There was lots of new tech to check out at CES 2016, but you could argue that the majority of the big-ticket items weren't the most unique things in the world. Thankfully, there were a few innovative, unconventional ideas on display, and here are some of our favorites.
Whether if it's to play games or watch Netflix or YouTube, children love using our smartphones and tablets. As an uncle of many, I don't mind my nieces and nephews using my gear, but I do mind them opening apps they have no business being in, like my photo gallery or messaging app.
As a parent, navigating smartphone usage with your children can be a perilous journey as you hand them that new device they've always wanted, or even your older hand-me-down phone or tablet.
Parents, grandparents, aunts and uncles, and even older siblings have all likely dealt with handing their smartphones over to young children. No matter if they want to play games or watch cartoons or record funny noises, you're handing over a very personal device to those who can mess up what they don't know.
Adding water features to your garden can help to create an enviroment that more closely resembles nature. The sound of a trickling fountain can make your garden feel more peaceful and relax. Paul Tamate, a leading landscape designer working with water features and Asian-inspired garden designs in San Francisco says, "design spectacular water features as the centerpiece of gardens that serve as retreats from modern life."
It's a controversial headline, I know, but bear with me and I'll explain in due course. Disclaimer: I was once a child, and I played lots of video games. I didn't look anything like this child.
We know that your Thanksgiving dinner guests will be inundated with food during your feast, but it's an awful nice gesture to send them home with something sweet as well. Rather than packing up a huge take out box with turkey leftovers or a piece of pie, why not hand out a small bag full of candies?
In order to make a pop up greeting card, you will need the following: 3D Maribu pens, a paintbrush, water, scrap paper, a pencil, a ruler, a cutting knife, eraser, 3 pieces of colored card stock, a white card, scissors, and a glue.
This video shows how to style your hair based on the Final Fantasy video game character Yuna. First you will need to spray your hair with a root gel spray, which is a spray that gives your hair texture. Then blow-dry your hair upside down.
This video shows you how to make marzipan roses and rose buds when cake decorating. Cut disks with cutters. You need two sizes, small and large. Cut 5 of each and roll a ball of marzipan. Make this into a cone. Flatten out the disks to make them thin. Wrap these petals one by one around the cone. Squeeze the bottom and bend the petal edges out. If your fingers stick then rub them in a little corn starch or cornflour. Always use an odd number of petals. Pinch the flower head off the base and m...
The video answers questions on whether containerized tomato plant need to be replanted, problems with yellow tips of an oleander and spots on a silver berry shrub. The tomato plant may be replanted in a bigger container and staked/caged to avoid wind damage. If planted in the ground, it is recommended to plant it at an angle, up to the first branches because tomato plants are able to set out adventitious roots. The yellow and brittle leaves of an oleander is also identified as the result of f...
In this video Krazyboy shares his method of creating a spiritual bath. Krazyboy suggests that while spiritual baths are often known to help cleanse the soul, you can also imbue it with an intent (such as love, luck, success). The idea behind a spiritual bath is cleansing and white. A nice feature of spiritual baths is being able to customize it, including ingredients that feel right to you. To begin, fill a large bowl about half way with holy water/new moon water/spring water. Next, add a cou...
Martyn Cox show us how to plant spring bulbs. You want to begin with bulbs that are firm, with intact skin. You don't need a garden to grow these; you can put them in a pot. If using a terracotta pot, you need to cover the hole in the bottom with another piece of terracotta, to prevent leakage. Next, you add in the compost, breaking up any lumps. For most bulbs, plant them about three times their depth. The flat side is the bottom. You can plant a few together, but make sure they aren't touch...
Creativity Prompt demonstrates how to turn a yogurt container into a mini-album. First, measure the lid's diameter. Then, cut a corresponding circle from your patterned paper. Use Mod Podge to adhere the paper circle to the lid and seal it with another layer of adhesive. Next, cut a bunch of different 4 x 1 inch strips of patterned paper. Adhere the paper strips to the yogurt container with Mod Podge. Seal it with another layer of adhesive and set it aside to dry. Measure the bottom of the co...
In this video you learn how to make tombstones for yard decorations for Halloween. You will need two pieces of plywood. In this video the measurements for the wood are 14 by 24 but this can be altered. Also used are, two spikes that resemble the posts in a small picket fence. Using small nails, hammer the two spikes into you board on each side with about 6 inches in between. These will be what you use to stick the tombstone in your lawn. Using another piece of wood with the thickness of the s...
Clinton Kelly, the lifestyle expert, shows the right way to ‘Set your Buffet Table’ for a buffet party, in this video. He suggests that all the serving dishes and utensils are laid on the buffet table, the night before the party. This will throw some light and give ideas as to how to place the dishes on the table. You could place the plates on one side of the table, the food at the center and the napkins to the other side. You should also decide the heights of the various serving platters, co...
In this video you can learn how to make great tasting corn chowder. Directions are very easy to follow: 1. Either in stock pot, add olive oil to cool pot - put pot on medium heat. 2. Add bacon and onions and let saute and brown slightly and add garlic, diced ham and cook for two more minutes to heat through. 3. Remove and drain from pot and set aside but reserve fat. 4. Add one tablespoon of the bacon fat back into the pot and add drained fresh corn (remember to save the milk from the fresh c...
