do it yourself divas: July 2013

DIY: Refinish Just a Table Top and Bench Top

11:19 AM

We picked up a used table a few months ago that desperately needed a little restoration. We like the worn look so we decided to just refinish the top of the table, which was just a little too worn.

Here is the before. We bought a bench from Smith's Market Place and decided to refinish it to match the table top. Meg did the same thing to her table. Here are her detailed instructions.

Someone please tell me why some table tops have these gaps! They are so hard to clean out and they get dirty so fast. We filled in our gap with wood filler (you will see).

First we applied stripping gel. Follow the directions on the container.

We scraped it off when it was ready, sanded it, and wiped it clean.

Then we filled in the gap with wood filler, stained it, and added 3 coats of polyurethane. Follow the directions on the cans. All done! The table top and bench are slightly different colors because they are made from different types of wood, but I'm happy with the results!

This is how the gap with wood filler turned out. No more food getting stuck in the gap!

Steph

Before and After

DIY: Refinish an Antique Highchair

3:51 PM

This beautiful and one of a kind highchair has been in my husbands family through generations. Lots of good memories were made in this highchair and generations worth of yummy food was caked onto it. Engineer hubby decided it was time to refinish this chair in memory of his Grandfather who recently passed. To see full instructions on this refinishing process check out Megan's Wood Refinishing Instructions. Before you begin, read this article and see if you think your antique needs a total refinishing job or if you should take a more conservative approach. I also like this article on how refinishing antiques can actually increase their value.

Here is my before picture. This was taken years ago when we lived in a tiny apartment with our then tiny baby girl. The chair had a cute bunny decal which we couldn't figure out how to preserve, so with my mother-in-laws permission, hubby had to remove it.

Hubby took it apart and applied the stripper gel. He then scrapped it off and sanded it.

Then he sealed it with 3 coats of polyurethane protective finish. We used oil based products. Remember to lightly sand in between coats. Just read the directions on the can and you will be just fine.

I just love this chair and how unique it is. Here's to future generations!

Stephanie

Baby and Kids

DIY Teepee

11:11 AM

My engineer hubby and I figured out a simple way to make a teepee. It was crunch time on my daughters "birthday eve" so I decided to make a no sew teepee. What a huge hit this gift was for only about $12 to make! I'll teach you how to make this easy DIY teepee so your kids too can have hours and hours of playtime.

Supplies List:
6 10' length PVC pipes
1 Thrifted Queen Size Duvet
Twine
A long strip of scrap fabric or old scarf
Scissors ( these are hands down our favorite sewing scissors!)
Blanket (optional)

Cut each PVC pipe down to 8' lengths. In groups of two, tie each PVC pipe together at the top and stretch the base out so they are 72" apart. Add two more pipes, tie at the top and stretch the base of the pipes out so there is a 72" diameter. Repeat one last time until all 6 pipes are tied at the top and the diameter is 72". The chord length (or space between each pipe if you rapped a cord around the teepee) is 36". It doesn't have to be perfect, you can eyeball it.

Cut the sides of the inexpensive thrifted duvet open so that it is a very long rectangle. (You can sew the edge that you just cut for a "finished" look) Now, one end of the duvet should have buttons and the other end should have button holes. Start with the end that has buttons and wrap it around the pipe. Cut a small slit in the duvet so you can button it onto the pole. You could sew on button holes for long term durability rather than just cutting slits for the buttons to go into.

Wrap the duvet around the teepee frame and tie the other end of the duvet on the last PVC pipe. Use the button holes and tie the duvet to the pole with twine.