Test Embroidery Threads for Colorfastness Almost all clothes and accessories now have care labels that tell you how to clean the item. But before you do anything with embroidered clothes or stitched craft pieces, you should check the embroidery fibers for colorfastness to prevent dyes from running. Testing is simple. If there are large blocks of color, dampen a piece of white cloth with cold water and gently blot it over each different thread color in your garment or accessory....

Are Hummingbirds Territorial? Many birds show aggression when they feel their breeding territories or feeding areas violated by intruders. Aggressive behavior is typically strongest in late spring or early summer when the birds claim territory and defend nests. Among North American hummingbirds, the rufous hummingbird has one of the worst tempers, but all hummingbird species may show anger and aggression to varying degrees. Male hummingbirds are often more aggressive at feeders, while females attack near their nests, but this angry bird behavior can be amazing to witness with both genders....

The Murphy Bed Desk from Vanessa Shaffer Designs Just fold the table and presto—it’s now a console, desk, or an entryway landing strip. Then, when it’s time to entertain, it magically expands into a dining table that seats up to 10 people. While this hack seems complicated to DIY, it’s not. To put together all you need is a power drill and a couple of door hinges. MALM Console Table from IKEA Hackers We love any idea that keeps useful stuff out of landfills....

Want to make a big splash with your kids this summer? An above-ground pool like the Intex 12ft x 30in Metal Frame Pool Set is a great option. Intex is known for its stellar reputation and low prices. We tested the company’s popular above-ground pool to see just how well it would do under child-induced duress. Would the neighborhood youths flock to our yard like flies on honey for a dip?...

However, most of the white coffee filters used today are bleached and, according to Colorado State University Extension: “…coffee filters and paper towels may have been treated with synthetic chemicals and bleach. Those attempting to maintain an organic garden will need to consider these possibilities before tossing items into the pile.” Pros and Cons of Filters Still, other sources feel the bleach has pretty much dissipated by the time it makes it to your compost and won’t pose a threat to either your soil or you....

If you’ve been coveting the modern-meets-retro furniture choices that are popular these days, the 86-inch Joybird Preston Sofa will no doubt pique your interest. It’s the definition of classic meets contemporary and is available in a wide variety of fabrics, colors, and wood stain options. We wanted to see whether this sofa really was as striking as it looks online and if it proved to be a functional seating option, too....

Birdseed Storage Problems While sunflower seeds, cracked corn, peanuts, and other types of birdseed are attractive to a wide range of birds, they are also attractive to insects, rodents, raccoons, and other pests. The seed that is not stored properly can also get wet or be subject to extreme heat and may begin to rot, creating mold and mildew that can be dangerous, even fatal, to birds. The seed that isn’t stored in strong containers may even be raided by birds that don’t want to wait for feeder refills....

The Kenmore 81414 400 Series Canister Vacuum has some stellar features—a telescoping wand, impressive reach, and adjustable suction, just to name a few—that make it stand out from the competition. With a HEPA filter that traps common allergens like dust and pollen, it’s also a great choice for allergy sufferers. Since this is one of the most highly rated Kenmore models on the market—and one of the most talked-about canister vacuums—we wanted to put it to the test on a variety of surfaces in our home....

Here are 10 Easter egg games you can play indoors and outdoors after the Easter baskets have been opened so you can keep the young ones hopping. Let the youngest children have a head start of a few minutes if you’re having one hunt for kids of various ages.Set up separate hunts for the older and younger kids.Pair each young child with an adult who knows where the eggs are hidden....

Sometimes I like looking at these creaky-old kitchen “before and after” pictures to remind myself of how the world of home renovations just keeps on changing. Typical 1930s Kitchen From a General Electric ad, this “before kitchen” is squarely planted in the 1930s. The floor layout isn’t much to speak of plumbing against one wall, appliances against the other wall. Linoleum is checkerboard, typical of that era. We have a sizable sink flanked by a couple of work areas....

It grows to only 25 feet tall. So its compact size, delicate look, and slow growth rate mean the Korean maple can work as an ornamental tree in a container for several years. In the fall, the foliage will provide a beautiful splash of color in your garden as it turns vivid shades of oranges, reds, and yellows. Plant your Korean maple seedlings or juvenile trees in the fall....

A space heater is a great way to provide supplemental heat or warm up a room with a chill to it. At the end of summer and into early fall, although the weather isn’t cold by any means, my New England home gets a little chilly late at night and in the morning. A space heater is great for those days when you want to take the chill out of a room without turning on the entire home heating system....

Fan-assisted ceramic electric heaters, like the Lasko Full-Circle Warmth Ceramic Heater, are one of the safest and fastest ways to heat a bedroom, shed, camper, cubicle, or other small space. Here’s how they work: Electricity warms ceramic plates, which then heat aluminum baffles. A fan blows air across the hot baffles, pushing hot air into the room. The ceramic and aluminum heat up fast, so rooms start feeling warm right away—but the exterior stays cool, making them safe choice for areas with kids and pets....