DIY & Tutorials Archives - Stacy Risenmay https://www.notjustahousewife.net/category/projects/ DIY Projects, Home Decor, & Gardening Sat, 12 Nov 2022 19:15:40 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://www.notjustahousewife.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/cropped-favicon-32x32.jpg DIY & Tutorials Archives - Stacy Risenmay https://www.notjustahousewife.net/category/projects/ 32 32 Star Wood Wall Art https://www.notjustahousewife.net/star-wood-wall-art/ https://www.notjustahousewife.net/star-wood-wall-art/#comments Fri, 23 Sep 2022 23:30:36 +0000 https://www.notjustahousewife.net/?p=24397

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I love simple DIY projects that are fun to make. And when they save you money, it's even better! This Pottery Barn knock off was easy to make. This star wood wall art looks good with any decor style.

I did this project several years ago, but I wanted to share it again. It is the perfect year round decor but can also be played up for holidays, especially ones like Fourth of July and Christmas. In the original post, I show how I found this idea in a Pottery Barn catalog but was able to make it for much less.

wood star wall art

Star Wood Wall Art

Step 1: Cut the Wood

If you use (5) 1x4 boards (which are really 3.5 inches instead of 4), it would measure 17.5 inches tall. So I cut the 1x4 boards 17.5 inches long so it would end up being square. I cut them with a miter saw.

Step 2: Attach the 1x4s Together

To secure all the boards together, I used some lattice trim. I cut them to the right length. I glued and nailed them to the backside. Paint sticks or any other thin wood strips would work as well.

Step 3: Trace the Shape

I made a paper pattern (fold it in half to ensure it's symmetrical) to trace the star on the boards. You could, in reality, do any shape you want. The possibilities are endless!

Step 4: Drill a Hole

You will need to drill a hole for the blade of the jigsaw to fit through. Make sure you choose a drill bit that is bigger than the width of the jigsaw blade.

showing how to make wood star art

Step 5: Cut out Shape

Make sure to use a blade that is meant for wood and has small teeth for a smooth cut. Follow the lines and cut out the star. I ended up gluing on more pieces of lattice trim to make sure it was secure.

making wood sign with star

Step 6: Add Border

I turned my miter saw to the 45 degree mark and cut the 1 inch trim like I would for a picture frame. Then I nailed the trim on the edges which gives it a finished look.

Step 7: Putty and Sand

Use a putty to fill the nail holes that is sandable and stainable. Sand the whole sign with a 220 grit sandpaper, sanding with the grain. Clean off the dust with a slightly damp rag.

making wood star art

Step 8: Stain

I chose to stain it a dark brown like the original in the catalog, but you can choose and stain (or paint) you would like. I also sealed with with polyurethane when I was done. I always use the satin finish so it isn't too shiny.

fall decor and star wood art

I'm curious to see if any of you were around back when I originally posted this project. Do you remember this star wood wall art?

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Building and Staining a Backyard Arbor https://www.notjustahousewife.net/building-and-staining-a-backyard-gate/ https://www.notjustahousewife.net/building-and-staining-a-backyard-gate/#comments Wed, 31 Aug 2022 04:24:30 +0000 https://www.notjustahousewife.net/?p=24367

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Every year we try to tackle at least one big outdoor project. Building and staining a backyard arbor was one of those projects we had on our list. It will help with privacy as well as the overall look of our yard. The project is 95% done but I did get stuck on one thing and I need your help so read to the end.

This post is sponsored by HomeRight but all project ideas and opinions are 100% my own. Some links are affiliate links.

Before the Arbor

before building arbor

At the back of our yard there is an easement that allows us to drive into our yard from the street. This is where we park our trailers, store our firewood, place our composter, and put anything that we don't want to see from our yard. All that stuff is hidden by the raspberry raised planter boxes that are 3 feet tall. When the raspberries are at peak, they are about 3-4 feet tall making a great "fence" and hiding that section of our yard. That part of the yard is about 76 feet by 27 feet.

After we flattened it and scraped away the weeds. Before we added gravel and trees.

The gates only had pickets on one side and were kind of flimsy. We also didn't have a latch, so when we got heavy wind, it would open and close which eventually made the gates split where the hinges were attached. We needed to rebuild the gate and add pickets to the other side.

Building and Staining a Backyard Arbor

Since I am afraid of stepping on the ladder more than just a few steps high, Shane was very instrumental in this build. I drew up plans and created a shopping list. I cut some of the wood too. But man, Shane saved the day by doing the build on this one. It stands 13 feet high!

building a backyard arbor

He also helped with the staining for the same reason. He stained the top part with the Super Finish Max. He has only used the sprayer a couple of times before (Remember the garage eaves he painted?) so he was excited to apply the stain and see it transformed so quickly.

spraying with the super finish max
We sprayed it with the Super Finish Max sprayer

I didn't want to be left out of the fun part of this project. I sprayed everything I could reach from the safety of the ground.

staining with paint sprayer

I used the same stain color as the other gates in our yard (the secret garden gate and the entrance gate) as well as the sliding planter wall that hides our electrical boxes.

spraying wood arbor with sprayer

The dark color really helps the arbor stand out!

I can't wait to plant the vines that will grow up this structure. It will one day be lush and green and help give us more privacy.

building a wood arbor

We also planted 4 weeping white spruce trees on each side. They are relatively fast growing trees that will get 20-30 feet tall but only about 4 feet wide. Once they grow tall, they will be a great privacy screen. Since we have a gate, we couldn't plant trees in front of it, which is where the idea for building a backyard arch came from.

To give you an idea of scale, I made Shane pose with me under it. I told him he had to since he was such a big part of this project :) It is 13 feet tall and 7 feet wide. The gate is 9 and a half feet wide.

backyard arbor

We laid pavers down in between the planter boxes. We bought wheels for the gates and we needed something hard and flat for them to roll on.

backyard gate and arbor

I love the look of the bark around the trees!

backyard arbor

We made sure and planted them far enough away from the planters so that even when they are fully grown, we can walk between them and the boxes to be able to pick raspberries. It is hard to gauge distance in photos, but there is 6 feet right now between the trees and the planter boxes.

Backyard arbor and landscaping

I need your help.....

I had planned on spraying the planter boxes gray like the front. But I kind of like how the brown matches the bark. Should I spray them gray? Or leave them brown? Also, I stained the gate posts gray (thinking the planters would be gray) and was planning on adding a solar light/ post cap on them. But now I am thinking I don't love them being so tall. Should I stain them to match the gate and cut them to the height of the gate?

That was probably confusing. Here are the options:

*Planters gray with tall gray gate posts + lights

*Planters gray with short gray gate posts

*Planters gray with short dark gate posts

*Planters stay brown (refresh the stain since it's blotchy) with tall dark posts + lights

*Planters stay brown with short dark gate posts

Vote for your favorite option in the comments below! And let me know if you have any projects you are working on. I love hearing about what you are up to!

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DIY Vegetable Storage Cabinet https://www.notjustahousewife.net/diy-vegetable-storage-cabinet/ https://www.notjustahousewife.net/diy-vegetable-storage-cabinet/#comments Mon, 01 Aug 2022 04:52:23 +0000 https://www.notjustahousewife.net/?p=24355

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I have been needing a better way to store my root vegetables and butternut squash. In the past they have been on the wire pantry shelves with my canned goods but the wires can dig into the veggies and bruise them. Especially if they are all stacked up. I have had the same experience with wire baskets. Plus they are taking up valuable space that could house more bottles of canned goods. I have seen cute vegetable storage bins in gardening magazines and online shops and they are super pricey. This DIY vegetable storage cabinet was a fraction of the cost and looks better too!

This post is sponsored by HomeRight but all ideas and opinions are 100% my own. This post contains affiliate links.

DIY Vegetable Storage Cabinet

I browse the online classifieds and Facebook marketplace regularly and decided that if I could find a tall cabinet I would convert it into a vegetable storage cabinet. I would cut the center of the door out and add wire for ventilation. Well what do you know but I found one! Not only were the dimensions pretty much exactly what I wanted (almost 2 feet wide and a little taller than 4 feet), but the cabinet already had wire! The previous owner had taken out the glass doors panel and added wire mesh. It was more than the $15-40 I normally pay for second hand furniture, but I was willing to pay more for the convenience of not having to cut and convert the door. Plus, what were the odds that I would find another one this perfect that was also solid wood?

Now often times a "before" and "after" is also an "ugly" and "pretty" situation. But not always. Sometime you have a piece that is just fine as it is, but you make it over to fit your home and your style. This piece was lovingly made over for a wedding and had a shabby chic feel. But I wanted a different look. Fortunately, the previous paint job was done well which made my experience so easy. Remember the last piece of furniture I made over? That was a nightmare to refinish!

All I had to do was lightly sand and clean it well. It really only took about 10 minutes. I decided rather than taping all the wire mesh, I would just remove the staples and take it off. Then I could just staple it back on when I was done.

