It’s the last chapter in the handmade Christmas gift installment.
Good thing.
It’s almost February.
Of all the wonderful incredible handmade gifts I got like the leather mason jar mug or the star made of maps or the wood stereo speakers or the linen scrap house pillow….
….I think this one was my favorite.
Maybe because it’s the one I use everyday.
Maybe because the combination of wood and leather fits so perfectly on the tub.
Or maybe it’s because I saw it online for $168.
I think it’s because handmade is so much better every. single. time.
Here’s a close-up of the caddy with the leather handles just in case you wanted to DIY your own.
It measures 36″ long and 10″ wide.
My brother made it out of some wood he had in his shop.
You can see how it rests on each side of the bathtub.
(total aside: I wish I had silver metal bathtub feet).
The bathtub is over-sized so he made the caddy over-sized, too.
Here’s a close-up of the leather handles.
He simply cut out a left-over piece of the leather he used to make the leather mason jar mugs.
The leather piece is approximately 7″ long and he attached a handle to each end of the board.
Here’s the reverse side of the board.
He simply added a 1″x 1″x 10″ to the back of each side of the board.
This helps to prevent it from sliding from side to side.
It’s perfect to hold a cup of tea or the stopper or a magazine or handmade soap or a book.
And speaking of books.
Has anyone read any good ones yet this year?
I’m on the hunt. I’m thinking about The Road to Dribbling by Bill Bryson or My Name is Lucy Barton by Elizabeth Strout.
Any suggestions?
And one more thing. If you are related to me and you’re reading this blog post maybe we should exchange Valentine’s gifts this year.
Just kidding. Maybe. 🙂
What a perfect addition to your pretty bath! I'm sure a hot bubble bath would be amazing considering the dumping of snow you just received in your neck of the woods. Sadly, I haven't read anything good lately. I've been too busy to read...a total injustice for sure. May I suggest the Lush Bath Bombs? I think they are the bomb. Catch ya later friend.
what is that soap? looks sooo luxurious!
I was thinking those soaps must smell amazing and would make a great homemade gift for next Christmas!
I love your caddy! It is such a fun, functional piece :) Oh, and consider silver leaf on those tub feet. Hope you enjoy the snow. We have seen snow here in 2 winters. I miss it... but not "30" inches worth" miss it.
your family outdoes everyone else when it comes to gifts. I love them all. Books: 'The Life Changing Magic of Tidying.' I don't subscribe to all of it, and it can bog down just a little, but overall, it did change my life. When I walk in a room now, the overcrowding drawers no longer scream at me to tidy them up. I have found that I like some empty space in things, instead of overcrowding. (Sorry to go on)
I'm heading to the court house to change my birth certificate. I'll be waiting by the mailbox for my Valentine. ;)
Such a wonderful gift! Martha Stewart Craft Paints have some very good metal-like finishes for your tub. You might need to seal it afterward. My local Walmart has replacement plugs for a few dollars in the plumbing section if you, like me, become totally braindead upon entering the local home improvement store and forget every single time what you're there for.
Aj ~ I think the plug she has is for effect/atmosphere. :-)
I love, love this!! I want to take a bubble bath with a good book right now!!! : )
I like your tub feet, but you could silver leaf them.
Love your tray! Have you thought of "painting" your bathtub feet? I know it sounds crazy, but my first thought was to use the tube kind of silver leaf. It's not real silver leaf, but it will stick to metal after 2 coats. Just a thought from one crazy crafter to another!!
Delicious!, a great read.
Seriously, with all you have going on in your life, do you really have time to make your tub legs silver? Let me know your secret of manufacturing time to get everything done? I thought Downtown Abby was a little "not too exciting" this week except for Anna's good news. What did you think?
I thought The Gates of Evangeline by Hester Young was a hard-to-put down read. I just finished Amagansett by Mark Mills, which I enjoyed. Currently I am reading The House We Grew Up In by Lisa Jewell and, though I just started it, so far it's good. So there you have it, my two cents. I've been enjoying reading your blog, by the way, usually laughing aloud. Keep 'em coming!
Very cute! Makes me want to soak in the tub! You could always paint the tub feet or use some rub n buff in silver? I don't know if that would turn out well or look goofy, lol.
