Mrs. HoneyDoo.....AngiDotes

Paper Bag Chicken...an Ode to Pop

2012-05-15T23:05:00.001-07:00

Frying Chicken really is an art. Years and years ago, fried my first chicken leg, ended up with a leathery bone with no batter! Takes practice to get this good, and practice you will with this recipe!

        This is a recipe that was handed down to me by my father in law, a man that was so geniune and steadfast, I always wished and thought of him as my own father. This chicken is so crispy, you'll wake the dead with it's succulent crunch. The secret is in the paper bag...a plain old brown, paper grocery bag.
here's the recipe, a definate marriage saver!
fill a large frying pan with vegetable oil about halfway and start that puppy heating over medium heat. Choose your pan wisely, you'll need one that has a tight fitting lid. While that's heating....
    Get a clean brown paper grocery bag, MUST BE PAPER, the bigger the better, throw in a few cups of flour, seasoning, onion powder, garlic powder, chicken spice, a dash of cayenne pepper, and the secret ingredient, 2 to 3 generous shakes of Cinammon. that's right, Cinammon. Wet your chicken legs with water first, shake the excess, then a generous dip into your egg batter:
      2 beaten eggs, a few drips of water, salt, pepper, and a generous dollop of Honey. Yummmmmo! really roll the legs around in the egg, then drop it into your paper bag mixture. Shake, shake shake! Shake your booty.
   Not for the faint of heart,good to go in the grease right now...but...if you're going, while not go all the way and....while it's coated in the flour mix....drop and roll it again in your egg mixture again! Quick now, back to the paper bag...Shake, shake shake, Shake, shake, shake, shake your booty. A quick flick of the wrist removes excess flour, then into the hot grease....very carefully, don't want a splatter.
   To get the crispiest coating on your chicken, turn only once in the grease. No matter how tempting, no moving, no peeking, no prodding, no poking. Just drop it in the grease and LEAVE IT ALONE! lay the chix in head to toe, head to toe, but shouldn't be touching in the grease, cover it, and leave it alone!
       You've only got one turn, make it a good one. When you see the juices start to seep from the uncooked top, running clear, flip it quick. I use tongs, so as not to pierce the chicken and lose my juice.
      Once fried, about 20 minutes total for the first batch, down to 10 min by the last batch, remove from the grease, laying your fried pieces on a clean brown paper bag on a plate, toes pointing to the middle. This helps the excess grease flow from the chicken to be absorbed by the paper bag. When cooled, I move the pieces onto another plate covered with a bar towel.

Best fried Chicken you'll ever eat!

When I do a paper bag session, I wear my sneakers. I'll be standing at the stove for a few hours, because this recipe is great to FREEZE! I promise, Stays just as crispy in the freezer 3 months from now as it does coming out of the pan! Amazing but true. So when I start, I fry 15 to 20 pounds at a time, separating into freezer bags 9 pieces in each. The key to a good freeze? Tear off a little piece of that paper bag, or a paper napking, and tuck it into the bottom of the freezer bag before the chicken. It will absorb the excess moisture, keeping your blue ribbon chicken crunchy.
And that's it, don't by chinzy, these babies go fast. When you do a batch, plan on doing several at a time. The boys in my family can easily put away 4 to 5 pieces, I've gotta hide them in the freezer or legs mysteriously start walking off on their own!
     Use a Ziploc freezer bag, head to toe, head to toe, like I said, I freeze 9 or 10 pieces in each bag, (don't forget the piece of paper bag or paper napkin to absorb moisture, very important if you're chicken is to remain as crispy on day 90 as it is on day 1) and put in the freezer.
    When ready to have your frozen legs for dinner, move to the fridge to defrost, put on a cooking sheet sprayed with non stick spray..and cook at 350 degrees for 25 minutes. Yummeeee!!!
   Add a green salad and you've got a home momed dinner.
enjoy, I do@!@!!

Happy Mother's Day!

2012-05-14T03:19:00.001-07:00

This pile of scraps became this:

love it when a plan comes together!

plan courtesy of Jim Delorme from my Kreg Jig Communityhttp://kregjig.ning.com/photo/album/show?id=2900167%3AAlbum%3A421389&xg_source=activity

Cost roughly 20.00 to make, Including flowers! lots of sweat equity. Ended up using stain and paint I had on hand. This is the perfect gift for a woman, similar items I've found online go for 100 and up, and not much different! So I was happy to make a bunch of these to make everyone's mother, including my own, very happy. I did change the trim, using 1x2's, as well as adding a mini shelf to the top of it, I absolutely love it. I ended up using 2 1x2's in the planter box, to make sure water would drip out, and not pool.
Few more pics from the snap happy builder:

My moms

this gives you an idea of the width

And for my Mother's Day? My 16 year old, who just had her birthday May 7th, used her birthday gift card to pick, order, and pay for these beautiful flowers for me...

She is the light of my life, and because of her kind spirit, her brother and father's name were added to the card. I got the "What Flowers?" when I thanked the boys. Thank you Bre, for being my daughter.
Short and sweet, gonna try like crazy to get four 12's this week, try to stay one step ahead of the bills.
Keep on keeping on people~!

Building Rock Star!!

2012-04-29T03:28:00.002-07:00

Yeah!! And pulls from either side

How's that for awesome!

Feeling very superior, totally full of myself, can't believe all I can do...only thing not going my way...My new bikini top. Every time I bend over get a face full of boob. No, this isn't an Xrated blog, not gonna add of pic of THAT...super annoying till I figured out I had it on upside down. Whoops! So much for Queen of the Universe. Didn't think there was supposed to be an overwire.
Okay, back to earth. Today was dedicated to last sand and stain on the 2nd lounge chair, finishing my extremely customized pullout shelf, and finally working on the Back bracing.

Doing the happy dance!~

forgot to factor in wood swelling, no dice by the pool

Did end up tweaking my plan a little bit, about 47 times! Originally, the table was sandwiched as pictured above...really wanted an easy slide.

Here's the winning plan...

Start with a Gorgeous shelf, mine is 2 inches smaller than the width of my chair

Here's a closeup, repurposed wood. As usual, check for level after every step.

it's waterproofed. I don't want to have to kill anyone who spills a beer.

Flipped the lounge chair over, attached to bottom, just like it looks above. the 1x3's to the underside. Tried to line them up with the 1x3's of the chair seat...

