DIY Beer Caddy

As promised, another DIY project that the other half worked on. He actually made two -- one for my Dad for Christmas and one for a friend of his who had seen the first one and loved it. He had been looking for an opener to attach to the side of the first one (top picture), but we couldn't track one down on short notice. (As it turns out, they can be found on the American Target website). Apparently didn't matter too much to my Dad -- he loved it!!! (Obviously!). Check them out :)

This is the second one. He ended up making his own bottle opener rather than ordering one online! What a handy guy!!!

 

 

Wondering how these were made? Here you go: (disclaimer... both of these he was just winging it, no plans just as it came to him. What I can tell you from what he remembers is below.)

 

1: 96"x 1"x 8" pine board

2: Cut 2 end pieces 10" long bottom piece long enough to make 6 spaces 3" square which is large enough to fit beer bottles and cans.

3: 1st caddie, used part of the 1" x 8" board as spacers

4: 2nd caddie used off cuts from other projects to make spacers, it was very intricate and lots of pieces. The sides were 3/4" x 2" poplar.

5: 1st caddie counter sunk the screws and used round plugs, 2nd used black hole filler.

6: 1st caddie stained with chocolate coloured stain then clear coat, 2nd used a torch to burn the wood then 2 coats of clear coat.

7: Drilled 3/8" hole in either end piece for the rope handle

 

 

If you are making your own opener, here's the instructions:

 

He bought a bottle opener from the dollar store and removed the plastic handle. Next, replace it with 2 pieces of wood on either side, used same black filler, burn it and use 2 coats of clear coat to match the caddy.

 

If you have further questions, please comment below and I will pick his brain to see if he can remember.

Have fun!!!



DIY Pallet Headboard

One of my other posts featured pictures of the pallet headboard that my other half made for our daughters room. I had a lot of traffic to the blog after pinning photo's of the headboard, so I wanted to make sure that I posted instructions on how to make it because it really is super beautiful!

My other half works at a factory where they often have spare pallets that we score. I have a "to make" board  on Pinterest (love love LOVE) which is basically his "Honey Do List".  (Just for the record, he also pins things on it!).

I digress, the headboard:

 

Beautiful, right?!

 

As promised, here ya go:

 

1: collect pallets

2: build 2x4 frame (2 vertical legs with 2 cross pieces)

3: attach wood to frame, used masonry nails with preexisting nail holes in wood to attach to frame

4: drill two holes on legs of frame to attach to metal bed frame

5: sand-heavy or light sanding (depending on look you want)

6: 2 coats of clear varnish

7: attach head board to metal bed frame using bolts

 

He also made a matching bedside table:

I love this for a few reasons :
#1. It's the perfect size. A likes to bring all of her little "collections" (I.e. bracelets, lip smackers, whatever she loves that day), and put them right beside her bed. There's enough room for the lamp and her stuff.
#2. The base keeps all of her books together rather than them falling all over the floor.
#3. It's beautiful!

The other half is in the midst of making a few more treasures from the pallet wood. Stay tuned for more goodies!!