Home-DzineIt’s all about caring for and improving your home

November 2010

choc full of projects for you!

online

Also in this issue ...• How to photo panel screen • DIY jewellery organiser• Mini-car for a little guy • Christmas crafts• Build a room divider • Tile a bathroom floor and more...

Makeit

Home-Dzine Online is written and compiled by Janice Anderssen. All projects in this issue, or any other issue, remain the property of Home-Dzine and Janice Anderssen, or the respective copyright holders, and may not be copied or reproduced in any manner whatsoever without written permission.

Image and content credits:meredith publishing - good homes - family handyman - sunset publishing - popular mechanic - house & home - georgia pacific- expert village - channel4 - pottery barn - flikr - nkba - resene - mitre10 - lowes and any others.

Do it!

Nearly Christmas... you must be joking!

I cannot believe how fast this past year has gone. Before you know it, we will be basking in the sun on our annual holidays (please).

Before you settle down and relax, this issue is packed full of projects for you to try, whether you are at home or bored out of your mind on holiday somewhere remote.

Enjoy!

Janice

a word or two

WIN the ultimate DIY hamper

Send us your home improvement or do-it-yourself project and you stand a chance to win the ultimate DIY product hamper courtesy of Bosch and Prominent Paints.

A selection of the latest tools from Bosch and Prominent Paints to the value of R5000 will ensure that you are ready to tackle any project in your home!

The competition closes on 30 November 2010 and the winner will be notified byemail. Now that’s a Christmas present to be excited about!

To enterAll you have to do is send us a before and after image/s of your project (you can send as many images as you wish). Entries can be emailed to home-dzine@iburst.co.za. Be sure to provide your full name, daytime contact details, cellphone number and physical address. Entries should include a detailed summary of the project and/or improvement, as well as a breakdown of the cost.

LAST CHANCE TO ENTER!

Fix it with Flair Gala Event

Home is celebrating the culmination of its annual Fix it with Flair home renovation competition at a gala event at Velmorè Hotel, Banquet & Conference Estate, Erasmia (near Centurion) on Saturday, 13 November.

The country’s top selling décor and garden magazine invites all proud homemakers to an exciting morning hosted by Editor Anneke Blaise.

Join us as we raise a glass to our Top 3 finalists and celebrate all that is creative,innovative and rewarding in home renovation, design and décor. Rub shoulders with our very own DIY Guru Ashley Stemmett, home and décor expert Misi Overturf and our friends at DIY Divas - and be treated to a performance by the talented all-male a Cappella group, Navi Redd.

For only R350 you’ll be spoiled with informative talks by three experts, live demonstrations, a five-star brunch,live entertainment, quality Mooiplaas wine, sparkling wine, the latest issue of Home magazine and a R250 gift voucher courtesy of PennyPinchers and TimberCity to get your started on your next home project. Book a table of 10 and receive your own ticket at no charge, with our compliments.

About the venue

Velmorè were the proud hosts of the German national squad during their stay in South Africa during the 2010 Soccer Word Cup. Conveniently situated on the banks of the Hennops River, Velmoré is 15km from Pretoria and Centurion and 35km from Sandton.

Interested parties must book before 10 November; call Yolande Swanepoel on 021 406 3121. Alternatively, send a SMS to 32365 with the words “Gala Event” or email yolande.swanepoel@media24.com.

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Art DoorsLove these new doors!

The nice thing about these doors is that anyone can install them and you can have a custom design printed for the glass.

Comprising 10mm tempered safety glass, pre-drilled to accept the necessary fittingsand hardware, all you need to do is peel and stick on your graphic sticker. Tired of the look... simply remove the sticker and

add a new one - as easy as that!

You will find all the hardwarerequired at your local Builders Warehouse, or get in touch with Hillaldam.co.za if you have any difficulty in sourcing specificcomponents.

Contact your local glass suppliers to have the glass cut and pre-drilled to spec.

Have the graphic stickers printed by SmartArt.co.za, PS-Signs.co.za, or one of the many other signs printers.

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Photo PanelPut all your treasured

photographs on display with this do-it-yourself photo panel

screen.

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Make a 3-panel screen to display your favourite photos. I have seen a similar panel in the shops at a cost of around R2000. Love the idea - but let’s show you how to make it for R500!

