ToolGirl

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To contact Mag, please e-mail mag@toolgirl.com

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We're All In This Together - it's arrived!

We're All In This Together: Red Green - The Man Behind the Character and Vice Versa is now in the duct tape aisle at participating Home Hardware, TruServ and Federated Co-op hardware stores.

As you know most of my attention this past year has been focused on birthing this biography of my friend Steve Smith. I'm so excited that it's finally in print.

Right now Steve and I are in the midst of a cross-country media tour to promote the book.

The book is published by ToolGirl Press and distributed in Canada by 3M the makers of Duct Tape. To find out more about the book, our tour and how you can purchase it (or even win a copy) please head on over to We're All In This Together.

EcoMist - Best 'green' cleaner I've found

 In today's CanWest newspaper column I'm covering my latest discovery in environmentally-friendly cleaning products.  EcoMist is brand new for 2008, developed for The Home Depot by chemist Ted Fagan in Woodbridge, Ontario.

EcoMist cleaners are made from food-grade ingredients, which are listed right on the bottle.  I tested EcoMist against my traditional cleaners and was surprised to find that EcoMist actually works better, and with no fumes, no icky fragrances and no irritation to skin or respiratory systems.

EcoMist formulations won't harm you or your pets, even with prolonged exposure, plus they're anti-fungal, anti-microbial, and anti-bacterial.  EcoMist uses leading-edge nano-colloidal technology to lift stains, emulsify grease and disinfect any surface.

EcoMist is currently available in the following Home Depot stores:

Store # 7262    -    1201 Castlemore Avenue, Markham, ON
Store #7136    -    50 Kirkham Drive, Markham, ON
Store # 7238    -    1105 Kingston Road, Pickering, ON
Store #7167    -    49 Fourth Street, Orangevill, ON
Store #7264    -    470 Holland Street West, Bradford, ON
Store #7161    -    1706 Elgin Mills Rd East, Richmond Hill, ON
Store #7269    -    12769 Highway 50, Bolton, ON
Store #7256    -    1775 Stone Church Rd E, Hamilton Mountain, ON
Store #7021    -    3050 Davidson Court, Burlington, ON
Store #7226    -    100 Bowes Street, Parry Sound, ON
Store #7080    -    1000 Gerrard Street East, Toronto, ON

Store #7045    -    1900 United Blvd, Coquitlam, BC

Store #7223    -    10 - 101 Southbank Blvd, Okotoks, AB

And soon in:

Store #7227    -    650-1125 Westmout, Edmont, AB

Store #7001    -    428 Ellesmere Road, Scarborough, ON

Boo

No one has heard 'boo' from me in months.  Like a hotrod being pimped in a secret garage, I'm about to re-emerge with some mods.

First, the ToolGirl videos have moved to their new home at the Home Renovation Guide.  Watch for new videos coming in November.

Next, I'm going to be appearing at the Fall Home Show with tons of new info on how to get rid of the bugs, microbes, mites, bacteria, viruses and allergens that infest indoor air and surfaces.  I've got a really creepy slideshow for you, plus cutting-edge solutions to improve your sleep, your indoor air quality and your health this winter.  And as usual, tons of free giveaways from innovative companies like 3M, SmartSilk and Eco-Mist Solutions!

In addition to my mainstage presentation at the Home Show, I'm also teaching a new hands-on workshop, Power Tools for Beginners, featuring the latest power tools from Ryobi and free giveaways for some lucky participants.

On October 4th I'll be hosting the taping of the TV Special We're All In This Together: The Red Green Story for The Comedy Network. With guests Steve Smith, Patrick McKenna and Rick Green, the Special will take a funny and touching behind-the-scenes look at what made The Red Green Show the second-longest-running comedy in the history of television!

