DIY: Projects Archives – Page 7 of 18

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Our Kids-Friendly Garden

By JM PerezFebruary 6, 20143 min read313 views

When we inspected our Home a few years ago prior to putting in an offer, I fell in love with the backyard as the numerous structures on the lot broke the land into sections. As I looked onto the side of the house, I spotted a semi-shady corner which was ideal for a Playground and/or a Kid-Friendly Garden.

Five years ago, I started by creating a tiny corner garden and added a decorative wrought iron border fence around the garden as well as some color changing solar globe lights along the borders. The selection works well, as it provides a specific learning and playing area for our children. I added two comfortable sitting areas for them to sit still and enjoy conversing, enjoy the day, or for us to relax and watch them play. I have Garden Benches and Patio/Bistro Sets all over my garden as the yard is huge and it can be quite exhausting walking around sometimes. I enjoy retreat areas. Besides, sitting areas in a yard, if placed correctly, create attractive focal points.

A few years ago, I was given a beautiful hand made miniature vintage Mexican clay couple as well as a tiny Puerto Peñasco Pottery Vase. They are now resting underneath one of my Scotch Broom shrubs.

The fairy wind spinner is a purchase from Collections Etc., and a gift to my daughter who adores anything fairy and ballerina. It’s a beautiful addition to our front yard as it attracts hummingbirds and twirls in the breeze.

Somewhere in my backyard, we created this cute little area in memory of our wonderful neighbors and parent figures (one of whom is no longer with us). The picture features their wedding wine glasses, vintage 1960’s spaghetti porcelain poodle dog figurines and a porcelain ornaments box. The huge rustic fisherman metal art was a purchased from Horseshoe Art by Don Henry in Lucerne Valley, CA.

*1960’s Spaghetti Porcelain Poodle Dog Figurines.*

We love our Woodland babies!

The toy frog was a favorite of my son. He placed it himself among the daffodils when he no longer wanted it.

Geckos Metal Wall Art

The children at play figurines were also a purchase from Collections Etc.

Some Jim Shore garden stakes.

The balancing love birds stake is in the front yard, next to the water fountain. It gently swings back and forth in the breeze. The Angry Gnome is one of many in our gnome collection.

These Gnomes on a Ladder are eager to find out what is growing in my daughter’s planter.

The stone mushrooms were the bases of chain linked posts that were dug up, flipped up side down, and buried. We spray painted them red/green and added white spots.

The Conga Line Dog Silhouettes were so hilarious that I decided to get one. The Children Chasing bugs are adorable too.

*Conga Line Dog & Children Playing Silhouettes.*

One of my daughter’s favorite statues is the Little Girl Gardening statue below. She found a use for the tiny planter.

Every time I shop online, my kids look for an opportunity when I step away to add a few favorites of their own in the shopping cart. The Ladybugs are beautiful and the Bunnies are just perfect for Easter.

The Fairy and Deer Friend Shadow Garden Stake is one of my favorite.

*Fairy and Deer Friend Shadow Garden Stakes.*

There are unlimited ideas and ways to encourage kids to go out …

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By JM Perez

Kids Craft Children Education DIY: Projects

3D Penguin Project

By JM PerezJanuary 21, 20141 min read1.1K views

Today my Son and the entire School are celebrating the 100th Day of School.
We were asked as a Family to create a 100th Day Project and turn it in today to be shared and displayed in my Son’s classroom. The Project was to incorporate 100 objects in a creative way.

These past weeks, my Son has been learning about Penguins at School and I suggested we do something with a Penguin. After looking at various pictures, my Son choose the one he liked best and my husband drew a Penguin on a cardboard and began making cutouts for the parts we needed for the 3D Penguin. After positioning and gluing all the parts, we traced 100 feathers with a pencil and highlighted the edges with Glitter Glue and finally, we glued the Penguin onto a slightly larger piece of cardboard.

All you need for this project is Elmer’s Glue, Glitter Glue, Cardboard, Scissors, Pencil and Markers.

*3D Penguin Project (100 Day of School).*

It was a fun little project we all enjoyed working on.

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By JM Perez

Internet Safety Device DIY: Projects

Keeping Your Computer Safe

By JM PerezJanuary 11, 20142 min read544 views

In ten years I owned three laptops. My first laptop was a Fujitsu. It was the best and lasted a little over 7 years. Towards the last year it started freezing, slowing down (regardless of my Internet Speed) and the number of pop-up ads per second was astonishing. A few months after Cloning its Hard Drive; it died. My second laptop was a Dell. It served its purpose while it lasted; though a total disappointment as it died on me less than a year. Fortunately for me, I was able to retrieve data from it. My third laptop is an ASUS. I heard so much about it and after reading the wonderful reviews, I decided to give it a try. So far, so good.

