I have partnered with P&G and Home Depot again! I have created a fun project and there is a GIVEAWAY! Stay tuned for the giveaway details later in the post.
This outdoor projects has been on my to-do list since last fall. I cooked up this idea last year as I was reclining in my chair and staring at the ugly backside of my house. I wanted to be able to hide the electrical boxes but be able to access them easily if I needed to. My first thought was to use barn door hardware but I soon realized that would not work since the door would be flush against the house and that was where the metal boxes protrude. But then I had a better (and less expensive!) idea!
Supplies
Burlap
Heavy Duty Thread
Sewing machine
Scissors
Felt
1x3 (or 1x4) boards
Sliding Closet Door Track
Potting Soil
Plants
Staple Gun
Miter Saw
Wood Glue
Screws
Kreg Jig & Clamp
Drill
* Having now made this, there are a few things I would do differently if I were to make this again. I was so paranoid that it was going to be too heavy that it affected some of my decisions. Now that I know how light weight it is, I would change a few things. I will point out what I would change as we go along.
Step 1
I got my burlap and spread it out. I used tape to play around with the placement of the pockets. That way I could stand back and look at it and if I didn't like where they were, it was easy to change. My burlap was about 4 feet by 9 feet.
Step 2
You guys, I don't sew. I mean, I sometimes slap together a throw pillow but it always has wavy seams. And it makes me want to swear. So If I can sew this, you can too!
And let's pretend not to notice the crooked pockets when we look at the final picture again.....
I cut out the pockets making sure to add an inch on all sides since I would be folding them over and sewing. After folding over and sewing the raw edges, I hand sewed the corners onto the large piece of burlap where I had previously decided they would go. This held them in place, making it easier to sew them with the machine.
Step 3
Time to make the frame! I chose 1x3 boards because I was worried about the overall weight. If I were to do this again, I would use 1x4s so that I could get the 10 foot length. I had to add length onto these 8 foot boards and it was not only an extra step, but they will never be as string as a solid board.
I drilled pocket holes and attached the frame together with screws.
In order for the cross boards to not be seen on the front, you will have to add them after you staple on the fabric. I neglected to take a picture of this step since it was rainy and I was trying to hurry and finish the project.
If I were to do this again. I would build a whole new frame with cross boards to screw onto the first frame that had the fabric. The stapled part would be sandwiched between two boards.
Step 4
I sanded the frame really well and then stained it. I chose a dark walnut stain since I wanted some contrast. Plus a dark color hides any flaws (or my case, seams).
Make sure to protect your work area. I laid down some paper towels. Paper towels are a MUST when staining. I use them to wipe off the excess stain and to protect from splattering when clothing the can.
Step 5
I decided to wet the burlap down before stapling it to the frame. The idea was that it would stretch more and then when it dried it would be really taut. I am not that familiar with burlap so maybe this part was not necessary.
Once the fabric had dried enough that it was wet, but not dripping, I stretched and stapled it onto the frame. It is helpful to have someone help you. I also kind of moved around and did small sections at a time to make sure it wasn't being pulled crooked.
Step 6
In order to make this slide, you will need to install a closet door track. I bought the 72 inch track kit for about $14. I screwed it into the eave of the house.
For the record, I am terrified of heights. TERRIFIED. I think the highest I have ever gone on a regular ladder is the 3 step. This girl right here climbed to the top of what I call the "scary ladder". It may have taken me 10 minutes and several pep talks (my friend who helped can attest) but I did it!
I planted the plants before I hung it and I think I would have waited until I had it hung. Either way you have to be on a ladder to do it.
Before you start putting plants into the pockets, add some felt. Since burlap is such a loose weave fabric, it allows a lot of air through it which drys out the plant. Plus, dirt can escape when it is watered. The felt helps retain the water.
I bought plants that I thought would do well like Stonecrop, Creeping Jenny, Asparagus fern, and sweet potato vine.
When I need to water it, I just hose it down :)
Overall I am really happy with how it turned out. I made a space at the top that didn't have fabric because I was worried some of the wires would get in the way and snag on the fabric. That ended up not being a problem and it would have looked better to have the fabric go all the way to the top.
