Secret Cat House

Our sunroom renovation has officially begun.<br /><br />Step #1: Get rid of this:<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBpF5ZSIU9DV6wpSatzQKRpy6RUDoNcay5a3vBEOUc8dimoFUZGeWl7qjvQefYfXHLwPfvB1_Yy7UZyH4OYT_A4lqwdA0clI-bbCksvoa5L3RaFwEX_Zf84i7a1RfVyLLnHNKYrWTYdjrd/s1600/IMG_7583.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBpF5ZSIU9DV6wpSatzQKRpy6RUDoNcay5a3vBEOUc8dimoFUZGeWl7qjvQefYfXHLwPfvB1_Yy7UZyH4OYT_A4lqwdA0clI-bbCksvoa5L3RaFwEX_Zf84i7a1RfVyLLnHNKYrWTYdjrd/s1600/IMG_7583.jpg" /></a></div><br /><br />Any indoor cat owners in the house? I know you feel my pain. <br /><br />This litterbox situation has been a seemingly unresolvable issue from day one. We don't have a traditional laundry room (which I assume would be the most common place to keep it), and we nixed the garage idea due to safety concerns (cats + cars = bad news).<br /><br />This meant we had to find a place for it inside. In the beginning we kept it in the most unused, unseen place in the house: the guest bathroom (in the bathtub hidden behind the shower curtain). Of course, this was not a good long term solution.<br /><br />When it got cooler outside, we relocated her to the sunroom which seemed to be a better solution, but still only temporary.<br /><br />We had tossed around the idea of some sort of external box that she could access through the house. This would not only eliminate the ugly plastic box out in the open, but the smell seeping into the room as well (let's face it... cat waste is foul).<br /><br />After trying to find a premade box, we realized our dimensions were too specific and we had to custom build it.<br /><br />So I measured and sketched out a plan:<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpZc_TZLru6r_2VWoI0saNL_BbAPH8oD6HWqmlCLLI09wOs9ejf8vrD70L3FxF88w-rcchsT3TcMSjBaINS2vs92yCEVp6NGSs4y1gYqb5T9jIxnVkqg8Z0vM9TGxJ2J2ZOAZxL8w_Yfw9/s1600/IMG_7706.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpZc_TZLru6r_2VWoI0saNL_BbAPH8oD6HWqmlCLLI09wOs9ejf8vrD70L3FxF88w-rcchsT3TcMSjBaINS2vs92yCEVp6NGSs4y1gYqb5T9jIxnVkqg8Z0vM9TGxJ2J2ZOAZxL8w_Yfw9/s1600/IMG_7706.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div>And we headed to Home Depot to grab our supplies: 1/2" and 3/4" MDF, roof shingles, cat door, litter pan, liquid nails, and spray foam (we had the rest at home). Total cost came to around $75.<br /><br />We had the square pieces of wood cut to size, and we cut the angled sides with a jigsaw at home (we made the roof angled for easy water runoff.)<br /><br />Here is the construction process, demonstrated in pictures:<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsc2YE2P_FGKuGRdjgkAfyx7lnV8opKcsvAdUDF_pvvwJNhHF3IomA-iJwkgva58wxynUV0FVg6bdG23gM5h0tBBMpxv8QEMAWhYfOSdxliQyEE_CH95a8nZiCPfciV2v2KVaift3g72rH/s1600/IMG_7707.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsc2YE2P_FGKuGRdjgkAfyx7lnV8opKcsvAdUDF_pvvwJNhHF3IomA-iJwkgva58wxynUV0FVg6bdG23gM5h0tBBMpxv8QEMAWhYfOSdxliQyEE_CH95a8nZiCPfciV2v2KVaift3g72rH/s1600/IMG_7707.jpg" /></a></div><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfwezXFxfGOvBlZ9hOeP_JaA3iTKNFse3E7GsmshAXHMtKMknS1EjulELpavuUT7NwzClMbzwwkVzSGYxyGCe4vDrI8Hb2o2bYLkkecvDOSK3eZu8PI21PI5SmOnyegu-9WzCSzsghczwN/s1600/IMG_7708.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfwezXFxfGOvBlZ9hOeP_JaA3iTKNFse3E7GsmshAXHMtKMknS1EjulELpavuUT7NwzClMbzwwkVzSGYxyGCe4vDrI8Hb2o2bYLkkecvDOSK3eZu8PI21PI5SmOnyegu-9WzCSzsghczwN/s1600/IMG_7708.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVX5FZqWzFbIxpxu04XPEKsP6QEfbq6BQ_3NsX1vQgETbvbWubx8WrXVjz5e1JUtoy_PKRtUPVHzbbBUOGSL7xiHOax10X9X1oAOPUbWdzylK8hanGlYrVGpJuT3LlxBLu6HH5V_GbrT6O/s1600/IMG_7711.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVX5FZqWzFbIxpxu04XPEKsP6QEfbq6BQ_3NsX1vQgETbvbWubx8WrXVjz5e1JUtoy_PKRtUPVHzbbBUOGSL7xiHOax10X9X1oAOPUbWdzylK8hanGlYrVGpJuT3LlxBLu6HH5V_GbrT6O/s1600/IMG_7711.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2gkH0YhPLYf6JA4ukSFsX-xcDZuJ_ZRs_wdJO-5BbQgS1RpD3RY2lF6B6EP0qzK0YDcYIH1DSvLh3eVtGwpqh49IvA-go1X2dOWwmDP4MrDdYgPVIVvQjrDERIfMGLIBnzKC5gepdFgj8/s1600/IMG_7710.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2gkH0YhPLYf6JA4ukSFsX-xcDZuJ_ZRs_wdJO-5BbQgS1RpD3RY2lF6B6EP0qzK0YDcYIH1DSvLh3eVtGwpqh49IvA-go1X2dOWwmDP4MrDdYgPVIVvQjrDERIfMGLIBnzKC5gepdFgj8/s1600/IMG_7710.jpg" /></a></div><br /><br />Woohoo, it fits!