Living Green with Tomboy Tools

The best place to start making a difference is right in your own home. Learn how you can reduce, reuse, and recycle materials to decrease household waste!  These resources below from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) will help you get started.

At Home Quick Tips:

• Reduce food waste by using up the food you already bought and have in the house instead of buying more. You already paid for it - so use it!
• Non-perishable and unspoiled perishable food can be donated to local food banks, soup kitchens, pantries, and shelters.
• Reuse items around the house such as rags and wipes, empty jars and mugs, party decorations, and gift wrap.
• Buy products in concentrate, bulk, and in refillable containers. They reduce packaging waste and can save you money!
• Return used car tires to retailers or wholesalers that recycle or retread them. Tires are banned from most landfills, and illegally dumped tires become breeding grounds for mosquitoes and other pests.
• When buying products, check the labels to determine an item's recyclability and whether it is made from recycled materials. Buying recycled encourages manufacturers to make more recycled-content products available.

Lawn and Garden Quick Tips:

• Feed your soil with compost; make compost at home, or buy it in bags or bulk. Compost helps sandy soils hold nutrients and water, loosens clay soils, and feeds the beneficial soil life so it can feed and protect your plants.
• Mow higher and leave the clippings. Modern mulching lawn mowers make "grasscycling" even easier. Homeowners can reduce their mowing time by 30 to 40 percent by not having to bag clippings.
• Choose the right plant for the right place. Select plants that grow well in your area of the country and fit the amount of sun, type of soil and water available in your yard.
• Give plants a good start. Prepare the soil by mixing one to three inches of compost into soil in planting beds.
• Water deeply, but infrequently. Most plants do best if the soil is allowed to partially dry out between waterings.

Household Hazardous Waste (HHW) Quick Tips:

• Properly store any unused paint for future use, donate unused paint to neighbors or charities, or turn in your used paint to a waste collection facility for recycling.
• Buy products that contain minimal amounts, or no, hazardous ingredients. Use alternative methods or products - without hazardous ingredients - for common household needs, such as making a household cleaning solution from 1 cup of warm water, 3 drops of vegetable-based liquid soap, 1 teaspoon of baking soda, and 1 tablespoon of white vinegar.
• Products that contain hazardous ingredients should be used and stored properly to prevent accidents in the home. Never store hazardous products in food containers; keep them in their original containers and never remove labels. Corroding containers may require special handling. Call your local hazardous materials official or fire department for instructions.
• Recycle or safely dispose of your HHW

Basic Fix-It Rules

Rule #1.  Always turn OFF the power or water or both when working on any plumbing or electrical projects.  With electricity, this rule is crucial to your safety.  With plumbing, it may help avert a flood.

Rule #2.  Take one step at a time and read the directions before you start your project.  Make sure you note what is connected to what as you disassemble something.  Mark all wires and make diagrams and notes if you are faced with putting something back together.  Even though a project looks easy, read the directions if you have them.  This will save time and aggravation!

Rule #3.  "Right is tight and left is loose."  Remember that to tighten screws and nuts you turn them clockwise or to the right.  To loosen them, turn them counterclockwise or to the left.  In a few situations, you will turn them the opposite direction.  Bike pedals and an occasional plumbing part will be threaded backwards.  If you cannot get the screw or nut tightened by turning it to the right, try the other direction.  Sometimes the threads on the screw or nut are stripped or damaged and will not tighten in either direction.  In the is case, replace the defective fastener.


Rule #4.  Do not start a project with a limited amount of time available.  You need to be able to take your time to understand what is happening.  Nothing ever takes as short a time as you would like.  You do not want to rush anything.  Rushing only causes problems, headaches and money!


Rule #5.  Dress properly for these projects.  Plan to get dirty or wet while undertaking these fix-it repairs.  You may not get dirty or wet, but it is wise to be prepared for it.


Rule #6.  Be aware of plumbing and electrical code law.  In both cases, these laws are written by local governments.  The general rule is that an individual may undertake repairs that restore an electrical or plumbing component of their house to its original condition.  For changes or additions to your plumbing or electrical systems, a permit may be required.  Consult your local building inspector. 

Do you have other basic fix-it rules that you live by?  If so, share them with us!

Home Improvement Trends 2011: The Infographic

Home improvement projects are finally on the rise as the American economy slowly gets better. This makes now a more exciting time than ever to take on a renovation project and create that dream space. If your dream space isn’t set in stone or has become a little hazy as you stalled its implementation and you need some inspiration, we want to get you answers. No matter what stage of the remodeling process you’re in, you may be asking yourself what’s hot in the home improvement world? What trends are sweeping through the nation, inspiring homeowners everywhere? Which ones should you pay attention to and which ones should be forgotten?

