Tool Time Tuesday...PVC Dog Gate and Stair Baskets Too

This TTT isn't for everyone...but you could maybe configure it to fit your life in some way. There is also a bonus idea at the end that everyone can use!!
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This is Annie...our 10 year old yellow lab. She is a sweetheart and we love her to pieces.

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I asked her to wave to all my blogging friends!
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going all the way up there.
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This is Annie on the stairs...

coming all the way down here...

This picture is literally the last time Annie will be on the stairs. She is getting old and has fallen down the full flight twice. Once was in the middle of the night. You can't imagine what that sounded like. We've been lucky and she wasn't hurt, but we're not taking any more chances. She is taking each step as slowly as possible is this picture.

Because of that, I made this. Gates you buy in the store aren't long enough, they are too high, not cute, cost too much...I could go on and on!!

This gate just rests between the spindles of the stairs. We slide it back and forth to get through, but it's short enough to just step over. It's even shorter now since I took this picture, because it seems we have a cat that will scale the wall about 5 feet if you are playing with her with one of her toys, but she won't hop over this. Go figure...that's a cat for you.

I know...this is pitiful, but I sewed her a brand new big bed for the family room and she loves it. We do miss her sleeping in our room, but sorry Annie...no more stairs for you.

Remember the post for the design wall I made with PVC, well same thing. Just measure the width and height that you need, cut the PVC pipe with a saw and add the corner pieces. All can be found in your plumbing section at the hardware store. Ignore that little piece in the middle of one of the long pipes. I just used what I had and that was from another project. You don't need that piece. You just need 4 corner pieces, 2 short side and 2 long sides.

Just tap all the parts together to form the frame.

Now to cover it with fabric so it's pretty!! Measure the height all the way around with a tape measure. This will ensure you get the thickness of your pipe.

My measurement was 41.5 and I added 1/2" for a seam allowance. I cut the fabric 42" in one big piece, because I folded it over instead on cutting 2 separate pieces. You'll see in a second what I mean.

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Now measure the width all the way around and add 1/2" for seam allowance.

I'm calling that 103.5" plus 1/2" for seam... is 104"

Divide the width by 2, which should be 52...not sure why I took a picture of 52.5"

Here's the pieces of fabric that I have folded over (fold at the top) so it measures 21" x 52" (this is just for my measurement though) With right side together, just sew the short sides with a 1/4" seam.

Now it's just like a big slip cover or pillow case. Slide the bottom opening over the PVC frame. You could whip stitch the bottom closed, but I just left it open.

and here you have it...a pretty safety gate for Annie. However, you could use this anywhere for dogs, babies, toddlers. If you don't have spindles to rest it between, you could always tie a ribbon around the PVC and then attach it to the stairs or doorway or wherever you need it. It can keep things in or out. The great thing about this gate is it's cheap, you can make it to any size you need, you can match it to your room and it's cute too. Here's the gate with the baskets that I always keep on the stairs.

I did a post on these baskets a long time ago, but I'll mention them again. These are my "Crap Baskets"...yes "Crap". If I see or collect any one's crap throughout the house, it goes in that person's basket. When they are on their way upstairs, they need to either take their crap or just take the whole basket full of crap with them.

What's usually in these baskets, you name it...hair elastics, jewelry, hair brushes, socks, shoes, makeup, books, magazines, games, receipts, clothes, cell phone chargers. Oh my gosh, I could go on, but you know what crap is.

I used the clear name badge holders you can buy in the office supply section for $1.88 for 12. I just tied it to the basket and slip their name into it.

Hey, that was a Two For Tool Time Tuesday...a gate and the baskets. Hope you like it.

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I've link this post to Tatertots and Jello Weekend Wrap Up Party...pop over for a visit. It's a must see!! So many wonderful ideas.

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Have a great day or should I say Have a Gate day,

~Karen~

Tool Time Tuesday...Flexible Tubing

Happy Tuesday! It was very busy here last week. I thought I was going to post sooner about different things, but Tuesday pops up before you know it.
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I'm so happy to share this week's TTT with you though.
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See this package of plastic tubing below...well, I've had this in my Tool Time idea box forever. I found it in Home Depot (where else, right?) It was super cheap. I think $2.00 for this package of 7 feet. It is split flexible tubing found in the electrical section. It's used to bundle wires to keep them neat. That's the reason why I bought it, because this stuff is so expensive in Staples...$12.00-$15.00 for 6 feet.
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Here's a close up of the label. It's already split the length of the tubing and it's very easy to cut the desired length you need with regular scissors.
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This one is 1/2" diameter, but they do come in different sizes.
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and it's very easy to open up the split.
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Here's what I use it for...bundling all those crazy wires behind the computer.
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You can also slip it over the handle of shopping bags to keep the bags closed and it also makes it easier to carry without the handles digging into the palm of your hand...you know with the weight of all your purchases in there!
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Also works if you have 2-3 bags. Just slip all the handles in the tubing and all the bags stay together...

even when you put them down.

