Article By: Mirna Cacic

This adorable vintage-style beehive fits in perfectly on any porch during these warm spring days. With summer fast approaching, it’s time we get our porches in tip-top shape for porch season! This beehive would look great on a small side table next to your porch swing or patio furniture! It’s so easy and cheap to make and it costs less than $10 to put together! Everyone will think you purchased it at a vintage shop, since it looks so realistic! Make a couple of these to arrange in groups, maybe one large beehive with one or two smaller ones next to it. If the color isn’t suited to your tastes, break out the acrylic paint and paint it a fun color to match your decor!

Supplies:

1) Metal bowl

2) Hot glue gun and glue sticks

3) Rope

4) Permanent marker

5) Scissors

Step #1:

Begin making your beehive by wrapping the rope around the rim of the bowl. Add a few drops of glue as you go along to hold the rope in place. Remember, you’re only gluing the rope pieces together, not actually gluing the rope to the bowl!

Step #2:

Keep wrapping and gluing the rope until you have covered the entire bowl.

Step #3:

To finish off the beehive, leave about an inch of rope at the end and form it into a loop at the top, then feed it through the bottom before eventually cutting it.

Step #4:

To take the beehive off the metal bowl, you want to place it inside the freezer for about 20 minutes. Then you can gently take it off the bowl by wiggling it side to side until it slides off completely. Leave the beehive to come to room temperature, then cut a piece of rope for the entrance to your beehive.

Step #5:

Glue the rope in a circle and color in the entrance with the permanent marker. You don’t want wasps to take up residence by actually cutting a hole in your beehive!

If you like, you can paint your new beehive or you can add a few pom pom bumblebees to it! Place it on your porch just in time for this year’s porch season!

Photos: Confessions of a New-Old Homeowner.

We love cats, but what we don’t love is scratch marks on our furniture! To save your carpets and sofas, make this easy scratching post for cheap. Salvage a traffic cone or purchase one at your hardware store, and don’t forget the sisal rope! We guarantee kitty won’t be able to stay away from her new favorite scratching post that’s not your sofa!

Supplies:

1) Traffic cone

2) Sisal rope

3) Hot glue gun and glue sticks

4) Scissors

5) Cat toys

6) White spray paint

7) Cat nip (optional)

Step 1:

Spray paint your traffic cone so that none of the neon orange pokes through the sisal rope. Allow the traffic cone to dry overnight.

Step 2:

Start gluing the rope to the bottom of the traffic cone and work your way up. Once you get close to the top, get your cat toys and attach them to the cone using a piece of yarn. Drop the yarn into the top hole of the cone and glue it to the top. Wrap rope around the strings, allowing the toys to hang loose.

Step 3:

Rub cat nip onto the new scratching post to attract your cat to it!

Photos and idea: So Fancy Blog.

This tiered hanging planter can be made in a day, and with basic woodworking tools. What’s great about this planter is when you water the top plant, the runoff from the previous pot drips into the plants below. All you need to do is place a little dish or bucket underneath to catch any excess water, and it makes watering all 4 plants a breeze!

What you will need:

– scrap wood

– jigsaw

– terracotta pots

– rope

– 3/8″ boring bit

– paintbrush and paint

– drill

– plants

– metal ring

Step 1:

Measure the plank of wood and mark it to create a square with 3/4″ to 1″ of space around your pot.

Step 2:

Trace the lip of the pot onto the wood. Trace a circle within the circumference of the one you drew but spaced 1/4″ from the outer circle. You can also use a circular template that’s 1/4″ inches smaller that the radius of the pot to do the same thing. You’ll end up with 2 concentric circles. One has a radius of 1/4″ smaller than the first. Repeat with all 4 squares.

Step 3:

Clamp the first piece of wood to a stable surface. Drill a hole into the center of the circles with the 3/8″ boring bit. This will provide space for the jigsaw blade to enter the wood so you can begin cutting. Work slowly and in sections. Use the jigsaw to cut out the shape of the inner circle. Repeat with all 4 squares.

Step 4:

When you’ve cut out the inner circles, clamp a single square down to a piece of scrap wood. Using a ruler, make a dot in the 4 corners of the squares, 1/2″ in from each side. Use the 3/8″ boring bit to drill holes through the wood at the 4 corner marks. Repeat with all 4 squares.

Step 5:

If you like, you can paint the sides of your squares. You can also paint your rope if you want a different color. Only paint the 2 cut edges on each square, and position the squares on the ropes so that the unpainted and painted edges alternate when it’s hanging.

Step 6:

It’s now time to hang your squares! Space your plants 12″ apart (choose more or less depending on the size of your plants). Cut 4 lengths of rope and tie them together in a knot 6″ from the top. Use the 6″ rope strands to secure the ropes to the metal ring.

Step 7:

Hang the ring and slide the first wood square onto all 4 strands, about 12″ from the top knot. Tie a knot directly underneath the wood square on all 4 ropes. Place the plant into the opening, making sure it’s level.

Step 8:

Repeat step 7 with the remaining 3 squares. After the last square is on and the knots are tied underneath, cut off any extra rope.

Finished! Find a sunny spot for your new planter and fill the squares with your plants.

Photos and idea: Design Sponge.

Canopy beds add an instant touch of elegance and drama to any room, but the prices are always on the high side. To make your own canopy bed, all you need are some simple tools and a fabric of your choice.

1. Use a Dowel

For this version, all you need are wooden dowels, thumb tacks, and a fabric of your choice. Insert the dowels through the fabric casing and thumb tack it to the ceiling.

2. Hoop

Mount a hoop to the ceiling and drape fabric over it. Use netting for a sheer, delicate look, or try patterned fabric and beads for a boho feel.

3. Curtain Rods

Mount 2 curtain rods parallel to your bed and drape fabric around the headboard. For a romantic look, try adding pom-pom trim.

4. Branch

For a rustic look, try using a branch! Insert it through the fabric casing and hang it from the ceiling. If you live by a beach, try using a piece of salvaged driftwood.

5. Rope

Use rope to hang your canopy over your bed. We love this simple wood and rope combo.

Photos: The Fuji Files, BHG, All Womens Talk, The Vintage Souls, HGTV.

You’ve probably seen all the awesome pallet ideas floating around on the internet lately. Everyone’s in a pallet craze, making anything from benches to playhouses for their kids! The possibilities are endless! Here is a simple DIY for making a cool swing for your yard!

What you will need:

• 1 pallet
• saw
• rope
• wood stain of your choice
• sandpaper
• cushions and pillows (optional)

Step 1:

Cut the pallet in half with a saw.

Step 2:

Add two leftover boards to the side of the pallet if you would like drink holders.

Step 3:

Lightly sand the pallet to get rid of any splinters and rough edges.

Step 4:

Attach the swing using a strong nylon rope. You can put the swing under a tree, or on your front porch! Add a cushion and a few decorative pillows if you like.

 Photos and idea: Sheryl Salisbury Photography.