Building Memories

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Try these ideas to honor that special man in your life

Figuring out a unique gift idea for that special man in your life often gets more difficult as the years go by. Perhaps these suggestions will help:

Mantel Building

  • A mantel is the perfect place to display sentimental items. Why not build one for yourself or for a gift?

  • Materials can be purchased at most lumber yards and home centers.

  • Determine how fancy you want it to be and if you want to paint or stain it.

Red oak--can be stained; really brings up grain

Poplar--saws nicely and can be stained or painted

No. 2 white pine--paint is necessary

  • Always buy more molding than needed in case of error.

  • A miter saw will be needed if you want to build a mantel from scratch.

  • The kit enables one to build a mantel for less than $150.
Photo

Surprise Dad with this mantel on his special day.
Photo

Figure A
Photo

Figure B
Materials:

wood pieces (in size of choice for shelf)
backer board
dentil molding
crown molding
shelf bracket

Steps:

  1. Place the piece of backer board on a work surface. Place the dentil board on top of that, then the crown molding on top of that.

  2. At the back of the three boards that are stacked upon one another, put another piece of wood against those to make a mantel (figure A).

  3. This one has an added decorative molding on the top (figure B).
PHOTO

Figure C
PHOTO

Figure D
PHOTO

Figure E
  • Another idea is to purchase a premade stamped piece of wood for the backer board (figure C) that can be painted or stained.

  • Add wooden dowels to cover up the nails or screws and provide that finishing touch (figure D).

  • Another variation is to buy premade wooden brackets (figure E).

  • For first-timers, a mantel-making kit with all the parts already packaged may be the best way to go. The wood can then be stained.
  • PHOTO

    Figure F
    PHOTO

    Figure G
    PHOTO

    Figure H
  • If you're building the mantel over a fireplace, attach a surround piece to it. These can either be purchased or made by hand (figure F).

    Making a Memory Album

    If you don't have time to put together an entire photo album, choose one photograph and embellish it with stickers, clip art, etc., then put a cute frame around it. You could even add your own decorative touches to the frame (figure G)!

    Whether it's for a gift or for yourself, take it page by page. Choose colored acid-free paper that matches the colors that the person in the photograph is wearing or that goes with the activity he or she is doing (figure H). For details, see the instructions below.

    Materials:

    acid-free paper in blue and yellow
    red adhesive-backed acid-free paper
    miniature paper cutter
    glue stick
    variety of decorative-edged scissors
    photo-safe pens
    decorative cutouts
    stickers
    clip art

    Steps:

    1. Use acid-free paper with a map pattern printed on it. Glue a piece of blue paper onto the right edge of the map paper. Use decorative-edged scissors to cut out a smaller piece of yellow paper to resemble a stamp.

    2. Glue that onto the blue piece of paper. Glue the photograph onto that piece of paper.

    3. Cut out two wave-shaped red pieces of adhesive-backed paper and place to the left of the photograph to resemble postmarks.

    4. Add any decorative cutouts, stickers, clip art or any labels with a description of what's going on in the photograph.

    Shop Tips

    • Make a handmade T-square by simply screwing a piece of wood onto another in the shape of a "T." Use it as a sawing aid.

    • The higher the angle of a saw, the rougher the cut. The higher angle makes for faster sawing, but if the angle is lowered, it allows for a smoother cut.

    • Bending a pipe can sometimes result in a kink. To avoid this, cover one end of the pipe with tape, put a funnel on the open end, then place sand inside. When the pipe is bent, the sand eliminates the chances of kinks. Pour the sand out afterward.

    • When spray-painting things such as a hinge, pull apart a coat hanger and string the hinge on it. If a rubber glove is not handy, put a plastic bag over your hands to avoid getting paint on them.

    • To protect a workshop lamp or flood lamp from getting damaged, place a piece of window screen on the lamp and attach it with clamps.
  • Resources
    home-improvement products
    Visit the web site to find a store near you.
    Lowe's
    Website: www.lowes.com

    Donovan's Household Hints
    by Donovan Jon Fandre
    For the pamphlet with the complete 13-part series of Donovan's Household Hints, (more than 80 great tips!), send $5 to Donovan Jon Fandre at the address given, or use the phone number to order by phone. Donovan Jon Fandre also offers cookbooks and cooking products such as instant-read thermometers, flexible chopping mats and a fat-separator measuring cup.
    Donovan's Household Hints
    507 Fearn St.
    Huntsville, AL 35801
    Phone: 256-551-0022
    Guests
    Doug Bowen
    District Manager, Lowe's Home Improvement Warehouse
    214 Center View Dr.
    Suite 185
    Brentwood, TN 37027
    Phone: 615-376-4434
    Fax: 615-376-4440
    URL: www.lowes.com

    Marty Brooks
    Company Representative, Michaels Arts and Crafts
    2215 N. Gallatin Pike
    Madison, TN 37115
    Phone: 615-859-8863
    Toll Free Phone: 800-642-4235
    Website: www.michaels.com

    Donovan Jon Fandre
    Household Hints Expert
    507 Fearn St.
    Huntsville, AL 35801
    Phone: 256-551-0022
    E-mail: moderncooking@earthlink.net
    Also in this Episode