Christmas Tree Gate Tutorial, Part 1

All right----my internet service is working better today.  It can be pretty infuriating, though.  I live in the BOONIES, and we only get one choice for internet service.  In fact, we only had dial up available until a year ago.  Did I mention I have to drive 30 miles for groceries?

I'm babbling....onto baby-proofing your Christmas tree!
Materials:  (for a 5' x 5 gate)

• 96 wooden stakes (8 packs of 12)
• wood glue
• 8 each 5' long sections of 1" x 2" board
• 8 hinges, (optional latch)
• screws, drill
• wood glue
• paint

1.  Lay out the 1" x 2"s, then place 2 stakes on either end.  (Use a framing square to be sure it's at right angles.)  Secure with wood glue and screws.

2.  Lay out 24 stakes, evenly spaced.

3.  Start gluing the stakes to the support board.  You can screw them on if you want, but I didn't because I'm lazy. (You can make the bottoms more even by using a straight edge to line them up against, like a long board.)

4.  Paint them.  I'd recommend house paint and a brush.  Keep your dachshund away from the gates.  Bacon works best.  (I tried spray paint--on the gate, not the dachshund--and wasted 10 cans.  You'd think I'd have stopped after the first can didn't work, wouldn't you?  Stupid me. You can't say I give up easily! )