The Caddy is perfect! https://doodlet.me/
I love that tray, so sweet of your brother to make it. Thanks for the tutorial, Mary Beth
Have you read Orphan #8 . It's an interesting quick read. I'm in Baltimore and we set a record of 29.2 " of snow!! How did you all do?
I just discovered Sherry Gore's books about pies, her Amish life, and a fun novel she has written. She is a wonderful writer-- so uplifting and enjoyable. I hope she gets something else published by the time I have finished reading her cookbook!
Hi KariAnne! Oh yes, I agree--this is awesome and fits in beautifully with your bathroom decor!! Books? I love to read and just recently finished an autobiography by Leah Remini (King of Queens) called Troublemaker. Loved it. Currently reading "The Whole Enchilada" Daine Mott Davidson. All her books center around Evergreen, CO, food (sometimes with recipes) and a murder. I love a good biography/auto biography or murder mystery. (Scary how my mind works--lol.) Have a wonderful day, sweet friend!
I love it! And so many ways you could use a tray like that!
What lovely handmade presents. I am not handy with power tools so will have a go at the snowflake map. I have just had a tearful half hour reading your brothers blog. He writes so movingly & his family is adorable.I am determined to read a lot of books this year. I have recently read Winter St & The Island by Elin Hilderbrand both set in New England& According to Yes by Dawn French. I need to get that book on organising & tidying up! My daughter & son in law will be moving out soon & we have boxes of packed CDs & DVDs & bedding about the house.(my cat is asleep on own of them!). Hope you aren't too snowed in!
This bath caddy makes me want to tear down a wall in our bathroom so I can add a claw-foot tub so I can take a bath in a bathroom that isn't filled with kids bath toys! This is such a great present and so meaningful. Your family is totally lucky to have you in it to give such thoughtful and personal presents!
Your posts are the best. And the handmade gifts are wonderful. Something to have forever. My family...that is my dad, two brothers and son....are all crazy talented with their hands. I think I'll start requesting we do this. Thanks so much for the inspiration! Rogue Lawyer by John Grisham....can't go wrong!
You make me long for a tub! Why must you torture me? Happy Monday.
Oh wow, I LOVE this, and must have one of my own. I think I'll be giving this DIY a try very soon!
Hi KariAnne, How clever and so simple too. Great project and too simple not to make one for myself. Happy week.
Love this! sheila
What a lovely gift. I just finished "Go Set A Watchman" by Harper Lee. If you enjoyed "To Kill A Mockingbird", you will enjoy this book as well.
Well KariAnne, remove The House We Grew Up In from the list. It turned disturbing and just horrid as I got further into it. I definitely would NOT recommend it. Sorry about that.
I so need one of those!!! I used to have one of the metal ones, and they just look terrible after awhile. What a great idea! Thanks:)
The best part of the whole post (except the bath caddy) is the old fashioned stopper! Oh, I love that... and your photography!
Hi Kari Anne! This is so simple and beautiful, I'm totally in love! What a great bath caddy! And what a beautiful bathroom, not to mention that tub!!!
What a wonderful gift this would be! It looks great in your beautiful bathroom! Thank you for sharing with us at Brag About It! Pinning to share. ~Laurie
Your bathroom is so pretty! It looks like it would be the perfect place to take a long, relaxing bath. So sweet of your brother to make you the bath caddy!
Your bathroom is so serene looking...and your brother did an excellent job on your gift! I love the wall color too. Do you mind sharing the name of it? Thanks Linda B
The varied talents of your amazing family know no bounds...as always, your brother outdid himself here...this bath caddy is absolutely drop-dead gorgeous not to mention, very functional! I haven't had much time to read for a very long time, so I don't have a lot of books to recommend to you, unfortunately, but right now I am in the midst of reading Chrissie Hynde's autobiography "Reckless" which is a very entertaining read. If you are into autobios or bios and are a Chrissie Hynde/Pretenders fan at all, I do highly recommend it. Also, I have to say, I really like the idea of using silver leaf on the tub feet...you have some really clever readers...if I had a claw-foot tub, I'd definitely give that idea a go! :)
Your bathroom is gorgeous! I love the bath caddy with the masculine touches of leather. It's such a beautiful contrast of raw elements. Thank you for sharing with us at Thursday Favorite Things Blog Hop Olivia- Co-hostess Reinvented Collection