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15 Fresh and Fun Scrapbooking Ideas for Your Next Project

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Before your memories fade, consider gathering your pictures into a unique book where they will last for generations. Not only will they last, but they will also tell a creative story in more than photos.

Scrapbooking relays the story of your life in pictures, but there are also great ways to embellish the photos with art and scrapbooking supplies to help the pictures pop off the page.

Here are 15 Fresh and Fun Scrapbooking Ideas for Your Next Project:

  1. Stamps

Invest in a good quality stamp kit. Choose one that has stamps for every holiday and season. You will want to purchase ink pads separately, so you get the colors you really like.

Stamps on the pages of your scrapbook are easy and add a fun dimension to what is in the picture. Fishing trips, the first day of school, home from the hospital, each of these deserve their own page in a scrapbook, and having the perfect stamp to go on the page is priceless.

  1. Watercolors

Even if you don’t paint, using watercolors to highlight a photo or paint a few stripes, zigzags, and/or spots on the side of the page, will help to make the photo come alive.

  1. Ribbons

Look in your sewing stash for different colors, textures, and lengths of ribbon. You can create a background of different ribbons, you can braid them or overlap the ribbon for a variety of effects.

Create flowers out of ribbon, although they should be small to be able to close the book or you can decorate the outside of the scrapbook with small clusters of ribbon flowers.

  1. Patterns

Look around your home for things with patterns. The kitchen probably has several different items that contain repeating patterns that can be duplicated on the page. Take a strainer and enlarge the pattern of holes so you can place several different pictures in them.

Some patterns make sense, while others seem to have no rhythm or reason. These are the best kind to put photos in.

  1. Glue

Use different colors of glue in your glue gun or bottle. There are many colors available in glue and they don’t have to be regulated to the back of a photo. Create swirls and other designs with glitter and colorful glues.

  1. Shapes

Again, look around your home for different shapes you can outline on the paper and then put a photo inside. Use the standard circle, square, triangle, but find a Hexagon, Trapezoid, a Rhombus (a diamond) and anything that would highlight a picture well on the page.

  1. Backgrounds

No need to spend lots of money on fancy paper. Use the fancy paper for the fancy photos, but use everyday household items for your backgrounds.

Use a bunch of recipe cards from a family book to make a background for a photo of the kids making cookies. Use a newspaper as the background for the day someone was born or passed away. Use an old map as your travel pages and outline in a bright color the path you took to get to your destination.

Old takeout menus are another great background for travel pages or cooking pages.

  1. Fabric

You probably have a drawer full of small scraps of different fabric. Take them out and match them to different photos. The fabric doesn’t have to match the picture, and it doesn’t have to be big or smooth. The fabric will give your page texture.

  1. Use Black and White

Have a page or two of black and white photos and designs. Use a black and white checkered pattern behind a photo of your dog in a field or kids playing board games. There are so many options when it comes to black and white, where less is always more.

  1. Envelopes or Pockets

Use pockets or envelopes to keep small mementoes inside. Baby’s first missing tooth or haircut. These are things that are important and shouldn’t be lost in a drawer. Use clear plastic to create the envelope so the item becomes part of the page.

  1. Pressed Flowers

When someone takes the time to pick or send you flowers, you want to save one or two as a lasting memory. Press flowers in larger books for a few days before adding them to scrapbook pages. You could also place a flower inside a clear pocket so it will not get damaged.

  1. Thread

Sew directly on the paper. You may have to purchase a thicker card stock paper but treat it like an embroidery project and outline whatever design you can come up with. Use thread, yard or funky shoelaces.

Use an old coloring book with different animals or items as a template for sewing on the page.

  1. Old Books

Use old books and puzzle books to create a unique background for different pictures.

  1. Trace Puzzle Pieces

Break out an old puzzle or pick one up at the thrift store. There are bound to be so many different shapes that can be traced on the paper and then cut small photos to put in them.

You can also glue pictures directly to several connected puzzle pieces, then slice them apart and glue them into the book, either as one piece or with some distance between the pieces.

  1. Paw Prints

When creating a page about your dog or cat, take a non-toxic ink pad and press their paw on it. Immediately place the paw on the paper for a lasting memory next to a photo of the animal having fun.

The same can be done with hand and foot prints of babies and children. Be sure to use non-toxic ink and paints.

Many websites, like Pinterest, will give you more idea on what to use when creating a beautiful and unique scrapbook. Memories in a scrapbook are great gifts for your entire family. They also make wonderful wedding presents as you can chronicle the evolution of the happy couple’s journey to each other at the end of the isle.

