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One of the coolest projects is candles that are twisted in creative ways. How are they made? Is it really as easy as it looks? How do the candles not crack while you're bending them? To answer these questions, I've taken a deep dive into the world of twisty candles so you too can replicate these wax wonders. They'll definitely light the flame of creativity within.

Things You'll Need

Straight taper candles
Tall vase or tub for water
Narrow jar
Hot water
Cold water
Hot glue

Step 1: Select the Right Candles

For this project, you'll need straight taper candles. These are taper candles in which the diameter is the same throughout the length of the candle. Avoid taper candles with a narrower tip. You might not have as much success twisting them, as the narrow part may snap. Straight taper candles are typically 10 or 12 inches long.

Step 2: Fill a Vase With Hot Water

Fill a vase with hot tap water, making sure the water level is high enough for the length of the candles. A plastic tub or a long baking dish can also work. Don't use boiling water – that's too hot.

 Step 3: Immerse the Candles

Place the candles in the container of hot water for 15 to 20 minutes. You'll know they're ready when they can bend with very little effort.
candles in water

Doing the Twisty Spiral
Step 1: Flatten the Candle

Lay the candle on a flat surface. Using a narrow jar as a rolling pin, flatten the candle but leave the top and bottom inch as is. Turn the candle over and flatten the other side.

 Step 2: Twist the Candle

Slowly twist the candle using both hands. You can vary the amount of twisting to create different spiral shapes.

 Step 3: Set the Spiral

When you're happy with the spiral, making sure that it's perfectly straight up and down, place it under cold running water to "freeze" the spiral in place.


The Self-Standing Snake
Step 1: Bend Into an "S" Shape

Remove the candle from the hot water and bend it in two places to create an "S" shape (or a "Z" shape depending on how you're looking at it). The candle bends so easily that you will feel like Superman twisting a steel bar.

 Step 2: Stabilize the Candle

Hold the candle on a tabletop and continue bending it until the bottom base is flat against the table and the tip points straight up. Let go to make sure the candle stands on its own.

Tip

A film can develop when the candle sits in the hot water. If your candle has a film, just rub it off with your fingers or a paper towel.
Step 3: Set the Shape

Run the candle under cold water or place it in a bowl of cold water to set the shape.


The Connected Twists
Step 1: Bend the Candle

About midway on the candle, bend it at a 90-degree angle.


 Step 2: Make a Hook

With the top of the candle pointing upward, twist the lower part of the candle around a narrow jar to create a hook.

Repeat with a second candle so you have two candles with hooks going in the same direction. Place them in cold water to set the shapes.

 Step 3: Connect the Candles

Place a dab of hot glue on the base of one of the candles. Press the base of the other candle against the hot glue and hold it in place until the glue sets in about a minute.

These twist candles make beautiful modern sculptures. However, their shapes are not ideal for burning, as wax will drip everywhere, so I recommend not lighting them and using the candles strictly for decorative purposes.

Properly scrubbing your hands is one of the best ways to stop the spread of germs and viruses and to ensure you don’t get sick. But if you don't have access to soap and clean water, or if you're nowhere near a sink, you should carry hand sanitizer to protect your health.  As you're no doubt aware, bottles of hand sanitizer (Purell, Wet Ones, and the like) keep selling out due to the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic. You can check these Amazon and Walmart listings to see if any are in stock, but make sure you're not buying mass-manufactured sanitizer that uses methanol, or wood alcohol, which can be toxic when absorbed through the skin or ingested (check here to see hand sanitizer brands to avoid). Also, don't drink the sanitizer, or any cleaning products, including bleach. It may be hard to find that Purell, but making your own sanitizer is remarkably easy. You just have to be careful you don't mess it up and that the tools you use for mixing are properly sanitized; otherwise you could contaminate the whole thing. Also, the World Health Organization recommends letting your concoction sit for a minimum of 72 hours after you're done. That way the sanitizer has time to kill any bacteria that might have been introduced during the mixing process.

We actually have two recipes for you, along with links to find the ingredients. The first is one you can make with stuff you likely already have, so it's effective in emergency situations. The second recipe is more complex but easy to make if you do some shopping and planning ahead of time. Another note: A lot of these items are quickly going out of stock because of high demand. There's a higher chance of finding them at your local drug store, but your first priority is to stay safe.