<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgj4RQObZ4YatJgjNgZZcFUkMJTPuQA_MVBcta5ezZhifeWmZTkHvw-Fya39TrMfdinJTyPej7e2A1gXrndyJqlViYo864nolI8c5gVLB6cII7u-71Su0QqvPfmTnOjv7YXvI3dkb_LoySj/s1600/IMG_7709.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgj4RQObZ4YatJgjNgZZcFUkMJTPuQA_MVBcta5ezZhifeWmZTkHvw-Fya39TrMfdinJTyPej7e2A1gXrndyJqlViYo864nolI8c5gVLB6cII7u-71Su0QqvPfmTnOjv7YXvI3dkb_LoySj/s1600/IMG_7709.jpg" /></a></div><br /><br />Once everything was screwed together, we gave it a few coats of paint for extra wood protection (and also to make it prettier).<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlysRM9zxZ-nfow03T_Am8PKSwRkaoFfCYvN6bpsJk-aSOM5t5KkIQeDJQnGmJrRPehgUXXftFp3jegc1c1UAEnbry13QEHuIVydPPyu9QM5iJrP5Qoy_SMT9jL23oSdrVK_8vO_9m9Etp/s1600/IMG_7712.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlysRM9zxZ-nfow03T_Am8PKSwRkaoFfCYvN6bpsJk-aSOM5t5KkIQeDJQnGmJrRPehgUXXftFp3jegc1c1UAEnbry13QEHuIVydPPyu9QM5iJrP5Qoy_SMT9jL23oSdrVK_8vO_9m9Etp/s1600/IMG_7712.jpg" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWR_RdqwV0GZfIhRL2P2eZYaCFnTFBggu5CYJY49li6DaOeRI5uSkXQiA0NBbqAaunMM_6amsQwwup7RyzCJ0yXKDOrGYnWot5JRu8VPJGhu_EHJYgEngnu9FhkpfHRK4cc6naMOTSkZA_/s1600/IMG_7713.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWR_RdqwV0GZfIhRL2P2eZYaCFnTFBggu5CYJY49li6DaOeRI5uSkXQiA0NBbqAaunMM_6amsQwwup7RyzCJ0yXKDOrGYnWot5JRu8VPJGhu_EHJYgEngnu9FhkpfHRK4cc6naMOTSkZA_/s1600/IMG_7713.jpg" /></a></div><br />As the paint was drying, we got started on the roof.<br /><br />We picked up a couple sample shingles for $2 each, which was just the right amount for this project.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5M46GtK0P6pUamXPky7LO1l6CiQqfIHatJThMlfEfAFYCMGIQ7Y43AzFSXU1ZrdKSMu8JDX9aCNWI6AK586MNe0gGnrU3xlZnXJSKMwmfwA1OlMHhM4_8hgVhOsTWls9eugIaUXF73fNv/s1600/IMG_7714.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5M46GtK0P6pUamXPky7LO1l6CiQqfIHatJThMlfEfAFYCMGIQ7Y43AzFSXU1ZrdKSMu8JDX9aCNWI6AK586MNe0gGnrU3xlZnXJSKMwmfwA1OlMHhM4_8hgVhOsTWls9eugIaUXF73fNv/s1600/IMG_7714.jpg" /></a></div><br />A couple nails on the edges was all it took.<br /><br />Once in place, we trimmed off the excess (this stuff cuts like butter):<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghIbNmLpu3TSxrHnBP6iAl_WhkpqqjZillCdsWsxCEXPyZNgnc67cX0yxW3WCTMrh23rKN0tolhfr71lZna50SkNZoBU5GrHrMQet8k-cd11iq7nzC6vOgcbvFvge5p2G3JcR1tolpH_Xy/s1600/IMG_7715.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghIbNmLpu3TSxrHnBP6iAl_WhkpqqjZillCdsWsxCEXPyZNgnc67cX0yxW3WCTMrh23rKN0tolhfr71lZna50SkNZoBU5GrHrMQet8k-cd11iq7nzC6vOgcbvFvge5p2G3JcR1tolpH_Xy/s1600/IMG_7715.jpg" /></a></div><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQGSC1V_qe41IBiMBLs30YtpZW6hnyztllk8TBv9cWUFN0PMMxQpTh3oq1AxPt-VSk3bqiL0kK2-3Iben_k0mGZEh128B4Ley0W3e2YdSWatI_BkUKkTG5tuZivsUzmjx8a2XN6SWag2LF/s1600/IMG_7717.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQGSC1V_qe41IBiMBLs30YtpZW6hnyztllk8TBv9cWUFN0PMMxQpTh3oq1AxPt-VSk3bqiL0kK2-3Iben_k0mGZEh128B4Ley0W3e2YdSWatI_BkUKkTG5tuZivsUzmjx8a2XN6SWag2LF/s1600/IMG_7717.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh19Zf42YU8l3g-BZp61qf8SM7k-cbY23mEoVXv6sGSlHNERFGDKI3YJ-BvLjnHLH-1l0-fJqixUF2wuijKAnO-Q4zZsrljt50qh6uctGsskMVr9lmXqGUHUBS3rFxw46Hc91CvSFaaihHy/s1600/IMG_7719.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh19Zf42YU8l3g-BZp61qf8SM7k-cbY23mEoVXv6sGSlHNERFGDKI3YJ-BvLjnHLH-1l0-fJqixUF2wuijKAnO-Q4zZsrljt50qh6uctGsskMVr9lmXqGUHUBS3rFxw46Hc91CvSFaaihHy/s1600/IMG_7719.jpg" /></a></div><br />And our box was done!<br /><br />The next step was fabricating a door (along with a kitty door inside of that).<br /><br />We used the kitty door template and traced the hole...<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrb5OUJj6HV2KZe4UQjfPY4dT2jJawmo7yBLvnk9oavkRhluqyCXYKhapE9vdIRQgNMMDM4FmCj5NKK5FXqDiZhG47lmrs3QimdSQRhFzRsuK3A2WABmluvpNjb85qen36t9MPKU2Wry2V/s1600/IMG_7720.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrb5OUJj6HV2KZe4UQjfPY4dT2jJawmo7yBLvnk9oavkRhluqyCXYKhapE9vdIRQgNMMDM4FmCj5NKK5FXqDiZhG47lmrs3QimdSQRhFzRsuK3A2WABmluvpNjb85qen36t9MPKU2Wry2V/s1600/IMG_7720.jpg" /></a></div><br />and Brad cut it out with a jigsaw:<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVQ9YTi6Q1QWruH-jPwTE8LZcG_XSWmuxc14O1MWOYg98w325nc2MFuEccYW60c3qKPX-pJ65v0OYaXXBhfjrEoWv9t90pv8UQr5M2pxxtnRS1k5XLvGoyQUjE1RcPifGqZjmhHlSYrjEe/s1600/IMG_7721.