You will need:12mm PG Bison SupaWood cut to sizes -[3] 1600 x 400mm[6] hinges and 8mm screws5-minute epoxy glueTin of Rust-Oleum flat black (or can 2x spray)Foam roller and trayDrill-Driver + assorted drill and screw bitsOrbital Sander + 240-grit sanding padsJigsaw and clean-cut bladeTape measure and pencilMasking tape[48} mirror brackets[12] 3mm glass cut to 210 x 260mmThick white cardstockBlack and white photos

Here’s how:

1. On each of the panels measure and mark 100mm in at each side and 150mm in from top and bottom. For the individual panels, mark per diagram on page 5.

2. With an 8mm wood bit, drill a hole at the inside corner of each panel - not too close to the marked line. Use a jigsaw and clean-cut blade to cut out each panel.

3. Use the jigsaw to cut a slight curve at the top of each panel, or leave square.

4. Use an orbital sander to sand all the cut edges smooth and wipe clean.

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DIY Tip:Each panel is joined to the next panel with 3 hinges. Use a small amount of 5-minute epoxy glue, in conjunction with the screws, for extra strength.

5. Attach the first panel to the next with hingesand epoxy glue. Repeat for the next panel.

6. For finishing you can use a tin of Rust-Oleumflat black paint or 2X Painters Touch spraypaint. Place a piece of masking tape over the hinges to protect from paint. Let dry over-night.

7. Arrange the glass, cardstock and photos as shown.

8. Place the glass and photo arrangements on the back of the frame and position evenly. Use mirror brackets as shown to attach to the frame panels.

Note: You can adjust the size of the cut out frames to any size for smaller or larger photographs. Remember to adjust the size of the glass and cardstock as well.

cardstock with photo attached

cardstock with cut out

3mm glass

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PrettyOrganised

Get pretty in an instant with this made jewellery organiser. All

you need is a picture frame - or make your own!

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Transform an old picture frame into a jewellery organiser. If you don’t have an old frame you can easily knock up a frame for less than R100 - see next page.

You will need:Picture frameWire or plastic meshTin snipsStaple gun and staplesRust-Oleum 2X grey and white120-grit sandpaperPicture hanger

Here’s how:

1. Start by spraying the frame with Rust-Oleum 2X white (or make your frame and then spray). Let dry.

2. Use tin snips (or scissors if you are using plastic mesh) to cut the wire mesh to fitonto the back of the frame. DO wear gloves as the mesh is very sharp and can easily scratch.

3. Press the wire mesh flat and use a staplegun to staple it to the back of the frame at regular intervals.

4. Spray the front of the frame with Rust-Oleum 2X grey and let dry.

Once dry, use 120-grit sandpaper to scrape back some of the grey to reveal the white underneath.

5. Attach a picture hanger to the back of the frame and hang on the wall. Start getting your danglies organised!

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You will need:1 length of detailed polystyrene mouldingPicture framing kitRust-Oleum Antique Patina kit

Optional: If you don’t have a Framing Kit you can also use a mitre box and saw, and a staple gun.

You can buy everything you need for this project at your local Builders Warehouse. Print out this project and take along with you.

Find detailed instructions for this project on the Home-Dzine website - Decor section

Make an antique frame that looks stunning around a mirror or picture. Our mirror frame project uses polystyrene crown moulding strips.

Here’s how:

1. Use a mitre box and back saw to mitre the edges of the moulding strip to the required lengths.

2. You should have a top and bottom of equal size, and two sides also of equal size.

3. The Rust-Oleum Antique Patina kit is supplied with everything you need – including detailed step-by-step instructions – to create the antique effect on the moulding.

4. Spray the frame with the base coat and allow to dry. Use the roughing sponge to lightly scratch the surface. Don’t scratch too hard - you don’t want to remove the paint. Now apply the patina layer. Have some damp paper towels handy to blot of any excess and create the desired effect.

5. Included with a Framing Kit are joining brackets and a punch. Ensure that the brackets are inserted with the sharp end facing out, press onto the moulding and tap the punch with a hammer to position the brackets along the joins. If you aren’t using a Framing Kit you can substitute with a staple gun.

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Get crafty this Christmas or learn a hobby for the holidays!

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FoldCutCut

Paper Gift BoxesUse colourful card to create your own gift boxes.

Enlarge the template below to the size of the box you would like to make; cut out, fold and glue.

You can change the topping to any design that you like.

LEFT: Some designs by Patricia Zapata.

Cut out the according to the straight lines and fold those with dashed lines. As you start to fold you will see which sections need to be glued together.

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Christmas WorkshopsEvery year we hold workshops for making affordable gifts for family and friends.

This year we have found some wonderful projects that you can make.

Rockin’ BikeEvery little boy would love to ride his

own motorbike!

