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Most modern-day households contain sanitary facilities and a means of preparing food. Animals have their own homes as well, either living in the wild or in a domesticated environment.

how to do decking

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In architecture, a deck is a flat surface capable of supporting weight, similar to a floor, but typically constructed outdoors, often elevated from the ground, and usually connected to a building. The term is a generalization of decks as found on ships.
Build a Perfect Deck:

After thousands of Decking Designs and Decks Built during the Past 14 Years, Master Craftsman and Bestselling Author, Andrew M. Hunt reveals his Decking Secrets! In “The Complete Decking Builder’s Manual”, there are photos and diagrams on all types of decking project:
  • Building wooden decking in hardwood, softwood, or composite
  • Preparing the chosen site for the decking
  • Building high decks or raised decks and decks with curves
  • The tools and equipment required to build professional decking
  • Building multi-level decks with patterned decking boards
  • How to support decking joists; when to use beams and posts
  • Building simple steps for decking projects
  • How to best attach the decking boards to the sub-frame
  • How to securely attach a sub-frame to prevent movement in the deck
  • How to design a deck that is attached to your house or free-standing
  • All types of garden, pool, and hot-tub decking
  • Available software to help in the design of your deck
  • Tips on spacing the joists for best performance and long-life for your decking
  • The best way to prevent weeds from growing beneath your deck

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how to do back stitch

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  • Backstitch or back stitch and its variants stem stitch, outline stitch and split stitch are a class of embroidery and sewing stitches in which individual stitches are made backward to the general direction of sewing. These stitches form lines and are most often used to outline shapes or to add fine detail to an embroidered picture.
  • Basic backstitch is used to outline shapes in modern cross-stitch, in Assisi embroidery and occasionally in blackwork.
  • A versatile and easy to work stitch, backstitch is ideal for following both smooth and complicated outlines and as a foundation row for more complex embroidery stitches such as Herringbone ladder filling stitch. Although superficially similar to Holbein stitch, commonly used in Blackwork embroidery, backstitch differs in the way it is worked, requiring a single journey only to complete a line of stitching.
  • Stem stitch is an ancient technique; surviving mantles embroidered with stem stitch by the Paracas people of Peru are dated to the first century BCE.Stem stitch is used in the Bayeux Tapestry, an embroidered cloth probably dating to the later 1070s, for lettering and to outline areas filled with couching or laid-work.
  • Split stitch in silk is characteristic of Opus Anglicanum, an embroidery style of Medieval England.
To learn to stitch a back stitch line, you will need:
  • a pair of sharp scissors
  • a small embroidery hoop
  • a piece of 11-count Aida fabric large enough to overlap the hoop by a few inches
  • a short length of embroidery floss – any color
  • a size 24 tapestry needle.

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how to do a blind stitch

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A blind stitch is a variant geometry of the zigzag stitch. It is also called a “blind hem”. It is composed the same way as a zigzag, except that the individual zig-zag pairs are each separated by several straight stitches. Its purpose is to create a nearly invisible hem: because only the zigzags penetrate to the visible side of the material, minimizing their number minimizes their visibility.
This is an almost invisible stitch (sometimes called a “blind stitch”) formed by slipping the thread under a fold of fabric. It can be used to join two folded edges, or one folded edge to a flat surface. It is a fast and easy way to mend a seam from the right side, especially one that would be difficult to reach from the inside.
  1. Fasten the thread and bring both needle and thread out through one folded edge.
  2. For the first and each succeeding stitch, slip needle through fold of opposite edge for about 1/4 inch / 6 mm; bring needle out and draw the thread through.
  3. Continue to slip the needle and thread through the opposing folded edges.
  4. Tie off the thread when the opening is fully closed.

Sewing a blind stitch requires folding a hem in, sewing on the inside of the fold and catching very small pieces of each side with the needle for an invisible seam. Sew a blind stitch, using a matching colored thread, with a demonstration from a fashion designer in this free video on sewing.


