Do-It-Yourself : DIY: developing your hands

Do it yourself

2008-02-29T17:04:37Z

Do it yourself, often referred to by the initialism DIY, is a term used by various communities that focus on people creating things for themselves without the aid of paid professionals. The notion is largely made possible by living in a modern industrial society, and is related in philosophy to the Arts and Crafts movement of the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Many modern DIY subcultures take the traditional Arts and Crafts movement's rebellion against the perceived lack of soul of industrial aesthetics a step further. DIY subculture explicitly critiques modern consumer culture, which emphasizes that the solution to our needs is to purchase things, and instead encourage people to take technologies into their own hands to solve needs.

The actual activity of DIY goes back through the ages: since the beginning of time, people have used their own abilities and available tools and technologies to take care of their own needs, make their own clothing, and so on.

The phrase "do it yourself" came into common usage in the 1950s in reference to various jobs that people could do in and around their houses without the help of professionals. A very active community of people continues to use the term DIY to refer to fabricating or repairing things for home needs, on one's own rather than purchasing them or paying for professional repair. In other words, home improvement done by the householder without the aid of paid professionals.

In recent years, the term DIY has taken on a broader meaning that covers a wide range of skillsets. Today, for example, DIY is associated with the international alternative and hardcore music scenes. Members of these subcultures strive to blur the lines between creator and consumer by constructing a social network that ties users and makers close together.

There are various communities of media-makers that consider themselves DIY, for example the indymedia network, pirate radio stations, and the zine community.

How To Replace Your Heater Hoses?

2008-02-28T12:21:28Z

One one the most common sources of coolant leaks are the heater hoses. These hoses allow hot coolant to enter and leave the heater core to heat the interior of the vehicle. Over time these hoses will get hard and brittle and can crack or break. Give the hoses a feel. Hoses should not be excessively hard, brittle, soft, mushy, or swollen. If they are, replace them as soon as you can

Even if you are in doubt and they are more than four or five years old, replace them just to be safe.

Difficulty: Easy

Time Required: 30 to 60 minutes

Here's How:

Place a drain pan or bucket under the radiator and drain the system by opening the petcock fitting near the bottom. If the old engine coolant is not going to be used, dispose of it immediately because it is extremely poisonous.

Remove the hose clamps from your old hose with a pliers or screwdriver, depending on the type of clamp used, and twist and pull the hose to loosen it from the fitting.

Remove the hose and carefully scrape the fittings clean, then apply a small amount of gasket sealer to the fittings to assure a tight seal with your new hose. Apply sealer to the fitting only; this will help avoid any excess from possibly clogging the hose or a water channel in the block.

Slide the clamps onto your new hose and install them, making sure that the hose ends slide over the fittings far enough to position the clamps properly.c

Tighten all the clamps, fill the radiator with coolant, and start the engine to check for cooling system leaks. Re-check the fluid level after the engine has reached normal operating temperature.

Tips:

When replacing your heater hoses it's a good idea to measure your old ones first - both the length you'll need, and the inside diameter. Heater hose comes in 1/2", 5/8", or 3/4" diameters, with two different sizes often being used on some cars.

Replace your old hose clamps as they tend to become corroded and weak with age.

Do not twist or pull the heaters hose off the heater core. There is a good chance the tubes will break requiring the heater core be replaced. Use a sharp knife or razor blade to slit the hose from the end to past the end of the tube and gently work the hose loose and remove it.

I recommend using Permatex #2 as the hose sealant.

CAUTION! Do not replace the hoses on a hot engine. Make sure the engine is cold before attempting this job. Failure to do so can result in serious burns or other serious injuries.

What You Need:

Screwdriver

Adjustable Pliers

Slip-joint Pliers

Hoses

Hose Clamps

Non-hardening Gasket Sealer

Antifreeze

How to Hand Piece

2008-01-20T05:36:02Z

Tutorial on how to hand piece - Page 2

Backstitch a couple of times and then take about five or six running stitches onto the needle before pulling the thread through. As you take each stitch, keep an eye on the two sides to make sure you are stitching ON the pencilled line.

I make my stitches about one sixteenth of an inch apart. Some fabrics are a little harder to stitch through, for example pima cotton has a high thread count so it is harder to push the needle through. Most normal quilter's cottons are printed on lighter weight fabric with lower thread count so are really easy to stitch through.

Step 5 Back stitch approximately every inch and a half. This gives strength to the seam and locks in the stitches. The idea behind this back stitching is if ever the seams come apart (heaven forbid) then the whole seam won't go. Just the part between the backstitches.

