Tool Talk Tuesday: The Power Drum Auger

It's Tool Talk Tuesday once again and today I'm really excited to introduce you to another condo dweller...Lisa, from Condo Blues! She's a girl after my own heart, and has been creating a castle out of her condo with one project after another. She's handy, green, and loves a good bargain...a triple threat in my book! Please give her a warm welcome as she talks to us about the power drum auger!!!

Hi, my name’s Lisa, I blog at Condo Blues and I have slow drains.

“Hi Lisa!” you say.

I learned how to clear a drain using a plunger, the environmentally friendly baking soda and vinegar method, and I admit to a few desperate attempts involving a not so environmentally friendly liquid drain cleaner.

All of those methods worked to some degree, but more often than not, the clog would eventually come back like the monster in a horror movie sequel.

During an unrelated trip to the hardware store my husband popped over to the plumbing aisle and came back with a powder drum auger. I got so excited I hugged him and told him he didn’t have to buy me flowers if he bought me that DIY plumber’s snake.

Idiot, I know. I love it when he buys me flowers. I just happen to love this power tool just a little bit more.

Why? Because this little beauty is snakes through drains and cuts through clogs much easier than a traditional cable auger that uses a hand crank. It’s also the only thing that can cut through a “Gee honey I have no idea what’s making the kitchen sink back up for three days certainly not the old coconut you said I shouldn’t throw down the garbage disposal” situation (in theory.)

The power drum auger fits on a standard power drill.

It’s easy to use, just feed the cable down the drain, and squeeze the trigger on the drill. I recommend wearing protective gloves because the cable will twist and turn while it’s working its way down your pipes. Simply reverse the drill and whatever gunk is clogging your pipes will be attached to auger head.

YUCK! And this was only a tiny clog. You should have seen the giant piece of gunk it cut thought and pulled from the shower drain. I’d show you that photo but it’s not for the faint of heart.

While I’m not thrilled at touching the Son of the Blob that it pulls from my formerly slow and perpetually clogging drains (even with work gloves on ), I do like is that the power drum auger permanently removes clogs from my pipes without the use of harmful chemicals. Once I’ve cleared a drain with the drum auger that bad boy stays clear.

As long I don’t buy coconut flakes.

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Lisa Nelsen-Woods is a writer. Other days she is a foodie, DIYer, decorator, crafter, dog mom, and green gal. Lisa shares green living and money saving tips with a dash of humor on the side in her blog Condo Blues. She has a one eyed rescue dog named Blitzkrieg. He likes carrots.

Tool Talk Tuesday: the Dremel

For me, the best part of attending BlissDom was meeting so many wonderful women! Though I arrived late, I ran into longtime internet friends, but also got to meet new ones! Jess, from Frugal with a Flourish was new to me, but it didn't take me long to see what a sweet and talented girl she is...so I HAD to have her visit me in the blogosphere (and she's welcome to come and visit CA anytime, too, hint hint). I LOVE this post on her new Dremel tool and I hope you do, too! ENJOY!


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First, I am super excited to my posting here at JJ’s place. Today I would like to introduce you to a new friend of mine – the Dremel! Now, I decided that I wanted one last year and asked for it for Christmas. I haven’t really had a chance to play with it until recently since we now have our garage. This post is all about what I have learned about the Dremel.

First, there are tons of projects you can do with a Dremel! It’s kinda like the iPhone of tools. You want to do something – there is an accessory for that!

Here is an idea of some of the projects you can do with a Dremel
    - Engrave a candle
    - Fix a chair spindle
    - Cut Wire Closet Shelving to size
    - Restore Painted Metal
    - Clean a Grill
    - Sharpen Lawnmower Blades
    - Distressing Jeans (Ha!  Bet you weren't expecting that one!)
There are more ideas for DIY and Home Décor projects on Dremel’s site here.

However, with that many options it can be a little overwhelming to figure out what you want to do and how you want to do it! I have a couple tips if you are new to a Dremel tool as I was.

