DIY Hoop House from a Pool Table

After: Hoop House!

Sometime this week, Mike decided to make use of the extra tarp that was hanging off of the side of the pool table. By folding it over the top, using old bottles as supports, he was able to craft a makeshift greenhouse for the seedlings. Not the most picturesque thing in the world, but it certainly did the trick for the little guys.

Before: makeshift greenhouse

Enter the dumpster diver. At some point, tons of medium gauge wires were deposited at Mike’s warehouse to be recycled, so last night we brought some home to use as supports for the greenhouse. We adjusted the tarp so most of it hung off to one side. The pockets of the pool table were perfect for holding the arced wires in place.

  

After that, it was as simple as draping the tarp over the supports for an instant hoop house. Pretty snazzy, eh? To heat things up, Mike tossed in a couple of hand warmers he had lying around (genius). This morning, the little dudes were looking better than ever after a warm and cozy night in their new abode.

Also, the monkey that we claimed as our mascot last week has a name now: Davy Jones. May he forever monkey around.

Mass Planting

We spent Sunday hammering out the rest of those seedlings. Over 30 different types of plants are now represented on the pool table (which is seeing more action now than it has in the past year).

A couple of bands hanging at the house, pilgrimaging to SXSW, provided background entertainment.

Full House

Truman apparently unearthed a new friend in the backyard…

FSF mascot

The rest of the evening was spent drawing an aerial view of our master plan… and watching Congo. Both activities were equally vital to our future gardening success.

Front St. Farm phase one

The unusually mild winter here in Columbus has us in the mood to get an early start on the garden. M had a sweet little backyard farm last summer that yielded some pretty tasty produce. This year, I’m getting my hands dirty too. Two weekends ago we spent a pretty penny (lets consider it an investment) at the local nursery buying all of the seeds.

an investment

And while the winter may be mild, its not quite mild enough to start into the soil outside. Luckily, a neglected pool table flanked by large South and West facing windows are making a perfect space to start seedlings. The herbs went in last week and are beginning to pop up now.

Little guys

Small but mighty!

Peppers went in yesterday. Hopefully they look just as good this time next week! Big plans for Front St. Farm this year…

Vinyl Bookends

I signed the lease on my very first real apartment yesterday (Uh oh… does this mean I’m a grown-up?). I’m determined to outfit this new place crown to kick with crafty goodness. First up, book ends made from old vinyl records. 45s are a good size for this, but you can also cut a 12″ in half (score with a boxcutter and break).

45 book end

12" book end

inspired by: http://www.instructables.com/id/Vinyl-Record-Bookends/

T Shirt Vest

Let it be known that sporadic posting does not necessarily mean sporadic crafting. I made this a few weeks ago, but alas, my camera was MIA. Now that we are reunited (thanks Tyler!), behold the t shirt vest.

Its made from a shirt that the G-parents brought me back from Nice several years ago. I liked the anchor logo and I thought it would be fitting with nautical spring/summer looks on the rise. A Rock and Roll Hall of Fame shirt made for a good lining. Mismatched buttons were fished from the vintage stash.

Please ignore the wrinkly shirt and the 90s decor.

Flowers for Ladies of Society to Wear

The other day I stumbled across this great tutorial for fabric flowers on 100 Layer Cake (via Creature Comforts). This made the perfect between class/lunchtime craft for substituting yesterday! I made these 3 big ones (approx. 3″ in diameter) and a bunch of smaller buds.

Not sure what I’m going to do with them yet,  but they sure are pretty! Plus they remind me of the Bobby Darin tune Artificial Flowers.

New Etsy Items: Romance Novel Valentines

New cards just in time for V-day! Made from old romance novels (the dirty parts, of course!). Check it, yo.

Romance Novel Valentine with Anatomical Heart