The pins are a good marker for when to back stitch. As you reach each second pin then take it out and back stitch.

Don't worry about whether you are making an exact quarter of an inch seam. You are stitching ON the pencil lines so you are following the exact shape of the template.! s  W9 D: I9 Q. P' ]8 W, z

If you want to trim the seams even later, you can. You will find when you iron the block flat it will be the size you were aiming for.

Step 6 Near the end of the line make two or three back stitches. At the last stitch make a loop big enough to put the needle through easily.

To secure the thread, push the needle back through the loop and then through the loop you just made. Tug the whole mess gently to close it up and make a small knot., Z% G  W9 s# i0 Y$ i

Snip off the thread leaving about half an inch tail.8 }2 S% w' K0 i+ S' _8 M

Step 7 During the piecing of little bits of fabric you start running into seams. You may have noticed that ironing seams flat, open or otherwise has not been mentioned so far and there's a very good reason for this.

Using the Hole in the Barn Door quilt block as an example, pin and stitch a pair of rectangles to the centre square. Make running stitches as usual right up to the seam. Just before the seam take a backstitch, push the needle through the seam and make a backstitch on the other side.

Check to make sure that the two stitches join exactly on the other side to give a continuous seam and no little gaps. Now you see why the seams are not ironed. They need to be unfettered (!) so that you can negotiate which way they will be ironed when the block is finished.

Step 8 Let's put a Hole in the Barn Door quilt block together and see what all this hard work can accomplish! . @+ L6 s: D: w) z! g

First stitch all the pairs of triangles together being careful not to stretch the seams. Then stitch all the rectangles together. These pairings will make eight squares plus you have the plain square for the middle of the block.

Piece the middle row together first. Pin and stitch a pair of rectangles to the centre square and then do the other side.

Next piece the top row together by pinning and stitching the two paired triangles to either side of the paired rectangles.

Now you should have three rows that look like the picture.* G* ?; U8 K# ~- U

Step 9 Stitch the three rows together and 'voila la' - there's a beautiful Hole in the Barn Door quilt block. Do that a few times, stitch all the blocks together and make a whole quilt top. " Q  U5 S! e: B% u

As I stitch each piece together I finger press the seams over to the darker fabric. Once the block is complete I iron it properly and measure it making sure it is the size I want.

How to Hand Piece

2008-01-20T05:26:56Z

Tutorial on How to Hand Piece - Page 16 K+ b/ T# U9 T5 W7 S# K$ S8 ?

Have a special method of piecing? Over a period of time we develop our unique ways of hand piecing. Favorite methods from personal instruction, classes, and books. Just to add to your confusion, here is my method of hand piecing. ; N# s# v* ]4 H; ]! E- E, C

Always make sure that all the pieces on the outside edges of the block are cut on the straight of the grain. If at all possible cut triangles so that a straight grain meets a bias edge giving less chance of stretching the piece while stitching. : `! ?) n0 f/

s p* r4 D8 j1 c

Step 1 Lay out all the pieces of your block exactly in the position you want them stitched together. Pick out the first two triangles to stitch. Hold the right sides together with your fingers.Start by pinning the two pieces - push the pin straight through at each point of the triangle where the pencil lines meet. Do the same on the other point.- x0 K" l# i; |5 h3

Leave the pins at right angles to the fabric so it doesn't get distorted. I like using Iris Swiss pins or fine glasshead pins as they are very skinny.

1 M& V7 N# v5 G7 d* V+ AStep 2 Pin in between the points, leaving approximately one to one and a half inch spaces. . h# Q' m0 E6 }6 u$ N

All the pins should now be at right angles to the fabric.' l' i! }6 `' e9 g- u5 i) h2 ~# e( w

Take another pin and line it up with the one already in the triangle tip. Angling the pin almost horizontally push it down and back up through the fabric. Because you have the first pin already steadying the fabric the second one will slide in without shifting the two pieces. Remove the pin at right angles and use this to do the same thing to the next pin. Keep on doing this until you have all the pins properly lodged. This way you will find the pencil marks will stay exactly lined up while you stitch.' h$ r/ O; e$ s* j1 J$ + e7 g

Step 3 Everyone uses different needles for piecing. I use a straw/milliners needle, some people use a 'sharp' and Jean Lyle recommends using a size 10 appliqué needle. 6 R: w: P- b2 # E& _( q( R

Thread your needle of choice with either 100% cotton or cotton covered polyester (I like YLI Select cotton thread). Use a colour that matches the darker fabric or a neutral shade such as medium gray. Do NOT make a knot at the end of the thread, this makes extra bulk and the less you have to quilt through later - the better! & v- U. B2 N3 M3 r9 G

Take one tiny stitch into the first pinhole. Split the tail with the needle, pull the thread through and tighten to lock in the first stitch.

