Make a Serving Tray from Pallet Wood!

Have you ever spotted a discarded pallet on a curb? Why not adopt it and transform it into something beautiful and useful?  When we picked-up some old pallets several months ago, my mind began racing as to what we could build with it.  Our first project was this chic rustic tray made entirely from pallet wood.

We love it!  Last month it was a centerpiece for my Thanksgiving tablescape.  Today, it gets used often to serve hot chocolate or tea.

SIZE:
- 13.5 by 26 inches

NEEDED SUPPLIES:
- A wooden pallet
- A skill saw
- Small nails
- Wood glue
- A hammer
- Drawer handles (2)
- Two small strips of felt or fabric

INSTRUCTIONS:

1) Disassemble the pallet.  I really recommend cutting the wood rather than trying to remove the strips by taking out the nails.  They are TOUGH to get out!  A skill saw made the removal incredibly easier.

2) Cut the boards into four 18-inch strips and four 8-inch strips.  Also cut an additional two 10-inch boards for the cross-joints on the bottom of the tray (so 10 pieces total)

3) Lay-out the tray on a flat surface according to the diagram below.

4).  Place the 2 cross joints (10 inch boards) perpendicular to the other boards as shown in the diagram.  The center of each cross board should be 8 inches from the outside edge of the tray.

Note:  I also placed extra thin strips of wood closer

to the edges to give the tray a little more sturdiness.

5)  Place wood glue on the cross joints and nail them in place.

6) Stain seal the tray to your taste.

7) Attach the handles and glue felt or some sort of fabric to the bottom of the cross joints.  This will keep the nail heads from scratching surfaces when you use the tray.

My tray is tinted with this Rust-Oleum
golden mahogany stain applied with a rag.
 I then sealed the tray with a satin varnish.

There you have it!  A beautifully made rustic tray.  Enjoy it for tea!

Linked up here:
Transformation Thursday, 733 blog, Whatever Goes Wednesday, A Bowl Full of Lemons, All Things With Purpose, Embracing Change

My Christmas Decor 2012 - Navy and Neutrals

Have you ever seen a picture and loved it so much you decided to make it a theme?  A while ago I came across a picture on pinterest of a dining room with chairs covered in a beautiful white fabric and velvety blue ribbon tied on the back of them.  In the center of the ribbon were a few pinecones and a greenery.  I loved the look so much I decided to make that my theme for this Christmas.  So, here is our dinning room buffet decorated with navy and neutrals...

This burlap runner was so fun to make.  It basically is 2" strips woven together and secured with hot glue.

Remember my twine vase I made for the Fall Mantel?  Well, here it is again in a tree shape.  I love the twine I found at the dollar store.  Three large rolls for $1!

You can print out a variety of these navy prints here.

Candle snow ball, that is about all the snow we get around here.   :0)

I love the natural and fresh feel of lemons.

Gotta have the jingle bells!  They look great in the $2 DIY glass huricane.

There she is, the entire view.  Sometime soon I'll share how we remade this old beauty (Update here); but for now we'll just enjoy the Christmas decor.

Linked-Up at:  Ginger Snap Crafts, Lil Luna, Raising Homemakers, The NY Melrose Family, House of Hepworths, The Shabby Creek Cottage, Cedar Hill Ranch

Awesome Gift Wraps and Free Printable Tags

Years ago when I was growing up in Brazil, there was a special store that I loved to go to.  It was special because they wrapped every purchase that you made in beautiful red paper.  What a simple way to make a purchase or gift extraordinary!

Here are some of my favorite package wrapping ideas and resources:

Nashville Wraps shares how you can use black paper and a chalk pen to give your present a cool twist. 

Kasasa turns ordinary brown paper into extraordinary holiday wrap with a simple white snowflake stencil.

For all the "littles" in our life.  Hours of fun can be had with these balloons!  You could do the same idea with a handful of candy canes....

I thought these little boxes, by Duitang, were so sweet.  They are the perfect thing for little gifts.

Check out these 20 Free Gift Tags!  Basically a style for anyone.

 Brown craft paper with monograms made from Scrapbooking paper- a quick and easy idea from Francine Clouden

How about these cuties?  They can add fun to any package! BHG

Here are a couple of labels for the items you have seen here at Redfly Creations.  You can print them out at the following:  Amish Bread.  Strawberry Jam and Homemade Granola Bars.

By the way ... if you missed these wonderful recipes, you may check them out here:

Quick and Easy Strawberry Freezer Jam

Homemade Chocolate Dipped Granola Bars

The Amazing Amish Cinnamon Bread Alternative

I have always thought wrapping a package with the comic pages was fun.  Design from CA also shows us how to wrap with maps, crossword puzzles, etc.

How cute is this?  I'm sure this little cutie will know exactly which present is hers!  Shared from Create Craft Love.

Bows make a perfect finish to a beautiful present.  Wish you knew how to tie beautiful bows?  How to Tie Bows has a list of instructions for all kinds of them.  

Happy Wrapping!!

Linked Up Here:

Sumos Sweet Stuff, Mrs. Happy Homemaker, Craft-O- Maniac, The Girl Creative, Tip Junkie, Sugar Bee Crafts

Fabulous Christmas Gifts for Teachers!

I am always trying to come up with new ideas for teacher gifts.  Instead of thinking of them as "teachers", I try to think of them as "Mr. so-and-so" or "Mrs. so-and-so".  I try to imagine what they would like if I never knew they were a teacher.  So, here is a list of ideas that I came up with:

Have a teacher who is health conscience?  Here are some delicious, yet healthy Homemade Chocolate Dipped Granola Bars.

The 50 Cent Ipad Stand  is what we are giving my son's teacher.  This is the first male teacher that I have had to think of a gift for.

Safety Pin Bracelets can be personalized in any color for your teachers.

 

The same is true for the Felt Flower Pins.  You can make them in any color and any size.  You can even use them to make a set of adorable flower pens for your teacher.

Who doesn't love food?  This Amazing Amish Bread Alternative is so moist and sweet any of your teachers would love to receive this delicious loaf of bread.

Felt Bookmarks are a simple, but unique gift for your teacher.  Personalize it with her initial and/or a cute little design.

Here is an exception to the "teachery" ideas.  I just love these little free printable milk carton cookie boxes The Sweetest Occasion has created.  Sooo sweet!  If you would like a wonderful cookie to send in this little package, you'll have to try this yummy Disappearing Cookie Recipe.






Linked Up Here:

LadyBug Blessings, Funky Polka Dot Giraffe, A Bowl Full of Lemons, Crafty Confessions, Sugar Bee Crafts, Ginger Snap Crafts, Raising Homemakers, House of Hepworths

"Silent Night" and other Christmas Printables

This year the Christmas decorating theme in my home is navy and neutrals.  The color scheme adds a unique modern twist to replace the traditional red and green color scheme.  (Note: you can see some of my home's decor here: Christmas Decor - the Buffet)

Here are a few printables created to go with the theme.  I have been enjoying them and thought maybe you would too.  Merry Christmas!

Download by clicking here:  It's Christmas!

Download by clicking here: Joy to the World!

Download by clicking here:  Merry Christmas

Download by clicking here:  Silent Night Printable

Linked Up Here:

I Am Only 1 Woman, Be Different, Act Normal, Keeping it Simple Crafts, Sumo Sweet Stuff, Skip To My Lou, Making the World Cuter, Sarahndipities, Lady Bug Blessings, Funky Polka Dot Giraffe A Bowl Full of Lemons, Sugar Bee Crafts