Bead & Sequin Christmas Ornament Kits Review

Make Your Own Treasured Keepsake with Beaded Christmas Ornament Kits

Handmade beaded Christmas ornaments are a fabulous gift to give to just about anyone.  My own Christmas tree is loaded with Christmas tree ornaments that have been given to me over the years.  I have a whole collection of ornaments from my grandmother.  Since she is no longer with me, I cherish them more now than I did the day I received them.

I have keepsake ornaments that my parents gave to me and beautiful handmade beaded ornaments that my mother made for me when I was still a child.  I also have handmade ornaments from my children.  Now that they are grown, it is a walk in the past to touch the ornaments those precious little hands made.

Giving Christmas ornaments as Christmas gifts has become a family tradition in our home.  Why not make your own beaded Christmas ornaments and start a new family tradition today?

Beaded Ornament Handmade by My Mother

This is one of the ornaments that my mother made for me when I was a little girl. It is approximately 45 years old. It is one of my greatest treasures.

In my minds eye, I can still see my mom sitting at the kitchen table, placing each bead, each sequin in just the right place to make this lovely keepsake.  Year after year, this ornament finds it's special place on our tree.

 

An Ornament I Made for Our Son

I made this spider ornament for my son 22 years ago.  Each year, regardless of when I decorate our Christmas tree, I hold the little spider aside for my son to add to the tree.  To this day, our tree is not completely finished until he comes home and hangs the spider on the tree. 

I made the spider long before the internet and computers became a household "utility".  I have never gone back to write my own instructions online.

 

This Was A Gift I Made for Our Daughter

I chose to make this ornament for my daughter because her favorite color is purple.  However, there is another meaning behind the color choice.  Purple is a combination of red and blue, the warmest and coolest colors, therefore purple is considered to be the ideal color.  Thus, an ideal beaded ornament for an ideal daughter!

 

I Made This Ornament for Each of Our Children

In addition to the ornaments I made with the individual child in mind, I have also made matching ornaments over the years for both of our children. The green carousel ornament is one that I made for both children. 

Ornament Kits or Instruction Books

I personally prefer the ornament kits because they come prepackaged with everything needed to complete a beaded ornament, except the craft glue.   However, sometimes a kit is not available in a specific color or design.  Then I pull out my trusty books and buy the supplies required separately. 

Either way, the gift of a handmade ornament is special to the recipient and will be a cherished treasure, just as the ones I have shared above, for decades to come.

 Christmas Crafts for Kids,36 Sets Christmas Beaded Ornament KitCheck Price Vintage Walco Holiday Silver Bells Beaded Ornament Kit Makes 3Check Price Sunrise Craft & Hobby Ruby #56 Collector Ornament Ornament KitCheck Price Beaded Ornament Covers: A Beginner's GuideCheck Price

 

Beaded Ornament Kits

Because of my on love for making beaded ornaments, I have several beaded ornament kits available in my own Ebay store.  My inventory changes often simply because they sell out and additional kits are not always available from the suppliers.

Here are a few that I currently have in stock:


RSS feeds don't always load properly. If the feed is not showing above, you can see the ornament kits available in my Ebay store by clicking here!

See More Craft Reviews at
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Where you will find some awesome Craft Reviews & Tutorials like these, and more!

 How to Make Easy Christmas Tree Ornaments Homemade Christmas Centerpiece Decoration Ideas Do Not Toss Your Greeting Cards--Reuse Them!

Bead & Sequin Christmas Ornament Kits Reviewed by:

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Halloween Countdown Calendar Reviews

October is a long month and with Halloween coming at the very end, it can seem like forever to a child who can't wait to wear his new costume and go trick or treating around the neighborhood.

A Halloween countdown calendar will help put the "How many days 'til Halloween?" question to rest. Here are three easy Halloween countdown calendars that you can make yourself.

AbilityPoweredDesign on Etsy

Downloadable Halloween Countdown Calendar

Since I'm sure I'm not the only one who puts off projects until the last minute, I'm going to start with this one. It's super-quick and easy to make for as little as three dollars if you have a spare picture frame on hand.

Simply purchase this Halloween Countdown Calendar download, print it out immediately, put it in an 8 x 10-inch frame and you're ready to start counting down the days 'til Halloween. Each day, use a dry erase marker (available at the link or at your local discount store) to write the number on the glass. Next day, wipe off the number and update. Hooray, you're one day closer to trick-or-treat!