Sometimes I jump the gun and start painting before taking a real before pic. Pretend it is still all white ;)

Then I was ready to paint! I set up my spray shelter and filled my Quick Finish paint sprayer. I chose a dark, charcoal gray color. My laundry room/storage room has stained gray tongue and groove walls. I thought a dark gray would go well down there.

It was a nice warm evening and the thin coats of paint dried pretty quickly. Shane and I are working on another BIG outdoor project, so while the paint dried, I helped him in the very back of the yard.

The Quick Finish Sprayer is available on Amazon

The cabinet was painted in about an hour. Clean up is a breeze too. That is my favorite thing about the Quick Finish sprayer. It detaches from the motor and scrubs up fast.

The shelves for the cabinet were particle board. I had a very specific look I wanted for the shelves but since I had paid more than usual for this piece, I didn't want to pay for new lumber. Using the old shelves would save me money and time. Instead, I covered them in contact paper that looked like real wood. I got mine at Walmart but you can find lots of options on Amazon as well.

Since the vegetables stored on the shelves could potentially roll off, the shelves needed a ledge. I decided to make the shelves look like little crates! So I stained some scrap 1x2 to match the contact paper. I had 2 long pieces per shelf plus 2 little pieces for the corners - the little short pieces were what the long ones would get attached to. Then I used brad finish nails and wood glue to create the crate-like shelf front. They are now more like bins or storage compartments than shelves :)

I added new black hinges and a knob to complete the look of this vegetable bin! It will happily reside in my basement where the room temperature is cooler. It is big enough to hold all of our produce without taking up too much space.

Since we are currently doing a giant reorganization and purge in the whole house, I styled it in my living room. The attic, basement, and office are all torn apart while we sift through tote after tote of STUFF. But I know this root vegetable storage bin will be cute down in it's permanent home and be a great addition to our storage room. It just gives me added motivation to get all that cleaning done.

vegetable storage cabinet
I had bottles in the bottom for the picture, but in reality it will be more butternut squash down there since we have so much.

How do you store your root vegetables? On the kitchen counter, pantry shelves, a hanging fruit basket, or a kitchen cabinet? I'd love to hear what works for you. Especially if you are a gardener like me with lots of extra fresh produce to store.

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DIY Wood Teardrop Trailer https://www.notjustahousewife.net/diy-wood-teardrop-trailer/ https://www.notjustahousewife.net/diy-wood-teardrop-trailer/#comments Tue, 05 Jul 2022 22:28:06 +0000 https://www.notjustahousewife.net/?p=24258

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I am excited and proud to share this DIY project with you today because it was my son who created it. A lot of time and love went into this and he is so happy with how it came out. This year for his high school woodshop project, he built a DIY wood teardrop trailer!

DIY Wood Teardrop Trailer

My father-in-law had built us a metal framed trailer to haul things and we let our son use it as the base for this trailer. The trailer base is 6 by 9.

You can see the process of the camper build in the video below. Since it was so large, he built most of it at home in our garage (during the winter) and in our driveway (during the spring).

When he was done, we drove it to the high school. We were even able to remove the front door and move it into the school for the woodshop show! Students, faculty, and parents were able to go around the gym (& the hall) to view the projects all day. It was so fun to see and hear all the kind words from all the students as they congratulated him. It was a good payday after all his hard work.

Teardrop Trailer Kitchen

There is a video down below that shows a tour of the inside as well as the process of building it. I love the kitchen! I gave him the idea of maybe making wood tile for the backsplash but he came up with the size, colors, and design.

There are two water jugs with spigots and a bowl to act as the sink. Under the counter is a ton of storage that is accessed either from inside (cabinet doors) or by removing the sink bowl and reaching in. He has plans to add more things to the kitchen, but was scrambling to get it done for the show deadline.

We have had fun taking it up in the mountains and putting the kitchen to good use!

One of the the other things he ran out of time to complete is adding wood strips to the inside of the hatch to cover the extira (a man made product similar to MDF expect it is water resistant and rot resistant). He put up fabric to cover all the cut marks for the show but it will eventually be covered in wood. The slits in the extira allowed him to bend it over the hatch frames.

Trailer Project Cost

The trailer base was welded by Shane's Dad so it did not technically cost him anything. Although since we were giving up our trailer, our son bought us an older trailer to replace it for $400. That along with the cost of lumber, a mattress, generator, and other supplies, he spent around $1,100. I had paint on hand and fabric for curtains. We used bedding we already had as well. So if we hadn't had those things, it would have been upwards of $1,200. But still very economical seeing as buying one would cost you at least $12,000.

DIY Teardrop Trailer Video!

Please check out the video! He filmed the process to keep his teacher up to date since a lot of it had to be built at our house. I was able to download Ring camera footage too that showed a bird's eye view of him working on it.

I love that the wood strips along the top match his wood strip canoe he made last year. If you missed that project, you can see it HERE.

If you have any questions that didn't get answered in the post or the video, let me know and I will do my best to answer them.

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My secret garden is one of my favorite spots. I have enjoyed it so much more since adding raised garden bed and turning it into an herb garden. But one thing was missing... I have garden markers in my vegetable garden, but I have not gotten around to adding them in my herb garden. Until now! The garden markers I use in my main garden are too big for my smaller raised beds so I came up with some cute DIY garden markers. These are a great way to finish off your outdoor space!

This post is sponsored by HomeRight/Wagner but all project ideas and opinions are 100% my own. This post contains affiliate links.

DIY Garden Markers

DIY Garden Markers

Supplies:

3x5 Craft Wood Rectangles

Heat Gun

Wood Burning Pen

Wood Dowel

Exterior Use Wood Glue

Stencils (Optional)

I have done several wood burning projects over the years so you all know I am obsessed with that fun tool. I have always wanted to try my hand at using a wood burning pen (AKA a scorch pen). Wood burning pens contains a non-toxic liquid that reacts to heat. I already have a hand dandy heat gun that I use to remove old paint and to remove bubbles from resin, so I just needed to order a pen. I knew this would be the perfect project to try out the pen. A love a fun and easy project!

Sand the Wood Pieces

Originally I was going to order some little craft wood pieces to do this project but we are currently working on cleaning and organizing our garage and was reminded of how much scrap wood I have. And you know I love to use what I have on hand for projects as much as possible, so I opted to use 1x4s. But since they are really thick (¾ inch), we cut them in half so they were thinner. You can choose to use different sizes other than 3x5 for your markers. You could even use wooden spoons! How cute would that be?! I sanded them really well. Sanding the wood with a fine grit sandpaper helps the pen not bleed. Soft wood like balsa and pine have a tendency to bleed more as well. So please don't skip this step! Wipe off with a rag to remove the dust.

Add Your Stencil

Garden Marker made with scorch pen -place stencil on wood

I have terrible handwriting so I opted to use a stencil. I did play around with the pen on some extra wood and found that writing with it was super easy, so don't feel like you have to use a stencil. My cricut maker came in handy to cut out some vinyl. If you do use vinyl, make sure to press down along the edges really well.

Prep Your Pen

prep the scorch pen so it doesn't run

This step is vital to avoiding bleeding. When you get a new pen, you need to press down a few times to get the liquid to come out and saturate the tip. Don't immediately start using it though! It will bleed and look horrible. Don't ask me how I know.... On a scrap piece of wood, start scribbling until the ink is slightly faded.

Now you can start filling in your stencil or writing on your garden markers.

scorch pen for wood burning

Remove the Stencil

Remove the stencil before you start heating. I was so excited to grab the heat gun and see the change that I almost forgot to remove my vinyl! If you remove the stencil and there was some bleeding, I'll give you a little tip.

TIP: It is easier if you go ahead and wood burn it and then sand it off than it is to try and sand the liquid off. The liquid doesn't really dry so sanding it just spreads it more. Wood burning it with the heat gun and then it will sand off fairly easily. Then you can try again and not waste a piece of wood.

remove stencil before using heat gun

Wood Burn!

This is the super fun part. I have a large heat gun for bigger projects, but I love my smaller Wagner HT400. It is perfect for crafting projects like this. Hold it about 3 inches above the wood. first started out with it on low since I had never done this before and wasn't sure how much heat was required. Low worked but it took a bit longer than when I turned it to high. I liked how fast it was with it on high. I was wishing I had more than 6 to make since it was quite addicting using the heat gun and watching the change right before your eyes!

The HT400 craft kit comes with a silicone mat to protect your work space. I have also used a scrap piece of sheet metal before to protect my wood table top.

using a heat gun to wood burn

Add the Dowels

I used ⅝" wood dowels for the garden stakes, but you could also use paint sticks. I didn't have enough of those lying around or else I probably would have used them. While I was wood burning, I had my son cut the dowels in half about 3 inches down so that I could glue them to the back of the marker. Use a waterproof wood glue that says it is meant for exterior use.I like TiteBond and Gorilla Glue. I added some masking tap to hold them on while the glue dried.

