About How To Make Everything

How To Make a Christmas Photo Card

2009-06-03T01:14:00.000-07:00

As the Christmas season approaches, it's fun to touch base with friends and send a photo of your family. And in this era of digital cameras and the Internet is easier than ever to make Christmas cards at home.

Here are some tips on making photo Christmas cards.

Cards online photo. There are a number of ways to make a Christmas card photo. The easiest way is to use an online site that offers card-making software. Web sites like Shutterfly and Snapfish offer card-making programs that are easy to use. My Cardmaker And, you can go and create and print personalized greeting cards in just a few steps. In addition, most credit card online photo comes with matching envelopes.
Kiosk photo cards. Many discount stores have kiosks where you can make your own Christmas cards from pictures on the ground. The Kodak Picture Maker kiosk offers a step by step method to make photo cards with the touch of a button. Best of all, you can have your cards printed immediately. All you need do is bring your favorite picture or to find the memory card for your digital camera. If you plan to make a copy of a photograph was taken by a professional photographer, keep in mind that there are strict copyright laws and may have to obtain permission from the photographer.
Introduction. No matter how you choose to take the picture of the Christmas card, you need: a large picture, a border or background, a greeting or message and an envelope.
Choose a great photo. Establish your family in front of the Christmas tree or in front of a white background and snap some photos. Or take an old favorite and incorporate in their greeting card. Note that if you make a picture on line of Christmas cards, you need a digital photo in a "jpeg" format for best quality.
Choose a border. Online at sites like Shutterfly and Snapfish, there is a wide selection of photos from the Christmas card borders to choose from. Scroll through all options to find one that coordinates well with your chosen photo.
Select a greeting. Most online card-maker sites give you the option to add a personalized greeting card. Choose a phrase or greeting that is suitable for all recipients of the card. Do not forget to include the names of all family members.
Really homemade cards. They do not want to rely on an online site or store? Incorporate your photos into cards made completely in house from scratch. You will need construction paper, glue, scissors, a hole punch and decorations like glitter, stamps or ribbon. Cut two pieces of cardboard into the desired shape (some suggestions include a Christmas ornament or the form or storage form of a snowman). Cola on the picture to one of the pieces of cardboard and attach the two pieces together by drilling a hole at the top and linking them together with tape. Can also fold a piece of cardboard in half and garnish with a Christmas theme or seal borders (found in craft stores). Cola in the photo you want to include inside the card. Not sure what kind of greeting to write? Watch old cards you have, or check online card sites for inspiration.
Provide a photo frame with the cards. For an easy way to send photo greetings, photo frame greeting cards or buy any discount card. Enter the appropriate size picture (usually a 4 "x 6") and takes a snapshot of Christmas cards!

2009-06-03T01:01:00.000-07:00

If you have allergies or dry skin with the use of dish soap purchased, making your own dish soap is very simple and effective. There are several ways to dish soap, but they are all quick and easy.

To store your homemade dish soap, dish soap bottles to recycle or purchase squeeze bottle with empty plastic squeeze top for ease of use.

Dish soap can be made using liquid Castile soap, soap flakes or chunks of soap.

Castile soap

Using liquid Castile soap is the easiest way to make your own dish soap, as the basis is done for you. All you have to do is add a few ingredients, mix, and voila! You can buy liquid Castile soap in most health food stores. This is what you need:

bowl of homemade soap
2 cups of Castile soap
A few drops of essential oil
1 / 2 cup water

To make soap, follow these instructions.

Combine two cups of liquid Castile soap with 1 / 2 cup warm water.
Add a few drops of essential oils for a pleasant aroma.
Shake or mix well and place in a bottle.
Shake well before using soap.

Soap flakes

Soap flakes make a great base for homemade dish soap. Are mild and can be used for lots of cleaning, and mix well to form a liquid cleaner. You can buy soap flakes to buy laundry detergent. Lemon juice or vinegar added to a reduction of the fat to soap. This is what you need to use soap flakes soap dish:

2 cups soap flakes
1 gallon warm water
2 tablespoons of glycerin (optional)
1 / 2 cup lemon juice or white vinegar
A few drops of essential oils for scent, if desired

These are the steps to make this dish soap.

Combine the soap flakes and water in a large non-reactive saucepan.
A low heat, heat the mixture, stirring frequently until the soap is completely dissolved.
Add glycerine and stir, remove from heat.
Allow the soap to cool slightly and add lemon juice and essential oils (optional). Mix well to combine.
For liquid dish soap in squeeze bottles or other containers.

Solid soap shavings

You can also use your remaining bits of bar soap to liquid soap which is suitable for dishwashers! This is a good way to stretch your budget and save some money. Chop the bits of soap in very small pieces, thin strips or grate it first. What you need is simple:

2 cups of soap chips
2-3 cups hot water, plus more dilute

Follow these steps to make the dish soap.

In a small bucket, place of soap shavings.
Cover with hot water and let stand for several hours or overnight to soften.
In the morning, and stir the mixture until smooth soap shavings. Add more hot water to dilute the consistency of choice.
You can add lemon juice or vinegar, if desired, to help reduce fat in the dishes.
Pour into squeeze bottles or other containers. Shake well before using.

No matter which method you choose, you will find that at home plate of mild soap on the skin and nails, and does not contain as many additives or harsh chemicals such as store-bought variety.

How To Make Paper Mache

2009-06-03T00:56:00.000-07:00

Paper mache is a technique of preparation is easy, cheap, versatile and perfect for all ages. You can not ask for a higher form of art! You can create piñatas, decorative accents, bowls or anything else your imagination can dream of paper mache. Projects will take several days to complete, as you need to allow for drying time between layers of paper. Here is a step by step guide to get started.

Paper Mache Glue, A wide variety of paper Mache glue recipes available, and with a little experimentation, you find that you like. Try three parts of white glue mixed with one part water, liquid starch or use the full capacity. My tail is a cooked mixture of flour from one part to about five parts water, bring mixture to a rolling boil on low for about three or four minutes, and add a few teaspoons of salt to prevent mold. Stir until smooth and cool the mixture before using.

Forms of paper mache form is the basis of his draft paper mache. You can use anything you like, including balloons, cardboard boxes, Styrofoam balls or other shapes, or any other material that has an interesting way. If you want to make a specific form, and as animal or person, use masking tape to create your shape with pieces of cardboard or paper mache to make styrofoam.how
Basics Paper Mache now has its tail and paper mache form, you are ready to begin! Here are the other materials you need:

fabric or paper, stones, glitter and other accents (optional)
strips of newspaper into pieces 1 inch wide and six inches long (you can also use gift wrap or brown paper bags)
poster paint
brushes

Instructions:

Working with a strip of paper at a time, dip the paper into the glue and get saturated on both sides. Remove excess glue with your fingers and place the strips in form, smoothing with your hands. Do it carefully so not to tear the paper.
Continue working, adding strips of paper to form, a bit like the overlapping of their trip. When the form is completely covered with strips of paper, set it aside for 24 hours to dry the glue.
Repeat steps one and two, at least two more times, so you have at least three layers of paper in your way. Let the glue dry for 24 hours between each coat. Proceed until the desired thickness of paper mache.
Once you have completed the overlay and glue is completely dry, paint the figure with the poster paint and brushes. Set the project aside once again so the paint can dry, then add decorative touches to the tissue, stones, glitter or other items if desired.
If you want to hang your creation, use of needles and a strong fishing line to drill small holes at the top for hanging.