First, get some “play materials” and go to town. I got some MDF and a pine board and went to town. You really need to practice the amount of pressure and speeds with the different bits.  I won't show you those "practice" pieces, but I will say that you have to get used to the kick back on drill bits and routing pieces!

Next, spend some time on their site learning about the different bits accessories and figure out what you need to do the kind of “work” you want to do with your Dremel. For example – I want to do some light wood working projects with mine so I need to pick up the plunge router attachment. The Hubby wants to use it for some metal work projects on his car – so he has been checking out the polishing and cutting tools. And if you aren’t sure what you need at all – simply use their Accessory Fast Finder to put in your tool type and what you want to do with what kind of material.

Finally, just jump in and try something. For example – I had this frame that I got for $5 at Hobby Lobby (love the clearance sales). I had a project planned for it – hop over to my place to see. But it was a little dinged up.

No worries – I simply pulled out the Dremel and popped on a sanding drum. Sure I could have done it by hand, but this bad boy let me target specific spots and got it done lickety split!  A nice coat of black glossy paint and this baby is ready for her spot in my next project!

I hope this has been a helpful introduction to the Dremel tool and that you are inspired instead of overwhelmed by the options! I think it is a great handy addition to any DIY’er toolbox.

(Please note that this is just my opinion on the Dremel and the things you can do with it. I am utilizing a lot of the links on Dremel’s site because they are good representations of the projects and types of tools and accessories you need. However, no one is paying me for this!)




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Thanks Jess, for visiting today and for sharing your fun experiences with the Dremel. And thanks for making me want to run out and get one IMMEDIATELY. Ha!!!

Tool Talk Tuesday: The Mysterious, But Ever Helpful, Allen Wrench

If you've ever had to put together a piece of furniture, you've likely encountered today's featured tool...the allen wrench.

An allen wrench is a special "L" shaped six-sided wrench, coming in various sizes, that fits into a recessed hexagonal socket hole in the end of an allen bolt. These guys come in very handy when you have a tight space that you need to get to OR when you need to use a lot of force and pressure.

The first time I saw them in my toolbox, I was confused about how often I'd really use them. But, being an avid DIYer, I have owned many random pieces of furniture that have come in a kit and required me to put them together. And let's face it, just about every early piece of furniture I owned came from IKEA, where they LOVE to send you home with a heavy box and lots of little pieces. I don't know who decided to create the allen wrench or bolt, probably just some guy that we'll call "Allen", but you can bet that he made his goldmine off of these crazy instruments.

Owning your own set of allen wrenches is always a good idea, too, because many times, when using a lot of force, an allen wrench can get stripped. Most of the DIY kits come with one, but I always like to have a back up. And mine came in handy this week when I received my new étagère for the living room. LOTS of allen bolts and one pitiful allen wrench. But you know what, I got the job down all by myself...with the help of Allen!

Tool Talk Tuesday featuring Centsational Girl

I recently decided to bring back my Tool Talk Tuesday series because I missed the DIY section of my site...life has gotten in the way of life and I haven't had much time to work on my house or do any projects!

At BlissDom, I met TONS of insanely talented women...and the DIYers inspired me more than I can say.  My second day at the conference, I had the opportunity to have lunch with a few women who I am proud to call friends now!  Kate, the Centsational Girl, has an amazing site and I can't wait to see what she comes up with next!!!  So, she was the perfect person to relaunch Tool Talk Tuesday with!  Kate, thanks SO MUCH for lending me this post and for the sweet intro!  Next time I'm up in wine country, I'm looking you up!!!  XOXO

Hey JJ, you are a gal after my own heart.  I'm so flattered you'd consider me to be on your inspirational site.   I never get tired of paint and power tools, just like you.  You should see my closet now, it's bursting with even more supplies.  I just can't stop!  I was so delighted to lunch with you at Blissdom and know that you are an inspiration to your readers. Someday, we shall create a masterpiece together, you and I.  Until then, keep on DIYing.  Big hugs.  Kate

I’ve recently been asked by several readers what tools I consider essential to be a successful DIYer.  

