I love DIY projects... but you knew that already, didn't you?

We really needed some size appropriate tables for the school room.  The one we were using was too tall for most of us... actually, it's not the table's problem, the chairs are shorter than normal.  So, I had this brilliant idea... you know all great projects start with me saying "Hey, I have this idea..." LOL
Thanks to the great instructions found on this site,  my guys were able to modify them some and make us two new tables!  I love them!  They are the perfect size :)  Caleb is still deciding how to finish them but we are using them now!
They enjoyed using real plans instead of what I come up with for a change!  They all enjoyed learning some new techniques, like making rabbets for one ;)  A few pictures of the base. 

I forgot to take an 'after' picture before they were put into use, but this is what they look like now.

 

I love them!  And I love having handy guys who can make my dreams come true! 

It's Island Time... Finis!

Here it is... in all it's lovely usefulness... happy sigh... I love it!

It's Island Time!

LOL

We decided when we first looked at this house that it needed an island in the kitchen.  There is not nearly enough counter or storage space for us.  I have schemed and dreamed up several styles but nothing just *clicked* for me.  It seemed one of those 'one day when we have extra money' dreams...
I woke up yesterday morning and said "today we are building an island" ... I had been working on a plan using scraps we had in the basement and it all came together in my mind yesterday morning.
This is made using mdf pieces from the Jr triple bunk we built in FL, some 2x4 pieces and some 1x4 and 1x2 scraps and leftover pieces.

Put together with screws, nails and brackets... just using what we had ;)

Made the bottom shelf to accommodate wheat berry buckets and the top to fit roaster ovens and crock pots.

And the base is all done!

The wood strips are just laid on top.  That is today's project -- attach the wood strips and sand well.  Tony bought beadboard for the ends and front and it will be painted... you guessed it... red. The side facing the refrigerator will be open.
We are not furniture builders but I am pleased to have something functional in place!  I am proud of my crew for making my vision a reality.  :)

Latest Living Room Project

I saw the idea in Angela's living room   This is my version.  I got the brainstorm the other day, ran to Lowe's for supplies and Caleb and Sam built them yesterday.  I love them!    Eventually I have a whole different plan for this wall but that plan is a way down the road and I wanted something up there *now*   The shelf/ledges are 3.5 feet long each.  Toldya its a huge wall

 We have this huge, HUGE wall in the living room (this is where all those book cases were, remember?) and since I know some of you will strain your eyes to see the photos

 Tracy and Me, all of us at Matt & Jennifer's reaffirmation ceremony, my maternal great grandparents on their wedding day, Great Aunt Mary Louise [MV's namesake], my parents/Tony's parents/us at our wedding

 Honey and DD (maternal grandparents - Marshall and Bobbye [Martha Vance] Rains - MV's other namesake), my brother Jack, sister Rebecca and me, old family pic when Ike was the baby, Mr. Albin & Miss Martha [dear "family" from our previous church], Matt, Jennifer and baby Landon at the beach [this was right after they moved in the first time ], my mother's grandparents, their children and grandchildren - my mother is the little girl, she is the only niece

 Aunt Louise & Uncle Max, me and my brother Jack, Matt & Jennifer at their reaffirmation ceremony, "Davenport Wheel" when Ike was the baby, me and my Grandaddy at my wedding, the Lewis/Graves gang [Tracy's family]

They are made with 1x3s faced with a trim piece and spray painted black. 

Jr Triple Bunks - All "Forted" Up!

The little boys wanted a 'fort bed' so this is my version... ;)

It will be painted brown with some fun touches.  It's not against the wall completely because we have to put sliders on the bed and then paint it before it's firmly in it's place.  This thing is really heavy and very sturdy.  It won't get painted until the new year though.  Stay tuned!

Jr Triple Bunks

Our latest project.  Part whateveritis in the boys room... the 'frontier fort' (aka Boonesborough) bed!


Designing and building as we go.

I think this was after I said "Cut three 2x4s 32 inches long..." and then said "Oops, unscrew those and cut them 29 inches long!"  I'm married to Job!  LOL

Patient laborers -- Sam and Luke

Elijah, just hanging around... (yes, he needs a haircut! lol)

The bones are done... now for some fun touches and then paint!

side view...

little ones distressing the boards for the front of the fort... discovering that MDF is very hard!


More as we progress... nothing like step by step progess pics, right?  :)



Newest Project ~ Birthday Banner

Remember I told you we had so much fun with our 'Give Thanks' banner that we were working on a birthday one? Well, here it is! We had a lot of fun and learned that some patterns work better than others! :-)

I ran out of little clothes pins and put the name up with straight pins. Never fear, I went back to WalMart and purchased more clothes pins after I took this pic!

Playhouse Updated...

Remember this project:
http://tonyanddanalewis.blogspot.com/search/label/playhouse
It's finally cooled off enough that we are back at work. It's all finished now except for the inside dividing wall and the painting!! What? You don't believe me? -gasp- You wanna see pics?! :-)
Here ya go!!

Side view. The lattice is to allow for a breeze. It's pretty hot here, ya know!
Front View
Back
Putting lattice on the back
Elijah is a great helper!
See?!
Wrangling a 4x8 takes all of us!

Front
Luke
Sam
Caleb
typical ten year old... LUKE

Caleb framed out the window by himself.
right front side, the front door
All done except for the front door.
Working on the door
Voila!

Told ya! It's all ready for the dividing wall (the playhouse has two rooms) and paint. MaryVance, Elijah and Isaac got to pick the paint colors... red, blue and green!!!

Who knows when the painting will get done though? Hopefully we'll have a baby soon!!