| How to Stand up Plates in a China Cabinet Posted: 15 Sep 2018 01:00 AM PDT Arranging the items in your china cabinet properly can help make it the centerpiece of whatever room in which you place it. Standing your plates rather than stacking them can help to frame the other pieces in your collection. Some china cabinets have a ridge at the back of their shelves so that you can lean them against the back, but if they don't it's probably a good idea to consider using plate stands or a plate rack. EditLeaning the Plates against the Back - Clear out the shelf on which you want to display your plates. In order to lean your plates against the back wall of your china cabinet, you'll need to clear out the shelf you want to use first.[1]
- Leaving other items on the shelf can risk damaging them. The items at the back of the shelf will also set the tone for the rest of your arrangement, so you'll want to start there first.
- Balance your plates between the ridge and the back wall of the cabinet. Place the bottom of your plate behind the ridge, and gently lean the top against the back of the wall. Leave as little or as much space between your plates as you want to match the arrangement you've planned.
- Arrange the rest of your china collection on the shelves. Start on the top shelf and work your way down. Cups can go on saucers near the front, and unique items like artistic bowls or vases can go on the bottom.[2]
- You can find sample china cabinet arrangements on sites like Pinterest, YouTube, Better Homes and Gardens, and Southern Living.
- Cut a coffee filter to fit under your cups without showing so they don't rattle against the saucers underneath them.
EditUsing Individual Plate Stands - Purchase plate stands online or make them yourself at home. You can purchase plate stands on sites like Amazon, eBay, or Overstock. Make sure to buy enough for the number of plates you have. If you'd rather not spend the money, you can always make some yourself at home.
- Making your own plate stands can be as easy as taking apart a wire hanger and bending it into the shape of a manufactured stand.[3]
- To make your own stand, use wire cutters to cut off the bottom of the hanger. Bend the detached bottom piece in the middle, then bend the ends outwards from the tips.
- After doing so, bend the ends again, this time upwards from the tips to form the prongs that will hold the bottom of the plate.
- Arrange your china so the largest items are at the back. Generally speaking, you'll want to arrange your china in the back so they frame your other items.[4] From there, you can place progressively smaller items in each row moving toward the front.
- Larger items can also serve as the centerpiece of the shelf, depending on what other items you have in your china collection.[5]
- Place the plate stands on the shelf in your chosen arrangement. Before you put anything on the shelf, position your plate stands on it in the arrangement you would like to use. This can also help you determine whether or not the arrangement will work before you put any of your china on the shelf.
- Balance your plates on the stands. The stands will generally have two prongs or a ridge along the front with a higher ridge at the back. Gently position the bottom of your plate against the front prongs or ridge of the stand and lean the back of the plate against the rear ridge.
EditUsing a Plate Rack - Clear out the shelf on which you want to display your plates. Plate racks can take up a lot of room on your shelf. If you plan to use one, you'll want to clear out your shelf to make room for it. Doing so can also help you avoid damaging other items in your china collection.[6]
- Measure the space available on the shelf with a tape measure. Plate racks come in all different shapes and sizes, so you'll need to know how much space you have on your shelves before you choose one.
- Purchase a plate rack that will fit on the shelf or make one yourself at home. Plate racks can be purchased on online retailers like Amazon or eBay. If you'd like to have something that is more customized to your needs, you can also make one yourself at home.[7]
- Place the plate rack on the shelf and fill it with your plates. Make sure to position the plate rack on your shelf so that it is sturdy and well-balanced. Then, place your plates on the rack facing from the direction that best features any patterns or designs that they might have.[8]
- Order the plates so that the largest are behind the smaller ones to maximize the visibility of the designs.[9]
EditSources and Citations
Cite error: <ref> tags exist, but no <references/> tag was found
|
| How to Be Dependable Posted: 14 Sep 2018 05:00 PM PDT To be more dependable is a noble goal. It requires you to be reliable, consistent, and steady, even in difficult situations. To reach this goal, make sure that you deliver on your promises in a timely manner. Consider carefully what promises you make, and always come through on them. In the end, your actions will show how trustworthy you are. EditChanging Your Habits - Show up on time. If you're supposed to be somewhere, aim to be there right on time. It is better to be early than late. If you know you might run into traffic or other obstacles, leave early to give yourself extra time.[1]
- Being punctual is one of the best ways to show that you are dependable. Even being just a few minutes late can send the wrong message.