Can hardly tell it's there!

pulls from either side, for the lefty in me.....

or the righty!

weight testing!

believe it or not, this prototype shelf took longer to make than the entire lounge chair! Wanted it sturdy enough to hold a small child, because one will probably sit on it! yet sleek, low profile, don't want it to look homemade. The biggest compliment I ever get is, "it looks like it came from the store." makes it all worth it....

adds character

a final shot, couldn't help myself

One last tip, I did half screw in a 1 1/4 screw on the underside to the shelf, in the middle. keeps it from being pulled out by anyone who doesn't have a drill handy; but very easy to remove for cleaning, or breakfast in bed! love dual purpose things.

sneek peek:
working on my back support, can't wait till later today to finish it.

one side of back support, check back tommorrow this time to see how I did it

EXCITED!!

little busywork...halfway through with the wall planter. Waiting for cedar planting box to assemble itself.

May all your drill bits stay out of your thumbs!

Drinks Anyone?

2012-04-26T04:06:00.001-07:00

Now that the second lounge chair is drawing to a close, still have a third to make, but it's all downhill from here, it's time to start drawing up plans for the largest project to date, JB's Outdoor built in Kitchen/Bar/Man Cave. I plan to be completed by Father's Day and I feel I'm qualified to build this because I've logged more than 1,000 hours watching the DIY network!
This year, when we go to the LA County Fair, JB won't have to dream of the bars they've got set up there, he'll have his very own!
I'm not talking expanded grill trolley, or a freestanding grill and table with an ice chest, no something more like these....

I love the layout of this one, but ours will need an L shape somewhere

I like the roof and the shake shingles, since JB's from Boston, I'm looking for a Pubby feel..oh and the Boston B will have to go somewhere

this is a nice setup

This has the perfect shape for our pool area

like the feel of this one. The roof, the L shaped eating area. NICE!

I'll need to draw up some plans. Right about now, I wish I could google sketchup,, but will probably just use the old pencil and paper....

Wish list:
1 I know that I'll need electrical done out there. No lights whatsover as it is. Luckily, Randy, a family friend, did my Koi pond electical, and so far so good. I'll be hiring him.
2 Would like water out there as well for a small sink. JB does a lot of grilling, and it would be great to have
a small sink to wash his hands in.
3 Drop in grill, hasn't made up his mind about natural gas vs propane.
4. Outdoor Fridge just a tiny one.
5. Drawers for utensils, bar rags, etc. Things that we don't want chewed up in case the dogs get in
6. Outdoor Lucite Television, visible from inner bar area and the pool. That way JB won't miss a minute of
His sports, but there will be NO NASCAR! I repeat Steve, NO NASCAR!
7. Bar Stools handmade by me.

Updates will be coming, and I'll also blog along the way, in case there's another wife crazy enough to build an outdoor bar/kitchen herself!

Just for Laura Fama, builder Extrodanaire!!!

2012-04-24T04:53:00.001-07:00

I hate the racket that all this building supply places have going on with "predrill bits". Over here in Southern California, the cheapest, not only in price, one you can get is $9.00! Redonkulous!!! and if you don't have the most steadiest hand, this is what happens....

Snaps right off in the wood, and the rest goes in the trash.
After buying 3 or 4 of these, I started experimenting with drill bits. After all, when I spoke to Cobweb Carpenter down the street, he's about 150 years old, and knows everything there is to know about woodworking. In fact, he's the inventor of the nail, it's documented, on file somewhere...and in his mind, he's right up there after Jesus as the greatest carpenter ever...okay, back to the story about the predrill bit, Cobweb, well, he'd never heard of it, didn't know anything about this newfangled gadget.His words, not mine. How could this be?
Was he splitting wood left and right? Or was I buying an unneccessary piece of crap...again.
One night, woodwoodworking feverishly into the wee hours, I broke this sucker, but didn't want to stop what I was doing, so I had to figure out a quickie way to predrill. I'm sure everyone else on the planet already knows about this, but in case you don't....here goes, complete with snaps.

Excuse the bandaid...just drilled into the cuticle. Ouch!

Take a simple drill bit..One of the smaller ones that come in the kits. Not THE smallest. That's the size the always snaps on the predrill bit. This is what they use, connected to a piece of plastic ( the cheap ones) or metal.

Snug that sucker right into your drill. Getting the picture? The part of the drill that tightens around the bit, that's going into the wood, just a little bit, and that will make the circle indentation for your screw head...really, Laura, it works!

SEE!!!!!

Hope this helps my friend...

Hi Laura!! Sorry it's blurry, had to take it in the dark...or else JB would have me committed snapping at 03:30 am...an no, I never sleep :)

PB&J Pullout Shelf Part 2 aka the neverending shelf

2012-04-22T02:39:00.001-07:00

Frustrated today. Nothing's going right, stains tacky, EVEN though it was a thousand degrees out today. My 1x4's are wavy, gonna try to jam them in place, screw and glue, and hope for the best. Because these are the side boards on my 2nd lounger, may have to scrap them if they don't look right when all is said and done.

Had company over tonight, played a drinking game with hub, friends, son, and nephew. Haven't laughed like that in a really long time, and I wasn't even drinking. So glad I put in all that time on the pool, did my heart good to have family in it and enjoying it. My goal is to Build my own Spa Getaway in the backyard.....

one lounge chair at a time.

look at that smile on Bruschi's face!

Back to my frustration. Due to the wavy 1x4 that fits on the side of my lounge chair...had to cut off more than was called for. I think I'll be able to fix it, probably less frustration to go out and buy 2 new boards, just hate...hate...hate....to waste boards. The ones I have, already sanded x2, stained multiple times, ahhhhh...that's a sigh.
Due to the board fiasco, I haven't attached the shelf but am ready to. Decided to blog about my progress so far, that way I can get back to work: Quiet Work.. since it's 2:30 in the friggin morning. I don't want to be chased out of the neighborhood by villagers with pitchforks and torches!

Once again, my frustration. Probably doesn't help that I'm building 2 of the shelves at once.
First and last time I'm doing that. But, doesn't matter, this time next week, my hub and I will be lounging, and this frustration will have passed. Gotta keep my eye on the prize, whispering to myself, "Spa Getaway, Spa Getaway."

Part 1 ended with the Snuggie, aka Tray, built. Here's a pic to refresh our memory, and if you're one of my 9 fans, and are just joining me here, you can always go back to Part 1 and get caught up :) The Snuggie is built, and now the upper guide rails need to by added. These rails are very important because they'll keep your tray nice and level. I know you've been places and seen shody (is that right???) work where a pull out something will tilt, or even drawers on older dressers, that pull out and lean on the ground instead of sticking straight out. So this isn't a step to forgo. Recap, don't skip these rails. Keep your drinks from spilling and you need something to attach to the lounger, and these rails will be a great place to do that.

Here's the Snuggie with upper rails attached. ANGIE< you say, you're a genius! How'd you get those 1x3's so perfectly straight, attached to that 1x2, with Kreg holes, no less, and they seem to be hovering in midair!

