Beach in the Backyard

Tuesday, June 28, 2011

We are in the process of revamping our backyard. There are quite a few outdoor projects that we have slowly been working on every Saturday. All projects(minus the one that I am showing you today) are about 50% done. None would make it to being 100% done, if we hadn’t built this first…

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The previous owners of our home had built a special place to put their patio furniture.It was a 7 ft by 7 ft box. We thought it was kind of strange. It was something that really had no use to us. We felt it was just taking up space in the back yard. We wanted to do something with it that would benefit us. So we asked ourselves, what could we do with this space? And the answer… an awesome sandbox!

Outdoor projects-2

We started by taking all of the stone off and temporarily relocating it to other parts of the yard.
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Next we dug out most of the dirt and relocated that to other parts of the yard.
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Then we dug deep holes to hold our pvc pipe.
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Then we rolled out the landscaping fabric, cut it to size, and secured it to the ground with landscaping staples.
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Then we poured in the sand!
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And of course, our son just patiently waited till this was done :) More like tried to crawl out of his swing.
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Next step was to paint the pvc pipe. We sprayed it with a plastic primmer first. I recommend that you paint the pipes before putting them in the ground. I am not entirely sure why we put the pipes in before we painted them.
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The last piece to this back yard beach was the awning. The awning and the pennant banner were made from duck cloth. Because of it’s size, I had to purchase two 2 1/2 yards of the navy duck cloth. Each piece was 60 x 90 inches. I needed an 80 x 80 inch piece. I had to cut the cloth down to a 60 x 80 inch piece and a 60 x 20 inch piece. Then I sewed those together. For the ties, I just hot glued pieces of twine to the end of the cloth. Then I just tied the twine around the pvc pipe. I was worried that it would slide down the pipe, but it doesn’t. It stays!
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It is my sons favorite place to play. Yesterday, while I went to go get his swimsuit, he escaped out the back door to go play. Oh to be 14 months old, with not a care in the world, and the only thing required for playtime is a diaper and some crocs.
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This has been a dream. I could not get any of my other outdoor projects done if it wasn’t for this backyard beach.
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It’s my sons place to just lounge and read a book while taking a nice relaxing soak in the pool, or while reclining back in his perfectly pint sized chair.
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The genius part about this being a sandbox/pool is that I can just hose him down before he comes inside. That way no sand gets inside my house.
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This has been the perfect place to play. Although, my son better watch out for the zucchini growing behind him. It has already over taken the carrots. Hopefully it doesn’t overtake the sandbox too ;)
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Also, I updated my JCrew knock off- Breezy Summer Skirt. I just had to add those pleats. Feel free to check it out again.
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48 comments:

  1. LOVE! I would love it if you would link up to my Tuesday Confessional link party going on now: http://www.craftyconfessions.com/2011/06/tuesday-confessional-link-party.html. I hope to see you soon!
    ~Macy

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  2. I love this. Especially the shade part. I live in Arizona and have to have shade for us to be able to be outside in the summer. Great job. (I am over from 'Not Just a Housewife').

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  3. Oh my gosh!! I LOVE this!! Y'all did a fantastic job - what a great idea! Your little sweetie looks like he loves it, too. :)

    www.freestylinbeth.com

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  4. wow sis! great job! I know kate will be ecstatic this summer to use that and get to play with ethan!

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  5. Adorable! Your son is a lucky (and cute!) little one.

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  6. I love it! You guys did a really great job and what a good idea to use PVC :)

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  7. Angie you are brilliant! This is so cute! Any kid would love to play in your back yard! We can't wait to see you and your growing little guy this weekend.

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  8. This is absolutely adorable! I love the canopy over the sandbox and the penants are so much fun!

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  9. OMG!!! This is soooo cool!!!! I am definitely sending this picture to husband ASAP, and letting him know what his new weekend project is!! Thanks SOOOO much for sharing this!!!! :)

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  10. There ain't nothin' in the world like a handy hubs!

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  11. LOVE LOVE LOVE this, how adorable is your little man, oh my gosh. Yes way better use of space for sure, and complete with the adorable canopy, and even mini pool, you sure thought of everything.

    I SO WISH I had a place to put something like this, my kids LOVE paying in the sand too, he he. I just have to ask you one question though, do you guys have any cats that like to do their business in there, I'm always worried about that, lol.

    I LOVE everything I see so far at your blog, the crafting, working out, being healthy parts, he he. I can't wait to browse around some more. I'm following along now girl, YAY.... Oh and I just had to PIN this to my Pinterest board, it is too cute.

    I'd also LOVE to invite you to check out my weekly parties. I would be so happy if you linked up, this and any other fabulous project you are working on.
    Stop by anytime to say hello!!!
    Hugs, Bella :)
    **AMAZE ME AUGUST** @ Bella Before and After Any projects, recipes, diy welcome.
    **PARTY PLANNING TUESDAYS** @ Euro Style Cakes. Any party planning tips, decorations, invitations, recipes welcome.

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  12. this is such a great idea! i just bookmarked it for later in life!