That's all for it! Once you have the basic skills under your belt, you can make the most advanced projects. Pick a book in paper mache, or do a search online for some great ideas for paper mache crafts

How To Pick Lottery Numbers

2009-06-03T00:48:00.000-07:00

Pick lottery numbers may seem a complicated and stressful if you think of the millions of dollars at stake. Nothing looks as impressive as his collection in a dollar for a multimillion-dollar lottery ticket check. But given that the lottery is random and that no strategy can be informed by any employer or observable data, you should not worry too much! The only strategy that increases your chances of winning is to increase the number of tickets you buy. How to choose your lottery numbers is strictly a matter of personal preference.

1. The most important thing to remember about the lottery is that really all comes down to timing. You may think that people who perform certain special issues are more likely to stand with the big prize, but this is not true - you just happen to play the lottery more, so the chances are greater that more of them walk, with the grand prize. If you think you fit this category, and like to play your own numbers, here are some ways to pick:

Use of family members birthday.
Comply with the numbers we use everyday, such as phone numbers, address, or the price of your chocolate bar.

2. How to choose lottery numbers

Is selected randomly! A large number of lotteries allow you to ask random cards. These are great if you're in a hurry or just can not decide which numbers to choose from. Remember that the lottery is random, so it really does not matter what number you choose. However, it can be very frustrating to see their family members to the date of birth appears Wednesday following the selection. If you opt for the random method, which has had the winning lottery numbers for another round, but just not consistently collect .
Remember that the more numbers there are to choose from, you will most likely be lost. There is a difference between exponential pick six and seven figures.

The most important thing to remember is that the lottery the odds are against you, and it is always random. It was fun to play the lottery, but do not let you get carried away. Who knows? Maybe one day, May good fortune smile on you!

How To Make Espresso Drinks

2009-06-03T00:46:00.000-07:00

Do you want that you can make espresso drinks at home and experienced baristas in their favorite coffee? With a little practice and a good espresso machine, it is possible. Here is how to make espresso drinks:

Components and supplies:

* Steam launcher
* Milk thermometer
* Clean kitchen
* Spoon Coffee
* Coffee manipulation
* Spoon Large
* Espresso Machine
* Cup or drinking cup espresso finish
* Coffee beans, ground for your machine (whether driven by steam or pump driven)
* Taste (optional)
* Milk

Steps and procedures:

Determine the desired beverage. Even if you ask the same thing every day of the cafeteria, you may not know exactly what is happening in your order. First, determine what you want to drink. Some common examples include macchiato, coffee, americano, mocha, cappuccino and, although of course there are many others. Most espresso drinks include a combination of shots of espresso, steamed milk and foam. There are countless varieties of flavor, usually the use of flavored syrups.
Read the owner's manual. If you are new to the world of espresso coffee, read the manual of your espresso machine. Each machine operates differently, learn to use the model of its own before attempting to create their own espresso drinks.
Steam milk. Steam the milk, fill the jug of milk to half full of milk. Then submerge the tube in the steam milk. Turn on the steam tube, and guide the steam pipe so that it is just below the surface of the milk, creating a layer of foam on top, but not blowing big bubbles in the milk. Once a layer of foam has been formed to follow the rest of steam the milk until it reaches 145-165 degrees. Be very careful steamed milk, especially if you are new to making espresso drinks, as milk is very hot.
Understand the espresso shot themselves. The crema is the layer on top of the vaccine. It is very sweet, and should be a thin, thin layer of gold-brown. The body manufactures most of the vaccine, but should be caramel brown. The bottom layer, called the heart, is a little bitter to balance the sweetness of the cream, and should be a deep, rich brown.
Pull the vaccine. Add to your espresso machine, Tamp down, then pull two shots, according to the instructions of the espresso machine.
Assemble the drink. In your glass or cup, ride your choice of espresso drinks. Assembly depends on the type of espresso drink of your choice. For best results, heat the cup before pouring the drink espresso, which will stay hotter longer.

Make espresso drinks can take some practice, but it's pretty simple once you get the hang of it. These delicious espresso drinks can provide a great start to your morning, and often much less expensive than a daily coffee run.

2009-06-03T00:38:00.000-07:00

You just spend 10 hours helping to turn to his companion in your new apartment or have returned to their camp after walking in the summer heat all day ... and it is time to reward, with a cold beer. You can practically taste the foam as you keep the bottle in his hand. Only one problem: YOU DO NOT HAVE A BOTTLE OPEN! Panic sets in as his partner explained that his opener is buried within one of the 50 boxes that just finished uploading two flights of stairs, or that its opening image at home sitting alone at the counter, a valuable tool in a landscape free beer.

But all hope is not lost. The following list has several simple shapes and inventive to use everyday objects to break the lid off that bottle of glass without breaking or ruining the dental work of their parents have paid for. Most of these elements using a solid advantage of working against the lid of the bottle and are closer to hand than you might realize ...

1. Seat belts.

I hope you are not the type who walks around with their pants drop your hips - which means they are probably rocking a belt at the waist-land! Belt buckle can also function as a bottle opener, and here's how.

Take off your belt. Do not want to try any sudden jerking motions with glass in the area of your body, right?
Place one edge of the buckle on the lid tightly.
Using your thumb, push hard at the other end of the buckle, which should pry the lid immediately.
Beverages. And put the belt again before sinking his pants and ruin the party for everyone.
Course if you're smart, you can always ask the hottest girl to give hers. This way you are closer to third base and cold beer in one shot.

2. The lighter of my life.

Keep promise to be to quit smoking and arson. But he was pleased that yet, as his faithful lighter can now help their search for other vices. All the smokers have their last chance to shine. Bic only whip their faithful and reach out the stops appearing.

Take ownership of your lighter and the bottom of it (except the metal) against the edge of the lid.
Grasp the bottle neck firmly, pull up on the edge of the lid with your lighter. This should loosen the cap, if not completely pop. If you do not have the lid off right away, just turn the bottle in your hand and apply pressure to another area of the lid.
Takes. Smoke 'em if you have them. Celebrate his weakness for snuff and alcohol.

3. Conferences. This is the most likely you will have at their disposal. Here's how:

Grab the bottle in one hand and key in the other. Use a key whose teeth can be nice and tight wedge between the cap and neck of the bottle.
As hard as you can, turn the key under the door and pull the side off the lid of the bottle. This will produce a small difference between the cap and the bottle.
Now that we have this first difference, repeat this process in another part of the lid to create another vacuum.
Repeat this process until it reaches halfway around the lid.

At this point, you should be able to simply grab the cap with your fingers and thumb and twist free. If not, keep turning the key to the CAP until you have loosened the lid enough to be silly.

4. Paper dreams. Let's say I have no side, except for the wits and a few greenbacks. While you might prefer the 50, all the same to your beer. This is what you do:

Take the said bill and fold up several times, until all you're left with is a piece of tightly compressed, which resemble a "V" (two bits to be folded together in a strong, firm the corner).
Take the "V" and wedge the corner of your lid on top of the bottle.
Jerk up the bill as hard as you can, which will be appearing on the cover.
While this works with dollar bills, the largest piece of paper you have to work with the strongest capital skip wedge.