At least, that's what I said to myself while patting myself firmly on my sunburned back :)

okay, okay, I'll let you in on the secret. lay the frame on the floor, since I'm using 1x3's for the sides of my tray, I need a board that's thicker, so my tray slides easily. I went with a 1x4, lay that right on the edge of the tray, snugged up against the 1x2 side, Put your Kreggie's in, and just glue and screw! the 1x4 underneath your top slide rail give you the slide space you'll need, also, squares your top rail right up! no need to hold in place~! yeah!@!! Make sure the smooth side of the 1x3 top rail is facing down in case your carefully sanded and finished shelf ever comes in contact with it, there won't be an scratching.

Top view. When your top rails tightly screwed in place...and I'm so happy I finally figured out how to Kreg into 1x2's, just pull that 1x4 out

Viola!

Lather, rinse, repeat...to the other side.

Flip it upside down on the bottom of your inner stringers. Doesn't have to come all the way to the edge, Very importante!! it can't go over the edge...Remember a 1x4 is going to sit up against your inner stringer, so your tray cannot overhang. I'm not quite ready to attach yet, staining to do. Should've really stained beforehand, I broke my own cardinal rule, just had to see it together and make sure all moving parts worked.

Top View..which is really going to be the bottom view, when this is flipped over.

My works not done yet...

like to shove a little stain into the Kreggies...these will be directly under the seat slats, and don't want any drippy butts ruining my virgin wood

While that's drying, a total pain too, getting into all the crevices with stain, decided to stain back annd sides of slats so I could put my shelf together. There's one of the slats in the front of the pic, the little 1x4 with the Kreggies in it, so started on that, once dry, after about an hour in Cali right now, started on my shelf...

Love it! and here's the backside...

with 2 coats of stain! Since can't use my sander at this time of night, the front side will have to wait til tommorrow, sigh.

Hope this is helpful, and really hope that lady builders everywhere will be working on their own Snuggie pull out shelf!

On another note, my Makeversary is coming up in 2 weeks. One year ago is when I realized I could make these beautiful things myself, save a crapload of money, and have any piece of furniture I wanted, built by me to my own specifications, to fit my own needs, and most importantly, to make my happy.

Because I'm like a kid on Christmas...here's a sneak peeeek!!!!

May all your boards be straight!

PB&J Pullout Shelf...Part 1

2012-04-21T02:53:00.000-07:00

After five attempts of the pullout shelf and it's snuggie..think I've got it. With five dogs over 100 pounds each, and one closer to 200, had to make sure this shelf would be durable. Wouldn't do to have a tail wag and it fall apart. I did test this, and it didn't break with 150 lbs on it! Didn't want to go crazy and add more weight, but there wasn't even a creak! Since we have a pool, our house tends to be party central, I'm not going to encourage my guests to sit here, but if some drunkie sits on it, I'm not going to have a baby over it either. As with the PB&J version, it can be pulled out by a leftie, (me) or a righty, (the rest of the world), which means the shelf runs the width of the inner frame on the lounge chair. Now that I've got it down pat, everything I build, I'll be looking to tuck a pullout shelf in it! *** If a toddler sits on it, my main concern, totally safe, we tested it several times :)
Bear with me, I'm snap happy, I'll admit it, and will include pics as I go. This system is designed for scrap or less than perfect wood. Don't throw away that knotty pine, here's a place for it. If your wood doesn't look so pretty, but it's straight, perfect.
I've included measurements, I double checked, it will work with the Ana plan, http://ana-white.com/2010/04/when-we-were-installing-plumbing-and.html Outdoor Chaise Lounge, or any Lounge really, just need to measure the width and subtract an inch. Let's get to the plan!

Chicken or the Egg> which comes first? For me, I've built my shelf first, and built the Snuggie around it, that was the easiest for my brain...But you can always build the Snuggie, measure the inside, then build your shelf.

15 1/4 x23 1/2

So here goes the Shelf...basic run of the mill shelf, could've been straighter on the slats, Used my Kreg to put it together, this is the dry fit. Sanded and Stained everything prior to tightening too hard to get everything waterproofed once it's all together, and these will be used by a pool.

A different look for my second chair...didn't have enough 1x3's left over, so busted out the 1x4 scraps...same measurements. Same concept..kregged together, shelf sides 23 1/2 long, oh, and the inner slats are 9 1/4 long. The spacing is a matter of preference, so get creative. Mix and match wood, find the look you like.

Moving on...to the SNUGGIE!! (My daughter named it, "looks like a snuggie!") As I'm working, I may have pics of either shelf, since I'm building 2 shelves at once, one shelf is unfinished, to cut down on the confusion...just realized this as I'm looking through the pics. I really wanted strength, function, and durability, so I tested this plan a few times, and this way rocked. No shelf wobble, nice and flat, ie> no drink spills :)
Snuggie measurements: 17 x22 1/2..you can find your measurements on a completed chair by measuring from one inner side stringer to the other..it needs to sit on top of the stringers, not in between, very important. You're shelf is going to be 1 inch longer than the Snuggie, this is for low profile, all together, the Snuggie and the shelf are 2 inches thick using 1x3 boards. Once completed, only the shelf 3/4 inch, is really visible from the side.
Make sure to check for square before and after every step, EXTREMELY IMPORTANT, so you're shelf will open and close with ease.

I work on the ground, it makes it easier for me. I stand on my boards as I'm kregging them, to avoid any movement. Rough side will be down when complete.

You've made a flat square, now add inner supports.. These are important so there is strength to your shelf no matter which side you pull from

Checking the fit on the shelf. There will be an overhang on each side of your shelf, don't worry, as pictured, 1x2's will go in that space.

the shelf is sitting on scrap 1x3's. Snuggled in 1x2's to form a U around shelf. Glue applied to 1x2s, lay the base support you made smooth side down on top of the 1x2's and upside down shelf. check for square and attach using nail gun, or screws (predrill first so 1x2's don't split. You need 1/4 inch for the shelf to slide, I used a scrap piece of wood between shelf and 1x2.

it will help keep the 1x2 in place while you're securing it, if you butt a scrap piece of wood up against it.

3 different views of the base with slides attached.

here's the Snuggie on it's side, with 1x2's attached...and because I'm crazy, I felt the need to add screws as well..

Here's your shelf, snuggie, and measuring a 1x3 for upper slide.

Dry Fit your shelf into the Snuggie, make sure you can slide with ease either way.

far side, upper slide is attached to the 1x2 via the nailer.