I would have made it longer too. This is 9 feet and I think if I had used the 1x4s that were 10 feet it would not look like little Jimmy's floods. I debated on the length only because we may build a deck and I didn't want this to bee to long if we do that.
I went to take pictures and noticed how dirty the windows were. I had already put the big scary ladder away and really didn't want to get back up. I grabbed my Swiffer and it did the trick!
The sliding wall is so light weight that the wind was pushing it around a bit. I added a simple hook and then wound some wire around the conduit on the back of the house. It works great!
The other thing that I did not anticipate was that the closet track does not have ends that prevent the rollers from going off track. Normally the walls on the closet do that. I screwed a small block of wood into the eave.
See, I figured out all the ins and outs and made the mistakes so you don't have too!
Now the GIVEAWAY details!!!
Thanks to P&G, one lucky winner will win a $100 Home Depot Gift Card as well as a bunch of P&G products! It will get you ready for spring cleaning and spring projects :)
Enter below using the rafflecopter widget.
Must be 18 years or older to enter. Must be a US resident. Giveaway goes from April 29th until May 9, 2016. Winner will be notified via email. Winner has 48 hours to respond or a new winner will be chosen.
This was a sponsored post brought to you by Procter & Gamble and The Home Depot. I was compensated for my time but the project idea and opinions are all mine!
I realize I am a homebody that loves to DIY.
Now that it is spring and we just bought our first home I'm going to plant some flowers in my yard and repair the fence!
Love it!
Awesome project
This is such a great idea! We have a similar project planned this spring: building a slatted fence around our utility boxes. I look forward to being outside with my boys without looking at all the gray boxes and wires!
I am so anxious to fill my planters with flowers and help my grandkids plant seeds in some plant boxes. And power wash the house. It really needs it. Thanks for the giveaway.
I need to wash my windows, but I'm really looking forward to planting my patio pots!
Plant my garden.
This is awesome! Great job and such a practical project. I think I might need to make this for my house.
I am getting rid of that winter feeling. I've had cats inside all winter.
I took the quiz, and went to the end? All I saw was how to decorate mason jars, and coupons.
The first thing I will do is plant the usual annuals we like to use. Impatiens and begonias to go with our hostas and our year round shrubs plus the roses and clematis vines. Then we will clean off the porch and bring out the cushions for the park bench and bring the plants from inside the house to the outside until the fall.
I took the quiz and it told me to make a one-of-a-kind accent all. The first thing I want to do this spring is tile my porch.
That should say "one-of-a-kind accent WALL".
My results from quiz was to make some Painted Mason Jars as a project. I would love to do this. I love your sliding living wall! How Gorgeous!
Plant some new trees at my new house!
I've been pressure washing and hanging baskets of flowers. Thanks for the chance to win a gift card!
This looks amazing.
I need to paint the door frame now that it is getting warm enough!
Clean out my flower beds and make my yard pretty! :)
The first thing I want to do is get all the weeds out of my flower garden and get mulch down so that it looks much nicer than it does right now! After that I want to get my table and chairs on the back deck so I can sit out there and drink my coffee in the morning! I am also planning to plant a raised garden this year and this gc would help get supplies for it!! Thanks for the chance to get lucky!
Now that it is spring I want to clean out my house and back yard, and make it look nice, get rid of junk too!
I want to get my garage organized.
I am going to start a rose garden
I want to paint my backyard fence this spring
Get the goutweed out of my garden!
I want to work on my garden!
The first thing I am working on is getting more organized! Getting shelves in the basement and going through boxes. Getting ri of junk!
we bought a planter bag (kinds looks like a shoe bag) and this would be great to shade my bedroom window that gets the hot afternoon sun, so i would use the gift card to purchase plants and the track and some wood, i could not get the quiz to work on here went to the site took the quiz but never got results except a post about spring cleaning and boy do i need to do that ha ha xx
Now that its spring i want to plant ALL the flowers!
I want to start preparing my vegetable garden.
I took the quiz and it said to make painted mason jar vases.
This is a cool idea. Good problem solving. Now that it is spring, I am looking forward to continuing to work in my garden and fairy garden.
definitely plant some new flowers and plants in yard...kinda tired of the ones we currently have and am ready for a change. also ready to purge the whole house!!
