Replacing Front Brake Pads on a '98 Chevy Tahoe 4x4

This last week, we drove around on squealing wheels.  Yep, the brake pads were worn out and letting us know about it!

Since we are a frugal lot, we knew our hands would soon be quite filthy.  So we did a bit of research and set out to fix the brakes ourselves.  Which you will see in the video.

Now, mind you, we aren't professionals in the least!  But we did manage to get the brake pads changed and everything is working quite well.  However, do this type of work at your own risk.  If you have any doubts, find a pro to handle the task for you.

To be sure, had we loads of money, we would have paid someone to do the job.  This, purely because of the time involved.  We burned a whole day working on the truck!  Still, I do enjoy trying to fix things on our own.  Especially when all goes well!

Project done.  Mission complete.

I need a nap~~

Take care out there!  (^.^)v

How to Make Animated GIFs Using GIMP (FREE!)

In the comments on a previous tutorial, someone recently asked where to get Photoshop Elements 7.0 software to make animated GIFs.  While Photoshop Elements 7.0 is likely still available for purchase, I realize some may not want to purchase it just to make animated GIFs.

When I first became interested in making animated graphics for websites many years ago, I found GIMP.  It's very similar to Photoshop (in some ways, better!) but it's FREE!  Well, I guess that counts as one of the ways it's better!  haha!  So, I put together this tutorial in case others may want an alternative to costly software.

Until next time~~ (^.^)v  

Make a Wrapped Wire Ring!

We have a tradition of sorts around here.  Each of us owns and often wears a wire ring or two that I've made out of wire.  Something like these...

On occasion, I'm asked to make a few more for close friends of the family.  The simple wire rose ring has been dubbed, the "family ring".  

I'm not sure where I first found the design, though I'm certain it isn't uncommon.  So, I thought I'd share with everyone how they can make they're own.  Maybe start your own tradition! 

\(^.^)/

Here's a little video in which I show how to quickly make a wire rose ring.  If you have any questions, private message me, or leave a comment below.  And thanks for checking out the video!  

Enjoy!

Materials used:

• Artistic Wire--Gunmetal Color--20gauge
• Graduated Wooden Ring Mandrel (for ring sizing)
• Unmarked Wooden Ring Mandrel (for shaping)
• Jewelry Wire Cutters
• Flat-tipped Chain Nose Pliers
• Round-tipped Chain Nose Pliers 

These items can be found at craft stores, on Amazon.com and sometimes even at Walmart.  

How to Make an Animated GIF (With Text That Isn't!)

Please choose the "full screen" viewing option to better see the vid.





This tutorial is in the can, as it were.  Gone to press, done, fini...  And so on.  It was a fun one!

Yes, the time on it is correct.  I was working in the wee hours of the morning to get it ready for posting.  It was a request by a viewer, so I wanted to get it done as soon as possible.

O' course, technology always tosses a wee wrench in the machine.  I'm learning to frequently save my work in prep for software crashes.  Of which, I only had a couple!

Now, before anyone says anything (not that I expect anyone to, but just in case), I do realize there are likely even better and more "pro" ways to get the GIF-making job done.  Me, I improvise and figure out what makes sense to me, that I can somehow relay to others.  I hope it makes sense to everyone else, too!

It's funny...  I never thought I'd be making animated GIFs again.  It seems though, Tumblr has made them popular again.  And maybe other sites, as well.  For me, it was MySpace, back in its heyday.

Making an animated GIF back then, the MySpace days, was pretty exciting.  A person who did this didn't have to rely on those sites where you have to copy code and paste it to get the image.  It's nice being able to create your own stuff.  And now, with today's software, it's so much simpler!

The first time I tried Photoshop Elements 7.0, I was discouraged.  I wasn't sure it even made animations.  But, it does.  And it's pretty awesome.

Now, on to the next project.

I've got some new software coming.  An update to Serif's WebPlus X4 I've been using.  I had skipped the X5 version, since there wasn't much that I needed in it, and I'd heard it was a bit buggy.

Now, WebPlus X6 is out!  I'm looking forward to the new features.  One being the ability to create a website for mobile phone viewing as well as the full-sized site.  This should be fun!

In the days to come, there'll no doubt be mention of the new software as I test out its stuff.

More later~~
Enjoy~~~  

How to Make an Animated GIF for Tumblr

I remember years ago, there was a wondrous place called MySpace. I know, it seems nearly defunct now, but at one time, it was the place to be. You could post photos, music playlists and animated GIFs. It seemed everyone was making those GIFs and putting them in their comments. I couldn't wait to figure out how to make them, too. There were, and still are, websites out there that help you make them for free. Just Google "animated gif maker" and you'll see what I mean. But the first ones I ever created were made using an old version Photoshop and Image Ready 2.0.

Now, we have Tumblr to post those still popular magical moving images. And now, I've got some slightly newer software, Photoshop Elements 7.0.

It has been quite some time since I made an animated GIF, since lately I've been animating with the likes of Anime Studio Pro 6 and DrawPlusX5. Though, after a little brushing up with Photoshop, I made a couple of them fairly easily.

It got me thinking, there might be others out there who've wondered how it's done, like I did back in the MySpace days. So, I made a video about it. Enjoy! (^.^)/