DIY Dock Progress - Part 2

In Dock Progress - Part 1, y'all got to see the main frame of the dock coming together.  Over the weekend we also got our tie backs done for the boat lift.  Don't know what a tie back is?

Don't feel bad.  I didn't really understand them either when we first moved here.  Tie backs are an anchoring system for posts along the bulkhead.  Even though the posts along the bulkhead and the 2 posts we installed for the lift are really deep in the ground, the ground is soft and there is constant current that causes movement and erosion.  Also, the weight of the earth against the bulkhead causes tons of pressure on the posts and for the boat lift posts, the weight of the boat puts stress on the them.

To help with strength, the poles are "tied back" into the yard.  Posts along the bulkhead are connected to a buried post in the yard with a metal rod.

Here is how we anchored our boat lift posts.

DIY Dock Progress - Part 1

Happy Tuesday morning!  I hope everyone had an amazing weekend.  Ours was filled with tons of work but we finished it off with fun, crawfish, and friends.

Last week, Brian took Thursday and Friday off to work on the dock.  Here is a reminder of our sad original dock.

DIY French Drain

I hope everyone had a fantastic Easter!  We worked all weekend.

I can add french drain to my list of DIY projects.  This was not an easy task and was very labor intensive but hopefully worth the effort.

Several neighbors and friends have asked why we did it.  So for those of you who are wondering why we went through all this trouble, here is the answer.

Our backyard is sloped.  You can't tell from previous pictures I have posted but there is definitely a slope.  The closer you get to the water, the more severe the slope.  Here are a few pictures from our neighbor's yard.  Excuse the mess in my yard.

Instagram

Happy Friday!  No furniture today but I do have something to share.  I opened an Instagram account. Well, I opened an account years ago but never used it.

Truthfully, this is not something I wanted to deal with.  I have plenty to do and the thought of one more social media to keep up with gives me a headache.  But here is my problem.....

I have 750+ Facebook followers.  Facebook is my main source of sharing and social media.  Anytime I post pictures, share other's pictures, or share links and blog posts, only a small fraction of my followers will see the post.  EXAMPLE:  Yesterday's post, Polishing Brass Tutorial, was published at 11:00 AM CST and only 65 out of 750+ Facebook followers saw it.  65!  Some of that is because of the time, who is on Facebook looking at their news feeds, who has chosen to get all notifications, etc. but a lot of it is Facebook hiding posts from followers.

Polishing Brass Tutorial

In yesterday's post, Brass is Back, I showed y'all a few accessories I have inherited recently.  Both are brass pieces and were tarnished.  I cleaned and polished them to the shiny, brass they were meant to be.

Brass is Back

My body is in shock and is protesting this cold weather.  I mean, really.  Did Mother Nature forget it is Spring?  It is mid-April in Southeast Texas and feels like 35 degrees outside.  Yesterday, I sewed curtains all day to be productive and hide from the weather.   Let's just say, it wasn't an overly productive day with the curtains.  I did however, get a few things done around the house and worked on a few little brass treasures I have inherited recently.

These are before pictures.

The Grey Pottery Barn Inspired Dresser

Y'all, this dresser started it all.  This was the beginning of Fisherman's Wife Furniture.

Family Photos - Galveston 2014

Hi all.  I hope everyone is having a great week so far.  Today, I want to share something personal.  A few weeks ago, we had family photos taken.  BLittle and I have not had professional pictures taken since 2010.  It was time.

I researched photographers for the Houston/Galveston area and found Ever and Anon.  Jessica does a lot of engagements, bridals and weddings but will also do couples sessions.  I LOVE HER WORK.  She was willing to work with the dogs (which potentially could have been a train wreck) and drive to the beach so I booked a session with her.

I was recovering from being sick, the wind picked up that afternoon, Blittle and I are not the most photogenic people, and we had the dogs.  Needless to say, I had no idea how we were going to get any good pictures.  Jessica was able to get several beautiful shots of us.  Now is the hard part....deciding which one to put on canvas to hang in the dining area.  :)

Please go check out Ever and Anon's website and like her Facebook page.  We do not do justice to her work.  You have to see the beautiful pictures she captures.  GORGEOUS!  If you live in the Houston/Galveston area and are getting married soon or are a couple needing some updated photos, I highly recommend Ever and Anon.

1920s Painted Cabinet

I have finished the cabinet...finally!  Illness, weather, other projects and a bit of lazy made this project drag on a lot longer than it should have but it is now ready for a new home!

DIY Concrete Extension

And it is Monday already?  The weekend flew by.  We worked late Friday night and were up early Saturday to prep and pour our concrete extension.

I have to say, this was a scary DIY.  All DIY's can be intimidating and the unknown is scary but this was life threatening scary.  The bottom of our posts were rotted and the large support beam in the corner of the house wasn't even touching the ground.  We made temporary supports and cut all the posts to a length that would put them right at the new concrete level.  Cutting off the supports was scary!  But everything is still standing and looking good.

Side note:  I did work this weekend. A lot.  I was also the photographer so I am not in any of the pictures.  BLittle did not have to do this alone.  :)

A reminder of what we started with.

Two Tone Waterfall Dresser

It is Friday!  I have been busy prepping for concrete and hunting down a bay window curtain rod the past few days.  We will be pouring our new concrete tomorrow!  I am so excited to have a better walkway to the back of the house and to have more storage.  I did find hardware and rods for a bay window and plan to get it up today.  Now I can start my curtains!  Sunday is predicted to have an 80% rain coverage for our area so Sunday is probably going to be sewing day.  I can't wait to have the dining space finished and show it to y'all.

Today,  I am going to show you another old makeover.  This dresser is now in a nursery for twins.   It's huge drawers are perfect for all the folded clothes space needed with two babies.  It had a huge imperfection on the top so I could not stain the body, but I was able to re-stain the drawers and save the beautiful wood and the pretty chevron design on the top drawers.  I love the cobalt mirror accents.

Before.

Grey & White French Provincial

Hi all!  I am feeling so much better and have been able to get so much done this past week.  I can't wait to show you a few of the projects I am finishing up.   If you missed it because Facebook doesn't like to show all my fans my posts, I made some changes on the website.  I created a new page, "DIY & Tutorials", and I consolidated/updated my portfolio.  All my furniture projects will be on the "Furniture" page.  Go check them out if you haven't yet.