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how to do an air chair

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  • If you’re a Bboy or a Bgirl then one breakdancing move that you will need to learn is how to airchair.  This  is a staple in most  Bboy performances and can look quite impressive combined with other moves. Learning how to airchair requires strength, balance and most importantly, practice. This article will guide you step-by-step in learning how to successfully perform an airchair.
  • Stretch properly. Before attempting to do an airchair, be sure to thoroughly stretch out your arms, wrists, and back to prevent injury. You will be relying heavily on your wrists and arms to keep you balanced. Wear wrist support bands if needed.
  • Get into position. Start by squatting down with your feet flat on the floor.  Lean back and place your right hand flat on the ground behind you. Bend your elbow so that it is firmly resting right up against the side of your ribs. Lean onto your right arm, placing your body weight completely on your right arm and wrist.  Keep your chest straight and your right arm securely in place.
  • Lift your legs. Slowly  raise your legs off the ground, use your left arm to keep you steady. You may find it easier to kick off with one of your legs to help get both of your legs off the ground.  Once your legs are off the ground and you are in the airchair position you can keep your knees bent or slowly straighten them out. Straightening out your legs will require a bit more practice.
  • Keep practicing. As with all breakdancing moves, the more your practice the easier it will become.  If you find that you are not strong enough to balance yourself without pain in your arms and wrists then work on exercises that will strengthen your arm and wrist muscles.
  • Air Chair – “The ‘Original’ Hydrofoil Water-ski Company” featuring the latest technology and the highest quality material – pre-tuned and ready for any level of riding. Now with Air Chair’s exclusive interchangeable concave blade foil assembly and Power Wedges. Three interchangeable foil configurations meet the needs of beginner thru pro riders. The front Concave and Curved Blade lands softer, allowing the foil to flow into the water.
  • The Beginner Flat Rear Blade is more stable and slower for the beginning rider, making learning easier.
  • The Advanced Curved Rear Blade gives quicker performance and goes higher with less effort than flat blades.
  • The Pro Curved Rear Blade gives the extra performance needed to go quicker and higher allowing for professional level tricks. The Pro Blade is the quickest, giving the rider the speed to complete rotations.
  • Power Wedges fine tune the polished aluminum foil at each riding level to your desired lift.
  • New strut/ seat /ski design virtually eliminates foil wobble, creating a solid fit for extra responsiveness and predictability. Features thick contoured seat pad with cutout tailbone area, built-in seatbelt and deep molded foot beds. Quick disassembly for storage. Constructed of the highest quality grade aircraft aluminum. Includes instructional DVD.
  • The New Air Chair. It’s Not an Evolution…
  • It’s a REVOLUTION!
  • We’re going to change everything you know about the Air Chair! There is nothing like it. It’s design is a complete departure from anything you’ve seen before. It’s Rock-Solid performance is nothing short of spectacular. What you know about the sport now, you will soon regard as the way it used to be. What the enthusiast has demanded, only the Air Chair delivers! In addition to the sleek ready to ride foil, Air Chair incorporates it’s many years of knowledge and design, making a rock solid foil assembly that is time proven to be strong at an affordable cost for riders, unbeatable by any other hydrofoil. Performance, quality, strength, & top customer service, all part of why Air Chair is .
  • Tailored Performance; Variable Lift.
  • From the Inventor of the Sport not the imitator ™.
  • During the decade that has passed since the introduction of the original Air Chair, riders have attempted to tune the various components of the Air Chair to enhance its performance. Other companies have introduced products that have incorporated many of these enthusiast-level modifications.
  • Now Air Chair makes such tuning a thing of the past, and leaves every other design in its wake! Three precision foil configurations, and our exclusive Power Wedges™ form the foundation for unmatched performance. The Air Chair delivers incredible stability at every level of riding expertise. By interchanging blades, a beginner learns quickly; an experienced rider enjoys an amplification of adrenaline-raising excitement; and the professional rider will feel the harmonious melding of mind, body and sport!
  • Polished Performance; Air Chair’s New Integral Strut, Seat & Ski. The new Air Chair incorporates a radically new Strut/Seat/Ski design that virtually eliminates foil wobble. The twin-tapered fit of the strut-to-seat mating surfaces creates solidity unknown in designs of the past. This advance feature translates into feather-light responsiveness and a precise, aerobatic predictability. No other company can truthfully make this claim.
  • And now the all new FLEX SEAT featuring the best design in the industry to give riders that extra softness they desire.  With the newer blade system riders are going higher and so now we offer a Flex Seat that easily attaches to the seat tower for even more cushion soft landings, without compromising performance or safety. Atop the Flex Seat is a specially designed seat cushion with memory foam.  It also includes the secure Padded Aerial belt with Velcro and a buckle to assure the rider the belt will not accidentally come apart. Velcro looses 50% of it’s holding power when wet and a secondary safety system is necessary and a must!  Flex Seat is available as an option for use with any Air Chair, call for more information.
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How to do Afghan crochet stitch

