Craftberry Bush

Humble beginnings….

flowers· Life and Faith· painting· summer· tutorial

Hi my sweet friends, I hope you had a great week.  I have been filling my days with picnics, walks along the pier and trips to the zoo.  I can’t believe the kiddies will head off to school in two short weeks.  Where has summer gone?
It seems to me, summer is the season that goes by the fastest.  Perhaps it’s because one becomes a little more carefree and the warm days melt together like the horizon of the pink sunsets over the ocean.
I want to show you a little project that hubby started for me a while back, but only recently found the time to finish….
I didn’t take pictures of the process (but would be happy to provide you with a diagram and measurements), but this was its humble beginning.   It was once a pallet we found on the side of the road…
…and turned into this, oh so sweet, farm bench.
I can only take credit for the sanding, painting and perhaps holding it in place for some of the sawing and hammering, but hubby made it and I am so in love with it!

I love its ruggedness and its perfectly imperfect edges and slivery planks.


These are some of last year’s Hydrangeas from my mom’s garden…

Her Hydrangeas are in full bloom again. Last year she had blue ones, but this year they are a beautiful pink colour.  I am not much of a gardener, but apparently they change colour according to the soil composition and type of nutrients. -huh-

My sweet friends, I can honestly and humbly say that I think I have finally mastered the glass staining technique. 

I decided not to sand this particular
plank because I enjoy its imperfection….

I added a little patina to the nails
to make them look well loved….


Have you tried staining your own bottles?
Such a simple display and so easy…
I think for now I want to enjoy the greens of summer;
I am not ready to make that transition to fall yet, are you?

Today, we took a long walk along the pier, our picnic table was a giant rock nestled perfectly under a tree.   We watched families enjoy each other’s company and we laughed at the bravery of a little dog barking at another dog twice its size. The kiddies collected yet more ‘cool’ rocks for their never ending rock collection; their pockets filled with these heavy treasures making it hard for their shorts to remain put.  I watched them skip rocks across the mirrored water and follow a makeshift driftwood boat along the shore.  I tried to breathe in that carefree air and snap a picture in my head of every movement they made.  As we were heading back, I told them how much I miss them when they go back to school and that I wish we had an everlasting summer.  They agreed.

Thank you for spending some of your time with me; I appreciate your company and look forward to hearing your thoughts.  Please know that even though I have not been able to respond to all of your sweet messages, they bring me joy and encouragement.  It would not be the same if you were not here.

I wish you a peaceful and calm weekend.

much love,
Lucy

p.s.
I have been so inspired of late and have so many ideas.  Some I have started, while others are written on my long ‘to do’ list.  I look forward to sharing with you.

I also have a great giveaway next week that I think you are going to love, so please make sure to come back and take a look. 

 LINKING TO 36TH AVE

 

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Comments

  2. LOVE that bench….and yes, I would like that for Christmas, so very kind of you to offer ;)…Your “hubs” is getting quite talented with the tools…looks perfect!
    And, what’s this about a giveaway? Can it be? So excited and you better believe I will be entering!!!!
    Love you lots and LOVE your new look…perfection 🙂

    Reply

  6. I love the entire post and the bench is perfect. When my daughters were young I used to hate for them to return to school too. I missed them and the wonderful hours together. Enjoy your moments. I am so happy to have found you through Donna at FJI.
    Laura

    Reply

  7. Hi. I love your work. I would love to get the dimensions for the bench. How can I get those from you? Also, I would love to know about staining the glass too. I am new to your blog (and blogging in general) so I am not sure if I am going about asking you these things the right way. My email is riggz4@aol.com if I need to sign up for something etc. Thank you so much. Have a great day! Kim PS I actually don’t even know what “profile” to select below. I don’t have any of those. I hope this will still post. Ok, I have to choose anonymous it looks like. 🙂

    Reply

  8. Please share the measurements with me at
    janelletschetter(at)hotmail(dot)com

    This is my first visit to your site and I love it already!

