I just loved having a little baby boy… When my son was little we would just giggle and dance and have the best time together! I’d spend hours singing to him and taking pictures of his tiny toes. The soundtrack to that time was Under A Shady Tree by Laurie Berkner. Every time I hear those songs I’m taken back…it was a time when every day meant discovering something magical, like our first picnic on the lawn with grape soda and sandwiches, feeling the breeze under a handmade, makeshift cabana.

A sweet, shady place can be made anywhere…a backyard, a beach, even a sandbox. Here are some wonderful tutorials on making sun shades. These projects vary in difficulty, but each has some wonderful ideas that may inspire you to find your perfect shady spot!

Sail Shades

Sail Shades are very simple coverings that block the sun…they are super modern looking and pretty easy to construct.

Here are two tutorials – neither have pictures but they basically look like this:

Sail Shade - Courtesy of Sail-Shade.com

http://www.ehow.com/how_2342384_make-garden-sail-shades.html

http://www.ehow.com/how_2383845_make-triangular-shade-sail.html

Sandboxes With Sun Shades

This one is a serious project that creates a very sturdy, permanent structure.

http://au.lifestyle.yahoo.com/better-homes-gardens/article/-/5832441/shaded-sandpit/

Sun Shade For A Sandbox - Free Plans

Build A “Vegas Style” Cabana

http://www.diynetwork.com/how-to/how-to-build-a-cabana/index.html

Use What You Have:

Sun Shade Made From Upcycled Umbrellas - photo courtesy of CRAFTzine

http://blog.craftzine.com/archive/2008/06/recycled_umbrella_shade.html

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