Creating Your Own Picture Frames

Pictures are priceless yet amazing treasures, which call for a creative display. Making a craft picture frame is the best way to fix unforgettable memories in the handmade frames. Made to measure picture frames is also a perfect idea of keeping children engaged in activities that make them think differently. If you feel bored on the lazy Sunday afternoons, then making pictures frames is the best way to spend some quality time with your children. Such frames can be constructed from waste materials such as colorful stones, feathers, randomly collected shells,, never-to-be-used cloth pieces, pieces of paper, bits and woolen threads.

Making handmade picture frames for children

Flower frame

This is one of the most popularly used ideas for a picture frame. To make it, you would require cardboard rectangle, colors (crayons or paints), scissors and the photo. Mark the measurements of your photo on the cardboard. Then trace out a nice flower template on the board and cut it out. Now decorate the flower as you like and allow it to dry. You can utilize your wildest imagination and creativity to make a unique flower for decorating your picture frame. In the meantime, cut out another portion of cardboard; slightly bigger in size than the picture. Finally, paste the photograph on it and then put the flower on top. There you are.. Your flower frame is ready to decorate the wall in your house.

Foam frame

The form picture frames usually look colorful and amazing. You can either utilize cut out shapes or form stickers to make decorations on the frame with foam sheets. In making the picture frame, you would need ruler, glue scissors, colored stickers or form sheets, and the photograph. Cut out a piece of foam from the sheet; slightly bigger in size than the picture size. Stick the picture on the sheet with glue. Make a border of contrasting colors and decorate it with cut outs or stickers. You can make stars, flowers, clouds, football and other designs for a decorative Made to Measure Picture Frames. Once the glue dries, create a small loop with the thread on the back of the frame and then use the loop to hang it on your wall.

Potpourri frame

Recycling an old potpourri as a decorating item for your handmade wooden picture frames delivers amazing results. For making the wooden frames, you don't actually need wood. You can use the wooden sticks on the ice cream candies. Clean the sticks and then paint them in any color of your choice. Cut a cardboard piece which is a bit bigger than the picture you want to frame. Stick the picture onto the cardboard and then stick the frame around the photo. At this point, decorate the picture frame with potpourri for a marvelous look.

Bottle cork frame

For making this frame, you need bottle corks, cardboard, adhesive glue and photograph. Cut a piece of the cardboard which is a bit bigger than the picture and then stick the photo on it. Stick the bottle corks on the cardboard to make any design of your liking.

Sites such as Go Frame It provide a huge range of picture frames so that you can find the frame that is perfect for your picture. They also offer a custom frame builder option which allows you to create the exact frame that you are looking for.

Preparing Your Home for the Fall: Preventing Rodents

No one wants pests like mice or rats in their home, but what can you as a homeowner do to prevent
them? When you are investigating pest control options, you will quickly find out that you need to have a
pest management plan especially for those furry pests that might find their way into your home. Not only
do rats and mice spread disease, you’ll discover that they can seriously damage your home. Think about
what you can do to protect your home from these vermin before you need to call an exterminator.

Start Sealing in Fall

You may already know that lots of pests can be kept out of the home through sealing up the cracks and
gaps, but did you know that the best time to do this is in the fall? Plenty of animals make their way into
the home when the weather gets cold. They are seeking warmth and food, and a human home has plenty
of both. Before the cold weather rolls around, make sure that you make the rounds of your home and seal
up every crack that you can find in the foundation. Silicone caulk goes a long way towards keeping your
home in secure from incursions, but you should also consider firmer materials like stucco or cement to
keep pests from invading your home.

Seal Up your Food

Rodents need things to eat, and if you leave your food unsecured, they will find it. First take care of
the obvious problems. Don’t leave things lying around, and keep your fresh fruit in the fridge. This is
something that can make a big difference all on its own. Sweep after meals to get crumbs off the floor and
wash your dishes in a timely fashion. Pour all of your food out of cardboard or paper containers and into
plastic or glass containers. Mice and rats naturally gnaw to get to their food, and they can contaminate
your food very quickly.

