Sunday, November 30, 2014

Sunday Verses

Tuesday, November 25, 2014

Vintage Inspiration Party

Welcome back to the Vintage Inspiration Party - thanks for joining us!
Before sharing this week's lovely features, pleas take A FEW SECONDS to VOTE for my Pallet Potting Bench HERE.  Thank YOU!

We have an incredible party full of wonderful Christmas decor features this week, so let's jump right in!

Monday, November 24, 2014

12 Days of Christmas, Day 6, Ladder Decor

12 Days of Christmas Day 6 Ladder decor http://bec4-beyondthepicketfence.blogspot.com/2014/11/12-days-of-christmas-day-6-ladder-decor.html
On the sixth day of Christmas
Beyond The Picket Fence gave to me
A ladder with berries and greenery.
12 Days of Christmas Day 6 Ladder decor http://bec4-beyondthepicketfence.blogspot.com/2014/11/12-days-of-christmas-day-6-ladder-decor.html
This simple decor item started with a three rung "ladder" I made from 1x3's.  I left the wood as is, including leaving a few white paint splatters.  
12 Days of Christmas Day 6 Ladder decor http://bec4-beyondthepicketfence.blogspot.com/2014/11/12-days-of-christmas-day-6-ladder-decor.html
I am not a floral arranging expert at all, but using some twigs and a green pine garland and red berries I "fluffed up" the ladder.  Thrift stores are full of old Christmas decor right now--hit them on half price days to find cheap decor to repurpose like I did with the greenery and the berry wreath.  
12 Days of Christmas Day 6 Ladder decor http://bec4-beyondthepicketfence.blogspot.com/2014/11/12-days-of-christmas-day-6-ladder-decor.html
I wrapped floral wire around the twigs, berries and greens, working on one twig section at a time.  I ended up with 4 sections that I wired together and then wired to the ladder.
12 Days of Christmas Day 6 Ladder decor http://bec4-beyondthepicketfence.blogspot.com/2014/11/12-days-of-christmas-day-6-ladder-decor.html
I added a bow and some twine for a simple decor item that looks great on the fireplace or on a front door.  
12 Days of Christmas Day 6 Ladder decor http://bec4-beyondthepicketfence.blogspot.com/2014/11/12-days-of-christmas-day-6-ladder-decor.html


Thursday, November 20, 2014

12 Days of Christmas, Day 5, Advent Calendar

Okay, at the risk of being obnoxious ;) BEFORE you see day 5 PLEASE take 30 seconds to go vote for my pallet potting bench.  I am closing in on first place, but need your help to take the lead.  THANKS SO MUCH!!

12 days of Christmas, day 5 Advent calendar http://bec4-beyondthepicketfence.blogspot.com/2014/11/12-days-of-christmas-day-5-advent.html
On the fifth day of Christmas
Beyond The Picket Fence gave to me
An advent calendar that is bright & cheery.
12 days of Christmas, day 5 Advent calendar http://bec4-beyondthepicketfence.blogspot.com/2014/11/12-days-of-christmas-day-5-advent.html
For this advent calendar I started with a bunch of "branch rounds".  However, these really aren't from a branch because I didn't have one.  I did have some wood tree stake poles so I cut one of them up on the chop saw. You could also buy round, wood circles at the craft store. 
12 days of Christmas, day 5 Advent calendar http://bec4-beyondthepicketfence.blogspot.com/2014/11/12-days-of-christmas-day-5-advent.html
After a light sanding of each round, I stained one side and painted chalkboard paint on the other.  My plan was to leave the stained side that way, but it was so dark and not very cheery so instead I painted the one side with red, green, and blue.  
12 days of Christmas, day 5 Advent calendar http://bec4-beyondthepicketfence.blogspot.com/2014/11/12-days-of-christmas-day-5-advent.html
I then painted numbers on them with white paint, drilled a small hole in the top and added an eye hook and some baker's twine.
12 days of Christmas, day 5 Advent calendar http://bec4-beyondthepicketfence.blogspot.com/2014/11/12-days-of-christmas-day-5-advent.html
I grabbed apiece of plywood and laid the number rounds out.  If you are particular, you can use a yardstick to get everything even--me, I am an eyeballer.  
12 days of Christmas, day 5 Advent calendar http://bec4-beyondthepicketfence.blogspot.com/2014/11/12-days-of-christmas-day-5-advent.html
I added screws above each round.
12 days of Christmas, day 5 Advent calendar http://bec4-beyondthepicketfence.blogspot.com/2014/11/12-days-of-christmas-day-5-advent.html
I painted the board white
12 days of Christmas, day 5 Advent calendar http://bec4-beyondthepicketfence.blogspot.com/2014/11/12-days-of-christmas-day-5-advent.html
and then I added a 1"x 2" wood frame.
12 days of Christmas, day 5 Advent calendar http://bec4-beyondthepicketfence.blogspot.com/2014/11/12-days-of-christmas-day-5-advent.html
Now, as my hubby so gently pointed out, these are pretty small to write on with chalk.  But, you can buy a fine tip chalk pen (which I plan to do) or sharpen chalk with a handheld pencil sharpener or draw pictures for the activities that you will include for each day or use a paint pen if you want permanent activities.  
12 days of Christmas, day 5 Advent calendar http://bec4-beyondthepicketfence.blogspot.com/2014/11/12-days-of-christmas-day-5-advent.html

