5.17.2012

DIY Backyard Playset (Phase One)

Things have been kinda quiet around the blog for the last couple of weeks, mostly because I have been helping my daughter rehabilitate her leg after she got her leg cast off.  She didn't want to use her leg for the first week and then some, and I spent a lot of time trying to get her moving again.

We had wanted to get our kids a backyard playset this year, but after looking around at a lot of different stores and websites, we didn't think our budget could take it.  We decided that to get what we wanted for the price we wanted, we would have to design and build our own playset with lumber we could readily get from the store.  This is called "phase one" because we'd like to add more towers and swings and things like that as our kids get older.
My husband, of our DIY pergola and toddler picnic table fame, had this thing planned and built in a couple of weeks of working on it here and there.  He's amazing!  We used paving stones underneath the support posts to make everything level and stable.  The picnic table fits under there perfectly, and now the kids always have a spot of shade.  From on the platform, there's a great view of the neighborhood and a prime place to blow bubbles.
Next thing on our list: finishing our basement family room.  It's going to be a bit of work to get what we want done down there, but after doing the two bedrooms and bathroom, I think we are up for the challenge.  Of course, I will keep doing my little projects here and there.  I'm hoping to share a couple of those next week, then it's off to Colorado for my family vacation and 10K!

Linked up: Tatertots & Jello

5.07.2012

Winner of the My Memories Suite Giveaway

The winner of the My Memories Suite giveaway is. . .
#1, which is. . .
Congrats, Cami!  I guess it does pay to be the first commenter sometimes.  A big thanks to everyone who entered!


5.04.2012

DIY Hair Clip or Earring Frame

Today, I'm going to share a simple and fun tutorial for keeping all your girly things organized.  If your house is anything like mine, every little bit helps!  We already have the hair clip tree in the girls' bathroom, but as our collection of bows has grown, the tree has been all filled up and we need more storage.  This follows the same sort of method as my reclaimed barnwood earring holder, so if you don't need hair clip storage, you could make this for your earrings instead.
 For this project, you will need four basic items:
  • Large empty frame
  • Welded wire fencing
  • Staple gun
  • Tin snips or wire cutters
I had the frame already, but any frame will work.  Just take the glass and backing out and you are ready to go.  The welded wire fencing is from Lowe's.  At our store it is located in the garden area next to the chicken wire, and it comes in rolls.  I just picked the one with the size of square I wanted-- not so big that I wouldn't be able to hang much, but not so small that I couldn't get the clips to go in the holes.  It's really up to you.

Okay, to get started, flip your empty frame over onto your workspace so the back is facing you.  Without doing any cutting yet, lay your wire mesh in the frame where the glass sits and fit two of the sides in.  At this point you can either secure it with a staple, or if your frame has metal tabs to hold the back in, just bend those down over the top of the mesh, like so.
Now, grab those tin snips or wire cutters and cut the other two sides to size, making sure that the mesh stays put while you cut.
If the wire is poking your hands or otherwise bothering you, just roll it up as you go.  For me, it makes it that much easier to cut.
Once all the wire is cut and fitted into your frame, get your staple gun and get to work.  If you can staple your mesh into the wood without the staples coming out of the front of the frame, do that.  My frame wasn't thick enough, so I used my staples in a different way.
My handheld staple gun never seems to get the staple all the way in, so I just stapled above the mesh all the way around and bent the staples down with a hammer to hold the mesh in.  It seems to work just fine.   Like I said, if you can figure out a way to staple your wire in better, definitely do that.  Your other option is to cut the mesh bigger than your frame opening and staple it on the back of the frame.  I didn't like the look of that, and because the mesh will sit against the wall when the frame is hung, I don't think you could hang anything on it.
We hung it in the kids' bathroom above the towel rack.  I think it looks great, and I'm so glad to have more storage that is cute and accessible.  Plus, the kids can't reach it yet, so it stays just how I left it.
All in all, I'd say you could easily do this in under an hour once you have all the supplies and tools ready.  The My Memories digital scrapbooking software giveaway ends Sunday night, and the winner will be announced on Monday.  Have a great weekend!
Linked: Six Sisters' Stuff, Classy Clutter, Tatertots and Jello