KITCHEN MAKEOVER - phase 2

Knot So Perfect Designs – BLOG   

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 , decorating something or something basic.

KITCHEN MAKEOVER - phase 2

Let me say this AGAIN - this is NOT JUST FOR WOMEN.  Guys, this

applies to you as well.  Need some simple encouragement?  
YOU CAN DO THIS TOO.  You can do anything if you TRY.  So you have to ask for help - how else will you (we) learn? So let's get at it.  Who will be the HERO when you create something awesome for your wife or partner?  HERO STATUS?  Think about it - yeah, you got this.

YOU DON'T NEED TO KNOW HOW 

YOU JUST NEED THE DESIRE TO TRY

MATERIELS:
wainscot panel - 2 4x8 sheets = $10.97 each ($22.00)
paint - 1 gal. for walls, 1 gal. for cabinets - $29 .95 each  ($60.00)
saw, drill - in your tool box or shop, 
finish (brad) nailer = $29.99 (this will save you lots of time)
paint pan, rollers & paint brush = $20.00 
glue - large bottle = $9.99
hardware - handles, knobs = $70.00
Approximate cost = $220.00 (depends on size of you kitchen)
Approximate time to complete = depends on how motivated you are.
          Could - be completed in one weekend.


So, we've made the pantry cabinet with sliding shelves, now let's get at the rest of the kitchen.
I mentioned that after 5 years in my house I didn't like the color of my kitchen anymore. And, why would I?  I'm a woman.  Now you have to understand that my house is open and one room leads to the next so I had to choose a color that would go WITH the living room and the dining room which of course, are two different colors. The kitchen walls were a peachy color and I also have oak cabinets that are now BORING!  Imagine that.

 Okay - here's what I did:  Yup, painted the walls AND the cabinets.  The walls are Roman Plaster (kinda' beige)and the cabinets are Coastal Beige (kinda' an "old" white). Can you SEE the difference in the color? I kept the red wainscoting mainly because all "accents" are red themed!  (for now). Think it needs to be a darker red.

BUT, I also resurfaced the cabinets!  Oh yea - POWER TOOLS.  You got it.  Here again I had to ASK FOR HELP because what I did was get 4'x8" sheets of wainscoting which had to be cut to many sizes to fit the doors and the drawer fronts. I left the door edge in oak to set it off which actually came out nice.  I can still paint them if I need to.

 Yup, so I enlisted my neighbor in yet another project because he has the table saw. (I so want one!)  But why buy one when I can use his? I measured and WE laid out the dimensions but came up short for all the cabinets but 2 pieces.  Dang-it.  So I had to buy a whole other sheet of wainscoting but that's okay because it was used on the pantry cabinet!.  Remember we had to make new doors for it?  So all was good.

After  cutting all the pieces out it was now time for more POWER TOOLS.  I have a trim NAIL GUN...oh yeah - here we go again. I had bought this for another project which I have yet to complete (bad girl). Anyway - there were nails flying all over the kitchen as some did NOT want to go into the oak door front...ping - and away they would fly. 

Now, all this did NOT get completed in one weekend.  I do still work part time to keep from going completely broke by doing projects!!  Another reason not to retire!  Oh, did I mention I am 65 years young?  Hi ya'll, nice to meet you.

 Of course I painted walls first, then the cabinets, then cut the cabinet panels, painted them, then attached.  Once panels were on the cabinets I put another coat of paint on to help conceal the nail heads.  Yes, you can see the nail heads a little but only if you have your face 2 feet from the door & looking. (This is the part where the Knot So Perfect Design comes in!!)  My son, the contractor in Bennington, VT 
802-753-7017   

( & a surprise visit between my birthday and Mother's Day )   asked why didn't I glue them on?  Good question. Never thought of it until he mentioned it.  Besides, I liked the idea of the nail gun.  Oh yea - power tools!!! Anyway - ask for advise, ask for opinions and it just might make your project easier.   I certainly have lots of ideas and opinions!!! I will try to help wherever I can...or I'll ask someone else who might know.

