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DIY

DIY: Driftwood Chandelier

September 19, 2014

A welcome addition to the front porch of my families cottage is this driftwood chandelier, another DIY that makes something wonderful out of virtually nothing. With a few coats of paint, some fun outdoor throw pillows, and a few DIYs this porch has become the centre of attention. It has become a place that not only looks like it’s out of Cottage Life Magazine but feels warm and inviting. It’s a space that is conducive to gathering which is a popular activity at the cottage. Many a days have been spent reading magazines, doing puzzles, and hosting get-togethers under this here chandelier.

This cute DIY  is the brain child of my Mother in Law and my Husband with a little bit of know how and designing from my Dad and his wife. A family DIY! Neat! Without further ado, here’s what you’ll need.

  • Rope of prefered colour/size/length
  • Drill
  • 3 lengths of Light chain 
  • 3 Hooks
  • Hammer
  • Wood Staples 
  • Heavy-duty hook for ceiling 
  • 3 hanging tea light holders (ours are from IKEA)

First decide on a piece of driftwood to use. It can be as big or as small as you’d like. Remember it has to hang from the ceiling so you might want to take that into consideration.

Now this wasn’t an exact science, at least that’s the idea I got from the sidelines while watching this family DIY go down. I’m more of a thinker-uper than a get-et-done-er! Drill two holes wide enough for your rope to slide through and tie a tight knot or two large enough to keep the knot from slipping through the holes.

On the underside of your piece of driftwood, use wood nails to secure your piece of chain. Make sure your chains are evenly spaced for balance purposes but again, it’s no science. Eye ball it!

 
 

 Now fix those hooks on the end of  the light chain (this is where you’ll hang those little lanterns).

Next comes the finicky part and that’s hanging up the chandelier so that it’s balanced and doesn’t look lop sided. That’s where my Dad came in. He adjusted while the women stood back and said, “A little more on the left… no….stop…OK….nope, MORE!!”

and TA DA. Isn’t it cute?

 I’ll be sharing this DIY on these amazing blogs! 

DIY

DIY: Repurpose an Old Shutter

September 12, 2014



While spending the first few months of my maternity leave at my families cottage, I wanted to do as many DIY’s as I could possibly cram in. My favourite so far has been this shutter that was going to be tossed in the burn pile but I managed to snag it and spiff it on up. This entire project was actually done 100% using items found at the cottage. I love this project because it was free, I recycled and reclaimed, and it looks just so darn cute on the front porch. It’s a fantastic way to jazz up a wall with a punch of colour.

To make one of these beauties for yourself you’ll need:

1 shutter that’s ready for a new life as a wall hanging

Paint of your choosing

Desired length of chain for hanging

2 screws for chain

3 mason jars of various sizes, shapes, and colours

3 jubilee clamps found in the plumbing section of the hardware store

3 screws for jubilee clamps

drill

 

First I took my shutter and gave it a nice coat of flat black paint and let it dry thouroughly. Then I took my turquoise paint and just feathered the edges to give it a worn effect. I set the shutter aside to dry completely. You could take a light grit sand paper and rough up the edges a bit or leave it as it is.

On the back of your shutter you’ll want to put a hanging mechanism of some sort. I opted for some chain and screwed it in on either side at the top of the shutter. Chain is a great option for hanging something of this weight.

Next I decided where I wanted to place the mason jars on the front of the shutter. I took my jubilee clamps and my screws and got right to screwing these puppies right where I wanted to. This part can be tricky so you might want a hand from an assistant to steady the jubilee clamp while you drill.

Slide the mason jar into the jubilee clamp and tighten the clamp tight enough that the mason jar doesn’t fall out when its hanging on the wall.

 

Hang up on a hook, fill with water and some fresh cut flowers, and enjoy your repurposed shutter!

Is this something you’d want to try? What colour would you paint your shutter?

 

I’m sharing this post on these blogs! Take a peek and see what’s happening in blogland!!

and while you’re at it, follow along with me on social media to get a heads up on my next projects.

  

DIY

DIY: Lush Shower Steamer Hack

January 7, 2013

DIY: Lush Shower Steamer Hack via www.mommyzoid.ca

Lush makes these amazing shower steamers but guess what! You can make them at home for pennies! Save your money and follow my Lush hack! It’s kind of hard to start a brand new year while you’re still carrying around germs from last year. I have been sick since the moment I went away for holidays until now. But I’ve found the cure! Or at least a good excuse for some alone time. I made these incredible little shower pucks that you put at the other end of your shower that smell like Lavender and Eucalyptus. Once the shower starts to steam up a bit, you’re transformed into a sauna filled with good vibes and head clearing scents. Try it yourself!

Check out this DIY for a shower treat that will clear your sinus!

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Here’s what you’ll need:

  • 1 cup Baking Soda
  • 1/3 cup Water
  • Food colouring
  • Muffin Tin, Liners, or a silicon muffin tray
  • Essential oils

Directions: Add your 1 cup of baking soda to a glass bowl. Slowly add 1/3 cup of water to the baking soda. Add a little bit at a time. Add more if it needs it. It’s supposed to look pasty. Mix well. Add any food colouring that you’d like. White is a little plain. I coloured mine a relaxing seafoam green. Ow la la! Put into a silicon muffin tin or a paper-cup lined muffin tin. Bake for 20 minutes at 350 degrees. Let cool. Add 2 drops of each scent to each cooled puck. (it will seep through to the bottom!) Once the essential oils have been completely absorbed (I left mine over night), hop in the shower for a long, steamy, session.

Let me know how it worked for you!

Stephanie @ Mommyzoid PS: see more of my DIYs here! 

 

DIY

DIY: Pinterest-Inspired Shower Steamer

January 7, 2013

So you’ve got that naggggggging cough, huh?

It’s kind of hard to start a brand new year while you’re still carrying around germs from last year.

I have been sick since the moment I went away for holidays until now.

But I’ve found the cure! Or at least a good excuse for some alone time.

I made these incredible little shower pucks that you put at the other end of your shower that smell like Lavender and Eucalyptus. Once the shower starts to steam up a bit, you’re transformed into a sauna filled with good vibes and head clearing scents. Try it yourself!

image-3

Here’s what you’ll need:

  • 1 cup Baking Soda
  • 1/3 cup Water
  • Food colouring
  • Muffin Tin, Liners, or a silicon muffin tray
  • Essential oils

Directions:

Add your 1 cup of baking soda to a glass bowl.

Slowly add 1/3 cup of water to the baking soda. Add a little bit at a time. Add more if it needs it. It’s supposed to look pasty.

Mix well. Add any food colouring that you’d like. White is a little plain. I coloured mine a relaxing seafoam green. Ow la la!

Put into a silicon muffin tin or a paper-cup lined muffin tin.

Bake for 20 minutes at 350 degrees.

Let cool.

Add 2 drops of each scent to each cooled puck. (it will seep through to the bottom!)

image-2

Once the essential oils have been completely absorbed (I left mine over night), hop in the shower for a long, steamy, session.

Let me know how it worked!

Stephanie @ Mommyzoid

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