Update: My New Year’s Resolution
Posted by Steve on March 09 at 11:23 am
Back in January, the Lima Team declared our resolutions for 2009. Like every year, mine was filled with good intentions: to find something creative, handy, or fun to focus on in my off time. After two months and a lot of television, I finally did something about it, and I thought I’d share the results. The “HGTV Queen” (what I affectionately call Shannon, my girlfriend) wanted to make a 3-panel room divider, so I strapped on my funny looking safety glasses and we got to work.
After a quick sketch and some measurements, we bought the lumber (6-foot pine boards) and began planning the three frames. The 45-degree cuts went fairly well after I ruined the first couple pieces (note to self: check after the first cut next time). We fastened the frames with wood glue, then used screws to reinforce the joints.
Shannon picked out a yard and a half of fabric, and we stained the frames to match. The stain didn’t end up taking very well (do you have to prime the pine first?)… So after some strategizing, we used some leftover brown paint from her kitchen that gave it a more polished look.
When everything was dry, we cut the fabric into three strips to fit the frames. Using a staple gun, we fastened it to the back of the frames, stretching it just a bit to make it nice and flat. Things were definitely coming together at this point… with no major goof-ups!
Four hinges later, the divider was finished. And it looks pretty good in person! She did an awesome job picking everything out. Take a look at the final product:
The finished room divider
Here are some tips I thought I’d share based on my experience:
- Don’t try and “eyeball it,” it doesn’t work.
- She is always right.
- Pay attention to the huge red arrow that shows you where the staples exit the staple gun. I cannot emphasize the importance of this tip enough.
- It won’t be perfect. So have fun along the way.
That’s it! Anyone have any do-it-yourself projects (or pictures) to share? 
On Mar 09, 2009 at 11:51 am #
Luv2bead - Little Chick says:Good job! I like the fabric’s pattern!
On Mar 09, 2009 at 12:19 pm #
Jeannes Gems - Gem Chick says:Looks great – I’m impressed!
On Mar 09, 2009 at 12:51 pm #
Debbi aka Sparkle Chick says:It looks great! And from a gal who has been married for 35 years…your tip #2 was very, very wise!
On Mar 09, 2009 at 12:58 pm #
Anita QoG Funny Chick says:VERY NICE, love that fabric!!! We remodeled our whole house!!! I’m talking (we) my husband & myself!!! 1. make sure your thumb isn’t under the hammer stapler when you staple. (me) I think prying it up from the floor hurt the worst!!!
2. make sure the electricity is off when doing wiring (husband) his nick-name now is sparky!!! just threw him half way across the room!!!
3. Don’t use spray-can stain on woodwork after you painted!!!!
But, other than that!!!!!!! Everything turned out beautiful, after all the new walls are still standing. (It’s a good thing)
If you need any tips on what not to do, just ask US…………..
On Mar 09, 2009 at 1:14 pm #
Steve says:Thanks everyone! It’s appreciated!
And I’m glad to hear I’m not the only one out there with a run-in with the staple gun
Thanks for the tips, A Golke!
On Mar 09, 2009 at 4:11 pm #
CAS says:Steve – I love the fabric “you” (Shannon) picked out, it’s very cool and retro. The screen came out very, very nice (I would have it in my house), and I’m glad that there were no major injuries incurred.
PS. Have you fixed the Gold Filigree Wild Rose picture yet?
On Mar 09, 2009 at 4:38 pm #
Steve says:Thanks CAS! I can’t take credit for any of the design choices. But I will pass your compliments along
And you’ll be happy to find out that YES, the Gold Filigree Wild Rose picture is fixed!
http://www.limabeads.com/Gold-.....eces-C1005
On Mar 10, 2009 at 12:48 am #
J Yee smart chick says:Steve,
Glad to read that your 3 panel room divider turned out so well, love the results! Please tell Shannon she has great taste! Also, the colors in the panel would make a great “Fresh Pick” eh??
joyce
On Mar 10, 2009 at 1:12 am #
CAS says:Thank you Steve, you’re still THE MAN.
On Mar 10, 2009 at 8:47 am #
Alice P says:The divider turned out very nice! My compliments to both on a job well done. I’ve been married almost 27 years and my husband still hasn’t figured out your first three tips. I’m guessing he never will. Thanks for the grins! Alice
On Mar 10, 2009 at 11:29 am #
Anita QoG Funny Chick says:Alice, I love your comment!!!!!
On Mar 10, 2009 at 6:32 pm #
Steph says:It looks really nice, I saw one done with photo’s. You can also go to your local library and get how to books, beats paying someone else to do it for you. I’m waiting for my mother to teach me how to quilt so I can start getting rid of some of this fabric all over the basement. If you could all see the space I’m crammed in right now. It’s only because this computer is hooked up to a sewing machine next to it. Someday soon I hope.
On Mar 11, 2009 at 10:39 am #
Sara Jane says:I like it! Very nice job! It’s a good thing you are learning about Shannon always being right, Steve. That’s a great thing to learn early on! Just kidding and the screen is really gorgeous!
On Mar 11, 2009 at 2:54 pm #
Kevin says:Looks good. Pine is tough. In my experience, you have to sand it until your hands are raw for stain to take evenly.
HGTV is the devil. As a joke (kind of), I once used the parental controls on our cable box to block HGTV and DIY so Ali would stop watching it and adding projects to my never-ending honey do list. She was not happy…
On Mar 12, 2009 at 3:47 pm #
Dora H says:You did GOOD !!!
On Mar 12, 2009 at 8:33 pm #
Steve says:Thank you everyone for your kind words! Hopefully this will get me motivated to keep it up for all of 2009.