A while ago I turned some playroom ideas into an indoor tree house for my kids. They loved it! Recently a reader, Brian, contacted me on Facebook and shared how he took these ideas to the next level for an indoor playroom/tree house for his son. I am so flattered! And honestly, his son couldn't be luckier. He wrote, "I found you randomly while doing a search for "indoor jungle gym" on Google. I planned on simply building my son a rock wall, but then found your "indoor tree house" and was … [Read more...]
DIY Writing Desk
The boys bedroom is almost done! Wahoo! The writing desk and a bookshelf are the last two projects needed to complete this room. Well, and then I have to get them to actually clean it. I gotta say, this room is really coming together with custom barn wood dressers, a forest accent wall and an awesome starry night wall. I've also taken down old utility shelves, painted the ceiling, revamped the headboards, added lighting and more. Even after that stuff, the boys really needed a space to study and … [Read more...]
8 Frugal Living Tips from 8 Sisters
Does becoming more financially secure top your New Year's resolution list? You're not alone. I haven't blogged about it until now, but if I'm not up late reading about wood and DIY I'm reading about finance. I'm a self-proclaimed cheapskate, real estate investor, stock holder, financial planner and shamelessly frugal... and I learned most of my money-ways from my family. I grew up with seven sisters. Yep, eight girls. Just let that sink in for a bit... EIGHT DAUGHTERS. All girls, no boys. Still … [Read more...]
DIY Projects 2018
Happy New Year Everybody! It's going to a big year for DIY projects around here. I have sooooo much planned, I am super excited. I hope you join the journey and pull your hair out with me when I tackle some projects that I have been wanting to do for a long time. New Years always feel so full of potential, I love goal setting and planning for a year of awesomeness. Looking back on the year isn't always the funnest, but January gets me every year. I hope to wrangle my kids into helping and I … [Read more...]
Home Library Built-in Bookshelf
Merry Christmas! My present came early this year when I finished the home library built in bookshelf! I am so glad this project is finally complete... I'm super happy with how it turned out but I'm having a love-hate relationship with it right now because it is the most challenging project I have ever done. From start to finish, the cabinets, lighting, painting, hardware, and every other step of the way. Don't look too closely, you'll see tears and curse words hidden in the … [Read more...]
How To Replace a Fuse to Fix Christmas Lights
Christmas is the most wonderful time of year... until your entire Christmas lights strand suddenly shorts out and you can't figure out why!?!? Well, if you have broken strand of lights, don't throw them away before trying this... Old Christmas light strands used to turn off when one light was bad. Luckily the newer (I'm talking ones made in the last 15ish years) won't do this, but they WILL short out if the strand blew it's fuse. Yep, fuse. Some of you reading this are like, "of course light … [Read more...]
Industrial Pendant Lamp — Easy Ikea Hack
industrial pendant lamp Yes I'm up to my elbows in Christmas stuff, but when IKEA is a mere 20 minutes from my house it's a dangerous thing. I finished the boys' bedroom! (seriously? finally?) And I'm posting some of the final projects. My faves in the room are the mural and the barn wood faced drawers, it's like the stars aligned for those, but this industrial pendant lamp turned out pretty cool, and it's so simple! And cheap too, just $26. Easy and cheap, the Christmas bells are ringing … [Read more...]
Wood Pattern Accent Wall — Master Bedroom Part 2 of 2
Friday I introduced this wood pattern accent wall in a post, but today you're getting all the hairy details. This project cost about $40 in wood, $35 paint, $75? Priceless! Also, it probably took about 15 hours from start to finish, mostly because I was making it up as I went along. The accent wall I just dreamed up during my lazy summer days. I think my husband would love for said ideas to stop! Ha! It all begins with the planning.... The planning stage. Decide on what materials to … [Read more...]
Wood Board Accent Wall in Master Bedroom Part 1 of 2
Summer is over and I'm baaaaaaaaack! Summer is my favorite season and I'm already feeling forlorn, but the silver lining is the kiddos are happily in school and I have lots and lots of projects to share, like this wood board accent wall. I finished the boys bedroom, phase 2 of 3 in the yard including the trampoline pit, worked on the built-ins and so much more. I'm not sure quite where to begin, so I'm posting the most recent, an accent wall in my bedroom. Here is the before: I love how … [Read more...]
Landscaping Shenanigans
Landscaping and digging the trampoline pit, a total blast! Spring has sprung! I'm starting to thaw out, hibernation is over and it feels so, so, SO great! I am a desert rat and the never ending winters here are for the birds. Actually birds are smart and they bail to the south. I wish I could... When we left our beautiful desert town in 2015 I consoled myself that at least we would have trees, but the house bought only had TWO trees! I can not express the depths of my despair (name that … [Read more...]