- Set alarms on your phone to wake you up in the morning or to remind you when you need to leave.
- If you know you need a lot of time in the morning to get ready, make sure that you wake up early enough to get it done.
- Respond to emails and messages quickly. If you receive an email, phone call, text message, or letter, read it and respond to it within 24 hours. By doing so, you'll make sure that they get the proper response and that you don't forget to reply to important matters.[2]
- If someone calls and you're not available, try sending them an email or text message asking if you can call them back later.
- Set aside 30 minutes in the morning and afternoon to answer all of your emails. This will help you answer them if you are busy throughout the day.
- Fix your mistakes in a timely manner. Occasionally making a mistake doesn't mean that you are not reliable. Just make sure that you accept responsibility for all of your mistakes and offer to fix them as soon as possible.[3]
- For example, if you promised to pick up groceries on the way home and forgot, you might offer to go back out and get them.
- If you made an error on a document at work, tell your boss that you will fix it right away.
- Deliver good work every time. Whether you're helping your friend assemble a TV stand or preparing a presentation at work, always do your best work. Go above and beyond if possible to show that you can perform good work consistently.[4]
- For example, if you are helping someone put up pictures on their wall, take the time to measure out the space and to level out each frame. Don't just put a nail in the wall and walk away.
- Delegate tasks, when you need to. It's hard to be dependable when you've taken on too many responsibilities for one person to handle. Don't be afraid to ask friends, family, or coworkers for help when you're feeling overwhelmed.
- For example, you might say to your spouse, "Can you pick up the kids from school today? I promised my boss I would get this report done by the end of the day, so I may need to work a little late."
- Be patient with yourself. Changing your habits takes time and commitment. In order to change your habits permanently, you will need to keep at it over a long period of time. Studies show that, on average, it takes 66 days of daily, persistent effort to change a habit.[5]
- It's likely that you'll have setbacks along the way, and that's ok—just try to identify what caused the setback, so that you can avoid it happening again.
EditKeeping Your Promises - Agree to do things that you know you can complete. When you first accept promises, only say yes if you are certain that you can, without a doubt, complete the task. If you are uncertain, ask the other person for more time to think about the request.[6]
- Look over your schedule and other commitments. Check to make sure you have time to complete the task.
- Ask questions about the task so that you know what you are taking on. When must it be done by? How much time will it take? What exactly do you have to do?
- Don't give up another promise to complete a new one. For example, don't promise your coworker that you will fix their computer if it means you will miss your child's baseball game.
- Avoid exaggerating about what you can do. For example, if your boss asks you to complete a report by the end of the week, don't say "I can have it done in 2 days" if you need more time.
- Learn to say no if you can't accept the responsibility. Saying no does not make you unreliable. Instead, it shows that you understand the importance of the request. If you don't have time, energy, or the resources to do something, it is okay to say you can't do it.[7]
- You don't need to say "no" directly. You can use a softer rejection, such as "I don't think I can do that" or "I can't make that promise."
- Don't make false excuses to get out of something. Be honest about why you can't do it. For example, instead of lying to your friend that you have an appointment the same day as their move, you can just say something like, "I'm sorry, but I can't help."
- Write down your promises in a planner or schedule. If you've got a lot going on, it can be easy to simply forget or lose track of your promises and commitments. Once you have committed to something, write it down. Set aside time to complete it. Use the same planner, calendar, or app to keep track of all of your commitments, so that you have a realistic idea of what you need to do every day.[8]
- For example, you might write, "Housesit for Maria next week" or "Deliver the cake to John on the 23rd."
- If you made a more abstract promise, such as to be more considerate or less disruptive, you might give yourself a daily reminder, such as "Tell Shona how much she means to me" or "Remember to be quiet when you get home tonight."
- Give yourself a timeline to complete the task. You might break up the task a little bit every day or write down the date it is due. If it is on a specific day, block off how much time you will need to prepare and get it done.
- Set SMART goals for yourself. It's easier to manage goals and commitments if you keep them SMART (Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-bound). Instead of committing to something vague and overwhelming (e.g., "I'm going to be more productive at work"), make a more specific promise that meets these criteria.[9]
- For example, instead of setting a general productivity goal, you might say, "I'm going to finish these 2 major reports by the end of this week."
