ToolGirl Mag Ruffman

Get rid of mold and mildew permanently for $9

We've all smelled 'em.  Musty, mouldy, throat-clenching odors, usually emanating from the basement.  There is a solution. 

 

Stop the heartbreak of drippy pipes

Humidity is the enemy of basements, and the cause of most mould and mildew. Reduce those musty smells in your home by insulating your plumbing pipes.  It doesn't take long and it'll make you feel smug.

 

Stain wood with tea - a natural, non-toxic ebonizing stain

A little fun with your morning pot of tea and a handful of rusty nails...

 

InkShuffle - Design your own non-damaging wallpaper

 

via www.inkshuffle.com

This is so cool; wallpaper that won't damage your walls, and it's available in thousands of quirky/custom designs. You can even upload and sell your own art (and then order a giant mural of it for your own place!) A fine effort from a young Canadian entrepreneur. Customizable sizes up to 13' wide and 10' high.

Drop-dead-easy way to finish bare wood [Video]

Hackology - Repair a Rusted Dishwasher Rack with SUGRU

The rack in our 8-year-old Maytag dishwasher is developing varicosities know as rustbolisms.  I got out my fresh supply of WHITE Sugru (the new silicone moulding compound from England that cures to a tough, freeze-proof, dishwasher-safe robustness) and mixed it with a tiny blob of blue Sugru to get a more-or-less matching repair. 

Cost of repair - about $4 worth of Sugru.  New rack would have cost $85.

 Fie on you, rust gods!

Lifehacker's guide to the best times to buy anything in 2011

via lifehacker.com

This is a cool chart that lets you plan your conspicuous consumption according to seasonal price breaks.

Inventables: Cutting-edge new materials, plastics, wood, glass, polymers...

via www.inventables.com

This site makes me squishy in my shoes. It features insanely fun, new materials and tech to saucy up your projects and crafts. 

Insanely cheap, gorgeous European curtain fabric

Richie is back! My favourite eBay source for dropdead gorgeous European fabric disappeared suddenly a few years ago to deal with some health problems. I missed him hugely, and now he's back. He ships to Canada and he's clearing out his entire UK warehouse to move to sunnier climes. He's a lovely guy to deal with, and you'll never find more beautiful curtain fabric this side of the Atlantic. (He sells leftovers from his interior design contracts). I made all of the curtains and blinds in our house from his stuff. Shipping costs are around $100 for a large bolt - I happily pay it knowing the quality of the fabric I'm getting at such a great price. 

Sugru: Putty in your hands - my column at Homes-Extra.ca

via homeandgarden.homes-extra.ca

No, I can't seem to stop talking about Sugru, my favourite fix-it material from UK inventor Jane Ni Dhulchaointigh. Here's my article in this week's Homes-Extra.