    Reply

  12. I enjoy all of your posts. Beautiful photos, inspiring ideas, tutorials – what more do we need? Enjoy the end of the summer. Thanks.

    Reply

  14. Hi Lu! I love that old bench! Hubby did a great job on it…but it really obtained it’s appeal after you showcased it with your staging talents. It looks wonderful! I have NOT tried staining those bottles yet but I have been seeing them and thinking it would be fun to try. I am hoping to cut down some time at work so that I can do a few of the things I love…before I am too old to do them!;>)

    My favorite part of the post though? You and your beautiful children enjoying yourselves. You make a gorgeous family and if your REAL family ever decides to abandon you I will adopt you in a heartbeat! I really think those kids need a NANA in their lives!;>D xo Diana

    Reply

  16. What a wonderful bench! And, love your bottles.

    I wanted to let you know that I used the giftcard I won from you to get a great table runner for my dining room farmtable. Went to Pottery Barn while in Texas this summer.

    I showed my runner on my latest blog post if you are interested in taking a look.

    Blessings to you, Amy

    Reply

  21. Oh, Lucy, I just love this post! What a wonderful bench. What kind of paint did you use on it? I like how it looks nice and rustic. Those bottles are soooo pretty too. My favorite though, is the last photo 🙂

    Reply

  25. Beautiful bench. Can’t believe it was a pallet! Amazing. 🙂 Would love for you to link this up to my (wow me) wednesday link party going on right now on my blog. 🙂 (I’m a new follower, too!)

    Ginger
    gingersnapcrafts.blogspot.com

    Reply

  27. Cuter than ever!!! I have SO wanted to make a bench like this FOR YEARS…I hadn’t thought of making it out of pallets! How clever…I just LOVE the way it turned out!! I would appreciate the measurements. So lovin’ this!!

    Reply

  32. This is one of my favorite types of projects – rustic and using pallets! You did an amazing job. I would love it if you would share this post on my brand new Shabby Shares Saturday link party at http://rustic-crafts.com This week is the very first week so I am spreading the word and searching out awesome projects 🙂

    Reply

  35. Hi here i love your farm bench ! i have pallets left over from the weather boards we are putting on our house, i have plans to make an outdoor lounge for our (one day new sun room) ! i hope i have some left over to make a gorgeous bench too! In Australia we are celebrating our first day of spring ! yah i love the warmer months.. I am your newest follower 😉

    Reply

  41. This post has some gorgeous elements shown in its photos, including your adorable children. What a fun way to cap off a great Summer with a walk along the pier and beach. My kind of thing. Love the memories you are building with your children… It doesn’t take long and they are like little birds flying from our nest. My only child, a daughter, Emily, is a Senior and I’ll only have one more opportunity for the beach walks with her before she’ll be away to college. We are doing a Mother/Daughter Senior Trip with 8 of her friends and their Mom’s to Playacar, Mexico in March. The beach vacations have always been our families choice of getaways. You are blessed to have it so close to you.
    Enjoying your blog ever since I stumbled upon it through pinterest and someone pinning one of your photos for their board. 🙂
    Gretchen

    Reply

  43. i too would love to have the dimensions for the bench made from the old pallets. i simply love it. please send to reese1@embarqmail.com thanks for so many beautiful and unique ideas. i love the soda penguins!!
    sincerely,
    lee reese

    Reply

  48. if it is not too late; can i please have the dimensions and info on the pallet bench. my boyfriend just brought home a pallet from work and i would love to try my hand at making your wonderful bench!

    Reply

  53. I’ve always loved that style of bench. Yours turned out so pretty and you’ve photographed it so beautifully!
    xo,
    Shannon – aka design

    Reply

  62. Hi Lucy, Are you still emailing out diagram/dimensions for this bench? If so, would love to have them! Just came upon some pallet wood and ran out of things to make until seeing your great post. Much appreciated! simeokparia@gmail.com

    Reply

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