Every gal needs a voltmeter

Do you have a voltmeter? Okay, it's probably not on your list of basic tools, but if you grew up with an engineer as a father, you probably saw him use it. I saw my dad use it on appliances, cars, and batteries throughout my childhood, and even as an adult. About 5 years ago, my condo's dishwasher suddenly stopped working. Before I called a repairman, I called my dad; he asked if I had a voltmeter (sure, Dad...). Of course, I knew to have a hammer and a screwdriver, but even as a frequent eyewitness to my dad's love of the voltmeter, it had not made my list.



After talking to my dad, the voltmeter was added to my tools.  Thanks to the voltmeter, I discovered there was still an electrical current. The dishwasher problem was not its fault, but rather mine, as I did not realize it shared the same circuit as my garbage disposal and light, which I had turned off - oops. However, without the voltmeter, I would have had to call a repairman (my dad doesn't live near me). Besides providing fodder for a repairmen water cooler moment, or two, I would have had to pay money for it. As usual, when it comes to mechanical & electrical topics, my dad was right.



There are lots of voltmeters available, but I chose the simpler analog type (my dad uses one). Voltmeters measure in ohms or volts. To use, set wheel to appropriate voltage (e.g. 1.5v for AA batteries). For a battery, place the longer red probe on the positive end of the battery, and the black one on the negative end. The shorter end of the red probe goes into the positive, and the black into the negative. Batteries with life will measure in the green.  That's it - so easy! A voltmeter can also help you diagnose problems with your toaster, microwave, car, and other electronic devices and appliances. For real instructions, go to All About Circuits.



Adding a voltmeter to your tool chest could not only help you save money by getting to skip a call to the repairman, but owning one may actually impress your man friends, or even your dad.

Creative rugs on a budget

Moving into a new apartment is exciting, but covering 75% of its hardwood floors can be challenging, especially on a budget (agggghhh!!). Hardwood floors are so beautiful, so it's a shame when landlords make tenants cover them (okay, not really - I get why); I just want to admire more than a quarter of my floors:). Of course, I looked at the usual discount shops (Target, Ikea, TJ, etc.), and hunted Craigslist multiple times, but the options were pretty lackluster.  Fortunately, other thrifty tenants have run into the same challenge; my favorite idea was from Bartleby - paint dropcloths. 

DISHCLOTH DROPCLOTH RUG



You need: 

• 1 lined paint dropcloth 
• 2 packages of dollar store dishcloths (for 5'x5') 
• Paint  
• Iron 
• Ultra fusible bond tape, at least 3/4" wide

To make:   

1. Unfold dropcloth & turn on iron. 
2. Follow instructions on fusible bond tape, & attach to 1 side of first dishcloth. Repeat for all 4 sides of dishcloth. 
3. Follow same instructions to attach dishcloth to dropcloth in the pattern you want. FYI, the dishcloths do not fit perfectly across, but are pretty close. 
4. If desired, paint.

 


PAINTED DROPCLOTH RUG

Clearly, I needed a larger dropcloth for my living room, so thank goodness the cloths come in multiple sizes. This rug is my sad ode to Jackson Pollack in pinks & purples. I loved making it, and highly recommend throwing paint. However, I'm not so certain my floor would agree. Apparently, not all dropcloths are lined. Not only was my floor also pink & purple, stuck to the rug in places. It required using a mixture (of course, products were not actually used together) of Murphy's Oil Soap, Goo Gone & Meyer's general cleaner over several hours and days to remove all the paint. Thus, be sure your dropcloth is lined.



UPHOLSTERY DROPCLOTH RUG

You need: 

• 1 lined paint dropcloth 
• Upholstery remnant, enough to cover dropcloth with extra for hemming (or close)
•  Iron 
• Ultra strength fusible bonding table, at least 3/4" wide 
• Quilt batting to cover dropcloth

To make:  

1. Unfold dropcloth, & turn on iron.  
2. Measure upholstery fabric to evenly cover dropcloth, & hem.  
3. Follow fusible bonding tape instructions to adhere to upholstery fabric, and repeat for each side.  
4. Follow same instructions to attach upholstery fabric to dropcloth on one side. Repeat for 2 more sides.  
5. Slide quilt batting through opening on 4th side between fabric & upholstery.  
6. Attach 4th side to dropcloth.   

