| How to Create a Halloween Centerpiece from Peppers Posted: 26 Oct 2018 05:00 PM PDT Pumpkins are not the only veggies that can be carved for Halloween. Carve red, orange and yellow peppers for a festive centerpiece. - For this project you will need orange, yellow and red peppers, a paring knife and a spoon. If you want to light up your peppers, you will need battery-operated flicker lights.
- Start carving. This is not much different than carving pumpkins. First, cut the cap to access the inside of the pepper. To do this, hold the knife at a 45 degree angle and cut in a circle around the stem. Stay about 2" away from the stem. Cutting at an angle will help keep the top from falling into the pepper when you put it back on.
- Trim the excess seeds and flesh from the cap. Do not cut too much off of the cap or it will not fit back on the pepper. Set the top aside.
- Use a spoon to scrape out the white flesh and seeds from the interior of the pepper. Do not push too hard or you could push through the side of the pepper.
- Rinse out the inside of the pepper. Pat dry.
- Cut out the facial features as you would a pumpkin. If you need inspiration for pumpkin faces, an internet search will give you limitless options.
- When done, place the cap back onto the peppers.
- Keep your peppers in the fridge until you are ready to display them for your party or event.
- Finished.
- Store your carved peppers in the fridge until your are ready to use them.
- Choose firm peppers that will stand up relatively straight. If your peppers will not stand, you may need to cut the bottom to level the pepper.
- Once the peppers are carved and have set out as your centerpiece for a significant amount of time, do not allow them to be eaten.
- Peppers are very easy to cut so take care when using the knife to cut out the facial features. Unlike carving pumpkins, a light touch will cut easily.
- Do not put candles in your peppers. The inside of the pepper will burn quickly and the pepper will eventually collapse. Use battery operated candles.
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| How to Fit Out a Van for Camping Posted: 26 Oct 2018 09:00 AM PDT If you're looking to combine your love of the open road with your zeal for camping, converting a van into a camping vehicle may be the thing for you. Camping in a van combines many of the creature comforts of indoor living with the relaxation and enjoyment that comes from being out in the wilderness. Even if you don't have any prior experience with carpentry or construction, the process of converting your ordinary van into a campervan is straightforward enough that anybody can do it. EditRenovating the Interior - Clean out your van's interior to make room for your installations. If you buy your van used, there's a good chance you will have to remove some items from the interior before you can start the conversion process. Remove any unwanted pre-existing fixtures and clean the floor to your comfort level.[1]
- Unscrew and remove any passenger seats or other pre-existing fixtures located in the back of the van that you don't intend to use.
- Use a broom and vacuum cleaner to clean dirt and debris off the floor of the van.
- If there is carpeting installed in the back of van, clean it with a vacuum cleaner and carpet cleaner, or considering removing the carpet entirely.[2]
- Insulate the floor, walls, and ceiling for protection in cold weather. If you intend to do any camping in cold environments or during the winter, consider installing insulation to keep the interior of the van comfortable. Use your measurements of the van's interior to cut pieces of insulating material that will fit over the floor, walls, and ceiling of the van.
- There are many different types of insulation material you can use, including rigid foam, Styrofoam, rock wool, and natural sheep wool.[3]
- Although different insulation materials come with different installation instructions, a lot of these instructions call for placing roughly of insulation material on the walls and floors, and roughly to of material on the ceiling.[4]
- Use spray foam on any remaining cracks or gaps in the installation.[5]
- Install a wooden floor to build the rest of your installations on. You will need to install a wooden subfloor and top floor for the van to enable you to install the bed platform, kitchen, and any other installations you intend to add.[6]
- The subfloor can be composed of either plywood or batten, though batten is recommended. Cut your pieces of plywood or batten so that they will fit your van's interior, then securely screw this subfloor into the floor of the van to act as a fixing point for the rest of your flooring.[7]
- Once the subfloor is installed, repeat this process to cut and install your top floor, making sure it is securely screwed into the subfloor below.
- Commonly recommended types of wood to use for the top floor include laminate, sheet vinyl, and timber.[8]
EditAdding the Essential Installations - Build and install a platform for your bed. Use plywood and lumber to construct a platform for your bed to go on. Consider installing a platform that not only supports your mattress, but also includes storage space underneath.[9]
- Measure and cut a piece of plywood for the base of the platform, taking into account any curves found on the sides of your van's walls.[10]
- If you'd like to build extra storage space into your platform, cut a piece of 2x6 lumber into 9 pieces roughly high, and screw them into the base plywood in a 3 by 3 formation. These will act as pillars to support your top platform while also providing extra storage.[11]
- Measure and cut a piece of plywood equal to the size of your bottom platform, and screw it into the pillars to act as your top platform.