Which Spring DIY Project Am I Destined To Do? Painted Mason Jar Vases.
I am itching to get outside and work on an area for entertaining -dressing up the area with plants, fire pit, etc.
The first thing I want to do is SPRUCE UP MY GARDEN and BACKYARD with new plants and some paint for the deck.
Your project turned out AMAZING!!!! I just email my sister so we can try it out when it gets warmer. The first thing I'd love to do is uncover my patio furniture, grill and do a DIY project for the outdoors.
i want to enlarge my garden and plant blueberry bushes
Loving this project you did for sure! One of the first things I"d love to do is plant new flowers and maybe try your DIY project for my own yard/house.
My quiz results were shabby chic kitchen cabinet!
I want to clean up my yard and get rid of mosquitos.
You have such great ideas. I must make this since I have wires to hide. I love it! Thanks for sharing and also the opportunity to enter.
Oh wow...that sliding wall for plants is amazing! What a GREAT idea! I would love to hide our meter and box! Love it! The first thing that I would love to do is build a large white board to hang on our fence ...maybe get some wood and paint it with the white board dry erase paint....then the kids can have fun drawing outside this summer.
I want to fix my yard up haha. It's a mess but I am working on it and have high hopes it will be done in time for my first bbq of the season.
We really want to re organize the closets & install a new air conditioner.
I want to thatch, fertilize, and reseed my lawn so I can have the best lawn on my block.
My results was Shabby Chic Kitchen Cabinet.
I need to tame my garden! Here in SoCal all sorts of terrible plants just grow from nowhere during winter.
The first thing I need to do, now that it is spring, is clean my windows, inside and out :)
My results from the P&G Quiz fit me perfect! I am a One-Of-A-Kind Accent Wall DIY :)
I love this idea, it is perfect for our outdoor patio.
I need to get outside and start cleaning out the flower beds from Fall/ Winter.
My quiz results were to make Painted Mason Jars.
I want to spruce up our back patio now that it is spring.
I took the quiz and it told me how to do a laundry room re-do!
Plant my garden
I want to put up a new fence.
The quiz told me to create a Shabby Chic Kitchen Cabinet.
I would like to stain our back deck.
Now that its spring I want to mulch my flower beds before the weeds come up
My results for m the quiz was to make Painted Mason Jar Vases
Now that it's Spring I want to clean the yard up and plant some flowers.
Haul some second hand cabinets out into the yard and paint them and make a long craft desk out of them.
plant a garden which i have already and clean the house the outside
add some plants to our front yard
PAINTED MASON JAR VASES
Now that it is springtime, I really want to clean out my gardens and spruce up my patio. I'm hoping to put lots of flower pots around the patio.
Now thats it's spring I want to get some plants and flowers planted
I'd love to power wash the siding on my house
Now that spring or in my case summer is here..lol
Plant my yearly veggies..and fruit
Get the BBQ ready
Fling open the windows
And exercise outside again
I am ready to finish planting my garden.
The first thing I want to do is get some tomato plants going! Every year I say I'm going to but I wait until it's too late.
Your idea for the Sliding Living Wall is brilliant! I may make one to cover the storage room door on my apartment balcony.
Thanks for a chance at the giveaway!
My results were: SHABBY CHIC KITCHEN CABINET
I want to clean out my closets and garage then plant my garden.
I want to plant some annuals! It's a little too early here, have to wait a couple more weeks.
I am destined to make PAINTED MASON JAR VASES
Now that it's spring I really want to tackle the rooms in my home--declutter & organize! My end goal is to have a simplified feel and look to my living space.
I want to start planting my garden of vegetables.
My result: Painted Mason Jar Vases
Quiz today-LAUNDRY ROOM REDO. I need to redo my laundry room!
This looks awesome! I love everything you do and I love your style! Thanks for blogging
Planting seeds--all kinds of seeds!
I can't wait to plant my garden and my flowers.
Finish building our chicken coop!
I want to get my gardens ready for planting. I started but have been sidetracked every time I started out. I have a new raised herb bed to put together, can't wait to get that started.
quiz results was One-Of-A-Kind Accent Wall. I like this idea.
