Build and Create Home

10 tools you can buy to start your DIY and woodworking journey

One of my most commonly asked questions is- ‘What tools do I need to get started”? Woodworking, refinishing, DIY, and crafts can all feel intimidating if you don’t have the “tools” you need. Literally and metaphorically. So in honor of my most asked question, here it is! the top 10 tools I would recommend to build your toolkit. You can buy them all now for less than 500.00! Or slowly but surely, start to chip away at them as you go!

Jig Saw

Because of the narrow blade on a jigsaw, they are best used for shapes and curves in wood. You’re going to want a jigsaw to make any cuts that aren’t decorative, and this one is high quality! It has a trigger that can help control the speed, which is helpful, especially for a for a DIY and woodworking beginner. There is also an on-off switch that will blow the dust out of the way so you can get a clear view of your cut or guiding lines. (If you know me, you know I’m a planner. So I appreciate being able to see my guidelines easily!).

20-Volt Cordless Drill Kit

A drill is a pretty basic need, and this one is cordless, comes with a carrying case and is super powerful. It has two speeds and a light to help you see when you’re drilling in small spaces. It comes with a storage case and a 29 piece titanium drill bit set. All in all, big bang for your buck on this one!

20- Volt Gauge Brad Nail Gun

It’s not expensive, and it isn’t loud. The dream. This Brad Nailer is perfect for heights and on a ladder because it is light and cord-free. It can shoot about 600 nails per charge, which means you’re using it more than you’re charging it. Always a plus!

15 Amp Circular Saw with Laser Guide

This type of saw is best for cutting larger lumber, metal, roofing material etc. It has bigger, abrasive discs that spin and allow you to have the power to slice through most materials. This one is priced really well for the power it can give you! It has a 15 amp motor, which means you are making your cuts more quickly. Plus, if you’re like me and have kids running around your worksite, there is a safety lock that helps with not allowing accidental starts. Always worth the peace of mind.

14-Amp Miter Saw

Standard Measuring Tape

Back to basics big time with this one. This is seriously my most used measuring tape. It’s cheap, it’s effective, I use it all the time! Even a DIY or woodworking beginner will need to measure, and this is the tool to make it happen without costing too much.

9 Inch Level

Yet another basic that becomes one of those “how did I live without this” tools. This will level with clear bubbles and has an iron edge, so it’s magnetic! It is so helpful for any projects that use iron. I love that you can make sure your angles are correct at 45 and 90 degrees with this one too, an aspect I have used a ton.

Speed Square

If you’re advancing to anything with angles, you’re going to love this speed square. Another basic that won’t break the bank, and give a lot of bang for your buck. (This is a tool that is often overlooked, so it would make a great stand-alone stocking stuffer!)

Clamps

A two piece cast iron set that won’t rust! I use these clamps all the time, and if you need a bigger size I recommend these!

I hope you found some great ideas for the DIY master in your life! Which tools would you suggest adding to the must-have list?

Need some other Christmas gift-giving ideas or DIY? I’ve got you!

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Buffet Makeover

If there is something I love, it’s a DIY. The icing on the cake? A cheap DIY!! I found the perfect marriage in those things with this Buffet Makeover. I found the buffet in really good shape on Facebook Marketplace for only like 150.00, and that is a STEAL. To then turn it into this gorgeous piece… priceless.

(Those of you holiday lovers, don’t forget we have some Christmas DIYs waiting in the wings. Check out the soda can jingle bells! Or challenge yourself and elevate your tree game with the tree box stand! We’ve got what you need to put the holly in your jolly.)

This post will contain affiliate links- please see my disclosures page if you need any information on that!

Supplies needed for a Buffet Makeover:

-buffet (I would look for one secondhand so you can make this cheaper! As I mentioned, mine is from Facebook Marketplace!)
–Bondo Putty
–Spray Paint

Tools needed for a Buffet Makeover:

–Microzip Sander

Step 1- Assess the damage to your buffet

I knew I wanted to give something new life, and I wanted it to match the beautiful breakfast bar that I had just added to the dining room. Ideally, I wanted to keep the beautiful wood look, but the veneer was too chipped to salvage.

Because of the chips in the wood, I knew I would need to fill it and sand it. I also knew I would need to add some paint. I decided to go with this GORGEOUS green.

 

Luckily I loved the hardware on the buffet as was. But it was missing ONE antique handle!! I was so sad to not be able to keep this set as is. I was able to get a replacement set from Ikea that is still beautiful, but if anyone knows where I can get a set that looks like this antique set, Let me know! So if you want to put another personalized twist on your buffet makeover, keep the hardware in mind. 