The project uses meranti and pine to create full-size a rockin’ motorbike.Sat 4 December - R850 per person

Little Princess PramA sturdy pram painted in pink and magenta.

Sat 19 December - R550 per person

Pole PonyRemember the

hobby horse? We’re making a Pole Pony for a little boy or girl. Stain or paint in your choice of

colour, or leave natural.

Sat 27 November - R250 per person

Click here to book or email us: home-dzine@iburst.co.za

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Now here’s a colourful wreath with a difference! Use brightly coloured balloons to craft a rainbow wreath for inside your home or on the front door.

All you need for this project is a straw wreath, some colourful balloons and pins. Use the pins to attach individual balloons to the straw wreath. Work around the wreath, applying different colours as you complete the circle. Attach a length of straw to hang onto the wall or door.

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Pick up a couple of artist’s canvas at your local Builders Warehouse and add colourful designs cut out from fabric or wrapping paper.

Here’s how:

Draw your freehand design onto the canvas with a pencil - you can easily erase any mistakes you make! If you are useless at drawing - you can find plenty ofdesigns on the Internet that you can print out and use.

Use sharp scissors to cut colourful wrapping paper to fill the designs andglue these onto the canvas with PVA glue.

Use a Rust-Oleum Paint Pen (black) to finish off the design, and apply 2 to 3coats of ModPodge or clear Acrylic Sealer to protect your new artwork.

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A plain willow wreath is dressed with creamy felt flowers for a traditional displayto hang on your front door this festive season.

You will need:

Willow twig wreathCD (to cut perfect circles)Sharp scissorsHot glue gun and glue sticksCream felt - large sheet

DIY Tip:If you can’t find a twig wreath, lookaround the garden for old twigs - they need to be fairly bendable.

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2. Use the CD to draw circles onto the felt. You will need approximately 80 to 100 circles depending upon the size of the wreath. Fold the felt over so that you can cut out more than one circle

at a time. Cut each circle into a spiral.

3. Take each individual spiral and start to wrap it around and around until you have created a tight flower. You willneed some smaller spirals to fill in anyspaces once you have added all the larger spirals to the wreath.

4. Using a hot glue gun, stick the larger flowers around the wreath, spacingthem as you go along. Any gaps can be filled in at the end with smallerflowers.

1. Gather all your supplies. Spoil yourself this year with a Dremel Glue Gun. It has adjustable temperature settings so that you can control how fast or slow the glue melts for easy application.

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You will need:Natural twig wreathDecorative paper and cardBerries

Here’s how:1. Cut and glue berry picks around the outside of the wreath.

2. Cut out decorative and plain paper stars, holly leaves, ‘NOEL’ letters and Christmas trees.

3. Decorate the wreath by sticking on the accessories with a hot glue gun.

BerryChristmas

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Here’s how:1. Choose four different complimentary scrapbook

papers with bright designs. Cut them each into four squares; 6cm, 8cm, 10cm, and 12cm.

2. To form the tree fold the squares in half both ways, then diagonally both ways, making sure to make a firm crease.

3. Open out the square flat and fold in half with thepapers’ pattern front side up. Now take the top two corners and push them inwards forming a triangle.

5. Lay the triangle flat on the table and taking thebottom corners fold them inwards to form a diamond shape, leaving the back shape still in a triangle.

Origami Christmas Cards

You will need:Scrapbook papers and

embellishmentsA4 card

Brown cardDouble-sided tape

Ribbon

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6. Repeat this method with all your squares.

7. On a piece of A4 card folded in half lay out your pieces, smallest at the top and largest at the bottom. Cut a trunk for the tree from brown card and a pot shape from scrapbook paper. You may also like to cut a frame or add other collage pieces to the card.

8. Once you are happy with your design, use double-sided tape to fix all elements to the card.

9. To finish add a Christmas message. Finally, add yourstar to the top of the tree.

Use this method to create your own gift tags.

For even more creative card and gift tags visit:

My Creative Life

Whiff of Joy

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Design your own unique headboard

Choose from a range of square and rectangular panels, solid or fitteddesigner headboards to complete the look of your bedroom.

Upholstered Headboards offer a range of headboards that are custom made to fityour bed, whether single, three-quarter, double, queen or king.

The Panel range of square and rectangular panels, either plain or tufted, are upholstered in your choice of fabric and delivered to your door ready for mounting behind the bed.

The Solid free-standing headboard is available in heights of 1400mm or 1800mm, so that you can create your own unique look.

www.upholstered-headboards.co.zafor more information on their total

range of headboards and beds.