Potency Matters

You’re going to need some alcohol. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, your sanitizer mix must be at least 60 percent alcohol to be effective. But it's better to get above that—aim for a minimum of 75 percent. A bottle of 99 percent isopropyl alcohol is the best thing to use. Your regular vodka and whiskey are too wimpy and won’t cut it.

The Quick (Gel) Recipe

    Isopropyl alcohol (also here and here)
    Aloe vera gel (also here)
    Tea tree oil (also here and here)

Mix 3 parts isopropyl alcohol to 1 part aloe vera gel. Add a few drops of tea tree oil to give it a pleasant scent and to align your chakras.

The Better (Spray) Recipe

    Isopropyl alcohol (also here and here)
    Glycerol or glycerin (also here and here)
    Hydrogen peroxide (also here and here)
    Distilled water (also here and here)
    Spray bottle (also here)

The aloe mixture gets the job done, but aloe also leaves your skin annoyingly sticky. So, here's a recipe that's less sticky and more potent, based on the mix recommended by the WHO.

Mix 12 fluid ounces of alcohol with 2 teaspoons of glycerol. You can buy jugs of glycerol online, and it's an important ingredient because it keeps the alcohol from drying out your hands. If you can't find glycerol, proceed with the rest of the recipe anyway and just remember to moisturize your hands after applying the sanitizer.

Mix in 1 tablespoon of hydrogen peroxide, then 3 fluid ounces of distilled or boiled (then cooled) water. (If you're working with a lower-concentration solution of rubbing alcohol, use far less water; remember, at least ¾ of your final mixture has to be alcohol.)

Load the solution into spray bottles this isn't a gel, it's a spray. You can wet a paper towel with it and use that as a wipe. If you must, you can add in a splash of essential oil to your concoction to make it smell nice. Just don’t use lavender. Everyone else uses lavender, and your sanitizer is superior.

Create a one-of-a-kind Easter Basket with DIY felt flowers this spring. With just a few simple supplies, learn how to turn sheets of felt into different types of flowers. With a few cuts and some hot glue, you can make the most gorgeous spring basket.

Make a Felt Flower Easter Basket
Supplies Needed

    Easter basket
    Hot glue gun
    Scissors
    Felt sheets in assorted colors

Step 1: Make Mums

Cut a 2-inch strip along the long edge of a sheet of felt. Fold felt in half, lengthwise. Apply a strip of hot glue along the bottom. Fold the piece in half along your fold line and secure with the hot glue. Next, cut 1/4-inch slits along entire length of felt. Make sure not to cut all the way through, leave a little room along the bottom.
 

 

Step 2: Cut Petals

To build the flower bud, roll the felt from one end to the other and add glue while you roll! Secure end with a dab of hot glue. You can make these flowers as large or as small as you like. Simply use a longer piece of felt.
 

Step 3: Make Ranunculus

To create a ranunculus flower, cut a 2-inch circle out of felt. Then, cut a swirl into the circle, starting at the edge, ending in the middle. Start rolling the felt from the middle of the circle, gluing along the way. Secure with glue at the end.

Step 4: Cut Leaves

Cut leaves out of green felt. It's good to have different leaf shapes and sizes. Keep the cuts rough and organic to mimic real leaves. If your basket still needs more flowers, use our easy instructions to learn how to make a felt peony.
 

Step 5: Glue on Flowers

Glue flowers on the basket with hot glue. Start with blooms on bottom of handle, and then create a bunch of flowers. It's easier to start with your largest flowers and fill in around them. Glue on leaves under the flowers.

Every March, over 60 college basketball teams are matched in a nationwide tournament. March Madness has been a tradition since 1908, during which people from around the country assemble their “brackets,” make bets, and root for their favorite teams. In 2019 March Madness had a total of 10.5 million viewers. This time last year, COVID-19 hurtled us all into quarantine and stopped the highly anticipated tournament in its tracks.