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVQ9YTi6Q1QWruH-jPwTE8LZcG_XSWmuxc14O1MWOYg98w325nc2MFuEccYW60c3qKPX-pJ65v0OYaXXBhfjrEoWv9t90pv8UQr5M2pxxtnRS1k5XLvGoyQUjE1RcPifGqZjmhHlSYrjEe/s1600/IMG_7721.jpg" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiggWHWO0J_t-dRgrE3fWskWGj6gauMsUFWbWaQgz1FStttN43cQ-H1114iu0Npq-ywgGnAt3LeK2tli-OIRdqYHrB7O25hpQs2mIcHCmkrXrVSDQWMBwv5vtZ_KOtBeYegw7sRhDlq2hJ4/s1600/IMG_7722.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiggWHWO0J_t-dRgrE3fWskWGj6gauMsUFWbWaQgz1FStttN43cQ-H1114iu0Npq-ywgGnAt3LeK2tli-OIRdqYHrB7O25hpQs2mIcHCmkrXrVSDQWMBwv5vtZ_KOtBeYegw7sRhDlq2hJ4/s1600/IMG_7722.jpg" /></a></div><br />Ok, so it wasn't the straightest cut... but it would be hidden so it was good enough. (Maybe I'll try cutting next time).<br /><br />Back inside, we measured our opening and used the jigsaw to cut a hole in the sunroom wall.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieqjQyq6JMLiCQtI2VyCXh9hzccWzTvuwfpYtlkqnIPSTL2tfK1bhxunUPE8cBYd1_dwsYrbfRT3IuckaXSYpkA6f0LpzFVTo-44HoefXHL1nGH7SUuaA2TsTZ9syD8Pb9l-_Zfq_7bp28/s1600/IMG_7724.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieqjQyq6JMLiCQtI2VyCXh9hzccWzTvuwfpYtlkqnIPSTL2tfK1bhxunUPE8cBYd1_dwsYrbfRT3IuckaXSYpkA6f0LpzFVTo-44HoefXHL1nGH7SUuaA2TsTZ9syD8Pb9l-_Zfq_7bp28/s1600/IMG_7724.jpg" /></a></div><br /><br />Ta-da!<br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjc7Q2CokmU1yWkEtK9jt4tMEWGa1MUokSOCFkFk1CSXiHtSelhZgpkFwiV-OWyvfkMPwGKek-ZhO6UXUYMZyRdMBoCH_QnD1f5vD0F0qe7r2TfRlwHSZbIvPlwMh5VZcJifv52G_SFuYif/s1600/IMG_7725.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjc7Q2CokmU1yWkEtK9jt4tMEWGa1MUokSOCFkFk1CSXiHtSelhZgpkFwiV-OWyvfkMPwGKek-ZhO6UXUYMZyRdMBoCH_QnD1f5vD0F0qe7r2TfRlwHSZbIvPlwMh5VZcJifv52G_SFuYif/s1600/IMG_7725.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><em>Stop laughing at our vertical blinds... Brad doesn't want to part with them yet for some reason.</em></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><br />Outside, we wiggled our box into place...<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfLh1uIXYvBqjs9fZ1KsDL7GSU3KQOm0i-FBYwoHCd5V6Wuvi7U81AT9rtXJLqwxBxQJ66uEapbby6BGvtl0V5_cY9PDcOzuzAz30XnvHSOUuvbKvpM47OS_TmFHlFLcYGYxeAaA7fzdJY/s1600/IMG_7726.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfLh1uIXYvBqjs9fZ1KsDL7GSU3KQOm0i-FBYwoHCd5V6Wuvi7U81AT9rtXJLqwxBxQJ66uEapbby6BGvtl0V5_cY9PDcOzuzAz30XnvHSOUuvbKvpM47OS_TmFHlFLcYGYxeAaA7fzdJY/s1600/IMG_7726.jpg" /></a></div><br /><br />And used bricks to set it flat and level against the house.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUcw1oEdDpKmhgz2sdJuIg_Z6z0VBFiCoeloeVRGSHV8u2WNLOY1JtmdRuIZvlHdVnnvitkWWAmF7sjAPJphe0ryjLcPLQMZ8aiYOLZmBpXwX8WRIVXKH1jxasqLCfB7WRY8pU7sO4Jlj4/s1600/IMG_7727.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUcw1oEdDpKmhgz2sdJuIg_Z6z0VBFiCoeloeVRGSHV8u2WNLOY1JtmdRuIZvlHdVnnvitkWWAmF7sjAPJphe0ryjLcPLQMZ8aiYOLZmBpXwX8WRIVXKH1jxasqLCfB7WRY8pU7sO4Jlj4/s1600/IMG_7727.jpg" /></a></div><br /><br />For a waterproof seal, we applied weather stripping around the opening and drilled long screws from the inside to secure it to the house. Brad also applied caulk and foam all the way around the outside. I think it's safe to say nothing is getting into this box!<br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDrZYrK25e9fvq9z7YqSsPNoFegvkHYHVEul4Eu2zksVuRovpWPvnqn7M7-Ztm-nWWI7Sn-dj_3uLtGFSrwm4LKZcmgi1ODmnvM5EFGAuhyphenhyphen_dcxsA7fq_PkoLbEpp1zTkJR_Wc25rMszO9/s1600/IMG_7728.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDrZYrK25e9fvq9z7YqSsPNoFegvkHYHVEul4Eu2zksVuRovpWPvnqn7M7-Ztm-nWWI7Sn-dj_3uLtGFSrwm4LKZcmgi1ODmnvM5EFGAuhyphenhyphen_dcxsA7fq_PkoLbEpp1zTkJR_Wc25rMszO9/s1600/IMG_7728.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><em>I know... this line isn't straight either.... luckily it's hidden also!</em></td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSkkEa2FDWxXrrdmKmCMdjp3KbEGJVvLhrYLHMvadBUk5RtnRxEaXWuTw52xkVGJGtKI16rIoy6MojELv6TgK9Dx_ejUO8m9eaY8Jk1_zDvarVWLvrYRn3491WHg46At3urUA9zey7cU93/s1600/IMG_7730.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSkkEa2FDWxXrrdmKmCMdjp3KbEGJVvLhrYLHMvadBUk5RtnRxEaXWuTw52xkVGJGtKI16rIoy6MojELv6TgK9Dx_ejUO8m9eaY8Jk1_zDvarVWLvrYRn3491WHg46At3urUA9zey7cU93/s1600/IMG_7730.jpg" /></a></div><br /><br />Perfect fit!<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikAkmBVtyzIVjTGQMrb_xg2AbUQMbKZ4DbLG-vU6NuuDy9C6fy9ZDfWQccJCIhStn80odXdJZZJFeU85Tk75YjM9oBN5r5LB1etmlzEeRONZXiywxZP-gVVsvm_rVIknNtEelOQA9MHn3Z/s1600/IMG_7732.