These days, it's not uncommon for me to wonder if perhaps we've taken on too much this summer. You know we are building our mothers a Duplex dubbed the Momplex, while writing a book due out next year, and doing my best to keep up with my dear blog as well.  I am so grateful to have these opportunities, but sometimes we just get so busy, I can't step back and appreciate it.

Hello there!  It's winter season, so more blankets, more quilts, more throws, more scraves, more coats.  So that means blanket ladder time!

If you aren't familiar with the blanket ladder, let's go there.

Blanket Ladder Shopping Options

This one from Urban Outfitters $129

Crate and Barrel Blanket Ladder for $199

And from Pottery Barn $229-$429 for Blanket Ladders between 5 and 8 feet long.

Of course, many bloggers have found ways to make blanket ladders for much, much less.  Here's a few of my favorite tutorials for DIY blanket ladders -

DIY Blanket Ladder Tutorials

Reclaimed from pallets by Farmhouse Made - Blanket Ladder Tutorial here

All dowled up by Refreshed Restyle - Blanket Ladder tutorial here

Cross lapped rungs by Cherished Bliss - DIY blanket ladder tutorial here

Four dollars by Paddington Way - Blanket ladder tutorial here

This one by Naptime Decorator mixes the dainty 1x2 frame with the dowels - Blanket Ladder tutorial here

Gluesticks Blog made this one with flat rugs, perfect for quilts and stockings too.  Gluesticks Blog Blanket Ladder tutorial here.

And here's my favorite by AKA Designs - a simple 2x4 authentic ladder - the kind I might make if I actually needed a real working ladder, but used as a decor/storage item.  AKA Designs Blanket Ladder Tutorial here.

So I had to get in on the party and make one too!  Here's my blanket ladder tutorial in a very quick video - 

I ended up loving it as an entryway drop zone.  The log holder basket (Target clearance find) is a perfect fit for shoes underneath.  I'd like to source another basket and hang on the rungs too.

My go to finish for projects like this is Danish Oil by Watco.  I used Light Walnut, it is the perfect blend of light color with lots of wood grain.

Danish oil is very easy to apply one step color and sealant that goes on evenly and dries fast - here's a my tutorial on applying Danish Oil and when to use it (and when not to).

Your turn to buld a blanket ladder! Plans for mine follow (if this is the homepage, click READ MORE below).  Do share if you build - love to see how yours turns out too!

XO Ana

Hello DIY Friends!  Happy Monday!

I hope you had a wonderful Father's Day Weekend.  We certainly did!

In all the years we've lived in Alaska, I can't remember being up in the mountains, wishing I'd brought a swimsuit!  

Considering jumping in this Alaska mountain lake!

It has been crazy hot up here in Alaska (ok, anything over 80 in Alaska is considered crazy hot for us).  Maybe the weather in Seattle will give us a break!

Yes, I'm headed to Seattle later this week to host the Home Depot Do-It-Herself Workshop to build my newest (and favoritest) Adiorndack chair!

All Home Depot stores across the country will be hosting the free DIH Workshop demonstrating building my Adirondack Chair on Thursday at 6PM.  I hope you can make it!!!  Friends, husbands, kids are all welcome!

Registration is NOT required but it is appreciated!  Click on Do-It-Herself Workshops and let us know to expect you!

And for those of you in Seattle, I will be at the Bitter Lake store, just north of Seattle - I'd love to meet you and have a chance to build with you!

We really wanted to make an entire collection of simple, easy to build, inexpensive Adirondack furniture, so I also put together plans for a footstool to match the Adirondack chair.

And yes, there's more!  

Today, I'm sharing plans with you for a matching coffee table that is SO simple to build!  

Check out just how simple in this video:

And the step by step plans follow!

Looking forward to building with you on Thursday!!!  

XO Ana

These days, it's not uncommon for me to wonder if perhaps we've taken on too much this summer. You know we are building our mothers a Duplex dubbed the Momplex, while writing a book due out next year, and doing my best to keep up with my dear blog as well.  I am so grateful to have these opportunities, but sometimes we just get so busy, I can't step back and appreciate it.

Last Thursday we had our Third Birthday!

I've been so exhausted from the flu and catching up on emails and the blog, I didn't even know!

We have a lot to celebrate over the last year!  As far as blogging years go, this one has got to be my most favorite. This past year, we embraced many of you as contributors to the blog, bringing different styles and personalities to our DIY furniture.  I've made so many new friends and learned so much as a result, and love the stories you bring to our DIY furniture.