And on November 5th, ToolGirl Press will publish the new biography of Red Green creator Steve Smith.  We're All In This Together: Red Green - The Man Behind the Character and Vice Versa will be on shelves November 6, but not in bookstores!  You'll find our book only in a Home Hardware, TruServ or Federated Co-op hardware store -  you're in there once a week anyway, right? TIP: We're printing a limited number of copies (printing is expensive!) so talk to your dealer soon and reserve your copy of this unconventional book about an unconventional Canadian icon.  You can sign up for updates - and details about the book tour that Steve and I will be doing - by visiting We're All In This Together.

Guest hosting at DaveFM with Jeff Lumby

My favourite radio host, Jeff Lumby, invited me to guest host a couple of days last week on his DaveFM morning show.  We had a blast. 

While we were there last Thursday we also shot a TV interview with Jeff for the upcoming Comedy Network special We're All In This Together: The Red Green Story.  (Hence the make-up, being skillfully applied to the squirming Jeff by longtime Red Green Production Manager, Sandi Richardson.)

Update on new book

You know it's been a wacky-busy summer when it's almost August -- oh wait -- when it's almost half-way through August and you still haven't noticed it's summer.  Here's a sneak peak at the book I've been working on with Red Green creator Steve Smith.  It'll be available this November in Canadian hardware stores coast to coast. 

Please visit www.wereallinthistogether.ca for more details

What a Beautiful World

More info

What we've been up to

A leak in the basement led to the discovery of a crack in the foundation.  Uttering epithets like "By cracky!" (only not as polite) we proceeded to hire Mike Quail to dig up the foundation with his stunning, world-class backhoe.  More on Mike later.  For now, this is what the dang hole looked like.

Glory of spring

A birch catkin enjoys the sunset

Puddles are portals to Faeryland

Fit for Fat - Mag meets best-selling author Tosca Reno

When I recently noticed my toolbelt feeling a little snug I renounced the backbone of my diet (French fries) and threw out all of the chips (potato and chocolate).  Now I'm reading the Eat Clean Diet by fitness goddess Tosca Reno.  She Rocks.  I met her last night when she spoke at Henning Salon in Orangeville, Ontario.  What an inspiration.

P.S  I thought I'd hate the flavour of low-fat food but it actually tastes great!  Who knew?    

ToolGirls A-go-go!

I really had fun recently doing Rogers Daytime with George Tsioutsioulas and Jacqueline Betterton (that's Jacqueline on the left holding the jigsaw) and it gave me a chance to visit my home town - Richmond Hill, Ontario - and stop by Joe's Hamburgers for the best falafel this side of the Atlantic!

How to hang artwork in less than a minute with no measuring

Hang & Level tool is too cool!!

For more great tips on how to hang pictures visit the Hang & Level site at:
http://www.hangandlevel.com/

Tools That Rock! at the National Home Show

(Photos - Mag discusses Tools that Rock! with EZ-Rock's morning team, Stu and Colleen)

Mag is bringing her Tools That Rock! Innovation Tour to the National Home Show Thursday April 10th at 1:00 p.m. and 6:00 p.m.  Please join us and get in on the FREE GIVEAWAYS from world class manufacturers like Devine Color, Hang & Level, Rubbermaid and Concrobium Mold Control.

Mag's entertaining Tools That Rock! presentation will help you conquer homeowner exasperation this spring.  From interior painting, moisture problems, lack of storage and the corker - hanging artwork - Mag demonstrates some of the world's most innovative new products and delivers insider tips.

The National Home Show runs till April 13 at the Direct Energy Center (on the Exhibiton grounds) at 1926 Lakeshore Boulevard West.  With 42,000 square feet of inspiration, admission is cheap at $12!

Interior painting tips - choosing colours, cutting in, prepping

Watch this video for lots of tips on painting a room with Devine Color!

Taking the Pain Out of Painting - Roll your own giant chips

Paint is a powerful force in the universe. Its influence is often disguised behind designer names like Contiguous Pout or First Pimple.

Choosing paint colours can pit relatives against each other in a teeth-baring battle over the interpretation of light wavelengths.