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikAkmBVtyzIVjTGQMrb_xg2AbUQMbKZ4DbLG-vU6NuuDy9C6fy9ZDfWQccJCIhStn80odXdJZZJFeU85Tk75YjM9oBN5r5LB1etmlzEeRONZXiywxZP-gVVsvm_rVIknNtEelOQA9MHn3Z/s1600/IMG_7732.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div>The last step was drilling the door into place. We used simple white self closing hinges, so the door pulls shut on its own. No knob or latch needed.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-KHLzaYwDSmIxe8sK7CYy231G7KVEH0BvQ2j47hjpgJzCKHbCeZb7EVEqyyhMA6Efsz2J169MzmHrLofm56vuSFM0jkyRP9JCvOo4MmHliimgEHjcPAsI0RD_9h8hfC_cq6DnCQNZUwBS/s1600/IMG_7733.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-KHLzaYwDSmIxe8sK7CYy231G7KVEH0BvQ2j47hjpgJzCKHbCeZb7EVEqyyhMA6Efsz2J169MzmHrLofm56vuSFM0jkyRP9JCvOo4MmHliimgEHjcPAsI0RD_9h8hfC_cq6DnCQNZUwBS/s1600/IMG_7733.jpg" /></a></div><br />And finally, I touched up the screws with white paint to make everything blend in so it's as low profile as possible.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiesoubhjuEvecU5zGHdrQgKruvhLliHF4J2GehCgzTE_-DSBzqWa6cf9J8PlgZnR5K26GVzCB2STeMiMCM1bEHXU4ibb3qvoVoP2HFO1ipBHG2nIBiKlgdZgTi8QS4SDPgB0yZDNr4vgid/s1600/IMG_7736.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiesoubhjuEvecU5zGHdrQgKruvhLliHF4J2GehCgzTE_-DSBzqWa6cf9J8PlgZnR5K26GVzCB2STeMiMCM1bEHXU4ibb3qvoVoP2HFO1ipBHG2nIBiKlgdZgTi8QS4SDPgB0yZDNr4vgid/s1600/IMG_7736.jpg" /></a></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGTP25iT9tpMoX6zdKWW1acTw5_zzaFCnfyZmoBGTIGFYkyfZtQJxoaAJ6g4UFIsnWlSqp8DhHbCMJmjikIjkHwua8RJ71-o2Pmt_SSiPtMz2tbxPKkXys15qjy5MimvaY0HKGtMJKZuDT/s1600/IMG_7735.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGTP25iT9tpMoX6zdKWW1acTw5_zzaFCnfyZmoBGTIGFYkyfZtQJxoaAJ6g4UFIsnWlSqp8DhHbCMJmjikIjkHwua8RJ71-o2Pmt_SSiPtMz2tbxPKkXys15qjy5MimvaY0HKGtMJKZuDT/s1600/IMG_7735.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><em>Sidenote: We don't anticipate it getting too hot in there because it's in a shady area and has the roof shingles for extra protection—but if we determine it's uncomfortable for her, and/or the smell seeps into the room, we're going to install a computer fan into the back of the box to keep it circulated.</em></td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">And that, my friends, is our solution to a stinky cat situation. I'm so happy we actually pulled this thing off. Even though it's far from perfect, I am proud of our efforts and feel like we are becoming better DIY'ers. And I think my former-carpenter dad would be proud.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I think Susie digs her new room (and privacy). She's already pooped in it a few times.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRmVZHZn2m3X1zUBecwVFhU1TyFdvdDkZAuE01mo00X5dVmMSMESI5QCMDgCMVKSLxLRaiU_5_wHfM0Z9pf0R_K-PEjO6PrmBJdWlZKR5Rn1Sr61KV9iM8dXLToR5_pOQjoIV4vj0cr6xZ/s1600/IMG_4603.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="442" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRmVZHZn2m3X1zUBecwVFhU1TyFdvdDkZAuE01mo00X5dVmMSMESI5QCMDgCMVKSLxLRaiU_5_wHfM0Z9pf0R_K-PEjO6PrmBJdWlZKR5Rn1Sr61KV9iM8dXLToR5_pOQjoIV4vj0cr6xZ/s640/IMG_4603.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Now we can start focusing on the big stuff. There's a drywaller and electrician coming on Thursday to rip out our sagging ceiling and add some fresh new drywall. We plan to install recessed lighting and in-ceiling speakers, which will finally make the room inhabitable. Then it's new tile flooring!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Let the fun times begin...</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZacC7tIn3D42QdevPGKzPifT0k0OP5NupUrWBrlxisHS8yESOkB1cLrGDlbvQSulQxJQUZ2d_eWPXZvG7Y83xdGZlxwVyUi3REaEptsUAnbY4YekEKCHJagn9lXyEybYcAe4LQiNNQWcy/s1600/Signature.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZacC7tIn3D42QdevPGKzPifT0k0OP5NupUrWBrlxisHS8yESOkB1cLrGDlbvQSulQxJQUZ2d_eWPXZvG7Y83xdGZlxwVyUi3REaEptsUAnbY4YekEKCHJagn9lXyEybYcAe4LQiNNQWcy/s1600/Signature.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div align="left" class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>

Secret Cat House

Our sunroom renovation has officially begun. Step #1: Get rid of this: Any indoor cat owners in the house? I know you feel my pain. This lit...