Now some gals are proud of their closets full of designer shoes and clothing.  (Need I say Mariah?  Kimora?  Eva?  Paula?)  Not me.  Don’t get me wrong, I love clothes, handbags and shoes too, but I don’t have the budget to invest as heavily as the aforementioned celebs. 

In truth, if given the choice, I’d take the chair and chandelier in Mariah’s closet over that shoe collection.  But that’s just me.

But speaking of closets, there is one in my world that I like very much.  It’s not gilded.  It’s not glamorous.  It doesn’t have any shoes inside.  But I’m very fond of it. 

It’s my supply closet. 

Oh, yeah, now THAT’S what I’m talkin’ about!  So many adhesives, paints, and brushes, it’s enough to make me teary.  I love my DIY supply closet. 

So to answer your question about necessary products, I’ll take this shelf by shelf.  These are the products on my shelves, but I consider only the items in bold to be essential. 

Shelf One: Rubber silicone sealant, crazy glue, wood glue, spray adhesive, light & medium spackling, acrylic latex caulking, rubber cement, white epoxy, grout sealant, metal polish,wood filler, tile & stone cleaner, and a caulking gun. 

Shelf Two:  Long handle paint roller, short handle paint roller, extra rollers, painter’s tape,disposable masks, paint thinner, stain/paint stripper, paint trays, recycled plastic containersfor smaller paint projects. 

Shelf Three:   Craft paints in various colors, rags, coarse grade sanding pad, medium grade sanding pad, fine grade sanding pad, regular sandpaper, artist’s flat brush, artists filbert brush, natural bristle paint brush for oil based paint projects, synthetic angled medium brush (nylon or polyester) for latex painting, small synthetic paint brush, roll of plastic sheeting, roll of paper sheeting, spray primer, spray paints in various colors, spray paint gun, staining pads. 

Oh joy!  It’s my prized spray paint collection. 

Bottom shelves:  Oil based and water based Zinsser primer, various metallic glazes, leftover paint for all the rooms in my home, Minwax Wipe-On Polyurethane.   

I also keep a supply of tarps on hand for painting and staining, as well as a stack of newspaper for all of my spray paint projects. 

Note: Even though I store all of these chemical in a closet, I do not seal it up tight to allow for some ventilation.  Something about stored up toxic fumes makes me a hint nervous.  So these doors are always cracked open a bit.   

And I haven’t even mentioned tools!  In Part Two, we’ll talk all about tools, including power tools, hand held tools, and craft tools. 

Not including tools, what supplies do you consider essential for your DIY projects?

Tool Talk Tuesday: Remodeling This Life with Skill Saws and Jigsaws

My friend Emily over at Remodeling This Life has graciously allowed me to feature her this week for Tool Talk Tuesday. She and her hubby, and two doll babies, live in Florida and have been turning their house into their dream home. She's the queen of spending wisely and I love how she's so transparent in her blog about being fiscally conservative. I wish I could bring her here to So Cal and be my angel over my shoulder whenever I have a big money decision to make! Regardless, let's take a look at their latest project...a bathroom remodel using skill saws and jigsaws!!!

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Tool Fools 101

For the last 10 days, my husband and I have taken on the task of remodeling our tiny bathroom. We don't have a huge, fancy arsenal of tools, but we have tools that get the job done. Here is a breakdown of what was used as we worked on this project.

Skill Saw with diamond blade - this was used for rough cuts on tile under baseboard and some exposed straight edges (at the threshold into the room)

Some tips for using a skill saw to cut tile:

• spring for a tile cutter


• if you don't want to spring for a tile cutter, practice. Be careful. Cut straight. Don't cut your fingers off.

Jigsaw with diamond tile blade - used for cutting some radius pieces in the shower drain. This system was so bad, we ended up using the skill saw in the end to complete this task.

