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This craft is great to do with your kids and a fun way to personalize decorations for any occasion. Depending on the size of letters you choose to use, you could hang it on a wall, in a doorway or even on your fridge. We see this banner most commonly used for Happy Birthday, but with the holidays coming up I think it’d be fun to try Happy Halloween, Happy Thanksgiving, Merry Christmas or Happy Hanukkah.
Image courtesy of Zakka Life
Supplies you will need
Letters- You can get these from the craft store in the scrapbooking section, or cut them out of a decorative paper you like. If you want a smaller banner, I would recommend using letters about 1 ½ inches high and if you want a larger banner 4 inches is a good size.
Rectangles- The size of the rectangles will depend on the size of your letters. They need to be big enough to attach to the top of the letter with about a ½ inch of extra space on each end. A heavy stock paper works best for these pieces.
Extra small brads
Small hole punch
String
Once you have all of your letters and rectangles, lay them out to make sure everything looks the way you want. Then, glue the top part of each letter to the rectangles. Once the glue has dried, punch a hole on each side.
Image courtesy of Zakka Life
Overlap the holes of the two rectangles and secure with a brad. Continue until you’ve spelled out the entire phrase. Use the end holes to tie with string and the banner is ready to hang.
Once again, Eclectic Product users continue to blow us away. YouTube user Battlebots16 provided us with some insight on how he builds RC cars using sheet metal and Amazing GOOP. Check out his video below and learn how he uses Amazing GOOP to produce some killer creations.
What inspired you start making RC cars, boats, robots, etc?
I’ve always been building things as far as I can remember. However, I didn’t have a good glue to use until 1999. My dad bought me a tube of Amazing GOOP that year. The glue worked so well that I haven’t used anything since. Nothing else works right.
Would you recommend this hobby to everyone? Why or why not?
I would recommend this hobby to anyone that enjoys making things with their hands. I get the sheet metal for my projects out of trash bins at the housing projects, so in a way I’m recycling. I’m making garbage into fun projects.
What supplies did you use to create the battlebots/RC cars?
I make battlebots out of sheet metal and steel. The bots are driven by power wheels, motors being flipped on and off by switches. The switches make it possible for the robot to move forward and reverse. Amazing GOOP is used to hold many of the key components in place and make repairs. The RC cars are made from sheet metal and other parts. The frames are strap steel or old box fan frame rails.
Why do you think Amazing GOOP was a good fit for this project?
I tried every glue available: hot glue, super glue, epoxy, J-B Weld, Gorilla Glue–you name it! All the other products let me down. When I got my first tube of GOOP, I was hooked. Not only is it strong, it does not fail, as you can see in my YouTube video of the RC Delorean. The video shows the sheet metal trashed from the impact, yet all the places where it’s glued did not budge. (I have actually ripped sheet metal by trying to pull a GOOPed seam apart). I recommend this glue to everyone I know.
Do you use Amazing GOOP for other uses?
I have used Amazing GOOP on just about anything you can think of. For example, I reattached a knob onto the stove that kept falling off, I use it for everything. If something breaks, I reach for Amazing GOOP.
Pumpkin Topiary from DIY Network
With the arrival of fall come some of my favorite things: warm cider, carmel apples and pumpkins! Here is a list of a few things you can do with pumpkins.
Carving. Halloween is just 4 weeks away and that’s just enough time to get what you need to carve the perfect pumpkin. HGTV has great tips for carving. And, if you’re like me and have a hard time figuring out what to carve, try templates. They’re easy to use and you’re bound to have the best looking pumpkin on the block!
Pumpkin Pie. This is an absolute must have. I don’t care if it’s store bought or home made, pumpkin pie is the best. Here’s a great recipe from Martha Stewart.
Pumpkin Seeds. I absolutely love, love, love oven roasted pumpkin seeds! Of course you can buy them from the store, but they are much tastier warm and fresh out of the oven. Lightly salted, they are a perfect fall snack.
Decorative Topiary. The DIY network suggests creating a decorative topiary with carved pumpkins. Once carved, stack the pumpkins, glue them together so they stay put, and wrap twinkle lights around the outside to complete the look. This clever project would be perfect next to a fireplace or entry way. Try E6000 or EcoGlue Extreme.
Do you have any favorite fall traditions?
