Tuesday, September 18, 2012

Who wouldn't want a cabana?

    It used to be a sandbox, so can you sense the theme here?

    Under the playhouse that we inherited from the former owners of our house was a sandbox. Only it didn't have a lid. It was dirty and gross. At the time I was a new mom and so I did what any germ fearing mom did, told my husband to "cover that thing up so our kids don't get a tapeworm"! I had obviously seen too many episodes of House and CSI. My husband, being a carpenter (and being sweetly compliant to his pregnant wife) put deck boards securely down, and called it a day.

    Actually called it 4.5 years.... because that's how long it sat there boring and unused. Our now 4 and 1-year-old already have a separate sandbox (with a lid....yay!). So I wanted to turn the space into something they would play in.



   Let me also explain that we get a lot of sun in our yard.......like full on, no big trees, no shade, makes you want a freeze pop, morning SUN. So on summer days until about 3pm our back yard is sweltering.

   We needed some shade. I got the idea to create a mini "cabana" for the girls to lay in and play tea party (iced tea party?). I first thought to use outdoor fabric ... but that is a bit expensive and I wanted to test the waters first. So then I got the idea to use plastic table cloths. Cheap, colorful, and if they didn't work or ripped, it was no big deal.

 Off to The Christmas Tree Shoppes I drove on the hunt for cheap picnic table covers. I struck GOLD and found a huge bin of them for only $2 a piece!   I grabbed 4 and ran (drove) home as giddy as my 2 girls on Christmas morning.

 After spending maybe 5 minutes stapling them underneath the playhouse, and adding a few of my outdoor pillows, we now have this...

 
 
 
 
 
A perfect place to rest out of the hot, summer sun.
 
I cut some strips off the bottom of the cloth with my pinking shears and used them as ties. That way the girls can let down the sides to be "hidden"  or tie them open for light and breezes.
 
Perhaps it will also be a hiding place for mommies who have headaches.......  ;-)
 
Thanks for stopping by my new blog, check back soon for more posts! I have lots of projects and recipes lined up that I can't wait to share with you.
<3
 
~Angela

10 comments:

Robin said...

Best idea EVER!!!!! And your 'fabric' couldn't be more perfect for a cabana!!!! Now I'm sad I don't have a playhouse!

Cherie said...

Ur so creative hun :) cant wait for the next one :)

Jenna said...

Love your blog darling! It's about time! That head of yours is just bursting with creativity and homemaking ideas that inspire me every time we talk. So glad you are sharing that with everyone else. Btw, I will definitely be making a backyard cabana someday for my future kids!

Miriam said...

Awesome idea! Love it!!

Sara @ My Merry Messy Life said...

So cute Angela! I have a link party (where you can showcase your posts and get noticed) just for the fiber arts! http://www.mymerrymessylife.com/2012/09/hookin-on-hump-day-15-link-party-for.html

Earning-My-Cape said...

So cute! I love it! I'm pinning it! ;-)

Unknown said...

What a cute idea! Sara sent me over from the Bloggy Girls Club on Facebook! Welcome to the world of blogging!

Robyn from http://www.robynsview.com

Jan - The Nerdy Farm Wife said...

Haha the tapeworm thing is something I would TOTALLY think too. :) Adorable idea - love it! Looking forward to reading your ideas!

Felted Button said...

That might seriously be the cutest idea ever! I love the fabrics and would have been giddy to have such a space as a little girl! Found you from Hookin' on Hump Day!

Nancy W said...

Love this idea! Stopped by from http://homefront.prudentliving.com/ and the Bloggy Girls Club!

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