Jigsaw with a wood blade - used to cut beaded board

Tips for cutting beaded board with a jigsaw:

• measure twice, cut once

We're not complicated people, can you tell? It's amazing with this kind of tool advice to offer, that hubby has been able to rebuild our house from the ground up at all. But he's made it work!

Other tools used for the bathroom project include a 10" miter saw and 10" table saw for bead board and trim, one of the most important things - the level set! I gave hubby his current 3 piece level set several years ago as a Christmas gift. I must have foreseen a crooked house in our future. Several hand tools like a hammer, wood chisel and caulk gun were also used to make this bathroom beautiful. Oh and let's not forget the paint brush.

Check out my blog later this week to see the end results. We are almost done!

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Thanks Em, for stopping by and giving us a sneak preview of the bathroom remodel! I CAN'T WAIT to see the big reveal!!! XOXO!

Tool Talk Tuesday: Sock It To Me!

Boys and Girls, today we're going to talk about yup, you guessed it, SOCKETS! They come in SO HANDY when you're trying to mount a flat screen TV on a wall...as I just found out!

Occasionally, you'll be working on a project and you'll need to ratchet in a metric fastener...in laymen's terms, that would be a six-point or even a twelve-point socket. They come in VERY helpful on heavy items and things that you've drilled directly into studs.

Even if you're not sure when you'll need them, I recommend having a starter set in your tool box. They'll be necessary at some point. And the good news is, most beginner tool sets come with them!

Visual learner, are ya? Here are some pics!

The socket attachments can be used with your drill, or a hand wrench. There are ALL sorts of price points!

When you mount heavy items, a regular screw just won't work. But a socket wrench will make your project a snap.

And then you won't have to crane your neck when watching The Millionaire Matchmaker. So glad you're back, Patti!

So, what are you all going to make sure you add to your toolbox this week??? That's right...ratchet down and SOCK IT TO ME!

Tool Talk Tuesday: Paint Brushes and Rollers with AnNicole

Tool Talk Tuesday is my way of introducing my home reno-challenged friends to ways of improving their own homes. This week, I have a special guest who never ceases to amaze me...a chick after my own heart who has been renovating her very own home. Please help me welcome her!

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Hi – AnNicole from Our Suburban Cottage here. I’m so glad that the Blah Blah Blahger asked me to do a guest post today.

First, I can’t tell you how much I want a miter saw and nail gun. The idea of cutting and nailing molding to my little hearts content just makes me plain giddy…but since I don’t have those tools, today I’ll be talking about my hands-down favorite tools that I do have.

My favorite house transforming tool by far is paint. Nothing, and I mean NOTHING can transform a room like paint can…and NOTHING can beat paint in terms of decorating bang for your buck….and that’s perfect for me because I’m one frugal chick. I’ve used paint to transform nearly every room in my house, and I’m not just talking about walls. Don’t be afraid to paint furniture to make an old piece look like it belongs in this century, take the plunge and paint that brick fireplace that makes your skin crawl or that faux wood 1970’s paneling that makes you cringe every time you look at it. I’ve even used paint to update outdated laminate countertops, which you can read about here and here. I've also used paint to transform ugly cabinets which you can read about here and here.

Seriously...it only took a little more than paint to transform this bathroom...
...into this.

So here are my favorite painting tools:

1) PAINT:
Um…yeah, that one’s kind of obvious, I know. I’ve heard amazing things about Benjamin Moore’s paint and I would buy it in a heartbeat if I weren’t so darn frugal. If you can afford it, I’d recommend trying it for sure. That being said, my favorite go-to brand of paint is Behr from Home Depot. It has great coverage and is very affordable at around $23 a gallon. I prefer an eggshell finish for walls and a satin finish for furniture and cabinets.

Also, I almost never use Behr colors (sorry Behr). I find my favorite colors from Sherwin Williams or Benjamin Moore and have them color matched and mixed in Behr paint. I’ve yet to have a Home Depot employee give me a hard time about this.

