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

Repurposed Table and Chairs

Hi,

So, remember Darcie's great backyard? Well, with the fourth of July holiday fast approaching, and a great party planned in Darcie's backyard, with fireworks included we wanted to share with you a project that Darcie and Al completed with just some scrap wood and hardware.

Isn't it great.

The table is very ideal for the outdoors, its heavy and solid which makes it perfect for the uneven ground and the wood had already been treated so it can withstand this crazy spring weather we are having.

Materials:

A. 6  4x4 boards measuring 78 1/2 inches for table top
B. 2  4x4 boards measuring 71 1/4 inches for table top
C. 4  4x4 boards measuring 28 inches for table legs

2 1/2 inch threaded rods measuring 29 inches long
4 sets of 1/2 inch washers, nuts and locking washers to fit rod ends
8 1/2 inch stove bolts measuring 8 inches long

Step One:  drill 5/8 inch holes thru the 6 long boards (A) 20 inches from each 
end

Step Two:  drill 5/8 inch holes thru the 2 long boards (B) 16 1/2 inches from 
each end

Step Three:  Assemble table top by lining up boards in this order:  A, B, A, A, 
A,A, B, A and running the threaded rods thru each board and lightly secure with 
a set of washers and nuts

Step Four:  Place table top right side down on the ground, place leg pieces (C) 
in the corresponding spaces. Lightly secure with stove bolts on both sides of 
table top   

Step Five:  Use wood glue on all joining surfaces and completely secure all 
bolts, nuts, etc.  

The wood we used was ‘rescued’ from some shipping crates.  We chose to leave the
wood rough for a real country flavor but you could easily finish top.  I think 
it might look really great painted black or green.  We use it for a serving table 
at parties and for backyard picnics with an unmatched set of wooden chairs 
painted different shades of green.

 the collection of small baskets were collected over time at flea markets and the Habitat Store.  

Average cost 50 cents.

                    

- E & D