Home Projects: Silk-Ribbon Looped Tassel

A simple white tassel can serve as a decorative accessory for a drawer-pull. Figure A Figure B Figure C Figure D Figure E Figure F Figure G Figure H Figure I Figure J Figure K This fancy tassel adds a nice accent to a floor lamp.

Q: I love to use tassels in my decorating. Can you show me how to make a ribbon tassel?

A: (from DIY decorating expert, Nancy Golden) Tassels make great decorating accents, and they're fun, inexpensive and easy to make. Here's how to do it yourself. 


Silk-Ribbon Looped Tassel 


Materials:

Decorative ribbon
Scissors
Cardboard for template
Floral wire
Straight pins
Tacky glue
Appliqued, beaded or print trim-ribbon



Steps:

1. Decide the length you want to make your tassel, and cut a cardboard template to that length (figure A). 
   
   
   
   
   
2. Wrap your ribbon lengthwise around your cardboard template. Keep wrapping until you've looped it around the cardboard (figure B) enough times to create a tassel in the thickness that you want. For thicker tassels, use more ribbon. If you're using thick ribbon material or yarn, you may need to wrap fewer times. For sheer ribbon, you may need to wrap more. 
   
   
   
   
   
3. Once you have an ample amount of ribbon wrapped around the template, tie it off at one end of the loop with a piece of matching ribbon (figure C). This will create the top of the tassel. 
   
   
   
   
   
4. Once tied off, remove the looped ribbon from the cardboard and form the top end -- which includes the loop that will be used for hanging the tassel. Do this by holding the gathered ribbon tightly in your fist, pinching the top end firmly and wrapping floral wire tightly around the top end to create the top loop (figure D). This completes the main body of the tassel. 
   
   
   
   
   
5. To conceal the floral wire, select a decorative trim-ribbon that complements the ribbon used for making the tassel. For our demonstration, we selected a trim ribbon with small satin roses (figure E). 
   
   
   
   
   
6. Attach the end of the decorative ribbon to the wrapped wire using crafting tacky glue (figure F). 
   
   
   
   
   
7. Wrap the decorative trim around the neck of the tassel several times (figure G) and attach the other end using the tacky glue. 
   
   
   
   
   
8. Secure the wrapped trim using a straight pin (figure H) until the glue dries. 
   
   
   
   
   
9. Once the glue has dried, you can remove the end of the ribbon loop you tied in step 3 by simply cutting it off. Once you've removed the excess ribbon, the tassel is finished. This design results in a tassel with the ends looped (figure I).

Tassel Variations 

• Be creative and come up with your own design combinations. Other variations include creating a fancy tassel using black rickrack adorned with either black yarn or wood-bead trim (figure J), beaded fringe or a leopard-print trim wrapped around the top. 
  
  
  
  
  
• For a daring, funky look, try creating a chenille tassel with beaded trim (figure K).

RESOURCES :
The Splendor of Ribbon
Model: 1567993974
Author: Ellie Schneider& Ellie Joos
(March 1997); 128 pages

Source: http://www.diynetwork.com/diy/lr_accessories/article/0,2041,DIY_14069_2275951,00.html

Easy-to-do 15 Minute Fixes!

Believe it or not, in the time you spend just thinking about getting the sticky window unstuck, dusting the glass chandelier, or tamping down a curled corner of wallpaper, you could actually get the job done. Whatever your household bugbear, chances are it's not such a beastly problem after all.

With a little know-how and a few readily available materials, your 15-minute fix could begin right now. So get up off that couch (with its sad, sagging cushions) and turn a little bit of downtime into an upgrade. Today the chandelier; tomorrow -- who knows?

Problem: Scuffed linoleum
Solution: Rub the spot with white toothpaste and a dry cloth or with an eraser. Or spray WD-40 on a towel and rub lightly, making sure to degrease the area afterward with liquid dishwashing soap and water.

Problem: Dry cutting board
Solution: Revive your board by gently warming a bottle of pure mineral oil (available at drugstores) in a bowl of hot water, then wiping the oil onto the surface with a soft cloth. Wipe off the excess four to six hours later.

