Decorating the Walls in your Home

Hung up on wall decorations? I have some pointers to help you get your picture in the right spot every time!

1. Use a ruler to mark the right hand side of a sticky note in half-inch increments to four inches.

2. Grab your picture, holding your wire taut measure the distance from the wire to the top of the picture.

3. With the ruled side of the note in line with the center and top of the frame, hold your picture up where you want it and stick the note "ruler" to the wall. This way you'll know exactly where the wire sits and where to drive your hanger.

4. If you're worried about stability you may want to hang two hooks a quarter inch out from your mark.

5. If you're hanging a picture on a plaster wall put a small "X" of cellophane tape over the spot you need to drive the nail this will prevent cracking.

6. Also remember protect your walls adhering felt or rubber pads to the back lower corners of your picture where the frame meets the wall.

Repair or Recycle an old Garden Hose

If your garden hose has sprung a leak, don't throw it away! There is an easy way to fix it.

1. Pick up a hose coupling at your local hardware store. Just make sure you measure the diameter of your hose so that you get the right size.

2. Use a sharp utility knife to cut out the section of the hose that is leaking. Insert the coupling into the hose and use a pair of pliers to tighten down the teeth that hold the coupling in place.

3. If your hose is beyond repair, there are some great ways to recycle it! Support tree branches by threading sturdy wire thorough a cut length of hose. Then use the cushioned wire to tie off those sagging branches.

4. Slit your hose lengthwise and use it as a covering on swing set chains to protect little hands, or as a cover on your saw blades.