Do It Yourself Fall 2013

projects, tools, and inspiration Sweet dreams See before and after pics of a budget-savvy bedroom makeover. BHG.com/DIYBedroomRedo Make it yours Energize a boring wall or remake an old dresser. Check out 26 of our favorite paint projects! BHG.com/DIYPaint Awesome autumn Enjoy the great outdoors with inspiring fall gardening ideas. BHG.com/DIYGarden New view Add interest to basic window treatments with these no-sew project ideas. BHG.com/DIYWindows You could win $25,000 to upgrade your home! Enter at: BHG.com/WinHome…

Why We DIY Several months ago, Do It Yourself™ sent a survey to many of our readers. We wanted to find out what you love about the magazine, what you’d change, and what makes you pick up the paintbrush or power tool and get to work. Your responses have helped us get to know you better. Here are a few things we learned: • You love makeovers of every kind: furniture makeovers, wall makeovers, room makeovers, whole-house makeovers. • You like to tackle crafty projects—paper, fabric, surface updates—but you’re not afraid to use bigger materials, such as concrete, plywood, and metal. • You love power tools! Most of you own a drill and a saw. And you know how to use them. But my favorite takeaway was your response to…

Push play These pushpins (and the other projects in this story) use resin, a fun and versatile medium made from a 1:1 ratio of epoxy resin and polyamine hardener, available at hobby stores. Work in a well-ventilated area, and wear eye and hand protection. Cover your work surface with a drop cloth. To make these pretty pushpins, follow the technique and use the rubber molds from the napkin ring and button projects (pages 11 and 13). When the resin is dry, affix the piece to the top of a thumbtack with hot glue. Ring thing Dress up your dinner table with sweet napkin rings. Stir acrylic crafts paint into a 1:1 mixture of epoxy resin and polyamine hardener (a). Pour resin into a rubber mold (b). Our mold was designed…

Team DIY Pamela Porter Blustery winds, rain, and snow can leave outdoor furniture looking worn and weathered. If storing items indoors off season is not an option, consider quality covers to protect outdoor furnishings. Covers are readily available for most furniture types, cushions, grills, even hose reels and outdoor heaters. Whether you’re entertaining alfresco or prettying up the yard, the great outdoors requires some of the same items needed indoors. The do-it-yourself coffee table, opposite, features removable panels that reveal galvanized washtubs, which provide storage or serve up cold beverages. We think you’ll like these other hardworking helpers just as much as we do. 1. Cushion keeper Featuring an aluminum frame, this sturdy bin from Frontgate comes with a cover to protect cushions. Wheels provide mobility, plus the unit can…

How to Create Book Art What you’ll need: Hardcover books Hot-glue gun and glue sticks Backer board step 1 Cut the backer board into a rectangle 1–2 inches smaller than the back of your book. Apply hot glue to the backer board (a). step 2 Open the book and press in the center, along the spine, so the cover lies flat. Press the glued side of the backer board to the open cover, and hold for about a minute until the glue dries (b). step 3 Determine the fold or folds you want to use to achieve your final look. Begin folding pages at the front of the book (c). Fold each page in the book the same to achieve a uniform design (top left). To achieve variegated designs (top…

Snuggle Time No matter your skill level or style, you can find a pillow kit that includes everything you need to create a custom cushion. Starting at $18. From top to bottom: • Pillow stencils creativestencils.etsy.com • Felt rosette pillows tadaastudio.com • Embroidered map pillow brooklynassembly.etsy.com • Colorable critters pukaca.etsy.com • Needlepoint pillows modernneedleworks.com • Postcard pillow mypillowfactory.etsy.com 1. Bead the Way String together your own custom bracelets, necklaces, or key chains with these geometric beads and colorful cords. Choose from a treasure trove of hand-painted pastel, neon, metallic, or patterned wooden beads in a variety of shapes and sizes. $29 for 30 beads; likebeads8.etsy.com 2. Dig In Plant new Better Homes and Gardens® Drumline tulip bulbs this fall and enjoy bold, brilliant red blooms next May. The 12-inch trowel…