Thursday Tips- Get Rid of Ants Naturally

For a quick and easy way to naturally get rid of ants, mix together 1/4 cup jelly with 1/4 cup borax.  Leave in an open container near the infestation site.

Ten Tools Everyone Should Own

Benjamin Franklin once said, "By failing to prepare you are preparing to fail."  Having a basic toolkit is a way that you can be prepared for not only planned projects in your home, but also unexpected disasters that may arise.  With so many specialized tools on the market it can be hard to know where to start.  Here are our recommendations for tools that should be in everyone's toolbox.

1. Hammer

 A 16-20 oz hammer should do the trick for most jobs

2. Reversible Cordless Drill

Get one that is comfortable to hold and preferably that comes with a bit set

3. Level

 

 Choose a level that has a horizontal, a vertical, and a diagonal vial

4. Vise Grip Pliers 

 These are a step up from standard channel lock pliers

5. 6-Way Screwdriver

Pretty standard

6. Needle Nose Pliers

Look for a pair that has a wire cutter near the axis.

7. Tape Measure

Get one that locks into place

8. Electrical Tester

This is especially important when changing out light fixtures.

9. Utility Knife

  There's really no substitute for a good utility knife.

10. Staple Gun

Necessary for most crafting, home decorating, or reupholstering projects.

Image Credits: 1/2/3/4/5/6/7/8/9/10

Thursday Tips- New Use for Command Hooks

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Use command hooks to place lids on a cabinet door and free up valuable storage space.

Thursday Tips- Keep Track of Your Chargers

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Use a binder clip to keep your phone charger from getting lost in the mass of wires under your desk

Weekend Project- Canning

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With many fruits and vegetable at their peak ripeness, Summer is the perfect time to start canning.  If you're new to canning the process may seem intimidating.  But with a bit of attention to detail and the right supplies you can be stocking your pantry in no time.

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Canning is best with fruits and vegetables that are at their optimum ripeness.  Try shopping at a local farmer's market or even picking fruit from your own backyard.  Many recipes will require that you peel the skin off before canning.

The basic supplies remain the same regardless of what you are canning.  All of these supplies can be found in our store or online to be delivered to our store at truevalue.com.

Once you have prepared your recipe, simply follow the instructions on your pressure cooker to properly heat and pressurize the cans so that no bacteria can enter.  No bacteria means no spoilage, so after your cans have cooled and you have heard the "ping" that signals the lids have been properly pressurized, cans can be stored on shelves without refrigeration.  Canned fruits and preserves make great gifts!

Have you ever tried canning? What was your experience with it?

**Special Offer: Now through August 30th, 2013 receive 10% off in-store canning supplies with a printout of this page**

Inspiration: Paint Swatches for Every Room

Color has an undeniable power to affect mood. Here are some of our favorite color palettes for each area of your home.

Neutrals for a sense of warmth and welcome

Red and metallic for energy and to stimulate appetite

Blues for relaxation

Greens for tranquility

What are your favorite colors for various rooms in the house?

Thursday Tips- Fussy Smoke Detectors

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It's never a good idea to remove the batteries from a smoke detector, lest you forget to replace them.  If you have an overly sensitive smoke detector (or just have a feeling you're going to burn tonight's dinner) place a shower cap over it for a quick, temporary fix.