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WeekendWonderful

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The Ugly Duckling becomes a very nice Swan indeed, and all it took was some new bathroom tiles and a weekend!

Sooner or later there comes a time in every homeowners life where things definitely need to be changed. Bathrooms are top of the list and it’s nice to know that you can do quite a bit in a weekend.

WeekendWonderful

LEFT: A dated bathroom with vinyl flooring iseasy to modernise.

Bathrooms are top of the list when it comes to home improvements, and the nice thing about renovating a bathroom is that it is a fairly easy do-it-yourself project if you have the right tools, quality materials and a bit of spare time on your hands.

The easiest update to tackle is to install new flooring and there are now so manyoptions to choose from, it’s hard to know where to start.

Ceramic tileAlways a favourite, ceramic tile is practical, affordable and easy to install. Choose from large or small tiles in various styles, textures and colours.

Laminate flooringHydroPlus is a new technique where Berry Floor laminate board is given a special water resistant treatment. The ideal solution for bathrooms.

Bamboo flooringIntroducing a truly green flooring optionwith Eco-Logic bamboo. Bamboo flooring,as beautiful and value enhancing, technically superior and best of all sustainable.

Vinyl flooringOnce again trendy, vinyl flooring offersa practical and affordable way to add comfortable and stylish flooring to abathroom. Contact your Belgotex agent for details on IVC vinyl flooring.

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1. Ripping out vinyl flooring is easy. Removing old tiles is not quite as easy, but is definitely a “can do” project. Thefloor needs to be clean and level beforeinstalling new tiles.

2. Work in sections, applying a layer of tile adhesive with a notched trowel and topping off with tiles. Tile spacers are perfect for ensuring that gaps are equal and even across the tiled surface.

DIY Tip:You can install new tiles over old tiles if the existing floor is in good condition andthere is space for an extra layer of tiles. Apply a bonding liquid to the surface before applying tile adhesive.

3. Use a float to spread grout across thesurface of the tiles and into gaps. It is important to ensure that gaps are completely filled to prevent crackinglater on.

4. Newly tiled bathroom floor in aweekend.

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Woodoc works wonders!

A bit of an eyesore, Nina had this piece of furniture delivered to me two days before the filming was totake place. “OMG” was my comment. “What am I supposed to do with this in two days - it’s going to take at least two weeks!”

One of these mornings you will be able to switch onto SABC3’s morning show - Expresso - and catch the DIY Divas doing their thing.

We recently recorded several episodes in which we tackled various projects. One of the project that we did was to transform an old turntable cabinet.

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Just looking at the piece it was hard to tell if it was wood, laminate or veneer. It had been choked to death under layers and layers of wax polish.

Out came the wood restoration essentials... mineral turpentine and Woodoc steelwool. After using a whole bottle of turps and a packet of steelwool, I realised that something a bit more drastic was in order. Time to apply the paint remover to see if that works - it didn’t.

RIGHT: Rubbed and rubbed until there was no more elbow grease left to rub with, and

there is still a thick layer of wax!

LEFT: Half-n-half. One half of the cabinet has been left as is while the other side has been cleaned up and given only one coat of Woodoc 10 interior sealer with Imbuia stain concentrate added.

To cut a very long story short - the only thing that did work was my Skil Heat Gun, mineral turps and Woodoc steelwool.

After sanding down with 80-, 120- and then 240-grit sandpaper the original wood was revealed and I was quite surprised to findthat it was Meranti.

Wiped clean with a cloth and some mineral turps it was time to add our Woodoc 10 with added imbuia stain concentrate. This was definitely the best colour choice for theMeranti and created a beautiful, deep red-brown colour that is so rich and warm.

Hard to believe that something so beautiful lay hidden under all that gunk!

Now I have to start on the other half!

Discover how easily you can restore furniture with the Woodoc range of

products.

www.Woodoc.com

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With Prominent Paints Paving paint you can transform tired and dirty paving with a single coat of paint!

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Paint Paving

In the October issue of Home-Dzine Online I showed you how easy it was to paint a driveway. I was so impressed with the results that I decided to paint all the paths and walkways as well!

Grab yourself a tin of Prominent Paints Paving paint and give your driveway, paths and walkways a makeover.

PreparationUse a hose pipe or high-pressure spray to clean the paving before you apply the paint. For very dirty areas, use a sweeping brush to loosen stubborn debris, and be sure to pull out any weeds that have taken root in gaps and crevices. Use a small brush to remove dirt from cracks.

