April Picket Frame DIY Workshops @ Tum-A-Lum Lumber

This month we not only offered a kids workshop in partnership with Tum-A-Lum Lumber in Hood River but also kicked off a brand new workshop series in Pendleton! Everyone created their own unique picket frame for Mother's Day. While the variable weather deterred some people from coming out in Hood River, our workshop in the Pendleton warehouse was packed! We will have to get another table built for next time... So heartwarming to feel the appreciation from a community that doesn't have many opportunities like this. And one of the girls told me she wants to be a builder when she grows up! Very inspiring to work with the next generation. If you were unable to attend the workshop you can download the plans here and build it at home. Stay tuned for our workshops in Hood River and Pendleton next month!

March Block Lamp DIY Workshop @ Tum-A-Lum Lumber

We kicked off our 2018 workshops with Tum-A-Lum Lumber with a kids DIY block lamp in Hood River! Everyone learned some basic design guidelines as well as tips and tricks for assembly, then got to work creating their own unique lamps. It was fun to see the creativity flow with no two lamps alike. Some participants even decided to build a removable top cap for their lamps so they can still access the bulb and also to direct the light more out the sides. Pretty cool! Our past projects have mostly offered personalization with paint colors so it was great to offer design personalization with this workshop. If you were unable to attend the workshop you can download the plans here and build it at home. Stay tuned for our workshops in Hood River AND Pendleton next month!

Bat House Workshop @ Tum-A-Lum Lumber

Today we offered our 4th workshop in partnership with Tum-A-Lum Lumber. This time we made bat houses for Halloween on a beautiful fall day! Attendees were a mix of regulars and new faces which was great. See photos below and stay tuned for a DIY How-To Guide coming out this winter!

A few notes on building a successful bat house...

Size: 14" wide by 24" tall is the recommended minimum, depth can vary depending on number of chambers and size of bats that will use the house. The one we built has a single chamber.

Design: Must have an exposed landing pad at the bottom, 3"-6" tall is recommended. Both interior surfaces should be rough so they have something to grab onto. We used wire mesh for this. All seams should be sealed with caulk, especially the roof in order to trap the heat generated by the sun and body heat from the bats. Dark paint is recommended to help absorb heat.

Placement: 15'-20' off of the ground on a pole or south facing building to take advantage of the sun's direct path. Trees should be avoided because they harbor predators and may shade the house.

Check out these links for more information about bats!

Organization for Bat Conservation

Bat Conservation International

Framed Chalkboard Hanger Workshop @ Tum-A-Lum Lumber

Today we offered our 3rd workshop with Tum-A-Lum Lumber in Hood River! This one was open to all ages and most of the attendees were "regulars", having attended all of the workshops thus far. This time we built and painted a framed chalkboard hanger and everyone got creative with orientation, hanger locations and paint! Check out the photos below and our previous tool box, bird house and hanging planter box workshops.

Kid's Tool Box Workshop @ Tum-A-Lum Lumber

Today we offered our second workshop with Tum-A-Lum Lumber in Hood River! This time we focused it on kids who learned how to hammer together pre-cut pieces of pine into their own toolboxes. Then they got creative with paint to personalize their toolbox. Stay tuned for a DIY how-to guide so you can make one of your own! Also, you can check out last month's bird house workshop here.