We’ve heard from rugged DIY Network host Matt Blashaw of Project Extreme and Deconstruction who was kind enough to recount his experience at the Blog Cabin:”The cabin this year is going to be awesome. All of your voting and comments have really contributed to turning it into someplace amazing.”The drive to the cabin alone was absolutely gorgeous! There are tons of trees and streams that look like a picture from a postcard. When I got to the entrance of the property, I saw that there is a guarded gate (a little added privacy never hurt anyone). So, not only will one of you get an amazing cabin, but also added security as well. You will be living like a king!
“As I pulled up to the actual cabin site, Amy met me and gave me the nickel tour. It is nestled right next to a nice little creek (or crick…I can never guess right…but whatever it was had water in it) at the base of the mountain. The driveway up to the cabin goes over the creek and a crew was finishing up a bridge with a nice rock fascia on it.
“As I got closer, I noticed something in the trees nearby: a tree house. Jimmy DiResta was there just a couple days before and built a mini Blog Cabin in the sky. In fact, I was considering having a little camp out in it. (The snow that started to fall put an end to that idea real fast.) No tree house is complete without a swing, though, so I decided to grab Ryan for a little help and make that my ‘10 minute project’. Did I make it in time? I guess you will just have to watch …
“The inside of the cabin could only be described as “state-of-the art”. For the most part, it was only just framed up, but I could tell that the latest in building technology was being used to make everything from the basement all the way up to the roof.
“The basement wall is actually made from stacked foam blocks. When the mortar was poured in, it made one solid wall system, rather than separate mason blocks. Not only is it stronger, the foam also acts as an amazing insulator.
“The OSB for the roof sheathing has one side that is sealed that acts as an amazing water barrier. Rather than having to lay down roof paper, the layer is already built in. I am all about putting materials to the test (as you all know from my show), so I decided to take advantage of the bad weather and build a sled out of the stuff to see just how water proof it really is. Amy and I took a little time out and took the sled for a test drive. Sledding in the name of science is important! In the end, it’s a great material for roofs, but not so much for playtime in the snow.
“I was able to “deconstruct” a lot of materials for the cabin. I brought in a minor league pitcher to help me test all the windows that we were going to install, and Allen helped me swing a 100-pound bucket of concrete through some walls. Hey, if it’s going to be installed in the Blog Cabin, it has to pass my “Deconstruction” tests. I think you are all going to get a kick out of watching all the crazy things we did. The broken glass and concrete were flying!
“The cabin is in great hands with Amy in charge. Her home improvement knowledge and skills are limitless, and she’s a pleasure to work with.
“Ryan and Allen are fantastic contractors that really what they’re doing. I believe that the crazy hats they wear when they work give them some sort of special powers. They are a couple of truly unique dudes.
“All in all, I had a blast during my trip out to the cabin this year. Even though the snow put us a little behind on the work to be done, it sure made my time up there really fun. Happy blogging everyone!”
Matt, Thank you for your wonderful blog!! It is so refreshing to hear from you guys!!
Can’t wait to see all your tests, especially the sledding.
Have a great Holiday weekend.
Matt Blashaw, Man o man, You have made my diy blog cabin day. That is what kind of blog entries, I have been waiting for, I do wish the bc info police , ok bcip, don’t get maad at me please, I’m j/k. would have shown it way back in the winter and I can’t wait to see your deconstruction moves. I really like your scientific stunts. They are educational and sometimes right down unbelievable and funny. Yes, it sounds like you had a hoot on the homemade sled. How fun! I hope it made it’s way to the screen. LOL
Also bloggers I found a video from Ahmed and Amy on the bcbc, too. I know this will get timed out but here’s the link.
http://www.diynetwork.com/videos/ahmedexplainsitallforyou/40337.html
Maybe I missed this before but it’s a different one than I’ve seen. The link did get timed out but just Go to the diy find projects box and type in Blog Cabin Community look for the video from Ahmed #7 Ahmed explains it all for you.
Hey all! Guess what I did today to celebrate my Bday? I went to the local Red Cross and donated a pint of the good red stuff! I hadnt donated in more than 15 years so today I decided to start a new birthday tradition. Especially with the 4th of July holiday coming up, the Red Cross could use more donors. I was only one of 3 people donating while I was there. Lots of empty donor beds.
Anyway I want to challenge those of you who can to donate blood this weekend.
Lets do a Blogger Blood drive!
Fun to hear from Matt! I think that DIY has been keeping that blog entry for awhile…not sure that NC gets too much snow in July!
The cabin looks amazing and I think that the winner will have a gorgeous place to call home. Awesome, awesome!
Carrie,
Thanks for the heads up! I was able to watch the entire thing.
I have never seen that one before.
I loved the streams and it was funny when Ahmed slipped in. lol
I don’t get why Ahmed and Matt did not use the correct terminology when referring to the ICF’s. Oh well, at least the ICF’s were used to build the BC.
Thank you Matt for your funny story. Especially about the crick that had H20 in it. I bet it was over “yonder” by the bridge. I still remember how to speak southern. “You can take the girl out of the country, but you just can’t take the country out of the girl.” “No matter how old she gets. See y’all later.
Hey LilB, if you haven’t looked at the last thread, your comment finally came thru and I left you another thought. While you are doing it, you can hang your fishin’ pole out the winder and try to kech one of those fishes in that there Monster Tub Pond.
Cheryl, LilB is working on the fish, we’ll let you work out the way to fix what she catches. We’ll all talk about what happened to these people while they were looking around the property as we eat supper. I am sorry to say that this will be my last meal with you guys for a while. You see, I got off the scales a minute ago and they said it is plain corn flakes and skim milk for breakfast and small salads for the rest of the day for about 30 pounds. I don’t think I could just watch ya’ll eat your breakfasts and enjoy corn flakes.