You could get some gorgeous options- all will be different depending on what you need for your individual buffet but here are some that I found and LOVE:

Option 1
Option 2
Option 3
Option 4
Option 5

Step 2 – Paint or stain your buffet

As I said, I wanted to keep it wooden, but I had to pivot with some of the chipped veneer. So I found this gorgeous green and got to painting.

 

Step 3 – Finish the top of your Buffet

I didn’t want to paint the top of the buffet, I wanted to keep that wooden finish, so I sanded it down and tried to maintain the wood on top as much as I could!

I used this conditioner, and then I used this oil. I didn’t do an actual stain on it because it had such a deep color to it. Lastly, I did 4 coats of this Polycrilic. BE SURE to sand between each layer of poly!!

 

 

When it’s all said and done, I got a piece that is so beautiful, was cheap, gave me storage, and is something that is such a conversation piece in my home!

 

 

 

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Budget Decor

DIY Breakfast Bar Organization

My breakfast bar is done. My DIY shelves? Complete. If you haven’t seen my video on my Rev-A-Shelf DIY cabinet video… check it out here. And now, it’s time to organize your DIY Breakfast Bar.

(Those of you holiday lovers, don’t forget we have some Christmas DIYs waiting in the wings. Check out the soda can jingle bells! Or challenge yourself and elevate your tree game with the tree box stand! We’ve got what you need to put the holly in your jolly.)

This post will contain affiliate links- please see my disclosures page if you need any information on that!

Step 1- Find your purpose for your Breakfast Bar

I knew I wanted this to be the hub where I spent my morning. So the purpose for me was to have things that are functional, as well as convenient. I knew I wanted to have hidden wires (I showed how I hid those in the original breakfast bar post), so I was able to plug things into the cabinets in my bar.  I wanted my K-cups in there and organized for my Keurig.

These had to be organized and ready to go so I could get full use of my morning caffeine.  Get that here.

*bonus* if you’re a coffee fan like me, and you like syrup- how cute is this syrup pump? I also always keep espresso cups on hand for the early mornings, and I actually put cinnamon and nutmeg spices right by the coffee pot for mornings when I feel more experimental. 

Step 2 – Keep it tidy

Parents know… you find something you love and SOMEHOW your kids will find a way to trash it really quickly. So these organization separators for utensils help keep things together- and every little bit helps. If you’re not using utensils in this space- you can use the separators for straws, spoons, snacks!

 

Step 3 – Organize your Breakfast Bar in a Practical way

Rev-a-Track was amazing to get in the cabinets of these shelves. They make this trash can slide in and out, which is awesome because it makes taking out the trash (my least favorite chore) easier. And if it’s easier, I might just do it!

 

 

Other things you might love:

-toaster
–cutting board
–fruit bowl
–succulent plants
–tall votives

 

 

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DIY Breakfast Bar Floating Shelves

If you haven’t seen my video on my Rev-A-Shelf DIY cabinet video… check it out here. So I put it together, and I have that project broken down. I LOVE the breakfast bar project for adding organizational solutions to a small space. If you’re looking to add even more space, let’s elevate that already awesome project with DIY Breakfast Bar Floating Shelves.

(Those of you holiday lovers, don’t forget we have some Christmas DIYs waiting in the wings. Check out the soda can jingle bells! Or challenge yourself and elevate your tree game with the tree box stand! We’ve got what you need to put the holly in your jolly.)

This post will contain affiliate links- please see my disclosures page if you need any information on that!

Supplies needed to make DIY Floating Shelves:

-2×4
–plywood (if you worked on the DIY breakfast bar, this can be what is leftover from that)
-screws
-level
-pre-stain conditioner
–oil
–stain
–polyacrylic

Tools needed to make DIY Floating Shelves:

-table saw
–drill

Step 1- Test it out with tape, and set up your floating shelves

I am a visual learner. So step one for me was to tape on the walls to make sure I liked the height of the shelves. So glad I did that because I ended up changing the tape around a few times before I settled on their placement. I would take a picture, step back and make sure it was the height I wanted.

I used one 2×4 and ripped it in half on my table saw. I put it up on the wall where I had taped, then used a level to make sure it was going exactly how I wanted.

*tip* Once I knew it was level, I drew a line on the wall where I wanted it to go. I find it a lot easier to drill into the wall with a line drawn so I can be sure my shelves are level, and I can concentrate on finding the studs so when I drill in the four support pieces that come out of the wall, that I wouldn’t drill into a stud.

The extra four support pieces got laid outside, covered it in the plywood, and then I cut the support pieces so they were the same depth of the plywood. (Remember, take into account any of the back support pieces you used on the wall, and subtract that from the depth of plywood you need to measure.) My depth was 10.5 inches, but the back was 1 and 3.4. So I subtracted that from the depth of my shelf.

