DIY Concrete Candle Holder

30 Days of DIY Projects 2 Make Us Thankful

Project 16

This is the sixteenth post of our series of projects to make us thankful for DIY.  Be sure to check back everyday during the month of November for new simple and easy DIY projects. It's our way of saying Happy Thanksgiving from all of us at Simply Easy DIY!

We have several candle holders that are almost all what you would call "formal"  Plus they are third generation heirlooms that aren't going anywhere.

It seems a shame to keep them hidden in a hutch as they are now.  Being a historical buff that I am, I've been thinking about ways to display some of the wonderful history we have right here in our own house.

I'm sharing a photo here of one of ours. It's called a chamber style candle holder.

Despite my desire to display and even use these candle holders, we have a problem...

actually we have 4 problems.  They are called children.



It just screams, " Pick me up!" to any toddler. Even the older kids like playing old time games with it. One of the games I recently observed was their rendition of "A Christmas Carol".

Ebeneezer Scrooge much?

Plus even though I like these style candle holders my wife would like something a little more contemporary.

We also have these tea light candles that seem to be very common and they're very cheaply priced.

So I need an idea for a sleek contemporary yet classic looking candle holder that is both safe and sturdy with little ones running around.

Hhmmm...

DIY Concrete Candle Holder:

 

Tools & Materials Choice of Stain Wood Glue  Pin Nailer scrap wood to make a mold 1x2 pine  Table saw Band saw Quickrete Concrete mix Wet Look Concrete Lacquer (Rust-oleum - found in home improvement stores) Various grit Sandpaper Hot glue gun Tea Light Candles Cabinet Bumpers Epoxy

Final Thoughts

This project would be great for someone who likes contemporary styled projects. While I think it works best in a bath setting, you could bring it into a living room but I'd still watch out for the kids.

Part concrete and part wood projects are really in style right now. If you look in stores, you'll find similar looking style candle holders can run some cash.  Why do that when we have DIY to be thankful for.

I hope you enjoyed today's featured project and don't forget to stop by "DIY Creators" YouTube channel to check out even more great woodworking videos from Glen. Don't forget to subscribe.

We hope you will return to Simply Easy DIY everyday through the month of November for more projects that make us thankful 4 DIY.

Until then!

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DIY Upcycled Mirror

30 Days of DIY Projects 2 Make Us Thankful

Project 15

This is the fifteenth post of our series of projects to make us thankful for DIY.  Be sure to check back everyday during the month of November for new simple and easy DIY projects. It's our way of saying Happy Thanksgiving from all of us at Simply Easy DIY!

Used cable reels also known as cable spools can be easily obtained from any construction site.

They are actually used to wind or carry various types of electric cables, fiber optic cables and wire products. They come in  four different types - wood, plywood, plastic or steel.

What you need for this project is a wooden one so go ahead and grab it when you see one. (Don't steal please).

I've seen these things repurposed as so many different projects.  Picnic tables, coffee tables and now a...

DIY Upcycled Mirror

Tools & Materials Cable Reel Wood Glue Old Mirror Circular Saw Random Orbit Sander 120 grit Sandpaper Brad Nailer  Router

Final Thoughts

This project is going to be heavy.  Not kinda heavy, but really heavy.

Simple plastic drywall anchors are not going to do, (unless you use 50 of them.)  Get yourself a set of sturdy metal toggle bolt anchors or something similar. 

You don't want this thing to fall off the wall and break a mirror.  You know what they say about broken mirrors right.

I hope you enjoyed today's featured project and don't forget to stop by "The Poultry People" YouTube channel to check out even more great DIY and woodworking projects from them. Don't forget to subscribe!

We hope you will return to Simply Easy DIY everyday through the month of November for more projects that make us thankful 4 DIY.

Until then!

