OWL - from recycled pallet wood

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Explanation: Knot = wood knot, crochet knot etc. Sew = I sew just enough to get by; sow- seeds for gardening either flower or veggie. Perfect = absolutely exquisitely done but KNOT by me (sometimes). What I do sometimes I have never done before so the results are Knot Perfect!   Design = Could be most anything. A crocheted rug, a kitchen makeover, a patio, garden, a new recipe or decorating something - maybe even some awesome pictures. 

Let's make an owl from recycled pallet wood. I am

kind of excited about this.  It was fun to make as well as challenging.



Materials:
pallets = for the wood  = free ?
cardboard = for the pattern = free
pencil or marker = to trace with = you should have one around the house somewhere.
chop saw, handsaw, table saw = to cut with
jig saw = to cut out the wood patterns
3/4 inch finish nails (or nail gun) = hold it together = $3.47 - $9.99 
glue = to help hold it together = $3.86
patience !  = priceless!
Total price - under $20.00
Time to complete - 3-4 hours

First off you need to get some pallets, (maybe not this many but you get the idea) take them

apart, get the nails out and have the wood ready to use.  Some nails and nail heads will still be in the wood (they break off or are just too damn tough to get out) so you have to be very mindful when cutting this wood. After you have done this - and this WILL take some time - LOTS of time so get the pallet wood ready first.  Maybe plan a weekend before just to get the pallets apart as it is not easy. Actually, you won't need but one pallet as long as it's the "right" color.  You can stain it if you have to.
 Get ready for the beginning of your new Cross Fit workout!!

Next - find something you want to make.  Pinterest has lots of ideas for pallet projects as does the rest of the internet.  I think that is where I got my idea for this owl.

 So I get my idea & a picture of it and guess what?  I don't want just a small owl, I want a BIG freakin' owl. Can you imagine that?  Well, I can't draw worth a lick so how do I get this bigger?  Well guess what (again) - Staples has an   blueprint copier and can make copies 3' x 2'. (I'm sure the other office supply stores have them too, Staples was closest).  Now that's what I'm talkin' about!  Darn right.  Although she didn't enlarge to the 3 foot size I'm still okay with it being 2 feet.  Ok, so I forgot to take pics of the copy - well, actually I did but deleted it - duh.  I then made a pattern on cardboard to save for future

owls just in case I have requests and maybe can make a little $$ with them...we'll see.  I simply traced over the parts with a dull pencil or you can use a pen but just bare down so you make an impression in the cardboard.  After that, cut each piece out and write what part it is.  Okay so you can tell what it is but the left wing is different than the right wing.....ha ha ha, get it?

Now comes the hard part - selecting the wood for size and color!  Be mindful of the nails you left in the wood.  Don't have them where you need to cut.  Get your boards lined up the way you want them for each part.  Get your pattern and a pencil or marker and trace around it onto the wood.  With a jigsaw, cut one piece at a time and lay back in order.  Do the next piece.  I did put glue between each board and I also have an electric (brad) nail gun that I used in a few spots.  To hold the body pieces together I cut a

few small boards for the back.  Put some glue on the boards, lay face done on the back of the body and nail with some small finish nails 3/4 inch is good...or in my case, the nail gun.  Hey - I'm an old gal and need all the help I  can get!!  After that, flip over and lay the rest of the parts in position.  Again, use a little glue on the back and nail with small finish nails - yup, from the front.  You won't really be able to see the nail head unless you are two feet from it. 
 Last but not least, ya' gotta' drink a couple beers to get the bottle caps for the center of the eyes!!  That's okay cuz' you are done with the power tools.  Oh, that's right, they do have soda bottles with caps too.

And WA-LA, it's done.  Isn't this just the cutest thing ever?  It was a little challenging but hey - we all need a challenge now and then.       All this takes is a little time...maybe 3-4 hours. Remember what I said in my last blog?   

You don't have to know HOW - you just need the DESIRE to TRY.

What's going to be next?  Not sure but I know it will be made from pallet wood...I'm on a kick!! I have a few ideas - mainly for gifts so I can't really tell you yet. Besides, this wood is free and you get a great workout taking it apart!!

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Studies have shown that the combination of water and salt alters the electrical charge of the brain, inducing a deep slumber that helps take the edge off daytime stress.