This year, however, the tournament continues with a reduced bracket of 20 teams in a battle to the top. Companies like Wendy’s are matching the excitement by offering free food for your socially-distanced March Madness viewing. Wendy’s is offering free honey butter chicken biscuits during breakfast hours from March 18-20. There is no online coupon or promotional code needed to get your free biscuit, and no additional purchase is required. Simply go to Wendy’s between 6:30 am and 10:30 am to order. Carl Loredo, U.S. Chief Marketing Officer for The Wendy’s Company told KSNW-TV, “As an NCAA sponsor and the Official Breakfast of March Madness, we share the excitement for the return of the biggest basketball event of the year and are living out our sponsorship name by kicking off the tournament with a delicious Honey Butter Chicken Biscuit deal nationwide.” Every customer is allowed one free honey butter chicken biscuit per day while supplies last. The offer is not available for delivery orders, but Wendy’s and Uber eats have a solution for your delivery needs.

Braiding hair is a must in my life. With long hair, I am often throwing it up in this simple braid with a ribbon. The addition of a little ribbon in the braid really takes it from basic to the fun. This is one easy to create a style that truly anyone can manage. Even if you’ve never braided hair, you can use this tutorial to start turning your hairstyles into beautiful creations.

Simple Braid with Ribbon Hairstyle

One of the first things I remember learning to do with my hair as a little girl was braid. My big sister was always trying to get me to sit still for her to French braid my hair, but I never wanted to sit that long. So, she often created a simple braid like this one and added in ribbons, lace pieces, and even some special pins and barrettes at times. I loved the result and was much happier with a shorter hairstyling session.

You can turn your hair into a masterpiece with a braid any day of the week. Along with this simple style, I love this list of ponytail ideas, waterfall braid ideas, and my recent favorite half up half down hairstyle. I am always looking for something different to do with my hair, and these lists give me months of style inspiration.

I also love this list of 5-minute hairstyles for those super busy days, and this princess braid hairstyle for days I want to look extra special. There are so many amazing ideas for creating unique hairstyles that are easy to carry from day to night!

Do I Have to Use a Special Ribbon for This Style?

The great thing about this simple style is that you don’t have to have any special supplies. That includes the fact that you don’t need a special ribbon. Any length of ribbon, lace, or a thin strip of fabric will work when braided into this style. I love using a basic satin ribbon in my hair. It’s especially nice because I can pick up large packs in a variety of colors on Amazon for a great price. That means I can switch out colors to match my wardrobe.

Tools I Use

    Wide-tooth comb
    Detangling brush
    Hair rubber bands
    Satin hair ribbon
    Topsy Tail braiding tool

Other Items I Love:

    OGX Dry Shampoo
    Argan Oil
    Paul Mitchell Super Clean Sculpting Gel

How to Create a Simple Braid with Ribbon

Before you begin braiding, I recommend combing or detangling your hair so it is easy to braid with no snarls or tangles. You can also add a bit of mouse or pomade to keep your hair sleek and flyaways to a minimum.

Step 1

Gather a section of hair from the center of your head leaving the sides down and begin with a simple braid. This will be a French braid style, so you will move downward pulling small sections of hair into the braid as you go.

Now, you will continue this process, bringing in more hair on each side as you braid, to create a simple loose French braid style. This doesn’t have to be perfect. It is designed to be simple and loose.

Step 2

Braid until you reach the nape of your neck, then braid a straight plait a few more inches or as long as you wish. You can end the braid at the name of the neck or continue braiding down the back as shown.

Step 3

Next, you will take your Topsy Tail and slip it through the center of the top section of your braid.

Pull your ribbon through the Topsy Tail and pull down through the center so that you now have a ribbon on either side of the braid as shown below.

Step 4

Use the Topsy Tail to continue pulling the ribbon through each side weaving it back and forth through the sections of the braid using one side first then the next.

Continue this process until you reach the end of the braided section, where you will then cross the ribbon over the top manually, and pull back around to tie in a bow.

Step 5

Once you are satisfied with the ribbon placement and bow, trim excess ribbon from the end and tighten the bow.

Now, you have taken an otherwise ordinary French braid and turned it into a fun work of art!

When you are looking to get started with gardening, there are a lot of different techniques and methods that you can try out. Some promise to be the number one way to help you start your garden and see amazing results. Some of them are successful and others are more work than they are really worth.

As you do some of your research, you may start to hear about soil blocking and be curious about how this method will work. Let’s take a look at what soil blocking is all about, along with some of the benefits and negatives of this method, so you can decide if it is the right one for you.