 

Step 2 – Drill your shelves together, and mount them to the wall

From the back of the long support piece, I drilled 2.5-inch screws into each of the arms of the top and bottom shelves.

That’s where the line comes back in handy. I went to that pre-drawn line, and drilled into the studs that I had marked and placed!

I did go in through the sides of the shelves at the very front of the cabinets. I used a 1-and-a-quarter-inch screw that I attached to the two side arm pieces on the top and bottom shelf. I used screws instead of nails, so that when I go to remove or move these later I can reuse the shelves. Screws always seem to be easier to remove than nails.

Step 3 – Add your (stained) plywood

I used the same exact stain process on these shelves that I used on the breakfast bar. If you haven’t taken the time to check that post out, please do. You want the stain on the shelves to be the same as your bar, so follow that practice on your shelves.

Then I added the plywood on top! I actually didn’t even need to attach this piece, it fit perfectly. The bottom piece did get a couple of brad nails (1 and a quarter inches), and I attached them right into the arms. I maybe used 5 nails.

 

I wanted to cover the front pieces of the shelves. I used a 1×4 and measured the 1 piece of plywood and the 2×4 that I had ripped to get the overall height of my “shelf sandwich”. I did have more width on my 1×4 than I needed, so I ripped a bit off.

I didn’t want any holes in the front of it, because it had been stained. So I went through the cabinets, with the same 1 and a quarter in screws, just like I did on the front arms on the ends. I drilled into the face piece just once. Then I used a 23 gauge pin nailed to put one nail in a little piece in the front, so it would be discreet. That way it will be easy to remove later and keep that stain intact.

 

And just like that… floating shelves. If you want to elevate them even more, add these railings.

The last step (arguably the most fun step…) is adding your decor!

-toaster
–cutting board
–fruit bowl
–succulent plants
–tall votives

 

 

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Breakfast Bar

If you haven’t seen my video on my Rev-A-Shelf DIY cabinet video… check it out here. I LOVE this project for adding organizational solutions to a small space. And as a renter… this is perfect because I can patch the holes in the wall when I leave, and I can also take the cabinets with me. A temporary solution, but a forever piece of furniture. What more could you need?

My Rev-a-Shelf breakfast bar is what dreams are made of. It’s stunning, and practical and can be jazzed up with some DIY Faux Brass Railing to the space between the cabinets, and the floating shelves.

**If you have 8 foot ceilings PLEASE be precise with your measurements or these cabinets may not fit! I have 8-and-a-half-foot ceilings.

(I know… Anything other than Christmas DIY in November seems crazy to some of you! Those of you holiday lovers, don’t forget we have some Christmas DIYs waiting in the wings. Check out the soda can jingle bells! Or challenge yourself and elevate your tree game with the tree box stand! There’s still time to make something totally tinsel!)

This post will contain affiliate links- please see my disclosures page if you need any information on that!

Supplies needed to make your Breakfast Bar:

-cabinets (The white ones I used are linked in the post- and to save even more money you can buy these unfinished! You will have to paint them white, and the coverage isn’t quite the same)
-4×8 foot plywood
-poplar 1×2 is the trim around the edge of the top (poplar is sold by the foot so one piece 89 inches and one that is 26 inches long to go around the edge)

Tools needed to make your Breakfast Bar:

-table saw
-cabinet screws
-miter saw
-jig saw
-multi-tool
-brad nailer
-Your Breakfast Bar add-ins! (mini fridge, extension cords, Keurig, whatever your must-haves are!)
-89 long by 26 deep by 96 tall 8-foot ceilings need to be precise remove baseboard behind the cabinets 1×4 across the back to fill the gap that the baseboard created drilled into the studs

Step 1- Get your supplies

Cabinets are a must-have for a breakfast bar. For the upper cabinets, I used four of these white cabinets. If you want to save some money on cabinets, you can get these unfinished! You will just have to buy the paint and finish them on your own. You also won’t have quite the same coverage you might have on a finished cabinet.

Then you want to find your bottom cabinets. I used two of these 12″ bottom cabinet drawers, then I also used two of these 3-drawer cabinets on the bottom as well.

The bar top is a 4×8 foot plywood piece of plywood I had ripped for the countertop at 88 inches long. You can do this yourself with a table saw, or you can have it ripped for you at Home Depot or Lowes. I was able to use the rest of the plywood also- it’s ripped at 10 and a quarter inch 2 times. That’s what I used to make the floating shelves. (If you want step-by-step on those– see the next post!)

