King Size!

Recently we upgraded from a full to a king size mattress.  One thing I didn't take into consideration when I chose a "king" was that everything associated with king sized beds are king sized in price.  I ordered a bargain priced "hollywood" frame on with our Amazon Prime account.  Got my moneys worth on that free delivery!   Having a frame made the bed useable, but we really need a headboard I've scoured Craigslist....nothing.  I'm a little picky and broke.....since I'm handy with wood....I'll make one.  I've got interesting wood, but I did have to buy a nice 2x4 and some 1x3's.  So far I've spent $11.   I chose my desired height and cut the 2x4 legs to that length. I had scraps of plywood that was purchased for the hollywood frame. I used that as the main base for the wood that I will add so it doesn't need to be pretty. Attach with screws (they'll be hidden.)

I got this far and still didn't really know what I was going to create.  I contemplated using 4 cabinet doors I had stashed away but it wasn't quite the look I wanted.  I had built Ana White's Farmhouse headboard a while back so I knew I want a 1x4 flat on top so I made sure the plywood is flush with the top of the 2x4 leg. Always use wood glue at every joint.  My rule is you can never have too much glue.  Next I cut a 1x4 for each end.  Glue, square and clamp.....then nail with whatever you choose to use.  I have a 16 gauge Porter Cable Nail Gun.

Don't slack when it come to square-ing EVERYTHING! Make sure you have legs line up with the frame.  You should measure your frame but also do research about standard sizes. I found out you should add 3" to the width of a frame.  That was one websites theory. Sounds good to me....  continued tomorrow. 

black and white

Rust is the word of the day....

 

Freezing rain

 It's been cold here the last 3 days - especially for Oregon in November. We had freezing rain. 

The leaves just completed their thing and most are still on the trees. 

There was no "inbetween".

I have little flowers covered in ice....so sad.  Sleet is so destructive.

Late last night we were in the hot tub and we could hear a tree cracking and then the slow decent.

It snagged and the fell again.

It was disturbing.

I love snow. I love being snowed in. 

Everyone stops.

Everything is beautiful!

It hides all the grime and mud.  

It's always so peaceful.  All sounds are absorbed into the stillness. I'm hoping for a big snow year.

Reuse Recycle.....be creative with what you have.

This is a hall tree I made 3 years ago.  It was one of the last doors I had salvaged.....Now people have figured out that they are amazing sources of wood and I have to buy them....



















We went to the beach this summer and parked on a residential street around the corner from Mo's restaurant and found this.  First of all - I LOVE METAL! I even have a Pinterest board with fun metal reuse ideas.  I am big into reusing things for a new creation.  If you can't see...this is a fountain! ( I should of taken a video...dang it ) Super cool!  They also had a great fence made of this metal siding/roofing (seen on either side of the fountain.  I love it that people are getting original I'm so tired of houses painted taupe and looking all exactly the same.

This is a great fence.....Totally original.
Be original.....don't be taupe.

our old farm....

Needless to say there are a lot of rustic and worn surfaces to photograph here on our farm.  We live in Yamhill County.  It just sounds old.  My husbands grandparents bought the farm in the 40's. They had been farming about 45 mins south until WWII and the US Government wanted their parcel of land and many others to create an army training facilities.  So they packed up and moved.  Everything.  Even some buildings. 

 See the Adair Military history here

Although there are endless supplies of chippy paint to scrounge....I do long for some organization and someone to say.."hey, let's do some clean-up!"  I keep telling myself the scrap is like a savings account that the government can't tax. Saving up for the day when we really need the money....so until then it sits......

and I take photos.  If you'd like to

 see my photos - click here.

Hesitation will get you nowhere.

My love of wood has always led me to burn piles around the neighborhood.  I'm married to a farmer who feels it's important to follow the old school values of farming.  He believes there are "rules" to being a good neighbor.  One of those rules is "Don't bug people."  This means that if I see an interesting pile, I can't just go to the door and ask. (although I have....) There is a protocol and sometimes that takes a few days but not this time.  I didn't wait for anyone else to get this pile.  My latest find is a goldmine! A big pile of red barn wood cannot be passed by.  At least by me.   

Post by Laura Macy Lehman.