To finish them off I put all new handles on and there were a LOT to buy.  I needed 24 knobs and 13 pulls.  After checking out to see what I wanted I researched prices - cuz' I haven't won the lottery yet remember?!  I checked out Lowes, Home Depot and Amazon.  WOW - what a difference in price.

I got a brushed bronze knob and pull through Amazon from a place named Hardware 4 Less at HALF THE PRICE of the same items from either Lowes or Home Depot.   I like saving money don't you?

Okay - we're still not done here.  One more phase to do.  See you next time.

***Keep PATIO FURNITURE  glistening.  Before setting your furniture out, if not new, then clean with Clorox and put a light coat of car wax on them.  This will be easy to keep clean just as the wax helps to keep your car clean-er. 

OWL - from recycled pallet wood

  – Knot Sew Perfect Designs – BLOG

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!!

Having trouble sleeping?  Instead of popping a sleep aid that leaves you groggy the next day, try this trick:  Drink half a glass of water, then put a pinch of salt on you tongue and let it dissolve, making sure the granules DON'T press against the roof of your mouth.
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.

LET'S GET READY FOR OUR GARDEN with a RAISED BED

  – Knot So Perfect Designs – BLOG

Explanation: Knot = wood knot, crochet knot etc. So = so let's get started, 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. 


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

Let's get ready for our garden with a RAISED BED.

Of course my idea of a raised bed is about 3 feet OFF the ground.  I hate bending over to get the weeds or the cucumbers or whatever it is that will be laying on the ground.  Okay - so I'm lazy. HEY - keep in mind I'm an "ol' gal" and if I can make things easier you can bet it will happen.

First you need some lumber, Or cement blocks, or stone or hay bales.You can use 2x6" or even a 2x12". I believe the best depth is 12".  There are many kinds of wood that are best for this, like the ones that will not rot in a few years but I managed to find another BARGAIN of 2x6" lumber (on bottom of pile), along with other sizes.  Look at this - I got all this for $13.00.  Am I good at this or what?

It will be perfect.  I am using 8 pcs 4 ft long .  That's good for starters.  Remember, we are trying to get out of this CHEAP and we still have to FILL with dirt, leaves, compost, manure - something so the plants will grow. You will be surprised how much dirt it will take to fill a 5'x4'x12" deep area. Here is a link: how to figure cubic feet.  http://www.todayshomeowner.com/cubic-yard-calculator/  It says I will need .74 cubic yards.  What does that LOOK  like?? 

**picture from www.rockndirtyard.com  

Ok - that's a little more than what I need but if you make 2 beds then one yard of dirt, compost, manure will be more than enough.  Here's a little chart for us that need better visuals! I like this.

***chart is from:  www.soltygardencentre.com

This is starting to sound like a LOT of work - like heavy physical labor. What the...get the grand kids over or round up some neighborhood kids to help you.  Bribe them if you have to!  Or better yet - get that cute guy or gal down the street to lend a hand.  Make them dinner afterwards or give them a glass of wine or a beer (AFTER).

If you have to buy lumber you will need to cut it to the length you want...4'x4'x6" square (8 pcs). So you will only need 4 - 8 ft 2x6"...cheap enough. Mine are already cut. Because my tomatoes grow like crazy and will add the corner posts for the "support system".  I am using 2"x2"x4' boards that were also pre-cut.  Darn - no power tools yet. You will want a corner board inside to screw or nail your boards to.  I figure by putting the tall posts in I can also put chicken wire around it to help keep some of the critters out.  I'm rural with wildlife all around - even gators have been on my road. W H A T ?  No kidding.  It was dead but none the less it was there.  

Now that you have your bed together, now comes the hard work - the DIRT. But FIRST, let's lay down some weed control material stuff.Anything to help keep the weeds out. 

You can also add hardware cloth to the bottom to keep out moles and whatever other critters bore in the ground to eat your stuff.  Short on $$, use newspapers in layers.  They will let the water through but keep the weeds out if YOU don't tear it!!! 