The quiz gave me the Shabby Chic Kitchen Cabinet project. I love it.
I am a painted mason jar!
I would love to win a gift card! My apartment could use beautification. Thanks for your creative post!
Enjoy the outdoors with my kids
I want to make a fire pit and seating area.
I love this idea. I have never seen anything like it. I would love to see another photo once it all starts growing!
I want to spruce up my front porch with pretty pots of flowers!
Clean up the yard so I can plant my flowers and paint the fence
I want to plant my veggie garden.
We have a lot of yard work to do and are hoping to build a patio cover while the weather is nice :-)
I really want to finish my planter baskets, and keep them all alive!
My quiz results were laundry room redo!
The first thing i want to so is replace my kitchen ceiling due to the roof leaking this past winter.
Now That It Is Spring I Want To Plant A Garden.
We just expanded our garden bed so I cant wait to get some veggies growing in there!!
I want to get my garden planted!
I want to replace the lavender that didn't make it through the winter. I can't wait until after our frost date to get started.
I am repainting the garage door and the kitchen.
I want to plant some vegetables.
The first thing I want to do is to put up a little bit of white fencing and plant some flowers! This is so creative and pretty! Amazing!
results for quiz today was Painted Mason Jar Vases
I wanna read the sunday paper outside
What a fantastic DIY! I would love to see this while hanging out on our back deck. Thanks for sharing at Merry Monday this week!
Go to the park with my family
I want to plant some shrubs in front of the kitchen window.
I want to plant some veggies and tomatoes in the garden.
The first thing I want to do is get outside and start cleaning up my yard! There is so much to do in preparation of our garden and all the beautiful flowing plants I'm looking forward to having this year!!
Looks like I'm destined to be making Painted Mason Jar Vases! lol
Now that it is spring I am dying to plant some lilies in my garden!
I want to go outside and play in the park with my kids. I'm SHABBY CHIC KITCHEN CABINET
I want to get some new plants for our plant boxes...and spend some time outside!
I am so happy to be able to open all the windows and let fresh air in.
Get my hands in the dirt and get my veggie garden started!
I am a "One of a kind accent wall" LOL
Id love to do more yard work
I got SHABBY CHIC KITCHEN CABINET for the quiz
Plant a few flowers in my front porch planters
The results today are: SHABBY CHIC KITCHEN CABINET
I am a ONE-OF-A-KIND ACCENT WALL!
I have been cleaning closets.
Get my garden planted early and wash the windows.
I want to plant more flowering plants & vegetable, herbs in my garden
The first thing I want to do is plan our garden.
Love those organic veggies!
thank you
This is just pure genius, Stacey! You are the best at coming up with creative planter ideas! Love it!
We have a lot of landscaping work to do this Spring!
Clean the outside of my windows drives me nuts
I'm anxious to get all our seeds and plants in the garden now that it's Spring!
Told me I should make some DIY painted mason jar vases. Cute!
I have a huge planter that I want to make some changes to
very cool idea!
I got PAINTED MASON JAR VASES for the quiz today
I want to move some bushes around in my yard and plant a floral garden in front of my house.
This is such a great idea! I always look forward to planting flowers in the spring. Thank you so much for the giveaway.
I want to remodel the master bathroom.
I got SHABBY CHIC KITCHEN CABINET on the quiz.
Go outside and play
Spring cleaning! Everything. The warmer days and more sunlight gives me the energy to get going. Your idea is brilliant. I would never in a million years have thought to hide something ugly on my house this way. You're so creative.
We just planted some fruit trees, and threw wild flower seeds all over our hill.
The result today is ONE-OF-A-KIND ACCENT WALL.
Took the quiz and I got One-Of-A-Kind Accent Wall
What a clever project! My current project is getting our side yard ready for chickens to move into it.
I got painted mason jar vases today
paint my walls.
I want to get outside and tidy up the yard (remulch, add some flowers, etc.) SOOOO glad it's Spring!