Use dowels for garden marker stakes

I love these little garden herb markers! They look so cute tucked into the herbs in my container garden. I add garden markers because of the aesthetic, but in this case, they actually serve an additional purpose because when I'm cooking and send my boys out to cut me some herbs, they sometimes bring me the wrong one. The best part of having my herb garden, is that it has actually made my boys more interested in learning to cook. Their favorite one to use is chives.

DIY wood garden markers

These simple garden markers add so much to my favorite little space. If you are interested, I have a video tutorial on instagram and youtube you can watch as well.

DIY garden markers

In the past I have shared similar wood garden markers that my kids helped decorate with colorful paint. And you can catch a glimpse of my metal plant tags in my veggie garden that I added vinyl to in this blog post.

DIY garden makers

Thank you for letting me share my own DIY garden markers. Do you use garden markers? Have you ever made diy plant markers before? I would love to hear about what you use in your outdoor garden space and yard, and the fun ways you mark your plants! Let me know in the comments below :)

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Driveway Fence & Dog Run https://www.notjustahousewife.net/driveway-fence/ https://www.notjustahousewife.net/driveway-fence/#comments Wed, 01 Jun 2022 10:01:00 +0000 https://www.notjustahousewife.net/?p=24180

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I know the title doesn't sound too sexy or exciting, but this is a project that has upped our home's curb appeal and has been on our to-do list for a long time. I am thrilled to have it done! It has given us privacy and fixed the eyesore by our garage. I wish we would have added this driveway fence and pet run a long time ago! It really has finished off the front of our home.

This post is sponsored by HomeRight but all ideas and opinions are 100% my own. Some Links are affiliate.

Driveway & Garage Area Before

garage area before makeover

There's only about 5 feet from the property line to the garage. Such a narrow space is not really useable for many things.

side of garage before makeover

It usually ended up serving as a dumping ground for junk until we could go to the landfill.

garage window before being painted

And the window has never been painted since we moved in 15 years ago. I think it was high time it got a facelift!

To preserve the privacy of my neighbors, I do not have before photos of the driveway area before adding the fence. There wasn't a good angle to get a before shot without showing their whole yard and side of their house.

Staining A Fence FAST!

I have stained and painted fences with a brush, a roller, and a sprayer. I am here to tell you that HANDS DOWN the easiest and fastest way to stain a fence is with a sprayer. Especially if you have a long stretch of fencing, you are going to want to make this job as easy as possible. I used my Super Finish Max.

This time around, since the fence would be right up against our concrete driveway and hugging the property line, I opted to spray the panels before attaching them to the posts. It limited the amount of time I was intruding in our neighbor's yard and made it so I didn't have to worry about getting stain on the driveway.

using a sprayer to stain a fence

I added plastic tarps to our backyard fence to protect it from overspray, and got to work spraying both side of each panel.

I prefer to use a product that is a stain and sealer in one. Once I am done spraying, I use a bucket designated for cleaning sprayers and brushes, and some mineral spirits to clean the sprayer. Wear latex gloves and clean all the parts individually. I like to put some mineral spirits in the sprayer and run it through to ensure that it got all clean. Make sure and dispose of the used cleaner properly.

Dog Run Area

The window got a much needed paint job. I used a wire brush to get as much of the old paint off as I could. Then I replaced the broken pane of glass. I caulked the whole thing before adding a new coat of paint.

I also added some easy DIY shutters to match the window on the other side of the garage.

garage window after being painted

Kevin, our French Bulldog, uses this space as his potty area. Years ago new neighbors moved in that kept their dog tied up near the property line and it made our big "tough" dog a little nervous to go to the bathroom. That is what first prompted us to put up a fence.

After debating about options (ground cover, real grass, ect) we decided to go with pet turf. It was kind of pricey but it should last for a long time. It will be nice to no longer have to worry about him tracking in mud after a rain or snow storm! The pet turf will be the perfect, low maintenance solution to weeds and mud!

The Reveal!

I think after redoing the front yard landscaping, giving the garage a makeover, and getting a new roof, I can officially say that the front of our house is finally DONE! The driveway fence was the perfect final addition.

detached garage with dog run and driveway fence

When the kids are playing basketball, the new fence will keep them from having to chase the ball into the neighbor's yard as well. At least not as often :)

driveway fence near garage

I love this update to the driveway & garage area. Much better than junk and weeds!

driveway fence

And I think Kevin likes it too :)

dog run next to garage

Is there a project on your to do list that might not sound super exciting, but that would really help your home shine? I'd love to hear about your projects in the comments below!

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How to Stain and Seal Furniture with a Sprayer https://www.notjustahousewife.net/how-to-stain-and-seal-furniture-with-a-sprayer/ https://www.notjustahousewife.net/how-to-stain-and-seal-furniture-with-a-sprayer/#comments Fri, 29 Apr 2022 02:48:27 +0000 https://www.notjustahousewife.net/?p=24109

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Previously my dining table was stained to match the new flooring. Ironically, when I was installing the above stated flooring, I had to put the table outside and it got rained on. The rain warped some of the boards of the table top. For the past few years, I have just lived with the gaps between some of the boards. After staining my new dutch door a dark walnut, I knew I wanted the table top and bench to also be dark to help tie it in. I finally broke down and tackled this DIY project. I decided to use my Super Finish Max sprayer to help the process be a little less stressful. Here is how to stain and seal furniture with a spray gun!

This post is sponsored by HomeRight. All ideas and opinions are 100% my own. This post contains affiliate links.

How to Stain and Seal Furniture with a Sprayer!

Make Any Needed Repairs

I needed to replace the 3 worst boards. when I built the table top, I assembled it using pocket holes and screws. It was easy to unscrew the warped boards and add in the new. The last board needed to be tapped in with a mallet for a nice, tight fit. If your wood furniture piece has dents or ding, fill them with wood putty. Make sure to use a stainable type of putty.

Sand

I used a belt sander to sand all the way down to the bare wood. A belt sander is the best way to sand it all the way down FAST. This not only strips it of any old stain and sealer, but helped even it out and make it smooth. Just don't sand in one spot too long since it "eat" through the wood faster than a palm sander. Start with a heavy grit like 80 or 100. Then move to a 120 or 150. I like to finish off with a 220 but I hand sand instead of using a sander. Once it has been sanded completely, vacuum up the dust and wipe it down with a damp rag.

Stain with a Sprayer!

I love using a sprayer to stain! Especially for large areas like a fence. I chose a dark walnut stain and filled my airless sprayer up about ⅓ of the way since my table top is not very large. The Super Finish Max has multiple spray tips. For stains and sealers, use the blue spray tip.

I was staining on my grass, but if you are working someplace like a driveway or garage, use drop cloth to protect your work space. Use painter’s tape to cover any parts that are not being stained or sealed to protect from any possible overspray.

Use a scrap piece of cardboard or wood to test the spray. Adjust as needed to get a thin spray that will cover without puddling. Light coats

are best. Spray slowly in even strokes to get uniform coverage. You can adjust the spray pattern on your Super Finish Max. I like to have it flat and vertical for this type of project.

Allow the wood stain to soak in for 10 minutes (or whatever time it states on the can) before wiping off any excess stain . If you want your furniture piece to be darker, allow the stain to dry and add a second coat. Repeat the same steps above.

Applying Sealer with a Sprayer!

Every stained piece of furniture needs a protective coat. There are many types. If you use a water based stain, it is best to use a water based sealer. Just like if you use an oil based stain, you should use an oil based sealer. Oil based sealers will be more durable. I prefer to use a fast drying oil based polyurethane in a satin finish. Oil based sealers tend to have a more yellow tint while waterbased are more of an actual clear coat.

I shared in previous posts (when I made plate charges for Thanksgiving and when I refreshed my front door) how easy it is to use a sprayer to apply sealer to wood. I used polyurethane for my kitchen table using my Super Finish Max as well. Just like when you stain, make sure to wear a mask. Eyewear is also a good idea, especially if you are not outside in a well ventilated area.

How to stain and seal furniture with a sprayer!

I adjusted the spray so very little sealer was coming out. I prefer to do many thin coats as opposed to one thick coat. You will get a much more professional finish if you are patient and apply thin coats.

Using a sprayer means no need to worry about brush strokes!

Sand In Between Coats

In order for each additional layer of sealer to properly adhere to each other, you need to lightly sand in between each thin coat. I use a fine grit sandpaper (220 grit). Be careful not to sand too much in one area or too hard or you run the risk of sand through the finish & stain and exposing bare wood again. If that happens, re-stain the area and wait for it to dry before adding more sealer.

