...just household stuff and scrapbooking stuff and trips-to-the-dentist stuff (Hambet had a good checkup, and I'm realizing that I don't remember the last time I was at the dentist... wonder if I can look it up in the archives....)
Today I assembled a cheap bookcase to handle our book overflow. It went pretty well but I think the next time I go for something like this I want to stick with IKEA -- those little locks with the Allen wrenches are a lot easier to handle than the things on this model.
Hambet was very interested in the whole operation and was begging to help, but unfortunately his version of "help" involved scattering teeny parts all over the place and begging to use the hammer. He got his chance when I went to get the phone and left the hammer unattended for a fatal moment -- when I came back he was going right to it, carefully imitating the way I had tacked the back piece (the big flat part) onto the bookshelf frame. Alas, he had not noticed that I was only driving the nails into the edge, and was cheerfuly whacking away driving nails through the middle. So now the back of our new bookshelf has a constellation of nail holes in the back. Right at eye-level too.
So now I'm transferring stacks of books from the closet onto the new bookshelf, and it's the kind of task that always takes me way too long -- I start opening the books, and flipping through them, and thinking about which one I want to read next, and wondering which ones I should let go of, and coming up with a new scheme for organizing our books -- the whole Gentle Madness thing.
But I should get going -- only 45 minutes until the Iron Chef hour (the hour in which I stare into the freezer wondering what I'm going to make for supper tonight.)
Meanwhile, dear husband Posco has a big decision to make in the next few days; I would be grateful for prayers for discernment. Thanks!
So now the back of our new bookshelf has a constellation of nail holes in the back. Right at eye-level too.
ever since we had kids, everything we own seems "off" in ways such as this.
I so miss IKEA. I need tons more bookshelves (we had built-ins in our previous houses) but am reluctant to get the Target stuff - but the nearest IKEA to me is Montreal (6 hours).
Alicia,
How far are you from New Haven, conneticut? There is one there.
Truthfully, I have not had much more luck with IKEA than any other cheap furniture. I am not complaining at all, I don't mind cheap furniture because what I said about the kids. We did just throw away a cheap bookshelf last week. But it did it's job for five years at a small price.
My mom made us tons of bookshelves from 1x6, 1x8, 1x12.... I made my first one, right before my daughter was born, out of 1x6. All you need is a hammer, measuring tape and a drill--I used my dh's portable electric screwdriver with a drill bit. Just decide how tall you want each shelf, add 3/4" for each shelf, and any space you want under the bottom shelf--this is the height. Get two boards this tall. Then decide how wide you want the bookshelves--get your shelves all this size. For the top, take your shelf width and add 1.5". I got a helpful man at Home Depot to cut these lengths for me, so I could just take them home (I don't own a saw). And nails, of course, 6 for each shelf and 6 for the top. When you get your boards all together, mark the edges of the sides where you want the shelves to go--this is where the measuring tape comes in. Mark both where the shelf top and shelf bottom will be--3/4 in. apart. Then drill 3 holes in between these markings, across where the shelf will sit. Since your nails will go through these holes into the end of your shelf board, you don't need to drill any holes in your shelf. You can get all the nails started on the first bookshelf side, so they are all the way through the side but not poking out. And then (have someone help you) balance this side on the top and bottom shelves while you nail through the side into the shelves. Add the rest of the shelves to this side. Then turn over, balance the other side across all the shelves and nail it to each shelf in turn--this time, go from one end to the other. Make sure each shelf is lined up with your markings before you start nailing it on. Drill holes down the sides of your top board, between the cut edge and 3/4 from the edge. Stand up your shelves and nail the top onto the top of the shelves. Ta-daa! A new shelf, made of real wood :) My shelf has no back, but if you want one I'm sure you can figure out a way.
--Amanda