What is Soil Blocking?

There are a lot of different techniques that you can use when it comes to gardening and getting the best results out of your harvest. Soil blocking is simply an indoor seed starting method. In this one, the soil block maker will compress a mixture of water and soil to turn them into a cube. The soil block mater will then indent a small divot into the top of the block. You will then drop the seed inside.

After the seed goes into the block of water and soil, you must keep the seed uncovered. From there, the seed is able to sprout in place. They’ll have all of the nutrition that is necessary to grow strong but in a smaller area that will not overwhelm the seed as much as other methods can do.

Most gardeners will choose to purchase all of the materials for soil blocks from the store, though there are a few different options that allow you to make your own. The initial investment can cost a little bit of money and it may be expensive for someone who just got started with gardening. However, if you plan to do soil blocking for a long time, then it is worth the price and can save a lot of hassle and time.

The seedlings will only spend a little bit of time in the soil block. The goal is to get the seeds started healthy, unlike what they can do in a regular container. When that happens, it is time to transplant the plant, no matter what kind it is, into the garden so it can grow tall and strong.

When starting this, you’ll also want to consider the best plants to start as indoor seedlings and these tips for how to prevent leggy seedlings and all about hardening seedlings. Of course, there are also tons of general garden hacks on this list that can also be useful as you plan.

What is the Purpose of Blocking Seeds?

While there are a lot of benefits that come with soil blocking, and we will talk about them in a moment, the main purpose of blocking your seedlings before you transplant them is to prevent the roots from encircling the container while they grow. With this method, the roots are paused right at the edges of the blocks until they are transplanted into a larger soil medium.

When you later decide to transplant the seeds into the garden outside, or even into another container if you plan to leave them inside, the soil block is effectively reducing the amount of trauma that occurs in the roots. The transplant time is also reduced here. This results in a healthier seedling and a better plant when all of the work is done.

What Tools Do I Need?

If you want to get started with soil blocking, there will be a number of tools that you need to make this process easier. Some of the best tools to purchase to use soil blocking for your gardening needs include:
Soil block maker:

This is one of the primary tools that you need. It will compress the soil blend into a tight enough formation so you have a structured cube to use while the seedlings grow. You will not be able to make the soil blocks without it.  I like the kits on Bootstrap Farmer that come with everything you need to start soil blocking.

 
Soil block mix:

You can purchase some soil mixes that will have all the necessary materials. Then you just need to compress it into a block using the tool above. However, you can also choose to make some of your own soil as well. There are a number of different recipes that you can use and some of them are more specified based on the types of plants you want to work with.

Trays:

You will need a few trays that are a little bit shallow. This is not because you are growing the plants necessarily with the trays. But you do need somewhere to put the soil blocks when you have a seedling in them. The trays make it easy to have all the seedlings in their block in one place and can make it easier to move the seedlings around based on where you need to keep them in your home.

Once you have all of the necessary components in place, it is time to add in the seed and let it start growing. The block is not going to be very big to get started. This is perfect though because it will allow the seed enough room to grow well without it becoming overwhelmed with all of the space around it.

You just want to lay it inside the block a little bit, without fully covering up the seedling, so it has time to grow. You can later move it over to your garden and let it grow there when ready.

Benefits of Soil Blocks

There are a number of benefits that you will enjoy when you choose to work with a soil block rather than adding the seed directly to a pot or container. Some of the different benefits of soil blocks include:
Healthier Roots

When you can put the plant into a contained environment, the roots will start to encircle the growing container as they look for water and all the nutrients that they need. When they then become root-bound due to this, they will struggle to get used to the soil of the garden when you transplant them.

When you choose to change this up and use a soil block, the roots will be able to retain their vigor without any of the stunting that naturally occurs when you use a confined container. This results in healthier roots for the plant.

If you are looking to get healthier plants that will grow strong and give you a good harvest, then forming healthy roots is an important part of this process. You need to consider all the steps that you can use to make the roots healthier, and soil blocks can be one of the best. When it is done well, the roots will be stronger and can gather more nutrients, compared to roots of plants that are placed into containers.

Reduces Risk of Transplant Shock

Your seedlings will be able to quickly acclimate to the soil of the garden once you transplant them. Compared to transplanting them from a container, those that are grown in a soil block will grow faster and healthier.

