Posted: June 8th, 2012 | Filed under: Food, Landscaping, Lighting | Tags: exterior, landscaping, outdoor string lights. campfires | 9 Comments »
That’s where I’ve been all these weeks.
While it’s a cliché to talk about the weather, it matters here. We’ve had cool evenings with low humidity, and we know that there can only be a few seconds, last gasps if you will, of this Spring-like weather left before Summer rolls in. For the rest of the country, Summer IS outside time, but down here? Unless you’re in a pool or creek to cool off…notsomuch.
The sticky, humid, broiling, bug infested Summers of the South force everyone indoors, since sitting motionless in the shade, or after sundown may still cause profuse sweating. Ah, 95% humidity…I know you’re coming, and I’m not wasting time. Not. One. Single. Moment.
We installed some outdoor string lights, and it has made an enormous difference in our evenings. We can see to eat without lighting 20 candles and I don’t have to wear a headlamp to take the dog to the bathroom. It’s the little things….so here’s just a few snaps of where we’ve been spending all our free time.
Cool nights make for good treehouse sleeping……
I’d say we have eaten 70% of our meals outside this past month….and cooking them out there too.
Happy Summer!
Posted: March 19th, 2012 | Filed under: Landscaping, Lighting, Shoppin' and Junkin' | Tags: lowes cube solar led light, solar lightcube | 14 Comments »
While ogling the garden section in Lowe’s a few weeks ago, I happened across a little item that will be making our summer much groovier…the solar LED lightcube.
I always wanted a Toto, or those amazing Oluce glowing stones for the yard, and this combines both functions for $50 rather than $500.
The CC is quite cynical about ALL solar lighting. He was secretly thinking that I had just made a really stupid purchase. To look at it, you might agree and think it’s just a smallish white cube with no hope of doing anything.
It has a solar charger that plugs in underneath.
Charge it for a few hours, and when night falls….you punch the little button underneath and…..
…. IT WORKS! Such a nice bright glow from the LED…there is some light love afoot my friends. How do I know the CC has forgiven me, and might even approve of this purchase? He brought it up to the treehouse for our sleepover Saturday night. You worked your way into his solar hatin’ heart Mr. Cube, and I think we will all enjoy each other very much.
For those who prefer a more rotund lighting friend, might I suggest Ms. Sphere, or their cousin, Master Planter/ Ice Bucket.
Happy patio planning!
Posted: October 8th, 2011 | Filed under: DIY, Lighting, Our Projects | Tags: DIY Halloween Decorations, DIY Halloween Lighting, DIY Halloween Outdoor Decor, haunted forest, holiday decor, paper lanterns | 3 Comments »
It’s that time of year! For long time readers, we will indeed be doing the Haunted Forest again this year, bigger and better, of course. By the time the Things are in college, it will be epic, then no one will care. Anyway, I created a tag for all DIY, etc… related to the Haunted Forest preparations here.
Last year we cobbled together a lighting situation that I am determined to improve upon for round two. We thought we’d have installed some low voltage lighting on the trail by this year, but the treehouse kinda sucked all the energy and resources for such a project. I saw this project below and wanted to do something kinda like it, but with a slight twist.
via eighteen25
I loved the idea of creating a big “moon” in the forest with bats affixed to it. When I discussed this brilliant plan with the Things, I was immediately shot down as Thing One said, “But there’s already a moon. It will look like Tatooine.” I countered that it might be cloudy, and wondered since when has a touch of Star Wars EVER been a problem around here?! For proof, go here. They relented.
I ordered a 24″ yellow paper lantern to act as the moon and I already had some of these LED battery powered mini-lights. The less extension cords out there, the better, so I’m hoping if I group a few of the lights in the big lantern, it will give off enough light for impact.
via Just Artifacts
To test my crafty plan, I happened to have both a small yellow and a white paper lantern up in the attic. They are a little worse for wear, but at least I could get an idea of how it will look before the big one comes. I can use them in other parts of the party as long as they are high enough to hide their flaws.
I used a bat template from Country Living, but it was too big for a folded piece of 8 1/2″ x 11″ paper, so I ended up freehanding them, and just looking at the template for reference. I used 80# black card stock.
Here are the “test lanterns.” I’m excited about how the big one will look in the forest…I think it’s gonna work! As you can tell, the dining room is officially, Halloween central. I think we’ll be eating at the breakfast bar, or outside for the rest of the month….
Posted: September 18th, 2011 | Filed under: DIY, Lighting, Our Projects, Treehouse | Tags: DIY paper pendant light, fishscale pendant light, paper disco ball | 7 Comments »
I wanted to make an inexpensive pendant for the treehouse to give it a little extra special umph. While I liked the look of these projects, I wanted them to be slightly tweaked….
via Zipper 8 Lighting
Same principle here, but too feminine for my Things.
So I thought smaller, tighter circles might give it more of a fishscale over floral vibe…so I punched out LOTS of little circles…this was just the beginning.
Gluing. Small circles. For FIVE AND A HALF HOURS. Taking into account the breaks taken to feed people and other tasks…it took me WAY longer than I thought it would. Just as well I love these little people.
Speaking of, Thing One helped me with the design. He requested a stripe scenario with the silver at “the equator” of our globe, so I like to think I took direction well.
I might have opted for a solid, or an ombre effect, but this is their lamp and I want them to have input and ownership over their space, so stripe it is! I started to worry that using card stock would block too much light, but I wanted the stiffness of the heavier paper and decided to risk it.
Well, once I hung it…it looks kinda like a disco ball! Oops…or not!? Hey-o! Things like to disco!
It is not really bright enough for general lighting, but it is really great mood lighting/nightlight which might work out perfectly here. There are other lanterns and such in here….
Of course, right when I finished, SFAS aired and I saw Orb-lando’s DIY wire pendant and well, that would look so much better in here. THANKS Orlando. I was happily discoed for a few hours. We’ll see what the Things say on the matter.
BTW, I am really digging season 2…loving her vintage choices, and well, everything else. I’m so pleased to see a show like hers doing well. Long may it last.
Where was I? Yes. We have a lamp that looks like a disco ball!
Next on the horizon? Well, things are heating up around here….barn door installation, The Flea next weekend, and THE SALE…and all the prep leading up to said event. I’ve got to start shooting items for your previewing pleasure!
Posted: June 29th, 2010 | Filed under: Lighting, Shoppin' and Junkin' | Tags: Excel sconce | Comments Off
So, instead of picking up the hundreds of branches in the yard and calling the tree company, I find myself quite distracted by this lamp I saw on Remodelista today. It’s modern yet warm…just what I want for this house…
Excel lamp by Roll and Hill
Posted: December 14th, 2009 | Filed under: Copycat, DIY, Lighting | Tags: lindsey adelman DIY by Brick House | Comments Off
The Brick House seriously rocked it this weekend by completing the DIY of Lindsey Adelman, adored previously here.
I had no idea Adelman had posted DIY instructions on her website! Her work is so beautiful..it is really generous of her to take pity on those of us who can’t afford her!
I’m super impressed with the results. To see more photos of The Brick House’s DIY go here.
Photo by The Brick House
