DIY Golu Steps

All you need

1- 6 Step Riser

https://www.homedepot.com/p/6-Step-Ground-Contact-Pressure-Treated-Pine-Stair-Stringer-279715/301040027

8- Wood Boards 5 ft long

https://www.homedepot.com/p/1-in-x-4-in-x-6-ft-S4S-White-Wood-Board-0000-914-673/302172512

2 - Long wood pillars to hold the step risers

https://www.homedepot.com/p/2-in-x-4-in-x-8-ft-Premium-Kiln-Dried-Whitewood-Framing-Stud-Lumber-96022/315592380

Wood Screws (as required)

Assembly:

1. Fix the wood pillars to each step riser
2. Attach the two step risers on the top and bottom with the 5 ft wood planks on the backside
3. Now place the remaining 5 ft wood planks on each step and fix them to the base with the nails

💥 TADA 💥 The Golu Steps are ready to be adorned with beautiful dolls

DIY Pooja Mandiram

 DIY Pooja Mandiram / Vratham Peeta

What you need?

1. Drilling Machine

2. Screws

3. For the Mandiram Pillars: 2912 2-1/4 in. x 2-1/4 in. x 15-1/4 in. Pine Round Furniture Leg  (4)

https://www.homedepot.com/.../Waddell-2912-2-1.../314254012

4. For the Mandiram Legs: 6 in. Traditional Table Leg (4)

https://www.homedepot.com/.../Waddell-6-in.../100542904

5. For the Mandiram Gopuram: Bun Foot 4 in. x 4 in. x 4 in. Natural Unfinished Basswood (1)

https://www.homedepot.com/.../Waddell-Bun-Foot.../313397665

6. For the Mandiram 4 corners: 3-3/4 in. Early American Table Leg (4)

https://www.homedepot.com/.../Waddell-3-3-4-in.../100389452

7. For the Mandiram Base and Top: MDF 2 X 4 Feet Board- Cut to 18X18 squares (2)

https://www.homedepot.com/.../Medium-Density.../202089069

8. For the top and bottom edges design: 3/8 in. x 1/2 in. x 4 ft. Basswood Panel Moulding (3)

https://www.homedepot.com/.../House-of-Fara-3-8.../202087486 

9. Premium Gel Stain (1)

https://www.homedepot.com/.../Varathane-1-qt.../305584080

10. Brass Bells with Hooks (12)

https://www.amazon.com/diollo-Jingle-Chimes-Hanging-Decoration/dp/B081KQ9GMX/ref=sr_1_4_mod_primary_new?dchild=1&keywords=brass%2Bbells%2Bindian&qid=1631413265&sbo=RZvfv%2F%2FHxDF%2BO5021pAnSA%3D%3D&sr=8-4&th=1

Process:

Step 1. Fix the legs to the bottom of the 18X18 MDF Square board, using a drilling machine make holes and fix the legs of the mandiram.

Step 2: Now fix the pillars to the top of the 18X18 MDF Square board, now add the other 18X18 square board to the top side of the pillars to complete the base of the mandiram.

Step 3: To the top of the 18X18 square board, to get the top frame of the mandiram measure the dimensions for smaller squares to achieve the 2-3 step look, I have used 12X12, 8X8  squares to get this look. Now add a Bun Foot Leg to get the Gopuram look and add the smaller american table legs to the four corners of the 12X12 Square as shown in the images

Step 4: The finishing of the mandiram will be adding the molding to the edges to create a traditional look, this is fixed using nails. This has to be done carefully so you don't break the molding.

Step 5: Staining the Mandiram with your favorite color, I have used Premium Gel Stain  in Mahogany to give a matte rose wood look.

Step 6: Adding bells on the four sides of the mandiram is the last step, the bells come with screw hooks, which can be fixed after the gel stain is completely dry.

It took us less than couple of hours to complete this whole project, we wanted to create this to use it as a vratham peeta for Sri Satyanarayana Pooja, by adding a wood board to the back of the mandiram this can also be repurposed as a regular pooja mandiram. 

Lotus Backdrop with DIY Stencil

Lotus Backdrop DIY 💖 This festive season, if you’re looking for a simple , elegant yet a statement backdrop, this is the one ! 

I have spent less than 2 hours to complete this project, to do this you will be needing a lotus stencil (I made this myself), a dark color thick fabric (velvet works perfect, you can try Joann) and rust oleum metallic gold spray.

