Thursday, September 3, 2015

My DIY Guy


Before he retired last year, my husband used to talk about how he was going to "make things with wood". Now that he has organized his garage and acquired new table saws, he is ready for projects, and I came up with a few ideas to help him fulfill his carpentry dream. Here are some of the things he has made in recent weeks.

He made a holder for my acrylic rulers


He fashioned a large rustic bird-feeder to make feeding easier for the growing population of cardinals, blue jays, robins, and smaller birds that frequent the other two feeders. When we first moved to this house, we rarely saw any birds, in spite of the fact our yard backs up to thick trees and a small creek.


He placed a bird bath close to the feeders and planted a crape myrtle, one of our favorite trees. Next spring I hope to fill this little garden with wildflowers and herbs. I can see all this from my sewing room.


He built this gorgeous shelf above the tub in my bathroom. He based the design on a picture I liked from this blog


BEFORE: I wanted a small island in the kitchen, so he refinished and re-purposed this buffet. The wood on it was nice, but we wanted more of a contrast with the wood of the kitchen cabinets, so he painted it dark espresso and made a new top for it (pictured below).


AFTER: Although the drawers are missing in the "before" shot, he replaced the pulls on the drawers with ceramic knobs.


He got to practice his "round-over" and sanding skills to make this nicely finished top for the island

With the island in place, we reorganized and simplified the kitchen, so it all looks less cluttered, and we are loving it. It's always fun to have a new look in your home. Now he wants more projects!

14 comments:

  1. What wonderful projects your husband has finished.... I love the island in your kitchen it looks fabulous! The holder for your rulers is clever too! You are very lucky!! Hope you can think of lots more woodwork projects to keep him occupied! Have a lovely weekend! Christine x

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    1. I'm sure we will find new projects, and I do feel pretty lucky Christine. :) I'll pass on the compliments.

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  2. Great projects! He's off to a good start. I really like that shelf, even more than the inspiration. My husband is extra handy too. It's such a blessing. I miss having a bird feeder but with our small yard and outdoor cat it's just not safe for the birds. Did you change your blog again?

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    1. Thanks for the kind words. :) We have a cat and a dog, and the cat stalks the feeders and the dog chases them off, but the birdies are not deterred! I changed my blog last month, not sure if you have seen it?

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  3. I should show my hubby so that he can make me a ruler holder - great idea. Just love the colour change on your kitchen island, it is a nice contrast. Its so nice for him to be busy, lets you get on with your sewing without interruptions LOL

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    1. Lol on sewing without interruptions Dawn - exactly! :)

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  4. Ray has a wood shop and loves these sorts of projects. The ruler stand would be a great one when he gets some time. The new colors and top on your kitchen island are gorgeous.
    We feed lots of birds and love watching them. Tons of finches, many woodpeckers, jays and nuthatches. Very entertaining. How fun to be retired!

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    1. How great he has a wood shop! Thank you for the kind words. We enjoy the birds too, although I don't always know the names of them. We did see a couple woodpeckers the other day. We also have 2 hummingbird feeders on our patio that are quite busy. Yes they are all entertaining. :)

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  5. Tell your hubby I love the ruler holder! I just showed it to my husband and asked if he could make me one, and he said he probably could. I'm going to hold him to that!

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    1. Oh thank you Diann! That is so sweet - I will tell him. I got the idea looking at similar ones on Etsy, and he used those as his "guide".

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  6. My dad was a DIY guy, in fact, still is at the age of 91! Unfortunately, I married a guy who is perfectly content to sit back and watch me work. What is wrong with this picture?

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    1. Lol Pattie! I think there are advantages either way. ;)

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  7. Your husband is very talented, his work is wonderful. My husband can't hang a picture straight! We all tease him, but bless him, he still does it with a smile. He's an engineer, so he has other gifts!

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    1. Lol Melanie - mine can only hang a picture straight with a level. ;) If yours does it with a smile he is for sure a keeper!

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