Farmhouse table

Hi All!

Ever since we moved into our house I've always wanted a big farmhouse table that the whole family can sit around during the holidays... and we are finally getting around to it!

I found this great how-to  from one of the blogs we follow.
They actually started their table with two existing tables bought from Ikea, and just built on to those.

Our plan started out to use a table in my garage that we just used to put stuff on except we thought that the legs of the existing table would be too small for the overall size of the table, so we went ahead and purchased square legs from Lowes.

Here is a run down of materials that we bought for the project.

Material List:

2x8-6 table top

2x1-4 undertable supports

2x3- 4 table skirt

Square legs- 4

1 box of 3in wood screws

1 box of 1 1/2 kreg jig screws

wood glue

Tools Needed:

Table saw

Sander

Kreg Jig

drill

The wood we used is just inexpensive pine, mainly because I wanted a lot of the character with inexpensive wood ie: the wood knots, dips and dents, just to have the overall "Loved" feel.

 We decided that the table needed to be 7ft long and 4ft wide to accommodate the dimensions of the room. We made all the proper cuts first to the table top, the 2x8's and pocket holed each of them about 6ins apart.

* The Kreg Jig was probably the best investment we made since moving into our house. If you are interested in woodworking and were debating purchasing the Kreg Jig...It makes the process so much easier. There is no measuring or biscuits or crazy amounts of wood glue.  Just set it to the thickness of your wood and Voila!

With the pocket holes all the screws are hidden, you can choose to fill the holes once your done. They make pre-made fillers all different types of wood or you could use just plain wood filler. It didn't really bother us since all the hole were on the underside of the table.

 We attached the apron and 4 legs the same way, we pocket holed the sides (2x3) so it will drill up into the table top and into the sides of the legs. We added a small amount of wood glue along the apron just for some extra support.

We were a little nervous about if it would stand. Believe me when I say we did this trial and error. We had some plans that we followed but everything was a little different, so we did want we could. We added some supports 1x2's across the bottom of the table.

 

And that was it!

What do you think?!

 

 I was so excited to finally have a table again in our dining room, that I couldn't wait to get it inside and see what it looked like. Loooved it! Plus, my whole house smelled like pine for days!

 

We decided to go with a stain vs. painting the table. We chose a Distressed Grey from Minwax, and since it was a stain, it was more of a "Wax on, Wax Off" kinda deal.

We applied two coats of stain then added a clean coat on top.  

We are just over joyed with the table and so proud that we built it. Hopefully this is something that we can pass down to our kids. I'll have to take a more recent picture of the table, at this current moment it is covered with legos and polly pockets! :)

Xo,
Em

DIY Chalk board Pumpkins!

How cute are these little guys...? Darcie got real creative with this one. 

While browsing the aisles in Walmart she came across these paper pumpkins, you know the ones you see all the time and just look at them as say "What would I do with that?" 

Well, this time she had just the right idea!

Starting with just a paper pumpkin from Walmart or the craft store, she spray painted theses little devils with Rust-oleum black chalk board paint. She did 2 coats and let them dry over night.



 

She than took some scrap felt she had and sewed a leaf and used some pipe cleaners to make the stem and also using that to hold the chalk! So cute!!!

Once Darcie starts, she just can't stop! Love all her ideas!

 

Look how cute they turned out!

She than personalized them with a white marker for each grandchild. She knows how to make things so special. I guess thats why Grandparents are so special!

Yes, the grandkids all call her "Grambo" :) 

Super easy to make and such a great idea for little kids or grandkids! Plus, you can change them over and over again....WITH NO MESS!!!!

Hope you all enjoy this little Halloween craft! 

Contractor Chandelier Terrarium

I posted on instagram a picture of one of those contractor grade glass brass chandelier that I scored from Habitat ReStore for $15.

I had a completely different idea for it when I bought it...