Thanks to eLocal, they asked experts to predict the home improvement trends for 2011. From design to fixtures and layout to construction, all of 2011′s trends can be found here directly from the source—the experts.

We wanted to share with you this cool Infographic that best explains the latest and greatest in 2011 Home Improvement Trends:


Source: eLocal.com

Victory Challenge

We are constantly amazed by the courage of Breast Cancer Survivors. In honor of Breast Cancer Awareness Month, we want to honor Survivors with an amazing giveaway.

Do you know a survivor who has rebuilt her life after her diagnosis and treatment to emerge stronger than ever? We want to hear her story! With this prize package we want to enable the survivor with all she needs to transform one of the rooms in her home to match the incredible beauty she holds within. Because we don’t believe in doing anything halfway, we’ll be awarding this amazing prize pack to the storyteller as well.

We are proud to partner with OtterBox® on this giveaway; with their protective solutions for leading global handheld manufacturers, wireless carries and distributors, you will definitely want to enter!  They are as passionate about supporting the Avon Breast Cancer Crusade as we are. If you haven’t heard of them, head here: http://www.otterbox.com/.

The Victory Challenge Prize Package

The Grand Prize Winners will receive everything they need to make their DIY project a success:

·         The Pink Diamond Tool Kit from Tomboy Tools®. All the tools you’ll need to turn your project into a reality, including a Pink Tool Box, Magnetic Head Hammer, Utility Knife, Torpedo Level and MUCH more!  

·         iPhone 4S – You’ll need to organize your project and keep in touch with all the friends and family who’ll be helping you execute, so OtterBox® threw in the technology to make your project happen.

·         Pink is Strength Commuter Series Case – When doing DIY projects, be sure to protect your phone in our Pink is Strength case… because their OtterBox, they'll send you all three options.

 

·         DIY Apps – We’ll load two DIY apps onto your phone: Handy Man DIY, which helps you put together material lists, figure out how much paint you’ll need and estimate project costs; AND Houzz Interior Design Ideas which is a database of home design ideas to get your creative juices flowing.

·         A $250 Gift Certificate to Home Depot – You’ll need paint and supplies to make your vision a reality, right?

Two Runner’s Up will receive their choice of an OtterBox Pink is Strength Commuter Series case and Tomboy Tools® Pink for a Purpose 13oz Magnetic Head Hammer. This amazing hammer is lightweight and features a comfortable, ergonomic, rubber grip handle and a magnetic notched head that allows you to start a nail single-handed (as a person who is all thumbs when it comes to DIY, this sounds like a piece of equipment I need!)

How to Enter

Tell us the story about a survivor who rebuilt her life to emerge stronger than ever. Keep your entry under 350 words, we’ll pick three finalists and let our fans vote on who should take the top prize. Entry deadline is October 27, 2011 at noon (Mountain Time). Voting for finalists will be open on October 28^th and close on October 30^th. Voting and winner announcement will happen here, on our blog.

By entering, you agree to our terms and conditions found here. Please note that employees and family of both Tomboy Tools, Inc. and Otter Products LLC are not eligible to win this contest, sorry guys!

Repurpose and Reuse - Turn Books Into Picture Frames

Frame Up!

Repurpose a book with a beautiful cover but damaged pages into a frame for a favorite photo.  Using the Tomboy Tools Quick Changing Utility Knife or a crafts knife, carefully cut a rectangle from the front of the book.  To create a mat, cut a few inside pages into a rectangular hole that's a bit smaller than the cover hole.  Secure the pages to the cover with glue.  Then tape a photo in place. 

Be creative - choose a fave photo that relates to the book title!

How to Make Stacked Pumpkin Topiaries

Pumpkins are carved, crafted and stacked to create a pumpkin topiary to decorate the fireplace. 

Twinkle lights are hung inside the pumpkins and the outside is decorated with bittersweet artificial vine.