The first coat of sealer will sink in and may look uneven. Just like with the first coat of primer or paint, it is okay that it doesn't look perfect. Adding the first coat of sealer may also raise the grain and make the wood feel rough. That is alright too! Sanding helps even and smooth out the first coat.

You do not want to skip the sanding step. I know it is tempting because you just want the project done already. Early on in my staining and sealing experience, I skipped the sanding step my first time, thinking it would be fine. The finish start flaking months later.

I recommend for something that gets light wear and tear to use at least 2 layers of sealer. If it is something that will get lots of wear, add at least 3 layers.

Cleaning Your Sprayer

When cleaning your sprayer after using an oil based product, make sure to use paint thinner, mineral spirits, or brush cleaner. Wear gloves! I have an old bucket that is designated as my clean up bucket. Clean your sprayer thoroughly. Properly dispose of the cleaner according to the instruction on the container. I like to fill the sprayer part way with the cleaner, plug it in, and run the cleaner through the sprayer to make sure all the parts get clean.

The Reveal!

I love how the darker color looks!

The darker color not only ties in the door, but brings out the darker parts of the flooring.

Refinishing furniture takes a bit of elbow grease and time, but it is worth it in the end! Not only can you save a beloved piece of furniture, updating it for you currently taste and style, but you can save so much money. You can stain and seal indoor furniture, outdoor furniture, fences, privacy screens and so much more! Do you have any other tips on how to stain and seal furniture with a sprayer?

GIVEAWAY!

Enter to win a Super Finish Max sprayer below using the rafflecopter widget!

You must be at least 18 years old to enter. You must be a resident of the USA to enter. The giveaway will go from April 28, 2022 until May 5, 2022.  The winner will be chosen by random.org and will be notified by email. The winner will have 48 hours to respond before a new winner will be chosen. The shipping of the prize is the responsibility of the company, in this case HomeRight.

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How To Prep Furniture For Paint {A Cautionary Tale} https://www.notjustahousewife.net/how-to-prep-furniture-for-paint/ https://www.notjustahousewife.net/how-to-prep-furniture-for-paint/#comments Wed, 30 Mar 2022 21:41:31 +0000 https://www.notjustahousewife.net/?p=23985

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I recently bought an armoire type dresser off an online yard sale site based on a blurry cell phone pic and the hope that it was real wood. It is so hard to find real wood furniture pieces these days! The lady I bought it from said she wasn't sure but that it was very heavy, so fingers crossed, I sent Shane to pick it up after work one night. When he brought it home, and I saw it for the first time in person, I knew this was going to be a bigger project than I had originally planned. It was obvious from the peeling paint, that the person who painted it last, did not properly prep it. I decided rather than throwing in the towel, I would use it as a cautionary tale and a good example of why properly preparing a piece of wood furniture is so important. So, here is my guide for how to prep furniture for paint!

Keep reading for your chance to win a Super Finish Max!

This post is sponsored by HomeRight but all ideas and opinions are 100% my own. This post contains affiliate links.

armoire before new paint

Let's not focus on the fact that the drawer pulls are put on off center and that they are not even lined up (eyes twitching), but instead look at the bones. It is 100% solid wood. It had a nice, basic design that would fit into any style of home. So we are going to work with it and it will be fabulous in the end.

There was a little rip in the paint so I grabbed the edge of it and to my surprise, the paint peeled right off in a big sheet! Why would paint peel right off you ask? Well, the armoire wasn't cleaned properly or sanded before adding a new coat of paint. I think a lot of people think "It has already been painted once. I don't need to do all that prep work!" Well, unfortunately, that is not the case. Any time you are painting something, whether it is bare wood or a previously painted surface, you need to clean and prep it. I have said it over and over on my blog, a paint job is only as good as the prep work put into it. And while prep is not nearly as fun or satisfying as applying that fresh coat of paint, it is necessary.

paint peeling

The first step was to get as much of the existing paint off as possible. My inner first grader liked peeling the paint off at first (since it reminded me of putting glue on my hands), but once all the easy big pieces came off, it became a lot less fun. Where the paint was applied much thinner, it didn't peel. I could scratch it with my finger nails, but that would have taken 9 years. The best way to get the rest off was to use a wire brush. I found some and had my kids come help me brush the last of it off. The reason I did not sand it at this point was that the paint was kind of sticky. Kind of like it had never fully cured. It gummed up my sandpaper within a few strokes. I needed to get as much of the black paint off as possible before I could sand. This quick "weekend" project, ended up taking much more time than I had hoped.

using a wire brush to remove old paint

Eventually we were able to brush the majority of the top layer of paint off and I could finally sand. Sanding is so important! Paint also needs something to "grip". If not, it will literally peel right off. Sanding it gives the surface texture.I decided to hand sand furniture this time but sometimes I will use an orbital sander to speed things up. I went over the whole armoire with a 150 and then a 220 grit sandpaper. The dresser was in really good shape as far as not having scratches or dings. The only things I had to fill with wood filler were the holes for the old drawer pulls.

sanding furniture before painting

It was time to give it a good cleaning! Paint doesn't stick well to dirt, dust, or grease so grab some rags or tack cloth. I washed it with soapy water and then rinsed it with clean water. I repeated the process until no more blue residue showed on my white work rags. I dried it off and moved it to a tarp so I could get ready to paint!

cleaning furniture in preparation for paint

I picked a moody green paint color with blue undertones. I am using a latex paint and primer together. I like Behr from Home Depot and I prefer satin over a glossy finish. If your paint doesn't have primer in it, you will need to add a coat of primer before adding any paint. Make sure that if you are using a water based paint that you use a water based primer. Oil based paint requires an oil based primer. This sprayer can also be used with chalk paint if that is how you want to go.

I added the paint to my paint sprayer (I used the Super Finish Max this time) and slightly watered it down, making sure to mix the water in well using paint sticks. I always test it out on a piece of cardboard before spraying on the furniture so I adjust the spray to right where I want it. It is better to do multiple thin coats of paint instead of one or two thick coats. The first coat of paint won't look amazing as it probably won't be full coverage. But don't worry, it will look better and better with each thin coat.

I let the paint dry in between coats. It's a good idea to have a foam brush handy JUST IN CASE you get the sprayer too close or hover too long in one spot and a drip happens. It is nice to quickly grab the brush and smooth it out before it starts to dry.

Once the armoire and its drawers were all painted and it had dried, I moved it inside. It had such a smooth finish! I love paint sprayers for that reason. Not only are they QUICK, but they give the best paint finish.

I added new drawer pulls. I chose a brushed gold T bar style pulls and I love how the gold looks against the green! I also decided to add a back to the top portion. While I was painting, my son cut a piece of plywood to size and even cut grooves into for me. It is nice to have another DIYer in the house to help when needed!

DIY projects (even ones that are hard work) are so worth it! And this painting project was no exception. This $20 armoire never looked so good. I love a good furniture makeover. Seeing an old piece of furniture turn into something shiny and new will never get old.

Stay tuned tomorrow for another post sharing FOUR ways to style a dresser/armoire like this!

Giveaway!

Enter below using the Rafflecopter widget for a chance to win a Super Finish Max Sprayer from HomeRight!

You must be at least 18 years old and a resident of the USA to enter. The giveaway will go from March 30, 2022 until April 6 ,2022. The winner will be chosen by random.org and will be notified by email. The winner will have 48 hours to respond before a new winner will be chosen. The shipping of the prize is the responsibility of the company, in this case HomeRight & Wagner.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

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Spring Painting Project (& an Announcement!) https://www.notjustahousewife.net/spring-painting-project/ https://www.notjustahousewife.net/spring-painting-project/#comments Tue, 22 Feb 2022 22:29:06 +0000 https://www.notjustahousewife.net/?p=23928

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Even though it is still snowing occasionally here in Utah, I am looking forward to the beginning of spring and warmer days ahead. I decided my house needed a little cheering up so I got out my sprayer and did a little spring painting project. Fresh paint and fresh flowers were just what I needed to perk up my mood and my decor!

This post is sponsored by HomeRight. All opinions and project ideas are 100% my own. Post contains affiliate links.

Spring Painting Project!

I found this table on an online yard sale site for $5. Spring is the perfect time to find deals because most people are spring cleaning and getting rid of things. The table needed a bit of work but it was a sunny warm...ish day so I grabbed my supplies and got started.

old red entry table

It had some resin that had dripped on it that needed to be sanded off. Normally I would just hand sand alone, but I decided to pull out my sander for the top. I did hand sand afterwards to get a super smooth finish. If there are deep dings and dents, you may need to fill those in with wood putty. Make sure the putty you use is sandable and paintable.

sanding old red entry table

Once it was all sanded, I got damp rags and wiped it down really well. A paint job is only as good as it's prep so make sure it is really clean.