12 days of Christmas, day 5 Advent calendar http://bec4-beyondthepicketfence.blogspot.com/2014/11/12-days-of-christmas-day-5-advent.html
Remember to include lots of community activities like visiting a nursing home or baking for the local fire department.
12 days of Christmas, day 5 Advent calendar http://bec4-beyondthepicketfence.blogspot.com/2014/11/12-days-of-christmas-day-5-advent.html

Tuesday, November 18, 2014

Vintage Inspiration Party

Welcome back to the Vintage Inspiration Party.  We're so happy to have you partying with us every week and we always look forward to seeing your vintage inspired treasures and projects. This is the place to share anything old, treasured, passed-down or tattered, but you can also share projects that were made to look old, including repurposed and upcycled creations.

vin-tage (adj.) 1.) used to describe something that is not new but that is valued because of its good condition, attractive design, etc. 2.) used to describe something that has the best qualities or characteristics of the things made or done by a particular person, organization.

When you link up here at Vintage Inspiration Party your links will be seen on all 4 blogs!!

Let's take a look at the features from last week's party chosen by Betsy at
 My Salvaged Treasures

Pallets, Oh How I Do Love Them!

I just got a new batch of pallets and I am happily and busily planning and plotting what to do with them.  The possibilities are truly endless.  Right now I am working with them as the whole pallet like I did with this project that I am reposting because "she", yes my potting bench is a she, and she is in a beauty contest right now and she needs your help.

This project is entered in Bob Vila's Thumbs Up! contest for the month of November 2014. You can vote once a day. It only takes a few seconds to vote, I promise!  PLEASE VOTE FOR IT HERE! THANK YOU!
Tune in this evening for the Vintage Inspiration Party!

I am still in my pallet paradise mode--loving the beauty and creative possibility of free wood.  Now, free wood does not mean less work, quite the contrary.  Pallet building is not for the faint.  It is hard work making that free wood useable.  But, I love discovering the different kinds of woods, dreaming up new ways to use the various parts of the pallet.  Using half a pallet, I built a potting table that is ready for spring (or late May in Montana).
pallet potting bench Bob Vila thumbs up http://bec4-beyondthepicketfence.blogspot.com/2012/03/pallet-potting.html
I filled in the empty spaces between the pallets with some painted trim pieces.
pallet potting bench Bob Vila thumbs up http://bec4-beyondthepicketfence.blogspot.com/2012/03/pallet-potting.html Old window sash pieces worked for legs and some found tongue and groove boards for the bottom shelf.  I added a little chalkboard I made from an old lace shutter frame I found in an alley and a few fun things to hang tools from.
pallet potting bench Bob Vila thumbs up http://bec4-beyondthepicketfence.blogspot.com/2012/03/pallet-potting.html
Even with the bottom shelf, she was still a little unsteady on her feet so I added a cross piece in the back which stabilized the table beautifully. 
pallet potting bench Bob Vila thumbs up http://bec4-beyondthepicketfence.blogspot.com/2012/03/pallet-potting.html
Mother Nature, bring on some planting weather!
pallet potting bench Bob Vila thumbs up http://bec4-beyondthepicketfence.blogspot.com/2012/03/pallet-potting.html

Thursday, November 13, 2014

Tuesday, November 11, 2014

Vintage Inspiration Party

Hello and welcome to the Vintage Inspiration Party!  We hope you all are well, enjoying the last bits of fall and maybe gearing up for the holidays.  This is the party for all things VINTAGE!

