Ready to roll up your sleeves? OK! We've got tons of great do-it-yourself home projects. You can create your own wall art, upholster a headboard, and even learn how to paint for beginners.

These seasonal votives from Jeff Styles will add a personal touch and warmth to any Thanksgiving table.

See step 1.

Need a step up from plain old paint? Give your walls an extra kick with a cool stripe.

You’ll need:

• Paint in as many colors as you plan on using
  
• Small brushes
  
• Drop cloth
  
• Blue or purple painters tape
  
• Level or yardstick

  1. Clear

  Move everything along the wall as far away as possible so you have room to work. Remove any hanging pictures, nails and outlet covers that are going to intrude on your stripe area and tape around any fixtures.

  2. Plan

  Assess your canvas and plan out where you want your stripes, how think you want them to be and what colors you want to use in which areas. If you're being precise, get out your yardstick and measure off your stripes. You can also go for a free-form look and have stripes of many widths.

  3. Tape

  Use your painters tape to mark the outside edges of the stripes. You'll probably not be able to manage one long strip of tape from floor to ceiling, so this is where having a level (and two people) comes in handy. Station one person on a ladder at the ceiling and have the other guide the tape down to the floor.

      If you're doing zig-zag stripes, or any other fancy patterns, make sure that your tape line is unbroken for the length of the stripe. If your plan includes stripes of different colors crossing at any point, choose which one you want on top. You'll only be able to do one at a time, working from the bottom up. When it dries, remove the tape and set up the next one.

  4. Paint

  If you're using a small amount of paint and have just a small container of paint, don’t bother with the paint tray and roller set-up. Just take the can in one hand and your brush in the other. Use long even strokes and apply the paint as evenly as possible. This is one case where you don't want to paint outside the lines. If you're using many colors, use a different brush for each one.

  5. Repeat

  If your stripes are pretty thin, they're probably dry by now, so you can give them a second coat. Repeat your pattern from earlier in the day. The next day, carefully peel up the tape and touch up any edge bits that got bumpy. Then you can stand back and admire your very own special effects.
  

Got questions on paint? We've got some too.

Q: How much is enough?
A: One gallon covers 350 square feet. Divide the total square feet (length times width) of your room by 350 for each coat.

Q: Can we paint over wallpaper?
A: Technically, yes. Strategically, no. You’ll see the seams unless you skim coat with a special compound. And you have to use an oil-based primer to seal the paper. There isn't a guarantee of no show-through, and it makes it harder to remove the paper later. If you’re going to do all that work, why not just remove the paper now with a chemical wallpaper stripper?

Q: How many coats?
A: If you’re painting over a white wall with another shade of white, one coat should be enough. If you’re painting over a color, you'll probably need two coats.

Q: How long between each coat?
A: A coat of latex paint dries in about three hours. It’s best to wait until your first coat is dry to start the next one.

Wanna paint like a pro? No problem. Use our cheat sheet for getting the job done right.

Step 1: Prep

• Find your materials. A 2-inch or 2 1/2-inch brush, tape, spackle, sandpaper, drop cloths, rags, a roller and pan, and, of course, paint!
• Take down frames, window treatments, and artwork. Remove light switch plates and any fixtures you don’t want painted; cover furniture and floors with drop cloths.
• Fill any holes or cracks with spackle (try DAP DryDex, which turns from pink to white as it dries), and sandpaper it smooth.
• Wipe your walls with a clean rag and mild soap to get rid of any dirt and dust that might keep paint from sticking. Keep a few disposable, low-lint rags (like SCOTT Rags) on hand.
• Tape over any areas you don’t want painted that color, like the trim, floor boards, and ceiling.

Step 2: Paint

• Use a brush to paint one wall along the trim and in the corners. Use the flat side of the brush for corners -- it makes the job neater. Your brush can overlap onto the trim (that’s what the tape is for!) but don’t let the paint collect and get goopy where it meets the tape. Buy good brushes from a brand like Purdy that won’t leave bristles all over.
• Start at the ceiling on the same wall (when your brushwork is still wet), and roll the paint in an “Nâ€� shape. Fill in the “Nâ€� with horizontal strokes, and then finish with vertical strokes. Keep disposable rags nearby to wipe up any paint mistakes before they dry.
• Use a brush to paint the trim. Tape along the trim after the walls are dry. Apply paint with the wood grain for an even finish.
• For doors and windowsills, be patient! Tape over any glass or hinges, stick with a brush, and paint with the grain.

Tips

• Test your colors. Buy the smallest amount possible and paint two coats in a small area on a couple of different walls to see how you like the shade in different types of light (bright incandescent bulbs for a room with floor lamps, natural light for a bright room…you get the idea).
• Use a primer. If you’re starting with unpainted walls or making a drastic color change (like brown to yellow), a base coat will give better results.
• Keep paint mixed. Stir the paint from the bottom up to make sure it’s evenly mixed. Grab a few of the free stir sticks when you’re at the paint store.
• Save some for touch-ups. Keep leftover paint (along with a mini roller) for scuffs and such. Seal the can with plastic wrap before you tap the lid closed with a hammer.
• If you’re painting a ceiling, use an extension pole that screws into the handle of your roller. Roll from right to left rather than forward to back so you don’t strain your neck.

Ever wander into a paint store and get brain freeze as you're sorting through paint chips, trying to figure out the difference between finishes? Here's the deal: 

Latex paint is best for most jobs, including walls and trim. It’s easy to clean up (because it’s water-based), has less of an odor, and dries more quickly than oil-based paint.

Oil paint has a very durable finish, good for wood surfaces in high-traffic areas (like doors or hallway trim) or high-moisture areas (like a bathroom). It's difficult to clean up, if left to dry more than 1 hour.

Flat finish is a no-shine finish, good for covering imperfections on your walls. It won’t wash well, so it’s not good for high-traffic spots.

Eggshell finish has a slight sheen (good for busy areas because blemishes can wash away). Use it in the kitchen, bathroom, living room, and hallways.

Semigloss finish is shiny and washable, ideal for setting apart doors and windowsills from surfaces with flat paint. Use for trim, shutters, bathroom, and kitchen.

High-gloss finish is super-shiny and very durable. Used mostly for trim and floors.
Low-VOC paint can often be mixed to order in different finishes. Its base is odorless and better for you and the environment.