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Afghan stitch creates a firm fabric with an even surface that is ideal for surface embellishment, such as counted cross stitch. Worked in panels, afghan stitch can be combined with panels of crocheted lace for unlimited creativity.

A ripple afghan can be made with nearly any type of yarn. Acrylic worsted weight yarn is widely available, inexpensive, and provides the most variety of color choices. Baby yarns provide extra softness for snuggling a little one, and chenille yarns can add rich texture and warmth to your project. Be sure to check the label on your yarn for care and washing directions, to make sure the yarn is appropriate for use as a blanket.

First Half Of Foundation Row

Starting in the second chain, (count the chain your hook is in as the first), insert hook in chain, yarn over and draw up a loop.  Continue working across, drawing up a loop in each stitch of the chain.  Leave all the loops on the hook, .  Now count the loops; there should be the same number of loops as number of starting chain.

Second Half of Foundation Row

Working from left to right, yarn over and draw through one loop.  *Yarn over and draw through 2 loops,.  Repeat from * across until one loop remains on the hook.  This is the first stitch of the next row.  NOTE:  These two half rows always count as one row.

Row 2:  Skip the first upright bar, directly below the hook.  draw up a loop in each bar across.  Leave all the loops on the hook; work off the loops in the same manner as the second half of the foundation row.  Repeating row 2, complete the number of rows specified in the pattern, .  NOTE:  When drawing up a loop on the last stitch of the row; put your hook through the entire stitch, not just under the bar.  this makes a firm salvage edge.

Tunisian Knit Stitch

The foundation row for the knit stitch is the same as the regular afghan stitch.

Row 2: Holding the yarn behind your work, skip the first vertical loop below the hook.  Insert the hook from front to back through the center of the next vertical loop.  Yarn over and draw up a loop.  Repeat across the row, keeping all the loops on the hook.  Work the loops off the same as for the regular afghan stitch.

The Resources

http://www.wisegeek.com
http://www.coatsandclark.com
http://vickisdesigns.tripod.com

How to do it yourself roofing

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Summary: Do it yourself roofing may sound like a great idea to save money, but in reality it can be a disaster. There are many important steps that must be followed to ensure roofs will not leak. If you do have friends help, do not break out the alcohol until the job is complete and leak-proof.

DEAR TIM: My husband and a friend are planning to install a new asphalt shingle roof on our home this summer. My task is to be the chief financial officer and job superintendent. I need to establish a budget for the project and uncover important installation tips. How do I calculate the cost of the project and what are the most important steps that need to be followed to eliminate roof leaks? Michelle L., East Tawas, MI

DEAR MICHELLE: You and your husband are absolutely sailing into uncharted waters. I am reminded of the clever television commercial where a bare-chested man is sitting at his kitchen table with a dinner knife in his one hand. He is on the phone with a surgeon who is telling him where to start the incision. The man at the table has a perplexed look on his face and says to the surgeon, “Shouldn’t you be doing this?”