Upper slide almost lays on top of shelf, but isn't touching it. This is a guide to keep your shelf from tipping forward when pulled out. Basically keeps your shelf nice and straight.

this is what the finished project looks like. The upper slides, with the stamp on them, will be used to screw to the lounger. I find that it's easier to attach to the stringer while you're building, if you're following Ana's plan, attach after Step 2, turn the Stringers upside down and attach using screws to the stringers, BEFORE you apply the 1x4 sides. Not impossible to add after the build, just heavy trying to flip the lounger over to add this.

While your shelf is out, flip it upside down and screw a 1 1/2 screw halfway in. this is your stop, so the shelf doesn't come completely out. There will be a part 2 with attachment and the screw pic to explain better.

I hope this is understandable, If there is anything that's unclear, just ask. It's 3:30 am, (can't sleep, work nightshift), and am a very new blogger, I'm hoping I didn't forget anything. Hope this is useful for someone, I was so happy to be able to have that PB&J shelf!!

Now just need to find the time to lounge

2012-04-21T01:53:00.003-07:00

I love him!

Easter Sunday at the Brashears!
We had visitors from Sweden for a weekend, and combined with the holiday, I spent MANY hours on this pool, yes, we have a pool guy, her name is Angie!
After getting the pool just so, and with a heat wave in Cali, I decided that now was the time to start building my lounge chairs that I've always wanted. I started the research, on PB & J, and figured out that I loved the Chesapeake collection. Hours were spent scouring the internet for pics of the perfect lounge chair, and viola, found it on Ebay of all places. Luckily, the seller was just as snap happy as I am, so there were many great views of the chair to choose from...

this is the design!! I love the handle, the sleek design, the works! just needed a lighter color to match JB's grill trolley

Pretty Close, Huh? I'm especially proud of my handle on the top, drawn in and cut by me!

March marched right bye..here's the breakdown

2012-04-21T00:58:00.000-07:00

No posts for March, doesn't mean nothing was happening....
Here's the catch up...

Mini Veggie Bin...My design, perfect for odds and ends, nails and screws, and the best part, FREEE!!! scrap wood, leftover paint.

individual bins...

The trick here...mitered edges. Very tricky, but once you get the hang...it's gravy from there

3 coats of stain, and on to the next big thing

Easter, Vegas with the hub, and daily life. Working on the koi pond, pool, and the rest of the house.

If anyone's interested on the actual plans for the Veggie Bins, let me know, either on here, or on Facebook, and I'll measure it out for you

Great weekend with my husband in Vegas,

View from the Penthouse, Big Pimpin. Perks of a poker player

Pervo Peepshow Window. So random, absolutely no purpose other than spying on the showeree...

practicing my Who ME? poker face

In other news...had a nasty bout of Pnuemonia, down for 2+ weeks..thank you to the patient that coughed all over me..almost killed me. Please, cover your mouths..the nurse you save, may be ME!

I did get a blankie done just for me

Yeah for ME!!!!

2012-02-25T01:23:00.000-08:00

There's my little thread holder! I'm so organized now!

Whenever I have a project, whether it be sewing, scrapbooking, crafting, art, really doesn't matter what type of project, I always need space. Lots of space, and there really isn't any in my cozy little house. If I spread out on the table, never fails, something will be missing in the morning. then there's the matter of the fam finding my needles with their bare feet. ugh. So, I'm giving myself the gift of space.

I'm not done, but almost :) and so proud of myself. The surface of the table is so big, (patting myself on the back) that I can't even fully extend it in the garage. Doors and trim are painted, just drying. I'm on the next few nights in the ER, so I promised myself at least the dropleaf would be on. And it is!!

How did I do it? Not easy, took a lot of perserverance, little, okay a LOT of frustration. I'm no Ana White, and don't claim to be, just a mom on a budget, like many others, who wouldn't be able to go out and buy all new furniture...and even if I could afford, I'd have nowhere to put it. Each and every piece I make has to serve multiple functions and take as little floor space as possible. If there was some way to hang storage off the ceiling, wait....maybe that will be my next project.

So Far:

Hinges and dropleaf support

At first I tried to go right into the table, didn't work. Have some puttying to do tommorrow. After some trial and error, had to figure out the placement of the support boards, I ended up using 1x3's and they worked great.

Whatever you do to one side, you gotta do to the other

Yep, still fits. Very important to check for glitches, and fix those glitches. Nice and smooth and it's..........

LEVEL!!!!. At this point, my heart grew 3 sizes too big.

There will be trim around the edges, just not tonight.

And when I'm done? It folds down and will be behind closed doors! I absolutely love it! It's better than the picture I had in my head.

This will go on the door of the sewing center!

Part two...almost

2012-02-24T03:34:00.001-08:00

I've put a ton more time into the twin cabinet. First of all, this one has shelves..and every single mistake that could be made...I've made.

Thought I'd be sooo smart putting my shelves together, before they went into the cabinet. The kreg screws didn't want to cooperate. I was able to get the ends in, but the middle holes were a different story. The top shelf is 30.5....a little less, needed to pull it all together for the rolling shelf to work seamlessly. There is a divider thats 15 inches high, and mid shelf is 18.5. The space in between the 2 shelves 7 inches, not quite enough for my Kreg to fit in there. So I did end up putting in about 20 screws for 2...made the horrible mistake of NOT MEASURING and just screwing away on the outside. Lesson learned, and wasted aobut 1/2 of my wood putty in the process.

Shelves in...somehow it's square. The little rectangle in the back? Can you guess?

Power Strip!!! I'm gonna have all the bells and whistles. Puck light's going in too.

looking down on it, pull out shelf...Sewing machine cubby...

Tada!!! the little basket is the icing on the cake! Just needs doors, trim, other half of the table can finally go on, and we'll be cooking with gas, can't wait to finish this one. Come hell or high water.. gonna be down by tommorrow.

Getting cutting mat on was a beast. Self healing board, very hard to make a hole in it. Glue kept slipping, ended up stapling and then nailing the staples in for a tight fit. This table is the scariest for me. I don't know if I've said it before, but I'll quote myself...."I HATE HINGES!!!!"

Kitty Loft

2012-02-21T23:26:00.000-08:00

CAUTION

There will be recycling ahead, repurposing, and a little free building.

In a house full of people allergic to cats, FIVE dogs, and straight up catamosity....we were stalked, tracked and finally adopted by GC...aka Garage Cat. Seven years ago, Bre opened a can of tuna, and the rest is history. This cat has been tossed by the tail, literally, Anthony hated the cat, and at around age eight, would swing it over his head tossing it out of the garage, "Get outta here, you don't live here!" Guess what, the cat loves him most. I haven't even finished the Pup pad, and Kitty's got an outside house..and now a Loft!

This came about after Kitty's cry for help last night. She attempted suicide by diving into the pack of dogs. Chalk it up to the fact that she's been eating dogfood for the last four days or the icy whiskers, at 42 degrees, she was getting into the garage, either on her own four boots or in Obie's mouth.

