This semester I am teaching a learning skills course with a small group of learners who have very diverse reading levels. I would like to expose them to complex ideas around learning and mindset but I have to make sure that the text is accessible for all my readers. I did some investigation and practice […]
I admit it, I don’t like to throw things away. Knowing the predisposition for hording in my family I have also had to adjust my purchasing habits and try not to buy too many things either. The second hand shops help – once I began to think of them as lending libraries rather than stores […]
A lot of my DIY’s start with a problem, usually one that isn’t easily or cheaply solved by conventional shopping. Either that or the options that are available have short shelf-lives or are worse for the environment than whatever I can piece together. This time the problem was with chairs. I have a table – […]
The thrifting worlds aligned this weekend to make this project come together. First on Saturday, my husband proposed a morning of yardsale-ing. I wasn’t really interested but went along to spend time with the family. Of course I came home with a pile of finds – one reason I was reluctant to go. Among them […]
I’m headed back to work next week after a semester off on a planned leave. I’ve sent in my thesis for revision and had time to squeeze in one more project. I don’t have a quilt that is big enough for my queen sized bed and so someone (usually me, I’m smaller) always ends up […]
So a couple of weeks ago I turned my three seater couch into a two seater couch. That worked out well (in the end) and now I am noticing that my throw pillows are pretty sad and flat. I bought most of these second hand after our last move – so they weren’t new when […]
I don’t need to post a tutorial for this one because there are lots out there already. This video has four cut pieces, includes really clear instructions. This video has only two pieces, so a bit easier – it not quiet as fitted. Here is a written tutorial if you prefer written out instructions with […]
We found a matching pair to our 1960’s lazy boy for $50. Problem: our couch now didn’t fit in the living room – with the two chairs. Time to get the DIY on 🙂 The wonderful thing about social media is that you get to cut out all the hard bits. It got done, not […]
This spring we ordered a fire pit and had it delivered. Truth be told I was more excited about fires in the winter than the summer. Given rising COVID cases (again!) it may be the best way to actually see people. Fires = smores. We’ve just about stripped the live tree stick options from our […]
This morning, while walking the dog, my coat caught on a fence and acquired a big rip in the right arm. This coat was bought second hand and I could have just let it go, but if you’ve been following along you will know that I’m a fan of repurposing and reusing. So I dug […]