Materials and Tools for each Topiary:

• 3 carvable pumpkins, varying sizes
• Versa-Tool Heated Craft Knife
• Pliers
• Pencil
• Fall leaf
• Large brass cup hooks
• 1 strand twinkle lights
• Footed urn
• Sticky clay or sticky wax (optional)
• T-pins
• Artificial bittersweet vine or garland

Steps:
1. Decide the position of each pumpkin, bottom, middle or top.
2. Beginning with the bottom pumpkin, draw a circle around the top of the pumpkin that is only large enough to fit the bottom of the middle pumpkin. Use the heated knife to cut out the pumpkin top.
Note: Artificial pumpkins are hollow. They can also be carved using a sharp serrated knife.
3. To make the topiary, you will be carving a circle out of the bottom of the top pumpkin, then cut a circle out of the top and bottom of the middle pumpkin, and finally carve a circle out of the top of the bottom pumpkin.
4. Trace roughly around the fall leaf onto the bottom pumpkin in several areas, turning the leaf in different directions to resemble falling leaves. The leaves only need to cover the front 3/4 of each pumpkin.
5. Using the heated craft knife, cut out all leaf shapes. It is necessary to occasionally tighten the band on the heated craft knife with pliers to prevent the blade from pulling out of the tool handle.

DIY Tip: Save the cutout shapes because they can be used on other craft projects.

6. On the middle pumpkin, draw a circle around the bottom of the pumpkin that is only large enough to fit the hole cut in the bottom pumpkin. Draw a second hole around the top or the pumpkin that is large enough to fit the bottom of the top pumpkin. Cut out these two circles.
7. Draw a variety of sizes of swirls on the front three-fourths of this pumpkin. Cut out the swirl shapes with the heated craft knife, tightening the blade as necessary.
8. On the top pumpkin, draw a circle around the bottom that is big enough to fit the top hole of the middle pumpkin. Cut out this circle.
9. Again, draw a variety of sizes of swirls on the front three fourths of this pumpkin. Cut out the swirl shapes with the heated craft knife, tightening the blade as necessary.
10. On the inside of the top of the top pumpkin, screw a large brass cup hook.
11. Fold the strand of twinkle lights into equal sections so that it is about the same length as the height of all three pumpkins. Allow some extra length for the plug end.
12. Gather the folds opposite of the plug end and place onto the cup hook.
13. Feed the hanging lights through the middle pumpkin, resting the top pumpkin on top of the middle pumpkin. Place the middle pumpkin onto the bottom pumpkin, hanging the lights inside the bottom pumpkin. Reach into one of the back leaf cutouts and pull the plug through.
14. Place the bottom pumpkin, with all pumpkins stacked on top, onto the urn. Use sticky wax to secure each pumpkin.
15. Starting from the bottom, wind garland around the pumpkins using T-pins.

Expert Tip: When you go to a party, it is often common that people worry about what they are going to talk about. The most important thing and the best conversationalist is the best listener.

Carving Tip: If you are free-handing a design on a pumpkin, you need to use a dry erase marker. That way if you mess it up, you can wipe it off and start on a clean slate.

10 Designs We Love!

Beautiful, innovative home design concepts don't have to be costly.  Just ingenious.  Here are 10 that the editors of Better Homes and Gardens® shared that we love too!

1.  Rearrange Your Furniture (it's FREE):  Start with the biggest piece toward a focal point, such as a fireplace or window. Or angle a sofa, chair or bed that's currently hugging a wall.  If you don't like how it turns out, try it again!

2.  Paint Your Front Door: A warm color at the entrance of your home makes it seem more welcoming.  Just pick a fun color, get a quart of Glidden exterior paint...you can transform your home in an afternoon. Learn more about color choices and tips at www.glidden.com

3.  Ungroup Matched Sets:  Identical end tables, nightstands and lamps can make your home feel like a furniture store.  Swap out one of the pair with something in another room.

4.  Add a Folding Screen:  Not only does a screen add visual interest, it helps define open rooms and hide excess clutter.

5.  Dress Up Your Drawers:  Replace ho-hum cabinet pulls with colorful artsy knobs that coordinate with the rest of your room's decor.

6.  Warm Up Your Walls:  Give your white walls an instant glow with a coat of neutral beige paint.  It won't overwhelm you with color or compete with brightly colored furnishings.  Glidden Paint has a great online room visualizer where you can actually select a color and put it on the wall.  Check it out here:  www.glidden.com/color/color-visualizer.do

7.  Rethink Your Accessories:  Create a whole new look - with home decor you already have!  Just gather your accessories in a room, then try items in new spaces.

8.  Use a Big Basket:  It's perfect for collecting shoes and magazines...plus, if you love it, you can keep it out in the open for the world to see.

9.  Get a Big Look From Small Pieces: Gather different sizes and shapes of paintings, plates, and mirrors to make a collage perfect for hanging above your sofa.

10.  Fall for Pricy Fabric - Guilt-Free:  Just pick up a yard - it's all you need to whip up your pillows or a tablerunner that's guaranteed to make a bold splash in any room!