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Around Our Town | Winston Flowers in Concord, Ma.

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGFuTiwLYcUA1D5SuAFfuFMsPYTJGVrH3pWWmPvqknOM29ufWdockejBhopoixE3yhJEsNlb6FhRDluwRufFjpZQk3LD3FwuBjWIpT87QRDelDHdmE6MJLrxWlwyjJizPRKvcatcaIUHjA/s1600/IMG_3537.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGFuTiwLYcUA1D5SuAFfuFMsPYTJGVrH3pWWmPvqknOM29ufWdockejBhopoixE3yhJEsNlb6FhRDluwRufFjpZQk3LD3FwuBjWIpT87QRDelDHdmE6MJLrxWlwyjJizPRKvcatcaIUHjA/s640/IMG_3537.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />Since moving to Concord almost a year ago, I've come to love so many of the local businesses and resources (<a href="http://jennysteffens.blogspot.com/2012/03/around-our-town-verrill-farm-in-concord.html">like Verrill Farm that I wrote about last week</a>).  High on the list is Winston Flowers.  There are five other locations in the Boston area, but it is far from a 'chain' florist.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg49IDDUtvB9Xhzb8jtvfjgFtdE1DVtulYffjTy27PKglLPdB0PV1FgMZNQkU07oubTlK3mGpntq9JHD3YrN6suhMpbHfrWlhxA7kYhyphenhyphenJ2znug1SWjuvhX5wdOJBE3yeILEKfFxgshS2nhK/s1600/IMG_3517.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg49IDDUtvB9Xhzb8jtvfjgFtdE1DVtulYffjTy27PKglLPdB0PV1FgMZNQkU07oubTlK3mGpntq9JHD3YrN6suhMpbHfrWlhxA7kYhyphenhyphenJ2znug1SWjuvhX5wdOJBE3yeILEKfFxgshS2nhK/s640/IMG_3517.JPG" width="640" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2S92slc9bXuPLq8VbUfsQmKKd9NDCXuVbyfkRni4ltxdg3spqHQ80T39-IjWSljg3whRNIP7V6lBk8AbFf5ufRojXXeJfK6aXMsSeERxwWgUxGTp1xo4AI4OuHP7w9oTl2V0W4NbQS1Eb/s1600/IMG_3516.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a></div><br />What I love most about Winston is that it feels like a flower market.  All of the blooms are displayed in the front of the store in masses - giant bunches of daffodils, tulips, muscari and blooming branches for Spring.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfTDmdW6wMUy79cM10HWDb2FkWTXTMH49b6sfuyh8Wu9bIO0TIDmMLIQbDq2i58-s7aBtH5LOlb9YfWqwBOaVTVV_c6d83rD9GLJ8i_5wKGKFFWE8DglZxSjxeQW-qm726dMBa1VCOyos8/s1600/IMG_3520.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfTDmdW6wMUy79cM10HWDb2FkWTXTMH49b6sfuyh8Wu9bIO0TIDmMLIQbDq2i58-s7aBtH5LOlb9YfWqwBOaVTVV_c6d83rD9GLJ8i_5wKGKFFWE8DglZxSjxeQW-qm726dMBa1VCOyos8/s640/IMG_3520.jpg" width="426" /></a></div><br />I love that most of their flowers are seasonal - except for the $15/dozen roses that are handy to pick up for any occasion.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoHVgj8ngwgRZjaMgaXugQ-c7-UuvTzx9bQM-TJ-tpxZNhmWzS2aEzZDte0bKYFer51K-jlCg62X3EOlVYkQcqLBDp1VBURwrn9t4JTirR4Go8EFyWT620piI9VVdT71w5mu9RoiN5MKhz/s1600/IMG_3523.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoHVgj8ngwgRZjaMgaXugQ-c7-UuvTzx9bQM-TJ-tpxZNhmWzS2aEzZDte0bKYFer51K-jlCg62X3EOlVYkQcqLBDp1VBURwrn9t4JTirR4Go8EFyWT620piI9VVdT71w5mu9RoiN5MKhz/s640/IMG_3523.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8n3uBj4S8KE9kxZswre9mIr3Nr2C6ZcGcT_6ozLfx-0cqBVWyRr8JQS0vOWlqWiV-j-S18GmQkEk7TwcvZv1NT02LbVT2R4PW2WCpmwGxUuEQPl0j5xWg3Lm-UbXhSVA3u3WohcqarD8V/s1600/IMG_3528.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8n3uBj4S8KE9kxZswre9mIr3Nr2C6ZcGcT_6ozLfx-0cqBVWyRr8JQS0vOWlqWiV-j-S18GmQkEk7TwcvZv1NT02LbVT2R4PW2WCpmwGxUuEQPl0j5xWg3Lm-UbXhSVA3u3WohcqarD8V/s640/IMG_3528.jpg" width="426" /></a> <br />I know when I walk in the store it will give me that feeling of Spring, the Holidays, Autumn... or whatever the season might be.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFFFtH9NWiTlF9ZcU5dx7mqIL2yOwHvzjxS13sq50NiLejJuKFNod-HmM_UzSGHtzzHPE4ZOyBLqGeGb0J6uac4XXWz9esQPrkbwthwHpZjW_JZROpvM0oP5CsFDACZt1kzfO-svzlWbk0/s1600/IMG_3535.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFFFtH9NWiTlF9ZcU5dx7mqIL2yOwHvzjxS13sq50NiLejJuKFNod-HmM_UzSGHtzzHPE4ZOyBLqGeGb0J6uac4XXWz9esQPrkbwthwHpZjW_JZROpvM0oP5CsFDACZt1kzfO-svzlWbk0/s640/IMG_3535.jpg" width="425" /></a></div><br />They foster my love of potted plants with their selection of planted daffodils, ferns and other botanicals with unique containers.  Look at how everything is displayed - I would love a greenhouse or a workshop that looks like this someday... maybe a project for my sun porch?  <br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9cykPbJGC-35gEERJEaWzgO4IqS-PyKVhxW93vCU2X-ZHK5XLL9rTYCCRmgMg1eDtx9wmtHNlTBtYwb1QNFfWcWeKuCMHurJlsv2nZ4b6p_5SSY5fkc4Chk_TMuH3IK3z3m-GESW6nkxV/s1600/IMG_3511.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9cykPbJGC-35gEERJEaWzgO4IqS-PyKVhxW93vCU2X-ZHK5XLL9rTYCCRmgMg1eDtx9wmtHNlTBtYwb1QNFfWcWeKuCMHurJlsv2nZ4b6p_5SSY5fkc4Chk_TMuH3IK3z3m-GESW6nkxV/s640/IMG_3511.JPG" width="640" /></a> <br /><br />I get so much inspiration when I go in - little ways to display blooms, and ideas for centerpieces and tables.  I've purchase several of their pots and come in on a regular basis to get the seasonal plant that fits in that particular container - one of my favorite things to do when we have a guest coming to stay with us.

