text by Vicki     Sign up here to join our weekly email newsletter! ​

Here's another edition of "Top 5 DIY Tools!" This time they are from The Home Depot. Take a look at some of the tools we consider to be essential. Let us know your favorites in the comments. 

text by Vicki     Sign up here to join our weekly email newsletter! ​

While once again using a plastic scraper we got from Amazon in yet another project, we got to thinking we needed to share our other favorite Amazon "must have" tools. We put together a list of five tools we find ourselves using time after time on projects--that are all under $20! There's a bonus tool that comes in at $27 that we've had since Sears was in the business of selling tools!

text by Vicki     Sign up here to join our weekly email newsletter! ​

With the increased use of fabric and medical masks, the need for ear savers has grown. Ear savers are most often worn by health professionals to ease the discomfort of wearing a mask for a long time. As the general population adopts the use of masks for every day use, we all could benefit from these simple little devices.

In the workshop, we we've been wearing masks for years. We tend to take them off as soon as possible because they can be uncomfortable so we wanted a couple of these for ourselves and to giveaway. 

In April 2020, Cricut added three sizes of ear protectors to Cricut Design Space. They are free, but they did not offer up a tutorial on how to actually use the pattern. 

​Steph found a way to use the file, and we found an inexpensive, readily available resource from which to make them. 

text by Vicki     Sign up here to join our weekly email newsletter! ​

So we did it.

​We finally bought a Cricut Maker!

Let me back up for those of you who don't know what the world of Cricut is all about. Cricut (the Explore Air 2 and Maker models) is a computer controlled cutting machine that replaces a wide variety of cutting tools. It allows the user to create shapes and words in a variety of adhesive vinyl and more.

For example, if you were ever a school volunteer, you probably used an Ellison machine to cut letters for bulletin boards. A Cricut can do that and more. If you've seen personalized mugs and bags as well as t-shirts, they were probably created with a Cricut. 

Well, we were undecided until we realized the Maker model could cut wood! That seemed to be right in Mother Daughter Projects wheelhouse so we went for it.

text by Vicki     Sign up here to join our weekly email newsletter! ​

We are always on the lookout for interesting tools and homeowner helps to share with our audience. During a quick (is there ever such a thing?) trip to Target, we spotted a new offering from the company that makes Zuru Bunch O Balloons water balloons. We've used those on many occasions with the grands. They are so much fun!

Well, we were intrigued with the new Bunch O Balloons Self-Sealing Party Balloons. We saw a starter pack that includes a pump, and a refill pack that comes with an adapter to use with an air compressor. As you know, we have lots of tools and we just happen to have an air compressor--light bulb moment. We decided to buy both so we could share how to use an air compressor to fill the balloons. 

But, first...we needed an occasion to celebrate! More on that later...