Michele Knaus, from EatLikeAChef, shows how to prep an artichoke. 1. Remove thorny pieces on the ends with kitchen shears. 2. Remove out-most layer of artichoke leaves. 3. Prep the stem by peeling with a peeler. Peel like a carrot. It is good to leave the stem on because it has a nice taste and it is a good way to tell if an artichoke is done. The stem will bend when tender. 4. To get inside of the artichoke, take the entire top off. Use a large, sharp knife to do this. 5. Gently slide open w...
Watering requirements for deciduous trees is dramatically different in autumn than at other seasons throughout the year. In the autumn there is less wind, less evaporation, the temperatures are lower and so there is less of a problem with dehydrating the plant. When you plant the tree. Dig a hole and put the tree in the hole. Fill the hole half way full of soil and flood the rest of the hole with water. Let is soak in and then fill it again. This will soak the roots and also the ground around...
A lot of phone numbers these days use letters so that you can remember them easier. For example, 1 800 BEST BUY or 1 800 FLOWERS. On a normal touchtone telephone, you would associate these letters with numbers on your keypad. With a Blackberry, however, this poses a problem. Blackberries do not have the traditional letters above the numbers.. so how are you supposed to dial?
Take a common indoor hanging basket plant and use it to make a great water plant. You take a stem of tradescantia with the roots attached. Wash off all the soil. Put the stem into a vase with rocks and water in it. Anchor the plant stem down in the rocks. Add some charcoal pebbles to inhibit bacteria growth in the vase. The tradescantia will grow roots in the water. To keep it healthy also add some hydroculture fertilizer to the plant about once a month. Also you may want to change the water ...
With Tim Burton's revival of Alice in Wonderland, throw one of the hottest parties in town with a "mad tea party" themed party. Recreating one of Alice in Wonderland's most famous adventures is a great theme for all kinds of celebrations. Set the scene with these suggestions.
Artichokes can be a delicious treat with a butter sauce or other dipping sauces. You don’t have to be a blue ribbon chef to prepare artichokes. Just keep these few tips in mind.
Looking to be the talk of the town? Do you love gardening and have some time to spare? Build a garden maze and make your yard the neighborhood sensation.
Not sure what to be next Halloween? A princess is a classic choice. Whether you’re making a costume for your little girl, or want to feel like royalty yourself, a princess costume is always in style.
A perfect, green lawn and colorful flower garden are worth your time and effort. Don't let weeds ruin your hard work.
The fried onion blossom is a classic American appetizer – and it's as fun to make as it is to eat! You Will Need
Vines create the perfect look when grown over a trellis, arbor, or arch. You Will Need
Turn your home or patio into an incandescent flower garden with plain holiday lights and egg cartons.
Most jobs get easier when you use the right tools, including gardening. This video will show you how to assemble a gardening tool set.
Learn how to clean green. Forget the industrial cleaners and acids: a few household basics are all you need to breathe fresh air into your home.
Grab your acoustic guitar, strap, and your pick and check out this free guitar lesson. This video tutorial will teach you country rock guitarists how to play a Keith Urban song. Not just any Keith Urban song, but one of his greatest: "Stupid Boy." And just so you know, here are the lyrics to go along with this instructional guitar lesson:
How to care for house plants; get professional tips and advice from an expert on caring for indoor plants and flowers in this free gardening video series.
Watch as a flower expert and professional gardener demonstrates how to plant and care for fall-blooming bulbs, including Amarylles, Elephant Ears, and more, in this free online video about home gardening.
Bougainvillea plants make an excellent addition to any garden because of their colorful flowers. Learn how to care for bougainvilleas with tips from a gardener in this free plant care video series.
Geraniums are extremely hardy flowers that can be planted both indoor and outdoors. Learn how to grow and care for geraniums in this free landscaping video series.
Learn how to make an origami water lily with expert tips on folding origami flowers in this free video series on the Japanese art of origami.
In this video you will learn how to cut and shape a rosebud out of gumpaste. The rose is made out of circle cutters, so anyone can be able to try this technique. Watch and learn to put the sepals and ovary together to form the center of the flower. Keep watching this how to video and also learn to cut the small circles that will form the gumpaste rose.
Although most of us can't grow Mangoes or Avocados or some of the other plants we're looked at, most everyone can grow or enjoy Orchids. Today they're readily available and there are thousands of species and it's believed there are thousands that have yet to be been discovered. Considering the way they're propagated today and the many places they're sold there is no reason we all shouldn't be growing Orchids. Karen had a fear of growing Orchids, thinking they were difficult to grow. She recei...
Adams Holland and his design assistant Debra now decorate a cake. They start with an angel food cake that has already been baked and cooled. They next add an apricot glaze between the layers. It doesn't have to be perfect, it can be messy, that just makes it feel more homemade. They have stiffened some whipped cream, then fill the middle and apply it around the edges. Adams starts low and moves up, that way the whipped cream has something to rest on. Once covered, you might think what a mess ...