 

Thinking outside the closet

Rubbermaid has come up with "Configurations" - the best closet-organizing technology I've seen ever.  Click here for the link.

The entire system hangs off one horizontal rail so screwing is minimal, and for once that's a good thing.

Oh, and there's no hack-sawing the pieces to length because they telescope elegantly into each other to create a custom fit.   Configurations systems are completely customizable and offer additional tart-ups like sliding trouser racks, belt/tie racks, shoe racks, drawers etc.  Systems start at about $150.  Available in white or in a satin-nickel finish, which they've dubbed 'titanium'.   Very easy to install.

Hang & Level - How to hang a picture without arguments or irritation

A brilliant invention from Canadian decorator Liette Tousignant. --->

See the video here!

I first heard about this tool from alert reader Wayne Thurston: 
Mag,  I recently came across the most invaluable tool for picture hanging.  I spent almost 20 years selling, instructing and consulting to the picture frame industry and, now in retirement, have finally found the best.  You can view it on the company website (western Canada)  It's wonderfully called, "Hang & Level", and as advertised, "Marks EXACTLY where the nail goes". Check it out, I use it and it's the closest to perfect I have found.  Wish I had invented it.

I've had huge fun with this tool since I took Wayne's advice and got mine at Canadian Tire ($19.99).  The Hang & Level enables you to effortlessly hang pictures, photos and art objects in a fraction of the time it used to take. You don't need pencils, measuring tapes or swear words. 

To use the Hang & Level, choose the object you want to mount. Hang it on the perky little hook (or the double hooks for heavier objects) on the front of the Hang & Level tool, then hold the tool against the wall.  Raise it to the height that feels right. Then, lift the artwork off the tool and push a small ‘button’. The button, carries a sharp metal spike, which presses a beautiful little divot into the wall surface, marking the precise spot where the nail should go.  No pencils, no measuring, no name calling. 

For gobs of picture hanging tips, visit the Hang & Level web site.

See Mag's video here!

End Mold and Mildew Forever

Hi Mag , i have a question for you - i have two washrooms and both of them are full of mold.  every month i clean the walls and ceiling with bleach.   mold comes back again.  what should i do to get rid of it.  my house is about 18 years old. please advise.  thanks.

-b.a.

Hi there,

The product you need is available at the Home Depot in Canada. It’s called Concrobium. It stops mold and mildew and it doesn’t come back.  Ever.  Concrobium is formulated from food-grade chemicals so it’s non-toxic. It’s a brand new product and I've used it to kill both the smell and reappearance of mildew in our basement. It rocks.  www.concrobium.com

Here are the instructions for use:

1. Remove heavy soil from the surface to be treated.

2. Thoroughly spray the entire area with Concrobium (or apply with a Concrobium-soaked cloth or roller). . If surface has visible fungal growth or staining, additional scrubbing may be required. Note: Concrobium is safe for us on almost all surfaces, including wallboard, plaster, ceiling tiles, wood, metal, plastic, stone, concrete, tile, fabrics, upholstery. If in doubt, perform a test on a small, inconspicuous section.

3. Wipe off excess wetness.

4. Allow to dry overnight (16-18 hours). Do not rinse. Note: in the event of accidental over-application, a harmless white residue may form on the surface. This can be easily wiped away with a Concrobium-dampened cloth.

Concrobium is available in most hardware stores in the US and Canada.

Silk - The secret to a good night's sleep

Off the Sleep End!
Instant relief from congestion and night sweats

This is a mid-life quiz.  Check all that apply. If you score higher than 5, you’ve hit mid-life.  If you score higher than 10, you’ve hit it hard.  