Installing asphalt shingles is not necessarily hard, although it can sometimes involve strenuous, dirty work. As with many crafts in the home building and remodeling field, there are many small steps and tricks that you must employ to ensure years of leak-free performance from your new roof. To think you will learn them all from this column is a folly. Entire books have been written on the subject and many of the ones I have reviewed have skipped very important steps.

Let’s talk first about the financial aspects of the job. You need to create a detailed material list that will include the needed building permit, the asphalt shingles, underlayment, possible ice and wind-driven rain membranes, nails, flashing materials, drip and rake edge flashings, new or rental tools ladders, roof scaffolding, safety equipment, possible disposal costs if you are tearing off an existing roof, etc.

Roofing materials are sold by the square. One square of material covers 100 square feet of roof area. There is always a certain amount of waste, so calculate the exact square footage of what needs to be covered and add 8 to 10 percent for waste. Once you have selected the actual roofing shingles, refer to their written instructions for the exact type of approved nails. Try to locate hot-galvanized nails that are ring shanked. These have superior holding power in wood roof sheathing.

You can often get superb advice with your material list by opening your phone book. Look under the heading Roofing Supplies. You should find several companies that sell roofing materials to roofers. They typically do not advertise to consumers, but will often sell to them. They can help you make sure you are calculating all the things you will need. Take in drawings and photographs of your existing roof making sure you have all dimensions. Visit these businesses during their slow periods which are often mid-morning or mid-afternoon.

The best tips I can give you are fairly simple. Select the roofing material you are going to use and then obtain the actual written instructions from the local distributor, the manufacturer’s website and/or from the package wrapping of a bundle of shingles. Read these until you absolutely understand what you are supposed to do.

Far and away the largest sources of roof leaks are flashings. Roof flashings are transitional roofing materials that connect the actual roofing material to things that are not roofing. You will find flashings where shingles touch up against walls, chimneys, plumbing vents, ventilation vents, intersection points where two different roofs touch one another, skylights, etc.

I suggest that you set up an experiment between now and this summer. I want you to build a test roof in your garage using one or possibly two sheets of plywood. Support the plywood with several 2x4s so that it is stiff just like a real roof. Create a slope by tilting and supporting the panel so you can get the feel of working on a slope.

Cover this piece of plywood with all of the materials you are going to use on your real roof. See how hard or easy it is to maintain straight lines. Try to install all of the flashing types you will have on your real roof. Your garage is the place to make mistakes, not up on the real roof when time, skill and safety are of the essence.

Be sure to be realistic about all of the costs involved in this do-it-yourself experiment. When you add up all of the costs, you may discover you are only saving several hundred dollars over the cost of a professional installation. Remember, a professional works much faster than your husband and his friend. They know all of the shortcuts and they have all of the right tools to make them highly productive.

Plan for disasters. What happens if your husband or his friend get hurt? Who will complete the job? What will that cost? What happens if the inside of your house gets wet from a leak? Will it cost more to fix that problem than what you saved on the roofing job?

References :

http://www.askthebuilder.com

How to do it yourself landscaping

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“In a nutshell, what is the best way to go about beautifying my yard?” I am sometimes asked this rather broad question, and it’s a tough one to answer. There are so many variables in do-it-yourself landscaping, such as budget, skills, the climate of your region, your personal design tastes, how you’ll be using your yard, etc. But there are some steps you can take in do-it-yourself landscaping that are so sound that they readily suggest themselves as answers to this question.

1. Provide Your Landscaping With Year-Round Interest
Here’s a can’t-miss tip for beautifying your yard: make sure you’re providing something of interest in each of the four seasons. Do-it-yourself landscaping for 4-season interest begins with a well researched plant-selection plan. The goal is to have flowering trees and/or shrubs throughout spring and summer, fall foliage in autumn and good structure in winter. This article describes how to achieve that goal.