Since the temps were above 50 that day (at least for a couple of hours), I was able to paint outside. I laid a tarp down on the driveway and added paint to my Quick Finish sprayer. I decided to use this lovely color because when I think of spring, I think of green! Paint is such a great way to update an old piece! I turned the knob on the sprayer to the lowest setting so not as much paint came out. This gave a nice, smooth finish. Multiple thinner coats of paint are much better than one heavy coat.

painting old entry table green

*TIP *If your paint is coming out splotchy or speckled, you probably didn't thin the paint down enough. Add a little more water, stir well, and try again.

This sprayer is perfect for easy spring crafts. And this was a great project to get me out of the winter doldrums.

While the paint on the table was drying, I cleaned the sprayer. My favorite thing about this sprayer is how easy it is to clean. The motor part comes off so you aren't having to be super careful not to get it wet. Easy peasy!

metal buckets

Now the sprayer was ready for the next spring painting project. I also painted some buckets for the fun spring display I was going to be creating. I got them at our local feed store and they were very inexpensive. I taped off the portion I didn't want to get painted. *TIP* When taping something round, it is easier to use electrical tape because it stretches and bends. I used the Quick Finish sprayer again. Paint is a fun way to customize things.

painting buckets

Once the table and buckets were painted, it was time to put it all together! Since there aren't any spring flowers growing here yet, I made a trip to Trader Joes for some spring blooms. Nothing cheers up a space like fresh flowers! I love all the different colors.

spring flowers in buckets on entry table
spring flowers in buckets on entry table

This display is not only a way to brighten up my home while I wait for spring, but it is an announcement as well. I have decided to plant a cut flower garden this year. I did so much canning this past Fall that I feel like I can plant less veggies this year. I will be planting mostly flowers in my large garden with some veggies sprinkled in there too. I have wanted to do this for years but never pulled the trigger. I'm looking forward to having the garden full of colorful flowers.I'll be starting thousands of seeds indoors soon. It could be an epic failure, or it could be the start of something wonderful.

spring flowers in buckets on entry table

So if you are local, I may be offering fresh flower bouquets! Or, if its a "failure", I'll at least have enough to keep my house full of beautiful flowers at all times. Either way, I can't wait to plant my spring garden and be out in the fresh air.

spring flowers in buckets on entry table

I'd love to hear about what spring time projects you have planned this year. What have you got planned for your home and garden! I'd love to hear your project ideas :)

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Neutral Laundry Room Makeover https://www.notjustahousewife.net/neutral-laundry-room/ https://www.notjustahousewife.net/neutral-laundry-room/#comments Tue, 30 Nov 2021 08:44:17 +0000 https://www.notjustahousewife.net/?p=23712

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I love redoing spaces and making them not only more beautiful, but more functional too. I recently had the opportunity to complete a laundry room makeover for some friends. This neutral laundry room was a quick and easy DIY project and cost very little money. It's a weekend project that anyone can do!

This post is sponsored my HomeRight & Wagner. All opinions and ideas are 100% my own.

laundry room before

Their laundry room has a very typical layout and placement. You enter through the garage door and it opens into their kitchen. It serves as both the laundry room and the mudroom.

It was basically a blank slate and I knew I could add in some storage and make this space work better for them.

Neutral Laundry Room

The plan was to paint, add paneling, shoe storage, more hooks, a shelf, and a new cabinet. We wanted to go with a neutral color palette to keep the room light and airy since it is such a small space without any natural light.

The first thing I did was remove the washing machine and dryer so I could scrub the walls and baseboards. Then I prepped for paint!

Painting The Space

I have used various versions of the paint stick for YEARS. I have to say, this newest one from Wagner is hands down my favorite.

After adding the tube to the can of paint, I inserted the narrow end into the PaintStick EZ Roller.

paintstick EZ roller

The pull back and suck up the paint!

painting laundry room with new paintstick

Squeeze the trigger to push the paint up through the roller. Squeeze and roll until paint starts to come out. It will be light at first (it will look like polka dots) until the roller fills with paint and gets saturated. Then roll your little heart out without any fear of stepping in a paint pan!

painting laundry room
Keep reading for your chance to win a Paint Stick EZ Roller!

When you need more paint, simply squeeze the trigger. It really is that easy!

When you are done painting, you slide the PaintStick EZ Roller back onto the narrow end of the tube and push the paint back into the can.

To clean, use warm water in a sink or bucket and suck up water and push it back out until the water runs clear.

Neutral Laundry Room REVEAL!

I love when some paint and a few DIY projects can dramatically change a room in just a couple of days. You don't need a lot of money and a gut job to transform your space.

neutral laundry decor

I chose a taupe-y gray color for the walls. I didn't want to go too dark since the space has zero natural light. I also wanted to complement the existing flooring and the rest of their home.

neutral laundry room

I found a cabinet on Facebook marketplace for a steal. It seemed a little narrower in real life but we made it work. I built a reclaimed wood floating shelf. That was free. Who doesn't love free?

neutral decor

Behind the garage door, where one set of the old hooks were, I added a whole wall of hooks! I'm currently obsessed with beadboard so I covered two of the walls.

neutral laundry room decor

When I chatted with them about this room, they mentioned wanting some kind shoe storage. The space is tight so I knew I was going to need something that didn't stick out of the wall very far. I remembered seeing a shoe cabinet at IKEA that I thought would fit the bill.

laundry and mudroom organization

It looks quite short in this photo, but it is 42 inches tall. It can hold 16 pairs of shoes. And it is pretty cute :)

neutral laundry decor

I made the custom sign above it. The cabinet makes a great drop station too for keys and sunglasses.

neutral laundry room makeover

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neutral laundry room
]]> https://www.notjustahousewife.net/neutral-laundry-room/feed/ 58 Headboard With Storage {Building Plans} https://www.notjustahousewife.net/headboard-with-storage/ https://www.notjustahousewife.net/headboard-with-storage/#comments Fri, 12 Nov 2021 01:34:37 +0000 https://www.notjustahousewife.net/?p=23623

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Recently I completed a room makeover and part of that included building a headboard. The couple had requested one with storage. I had fun coming up with the plans for this headboard and even more fun actually building it. As promised, here are the building plans for the headboard with storage!

I am a "sketch everything out on paper" kind of girl. Since I wanted to be able to offer the plans for this headboard, I asked Shane to help me out. He works in the architecture and design world, so he was able to crank out these plans for me.

Headboard with Storage Building Plans

The plans include the shipping list, cut list, step by step instructions with pictures, as well as additional information about the optional tufted insert and how to mount the headboard to the wall for added security. Please let me know if you have any questions after downloading the PDF file. You can email me at notjustahousewife@yahoo.com

Click the Link Below to Download the Plans!

Headboard Building Plans

*The Headboard plans will FREE for one month and then I will be charging a small fee for the building plans.

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Here is the video of the room makeover! It has everything from the before shots, progress with projects, and the full tour after.

]]> https://www.notjustahousewife.net/headboard-with-storage/feed/ 7 Budget Bedroom Makeover {Reveal!} https://www.notjustahousewife.net/budget-bedroom-makeover/ https://www.notjustahousewife.net/budget-bedroom-makeover/#comments Sat, 09 Oct 2021 17:13:39 +0000 https://www.notjustahousewife.net/?p=23278

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The master bedroom seems to be the last place that people decorate in their homes. It's a very overlooked space. But I think it is important to make your bedroom feel like your own little retreat. I had the opportunity recently, to makeover the bedroom of a sweet couple I know who in 20 years of marriage, have never really decorated their space. In just a few days, Shane and I were able to complete this budget bedroom makeover.

*This post is sponsored by HomeRight but the thoughts and ideas are 100% my own. Contains affiliate links.

Budget Bedroom Makeover

budget bedroom makeover before

The number one goal was to make a headboard for this space.

old side table that will get painted

In order to keep within the budget, we decided to use all the existing furniture.

old dresser that will get painted

When it came time to start the bed, I was in the thick of canning salsa. I had drawn up the plans and created a shopping list so Shane cut the wood for me. I may or may not have had a hard time giving up that job and watched him longingly from the kitchen window. But it is nice getting two things done at once. A Saturday morning later, we had a counter full of jars of salsa and a pile of cut lumber :)

I built the bed and got it all sanded and prepped for paint. I am offering building plans for this headboard. CLICK HERE >>> Headboard Building Plans

Keep reading to see the hidden storage!

DIY wood headboard

I used my HomeRight Super Finish Max to apply the white paint. There is no way I could have done this makeover in just a weekend if it wasn't for this sprayer. I used it not only for the bed, but for all the furniture. It is so quick and easy!

*Pro Tip: When you paint unfinished wood, the paint will raise the grain and it will feel rough. Use 150 or 220 grit sandpaper to lightly sand after the first coat. This will ensure a smooth, professional finish.

painting DIY headboard

After painting the room and furniture, it was time to style the space!

Budget Bedroom Makeover Reveal!