Seedlings that have been grown in a traditional container will often be stunted, at least for a little bit after the transplant. They need time to heal from the wounding you do to the roots and all the work with the transplant. It may take some time for them to heal and resume their growth.

When you use a soil block, you are able to avoid the wounding of the roots when you transplant them into the garden. The seedlings will enter the ground and be ready to adjust to the new space that you are giving them.

Gardeners need to be careful about transplant shock. This can kill off a whole crop if the gardener is not careful with the work that they do while moving the plant from one location into the garden. Due to the way that the soil blocking is set up, it is possible to avoid some of this transplant shock to keep the roots as healthy as possible.

Ability to Start More Seeds Indoors

Because the soil block is able to reduce the issues that come with transplant shock, seeds that normally do not like to be transplanted, and may not survive it often, can be started inside easier. As long as these plants are started at the right time, they have the potential to get outside and into the garden for an earlier harvest as well.

There are a lot of seeds that will struggle with container gardening or do not like the regular transplant process that ends up doing well when you consider soil gardening.

In fact, soil blocks will be useful for a lot of plants that normally struggle to do transplants at all. Some like squash, cucumbers, melons, and zucchini can be started inside and do really well when it is time to transplant them. Root crops can do this well too. Carrots and beets are often best when you sow them right into the garden. But with soil blocking, you can start them early and get great results.

Easy to Transplant Into the Garden

This is one of the best benefits of using soil blocks to start your garden. When it is time to transplant those little seedlings, you can get it done in a fraction of the time compared to doing it in a container. You no longer need to pry the seedling out of the container or worry about getting an injury to the roots. You do not need to spend hours transplanting lots of seedlings because you just need to take the soil block and add it to the dirt before being done!

If you would like to get your garden started early to get the best crop, but you do not want to have unhealthy roots or spend hours in the garden, on your hands and knees, getting the plants out of their containers, then soil blocking is one of the best methods that you can choose. It is simple and only takes a few minutes to transplant the plant out of the soil block over to the garden.

Note:  Before you transplant, check to see if you should be amending the soil in your garden first.  It can make a huge difference in how easy it is to grow your harvest with the best results.

The Drawbacks of Using Soil Blocks

While there are a ton of great benefits of using these soil blocks to help you see results in the garden, there are some drawbacks as well. Some of these include:
The initial cost:

Purchasing these soil blockers is expensive upfront. If you plan to do this for the long-term, you will save money on the number of containers you need to use. But it will cost a little bit of money just to get started.

Mold:

Some gardeners found that using these soil blocks made it more difficult to fight off against mold, at least more than what you would need to do with traditional planting. Because there is a good amount of peat moss in these blocks, you need to be careful about them drying out. This not only stresses the plant, but it is harder to rehydrate the blocks compared to using a traditional container.
It will not work for all plants:

There are a number of plants that do great in a soil block. But not all of them will like this. You may need to do a few plants in a regular container garden rather than trusting the soil block all the time.

Choosing to Do Soil Blocks for Your Garden

There are a number of benefits and some drawbacks of using these soil blocks in your garden. They can make transplanting easier and allow you to start your garden inside earlier than ever before.

And for some plants, they are one of the best options to get that garden started nice and strong.

However, these soil blocks are not going to work for everyone. For some types of plants, the soil block may not work at all. Some gardeners do not like that the cost is so high to try it out or that they need to worry about harmful molds that can make the plants struggle in the first place. It is important to carefully weigh the different options to decide which one is the right one for your needs.

Knowing the finish of your wood is important in deciding how to care for the table. Many tables manufactured recently are a hard surfaced wood finish so you can use this recipe as often as you like.
Oil and wax finished tables need a more gentle cleaning routine. Usually just a simple soft cloth can remove dust and debris, while you should wet it for tougher messes. Our table is an oiled wood table. Dusting gently with a damp cloth is usually enough, but since I have to scratch dried food off of it often(!), I have to do a little more. I use this recipe to clean the table and if the wood looks worn afterwards I add some pure olive oil and let it soak into the wood.

This safe, non-toxic recipe is so easy to make and I bet you have all of the ingredients laying around already!