ApplicationUse a long-nap paint roller and an extension handle to make application easy.

DurabilityProminent Paints Paving paint is high-hiding, which means that one coat is sufficient tocover stains.

SPOIL YOUR HOME

Choose one of the ready-mixed paving colours, or have colour mixed

in your local Decorating Centre.

See the September and October issues of Home-Dzine Online

to see how easy it was to give two different homes a complete

external makeover with Prominent Paints Textured.

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And that means we are all going to be spending more time in or next to the swimming pool.

With a wide choice of pool products on the market, it’s hard to tell which is best for your pool. Here’s how to determine what’ll meet your requirements.

Some products promise you crystal-clear water in an instant - but can also result in a build-up of metals such as copper that will permanently stain your pool. Sure, the water may look brilliant for a month or two, but then the problems start. It’s vital to determine the volume of your pool, as this dictates the quantities of all chemicals used. The formula is: length (m) x width (m) x depth (m) x 1 000 = volume (in litres).

Summer is here...

Summer maintenance

Have a water sample tested at your local pool shop every week. You can also use DIY kits and then simply ask the pool shop what chemicals your pool needs. The four tests that are required should give you the following readings:

Marbelite Pools A chlorine level of 1.5 parts per million (ppm); a pH level of between 7.4 and 7.6 ppm; a total alkalinity level of between 80 and 125 ppm; and a calcium level of between 200 and 275.

Fibreglass Pools A chlorine level of 1 to 3 ppm; a pH level of between 7.4 and 7.6 ppm; a total alkalinity level of between 125 and 150 ppm; and a calcium level of between 125 and 150ppm.

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* Scrub the side of the pool weekly with a purpose-designed brush to remove existing algae and discourage further growth. Algae causes green to black-brown spots and should be removed immediately.

* The pool filter needs to be backwashedand rinsed every week. The filter has alever which is normally set to ‘filter’; set thisto ‘backwash’ for two minutes and then to ‘rinse’ for a minute, before returning it to the ‘filter’ position. (The timing for eachprocess depends on the size of the pool.) During this process, a powerful jet of water will pump out of your waste outlet. You can drain this water into a tank or drum, let it stand for a few days so that the chemicals evaporate, and then use it to water your lawn.

* Once a week, clean the pump basket. Leaves, seeds and flowers building uphere can affect the pump’s efficiency.

* Clean the skimmer box basket daily, particularly if there are messy trees in the vicinity.

Special maintenance

* Wash the sand in the filter once a month.Do this by adding a bottle of special detergent to the filter and then switch itoff for 24 hours, after which you need to backwash and rinse the filter thoroughly.

* Replace the sand in the filter every twoyears, or ask your pool shop to do so.

* Pool water can turn green after heavy rains, calling for a concentrated dose of chlorine. These shock treatments can be bought in individual packets, which contain detailed instructions and the right quantities. The pool water will then also need to be tested afterwards.

DIY tip: Your pool shop will tell you what chemicals - and how much to add to correct any imbalances. For example, you need to add acid if the pH level is too high, or soda ash if it’s too low.

DIY tip: If necessary, use an algaecide, which can be obtained from pool shops, hardware and hyperstores. The label clearly indicates quantities, which will depend on the volume of your pool.

TIP: A milky pool is generally the result of windborne dust or building activity in the vicinity, but can also be caused by algaecides. Add a flocculent (calculatethe quantity by your pool’s volume, following the packaging instructions, or consult your pool shop). The flocculentcarries the dust particles to the bottom of the pool, from where it has to be removed with a vacuum attachment. This attachment is fitted to the pool poleand the pipe normally used for your automatic pool cleaner is plugged into it. This vacuum function would normally be done by the automatic pool cleaner, but in severe cases manual vacuuming is recommended. In that case, the filter should be set on ‘Waste’.

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NightLight

I am still loving my Solar Ice Blocks from The Green Shop.

It’s been four months since I installed my ice blocks, and now I’ve built a stand for each one so that the illuminate not only the path, but light up the surrounding area as well.

What I love so much about the Solar Ice Blocks is that you can charge them up during the day and pop them anywhere at night - especially handy when the power goes out!

Over the years I have tried numerous solar lights in the garden - some work and some don’t. The ones that have worked have been on spikes and if they don’t get broken, my dog tends to think that they are chew toys - definitely not pet-friendly.

This holiday season, get yourself some Solar Fairy Lights from www.thegreenshop.co.za and light up the garden every night without paying a cent!