Today's Organizing Tip

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Indiana

Re: Today's Organizing Tip

Postby Indiana » Sat Sep 04, 2010 5:17 pm

Sewing Kit in a Jar

An old-fashioned Mason jar can become a new sewing kit with a built-in pincushion on top. To begin, separate the lid's sealer and screw cap. Trace around sealer on cardboard. Using a compass, draw another circle on linen or cotton, 1 inch larger in diameter than the first. Cut out both circles; make cushion by placing batting between fabric and cardboard. Turn screw cap upside down, and apply hot glue to inside edge of rim; quickly press cushion into lid until cloth protrudes smoothly above screw cap's opening and cardboard is flush against rim. Apply hot glue around edge of cardboard, fold over excess fabric, and press down. Glue top of sealer to cardboard.

Fill jar with needle, thread, scissors, safety pins, and buttons. Use the top for pins and threaded needles.

Indiana

Re: Today's Organizing Tip

Postby Indiana » Mon Sep 06, 2010 5:02 am

Packing a Suitcase

Before you can pack properly for a trip, you need to determine your priorities. For a business trip or a formal event such as a wedding. Experiment with the following packing methods until you find the one that best suits your travel style.

Hanging
For the most foolproof wrinkle-free packing, suits and blouses should be stuffed with tissue and encased in dry-cleaning bags before going into a travel garment bag. The tissue keeps the fabrics from crushing, and the plastic reduces friction so clothes can settle into their natural shape. Pack everything else -- shoes, toiletries, books, papers, valuables -- in a separate carry-on bag.

Layering
Instead of using tissue paper to stuff clothing, try layering garments over one another so each layer pads the next. For example, begin with a pair of pants folded over the bar of a hanger, then hang a sweater around it. A silk shirt can go over that, and a jacket over the shirt. Slip on a plastic dry-cleaning bag last, and place the whole thing in a garment bag; or fold, and set into a duffel.

Overlapping
Keep delicate clothes from wrinkling by folding them around cushiony items like sweaters and knit shirts. Place the top half of a pair of pants in your suitcase, for example, smooth a sweater over that, and fold the pant legs up over the sweater. Never fold clothes more times than is necessary to fit them in a bag -- once across the middle should be enough for most sweaters and blouses.

Rolling
Fill the corners of suitcases and duffels with clothes rolled into little sausages. This way you can distribute lots of items evenly throughout a small bag. This method saves the most space but is best for casual clothing -- blouses or blazers will rumple.

Toiletries
To avoid leaks caused by pressure changes during air travel, fill travel-size plastic bottles partway, squeeze out excess air, and cap them, creating a vacuum. Then double-bag them, first in a cosmetics bag or large resealable plastic bag, then in a plastic shopping bag. Never pack toiletries in the same bag with clothes -- a single spill can cause great damage. Along with toiletries, your carry-on bag should hold your jewelry and other valuables; eyewear; a travel first-aid kit; travel documents; maps; and reading material.

Shoes
To protect shoes from scuffing and being crushed, stuff them with tissue or socks, and slip them into fabric show bags or plastic bags.

Do You Know?
If you run out of space in your bag before you've packed everything, there's a way to get more in: Drop the bag on the floor a few times, then open it -- things will have settled, and you'll find extra room.

Indiana

Re: Today's Organizing Tip

Postby Indiana » Mon Sep 06, 2010 5:06 am

Furniture Refresher

To remove musty smells from old furniture, fill plastic containers with white vinegar; seal, and punch holes in lids. Put one inside each drawer or cabinet overnight to absorb odors. For extreme cases, clean interiors with a vinegar-dampened cloth.

Indiana

Re: Today's Organizing Tip

Postby Indiana » Tue Sep 07, 2010 4:21 pm

Moved from July 13, 2010

Sewing -

Sometimes thread for a sewing project comes on a spool that's too big for your sewing machine.

The solution: Place the spool in a heavy mug, and set tyhe mug behind your machine and directly underneath the spool pin. Hook the thread end over the spool pin before threading it into the machine. The thread will unravel smoothly as you work.

