ToolGirl Mag Ruffman's Official Web Log

Photo Blocks for Kids

I've been working on making more blocks for kids after reading this fantastic New York Times article about how educators are returning to blocks and unstructured play.  WHAT A HUGE STEP FORWARD!  Because fingers can do so much more than work on a computer keyboard or a tablet surface, and kids with 3D aptitude have, when given the chance, amazing ways of expressing themselves.  They're the makers, builders and artists of tomorrow.

Here's a little preview of photo blocks made from poplar.  

 

How-to for Kids, Coming Soon to Lowe's Canada

Thanks to my friends over at Road to Avonlea for the update on my latest producing venture! 

 

Christmas sugru! (A wee holiday offer.)

via sugru.com

The folks at Sugru are running a special; you get a 4th pack when you buy 3. In case you haven't heard of Sugru, it's a fantastic, moldable silicon compound that cures to a semi-flexible toughness and it bonds chemically with so many substances that you will be hard pressed to find anything you can't fix or improve with Sugru.  It's the perfect antidote to the culture of obsolescence!  Sugru comes in black, white, green, orange and blue, and you can blend colours to get a huge range of shades.  I always have some in my purse, in my make-up bag and in my toolbox to mend or append anything made of metal, plastic, stone, leather, ceramic, glass, wood and fabric.  Cures at room temperature to waterproof, dishwasher-proof, freeze-proof ruggedness.   

Gorgeous Rustic Knothole Photo Frames

Tree Craft: 35 Rustic Wood Projects That Bring the Outdoors in

A fantastic book from a lovely craftsman, Chris Lubkemann, who uses hand tools, imagination and savvy 3D aptitude to make stuff with that forever quality.  

You can see a project excerpt over at the Craftzine blog.

The dazzling designs of Christy Oates

What a brilliant human being this girl is to come up with this blend of woodworking and fine art.  Dare you not to be inspired.

MFA Thesis Gallery Exhibition - Christy Oates from christy oates on Vimeo.

Urban Rustic Design

via www.eieihome.com

A new way to build cool furniture - drink wine!  Is this not the coolest chair ever? (It has no lumbar support but you can just upcycle all of the corks into a cushion.)

How to avoid disastrous paint color choices. And I would know about that.

I once had to repaint a floor 7 times because I couldn't get the colour right. I went through white, straw, green, grey, gold and brown before finally settling on Chili Pepper Red (and only because the paint-counter lady took pity on me and suggested it).  Things would have been way easier with this cool electronic tool, which is now available for free at any ICI paint store.  

Sneaky leaks and your water bill

1 in 5 toilets is snacking on your water supply while you're not watching. If you don't like the idea of adding as much as $250 to your annual water bill, you can fix a leak for less than $5 in under 5 minutes.

P.S. If you don't have a non-toxic vegetable dye tablet, a few drops of food colouring will do the trick.

P.P.S.  This just in - great tip from a reader for anyone who uses chlorine pucks in their toilet tanks...

Make a note that chlorine pucks put in tank to clean and disinfect toilet cause breakdown of flapper and voids new toilet warranty- i had to change 4 new ones within 2 months because of those damn pucks !!!!
Dr. Carey.  😖😃

 

Is your toilet leaking silently? (plus how to gross out 8-year-olds)

If you ever need to know how to make a group of 8-year-old boy scouts yell, "Ewwwww!" in unison, try my trick.

HUGE TIP: This tip just came in from a reader - for anyone who uses chlorine pucks in their toilet tanks...

Make a note that chlorine pucks put in tank to clean and disinfect toilet cause breakdown of flapper and voids new toilet warranty- i had to change 4 new ones within 2 months because of those damn pucks !!!!
Dr. Carey.  😖😃

 

Jawbone UP - a personal trainer on your wrist

via www.gizmag.com

Wow, this little activity monitor looks like a game changer. It tracks all of your daily activity (and any slugfest couch-y segments too). Even gives you little vibratory reminders to move if you've been sitting for too long, has a smart alarm to wake you when you're out of REM sleep, and tracks how your food choices affect the way you feel. Pairs with iPad, iPod touch and iPhone. And an 80-minute charge lasts 10 days. Available at Apple stores for about $100.  More info at Jawbone.