Before starting this makeover, I had looked through the wife's Pinterest boards. Often times people won't be able to articulate what their design style is, or they think they don't have one. But by looking at what they have pinned (what they are drawn to) it becomes clear what style they like. Most of the spaces she had pinned were gray and white. Her style was definitely more on the traditional side.

DIY Budget bedroom makeover

I added a tufted insert on the headboard. I could have also added vertical boarts to create a grid instead. But I love the softness the fabric brings to headboard.

The lavender/tan walls were painted. I chose white and the focus wall got painted a warm gray. Gray and white can often come off cold, so I wanted a very warm gray. This room also faces south & west so it get lots of warm light during the day. The carpet is tan and I added lots of greenery which both also help.

budget bedroom makeover

I added photos and art to the wall, a new light fixture, bedside lamps, bedding, and little touches throughout the room.

budget friendly makeover

The two dressers were painted the same dark gray that I used on my sister's kitchen island. I added new hardware to both and new glass to the door on the taller dresser.

furniture painted gray for budget bedroom makeover

Even though the dressers are two different styles, by painting them the same and using similar hardware, it makes them look cohesive.

The paint sprayer gave them a satin smooth finish!

DIY Headboard with storage

At their request, I made the headboard have easy to reach storage. The sides open to reveal shelves for things like books, medication, chargers, etc. Like I said before, I will be making the building plans for this headboard available (hopefully next week).

This budget bedroom makeover relied heavily on the power of paint. Being able to reuse the existing furniture really helped the budget. And having a paint sprayer made it possible to complete the space in just a few days.

What space do you have that needs a little weekend budget makeover?

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More Budget Friendly Makeovers:

Teen Boy's Bedroom

Vintage Green Boy's Room

Kitchen Makeover

Laundry Room Makeover

Home Office Makeover

]]> https://www.notjustahousewife.net/budget-bedroom-makeover/feed/ 10 Building A Backyard Gate https://www.notjustahousewife.net/building-a-backyard-gate/ https://www.notjustahousewife.net/building-a-backyard-gate/#comments Tue, 20 Jul 2021 22:06:19 +0000 https://www.notjustahousewife.net/?p=23180

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I adore the arch covered with vines that leads you into our backyard. I don't love that while we sit on our lovely patio, that I see bikes, the garbage cans, and our vehicles parked. The neighbor's windows also look directly into our yard. Since this year's theme with all our outdoor projects has been "privacy", it seemed fitting to build a gate for the archway. Building a backyard gate is fairly easy!

This post is sponsored by HomeRight but all ideas and opinions are 100% my own. This post contains affiliate links.

Before Building a Backyard Gate:

archway before adding a backyard gate

I wanted this one to match the other two gates we have in the yard (The Secret Garden Gate and the Planter Box Gate) so I build the gate and then made it rounded at the top. I even have a little tip to make that process easier!

Building A Backyard Gate

I went ahead and built a basic frame for a gate. A rectangle out of 2x4s with a cross board from corner to corner for added support. The frame was shorter than what the finished gate would be. I bought enough pickets to cover both sides.

Once all the pickets were screwed onto the frame, I marked where the top of the arch needed to be and where the frame ended (see arrows on photos).

building a backyard gate

Using string, a tack, and a pencil, you can create an arch connecting those two marks. Play around with the placement of the string to see how how far down the string needs to be tacked in order to get the correct angle.

My tip to make things a bit easier is to nail on a board before you cut the first arch. This creates a pattern that you can use to trace on the other side of the gate to get a matching curve. *Make sure to flip it over to get a mirror image just in case your arch isn't perfect.

building a backyard gate that is rounded
You can see how the frame doesn't go up to the top in order to allow the pickets to be cut into and arch.

Staining A Backyard Gate

Once the cuts were made, I sanded the gates so there weren't any rough spots or splinters. Then they were ready to stain!

I draped a plastic tarp over our fence to protect it and the grass from any overspray. Adding scrap pieces of wood under the gates help prop them up and makes it easier to spray the bottoms.

building an arched backyard gate

Using the Super Finish Max sprayer from HomeRight, I stained the gates. I will never again use a brush to stain large surfaces. I first stained our fence with the HomeRight sprayer YEARS ago, and I will never go back to staining large surfaces with a brush or roller. A sprayer is the only way to go. Seriously.

The Super Finish Max sprayer is available on Amazon.

I chose the same dark color I stained the sliding living wall earlier this year.

staining a backyard gate with a sprayer

The crystal knob hardware is the same as the Secret Garden gate and I am in love with how it turned out!

An arched backyard gate
how to build an arched backyard gate
Building a backyard gate

Here's a look from the other side...

backyard gate
building a backyard gate

The gate also means that now our yard is 100% fenced and gated in. Our dog, Kevin, can roam free. It also means that as long as we keep it closed (*cough* kids *cough*), stray dogs won't get in to bother our chickens and deer will stay out of the garden.

backyard fountain and gate

Building a backyard gate for the arch has been on our to-do list for years. It is one of those projects that as soon as it is done, you think "Why didn't we do this sooner?"

What is on your to-do list that you have been putting off?

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How To Drill A Drainage Hole https://www.notjustahousewife.net/how-to-drill-a-drainage-hole/ https://www.notjustahousewife.net/how-to-drill-a-drainage-hole/#respond Wed, 30 Jun 2021 02:45:57 +0000 https://www.notjustahousewife.net/?p=23146

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Sometimes you find the perfect pot (or something that isn't even pot) but it doesn't have a drainage hole. Now while you can use it as a catch pot (put the grower pot your plant comes in directly in it), sometimes you want to plant directly in it. All good plant parents know, they NEED drainage! And learning how to drill a drainage hole is super easy!

This project was originally shared in my book, Natural Accents.

Turn just about anything into a planter by drilling a drainage hole!

How To Drill A Drainage Hole

Supplies:

supplies to drill a drainage hole

Step 1: Make a Notch

The surface is smooth and can be slick, especially since you will be adding water. So if you make a notch, the bit is less likely to slip. Wet the surface with the spray bottle. Hold the drill at an angle and drill long enough to make a little mark.

how to drill a drainage hole to create a planter

The reason you need to use the water, is to keep the diamond bit cool. Without it, the friction would create heat, which would melt the glue holding the diamonds onto the drill bit.

Step 2: Drill!

Once you have the notch, continue drilling at an angle. While drilling, slowly bring the drill upright until you are drilling straight down. Add more water if needed. Use some pressure (but not too much force) as you drill.

drilling a drainage hole to create a planter
How to drill a drainage hole in ceramic, glass, or clay containers

Step 3: Prepare for the Break Through

Check periodically to see how much you have gone through the container. Once you are close, you will start to feel a difference in how the drill feels in your hands.

process of drilling a drainage hole

When I feel like I am getting close to breaking through, I tighten up my upper body so I can control the drill better and so the drill won't slam into the surface I am working on.

It is so satisfying when you finally break through and see a perfect little drainage hole! For larger containers, multiple holes are recommended.

Hole drilled in the bottom of a ceramic bowl so it can be a planter

You could turn pretty much anything into a planter once you know how to add a drainage hole! The possibilities are endless. What would you create? I think I need to go thrifting soon.....

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How to drill a drainage hole in ceramic, glass, or clay

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Getting Your Patio Summer Ready! https://www.notjustahousewife.net/getting-your-patio-summer-ready/ https://www.notjustahousewife.net/getting-your-patio-summer-ready/#comments Tue, 01 Jun 2021 22:02:10 +0000 https://www.notjustahousewife.net/?p=23014

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School is out and the temps have warmed up! We have been spending more and more time outside so I decided it was high time to clean up the patio and give it a refresh. Here are my tips on getting your patio summer ready.

This post is sponsored by HomeRight. All opinions and ideas are 100% my own.

Keep scrolling for a giveaway!

Getting Your Patio Summer Ready

If I were a really good blogger, I would have taken a before photo of the whole space. It was covered in pine needles, leaves, and other debris. There were no cushions on the furniture since they were stored away for the winter, and the flowerbeds needed a little weeding. But I was so excited to start working outside for the first time this year, that I jumped head first into this without a perfect before shot.

Sweep & Tidy

I weeded, emptied dead plants out of planters, and swept the patio pavers. Not very glamorous or exciting, but it did make a big difference right away. I also use a broom to sweep away and cobwebs on the windows. If you have moss or mildew growing, use a power washer or a hose attachment to wash the patio well.

Refresh Finishes

The sliding wall's stain has faded over the years and was looking a bit drab. I had grown tired of the green planters and wanted something with more contrast. If you have anything stained or painted, freshening them up gives your patio and instant facelift!

 

 

I started with the planters. I cleaned them really well since paint adheres better to a clean, dry surface. I placed a garbage sack over the juniper to protect it from the paint. Using my QuickFinish sprayer, I applied the new color of paint!

I think the blue will look better and show off the green of the foliage. The QuickFinish has such nice, even coverage and it goes on so FAST!