I've personally purchased many downloadable files from Etsy and just love the ease and convenience. This is a great project, simple and fun. I think this would make a cute gift for a teacher, neighbor, relative, or friend, too. Choose a pretty black, orange, or gold frame, include a new marker with the gift, and voila! I know I'd be impressed if someone made one of these for me. Oh, and if you like the idea but would prefer another design, you'll find many more choices in AbilityPoweredDesign's Etsy store.

No Tricks! Halloween Countdown Calendar With Treats

OhHappyDay.com

This next project is from the Oh Happy Day blog and I think it's adorable. It takes more time to make, but it's actually quite simple, the supplies are easy to find, and the end result is quite impressive and makes a beautiful, seasonal display. What's more, you'll be able to add little candies or stickers to the adorable cupcake-cup witch's hats to add even more fun each morning when your child counts down one more day.

Chiara, who wrote the post, includes complete directions and awesome photos to help make this project really easy. I hope you'll leave a comment on her blog if you like this project.

DIY Halloween Countdown Calendar With Printable Numbers

DIYNetwork Blog

Next we have a Halloween countdown calendar project from the DIY Network blog. This is another countdown calendar that will take a bit of time to put together, but it's a simple craft that even a beginner can handle.

I love the popular chevron-patterned gift bags and the printable letters and numbers, all in seasonal black, orange, and white. (Note: I can see this project being carried over to other holidays, using other colors, can't you? Love it!)

The project calls for either a bulletin board, as shown, or a foam board. The supplies are inexpensive, the instructions are complete, and the final product is adorable.







So there you have it, three easy DIY Halloween Countdown Calendar projects. I hope one or all appeal to you. Which one do you like best? If you make and use one of these, I'd love it you come back to let me know. Have a happy Halloween!

~Susan

Click Here to Read More Halloween Reviews From Our Review This! Team

~Susan Deppner
Read more of my reviews.

Posted by Susan Deppner

About the Author

Susan Deppner is a baby boomer, a cancer survivor, and a Southerner who believes in the Golden Rule. She enjoys writing about food, faith, and fitness; health, home, and holidays; people, places, pets, and patriotism, and more. Follow Susan on Twitter, Facebook, and Pinterest.

Note: The author may receive a commission from purchases made using links found in this article. “As an Amazon Associate, Ebay (EPN) and/or Esty (Awin) Affiliate, I (we) earn from qualifying purchases.”

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How to Create a Beautiful Fall Harvest Display for Your Yard or Porch

Reviewing Outdoor Fall Displays

As the weather starts to cool down and the leaves start to change colors, everything appears to be gradually preparing for a long winter's sleep.  While the fall colors are beautiful, our yards don't seem quite as vibrant and colorful as they have been.  We desire a way to hold on to the beautiful summer flowers and green lawns, but to still embrace the gorgeous fall changes.  Some of us have found the perfect solution.  

It isn't time to really start decorating for Halloween, but we can start decorating our yards for fall in a way that will compliment the Halloween decor when it is time.  Plus, thanks to the milder weather, we can leave these fall displays intact until Thanksgiving.  By creating a beautiful fall harvest display in our yards or on our porch, we capture the brilliance of flowers and combine it with the great harvest fest.  Some of the vegetables or flowers may have to be replaced over the course of the next few months, but the backdrops and foundations can easily remain.

Start by choosing a beautiful setting in front of a tree with the dramatic fall color leaves, like a maple tree.  Or, build your display on your front porch where it will be better protected from weather.

Here are Some Ideas for Creating a
Beautiful Fall Harvest Display for your Yard or Porch

Foundations for a Fall Harvest Display

As with any creation, a strong, firm foundation will ensure the longevity of your fall yard display.   There are a variety of of items that are easy to obtain, or perhaps that you already have on hand, that make the perfect display base or foundation.

20 in. and 32 in. PVC Hay Bale Set - Reusable hay bales

1. Hay Bales
2. Wooden Benches
3. Wagons
4. Wooden Crates
5. Wheel Barrow 
6. Wicker Baskets
7. Wooden Baskets

Note:  The featured hay bales are PVC Hay Bales made for decorative purposes.  If you build your fall display with real hay, you can later use the hay to mulch your flower or vegetable garden, to prevent soil erosion, or to protect and cover seeds.