Problem: Stuck sliding windows
Solution: A little silicone spray lubricant (sold at hardware stores) will grease the skids. Spray it onto a rag, then wipe along the tracks, whether they're metal, wood, or plastic.

Problem: Flattened down cushions
Solution: Put them outside in the sun for a few hours, flipping them halfway through. (Be careful -- leaving them out too long may fade the fabric.) The sun will help evaporate the moisture that gets into the filling over time, and the cushions pshould lump up nicely

Problem: Dirty decanter
Solution: Fill the decanter halfway with hot water, a few drops of liquid dishwashing soap, two tablespoons of white vinegar, and a cup of uncooked rice. Swirl the rice around for a few minutes to remove the residue, rinse with hot water, and air-dry.

Problem: Tangled extension cords
Solution: Cowgirls and sailors alike know the benefits of storing ropes neatly coiled. Follow their lead and keep extension cords tangle-free and contained inside a large plastic bucket when they're not in use.

Problem: Peeling wallpaper
Solution: With a knife, smear wallpaper paste onto a piece of writing paper. Rub the paper against the underside of the peeling section. Press the wallpaper against the wall. Slide the writing paper out and smooth away bubbles with a clean cloth.

Problem: Worn caning
Solution: A little sagging over time is natural but reversible (insert Joan Rivers joke here). To tighten caning back up, use a sponge to wet the underside with warm water. Let dry slowly overnight. Repeat if necessary.

Problem: Dusty chandelier
Solution: Allow the fixture to cool. Wear a pair of white cotton gloves -- one dry, one dampened with glass cleaner. (For crystal, use one part rubbing alcohol to three parts distilled water.) Wipe each prism with the damp glove, then the dry one.

Problem: Hard-to-remove decals
Solution: Spray the decals and the surrounding areas with WD-40, lifting the edges to get underneath, if possible. Let sit, then gently scrape away the decal with the edge of a credit card. Degrease the tub with liquid dishwashing soap.

Problem: Hard-to-remove bulb
Solution: Press the center of a foot-long strip of duct tape onto the middle of the bulb. Fold each loose end in half so it sticks onto itself. Gripping each end between your thumb and index finger, give a counterclockwise twist to loosen the bulb.

Problem: Stained tub
Solution: Combine equal amounts of cream of tartar and baking soda with enough lemon juice to make a paste. Rub the mixture into the stain with your fingers or a soft cloth. Let sit for a half hour, then rinse well with water.


Source: http://www.boomj.com/articles/12966

30 Quick Cleaning Tips for a Tidier Home

In the battle to maintain a tidy home, especially with children, we are always on the look out for great tips. We asked the FamilyCorner community to share with us what helps them most. Implement any or all of these ideas to make cleaning easier and more efficient!

Bathroom

Keep a container of disinfectant wipes under each bathroom sink. Each day, perhaps after your shower, use a wipe to clean off the sinks, counters and toilet bowl. This keeps the bathroom tidy all week.

Spray down the shower walls, tub, counters and toilet, let the cleaner sit while you empty trash cans and hang towels. Then go back and wipe everything down and clean the mirrors.

Using shower cleaner, spray your shower daily, to help keep it clean. The steam from your shower will help to loosen dirt, making it easier to clean.

Try wiping down your glass shower with your bath mat when you finish showering to head off water spots.

Use a dirty towel on the floor of the shower to keep your footing and avoid injury.

Keep a squeegee handy to clean the walls down after the shower.

Clean the toilet, sink & mirror while your kids are in the bath. This saves time as you need to be present while your kids bathe anyway.

Designate a drawer, basket or container for hair brushes, scrunchies and barrettes.

Put hair dryers, curling irons and hair straighteners out of site when you are finished using them.

Kitchen

Use baking soda to clean the kitchen cabinets and counters. The stove and refrigerator will come out sparkling.

Do a quick mop or floor wipe down daily to make it easier to do your weekly mop.

If you use a dishwasher, load dishes as you use them. Don't allow your sink to become full of dishes.

If you have pets, especially those that shed, use a hand held vacuum or sweeper to suck up animal hair before sweeping. Sweeping doesn't collect animal hair, it simply moves it around.

Change your kitchen cleaning rag daily. Be sure to rinse and wring it out well after each use and hang it to dry. A sour cleaning rag can cause an awful smell.

