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Take your time with this important step. Subsequent drawings—the site analysis and the conceptual, preliminary, and final designs—all use the base map as a starting point. The accuracy of the base map makes it a dependable tool, which in turn helps ensure the success of any project, large or small. Preparing a Base Map First, obtain a map that shows the exact size and shape of your property. This may be the plat, a deed map, the architect’s or builder’s plans, or a topographical plan with contour lines showing the site’s elevation or gradations....

The box-setting jig enables you to quickly position outlets at a uniform height and with a consistent projection from the framing. You then use the marking jig to transfer the position of each box to the floor, virtually guaranteeing that you’ll never bury a box behind the drywall. The marking jig then enables you to lay out the box’s outline onto the face of the panel. Cutting the opening with your jab saw is a quick and confident process....

Dying Easter eggs with rice is one of our favorite easy kid’s Easter projects—just have an adult help with adding the dye. Once you’re done dyeing eggs with rice, display the finished eggs as part of a creative spring centerpiece or use them as part of your morning Easter egg hunt. How to Make Rice Dyed Easter Eggs Supplies Needed Ceramic eggs or hard-boiled eggsPlastic cupsDry riceFood coloring Step-by-Step Directions Follow these simple how-to instructions to color eggs with rice....

What Are Moles? Moles are burrowing insectivores. They are about 6-8 inches long and have gray to black velvety fur, slender hairless snouts, and small eyes and ears. Moles’ large front feet have long claws that dig much like a hoe. Except for breeding season in early spring, moles tend to live alone, so the multi-tunneled pattern in your yard is likely home to only one mole. Before you learn how to get rid of moles, you need to learn how they live....

As someone who has planted multiple yards in clover, I’m here to tell you that this much maligned plant is actually one of the best grass lawn alternatives out there. This tough perennial plant has a long list of pros, including the fact that it doesn’t require as much care as grass to look green and gorgeous. Here’s what you need to know to plant and grow your own clover lawn....

What Is a Huckleberry? Huckleberries are shrubs in the heath family, and are closely related to blueberries and cranberries. There are two main types of huckleberry bushes. Huckleberries in the Gaylussacia group, or genus, grow wild in the forest underbrush in eastern North America and Canada. In general, they’re sometimes called Eastern huckleberries. Their small, spring flowers form smooth, dark blue or purple-black berries held in clusters, like blueberries. The other group, Western huckleberries, are in the Vaccinium genus....

How to Hang a Gallery Wall Follow our step-by-step instructions for choosing, arranging, and mounting your gallery wall. What You Need ArtworkPencilKraft paperScissors or a crafts knifePainters tapeHammerNails or picture hangersRuler or measuring tapeLevelDouble-sided adhesive tape, such as Command strips, or adhesive hook-and-loop tape, such as Velcro Step 1: Gather Art Start by gathering an assortment of wall art. Choose items that go together but aren’t matchy-matchy. For example, build a photo wall with a bunch of family pictures or opt for frames without photos to create a wall frame collage—it’s up to you....

When to Call an Electrician While basic wiring is suitable for many DIYers, it can be dangerous and calls for extreme caution. If you’re uncertain of your ability to safely and properly wire a porch light, call an electrician or handyman to wire the fixture before placing yourself and others at risk. Installing vs. Replacing a Porch Light If you already have a porch light but are looking to upgrade, the process is similar to the steps below, only easier....

Before you begin, remove the old tiles and smooth out the walls. You’ll want a flat surface to lay your tiles on. Also make sure you’re comfortable completing the skills needed for this project, such as cutting tile, grouting, and caulking. You can expect to spend a weekend installing the tile, but total times will vary based on the size of your bathroom. Bathroom Subway Tile Ideas What You Need SandpaperAll-purpose cleanerScrewdriverPainters tapePremixed thinset mortarV-notch trowelSubway tiles (we used Daltile Finesse tiles in Bright White)Wet tile saw1/16 tile spacersMicrofiber clothGrout (we used Delorean Gray Simple Premium)Rubber floatLarge spongesLarge bucketBright white tile caulkCaulking gun...

Step 1: Place the Sheets Lay the fitted sheet on your bed, aligning the corners of the sheet with the corners of the bed. Starting in one corner, tuck the bedsheet under the mattress. Move diagonally to the next corner and repeat tucking in the sheet. Repeat for the remaining two corners. Smooth out any gaps or bunches, and make sure the fitted sheet is pulled taut over the mattress. Then lay the flat sheet over the bed so it hangs evenly on both sides of the bed....