 

QuickFinish Sprayer available on Amazon (affiliate)

 

While the first planter was drying and I was waiting to be able to paint the second one, I used my Super FinishMax sprayer to stain the sliding wall feature. I had stuck cardboard pieces behind the slats to protect the fabric and taped up a tarp to protect the brick. After that, it was super fast and easy to spray on the new stain! I love projects that give me instant satisfaction!

 

Super FinishMax sprayer available on Amazon (affiliate)

 

While I had the sprayer full of stain, I went ahead and refreshed the cooler cover, the gates, and our front yard fence. I had everything stained in less than half and hour! I am continually impressed with this sprayer.

Decorate!

Plant some flowers, add your cushions on (complete with outdoor pillows) and you are ready to enjoy your patio!

 

 

I just need to grab a drink and a good book :)

 

 

The new stain and paint make the patio look like new!

 

Do you have a place in your yard that you love to spend time in? Or maybe a dreamy balcony? 

GIVEAWAY!

HomeRight has generously offered to giveaway one QuickFinish sprayer so you can work on getting your patio summer ready too! Enter below using the Rafflecopter widget. If you have any issues with entering, please email me at notjustahousewife @ yahoo . com

You must be at least 18 years old to enter. You must be a resident of the USA to enter. The giveaway will go from June 1, 2021 to June 8, 2021. A winner will be chosen by random.org and will be notified by email. The winner will have 48 hours to respond before a new winner will be chosen. The shipping of the prize is the responsibility of the company, in this case, HomeRight.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

 

PIN:

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DIY Wood Canoe! https://www.notjustahousewife.net/diy-wood-canoe/ https://www.notjustahousewife.net/diy-wood-canoe/#comments Mon, 24 May 2021 03:05:52 +0000 https://www.notjustahousewife.net/?p=23000

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I have a pretty spectacular DIY to share today but I am not the creator. My son built this DIY wood canoe in his high school shop class! No one has ever attempted a project like this before. He had to create the plans himself. He designed it and figured out all the measurements. That alone impresses me because.....math. He had watched a time lapse video on YouTube of a man building one from a kit and was able to figure things out based on that. Kits are about $300 for the wood alone and my son A) didn't want to spend that much and B) really wanted to challenge himself to cut everything himself. This DIY wood canoe cost him just over $300 including the fiberglass cloth, epoxy, bolts, and lumber. The fiberglass cloth and epoxy were more than half the cost!

DIY Wood Canoe

He started by making a mold out of OSB and plywood scraps. Then slowly, strip by strip, he started gluing it up.

 

 

Cutting all the strips went surprisingly fast but the gluing took months. Especially since he could only work on it every other school day for about an hour.

 

I remember him coming home so excited because he finally got started on the bottom :)

 

constructing a wood canoe

 

Once he had all of the wood strips glued and sanded, he added bumpers. Then it was time to seal it! You lay fiberglass cloth other the canoe and then add boat epoxy. This not only seals it, but adds a ton of strength. He did this in the inside as well.

 

making a wood canoe

 

After he added the rims (which give the sides added support), he added a second coat of epoxy.

He didn't video or take pictures of the process of making the seats, doing the walnut inlay, or the paddles. It was crunch time and he was down to the wire to finish it before the woodworking showcase.  But here is the finished canoe!

 

wood canoe on the water

 

He is thrilled that it is finally done and that it works so well on the water :)

 

boy sitting in wood canoe on the lake

We took it to a local pond to test it out. It was a quick turn about the water since it was cloudy and a bit windy. I can't wait for an actual "all afternoon" trip out on the water!

 

Out of 164 projects, there were 5 that received double blue ribbons. His canoe was one of those. He also go the Principal & Administration's Choice award. Even if he hadn't scored at the top, I would still be so proud that he set his mind to do something difficult and that he had stuck with it. Next time he takes it out, I get to tag along :)

There is a video of the process on my Instagram Stories if you are interested. I'll save it to my "Family" highlight reel. It is also uploaded to my TikTok account.

 

boy in wood canoe on a lake

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Yellow Spring Mantel Decor! https://www.notjustahousewife.net/yellow-spring-mantel-decor/ https://www.notjustahousewife.net/yellow-spring-mantel-decor/#comments Mon, 29 Mar 2021 21:34:34 +0000 https://www.notjustahousewife.net/?p=22917

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Spring is my favorite for so many reasons. It is so welcome after a long winter and I felt like this winter was the longest in history. I don't always decorate for spring, but I really needed a little pick me up. I was craving sunshine so I decided to add some yellow to my living room for the days when it's gray (which have been more often than not).  Ironically, I had to wait for a sunny day to do the photoshoot so I could share it with you. I gathered things I had, brought some spring bulbs in, and painted some inexpensive pots to create some yellow spring mantel decor.

This post is sponsored by HomeRight. All opinions and project ideas are 100% my own.

Make sure to scroll down to enter the giveaway!

 

Yellow Spring Mantel Decor

 

Yellow Spring Mantel Decor

 

What do you think of when you hear the word "spring"? I think of new green growth, sunshine, tulips, and finally hearing birds chirping again.

yellow spring mantel decor

 

I didn't have a lot of yellow decor, so I used the magic of paint to transform some inexpensive pots.

 

 

I have really been itching to paint again and do more projects outside. I was happy when the temps finally hit above 50 one day. I took full advantage of it and set up my spray shelter.

 

 

I used my HomeRight Quick Finish sprayer since it is perfect for smaller projects. I love using the turntable for smaller projects too. So fast and easy!

 

 

My all time favorite thing about this sprayer is that when you are done, the motor part detaches which makes it super easy to clean.

 

 

I used the same golden yellow color that I used for the metal card catalog. It is so cheery without being too bright.

 

yellow planter and tulips on mantel

Yellow Spring Mantel Decor

 

The bird picture is from Michael's. I bought a few that I am going to paint and use for something else later, but decided I liked it for this mantel too!

 

yellow spring decor

HomeRight is offering up one Quick Finish sprayer to one lucky winner. Enter below using the Rafflecopter widget.

You must be at least 18 years old to enter. You must be a resident of the USA to enter. The giveaway will go from March 29, 2021 until April 5, 2021. A winner will be chosen by random.org and will be notified by email. The winner will have 48 hours to respond before a new winner will be chosen. The shipping of the prize is the responsibility of the company, in this case, HomeRight.

a Rafflecopter giveaway


mantel decorated for spring

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The Power of Paint {Bed Makeover} https://www.notjustahousewife.net/painted-twin-bed/ https://www.notjustahousewife.net/painted-twin-bed/#comments Tue, 22 Dec 2020 00:20:11 +0000 https://www.notjustahousewife.net/?p=22326

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I built this bed with storage for my oldest three years ago. He has now moved out and my third oldest wanted to use this bed. To better fit the new space, we decided to take the headboard off. We also PAINTED it. Oh the power of paint. It looked like a whole new bed! It is also in a new room and styled completely different. I am excited to partner with HomeRight to bring you this painted twin bed makeover!

This post is sponsored by HomeRight but all ideas and opinions are 100% my own. This post contains an affiliate link.

 

Before:

Sorry for the crappy cell phone picture...

 

Painted Twin Bed

I am a big believer in kids sharing rooms. I think they learn a lot of things by sharing a space that will help them later in life. So when we suddenly went from four kids down to three, if we would have kept them in their current rooms, one would have their own room while the others shared. I am also big on being as fair as possible so we moved our third oldest into the other room. Once upon a time, all four shared this big bedroom so having three in there didn't even phase my kids. In fact, all four were sharing this room up until 3 years ago.

To make it work without disrupting the current room layout, we simply moved the two arm chairs out and put the twin bed in their place. Even though the painted twin bed sticks out a tiny bit farther than the chairs, there's still a good 5 feet before the dresser (across from it) so there's plenty of room to walk & play.

 

 

 

 

The arm chairs got moved out to the garage attic fort. The boys were using our outdoor metal ones and were excited for the upgrade!

Painting the bed could not have been easier!

Painting The Bed

Patch any dents or scratches with sandable, paintable wood putty. Wait for it to dry and then move on to the next step. Since this bed is only 3 years old, I didn't have any damage to fix.

Sand the bed using a 120 or 220 grit sandpaper. You are not trying to remove the previous finish, you just need to scuff the surface so the new layer of paint has something to grip. Sand the whole thing. Sanding also helps by removing residue and dirt.

 

 

 

Wipe off the dust and make sure it is really clean. Paint doesn't stick to dirty surfaces were well. I usually only use a damp rag unless it is very dirty. If you use soap, don't over do it. Paint doesn't stick well to soap residue either. After cleaning with soap, wipe with wet rag. Allow to completely dry before moving on to the next step.