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Dominating the Search Rankings With SEO

2008-01-18T06:47:24Z

� �To reach the top of major search engines, like Google, you'll need to focus on both on-page optimization and off-page optimization. These strategies ensure that your web pages are properly coded and that many third party websites are linking in. Make sure to develop your web pages with proper search engine optimization techniques. Once you've done so, focus on building links to your website. Links should be formatted properly and generated from high ranking websites (Google PR).

� 1. Begin with properly formatted Meta Tags. The meta tags, including your title tag, description tag, and keywords tag, are important for classifying your web page and communicating to the major search engines the content of your page. Although meta tags are not as important as they once were, they are used for many purposes including how your listing appears in search engine results lists.

� 2. Focus on keyword density. Are you trying to optimize for a particular keyword or keyword phrase? Keyword density is the concentration (as a percentage) of your keyword phrase on a particular web page. Keyword density should range between 2 and 8% To determine your keyword density on a given page, divide the number of times your keyword appears by the total word count of the page.

� 3. Use proper page formatting. Search engines love to see emphasis. You can identify your keywords with specialized tags such as title tags (h1, h2, etc.) and properly formatted text. Be sure to bold, italicize, and underline your keywords at least once on the page you are trying to optimize.

�� 4. Generate links to your website through article marketing and link building activities. Submit original content to article directories and authoritative sites in order to generate back links. When a third party website links to your site, search engines take notice - improving your overall search result placements. Build as many back links as you can.

� 5. Obtain listings in Web directories. Large directories like the Yahoo! Directory, DMOZ and others are important to improving your overall search results. Many websites use these directories to display websites when users search on a particular term. If you're not included in the directory, your website may never appear as a search result option.

� 6. Use social bookmarks to generate inbound links. By bookmarking your website or webpage on popular social bookmarking sites, such as Reddit, Digg, or Del.icio.us, web browsers are pointed to your website and valuable links are created. This strategy is essential for making users aware of your content and generating interest. Many sites will provide links to valuable content.

�� 7. Be persistent. By applying search engine optimization techniques on a regular basis, you're sure to improve your Google placements. The key however is to remain vigilant and continually apply seo even when you've achieved a number one ranking. Do so ensures that you will remain in the top position. These strategies are important for anyone interested in improving search results for their website. Begin any search engine optimization effort with a thorough review of your website's strengths and weaknesses. Once you've identified areas for improvement, separated into on-page areas and off-page areas, you're ready to being promoting your website.

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� About the Author: Michael Fleischner is an Internet marketing expert with more than 12 years of marketing experience. He has appeared on The TODAY Show, Bloomberg Radio, and other major media. Read Michael's latest book on how to improve search engine rankings and visit http://goodmarketingtips.blogspot.com to receive your free daily SEO advice.

Do it Yourself-Carrots!

2008-01-09T12:59:17Z

Carrots are seen everywhere throughout the world.�They are grown on farms and in family gardens and easy to raise and harvest. First of all,they taste good. And they contain a lot of carotene , which the body changes into vitamin A.

When people think of carrots, they usually picture in their mind a vegetable that is long, thin and orange in color. But carrots come in many different sizes and shapes. And not all carrots are orange.

For example, Paris Market carrots are about five centimeters around. Imperator carrots are thin and about twenty-five centimeters long. And Belgian White carrots are, as their name suggests, white.For the best results, carrots should be grown insandy soil that does not hold water for a long

time. The soil also should have no

rocks.

To prepare your carrot garden, dig up the soil, loosen it and turn it over. Then, mix in some plant material or animal fertilizer.

Weather, soil conditions and age will affect the way carrots taste. Experts say warm days, cool nights and a medium soil temperature are the best conditions for growing carrots that taste great.

Carrots need time to develop their full sugar content. This gives them their taste. If they are harvested too early, they will not have enough sugar. But carrots loose their sweetness if you wait too long to remove them from the ground.

The best way to judge if a carrot is ready to be harvested is by its color. Usually, the brighter the color, the better the taste.

Most people do not know that carrots can be grown during the winter months. If the winter is not cold enough to freeze the ground, you can grow and harvest carrots the same way as during the summer months.