Step 2 – Secure the cabinets for the breakfast bar

So This step was a little different for me because I am renting. I knew because I was in a rental, I did;t want to remove my baseboards behind the cabinets. So, if you are also looking to keep your baseboards intact, this is how I would do it.

Removing the baseboard would make the cabinets flush with the wall, and would have fewer gaps between the cabinet and the wall. Since this was a none starter for me, I took a 1×4 and screwed it into the studs on the wall, then screwed them in through the back of the cabinet. That made the cabinets more secure and flush with the wall.

If you are able to take the baseboards off, screw the cabinets into the studs with wall screws.

I also clamped the lower cabinets together and attached them with screws. I drilled pilot holes first. This makes the whole things seem super secure and sturdy.

 

Step 3 – Lay out the countertop and install the upper cabinet to your breakfast bar

 

 

 

 

 

This is when I laid the countertop on the lower cabinets. The countertop was not stained yet, because I wanted to tweak these upper cabinets a bit. I knew I wanted my Keurig in there, so I used my jigsaw to attach the extension cord. I used the multi-tool to pop the outlet through that so my Keuirg and blender can sit in there, I wanted the outlets hidden so it could look better.

 

Step 3 – Stain and Secure your remaining cabinets and countertop

Once I had the cutouts made for my cord so that I could have my Keurig and blender plugged in and secured with screws, I stained and finished the countertop and added the top cabinets. (This is also when I finished the floating shelves- which you can see in the next post if you’re interested!)

For the stain, I used this pre-stain wood conditioner. Next, immediately I used one coat of medium walnut. I used this stain and followed with FOUR (yes. Four) coats of this polyacrylic. This process was all about layering, so I added the stains pretty immediately on top of each other.

Once I had it all squared away, I put in my Keurig, my utensil organizer, syrup pump, and espresso cups ready to go.  This breakfast bar is a BEAUTY.

I put in the mini fridge, and I was sure to get one with a vent on the front.  That is a HUGELY important part of the breakfast bar. Most mini fridges have vents in the back or on the bottom, and with cabinets all around them, that can make it a fire hazard. If the one above is sold out, this amazon fridge would also work!

 

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DIY Faux Brass Railing

If you haven’t seen my video on my Rev-A-Shelf DIY cabinet video… check it out here. I LOVE this project for adding organizational solutions to a small space. And as a renter… this is perfect because I can patch the holes in the wall when I leave, and I can also take the cabinets with me. A temporary solution, but a forever piece of furniture. What more could you need?

My Rev-a-Shelf breakfast bar was almost ready, but I needed to jazz it up. So I added some DIY Faux Brass Railing to the space between the cabinets, and the floating shelves.

(Those of you holiday lovers, don’t forget we have some Christmas DIYs waiting in the wings. Check out the soda can jingle bells! Or challenge yourself and elevate your tree game with the tree box stand! We’ve got what you need to put the holly in your jolly.)

This post will contain affiliate links- please see my disclosures page if you need any information on that!

Supplies needed to make DIY Faux Brass Railing:

–spindles
–dowels
–spray paint
–krazy glue

Tools needed to make DIY Faux Brass Railing:

–hack saw and miter box
–drill

Step 1- Get your supplies

Do you know how expensive actual brass posts cost?! Anywhere between $8-$12 a POST! And I have 10 posts on my two shelves. Now, if you’ve been following us for a while, you know I love a DIY…. but I love me a CHEAP DIY the most.

My shelves are 47″ and I cut my rail pieces at 11 and 1/8′ each.

I also bought my spindles knowing that I was going to split a few of them, and made sure to buy a couple of extra ones.

 

Step 2 – Drill your spindles

I drilled holes in the posts. I started with my smallest drill bits, and then I (CAREFULLY) worked up to the 3/16 width of my spindles.

 

Step 3 – Paint and assemble your faux bronze railing

The bronze doesn’t need to break the bank, and that’s where I love the spray paint option. Lay out your best (I guess if it is your best… it’s kind of your most used. So….worst?) tarp and bronz-ify your spindles. I gave mine a couple of coats of this Rustoleum Metallic Spray Paint.

(ma’am… those are green. This is a post about brass. I know. Little tip- I always prime in black or a dark color before I paint with gold. It really helps the gold stick.

This is when I used my super glue, and if you haven’t used this specific brand of glue, you need to check it out! I glued the spindles to the rod.

Once they were dried and secured to the rod, it was time to glue the rods to the shelves.

*** I want to reiterate that these are decorative railings. Anything that uses this for support won’t be well supported. 

 

Once your faux bronze rails are on the shelves, make sure they dry completely before you add your decor. Once it’s dry, decorate it to your liking, and then pat yourself on the back. Because you just saved a BUNDLE on “bronze” railing that didn’t break the bank!

