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"Healthy food" and "fun food" don't have two be two completely separate concepts. Make Christmas shapes out of fruit for children with help from a certified nutritionist in this free video clip.
Just because you're cooking with lean ground beef doesn't mean your hamburgers won't still be juicy when finished. Make juicy hamburgers out of lean ground beef with help from a celebrity chef in this free video clip.
A tortilla maker is also commonly referred to as a tortilla press. Find out how to make tortillas in a tortilla maker with help from a trained chef in this free video clip.
Tarragon is an herb that has a very distinctive flavor. Find out how to make pineapple and tarragon salad with help from a therapist and wellness chef in this free video clip.
A proportional-integral-derivative (PID) controller is a type of control loop feedback mechanism that finds wide usage in industrial control systems. In fact, PID is the most commonly used of all feedback controllers. The basic job of a PID controller is to minimize the error value between a measured process and the desired set-point by adjusting the control inputs of the process. A PID controller can be of immense use as it proves to be the best controller in a system in the absence of any knowledge about the underlying process. Designing a PID controller is technical, but nevertheless a simple…
Making shapes out of sticks is something you can do in a wide variety of different ways depending on your preferences. Learn how to make shapes out of sticks with help from an experienced craft instructor in this free video clip.
When you are remodeling or building something from scratch, it isn’t always necessary to use new retail dimensional lumber; if you have access to scrap pallets, you might have all the wood you'll need for a building project. Virtually everything shipped anywhere rides on wood pallets that are made to withstand heavy cargo and rough handling. When cargo eventually gets unloaded from a pallet, the pallet might be returned for further use as a pallet or it might wind up in a refuse pile bound for a landfill if not for fuel, recycling or a special project such as a…
Breakfast nooks are partially secluded areas off a kitchen edge that have enough space for a small table and chairs. A breakfast nook is commonly used not just for breakfasts but also for casual family meals, for sipping coffee, for completing homework and sit-down chores or for family chats. They are generally set apart from the kitchen by different flooring or décor. Breakfast nooks are gaining back their popularity, as many modern designs have a more open floor plan than older ones. If you do not have a breakfast nook in your house, you may create one by knocking down…
Building an extension to a deck is similar to building a deck from scratch. By removing some of the existing decking and building a new section of support frame onto the side of the existing frame, you can construct a solid base for your enlarged deck without compromising the existing frame. You can then re-lay the decking slats, intermingled with decking for the extension. The result is an enlarged deck that will stand up to years of use.
There is little that can destroy a marriage more quickly than dishonesty. If your marriage has suffered from one or both spouses acting in a dishonest way, it's essential that you restore honesty as soon as possible. Whether you've experienced the dishonesty that comes with infidelity or are failing to tell your spouse certain details in order to spare her feelings or avoid conflict, changing your dishonest habits will inevitably make your marriage healthier.
Pergo, like other laminate flooring materials, is often installed one room at a time. This process leaves gaps between each room and the hallway or between each adjoining room. Transition molding is used to cover the gaps. In the case of a Pergo-to-Pergo installation, T-molding is used. Pergo makes a specialized metal strip to grip the molding and hold it into place.
Making an elephant out of hearts isn't nearly as difficult as you may at first assume. Find out about making an elephant out of hearts with help from a crafts expert in this free video clip.
Vintage breakfast trays are collectible items that serve varying purposes. Some people still use them to serve breakfast in bed to a loved one while others utilize them as decorative pieces in the bedroom or kitchen. Vintage breakfast trays are made of several different materials, typically wood, metal or even bakelite. The trays are often carved or painted to enhance their aesthetic and decorative appeal.
Making melodies out of scales is a great way to learn some basic tricks while playing your instrument. Make melodies out of scales with help from an experienced music teacher and mentor in this free video clip.
Making an owl out of a heart is a lot more straightforward than you might be assuming. Make an owl out of a heart with help from an experienced teacher in this free video clip.
A cucumber makes a delicious and healthy snack if its served properly. Make snacks out of cucumbers with help from a nutrition counselor in this free video clip.
Making a skull made out of treasure in Photoshop is a lot like drawing it with a regular pen and paper. Make a skull made out of a treasure in Photoshop with help from a professional 3D/2D animator in this free video clip.
How you pronounce words can help add new layers and depth to a character - it can also make you easier to understand for those seated in the back. Find out how to pronounce consonant sounds in drama with help from a professional actress and performer in this free video clip.
Just because your child is now a teenager doesn't mean you have to discontinue the practice of a bed time. Learn about good bed times for teenagers with help from the founders of a nonprofit for troubled teens in this free video clip.
Black tights and tunics go very well together, assuming you know how to make this particular outfit work. Find out how to wear black tights with tunics with help from a fashion and style professional in this free video clip.
Adding a carport to your garage can multiply your dry storage space and give you a covered place to keep boats, recreational vehicles and second or third cars out of the weather. You and several partners can attach a simple wood framed carport to the side of an existing garage in a weekend. Use only pressure treated lumber.