Whether we’d like to admit it or not, summer is on its way out and fall has arrived. It’s time to take the fun with family and friends from the backyard patio indoors. Of course you can find the same old decorations in stores, but why not try something different this year? We’ve found some great ways you can update a room for fall in just a few easy steps!
Decorative Light-Switch Cover
Image courtesy of Design Sponge
I did this years ago using tissue paper, but really you could use paper or fabric. This is a fun and easy way to add interesting color to a otherwise plain wall. All you need is your choice of fabric, E6000 Craft and an x-acto knife.
First remove the light switch cover from the wall, the cut a piece of fabric slightly bigger than the size of the cover. You’ll want to be able to fold some extra fabric around the edges. Make cutouts for the switch and screw holes. Apply E6000 Craft onto the plastic light-switch cover, then put fabric in place. Once the glue is dry, you’re ready to put your new and improved light-switch cover back on the wall!
Your local craft store will have a large selection of fabrics to choose from, but Ikea and Marimekko are also great places to look for unique patterns.
Image courtesy of Design Sponge
Upholstered Headboard
This project will take a little more time, but as you can see looks absolutely amazing when complete. The combination of flowers and animals in this red and white print stands out so well on the neutral wall.
You’ll need the following items for this project: wood for your headboard, foam, batting, fabric, knife, scissors, staple gun, flush mount and E6000 Craft .
For full step-by-step instructions by Design Sponge go here.
Fun with Wall Paper
This is one of my favorite DIY projects because it can work in just about any room in your house.
Image courtesy of NOTCOT
It can be a great accent to your kitchen in a breakfast nook, add some flare to a bedroom or spice up your living room.
Craft stores, art stores or specialty gift shops are great places to find paper perfect to create this look. The paper will most likely be just the right width when purchased, so no need to cut and worry about uneven lines. Just be sure to measure the length of the wall you intend to use and purchase that length of paper.
Apply E6000 Craft to the wall, starting at the top. Place the paper over the glued area and run your hand down as you flatten the paper, removing any air bubbles. Do this in small sections as you work down the wall. Once you reach the floor and the end of the paper, you’re all done! If you need to cut off excess paper at the end, I would recommend using an x-acto knife and ruler to ensure a nice straight line.
Some small, but simple changes can make indoor get-togethers even more delightful.
Enjoy!
A couple of years ago on a business trip on the other side of the country, I picked up a pair of pants on clearance at Banana Republic for less than $10. It wasn’t until several days later and when I had returned home that I realized the zipper placket was completely unstitched. The pants were inexpensive enough that I wasn’t motivated to return them and I also knew it was an easy fix. And I always had it in my mind that I would do so (despite my lack of sewing machine).
After a recent move, I was resolute to keep what was useful and donate what was not. So, armed with a tube of E6000, I determined to fix my pants. The pants were clean & dry. This part of my pants is not visible once this particular repair is done, but if you were to use this same technique to fix a hem, for example, you’d want to be more careful about potential permanent wrinkles.
I followed the directions on the tube and then left them on the counter so the glue could cure overnight.
The repair was invisible, pants washed just fine, placket intact. E6000 creates a permanent bond that will hold through washes, ironing and every day wear.
Get your own tube for repairs of all kinds, including zipper plackets, at ExcelBuyOnline or your local retailer.
By Daniel Hurst Photography
It’s that time of year… Back to school! We found a bunch of textbook perfect projects that will help you prepare for the upcoming school year.
Get organized!
Parents know that back to school means homework, school activities, sports, and more. Prepare yourself with projects that help you organize homework due dates, sports schedules, and weekend activities.
Organization frames are simple tools to help you and your kids keep track of deadlines and dates. Lowe’s demonstrates how to create a multipurpose frame system in four simple steps.
Create a study space for your A+ students where they can stay organized and focused and take the occasional study break. The study space features a book nook, art corner, and extra credit/homework dry-erase wall.
Kick off the school year in style!
Back to school shopping can get expensive. Why not create your own fashionable, inexpensive school accessories?
Book bag: Learn how to make a chic oversized book bag that’s big enough for books and supplies. Maryssa “Missa” Stumpf of Missa by Design provides a how-to video with simple steps to create this super cute accessory.
Backpack: Make a backpack out of a mens jacket. Threadbanger gives step-by-step instructions on how to create a hip backpack that’s perfect for the new school year.
Reusable lunch bags: Stop wasting plastic bags and create a cute reusable lunch bag using old clothes. Amy from Progressive Pioneer uses old jeans to create her reusable lunch bag. They’re cheap, durable, and great for the environment.