What you need?

1. Backdrop Fabric: I bought this from Joann, you can also try stiff velvet that can hold the spray paint.

https://www.joann.com/rip-stop-nylon/2637833.html

https://www.joann.com/empire-velveteen-fabric/xprd728531.html

2. Metallic Gold Spray Paint

https://www.amazon.com/Rust-Oleum-1910830-Spray-Paint-Each/dp/B000QD3GPW/ref=asc_df_B000QD3GPW/?tag=hyprod-20&linkCode=df0&hvadid=193184886406&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=4134513210254015746&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9003470&hvtargid=pla-309043584386&psc=1

3. DIY Lotus Stencil: Draw a lotus on a thick foam board or cardboard and using a paper knife/ box cutter cut the board leaving the shape of the lotus, this will be your stencil

Process:

Using a chalk make markings on the fabric either randomly or in any style you prefer, place the stencil and cover the area around the stencil with cardboard to avoid any excess spray on the fabric. Spray the metallic gold rust oleum on the stencil , make sure to cover the lotus in complete gold. TADA.. your festive backdrop is ready !

DIY Pooja Vratham Mandapam / Ganapathi Pooja Palavelli

This post will give you details on how to build a Pooja Vratham Mandapam, this DIY pooja mandapam can be used for Satyanarayana Vratham, Ganesh Pooja and Varalakshmi Vratham. Best fit for almost all festivals. 

What do we need to build this Vratham Mandapam.

1. A 2x4 MDF board, this will be our base.

https://www.homedepot.com/p/Medium-Density-Fiberboard-Common-1-2-in-x-2-ft-x-4-ft-Actual-0-483-in-x-23-75-in-x-47-75-in-279388/202093821

2. To hold the base, we need legs on the bottom of the base.

https://www.homedepot.com/p/Waddell-6-in-Traditional-Table-Leg-2406/100542904?fbclid=IwAR2B_gAtjHkFfVY56eQHeZx4mEyNb07A3WejyI_A8pT3hvSoMEemUyxi360

3. Pillars for Mandapam to hold the palavelli (top of the mandapam)

https://www.homedepot.com/p/6420U-1-1-4-in-x-1-1-4-in-x-48-in-Hardwood-Round-Dowel-10001811/203334072

4. Dowels to make the top portion of the mandapam

https://www.homedepot.com/p/Waddell-36-in-x-3-8-in-Hardwood-Square-Dowel-8306U/100534453?MERCH=REC-_-PLP_Browse-_-NA-_-100534453-_-N&

5. Molding on the corners to complete the look

https://www.homedepot.com/p/House-of-Fara-3-8-in-x-1-2-in-x-4-ft-Basswood-Panel-Moulding-TT07/202087486?fbclid=IwAR0Ntf-7nznPoEGg5767lELLzuvm_XiTg9k_jjqeV6_d9E32SzDddMuS5Mk

6. I used green paint on the board, there are other options if you wish to paint a different color.

https://www.homedepot.com/p/Rust-Oleum-Stops-Rust-1-qt-Protective-Enamel-Satin-White-Interior-Exterior-Paint-7791502/100203583

Process:

Step 1. Fix the legs to the bottom of the 2x4 MDF rectangle board, using a drilling machine make holes and fix the legs of the mandapam.

Step 2: Paint the MDF board before you start making the mandapam, I used green paint and left it to dry for about 12 hours, the paint consistency is pretty good, so one coat should do.

Step 3: After the paint is completely dry, now measure the center of the board and fix the pillars (round dowels) on the top of the 2x4 MDF board to the four corners.

Step 4:  I have used 6 square dowels cut in equal size for the top portion to place on the pillars, I placed three square dowels horizontally and three dowels vertically and screwed them at the joints. so this will now be placed on top of the pillars to complete the mandapam.

Step 5: I painted the molding in gold to compliment the pooja peeta, this is optional, the molding naturally looks beautiful as well

Step 6: The molding must now be screwed to the edges of the board and that will complete the DIY Vratham Mandapam.

Step 7: Take your favorite Rangoli / Kolam Muggu Stencil and using acrylic color start painting the muggu on either side of the mandapam, this step is optional, you can also hand paint the muggu or use rangoli colors.