Make This: Leather + Walnut Cutting and Serving Board

There are plenty of times when a small wooden board is all you need to set out or serve something when entertaining. And it's even better when they look awesome and make whatever you're sharing look that much tastier. If you have a few scraps of hardwood (like walnut) lying around after a project, this is exactly what you should do with them: make a walnut cutting board!… Continue reading on ManMadeDIY.com

source http://www.manmadediy.com/make-a-walnut-cutting-board

Let's Talk: What's the Best Gift You Received (or Gave) This Holiday?

Every holiday season, sites like ManMade spend all kinds of effort doing our best to help you find meaningful, quality gifts that you'll be proud to give someone. Or, at least, that you can add to your wishlist and let those in your life know you'd love to unwrap yourself.

But once the gift guides are published, we never seem to revisit those things until the following year. So, today, during this week after Christmas, I thought I'd ask — Did you get anything cool for Christmas? Or give something that particularly excites you that we should all know about?   … Continue reading on ManMadeDIY.com

source http://www.manmadediy.com/4530-let-s-talk-what-s-the-best-gift-you-received-or-gave-this-holiday

If You Actually Want Your New Year's Resolutions to Stick — Do This, Not That

There is lots of scientific research on why setting goals on January 1 never really works out, and why, by March or April, we've all backslid into our old habits. Often, it's because goals aren't specific enough, or we haven't found the best way to track the work we've done. Or, perhaps we don't actually believe we can achieve that new version of ourselves for the long term.   … Continue reading on ManMadeDIY.com

source http://www.manmadediy.com/4531-if-you-actually-want-your-new-year-s-resolutions-to-stick-do-this-not-that

This is The Only Cheap "Champagne" You Should Be Drinking This New Year's Eve

If you, like me, were born between 1975 and 1990, your first exposure to the idea that "champagne" has technical regulations and restrictions likely came from Rob Lowe's odious Benjamin character in the original Wayne's World. ("Actually, all champagne is French. It's named after the region.") And you, like me, probably play into/totally own his snooty accusation that Americans don't recognize the convention, and call all their sparkling whites "champagne," and don't care. Because only a true b-hole shames somebody while handing them a drink.    … Continue reading on ManMadeDIY.com

source http://www.manmadediy.com/4726-this-is-the-only-cheap-champagne-you-should-be-drinking-this-new-year-s-eve

How to: Turn an Old Shirt into a Handkerchief or Pocket Square

I have a few shirts I just can't seem to part with. They don't really fit me (they're much too big and baggy) and I never wear them. Ever. Some are at least five years old, and barely holding together. … Continue reading on ManMadeDIY.com

source http://www.manmadediy.com/3695-how-to-turn-an-old-shirt-into-a-handkerchief-or-pocket-square

How to Easily Calculate Board Feet

The first time you go to the lumberyard can be a little overwhelming if you don’t know what you’re doing.  Even if you think you know what you’re doing, all the different species of lumber, the different dimensions of the lumber, different locations within the lumberyard, etc. can seem daunting for finding the perfect piece for your project.  With just a little bit of simple math, one area where you can be totally confident is calculating the cost of your chosen board.

Most home centers sell lumber by the linear foot, which means that the price of the board is determined by the length of the board. You pay a little extra for the convenience of a home center and you likely aren’t getting the best piece of lumber.  The lumberyard, on the other hand, sells their lumber by the board foot.  A board foot takes into consideration the thickness, width and length of a board.  There are several apps board foot calculator apps to help you figure out how many board feet are in your chosen piece, but all you need to remember is one simple formula and you can calculate board feet anywhere.… Continue reading on ManMadeDIY.com

source http://www.manmadediy.com/4864-how-to-easily-calculate-board-feet

The 1-Second Trick to More Accurate Measuring and Marking for Your Woodworking Projects

If you want gap-free joinery and a perfect, long-lasting fit for both strength and aesthetics, precise measuring and marking of parts is essential. But, each step of the process — measuring, transferring marks, and cutting — can introduce tiny little errors of 1/64 or 1/32", which, over the course of a project, can add up significantly. So here's a simple little trick that takes no extra time, but creates much more accurate results.    

