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DO IT YOURSELF...ONLINE!
Our favorite "How-to" Sites

From buying a car to finding the love of your life, there is virtually no limit to what you can do on the Internet. This spring, tackle your home improvement to-do list with a little help from GWI. We've scoured the Web to find the most informative and easy-to-use sites for a few common home improvement projects: appliance repair, backyard gardening and do-it-yourself interior decorating.
Appliance Repair

Whether your dishwasher is leaking or your dryer won't tumble, www.pcappliancerepair.com and www.repairclinic.com offer common solutions to appliance problems. You may also order new parts or a new manual for your appliance. Also, email an expert for a professional diagnosis if you discover the problem is beyond your ability.

Don't forget to check out www.thedoityourselfportal.com. This portal is dedicated to helpful resources for the do-it-yourselfer. Simply choose the area you're interested in, from building a deck to repairing an appliance, and peruse informative sites and articles with step-by-step instructions for home improvement projects.

Backyard Gardening

Visit www.backyardgardener.com and learn how to plan an easy garden. This site offers informative articles on everything from planting veggies, to outdoor herb gardens, to container gardening. Or try http://doityourself.com/garden/raised_bed.htm and find instructions for creating an easy raised garden. With just a few pieces of wood and some potting soil, a raised garden is the perfect opportunity to experiment with gardening in a small space. Don't forget to order flower and vegetable seeds for your garden – check out www.burpee.com or www.homeharvestseeds.com.

Home Design

And to spruce up the interior of your home this spring, check out www.waverly.com. Visit the project center and learn how to make your own duvet cover for the bedroom, or find instructions on making new fabric seat covers for dining room chairs. Choose bright colors or whimsical fabrics and bring the color of spring indoors. Or, let the sunlight in with do-it-yourself shades and window treatments. Visit the Better Homes and Gardens website, www.bhg.com, click on the "decorating center" link, then click on "quick and easy decorating." From there, you can choose "Ideas under $100" and then "Window Treatments." This site is filled with photographs, step-by-step instructions, and a shopping list of materials you'll need for the project.