We’ve had several storms blow through lately so time for some inside projects. I worked on the checkers for the outdoor kitchen/bar over the weekend.
Just used some acrylic craft paints and some Mod Podge. I was going to clear coat them and thought about using the Mod Podge instead due to it’s like glue and I thought it might help keep the bark on . . . we’ll see.
And yep . . . the “crown” side of my checkers are “swans”!
(I can hear you gasping & imagine you have chill bumps Marsha! LOL)
Done! Well technically I have to seal the grout & add some caulk. I realized I didn’t take pics of the back sooo that’s still coming. Those are the vintage bar stools I bought last year and redid. https://gettinmycountryon.com/2017/07/27/vintage-bar-stools-redo/
Grouted and all the paint touched up!
Yep! That’s a checkerboard!! Between the 2×2 tile checkerboard and the 4×8 tiles – I didn’t have to cut ANY tiles and that was the plan!
And those are my left over Aspen tree branches!! Next project – I need to paint the checkers!
I found some of that poly trim stuff at Lowes in the perfect size. The 1/2″ plywood + 1/4″ cement board + 1/4″ tile =1″ and the trim is 1 1/8″ tall – perfect! I used liquid nails and some tape to attach it to the edges. Grout, caulk & touch up paint to go . . . .
If you know me at all, you KNOW that the prep began wayyyy before now, lol. We have these chalkboard signs that were used for Amie & Matthew’s wedding just about 3 years ago. Tara (my daughter-in-law) did an amazing job on alllllll the wedding signs. You can still see how cute this one was. They’ve been stored in a plastic tub in the loft of my barn. I guess the chalk stuff baked on in the heat. This board is already wiped down with a wet rag. Guess I should have cleaned them before I stored them, lol. Any-who, I went to Hobbs (Hobby Lobby) and found this small acrylic black “chalk” paint!
Voila!! Just like new and ready for the baby shower!
I can’t take credit for finishing this project. I’ve decided to pay my neighbor to help me get some projects finished around the yard. He was working on this while I was in the back working on the kitchen/bar counter. I love it, it looks finished and I don’t have to worry about the cats in the neighborhood getting underneath, lol!
I have some Aspen scraps leftover from making the little Aspen Bed for my newborn photography. So I thought I’d cut up some rounds for a little project I have in mind . . . . more on this one later. Oh the suspense . . . LOL
I purchased a sheet of 4’x8′ – 1/2″ exterior grade plywood and asked Home Depot to cut it to size for me. I painted the underside and edges for a little extra protection and then screwed it into my framing. Next step was to cut the hardie backer board down to size.
I applied a bit of thinset in between the plywood and backer board for extra adhesion.
FYI – it’s been in the mid to high 90’s here for wayyyyy to long. A friend of my suggested that I put the thinset pail in a bucket of water to keep it cooler than the air temps. It worked perfect!!! Never dried up on the top or edges of the thinset pail. Thanks Sherry!! I actually had this pre-mixed thinset left over from tiling my bathroom shower (over a year ago). That is one advantage to purchasing pre-mixed. You don’t have any waste.
I used the hardie backer screws to attached the backer board to the plywood and clamped the seam down to dry.
My last 5 tiles!!! Planning on trimming it out and grouting this weekend!
It always blows my mind how fast everything grows! I planted the pumpkins just 4 weeks ago . . .
. . . the herbs, lettuce, radishes & carrots 5 weeks ago . . .
and the tomatoes & peppers 5 weeks ago! Tomatoes are coming but noooo peppers yet??? 😦
I just want to give a shout out to “Ryobi” . . . I bought this 4 piece Ryobi set about 3 years ago from Home Depot – https://tinyurl.com/ybg3wqjs. Being a DIY’er I absolutely love these tools. Not super fancy but they are super DIY friendly. The batteries are all interchangeable and this little 5″ blade circular saw is the best, lightweight and no cords. I dooooo love my tools, lol. Oh, I’m cutting some hardie backer cement board for my bar top – I’m putting this 1/4″ backer board over 1/2″ exterior plywood before I can tile, in case you were wondering. LOL
How stinkin’ cute is this!!!!!!!!!!!! One of the families that I photographed gave this to me for my business!
Just need to get a bell for the front end & maybe I’ll make a little ladder for the side hooks?! I just love it!!!
Soooo sweet – thank you Jill!!
Country Girl 