 

 

Decorative Items for a Fall Yard Display 

 5' Scarecrow Fall Harvest Halloween DecorationCheck Price
Once we have our foundation in place, we can start adding the fun, decorative items that we have chosen.  I usually add my main feature next which is most often an owl or a happy scarecrow.  You can always make your own scarecrow by stuffing old clothes with straw, creating a face or mask, and topping him off with an old hat.  Or, you can purchase a ready made scarecrow.

Additional Fall Decoration Suggestions for Your Display

1.  Pumpkins 
2.  Gourds
3.  Leaves
4.  Flowers:  Mums, Sunflowers, etc.
5.  Plants:  Ornamental Cabbage or Kale 
6.  Ornamental Grass
7.  Tall Corn Stalks
8.  Indian Corn  
9.  Pine Cones
10.  Sting of Lights
11.  A Bunch of Acorns  (You would need a bunch of acorns in a basket for them to show on the display.  Or, you could stuff the bottom of the basket and put the acorns on the top) 

If you build your display on your porch, you could even make a fall wreath for your front door that coordinates with your display.

Check Out More Fall Reviews  Here
on Review This Reviews!

 

"How to Create a Beautiful Fall Harvest Display for Your Yard or Porch Written by:

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Home Remedy for Wart Removal

Reviewing How to Remove Warts With Duct Tape

One of the most frustrating of all skin conditions is the common wart. Though many of us were raised to believe warts are caused by handling frogs or toads, the truth is that warts are caused by viruses that get into the skin. They're especially common in children, though they can occur at any age.

Warts commonly occur on the fingers or on elbows and knees. Warts on the bottom of the foot are called plantar warts and can be painful when walking.

Common warts are harmless, but they can be very annoying and unsightly. Wart removal can be an uncomfortable process consisting of burning, freezing, use of acid, or cutting and paring.

Instead of paying for these painful and sometimes expensive treatments, try this home remedy for wart removal using something you probably already have in your home, duct tape. While not guaranteed, this method is easy, painless, and often suggested by medical doctors.

Worth a try? Having suffered from warts as a child, I'd say definitely so.


Here's what you'll need:

• A roll of duct (or duck) tape
• Scissors
• An emery board or pumice stone

Here's how to do it:

1. Cut a piece of duct tape just larger than the wart.  Apply the tape to the wart. Wait six days. If the tape comes off during the six days, replace it with another piece.
2.  After six days, remove the duct tape. Use an emery board to gently and painlessly smooth down the spot.
3. Repeat the process with another piece of duct tape for another six days.  Often, when it comes time to remove the tape the second time, the wart will come off with the tape.  If not, repeat again. Note that plantar warts can be deep and often take longer to remove, but be patient and watch for progress. 

Tips:

• You can buy duct tape at the local discount or hardware store.  
• For reluctant kids, use colorful duct tape cut in fun shapes to cover the wart. 

Caveat:  

• I am not a doctor and this home remedy recommendation is not to be taken as medical advice. There is, however, plenty of anecdotal evidence that the duct tape method does work to remove common warts and I learned this from a medical doctor.
• The duct tape method is for use with warts, not moles or skin tags.  See a physician for an expert opinion on the status of moles and for simple removal of most skin tags.  
• If after a reasonable period of time the wart remains or is painful or bleeds, seek a medical opinion.  

How do you feel about home remedies for common problems such as warts? Think this method will work? 

If you'd like to read more about natural home remedies, you might want to start with this bestseller, The People's Pharmacy Quick and Handy Home Remedies: Q&A's For Your Common Ailments. If you can remove warts with duct tape, just think of all the other natural possibilities out there!

More Related Reading: 

• Check out these other weird home remedies.
• It's National I Love My Feet Day

~Susan

Read more of my reviews. 

Frog photo from Wikimedia Commons

Posted by Susan Deppner

About the Author

Susan Deppner is a baby boomer, a cancer survivor, and a Southerner who believes in the Golden Rule. She enjoys writing about food, faith, and fitness; health, home, and holidays; people, places, pets, and patriotism, and more. Follow Susan on Twitter, Facebook, and Pinterest.

Note: The author may receive a commission from purchases made using links found in this article. “As an Amazon Associate, Ebay (EPN) and/or Esty (Awin) Affiliate, I (we) earn from qualifying purchases.”