“When I saw the BHG 2023 Color of the Year, I instantly thought of how amazing it would look in their room with the mural,” Nicole says. “The color Canyon Ridge reminded me of a sunset we saw while hiking the canyons in Utah. So I thought let’s use this to paint their ceiling and include a literal sun element with the sunburst around their ceiling light.” Here’s how Nicole created a ceiling sunburst in her kids’ room using inexpensive trim pieces from the hardware store....

Heather and Joe , the couple behind blog Household No. 6, transformed a narrow space in their home to carry the style and function load of their four kids. The sleek 6x6-foot hobby room, which features four file cabinets under a butcher-block counter, has space for a chair and work area for each child and cost about $600 to create. Here’s how it all came together. Step 1: Panel the Walls Kit Selzer After painting the walls, Joe and Heather nailed 6x48-inch strips of 1/2-inch plywood to the wall above the baseboard, trimmed the top edge, and painted the woodwork white....

Strawberry Shortcake Crunch Truffles Add the sugar and one 0.8-oz. bag freeze-dried strawberries to a food processor. Process until very finely crushed. Make as directed except use the strawberry sugar in place of cinnamon sugar and strawberry ice cream instead of caramel ice cream.Nutrition analysis per serving: 61 calories, 1 g protein, 7 g carbohydrate, 3 g total fat (2 g sat. fat), 10 mg cholesterol, 0 g fiber, 4 g total sugar, 2% Vitamin A, 2% Vitamin C, 24 mg sodium, 2% calcium, 0% iron...

Growing Conditions: Full sun in well-drained soil (radishes will rot in soggy, poorly drained soil) Size: Up to 1 foot tall Growing Conditions: Full sun to part shade in moist, well-drained soil Size: Up to 12 inches tall Growing Conditions: Full sun in moist, well-drained soil Size: Up to 7 feet tall (depending on type) Growing Conditions: Full sun to part shade in moist, well-drained soil Size: Up to 12 inches tall Growing Conditions: Full sun in moist, well-drained soil Size: Up to 6 feet tall Growing Conditions: Full sun to part shade in moist, well-drained soil Size: Up to 2 feet tall Growing Conditions: Full sun in moist, well-drained soil Size: Up to 3 feet tall Growing Conditions: Full sun in moist, well-drained soil Size: Up to 8 inches tall Growing Conditions: Part shade in moist, well-drained soil Size: Up to 2 feet tall Growing Conditions: Full sun in moist, well-drained soil Size: 4-8 feet tall (depending on variety)

Keep reading for drink pairing ideas for the 10 most popular Girl Scout cookies this year, and once you’ve picked your perfect pairings, know you can recreate the sweet soiree all year long with these copycat Girl Scout cookie recipes. Thin Mints Girl Scout cookie wine pairing: Primitivo While the chocolate-mint combo is nearly impossible to pair well with any wine (milk is your best choice, honestly!), this Italian cousin to Zinfandel is full-bodied and juicy to bring out the dark chocolate qualities of these cookies....

We’ve rounded up our favorite flower deliveries so you can be sure you’re getting a beautiful floral display this Valentine’s Day. Whether you’re ordering a dozen long-stemmed roses or a colorful bouquet, we recommend placing your order at least a week early (by February 7) so you can be confident your delivery will arrive on time. Buy It: The Verona Bouquet ($65, Urbanstems) Buy It: Petal Up Peony Bouquet ($75, Farmgirl Flowers) Buy It: Venice Peach Bouquet ($64, The Bouqs Co....

Test Kitchen Tip: Not a fan of drumsticks? Try using the marinade to make tequila lime wings.

Make Every Carbohydrate Count When you eat carbohydrates, reach for complex carbohydrates such as whole-grain bread and pasta, legumes, nonstarchy fruits, and vegetables. Pick Produce that Triggers Lower Glucose Response Fruits and vegetables with the lowest glycemic index include apples, apricots, asparagus, broccoli, Brussels sprouts, cauliflower, celery, cherries, cucumber, grapefruit, green beans, lettuce, mushrooms, onions, plums, spinach, strawberries, sweet peppers, tomatoes, and zucchini. Moderate-GI produce includes cantaloupe, grapes, oranges, orange juice, peaches, peas, pineapple, yams, and watermelon....