Teachers pet?
Start the school year right by impressing your teacher with some unique, homemade crafts such as:
Moving into a new (or new-to-you) house can be exciting. But it can also mean needing some basic DIY skills that you may not have ever learned.
We asked some experienced new homeowners and renters about what DIY and home maintenance tips they think are most important. What do new homeowners or young people living their first house need to know? We asked Twitter and got these responses:
- Basic plumbing: know how to unstop a toilet, unclog a drain, fix a basic leak.
- How to (and when to) change the air filter in a house with central air and heat.
- Hone your stud-finding abilities and be able to find a stud in the wall to hang hooks, pictures and shelves.
- A clean caulk can keep out significant water damage. Knowing how to seal joints in the kitchen and bath is a top skill.
- Grow some basic landscaping skills: know what the tools are for, figure out what plants to plant and gauge how much to water to use.
- Build your toolkit and put together a great go-to box of tools with all the basics. But what should go it?
- Know when to bring in a professional: some DIY is not amateur-friendly, know when to fold ‘em
Having some basic home maintenance and DIY skills can save you a lot of money. In fact, the most common statistic we found is that, for every $1 that is spent on maintenance, up to $100 of repairs are avoided.
We’ll cover some of these skills in more detail in the next few posts, but in the meantime, here are some terrific resources so you can get started building your DIY skills.
- John & Sherry Petersik of Young House Love have an extensive how-to list to get you started.
- eHow probably has a how-to on any subject you can think of, even how to learn basic DIY repair skills.
- This Old House has a list of top 10 home improvement skills with basic instructions for each.
- Popular Mechanics has a list of things every man (or… ahem, woman) should know how to do. Not much how to, but can let you know what you don’t know and where to build your skills.
If you have a skill that you’d add to the list, please feel free! We’ll see if we can address it in a future post.
We are constantly amazed by the innovative and stylish crafts that people produce using Eclectic Products. Stacie Grissom recently shared her secret to making a cute pair of shoes using some basic art supplies, household items, and ShoeGOO.
Below are instructions… now hop to it and get crafty!
You Will Need:
- Old pair of shoes, any kind will work.
- Shoe GOO
- Anything you want to cover your shoes: pictures, magazine clippings, candy wrappers, comic book pages, poetry book pages, fabric scraps, etc.
- Rhinestones, beads (optional)
- Tweezers (for rhinestones or beads)
- Fast drying glue such as Amazing QuickHOLD
Step One
Step One:
Organize the items you want to place on your shoes and construct a design. Place the clippings on the shoes, starting with the larger items first. Place a drop of fast-drying glue such as Amazing QuickHOLD on the corner of the clipping to hold it in place and then cover the paper with Shoe GOO. Don’t be stingy with the Shoe GOO.
After the larger clippings are in place, start filling the spaces with smaller scraps until the shoe is entirely covered.
Step Two
Step Two:
Once all of the clippings are in place and the shoe is covered, start putting drops of Shoe GOO on the shoe by rubbing it over the shoe. Only rub the the Shoe GOO over the shoe once to get a clear effect. Rubbing over the shoe more than once will cause the shoe to become opaque. Apply Shoe GOO lightly on the most visible parts of the shoe.
Tip: Place a generous amount of Shoe GOO near the sole of the shoe and where the shoe bends. Without a helping of Shoe GOO, the clippings may crack off.
Step Three
Step Three:
Place a dollop of Shoe GOO where you would like to add embellishments. Apply rhinestones or beads to the Shoe GOO with tweezers.
Step Four:
Allow the Shoe GOO to dry completely.
Step Five:
Add another layer of Shoe GOO on places that look thin and, again, around the soles and where the shoes bend. Wait for the Shoe GOO to dry.
After this, you are done! You will have a funky pair of recycled shoes that will catch the eyes of people everywhere.
To view more photos of Stacie’s ShoeGOO photos, visit her Flickr page or visit her blog Stars for Streetlights.
BBQ Season by Dominic via Flickr
In the category of “random holidays,” we learn that July is not just National Hot Dog Month, but it’s also the National Month for baked beans, blueberries and ice cream. Sounds like a BBQ to us!
As we are wont to do, we scoured the Internet to find the best of the best tips for prepping for and hosting a delightful backyard soiree.