2) PAINT BRUSHES:
This is where I’ll splurge a little bit. You’ll never regret investing in a good brush. It won’t leave those dreaded brush strokes, and (if you wash thoroughly after each use with a mild soap…or even just water) it should last you a while.

I also like to use a 1½ to 2½ inch brush (depending on the project) with an angled tip. The angled tip makes it so much easier to get into corners…believe me.

3) ROLLERS:
Make sure you choose the right roller for your project (again…I know many of you are saying “duh”, but it is very important). If you have smooth walls, choose a roller made for smooth to semi-smooth walls. If your walls are textured, go with a roller specifically made for textured walls….I promise you’ll thank me.

And for those little projects like painting cabinets and furniture you can’t beat a small foam roller for a flawless, smooth finish.

Finally I have a few painting tips for you:

1) If you’re painting over a dark color or cabinets or furniture I HIGHLY recommend that you prime first. It will keep you from having to paint a bazillion coats of paint, and it will make the finish more durable (especially when it comes to cabinets or furniture). I prefer an oil based primer for furniture (like BIN). I also like Gripper brand primer.

2) If you’re not sure how steady your hand is at “cutting in” (or painting around the edges of walls) then go ahead and apply blue painters tape beforehand. Just make sure you put it up in a straight line and that you press down firmly enough to prevent the paint from “bleeding” underneath the tape. You can also apply a thin coat of clear polyacrylic topcoat along the edge of the tape before painting to avoid paint bleeding through the tape.

3) Dry time is very important in a good paint job. Never try to apply a second coat of paint if it’s been less than 4 hours since the first coat. And if you’re painting cabinets or furniture, use restraint and let is dry a good 12 hours between coats.

4) I like to wrap my brushes and rollers in tin foil between coats. I also cover my paint tray with tin foil so I can reuse it for the next coat.

I hope this helps some of you. Happy painting!

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Thanks SO MUCH to AnNicole!!! She's done some AMAZING things with paint...you MUST click through her links and check out her painted counters and renovations in her Suburban Cottage!

Tool Talk Tuesday: Living with Lindsay Teaches Us to Jigsaw!

Today, I've got Lindsay, my friend IRL (for those of you unfamiliar with Web 2.0 speak that's in real life - I'm not cool, just learned this like yesterday!), guest posting AGAIN! Because she just conquered a major project...using a JIGSAW! Impressed? I know I am...let's check out her post together!!!

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Puzzled over jigsaws? I was, too, until I discovered what an important job they play in DIY projects.

I recently completed a project where I needed to cut a very large shape out of MDF. Of course I couldn't do something simple like a square or a rectangle. Oh, no. I had to do something with curves and corners and swirvy lines. For some reason, I am simply unable to do something the easy way.

When my husband saw what I was doing, he sighed and grabbed the jigsaw. I couldn't believe how easy it was to use! I manned the camera while he did the dirty work, and we were both very happy with the results.

I sketched out the design on the MDF, and then we supported MDF on several pieces of 2x4, as our sawhorses were being used for another project. Tom grabbed his saftey glasses and ear protection and got to work. I was surprised to see that you basically use it the same way you would use a pair of scissors to cut a design out of the center of a sheet of paper. You start from the edge and cut in until you reach the line drawing. Then, you just cut along the line.

As he was cutting, Tom gave me a few pointers so I could cut something without bugging him by myself the next time I needed to use the jigsaw:

1. Vibration is the enemy. You need to have both ends of the work supported and held down.

2. Do not lift the saw out of the cut while the blade is moving. (The blade will sometimes grab and then slam back down into the work, which can bend the blade and scar the work)

3. Pick the right blade. The packages are labelled, and the tooth spacing for smooth wood cuts is surprisingly course.

4. You can make fairly tight turns with a jigsaw, but anything tighter than about the diameter of a quarter is asking for trouble. Make those cuts in two passes.

5. On many surfaces, the sole of the saw (the metal plate it slides on) will leave marks, especially on painted surfaces. If I have doubts, I cover the sole with blue painter's tape.