Porch columns add a stately look to almost any home. Using PVC board to surround the actual load-bearing supports ensures that the decorative columns won't eventually decay or warp. PVC trim allows you to avoid the hard task of mitering the edges of the boards and adds a decorative touch along the edges and at the top and bottom of each column. Columns can be any size, but for this example, 1- by 8-inch planks are used to create an 8- by 10-inch rectangular column. An assistant to help hold things will make the job go much smoother.
The possumhaw holly tree has green foliage through summer, but its true beauty shines through in fall as the leaves begin to fall. Each branch is covered in dense red berries that add bright color to the autumn and winter landscape. This variety of holly has a shrubby form, with a width that often matches its average height of 15 feet. Light pruning helps shape the possumhaw holly while still allowing it to produce its abundance of attractive berries.
A pantry must be organized to properly house food and goods needed for a cook to make multiple regular meals, day after day. The shelves and cabinets inside the pantry should have easy access and ultimate convenience. Roll-out drawers are convenient; they're easily opened and closed without much effort, allowing you to access things that would otherwise be hidden at the back of the pantry -- but the spacing on drawers in a pantry is not always optimal for a busy chef or for roll-out drawers. So create adjustable drawer slots and roll-outs to make a more useful pantry for…
Amplifier design encompasses many topologies. Some of these are known as Class A, B A/B and D. Class B designs attempt to improve conventional Class A topology by increasing efficiency. All amplifiers convert voltage to wattage, with more than a third of it wasted as heat. Class B designs remain slightly more efficient than its Class A cousin by using an innovative approach.
A door constructed entirely of 2-by-4s can be used for an interior entryway; however, 2-by-4s would not be a good choice for an exterior door because of their poor insulation value. Often, 2-by-4s are used for the interior framework of doors, and plywood or veneer panels are placed over the top of the frame. If the door must be used as an exterior entrance way, it should be made of treated 2-by-4s to resist rotting and warping from moisture exposure.
Having the ability to display star constellations at home is a fun way to learn about the larger universe when live in. In urban areas where a lot of manmade light makes it difficult to see common constellations, a home planetarium is an enjoyable way to “see” the various stars and planets regardless of the weather outside. You can create your own planetarium at home using simple household items, a few art supplies and a darkened room with the ceiling as the dome to display the stars on.
Camper vans are used on camping trips and some come fully equipped with beds and washing-up facilities. Camper trailers are sometimes equipped with these amenities, but they are much smaller than camper vans. These trailers are connected onto the back of trucks, cars or vans. Some camper trailers come equipped with a fold-out tent, also called a fold-out awning. If your camper trailer has a damaged fold-out tent or your trailer didn’t come with one, it is possible to make one if you have some sewing skills.
A bolster is a large, sausage-shaped pillow that provides support for your back or serves as a decorative accent on a bed or daybed. You can use a bolster in addition to, or instead of, a number of throw pillows. If you purchase a bolster, it will be stuffed with a specially shaped pillow form. But you can make your own bolster from a king-sized pillow without any sewing or a form.
Nearly 2,000 species of free-swimming jellyfish populate the world's oceans, making the gelatinous creatures a diverse form of marine life. With a standard plastic foam cup, you can create your own jellyfish that hangs freely from your ceiling. Since jellyfish exist in so many variations, any color that you choose works. Make just one jellyfish or several in different colors creating a colorful colony of jellyfish perfect for displaying in a child's bedroom or in a science classroom.
Native to Mexico, the poinsettia has become a traditional decoration around the winter holidays. The small white flowers clustered in the middle of the red, green pink or variegated sprays of leaves make this colorful plant symbolic of the season. Poinsettias appear on cards, napkins and wrapping paper as bright and cheerful reminders of the holidays. And they are also prevalent throughout the season as cake or cookie decorations. Although many poinsettia flowers are made of gum paste, it's possible to create them from fondant to decorate your own holiday cake or tray -- keeping the season festive.
Resulting from building shifting and settling, nail pops are common in most types of new construction. Nail pops occur when the wooden studs that the drywall is attached to dry out, causing the wood to shrink. As the wood contracts, a space is created between the stud wall and the back of the drywall, pulling the nails from the studs. When the building settles, the drywall is pushed back up against the stud wall, resulting in the head of the nails backing out from the face of the drywall.
Dividers are used to separate a bedroom into two sections, ideal for rooms shared by two kids and rooms that need a sectioned-off area for storing clothes or getting dressed. The divider is either a permanent structure or a movable object that can be removed permanently when one kid goes away to college. But temporary dividers do not look like they’re an actual part of the house. Also, the divider takes up space that could be used for storage, unless you create a divider out of storage units.
A banister is the most distinctive part of a staircase and a very prominent feature in usually a prime gathering space your home. The banister -- the hand rail and its posts on the open side of a staircase -- can add to your overall decor, or it can date your home and design scheme. You don't have to be stuck with a banister that you don't care for. You can remove a traditionally installed banister from a staircase, but it will require the removal of some adjacent corresponding parts.