Prepping
Check the backyard for any safety issues such as filling holes that may cause people to fall when walking, or fixing a loose board on a deck or stones in a patio. Clean up a cluttered yard by putting away all unnecessary items such as toys and outdoor maintenance equipment.
You may have noticed that wobbly leg on the deck chair at the Memorial Day get together. It’s time to repair it! Make quick and easy repairs using Amazing GOOP Lawn & Garden or EcoGlue Extreme.
Keep your party bug free by setting up insect repellent devices around the yard. Make sure your repellent is EPA-registered or recognized as safe for kids, pets, and the environment. Repellent devices include Allethrin Lamps, Geraniol Candles and Diffusers, and Metofluthrin Diffusers.
Next, clean the stuff.
Good Housekeeping recommends the following top patio-furniture cleaners:
- Goo Gone Patio Furniture Cleaner is safe for all materials such as plastic and canvas and does not require additional cleaners to get the job done.
- Simple Green All-Purpose Cleaner works well on plastic, however, dilution is suggested.
- Siege Outdoor Furniture Cleaner is recommended for plastics and metals.
Decorating
Liven up the party with decorations:
- Pick a theme and place decorations around the patio, yard, and house.
- Spruce up picnic tables with fresh-picked flowers.
- Cover tables with vibrant plastic or cloth tablecloths.
- Place votive candles on tables to add ambiance and additional lighting to the party.
Party Time!
Whether your cooking simple hot dogs and hamburgers or lamb shish kabobs, prepare everything ahead of time to avoid a hassle during the party. Food and Wine Magazine recommends four simple steps to a great barbecue: slather, rub, mop, and barbecue sauce. Tasty food is a key component to a successful barbecue.
Prepare a buffet table and set out a cooler with cold beverages just before your guests arrive. Arrange the buffet table in a logical order so guests can easily maneuver through the delicious grub you prepared. Place condiments and extras in a central location for easy mid-meal maneuvering. Replace perishable items with fresh food to avoid potential spoiling.
Prepare games such as badminton, horseshoes, and volleyball. Make sure you have the appropriate game equipment for your guests and encourage some friendly competition by offering fun prizes.
Keep the party groovin’ with a killer music selection or playlist. Who knows, maybe the music will provoke an impromptu dance party.
And voila… you now have a successful barbecue!
It’s summer and that means it’s time to start some home improvement projects. Lucky for you, there are abundant resources available for doable DIY projects. Avoid a DIY disaster with tips we found that help you choose your projects wisely and plan carefully.
Step one: Do your research!
Interior designers suggest searching the Internet for step-by-step videos for a particular project. A video will help you visualize the project and decide if the project is doable. Research also will give you a realistic idea of how long a project will take.
Research the necessary tools for the job. Many tools may only be needed once for a specific cost. Research tool rental costs to reduce DIY expenses.
Step two: Time to get started!
Outdoor projects
There are many doable outdoor DIY projects for the inexperienced. Staining a deck or laying a stone walkway are both simple outdoor projects that experts suggest for home-improvement novices. The DIY Network suggests building an outdoor patio as a simple addition to a yard.
Spruce up dreary gray concrete surfaces with acid stains, acrylic stains, epoxy paints, and scoring techniques. Water based concrete stains are a popular eco-friendly solution for coloring concrete surfaces. These stains act like a dye and come in a wide array of colors. For example, SoyCrete is green building compliant, non-hazardous, and acid free concrete stain.
Painting
Painting is a simple, affordable way to improve your home. To make a paint-job look professional and clean, sand surfaces before painting. This doable DIY task gets tricky when attempting to paint the ceiling. Some designers suggest a laminate plank system for ceilings. The laminate planks can be affixed to any ceiling with hooks and screws, which gives your home a sleek, professional look.
Lighting
Upgrade your lighting fixtures by adding decorative trim to lamp shades. Plain drum shades and pendant light kits are available at home good stores. Avoid a DIY disaster by leaving technical electricity work to the experts!
Wallpaper and Upholstery
Experts advise starting small when it comes to wall covering. If you’re nervous about applying wallpaper, save money and time by prepping the walls. To prep the walls, start by sanding, remove the dust with a damp cloth, and then prime with wallpaper primer. If you work up the courage to apply the wallpaper, start small and take your time.
To read more about doable DIY projects see the full article: Want to fix up the house? Pick doable DIY tasks.