 This is what I am doing:  leaves I mulched and bagged with the lawnmower a few weekends ago;

BUY, compost, manure, potting soil and top soil.  Mix this all together and fill in the bed.  plants.  How I did this:  layer of leaves, 5 bgs dirt, 1/3 bg peat moss, 2 bgs of manure, 4 bgs dirt and some more peat moss mixing together as I went along. I opted to save a bag of dirt for outside the bed - for cucumbers or squash and will lean a pallet up against the posts for them to grow up.  We'll see about that...not sure what I'm planting.Isn't that beautiful?  Now all we need are some veggie 

 I always over-plant an area. Maybe this chart will help us all!! Hey - they give you all these seeds in the little pack so you have to plant them all just in case only a few actually grow, right? Actually if you plant seed every couple weeks you won't have ALL your veggies, etc all at once.


***chart found on Pintrist


 Now, another big dilemma - WHAT to plant.  What do you like?  Here in NC we can grow "something" year round!!  How sweet is that?  Timing is everything, especially here.  It gets hot and stuff just stops growing.  I should have planted a few things a few MONTHS ago.  Now I have a good garden bed with much better soil -   and even better next year. I can start plants earlier next year because I can make this into a little greenhouse with plastic around it....put a light bulb in there and wa-la, greenhouse. I will probably make at least one more bed.

If you make numerous beds be sure to buy yourself a freezer or canner - you will need it.  Or, you can get a table at the farmer's market.  I love to visit them.  Everyone is so nice and have many stories.

*** Smelly shoes?  Put dry tea bags in overnight. They will absorb the odors.

LET'S MAKE A FLOWER PALLET

 Knot Sew Perfect Designs – BLOG 

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, a garden, a new recipe , decorating something or something basic. 

I know - this is a re-post from last year but it is that time of year to get things like this started....maybe in the southern states for right now but if you live up north then get it together so it's ready when the weather decides to be nice. 

"you don't have to know how, you just need the desire to try" bh

LET'S MAKE A FLOWER PALLET

YOU CAN DO THIS - First off you will need a pallet - a long skinny pallet.  So where do you get one?  I work for a trucking company (ask there) so I have the pick of the "litter" so to speak but I got this one at the hardware store. I was there getting lumber for something and saw this and asked if I could have it - sure, why not.  Let me help you load it. DONE - got a pallet. This was heavy as all get out.  Some kind of hardwood I'm sure and was 
6 feet long.  You do not have to have one that long as some I've seen are 3-4-5 feet.

Next you will need flower boxes or I happened to have wrought iron ones I bought off CraigsList (of course) when I first bought my house.  See, I have a huge deck remember ( the sun shade project?) and thought they would look awesome all along my deck - filled with flowers.  WRONG - too hot.  They dried out too fast and most everything died.  Bummer.  So I saved the flower boxes and wa-la, I found something else to do with them a year later.  But, you can get the cheap plastic flower boxes from any store to use.

Next I screwed them to the pallet.  Be sure to leave enough spacing to allow your flowers to grow and/or drape down.  Before you load up with potting soil, move to where you want to display this. It is heavy as it is and certainly heavier with dirt.  Keep in mind if it is in full sun all day your flowers may die unless you can water them 3-4 times a day.  So, try to keep them in semi-shade or under your Sun Shade you already put up, where they are out of direct sunlight 80% of the day.

First, before adding dirt, I lined with plastic because of the coco basket liner just let the water drip - heck, it ran right through.  This helped to keep the water in a little longer.  If you have the plastic boxes be sure to drill at least a couple holes to let some water out.  You don't want to drown them. Next, fill with potting soil then pick & plant your flowers.  I chose ones that usually go in hanging baskets as I wanted them to drape over the edge. I also planted herbs in the top baskets as this was just outside my door and easy to get to when I needed. I did have this on my deck under my sun shade and leaned it against the house at a slight angle but you can always screw it to the house.

This year they do not have flowers in them (yet).  I recently planted acorn squash (seeds) and they are growing nicely.  Not sure how I will "support" the squash but I'm sure I will figure it out.  I think some kind of mesh or something.  
Time to plant something different in them this year (2015).  A trip to Home Depot, Lowes will help me decide.  I want them all (plants and flowers) .



