Archive for the 'Home Projects' Category

azaleas are in bloom.

So after about a week of having that last blog post up, with “gallery wall” in the title, I realized that I didn’t put a damn thing about the gallery wall in that post. So this will be a post will have all that was left out of the last post, as well as a few new project previews.

The gallery wall is almost complete! That is, it is at least done enough that I can let you guys see it. I am still getting some prints made, and still adding pictures to the wall, but you should at least be able to get a general idea of the concept.

Here was what was in my dining area when I moved in:

and this was the concept I came up with. This pic was all done with photoshop (quickly, just for a draft) was done before any work was started on the wall.

To get started on the wall I removed the popcorn ceiling texture (dirty, dirty job!) and re-textured it. Next I painted the gallery wall, and then the walls on either side of the gallery wall to help get rid of all of the acoustic white walls in the house. I removed the 1984 hanging glass chandelier, and put up two tracks of track lighting on a dimmer switch. I put up a little crown molding, and hung the digital photo frame (center). From there I just hung 11×14, 8×10 and 5×7 pics in frames that I painted black. Grand total for the project was around 250 bucks (including pics thus far). Another 120 or so for the digital photo frame and larger memory card. I built a little frame for the digital photo frame out of cedar so that I could hang it the way I needed to, and also paint it black.

I also got started on the 2nd garden/flower bed. After looking at the light in the back yard, I think this spot will do much better for all the plants that need a lot of light. It will also clean up an otherwise awkward spot in my back yard. I’ll add dirt/plants over the next few weeks. After that I’ll add some stepping stones from the deck to the gate.

I was working on a fun project this weekend, and had to make a few trips to Lowe’s. You see, my garage only had 1 outlet and with all of my wood working gear etc., well, that just wouldn’t do. So the project was to add some more outlets to my garage; and I ended up working on adding about 12 outlets. I know that sounds excessive, but if I’m going through the trouble to add…why not shoot for overkill instead of risking needing more later? Yea…kinda sounds like BS to me too, but roll with it!

So I tapped back into what I learned about Romex and electrician work from way back in Mr. Singer’s class my Sr. year (coolest Sr./blow off class EVER). When you say Mr. Singer, you have to say it like I do in my head, with a really thick NY/Bronx accent. Misssta Singggga’ . It’s just more fun that way. In the end I was able to get all of the outlets installed and working properly. I only had “that wasn’t supposed to happen moment”, and only had one plug not pass the test on the first attempt. That isn’t really worth writing about (well…the blue spark and pop that created that first comment above might be…) but my trips to Lowe’s were worth it for sure, and here is why.

I think the measure of how successfully a project is can be based on the number of times you have to go back to the hardware store. If you plan your project, and know what the hell you are doing really well, then you should be able to pull it off in just one trip. I’m still waiting for that day. If you are average, I’d say two trips. Three trips, for me means I didn’t think things through or had some unexpected “issues” (read blue flames and loud popping noises). Four trips…not a good sign. Not only did things not go as plan, you probably went way over budget.

So on my fourth trip to Lowe’s Sat. I go to check out, and the nice little old lady that was checking me out greeted me with a nice smile. When you do a credit card transaction there, they ask for the last 4 digits of the card number as a security measure. So I swiped my card through the card reader, and was ready for her to ask me the numbers. Just then, something unexpected happened. From the nice little old lady behind the counter comes these words: “The last four digits of your card number are 1008, right?”
The wind fell from my sails.
My heart sunk.
I had apparently been there so often, and apparently spent enough $$$ there that she remembered what my numbers were!!! On a Saturday, an extremely busy day for Lowes! I’m sure they had 2000 customers that day already, and she had memorized my numbers!!!! Ha!!

A few other quick details:
yes I went over budget, but only by about 50 bucks and I’m real happy with the result.
the blue flame was just caused by one neutral wire that came off of the screw that held it down on the socket, and when I tested the outlet it made a little spark. It wasn’t exactly napalm, but I have to sensationalize a little bit to keep your attention, right?!?!
I tested every outlet with an outlet tester (checks every connection inside the outlet) and they all passed. No need to worry about me burning down my house.

PS. I was wearing shorts yesterday, and drove home in the snow tonight. No matter how long I spend in Texas, this weather will never cease to amaze me.