… Continue reading on ManMadeDIY.com

source http://www.manmadediy.com/4641-the-1-second-trick-to-more-accurate-measuring-and-marking-for-your-woodworking-projects

How to: Cast Iron Cinnamon Roll Recipe

No offense, but I don't love your grandmother's cookie recipe. I know you do, and that's amazing. And I know it's more about making them that eating them, and that's nice, too. But, if I'm going to go crazy with some unhealthy eats this holiday, I want that extra sugar to be inside something that I care about. Specifically, these cinnamon rolls, baked in cast iron skillet.

Because the season of indulgence is here, and you might as well make sure those calories taste amazing. 

… Continue reading on ManMadeDIY.com

source http://www.manmadediy.com/4714-how-to-cast-iron-cinnamon-roll-recipe

Fact: Old Newspaper is the Greatest Gift Wrap of All Time

I think I was eight. Maybe seven. It was my birthday, and a family friend who'd taken a mentor role with me stopped by to give me a small gift. I don't remember what was in inside, but I can so perfectly and vividly recall that it was wrapped in the full, CMYK color of Sunday comics section, and it blew my freaking mind.   

… Continue reading on ManMadeDIY.com

source http://www.manmadediy.com/4725-fact-old-newspaper-is-the-greatest-gift-wrap-of-all-time

How to Make a Custom Copper Pipe Lamp

I love using the internet to find inspiration, design ideas, and cool materials for my next big project. But, I still think there's a lot of value in a simple, compact physical volume to invite both new makers and folks looking to step up their… Continue reading on ManMadeDIY.com

source http://www.manmadediy.com/lamp

Holiday How-to: Make DIY Wooden Gift Tags from Scrap...in Under 15 Minutes

Giving gifts? It's the best, right? Not cheap plastic things, and certainly not gift cards. But thoughtful custom - and most of the time handmade gifts - that I know someone will enjoy for years to come. Take a look at our list of 50 gifts for men here, and gifts for women here.

Of course, the gift has to be wrapped in something special as well. So, why would I want to use lame paper gift tags from the discount store after all that work? Here is a simple project to make some name tags that are as thoughtful as the gift.   … Continue reading on ManMadeDIY.com

source http://www.manmadediy.com/4512-holiday-how-to-make-diy-wooden-gift-tags-from-scrap-in-under-15-minutes

DIY Gift Idea: Make Your Own Wood-Infused Booze

As far as holiday gifts go, it's hard to beat something to sip. And this year, you can do a little better than swinging by the grocery store and grabbing a bottle of wine. 

This wood-infused project only take a tiny bit more work than buying something from the liquor store, but boosts all kinds of flavor benefits and handmade points, turning the spirits into a proper gift. 

Make some in bulk for everyone you know, and your holiday shopping is done.    … Continue reading on ManMadeDIY.com

source http://www.manmadediy.com/4721-diy-gift-idea-make-your-own-wood-infused-booze

How to Cut a Perfect Circle with a Jigsaw

A quality jigsaw is one of my favorite tools, and a seriously good DIY best buy. Armed with the right blade, you can cut all sorts of materials into nearly any two-dimensional shape you please. And most-importantly, do it safely. 

But it's flexibility as a creative tool is also its liability. Like a pencil, it can go in any direction, but in the hands of a human being, those directions will never be without the marks of our innate imperfection. Straight lines can be accomplished with a fence, but a perfect circle. You can't draw one by hand, so don't expect yourself to be able to jigsaw one either. 

At least, not without a little help.    … Continue reading on ManMadeDIY.com

source http://www.manmadediy.com/4718-how-to-cut-a-perfect-circle-with-a-jigsaw