 

 

 

 

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DIY Christmas Fence

We have a bench… and that is elevating the outdoors to a lovely level. But that just wasn’t quite enough for this Mrs. Clause wanna-be… so I had to add a DIY Christmas fence.

(For another super simple Christmas DIY, you would LOVE the soda can jingle bells! A super easy project with a nostalgic feel.)

This post will contain affiliate links- please see my disclosures page if you need any information on that!

Supplies needed to make DIY Christmas Fence:

-a fence (remember we did this fence as a DIY for Halloween. If you didn’t follow along with that one, you will need some fencing.)
-outdoor paint
–hot or super glue
–garland
–bows

Tools needed to make DIY Christmas Fence:

-A power drill– but only IF you choose to attach your garland in that way.

Step 1- Paint your Christmas fence

Assuming you had our Halloween fence up, that’s the dream because you can keep it up and Christmas-ify it. (Is that a word?!) I straightened the posts on my Halloween fence and then I painted it white with outdoor paint.

*Alternative: There really is no reason you HAVE to paint the fence. A black fence could be turned into a Christmas fence as well! This is your take on the project. If you want it to be red and green, gold, matte black… whatever! Please experiment with color… and PLEASE tag me. You know how much I love to see the different takes you have on these projects!

Such a funny moment came from me painting my fence, I was out painting with my earbuds in, living my best life. Totally in the zone, and vegging out (any moms out there reading this would know that having headphones in and no children needing you with a mindless job like painting… the dream). The next thing I know, two of my sweetest neighbors meandered out to chat with me. And since the fence goes around the perimeter of my yard, there was a lot to paint! They selflessly offered to help me! (Do you think they were also just trying to zen out in the yard away from their children?)

It was a very Tom Sawyer moment, outside painting the Christmas Fence.

 

Step 2 – From fence to Christmas fence:

The next step is where you really get that spirit into your yard. I chose to drape my fence with lit garland from Home Depot. I love that I chose a pre-lit garland, and this one was 50 feet. So I needed a couple of them to make it all the way around the perimeter. So if you choose to go unlit, keep in mind you may need multiple strands, and you will also need to purchase lights. I decided to attach my garland to the fence so that it wouldn’t be whisked away in the wind, but if you want to save that step. you can always drape it through the pillars, or along the back of the fence.

Attaching the bows could be done in a few ways. (The bows I used came from my local Walmart, and I found them at such a clearance deal. They were 15 inches. The ones linked are 9 inches, but are a comparable price!) You can hot glue them straight to the garland, but I decided to use my drill to make small holes in the fence and then use wire to attach both the bow and the garland. You could use zip ties if the wire isn’t available to you!

And there you have it. Your yard has just been elevated to a Christmas wonderland, just by revamping a Halloween fence. Don’t you love that?!

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Jingle Bell Craft from Soda Cans

Jingle. All. The. Way!! Jingle Bells are some of the most simple, effective, and identifiable things in the Christmas season. If you’re looking for a SIMPLE, cheap, and easy project that put the jingle back in your bells… this is it!! Jingle Bells from Soda Cans. Cute and simple.

(For another super simple Christmas DIY, please read the bench makeover article. That one is another one that packs a seasonal punch with very little effort!)

This post will contain affiliate links- please see my disclosures page if you need any information on that!

Supplies needed to make Jingle Bells from Soda Cans:

-cans (I used soda cans because my family drinks them! But you could grab cans of green beans or anything from the pantry)
– Beads, bells, beans, whatever you want to use to make your bells jingle!
–metallic spray paint
–matte black paint
–hot or super glue
-bakers twine/jute rope

Tools needed to make Jingle Bells from Soda Cans:

-hammer
-needle nose plyers
–box cutter

Step 1- Find and cut your  soda cans:

If your family is anything like mine- you have soda cans in your house! Grab at least two to make into jingle bell soda cans!

The first thing I did was take a hammer and hit the cans around each side. This was to give my DIY jingle bells a more textured and realistic look. I felt like without that hammering, they were a bit too smooth and shiny. More of a weathered look on my tree is the vibe.

 

Step 2 – CAREFULLY cut the soda cans:

Ok… this is going to be a classic do as I say and not as I do situation. I didn’t wear gloves to cut my soda cans, and I am going to strongly encourage you to put gloves on. The edges of these cans are SUPER sharp when you cut them with your boxcutter. Wear gloves, and please be super careful!

Disclaimer done. So, I laid it down on its side and used my boxcutter to CAREFULLY cut about one-fourth of the way down on the can. Then I took my needle nose players and bent the top of the can down so that it was folded over.