***Hate chemicals but Got BUGs - on your flowers?  Aphids, etc? I try it on anything with bugs.  Take 1 part dish soap to 2 parts water.  Mix in a spray bottle and spray your plants, flowers, leaves.  It won't hurt your plants and will get rid of the bugs.  Not positive it works on all bugs but I've been lucky so far by using this.  Even used it on my tomato plants last year and worked fine.

NEED SHADE?? Let's Get Some!

NEED SHADE?? 
                 Let's get some! 

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 , decorating something or something basic.

This is a REPOST for those of you who wanted to do this last year but didn't get around to it.  Ok - here it is again...early in the season so you have time to get it done before it's hotter than Hatties !

Like I've said before, I have not been able to win the lottery so I do things on the “cheap”...or inexpensive, etc.

I have a 12'x34' deck which I love. I used to have a screened in porch on my previous house of 25 yrs and I loved it. I am a morning person and would take my coffee and watch the world – really only my neighborhood – wake up. It was so peaceful and serene. Come late fall I would put plastic over the screen so I could sit out there longer; even into December. (my house was in Vermont); I went as far as putting a Kerosun Heater out there – that's how much I loved my porch. Here, in NC it isn't as bad but...I still need the shade as the summer sun can be brutal at times. And, it does have a way of warming your house up thus making your AC run more. Yuk $$.

So, here is what I did without having to spend $1000.00 + on a roof etc.

Materials: adjust for whatever size you use

Sun Sail 11'9”x11'9”  = $100.00 +
 OR - check out Amazon - they have them
          from $25.00 & up
  OR - painter's canvas drop cloth
         ($10-20.00 at Walmart)

Grommet kit = $8.95

24 + carbine clips = $ .99 ea

2 - 2”x2”x8' lumber = $2.47 each

2-3 pcs 2”x4”x8' lumber =$3.47

2 pcs 1 1/2” pipe or another 2x4 will work as well

pipe clips to hold pipe to 2x4's = $ .89 each

3” wood screws = $8.98 bx

drill

rope or bungie cords - $4.98

paint if you want lumber to match your house/porch

I used a Sun Sail

http://www.amazon.com/Square-Shade-Sail-Feet-Inches/dp/B00548UBMU/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1401980974&sr=8-3&keywords=sun+sail

The Sun Sail comes in many sizes but are odd-sized....not a basic size. The link above is from Amazon. There are other sites that vary in prices. I was lucky enough to get mine on CraigsList. (I'm a CL junkie !!) What I had to do is buy a grommet kit – usually about $4-8.00. You can purchase these most anywhere. I got mine at Harbor Freight Tools for $3.97 on sale.

(http://ts2.mm.bing.net/th?&id=HN.608003524871653955&w=300&h=300&c=0&pid=1.9&rs=0&p=0

You can attach to house or secure each corner to posts. Rope comes with it. OR, you can attach to your house, etc as I did.  I think it doesn't "flop in the breeze" as much.

I put grommets on 2 opposite ends, one foot apart. I also bought carbine clips (Walmart has the cheapest ones so far). Doing this allows you to take down in a hurry should high winds from a tropical storm or hurricane be in the forecast.

I used 2 - 2”x2”x8' pieces of lumber to screw to the house (pic #1) - unless you just want to rope each corner to a post or hook attached to house.

Pre-drill holes in 2x2s to make it easier to attach to house and not to split the wood. (OH  & paint first to match house – much easier than afterwards!) Attach sail to house side first then use rope to pull tight on opposite side (pic #2). You will have to adjust rope for a while as it tends to stretch.

I did have to ask for assistance from my neighbor to help put the 2x4's on the outside of the deck (8 ft off the ground) and he volunteered to attached the 2x2's to the house.  He was just being a gentlemen and helping a lady out!!   Besides, he was bored and had no projects of his own going on!!  I think he wishes I had lots more money so he could help me with more projects!  I told him that we could do all sorts of stuff but he'd have to pay for materials....that didn't fly!!  Darn, can't blame a girl for trying.