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DeWalt Cordless 20V Drill Review for Beginners

My compost bin frame in process

I do not have much DIY experience. I have zero woodworking experience.  I certainly have not used power tools as an adult - before now. It would seem that I am not the best candidate for writing a review about a cordless power tool. On the other hand, perhaps I am the best reviewer of tools for DIY beginners.  If you are anxious about your first power tool purchase, be confident that the DeWalt Cordless 20v Max Drill Driver Kit is an excellent choice.

Why I Needed to Purchase Tools

I have purchased a small piece of land with a very rustic hunting "cabin" in West Virginia - affectionately referred to as The Shack.  I plan to live up there at some point.  In the meantime, I want to learn to be as self-sufficient as possible.  Which includes learning to do more than unclog a toilet, replace light bulbs, and change locks on doors. I can paint and I have laid carpet successfully in very small rooms.  But that is the extent of my DIY ability.  But I want to do so much more.

My very first project was building a wooden trellis (with much help) and tearing it back down for transport. The plan was to install the trellis on my own.  So far, digging the holes in my yard has me stymied and that project is on hold.

My second project, which I have successfully finished, is a small wooden and wire compost bin.  I purchased the DeWalt Cordless 20v Drill for this project. I had dire misgivings about purchasing a cordless. And I made a beginner mistake that made me think my review of this item would be negative.  However, it ended up that this drill works GREAT. I found that once I fixed my mistake, this drill is reliable.  I am so glad I purchased it.

My Dad - The Roofer and Builder

My dad owned his own roofing and pole barn business.  He also built our barn.  I was young, but I helped with both building our barn and occasionally with his business during the summer.  I held boards, carried shingles, and pounded nails occasionally.  But I did not handle the power tools.

This feels like a million years ago. But I clearly remember the portable generator and the corded saws and tools.  Surely, I can build things now.  It's in my blood...it should come naturally, right? No. Not so much.

Shopping for Power Tools

How overwhelming, shopping for power tools when you have no experience.  I very much wanted to follow in my father's footsteps with the generator and the corded tools.  However, generators are expensive.  They also weigh a good bit.  Depending on which one I purchased, I wouldn't be able to haul it up in the back of my Jeep Wrangler.  I also noted that tools don't "feel" like they did all those years ago.  Due to being much lighter and made with more plastic components they feel cheap and chintzy.

I felt like I "gave in" and purchased a cordless drill. After much window shopping, I chose the DeWalt Cordless 20v Max Drill with the lithium ion battery. Although, at the time of purchase, I felt little to no confidence about a "power tool" that was battery operated.  I intentionally saved my receipt so I could return the drill after it failed.

My DeWalt Cordless 20v Max Drill and Driver 

My drill came with a bag, two batteries, the charger, and the drill.  I purchased a set of drill bits separately.  Once I was no longer hesitant, the drill worked great for pre-drilling holes and screwing in screws. It was powerful and I could easily adjust the speed. Changing bits was exceedingly easy.  The light feature was very helpful as I was working inside my shack with little natural light in the area I was working. The bag was perfect to make sure I had everything together in order to carry it back and forth between the apartment and The Shack.

DeWalt cordless 20v max drill and driver kit

Initially, I thought the fully charged batteries were going dead following just a few holes and screws. I was ready to return it - my biggest concern being realized. Then I realized that the light on the charger lights as though the battery is fully charged when you just lay the battery onto the charger - as I was doing.  However, and this is very important, the battery must click onto the charger in order to charge properly. I feel silly admitting that I hadn't known that but am sharing the information to make sure the next beginner understands that.

That one slight user error was the only thing that has given me pause about this wonderful cordless drill.  The price was great. The drill has plenty of oompf. Figuring out the settings was easy for even a rank beginning like me.

And with the help of my drill (and a DeWalt cordless 20v Max saw) I was able to successfully build my first item - a wooden and wire compost bin.  

For DIY beginners as well as those of you who understand the meaning of volts, RPMs, 3 speed transmission, ratcheting chuck, and carbide insert may be interested in this video provided by DeWalt.  

Note: The author may receive a commission from purchases made using links found in this article. “As an Amazon Associate, Ebay (EPN) and/or Esty (Awin) Affiliate, I (we) earn from qualifying purchases.”

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Printable Greeting Cards

Look what I found. It's a fabulous source for printable greeting cards. These are cards on high-resolution downloadable files that you can print at home. Simply choose a design, place your order, grab the downloadable file, print, and the card is ready to be delivered or mailed. It's easy! Here's my review of this sanity-saving method of buying greeting cards at the last minute.