Step 3 – Paint and assemble your jingle bell

I spray-painted the bell with metallic spray. To me.. this look is perfection. But like I mentioned above… I like the bells to look a bit more weathered. So after I sprayed them and they were dry, I used a paper towel to blot on matte black chalk paint. I wiped off any excess paint to leave this black SUPER subtle.

*Alternative: Remember… these are your bells. This is your take on the project. If you want them to be red and green, gold, matte black… whatever! Please experiment with color… and PLEASE tag me. You know how much I love to see the different takes you have on these projects!

Once your bells are spray painted, that’s when I made the inside of my bell. (I would love to have a classy name for this. The jingly part? The jingler? Let’s call it that, for a couple of reasons. It’s adorable and because I don’t have anything better to call it!)

For my jingler (haha!) I did a bead on a piece of jute. You could use baker’s twine, a ribbon, fishing string… whatever you have laying around. (Remember this is an EASY DIY!)

Step 4 – Add your topper, and decide where your Jingle Bell Soda Cans are going:

The favorite place that I have put mine was in the middle of that wreath. You can use twine, ribbon, or jute to attach the bells to that. Mine has ribbons that connect it to the wreath. But I had to make more and put some on my tree! I absolutely love how they came out and for this DIY, you get so much bang for very little buck. It’s a Christmas miracle!!

Do you want the jingle bells without the work? Check these out!

 

 

 

 

 

 

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DIY Holiday Bench Makeover

So if you have been a frequent follower of my DIYs… thank you, and hi! You know that I did a DIY bench makeover for Halloween with a bench that I scored on Marketplace. If you are new here, feel free to go back and check out that post about how to spookify a bench. But for the holiday lovers like me, Halloween is done, and here come the holidays. I knew I wanted to start with this bench as a simple DIY.vAfter Halloween, I had to revamp it and make it into a Christmas bench.

This post contains affiliate links. Please visit my disclosure page if you would like more information and thank you for your support.

Supplies needed for the DIY bench makeover:

– A bench, pew, swing… anything that you want to makeover!
-Red outdoor paint
-A dropcloth
-Accent pieces (I went garland and throw pillows for the holidays, and a classic red lantern. But you could add lights, or a stuffed Santa… whatever your holiday vibe may be!)
–D- Rings

Tools needed for your DIY Christmas Bench makeover:

–Sander (electric, or hand-held sanding papers)
-Drill

(Don’t you just love a project that takes minimal tools? Don’t get me wrong, I love getting those power tools out too…. but man a simple DIY is sometimes so fun!)

Step 1 – Find your bench

As I mentioned above, I found my bench on Marketplace. I think it might have been a pew at one point… but regardless… it needed some attention. This is what it looked like before and after I made it Halloween-ified. If you are;t starting with an already painted bench, there isn’t a lot you need to do! I will be sanding off the Halloween paint, but if you aren’t starting from scratch, I wouldn’t prime or sand it so that you can continually change it with the seasons.

 

 

 

 

 

Step 2 – Sand it down

If you are coming from the previous bench post, and you’re turning it from Halloween to Christmas, sand off the old paint.

On the Halloween bench, I used outdoor paint to paint everything grey… So I gave that a quick sand to strip it down, then I added the red!

 

Step 3- Choose your color

 

 

The next step is deciding what you want the base color of your bench to be. I went bright, Christmas red because not only does it pop, but it matches my color pallet. So Lay down your drop cloth and get to painting.

*Remember, if you decide not to go red, I need to see what you choose to go with! I love to see the tweaks on my ideas, so be sure to tag me on FB and Instagram!**

Step 3 – Add the props and accents!

I wanted to add garland, I knew that right away. The type of garland I wanted to add wasn’t lit but needed to be attached to the bench, so I used D-Rings You could drape it over, but I wanted to be sure mine wouldn’t blow away so I made sure it was attached.

Then I added my pillows and my lantern. This turned out PERFECTLY for the front of my house and is such a great way to welcome the holidays into my home. A simple, vibrant DIY that leaves me feeling both holly AND jolly. What more could you need?!

 

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Build and Create Home

DIY Witch Cauldron

Everyone meet… Broomhilda. I love her, and that’s all there is to it. This may be one of my favorite DIYs I have done to date, and she looks beautiful next to my Pillars and Pillar arch! 

