The Toolbox: Anti-Slip spray; 'Amy Butler Stencils'; icemaker repair

October 8, 2013 at 8:15PM
Artist Amy Butler is known for her design style on fabrics, home accessories and other items -- fresh, romantic but not too sweet.Now sheís helping readers add a bit of that flair to their own homes and wardrobes with "Amy Butler Stencils," a book of stencil patterns and how-tos. (Akron Beacon Journal/MCT) ORG XMIT: 1143037
“Amy Butler Stencils” is a book of stencil patterns and how-tos. (The Minnesota Star Tribune)

Nonskid surface

Rust-Oleum's new Anti-Slip spray lets you create nonskid surfaces indoors and out.

One coat of the spray will produce a nonslip surface on concrete, metal or wood. The product dries clear in as little as 30 minutes and resists peeling and cracking.

It's appropriate for surfaces such as floors, ramps, steps and railings, as well as on the handles of hand tools and sporting equipment.

Rust-Oleum Anti-Slip has a suggested retail price of $6.99 and is available where paint products are sold.

Amy Butler stencil book

Artist Amy Butler is known for her design style for fabrics, home accessories and other items — fresh, romantic but not too sweet.

Now she's helping readers add a bit of that flair to their own homes and wardrobes with "Amy Butler Stencils," a book of stencil patterns and how-tos.

Butler created 10 stencils for the book that are designed to be used as is or mixed, overlaid or reconfigured. The stencils are die-cut on heavy, coated paper, so with proper care they can be re-used.

Butler also offers instructions and tips for getting the best results from her stencils or creating your own. Photos of projects using the stencils are included, but Butler encourages readers to dream up their own uses.

"Amy Butler Stencils: Fresh, Decorative Patterns for Home, Fashion & Craft" is published by Chronicle Books and sells for $24.95.

Icemaker fix

Q: The icemaker in my refrigerator has stopped working. Could there be some small maintenance issue involved that I'm not aware of, or do I need to have my refrigerator repaired?

A: First, be sure the shut-off arm is in the correct position. It can get bumped accidentally into the off position or be blocked by ice cubes in the bin. Some refrigerators have an optical sensor instead, which can get misaligned.

Have you replaced your refrigerator's water filter recently? If not, the filter could be clogged, restricting water flow to the icemaker.

Akron beacon journal

Rust-Oleum's new Anti-Slip spray lets homeowners create nonskid surfaces indoors and out. (Akron Beacon Journal/MCT) ORG XMIT: 1143037
Rust-Oleum’s new Anti-Slip spray lets homeowners create nonskid surfaces indoors and out. (The Minnesota Star Tribune)
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