July 2014Averie Lane: July 2014

The Barn & The Shed

I thought I would do a little #throwbackthrusday today...because I am thinking of my mom on her birthday! (happy birthday mom!! Love you!)
I'm throwing it all the way back to Christmas 2013 and to these crazy big signs I made for my parents...

custom made signs with vintage lettering on wood

...continue reading! Click HERE

DIY Mason Jar Wall Garden

(This post was first shared over at Kleinworth & Co)

Today I am sharing my super simple - totally fun- easy peasy Mason Jar Wall Garden with you!!

Here's the story...

I had a boring blank wall on my back patio that needed SOMETHING.

I looked around my house to see what I could up-cycle into a planter. That's when I found a picture frame with chicken wire mounted in it and a few mason jars that use to house my herb garden (FYI: if you have to live in your cousin's basement due to a move, its not likely your herbs are going to survive.)

All you need are a few supplies:
Picture Frame with Chicken Wire (just staple chicken wire to an empty frame if you don't have one laying around like I did...) Wire* Mason Jars Soil Flowers (a little helper or two won't hurt either...)

...continue reading! Click HERE

DIY Ottoman Under $100 - Cut List and Instructions

I totally dropped the ball you guys...
It was called to my attention by a lovely reader that I had never followed up on my DIY Ottoman post from way back at the beginning of the year!
I feel pretty annoyed with myself, as you can imagine.
So here is a quick cut list and brief directions on how to build a DIY Ottoman. (FYI: our total project cost for lumber, foam and fabric came in under $100) Also, we designed this based on the size of our couch. Heights will be pretty standard, but you can play around with width and length to meet your needs!

Supplies: Chop saw Kreg Jig Finish Nailer
Cut List: 4 - 1x3 @ 28 inches 4- 1x3 @ 22 1/2 inches 4- 4x4 @ 14 inches 1- 7/16 inch OSB(plywood) @ 29 x 35 inches 1- 3 inch foam @ 29 x 35 inches- I found mine at Home Depot in the flooring section for $20 1 yard fabric of your choice Button Kit
Optional : 2- 1x2 @ 22 1/2 inches (shelf support) 2 - 1x2 @ 28 inches (shelf support) pieces cut to fit the bottom shelf (we used reclaimed slats from our old box spring)
Directions

Drill two pocket holes on each end of all the 1x3s.

Also drill a set of pocket holes on 2 of the 22 1/2 in and 2 of the 28 in 1x3s (see image below - white squares indicate pocket hole locations). This will later be used to attach the plywood top.

Starting with the 22 1/2 inch 1x3s attach one flush to the top of one 4x4 - slightly inset*.

*Tip: to get an even inset on all sides, use a scrap piece of wood as a guide (see image below)

a scrap piece of wood acts as a guide for positioning 1x3 on to 4x4

The second 22 1/2 inch 1x3 is attached 1-2 inches from the bottom of the same 4x4 (this can be adjusted depending on how tall of a lower shelf is wanted.

Attach the other 4x4 to the other end of the 1x3

Repeat this with the second set of 22 1/2 inch 1x3s - you will have now have two leg sections.

If you want to add a bottom shelf:

Attach your 1x2 boards to the bottom 1x3 boards on the inside (approx 1 inch from the top or to the depth of your shelf material.)

See Below

Next take your 28 inch 1x3s and attache them at the same heights to connect your leg sections. (make sure your 1x3 with the extra pocket holes are all on the top facing inward.

Your frame is complete, now is the time to paint or stain in your desired finish.
To achieve the look we did:

Paint the frame in a semi-gloss color of your choice
Sand down the whole frame to remove some paint and expose the wood
wipe on a stain (we used Weathered Gray) let it sit for a bit and then wipe excess off
seal with a wax or spray varnish

Upholster your cushion following the steps in my last post.

Attach your cushion by laying your cushion face down and centering your frame on top if it.
Use screws to attach the cushion via the pre-drilled pocket holes.
The final step is to attach your bottom shelf material.
Cut boards to sit on top of the shelf supports.
Nail them in place with a finish nailer*

*Tip: to get evenly spaced slats, use matchsticks or toothpicks!

space out slats using match sticks or toothpicks

I hope this gives you a good idea of how to tackle this project.

Clearly, I am still learning to document projects accurately. Normally we are just winging our DIYs and we forget you all might want to see how we did it. I guess my point is, if WE can build this, you should be able to as well!!

If you have ANY questions feel free to leave a comment. It will also help me know what is missing from my tutorial!

Good Luck!

Oh! If you use this tutorial as a guide, I'd love to see what you build! Send me pics or tag me on Instagram @averielaneblog !!

Easy Lighting Update for under $15!

DIY has taken a bit of a back seat around here- mostly due to the sleeping, pooping ball of joy named Elynn...

But, those of you who have been reading this blog for awhile, know that I can't go long with out getting my hands on something.

Heck, I even gave my laundry room a makeover while I was 9 months pregnant...

...you also know that I like low cost - high impact updates.

So, when I found these shades at Home Depot for under $5, I grabbed them! (I also get a 10% for being military on top of that!)

Here's what I was working with before...

Perfectly nice lights, but frosted weird glass isn't really my thing. Plus, the large white shades totally drew your eye to them in bad way. Mainly, calling attention to the fact that they are off centered to the hood vent.

Ugh, WHY?

Here's a better look of what I'm talking about...

Now the after...

See how they are just a bit more streamlined. In fact now they kind of just blend in. A statement lighting fixture was not right for this space at all, so this works great! I also like how they have a vintage mason jar vibe without being literal (gotta be thinking resale!)

Now for how they look in context...oh, yea...the shade over the sink got changed out too!

Not bad for less than $15! Maybe not the biggest makeover I have done, but I am SOOOOOO happy to be rid of the other shades!!

Here's side by side, just for fun (pardon the iPhone shot)

Easy Lighting Update for under $15! Before & After

What do you think?

Do you like one better than the other?

I have to admit, this small change is really helping me finalize my vision for our kitchen makeover!

Elynn - 1 Month

We made it one month! He's chunked up to over 12 pounds and is nursing like a champ! We've completely outgrown newborn clothes and are closing in on 3 month sizes..

His hair is awesome.

Enough said.

And he gives me this look 90% of the time when he's awake. (although he's starting to give me non-gas related smiles! Check out my Instagram for tons more baby goodness!)

Oh, and I since I couldn't get a picture with the swaddle, like his 1 week photos, (due to an epic blowout ) I decided to mix in this AMAZING blanket his Auntie made for him!!

He looks good in red, I'd say!

You can keep up with the monthly photo project here... Elynn's Monthly Photo Project 1 Week Photos

Elynn's Photo Project

Where does the time go?

These first few weeks with a newborn have been a whirlwind!

We spent two weeks up at my mom's in Western, WA, while my husband did his National Guard Annual Training (AT) then we came home for 3 days and then decided to take a last minute trip to North Idaho for the 4th to see family and to escape the 100 degree weather here.

In case you are wondering, that puts us in the car for approximately 1,900 miles or 32 hours with 3 kids, three and under, all before our newborn was 5 weeks old.

WE. ARE. CRAZY.

Since this means computer time has been limited, I have been doing Elynn's photo updates via good ol' Instagram and I really like how that is going...

(in case you are curious, I use three apps to get this look... Instagram, DoodleSnap, and Instacollage)

Cute Right!!

I'll have the real 1 month photos up tomorrow, plus I will be updating this page monthly and will add it to the menu bar (when I get a moment to clean up my blog!)

You can catch up on past photo shoots here...

Elynn's 1 week photo shoot