Ingredients

    ½ C White Vinegar (just plain old white vinegar, or you can use ACV for darker woods, if you like)
    ¼ C Olive Oil (organic, extra virgin olive oil)
    1 tbsp Lemon Juice
    1 tbsp Vegetable Glycerin (optional, but a really great addition - non-GMO, organic vegetable glycerin)
    20-30 drops Lavender Essential Oil (organic lavender essential oil)

Instructions

    Mix all ingredients in a glass spray bottle. Shake well before each use.
    Spray on wood and rub with microfiber or other soft cloth.


Each ingredient has it’s own part in making this recipe both safe and effective. So, let’s dig into and dissect the ingredients in this homemade wood cleaner recipe.Olive oil shines, moisturizes, and protects wood. Many people use mineral oil instead of olive oil, but I choose not to. Mineral oil is a petroleum product so it’s not natural or sustainable. Mineral oil does last longer than olive oil, but making smaller batches of this homemade wood cleaner can fix that problem easily. Learn more about different carrier oils that you could use in this recipe. Vinegar cuts through the greasy, grimy, yuckiness that gets stuck to the table after meals. It’s also mildly disinfecting. If you use this on dark woods apple cider vinegar is a great option. Also a mild disinfectant, lemon juice adds a nice fresh scent to your new homemade wood cleaner. Vegetable glycerin helps make wood shine and keeps the wood keep the shine longer. Although vegetable glycerin is optional in this recipe, I highly recommend it. In fact, Scratch Mommy Founder Jess uses vegetable glycerin in many of her DIY recipes (and in her Pronounce Skincare product line, too). Lavender and lemon juice are a fantabulous combination for a subtle clean scent.

Don’t you love it when you find a way to make life a little bit easier. I’ve been meaning to makeover my IVAR cabinets for a while now. I’ll show the before photo in a minute and you’ll see why! These cabinets have been ‘refreshed’ a few times now. Each time to work around different styling needs for projects or shooting photos for my upcoming book. So, I’ll admit they were in desperate need of a complete overhaul, but I needed a quick and easy way to complete this during the nap time rush! I’ve used two products that helped me achieve this look in just a couple of hours. Firstly my new favourite material – flexible MDF! How did I not know this existed? It’s a piece of this MDF with strips glued along one side and a flat surface the other. The result is a flexible wood that can bent into position to make curves (expect to see more of this here very soon). But I’ve taken advantage of the fluted side for this post. It’s by far the quickest way to add this detail to any piece of furniture! It’s quick and easy to cut to size using a hand saw (cut grooved side up for a neater line) and you can easily paint for beautiful results. I barely used one can of paint for this project and even had enough to paint my poundland shell vase as well! the paint went onto the shiny surface like a dream. And it perfectly matches the cabinet which is a look I love! As I promised here’s the before picture. I think you’ll agree, it’s quite a transformation! I cut the flexible MDF to size, leaving the thicker edge strip along to side of the piece to create the detail where the doors meet. (This also meant making less cuts – saving time!) I attached these to the doors using wood glue (that I had on hand) securing in place with clamps while the glue dried.I then measured the top of the cabinet, including the doors and added MDF and cut two pieces of 10mm thick MDF to size to create the top and bottom. I attached these with wood glue and clamped in place to dry.Then all that was left was painting! Using the Ronseal Chalk Paint and a roller to cover the cabinet with two coats of paint – leaving the first coat to fully dry before painting the second.