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These are the only 2 ideas I could think of for this tubing. It would still be in my idea box if it weren't for my new blogging friend Diana from Didiblog. Diana is from Spain and she emailed me a few days ago wanting to share her idea for bobbins that I think is just FABULOUS. It uses this plastic tubing, so she wanted to share it with me for Tool Time Tuesday. Isn't she so sweet for thinking of me. When I saw this idea all I could say was I LOVE IT!! I emailed her and she gave me permission to use all the pictures below from her blog.
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Look at this idea...it's the best. Just open up the slit in the tubing and slide the bobbins in. Keeps them from unraveling and they don't fall out...it's great for traveling to a class or to a retreat too.

Such a great way to keep them all together and organized.

Look how cute this box is!!

and look at this...It's a bobbin donut!

Her blog is in Spanish, but if I understood it correctly, these are CD's they covered to make this adorable holder. (Oh my gosh, I hope that's right) Love it so much!

Thank you very much Diana for letting me share this wonderful idea with everyone. This is just another reason why I love blogging!
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Please go visit Diana's blog Didiblog. Even though you may not understand Spanish, her blog is fantastic and the pictures are explanation enough. Such inspiration!

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Have a great Tuesday,

~Karen~

Large Design Wall Tutorial...

Webster's definition of procrastinate: to put off doing until later; delay. Well, this tutorial is the perfect example of procrastination. Why did it take me so long? Why did I put it off until now? I made the larger frame at the same time I made this smaller frame, but when it came to sewing the fabric for the covering, that's where I put it aside.
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I've had so many emails about the tutorial for the larger design wall, I put my frustration with the fabric part behind me and here we are...
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This large design wall measures about 6 feet by 4 feet. You can use the easel leg or you can just lean it up against a wall in your sewing room. See the original tutorial in conjunction with this one for all instructions.



The pvc pipes I used are 3/4" and they come in 10 foot lengths. You will need three -10 foot pipes.



You will also need:
4 corner pieces (90 degree angle) smooth on the inside, no threads. Make sure all parts are for 3/4" pipes
1 T unit (has 2 opening on the sides and 1 on the bottom)
1 cap cover for the tripod leg, just to finish off the edge
rubber mallet
tape measure
pencil
hack saw
and skip the box of velcro...that was for the frustrating fabric part that I won't be sharing!!!



Here are the measurements that you will be cutting from the three -10 foot pvc pipes.
From each pipe cut:
*three -6 foot pieces
*you will have three 4 foot pieces left over.
*keep one at 4 feet
*cut the second in half so you will have two 24" pieces
*and the third pieces is just a left over.
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this is the set up for assembly:
the two 24" piece on the top with the "T" joiner in the middle
the 4 foot piece on the bottom
the three 6 foot pieces are the sides and the tripod leg.


close up of the top.

close up of the "T" on the top row.

close up of one of the four corners.

The next few pictures are of the assembly and measuring of the top row.

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Take the two 24" pieces and with the mallet or hammer, tap each piece into the "T" into the side holes.

Take the bottom pipe that is 4 feet and just mark a line at the half way point of 24 inches.

Now take the assembled top row (with the "T" in the middle) and match the halfway pencil mark of the bottom 4 foot pipe to the center of the "T".

Because the "T" adds some inches to the length of the pipe, you need to make sure your top pipe and the bottom pipe are the same size. The picture below shows the extra inches on each side.

Trim the extra pipe with your hack saw.

Now your top and bottom pipes are the same size. (it doesn't look like they are in this picture, but they are.)

All you need to do now is tap all the parts together!!!

To make the tripod leg go back to keep the frame standing up, just twist the "T" joint and the leg until it's at the angle that you want.

Now for a very short version of the fabric frustration. I tried to make a single layer for the fabric cover, because this frame is so large. However, you need the fabric to be taught on the frame not loose where the quilt blocks will fall off. I sewed 2 rod pockets for the bottom pipe and one of the side pipes, then I used velcro for the other side and the top to pull it tight around the pipes. Not good...to be honest...looked like crap!!!

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My suggestion is to make the same type covering as I did for the small frame...like a pillow case. You will use more fabric, but when the front gets dirty, all you need to do is turn it around. The only difference with the larger pillow case is you need to slip the cover over the frame before you add the tripod leg. Make your slip cover out of felt or flannel according to your measurements of the finished frame. See how I measured in the other tutorial (every one's measurements will be a little different, depending on how hard you've hammered the pipes together.) Slip it over the frame and then cut a small hole in the fabric where the "T" joint is, then add your tripod leg.

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If you don't want a free standing design wall, you don't have to add the leg. All you need to do is just lean the frame against a wall.

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If anyone can think of a better method on how to cover this monster, let me know and I'll share it with everyone.

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I'm so happy I can finally check this off my "To Do" list. Actually, I have a lot checked off today...it's a good feeling.

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See you at the hardware store in the pvc aisle!!!

~Karen~