Now that it is Spring I want to put in a nice herb garden. I found a recipe for some amazing herb and cheese pull apart bread on Pinterest. Rather than pay more than $3 per herb at the grocery store, I'm going to put that money into the herb plants so I can afford to make this (and other recipes) more than once!
In all seriousness I want to spring house clean and then a nice relaxing road trip.
I want to replace the window screens!
I got SHABBY CHIC KITCHEN CABINET for the quiz
According to the quiz, the end result for me was the shabby chick kitchen cabinet.
I want to get my vegetable garden started!
Plant Flowers and Clean House!
I really want to paint our half bath w/o help, if I can master that I can go for it painting our living room
My results today are also ONE-OF-A-KIND ACCENT WALL which is pretty awesome!
quiz results: Painted Mason Jar Vases
I want to paiint the bathroom, I can finally have windows open to deal with the fumes.
My result is One Of A Kind Accent Wall. Pretty fitting.
I want to get veggies and herbs planted in my garden!
demureprincess7(at)gmail(dot)com
what a neat project, i love that to water it you just hose the whole thing down.
thanks,
b
I want to redo my patio. It needs serious help.
I want to get out and play in my flower beds and paint my mail box it is a mess!
That is SO awesome! I want one!!
ooks great and simple enough to make while delivering a ton of wow factor.
I keep getting DIY painted mason jar vases..I need to do this!
I want to do some landscaping outside!
I want to remulch my flower beds and pressure wash the sidewalk and driveway now that spring is here.
I really want to work on my garden and grow more things. I want lots of pretty flowers and fruits to accompany my herbs and blueberry bush. :)
My results today were PAINTED MASON JAR VASES. I can't wait to try to do some crafting with mason jars.
I want to have a small garden!
Thank you for the nice giveaway
I got paint mason jar vases again. maybe I should do that lol
My quiz result today was: SHABBY CHIC KITCHEN CABINET.
Shabby chic kitchen cabinet! It is a beautiful day here today.I think I am going to work on some projects.
I want to take up the old mulch in my gardens and lay down new mulch!
I want to swim in our pool.
My quiz result: ONE-OF-A-KIND ACCENT WALL :)
I want to go to a baseball game.
I took the quiz today and got the PAINTED MASON JAR VASES project! Those are so pretty!
Quiz results today were LAUNDRY ROOM REDO which could really use a makeover
I want to get that fresh spring air in the house and open those windows!!
My results were shabby chic kitchen cabinet. I must get organizing!
quiz results today is Laundry Room Redo
Today's quiz result was PAINTED MASON JAR VASES
My quiz results today: My quiz result: ONE-OF-A-KIND ACCENT WALL :)
Plant a garden!
My quiz results today are PAINTED MASON JAR VASES which I just love.
i got ONE-OF-A-KIND ACCENT WALL
Plant flowers!!!
Today I got Painted Mason Jar Vases.
Hmmm, interesting that it changed.
Today's result was SHABBY CHIC KITCHEN CABINET.
I need to plant some flowers in my front planter.
Get my hands in the dirt and start planting my garden!
I really want to start fixing up my garden and planting some vegetables.
My results are painted mason jars which are a good fit.
I took the quiz and it told me to paint mason jars. .I might get my kids into helping me this.
I want to get our back porch cleaned up and get a patio set so we can sit outside and watch the kids play!
Today is another Painted Mason Jar Vases type of day.
And I am using mason jars today, making sourdough starter.
Such a clever and lovely disguise. Quiz results: laundry room redo
Now that its Spring I want to get my garage cleaned out and eat fresh vegis from the garden
I'm super excited to get working on my garden.
My result are painted mason jars
I want to plant some herbs, especially basil!
My quiz results are Painted Mason Jar Vases
Plant my garden so we have fresh vegetables in the summer to eat and donate.
My quiz results: One-Of-A-Kind Accent Wall DIY :)
Painted Mason Jars is my suggestion.
The results today are LAUNDRY ROOM REDO which mine could really use a makeover big time. I also would love to have some storage drawers under the washer & dryer.
now that its spring i want to do spring cleaning and have a yard sale
I want to fix our back patio. The patio stones/pavers have grass growing in between and it looks awful!
I just happed upon your blog and i love this idea, it's so cute and an out of the box idea.