Silent but Deadly: 5 Major Signs Your House Has Plumbing Issues

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Plumbing is one of those things that we often don’t think about because it’s hidden. With the major pipes behind walls, under cabinets, and running across the ceiling of the basement, it’s easy to forget completely about it.

Until, of course, there’s a problem.

That’s when you need to take action. Of course, it’s much better if you can discover a problem before it causes significant damage. Sometimes there’s a drip or knocking pipes to clue you in, but not always.

Here are five silent signs that your home has plumbing issues you should handle as soon as possible.

Discoloured or Rusted Pipes

When you go to your basement, take a moment to look at the water pipes you can see. The next time you need to open your kitchen or bathroom cabinets, do the same. Do you notice any odd coloration? Be sure to check especially around joints.

If you notice an odd colour, rust, or any kind of gunk building up, that’s a sure sign there is a leak. It’s possible the leak is from the supply line, which could cause a huge mess if it bursts. Contact a plumber right away to get help.

Nasty Odor

It may not make noise, but you’ll certainly notice it. If you notice a nasty sewer smell in your home, check and see if it’s coming from outside. If you step out of your home and don’t smell the same thing, you probably have a problem with your plumbing.

Drains and vents are designed to keep sewer gas vented outside of your home, so if you can smell it, there’s something wrong with that system. A vent line may be cracked or a drain may not be working properly. Either way, you’ll want to take action.

No Water in Wintertime

If it’s been quite cold and you notice a drop in water pressure or you simply have no water at all, it’s possible your pipes have frozen. This is a major concern and has to be handled right away.

Unfortunately, thawing the pipes is the least of your concerns. You have the most danger of an incident after the pipes thaw and the water suddenly returns at high pressure. Any splits or leaks that have occurred as a result of the pressure of the freeze will suddenly be very noticeable, and you may even have a pipe burst.

Do your best to keep your pipes from freezing in the first place, but if it happens, you may want a professional to help you fix it safely.

Bubbling Paint on the Wall or Ceiling

If you notice problems with paint bubbling from the inside, it’s a sure sign that there’s moisture behind the wall. Unfortunately, this can lead to a host of problems, from mould and mildew to pests and damage to your home’s structure.

It’s possible there’s a leak from the roof, a nearby window, or even a plumbing pipe that’s nearby. You’ll have to do some investigation to discover what’s wrong, as these kinds of plumbing leaks can be a bit sneaky and hard to find.

Once you do fix the issue, you’ll want to work with a company that provides waterproofing in Toronto so that you can ensure that no moisture will find its way into your walls again.

A Huge Jump in Your Water Bill

You know how much your water bill is most months. If you have a sudden spike, you should immediately look into what’s going on.

Of course, water rates change over time, but they don’t usually cause a huge change from one month to the next. First, consider if you have done anything that would increase your water usage significantly. Did you install irrigation in the yard? Did you fill a pool for the season?

If you haven’t done anything differently, it’s likely there’s a leak or problem in your plumbing system instead. A running toilet, for instance, can cause hundreds of dollars of extra water usage. You should fix your running toilet or address whatever leak is happening right away.

Great Plumbing Supports Great Health

One of the most silent but deadly things about water leaks is that they promote the growth of germs, bacteria, mould, and mildew. These things can significantly impact the health of you and your family. Younger children and older adults are especially at risk.

If you keep an eye on your plumbing issues and help make sure everything is up to date and working well, you’ll be promoting great health in your home. Your air quality and water quality will be better, and you’ll avoid provoking allergies or other illnesses.

Of course, it’s always best to have professional help with your plumbing issues. They know exactly how to identify problems and fix them safely. If you notice a problem, call a plumber right away!

Create a Bedroom That You Absolutely Love

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Your bedroom is much more than just a bedroom. It is a haven where you can unwind, relax, and escape from your busy day and the outside world. There are a number of ways to create a comfortable bedroom that you won’t be able to resist. It doesn’t matter if you have a small or a big bedroom either. You can create the perfect space no matter what the size of your room is.

When shopping for a new mattress, it pays to do your research. Shop around, and if you have a health condition, talk to your doctor to see what he or she recommends. Try out your new mattress. Go to a mattress store that will let you lie on their mattresses for 10 to 15 minutes to get a feel of how comfortable they are. A mattress that your best friend loves may not be ideal for you. When you get recommendations, remember that you’ll still need to try a mattress out for yourself. Recommendations are a good starting point, but test it out first before committing to buy.

Although things, such as the paint color of your bedroom, your choice of linens, and other details are important, your mattress is also very important. You could have a bedroom that is worthy enough to be featured in an issue of Better Homes and Gardens. If your mattress is not comfortable, you will not only wake up with a sore body and feel like you got ran over by a bus. You simply won’t be able to relax.