The procrastinator in me loves these cards. Why? Because I can choose, buy, print, and mail or hand deliver any of them quickly, within a matter of minutes. If you tend to put off shopping for special occasions until it's almost too late to be on time, bet you'll love the convenience, too!

Even if you're organized and always on time, there's much more to love about these cards. Since they're designed by artists from all over the world, it's easy to find something absolutely unique and the selection is huge. You're sure to find a style that you like for any occasion you can think of.



Note: The author may receive a commission from purchases made using links found in this article. 

Printable Inspirational Card ©JWGiftsandDecor on Etsy

Printable Father's Day Cards

Father's Day Printable Card ©DecorartDesign on Etsy

Father's Day is always the third Sunday in June, but it has a way of sneaking up on me at the last minute. You, too? If you wait until the last minute to choose a card for dear ol' dad, it won't be too late. Take a look at this Father's Day card collection, find one you like, order, then print. Use the search box to narrow down the subject matter to something that perfectly suits your dad.

Cards for All Occasions & Every Holiday

It's always good to have a greeting card or two on hand for emergencies, but if you're like me your card box never seems to contain exactly what you're looking for when you need it. That's another reason I like the idea of being able to choose the perfect card and print it from the comfort of my computer.

For instance, look at this selection of printable get well cards. You'll also find some really unique printable birthday cards. I found a beautiful selection of scripture cards for all occasions, too. Recently I've been exploring printable Halloween cards. You may be surprised at the selection. I was!

Choose a couple of designs that you especially like, order the downloads, and you'll have them on the computer when you need them. Pay once then print as many copies (for personal use) as you like!

©MerryMailman on Etsy

Here's an idea for an all occasion card to keep on hand. This "What's up, buttercup" printable card download includes two designs, an envelope template, and you can color the card yourself if you choose. Or let the recipient color it. In fact, make a gift of it by including a set of colored pencils. How perfect for either an adult or a child! (I got this one for my mom, who really enjoys her adult coloring books.)

Next time you're at Walmart, Target, or your favorite office supply store, pick up an inexpensive package of card stock paper along with some pretty envelopes (or make your own envelope from a grocery bag!). Choose a few favorite printable card designs to have handy on your computer, and you'll be ready whenever the next card-giving occasion arises. You'll save both time and money and the recipient is sure to be pleased.


So, who will your first printable card recipient be?

~ Susan
See more of my reviews.

Posted by Susan Deppner

About the Author

Susan Deppner is a baby boomer, a cancer survivor, and a Southerner who believes in the Golden Rule. She enjoys writing about food, faith, and fitness; health, home, and holidays; people, places, pets, and patriotism, and more. Follow Susan on Twitter, Facebook, and Pinterest.

Note: The author may receive a commission from purchases made using links found in this article. “As an Amazon Associate, Ebay (EPN) and/or Esty (Awin) Affiliate, I (we) earn from qualifying purchases.”

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How to Make a Recipe Binder Organizer

Organize Your Favorite Recipes

I love having a recipe binder to organize my recipes!  By simply adding photo sheets to a binder, I can create my own recipe card binder with all my favorite recipes.  

In my recipe organizer, I can add, delete or move my recipes around for specific occasions or label the sections with tabs by courses.

The photo sheets will also protect my recipes from spills, smudges or tears.  My recipe binder organizer is my own personal cookbook of favorite recipes and meals.

 

My Recipe Card Binder

I personally selected the Green Marble Recipe Binder (shown above) and I left the text "My Favorite Recipes" on the cover even though it can be personalized with any text.  I also liked the font so this binder was perfect for me.

Zazzle Binders are designed for 8.5" x 11" sized paper or photo sheets.  Each binder has 4 pockets inside.

You can select the size of binder you desire.  I opted for the 2" spine binders simply because I have a lot of recipes that I wanted to add to my binder, but you could easily select several 1" binders and have a separate binder for appetizers, entrees, desserts, etc. 

Green Marble Recipes Binder by Sylvestermouse

My Photo Sheets

I personally selected two different types of photo sheets.  Each style of photo sheet fits neatly into the Zazzle 3-ring binders.

One set of photo sheets holds six 4"x 6" cards. (2 vertical and 1 horizontal) If you select this photo sheet, the recipe cards you place in the vertical pockets will need to be trimmed approx. 1/8" to fit.

