DIY Hanging Ladder for Patio plus Solar Light Jars

 

 

 Hi Friends !

 

 

I really wanted to add some lights over our backyard table.

 

My Dad made the table and I remember using it when I was a little girl.

 

When my Husband and I first got married, we had the biggest yard in the family

 

so we  got the table and have had it ever since.

 

That makes me happy because everyone wants to come to our house for Holiday's.

 

We love to BBQ and hang out on the Patio.

 

 It is a huge 8' Farmhouse Style Picnic Table. I have been trying to find an old ladder to

 

hang over the table but have not been able to find something I liked ..... time goes by  

  

and I am thinking....just make one.

 

It seemed fairly easy and inexpensive.

 

 

 

We are off to Home Depot for supplies-

 

THIS WAS MY ORIGINAL PLAN 

 

2 pieces of 1.5''x 1.5'' x 8'  Furring strips $ 2.00 each

 

(carefully pick pieces that are straight )

 

both cut by Home Depot to- 6'

 

with the scraps from the first cut- you will have 2 pieces 24''

 

cut those pieces to 12'' now you have 4 rungs 12'' and 2 - 6' long pieces.

                                            THIS WORKS OUT MATHMATICALLY   

 

perfectly!

 

BUT

 

I over bought and changed my mind on the size once I got home!

 

 

Now I have enough to make a second ladder...stay tuned next week will be

 

a Blanket Ladder with scraps from this project.

 

Disclaimer: I only spent an extra $2.00 so I'm good with that.

 

 

 

I had my Husband help with the power tools.

He used his electric staple gun.

 

 

We used a level to make sure the rungs were right.

 

 

 12'' pieces and 12'' apart

 

 

We used Eye hooks at the outside corners.

 

I bought 2 Chain plant hangers from Dollar Tree.

 

 

I used pliers to attach to eye hooks.

 

Add held it over the table to decide on length needed.

 

 

I used my favorite stain. 

 

 

.

Dark Brown BRIWAX-

I love this stain because it is a paste and a wax

only 1 step !

 

 

 

I bought S hooks at the Dollar Tree
 

 

And painted them black

 

 

 

 

 



NOW THE LIGHTS!

 

Dollar Tree again..... How ever many you like.

 

Remove the stake-  pulls right off

 

I used pint size, regular lid rings, some wire and pliers.

I like the Jewel Cut Jelly Jars, they give off a pretty design.

 

 

 

 

 

I could only find black and after I was finished I decided they would look

 

better silver or grey to match the rings. I popped them out and spray painted them grey. 

 

 

 

 

Made wire loops to hang 

 

 

wrap around the jar and slip off 

 

 

 attach and slip back on

 

 

 I used the S hooks and attached to ladder.

 

 

Here are the jars with the lights painted grey 

 

 

In the afternoon

 

 

At Sunset

 

 

 

 

I made 6 solar jars and that really gave off a lot of light.

 

I have just enough scrap wood left to make a Blanket Ladder this weekend.

 

So that will probably be the next post.

 

Sorry this seems a bit long, I appreciate you staying to the end !!!

 

xo Lisa S