Unleash your DIY creative side
Fun, fast and easy projects the whole family can try
These super-easy familyoriented DIY projects can be completed in hours, not days, so you’ll have more time to relax and chill out to enjoy your home and the spring weather.
Raised garden b ed
This raised bed is a very simple design suitable for a small backyard.
You’ll need: Two 10-foot (around three-metre) lengths of two-by-10 untreated cedar boards; cut each board into one three-foot (1m) length and one seven-foot (about 2m) length at the lumber yard. Four six-inch (15-cm) galvanized-steel metal corner brackets and galvanized screws.
How to: Arrange your lumber in a rectangle. With the boards on edge, begin securing each of the four corners by fastening your corner brackets against each corner where the long and short boards meet. Alternate the position of your corner edges, where the boards overlap, to add strength to the overall framework. Fill your bed with topsoil and plant.
Easy seed pots
When starting seeds this spring, why not make your own biodegradable pots? You’ll need: A magazine, elastic, newspaper, masking tape. How to: Roll the magazine tightly and secure with an elastic. Fold a full-page newspaper piece lengthwise in half, then into thirds. Starting at one short end, firmly wrap the newspaper around the coiled magazine and fasten the end of the newspaper with tape. Pull the roll down, past the edge of the magazine and fold the ends over to make a bottom; fasten with tape. Fill with soil and plant.
Stencil it
Basic hardware-store alphabet and number stencils add vintage-modern panache to household items such as boxes, lunch kits, linens, pillows and even T-shirts.
You’ll need: Things to stencil: linens, wooden boxes, vintage metal buckets, flowerpots. A chosen paint to suit your project: fabric paint and latex paint work for most. A sponge or rag.
How to: Choose a phrase or word. Arrange the letters to fit your object and tape into place. Dab the paint lightly over the stencil. Carefully peel the stencil off your object and allow the paint to dry. Fabric paint may need treatment with an iron to set.
Upcycle d jewelry case
Upcycle an old frame and make a jewelry case. You’ll need: A vintage wooden frame. A piece of wire mesh sized to fit the inside of the frame. How to: Remove any backing or glass from the frame. Using a staple gun, affix the wire mesh to the back of the frame. Fold back any loose wire. Hang and display earrings and necklaces. Use a branch to display your rings.
Up cycled garden lanterns
Multiples of these sexy lanterns look awesome in the garden or on the patio.
You’ll need: Recycled glass light orbs (from old light fixtures) from second-hand stores. Wire and chain. Candles.
How to: Wrap a section of wire around the top rim of the light fixture. Then attach a loop of wire or a length of chain as a hanger. Add a candle. Hang securely in your garden.
Blooming today display
Show off blooms from your garden or farmers market in a repurposed shooter drink set for a modern floral “pharmacy” effect. You’ll need: A shooter tray or a set of recycled shooter glasses, a low tray and pebbles. How to: Fill your shooter-tray glasses with blooms. Or, place a set of shooter glasses into a narrow wooden box or pebblefilled tray. Add “Blooming today” or label each flower with chalk, if desired. Rad rustic cutting boards
Cutting boards are incredibly easy and slightly addictive to make for your home or for hostess gifts. You’ll need: Scraps of untreated, unfinished lumber; boards about one-half inch (1.27 cm) thick and up to 12 inches (30.48 cm) wide. Maple, pine, fir and yew work nicely. How to: Trace a pattern onto your board: round, oval, rec- tangular or handled. Cut the board using a jigsaw. Sand the edges using sandpaper or an orbital sander. Finish by rubbing food-grade mineral oil over your board to protect the surface.
Hanging moss garden
Moss is a luscious swath of green in any shady spot in your garden. You’ll need: Two matching, heavy-gauge metal wall decorations, galvanized wire, chain, live moss and potting soil. How to: Collect sections of moss from your backyard or purchase from a floral supply store. Lay the strips down on the inside of your chosen metal frame, green side out. Add a bit of potting soil to stabilize the moss and fill the interior space. Wire the two pieces of metal together like a sandwich and hang from a chain.
Sunny- day decor
These magical prints make a great montage when framed in multiples. You’ll need: A sunny day. Solar print paper (available at craft stores), a shallow pan of water, small objects such as garden leaves, toys and flowers that will fit the size of the paper. How to: Don’t remove paper from the packaging until you’re ready to print, then remove one sheet of paper and lay it on a sturdy, flat surface, blue side up. Quickly and carefully arrange your objects on the paper. Place the paper and objects in full sun for a few minutes until the paper turns white. Once fully exposed, bring the paper inside and rinse the print in a shallow pan of tap water. Dry your print flat, then frame and display it. Beautiful!
Concrete bowl
Got a household or fencing project involving concrete? Use up any leftover mix to whip up these simple decorative bowls or planters. You’ll need: Two low-profile plastic bowls, one small, one large. Concrete, pre-mixed with water to a medium consistency (hint: Flowcrete sets up smoothest). A rock or weight. Duct tape. How to: Fill the large bowl twothirds full of mixed wet concrete. Place the smaller bowl inside and press down, making a depression. The concrete will rise up and fill the side spaces between the two bowls. Place the weight in the small bowl and use duct tape to hold the two bowls in place while the concrete sets. Smooth the rim and allow concrete to set for 24 hours. Remove the bowls.