8.4.12

Working on a masterpiece.

Our DIY tent.

Last night Wyatt tagged along with me to Dollarama and was allowed to pick one "treat" - anything he wanted.  He picked glitter paint. ;)
I wasn't able to find another kids play tent around here (we returned our Superstore one that broke twice), so I figured I'd give another DIY a go.  This a-frame tent has been making it's rounds on Pinterest.  One thing is for sure, it was NOT cheaper than buying a tent, mostly because I chose to go with canvas (although I did get it for 50% off).  Total cost was about $35.  And what a pain in the arse to make.  Cutting the wood and drilling the holes for the dowel was no big deal....until I hit a knot in the wood.  Neither of the cordless drills would get through, so I asked Josh for some help with the corded drill.  As he was pushing the spade bit through, the wood broke off (about 6 inches worth) and went flying across the garage - right at the side of my thigh.  I tell ya, that hurt like a SOB.  So I had to go pick up a new piece of lumber, and oddly enough our local lumberyard does not carry 1x2s (I got the others at Rona), but the guy working (who happens to be on the fire dept) offered to rip it down for me.  But, he ripped it to exactly 2 inches, and an actual 1x2 is only 1 1/2" wide.  I had to get Josh to help me again, because I hate using the table saw.  We ripped it down another half inch and were finally good to go.  Until I hemmed the fabric.  The tutorial used elastic loops on the corners to hook around the frame.  With the weight of the canvas, the fabric sagged into itself and would have made a lousy tent.  I had some extra 1x3s in the garage, so we cut those down and screwed them between the posts at the bottom of the tent.  This way I could wrap and staple the fabric nice and taut.
Glad that's done with!  I think it will be a cozy spot to play and read for the kids.