2022 House Project Goals
We’re a full two months into 2022 and I’m finally writing about our 2022 house project goals. Who’s on top of things? Not me, I guess. Ha! Here’s the deal. I feel like we’re in a bit of a rest period. Or perhaps a bit of a dread-the-rest period. Hahaha! We’ve spent the last two and a half years tackling the low-hanging fruit around here. There was a lot of it, so it kept us busy. That wallpaper removal alone…phew. The projects we need to tackle next get a little more involved than a can of paint on a Saturday afternoon. They require some planning, some budgeting, and some crossing…
DIY Pest Control Tips For An Old House
Let’s talk about things that make us shudder, cringe, and gag a little – household pests! Specifically, DIY pest control tips to keep those household pests at bay if you live in a creaky old house as we do. We live in a house that is over 200 years old. It’s built to last. But like many old houses, living in one is a bit like living in a colander. It’s sturdy, functional, and full of holes. Unfortunately, those holes are considered by pests to be a wide-open invitation to take up residence inside the house. Once they are there? They never want to leave. Why would they? It’s nice…
DIY Wood and Brass Hearts for Valentine’s Day
I have a lovely DIY to share with you today – wood and brass hearts! They are perfect when you’re looking for a subtle touch when it comes to Valentine’s Day decor. Although, when it comes to the actual Valentine’s Day and every day, really, don’t be subtle when telling your valentine they are loved. Life is too short! Here’s how to make these wood and brass hearts. Step 1: Unless you want to freehand it, print out a paper heart template. We used a 2-inch and a 3-inch heart. Step 2: Trace your heart shape on a piece of wood and carefully cut the heart out using a jigsaw.…
One Year With An Electronic Door Lock. How Do We Really Like It?
It has been one year of living with an electronic door lock on our Carriage House. How do we really like it? Are you ready for me to dish the dirt? Eh. There’s not THAT much dirt. Unless you want to count the dirt that gets tracked in every time that electronic door lock grants access to someone with dirty shoes? *sigh* Modern technology only gets us so far. If I recall correctly, I approached the installation of this electronic door lock with great enthusiasm. I was ready to throw it a ticker-tape parade. Kidding! I actually approached the situation with great reluctance, which is my standard response to all…
Do We Regret Removing a Wood Stove From Our Home?
Do we regret removing a wood stove from our home? Nope! Not yet, at least. Will we regret it someday? This decision seems a little less permanent than getting a tattoo, but I do not have a crystal ball to predict whether or not we will regret this decision someday. Our house does have three fireplaces that we could put back into use should we have the strong desire to use wood heat, so the odds seem in our favor that we will not regret removing a wood stove. Plus, this isn’t our first time removing a wood stove from a home, so we’re well versed in the ins and outs…
I Refinished Our Tongue and Groove Closet Doors and It Could Have Gone Worse
Our bedroom has original tongue and groove closet doors. When I say original I mean roughly 200 years old. I’d narrow that date down a little, but I’ve heard it’s rude to ask a door its age. Actually, I just don’t have documentation. That’s why I’m throwing out a conservative round number for the age of the doors. However, I do know they are young at heart! Anyway, when I had the bright idea to refinish these tongue and groove closet doors I didn’t factor in the small (tiny, really) detail that I am not qualified to work on doors that old. Not. Qualified. No sirree. These doors came from…
We’ve Added A Lot of Closet Shelves and So Should You
We’ve added a lot of closet shelves to our Colonial Farmhouse in the last two and a half years. In fact, we’ve added a significant number of shelves everywhere in this old house. It has been AMAZING. Zero regrets. Does anyone ever regret adding a shelf? Now here is a fair warning. Today’s post is going to contain many shelfies. If you don’t like closet shelves or pictures of shelves or thinking about shelves, this is not the post for you. Oh, and these aren’t Pinterest-worthy shelfies either. These are closet shelves and regular shelves that make my life function better. Or give me the illusion that my life functions better.…
Mountain-Themed Pool Ball Rack Art
I found a pool ball rack at an antique shop and turned it into Mountain-Themed Pool Ball Rack Art because why not? It seemed like the inspired thing to do even if creating this Mountain-Themed Pool Ball Rack Art (Say that five times fast!) was a creative accident. I was going to turn the pool ball rack into a leather-lined tray, but in the process of laying out the leather, I realized the leather shapes looked like mountains. Hold onto your hot glue gun, folks! With that “aha” moment, this project climbed in an entirely new direction. I’m not sad about it! The creative process can be a long and…
12 Handmade Holiday Gift Ideas
I hear supply chains are constricted, so here are 12 handmade holiday gift ideas to consider making for your friends and family this year. The best part is some of these gift ideas are DIY cheats meaning not totally handmade from scratch. They just have a handmade, personal touch. That totally counts! Ready? Let the inspiration flow: Handmade Holiday Gift Ideas: Game Boards Board games are often popular gifts. How about making a handmade checkers board or chessboard? You could keep it a little easier and make a Tic Tac Toe board too. If you’re interested in vintage wood checkers to go with your game board, you can find them on…
DIY Plant Hanging Rod Secured to the Ceiling
We recently built a plant hanging rod on our sunporch, so I guess I’m a plant person now? Perhaps I should have ended that sentence more declaratively. I’m a plant person now! Nope. That label still feels more uncomfortable than that time I touched poison ivy. I have some house plants. Not a lot. More than what’s on the barren surface of the moon and less than what’s in a tropical jungle. I also have some outdoor plants that I had the wild idea to try and keep alive over the winter. Three of those outdoor plants are ferns in hanging pots. They really liked hanging on my front porch…