Terrariums have become very popular over the past couple years, they are popping up everywhere, magazines, pinterest, in stores. They are a great way to add a little green into your home.

Better Homes and Gardens

Real Simple

I don't have much of a green thumb, anything I touch usually dies within days. Plants are just not my thing I either over water them or forget completely. But terrariums, they are great for beginners or people who don't have alot of space. You can make terrariums out of practically anything.

Pinterest.com

Pinterest.com

pinterest.com

We have been working on our porch for what seems like forever now, its one of those projects that gets pushed off and we just add to it when we get around to it. 

Well this past weekend we finally had something to add. 

I knew when I saw the chandelier at the ReStore that it would be perfect for a terrarium to put on the porch. 

Jeffrey has a HUGE green thumb and can make any sort of plant look loved. So, the plants and gardens around the house are left to him. 

He was excited to take on the challenge of taking apart the light and create our largest terrarium yet. Of course the kids wanted to help...

We purchased our succulents at Lowes $2.99-$3 a piece and also picked up special cactus/succulent soil $5.99. Just like any living thing they need water, but cacti and succulents are desert plants that are made to live in dry climates. Cactus/ succulent soil allows for maximum drainage. A soil that remains wet for long periods of time can quickly kill most succulent plants. 

P.S- I forgot to mention that the top of the light, which for the terrarium we made the bottom, since it was made to hang the top part was enclosed with just holes for the wires. So, it will allow for the water to drain out the bottom of the terrarium.

We love the new addition to the porch. The porch needs alot more work but just like anything, it will take some time.

 

Do you have any terrariums around your house?

E

  

Summer Time

Hi,

Geeze, sorry its been so long. Ya know when school lets out life is just so different. My kiddos are only in preschool but they still have the summer fever. We have been so busy over the past couple weeks and I apologize that I haven't been here updating you. But when you have two little kids there are just some things that have to be put on hold! Here is a snap shot of our life

   

So this totally happened with this little girl, and I wish I could use this as my excuse for why I haven't been around, but this was probably the easiest potty training I've had to do. She was ready which makes all the difference and within a week we were accident free and finally free of DIAPERS!!!! I really wish i kept track of how much we spent on diapers, I probably would of given myself a heart attach.

 

A carnival came to town which was so much fun. The kids had a blast and we were able to get in a few pool days.

Jeff and I were able to get away for a night from all the chaos that goes on around our house. The kids got Jeffrey Phillies tickets for Fathers Day. It turned out to be such a great night.

So, back to the night stand....
This weather we've been having was not the greatest for painting. I was able to get quite a bit done on Sunday Thank God, it was beautiful and 70..

There were a few spots on the front around the drawers and doors that small chips of the veneer had come off, I just went ahead and filled it with some wood filler and let it dry than sanded it down.


I finished priming the whole piece, we decided that we were going to keep the inside the nice dark wood, since it didn't have any damage or distress to it.

My absolute favorite primer would have to be Zinssers Cover Stain its around $18 a gallon at any hardware store, this stuff lasts forever, plus it comes in a spray!!!!

 Its a oil based primer, which means it gets the job done without any sanding, and it covers anything from drink stains to strong odors, as well as blocks from any other staining.
 This stuff is the bees knees!

 I recommend using a disposable foam roller to apply this, because since it is oil based, its thick and very hard to rinse out with just water. .....I've ruined a couple nice brushes using this stuff...

I applied two coats for the primer just to make sure that I got all the cracks and crevices.

Once the second coat was dry, I started painting. I used Ultra Bright White Behr paint and applied two coats then put a top coat of clear gloss polyurethane.

Here she is!!!!
We are going to put the doors back on, we had to do a little more work to them because after I painted them and sealed them, they wouldn't go back on as easy as they came off... I will post a pic when we finally get them on.

What do you think? We realized half way through that she was not going to fit next to our bed, so we need to find a new home, maybe in the hallway for linens... who knows

E