The second set of photo sheets holds four 5" x 7" cards.  Obviously, there would be no need to trim your recipe cards for these pockets, but it holds 2 cards instead of three.

Photo of Set I with Recipe Card

 20 (Twenty Pages) - BCW Pro 3-Pocket Page (4 X 6 Cards, Postcards or Photos)

Photo of Set II with Recipe Card

 (50) BCW 2-Pocket 5 x 7 5x7 Postcard Photo Binder Pages

Printed Recipe Cards 

The recipe cards you see featured in my binder are all available on Zazzle.com.   I love the printed recipe cards professionally printed by Zazzle.  I purchased several of my favorite recipe cards to add to my Recipe Binder.

Note: The author may receive a commission from purchases made using links found in this article. “As an Amazon Associate, Ebay (EPN) and/or Esty (Awin) Affiliate, I (we) earn from qualifying purchases.”

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Woolite Dry Cleaners Review - Dry Cleaning Clothes at Home

For many years, I have been allergic to the dry cleaning chemicals that dry cleaners use to clean our clothes. Finding an easy alternative and being able to Dry Clean my own clothes at home, is truly fabulous and it is so very easy!

I have such a strong reaction to dry cleaners chemicals, that I simply stopped buying clothes that had to be dry cleaned. It just was not worth it no matter how beautiful the apparel was, or how much I really wanted something. Even the smell of dry cleaned clothes that someone else may be wearing, can cause me to get an extreme headache.

I am thrilled that I have discovered a way to dry clean my clothes at home and not get sick!  I have had so much success with this method, that I look for clothes to dry clean just so I can dance by my dryer.

Woolite Dry Cleaners Sheets

It may be seriously hard to believe, but dry cleaning your own clothes at home is as simple as throwing a piece of cloth in your dryer with your garment and turning on the dryer.

Materials:

• Woolite Dry Cleaners Secret Sheets

Tools:

• Dryer

Instructions:

1. Throw your garment in the dryer with a Woolite Dry Cleaning Sheet

Satin Cape in Dryer with Woolite Dry Sheet - Photo by Sylvestermouse

2. Turn you Dryer on Medium Heat for 20 minutes!

Dryer Control Photo by Sylvestermouse

3. Remove your Garment from the Dryer.

It is now Ready to Wear!

Dry Cleaned Cape - Photo by Sylvestermouse

Additional Notes about Dry Cleaning this Particular Cape

I personally made this Dr. Orpheus Cosplay Costume Cape for my son for Halloween in 2013.   There is a large emblem on the back of the cape that I had to cut from satin fabric pieces.

The real beauty of the Woolite Sheets is that they did not fade or fray even the emblem.  It came out of the dryer clean and just as vibrantly beautiful as it was the day it was made.

Since I enjoy making specialty costumes, it is so very awesome to have a trustworthy method to dry clean them.  They are truly a lot more reliable than any dry cleaner and they don't leave strong chemical odor on the costumes or clothes.  They actually smell good!

Emblem on the Back of the Cape - Costume & Photo by Sylvestermouse

Woolite Dry Cleaning Sheet Tests and Review Conclusion

Since Woolite is a name I have trusted all of my life, I did not hesitate to try their dry cleaning sheets.  After all, Woolite is the product I have used for decades to wash my cold water delicate fabrics.  I am thrilled beyond belief to now be able to wear clothes that have to be dry cleaned.   I love satins, silks, velvets, etc. and I missed having them as part of my wardrobe. 

Due to my personal allergies, I do use the Fragrance Free, but there are scented sheets available.

Have you tried either of the Woolite Dry Cleaner's Secret Products?

 Woolite Dry Cleaner's Secret Fragrance Free Woolite Dry Cleaner's Secret, 6-CountCheck Price Woolite Dry Cleaner's Secret Dry Cleaning Cloths, 14-Count BoxCheck Price

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Review of a Twin Bed King Connector

Turning Twin Beds into a King Size Bed is Easy and Affordable

This is a practical solution for a teen whose outgrown twin beds, or for a guest room where it's necessary to alternate between twin beds and a large single bed.

If you've ever pushed two twin beds together, you know exactly what the problem is; the gap in the middle.

Without a twin bed king converter, we've gotten around this problem by putting several toppers on the mattresses.

However, if you move around a lot when you sleep, the gap is still an issue. Movement slowly splits the twin beds apart.