- Cancel in advance if necessary. Sometimes, things outside of our control prevent us from keeping our promises. In this case, it is best to give the other person as much time as possible to know. As soon as you know you can't come through, contact the other person so that they can make other arrangements.[10]
- Apologize and explain why you're not able to do it. For example, you might say, "I know you needed me to run the bake sale table on Saturday, but my husband came down with a cold, and I don't think I can do it. I am so sorry."
- If possible, suggest someone else who might be able to help. For example, you might say, "I think Sally has a truck that will fit your couch. Do you want me to ask her if she can do it?"
- Try not to wait until the night before or day of to tell the other person, unless absolutely necessary.
EditBecoming Trustworthy - Depend on others. One of the best ways to show that you can be trusted is to trust other people. By asking them for help, they'll understand that you trust them, and that can help them learn to trust you.[11]
- For example, if you're struggling with a computer error, don't pretend that you know how to fix if you don't. Ask your coworker for help.
- If you're short on money for lunch, ask a friend to chip in and promise to pay them later. Just make sure to follow through and pay them back!
- Build strong relationships with other people. Trust is a slow process. To develop trust over time, work on creating strong relationships with friends, colleagues, family members, and other loved ones. Be there for them when they need you, and celebrate their successes with them.[12]
- Mark down birthdays, anniversaries, and other important dates in your calendar so that you don't forget them. Always remember to send a card or gift.
- Having strong relationships shows people that others trust you. It also demonstrates that you can develop long-term bonds and promises.
- Reach your own goals. Consistency is an important way of expressing how reliable you are. Set a goal for yourself and achieve it. Work towards it every day. Completing it will show other people that you can come through on big projects and goals.[13]
- For example, if your new year's resolution is to become fitter, go to the gym 3-5 days a week. Take an exercise class or learn to lift weights. Keep at it until you reach your fitness goals. Others will admire you for your success.
- If you keep talking about climbing a mountain, start taking steps to get there. Join a rock climbing gym, train on smaller hikes, or take a vacation out to the mountains.
- Tell the truth when asked. If someone asks you for your opinion or advice, give them the honest truth. If you lie and they find out, they may no longer ask you to help them or to give them feedback. Remember you can be both honest and polite.[14]
- For example, if your friend asks you for constructive criticism on their novel, be honest and thorough. You can still be nice and compliment their work, but make sure that they get the feedback that they want. For example, you might say something like, "Your story is really compelling, and I enjoyed it! I noticed a few plot holes though that I wanted to ask you about."
- Avoid gossiping or spreading rumors. If someone tells you something personal, private, or confidential, don't spread it around. Gossiping can be a major breach of trust. If you do it, others may not confide in you as much anymore.[15]
- For example, if your sister tells you that she is getting a divorce, don't tell the rest of the family unless she says that it is okay. She may be waiting to tell other people for a reason.
- Respect other people's property. Other people will have an easier time trusting you if you are careful with their things. Always return borrowed items promptly and in good condition. If people know that they can trust you with their possessions, they will be more likely to let you borrow or use their things in the future.
- This also goes for money. If someone lends you money, do your best to pay them back as soon as possible or within the agreed-upon timeframe.
- It can take time to show to others that you are dependable. Remain consistent with your actions to prove that you can be trusted.
- Actions speak louder than words. No matter what you say, it means nothing unless you actually do it.
EditRelated wikiHows EditSources and Citations __
Cite error: <ref> tags exist, but no <references/> tag was found
|
| How to Make a Pergola with a Hidden Cat Ladder Posted: 14 Sep 2018 09:00 AM PDT A pergola in your garden is a great way to get lots of green in a small space. Wouldn't it be great to combine that with a cat ladder to turn it into a cat jungle gym and lookout post? This design can serve as inspiration for your own construction. It is fairly complex but that is mostly because the materials used came from the discount corner of the local DIY store. You might be able to find materials that fit a lot better together from the outset so you can get the same result in a simpler way. Having said that, this design is rock solid and will withstand lots of abuse by your cat. - Know what you're building. This design consists of 3 parts: the existing pergola poles, the steps of the cat ladder, and the trellises (shaped like ice popsicles).
- The cat ladder steps are attached to the pergola poles. The trellises are attached to the steps.
- The plant container in between the pergola poles was built separately and is not connected to the poles. It is a box that is simply pushed in between the poles.