Ok, so these DIY painted wall arches might be my favourite home decor DIY to date! It’s definitely up there in my top five without a doubt. I’ve been seeing more of these cute arches all over Pinterest and Instagram recently and it gave me an idea to create a quick refresh to my bedroom. I had planned to paint the whole wall behind my bed, but this was so much quicker and as I was changing up my IKEA SVALNÄS system anyway, it seemed like the perfect opportunity to go big! Even though I was pretty happy with what was here before I’ll show you the before and after below. This colour has made such a huge impact on the room and going bold has really paid off. In fact it’s made me question why I’ve been so afraid of using stronger colours in the rest of my house! The technique to create these arches is easy and quick, but does require a steady hand. After drawing the design (I’ll show you that step below) I used an artist paint brush to paint in the curve then painters tape (not just regular masking tape) to section off the straight edges. I have a few more tips for stopping bleeding and getting your lines straight below! You’ll need: + Paint (I used Crown/Elle Decoration Cushion Craze) + Masking tape + Pencil + String + Painters tape + Artist paint brush + Roller and tray Make a rough mark on the wall where you’d like your arch to start and finish. Measure the distance between these marks and divide by two. Tie one end of a piece of string around a pencil. Measure from the pencil your measurement from step one. Add on 1 cm and cut the string. Find the centre point of your arch between your initial marks and hold the last 1 cm of string between your thumb and the wall at this point. If your have one to hand a thumb tac makes the next step easier. Hold the string against the wall using the thumb tac at the 1 cm point. Place the tip of the pencil on the wall at the first of your previous marks then slowly move the pencil up and over the centre point keeping the string tight at all times until you reach the other side. TIP – Keep the pencil line light so you can easily rub it out if you need to. Once you’re happy with the arch, run two pieces of painters tape down from the ends of the arch to the floor. A really easy way to make sure these are straight is to hold the string with the pencil attached at the edge of the arch. Tape the opposite end to the pencil at the starting point and use the hanging cord as a guide to create a straight line with your painters tape. Starting with the arch paint the edge of the template. When you’re trying to paint a neat line don’t start at the line. Start painting just under the line, then press the paint brush down into the wall to create a large flat surface. Move this slowly towards and along the line for maximum control. Once you’ve painted along the arch use the same brush to paint over the masking taped edges. To minimise bleeding, paint from the tape to the wall. After painting the edge fill in the inside using the roller. I needed three coats of this paint to get a solid finish. Once you’ve finished the last coat peel back the tape and stand back and admire your beautiful new arch while you watch the paint dry. Honestly that’s pretty much what I did, it’s so pretty!

If there’s something I can’t get enough of in my home it’s hanging plants. We’ve never had a lot of floor space to play with, but with two children literally taking over every usable corner our plants have been pushed out, or at least up. Hanging planters are a great way to add all the greenery your heart desires without compromising on usable surface space. Our bay window is the perfect space for our growing plant family. Almost any plant I place here thrives and it’s a great way to add some colour to the space. The problem we have here is the lack of an entryway in the house. This space doubles up as pushchair storage and tends to fill up with bags and coats when we’re not looking. Plants on the windowsill have to fight for space with a boisterous toddler and we’ve had a few casualties. So I created this very simple plant hanging bar to give them the height, space and light they need. I’ve used screw in hooks and a simple length of wood dowel. It was quick and easy and all that was left to do was make something for the plants to hang in.So I created this very simple plant hanging bar to give them the height, space and light they need. I’ve used screw in hooks and a simple length of wood dowel. It was quick and easy and all that was left to do was make something for the plants to hang in.I chose this Wool and the Gang kit to create my planters. With these kits you’re not only learning a new technique but you’re getting great quality materials to work with as well, I was worried the raffia yarn would be stiff and hard on my hands, but it’s surprisingly soft. Even just taking it out of the bag I could feel the texture and quality. It’s perfect for crocheting with. Even if you’ve never held a crochet hook before in your life you will be able to complete this project. It’s perfect for beginners using a very simple stitch that will have you holding the needle like a pro in no time. All the instructions are included in the kit so you can learn all the skills needed. And as well as learning something new you’ll actually end up with something you love and want to use in your home.

There’s a lot to be said for shelving (and most of it has been said before, but bear with me). Yeah, it’s practical. We all know this well, but it is also an opportunity to get creative. Styling a shelf gives you endless options to refresh your decor, depending on the items you choose to display. You can easily switch things up when you get bored or feel like a change. Even something as simple as turning books around can create an entirely new look (and challenge when you need to find one). Changing flowers and greenery also gives you an easy way to freshen things up. But it’s not all about what you choose to put on your shelving. They, in themselves can be a piece of art. I love well designed shelving.

 

I wanted to make some shelving that was simple and small, and that had lots of styling potential but didn’t take up a lot of room. These simple wooden shelves are actually pretty streamlined without compromising on styling potential. They are only made for smaller items, so I’d leave the books for something stronger. But these are perfect for odds and ends that would get lost or crowded on a bigger shelving system.