Keep in mind the Sun Sail DOES NOT BLOCK THE RAIN only filters the sun. It still allows bright light which is good for plants and if it rains, it can still water the plants. It has helped keep the hot afternoon sun off my slider and help keep the heat from that area. I also put one at the front of my house this year to block the southern sun on 3 big windows....what a difference it has made.

The nice thing about the Sun Sail is you can take it down in late fall to get the warmth of the winter sun.

                                                                     

                                                                                                                                                              

Shade for under $200.00 (full retail) and a nice place to sit. The plants love it and flourish. The only problem there was having enough room IN the house once fall/winter arrives to put the plants back inside!!

DIY's  has just posted 20 ideas for shade with many of them using a sun shade of sorts.  It's cheaper and I think looks better than a solid roof. 

 Can't afford full price for a sun shade?  Try a painter's canvas drop cloth 
- $12.95 at Walmart. Buy a grommet kit and Wa-La, shade.  I am planning on using that in another project I have planned - of course that will be another blog!

I see many ideas that I know I can do myself and even the ones that may be a little more challenging but I “go for it” anyways! I will figure out how to get it done. So – DON'T BE AFRAID TO TRY  - you are MORE TALENTED than you might think & you just may surprise yourself.

***Don't leave your wet laundry in a ball when you put in the dryer.  They will dry quicker and more wrinkle free if you shake them out first.  I don''t know about you but I HATE to IRON!!  

Time for a Little Southwest - Cactus style

  – Knot So Perfect Designs – BLOG

Explanation: Knot = wood knot, crochet knot etc. So = so let's get started, 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. 


Time for a Little Southwest - Let's make a CACTUS from recycled pallet wood.  

Of course you will need a pallet or just a few pieces.  This is a good starter project because it's easy to fit on the pallet board and is easy to hook together.  You will also need a picture or clip art of a cactus.

 As mentioned before when we were doing the owl,   Staples has a blueprint copier and can make copies as big as  3 ft x 2 ft.  That will get you a nice sized cactus.
The next step is to make a pattern and transfer to the pallet wood. Once again, unless you are going to paint or stain this, the hardest part is choosing the wood.  If you are lucky enough to have a piece

wide enough for the main part of the cactus that certainly helps. I did and just had to add the "arms". 

Once I got this all laid out and cut, I found the wood of one "arm" was totally the wrong color

and didn't look good at all.  Had I known I was going to paint this in the end (few days after I completed), I wouldn't have worried about the difference - but I did.  I cut another "arm" that looked similar to the wood of the main part of the cactus.

After this, I hooked it altogether.  That was easy as it only required attaching the two "arms".  Once again, I used my nail gun, pow, pow, and it was done. 

I sanded the front and edges some more to make sure it wouldn't "bite" as cactus always do.  

This was pretty easy and took little time to complete.  

This is for my sister.  She likes southwestern decor.  I hope she likes it.  She will however see it here before she gets it as she is unable to be here at the same time as my brother.  That was my intention and her birthday was early February. Well Sis, what do you think??

After looking at this for a few days I decided it should be

green - at least a little.  I painted it - let it dry and sanded some of it off.  I then sealed with Thompson's water seal just in case it ended up outside.

It's Project Time Again - a Workbench

 – Knot Sew Perfect Designs – BLOG

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 , decorating something - or maybe even some awesome pictures.   

Holy moley - it's been sooooo long since the last blog...August 2014 wasn't it?  Phew.  Can ya'll forgive me? 

 What I did before were projects of sorts and it being my first attempt at a blog - well, when I ran out of projects I ran out of blog material.  

Hmmmm, let me think, was I suppose to make stuff up?  I could certainly do that cuz' any of you that have known me a while certainly know I do have ideas, opinions and comments on just about everything!!  ha ha ha

This is what is in the mix - PALLET CREATIONS...all sorts of stuff made from pallet wood.

 Did I tell you I got a table saw for Christmas - how sweet is that?  

