Life is Beautiful

This post is sponsored by The Home Depot.  Since my husband is the DIY king and can fix or build anything, I’ve always wanted to learn his ways and am so excited to get this opportunity to make fun projects for my home! #DIHWorkshop 

My husband’s favorite store is Home Depot.  He knows the employees there by name and so do they,  need I say more?  I am not a home DIY person, but more of a sewing DIY person, so the only times I’ve been to Home Depot is to follow my husband along when he needs to buy something, and to take the kids to the Kid Workshops.  My kids love going to the Kid Workshops in their little orange aprons and building something to take home and also receiving a pin upon completion to add to their aprons.  It’s an awesome program they have for kids where they provide all the supplies and it’s free!  Well, guess what?  Did you know that they offer DIH-Do It Herself workshops as well?  I had no idea and was so happy to find out that they did!  It’s held every third Thursday evening so on April 16th, they will teach you how to build a paver planter. This interactive, hands-on workshop is a great opportunity to fine tune your DIY skills and pick up tips and advice from the pros for all of your home improvement projects.  And just like the Kid Workshops, they provide all the supplies and tools and it’s free!  You’ll go home with a paver planter you made and will be so proud like I was when I made them last weekend so you’ll get to see what paver planters are in case you didn’t know…like me who had to Google to see what the heck paver planters were.  So embarrassing.

I am so proud of my first project, guys!  I painted mine champagne gold and am happy how they turned out.  I would have chosen a darker, red mahogany wood to give it a contrast between the tiles and the wood, but my two girls really wanted it to be gold so I went with the gold and I think it turned out really nice.  What color would you have done?

And you bet you’ll find me at Home Depot on April 16th for the class!  Register for the DIH Workshop here before the class gets full!  I am going to invite a few of my girlfriends and make it a GNO!  The Home Depot wants everyone to have the skills and confidence to be a first class do-it-yourselfer which is why they offer in-store workshops where you’ll get step-by-step instructions and hands on experience learning to do simple décor and easy home improvements.  To make two paver planters, it cost me $107(I had all the tools already) which includes the plants also, so I think Home Depot is so generous to offer these classes for free.  Even though I already know how to make them, I will go to refine my skills and let’s be honest, to come home with a free paver planter.  So I hope you’ll take advantage of this offer as well!

DIY: Paver Planters

DIFFICULTY: Beginner
DURATION: 2 Hours (includes drying time)

TOOLS

• A circular saw
• A power drill and bits
• A caulking gun
• Utility knife
• Sand paper block
• A paintbrush

MATERIALS

• Four 12×12 pavers, any color
• Two 8 foot 2x2s
• A bag of moisture control soil
• A small roll of landscape fabric
• 2 Bungee Cords
• Tape measure
• Pencil
• Gloves
• Safety goggles
• A box of 3 ̋ exterior deck screws
• Stain and polyurethane
• A newspaper
• Construction Adhesive

NOTE: If using these projects outdoors where contact with water could occur, use either pressure treated, cedar, or redwood boards depending on availability.

HOW TO MAKE PAVER PLANTER

PROJECT GUIDE

STEP 1: CUT

Start by cutting the 2x2s into four pieces of 16 ̋ and eight pieces of 12 ̋.

STEP 2: SAND AND STAIN

Grab a sheet of sandpaper and begin sanding the entire frame. Apply your stain and polyurethane finish to the wood and let it dry.

STEP 3; FRAME ASSEMBLY

Pre-drill and countersink the 2×2 pieces together, with the 16 ̋ pieces forming the legs, and the 12 ̋ pieces forming the support between the legs. Apply some wood glue, and then screw in the 12 ̋ support pieces in 12 ̋ down the legs, allowing for the pavers to be flush around the entire top. Next, grab your remaining four 12 inch 2x2s, pre-drill, apply some wood glue, and space them evenly across the bottom and screw them into the frame.

STEP 4: GLUING IN PAVERS

Place a thick bead of adhesive along the inside edges of the frame. Gently place each paver into place and avoid getting the adhesive on the front of the pavers or on the outer wood frame. Finally, take your bungee cords and wrap them around the planter while the adhesive is drying. Let the adhesive set overnight to get a strong bond.

STEP 5: PLANTING

Remove the bungees and now you’re ready for some planting! First, line the planter with landscape fabric and then add the planting soil. Arrange the plants or flowers however you desire.