Around Our Town | Winston Flowers in Concord, Ma.

Since moving to Concord almost a year ago, I've come to love so many of the local businesses and resources ( like Verrill Farm that I wr...

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DIY Moss Letter

Yes, I'm still alive!<br /><br />I apologize for the lack of action around here—I've been enjoying the outdoors with friends and family. It's been in the 80's with low humidity and nothing but sunshine. That means one thing in Florida: Spring is here!<br /><br />To make our house a bit more festive for the season, I decided I needed something green. Then I saw this:<br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://media-cache0.pinterest.com/upload/214695107205543037_qTxzLY8o_c.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://media-cache0.pinterest.com/upload/214695107205543037_qTxzLY8o_c.jpg" width="470" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><em><a href="http://pinterest.com/pin/214695107205543037/" target="_blank">Source</a></em></td></tr></tbody></table><br />And this...<br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://media-cache5.pinterest.com/upload/144255994283730587_FssFC3hS_c.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://media-cache5.pinterest.com/upload/144255994283730587_FssFC3hS_c.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><em><a href="http://pinterest.com/pin/144255994283730587/" target="_blank">Source</a></em></td></tr></tbody></table><br />....and this:<br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://media-cache6.pinterest.com/upload/227502218645886473_V0whsDU8_c.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://media-cache6.pinterest.com/upload/227502218645886473_V0whsDU8_c.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><em><a href="http://pinterest.com/pin/227502218645886473/" target="_blank">Source</a></em></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><br />And I had to have my own. So I headed to Joann's and grabbed my supplies: A large letter (D, for our last name) and roll of moss, which came to just over $20 after a 40% off one item coupon (the moss was expensive! $18 for a roll. The letter was cheap, I think $8). You'll also need hot glue and scissors.<br /><br />I was quite excited about this project. Coming from a graphic design background, type has always been close to my heart. Typography was my favorite class in college, and I always have to walk by the aisle with big letters when I'm at craft stores. I'd been waiting for the day to do something with one for a long time. <br /><br />Back at home, I laid out my supplies and got to work.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmW46HE-28Fa7binloicBEd0ZhOUT-u5LhCI8_0iQnIyefZGB6WU9p3WLkbGoPLlxzcZZwYmTBlPIIwaiz_kaRxKOVhBnzHD4uD4FE1WbowCYYUFrUdjzaqmIUzFw4aoaw2k15BKUSm_lr/s1600/IMG_7654.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="472" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmW46HE-28Fa7binloicBEd0ZhOUT-u5LhCI8_0iQnIyefZGB6WU9p3WLkbGoPLlxzcZZwYmTBlPIIwaiz_kaRxKOVhBnzHD4uD4FE1WbowCYYUFrUdjzaqmIUzFw4aoaw2k15BKUSm_lr/s640/IMG_7654.jpg" width="640" /></a><br /><br />Step 1: Roll the moss flat and lay your letter down. Figure out the best configuration on how to cut your moss. Luckily, I was able to use one entire piece for my letter which made things a bit simpler.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhM1kh-8cnGjdiPyRhiWskvOa3naAFis9EsePukoZxb-HUFXn7_CoXSDnNjGbT6-TfoQvgqfR9jMWZpZAesktRk9giax9OJ7MF32cKqFNPd1suO5ZruRGwB27DONQk0sgGNMqcbo_-yXTZK/s1600/IMG_7656.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="456" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhM1kh-8cnGjdiPyRhiWskvOa3naAFis9EsePukoZxb-HUFXn7_CoXSDnNjGbT6-TfoQvgqfR9jMWZpZAesktRk9giax9OJ7MF32cKqFNPd1suO5ZruRGwB27DONQk0sgGNMqcbo_-yXTZK/s640/IMG_7656.