Show Notes: Dr. Elmo, Treats and Holiday Tips – On the House
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Show Notes: Dr. Elmo, Treats and Holiday Tips

By on December 6, 2014

We are in the holiday spirit thanks to Dr. Elmo singing his hit songs and kicking off the Under The On The House Christmas Tree holiday giveaway.  Thank you to our guests: Stacia Marlow of Sparkle and Dine was on hand to decorate the table with her expertise and Elizabeth Johnson with ScotchBlue Painters Tape for the do it right painting tips.

www.drelmo.com

www.sparkleanddine.com

www.scotchblue.com

 

Outdoor Decorating Safety

 A few things you can do with Christmas lights to make sure your holidays are beautiful and safe.

Are you one of those overachievers who puts up so many outdoor Christmas lights that jet planes think your house is a runway? Too much of a good thing can be a problem. Remember Chevy Chase’s house in National Lampoon’s “Christmas Vacation” In the movies decorating disasters are funny. At your house, safety is no laughing matter. Here are a few things you can do to make sure your holidays are beautiful and safe: First, never use indoor lights outside. Only use UL-approved exterior lights put up from below. Use a non-metallic ladder to prevent electric shocks. Stay off the roof to avoid falls and causing leaks. Suspend strands of lights from hangers rather than nailing or stapling them. The latter practice can cut into wires, creating shocks, shorts and hazards. And putting too many strands together can cause overheating, and cause a fire. Overloaded circuits can blow fuses and trip circuit-breakers. Just a little decorating common sense will make your home a beautiful and safe showplace this holiday season.

 

Holiday Ladder Safety

 Don’t Become A Holiday Safety Statistic

 This week a lot of folks will drag out the ladder and decorations, lights and stapler to pursue lofty goals in the ‘spirit’ of the season. To entertain family, friends and passersby, those who perform this annual ritual often start ‘social-climbing’.” Carelessness can lead to another annual event — a trip to the emergency room. This unscheduled hospital call can be avoided by using ladders properly and moving carefully when off the ground. When using a stepladder, be sure legs are fully extended and hinges are locked into place. Be sure that feet are firmly planted on solid, level ground. Heed the warning on top that says, ‘this is not a step? It isn’t. With extension ladders set the bottom out one-fourth the ladder’s height from the wall. Make sure feet have firm support and, with both types, keep hips between side rails to maintain balance. Whether inside or out, when climbing to decorate, everything should stay up, including you.

 

Holiday Battery Check-Up!

It’s not unusual for a holiday get together that some things are beyond our control. Decorations may not turn out a perfectly as we would like. Wine or soda sills on the new carpet, and a guest may re-gift your gift from last year. Don’t sweat the small stuff…

According to Allstate Insurance and the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission here’s a tip to save you from the worst holiday mishap. FIRE

Add double check your smoke alarm batteries to the top of the holiday preparation list. It could save your life and home.

When your house is filled with guests, will you notice a fire on the stove or in your oven? How about the tipped-over candle on the mantle garland. So test all your smoke alarms to make sure their batteries work properly, and never leave candles unattended. Also, check your twinkly light strands for frayed wires, and resist the urge to plug too many strands into one outlet.

Christmas tree fires are more common than you think — they resulted in about $16 million in property loss last year, according to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission. Think carefully about where you put your décor. Keep a live tree far from heaters, where it will dry out and become more flammable. (Christmas trees can burn faster than newspaper, and it’s not a pretty sight.) Make sure your tree isn’t dead before you buy, and water it often once it’s home. If you go the artificial route, look for packaging that assures your tree is flame-resistant.

And don’ forget to have a FIRE EXTINGUISHER on hand.

 

Here is a great project for the holidays from ScotchBlue Painters Tape

www.scotchblue.com/wps/portal/3M/en_US/Scotch-BlueBrand/Scotch-Blue/Tips-and-Techniques/One/Ornament-Boxes/

Ornament Boxes

“These DIY ornament boxes make such a fun gift (perfect for holiday hostesses!) and they also double as great holiday home decor!”
TOOLS

Cardboard (Thin but sturdy is best!)
Computer Paper
Craft Paint + Paintbrushes
Pencil
Hot Glue Gun
Craft Knife, Cutting Mat + Ruler (Optional)
ScotchBlue™ Painter’s Tape Delicate Surfaces with Advanced Edge-Lock™ Paint Line Protector (#2080EL)
Step By Step Guide:

Step 1
Use computer paper to make templates for your different ornaments shapes. Trace your shape onto the cardboard and cut it out.

Step 2
To make the lid of the box, you’ll need to make the same ornament shape 1/16” larger all the way around. To do this, I recommend tracing the piece you already cut, then using your ruler to measure 1/16” from the edges. Mark with a pencil, creating a new slightly larger ornament shape and cut out.

Step 3
Lastly, you’ll need to cut out the sides of your box. For the lid of the box, cut strips of cardboard that are 1.5” wide. For the bottom of the box, cut strips that are 2” wide.

Step 4
Use hot glue to assemble your box. Start with the bottom of your box. Run a thin line of hot glue along a couple inches of the edge, then adhere to the edge of one of your 2” wide strips.

Step 5
Repeat the same steps with your lid pieces.

Step 6
Use white paint to prime the outside of your box, which makes the colors “pop” so much more! Let dry. Paint the bottom of your box your desired color and then get ready to decorate the lid!

Step 7
To create stripes like you see on mine, use ScotchBlue™ Painter’s Tape to block off the sections of the lid that you’ll want to be a different color. Fold the tape over the sides so your stripe continues around the sides of the lid.

Step 8
You can use the tape as your “stripe” and paint a contrasting color right overtop, leaving what is underneath white.

Step 9
Remove the tape (Ah, look at those straight edges!) and let dry completely.
This fabulous idea is
brought to you by:
Studio DIY
www.studiodiy.com

 

 

Website Mentions:

See you next week

 

 

 

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