Barnwood Projects

Sooo..remember that old barn we tore down back in November? 

Well, it has been reduced to this...

After weeks,  months of it taking up all of the room in our big 3 car garage/shop, it finally came to the point where more organization HAD to happen.  Spring is here and it was time to dig out our lawn mower from the piles of rubble around it.  A few weeks ago, Brad and I spent a whole Saturday out in the garage sorting and stacking it all up.  I love watching my husband work.  He goes to great lengths to try and explain something to me about his ideas for it all but it doesn't usually sink in till I actually SEE it.  When he told me his plan for stacking all of this stuff, I went along with it, most of the time thinking he was nuts and that this was never going to work.  But work it did, and splendidly too! 

So now that everything is organized it is so much fun to work out there.  Yes, there is still a GIANT pile of the bigger timbers that we really have nowhere to go with, but for now, we can at least move out there.  Oh, and the tractor is out which is a very good thing.  Our lawn is in dire need of some grooming.

Brad's been spending lots of time out there and I join him whenever I can.  We've been trying to come up with all kinds of things to make with this ole wood.  Some of the ideas came from online sites and some of it is stuff we just came up with!

We salvaged a trap door from the barn and weren't sure what to do with it.  After more thought we decided it would make an excellent lid to a chest.  This was the result.  I so love it but there is no room in my house for it.  It can be yours for $100.00!

We also made a BUNCH of these ladders out of the old tobacco lath that was on the roof.  According to sites we visited, they are a hot item!  You may own one for $5.00!

We also made "baskets" and candle boxes.  I think these baskets would look great with pansies or summer flowers planted in them  $5.00 if you want either one of these. 

I had been wanting to make some signs with some of the siding.  For now I made a bunch like this , but want to get a stencil to make the letters a little more uniform.  I have 2 of these signs around our house here and LOVE them!  One can be yours for $5.00!

Brad also made signs like this for our kids room (more coming later on that).  I painted the letters A, B,C on them and simply love how it turned out!

There are still lots of doors.  We're thinking of making a table with one of them.  I have heard they are in high demand, I just don't now how to connect with the right buyers...

There are also a few of these cool pieces that were part of the frames above the doors/windows.  I think they would look great with WELCOME on them or even a last name.

If you would like to custom order something, or if you've got any ideas of things we could make, let me know!  We're also looking into selling some things wholesale to a shop somewhere.  Also, if you want to buy some wood to make your own thing, we will give you a great deal!  For now, if you have a hard time getting ahold of us, guess where we'll be?!  Hubby's in the middle of making a great toybox for all kinds of kids toys.  Only problem is that it's turning out to be bigger than I thought it would be so we may have to sell it.  It's the size of a traditional like cedar chest but I was hoping for something a little smaller.  We'll see if I can bear to part with it!

Lazy Sundays and Old Barns!

It's Sunday and for the first time in a looooonng time, we stayed home for the WHOLE day!  Last night while laying in bed we decided to turn off our phones, and alarm clocks and sleep as late as we want too.  We BOTH got up around 10:00!  For my husband especially, that is so rare.  We felt a teeny tiny little bit guilty about not going to church!  I especially enjoy my Sunday School class and didn't really want to miss it, but we decided to just take a day today.  Normally, Sunday mornings are anything but relaxing because we leave early to set up the sound system at church and practice for worship.  We got out of our responsibilities at church for a few weeks so we decided to take advantage of our first Sunday off!  I guess it's ok as long as we don't make it a habit!

Part of the reason we were exhausted by today was this...

About a week ago, we found an old barn advertised on Craigslist for free.  We thought it would be a fun project and hopefully we could make some money by selling the wood and doors etc.  We're hoping to use the money to go on an anniversary trip in January or February!  I wouldn't say I'm totally regretting the decision to do this BUT.....oh my goodness, I am feeling muscles I never knew I had!  Brad and I were both so sore this morning and last night. 

Guess it's not something everyone would like to do, but Brad and I both love to get our hands dirty and the creative side of me sees all kinds of things I want him to do and make with all of this old wood!  Yesterday, when I finally sat to take a break, I asked Brad if he thinks we'll regret doing this.  It seemed like it was going to take forever and I'm the type to second guess myself pretty quickly.  I was thinking "Oh my...we're sore and achy and who knows if we will even make any money from this thing"!  Without missing a beat he said "I don't regret it at all....I'm having a blast"!  I have a feeling if I would ask him that today he would say the same thing, even though he wasn't feeling 16 anymore! : )

After reading the book "Wild at Heart" a few years ago...one thing that always stayed with me is "be part of your husbands adventure".  It makes him feel so loved when I'm right there by his side pounding nails out and "ripping down barns".  There were many other things I could've done yesterday, but I wouldn't have missed being there beside him.  Sore and achy as I am.."I don't regret it!  Not one bit!!!"