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><br />I then traced my letter with a sharpie:<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmnXoWKbRsqRstNraKcPnuA9HFc-HVGTHpnsQtlGVUhore1AgpPMAp7izLuDBzAeUpgAKEjKA_Wv3GrawbV6bWbIr5PNtMTFY_gh1kdEXJOzrEdZN50rpcc5-_PkLi8X2Pr0T5TOqBuOOv/s1600/IMG_7657.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmnXoWKbRsqRstNraKcPnuA9HFc-HVGTHpnsQtlGVUhore1AgpPMAp7izLuDBzAeUpgAKEjKA_Wv3GrawbV6bWbIr5PNtMTFY_gh1kdEXJOzrEdZN50rpcc5-_PkLi8X2Pr0T5TOqBuOOv/s640/IMG_7657.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />Cutting through this stuff was easier than I had expected (and I was using crappy scissors). <br /><br />Once the main shape was cut out, I measured the depth of my letter, and cut a bunch of strips to size so I could wrap them around the sides.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEju4ugi3avHj6ZUo6TUnbxDCPhew5phDR6ANXHa-m32YmI1wUhd8U_ccN6kjW1APK8UvNlwjQjPyJGQUEeZJlsMO5rdkkTDchEyF_hokbzbav7xoX-0y-X2Qzt6w5p79JKnCfLnscbXGn1m/s1600/IMG_7658.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="482" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEju4ugi3avHj6ZUo6TUnbxDCPhew5phDR6ANXHa-m32YmI1wUhd8U_ccN6kjW1APK8UvNlwjQjPyJGQUEeZJlsMO5rdkkTDchEyF_hokbzbav7xoX-0y-X2Qzt6w5p79JKnCfLnscbXGn1m/s640/IMG_7658.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><br />Once everything was ready, I simply applied my hot glue (liberally) and smoothed everything down in place. I have no shots of this part because I couldn't risk the glue drying... but you get the idea, right?<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIkhKgfbTGAih1PnV_ZxZ47nbVBtJvb5832bC2ui9vyf9B8GPjPId0qAZpM_eVZX3SQiYKeAl4bwJZhQQXrK_2j3x0d8fa5x3GdI8GAUQa-R2lpT1R02mnx1y5qdWmQ1JpjgD2AUHDv3V5/s1600/IMG_7659.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIkhKgfbTGAih1PnV_ZxZ47nbVBtJvb5832bC2ui9vyf9B8GPjPId0qAZpM_eVZX3SQiYKeAl4bwJZhQQXrK_2j3x0d8fa5x3GdI8GAUQa-R2lpT1R02mnx1y5qdWmQ1JpjgD2AUHDv3V5/s640/IMG_7659.jpg" width="520" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div align="left" class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">This project is not at all as daunting as it may seem, because the moss is forgiving and easy to manipulate. Cut the moss too long? No problem, trim the edges. Too short? Easy fix, just break off a few pieces and glue it in place. The moss blends really well with each other so the seams aren't very visible, and it's easy to patch.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I had the perfect spot for it, too:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div align="left" class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div align="left" class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3Ul8_Y6BelPr8Qsf8Wb7db4B41JPXtYIAh18bXph6mw-jgHXwa0eASRoQTKG1I-apuH6X8nyZWHL2H_AFJkFHHQqrpu0IryXSa2qKe2cA1TcBA_u3tg_aFlVWY86cxjKFA-djSlxEEQy2/s1600/IMG_7384.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3Ul8_Y6BelPr8Qsf8Wb7db4B41JPXtYIAh18bXph6mw-jgHXwa0eASRoQTKG1I-apuH6X8nyZWHL2H_AFJkFHHQqrpu0IryXSa2qKe2cA1TcBA_u3tg_aFlVWY86cxjKFA-djSlxEEQy2/s640/IMG_7384.jpg" width="416" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The wall is lonely no more.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijE14NewIuQSDqPIAVPtZ6KcgwC68GqRHi_dMKFS6ySNLUDf11IvlSQ1WNwNC-QVzz0qP0rZJc9XzZ0o8G4vhkF6k4OCFjJj4RdOpGjSyZ7wQUqVOISgthScg7FBnoKT412WonrKylO3bz/s1600/IMG_7660.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijE14NewIuQSDqPIAVPtZ6KcgwC68GqRHi_dMKFS6ySNLUDf11IvlSQ1WNwNC-QVzz0qP0rZJc9XzZ0o8G4vhkF6k4OCFjJj4RdOpGjSyZ7wQUqVOISgthScg7FBnoKT412WonrKylO3bz/s640/IMG_7660.jpg" width="426" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicZm1eu6q7J8X4PeVdvYUtYQwkTgkocv00cbvEIyXA330zY-2xgoTbdZmSdOJUt5jVgSvQycx_mHEr944c-ZUDegf4MCTyZVE-2aUOoQ2DaJLiPwERNY-r-PPrfxz7_XIrnPwQ40ZQiKOv/s1600/IMG_7662.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicZm1eu6q7J8X4PeVdvYUtYQwkTgkocv00cbvEIyXA330zY-2xgoTbdZmSdOJUt5jVgSvQycx_mHEr944c-ZUDegf4MCTyZVE-2aUOoQ2DaJLiPwERNY-r-PPrfxz7_XIrnPwQ40ZQiKOv/s640/IMG_7662.jpg" width="502" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPZ35hPaec2g-CktfjojK-6oGrvn3Sc5JczuBo9pIrRlL4Q17OJFpBAeL1AjslX3FizbsFLitwPg8QhWedfdEzVeRpftUTQKsyFvG5cj5NmblhaFsNZwr42KN6rw-fj56ddZpxxJR2Tvnd/s1600/IMG_7664.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPZ35hPaec2g-CktfjojK-6oGrvn3Sc5JczuBo9pIrRlL4Q17OJFpBAeL1AjslX3FizbsFLitwPg8QhWedfdEzVeRpftUTQKsyFvG5cj5NmblhaFsNZwr42KN6rw-fj56ddZpxxJR2Tvnd/s640/IMG_7664.jpg" width="502" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoM3EwByNVUlE9eGqCXCB1E8iBxd_vQyBqXyooc_pWJ_6XQSc6UarJPOnLVLBwr_9zNxRtRDMIj4NZCk9KNYC6zpbE4_xV2y_Z3OnWw6H7yIICgHAu41NqCsqT6gBOzFD-0lcEZKcO6140/s1600/IMG_7670.