Set Traps

If you only have one or two mice, it is worth your while to invest in some traps. Pest management does
involve dealing with pests that already exist, so put out some traps wherever you have seen the animals
in question. One way to make the traps more appealing to your pests is to use a small amount of peanut
butter or mashed potatoes to draw them out. To improve your chances for success, consider leaving
bait in the trap for a few days before setting the trap; this ensures that the animals will be more likely to
take the bait. Skip poisons and other chemicals. There are many chemicals on the market designed for
animals that are quite unsafe for humans. Consult with an exterminator if you feel you need to take a
more aggressive approach to pest removal.

Disposal

If you are engaging in pest control tactics, you will find that you do need to get rid of rodent corpses at
some point. When you need to get rid of them, bag them up in a sealable plastic bag and then place them
in a trash can outdoors. Do not leave them in an indoor trash can, as this can draw other pests. Also, do
not bury them, as this can draw cats, foxes, and raccoons to your property.

Author Bio: Rose McMillan is a retired pest control professional who has worked at multiple pest control companies, such as the likes of Terminix. She now pursues a career in freelance writing and enjoying the outdoors.

Different Vinyl Flooring Designs

Vinyl floors are loaded with advantages, a fact that makes them a preferred choice. Since vinyl is versatile, home owners can choose from a wide selection of this type of flooring. Vinyl floors can be gloss, non wax, wax, textured or sunlight protected. The type of flooring one chooses depends on their preferences and the use of the room.

Prior to making a purchase, it is advisable to know the size of the floor you wish to cover, as well as the type of floor that works best for you. It is also advisable to use the right adhesive to avoid damages and discoloration. With these tips in mind, here are a few insights into the different types of vinyl flooring designs.

Vinyl Flooring Designs

Vinyl floorings are available in various designs. Here is a list of the main types.

1). Printed vinyl sheets

The printed vinyl flooring sheets are convenient and affordable. They are usually made in layers, with the top most layer, also called wear layer, being vinyl. The underlying layer contains the prints or colors, followed by a bottom, backing layer.

High quality printed sheets may contain cushioning, which make them pricey. The main feature of these sheets is that the colors and patterns are not imprinted on the vinyl itself. Rather, a separate material is first printed and a clear vinyl coating is applied. The thickness of the top wear layer determines the quality of the vinyl sheets.

2). Inlaid vinyl sheets

These are high quality vinyl flooring options since they are made entirely of vinyl. This makes them the most expensive choice of vinyl floorings. Inlaid vinyl sheets are not prone to scratches and chipping. When the scratches occur, they are not easily noticeable.

The main feature about inlaid vinyl sheets is the fact that the color or pattern is ingrained in the vinyl. It is not simply applied; it is integral to the sheet. The sheets require professional installation since they are heavy.

3). Vinyl tiles

This is the most common vinyl flooring designs since they are easy to install and can be arranged into any pattern. The tiles are usually 1/6 or 1/8 of an inch thick, and are self adhesive. This gives the home owner the option of installing the tiles without professional help. Vinyl tiles are either inlaid or printed. Inlaid tiles are the same on both sides.

4). Vinyl rolls

These are pretty much like sheets. However, most vinyl flooring rolls are self adhesive, which make them excellent, do-it-yourself projects. They are available in a variety of colors and thicknesses. Vinyl flooring rolls are an excellent choice since they require minimal maintenance and are highly durable.

5). Vinyl planks

Vinyl planks are quite common. They are available in two options; 6 by 36 inches and 4 by 36 inches. The thickness of the planks depends on the manufacturer. However, it ranges from 1.5mm to 3mm.
The planks are easy to install, and are available in various patterns to suit one's preferences. Colored planks can be used to create unique floor designs. Precision grinding is essential when installing the planks to create a seemingly seamless finish.

There is an endless list of patterns that one can make using vinyl floorings. Depending on one's tastes, preferences and creativity, vinyl floors make excellent room decor options.