Scully's Bumper Wall

We would find Scully in the garden.

She was actually falling off the porch.

Scully 12" tall and it was a 9' drop.

So, I built Scully a bumper wall.
The wall sits on the porch.
Scully is now safe.

Thoughts

I looked at different options for blocking off the porch. Most options had some type of decorative holes. I didn't want to take a chance that Scully would get her leg caught through the holes, and
cause injury. As I walked through the super store, I saw the pool noodles, and the idea was born.

Things I Purchased From the Dollar Store

• Pool Noddles
• Brooms (Mops could also be used)
• Zip Ties

Extra Things You'll Need

• Spray Paint 
• I used RUST-OLEUN 2X Ultra Cover Paint-Primer
• Hack Saw
• Hammer
• Surface/Ground Covering

Remove Broom Sweeps and Plastic Tops,
Keep the Plastic Tops

Process - Painting

• Remove Broom sweeps and plastic tops
• Paint Pool Noodles
• Paint the metal handles of the broom
• Paint broom plastic top caps
• Paint Zip Ties

The sticker area didn't paint well                   Paint the broom poles                            Paint broom tops & zip ties         I just placed these spots down                                                                                                                                                 

Cut & paint wedges, squeeze and insert into end of pool noodle
This will keep garden visitors from building nests in there.

Process - Assemble

• I pounded the broom handles into the ground, next to porch/patio
• Loosely tie each pool noodle with the zip ties to the broom handles
• When I reached the height I want, I marked the top of the broom handles.
• Cut the broom handles with the hack saw
• Place the last pool noodle and loosely zip tie
• Replace the the plastic broom cap to the handle
• Tighten the zip ties from the bottom up

After Thoughts - 02AUG2015

I created Scully's bumper wall on 06JUN2015. It turns out the paint, even though it contains a primer, the paint is coming off the pool noodles. The garden side of the pool noodles is perfect, the paint is still intact. I am sure that people's legs and shoes are causing the paint to scrap off.  Fortunately, I have paint left over, and I just touch it up. I may in the  future try a different paint process.

Garden side paint is intact 

Porch side the paint is missing.
I think it's from legs & shoes.

Bike Pack from Fanny Pack

Bike Pack from Fanny Pack

            Bike Packs are expensive to purchase, 

then I realized they were fanny packs with Velcro straps.   

               I can make that!!

I kept the waist straps on, in case I needed to sling it over my shoulder or around my waist (cringe).

This fanny pack flimsy, so the straps are on the top.

This packs construction was sturdier so the straps were able to go lower.

Things You'll Need

• Bike
• Fanny Pack (You can pick them up at second hand shop cheap)
• Velcro
• Measure/Tape/Pins/Marking Chalk or pen
• Sewing Machine or Needle & Thread

Process

• Measure the flattest part of the handle bars, my handlebar was 5". 
• This measurement is the handle bars between the curve of the handle bars.
• Measure the circumference of the handle bars, and double it for your Velcro length.
• Measure out where the Velcro will go on pack
• Measure and cut the Velcro
• Sew the loop facing the fanny pack. (See Tips on Velcro below)
• The hook part should be facing away from the pack. (See Tips on Velcro below)
• This way the hook is folded over and will not catch on your clothing.
• Sew Velcro on pack
• Go for a bike ride with your new bike pack!!

Measure between the handle bars curves, mine is 5 inches.
This is where your fanny pack will hang. 

Measure inside of pack to find                  Fold pack in half                                 Pin center point       
the right placement for Velcro                                                                                                   

I cut 4" strips of Velcro

My Velcro strips were 2" wide, so I cut them in half.
I know they say NOT to cut Velcro lengthwise, 
but it's just a Pack for my bike. No big deal. 

Mark the each side of fanny pack from 

from your handle bar measurement.

Mine was 2 1/2" from center pin.

Mark how far into the Velcro you're going to sew, this is your stop line. This will depend on the construction of your pack and how much Velcro you need to secure it.
I did about one inch

From the outside edge marks made previously,
now marked the inside placement of the Velcro.
Pin the Velcro and sew it on.

Hook facing away from pack 

Loop facing the pack.

Sewing on the Velcro

• The placement of the Velcro depends on fanny pack structure, and how it will hang.
• You can put either the hook or loop on top or bottom, your choice.
• Use the marks on the Pack to align up the Velcro.
• Place the Hook, on the Pack with the hook laying away from the pack. Right side of pack and the wrong side of hook tape together.
• Place the Loop, opposite of the hook, with the loop facing on the pack. Right side of pack and the right side of loop tape together.
• I sewed the border of the Velcro, and then an X in the middle of the Velcro for extra security.

(I used blue and white, because it's hard to see black on black)

Tips on Velcro

In this example:

White is the Hook side.
Blue is the Loop side.

The Hook (white) should face way from the fabric.

The Loop {blue) should face the fabric.

When the ends are attached, the Hook is on the inside and the Loop is outside.
This way the Hook will not catch on your clothes, if you sling it over your shoulder or wear it around your waist, (cringe).