5. Collar dog days.

So you're a beltless, keyless, paperless, pink-lung wonder still yearning for that beer. Got a dog? Take by the neck, soft head of his pet, then remove the collar, and his little buckle that can help you out! You are basically a variation on the belt buckle system mentioned above - it just takes a little more because it is likely that your dog collar buckle is a little smaller than the belt. And if you have a lap dog, a cat, or some other Critter smaller than a bread box, your neck, you probably will not make much either. These are medium to large breed or bust in this case!

6. Ring-a-ding-ding. A ring of metal of any kind is the perfect tool in this case because its tiny metal edges can be used to defeat any of the bottle cap. This is how:

Keep your ring on, grasp the top of the bottle in his hand.
Close the lid on hand for gripping the edge of your ring is flush against the underside of the lid.
Keep your fist tight, lift. The edge of the ring and the lid off the bottle open.
Beware of using your wedding band. One thing is to explain to your other half staying out late drinking with your friends. It is a set of different cuts of the story that explains in his wedding ring.

7. Flip your lid.

Thank God you're using the ball cap for the sun to keep your face or the sweat of your eyes. But did you know the bill can act as a bottle opener on a temporary basis? Here's how:

Take your cap off and hold the bill firmly in hand, squeeze together so that the rim of the Act makes it a rounded "U".
Press the edge against the cap. With a sharp jerk of the wrist, flip up the bill, rip the top cap of the bottle.
Beverages. Put your hat again. Assume positions fraternity boy.

8. Bumper crop. If you (or someone you know) is a vehicle that is not just fiberglass and plastic on wheels, then a metal cap is also the tool to free the bottle of beer from his prison.

Just set the lid against the edge of the bumper.
Put pressure on the lid with the hand holding the bottle, the bottle of the strike with his free hand a few inches from the top - the strong force causes the cap to pop right off.
Drink fast, because the action will make your foam to come running from the mouth of the bottle.

9. Bottle rock it. When there is a beer, you have to be many more. This bodes well for their plight, since this is probably the simplest and most efficient way to get that beer out of the fold, not the teeth, fashion accessories, or Chevy Impalas will need to succeed !

Simply place the lid of a bottle of something less than the other edge of the bottle cap.
Jerk lasts in the bottle at the top - the limit of the pop top on the bottom.
Takes ... just make sure you have another unopened bottle to help you open the next beer!

Despite the grim prospect of not initially able to open your beer bottle without an opener, the above steps will help you achieve the nirvana of drinking beer with a few simple, practical, secure the items to be within range. All you need is an open mind, a sharp edge or two, and a little hand Jive, and soon will be known as "MacGyver" of the beer world.

How To Make Tomato Sauce

2009-06-03T00:18:00.000-07:00

This is step by step how to make tomato sauce;

Slice 5-6 medium sized garlic cloves sliced. Portion sizes are not that important, but if they do the size of a fingernail pink, which is good enough.
Cut 4 pounds ripe plum tomatoes into quarters. Do not discard the seeds or any part of the inner pulp. There is tremendous flavor of the jelly-like pulp surrounding the seeds of tomatoes and this was tantamount to launching a crime. If you do not have fresh tomatoes open, but do not bother to cut 2 of 35 oz cans of San Marzano tomatoes from Italy or a high quality San Marzano Italian style or as a national brand Cento (available at Costco and elsewhere).
Pour 5 fl oz of olive oil in good sauce in skillet.
Heat oil in a slow fire or med low burner until it just begins to shine. If the heat is too long and starting to smoke, throw it away and start again.
Add the garlic and cook for 2-3 minutes. If the garlic begins to brown, throw it out and start again.
Add tomatoes and mix with a potato Masher.
Turn the burner flame or high value for cooking and not more than 10 minutes. If the tomato juice starts flying around the kitchen, cover the pot with a lid and reduce heat.
Mix in 12 fresh basil leaves 1 / 2 teaspoon salt and some freshly ground black pepper to taste. Salt is important because it lessens the ability of your brain to feel bitterness and tomatoes, no matter how good they are, always have bitter alkaloids that are concentrated during cooking.
Turn off the heat, remove the pot from the oven and place of the immersion blender in the bottom of the pot. If you do not have an immersion blender, let the sauce cool to room temperature and put in a conventional mixer stand.
Puree the sauce until it turns bright orange and they're good to go.

How To Grill Corn On the Cob

2009-06-03T00:13:00.000-07:00

Corn on the cob is a wonderful smoke, but a sweet taste when grilled. It's easy to make and adds an elegant touch to grilled gourmet dinners or picnics.

There are three ways that corn on the cob can be prepared on the grill in the shell cooked, boiled first and then directly on the grill, roast or boiled and aluminum foil.

Choose your method first, as that determines the rest of their preparation.

1. For corn cooked in the shell:

Peel back the outer layer of the shell and leave, which is attached to the base of the ear of corn.
Remove inner layers of husks and silk.
Wash the ear of maize.
Pull back up on the outside of the corn husks.
Soak the ears of corn in water for 30 minutes.
If desired, or spread over the plain butter seasoned corn, under the skin, before roasting.
Grill on medium-low heat 20 to 30 minutes, turning occasionally. Shells and the rest of the silk will burn, but the corn is cooked to perfection.
Let cool for five to 10 minutes before eating and husking.

2. For corn cooked directly on the grill:

Shell ears and wash thoroughly.
Boil a large pot of water for 10 minutes.
Preheat the grill to medium low.
Grill the ears just long enough to search and add flavor.
Let cool a few minutes before serving.

3. For corn cooked in foil:

Shell ears and boil as in step three.
Place each ear, or four in the center of the squares of aluminum foil.
Cover the corn with butter, salt and pepper or seasoned butter especially.
Wrap the foil tightly to seal well.
Cook on medium-low grill for seven to 10 minutes to finish and flavor.

4. Seasoned butter recipes:

Beat together softened stick salted butter, two cloves of garlic, a teaspoon of pepper and a teaspoon of dried dill. The result is surprising in corn or fish!
Combine the butter in a food processor with half a roasted red pepper, one teaspoon each of white and black pepper and a pinch of red chili flakes.
Mix the butter with a stick, two tablespoons lemon juice, one teaspoon grated lemon zest, a teaspoon of freshly ground pepper and a clove of garlic.

How To Cook The Best Baked Potato

2009-06-03T00:08:00.000-07:00

Is usually a baked potato loaded with butter, sour cream, bacon bits and cheese, to add some flavor. Once you follow this recipe, do not just want a potato taste without being fully loaded, but I assure you that you can enjoy beyond their expectations. In fact, not only enjoy the delicious, tender and fluffy potato tuber, also lick their fingers while savoring the delicious and crispy skin of this delicious dish. Hungry yet? The question now is on your mind, the torture of his mouth is: "How to cook the best baked potato?" Simple, just follow these steps useful!