There are many different kinds of mattresses to choose from; simple to high-tech ones that give you the power to adjust the firmness of your side and the side of your partner. You can even get cooling sheets and pillowcases if you find that you are often hot at night. It is always best to keep the temperature low when you are sleeping as well for a better night’s rest.

It is best to keep your bed for sleeping only and not do work on it or even eat or watch TV. This is a hard rule to follow sometimes. You see that big comfortable area and think how nice it would be to watch some TV or check your phone. But if you begin to do these things, your bed will become just another work area. If you stick to only sleeping on your bed, you will be able to associate your bed with only sleep and will be able to drift off easier.

You should also keep your bedroom clutter-free. It’s hard to relax when you have piles of paperwork piled to the ceiling and clutter covering your nightstand. It is a constant reminder of all the things that you need to do. Just keep the essentials that you need in your bedroom and keep items on your dresser and nightstand to a minimum. You should also organize your closet and dressers so that they are neat and aren’t overstuffed with clothing. Even if you can’t see the unorganized mess, you’ll still know that it’s there and be thinking about it in the back of your mind.

Different people have different needs when it comes to getting the right amount of sleep. For example, most adults only need about seven to nine hours of sleep, while teenagers eight and a half hours of sleep to nine and a half hours of sleep. Pregnant women will require more sleep in the first three months of pregnancy.

Sleep affects your body in many different ways. Your body depends on sleep in order to reboot and to function. When you sleep, your body is able to heal and to restore its chemical balance. If you don’t get enough sleep, you can get irritable and experience daytime fatigue. If you regularly miss out on the amount of sleep that you need, you may suffer from impulsive behavior, depression, and paranoia in extreme cases.

Living With Light

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Studies show that ambient lighting can have a direct effect on our mood and productivity. It can impact us at home, at work, at school, and just about anywhere we go. Ever noticed when you go to a restaurant they have specific lighting all around in varying intensity? There’s a reason for that. Have you ever seen those gigantic lights that are used in operating rooms? Precision and accuracy are what comes to mind with those type of lights.

Technology Today

As many of us know, technology has played an essential part in the evolution of light bulbs. Great strides have been made to produce energy-efficient, long-lasting, and economical light bulbs today. Many of us are familiar with halogen bulbs and many of us are also familiar with LED light bulbs. I’m sure there was a time when we were thinking to ourselves, Halogen vs LED Lights and made considerations of various factors to make a decision.

Work

In an article from WebMD, workers are found to have a better quality of life and are more productive when exposed to natural light. The article goes on to further describe the study that included forty-nine day-shift office workers. In it, it states that “the study results confirm that light during the natural daylight hours has powerful effects on health.” So the next time you’re feeling a bit sluggish at work, try moving closer to a window or provide yourself with more light. Having more light will also alleviate headaches from eye strain.

Home

Your bedroom at home is your sanctuary. It’s a place you go to after a hard day’s work. It’s a place where you relax and unwind. Lighting plays a big role in relaxing. You want the right amount of light to settle down comfortably. You also want ample light to get ready in the morning. For instance, if you’re an avid reader before bedtime, you would want lighting that will give you enough light to read your book, but not too overpowering that you won’t be able to fall asleep. Most use dimmers in the bedroom so that you can get a wide range of settings for light intensity. Lowering the light as you fall asleep will aid in getting a better night’s rest.

Bathroom

What better way to relax than with a hot shower or a bubble bath at the end of the day. The lighting in the bathroom can also help with relaxation and rejuvenation. Turning down the lights or even using candlelight will help reduce stress while you soak in the tub. In the morning, natural light or white light can give you an energy boost to prepare for the day ahead and inspire a productive day.

Kitchen

One of the most important areas in your home is the kitchen. The kitchen is associated with appetite and nourishment. Specific colors of lighting to varying intensities of light sets the tone for functionality and appetite. Today, there are many contemporary designs that implement the use of both natural and artificial lighting. During the day, you’d want to take advantage of the natural light outside. Windows and skylights can bring natural light indoors. In the evening, soft yellow hues can invoke the feelings of comfort. Lighting plays a significant role in the types of food you create in your kitchen. Lights can inspire to create chef-like dishes or perhaps a relative’s best kept secret recipe. Like many of us, our kitchen is also a place where we eat. Having the right amount of light can certainly create an enjoyable ambiance while eating, and can aid in promoting healthier eating habits.