Once she realized her mistake, narrowly avoided losing her tail, and hopped from the back of one dog to another, picture Frogger, she made it into the garage without getting creamed. I got the dog's in the house, out of sight, out of mind, and everything calmed down, she was able to spend the night in the garage, on her pillow, in her spot, in full view of some very outraged dogs. The barking was constant, even with all the dogs in the house, scratching at the slider, whining, pissing, moaning. Half asleep, I opened the slider, and realized my mistake. Holy Hell! I ran outside, expecting the gang to be fighting over her bones, but nothing. REALLY?

Somehow, a amid the hubbub, a locker door fell in front of her pillow, hiding her from sight, and I guess cats really do rule, and dogs just drool, because they totally forgot about her, and started fighting over the next chew toy, their tennis balls....which by the by, Obie can hold 3 tennis balls in his mouth comfortably.

okay, TO THE POINT....what was the point after all that?

Oh yeah, the need for a hideout for my fearless cat. She's already decided, the garage is now to be integrated. No justice, NO PEACE. Equal rights for felines and all that! Catch her by the table, she won't get the hint! Five ferociouse snarling beasts,

okay, four and one sleeping giant, BRING IT! She's made it clear, whether it costs her an ear, she's here to stay. Someone's gotta be the first across that picket line! Okay Kitty Rae, I'm building you a safe, secure off the ground Kitty Loft, somewhere to slink to when the puppies get rough.

Follow along if you'd like, I just really love my projects, and love documenting my work. Thanks to Ana White I'm actually making what I need, this time 1 year ago, I'd try, give up, and the cat would be dead.

She makes Becky Home Ec'es out of us all.

My Litter Loft is essentially a box, made to fit the space my cat wedges herself into. Dimensions 19x20, 15.5 high. It has a strong base, and reinforced load bearing little walls, so cute! The great thing about my design is that it can stand alone, a cat in the box if you will, or you can add up to 3 boxes on top, which I'll be doing. Kind of an enclosed tube for the middle will be coming next!

CAUTION

There will be recycling ahead, repurposing, and a little free building.

All materials used for this project where picked up off of my garage floor, no kidding. Oh, and the rug? Cut it out of my closet, husband's side. Serious repurposing going on. Can't wait til JB wakes up tommorrow, will he even notice his closet floor is missing? Stay tuned....onward!

Feline in question after a rough night with the boys, wide open, nowhere to run. Giving me the rear as ush.The area is tight, and I'm building to fit her space. You could build her the Cat Majal...if it's not in her space, and wasn't her idea, ie: she found it, she won't go near it.

moving right along, base and 2 wall frames. Mini house!

These were bad cuts, lost pieces, unfinished projects that I don't remember what they belonged to, nail stuck in, couldn't pull it out, ie: free wood. And I'm using it for the frame. The base frame will be 2x2's.

Since this is essentially the first story in the "loft", You'll notice I repurposed wood cut from my roof of the pup pad gables? I'll be leaving this open, to serve as a sunroof now, a shelf later when floor 2 comes in.

Covered the frame with plywood, 2 of the pieces were tester chalkboard paint boards. I'll be able to leave Kitty notes, and vice versa :)

the stolen from the hub's closet carpet is gorgeous! Cut to fit between the 1x2's added the carpet padding. snug, and since this one will be inside, no need for insulation but catnip would be appreciated.

Wall to wall except for a tiny space where I'll be installing a lightbulb for heat if needed and also, once there's a top layer I'll be cutting a circle for an escape route...

Didn't have quite enough spare plywood to flush up the edges, but the entire inner frame is and that's what matters. Does anyone else see a Barbie pool> all that's needed is a white plastic ladder and deck, oh and ken too. Someone needs to skim the pool

ON A TANGENT ALERT I've made this spoiled kitty an outdoor house, difference, insulation, plywood meets at the corners, when you're buying, go crazy, above project was free. With the tighter corners, and heavier insulation, VERY IMPORTANT>>> vent holes, a few here and there with your drill bit. There was no budget. Also, for an outdoor base, use a treated plywood. Keeps it from rotting out, and it's totally covered by flooring, insulation, and plywood so no harm to pets. A slanted roof is great, keeps the rain off the roof, which, lets face it, even with shingles, you don't water worming it's way in period. ..

kitty's summer house :)

By the way, old plug in Craftsman staplegun my neighbor let me borrow when my spring broke...awesome!
I think you can never go wrong with Craftsman anything

Fully operational! wall to wall carpet, catnip sprinkled on the carpet, attracts her like a one legged mouse :)

FYI thanks to my Craftsman neighbor Stevo, top plush rug didn't come from my hub's closet, it did however come from a bathroom set. NEVER USED!!! he swears, and I've disinfected, its the toilet hugger, tucked, pulled and staplegunned in place.

Absolutely beautiful. and It only took this tired lady a day.

Questions, comments, smears and jeers? Let me know, love to know that someone reads this.

And as usual the name on the front could be FIFI< FIDO< GUINEA< IGGY THE IGUANA>fluffy the fish, use your imagination, before you use your wallet.

May your picnics have all of thier sandwiches and... your screw remain tight, not too tight.

She love it! took a while for her to realize it was there, now she'll never leave. Put her food up there, so she doesn't starve :)

Good things come in twos!

2012-02-20T23:29:00.000-08:00

https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=2908641366801&set=o.170153499700250&type=1&theater
This is the pic of my Entertainment hutch, I'm currently in a contest on Purebond, trying to win 100 bucks worth of free wood. So, If you like my project, please click the link and like my hutch, I'm currently in the lead...by one vote, :), and really would appreciate the support.

hopefully this will give you a better idea of what I'm building

Okay, on to Base number 2. I thought for sure, since I've already made one full side, the second would be quicker, easier, and just overall would put it self together. Not so, first, the inside is totally different. I saw a fold out cabinet a while back, on Amazon, around 400 dollars, with a 200 dollar ship charge. First of all, I won't pay for something I can definately make, and I thought it was wayyyyyy overpriced for 1/2 mdf. Essentially, it's a fold out table, if you take off the top shelves.
I drew my plan up, figured I'd add a pull out/fold out table to my Logan base, inspired by Ana White.com http://ana-white.com/2010/01/plans-logan-base-24-wide-base-with.html
And cut, sanded, primered and painted my 2nd cabinet...

Checking for square at every turn. Since I was building it, I decided to put the rails on for my pullout shelf, which makes 1/2 the table when it's' pulled out. One thing, since there will be trim added to the front, I put the rails on 2x2, and then on the cabinet. The shelf width also needed to be adjusted. Instead of 30.5, it's 26.25...to allow for the 2 inches on each side, and the railing width as well.