This past year, we transformed the Momplex from an empty shell into what is sure looking like a cozy home for Mom!  It's been a big task, and your support has helped us push through hard times.  Thank you so much for being there for us!

And of course our first book came out!  Thank you for your support and encouragement!  

What a great year it was indeed.

So what's next?

Here's what we are hoping to focus on this coming year:

1. More DIY plans.  I want to add a ton more plans in the coming year providing more selection and options for you.

2. Better support.  If there is anything that keeps me up at night and makes me sad, it's my inbox.  I am so sorry if I could not answer your email.  It's my goal in this coming year to bring on an assistant to help me and provide better support to you.

3. More Video.  Some of you are visual learners.  I will work very hard to get a comprehensive How-To video library up this year.

4. Finishing the Momplex.  We are reaching the most exciting part of the Mompex, the inside!  I heard the D-Word (drywall!) and we can't wait to furnish the Momplex with DIY furniture!

5. Sharing More.  Did you know the week before we went on book tour, we were out harvesting moose in hurricane force winds for our winter food supply?  That I cook a grain-free diet to keep my family healthy and happy?  DIY encompasses so much more than furniture in our home, and we see tremendous value from our DIY lifestyle. 

And the Ram keeps pestering me about how quiet the house seems now that Gracie is in school ... we'll see ....

And in between all these goals for the coming year, I'd like to go back and update a few of the most favorite plans on the blog.  Over the years, I've learned so much and it's only fair that some of our best plans be improved as well.

One of the all time favorite plans is the Tryde Coffee Table.

This one was built by Jeff from A Touch of Arkansas.

I designed the original plan before I used a Pocket Hole Jig.  The plans as they are are totally fine.  But if you use a Pocket Hole Jig, you can buy less lumber, use less screws, build faster and easier, and hide every single screw hole.  

Cheaper, faster and easier?  Uh, yes!  

So here's the first of a few plans I want to update - the Tryde Coffee Table built with Pocket Holes.

Enjoy!

PS - Been thinking of you folks on the East Coast.  Stay warm and safe!

Life is too short to spend hours each day on laundry.

Different Size

Easy to Build

More Photos and Details

One Saturday on a building supply shopping trip for the Momplex, we noticed a different energy in the Home Depot. The store was abuzz with energy and laughter and little voices - like a busy playground on a sunny day.

My little girl grabbed my hand and said, Mom, let's go see what is going on! So we followed the happiest sound on earth to discover the Home Depot Kids Building workshop.

She does look good in orange, doesn't she?

They gave her a kit to make a Turkey Napkin Holder. 

The pieces were all cut out and she was given glue and a screw driver to assemble.  

Of course, Grace is no stranger to building.  But this was new to her - to have her own project, made easy for her to build all by herself.

Don't forget the glue!

Then she got to paint it how she wanted to.

And of course they had sticker too.

At the end, Home Depot gave her a little badge for her apron, and Grace was begging to come back for the next Home Depot Kids Workshop.  We certainly are going to try, but we live 100 miles from Home Depot, and can't always make the workshops, so I started thinking ... what if I made her some kits at home?  Kits that I could share with you for your kids too?

Grace's birthday is right around the corner, and I thought, maybe the birthday guests are old enough to make and paint their own doll bed at the birthday party?  So I designed this Kid's Doll Bed Kit (see plans below) out of 1x2s and 1x3s, the cheapest possible wood because when you multiply the kits by 10 things can add up fast! This kit cost about $2 for the bed, so you can afford to let her "make it her own" or a dozen kits for parties.  Or if you had multiple kids to buy for, or say you wanted to make up a bunch of kits for Christmas gifts.

We cut the pieces and opted to pre-assemble the kit to step 2 but if you have an older child, they may be able to build from the cut pieces.  

And then we decided to see if she could build it.  Here's what happened:

Yes!  She can and loved building the doll bed!

I do apologize for the poor light quality - we are just a week away from the darkest day of the year and it's pretty much dark or dusky all the time up here in Alaska.  Also, ignore my current project in the background there ... it's almost done!

So what do you think?  Should I put together more plans for kits that you could put together to inspire DIY in your kids?  I can just see a tool caddy kit under the tree with a drill!  

