Keeping up with Pinterest!

Everyone looks at what is going on in Pinterest, and says..... "I want that".... We repin it and talk about it, but never do it... or PIN anything of our own.  They say for every 10 things you RE-PIN you should pin something of your own.  So I am stepping up to the challenge.... Enjoy my attempt from my board. "ORGANIZATIONAL HEAVEN"  

 Okay, I have this............ 

My current laundry area.

 

And this is how I hang clothes when I am done, behind me.

But this is what I WANT above my Washer and Dryer.

So what's a girl to do!!!!  But build her own!

 I went to our local hardware store (Lowes)

I purchased
2 1x3x6 #2 Top Choice Wood for 2.03 each=4.06
2 1/4 x 3 3/4 Eye Screws at .43 each=.86
4  1 1/4 white safety clip screws at .88 each=3.52
2 7/8x48" dowel rods at 2.68 each=5.36
1 length of Chain#3x15' for 6.48 (this is .43 a foot) I could have purchased it by the foot for .49  cents, but I wanted the extra in case our ceilings were different heights as we move around or maybe use it to hang potted plants or kids stuff outside!
I had at home
7x 1 1/2 black cabinet screws
Cordless Drill
Drill bits
7/8 sink bit
Phillips screwdriver
Table Saw
So they did not cost me anything at this point.
Total Spent (before tax) $20.28

Made sure I had all my supplies in one place.  I did not need the screwdriver or table saw inside so they are not in the picture.

Cut my dowel rods to 12".  Then I lined them all up with the shortest dowel and cut them all at once.  My finished measurement was 11 3/4"

Then I took out the hangers I knew I would be using and sized where they needed to go. As My kids grow I may need to adjust, but for at least the next 3 years, this shall work.

Next  I used a marker to center out where I needed each dowel. 

Put in a smaller drill bit than your screws charged or plug in drill. 

A smarter and more patient person than me would clamp these together and go into the garage or in a work space other than their kitchen to drill thru BOTH sides at the same time.  I however used my lap in the kitchen and got sawdust in my shoes and all over my rugs!!  Price you pay!! 

Next you lay both pieces down.  Outsides out.  Again a smart and patient person would have marked inside and outside top and bottom so they don't get them confused.... this could cause problems later.  However I escaped the problem part, this time.  Using your 7/8" sink bit, or what ever size that will snuggle fit your dowel rod, mark a line on the bit for how deep you want to go.  This will keep all your holes the same depth and none off the bars will be too long or short later. Drill the outside.  This will get rid of the "marking" dot you made and the "jagged" wood from where you came out the back side with the drill bit.  Should leave the piece rather smooth. Do all the holes on both pieces.

Lay it out and get your screws and drill ready.

On one side attach the dowels.  Hold the dowel FIRMLY and put in the screw SLOWLY.  This will allow a snug fit.  You may have to come back and do it a second time or even after it is finished.

This is what it will look like.

Now put the screws in the holes with a simple twist of your hand so they are in place.  Line up the dowels and secure them by each end, then middle then out from there.  This seemed to be the hardest part.  If I didn't sink in enough or too much, then I had trouble getting the bars lined up because one was too short.  I adjusted my holes, which is why I stated to mark your bit above, hopefully that does not happen to you.

Now for the details.

Using a small drill bit, I started my hold and put in all 4 of the safety clips. 

This is the ceiling above my washer and dryer

I brought with me a drill with a large bit for the eye screws and  a screwdriver to turn the eye screws so it would be easier on my hands... (they are swollen today as you might have noticed and are not fond of this work sometimes!)  I have the chain and wire cutters in case I want to cut the chain.  I chose not to in the end, I just wrapped it around.

This is who you turn the screw with the screwdriver to make it easier, once you get it started by  hand.

I threaded the chain thru the two eyelets.

Hooked the ends to one side of the ladder/shelf.  If I were a super smart girl, I might have made this a pulley system, since I am only 5'2" on a good day.  Then I could have dried sweaters on top too!!

Finally, I found the correct length and counted the chain links out like I did as a kid on the swing set for the other side.

There was extra chain but since I chose not to cut it, I used it to wrap around and make sure the chains stayed on the white safety hooks. 

 Getting them up the stairs.... Well that is a whole other battle, I don't have the energy to deal with today!!

Enjoy and good luck creating your very own.

I got to Card Make.... it was fun!

So finally.... I have been trying to get into a group like this for years..... I am in!!!
Stampin Up Technique card group!  We meet once a month, have a minimun purchase and rotate who is the host!!  It is amazing! 

This week was our first get to gether.  We made a stamped decopauge box and 4 2x2 Hello cards!

So wonderful.  If you follow me and want to order something from Stampin Up but no longer have a demonstrator.  Let me know.  I will be happy to put you on the March order, because that is the month that I... ME.... Heather Mae is the hostess and I get credits to get more STUFF with!! 

Ill have more info to come, check out my demonstrators website too.
The class is on March 6th and I will close out the show one week following.  Items should be heading to you within the next week... depending on Spring Break and which state I will be in.

Have a great day and stay warm!

Theme Birthdays!

Okay, I know I said that after my kids turned 5 that I would no longer do a "themed" birthday party.  But as I see their interest grow and see everything that is out there for them I just can't help it. On that note Braxton is turning 7 and he is really into

So, In my spare time.... LOL, really I don't have any of that, so what I really mean is.... I though this was important enough to set other things aside and make it a memory for him AT THE LAST MINUTE.  He may not appreciate it now, but when he looks back, I hope he will draw up some of these memories.  Plus he helped me make the cakes!!

First I  scrambled for an invite for a couple friends.

(downloaded FREE digital Star Wars kit from Kinleys Scraps)

Now here is his cake!  (downloaded from the brain of Heather....watch out!)  He is all about the Dark Side.  So we found this great Darth Vader candle holder and I wanted to try and make it looks like he was on the platform fighting Luke!  After I finished Scott told me that the glow from that area was RED, so you will need to use your imagination!

And it goes around!!

And around!!

And Around!!

Brax May the Force be with you!!

Then I flash back to a moment when he told me he had Jacob's R5D4 and we had to look everywhere before Christmas to find one because out of the blue he wanted on.  So I asked him what sounds did R5D4 and R2D2 make... I only wish you could have heard what I did!!!  But with closed mouth and BIG BIG EYES... is was like Meeep Mooop Meop Be Bot.... Or something like that and I just fell even more in love with that blue eyes blond haired angel. So in honor of a memory and sound I will never forget... The guests at his part get their very own R2D2!!

Close up you ask... Sure!

And yes that is a red gumball ! 

They are not even close to professionally made, but they are made with love.

So May the Force be with YOU!  And have a wonderful day... Now I am going to go get my Laser Tag on and show some 6/7 year olds how it is done!!