I don’t know about you, but I am sick of winter.

OK, that’s putting it mildly.  I am ready for winter to pack up its’ snow and go away.  I am ready for daffodils to shoot their stems through the ground, unfurl their leaves and open their sunny yellow faces to the shining sun.  I am ready for robins to hop through my back yard in search of worms.  I am ready to turn some soil and get dirt under my fingernails.

Umm, yeah…  Since we all know none of that is going to happen for at last 2 more months I am going to “make do” and head to the Home and Garden Show next weekend.  Want to go?  I have 4 “Family 4-paks” of tickets to give away!  Info at the end of this post!

Some of this year’s highlights include:

• The expanded Green Zone, a shopping experience in the Garden Market and Marketplace and stroll down Innovation Avenue, which features this year’s hottest products.
• Enjoy four exquisite gardens “Celebrating Iowa” with a variety of state themes including your favorite college mascots.  And, don’t miss the landscaper’s Plant Sale from 5 p.m. to close on Sunday.
• Learn from the professionals at the Lifestyle Theatre, featuring top experts in design, sustainable living, gardening in Iowa and healthy living. Falling in line with the hit ABC show, Extreme Makeover: Home Edition, WOI-TV will sponsor the new Ty Pennington Do It Yourself Stage.
• Tour the “Rock & Jock House” Showcase Home by Barn Builders.  Inside the house, find sports and rock ‘n’ roll memorabilia, some of which will be auctioned off during a silent auction to benefit The Heart Connection Children’s Cancer Programs and Youth Emergency Shelter & Services.
• Stop by the Celebrity Rooms and all new Celebrity Garden to find out how your favorite media personalities decorate.
• Sample and purchase Iowa-made wines at the Iowa Wine Village and stock up on Iowa-made goods at the All-Iowa Store.
• Ten pre-selected contestants will dig for a diamond and other spectacular gemstone prizes provided by Christopher’s Fine Jewelry during the Diamond Dig held on Feb. 13 at the show.
• Dora from Dora the Explorer will entertain children and families during scheduled show appearances.

·          Participate in the following promotions and WIN Big at this year’s show: Show Your Home Some Love Valentine’s Day Card; Wine Your Valentine and Win Big; and Roll the dice and spell G-A-R-D-E-N – win a trip to Ireland.  (Umm, yeah, let’s just save that last bit for me, shall we?)

Also at this year’s Home & Garden Show is Summer Baltzer from HGTV’s Design on a Dime and the TLC show Unhinged. Summer will be hosting 3 presentations: ‘Putting the Great in Great Room’ and ‘Point of Inspiration: A Designer’s Guide to Creating the Ultimate Bedroom Makeover’.

I was offered an interview with Summer but was just too busy to get it scheduled.  She was kind enough to send a few DIY tips my way to share:

Colors for Fabric and Paint

Think eggplant, grape, lilac and other shades of purple. Gray is still the “new black”. Try rich shades of turquoise and blue greens against high contrast white to really make the personality pop. Consider neon accents in vibrant shades of orange, citrus greens and lemon yellows.

Modular Furniture

Take stock of the furniture you have and brainstorm ways to make it more modular. Rather than just a plain coffee table, get one with a lid for extra storage. Or, make an ottoman a place for storage by getting one with an upholstered lid.

Artwork

Add freshness to a space by bringing in new artwork. Rather than paying top dollar, make your own. Get creative with $0.99 acrylic paints, glaze and inexpensive canvas. Take your postcard collection from past vacations and matte and frame those. Not only are the images cool, but there’s a sense of history to them.

Layering Fabrics

Add warmth, texture and personality to a space by layering. Start with a neutral couch and layer on personality with mismatched pillows and throws. Create accent pillows from old clothes, bed sheets, remnant fabric, table cloths, fabric shower curtains, ribbons, etc.

Kitchens

Don’t be afraid to add paint. Some people refuse to paint over wood, but recommend it if old oak is not your thing. Consider open shelving. It can be a great highlight on a richly painted wall and will showcase beautiful dishes you’re normally hiding. And finally, don’t forget the hardware. A shiny new handle is an easy and inexpensive way to spruce up the kitchen.

Details

The Home and Garden Show runs February 11-14, 2010 at the Iowa Events Center in Des Moines.  Doors open at 10am Thursday, Friday & Sunday; 9am Saturday.

Ticket prices:

• Adults $10
• Children ages 7-12 $7
• Kids 6 and under Free
• Purchase online to save $3 (on adult tickets only)

Contest is closed

Want to go?  Win one of 4 “family 4-paks” of tickets!

Just leave a comment telling me about your next DIY project.

For additional entries:

• subscribe to Iowa Geek (and leave a comment telling me you did so)
• follow me on Twitter (click here to follow and leave a comment to let me know- I’ll follow you back!)

Rules:

• This contest is for residents of my fair state only.  (Sorry, but really, no one wants to visit here right now.  Trust me- it’s freezing!)
• Contest ends at noon February 7, 2010;  winners will be drawn that evening (after I get home from Blissdom).
• Disclosure: I was given a 4 pak of tickets to take my family to the Home & Garden Show in exchange for hosting this giveaway.