Monday, November 10, 2014

Saturday, November 8, 2014

Thursday, November 6, 2014

Wednesday, November 5, 2014

BOB VILA CONTEST & Vintage Inspiration Party

I am interrupting the Vintage Inspiration Party to bring you this fun announcement:

Starting today, through the end of the month I am a contestant in a pallet project contest on the Bob Vila website. I was honored to be asked and included and would so appreciate your vote on my Pallet Potting Bench. You can vote once a day, so yes, you may be seeing this reminder a lot! Thank you so much! 

VOTE HERE! 
http://www.bobvila.com/thumbs-up/8#.VFoc_8nTCu9
 Now on to our regularly scheduled program:
 
Welcome back to the Vintage Inspiration Party! It's THE party for lovers of all things vintage-inspired!
Vintage Home Decor

Tuesday, November 4, 2014

Vintage Inspiration Link Party


Welcome back to the Vintage Inspiration Party! It's THE party for lovers of all things vintage-inspired!
Vintage Home Decor

Monday, November 3, 2014

12 Days of Christmas Kick-Off With Peace on Earth

If you have been around my blog for awhile, you know that every holiday season I share 12 Days of Christmas with you.  

Previously, I started this in December or at least post Thanksgiving because I DO KNOW there is still another lovely holiday between Halloween and Christmas.  BUT, I realized these past few years that if YOU, yes YOU want to make your own projects, which is my hope, then I need to show you the projects in November so you can git 'er done.  

So, this year I will continue that trend and start sharing 12 days of fun and fantastic projects this week.  To kick it all off, I thought I would show a quick non-12 Days of Christmas project, a Peace on Earth sign.
Hand Lettered Peace on Earth sign http://bec4-beyondthepicketfence.blogspot.com/2014/11/12-days-of-christmas-kick-off-with.html

Saturday, November 1, 2014

Ode to Barn Wood

Dear barn wood,
You make me happy.
Your rough textures and chippy paint
make me feel a little sappy.

With you I love to create and build
And when I do I am fulfilled!

Ok, poet I am not.  Happy builder I am and when I have some lovely barn wood it sings to me, "Build, create, let me be useful again!"  So that is exactly what I did when I made this hall tree.
Reclaimed Barn Wood Hall Tree http://bec4-beyondthepicketfence.blogspot.com/2014/11/ode-to-barn-wood.html
I started with three 6 foot boards that I joined together at the top and bottom with a 1x3" board.  I also added one at chair height which is about 17".

Reclaimed Barn Wood Hall Tree http://bec4-beyondthepicketfence.blogspot.com/2014/11/ode-to-barn-wood.html
I joined together two boards to make the seat and the bottom shelf.

Reclaimed Barn Wood Hall Tree http://bec4-beyondthepicketfence.blogspot.com/2014/11/ode-to-barn-wood.html
I used thick boards to join the bottom shelf together.  There were 2 3/4' thick, the same size as the bottom horizontal board that joined the three 6 foot boards together.  This way the bottom shelf had more support to rest on the ground.  
 I then added supports between the seat and the bottom shelf.
Reclaimed Barn Wood Hall Tree http://bec4-beyondthepicketfence.blogspot.com/2014/11/ode-to-barn-wood.html
 Next, I secured the bottom shelf by screwing through the top into the bottom horizontal board.  
Reclaimed Barn Wood Hall Tree http://bec4-beyondthepicketfence.blogspot.com/2014/11/ode-to-barn-wood.html
 I did the same with the bench seat.  When you are working by yourself, clamps are your friend!  I have several, including pipe clamps for big jobs.

Reclaimed Barn Wood Hall Tree http://bec4-beyondthepicketfence.blogspot.com/2014/11/ode-to-barn-wood.html I added some trim boards around the seat and bottom shelf.

Reclaimed Barn Wood Hall Tree http://bec4-beyondthepicketfence.blogspot.com/2014/11/ode-to-barn-wood.html

 Some hooks and a mirror painted in cream for contrast finished this barn wood piece. 
Reclaimed Barn Wood Hall Tree http://bec4-beyondthepicketfence.blogspot.com/2014/11/ode-to-barn-wood.html
 I made the mirror by gluing a square mirror from Michaels to a thin piece of plywood.  I trimmed it out in barn wood, secured with screws from behind.
Reclaimed Barn Wood Hall Tree http://bec4-beyondthepicketfence.blogspot.com/2014/11/ode-to-barn-wood.html
 The hall tree is shown on my porch because it is headed to my booth for someone else to enjoy.
Reclaimed Barn Wood Hall Tree http://bec4-beyondthepicketfence.blogspot.com/2014/11/ode-to-barn-wood.html 
Check out these great blogs below.  You will be happy you did!