the goose loves diy ottomans - part two

Welcome to Part 2 of the DIY Ottoman Project. Just tuning in? Start here if you want to read the background (how we got the table, our inspiration, and spray paintin'!!).

Part 2 of the project was fairly simple, and took us about an hour. Three basic steps:

1) Foam
2) Batting
3) Fabric

Oh and like a million hundred staples.

So Step 1) Foam. Joann's and similar craft stores sell foam. But it's super pricey, unless you buy the skinny stuff. Which is not so great for a cushy ottoman. So I put off this project for awhile, waiting for the foam to go on sale while I collect the right coupon and therefore only spend $20 on the foam size I needed.


Luckily, my sweet husband was trolling Fred Meyer a few weeks ago and came home and said, "Lucy, didn't you need foam for some dumb house project? How much was it at Joanns?" To which I replied I'd be lucky to spend only $20. Then he announced he found a big sheet of 2.5" thick stuff at Freddie's for only $18. Score!


Yeah, save only $2, you say? Well every dollar counts. Plus, the $18 foam sheet gave me twice as much as I needed, and twice as much as I would have gotten at Joanns. So it was as if the foam was only like $8. Go husbands. So I cut laid the painted table on the foam and sawed off the extra foam with our bread knife. No joke.

Perfect sized foam.

Then I wrapped my batting (Step 2) under the foam and up around to the sides, and started stapling. But then I realized that the foam+fabric would be bunchy up against the table ridges, and would hide the nice spraypaint job I did. So I took the edges off, temporarily. It was really easy.

Back to batting. I had enough to double it, then wrap it lengthwise along the whole ottoman, and staple up the long sides. I didn't have enough for the short ends, but no big deal. I used my sharp shooter staple gun, for about $20 at Home Depot. It works great.

And the final (and fun!) step - fabric! I had this fabric already, which was a home dec weight by Premier Prints called Amsterdam. I started by centering the design on the top of the foam, then pulling it up around the back, and stapling at 12-, 3-, 6-, and 9-o'clock angles.

After flipping it over to make sure my design was still where I wanted in front, I finished stapling all around.

Bentley's testing it out mid-way through.

I'm not going to lie - the corners were a bit tricky. But I just wrapped them like a present, and did my best to get them very tight. They aren't perfect, but they work okay!

Finished stapling! I used a lot of staples.

Then we (yeah, Billy was my trusty DIY-er buddy) put the framing and legs back on! We actually reattached the sides with sturdier screws than the originals.

Nice legs, Billy.

I like this side, Mom. Nice work.

And ooooooh! Finished!!! Of course, Bentley had to test it out first. He approves.

He's taken about three naps on it since then. And sorry about the random lighting. The photo above is fairly accurate, color wise. I could should have waited for the morning and daylight, but I have no patience.

Like my chevron curtains?

What nice metallic-y legs.

And testing out the softness. Our feet certainly approve.

Just wait til we get a good TV show on and the fire roaring... cozy!

Not bad edges!

From farther away...

And even farther!

So there you have it. Done ottoman! And another item checked off the list.

P.S. Want the budget breakdown?

Table:  $28
Foam:  $8 (originally $18, but I only used about 45% of the foam)
Spraypaint: $7 (about one full can - I splurged for the better stuff, but plenty around for $3-4
Batting: $3.50 (for about 2 yards, with 40% off coupon)
Fabric: Free (already had, but you'd need about 1.5 yards)
Putty: Free (already had, but you might not need)
Staple Gun & Staples: Free (already had, but about $25 for a good gun and lots of staples)
Total:  $46.50

Not bad, huh. Probably would have spent over $50 on an average one from somewhere. Yay for saving!

the goose loves diy ottomans - part one

Okay, we're on a roll. The dates are out of whack, but ignore that.

I finished this project about a week ago, but it probably started close to the beginning of October. Also, there are a ton of photos so I split it up into two posts. Here's the first of two.

So although I've pinned this, I originally found it at Young House Love, a home renovation and DIY blog of a family that lives off of blogging about redoing their house. Dreamy, right?! I think we're all a bit jealous. Anyway, in their archives, I found this guest post where Kara from Kara Paslay Designs gave a tutorial on making your own ottoman-bench-footstool-thing. I was intrigued! Since we got our new couch, we were in need of something footstool-coffee table-ottoman-like, and we didn't want to get something large and expensive. So why not make our own?

Kara's Tutorial on YHL

Kara was able to use some awesome leftover wood from her home re-do, but unfortunately I haven't ripped out any walls with out-of-date-framing (actually I haven't ripped out any walls lately), so I thought I might just start with an existing coffee table instead. So Billy and I spent a Saturday garage-sale-hunting and thrift-store-shopping, and finally came up with this:

We found it at Crow, a small thrift shop in St. Johns. At first, we wandered around the small place without finding anything. But the nice shop owner asked us if she could help, and I described my idea.

(The dog came free.)

So she scurried into the back and pulled this out!