Choose wisely your papa! It is best to use the label, either specially potatoes to be cooked as baked potatoes or white potatoes. These tubers are white and starchy, not sweet or has a strong taste for them. Make sure it is strong, your skin should be smooth and free of outbreaks. Use medium-sized potatoes (such as people tend to add other foods to your meal). How to cook a baked potato
Stick around! Get around the potatoes with a fork. This step is necessary to allow the hot air through cooking the potato, while the pressure created by the steam escapes through the holes. If you ever forget to do this step, I promise you the mess of his life as his potatoes explode under pressure.
Oil is the secret ... or part of it! Use olive or canola oil (if you do not have olive oil). Oil potatoes with a generous kitchen brush or hands. Must be bright, but not dripping wet. Oil will remain dry skin and wrinkles and make the skin crisp and pleasant.
The salt is the other secret ingredient! Sprinkle kosher salt or table salt in the potato. This will add flavor and prevent the tubers from drying out. There are also tender, fluffy, creamy, melt in your mouth, because that will keep the moisture inside the potato.
Preheat the oven! Preheat the oven to a temperature of 400 degrees. Their baked potatoes should be ready 1 1 / 2 to 2 hours later, depending on your stove. Deposit your baked potatoes directly on the grill. If the pope makes contact with a pan, the part of the skin in contact with the bread will be hard for either wrinkles or simply cut and less tasty.
Cut, serve and enjoy! Cut baked potatoes in half, because of its length. Use pliers and squeeze the potatoes, adding a little pressure on both ends. The interior of the potato fluff up. Its spread ingredients in your favorite potato, but avoid the overhead, as you really want to enjoy its delicious flavor. In our family, which usually use salt, freshly ground pepper, butter and freshly chopped chives or green onions.

If using foil, the skin of your baked potatoes wrinkles and bad (because it keeps the moisture on the potatoes instead of inside it). Enjoy your baked potatoes from the inside out and take advantage of the total amount of nutrients that these vegetables can give you. Believe me when I say that from the moment you taste the baked potatoes for the first time, you never want to return to the former wrapped in aluminum foil. I dare you and your taste buds to find satisfaction in the old ways. Please your palate and your body to enjoy delicious and nutritious baked potatoes from now on.

How To Make Mashed Potatoes

2009-06-03T00:05:00.000-07:00

One of the most versatile of foods is the simple potato. Can be cooked in many different ways - baked, fried, grilled or boiled.

However, none of the ways is so attractive as mashed potatoes. A dish of mashed potatoes is the ultimate in comfort food, bringing back memories of childhood and Sunday dinner with his family. Mashed potatoes go with most main dishes without overpowering them.

Russet and Yukon Gold are the best potatoes for mashing because they have more than other starch potatoes, which make your fluffier mashed potatoes and creamy. You can make the potatoes as fancy or simple as desired, according to your taste and the dish they are serving with. How many potatoes are used depends on how many people you want to serve. I think a potato per person is usually sufficient.

For some really great tips and recipes, especially in the current difficult economic times, see the recipes in Living on a Dime.

how to make mashed potatoes

Wash the potatoes thoroughly.
Peel potatoes and cut into quarters.
Place potatoes in a medium sized pot and add enough cold water to cover potatoes. Place the pot on the stove and turn burner on high.
Add 1 teaspoon of salt to water.
Put a lid on the pot but do not cover completely - leaving room for steam to escape.
Bring potatoes to boil. Lower the heat to medium and cook until potatoes are tender, usually about 20 to 30 minutes.
Drain water from pot, leaving the potatoes in the pot.
Stir in a tablespoon of butter or margarine. You can also use the cream.
Stir in one fourth cup of cream or milk. You can use chicken broth instead, to give more flavor to the potatoes.
Mix the potatoes until no lumps remaining, using a handheld Potato Masher or an electric hand mixer. Some people prefer hand-mashed potatoes, the search for those who are hit with a mixer to be too sticky and therefore not as attractive.
Garnish mashed potatoes with your favorite dressing, and bacon bits, garlic, or cheese.
Their service, while still hot.

You can buy packets of instant mashed potatoes that only require you to add water and stick in the microwave for a couple of minutes. They are actually quite good. Instant mashed potatoes have come a long way since I remember how in the seventies. Then came evidence that at scales as good as the box it came in. However, there is nothing as good as homemade mashed potatoes.

How To Bake a Potato

2009-06-03T00:00:00.000-07:00

If you want to perfect each time the baked potatoes, it is necessary to choose the pope. Preferably, you want to use the large baking potatoes that are sold separately, but you can use bags of potatoes, if desired. They should be thick-skinned variety as red and should be quite big and very near the same size. If using potatoes of different sizes, some probably end underdone or exaggerated.

Preheat oven to 500 degrees Fahrenheit for 15 minutes.
Choose your potatoes to make sure they are all similar in size.
Wash the potatoes thoroughly, but do not peel!
Coat of arms of the jacket potato in a thin layer of cooking oil, then sprinkle with kosher salt.
Wrap each potato in a single layer of aluminum foil.
Place wrapped potatoes directly on the top rack of the oven.
Set a timer for 45 minutes.
Check the largest potatoes by putting all the way through a pointed tip of knife.
If the potato is soft bigger, you can remove the potatoes.
If the pope is still larger a little crunchy, put them back in 15 minutes and then try again.
Can be added to the 10-15 minutes until they do, but most of the potatoes should take about an hour.

how to cook a potato. Now know how to cook a potato! To serve a baked potato, wait until cool enough to handle, but not too cold not to melt the butter in them! You must use a sharp, pointed tip of knife to make a stretch through the aluminum foil along the potato from one end to another, stopping about 1 / 2 inch from each end. You are basically cutting a "pocket" in the pope. Now, grab the potato in the bottom of each end and pull the center. What we want is to cut the slot opening width, and the interior of the potato to start mass start and a little stick out of the slot slightly.

Butter or margarine and add grated cheese while the potatoes are still warm enough to melt them. All other condiments such as sour cream, bacon bits and chives or green onions should be added to the table. Most people enjoy their ingredients such as cold temperatures to the potato itself.

How to Make Ginger Tea or Tisane

2008-08-07T22:44:00.001-07:00

Ginger is a calming and soothing flavour with a touch of a bite to it that helps to keep you alert and calm. Ginger is commonly used to help an upset stomach, motion or travel sickness or general low-grade fevers. It is also excellent for nausea and for warming you up when you feel cold. Ginger is reputed to help ward off colds or improve your recovery time. Other benefits of ginger include:

digestive aid
circulation booster
flatulence, colic or indigestion relief
blood sugar reduction
increases perspiration
soothes menstrual pain
helps reduce sinusitis and throat soreness

Tea is the most gentle form of consuming ginger.

Steps

Wash the ginger.
Peel the ginger and slice it thinly, in small pieces.
Boil the water.
There are three ways to perform the next step - the method will depend on your preference:
- Pour the boiled water into a teapot that you have already placed the freshly sliced ginger into. Put the lid on the teapot to stop the pot cooling down too quickly and to keep the aromatic ingredients in the tea. Steep for 10 - 15 minutes.
- If you boil the water in a saucepan rather than in a kettle, you can add the ginger to the saucepan and simmer for 15 - 20 minutes. Let it sit for 5 minutes before pouring after simmering.
- Use a teaball to hold the sliced ginger and steep in a cup for 15 minutes. Make sure to use a saucer to cover the top of the cup to prevent the aromatic elements from escaping.
Strain the tea after steeping or boiling and serve. Add sweeteners or flavour if desired.
Drink hot, at room temperature or cold - as preferred.

How to Make Ginger Ale

2008-08-07T22:40:00.000-07:00

Even though you can look at the shelves in any supermarket and find various brands of ginger ale, making your own is not only educational, but creates an entirely different taste of a refreshing and healthful drink. Here's how to make a 2L bottle of fresh ginger ale straight from the ginger.