- Consider assembling your bed platform entirely inside the van; if you construct the platform outside the van and it's too big, it won't fit and you'll have to make adjustments.[12]
- Build and install your kitchen counter. You probably won't be able to access an open fire all the time while camping. Having a dedicated kitchen space with room for a sink, a cutting board, and a portable stove will give you much more flexibility when it comes to cooking.
- Cut a piece of plywood that will serve as your countertop, making sure it is big enough to include your sink, water container, and whatever else you deem necessary, but also small enough to fit in the van.[13]
- Cut a square hole in the plywood that is just slightly smaller than your portable sink, so that your sink fits snugly inside the hole in your countertop.
- Use 2x4 lumber to build a frame for your counter, making sure to stick closely to the measurements you took of the interior van at the outset of the project. Cut your 2x4 into 8 shapes: 4 pieces you will screw together into a rectangle to support the countertop, and 4 pieces that will act as legs to support the entire counter.
- Screw the plywood countertop into the lumber frame, then screw the entire kitchen counter into the wall of your van so that it doesn't tip over while you're driving.[14]
- Add a portable toilet and shower to the van. If you're uncomfortable with going to the bathroom in the woods or going days without showering, you'll definitely need to invest in a portable toilet and portable shower to maintain a comfortable level of hygiene. Store these in the storage space under your bed to keep them out of sight.[15]
- Portable toilets and showers can be found relatively inexpensively in hardware stores and on the internet. You can also install more permanent toilets and water systems, though they will cost more and require more space.[16]
- Make sure you line the inside of your toilet with a garbage bag and empty it out regularly.[17]
- Odors can be controlled with deodorizing chemical cleaning products. Make sure to purchase these when you purchase your portable toilet.
EditStocking the Interior - Make sure you keep an energy source in your camping van. You will most likely have items with you while camping that will need to be charged or recharged at some point. Consider packing a power converter, external battery, or portable charger before beginning your camping trip.[18]
- If cost is no concern, you can also install solar panels to the roof and run the wiring into the inside of your van for a more consistent energy source.[19]
- Pack flashlights or solar lanterns to have light at night. Make sure you bring a source of light for when you're parked in the wilderness at light. Instead of using your phone or an open-flamed candle, pack battery-powered flashlights or solar lanterns for safe and energy efficient illumination.[20]
- Stock your kitchen with cookware and cutlery. Your kitchen won't be nearly as useful if you forget to bring tools to cook and eat with! Make sure your kitchen area is stocked with reusable pots, pans, plates, and utensils, and that you bring a sponge and dish soap to wash them with.[21]
- Consider placing a cooler underneath the kitchen counter to act as a refrigerator. You'll need this for storing any perishable food items you intend to cook.
- Make ample use of vertical space when stocking the interior, as storage space on the inside of your van will be in short supply at the end of the fitting out process.
- If you intend to go camping anywhere hot and humid, make sure you bring bug spray, or consider installing a bug net in your camping van.
- If you intend to go camping in cold climates and opt not to install insulation in your van, be sure to bring a portable heater and thick blankets to keep warm.
EditThings You'll Need - Plywood
- 2x4 lumber
- 2x6 lumber
- Measuring tape
- Circular saw
- Screws
- Wood for flooring
EditSources and Citations
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| How to Repair an Umbrella Posted: 26 Oct 2018 01:00 AM PDT You can easily fix your broken umbrella! If your umbrella's canopy ripped, simply sew up the hole or use a repair patch. If the spokes come undone, use small-gauged wire to refasten them. If the stem snaps off, apply super glue to reattach both pieces. With a few tools and a little patience, your favorite umbrella will be as good as new. EditFixing the Canopy - Stitch the rip closed with a needle and thread if fixing a minor tear. Do this if your umbrella has a small snag or if the spoke ripped out of the end. Thread a needle using nylon thread (which is waterproof), and make a double knot at the end. Fold over of the torn fabric, pierce your needle through both pieces, and pull your thread until you reach the knot.[1]
- To make more stitches, push the needle through the same side of the fabric as the first stitch, and then alternate between sides.
