Projects

We recently found a wonderful beach escape near Kingston, however this escape comes with many mosquitoes and very little in the way of shade. I am imagining long days on this beach but without something to cover us from sun and bugs it isn't going to happen. Jennifer on the Roof faced a similar problem recently and found a great solution but I had a little extra time.  So: I jumped into a new project, which I managed to complete in two days, not without a little bit of pressure from my husband who wanted the deck back. I have been eyeing up sun shades for the beach in Canadian Tire fliers but wasn't at all convinced. So: thanks to a lovely woman named Kate and Freecycle I had a old tent, destined for the landfill, delivered direct to my door. A broken zipper, not really waterproof anymore, but with lots of wear still in it.

I cut it up, shortened the poles, reworked the fly and created this:

Which can also be rearranged to look like this:

or this:

Money spent: $0
Materials: $2.00 in thread and velcro that I already had lying around.
Distance traveled: 0 km (the woman who dropped it off travelled but one of her kids was coming into town anyway so I don't think it really counts.)
Taxes paid: $0
Man hours: well lots, probably around 7 but I happen to have an excess of that particular commodity at the moment as I am on summer vacation and this sort of project ranks pretty high on my 'I had a good time' list as well.
Tents saved from the landfill: 1

Not bad really. The advantages to recycling: 1. My very own design which is way better than the "Tire" version. This sun shade is fully vent-able, fully adjustable, it can be shut up for bug free naps or changing or opened right up with the flaps spread out for hot days with extra shade. 2. The great satisfaction of doing with my own hands (rather than small hands in Vietnam) and lowing my carbon footprint. 3. The fun had by Diego as we put up the tent, measured, took it down, attached the flaps, took them off, ran around, inside and under.

I'm pretty proud of myself - and ready for long days at the beach; equipped for space to picnic, nap, change, rest, sit and stare at the water. Anyone want to join?