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  13. What a great makeover! So much fun to be had!
    Would you like to share this post at our Weekly Playdate link party? It would be a fantastic addition!
    You'll find the party here: http://beneaththerowantree.blogspot.com/2011/06/playdate-link-party-blog-hop-14-all.html

    Cheers,
    Lori
    Come & Play :: Playdate
    www.beneaththerowantree.com

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  14. This is just FANTASTIC! We just had a backyard beach bash for my baby boy who just turned one. My husband better be glad I didn't see this BEFORE the party or he would have been VERY busy. Found you at Not Just a Housewife!

    ps. I pinned this on Pinterest!
    http://pinterest.com/christine_co/

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  15. Thank you for your kind comments. I highly recommend that everyone make one of these for themselves. Even if you are an adult without kids. Although, you may need a bigger pool ;)

    Bella, I wanted to address your question. We don't have cats, but there are plenty of them wandering the neighborhood. We have a cover that we place over the sandbox when we aren't using it. We don't want to tempt the cats. We haven't had a problem, yet.

    Angela

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  16. Yeah.. so this is pretty much AMAZING!I'm your newest follower!
    http://runwithglitter.blogspot.com/

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  17. Great project! :) I've featured this post on Craft Gossip here:
    http://homeandgarden.craftgossip.com/backyard-beach/

    If you would like a "featured by" button, you can grab one here:
    http://homeandgarden.craftgossip.com/grab-a-craft-gossip-button/

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  18. What a wonderful idea! I love it! :)

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  19. Super sute! You used the space so much better than weeds and stones. :)

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  20. oh my goodness, this is so cute!

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  21. I wanna come hang out at your beach! What a fun getaway! I'm stopping by as the guest judge from CSI Project!
    happy crafting,
    Linda

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  22. Super cute and how fun your your little guy! -Amanda(fancylittlethings.com)

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  23. You've been featured on Fabulousity Friday at Sweet Tea Serendipity. Drop by & check out your feature & pick up your award! http://sweetteaserendipity.blogspot.com

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  24. Saw you over at CSI! I love your outdoor beach. It's refreshing to see kid-friendly spaces in a land of Pottery Barn knockoffs. My guys are a wee-bit older than your son, and our yard is for the kids.

    Pinning you to my outdoor kid board at pinterest!

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  25. Congratulations on making the top ten over at CSI! I love your beach and your pictures of your son reading in the pool are priceless.

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  26. I love this idea, and could see both of my kids enjoying something similar in our yard. Great job!

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  27. super cute.... love it! gonna do this for the twinkies!!!

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  28. This is awesome! I saw in a previous comment you mentioned having a cover to protect your sandbox when not in use. Would you mind telling me a little bit more about what you use as a cover?

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    1. Last year we stapled a tarp to four wooden sticks and laid that over the sandbox at night. The tarp ripped sometime during the winter. This year we are using two pieces of lattice- the criss cross fencing. We stapled a screen to the bottom of the lattice. It works great. I don't know if that explanation makes sense. I'll try to remember to take some pictures of the cover and update the post soon.

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  29. Hi, This is such a cool project & I have the perfect space to do something similar. Did you make something to cover it when it isnt in use? My only concern for ours would be the neighborhood cats using it as a toilet at night.
    Such a cool project!

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    Replies
    1. Thanks. We have tried two different covers. Last year we stapled a tarp to four wooden sticks and laid that over the sandbox at night. The tarp ripped sometime during the winter. This year we are using two pieces of lattice- the criss cross fencing. We stapled a screen to the bottom of the lattice. It works great. I don't know if that explanation makes sense. I'll try to remember to take some pictures of the cover and update the post soon.

      I was worried about cats as well. There are plenty perusing our neighborhood at night. There have been plenty of nights when I forgot to put the cover on and we have never had any cat issues.

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  30. its cute.. my only worry is outside animals like racoons doing their business in the sand you may want to make a cover for the sand. I used to have a sand box for my kids & the outside animals ruined it.

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  31. That looks great and your little boy is adorable! I just have two questions, what size PVC piping did you get and do they always come with that topper thing? Sorry, I am unfamiliar with PVC pipe! I love this and would like to make the covering too for my kid's sandbox.
    Kendra

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  32. What size pvc pipe did you use and how did you anchor it into the ground? Just hammer?

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  33. Great idea. For kids it is a great joy and a lot of fun. I know from experience. Kids love water and swim. By the way, if you need a good chair, look at this collection http://www.beachgiraffe.com/best-beach-chairs-reviews/. You will find there products for children.

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  34. Here's What I Know About Easy to Setup Beach Tent. campshores.com has more information on the Coleman DayTripper Beach Shade Review | Camp Shores.

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  35. Lovely ideas. Will try some best beach canopy and see how it will go

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  36. Hy there Guys, Hope you are all doing Great
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    Investing in a good quality toddler best beach tent will go a long way in helping you and your family enjoy a safe and stress-free holiday at the beach.
    A baby beach tent is lightweight and easily portable for your convenience. When you go for beach tent shopping,
    you have to be very thoughtful about what kind of beach tent would you like to invest in, considering its safety and quality features.

    Thanks alot guys..

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  37. Do you think it can be possible to enjoy all these if your back is aching because you have sat upon a beach chair that has a very poor fit and unsatisfactory body support? So, for a really luxurious time at the beach, pay attention to the details of your essentials. beach chairs

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  38. Thank you because you have been willing to share information with us. we will always appreciate all you have done here because I know you are very concerned with our. Beach tent

    ReplyDelete

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