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DIY Thread

  • OSH
    Anyone like to be a DIYer?

    My busy "season" just ended and would like to add some additional hobbies to my life.

    I would like to start canning some -- my family does, just never have done it myself. I would also like to start making laundry detergent, body wash (soap), shampoo, and that sort of stuff. I recently crossed off a Christmas wish item and bought myself a juicer. I know when Little OSH comes around in March, and whenever s/he can start drinking juice...it'll come from the juicer. Great decision on the juicer! We will also be making our own baby food.

    What's some ideas or things to do around the house that can make things efficient and/or financially responsible?
  • said_aouita
    Speaking of home made soaps - these are the GOAT.

    http://www.woodspirits.com/handmadesoap.html


    This one in particular is my favorite.


    Zanzibar: Cassia, Bergamot, Clove Bud, and Natural Benzaldehyde (from peach and Cherry pits) [EO]. Ground Cinnamon for texture and pigment. Our most popular bar.
    Alphabetically last, but actually first in sales is our trusty, spicy leader Zanzibar. Nearly every order we receive includes this super popular bar. Always one step ahead of Seaweed Scrub, we know the cinnamon in this bar is what does it for most. The dark chocolate color is certainly arresting, if not the scent. The story behind the soap is interesting too.
    It was near Holiday time and my baking schedule was in full swing. Back then my basement kitchen doubled as a soap-making workroom too.
    The neighbor boy Rick saw my almond carob cheesecake cooling near the stove and asks if it is soap. Hmm, what a great idea, I think. That holiday season was when Trivial Pursuit was launched, and of course we played the game with friends that very weekend. The answer to one of the questions was "Zanzibar" and with that I had the name for a terrific looking combination.
    People don’t even mind cinnamon coloring their white washcloths! I think many, like myself, don’t use washcloths for soaping up anyway. Just rub this gritty bar on your skin. SUPER spicy, with the Maraschino cherry scent of benzaldehyde from cherry pits.
  • Raw Dawgin' it
    OSH;1535276 wrote:Anyone like to be a DIYer?

    My busy "season" just ended and would like to add some additional hobbies to my life.

    I would like to start canning some -- my family does, just never have done it myself. I would also like to start making laundry detergent, body wash (soap), shampoo, and that sort of stuff. I recently crossed off a Christmas wish item and bought myself a juicer. I know when Little OSH comes around in March, and whenever s/he can start drinking juice...it'll come from the juicer. Great decision on the juicer! We will also be making our own baby food.

    What's some ideas or things to do around the house that can make things efficient and/or financially responsible?
    I change my own oil.
  • cat_lover
    I can paint and do minor home repair and improvement projects.
  • cruiser_96
    Raw Dawgin' it;1535516 wrote:I change my own oil.
    Every three to five thousand myself.
  • Commander of Awesome
    I built my own coffee table.


    Staining I could have done a better job but whatever. DGAF enough. That shitty rug is also gone.
  • Automatik
    I'm a big fan of DIY stuff...if I have the means to do it.

    I'm currently acquiring the parts to build a DJ table out of Ikea items. It's a cut down version of this. I don't have the setup or the space for this large version.




    I'm also thinking of making my own raised bed frame for storage underneath. I'm still browsing for ideas.
  • Fred Garvin
    I enjoy DIY projects. I have built a couple outdoor storage sheds, and can do some home maintenance. My winter project a couple years ago was building a bar in the basement. It came out awesome. Not sure what I will get into this winter.
  • justincredible
    Commander of Awesome;1535544 wrote:I built my own coffee table.


    Staining I could have done a better job but whatever. DGAF enough. That shitty rug is also gone.
    Looks good. Also, we have the same hardwood floors.
  • Commander of Awesome
    justincredible;1535551 wrote:Looks good. Also, we have the same hardwood floors.
    We rent an apt, can't take credit. But it was a selling point to the place.
  • Raw Dawgin' it
    Commander of Awesome;1535557 wrote:We rent an apt, can't take credit. But it was a selling point to the place.
    They make things to level out furniture other than a booklet.
  • Fab4Runner
    My boyfriend just bought a house, and we are doing all of the renovations ourselves. We are currently stuck with lame stuff like wallpaper removal, paint and refinishing all of the hardwood floors (which is the entire house minus the kitchen), but hope to start on the fun stuff next month.

    We already have all of the material to build a vanity very similar to this. Ours will only have one sink, though.



    After that, I am hoping for a new farmhouse-style dining room table and a hall tree made from old doors. Next spring, we plan to put in a new deck and patio. So yeah, we will be busy for quite a while.
  • Commander of Awesome
    Raw Dawgin' it;1535559 wrote:They make things to level out furniture other than a booklet.
    It's not leveling out the couch, just next to the couch making the apt look like a mess.
  • Raw Dawgin' it
    Fab4Runner;1535565 wrote:My boyfriend just bought a house, and we are doing all of the renovations ourselves. We are currently stuck with lame stuff like wallpaper removal, paint and refinishing all of the hardwood floors (which is the entire house minus the kitchen), but hope to start on the fun stuff next month.

    We already have all of the material to build a vanity very similar to this. Ours will only have one sink, though.



    After that, I am hoping for a new farmhouse-style dining room table and a hall tree made from old doors. Next spring, we plan to put in a new deck and patio. So yeah, we will be busy for quite a while.
    One sink huh...so you're helping him do all this work to his house and he's only putting in one sink? Doesn't sound good for the relationship.
  • Fab4Runner
    Raw Dawgin' it;1535569 wrote:One sink huh...so you're helping him do all this work to his house and he's only putting in one sink? Doesn't sound good for the relationship.
    Lol, there is room for two, but the rest of the counter would be very cramped. I am totally okay with it. We share one tiny vanity/sink now and everything is just fine.