It was just the shape I was looking for. Long and skinny, perfect for in front of the sectional. The top was some kind of laquer and the sides and legs were a little beat up - some scuffs and they looked like they had been partially primed and then abandoned. But the pieces were real wood and we were planning on re-doing it anyway. So we took it home for a sweet $25!

The legs come off in a jiffy.

My boys posing on the table. Bentley looks hilariously creepy.

Model dog?

I had trouble getting him out. He liked it.

So the first step was sanding it down to prep it for a couple nice coats of spraypaint.

I also pulled out some random staples on one end. Maybe somebody already had my idea?

Plasco Inc. is the manufacturer. Didn't find them in Google, who knows all, so they must not exist anymore.

This was the most severe damage, but not really that bad. I filled it with putty, smoothed it out, and let it dry before painting.

Billy helped me sand it down. Well he actually re-sanded everything after I had first sanded it all. I guess I missed some spots? We started with some 100-grit paper, and finished off with some finer 250-grit. Not sure if we needed both, but it worked well.

Bentley=Super Helpful (Not)

Above were my two choices of spraypaint - gloss espresso brown and hammered brown. The Rust-Oleum stuff works great -the nozzles were really easy to use. I decided to go with the hammered brown -a  little lighter and more metallic-y.

I laid my table out on some cardboard in the backyard to be painted.

I stood the legs on their tops, so that I could spray on all four sides.

I also stuck Q-tips in the screw holes, so they didn't get all gunked up with paint.

And voila - my way-attractive fume-proof getup. And surprise! It was sunny in Portland! So I donned the sunglasses. This awesome photo is my reflection in the sliding glass door. Nice, right?

Spraypaint, Coat #1

Spraypaint, Coat #2

Spraypaint, Coat #3

Spraypaint, Coat #4

After reading many posts by Sherry the Spraypaint Queen, from the above-mentioned blog Young House Love, I learned that proper technique includes constantly moving your arm while spraying 8-12" away from the surface. And lightly does it!

I probably ended up doing about 6-8 very thin coats on all surfaces.

Once I let the pieces dry (for 48 hours, outside and in the garage), I brought them inside but noticed that the ridges in the legs didn't perfectly get sprayed. Dang.

No biggie, really. I just sprayed a little paint in a paper cup, pulled out a craft foam brush, and dabbed it onto the ridges.

Ahh, much better.

Then I let that dry, of course.

What's next? The good part! Upholstery!!

But that will have to wait until the next post...

the goose loves cinnamon roll pancakes

So welcome to my first post since October 1st. And yeah, the date on this technically says October 3rd or something, but don't let me fool you. It's really October 17th. I'm going back in time to post this.

Since posting my 25 for 25 List, I've been rather busy. Didn't you see all those thing I have to do? Plus, I started a new job. Which is going fabulously, by the way! But that's for another post.

So on October 2nd (I think), I knew I better get started toward my goals. And what easier way than making a delicious breakfast? So this is one tick off the "Make 25 things from Pinterest" list. For those of you who don't didn't have many hours at work to waste away, Pinterest is simply a virtual bulletin board. And a wonderful gift from God, if you are a visual/crafty/inspired person like me. So spend a few minutes signing up, and follow me on Pinterest!

I found the following photo on Pinterest (link in caption). Heavenly-looking, right? Yeah I thought so too. And Billy had no objections. Bentley wouldn't have either, if I gave him the option.

Cinnamon Roll Pancakes found here!

The recipe is pretty straightforward. You make some pancake batter - I used the recipe in the link, but you could really use whatever recipe you love.

Then make your cinnamon mixture, with main ingredients of cinnamon and butter. Yum. Yeah, I definitely had to work on Goal #1 & 2 (Run 250 miles and exercise 25 minutes a day) after this one...

Cinnamon Roll Pancakes are not complete without cream cheese frosting glaze.

Pour your pancake(s) into your hot pan (I used our small All Clad non-stick and made big pancakes). Let bubbles form.

Once you see some bubbles, drizzle your cinnamon mixture on top by cutting the tip off your ziploc bag. My melted butter was having trouble mixing completely with my sugar, so at first, all the liquidy butter came out. Not that butter is a problem. Then my cinnamon came out nice and pasty-like, which was a good consistency.

Let the pancake cook a few seconds longer, then flip over! Yeah, cinnamon-y-ness all over your pan. Yum.

And repeat for Pancake 2.

I already had practice from the first pancake, so the cinnamon drizzle was better this time.

Mmm. I wish I had these again right now.

Ahh, finally - the result. Gooey cinnamon-filled-ridges and light fluffy pancakes.

Oh and with the glaze, of course. Not complete without.

Let me warn you, these are sweet! But Billy and I each had just one (about 8" diameter?) and it was plenty. Just perfect.

Whew. One post down, finally! And one item to check off the list.