We have a Desktop Computer in the house that no one has touched in months. It got worse since my children got hooked on their tablets. Once in a blue moon however, I turned it on to get the latest security and other important updates from Microsoft automatically. As I checked my hard-drive space, I noticed that I had less space on my C: Drive even though I just installed the essentials. This afternoon I decided to reinstall the Operating System without formatting the hard disk during installation, which resulted in data files saved to a Windows.old folder on my C: Drive which I immediately deleted as it wasn’t needed and was too large (115 Gigabytes).

I made sure the Computer was running the most up-to-date version of all the Software. As I read and consented to Skype licensing agreements, I didn’t see a notification of adware of any sort. Once the software was installed however, I ended up with additional unwanted adware which got installed along with Skype.

Java Print Screen. — *Java Setup window Print Screen.*

Some Software such as Java will give you an option to install Adware or not (see picture above) and others will not. Though often harmless, some of these Adware can become a nuisance. Spyware on the other hand will pose a security risk. Always make sure that you do not need a program before uninstalling it as some programs depend on others to work properly. To check your list of installed programs, simply click on Start → Control Panel → Uninstall a Program (located under the Programs category).

Uninstall a Program. — *Installed Programs Print Screen.*

Some Preventive Measures

Install Antivirus, Antispyware Software and check for updates
Keep your Firewall turned on
Enable your Pop-up Blocker
Check your list of Installed Programs daily
Keep your Operating System up-to-date
Be very selective and only download the Programs/Applications you need and want on your Computer
Always read licensing agreements before you consent to an installation
Whenever possible, choose secure networks over Public Wi-Fi
Constantly check your Programs and Features to make sure that everything is in order
Backup your Data (Online, Hard Drive, … etc)
Scan and turn off your Computer when you’re done using it

Consider purchasing Picture Keeper, a photo storage and backup device or a Portable External Hard Drive to protect your pictures and other irreplaceable files.

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By JM Perez

Hobby Kids Craft DIY: Projects

DIY: LEGO Offroad Trike & Desert Rover

By JM PerezJanuary 5, 20141 min read616 views

Tomorrow is back to School, Work and a busy life for most people we know.

I had a marvelous time with my kids at home. We had so much fun while learning new things every day. This morning, with the help of their Father, they created a few LEGO displays as well as the ones below.

I hope you all enjoyed your Holiday. May this New Year bring you Inner Peace and Joy.

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By JM Perez

DIY: Projects

Storing Christmas Decorations

By JM PerezJanuary 3, 20142 min read588 views

Last year somehow we ended up with an extra box of decorations (and it took me a while to remember that almost every trip to the store was an opportunity for my kids to return home with something different and new). The Christmas tree alone must have had at least 75 ornaments on it, with half that amount in another box. It was a pleasure putting it up, decorating and admiring it for a whole month. Yesterday we took it down, cleaned up the space and reorganized the living room. I love organizing mainly because it gives me an opportunity to do what ever I wish to do like sorting items by sizes, shapes, colors, fragility and frequent use.

I kept the original boxes of most of my ornaments especially those for Christmas Villages, which not only helped speed up the storing process, but also provided protection from breakage. I always store my Christmas Lights in their labeled original boxes since I use each one on different areas in my front and backyard. I wrapped my breakable ornaments either in tissue paper, bubble wrap or felt before placing them in a Ziploc storage bag.

To save my used Christmas Tree Wired Ribbon, I wrapped it tightly around a toilet paper roll (a cardboard tube or just a piece of cardboard will work fine too).

There are some storage options such as Ornament boxes/bins with adjustable cardboard or plastic dividers that hold multiple ornaments.

Ornament Storage Boxes. 1. 2. 3. . — *Ornament Storage Boxes.*
1.Wing Lid Organizer Set 2. Snap ‘N Stack Square Layer Box 3. Red Moiré Storage Box.

Other storage options for those on a budget which include egg cartons (for small and/or round ornaments), pieces of cardboard from a used cardboard box to store string lights and keeping them from tangling (a hose pipe reel will work too), Ziploc storage bags as well as heavy-duty plastic bags to store Wreaths (or purchase a Wreath Storage Bag) .

*Ornament Storage on a Budget.*
1. Egg Carton 2. Cardboard Pieces 3. Wreath Storage Bag.

As for Rolls of Gift Wrap, you can either use a bin or basket, hang them in garment bags, place them in storage containers or use wires to secure them against a wall. For artificial Christmas trees, use a plastic bag if you no longer have the original box or purchase a TreeKeeper Storage Bag with Stand. As for your extension cords, store them in a toilet paper roll or just wrap them into a coil and secure the ends with zip ties.