Queen of the Pallets, strikes again!

This month in the land of The Unusual Farm Chick, we are playing Pallet Queen. Yes. I declare myself Queen of the Pallets. The Captain has brought many a truck load of so called "broken" pallets home from work to use as fuel for weekend Bonfires. I have been eyeing his piles for some time and finally have the opportunity to attack. I drug out every pallet piece, laying them out for size comparison as well as quality before the dew had even dried from the grass blades. The Captain came walking out to see where I had disappeared to. Most husbands would have the look of bewilderment to come upon such a scene. Not my husband. He gets that look of amusement throwing in a statement of "I wondered where you were so early this morning. What are you making now?". yep. My King has only amusement for my antics throughout the years.

"I'm building a couch. Here, hold this up for me", as I try to size up two pallets. Like a good King, he does what he asked and does it with a smile holding back his laughter.

I know what some of you are thinking. A couch? Really Farm Chick? Have you gone bonkers? Yes. Well no. I guess when people think couch, they think of the soft indoor seating pieces. This is an outdoor couch. One that will have cushions custom made from even more upcycled items. A couch my Captain can enjoy sitting back in as he sits by his most enjoyed Bonfires. So I guess you could call them Bonfire couches... complete with cup holders... Far more comfortable then a bench. It's all a part of the Bonfire area remodel. My gift to him for his summer enjoyment.

The first couch in RAW FORM:

 I'm not the first to build such things from pallets, nor am I the last. There are so many being wasted, thrown to the landfills because of a broken slat or company disregard. Some people have even made a business of remodeling these free to cheaper then a cup of coffee pallets, making furniture or other useful items. Albeit, the pricing is not even close to a budget minded individual. A simple engine search using the words " pallet furniture , Pallet chair , pallet couch , pallet projects , etc will produce MANY sources of inspiration & how to's. The hard part on working with pallets, besides being a pain in the Arse to dismantle the pieces, they come in many sizes and shapes. Rarely ever being exact in size to similar pieces. Creative Problem solving is very common when utilizing Pallets for recycling.

I have utilized a few various kinds of pallets. Most think of the typical square shape with slats. I have found a source for 3 tier shipping pallets at a local Garden nursery, which is the source for the framing of my Potter shed last Fall.

 Now I have 2 Fireside couches using pallet wood and a few additional pieces found in the scrap cart of Home Depot for 51 cents each. I still have some paint touch ups left before I do the cushions.

The almost finished Pallet couch ensemble:

Including the price of screws as well as the scrap lumber, I made these two pallet couch projects for under $12. The screws were $10 a box and I still have a small amount left to utilize in this next project.

A Fort Club house for the kids, in the woods!

Another shipping 3 tier pallet found at the Garden Nursery Free wood spot. Even has a poly roof piece:

You'll need to stay tuned for the this next project's finished look. Little Man & I are busting out the tools to take on this next pallet remodel as soon as he gets home from school. I have a most adventure inspiring style in mind and can not wait to get it out. I'm hoping to incorporate their Zipline into this but I'm getting ahead of myself. I need to clear more between the trees as well as rip away the poison oak I have found twining around a few trees. I'm the only one in the family who does not break out in ugly blisters when dealing with these things, so you know where I'll be in the morn. Playing in the woods!

Sweet dreams,

~Tammie

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If you always want to know where your kids are... Give them a place they want to be at within your home...

All kids really want is a place to have fun with friends and feel safe and secure

Here is your way make sure they feel this way while at home

I have neglected to mention one very important part of many of our lives in my blog. Our kids. I know that all of you ask yourselves what can I do to keep my kid entertained enough to just let me relax a bit and it seems most are always wanting to either leave the house and go play with their friends, or be anywhere but home, causing worry and panic every time he walks out the door. Well the solution is simple create a room or play area for him or her that makes him want to stay home and his friends to come to you. Yea granted you might get a bigger headache from all of his friends wanting to be in your home, but you will know for sure that your kid is not only safe at home, but happy to be there and nor getting into any trouble,.. 

What you might ask will accomplish this,  Simple: A kick ass room for him/her to be able to showcase to his/her friends and a place he will enjoy being in and want to stay in because it is simply a cool, hip, functional room where they feel comfortable, secure, safe, and just want to be there...  Please have a look at some of the designs that folow:

This first four picture set is using IKEA items:

Kids room design inspirations for ikea, design ideas are very flexible and could solve all like Space-saving storage boxes, lamp design, hooks and shelves make tidying up, getting dressed and styled real simple. These designs using as old as new products, so probably you even could find ideas on how upgrade your existing kids room .Let’s see this inspiration of 2011 New Kids Room Design Ideas pictures here

   The rooms found below are exclusively designed and meant as an around escape for your kids

and their friends, meant to keep them at home, and safe, and where you can watch them

Green color is an ideal solution for the child would be active but not nervous or excited. Stemik Living Modern Furniture Specialists offers cool kids room furniture in beautiful green color. This furniture is ergonomic and could satisfy every kid’s need. The two-level bed is creatively combined with wardrobe and has a lot of additional spaces for storage. This kids bedroom is awesome and surely will be liked by your kids.

Inspire Cool Design and decorating for your kids bedroom, the design main colors are blue, green, yellow, brown and red. All of them are bright and set active and creative mood. The furniture in these bedrooms is ergonomic and gives a lot of space for storage toys and clothes. There are also very practical and interesting solutions to organize comfortable working place in a small bedroom. These designs are offered by ZG Group via. which manufactures many kinds of furniture as for kids as for adults. Kids room design and decorating ideas will inspire you to create a super room for you child. Let’s see this inspiration of Kids Bedroom Design and Decorating Ideas Ideas pictures here:

Who wouldn't want to hang out in one of the rooms like

the ones found below when they were a kid with their friends.

These rooms are hip, cool, and definitely pack a punch

These rooms I only could have wished I had growing u I honestly would have never left my house.

In conclusion all kids want is a place they can call their own, a place they can escape to, but also a place that is cool, hip, energetic, and of course, one that they are proud to show their friends.. So lets create one for them, which will instantly bring you a sense of peace, because no matter how much of an escape it is for them, its still under your roof and you know exactly where they are and what they are doing, and most importantly who they are doing it with....

More pictures to follow this posting in two min.

That's today's make your life easier blog... 

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