This is a pic taken from the back, with the cabinet facing down. This shows the support, a 1x4 of which there will be two. The 2nd one I will add after the pullout shelf and table are completely installed, just so I'll know where the most support is needed...

Okay, all sides on, and 1 back support in place. 2 coats of stain, which I have to add, I've lightly sanded in between coats. Each coat has poly in it, and it comes out great. But there does need to be a 220 sand in between. This is without doors, (yeah I can MAKE doors now) even though they're already made, see the doors post, and no trim yet... Looks a little naked don't it?

I made the drawer that pulls out, and just making this drawer, putting the sides on, which I used my jig on, and putting the rails in...each of these steps took a lllloooong time, I was winging it. Plus, I got distracted....

Pop's shelf for his ashes

a litle work on Bre's craft supply box, still haven't picked up the stain to finish it out, also cut the doors for this as well

the Ultimate Distraction...always wanted to be fed, petted, and then there's the dogs x5, cat, add the kids, house, you get the idea, throw in a few 12 hour shifts in the ER. Distracted!

had to wait for these parts, ordered from Rockler, which just got here tonight yeah!!!!

18.00 for dropleaf hinges, and supports.

here we are with the drawer in and fully extended..

side view..tapered the sides down with the jigsaw so when I'm working, from the side, the sides won't be in the way

Here it is with the dropleaf in place, in folded position. The dropleaf will open and give me almost a 4 foot by 26.5 table.

drawer fully closed, table in down position.

So that's where I'm at. Currently adding the dreaded hinges, hate them! and the drop leaf support. Since there's a weight max on my shelf/table of 125 lbs, I did use 1/2 mdf for the table. Too thin to put the hinge screws, and support screws into. I'm going to have to rig a 1x2 on each side of the table to screw into. Too late to use my miter saw though :(. I'll update with the pics of the hardware in place, as well as the table extended tommorrow.
Saws are frowned upon after midnight in this neighborhood.

Wish I was a morning person, alas, I get the bulk of my work done after midnight
Hope everyone's projects are going great, may your screws always be tight~

Stuck in Nuetral

2012-02-15T05:32:00.000-08:00

Stuck in Nuetral, waiting, waitng, waiting....for parts to come. It's a domino effect. Can't put the 2nd cabinet together without the pull out table. Pull out table for my sewing is only partially complete, waiting on the special hinges from Rockler, and no, regular hinges will not work, already tried it...these hinges help hold the table up, keep it from sagging, and finally keep the table from overextending, also need drop leaf support.

This is the actual piece that will hold up the extended part of the table, and even though it's tiny, very hard to find this piece.

last piece I'm waiting on is the leg bracket. This will fold away under table for storage, and also hold the leg of the extension in place.

Whew, lots of waiting, wish I was working on it, but at least this will give u a better idea of what it is that I'm making, or will be making, once my parts come in.

feeling content...sort of

2012-02-15T05:21:00.000-08:00

Feeling content, more content, this week than I have in past weeks. I've resigned myself to the fact that I need, have, and finally....want to go to work. It was a bit of an adjustment, I've been off quite awhile, getting back to work and this week it finally hit me...I love to spend money. It makes me feel good to get whatever I want, whenever I want dammit. Coincidentally, You must have money to spend it. And like I said, I love to spend. Even if it's just a trip to Sam's Club, for our weekly rations, I love to do it. To keep myself in the lifestyle that I'm accustomed to, need to make those checks.
Yes, It's far, 45 miles is far, that's only the start, then I've got a 12 hour shift in a busy ER to do, and still it's not over. 45 miles back home. As I've said, I'm content, getting used to the drive, getting back into the swing of things, and feeling the need to help my husband make our family more financiallly secure. Hopefully, fingers crossed, this time next month, I'll be more than content...but for now, contents good enough for me.

My Valentine's list Error Free for My Favorite Man

2012-02-12T22:20:00.000-08:00

Available only at Target, Jimmy

http://www.sees.com/prodimg/902trufflesbig.jpg

See's Truffles, My ONE AND ONLY favies!!!

http://www.dvd-covers.org/d/268197-2/The_Twilight_Saga_-_Breaking_Dawn_-_Part_1_-_Custom_DVD_Cover_2.jpg

Any Breaking Dawn DVD, doesn't have to be the limited edition, hopefully we can watch it together on V-Day :)

My number 1 favorite....if you can't find this one (2 of them) at Bed, Bath, and Beyond....you can get this one....

That's it, in a nutshell, if you want to make your Valentine Lady happy!

DVD Extravaganza!!!

2012-02-10T03:00:00.000-08:00

Additional photos and tips for the Logan base taken from plan: http://ana-white.com/2010/01/plans-logan-base-24-wide-base-with.html

My base is 32 inches wide, 24 inches deep. I used PureBond, so very light sanding is needed, nothing more than 220 sandpaper. To keep my paint looking neat and drip free, I choose to sand, fiill, do my Kreggie, and paint 2 coats of Kilz2, latex, waterbase paint, sanding between each coat, and then Behr Ultra Premium Ultra White 2 coats. After the piece is together, I do touch ups, and if I'm touching the piece alot, then an additional coat is needed. I do fill cracks as well where the wood joins. Below are additional pics, when I build, sometimes it helps to see the steps, hopefully if this helps one person, then it is worth to blog about it. Ana's plans are very easy to follow, she writes them like a recipe, and anyone can do these. Take your time, if you're tired or rushed, wait til you're in a better mindset. If you're stumped, leave it, do something else, the answer will come to you, or you'll find it online.

Currently, I'm building the "Sister" base, complete with fold out sewing table. These is 1 of 6 pieces that will hopefully end up looking just like builtins when complete.

wood cut with circular saw

4 coats and ready to go

all together, checking for square at each level. 2 1x4's kregged to the back for stability. Used a 1x3 to frame the bottom front

First coat of Black Onyx stain, it gets better.

all

2 coats of stain, I also used wood filler, mixed with black flat paint.

3 coats of stain on top, 220 sanding in between. trim on and touching up the paint

Top has 2 coats of Polyurethane on it. coming together

WRONG WAY TO DO KNOBS ...FRUSTRATING BUT REDID THESE, TOOK THE DOORS OFF, PUT THE KNOBS IN THE RIGHT PLACE, if I didn't this would have bugged me to death! Hub doesn't understand this

My hutch and base hold 1248 DVD's, my sewing machine, and blank Dvd's! Amazing. Not just beautiful..but a valued piece of storage in a very small living room. Thanks ANA as always :)
If you like this piece, please vote for it, I'm trying to win free Purebond wood> https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=2908641366801&set=o.170153499700250&type=1&theater now until Feb 28th, 2012. Thanks, angie

Made it in the big house! moved to it's spot to check for level, and add the doors and knobs

Tip: Put the knobs on before you put the doors on....Only took me 5 tries to get them right when they were on the base, would've been much easier to lay them side by side and measure, or as Laura Fama does, make a template so they are in the exact same spot.