Wait to you see what WE can make. I'm so excited to share this with ya'll.  The ideas are endless but I have a few ideas - but that kids, will come in a little while.

Wait ? what the... sorry because FIRST, I had to clean/organize (at least a little) my workshop.  What a mess.  Of course I didn't take a picture of the before mess but here is a partial clean/organizing.  And, that is a LOT cleaner!!!  I need to get the lawnmower it's own house!!

I also have to  re-do my work bench as the sides on the current one were starting to look like the letter "C" and that's NOT good when you have a chop/miter saw on the bench.

I had an idea of how I was going to make this bench better and easy to do but HEY - GUESS WHAT?  I am NOT as strong (physically) as I used to be.  Damn. I COULD NOT lift/flip 3/4" plywood sides and a solid core door that is the top to the bench...and of course my neighbor is at his mountain house.  What the hail....??  So, I made the base the proper way...with 2x4's.   I picked up 8 or so 2x4's so as to have them for the weekend.

A little chilly this AM - 28 degrees when I got up so I did laundry and grocery shopping first; made a huge pot of veggie soup and let it simmer all day.  By noon the sun was shining into the workshop. The breeze was from the north (back of shop) so it was pleasant in the shop.  I did buy a little propane heater (dirt cheap - started at $45.00 and I ended up getting it for $20.00)  I'm so good at that!  I amaze myself sometimes.   Anyways, I haven't bought the regulator yet, nor have I swapped propane tanks out.

First I cut the 2x4's to fit the door/bench top and screwed them altogether. Next came the legs and more support.  Oh and look who was helping me - yup, this is my Dad's hammer.

One of many I inherited along with many of his hand tools.  My Dad "helps me" with most of my projects.  I talk to him all the time while creating something with his tools or I "ask" what the heck do I do next??  

 For those of you that do not know, my father was a cabinet maker and made most of the furniture in my house. When I was real young, I would be in his shop making something from the scraps he left behind.  Oh how I went through jigsaw blades...ping, there goes another one but he always had more in a drawer somewhere.  So yes, I learned some from my father.  Next would be my husband who was a contractor and yes, I learned from him as well but I think I learned a lot on my own.  Not being able to afford a carpenter (remember- I haven't won the lottery yet) so I would try doing stuff myself.  There were lots of "what the hell is that ?

Remember in my FIRST blog I mentioned this is not just for woman, but for everyone.  So, DO NOT BE AFRAID TO TRY SOMETHING NEW, no matter what it is.  You might fail at perfection - this time, so what?  Next time you WILL do better.  At least you tried and for that:  GOOD FOR YOU. You should be proud of yourself.  YOU did it even if it looks hideous!!

Okay - so the base is done and I might be able to flip the base myself but still can't get the top on.  I would rather have help as I need to attach top to the base before I flip it and most certainly I cannot do that (flip) by myself.  YES we all need to ASK FOR HELP every now and then.  As you can see I built it on saw horses on top of the top so it is upside down.  Still no one to help flip it....grrrr !  That's okay.  Done for the day. Time for some soup that's been simmering all day.  A meal in a bow....how easy is that?

So - I Will get my big girl panties on tomorrow and do a "cross fit" workout by gettin' this bad boy in order (flipped) so I can start with the Pallet Creations. I can't wait.  Some of the patterns I've chosen are just to dang cute and hopefully easy to make.  

Here we go - I got my big girl panties on and out to the workshop I go.  I WILL get this bad boy flipped and setup

myself.  Everyone is on the way to Super Bowl parties or something.  Cross Fit workout in progress.  TA - DA done.  Take that. 

I also have a few other ideas once I get a few other things done.  Nicer weather, more time for projects.  

By all means, please share my blogs. Go back to the first one and read them all again or if you haven't seen them, start at the beginning to know about me a little bit.

I'd like to think of them as :

"ENCOURAGEMENT IN A TOOL BOX" !!  You do not have to know how - you just need the desire to TRY.

***Don't leave your wet laundry in a ball when you put in the dryer.  They will dry quicker and more wrinkle free if you shake them out first.  I don''t know about you but I HATE to IRON!!