Indiana

Re: Today's Organizing Tip

Postby Indiana » Wed Sep 08, 2010 4:23 am

Jewelry Palette

Ceramic watercolor palettes provide perfect slots for sorting and separating earrings and other jewelry -- with no tangles.

Available at art-supply stores are small enough to tuck in a drawer.

Indiana

Re: Today's Organizing Tip

Postby Indiana » Wed Sep 08, 2010 4:29 am

Window Screen Labels

Prevent confusion the next time you make the seasonal switch from storm windows to screens. Use a label maker to identify which room and specific frame a screen or storm window fits, or write the information on a strip of painters' tape with a permanent marker. Stick the labels to a top corner of each screen or window

Indiana

Re: Today's Organizing Tip

Postby Indiana » Fri Sep 10, 2010 4:45 am

Paint Color Reminder

When you finish painting a room, touch-ups are usually the last thing on your mind. But it's a good idea to write the paint name and product number on painters' tape and stick the label to the back of the room's light-switch plate. Better still when the paint is mixed ask for an extra label to be printed. Use that on the back of the room's light-switch. When the time comes to cover scuffs, you'll know exactly what shade to buy and can take the lightawitch with you with all the information.

Indiana

Re: Today's Organizing Tip

Postby Indiana » Sun Sep 12, 2010 8:57 pm

Roof Slate Tile Message Board

To create an outdoor message center, convert a slate roofing tile (from a home-supply store) into a chalkboard. Thread heavy-duty braided twine through the 2 preexisting holes, tie a knot, and hang on a sturdy hook. A flat drawer pull, turned upside down and glued to the bottom edge, can serve as a chalk tray.

Indiana

Re: Today's Organizing Tip

Postby Indiana » Sun Sep 12, 2010 8:58 pm

Rust Free Tool Box

Battle rust-causing moisture with this surprising tool kit addition: charcoal briquettes. These barbecue staples absorb dampness, common in garages and basements, where tools are often stored. The briquettes tend to shed dust, however, so place them in a fabric bag before adding them to your box of tools.

Do not use the ones that come soaked in lighter fluid.

Indiana

Re: Today's Organizing Tip

Postby Indiana » Tue Sep 14, 2010 2:51 pm

Bookcase Armoire

What may appear at first glance to be an unconventional armoire is actually a set of bookcases attached along one side. Opened, it's a compact, self-contained innovative crafts or office nook. Closed, it's far more decorative than any tidied-up desk, without the slightest hint of its contents.

To complete this project, use two store-bought bookcases with adjustable shelves. (Avoid models more than 5 feet tall because they typically have a fixed center shelf.) You may want to cover the back of one -- one that will be the front of the armoire when closed -- with wallpaper or a higher-quality wood that's painted to match the project.

Maximize your work space by using a deeper bookcase for the side that will serve as the desk. (We used a 36-by-60-by-16-inch bookcase for the desk side and a 36-by-60-by-12-inch bookcase for the other side.)

Tools & Materials
Paint (optional)
2 bookcases with adjustable shelves
Rectangular piece of wood (for desk extension): the same thickness as a shelf, 1/2 inch shorter than the length of a shelf, and no more than 14 inches wide
Rectangular piece of pegboard: the length of a shelf with a height equal to the space between the desk shelf and the shelf above
Four 1-by-2-inch boards (for pegboard frame): 2 cut to the height of the pegboard and 2 cut to its length minus 3 inches
Hacksaw or jigsaw with a metal blade (to cut piano hinge)
2 piano hinges (1 to attach bookcases and 1 to attach desk extension)
5/8-inch screws (for hinges, if screws aren't included)
Electric drill
Screws that are 3/4 inch longer than the thickness of desk-side bookcase's back panel (to secure existing desk shelf and pegboard frame)
Lid stay or flap stay
Glass-bead or other molding (to secure Plexiglas), cut into strips: 5 pieces the length of a shelf, 8 pieces 2 1/2 inches long, and 2 pieces 8 1/2 inches long
Hand miter saw (to cut molding)
Hammer
3-D 1-inch finish nails (to secure molding for Plexiglas)
5 Plexiglas guards: 4 pieces cut 3 inches tall and to the length of a shelf and 1 piece cut 9 inches tall and to the length of a shelf
3/4-inch screws (to attach pegboard to frame; for casters, if screws aren't included; and for L brackets, if using)
Draw-bolt latch or flush-mount lock (for armoire latch)
8 casters (at least 1 inch)
Two 3-inch L brackets (to attach case to wall, optional)
Appropriate wall anchors and matching screws (for L brackets)

Bookshelf How-To
1. Paint bookcases, desk extension piece, pegboard, and 1-by-2-inch boards if desired.