Toss your dish cleaning sponge into the dishwasher on the top rack.

Quickie Tips

Play "Beat the Clock" by setting a timer for 15 minutes. See how much you can accomplish in this amount of time.

When you clean for 10 or 15 minutes, as opposed to an hour or more, cleaning doesn't seem overwhelming. Turn some music on and do this a few times a day so everything gets done. Choose CD's instead of the radio to keep you on track, no commercial interruptions makes it easier to keep the beat while cleaning.

Keep a supply of cleaning products in each bathroom and in the kitchen. Store these in buckets or baskets with a handle to make them easy to pick up and set down as you clean.

When you are cleaning windows, wipe up and down on the inside and back and forth on the outside. If there are any streaks you will be able to see which side needs to be redone.

Clean all rooms from top to bottom and left to right. This method makes it difficult to miss anything.

Keep a stock of small bags in the same room as the cat litter box. Whenever the box needs scooping the bags are right there, no need to go get one.

Keep a few extra trash bags in the bottom of your trash cans. When you pull out the full bag, a new bag will be waiting for you.

Save time and aggravation by connecting a long extension cord to your vacuum cleaner. You can vacuum your entire house (or one floor if you have multiple levels) without having to unplug it for each room. If the kitchen, for example, is the center of your house, use a kitchen outlet to reach all of your rooms.

Keep a supply of cotton swabs your cleaning supplies. There is always some corner that your rag or sponge won't reach, such as that "gunk" that gets around the edge of the bathroom sink. Cotton swabs are small enough to get that job done.

Do It Now - Put things back, rinse out that dirty dish, put shoes where they belong, and so on. When you think to yourself, "I'll do that later" you may find yourself in a panic later when you are running behind and so many things are not done.

Throw a load of clothes into the washing machine before you start the coffee pot. Set a timer so you won't forget to put them in the dryer.

Put in a load of laundry or run the dishwasher while cleaning other areas of the house. You will have accomplished more in a shorter period of time.

Before Bed

Empty the sink, wash dirty dishes and wipe it all down. Getting up to dirty dishes is always unpleasant.

Before heading off to bed at night, check that the bathroom has towels hung, toothbrushes are put away, and give the sink a quick wipe down.

Do a 5 minute sweep of the living room. Grab a basket and pick up any stray toys, laundry, dishes, and reading materials. Put them away, or at the very least, gather them all in a basket for tomorrow's clean up.


Source: http://www.familycorner.com/homegarden/organize/30_quick_cleaning_tips_for_a_tidier_home.shtml

Must-Have: DIY Toolbox - VELCRO!

Velcro is one of the handiest tricks around for home improvement and decorating projects.
-Lisa Hoover



1) Use Velcro to secure fabric wall hangings in place instead of nails which will leave holes and may tear delicate material.

2) Got a picture frame that slides around on the wall? A small square of Velcro behind the bottom of the frame keeps it from budging.

3) To keep knick-knacks from falling off shelves, add a small dot of Velcro underneath the objects and they'll stay put.

4) Do your mini-blinds rattle every time your window is open? A couple of piece of Velcro on the bottom slat lets you fasten them to the windowsill yet you'll still be able to roll them up and down as needed.

5) Use Velcro to secure a Dry Erase marker board to the refrigerator. It's easy to remove and replace when you need to write on it, but won't slide around or fall off when the fridge door shuts.

6) Secure remote control devices with Velcro to the units they control and never hunt between the couch cushions for a missing clicker again.

7) Keep the cords on your home electronics tidy by folding them neatly then wrapping with a strip of Velcro.

8) Make a room child-resistant by applying strips of Velcro to the edges of drawers and cabinets. (NOTE: this tip won't child-proof a room but it's a good temporary solution for hotel rooms and such. Use with caution.)

9) Is the latch on your laptop computer broken? Use a small dot of Velcro to keep it securely closed.

10) Keep a small strip of Velcro in your bag or briefcase for the next time you find yourself needing a safety pin or emergency fastener. It will come in handy if you lose a button or break a zipper right before that big presentation.


Source: http://www.diylife.com/


Now, I want to know how these kind of velcro works! :)