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Supplies needed for your DIY Witch Cauldron:

– cauldron (I got mine at a Halloween supply store, but any cauldron will work!)
-chain to hang the cauldron
-branches that form the triangle structure (I cut them from the backyard, but 1x2s would work if you don’t have access to any that would work)
-cardboard
-spray paint
–spray foam
-1×2 wood
-a mini mister
–rope
–LED lights for the bonfire

Tools needed for your DIY Witch Cauldron:

-miter saw to cut the 1×2 wood to the appropriate size
-drill

Step 1: Foam Fire Pit

One of the best parts of fall is the bonfires, and Broomhilda needed to get in on some of that action. To make that happen, I laid out some cardboard and got some great foam spray. Brace yourselves… for a while, this looked a lot like dog poop. It wasn’t pretty. But trust the process! I laid out LED lights that would act like fire, and sprayed the foam up over them, mounding it higher and higher, to eventually form a mound. Then I sprayed the mound black, red, yellow, and orange. Once it is turned on, it glows a bright light from under

 

Step 2 – Assemble the cauldron

Here is where the dimensions will change depending on the size of your cauldron, but you will need to use the 1×2 wood to create a platform that will sit inside of your cauldron, to raise the water to the top. I measured the depth of mine and came up with one that allowed the bowl to sit on the top, but still remain under the lip of the cauldron.

Once you have put it in there, that’s when you will cut a circle that matches the circumference of the cauldron. I cut this out of cardboard, then wrapped it in duct tape.

*Note* The duct tape was so the water that mists over the top doesn’t soak the cardboard and make it unusable. I spray-painted mine, but you could use black duct tape, or leave it silver. It’s really up to your discretion.

Once you have the inside assembled, it’s time to spookify the cauldron. I didn’t want it to look glossy and new, because Broomhilda has been around the block. This was a messy process where I used some of the spray foam on the cauldron and made it into a drippy pattern. Then I added sawdust and dirt to the side and spray-painted it black. Then I used the same rust-colored spray paint I used on the pillar arches.

 

Step 4 – String it up

You can use black hot glue, or you can find a way to loop the chain through the cauldron. I cut branches down from a tree in the backyard, but if you don’t have a tree that would work for this project, you can use 1x2s to form the teepee structure. Tie it together with rope and then use the chain to hang it from the structure.

 

Step 4: Finishing touches

You have the cauldron… but no Broomhilda. So let’s fix that, shall we?! Grab another skeleton and witch-ify it to your liking. For me, that means a hat, a broom, and a cloak. I had her leaning against the cauldron looking over her potion.

Making the potion magical is the next step. I poured water into the bowl that sits up in the cauldron. Then I found the coolest mister from Amazon!! No dried ice is needed, here people. I added it to the water to create that amazing misting effect. Switch it all on… and it’s just an amazing affect.

 

 

How cool is this thing? I mean truly…

 

And when you put it all together… I can’t even articulate how magical it is!

 

 

Broomhilda makes me so happy. If you add your own touch, your own flair, your own twist on it… please post it and tag me on Facebook or Instagram. You know I love to see what you all come up with! Happy haunting!

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Build and Create Home

Cemetery Pillar Arch

I just want to prep you right out of the gate, this wasn’t my easiest DIY. But I promise if you stick with it… the effect is AMAZING and well worth the effort. This arch sits perfectly on top of my DIY cemetery pillars and gives my cemetery a spookily life-like feel.

This post is affiliated with a paid partnership with OOK Hardware. and contains affiliate links. Please visit my disclosure page if you would like more information and thank you for your support.

Supplies needed for your DIY Cemetary Pillars:

– Plywood
–3/8 inch tubing
–14 gauge wire
-black hot glue
-Rust spray paint
-mortar
-2×2 wood

Tools needed for your DIY Casket:
–Jigsaw
-screws

Step 1: Plan it out

One of my favorite tools I own is my grid paper. So before I even touched a saw, a drill, or my spray paint, I was taking my design to paper. Decide what you want your arch to read, and get it sketched out so you have a good idea of spacing. I am adding mine below so you have a jumping-off point.

 

You need to decide on a phrase or some wording to go on your arch. This was where I decided to name my entire cemetery “Killed and Cremate Home”- a fun spin-off of Build and Create. Once I decided what I wanted to name it, I sketched the letters onto my plywood and got ready to cut.

 

Step 2 – Cut it out

I used my jigsaw to cut out all of the letters in Killed and Cremate home, then laid down my trusty tarp, and sprayed painted it black. This was probably the most time-consuming part of the project, but if you have a clever cemetery name and a steady hand, it probably won’t take you too long.

 

 

**ALTERNATIVE – Remember your arch doesn’t have to be as wordy as mine. Short and sweet works too, and saves you lots of time. If you don’t want to cut each letter, maybe you do some lettering on the arch with black paint. If you decide to take this approach, please share it with me on Facebook or Instagram, I’d love to know how they turn out!