PS - This post is not affiliated with or sponsored by the Home Depot.  They looked at me like I was just another crazy mom taking zillions of pictures of her kid.  Which I am.

PSS - Want a tutorial on the doll quilt?  Let me know!

PS - Want to convert singles to a bunk?

Here's a quick tutorial on how to do that:

Or you could just make the legs twice as long for fixed bunks!

Want to share your love of DIY this week with your kiddos? Yesterday, up went plans for a tradditional style birdhouse that you can make from a single cedar fence picket - or you can cut out and make a kit for your kids to assemble. Today, I'm adding a simpler, more modern style birdhouse, that only takes HALF of a cedar fence picket!

First I started with a cedar fence picket.  Can't beat these guys - under $2 bucks and solid cedar!

This plan is designed for a 5 1/2" wide x 1/2" thick fence picket.  Other materials like a 1x6 could be used, but because the wood is thicker, it may alter your outcome slightly.  Adjust accordingly if you use different materials.

Then I just chopped it up into the pieces I need.  Notice I trimmed the rough end off and there's also enough leftover for a second birdhouse.  Yep, all you need is half - so about $1 in materials!

Then I just nailed the front to the sides.  If you are having kiddos do the assembly, consider predrilling holes and having them attach with nails or screws.  Also recommended is wood glue designed for oily wood and exterior applications.

Next, it's time to add the top and bottom - the back side is still open.  Notice the back is a little bigger - this is just to add that "mod" feel to it.

Now we'll put the back on ....

Just line up the bottom and outside edges with the floor and roof ...

Drill a hole to hang the house on a tree

And then add a front door with a larger bit

Promise me next time you'll tell me that my front door is not perfectly centered.

Not like the new neighbors are going to care!

I thought this would make a fun gift to give as well!

Just tie up with an old ribbon and print out this pattern and place on top

And print these instructions out and tuck inside ... the perfect $1 gift!

Of course the full plans follow!

Hi everyone, Jen here today!

This is a fun simple project with big impact! I love the mix of wood and metal.

Oh did I mention it only took 2 hours from start to finish, one board, one stick of “angle aluminum” and some screws!

Well, it actually goes finish first on this one!  The first step was to cut down my 2 x 12 into 3 pieces at 31 1/2” (so I could get three shelves out of one 8 foot long board). I gave them a good sanding and stained them.

I used Carrington by RustOleum - it's got a slight reddish tint, very pretty!

Now for the aluminum angle.  You can find it at most any hardware store, and it's pretty inexpensive -

Aluminum angle comes in precut sizes, but mine were 48" in length, so I decided to cut them in half.  

The best way I've found to cut aluminum angle is with a jigsaw with a metal blade.

Just clamp the aluminum angle down,

And it cuts like butter!

Even easier than cutting wood!

Then it was time add the aluminum angle to the boards.

 I set my 3 boards on their side on a couple sawhorses, set the first aluminum piece flush with the top and bottom board. 

Then I predrilled through just the aluminum where I wanted to place my self tapping screws, 

One on each side of the angle piece. 

I did the top board first and then the bottom.  I measured and marked the middle of the angle piece and set the center of the middle 2 x 12 board and did the same, predrilled and sunk my self tapping screws.

I did the same for all four sides. Almost done.

Then I just needed to add these sweet casters! I used 1 1/4” self tapping screws here.

I flipped it up and stood back to admire. 

AMAZING! It's really is amazing what 2 hours and few materials can make! 

Would look amazing in the kitchen as a baking cart,

Or if your kiddos are heading back to school, a great place to store art and school supplies that will easily wheel into a closet or bedroom.

Now it's your turn, just do it!

Want to share your love of DIY this week with your kiddos? Yesterday, up went plans for a tradditional style birdhouse that you can make from a single cedar fence picket - or you can cut out and make a kit for your kids to assemble. Today, I'm adding a simpler, more modern style birdhouse, that only takes HALF of a cedar fence picket!

First I started with a cedar fence picket.  Can't beat these guys - under $2 bucks and solid cedar!

This plan is designed for a 5 1/2" wide x 1/2" thick fence picket.  Other materials like a 1x6 could be used, but because the wood is thicker, it may alter your outcome slightly.  Adjust accordingly if you use different materials.

Then I just chopped it up into the pieces I need.  Notice I trimmed the rough end off and there's also enough leftover for a second birdhouse.  Yep, all you need is half - so about $1 in materials!