Material;
2 x 20cm x 1.5cm x (length you want your shelf)
2 x 15cm x 1.5cm x (length of the shelf)
Nails (5cm)
Hammer
Wood glue

Tutorial:

1. On the back of the two larger pieces of wood hammer four nails gently into the wood along each of the two longest edges. You want these to just pierce the front of the wood.

2. Turn the piece of wood over so it is just resting on the flat part of the nails. Run glue along the edge of one of the four smaller pieces of wood. Place this along the nailed edge (on the top) pushing down so the tip of the nails hold it in place. Repeat for the opposite edge.

3. When the glue has dried carefully turn the shelf over so it is now resting on the two parallel panels of wood. Hammer the nails all the way into the wood at the join.

4. Paint with just one coat of Vintage Paint. It’s all you’ll need!

5. To attach to the wall I like using interlocking mounts, which make it easy to hang without seeing any fixtures or fittings!

Whether you want to help someone in need or are looking for a boredom buster that could potentially help people in the future, this post is for you! Today I have a neighbor, a friend, and a nurse here to show us How To Make a Face Mask With a Filter. If you know anyone with a sewing machine, show them this. It’s a great way to pass the time if you have cabin fever. Who knows, you might end up helping people along the way. We’re in this together ? Be sure to pin and share this so others can see it too. Before we get started, I must mention that I am not the creator of this mask. As many of you know, I don’t actually know how to sew. However, millions of my followers DO know how to sew and are wonderful at it!

 

I believe she noticed that our local mail delivery men and women didn’t have masks to wear. She was told that there were no masks available, and her creative side kicked in. Whether you make one for yourself, a friend, a loved one, or if you want to give them away, this is a wonderfully helpful way to pass time. While we make no claims that these masks will prevent anything or save anyone, we do know that some people are extremely creative and the need is there. A mask might be better than no mask at all in certain situations. For this air filter mask, you will need a superior allergen air filter, OR the air filter material. If your local store is out of the filters pictured, consider purchasing the white filter material. This air filter material is what’s typically found in home air filtration systems. You frequently replace these filters in your home for the purpose of keeping the air clean in the household. According to sources, you can use a few different materials as a filter in a homemade mask. While these don’t replace an N95 and we can’t claim anybody is safe while using any mask, this is a nice option to know… especially if you can sew! This filter says it’s an FPR 9 rating, and that it helps block a number of different things from entering into the air we breath. I have heard that vacuum bags have great filters too. However, if you’re looking for how to make face mask without a filter, this tutorial will work for you too. Begin by disassembling the air filter. Remove the wire and cardboard around it. The white fabric is what is used for this tutorial in how to make a face mask with an air filter. However, if you’re looking to make a basic face mask without a filter, you can use this tutorial too! Note: See all measurements at the end of the post (printer friendly!). Whether you plan to add a filter to your mask or not, you will need two pieces of fabric (8″ x 11″) and two pieces of elastic (5.5″ long). In this post you can see the video Debbie created for how to sew a face mask. If you want to add an air filter to the mask, you’ll want to sew an extra pocket to the inside of the mask first. The pocket is 6″ x 4.5″ and the air filter piece that goes inside is 5″ x 4″ (See video tutorial). Please be aware that if you plan to make a mask for someone else, you need to sanitize the surface you are working on. You also need to wear a mask yourself AND gloves while making masks for others! While we aren’t sure whether or not these air filters can be washed (they say they are moisture resistant to a degree) we have to assume they cannot be washed. However, the fabric face mask itself can be washed in hot soapy water. When giving them to others, place a sanitary mask and a clean filter in a new sealable plastic bag. Consider putting a few filters in each sealable plastic bag along with each mask. That way, the person you give it to can replace their used filter with a new one in between washes.

Directions

For a Mask WITH a Filter:

1. Sew the pocket fabric to one of the 8” x 11” fabric pieces (leaving the top open to drop in a filter later on)
2. Follow the exact same directions seen in the video to create the full mask
3. Extract the white fabric from inside of the air filter by removing the wire and cardboard
4. Cut the air filters to size (5″ x 4″)
5. Slip a filter into the pocket of the finished mask

** The fabric face mask itself can be washed in hot soapy water. When giving them to others, place a sanitary mask and a clean filter in a new sealable plastic bag. Consider putting a few filters in each sealable plastic bag along with each mask. That way, the person you give it to can replace their used filter with a new one in between washes.