Outdoor Fire Pit

In laying out my outdoor zen garden (as my mil likes to call it),  I included a spot for a fire pit.  We had a number of bricks stacked haphazardly behind our shed, but for a long time I was secretly holding out on using them for anything, hoping that those bricks would be some day be used in a kitchen add-on.  However, when neighbors added on to their similarly shaped home without the use of extra bricks, I realized that I was holding out for naught.  So, with a little premixed mortar and some planning help from my brilliant son, I went to work.

These bricks have been stacked behind our shed since we bought the house, over 10 years ago!  And who knows how long they were there before that.  I didn't encounter any snakes, but there were TONS of spiders and lizards!

My biggest issue in building the pit was the inability to cut my bricks. I had to plan around full bricks.  I had seen a youtube video describing how to make a rocket stove, which leaves space at the bottom between the bricks to feed the fire.  I thought maybe I could do something similar.

A few weeks before "the build" my son was visiting.  I  described what I wanted and between the two if us we came up with a design.

As you can see, he gave some serious thought to the project.  :)

 Everything I needed I already had:  the brick, the tools and even the mortar.

I've had this premixed mortar around for a while, and it's come in quite handy for quick tile projects. Even though this one was planned out before hand, it was carried out "spur of the moment" (as in, I woke up one day and decided it was the day to make a fire pit).

I had placed a squarish piece of cement to mark the spot for the pit, and I decided to 

just build around it.   First I laid the bricks in a square around the piece of cement, which will become the base of pit. 

The second row, however, would allow for an opening the size of a half of a brick.  It will be used later to feed the fire, or I can block the space with a broken piece of brick.

The mortar was real easy to put on, sorta like icing a cake.  Unfortunately, my cakes turn out a little messy, as did this project!

The next row was laid out the same as the first, as well as the third and fourth ones.  I was concerned about the stability of the walls, since I didn't stagger the bricks, but they seem fine.

Just for good measure, I slapped on spread some extra mortar on the inside corners.

The last row was not really a row at all.  I just placed two bricks at each of the corners.  This will hold up a grate for fires, or the wooden top I plan on making to cover it during the summer.

The mortar shows quite a bit in the photos, but with weathering and use, it will blend in nicely with the brick.  (At least that's what I keep telling myself, lol.)

At dusk, it's the perfect spot for a glass of wine.

With the sun almost all the way down, it's ready for some marshmallows on a stick!

Garden Table

 While dumpster diving one day I came across this broken outdoor table.  There's a little spot in my garden that's crying for attention, and I thought I might be able to fix the table--it was only broken in one place!  However, when I got it home I realized that that "one place" was a pretty important place--so I needed to rethink my idea.  It sat in my garage waiting for my inspiration.

That inspiration came in the form of an old stool I had finally decided to send to the curb.  It was a  VERY old stool.  In fact, when I turned it over I found that the stool had originally belonged to my daughter back when she thought she had to label everything as her own.  (Maybe 12-13ish?)

She is now married with a daughter of her own! 

Anyway, here is how the project went:

First I lowered the legs to give the table stability, and to fit the size I had in mind.

Next I gave both the chair and the table a couple of coats of this textured paint I already had on hand. 
I'm not in love with the color, but it will have to do for now.

Next, I plopped the top onto the stool and drilled holes here and there through the stool. 
I fed a strand of strong wire through the holes from the top.

Then I turned it over and gave the wire a few strong twists and cut off the ends. 
(I'm kinda bummed I didn't think to leave my daughter's name.)

I turned it back over and gave the whole thing another coat of paint.

And here it is in its new home, ready to show off a few plants or, with a couple of chairs,
serve as a child's table at an outdoor dinner.

 I'm loving that I have a table just the right size I was looking for, and it was free to boot!

Until next time,

Go Get Crafty, Sister!

 ~Sister #2

Eight Amazing DIY Potting Benches

As summer approaches and we are spending more and more time on the back porch, I keep thinking how one corner of that porch would be so much nicer with a potting bench--not to mention I'd have a place to put my gardening junk tools.  Check out these amazing benches created by some equally amazing bloggers--hopefully I'll be adding my own photo soon!

 

Robin at ROBINS NESTING PLACE made this DIY Potting Bench 

From Rummage Sale Junk.  No, I'm not kidding.