Step 3 – Ironwork

I came up with a pretty clever (if I do say so myself) way of making faux ironwork on top of my arch. I got some 3/8 inch tubing and some 14 gauge wire, then I fed the wire through the tubing. Note- I was wearing gloves!! Be careful, these wires can be pretty sharp.

Once I had fed it through, I was able to twist and manipulate the tubing into shapes of the scroll, then headed back to the tarp and turned them black. Using a LOT of black hot glue, I attached the scrolls to the top of my arch.

One thing I did think about after the fact was that you could potentially use black zip ties to attach the arch to the scrollwork.

 

 

 

Step 4: Assemble

I used 2x2s cut into 9 and 12 inches to make a topper for my pillars. I screwed them together, with a slot at the top so the arch would just slide on. It was the same size as the pillars, which made attaching it pretty easy. Once it was attached, I added mortar as I used on the pillars, so that it would blend and match the pillars in style. Then I slide my arch in and added the finishing touches.

 

The next step was to add rust-colored spray paint to the scrolling and my arch. I got these great lanterns to hang from the side, lights to drape through it and I HAD to hang a skeleton on top! I even got this timer, so I don’t have to mess with turning things on or off. And the finishing touch? These lights shine up on it at night from the ground!

To say I love this would be such an understatement. I can’t help but feel like it totally completed my cemetery, and I can’t wait to see what you all put on your arches!

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Build and Create Home

DIY Cemetery Pillars

Once I start… I just can’t stop. I have headstones, the skeleton in a cage, not to mention the creepy casket. But I just can’t bring myself to be done with my graveyard yet.  These DIY cemetery pillars that stood on either side of my entryway to the graveyard will leave you “dying” to try this one yourself.

This post is affiliated with a paid partnership with OOK Hardware. and contains affiliate links. Please visit my disclosure page if you would like more information and thank you for your support.

Supplies needed for your DIY Cemetary Pillars:

– 1/4 Inch Backer Board
-4 2×4 pieces of wood (I ripped them down into 2×2 with my table saw, but if you don’t have one you can get 8 2×2 pieces)
– Foam heads
–Spray adhesive
– Mortar
-PVC Pipe
-Rebar

Tools needed for your DIY Cemetary Pillars:
–Table Saw
–1 1/4 inch screws
–Sander/ Sanding disks

Step 1: Find your spot

The first thing you need to do is find the perfect place to put your pillars. I had the perfect spot- which actually is why I dreamed these pillars up. Looking at my cemetery, I have a sidewalk that leads right to it. I knew I needed something to invite my bravest tourists into the cemetery. I used this knowledge of positioning to make the correct base size that would both support my pillars and arch, and also fit at the entrance to the cemetery! I used my table saw to all 8 pieces of 2×2 into 69 inches, 12 inches, and 9-inch pieces. Each piece! This will be used to assemble the top, the bottom, and the long vertical pieces to the pillars.

 

Once I had each 2×2 cut, I took the 9 and 12-inch pieces and made a base. Then screwed the 69-inch vertical pieces to that base, and walked them to their final spot at the beginning of the cemetery path. One thing that was important once you find their spot, I slipped PVC piping onto the side of each of the pillars, then I pounded rebar into the ground. I slipped the pipe over the rebar, and that stabilized the pillars. Becuase as much as I love the pillars, and I love how scary they are… it would be too frightening to think of them falling over on a trick-or-treater.

 

 

Step 2 – Wrap them up

After assembling the pillars, this is where your backer board comes in. I wrapped each size with 1/4 inch backer board, securing it to the posts with screws. To make them unique… this is when I also added the foam faces. I cut the back off of the faces to make them lay as flat as possible and attached them to the backer board with a spray adhesive.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

**ALTERNATIVE – Don’t forget… this is your project! If you think foam skeletons, spiders, or creepy faces look better than the foam ones I tried, don’t be afraid to branch out! Just make sure you send me a picture of what you design on Instagram and or Facebook because I love seeing what you come up with!

Step 3 – Mix it up!

Now that you have them assembled, it’s time to make these rectangles look like heavy concrete stones. For that, I used mortar, so start mixing! Mortar doesn’t stick well to foam. Knowing that I made my first round pretty thin so that it would be able to grab onto the facial features of my foam pieces. I put it on all of the pillars as a first coat, but was sure to make my second coat a little thicker, and applied it on top of that. Once I had two coats on and dried… I gave them a quick sanding. They look AWESOME and I can’t wait for you to see the top of the arch!

If you decide to finish off your pillars with some lights or crawling vines… power to you. You know me, the more the merrier when it comes to accent pieces.

Also—- this picture reminded me that SO MANY of you wanted to know where my shoes were from. Amazon, baby!

These pillars to the perfect touch to welcome trick-or-treaters into the yard of terrors!

 

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