6. Keeping the saw held flat and firm against the work will give you much better results.

Now, you're dying to know what I was making, huh? Well, I'll fill you in....tomorrow! Head on over to my blog, Living With Lindsay, for the full run down and the big reveal. I hope not knowing doesn't "drive" you crazy until then!

Have you used a jigsaw before? Do you have any tips or tricks to share? Are you still scared to use one? Let us know!

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Thanks, Linds for sharing your adventures with jigsaws!!! I've seen the finished product and I think you all will join me in showering her with accolades, which she really really loves!!! ; )

Tool Talk Tuesday with Mrs. Limestone and Her Electric Staple Gun!

Not long ago, I stumbled upon a new favorite...Mrs. Limestone of "A Brooklyn Limestone In Progress." She's living my ultimate dream and renovating a home with her hubby! In every project and design photo I've seen on her blog, I can see her magnificent taste and flair. Each and every piece in her home is chosen perfectly and nothing was left to happenstance. If you haven't been over to her blog, read her guest post below, then go to her blog IMMEDIATELY!!!

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Thanks so much to JJ for asking me guest post for Tool Talk Tuesday. While I do own a toolbelt (with my name on it no less!), I don't have loads of power tools filling my basement. I suppose I'm a woman of few gadgets. So rest assured I'm not shilling out just any old thing. This is the real deal.

Let me introduce you to my little friend....the electric staple gun.

Please note the telephone in the upper part of the photo. I kept it in reach in case I stapled my eye shut or some other such clumsy person accident.

If you have ever used a manual staple gun, you'll know they are just fine for one or two staples but much more results in a handful of blisters. No more! This thing can staple anything as many times as your heart desires at the pull of a trigger. And yes, its a hair trigger. Be careful ladies!

I admit I haven't done any wow worthy projects with it but it just makes a simple job so much simpler, its well worth the money. Case in point, I wanted to turn this large picture frame into a jewelry holder.

Staple, staple, staple some cut screening....

And it was done and hung.

Or reupholstering the seat of an old chair.

A coat of paint, fresh fabric and an electric staple gun to the rescue.

And put into place.

It also comes in handy for party decorating! I used it to staple feather boas on a wooden ring to make this wreath

And to staple photos printed on vellum to make these photo centerpieces

Have I convinced you that you need one? Happy Stapling!

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So, I'm not ashamed to admit that I'm completely jealous of her electric staple gun, as opposed to my manual one...or the fact that she has a tool belt on it with her name. I mean, I NEED one, don't you?!

Thanks again, SO MUCH, Mrs. Limestone for stopping by and visiting us today. Your projects are gorgeous and I just LOVE what you're doing with your home. The new coffee table is perfect and I can't wait to see more of what you're doing out there in NY!!!

Tool Talk Tuesday: Looking for Guest Posters

Do you love DIY projects? Have you conquered something lately in your home that made you feel like Tim, the Toolman Taylor? Do you even know who I'm talking about? Did I just age myself?

I'm looking for friends to share their experiences with their favorite tools. I've found that many of my friends are afraid to take on a project because tools intimidate them...and maybe I'd feel the same way if it weren't for my dad's annual Christmas gift of tools which started a few years ago. Now, I count the dad/daughter project days as some of my favorite memories! And guess what?! Now I even love to do projects on my own because I've built up a confidence in knowing what I can achieve!

That's why I started Tool Talk Tuesday! I want to help other women feel confident to give DIY a try! It's fun, it's frugal, and it usually leads to a great story. If you've got a great story, I'd LOVE to hear it, and I'd LOVE to feature you here! Please feel free to shoot me an email at jj@theblahblahblahger.com any time!

Tool Talk Tuesday: Drill Baby, Drill!

Sorry, I just couldn't help myself with that title...and I know some of you Ds might snicker and turn up your nose, but NOT TO WORRY, this post is about DRILLS, not former R vice-presidential candidates!!!