- Leave about in between your stitches.
- Knot your thread and snip it off when you've finished sewing the tear closed.
- Sew a patch of fabric over top the damaged area if mending a hole. Use a patch if the rip or hole is more than long and wide. Use a nylon fabric in a similar color and texture to match your umbrella as best as you can. Cut the fabric larger than the hole using fabric scissors. Then, line up the patch on the inside of the hole. Thread a sewing needle with nylon thread, and make a double knot at the end.[2]
- Pierce the needle through both pieces of fabric, and pull your thread forward.
- Push the needle back through the same side of the fabric, and make your next stitch about away.
- Continue sewing around the fabric until the patch is secure on all sides.
- Use a patching kit to fix your umbrella without sewing it. If you want to fix a hole in your umbrella canopy but do not have a sewing needle or thread, you can purchase a nylon adhesive repair patch. Apply some rubbing alcohol to a cotton ball, and rub it around the hole to clean the area. Cut the size of your patch to the size of your hole, and round the edges with your scissors. Peel away the backing of the patch, and press it to the outer fabric of your umbrella.[3]
- Cleaning the patch before you adhere it helps it stick to your umbrella.
- These patches are typically .
- They come in colors including black, blue, green, navy, red, and orange.
EditMending the Spokes - Open up your umbrella halfway so the spokes are at an angle. If the axle of your spokes has broken off, it is easiest to repair the spokes with the umbrella slightly closed. To do this, use the button or slide tool on your umbrella as if you were opening it all the way, but don't quite secure the umbrella in the open position.[4]
- This way, the spokes are still bent so you can easily line up the connector piece.
- Line up the small holes on the end of your spoke so you can reattach it. There are small holes on either side of the spoke. Align the holes so you can see through both of them.[5]
- Place a piece of wire long through both of the holes. Use your wire cutters to cut a piece of 20-2 gauged wire a few inches long. Then, place 1 end of the wire through both of your aligned holes. Center the wire so there is about of wire on either side.[6]
- Pinch both wires in between your fingers and twist it into place. Place your index finger on 1 end and your thumb on the other, then move your thumb and index finger together to close up both ends. Then, pinch both ends and twist them clockwise to secure the wire in place. Twist the wire until you reach the end of your pieces, at least 4-5 times.[7]
- This essentially creates a new axle or connecting piece out of wire.
- Snip off any extra wire using wire cutters. If you have a long, jagged end of your wire sticking out, simply clip it off at the base of the twist. At this point, your umbrella spokes are fixed![8]
EditRepairing the Stem - Use a damp cloth to clean the umbrella stem so the glue sticks properly. Wet a clean washcloth with warm water, and wipe down the handle and stem of your umbrella.[9]
- This gets rid of any superficial dirt, so the glue sticks to the umbrella well.
- Dab a few thin beads of superglue to 1 end and hold it against the other. Unscrew the lid of your glue container, and squeeze out a few small beads of superglue onto the end of your stem. Then, place the other side of the stem up to the glue. Hold both ends together for about 30 seconds, applying steady pressure.[10]
- Do this to fix a broken stem or to reattach the handle of your umbrella.
- Wrap small-gauged wire around the stem if you need reinforcement. First, fix your umbrella stem with super glue. If you want to add some support, wrap 20-2 gauged wire around the stem about below the damage. Continue wrapping wire around the stem until you reach about above the damage.[11]
- Cut the end of the wire leaving or so at the end. Tuck the wire underneath the wrapped wire, twist it around, and trim off any excess with your wire cutters.
- While this is optional, it helps prevent your umbrella stem from snapping off again.
- If you want to help your wire stay in place, apply a small dab of glue at the beginning and end.
- If your umbrella is still in rough shape after you repair it, simply buy another one. Do this if the whole canopy is ripped off or if the spokes break in multiple sections, for instance.
- You can purchase umbrella repair supplies from home supply stores, craft supply stores, and online vendors.
- Throw away your umbrella if it is rusted or if there are sharp edges.
EditThings You'll Need EditFixing the Canopy - Waterproof thread
- Waterproof fabric
- Needle
- Umbrella repair kit
EditMending the Spokes - Small-gauged wire
- Wire cutters
- Superglue
EditRepairing the Stem - Washcloth
- Water
- Superglue
- Small-gauged wire
- Wire cutters
EditSources and Citations
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