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My husband works outdoors in construction and anyone that does so will completely understand  a shared dilemma: unless it’s nailed down, someone will come along and take your tools. This  goes for standard tools, tool boxes, extension cords, and anything else that might be left  unchecked. If you are like us, you also have a garage filled with tools that also mysteriously  disappear. This could be from a neighbor, a son or daughter or just ‘tool elves’.   My husband was getting tired of constantly replacing tools and extension cords, both at home  and on the job site. While his company...

When we decided to take on the project of transforming our smaller walk-in closet to a  customized look, the first thing that we did was to investigate the ‘professional’ companies. We  were shocked at the over $5,000 price that it would cost to make this change, and decided that  we could do this on our own. The results were gorgeous and the cost was around $1,000.  We had those ugly white coated wire frame shelves around the top of the closet that held metal  bars to hang clothes. The first thing we did was empty out the closet (which was...

Many homeowners run into the problem of concrete, whether indoor or outdoor, and think of it  as an eye sore. If you don’t have the money to rip up concrete to replace, traditional ways of  hiding or changing it don’t leave you with many options. Coloring concrete is a fairly easy and  cost effective way to revitalize old concrete or bring ugly concrete new life.   There are a variety of stains you can use, each offering a different design and “life span” of  color.   Liquid Acetone Dyes: Unlike powder acetone dyes, liquid acetone dyes are UV-stable,  which means they can...

Gardening is a great solo-therapy, getting away from stresses and problems to create pieces of  art, collections of flowers and beds of vegetables. Gardening is also a great way to bond with  kids whether they are family or friends, but it isn’t always an easy task getting them engaged.  Generally speaking, kids do not have the attention span to dedicate to gardening, especially  maintaining one. However, gardening with children presents a unique opportunity to teach them  about commitment and responsibility. Creating fairy gardens teaches children the importance of  checking on the garden regularly and long-term commitment.  Fairy gardens were first...

When starting with a fresh plot of land or renovating an old one, the possibilities are endless with  the theme and decor you can use in your garden. Consider creating a theme or themes throughout  your outdoor living space to personalize your space and to fit your needs.  Your theme can be based on imagination, life or function. If you are a pizza lover, create a  garden that grows the ingredients to homemade sauce and toppings for pizza. Love red? Plant red  vegetation and flowers with an accent color to balance.   Color themed gardens present a unique style from the...