Heat wave #2 is in full swing here in New England and it is TOO HOT. I find that I am reduced to a wilting, whining whingebag when it’s hot, so I am completely incapable of doing DIY projects right now.
Instead, here’s some pictures from a recent bowling brunch at Sacco’s Bowl Haven. If you’re in the Boston area, you must check out this great Somerville gem. Old-fashioned candlepin bowling and oven-fired flatbread pizzas are a great way to start the weekend.
Stay cool, my friends.
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Copper. Cu. It’s the perfect metal: inexpensive, gorgeous, and easy to work with. And according to Wikipedia, it’s 100% recyclable.
Since my delightful copper discovery, I’ve been looking for more ways to bring this metal into my DIY life. These ideas are some of my favorites—what are yours?
To the plumbing aisle!
I like to make things. But making things takes space. Space where I can leave shit lie around for a few days while I get busy with real life or procrastinate said making. Space which does not interfere with other important functions of my apartment, like housing Alan’s bar cart and fancy tv or our books or the litter boxes.
And as in most cities, space in Somerville/Boston is expensive. Which means if I want a dedicated space to make things, I have to, err, make it.
So I did!
Well, almost. DIY takes time, you know.
You may remember my fabulously ambitious plan for a drop-leaf craft table which does double duty as a bookshelf. After much research and more trips to the hardware store than I care to recall, I found some amazing pieces of hardware and updated my plan:
I can’t draw straight lines. Deal with it.
The bookshelf portion, known in covert DIY circles as Phase 1, is complete. And I love it.
Bask in the industrial plumbing pipe glory!
Now all that’s left is for me to get that crafty (pun absolutely intended) leaf assembled. Based on my current DIY speed and the abysmal painting/working weather we’ve been having, it should only take me a few weeks. So, umm, stay tuned, but don’t hold your breath.
**Update!
It’s been over a year (yikes) since I made this bookshelf, and I’ve decided to “shelve” the project. It was perhaps a little TOO fabulously ambitious. I’m a little embarrassed to give up in public, as it were, but there’s no shame in knowing one’s limits, right? RIGHT?
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My dad is notoriously tricky to shop for.
Besides having very specific hobbies and tastes (he builds radio-controlled, functional model submarines from scratch—how am I supposed to shop for that??), he also has a terrible habit of buying HIMSELF what he wants and then saying, “Oh, I’m fine,” when we try to get clues for gift occasions.
So this year I am going to outsmart him by making him something. Muahaha!
Here’s to a great weekend and a happy Father’s Day!
P.S. That’s really my dad with those model submarines. And yes, I have driven around with one on the roof of the car. It’s just as hilariously embarrassing as it sounds.
by clara z
Sometimes we all need little reminders like this. What would you put on your list of picker-uppers?
Here’s to a hopefully sunny weekend!