Cob bricks are natural bricks made out of earth. You can make cob bricks out of raw materials found in your backyard, along with tools in your garage. Cob bricks are used for indoor or outdoor structures, such as walls, ovens, grills and wells, and sometimes even for homes. These bricks are eco-friendly and favored by those who advocate sustainable living.
Closet space is at a premium in many homes. This is especially true in older homes built before walk-in closets became the norm. Coat racks made from old windows are a decorative and versatile way to solve the small closet problem -- decorative because you can make them yourself and versatile because they are portable. Old windows are also easy on the budget, easy to find and simple to transform into a distinctive, personalized coat rack.
A log cabin sets a certain mood with its rustic feel. Many contractors use lumber for stairs outside a log cabin. This can detract from the back-woods appeal. You can remedy this and save some money by asking your contractor to skip the outdoor stairs. Once he is done with the house and deck, you can continue the feel of the log cabin by adding log stairs. A bit of practice with an electric chainsaw is all the skill you need to add log stairs to your cabin.
Considered the original good-luck charm, a genuine four-leaf clover actually comes from the white clove plant. Other plants, such as pepperwort or water clover naturally have four leaves. One way to tell a true four-leaf clover is that the fourth leaf is slightly smaller than the other three. Because they symbolize good fortune, many people use four-leaf clovers in craft projects.
Running your car out of gas isn't just the embarrassing mishap that it used to be; it can end up costing you a pretty penny in repairs. Even running your car low on gas all the time can net similar results, which is one more reason to make sure you don't run out -- as if you needed one apart from the chiropractor bill.
Sony Bravia and its sister XBR televisions have a suite of picture settings. Of these, Vivid mode is one to be avoided for a host of reasons. Prior to making an investment in a new HDTV, a common question revolves around expected lifespan. Vivid mode may very well reduce the expected life of the cold cathode bulbs or LEDs located behind the screen due to increased voltage.
Perler beads fuse together when you iron them. Follow a design template to lay your beads on a pegboard or create your own design from a picture. Use a super-sized pegboard to reproduce a sea star or starfish design in three to four hours or use a large pegboard to make the design small enough for a child to finish in under an hour. The spines in the starfish reproduce well when the holes in the beads remain open.
Once considered barely a step up from cinder block-and-board, dorm-style shelving, crate bookcases seem to have come into their own. Although a tight budget and lack of do-it-yourself skill or desire may prompt some to simply stack the crates as they are, a little planning and some elbow grease can turn these very humble containers into truly stylish decor.
For the adventurous musician, building instruments out of naturally occurring materials like bamboo is both educational and gratifying. The long, slender shape of bamboo stalks makes them an ideal material for a simple flute. For best results, your bamboo stalk should be at least 20 inches long and have a diameter of one inch. With attention to detail and a steady hand, you'll make an all-natural instrument that will impress friends and fellow musicians.
Making compost mulch for your garden is an efficient use of yard waste and kitchen vegetable scraps. To create the mulch, you need a container for the waste that allows air to get to it but keeps out rain. In addition, you need to be able to turn the mulch every few days. A barrel is a great way to accomplish these requirements. Using compost from a mulcher on your plants saves using chemical fertilizers and helps green the planet. In addition, recycling an old barrel keeps it out of the landfill along with the yard waste and kitchen scraps.
Garden arbors can be expensive, but you can easily build your own. Because you must prune grapevines drastically during their winter dormant period, this project is a good way to recycle your yard waste into an attractive structure for your garden in very little time.
Every year, thousands of board feet in lumber are used to create shipping pallets. These pallets typically are thrown away or end up rotting. Repurpose these pallets and turn them into a stylish wood floor. Even better, many companies will even give you the pallets or sell them at a very low cost just to get rid of them. Wood pallet flooring offers a chance to be environmentally friendly and save money while you're at it.
Fashion a stork out of wire to celebrate the arrival of a new baby. Storks have long been held as symbols of good luck in Europe, and parents say that they "had a visit from the stork" when a new baby arrives. Craft storks are a twist on this myth and can be fabricated from wire. Wire storks can be use as an armature -- or internal structure -- for fondant cake toppers, or they can be enlarged to serve as party signs.
River rocks are naturally smooth due to the tumbling environment of flowing rivers and streams. The smooth and sleek rocks lend themselves perfectly to a tiling application, such as installing flat river rocks instead of standard ceramic tiles on shower walls to create a natural- and rustic-looking shower space. Collect river rocks for free, where permitted, while on a nature walk, or purchase them inexpensively from a home-improvement store. Use 1/2-inch thick, flat river rocks for the project.
"Tap Tap Revenge 4," a music app available on both iTunes and the Android Market, allows players to buy new songs to play using credits. Determining how much the credits translate to in actual currency will allow you to better plan your spending.
Putting on makeup for the first time is a big part of a young girl's life. Put on makeup for girls with help from a professional makeup artist in this free video clip.