If the ground does freeze in your part of the world, simply cover your carrot garden with a thick layer of leaves or straw. This will prevent the ground from freezing. You can remove the ground cover and harvest the carrots as they are needed.

Carrots are prepared and eaten many different ways. They are cut in thin pieces and added to other vegetables. They are cooked by themselves or added to stews . Or, once they are washed, they are eaten just as they come out of the ground.

DIY:The most economical beauty plan!

2008-01-05T13:48:17Z

● Vaseline lip film

Of course, that the effectiveness of Vaseline skin care with multiple effects, which are rich in vitamin A, can quickly infiltrated and locked the inner skin moisture. So for the most vulnerable and fragile dry Yingchun, the oil is not greasy Vaseline difficult to dissolve in water, can be lasting Yingchun maintain water balance.

A. lips painted in a thick layer of Vaseline, about five minutes later, the soft hair brush wipe away dead skin.

B. covered with fresh paper on the lips, then Preservation Fushang thermal paper towel, 10 minutes.

● cold milk to lower blepharoplasty

There are many causes of lower blepharoplasty: insufficient sleep and age are among the reasons for growth. In particular the 25-year-old age, the skin metabolism slowed down, coupled with loss of skin elasticity, but more easily lead eyes bulging from their sockets. However, we all know that the effectiveness of whitening milk, Kurashiki in the eye around more can dilute Wenquan, a frozen milk, but also improve swelling of the eye.

A. Ningzhen first milk into the refrigerator and then fell on Soak clean.

B. Kurashiki in 10 minutes on the eyelids, can restore smooth skin detail.

● Remove Make oil to black

Remove Make probably can not think oil will not only remove cosmetics, remove more stubborn black. The annoying black, it was forced choice crowded, some people choose black nose paste, but the two will expand the pores, remove black is cleared, but the pores of the Cheung, the next sprouted black may be even greater. Why not try to use the oil Remove Make black, not fire and temperature will not lead to more sensitive skin.

A. Remove Make oil painted in radius.

B. After the surface covered with fresh paper or Oil-Paper to slow Duct wind blowing to the radius about 30 seconds, and then cleansed, Shuanglu water on the final film.

Do It By Yourself

2008-01-05T13:37:09Z

In a warm and sweet spring day, the sun was shining, and the wind gently blowing, roses blooming. Duckling and her mother went out for a walk by the river.

Duckling asked her mother, "Mummy, would you please take me to go swimming?" her mother replied, "The stream is safety enough, do it by yourself!" A few days later, Duckling learned how to swim.

A little eagle asked his mother, "Mummy, I want to have a look on the other side of the mountain, would you please take me there?" his mother said, "It is very beautiful there, do it by yourself!" a few days later, the little eagle learned how to fly and saw the beautiful scene by the other side of the mountain.

This essay is a abstract of "do it by yourself" from a Chinese book in Grade one，I translated it as a gift to Sabrina on her birthday. This fairy tales tells us that knowledge can change your fate and struggles can achieve your dreams. Always want to try and try again and again, then, all your brilliant wishes will come into true one by one.

Do it yourself, it can't be worse!

2008-01-05T13:17:36Z

Some of my friends are upset because they cannot lay their hands on a decent birthday card during December when my birthday is in.

When can you buy a decent Birthday Card?

I am sorry but as a frustrated graphic designer I can only find interesting cards in designer shops or up to date bookshops maybe. The trash that is thrown at the public is overwhelming and I have found even the untrained eye on receiving something different or wantable can tell the difference - the question is always "where did you get this?".

If facebook contributors can get Cadburys to make their chocolate bars again, do you think they could tell whoever where to put their greetings cards? Most look the same as cards of 1930's or have comic book cartoons and text!

What actually happens in stores is that the Christmas Cards are put in the place of the least selling Birthday cards and the standard Birthday lines fill what is left! If that is a standard well, I think one of our friends on here was talking of making them herself, Christmas and Birthday cards, can't be worse, we might even enjoy using our computers and photos and downloadable images to make cards particularly for the new generation of techno-kids!

Happy Birthdays and Holidays

Do-It-Yourself : DIY: developing your hands

Do it yourself

How To Replace Your Heater Hoses?

Here's How:

Tips:

What You Need:

How to Hand Piece

How to Hand Piece

Dominating the Search Rankings With SEO

Do it Yourself-Carrots!

DIY:The most economical beauty plan!

Do It By Yourself

Do it yourself, it can't be worse!

Some of my friends are upset because they cannot lay their hands on a decent birthday card during December when my birthday is in.