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Five easy steps to improve your deck

Thu, 14 May 2009 11:58:09 -0500

Making your old deck look like a million bucks is not as hard as you may think. Most people never seal their decks there for they turn gray and split with in a year or two. Sealing your deck every two years will insure many years of enjoyment and you can entertain with out being ashamed.

1. Scrub off your deck with a deck cleaner, available at most hardware stores, use a stiff brush and a long handle.
2. Rent a decent power washer if you don’t have one. and clean out all the spacings between the deck.
3. If your deck has a lot of cracks, you can rent a deck or floor sander to sand to surface smooth, do not exceed 60 grid sand paper.
4. If you needed to sand the deck was it of with clean water and let it dry for a few days.
5. Finally pick a stain-sealer that complements your home. Seal your deck by applying at least 3 coats of your desired product.
So there you have it five easy steps to save you money, you can enjoy your deck again and add value to your home.
If you have any further questions please e-mail me

TREE HOUSE FRENZY

Tue, 24 Jun 2008 14:37:12 -0500

Tree Houses, What is the Big Deal?

Why in the world would I ever need one, you might ask?
It’s not so much that you need one. But that everyone, including you wants one!
It’s one of those things that just sound’s exotic and exiting. It ignites our imagination and inspires us to be one with nature.

I can sum it up in three letters F U N!!!, so when you decide to build one you might as well go all the way. If you can’t afford a designer that brings all the bells and whistles, with a custom esthetically pleasing mini “Tach Mahal” that also includes real windows, doors, a mini fridge and a old leather coach, you will find your self wanting,how ever this will bring you back to the basic fundamentals of where the concept originated.

The truth is every young man wants a fort or a tree house regardless of their age.Girls are more likely to want it in pink, but make no mistake even grown men has a young boy with in them that must have one. That is why I made a decision early on to create spaces that cater to kids as well as to those young at heart Dads & MOms. Why should the Kids be the only ones to have FUN!! The ultimate reward for me as an artist is to witness the cheer joy on a child’s face while they test the limits of your creation. There is no money in this world that can buy that.

The first question on every persons mind is; How much will this set me back?
It should never be about the money. Instead we will dream and scheme with sticks and planks and what ever we can find for a bargain to create the ultimate masterpiece. Only then do we look at how we can fit it into your budget. As soon as you place a predetermined price on creativity, creativity itself is lost and with out value.
In my opinion the difference between Dreams and Reality = Creativity.

If you need more information please feel free to call me or e-mail me.

Here are a few tips and suggestions:
• Make sure that you care for the tree that hosts your creation. Some trees are very susceptible to parasites & diseases when they sustain any damage.
• When you cut or drill into the core of the trunk or a limb make sure to doctor it with a wound sealer, this is normally a black tar like substance. You can find this at your local garden centre.
• I recommend only using stainless steel fasteners whenever you secure lumber to the tree. It is the most effective material to use since it won't cause a chemical reaction with the tree sap. The sap may decay regular or galvanized fasteners or react by starting to rot the tree over time.
• Insert your swing ropes and chains into a plastic sleeve or an old hose before securing it around a tree limb. The friction of the rope or chain can ring bark the limb over time killing it. It may also cause growth defects or even rotting. This will weaken the integrity of the tree or limb.
• If your tree house exceeds a hight over 10 ft. you should take serious safety precautions.
• A Safety net option but can be expensive to install it effectively.
• Always let your kids ware a helmet, A helmet is cheaper than living life in a wheel chair. Their cycle or skateboard helmets will do the trick.
• To make it exiting for you kids buy them a climbing harness. Fit it with two leader ropes about 48” long with carabiners at each end. This will allow them to tie off on designated points with one rope while they move to the next tie off point. Hooking up one before unhooking the next.(contact me for more details) or if you just need some help.
• You can also create several deck layers to decrease the risk of some one falling more than 6 feet.This can be pretty pricey.
• Always comb the area under the tree house for sharp objects such as rocks or pieces of metal, your new teflon pot or even your best kitchen knife.

Be safe, Have fun.
God Bless
Attie jonker

THE WATER PROJECT

Mon, 21 Apr 2008 02:00:00 -0500

Water is a precious commodity in most third world Countries, Something that the first world takes for granted. I can’t even ask that any one begin to imagine what it would be like to walk just 1 mile to fetch a few pales of water. In some villages water supplies may be as far as 10 miles away, wish they then have to cary home on your heads or shoulders. In extreme cases they might not have water for days. It is also very common that the water is completely contaminated with parasites and animal feces this exposing adults and children to deceases like Cholera, Belharsia, Dysentery and many other intestinal problems.

Millions of African are effected daily by the lack of infrastructure and education. With your help we can all make a difference with one donation at a time. There are many wonderful organizations that brings water to the poorest of the poor. We are currently investigating the best charity wish we will pledge your gift from the Chrissy lounger series too. We will then travel to Africa and film the process so we can post it here on our site for you to have a first hand look at the difference you have made.
With your Purchase of the Chrisssy Lounger,We can all help a little to make a big difference in a community.

SEE what’s new!!!!

Wed, 16 Apr 2008 14:20:40 -0500

My favorite thing to do is to find a old piece of wood, and turn it into something functional and pleasing to the eye. Rather than the other option of retiring it to a wood chipper or chopping block.
Both theses pieces ( above) were saved from a Hack-berry, not a very popular tree, that we had to remove from our back yard in San Antonio. I also carved the “ work at hand” sculpture you saw in the photo library.
The ability to Find the good in the discarded is a God given Gift, “ Mercy”
Attie Jonker