 

 

Tape off any parts you don't want on get paint on them or remove. I should have taped off the casters (I had the tape right there next to me) but I forgot. Sometimes I get going on a project and plow ahead. Luckily for me, the metal casters were basically the same color and barely got any overspray on them at all.

Protect your work space but laying down a tarp or covering anything nearby. Since I am using an unfinished corner of the basement, I didn't put a tarp down, but I did drape one over the things stored down there.

Honestly, the prep always takes longer than the actual painting. I used my Super Finish Max paint sprayer and coat number one was done in less than 5 minutes. Since it was on casters, it was easy to rotate it around to get both sides.

 

 

Once the first coat was done, (it almost didn't need another coat) I applied a light second coat. I was happy to see that the sprayer got all the way into the cubbies. I wondered if the center of the inside would get painted or not, but the spray goes really far and covered it all!

Can you imagine how long it would have taken me to do this with a brush? And how awkward it would have been to try to reach all the way in the small cubbies?

 

 

The perk of having the headboard off and the bed pushed against the wall is that now (as a daybed) it can also function as a couch! Instead of two kids sitting in chairs, all three can fit and watch shows.

 

 

I am trying to decide if I like it without ↑ or with ↓ the rug . Help me decide!

 

 

I'm curious... How do you feel about shared kids spaces? Are you pro sharing? Or do you think they should have their own space?

Also, since the two boys moved out of the other room, stay tuned to a reveal on how we are using it now!

 

 

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My New Dutch Door! https://www.notjustahousewife.net/stained-dutch-door/ https://www.notjustahousewife.net/stained-dutch-door/#comments Wed, 02 Dec 2020 21:31:03 +0000 https://www.notjustahousewife.net/?p=22291

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Aaaaah! I have been so pumped to share this latest DIY project with you! I have always been smitten with Dutch doors ever since I was a kid. And it was my dream to have a cute little cottage with a dutch door in the kitchen. Well I have been living in my cute little cottage for 14 years and finally can say I also have a Dutch door in my kitchen.  It came unfinished so I stained and sealed it myself. While I love to see Dutch doors painted fun colors on Pinterest, I knew I wanted this exterior door to match my front door. So today I am sharing my stained Dutch door!

Stained Dutch Door

 

 

Custom Door From Woodgrain

I ordered this stunning mahogany door through the same company I got the new baseboards through when I did my new flooring last year. Woodgrain has a TON of doors to choose from and you can find a dealer in your area HERE. I chose to have a simple design to match the interior doors that are original to the home. I wanted windows to let more light in the kitchen. My old cheap door had windows and I liked that a lot.

Gah! Isn't she gorgeous? I love this stained Dutch door!

 

 

I'll share more after shots in a minute, but first I wanted to share the process of finishing the door.

Cutting The Door

The door came in one piece. I called a local door company and had them cut it in half. If the door was going to be an interior door, then I could have simply cut it in half with a circular saw, but since it is an exterior door, you need a special cut that overlaps each other with a weather strip to make it waterproof. You'll be able to see what I mean in the photos of it with just the top open.

 

Stained Dutch Door

I sanded the door with a 220 grit sandpaper to get it as smooth as possible. Then I vacuumed the dust off with the brush attachment. If I would have wiped it with a wet rag, it may have raised the grain. Su either vacuum or brush off the dust with a dry rag.

I added oil based wood conditioner so the stain would absorb more evenly.

 

After a few minutes, wipe off the extra wood conditioner. Now you are ready to stain!

I chose a dark walnut color so it would match my rounded front door. I applied it with a foam brush and let it sit for about 10 minutes before wiping off the excess stain.

 

Sealing The Door

Let's chat about sealers...

One side of this door would be inside and the other half would face outside so I applied 2 different sealers. On the outside I applied a spar urethane (Helmsman by Minwax). This door faces south and there isn't a covering on the porch, so it is very exposed to sunlight and moisture. Spar urethane is the best type of sealer for UV rays and moisture. It has more resin in it which makes it a bit more yellow. It also has more of a smell. It says interior/exterior on the label but because of the lingering smell (which goes away after a week or two) and the extra yellow tint, I choose to only use it for exterior projects. For the inside of the door I used polyurethane.

 

 

With any sealer, always sand in between coats. Use 220 grit sandpaper and just lightly sand until it is hazy. Sand with the grain.

I did three coats on the exterior and two on the inside. I used my sprayer but you can also brush the sealer on as well.

 

 

Isn't she a beaut?

 

 

One reason I wanted a Dutch door was because of Kevin. Bless his canine heart, he barks every time someone comes to the door. The kitchen door is the one all the neighborhood kids come to. Having the lower part of the door closed helps the kids who are a little nervous around Kevin. Then I don't have to hold him back with my foot awkwardly so he doesn't sniff them to death ;)

 

 

The latch, when slid down into place, keeps the door together and it opens just like a regular door.

 

 

You guys! This glass is SEEDED! That means it has tiny bubbles in it. I am obsessed with seeded glass. Anytime I see a jar, light shade, or anything else with seeded glass I buy it just for that reason. This glass also has waves and looks antique. This is a horrible picture, but glass with light shining through it is a bugger to photograph without it looking blown out. It is much more sparkly and glorious in person.

 

 

The knob and deadbolt are from Home Depot. It is made by Schlage and the design is from the Addison trim line in matte black.

 

 

What are your thoughts on Dutch doors? What about a painted door versus stained Dutch Door?

 

 

I was compensated for this post by Woodgrain but the ideas, choices, and opinions are 100% my own.

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How to Refresh A Weathered Wood Door https://www.notjustahousewife.net/how-to-refresh-a-weathered-wood-door/ https://www.notjustahousewife.net/how-to-refresh-a-weathered-wood-door/#comments Mon, 16 Nov 2020 19:45:20 +0000 https://www.notjustahousewife.net/?p=22232

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If you have a wood exterior door, then you know that even if you use a good quality sealer, eventually it will look a bit weathered. I refinished our front door about 8 years ago. Even though it sits under a porch and is partly protected from the elements, it still was showing wear. I just got a new kitchen door (details coming soon!) and it made it even more obvious that the front door needed some attention. So here is how to refresh a weathered wood door!

This post is sponsored by HomeRight but all ideas and opinions are my own. This post also contains affiliate links.

Before

 

The sealer started to crack and fade. You can see the line along the side where the edge of the door was inside the frame and protected. It still looks great. But the rest, not so much.

 

How to Refresh A Weathered Wood Door

It is so much easier than you might think! And it is the perfect weeknd project.

 

Supplies:

Sandpaper (120 & 220 grit)

Damp Rag

Spar Urethane

HomeRight Sprayer

Painters Tape

 

Sanding

You don't need to completely sand it down to the bare wood. All you need to do is hand sand it until it is smooth. You don't even have to remove all of the old sealer.

Use a 120 grit sandpaper first and then use a 220 grit paper. Always sand with the wood grain.

 

 

Clean Surface

Once you are done sanding, wipe it clean. Let it completely dry. Once dry, if there are streaks, wipe again.

 

 

Seal!

Now it is time to re-seal! Make sure to tape off anything you don't want to get sealer on it.

Use a quality sealer that is meant to withstand outside elements. I used a spar urethane (Helmsman by Minwax). Spar Urethane has resin and is more yellowish than polyurethane but is better at blocking UV rays and protecting against water.

In the past I have always brushed it on, but recently I tried out using a sealer in my HomeRight sprayer and it was awesome! I decided that since it is Fall, and I have a limited amount of time before it gets dark (thanks daylight savings...), that I would use the sprayer on the door. It was so fast and worked like a charm!

I used the Finish Max Super and was done in just a few minutes. I waited the appropriate amount of time for the first coat to dry, sanded lightly grit 220 grit sandpaper, and applied a second coat. Since the door had already been sealed, I probably could have just done one coat. But since the sprayer made things go faster, I thought I might as well!

 

 

Add Hardware & Hang

When it started to cool down and get dark, we brought the door inside to finish drying. I allowed it to dry for as long as possible (until Shane started falling asleep on the couch) and then carefully put it back up and added the hardware back on. Since we only had a sheet covering the opening while the door was getting worked on, it was nice the project went so fast so we could do it all in one day.

 

 

Now the outside looks as good as the inside of the door!

 

 

It looks so mice we even got our family pictures taken on the front porch :)

 

GIVEAWAY!

HomeRight is offering to giveaway a Finish Max Super to one lucky reader. Fall is the perfect time to complete some last minute projects outside. This sprayer will definitely help you do that!

Enter below using the Rafflecopter widget. Email me if you have any issues.

You must be at least 18 years old to enter. You must be a resident of the USA to enter. The giveaway will go from November 16, 2020 until November 23, 2020.  The winner will be chosen by random.org and will be notified by email. The winner will have 48 hours to respond before a new winner will be chosen. The shipping of the prize is the responsibility of the company, in this case HomeRight.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

PIN For Later:

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