Steps

Add 1 cup of sugar to the bottle through the dry funnel. Leave the funnel in place until all the steps are complete and you are ready to cap the bottle.
Measure out 1/4 teaspoon of fresh granular active baker's yeast. Use Fleischmann's or any brand that you might buy in the health food store.
Add the yeast through the funnel into the bottle. Shake it to disperse the yeast grains into the sugar granules.
Grate the ginger root on a fine "cutting" grater to produce 1 1/2 Tablespoon of grated root. See the Tips below for more information on using the right grater.
Place grated ginger in the cup measure.
Juice a whole lemon. Lemon is optional, giving a little tartness to the ginger ale. Try it both ways to see which you prefer.
Add the juice of a whole lemon to the grated ginger.
Stir the lemon juice and grated ginger to form a slurry.
Add the slurry of lemon juice and grated ginger to the bottle. (It may stick in the funnel. Don't worry, the next step will wash it into the bottle.)
Rinse the containers that held the lemon juice and grated ginger with fresh clean water. Do not dump the water just yet.
Add the rinsing water to the bottle.
Cap and shake the bottle.
Reopen and fill the bottle to the neck with fresh, cool, clean water, leaving about an inch of head space, then securely screw the cap down to seal. Invert the bottle repeatedly to thoroughly dissolve sugar. Also check the bottom of the bottle because the suger tends to stick in little pockets there. (The ginger root will not dissolve, of course.)
Place the ginger ale in a warm location for 24 to 48 hours. See the Warnings below.
Test to see if carbonation is complete by squeezing the bottle forcefully with your thumb. If it dents in as in the picture, it is not ready.
Once the bottle feels hard to a forceful squeeze, usually only 24-48 hours, place in the refrigerator. Before opening, refrigerate at least overnight to thoroughly chill. Crack the lid off the thoroughly chilled ginger ale just a little to release the pressure slowly. You do not want a ginger ale fountain!

resource : http://www.wikihow.com

How to Make Perfume

2008-08-07T22:20:00.000-07:00

Can't find the perfect perfume? Try making it! Here are simple instructions to get you started exploring the world of making your own perfume.

How To Make Perfume
Whether it’s for personal or family purposes, marketing
purposes or intended as a gift for some friends or family,
perfume making is in fact an easy task that you can do by
yourself or with others. Creating something personal, of good
taste and really useful such as perfume is a truly great thing,
not only because it teaches you a couple of new things, but also because it’s bound to boost your confidence, not to mention maybe the most important aspect… having fun.

If you try to google your way to some perfume making knowledge, you’ll notice you have a lot to choose from, just because there are plenty of ways and different recipes to try. The most important thing is for you to know what you’d like to obtain:

1. What type of perfume would you like to make? (eau de
cologne, perfume concentrates, maybe even after-shaves or
whatever crosses your mind)

2. What would you like the perfume to smell like? (soft /
strong smell, sweet / manly odor / unisex, long lasting or not,
and so on and so forth)

Depending on your answers to the previous questions, you should
make out a list of ingredients. When compiling this list, you should have in mind the characteristics of the ingredients
you’d like to add to your recipe. If you’ve already got a recipe to follow, that means you won’t bother experimenting and
giving much thought to the ingredients you should add, maybe slightly adjust the quantities to obtain a more personalized
perfume, but if you haven’t got your ingredients list yet, here are a couple of things you should know.

The first rule of perfume making is that you should experiment as much as you can. It’s a fact that some of the greatest
perfumes were created because somebody said something like… “and what if I put these two together?”. Perfume making an art
and that’s why imagination and a great sense of smell can overcome a lack of experience or knowledge.

The second most important thing is that there are 3 key ingredients to a perfume recipe: essential oils (extracts from
various plants, organic or non-organic, that combined, give you the smell of your perfume), pure grain alcohol and water.

Another thing you should know about oils, plant extracts is that there are 3 different types of oils which will ultimately
influence the smell of your perfume in time. The base notes will be the scent that will stay the longest on your skin and
that is why it is usually added first in the mixture. The middle notes will also influence the smell of the perfume for a
pretty long time, although not as long as the base notes, while the top notes will give the perfume its specific scent when
just applied. The top notes will be added to the mixture after the middle notes and may be followed by some other substance to
bridge the scents.

It is very important that you mix the extracts in the given order and that you use a sufficient quantity of each type,
usually the same for all three.

Last, but not least, here’s a list of the most easily found oils that may lead you to your dream perfume:

1. Base notes – sandal wood, vanilla, cinnamon, mosses, lichens, ferns;

2. Middle notes – lemongrass, geranium, neroli, ylang-ylang;

3. Top notes – orchid, rose, bergamot, lavender, lemon, lime.

One more thought to take into consideration above all… have fun!

How to Make Your Own Lip Gloss

2008-08-07T22:19:00.000-07:00

You can learn how to make Cranberry lip gloss with vitamin E oil or Fruity lip gloss made with Kool-Aid. Start here and let your imagination lead you to a lip gloss you'll love.

Make Cranberry Lip Gloss
1 tablespoon sweet almond oil
10 fresh cranberries
1 teaspoon honey
1 drop of vitamin E oil

Mix all the ingredients together in a microwave-safe bowl.
Microwave for a couple of minutes or until the mixture just begins to boil.
(Bowl may also be heated in a pan of water on a stovetop).
Stir well and gently crush the berries.
Cool mixture for five minutes and then strain through a fine sieve to remove all the fruit pieces. Stir again and set aside to cool completely.
When cool, transfer into a small portable plastic container or tin.

Honey Balm Lip Gloss
3 oz. Almond Oil
2 Teaspoons Honey
1/2 oz. Beeswax or Beeswax Pellets
1 Vitamin E Capsule (as a preservative)
1-4 Drops Essential Oil

Aloe Vera Lip Gloss
1 tsp aloe vera gel
1/2 tsp coconut oil
1 tsp petroleum jelly

Mix the ingredients in a glass bowl, and microwave for 1 - 2 minutes.
Pour into container.

Fruity Lip Gloss --Made with Kool-Aid!

2 tbsp. solid shortening
1 tbsp. fruit-flavored powdered drink mix (Kool-Aid)
35 mm plastic film container

Mix shortening and drink mix together in a small microwave-safe container until smooth.
Place container in the microwave on high for 30 seconds until mixture becomes a liquid.
Pour the mixture into a plastic film container or any other type of small airtight container.
Place the fruity lip gloss mixture in the refrigerator for 20 to 30 minutes or until firm.

How to Make Your Own Milk Bath

2008-08-07T22:18:00.002-07:00

OLD-FASHIONED MILK BATH

1 cup of Epsom salts

A few drops of Food coloring

A few drops of any Essential oil

A few tablespoons of powdered milk

DIRECTIONS:

Again, mix the same as for Bath Salts, just add the powdered milk last, making sure you don’t add too much powdered milk or the mixture will end up smelling like baby formula. Peach or strawberry oils work well for milk baths, but try other oils to see what pleases you the most.

FOR PACKAGING: Select the same kind of container or jar as for the bath grains. Add a few tablespoons to the tub for a glorious, skin- softening soak.