It's been a while since I've posted for Tool Talk Tuesday...because 1) I've been lazy and 2) I've been less than creative, lately. It's a shocker, I know!

When I decided to makeover my deck/balcony, I knew I wanted to hang a beautiful shear curtain, however, I underestimated the stucco that I'd be screwing the curtain rod into. It's SOLID and apparently stucco is applied over a wirey mesh, which meant I SHOULD have waited for Dad to come over and help. I made a couple of calls to trusted DIY dudes and found out what I needed...something with more torque. I NEEDED my very own drill!

I ran down to my favorite place to flirt Home Depot, spent some time chatting with a salesdude about my needs {ahem} and came home with THIS BABY!
She works like a charm, is cordless, has interchangeable drill bits and screwdriver attachments, and wasn't too expensive! YAY! I HIGHLY recommend that you run out and get one, too! You never know when you'll need more torque than your electric screwdriver will provide you with!!!

Tool Talk Tuesday: Mighty Putty

Sometimes, DIY projects get a little crazy. Sometimes, you were pretty sure this or that was gonna work. Sometimes, you make {ahem} mistakes.

On the great outdoor living quest, I was CERTAIN I had something all figured out...until it fell off the stucco wall TWICE. No tool I had could handle the project I was asking of it - and naturally, I'm far too impatient to wait for my dad to get home from his vacation to run over here and fix the problem. So, I ran to Target and found THIS CRAZY INFOMMERCIAL product!

I haven't tried it yet, but it seems so intense that I decided it would work. Sadly, I ran out of daylight tonight...and I was somewhat intimidated by the bright blue gloves that came in the package. ; )

SCARY!

Has anyone out there tried Mighty Putty? From the famous infommercial guy's expression, it sounds like this is better than sliced bread...or even crazy glue! Have you ever had a project go south and turned to some creative solutions? PLEASE share with the class, as we're all in this together!

Tool Talk Tuesday with Kimm at Reinvented/Paint Applicators

I really enjoy reading blogs written by creative chicks (and dudes)! Sometimes I'll find a fabulous new recipe to try out or sit in amazement, wondering how on earth some of these individuals came up with these wild ideas!!! Kimm at Reinvented has a fantastic blog dedicated to "Home Decor Ideas for Real People. With Real Stuff. And Real Budgets" which I just love. She's able to turn thrift store and garage sale finds into things of beauty, and I am just in awe of her level of creativity. So I asked her to come and chat about her favorite tools because every week, she turns trash into treasure!!!

Hello, everyone! I am SO excited to be here for Tool Talk Tuesday. I’m not ashamed to admit that I danced with joy when J.J. asked me to guest post today. Then I laughed. Hard. And my husband laughed harder. Because, you see, in the not too distant past, my most often used “tool” was my power of persuasion. You know, that tool where you “persuade” your husband to do the handiwork for you.

But…because I’m an impatient girl with a NEED for instant gratification, AND my husband doesn’t consider my project needs EMERGENT, I’ve learned how to do things for myself.

Since I love to “reinvent” stuff that I find at garage sales, flea markets and thrift stores, most of my projects involve the amazing transforming power of paint. Well, lots of soap, then paint. The tools I reach for most often are my collection of paint applicators.

Like this:

I use this finger to push the trigger on this: (photo from homedepot.com)

And these: (photo from sherwinwilliams.com)

I also like foam brushes (cheap, cheap, cheap!), and of course, rollers, edgers, and this baby:

My Wagner Paintmate Plus greatly reduces those trips to the paint tray.

Since I’m a REAL tool newbie, I’ll be here every Tuesday to find out what I should be using! I’ll meet y’all here next week! Thanks J.J.!

To see some of the incredible projects Kimm has tackled, please visit Reinvented. She hosts weekly series (not unlike this one!) and shares wonderful ways to transform our homes with limited budgets - WAHOO! Plus, she's really cool! Thanks so much for letting us in and sharing your secrets, Kimm! I just love your blog and am so glad to have met you through the blogosphere!!!