Category: Woodwork

2020, crafts, decor, DIY, fall, farmhouse, farmhouse decor, farmhouse style, Pin-spired projects, Pinspiration, Pinterest roundup, projects, repurpose, seasonal, Seasonal art, seasonal decor, Wood crafts, Woodwork

Fall Wood Crafts You Can Make Right Now

by LumberInMyMiniVanLeave a Comment on Fall Wood Crafts You Can Make Right Now

Hi, all! We have begun a renovation project right now and things in our lives and our home are a bit crazy. Instead of walking you through a woodworking project this week, I am going to instead share some simple and easy wood crafts anyone can do.

1. Candy corn from scrap wood- Megan Plus Five

This candy corn by Megan Plus Five is cute and would be simple to make. Plus, I have a lot of scrap wood I could use.

2. Wooden post pumpkins

I found these cute 4×4 post pumpkins on Etsy. I have an extra 4×4 sitting around and this would be super easy to make!

3. Scrap wood pumpkin- The Summery Umbrella

This cute little pumpkin would be easy to make! I like the wood slide stem and burlap bow too.

4. Pallet wood sign

You have probably seen these little pallet signs all over Pinterest. You can make them for every season and holiday- these are especially cute.

5. DIY Wood Block House

I found this super cute house on Pinterest, and even though it’s not necessarily fall, it still would be a super cute addition to your fall decor.

Hope you enjoyed this roundup! We will see you Saturday!

2020, At home, DIY, farmhouse decor, farmhouse style, outdoor spaces, outdoors, Pin-spired projects, Pinspiration, Wood crafts, Woodwork

Scrap Wood Challenge: A Scrappy Grape Arbor

by LumberInMyMiniVan4 Comments on Scrap Wood Challenge: A Scrappy Grape Arbor

Hi, all! It’s been a minute. We have taken a few weeks off blogging and social media influencing to figure out our crazy new lives and schedules amongst the covid crisis. We have missed you all dearly but we are glad to be back online.

As you know, my husband wanted me to get rid of the scrap wood pile in the garage. I told him you can’t just get rid of perfectly good wood…you must build something cool with it.

Enter my grape arbor. We knew we wanted to plant grapes next year, but I didn’t want a traditional low grape arbor. I wanted a tall arbor!

First, I dug holes and sunk four 4×4 posts. I then attached the posts with two 1×6 boards on each side (front, back and sides).

I then cut shorter pieces, just a little longer than the width of the sides. I attached them parallel on each side.

Then, I cut pieces for the top and cut them slightly wider than the top of the arbor.

I kept adding slats until I had it finished.

And I cannot wait until we have actual grapes growing from this thing!! Stay tuned!!

2020, make it yourself, outdoor spaces, outdoors, Personal, projects, remodel, repurpose, Wood crafts, Woodwork, yard

Repurpose and Remodel: Restoring a Handmade Porch Swing

by LumberInMyMiniVanLeave a Comment on Repurpose and Remodel: Restoring a Handmade Porch Swing

My grandfather was an excellent carpenter. He and his brother built me many neat things over the years but my favorite is this porch swing.

It’s handmade, solid wood and heavy. In fact, it’s so heavy that in the 15 years since he built it for me, I’ve never had a place to hang it. It’s been in my mother’s basement for years.

As you can imagine, 15 years in a damp basement takes its toll. We had several rotten slats and a rusted chain. We were blessed the frame was still in good shape .

I promptly ordered the things I thought we would need and I got to work replacing the slats that were rotten or warped. I toyed with replacing all the slats but since some were in great shape, I decided against it.

I then gave the whole swing a good sanding with my orbital sander and removed the rusty chain.

I then put two coats of primer and one coat of paint on the swing and replaced the chain with a new one.

My mom got me this arbor for my birthday so I could hang the swing. It’s very pretty and very sturdy. And we know the song isn’t hanging straight- the arbor isn’t exactly level yet. We haven’t anchored the arbor yet because we are waiting to put down some pea gravel to deal with the mud. We also want to cut those bushes but there are birds nesting in them, so we want to wait until they leave.

I’m so excited to have this swing at my house- finally! I miss my grandpa so much so I am happy to be able to have this gift he personally made for me. It looks so pretty hanging from the arbor. It brightens up our yard quite well!!

I can’t wait to finish this area so I can show it to you!!

2020, DIY, fire pit patio, outdoor spaces, outdoors, patios, rustic DIY, Woodwork

Scrap Wood Challenge: Finishing the Adirondack Chairs and Tables

by LumberInMyMiniVan4 Comments on Scrap Wood Challenge: Finishing the Adirondack Chairs and Tables

This page is not a building plan, or even a tutorial. Think of it as more like an “update.” Remember these chairs?

And do you remember these tables?

Technically only two of our chairs are scrap wood builds, as we actually purchased the lumber to build the other two. The tables are scrap wood builds as well.

I always knew once these chairs and tables were finished, I wanted to paint them a bright color. Since we have a gray house with black shutters, I envisioned a bright red or a navy blue. But before I painted them, I filled in the holes with wood filler, sanded the chairs with 40 grit sandpaper and an orbital sander, and I put two coats of primer.

I learned something while painting these chairs: if you’re painting something that is raw wood and has never been painted or stained, you will need to use a good primer first. I applied two coats of primer to my chairs and tables prior to painting them. You also only need about 45 minutes drying time between both coats.

I let the two coats of primer dry for about 24 hours, and then I applied the red. I just love this color. It’s Benjamin Moore outdoor paint and it’s called “million dollar red.”

I ended up applying two coats to each piece of furniture, and allowing 24 hours drying time between the coats.

Our cute little firepit area is far from finished, but I can’t help but love the way these tables and chairs turned out. The coolest thing is about the whole area is that we built the furniture ourselves. I can’t wait to show you the finished patio. Stay tuned!

2020, crafts, DIY, projects, recycle, repurpose, rustic DIY, Woodwork

Scrap Wood Challenge: Adirondack tables

by LumberInMyMiniVanLeave a Comment on Scrap Wood Challenge: Adirondack tables

This week we are once again sharing a scrap Wood challenge, but as my husband pointed out, is it really a challenge to build something from an Ana White plan? After all, she makes it so easy.

And what is a group of Adirondack chairs without a side table? I truly did challenge myself with this one, as I did not use any kind of plan. I simply figured out how big I wanted the table and went from there. I didn’t really think I’d need a plan, as a table really isn’t hard to build.

You will need:

4 2×4’s cut to 15 inches (45 degree angle on each side)

5 1×4’s cut at 17 inches

4 2×2’s at 18 inches

2” wood screws

1. I began by cutting my 2x4s to 15 inches at 45 degrees on each end.

You will want your cuts to be in the opposite direction.

2. Make a “picture frame.”

Then, drive your screws at an angle to join the edges.

2. Flip it over and attach the slats at 1/4 inch apart.

A little imperfection is ok.

3. Flip it back over and attach the four table legs.

Almost done!

4. Flip your table over

You have just built a table!!

And now you can sand or paint it any way you like!! Hope you enjoyed!