So being the creative sort, I placed non-skid padding under the mattresses to prevent the mattresses from splitting apart. Although that was an affordable way to address the movement of the mattresses, it didn't solve the dip in the middle.

This is Where a Twin Bed Connector Comes In

The one featured below has straps that wrap around the twin beds. It keeps the beds together.

You may still feel a dip or gap, however, if you place a mattress cover and other toppers on before the sheet, it should be barely noticeable.

Overall this is an affordable solution to transitioning a kids room to a teens room. You can keep the twin beds and convert them into a king for the growing youngster.

Most teens want a bigger bed, and if their room is already furnished with twin beds, this is a viable solution. Best of all, you don't have to buy a king sized bed!

Easy King 024401 Bed Doubling System (Includes Bed Bridge and Adjustable Connector Belt)

How to Make it Look Nice:

If the room you're making over isn't going to be switched back and forth between twin and king, then it's easy to dress up the bed so it looks like it's always been a king bed.

• If you have two headboards and you're able to remove them, then you could either go with an improvised headboard attached to the wall that's the width of both mattresses, or elect to skip a headboard altogether and simply deck the bed out with many pillows.

• If you opt for pillows as the backdrop, without a headboard, you can use a bolster at the head of the bed so the pillows don't appear to be resting directly on the wall. I've done this myself, and it looks really nice.

• Use a king sized bed skirt. With one skirt going around both beds. Without the appearance of two headboards, nobody will notice the beds were once twin beds.

• I can't stress enough how padding the mattress with various covers makes a difference; I've used a mattress cover as well as a thick foam mattress pad and it really gives the bed that one piece feel.

The Bed Sheets and the Bedding

Two twin beds, especially with extra padding on top, is a little bigger than a standard king size bed; not much bigger, but enough of an issue that you'll need over sized or deep pocket king sized bed sheets. We love Jersey Knit Bed Sheets because they're stretchable, and they'll work nicely to solve this problem. However, if you're not a fan of Jersey Knit Sheets, then be sure to get king sized bed sheets with deep pockets.

The Non-Slip Padding Mentioned Above 

Ultra Stop Non-Slip Indoor Rug Pad, Size: 4' x 6'
Above I talk about the non-slip padding I put between the box spring and mattress, well I actually used ones designed to hold area rugs in place.

For us they worked perfectly. This one measures 4 feet by 6 feet, so I just bought a couple for each twin bed, and positioned them on the box spring so as to cover a good portion. I would position them to go over the gap in the bed as well. The Grand Fitted Quilted Mattress Pad Cover Hypoallergenic (Stretches to 18

Mattress Pad Cover

Here's an example of a king sized mattress pad cover that you can put over the twin bed king connector and mattress.

This one has 20 inch deep pockets as well, so if you want to put a layer of foam underneath (for added comfort) you should have a enough room. I would say, if you had to choose between the non-slip pads above and this, choose this. It's the best way to pull the mattresses together after you've used the twin connector.

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How to Prevent a Door from Hitting A Wall or Closet with a Door Stop Hinge

Door Stop Hinge

Do you have a mirrored closet door that needs to be protected from a door handle that hits it when opened? And, of course, being a mirrored closet, a regular doorstop won't work?

A Review of a Product that Solves the Problem!

After some research, I found the perfect door stop to use that literally takes minutes to install, doesn't require any drilling, and won't stand out as an eyesore.

Hinge Pin Door Stops are a terrific little gadget that simply slips into the top hinge pin of the door, causing the rubber protector to stop against the door frame and thus prevent the door or door handle from hitting the wall, closet door, or mirrored closet door beside it.

Several of the rooms in our home have mirrored closet doors that are close to the main entry door of the room itself. 

The main washroom in our home is an example; when you open the washroom door, the handle can crash into the mirrored closet door and potentially break the glass. 

The floor in our washroom is ceramic, so a floor-mounted door stop would be too much work to install, not to mention the awful thought of drilling into the ceramic!

The Hinge We Installed to Protect
Our Mirrored Closet Doors

So, after hunting for a solution, I came across the wonderful little gadget called a 'door stop hinge.' My husband literally put it on the door in five minutes.

We also used one for a door where the door would hit the wall before it would hit the door stop; for years, it bothered me that our door was getting marked up, and now, after repainting our door and placing a hinge pin door stop in the top Hinge...problem solved.

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