Hutch without the Starsky

2012-02-10T02:01:00.000-08:00

additional photos and tips for my hutch
plan I used: http://ana-white.com/2010/01/plans-logan-hutch-open-24-inspired-by.html

have my plans drawn up for the DVD extravaganza

wood I used: PureBond, with 1x2 and 1x3 pine for trim
My hutch is 32 inches wide, and since it's built solely for DVD's I have five total shelves each 8.5 inches high. DVD's on average are 7 to 7 1/4 high, so this works out just fine.
I put my hutch together with my Kreg Jig, needed the added durability and won't need to move the shelves around.
I absolutely love it, and hopefully this page will help others who are working with Ana's plans and have questions along the way.

These are the 2 sides of my hutch, primered, painted, and lying side by side, I mark where the shelves are going to go. This ensures that my shelves are straight.

When I add the shelves, absolutely glue then Kreg jig it, and always, with each step, CHECK FOR SQUARE. very important, keeps your project looking professional. These look like American Girl doll lockers. :)

Dvd's fit right in there

and can't tell you how important paint is. If you're painting, make sure to do it right. I used PureBond, so I don't use anything stronger than 220, light sand pre, vacuum dust, wipe it down, I use Primer Kilz2 2 coats. when each coat is dry, light sand in between. vacuum again, wipe it down. 2 coats of Behr Ultra Premium, Artic White, and that's all Before I put it together. After assembly, I'll touch up spots, nicks, etc. If I'm touching my board too much, another coat is in order. I get so many compliments on my paint jobs. Paint is important, stain is important. You can build the worlds best piece, but sloppy paint will take away from your craftswomanship!

Both sides on square and secure, time for top, and beadboard backing. These little details make it your own, whether it be beadboard, paint, your little ideas take a plan from paper and turn it into something that you will love! Excuse the cat, she's a ham. Anytime she here's the click, she comes out of the woodwork.

Beadboard on with my nailgun, very important that your beadboard is square. Also added 2 1x4's to the back to give more stability to the piece, which is 46 inches high and to have something to screw into the studs. Last thing we want is for this to fall over on someone. What a mess it would be to have to pick up all the DVDS :)

Love my piece! Secured t wall and base

the hutch itself holds 300 DVD's and has two shelves open. Can't stop raving about it, love it, love it. I've entered it into the PureBond contest for free wood...so if you like this, and this article's answered some questions for you, please like it here....https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=2908641366801&set=o.170153499700250&type=1&theater

We'll get em next time guys!

2012-02-10T01:23:00.000-08:00

after the loss, this is what shock looks like

Nina's homemade corndogs and cake pops stole the show!

8 layer dip, partying like we won the Superbowl

best ribs ever...secret is rubbing them with seasoning and broiling for 13 min before putting them in the crockpot for 12 hours yum!

Bre's double stuffed chocochp cookies, stuffed with double stuffed oreos...what!!! AMAZING

penny for your thoughts?

make mine a double please

the one good thing that came out of this year's Superbowl! Took one of JB's old shirts, had been sitting in the closet for eons, and made it into a supersoft comfy pillow for my storage bench! Just pin back to front, cut off extra fabric, leave yourself and 1.5 inch around sew it shut, right side to right side, leave a stuffing hole. and fill it with pillow, or if you don't have one, go straight up with stuffing. We'll get back to the show next year, and this time, WE WILL BE THE CHAMPIONS MY FRIENDS!!

and now everything will have doors!

2012-02-10T00:53:00.000-08:00

Don't care if it's a picture frame, it's getting doors!

If you've been nervous about it, worried you won't be able to do it, I know how you feel. Believe me, I felt the same way. Seemed like way to much actual carpentry for one mom to do. After much encouragement and cheers from my Kreg Jig Community, namely Jay, I decided the next piece I worked on, my beautiful new hutch would have not 1, but 2!!! doors.

this is everything cut for 2 doors beadboard is stacked on top of each other

Where to start?

Needed to figure out what look I was going for, knew I wanted doors that had beadboard in them, yes in them. Didn't want to cheese it by laying the beadboard on the back of the frame, wanted inlaid doors.
Put your frame on the cabinet. I used 1x3 and this is where I hinged my doors. my doors sit inside of the frame, flush when closed. Important, unless your going to chisel out a space for your hinges, I didn't, make sure to leave a space for your hinges. Also, I don't know if this is how Bob the Builder would do it, but I left

heres my Stiles all routered! first routering ever. used 1/4 bit

dryfitting the stiles making sure they fit. I chose to cut everything across , that's the look I love, but you can always miter the corners

dryfitting the door

Routered and painted corner

put 3 sides together...slide your beadboard in, when measuring the beadboard, add 1/2 to each side to slide in routered section

example to show how it's done

this is how it looks add the side aka STILE

Here's the vocabulary lesson., next time you go to Home Depot use my words, and watch the associate's eyes light up! Railes....these are the horizontal or in between boards...I used 1x3's for mine, but a 1x2 or even a 1x4 could be used, it's your preference, depending on how much wood you like. Next word, wait for it....Stiles! ....these are the vertical boards, or the sides. Railes and stiles, 2 of each make up your frame of the door. Don't forget to leave space to open and close your doors, and space for your hinges. My doors sit flush with my 1x3 frame

Loose Ends

2012-02-09T22:29:00.000-08:00

Wow, can't believe the Beer/chips table was my last post! Just means I've got some backtracking to do! Doesn't mean I've been sitting around craftless, quite the contrary, I've been so busy with my projects I haven't had time to sit down and write about it. Most nights, when not working, I just fall into bed, but everyday, no matter what I'm doing, I've committed to working on my projects, even if it's only 30 minutes...that's my time.
Okay, on to my spool organizer, I've built a hutch, I'll blog about in a sec, and now am building a 2nd one, 6 pieces total, so when it's all done, I'll have builtins, something I've always wanted. Years ago, before I was handy, a carpenter came in, quoted us 4800 US DOLLARS< to make some builtins, Ha, So far I've spent 60 dollars, not yen, and it looks beautiful!!!!