2. Using hacksaw or jigsaw, cut a piano hinge to height of bookcases. Cut the other hinge to length of a shelf; set aside for step 4.

3. To attach bookcases: Determine which bookcase will contain the desk and which will have the Plexiglas guards, as well as where the hinge should be placed to join them. Place the bookcases on their backs, side by side, shelves facing up. Place the hinge on the seam between them. Predrill holes through one side of hinge and along edge of one bookcase, making one hole near the top, one at the center and one near the bottom; insert 5/8-inch screws (or included screws) to secure. Repeat on edge of other bookcase. Predrill the remaining holes on both sides of hinge, and secure with screws. Stand joined bookcases upright.

4. To create desk extension: Using hacksaw or jigsaw, cut along the back edge of the center shelf to remove 1 inch from the width. Position the shelf in bookcase. Working from behind the bookcase, predrill holes where the shelf meets the back panel. Secure the shelf to the back panel with screws that are 3/4 inch longer than the thickness of the back panel. (You'll need a second person to secure the shelf against the back panel as you drill.) Place one side of the previously cut piano hinge along back edge of desk extension. Predrill holes through the hinge, making one hole at the right, one at the center, and one at the left. Secure with 5/8-inch screws (or the included screws). Predrill the remaining holes, and secure with screws. Align the other half of the piano hinge with the front edge of fixed center shelf. Repeat predrilling and drilling procedure to secure other side of hinge. Attach the lid stay or flap stay, following manufacturer's directions.

5. To secure Plexiglas guards: Create two rows of U-shaped molding that will run along sides and bottom of Plexiglas. Starting with the top shelf, place one shelf-long piece of molding about an inch from the front edge of the shelf. Using hammer, secure molding to shelf with 1-inch finish nails about every 6 inches, or where necessary. At each end, place one 2 1/2-inch piece of molding vertically. Secure to bookcase. In front of this existing piece, create another U-shape of molding, leaving just more than 1/4 inch of space in between for the guard. Repeat this procedure for the 3 middle shelves. For the bottom shelf, use the 8 1/2-inch molding as the vertical pieces. Once all the molding is in place, paint it to match the bookcase if desired, and let dry. Insert the Plexiglas guards between each pair of molding.

6. To attach the pegboard: Arrange 1-by-2-inch boards in a rectangle to match dimensions of pegboard. Set the pegboard on top of the rectangular frame, and secure it to boards by drilling 3/4-inch screws through the preexisting holes, in each corner and at top and bottom center. Fit the pegboard against panel behind the desk. Working from behind the bookcase, predrill holes where the top and bottom lengths of the pegboard frame will meet the back panel. Secure the frame with screws that are 3/4 inch longer than thickness of back panel. (You'll need a second person to secure the middle of the pegboard against the back panel as you drill.)

7. To install a draw-bolt latch or flush-mount lock outside the armoire: Close the bookcases. Predrill holes where the clasp will be affixed. Secure in place using the recommended screws and a drill.

8. To attach casters: Lay attached bookcases on the floor on their backs. Using a pencil, mark the bottom of each bookcase where the casters (4 per bookcase) will be placed. Place each caster about 2 inches from the corners. Predrill holes, then secure each caster with 3/4-inch screws (or the included screws). Stand the joined bookcases upright.

9. To affix desk side of bookcase to a wall (optional): Mark location of each L bracket on wall, making sure to mark the holes. The horizontal part of each L bracket will be attached along the case's top edge, 2 inches from the right and left sides; the vertical part of the bracket will be flush with the wall behind the bookcase. Insert wall anchors, and secure bracket to wall with screws. Position case so it is flush with wall or against baseboard. Predrill holes through bracket into case's top. Secure with 3/4-inch screws.


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