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoM3EwByNVUlE9eGqCXCB1E8iBxd_vQyBqXyooc_pWJ_6XQSc6UarJPOnLVLBwr_9zNxRtRDMIj4NZCk9KNYC6zpbE4_xV2y_Z3OnWw6H7yIICgHAu41NqCsqT6gBOzFD-0lcEZKcO6140/s640/IMG_7670.jpg" width="387" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhecSDy6MRwusjHOt6ogmNWzBhy4tUDLNFVA-KmWo8MpfIeeVQu-OtoYp72Oyn8Ws4WcH-eiihe5ipe0BY6Va5wQwj_A51Tvjw7SoUQN1gMUVMlDMmdm4zpgyI4qKa6z0qhtBq7WQFdFf6M/s1600/IMG_7666.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhecSDy6MRwusjHOt6ogmNWzBhy4tUDLNFVA-KmWo8MpfIeeVQu-OtoYp72Oyn8Ws4WcH-eiihe5ipe0BY6Va5wQwj_A51Tvjw7SoUQN1gMUVMlDMmdm4zpgyI4qKa6z0qhtBq7WQFdFf6M/s640/IMG_7666.jpg" width="552" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div>And there you have it. Spring decor. (I think I'll keep it for a while though).<br /><br />In other news, Santa Claus (aka the Ikea delivery truck) arrived yesterday.<br /><br />They brought me this:<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkF1VNde7mjqN1C2o3MTpHzuqMQJJ_caBenFPzPi4VW_9pgjuQKTwMVL9vkkSW9Zx8gELuZZHozJ1JE83izpFRGnno5TiazZGxwkIrisT8maTMKNzLuvd3k5t9M-_sD027IsgDutOFA9bh/s1600/IMG_7702.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkF1VNde7mjqN1C2o3MTpHzuqMQJJ_caBenFPzPi4VW_9pgjuQKTwMVL9vkkSW9Zx8gELuZZHozJ1JE83izpFRGnno5TiazZGxwkIrisT8maTMKNzLuvd3k5t9M-_sD027IsgDutOFA9bh/s640/IMG_7702.jpg" width="456" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjubt1UjBKfKL_2V5qHMm-_4VwIO0DrkQaR-4l7TZoRnyKXCTkRAlVKRCtPwInQ_CCVDiztZe6dKESxPHMAnd0K2jxwrm2vDOrQU0zQ-F9iqYmZS-xwFh2ryQ9a5N668e6wjCm82_jsrj3U/s1600/IMG_7703.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="538" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjubt1UjBKfKL_2V5qHMm-_4VwIO0DrkQaR-4l7TZoRnyKXCTkRAlVKRCtPwInQ_CCVDiztZe6dKESxPHMAnd0K2jxwrm2vDOrQU0zQ-F9iqYmZS-xwFh2ryQ9a5N668e6wjCm82_jsrj3U/s640/IMG_7703.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_Xikfnhl0GipNAUn49QjZKvAlaP3JvPSlZgA71xxKkoTjImmilfxWKqpYxxbDojBrrx1Va10m7OChgXmyavqjjyo9qYHxR2EiIbC1xkpR8ISUyCTAuCW54ELqiC4DB8QcONEOA6lpAgK0/s1600/IMG_7704.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="462" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_Xikfnhl0GipNAUn49QjZKvAlaP3JvPSlZgA71xxKkoTjImmilfxWKqpYxxbDojBrrx1Va10m7OChgXmyavqjjyo9qYHxR2EiIbC1xkpR8ISUyCTAuCW54ELqiC4DB8QcONEOA6lpAgK0/s640/IMG_7704.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><br />Do you like it? I think it's just what the room needed. It's actually what I've desperately needed since the day we moved in. This is the only full length mirror we own... so I've never left the house knowing what the bottom third of myself looked like. Crazy, right? <br /><br />I'll still have to run into the living room every time I need to check my outfit, but it's better than nothing!<br /><br />Full length mirror + big D = happy Jenna.<br /><br /><span style="font-size: x-small;">(...I know, that sounded horrible. You dirty minds.)</span><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdtZDinTQnB1DrLvRw3ZOSLqDhwfF5OSnKjx0pw0597bgFYbf71yZvjUJc8vx1agwZvOcAfVkAyEZBwr8bSuSVRWtbCkQlVgjgAlu7RzmSzasVVcmidC6Uke2Od5pLnmmXKWhxR3qnLsiW/s1600/IMG_7701.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdtZDinTQnB1DrLvRw3ZOSLqDhwfF5OSnKjx0pw0597bgFYbf71yZvjUJc8vx1agwZvOcAfVkAyEZBwr8bSuSVRWtbCkQlVgjgAlu7RzmSzasVVcmidC6Uke2Od5pLnmmXKWhxR3qnLsiW/s640/IMG_7701.jpg" width="426" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div align="left" class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Off to start my weekend... hope you all get a chance to get out and enjoy some spring weather! I'll be back with more living room/sunroom and/or bedroom progress.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZacC7tIn3D42QdevPGKzPifT0k0OP5NupUrWBrlxisHS8yESOkB1cLrGDlbvQSulQxJQUZ2d_eWPXZvG7Y83xdGZlxwVyUi3REaEptsUAnbY4YekEKCHJagn9lXyEybYcAe4LQiNNQWcy/s1600/Signature.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZacC7tIn3D42QdevPGKzPifT0k0OP5NupUrWBrlxisHS8yESOkB1cLrGDlbvQSulQxJQUZ2d_eWPXZvG7Y83xdGZlxwVyUi3REaEptsUAnbY4YekEKCHJagn9lXyEybYcAe4LQiNNQWcy/s1600/Signature.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div>

DIY Moss Letter

Yes, I'm still alive! I apologize for the lack of action around here—I've been enjoying the outdoors with friends and family. It...

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