Stick around, though, as I get another couple posts out! There's more list to check off...

the goose loves the number 25

On October 1st (yeah, I know that's a Saturday), I officially transfer to the Investor Relations Department at PGE. It's a new job for me that represents a new start and a time for change. After feeling stuck in a sort of rut for the past year or two, I feel like I have new opportunities and a new outlook on life. I'm using this career move to redefine what's important to me and emerge as a more polished, professional, and driven person. That means new haircut (I needed one anyways, haha), updated wardrobe (necessary for my new position), and new goals.

On June 13, 2012, I turn the big two-five. That's about 8.5 months away from now, which sounds like just enough time to set up some goals. And if you know me, you know I love lists. So below is my big "25 for 25" list - twenty-five things I want to do/accomplish before I turn twenty five. Yeah, it's not a lot of time. But that means I can't procrastinate on these things! Many of these items will spawn their own lists, as I keep track of my accomplishments. And many blog posts will come of this, too. I've separated them into five categories with five items each (I like math, too). And you, America, will be my trusty watchdog, keeping me honest and accountable for these items. For more detail on each of these items, read this:

25 For 25: Where I include "25" as much as possible in order to overuse the theme.

Be Healthy
1. Run 250 miles
This isn't all at once. If it was, I would die. And that's not the point of this list.
2. Exercise for 25 minutes, 25 times a month.
Ok this used to be about losing 25 pounds, but I don't have that many to lose. This goal will be more trackable and concrete, and I'll be better able to record my accomplishments!
3. Hike 25 miles
Again, not all at once, except that would be slightly easier than the running one. The challenge of this one will be hiking through the wintery season. But Bentley loves mud, so we can do it!
4. Run an almost 25k
This really should be run a 21k, which is a half marathon, but I'm not turning 21, and this list isn't about 21...
5. Try yoga & bikram yoga
I've always wanted to and never have, so I'll be finding some classes and definitely briefing you afterwards.

Be Crafty
6. Sew 25 things
Any sort of thing, from a dog collar to a work dress. This will be interesting.
7. Complete 25 house projects
Again, small to large projects. Like framing something, or re-upholstering a headboard.
8. Make 25 new recipes
Hopefully I'll make some of those things I've always wanted to, but never have.
9. Catch up on scrapbooks and photobooks
I would have included "25" here, but 25 scrapbooks are kinda a lot of money and time. And photos. I'm hoping to complete our New York/DC Vacation scrapbook and make a new photobook for Bentley.
10. Make 25 things from Pinterest
I am developing a pet peeve here - pinning too many things on Pinterest but not doing anything about them. So I will be proactive.

Be Smart
11. Learn 25 new songs on the piano
I haven't played in a shamefully long time, so this goal will get me back on the horse. Or keyboard.
12. Make 25 new business contacts (internal or external)
This is my career-facing goal - I want to broaden my network, and I think this new job will really help!
13. Learn 25 things about photography
As you can see in my photos so far, I have plenty to learn. Particularly lighting.
14. Read 25 good books
Seems like a lot of books, especially when I'm also working on sewing and stuff, but with an hour of commuting each day, I bet I can do it.
15. Learn to ski well
Appropriate for winter, even though it doesn't help me with #24.

Be Generous
16. Make 25 things for others
I already have some projects in mind! This will include sewing, crafting, framing, cooking, etc.
17. Take Bentley to the dogpark 25 times
That beagle boy needs to run!
18. Volunteer for at least 25 hours
I was good about this in high school, but have severely dropped the ball recently. I want to be regular about volunteering somewhere, and hopefully Billy will join me!
19. Write/send 25 letters, cards, or packages (besides birthday cards)
I love doing these things, but never focus enough on it. Here's to keeping in touch more!
20. Donate $25 a month to a good cause
Again - I need to think of others more, and myself less.

Be Adventurous
21. Go horseback riding
I never have!
22. Go on a spontaneous adventure
Road trip, anyone? This probably won't include international travel or trips longer than a weekend...
23. Go to Crater Lake and/or Bend
Hopefully Billy and I can steal away from work for a few days and drive south - we've always wanted to go!
24. Save $2500 (on top of our normal savings)
Even though this goal goes against goal #s 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 15, 16, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, which likely involve spending money, I think it's really important for me. And it will help me find more creative (and cost-effective) solutions for all those goals that might require some cash.
25. Clean the house 25 times a month
This goal is not about counting the times I clean but more about cleaning more regularly. I usually let things - like laundry - build up for a week or two and then I have a lot to do at once. My goal here is to do little bits at a time, so that cleaning is never hugely time consuming or overwhelming.

Wow, right? I better get started! These things will keep me busy, especially through the wintery rainy months in Portland, when motivation goes down and the "blah" feeling takes over! And hopefully, by the time I'm 25, I'll have an array of accomplishments to share.

[A few rules - I won't "double-count" projects unless I get really desperate - for example, projects for #6 could easily meet the qualifications for #10 and #16, but I'll try to have them count for just one. For #20, I will count 9 months - Oct through June - for a total of $225. But I could end up donating $50 one month to a certain cause and $0 the next month...For #24, I will make transfers to or deposits in our savings account - just because I declined going out to dinner and "saved" that money doesn't mean that counts toward the goal. That's a big challenge!]