2. Layer Your Flower Beds When Planting
Layer your planting beds in 3 rows: a back row (facing north, preferably) with the tallest plants, a middle row with the next tallest, and a front row composed of your shortest plants. Use repetition, both in the planting bed and elsewhere in your yard, to provide unity.
More: Example of Plant Layering in a Flower Bed

3. Use Evergreens and Other Foliage Plants for Continuity
Do-it-yourself landscaping tip #1 above focuses on deciduous trees and shrubs. But don’t forget evergreens and other plants prized as much or more for their foliage as for their flowers. The deciduous specimens provide more color and variety, while the evergreens will provide continuity.
More: Foliage Plants

4. Use Annuals to Supplement Perennial Color
Perennial flowers are wonderful for your planting beds, but they bloom for only so long. You may have perennials blooming in your bed in May, then nothing until July. Incorporating annuals into a do-it-yourself landscaping plan will “plug the gaps,” giving you continuous color in the yard. Use my picture gallery to find ideas for your color schemes. The gallery is preceded by an introduction to employing color in landscape design.
More: Picture Gallery of Flowers — By Color

5. Incorporate Hardscape Into Your Landscape Design
Don’t restrict your do-it-yourself landscaping to plants. Include hardscape features, too. Like evergreens, they provide structure in winter, and much more than that. Walls and fences make an essential design statement, as they frame your property. When I’m driving around the countryside, I’m constantly struck by how much more “finished” the properties with fences look. Decks and arbors are other important hardscape features. Patios and decks provide transitions from indoors to outdoors.
More: Hardscape Options: Patios and Walls

6. Install Water Features: It’s Easier Than You Think
Good landscape designs are anchored by focal points. One of the hottest trends is to use water features as focal points. This is one trend with “sound” reasoning behind it: water features are not only visually appealing, but emit soothing sounds. Using pre-formed rigid plastic liners, durable pumps, flexible tubing and cheap fountains, they’re also a lot easier to install than you think. Once you’ve experimented with ponds, you may even decide to advance to the next level: simple waterfalls.

7. Using Form and Texture to Your Advantage
Flowers are great, but don’t forget the characteristics of a plant’s branching pattern and foliage. In landscape design, varying form and texture is one way to spice up a yard with diversity. Evergreen conifers, while lacking flowers altogether, nonetheless have foliage that offers a myriad of different forms and textures. While browsing these do-it-yourself landscaping tips, you’ll discover many ways to enhance the beauty of your yard.
More: Plant Form and Texture Explained in Pictures

8. Make Your Life Easier With a Low-Maintenance Yard
You can follow all the above do-it-yourself landscaping tips and still not be happy with your yard. For, besides giving your yard a pleasing appearance, you must also be sensible in planning for its maintenance. Beautiful or not, you’ll resent your yard if it causes you too much work. Unless you don’t mind spending hours each weekend on upkeep, plan your design for low maintenance.

9. Use Drought-Tolerant Plants
Many novices at do-it-yourself landscaping start out with high hopes in spring, only to have them dashed in summer. Why? Because the summer heat wilts all of that promising spring perkiness out of their plants! The answer? Select drought-tolerant plants to grow, instead.
More: Examples of Drought-Tolerant Plants

10. Types of Flowers
Carefully matching the types of flowers you’ll be growing with the space where they’ll be growing is a fundamental policy to follow in do-it-yourself landscaping. Light and soil requirements should always be considered before deciding which types of flowers to buy for your yard.

References :

http://landscaping.about.com

How to do it yourself plumbing

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Is your toilet leaking due to a failed toilet wax ring or are you looking to install a new kitchen or bathroom faucet?

The installation of basic plumbing and performing simple plumbing repairs can be done by DIY homeowners with the right tools and a little knowledge.

watch this video to learn more about How to do it yourself plumbing

References :

http://www.homeadditionplus.com