• You sleep with someone who snores, has sleep apnea or sinus congestion
• His or her congested breathing causes them to emit short, sharpsnorts
• You wake up every time he or she snorts louder than 70 decibels
• Which is often.  And deafening.
• Mid-life hormones wake you up at least once per night, drenched
• You get up, stand on the icy bathroom tiles and blow-dry your body 
• You go back to bed and thrash around trying to find a dry spot
• The snorter awakes, somewhat irritated
• The only dry spot left in the bed is right next to the snorter, so you make your move
• The closer you get, the more irritated and restless the snorter becomes
• It’s too darn hot snuggling and the perspiration starts to flow again
• You back off to your original spot, organize the pillows around your ears to reduce snorting volume and thrust out a bare leg to moderate body temperature; Sometimes both of you go back to sleep.  Not often.     

Up until one month ago, I had not slept well in years for ALL of the above reasons.

The promise of Spring over snowy fields

Soon.  Soon.  Soon.  Soon.  Soon.

How to make chair seats from old neck ties

Reupholstering with neckties

Once our Christmas house guests finally left (after I asked them to rip up the laundry room floor and find the radon leak) I drove to Boston, where I’m now tormenting relatives with the fine art of being a house guest. So far I’ve overslept, overeaten and over expressed myself as often as possible.

Are they enjoying my company? So much so that they gave me some stuff to do, like finding the freon leak in the freezer. And then they all went out. It’s a pacing thing. They can’t have too much fun all at once.

And speaking of fun, ever wondered what to do with all of those old neckties that your male relatives never wear anymore? My sister had an idea. She turned them into sittable art. Weaving ties into chair seats is way easier than, say, finding the freon leak in a freezer, plus there are no painful accidents with your tongue.

Tie Basket Photos

These additional photos from Gillian may help you tie basket.....

             Tie pinned together prior to sewing                  

Tie sewn together to form a tube

How to Make Baskets and Hats from Recycled Neck Ties

To Tie For!
Silk ties make gorgeous art

They say that talent is hitting a target that no one else can hit, whereas genius is hitting a target that no one else can see.  My sister Gillian Danner falls into the latter category. 

  She has a habit of coming up with designs that nobody else would think of, plus they actually look good.  I’ve been trying to figure out how she succeeds in creating art, where I produce stuff that the church auxiliary ladies quietly omit from rummage sales.

One of Gill’s techniques is that she repurposes objects to serve functions they were never intended for.  For example, she’ll turn magazine photos into tiny hand-rolled lacquered beads, or convert antique farm implements into toilet paper dispensers or sculpt gentleman’s ties into silk baskets.

How to Engrave Designs on Glass

(this is a glass that my friend Sue made using a Dremel for the first time!)

A Blast from the Glass

DIY Engraving

My coordination has been a bit off since, oh, puberty. Even now that I've entered my supposedly mature years I’m still a spiller and a breaker. When I go to friends’ places for dinner, I request plastic drinking vessels. People resisted this at first, thinking I was exaggerating. But they’ve learned. I have UASS. (Upper Adulthood Spiller Syndrome).

My own glassware is a ragged collection of mismatched pieces; the type of assortment one usually reserves for the cottage. Only I don’t have a cottage. (We spillers live the cottage lifestyle with or without beachfront real estate, because we never have full sets of anything.) 

But I’ve discovered a great method of bringing uniformity to my snifters, goblets and highballs: Glass engraving, a totally enjoyable pastime. You don’t need to be particularly artistic, because if you’re not confident with freehand drawing, you can just trace paper patterns, photos, quotations, leaves, flowers, fabric or wallpaper through the glass.

How to Setup and use a Delta Lathe.

Keith Potts gives me a primer on my new lathe....

Livio Di Marchi

Dave Scarberry sent these photos of the incredible woodworking skills of Italian sculptor Livio Di Marchi.  Thanks Dave!

http://www.liviodemarchi.com/ukmain3.htm

http://www.craftsmanshipmuseum.com/DeMarchi.htm

http://mostlyglass.com/Artists/de_marchi/de_marchi_books.htm

 

Workshop Show - Saturday

This is the show from my perspective on stage.  Nice crowd don't you think?