- Make the steps. The base of the cat ladder step design is the hardwood beam which will be screwed into the pergola posts and provide strength.
 - Saw the beam to the appropriate length depending on how much space you want between the trellis and the wall/pergola post. You need to take into account a minimum width so your cat can actually fit there. 25 cm is about the minimum size.
- Saw the garden plank that will serve as the plateau to size. Screw it to the hardwood beam with two screws making sure that the trellis-end is perfectly level..
- Measure the width of your trellis. Divide this by half and deduct half of the width of the pergola pole. This is the size of the small wooden batten that will go at the trellis end. It is best to dry-fit to make sure. Screw the wooden batten in place with one screw in the hardwood beam and one screw in the plateau plank. Pre-drill as appropriate.
- In this design, the garden wood planks were not wide enough to cover the width of the trellis and the wooden battens were therefore a necessity. Your design might not need them.
- A cat ladder step that goes on the right has a mirrored design to one that goes on the left.
- Make the ice popsicles. It's trellis time! Measure how far up you want your trellis to go (all the way up is recommended). Your trellises will probably not be long enough, so you will need to put them on stilts.
- Measure how much extra length you need and saw a hardwood beam to size.
- Use a connector plate at the back and screw the beam to the trellis. Screw in a few extra screws from the top if needed. Important note: The "ice popsicle" will feel rather flimsy. The pole it is supposed to rest on might wobble a bit. That's fine at this stage. Later on, when everything is put together, it will be very strong.
- This trellis was stained with a dark wood stain. This is not needed, but makes it look a bit better and will help hide the attachments needed later on.
- Build the cat ladder. Time to build the cat stairway to the sky!
 - Measure where the cat steps go on the pergola poles. About 45 cm between every step works fine, but you can deviate. Plan the steps left, right, left etc. all the way up.
- Attach the steps to the pergola posts with screws. There are several ways to do this, but here is a method where you don't really have to measure very much beforehand and still get very good results:
- Take the cat ladder step you already made. Place it against the pole where you want it. Drill the first hole through the hardwood beam of the step into the hardwood beam of the pergola post at the end that is furthest away from you (the end that is nearest to the wall).
- Attach the cat ladder step with a screw but do not tighten it all the way yet. Just enough so it is stuck but you can still move it.
- Adjust the cat ladder step until it is nice and level. You can move it up and down a bit because there is only one screw attached. Use a spirit level if needed.
- Drill a second hole next to the first one.
- Attach using a screw and tighten both screws completely.
- Even though this is a strong connection, there might still bit a little bit of give. Don't worry about it. It will be very strong when finished.
- Attach the ice popsicles trellis.
- Put the trellis popsicle up against the cat ladder steps.
- Drill holes in the frame of the trellis where the wooden batten will connect with the trellis.
- Surprise!! Garden wood usually isn't very straight. You might need little wooden connector pieces (just saw some little pieces of wooden battens to size and squeeze them in between) or little metal o-rings to make sure that the fit is good and tight.
- Try to attach the popsicles to each step with two screws if possible. One screw for every end of the wooden batten at every cat ladder step. One screw at the back and through the edge of the frame of the trellis and one on the front somewhere in the middle. It might not be feasible for every step, but you should be able to get most of them. The important thing is that this will provide the overall strength of the structure. When you are finished it should feel very strong.
- Make the base. You are nearly there! In this design, because of the plant container in between the posts, the trellis popsicle is very strong higher up where it is attached to the cat ladder steps, but the base is still wobbly. Time to fix that. If you don't have a plant container and your steps go from the ground up, you can skip this step.
- Saw a hardwood beam that will go on the outside of both the pergola pole and the trellis popsicle pole.
- Saw a hardwood beam that will go on the inside- in between- the two poles.
- Attach the inside wooden beam to the outside wooden beam using screws.
- Attach the hardwood structure you made to the poles. It already looks a bit like a platform.
- Saw the garden wood platform/cat ladder step to size.
- Attach the platform to the hardwood beams with screws.
- Marvel at your lovely creation. You are done!!
- You can add a plank between the two top cat ladder steps to create a platform your kitty can use.
- Use cat friendly plants of course. This example uses jasmine, but not all jasmines are cat-friendly, so do your research.
|
Nenhum comentário:
Postar um comentário