TV Room

So you’re pumped to watch a movie or tv show on the television. You want to be focused on what you’re watching. Dimming the lights or turning it off completely can feel like you’re at the movie theatre. The excitement remains as you sit there in the dark, snacks on-hand, waiting with anticipation. Having a dimmed or dark room will ensure minimal distraction.

Patio

You breathe in the fresh air outside. It’s evening and you’re not ready to go inside just yet. As darkness falls, a sense of calm comes over you. The moonlight shines bright and casts silhouettes around your patio floor. Moonlight not only calms but energizes the mind. Having minimal to medium lighting on your patio should be used to maintain the ambiance.

Hospitals

Precision and accuracy are what we normally associate the lighting of hospitals with. Well-lit and bright overhead lights are used in hospitals to help healthcare professionals in caring for their patients. That is why it is important that hospitals have bright lights throughout the hospital. Bright white light also encourages and promotes patient recovery.

In conclusion, light effects us in many ways and in different places. The color, the intensity, and the type of light used vary in many combinations. In today’s technology, there are LED lights that come with a remote control and are as thin as sheets of paper. They light up in various colors and can be attached anywhere. Smart lighting is trending as well. You can automate or control your lights with your smartphone or it can automate itself by adjusting to the time of day. There are many technological advances today for lighting.

Budget-Friendly Home Renovation

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Tackling a home renovation is more challenging than it might seem. Not only do you have to plan everything and keep track of your progress, but you also need to choose projects that will offer you great value for money. Without a proper renovation approach, your remodelling project can quickly turn into an expensive nightmare.

Decide whether to hire professionals

Depending on the type and scope of your renovation, you’ll have to decide whether to hire contractors or DIY. Undertaking a renovation on your own can save you a significant amount of money. However, if you’re not experienced in the field, you risk making an expensive mistake. In addition, certain projects require professional experience, especially those that entail structural changes.

Create a budget

Although you cannot know exactly how much money you need for a home renovation, you should still create a budget. When creating a renovation budget, you should always set aside an amount for unexpected costs. Once you’ve set up the budget, you should stick to it because renovation costs can quickly get out of control. In addition, you should shop around before buying materials and other items. There are great discounts and offers, you just need to find them.

Plan your renovation

Another great way to control your expenses is to plan the remodelling project in detail. If you’ve decided to take on a DIY project, you need to act as a project manager, which entails developing an efficient, time-effective plan. Aside from creating a timeline and defining different stages of your home renovation, you should also find a way to monitor your costs in order not to exceed the budget.

Rent, don’t buy

You should find different opportunities to cut your expenses where possible. Renting the pieces of equipment that you don’t have is typically more affordable than buying new ones. For example, you can rent portable and stable scaffolding for the duration of your renovation. Chances are that you won’t frequently use certain pieces of equipment, so you can save a lot of money by renting them for this particular occasion.

Choose projects that will pay off

When renovating your home, you should go with improvements that will pay off in the long run or that will increase the value of your home. For instance, instead of wasting a fortune on building a sunroom, you should design a wooden deck. Certain improvements won’t cost you much, yet they will bring great value to your home. Painting the interior is one of the most affordable remodelling ideas that will make a big difference in your home.
If you’re remodelling your home in order to sell it, you should go with projects that will help you recoup your investment. Replacing your garage door, painting the façade, insulating your home properly, implementing minor bathroom and kitchen upgrades and sprucing up your landscape are some of the most profitable home remodelling ideas.

Repurpose

Repurposing is both eco-friendly and budget-friendly, so you should definitely consider reusing your old materials. You can also buy repurposed materials at a much more affordable price. For instance, you can purchase second-hand shingles in excellent condition if you’re renovating you roof. You can also find slightly used fixtures for your home, especially if you’re aiming for a vintage look. This will help you enhance the sustainability of your property while also cutting your renovation expenses.

Go green

Before dismissing green improvement because they might be more expensive at first, you should consider the long-term merits that they offer. By implementing green improvements in your home, especially those that can boost its energy efficiency, you’ll be able to cut your energy consumption and increase your savings. In addition, if you ever decide to put your home on the market, eco-friendly updates will certainly pay off because they will increase the value of your property substantially. You can start small by installing LED lighting or replacing your leaky faucets with low-flow models. Afterwards, you can consider going with major green improvements, such as installing a solar system.

By following these tips, you’ll be able to cut your renovation costs while still getting excellent results.

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We left our home in Sydney, Australia many moons ago in May 2012 and, other than a brief stint back in Perth for Christmas and a wedding in early 2014, we have been travelling the world nomadically ever since, running a business from our laptops and we’re here to show you how to do it!