Another Random Solution: Organizing Necklaces

Okay, I must admit, this particular solution didn't work out for me, primarily because it will only work with necklaces that have clasps, BUT it was a stellar idea that ended up starting my addiction to PVC.

I was trying to come up with ideas to store all of my necklaces while maintaining counter space on my dresser, the solution?  A curtain rod!  Could have used a shower rod, but I happened to have an extra curtain rod so that's what I went with.

Now what I actually ended up going with has become a staple of my PVC creations, a jewelry organizer that will hold both bracelets and necklaces that hardly takes up any counter space!

John Prince Park

Booster Seat Solution!

Just discovered new solution to booster seats (which I can't stand)...zaxbys was out so I grabbed an empty dish tub. MUCH more stable than a booster and Vivi loves it!

"Greasing" Wood on Wood Sliding Doors

My house was built in the 70's, when built-ins of every shape and size were in.  My basement has an entire wall of thick cabinets with basic, thick sliding doors on the bottom.  Time and lack of use took their toll and I found I had to get a workout just opening them.  I searched for a solution and learned that it is very simple!

Basic Bar Soap!

Just the kind you can get at the Dollar Tree or anywhere else, cheaper the better.  Just rub it on all of the contact edges and your doors will slide in no time.

Toddler Friendly Sliding Doors!

So, some of you know that in a former life I owned a medical supply company.  In digging through old inventory I found an overabundance of suction grab bars.  I'm actually selling a bunch of them on Amazon (hint hint).  Anyway, I have found them to be great for many things, put them in the tub, etc. but an unlikely solution came to me one day when I was watching Vivian try to get the sliding glass door to the porch open and yet, she could not reach the handle.  I stuck one to the door right at her level, and she now has her own custom door slider!

Want some of your own?  I've got the lowest price on Amazon for these things!

The Sandbox Project

So about a year or two ago I was researching sandboxes....yes, my exciting life...I know!  I was considering building one but found one on Amazon for a great price.

This isn't the exact one I bought but it's awfully close.  Anyway, once it came, it was very easy to assemble, I had 2 issues with it that I wanted to add a bit of "MacGyver" to.

1. The bottom was open, which is fine for your typical suburban yard; but when you live in the mountains with snakes and other critters, it's not ideal.

2. The canopy was a lovely blue and white stripe.  Unfortunately, the spot I needed to put it in was right in front of my house (as the back is a big slope with the risk of being reamed in the head by a golf ball.  In addition, my little mountain community has rules and guidelines about color.

Solutions!

Both solutions were quite simple.  As far as the bottom went, I was able to staple landscape fabric to it, which would keep the critters out but also let it remain porous and not hold rain, etc. The top, well, that took a little trial and error.  I first bought other fabric to put on it that would be more in line with the restrictive muted color guidelines of my community, but that wasn't the effect that I wanted.

Then I bought one of those paint tarps with canvas on one side and plastic on the other...that worked for a while but I didn't feel it was exactly what I was going for.

Luckily I had bought some corrugated plastic (during a time I was trying to "MacGyver" a homemade slide to no avail).  It sat outside for a while waiting for alternative inspiration and then one day...BAM...solution was right in front of my eyes!

Find it at Home Depot

I used tin snips to cut the piece in half and then nailed it right on top of the tarp.  That gave me a rain proof roof that looked very nice.

Here is the final result:

 

Anyway, long story short, when putting a sandbox in that has an open bottom: landscape fabric on the bottom, corrugated plastic roofing on the top.

 

Easy Peasy!

 

 

Quick Patio Heater Tip

So I was having problems lighting my patio heater, and I did a google search to see if I could light it manually since the pilot didn't seem to want to work...one site I lookjed at talked about how little bitty bugs could get into the pilot light (venturi) tube.  Since I had tried everything else, this seemed realistic.  I didn't want to take the whole thing apart, so I finally aimed my blower at the thing and just blew through the top of the heater (with it turned off of course), and voila!  Problem solved!