Toy Shelf for the Big Boy Room

The project I thought would take about 2-3 weekends and actually took about FOUR months of weekends.  Definitely a labor of love for our Charlie

I didn't take as many pictures as I should have, but really, this was a very labor intensive project. If you need a step by step, this may be above your DIY level.  I drew out the design and Matt, as always, magically made it happen.  My husband is the BEST

Added bonus?  All the wood on this shelf was free.  I get so mad that he hoards wood and fills our tiny garage with it, but then he goes and TOTALLY REDEEMS HIMSELF

The white is Martha Stewart's Picket Fence (best white out there ever), the lighter is the color of the walls in the bedroom, I have no idea what color it is (dang-it) and the darker was called Anonymous.  I just bought one of the $3 dollar samples and it was plenty for this project.

Almost done, but you can see how important feet and trim are...

My super skilled, architect-like professional sketch (look how perfect the middle board is!)

Trim was the only thing we bought, Matt sliced it down to veneer thickness and brad nailed it on.  This whole thing took enormous amounts of spackling and sanding - belt and handheld sanding.  Plus, I bought 'clear' poly that was NOT clear, it was yellow-ish, so I had to do more coats and sanding to cover that up.  If you look very close, you can still see some of it (dang-it again)  The feet are just scrap 4x4's that Matt drilled circles out of.  I literally just dunked the whole foot in the stain and wiped.  At that point I was looking for the easiest way to get it freaking DONE

Hooks aka 'Octopus'' for maximum storage- backpacks, hats, coats

Finally in the bedroom, you can see with the wall color, I promise it's grey, NOT lavender.  Grey plays tricks in weird light.

I'm sad the stuff covers up the design, but it's made to be functional and I'm ecstatic to have all those toys off the floor!

And now that this is complete, Charlie is officially moved into his big boy bedroom.  No more crib/toddler beds. Sigh.....

Pallet Christmas Star

Started by pulling a pallet apart, our neighbors are getting very used to this...

Drilling holes for the lights

Hiding the wires

Almost done!

We had these cool lights that were left over from our wedding.  They have globes so they look slightly vintage-y, marquis-ish

I'd seen lighted stars on pinterest and wanted one for the front of the house.  As per usual, what Matt came up with is SO much better than I hoped

Tea Light Snowman

'Charlie' and my Christmas craft

I'm still working through the million tea lights we had for our wedding four years ago...these should be the last of them

I think this is pretty self explanatory, so I won't line out directions, but things I learned: the magnet I used was way stronger than the cheapo tea light, so you have to be really careful pulling it off or the top will come off and the magnet and back will stay on the fridge, also, tried to a snow hat, looked ridiculous, only top hats are suitable for these snow people

Outdoor Pallet Patio Table

On a side note- did you see we changed the direction on our fence?  Small change, big impact- I love it, can't wait to keep going

Matt's already busy filling it with bird houses and feeders

He's also building planter boxes for it

What's that detail?  A little house number!  He's so cute

Started with a large oak pallet- used cottonwood 4x4's for the legs - all free

Big help Charlie

Matt sketching what he has in mind- I'm sold

We used old fence for the top made of cedar- again, free

Belt sanded all edges and corners

We still need to make a bench for the other side, but it's pretty much done

Time for brewski's!

Annual Halloween Door

Ethan and I spent forEVER cutting out all these ghosts, pumpkins and bats- mostly using up paper leftover from our wedding programs from over 4 years ago... Charlie would have no part of it, he is NOT my crafter.

Ghosts on the door

A panorama shot at night- I think this one is my favorite one yet!  And ALL handmade- none of that store bought crap.  Go fun or go home, I mean Halloween decorations are supposed to be a little tacky, right?

2012

2011

Pallet bench/coffee table

Started with this

Cut it in half

Thought it would be handy, half to be a coffee table for sister-in-law, half a bench for our backyard

But this one was WAY harder than my other one. Not sure why, but Matt had to do a lot of the work, so I can't boast how I did this one all by myself.

I wanted to keep it!  But this went to Sheila's where she'll finish it with light sanding and probably some stain.  This project pissed me off, so the bench I wanted to knock out the same day will just have to wait for another day, another post.  Our neighbor came out and said 'every time I see you guys, you're building something' so we have to keep up appearances.