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DIY Farmhouse Table

30 Days of DIY Projects 2 Make Us Thankful

Project 14

This is the fourteenth post of our series of projects to make us thankful for DIY.  Be sure to check back everyday during the month of November for new simple and easy DIY projects. It's our way of saying Happy Thanksgiving from all of us at Simply Easy DIY!

As we approach Thanksgiving our thoughts turn toward our families and our stomachs.


Here at Simply Easy DIY, we have a formal dining set that's 40 years old and made from maple.

Here in Florida, houses often do not have separate kitchens and dining rooms.  We are lucky in some respects to have both rooms so we can accommodate two tables.  One for everyday dining that the kids can bang on as they please and one for special occasions such as Thanksgiving. 

Some folks don't even have a dining room though.  They've got a "modern floor plan" with a "great" room that is a kitchen and dining room combined.

So what do you put in these spaces?

How about a "farmhouse table".

That does make sense. These types of tables seat a lot, appear sturdy and evoke fond memories of the past.

So where do you find one?  Turns out, it's really hard.

To get your hands on an authentic antique one, you might fork out thousands of dollars.

So, that leaves you turning toward buying the cheaper offshore made ones.  Not surprisingly, for this price point these tables aren't even made from full planks or even from real wood. You might also get a plastic finish.

Now I'm not so hauty as to snub my nose at that but, you do have other choices.

Make your own or as I say, "Make a simple and easy DIY one."

The folks back at the original Thanksgiving made their own table and so can you!

Chris over at "CMR Woodworks" has a pretty good go at it:

Farmhouse Table Build

Tools & Materials Choice of Stain ("Carrington" was the color that Chris used) Polyurethane Wood Glue  Miter Saw Choice of lumber Clamps Random Orbit Sander Pocket Hole Jig  Table Saw Thickness Planer  Dowel Jig

Final Thoughts

A project like this is all about what you want and the style you're going for.  However, there are a few things to be mindful of when picking any lumber product.

1.  Make sure the boards you choose are straight and true.  When I'm at the lumber yard I inspect every single board before purchasing.  I look down the length of the board to make sure there are no twists or bends.

2.  Make sure the boards are free of loose knots.  Knots are known weak points in a board and can become a safety hazard in the final project if not dealt with properly.  When in doubt, just avoid if possible.

The one caveat here would be if you are going for the knotted look but even then loose knots are not desirable.  Plus if you've ever ran a loose knot through your table saw and had one pop out at you, you know it doesn't feel good.  So my recommendation is to just stay away from them.


I hope you enjoyed today's featured project and don't forget to stop by "CMR Woodworks" YouTube channel to check out even more great woodworking videos from him. Don't forget to subscribe.

We hope you will return to Simply Easy DIY everyday through the month of November for more projects that make us thankful 4 DIY.

Until then!

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DIY Nightstand Made From Fence Pickets

30 Days of DIY Projects 2 Make Us Thankful

Project 13

This is the thirteenth post of our series of projects to make us thankful for DIY.  Be sure to check back everyday during the month of November for new simple and easy DIY projects. It's our way of saying Happy Thanksgiving from all of us at Simply Easy DIY!

Some of our regular readers and followers of our YouTube channel remember how Hurricane Matthew affected us here in Florida.

We had an oak tree that was growing on an incline in the backyard.  As you probably know when trees grow on the side of hills they tend to be unstable.

Needless to say this one wasn't stable enough to withstand a category 3 hurricane.

Fortunately our home didn't sustain any major damage, and everyone was safe and sound. The fence did take a beating and was partially crushed under the tree.

We took out that portion of the fence and plan on rebuilding it when I get a chance...and the money.

Some of the boards are in good condition and can be reused.  Others need to just be replaced

Instead of pitching the boards that can't be reused, I thought why not repurpose them.  How about some nice simple and easy pieces of furniture.

Sounds good to me, plus, if I run out of boards, there's a lot of fencing material on the side of the road right now after hurricane Matthew.

Jeff Baker had a similar thought when he had some extra fence pickets laying around.