Then I just nailed the front to the sides.  If you are having kiddos do the assembly, consider predrilling holes and having them attach with nails or screws.  Also recommended is wood glue designed for oily wood and exterior applications.

Next, it's time to add the top and bottom - the back side is still open.  Notice the back is a little bigger - this is just to add that "mod" feel to it.

Now we'll put the back on ....

Just line up the bottom and outside edges with the floor and roof ...

Drill a hole to hang the house on a tree

And then add a front door with a larger bit

Promise me next time you'll tell me that my front door is not perfectly centered.

Not like the new neighbors are going to care!

I thought this would make a fun gift to give as well!

Just tie up with an old ribbon and print out this pattern and place on top

And print these instructions out and tuck inside ... the perfect $1 gift!

Of course the full plans follow!

These days, it's not uncommon for me to wonder if perhaps we've taken on too much this summer. You know we are building our mothers a Duplex dubbed the Momplex, while writing a book due out next year, and doing my best to keep up with my dear blog as well.  I am so grateful to have these opportunities, but sometimes we just get so busy, I can't step back and appreciate it.

Want to share your love of DIY this week with your kiddos? Yesterday, up went plans for a tradditional style birdhouse that you can make from a single cedar fence picket - or you can cut out and make a kit for your kids to assemble. Today, I'm adding a simpler, more modern style birdhouse, that only takes HALF of a cedar fence picket!

First I started with a cedar fence picket.  Can't beat these guys - under $2 bucks and solid cedar!

This plan is designed for a 5 1/2" wide x 1/2" thick fence picket.  Other materials like a 1x6 could be used, but because the wood is thicker, it may alter your outcome slightly.  Adjust accordingly if you use different materials.

Then I just chopped it up into the pieces I need.  Notice I trimmed the rough end off and there's also enough leftover for a second birdhouse.  Yep, all you need is half - so about $1 in materials!

Then I just nailed the front to the sides.  If you are having kiddos do the assembly, consider predrilling holes and having them attach with nails or screws.  Also recommended is wood glue designed for oily wood and exterior applications.

Next, it's time to add the top and bottom - the back side is still open.  Notice the back is a little bigger - this is just to add that "mod" feel to it.

Now we'll put the back on ....

Just line up the bottom and outside edges with the floor and roof ...

Drill a hole to hang the house on a tree

And then add a front door with a larger bit

Promise me next time you'll tell me that my front door is not perfectly centered.

Not like the new neighbors are going to care!

I thought this would make a fun gift to give as well!

Just tie up with an old ribbon and print out this pattern and place on top

And print these instructions out and tuck inside ... the perfect $1 gift!

Of course the full plans follow!

Hi everyone, Jen here today!

This is a fun simple project with big impact! I love the mix of wood and metal.

Oh did I mention it only took 2 hours from start to finish, one board, one stick of “angle aluminum” and some screws!

Well, it actually goes finish first on this one!  The first step was to cut down my 2 x 12 into 3 pieces at 31 1/2” (so I could get three shelves out of one 8 foot long board). I gave them a good sanding and stained them.

I used Carrington by RustOleum - it's got a slight reddish tint, very pretty!

Now for the aluminum angle.  You can find it at most any hardware store, and it's pretty inexpensive -

Aluminum angle comes in precut sizes, but mine were 48" in length, so I decided to cut them in half.  

The best way I've found to cut aluminum angle is with a jigsaw with a metal blade.

Just clamp the aluminum angle down,

And it cuts like butter!

Even easier than cutting wood!

Then it was time add the aluminum angle to the boards.

 I set my 3 boards on their side on a couple sawhorses, set the first aluminum piece flush with the top and bottom board. 

Then I predrilled through just the aluminum where I wanted to place my self tapping screws, 

One on each side of the angle piece. 

I did the top board first and then the bottom.  I measured and marked the middle of the angle piece and set the center of the middle 2 x 12 board and did the same, predrilled and sunk my self tapping screws.

I did the same for all four sides. Almost done.

Then I just needed to add these sweet casters! I used 1 1/4” self tapping screws here.

I flipped it up and stood back to admire. 

AMAZING! It's really is amazing what 2 hours and few materials can make! 

Would look amazing in the kitchen as a baking cart,

Or if your kiddos are heading back to school, a great place to store art and school supplies that will easily wheel into a closet or bedroom.

Now it's your turn, just do it!