When you’ve finished experimenting with all these products, not only will you find you’ve created some lovely gifts for the holidays, you’ll also notice your whole house smells wonderful! And, if you’re lucky enough to have a bathroom with an old clawfoot tub like grandma used to have, you can even travel back in time with an old-fashioned soak yourself.

How to Make Your Own Bath Grains

2008-08-07T22:18:00.001-07:00

BATH GRAINS

1 cup Epsom Salts
A few drops of food coloring
A few drops of any essential oil
One to two tablespoons of baking soda

DIRECTIONS:

Mix everything the same as you did for the bath salts, adding the baking soda last.

Bath Grains have a much finer texture than plain Bath Salts, but the mixture will harden if not used right away. Again, use two to three tablespoons per bath.

FOR PACKAGING: Use a wide-mouthed jar or any container you can scoop into, or tap against the side of the tub, to loosen the grains.

How to Make Your Own Bath Salts

2008-08-07T22:17:00.001-07:00

BATH SALTS

1 cup Epsom salts (available at drug stores)
A few drops of Food coloring (use the kind in plastic bottles so you can squeeze out a few drops at a time)
A few drops of Essential oil (found in crafts stores; sometimes called potpourri oil)
Ceramic bowl (not plastic, since it will absorb the scent of the essential oil)
A Large Spoon
Pipette or eye dropper (found in drug stores)

DIRECTIONS:

Pour one cup of salts into the ceramic bowl.
Add a few drops of food coloring to the mixture.
Stir well until blended.
Use the pipette or eye dropper to add several drops of your favorite essential oil.
Stir to blend.

FOR PACKAGING:

Pour the salts into a jar and tie on a bow and you’ve got a lovely gift for a favorite teacher, a good friend, or even for your mother or grandmother.

Attach a small card which reads: “Bath Salts - add one to two tablespoons to water as tub fills for a relaxing soak.”

Learn How to make your own Beauty Products with These Recipes & Tips

2008-08-07T22:15:00.000-07:00

Beauty products do not need to cost a fortune. You can make them from home. These tips and recipes will help you get started making your own beauty products today.

Expensive commercial beauty treatments are nice, but there are alternative treatments that are just as effective. The alternate treatments are plentiful, but not all of them are inexpensive. Some of these homemade beauty tips originated in past years before commercial beauty treatments became available. The following homemade beauty tips have been used over hundreds of years and are known to be very effective:

Wet your face with warm water and massage in one tbs. of honey, concentrating on any trouble spots. Honey is antibacterial and will have a very positive effect on your skin. Rinse very well with warm water.

Once a week beauty treatment: Wet your face with warm water and apply one tablespoon of plain yogurt. Leave the yogurt on your skin for one minute and rinse well with warm water. Yogurt contains lactic acid, which helps dissolve dead skin cells.

Use your daily facial cleanser as a bi-weekly exfolient. Pour a small amount on a washcloth and gently massage your face, taking care not to rub too vigorously. If you do not use a daily facial cleanser, you can substitute oatmeal, baking soda, or cornmeal.

A mixture of olive oil, vinegar, and water will work wonders as a night cream. Use a half-cup olive oil and a quarter cup of water and vinegar. Wet your face before applying and leave the mixture on all night. Your skin will be smooth and soft when you wash the mixture off in the morning.

Use olive oil on damp skin and massage with sugar. This is a wonderful homemade beauty treatment that will leave your skin with a fresh glow.

For homemade toner, mix equal parts water and vinegar mixed with a few crushed aspirin. The results will be far better than you can achieve with a commercially prepared toner.

If you have problems with acne, use a clean cloth and water to wash your face every day. You should see clearer skin within a couple of weeks and your skin will remain clear if you continue this practice.

Applying lemon juice to freckles and age spots will help fade the spots.

For a hand scrub, rub your hands with olive oil and scrub with sugar. Rinse with warm water. You will have beautiful, soft hands if you use this method regularly.

Add olive oil or any kind of light oil to melted beeswax and apply to feet and hands. This is by far the best way of softening your feet, even better than commercial products.

How to Make a Microwavable Heating Pad

2008-08-07T22:14:00.001-07:00

This project is quite simple. Instead of wheat for your homemade heating pad, you may even try rice.
How To Make A Wheat Heating Pad
Ingredients for this project:

Any thick material (this project calls for 18",but you can make the heating pad any size you want)
sewing machine or needle and thread
Flax seed or wheat
Essential oil (optional)

We have all seen those microwave heating pads selling in the stores for big bucks, and I always thought "Boy I wish I knew how to make one" They look so easy to make.

It's pretty easy to make a wheat bag heating pad - all you need is some strong material like cotton, canvas or tartan, as long as there's no give in it, so it doesn't stretch! Keep in mind, it needs to be pretty thick so when the wheat is heated (and it gets pretty hot) that you don't burn yourself.

Once you pick your material, cut a square about 18" each side and fold it in half so it's inside out. It will be oblong shape. Stitch down one short side and the long side. A sewing machine works best as you need short stitches close together, so the wheat doesn't come out. If you stitch by hand go over it again to make sure the stitches are tight. Next, turn it the right way in so the seam is on the inside. You will need to buy some Flax seed or Wheat. They need to be the whole kernel. Fill the bag about 1/2 way, then stitch the one side that is left, sealing it tight.

If you are handy with sewing, and don't mind a little extra work, you might want to divide the bag into sections. Maybe in 4- put in 1/4 of your seeds then stitch the bag 1/4 of the way up, drop in another 1/4 of the seeds and stitch those in, repeating for the rest, so you will have 4 compartments full of seeds, instead of one big one. Then you will have seeds fairly distributed throughout your hand made heating pad! This isn't necessary- but a great tip.

At this point, if you desire, you can use essential oils to sprinkle on the material for aromatherapy.

You will need to microwave it for about 2 minutes.

* Please note all microwaves are different, so please "test" it a few times for more or less time to see what works for you. Please use caution when first using it - as it might come out of the microwave very hot. It stays warm for a couple of hours. You can also put these in the fridge/freezer if the cold is better for you.

If you want, you can make these any shape you like. For example, a horseshoe for your neck or a heart for a child to hold when going to sleep etc. You can make these as big or as small as you desire. Just remember that you are going to need as many seeds as it takes to fill 1/2 the bag. Usually about 1lb is enough for the 18" bags.

These heating pads make great gifts for yourself or for others. They can be reused time and time again.

Good Luck making yours!

How to Make an Embroidery Pattern

2008-08-07T22:13:00.000-07:00

For those who aren't terribly artistic, and can't find quite the embroidery pattern they want, the idea of making their own can also make them cringe. But all you need is the ideas, the image that you want to reproduce, some white tissue giftwrap, and a transfer pencil.

Let's say you want to embroider panels for a baby quilt, and you have a children's coloring book with figures that you'd like to copy. Tear out the page, and cut a piece of the white tissue that is slightly larger. Lay the picture face down on the tissue and tape them together. Now turn the picture/tissue over, and you'll be able to see the lines of the image through the tissue. Trace over them with the transfer pencil, then remove the tape.

Take the tissue paper design and lay it face down on your fabric. Use a dry iron set on low, pressed to the paper for a few seconds, then lifted and pressed on another area of the tissue. Try not to "rub" it back and forth as that can smear the transfer. You might like to try the technique on a piece of odd cloth to be sure of your technique, first.

