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About Me:
I have been working on all kinds of energy-efficiency, landscaping and aesthetic projects since I bought my first home two years ago. Before I bought this house, I spent several months rebuilding homes destroyed by Hurricane Katrina. It was an all-volunteer organization, and we all learned to do a little bit of everything. I have all the skills to rebuild a house that is stripped down to the studs (if I have a bunch of extra hands) - and I can probably recommend the least expensive, least complicated way to do it. We were getting people back in their homes for about $10,000 with (mostly) unskilled volunteer labor. Now I own a small 50-year-old ranch home in northern Colorado. I love the location, the big picture window and the funky stone fireplace. I also love small energy bills. I am constantly trying to find ways to save energy around my home.
Favorite area of home improvement:
Energy- and water-efficiency improvements. I have weatherized, added insulation, Xeriscaped the garden, installed low-flow toilets and showers, and I am always looking to do more.
Recent Activity
Starting seedlings in eggshells
Not egg cartons, but egg shells. Spring planting will be here before we know it (the days are already getting longer again, hooray) and I came across the most interesting idea for planting seedlings. I have planted seedlings in egg cartons, then "planted" the carton with seedling, but it never occurred to me to actually plant in empty eggshells. To give credit where due, I stole this idea and picture from this blog:
http://leefield.webs.com/apps/blog/show/6533...
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CommentedGood for you. That sounds great. I love giant sunflowers.
my dish flowers...
Well I FINALLY got them made. I am not very happy with them, I think they look stupid with pvc stems I didn't paint. (I should) But the hostas are coming up and will surround them so
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CommentedWe've got some little flowers popping up, but I'm guessing KMS is still snowed in. He's up ...»
Reclaimed wood flooring made from pallets and such
So I'm not cool enough to post a cool pallet project like so many other Hometalkers have done. But this is almost as cool - I happened across this amazing flooring made from pallets, shipping crates and other used wood. It looks fantastic and seems to be pretty well-liked:
http://viridianwood.com/
Is all of your home eco-friendly? Including your outdoor deck?
Everybody knows that aluminum cans are recyclable, but did you know that all of Wahoo Decks aluminum decking products are 100% recyclable too?
When you think about recycling you probably think of sorting your plastics and cans into separate bins. After all, aluminum cans are the most recycled item in the United States. It's no surprise either if you 'consider that over two-thirds of all aluminum ever produced are still in use today' (The Aluminum Association). ...»
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CommentedThank you.
should I skip the laminate idea for kitchen and use vinyl?
my kitchen floor now is vinyl linoleum. if I want to lay it myself i'd have to use the self stick vinyl tiles. i was told it's approx. 360 sq. ft.
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CommentedBetween those two, I would definitely go with vinyl.
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CommentedCan you replace individual pavers? If not, I would look for specialty enzyme-based cleaners ...»
A Scrap-Tastic Cutting Board!
While working in the wood shop I noticed a lot of scrap wood lying around. Thinking that I did not want it to go to waste I thought up a new use for it- A Exotic Wood Cutting Board! http://adventuresincreating.blogspot.com/201...
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CommentedThat's beautiful. My wife carved me an alligator-shaped cutting board from a scrap of wood ...»
Bar Cart Makeover
I found this metal cart at a junk store for $10. Some elbow grease and new paint turned it into a fabulous new bar cart for our home! http://adventuresincreating.blogspot.com/201...
3 Minutes 10 Moderate
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Commented3 Minutes??!! Anyhow, I am so impressed. I would have left that at the junk store. I am amazed ...»
DIY Projects: DIY laminate floor in kitchen
I found a real deal on laminate flooring and want to venture laying it in my kitchen myself. there's an island and many corners and slants. could i work from the middle out and then bring
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CommentedGood call, Dina. Of course, ceramic tiles are more durable, but the vinyl is fine if ceramic ...»