More Pallet Love

Summer is almost here.  I'm not sure I'm ready yet.  I've done a little work on the patio and it's coming together.  I guess I need to really get with it before the really hot weather gets here and it's too stinkin' hot to sit out back unless you're in the pool.  One of the latest projects I've worked on is the pallet walkway.  I love the way Donna from Funky Junk Decor did her's.  Her's is awesome and required a lot of work.  But I'm not quite that patient.  I tried removing the boards off the pallets and it was going to take WAY too long.  Fortunately, there was a little step down from the pool decking to the walk way I wanted to "transform."  I know eventurally they will deteriorate but for now I really like the look.

Now I'm on the hunt for a Coke or Dr. Pepper machine for the back patio.  I love this look that Shenita from SLR Embellishments.  Just that little touch of whimsy.

Getting the Shelf Painted

I guess technically I shouldn't have said that it was finished.  I had just finished by building process.  So this weekend, I broke out the spray paint and went to town.  After attempting to paint it with no respiratory, I quickly realized there was no way I was going to get it painted without one  So off I went to our Jabo's Ace Hardware and bought me a really cute pink one.

I would highly recommend one of these if you're painting a fairly large project with spray paint.

I still need to paper the back of the shelves or Mod Podge some fabric.  I can't decide which one.  I guess I still can't say it really is finished until I do that.

I Broke Down and Made a Bunting

Not only did I make a bunting, I made two.  I've never been a bunting girl.  I really wasn't sure what a bunting really was.  They seem to be everywhere though.  I got the inspiration for my first bunting from Creations by Kara.  I downloaded her templates that she so graciously made available and cut them out with a fairly thin piece of cardboard.  I got mine off the back of one of my paper packages.

I picked out some kind of sort of Easter paper and got everything traced and cut.  I even did this sitting in the family room watching TV.

I found some book pages where I liked the type style and colors.

 I inked all the edges except the top of the book pages.  That's where you will fold it under about 1/2".  I just cut a piece of jute long enough to attach the book pages and left a little over so the ends could be tied.

Here's a close up of a few of the eggs.

I love adding a second egg cut out to make it look 3D.  Not your typical Easter colors but at least they were springy.

The other one I made for spring so I wouldn't have to put it away after Easter.  I picked out a few colors that fit my decor in the family room and instead of the 3D eggs, I made it into a "spring" banner.  

I think it turned out really cute.  Drop my Kara's blog and see where I got my inspiration.

That mantle is getting a paint job soon.  I thinking, you guessed it, black.  Imagine that.

Giveway at Junque Magnet

Check out the giveaway over at Junque Magnet.  I'm dying for one of the t-shirts.

http://junquemagnet.blogspot.com/2012/03/can-we-fix-it-gorilla-glue-giveaway.html

The Bookcase is Done

I finished the bookcase this past weekend.  I have a lot of sanding to do and then I'll put a couple of coats of paint on it?

The sides were the first things on and it resembled a box at first.  I was more comfortable with the jig on the second build.  Once you get the hand of it it's a breeze!

The top was clamped with wood glue.  I wanted it to get a good bond without a lot of finish nails.

After everything was squared I worked on getting the shelves in.  Each of the shelves are built with 1 x 12 and a 1x2s.  I followed Ana White's directions to the letter except for the top shelf. For that I used a 1 x 16 instead of 1 x 12, 1 x 2, and 1 x 3


I have quite a bit a sanding and painting to do before I can unveil it.

You can see inside where the pocket holes ares.  This was my second build with the Kreg Jig.  I love it.  I had two things that needed to fit in this bookcase - my sewing machine and my serger.  I just split the rest of area for the top shelves.  The next one I build I will use the Kreg Jig Shelf pin so the shelves are adjustable.

  

My next project on the to do list is the paint the fireplace.  I may have to wait until my man goes out of town.  He might not be on board with that one.  I'll guess we'll see.

 Happy Monday

Spring is Here

I can't believe spring is here already.  I'm ready to get to planting.  I try to only plant perennials because my garden budget gets smaller and smaller every year.  With three kids in college, I guess any budget is better than none at all.  It gets pretty hot here with our house facing east making the backyard in full sun at the end of the day.   Everything is starting to bloom.  My pink lemon tree (and yes, it really is a pink lemon).

and my Meyer's lemon tree.  Love those little, bitty lemons.

My veggie seeds are coming along pretty good.  I decided I'd try my hand at starting some veggies this year.  My green bean seeds must be bad because this is the second set I've planted (the ones in the middle).  I may have to add some bell peppers and carrots.  Carrots are so simple to grow.

Taking down the greenhouse is definitely on the list of chores while the hubby is off for a few days.  It smells really good in there from all of the citrus blossoms.

This was an inexpensive, portable greenhouse that we got from Wayfair.  We will definitely be purchasing from them again because they have great customer service.  There was a hole torn in the cover and they replaced the whole thing.   It's hard to find good customer service anymore.

I've got all of the lumber cut for my next wood project.  I'm going to get jiggy with it.  Kreg Jig that is.  Ahhhh.  The smell of sawdust and citrus.  I love spring.

The Table Has Color

The table has actually had color on it since this past summer.  I didn't seal it with anything but I definitely will need to throw some poly on it.  With the summers we have here in north central Texas, it will definitely need it.