The shorter side of the 45 degree piece should be on the wall.

23. Place the frame over the wall pieces and slide down. The two sets of 45 degree pieces should lock together to hold the frame in place.

24. Add eye hooks to the inside of the frame for smaller items.

25. Slide the cover open to add items to the inside of the frame.

Materials

Bras

Boobie Trap Bra Organizer

Pants Hangers

Hanging Shoe Shelf

Bathroom Hooks

Tension Rod

Instructions

1. Use the Boobie Trap bra organizer to organize bras in a drawer.

2. Clip each bra’s straps to a pants hanger and hang in closet.

3. Hang a shoe shelf in your closet and store a bra in each shelf.

4. Attach bathroom hooks to your closet door and hang each bra on a hook.

5. Add a tension rod inside your closet and hang each bra by the middle on the rod.

Materials

Curtains

Blackout fabric (same dimensions as curtains)

Industrial strength hook and loop tape

Scissors

Instructions

1. Cut blackout fabric to the dimensions of your curtains.

2. Attach small strips of the hook and loop tape to the curtains, then stick the blackout fabric over it.

3. Hang curtains and remove the blackout fabric easily whenever you need to.