*NOTE: Do not worry if your upholstery remnant does not quite fit, furniture can disguise it. 



Dropcloth rug pros: 

• Cheap - $5 for a 5'x5' & $19 for room-size (maybe 15'x12')
• Neutral color
• Very paint-friendly

Dropcloth rug cons:

• Easily wrinkles
• Does not quickly vacuum
• Not very cushy for walking & standing

** NOTE: Use either quilt batting or a rug pad underneath dropcloth to add cushioning, and help keep it in place. An old comforter or blanket could also work. Of course, furniture will help anchor it in place.

Picture frame makeovers

You can't find the perfect frame? Make the perfect frame with a thrift store makeover. Thrift stores often have a lot of frames for cheap, but you can't let the bad art scare you. The key is to find the style and size you want. Remember, glass can be replaced, and frames can be painted or stained. I found 2 remotely similar 5x7 frames at a thrift store for $1.41 for one, and $0.99 for the other.



After cleaning and sanding the frames, I painted them white. Then, I added a layer of yellow, a layer of melonish-red (I mixed it), and finally, a layer of red. My paints are just the cheap tubes of acrylic paint you find at craft stores, and used at full strength (you can thin them with water).



Next, I used steel wool to lightly remove some of the paint to reveal the other layers. I wanted to add depth, and a somewhat aged appearance. For final touch, I rubbed beeswax on the frames for a protective layer, and a little shine.



Of course, I am a bit biased, but I think the makeover was a success, and the frames make a nice pair.

Decorate with canned tomato labels

Do you eat a lot of canned tomatoes? Canned tomato labels are brightly-colored and contain some great graphics for thrifty DIY decorating in the kitchen. 



Fortunately, my kitchen colors are red, yellow, blue & green, so finding labels to match was very easy. I used them to make a utensil holder.



(1)For my utensil holder, I needed a large coffee can, but I don't drink coffee (I know, crazy). Thankfully, a kind freecycler had one for me. Of course, if you have fewer utensils, you can get away with a smaller can.
(2) After washing & drying your can, paint it with an acrylic paint color of your choice.
(3) Then, choose your labels, and affix them with a glue of your choice. I'm a big fan of ModgePodge. Not only is it a great glue, but it's a sealant & perfect for decoupage. 
(4) For sealing, I added 3 coats of ModgePodge. 



My utensils are very happy in their new home.

Sassy Salt

If you are like me, you have a large container of salt, maybe Morton's or like me, Trader Joe's. Salt is something I regularly use, so I like to leave it out on the counter. Trader Joe's rocks, but the salt packaging just doesn't go with my kitchen. Well, even if it did, I still would want it to be sassy & cute.

Here's my easy solution: scrapbook paper & double-sided tape.

Finally, a spice rack I like

I have always wanted a spice rack, but have never found one I like. Some, I have liked in theory, but never enough to buy. My past kitchens some how lived without one, but my current one cannot. Fortunately, I had a small crate lined with chicken-wire I had found for $2.50 at World Market that had no home in my apartment. So, with some lime green paint and some lime green scrapbook stickers, I think I now have the perfect spice rack for my kitchen.

spice rack, originally uploaded by quirkyt.

I had leftover lime green paint, so I had to paint my tray. The tray is from a kind soul on Freecycle leftover from an event she had catered. I think it will make a cute bread tray.


tray
Originally uploaded by quirkyt

Stool Makeover

I found a cool wire basket at the World Market's going-out-of-business sale for $3. I thought it would be a good home for my clean towels, but it needed to sit on a stool. Lucky for me, I found an injured stool at T.J. Maxx that just needed some glue & paint for $6. Then, to add some color, I added a pink vinyl sticker I found in a packet from the scrapbook clearance section at A.C. Moore.



Here's my stool with my basket.



My favorite injury to my stool is its missing support bar, which makes for easy access to the basket beneath it.