Now you can just embroider along the lines, which will be pretty much covered by the thread. If not, all you need do is wash the square after, or wait until the entire quilt top is done, and then wash the whole thing to remove any obvious pencil marks.

How to Make Gel Candles

2008-08-07T22:12:00.000-07:00

These scented gel candles are easy to make. With only a few ingredients and 11 easy steps, you'll be making your own gel candles before you know it.
How To Make Gel Candles - 11 Easy Steps

Do you love burning beautiful, scented candles? And do you know that you can easily make them yourself? It is exciting and not at all difficult. Here are 12 easy steps to creating unique candles that you can burn at home, give as gifts, or even sell.

Materials for gel candle making

You will need:

- gel
- zinc wicks (cotton wicks can’t be used for gel candles because they absorb too much gel)
- essential oil for fragrance
- liquid color dye
- embeds (optional)

All these materials can be obtained online from candle making suppliers. It is important to use essential oils and colors specially made for gel candles; fragrance oils you can buy in a cosmetic shop are not suitable. Also, you can buy a gel candle making kit. Getting a kit is the best solution for a beginner, because it will include everything you need to make your first few candles.

And of course you will need a container. The best container for a gel candle is glass, so people can see the embeds you put inside the candle, but any non-flammable container would do. You can use any glass, wine glass, or even a small wide vase, but your container should be at least 2 inches in diameter. Garage sales and second hand stores are gold mines, when it comes to candle containers.

For embeds you can use anything non-flammable - colored aquarium gravel, marbles, glitter, sand, sea shells, pebbles, crystals, polished stones, artificial jewels or pearls.

Steps to making a gel candle

1. Place a little bit of hot glue in the center of the container bottom. Stick the wick in it and let the glue set.

2. Cut the gel into small pieces so it melts faster and more evenly. Melt it in a stainless steel pot over a medium heat.

3. The trickiest part is the temperature - you should get it to exactly 200°F, because overheated gel looses its clarity. For that, you will need a suitable thermometer.

4. Maintain the temperature at 200°; all the gel should melt and become smooth, like syrup.

5. Add color dye to the melted gel, a little bit at a time, until you get the desired color - remember, you can always add more dye to make the color stronger, but you can’t take dye away. For a candle with embedded objects, you should use only a little color, so the objects remain visible

6. Add the fragrance - 1/3 teaspoon for each glass of melted gel will give it a nice scent. For a stronger scent, add a bit more fragrance.

7. Heat the container in the oven or microwave to about 150-160°F. This will help to reduce the appearance of bubbles

8. If you want to use embeds, dip them in hot gel first and then arrange them in the container as you like. It is better to keep the objects closer to the sides of the container - they will be easier to see, this way.

9. Now it is time to pour your gel into the container. Place your container on a level surface and pour the gel slowly and carefully down the side. If it is your first time, you will probably get a few bubbles; to avoid that, the gel should be still very hot.

10. Pull the wick up. Roll it on a pencil to keep it straight.

11. Let the candle cool. Trim the wick and you are done! You have a beautiful, unique gel candle, made by yourself.

How to Make Canning Jar Candles

2008-08-07T22:11:00.002-07:00

You don't even need to melt wax to make these canning jar candles. They are quite easy for little ones to learn how to make.

Canning Jar Candles

Canning jar candles are very easy to make, make great gifts, and are only limited by your imagination!

To start all you need are some narrow-mouth canning jars, wire ribbon, potpourri, votive candles, small glass votive candle holders, and craft glue or a hot glue gun.

If you don't have any old canning jars, you can find some very inexpensively at thrift stores and yard sales. Wire ribbon can be a little expensive. Look for it at yard sales and at craft store clearance sales. The after-Christmas sales a great time to stock up. One roll of ribbon will make several canning jar candles. Potpourri you can make yourself or buy on sale. Votive candles are inexpensive at stores like Target or Walmart, and you can also find glass votive candle holders very inexpensively at Walmart. You want one that will set in the rim of the canning jar.

You can fill the canning jar with whatever you wish. Potpourri is one of the easiest fillers. I bought a nice autumn-scented potpourri and added some orange slices I'd dried in my food dehydrator. You can also add dried cranberries, apple slices, or cinnamon sticks.

After you fill the jar, you set the candle holder inside the mouth of the jar. The top of the candle holder should be even with the top of the jar. You might have a little trial and error before you find just the right candle holder. Place the candle in the holder and then use the ribbon to tie a big bow around the neck of the jar. That's it! (You might want to use a little craft glue or your glue gun to tack the ribbon in place).

You can glue some dried fruit, flowers, or other decorations on the bow for a more decorative look. You can also put other things in the jar besides potpourri. I've seen one half filled with white sugar with a short white taper candle set down in the sugar. Very pretty! And that one doesn't require the candle holder.

At Christmas you can purchase small ornaments and place them in the jar instead of the potpourri. Any small figurine would do--in the spring you could use little bunnies.

Maybe fill a jar with marbles or layers of colored sand. Even pennies! Use your imagination. These candles make great gifts and are also fun to make for yourself. If you get tired of one just empty it out and start again!

How to Make Soy Candles

2008-08-07T22:11:00.001-07:00

Many people who enjoy exercising their creativity by making candles, are discovering the joys of making them from soy wax instead of the traditional paraffin. The key attraction is that soy wax can be cleaned up with plain soap and water, with no scraping off the upper half of your double boiler. In fact, all your utensils can be safely run through a cycle in the dishwasher when you're done.

Soy candles can be made in the same metal molds or milk cartons as paraffin candles, but because they do clean up so easily, they are often made in Mason jars, which can be covered to intensify any scent you've added, or to keep the dust off the top. To add to the candle's country air, you can cover the top with a gingham circle cut with pinking shears, and tuck some dried flowers into the ribbon or wool you tied the cloth "cap" onto the jar with.

Melt your soy block after cutting it in chunks, or using the flakes, which are easier to handle. If you choose to scent the candle, a good rule of thumb is to add .5-1.0 ounces of essential oils for every pound of wax. Make sure to anchor your wick in the mold or jar first, by putting a dab of melted way on the tab, and sticking it in the center of the bottom. It should be cut 2" longer than the depth of the mold, to allow for trimming after.

Soy wax is just as easy to decorate as paraffin, so when it is starting to cool, feel free to insert sea shells, dried flowers, colored crystals or whatever takes your fancy.

How to Make Candles

2008-08-07T22:10:00.001-07:00

Candle making can be a fun hobby, and one the children can participate in, with appropriate adult supervision. You can go as high tech as getting all your supplies at a craft store, or making do with what you have at home.

First, you'll choose a mold. This can be a metal one from the store, or a milk carton, cut to whatever height you want. For children, a shorter candle is best to start with, and easier for them to insert things like shells into the partly cooled wax.

Spray the inside of your mold or carton with silicone, or give it a light wipe with vegetable oil. Cut a wick that is 2-3" longer than the mold, attach a tab, and stick the tab in the center of the mold's bottom, with a bit of melted wax. Lay a piece of doweling or a chopstick across the top of the mold and wind or tape the remaining wick around that. Make sure it is straight and centered.

Wax is flammable at high temperatures, and while you can successfully melt it and make candles without a candy thermometer, using one will show you the optimum temperatures for pouring, which is the melting point of 130-150F, although metal molds can withstand the higher temperatures of 180-200F.