Check it out.

How To Build Nightstands From Fence Pickets:

Tools & Materials Polyurethane Wood Glue  Table Saw Pallet Wood or other scrap Random Orbit Sander 120 grit Sandpaper Pin Nailer

Final Thoughts

Jeff used a cross cut sled in his build. If you don't have one, you can check out my circular saw cross cut jig here:

He took some extra time to shore up his build with some additional supports. That should help in the long run to keep it nice and sturdy.

I hope you enjoyed today's featured project and don't forget to stop by "Home Built Workshop" YouTube channel to check out even more great DIY and woodworking videos from Jeff. Don't forget to subscribe.

We hope you will return to Simply Easy DIY everyday through the month of November for more projects that make us thankful 4 DIY.

Until then!

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DIY Coffee Table

30 Days of DIY Projects 2 Make Us Thankful

Project 12

This is the twelfth post of our series of projects to make us thankful for DIY.  Be sure to check back everyday during the month of November for new simple and easy DIY projects. It's our way of saying Happy Thanksgiving from all of us at Simply Easy DIY!

We had a neighbor once that had a small toddler and an all glass coffee table.  I'm sure they got the coffee table before they got the baby.

They were always having to monitor baby and table.  Then, one day, we saw they'd taken it out completely and it was in their storage unit.

I didn't even have to ask.

We've got four children.  That glass table wouldn't have lasted a day without an incident.

Someone would've been injured, the table would have become a gym set, or the glass would've broken.

Then it'd be no big surprise if I told you that we don't even have a coffee table right now.

When I spotted this neat build from "BearWoodWork" YouTube channel.  I began to rethink my stance on coffee tables.

Sort of.

This one is made with pallets so it'd be almost free.  If the children messed it up, who cares.  Although there's still the possibility for the odd gymnastics incident though.  Hehe!

Check it out!

Coffee Table From Reclaimed Pallet Wood

 

Tools & Materials Choice of Stain Polyurethane Wood Glue  Miter Saw Pallet Wood or other scrap Random Orbit Sander various grit Sandpaper

Final Thoughts

This build goes quick since it has no complicated joinery. Just make sure you have enough nails or you're back to the home improvement store mid-way through the project.

I also see this as being a good choice in a kid's play room . It'd encourage imaginative play and double as a puzzle surface.

I hope you enjoyed today's featured project and don't forget to stop by "BearWoodWork" YouTube channel to check out even more great woodworking videos from them. Don't forget to subscribe.

We hope you will return to Simply Easy DIY everyday through the month of November for more projects that make us thankful 4 DIY.

Until then!

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DIY Garden Hose Storage

30 Days of DIY Projects 2 Make Us Thankful

Project 11

This is the eleventh post of our series of projects to make us thankful for DIY.  Be sure to check back everyday during the month of November for new simple and easy DIY projects. It's our way of saying Happy Thanksgiving from all of us at Simply Easy DIY!

We have a 100 foot garden hose on one side of the house.  It's lasted two years and is still going strong although a little kinked.

We always pull it out, around and across the yard, but never put it back.


One time I was walking around the yard to take some table scraps to the chickens and because the grass was a little high, I didn't see it laying there.

Yup, I tripped over it and said a cuss word or two as I picked myself off the ground.

Fortunately, the table scraps landed on me....cause you know how chickens hate their food laying on the ground (cough, cough).

All was well except my ego!

Garden Hose Hanger from Scrap Wood

TOOLS & Materials Garden Hose Choice of Deck Stain Drill Wood Glue  Clamps Jigsaw Random Orbit Sander Scrap pine or other wood choice

Final Thoughts

I hope you enjoyed today's featured project and don't forget to stop by "How to Fix It Workshop" YouTube channel to check out even more great woodworking videos from them. Don't forget to subscribe!

We hope you will return to Simply Easy DIY everyday through the month of November for more projects that make us thankful 4 DIY.

Until then!

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