This second hutch I'm working on, will have a pull out, dropleaf sewing table. I need to get more PureBond, so I'm working on details today.
Things I used for my spool organizer:

1x2, measured to fit your spot...mine is 12 inches long
Fruit sticks, sold in produce aisle, 30 for 1.59 at Albertsons (for kabobs, candy apples)
wood glue
hammer
drill with a 3/16 bit, this is the perfect size for fruit sticks, Believe me, I've already split 3 pieces of wood
little bit of sandpaper, just for your stick edges

Step 1: Cut your 1x2 to size, might as well sand it and paint it too. Once your sticks are in place, it will be torture to try to paint in between them. Once your paints dry, mark a spot to drill 1 inch in from the end, and 1.5 inches along one side of your board, making sure not to closer than 1 inch to each edge lightly sand over the holes you just made, just to make it look finished. And P.S. you can make your spool organizer any size, just make sure you evenly space your holes with enough room for all of your thread, for me, that's 1.5 inches apart.

Step 2 : Not that your board looks like a pegboard, time to make the pegs. The length of your spool holders is up to you. I like to make them different sizes, because I've been known to use embroidery thread. It's totally up to you, this is your custom piece, make it how you want it. I used my miter saw to cut my sticks, which are 6 inches, tip to end, in half. This is a DANGER ALERT!!!

Fingers are wayyyyy too close to the blade, and if you go COMPLETELY through the stick, one end is going to fly off into the abyss...and you'll never find it :), so be safe, don't do this step after you've taken your nightly Xanax. If you need to put your wine glass down in order to use the saw don't do it. Step away, this is the step that I believe is the trickiest. Halfway through, remember, run that saw slow, and count your fingers when you're done.

Now, break them in half with your hands. You'll get a cleaner break if you snap the cut end towards your self.

Step 3:

Rub your raggedy ends across the sandpaper, just to clean your "dowels" up. And speaking of dowels, yes, you could buy some, VERY expensive, and not really the best size for this need. Besides, I never pay for what I can make, I compared...1.49 fruit sticks, 6.80 for tiny dowels, which are bigger, ergo, bigger holes, and they still need to be cut.

Step 4: whichever end looks the most jagged, the pointy side, that goes in the hole. Doesn't need to be sharp, but you DO NOT want the sharp edge pointing up, trip and fall, and poke your eye out. Blunt side up! Dab the tiniest amount of glue and push it into the hole. If you doesn't fit, don't worry. That's what the hammer is for. Tap it in, not to hard, so you don't damage your dowel.

Viola!!! (french for yeah!!!)

Step 5: Continue tapping your dowels in, don't forget the dab of glue, til you get to the end, and try it out..

VERY IMPORTANT! don't forget to pat yourself on the back, you just made awesome happen~!

Imagine a pegboard in place, and a homemade huge pin cushion...

on the back of my homemade door...you get the picture :)

Beer/coffee table for football

2011-11-23T00:54:00.001-08:00

http://ana-white.com/2011/11/flip-top-coffee-table

Tombstone's on the CHEEP!

2011-10-05T22:07:00.000-07:00

Thinking about adding some graffiti to this one, kinda like that idea

looking good!

AS usual, I won't pay for something I can do on my own for much, MUCH cheaper. Doesn't make sense, I'd rather save the money and buy wood/yarn/Starbux for goodness sakes! I don't see the point of making them from foam, doesn't last, and how would I even store it? Started 2 years ago, making my own, using Plywood scraps, and with just the right amount of elbow grease, my wood one's are comparable, or even better. Plus, I get to make my own clever sayings, instead of the usual run of the mill I B DEAD, :).

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see? doesn't even look like wood anymore, and wait til you see the back......

This is pretty similar to the front, left over plywood is never the greatest....that's why it's leftover :)

I used a reg 1x2 I made into a stake, screwed that into my tombstone, then notched a spot, and Kregged a shelf into the back of my sign using 1x4. This way, I can just step on it, and the stake will go in, instead of endless pounding, Viola!

Rain, rain, go away! I really want to start decorating, more on my tombstones. Working on finishing touches.

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next one I'm working on. Started drilling the worms, making a hole to put the jigsaw, and they looked too cute so I left them and painted them for eyeballs. I'm painting the little worms with glow in the dark paint, and blacklighted a few of the signs.

to be continued

Love the Holidays!

2011-10-04T23:26:00.000-07:00

first one done, thinking of adding the smiley face....but less is more, which is hard for me

Getting ready for Halloween, lots of cheapy plywood left over from the doghouse, which, by the way, the dogs will not set foot in! Decided to make a few more Tombstones to add to last years.

Cut out lots of cool shapes, sanded, and filled the worst of it...making sure to fill all the knots. Stones have no knots, or rings for that matter.

This is my trial coffin, I want to make one about 3 feet high, this is my first attempt. Love it, primered, will say something like, Vacancy, apply within. Something like that.

Another cool little design, primered, sanded gonna make last year's tombstones jealous!

working on texture, adding some dimension.

Add caption

Viola!

Feel like the pics don't do my "art" justice. Remember what I started with. Threw a little concrete in the primer, then went over it with Rustoleum Gray Granite, love it!!!

Cannot wait for it to dry...need all my cute little sayings,,,,,,,,
TO BE CONTINUED

"AngiRonback" Chair

2011-09-12T01:07:00.000-07:00

Excuse the messy garage, my one area to work in, and at one point I even lost my shoe!

Finally finished the Throne for Hub....After so many color choices, finally went with Martha Stewart Flat Black Eggshell and LOVE IT!!!
I didn't really have a plan this time, flew by the seat of my pants. I went through many plans, from Jake's Chair, to KnockoffWood.com, and though all the chairs were awesome, needed to make a few adjustments. After learning the basics of the Adironback chair, decided to make the "Angironback" version.
First, made the seat wider, with less curve....which by the way, all curves, from base, to back, to arm support and arms were drawn by the Exclusive Artist, Breanna, my baby! Had a lot of fun making it, and will be making more. Working on making a stencil, to put my beloved Patriots Logo on the front.

This gives a better idea of the variation in the size of the wood on the seat, I alt 1x2's with 1x4's because I love the look plain and simple.

As usual, kids said it looked better than the ones at the store....best compliment ever!!

Beautiful curves by Bre!There's my shoe in the background!

Wider arms, at 90 degrees, to hold Beers, chips and salsa.

Worked Really hard on the finish, wanted it supersmooth, what I call...my "surfboard finish" Which requires primer, mult sanding, and mult coats of paint. Love it. This one shows the variation in the board sizes.

Super waterproofed...going by the pool! Hopefully this will dry to a Satin finish

i'm going to make my pool loungers with the same curviness, and a pull out tray on the side for Starbux!

the bottom gap is neccessary...due to the curve and it looked really nice. I didn't push the board's together, I know wet butts will be in these chairs.

There you have it, made my own awesomeness happen!