To figure out how much wax you'll need, pour water into the mold, mark the desired level with a pen, empty the mold and dry it thoroughly.

Break the wax into chunks, or pare it off and it will melt faster. Either melt your wax in the top of a double boiler pan, or make your own, by melting the wax in a coffee can placed inside a pot of water that is half full. When using a can, it will have a tendency to float on the water. Make sure the pot is not so shallow that the can tips over and falls out, spilling hot wax. Keep baking soda on hand for fire prevention.

Tip your mold a bit, so that you can pour wax down the inside, and fill to within an inch of your desired level. Keep wax hot enough to stay melted, and watch as the mold cools, since most wax will sink in towards the center, and need topping up.

Candles can be colored with commercial dyes, or crayons. Scenting is as simple as a few drops of essential oils, or vanilla.

How to Make Roman Blinds

2008-08-07T22:09:00.003-07:00

If you can sew, then making your own Roman Blinds is really quite a simple job. First, you'll need fabric for the main blind, and a liner. Measure your window width, and allow an inch to either side for seams. A good way to estimate the length, is to measure the window vertically, then add 20%. So if it was 50" high, your fabric should be 60", plus an inch for the top and bottom seams.

Find a piece of cardboard and draw a scallop border, then cut it out. It's much simpler to trace around this for your bottom edge, than to draw it freehand on the fabric. Pin your fabric and liner together, with the good sides facing in. Then trace your scallops, and cut around them. Sew the bottom scalloped edge, the sides, and the top, leaving a 6-8" opening on the top edge, for turning the fabric right side out.

How many flaps you want on your blinds is up to you. But with printed fabric, if you insert too many, and it is scrunched up when the blinds are up, then you lose the beauty of the print. In general, you should go down each side, measuring every 4-6inches, marking it, then marking 1" below that for the flap. Fold the flaps up and sew them in. (You may wish to sew a "pocket" right above the scallop to insert a flat piece of dowelling to keep the shade hanging straight, when down, just like the old pull-up vinyl blinds did.)

Depending on the width of your shade, mark along each flap, every 5-7", for placing your cords. Cut as many cords as there are marks on one flap, and make them double the height plus one window width. Sew the cords in, making sure you knot them at the bottom to prevent slipping through, and run them up to the top.

Cut a length of hook and loop (Velcro style) tape, and sew one half along the liner side at the top of the blind. Use a small wooden mounting, perhaps 1x1" cut to the width of the window, to staple the other half of the tape to. Fasten eye screws along the mounting, at the same distance apart as the cords in the shade. Attach the wood to the top of the window frame with screws.

Run the cords of the shade through the screw hooks, then gather them together and tie the ends.

How to Make Window Cleaner

2008-08-07T22:09:00.001-07:00

If you don't care for the often scented, and even more often expensive window cleaners on the market, there's no reason at all that you can't make your own cleaner at home!

It's as simple as mixing 1/2 cup each of ammonia, water and rubbing alcohol. That's it! Mix and put in a spray bottle, and you're ready to go. Spritz your window and wipe it down with a lint free cloth. The solution is also good for car windshields, mirrors, counter tops and other surfaces.

However, you should be aware that ammonia has been known to damage painted and tinted surfaces. It is not considered safe for eyeglasses that have a tinted coating, windshields with the same, or even specially treated windows. For those, plain soap and water is your best bet, or else a soap/water/vinegar solution.

In the old days, people cleaned their windows with water and vinegar, then polished them with old newspapers. You can still do this today, but vinegar will not cut oil or grease that may have gotten on the window, particularly in the kitchen. So if you want to get nostalgic and try this method, mix 1/4 cup of white vinegar with two cups water, and add 1/2 teaspoon of liquid dish soap, and put it in a spray bottle.

Be careful with the newspaper polishing, though. Given that many are now made with recycled papers, and eco-friendly inks, the results may not be quite what you anticipate.

How to Make Dish Soap

2008-08-07T22:08:00.001-07:00

The frugal housekeeper is always on the lookout for ways to cut household costs, and still get their chores done with efficiency. Some people have come up with innovative ways to substitute their own "formulas" for liquid dish soap.

First, bars of laundry soap are often much cheaper than dish soap. You can take a bar of the soap and pare it into curls, place it in a pot or plastic container, and cover with hot water. Let set overnight, then pour the whole thing in a blender and whip it until you have a thick liquid. How much you can water it down, depends largely on how good the soap was to start with. So once you have your liquidized bar of soap, add 1/4 cup of water at a time, and test it under running water for its foaming properties. Stop diluting when you lose the foam.

You can attempt this with powdered laundry detergents, but the result is not as lasting, and tends to lose its foaming power.

Many people contend that commercial liquid dish soaps are far too concentrated, and advocate cutting them with up to four parts water to one part soap, which would make your bottle last longer. When the soap emulsifies and spreads out over the dishwater surface, you're not as likely to get clumps of suds and soap in a dish, requiring extensive rinsing.

How to Make a Table

2008-08-07T22:07:00.000-07:00

If you have experience with woodworking tools, making your own table can be great fun. Not only will you get the piece of furniture you want, but you'll save money and have the satisfaction of doing a great job. But not everyone is adept with the various saws and hardware needed, nor do they have in-depth knowledge about selecting woods or how to provide for stress-bearing.

That doesn't mean you can't still build a nice table, in the style you want. But it may be simpler, and still fun to buy components from a company that supplies the various parts, such as a table top, apron, legs, joints and mouldings. Once assembled, you can hand finish it in the stain that suits you, or the rest of your furniture.

First, make sure that your components are quality wood. For example, you should strive to find table tops without knots that may weaken the surface and mar the appearance. You also want natural wood legs, not ones made from sections of wood subjected to glues and high pressure to make them into one piece. The apron, or edge that goes around a circular table, is something that can be tricky to make, so you'll end up paying more for an apron shaped by steam treatment, than one of plywood forced to bend under mechanical pressure.

Consult your supplier as to the joinery hardware you will need for the style of table you intend to build. Remember, the longer the table, the more stress on the center section. Hepplewhite legs provide a clean, fresh line, but may be too delicate for the weight of the tabletop you purchased. Ask if the table style you want, e.g. William and Mary, Shaker, or Sheraton, is suitable for the wood you would like it in.

How To Make Basic Clay with Cornstarch

2008-07-25T01:24:00.000-07:00

Not all art and craft supplies need to be store bought. This clay recipe is easy to make - and safe for little ones who don't know not to eat it!
Homemade Clay Recipe

1c. Cornstarch
2c. Salt
Enough Water to Make a Thick Paste.

Stir while cooking, and cook until stiff.

Allow this to cool, and cover with a damp cloth until ready to use.

Coloring may use watercolor, food color, or oil color may be added before cooking or when molded; let dry, then paint with water color.

--HOW TO CARE FOR CLAY:--
Clay can always be broken up, dampened, and used again - even after it has been painted. When it has been used, but has not been allowed to become hard, poke holes in the clay with your finger or with a pencil, fill these with water (to restore the original dampness) and place in an airtight crock or in a galvanized pail with a tight cover. A damp cloth placed over the clay will help to keep it moist until the next time.

Jennifer Houck is the owner of Free Parenting Resource, a place for great tips, advice and products to help guide you on your journey of being a mom.