Update

So, just a quick update with what has been going on with my life.  My friend, Aimus, went thru her surgery with flying colors.  Just like we all knew she would.  She is back at home recovering and will be up and running around in no time.  My husband was concerned, since they were rooting around in her brain, is she still gonna be the same?  Her humor, her smile, the way she wrinkles up her eyes when she is getting ready to zing you with a sarcastic remark (which she is very good at, by the way.)  Well, all you have to do is talk to her and she is exactly the same, minus some hair on the back of her head!  She wasn't able to see out of her left eye right after surgery and it is still very dark, but it is slowly getting better.  She had so many people praying for her and the doctors, this has all been a blessing and she is a miracle!

Sooooo, anyway, I have been having an itch that I need to scratch and I wanted to share it with you! 

I know, it doesn't look like much, but I made it out of one of the MANY pallets that I have in my yard from all the bricks and stones that were put on my house.  It was my first time using a sawsall and man, was that an awkward tool to use.  Well, I then found out, that the blade was on backwards....no wonder it was such a pain in the rump to use!  Geez!  Anyway, I have this blog that I love to check out, called knock-off wood.  She gives you very easy and simple plans to make furniture that you can make for a fraction of the cost.  Seriously! 

I was so excited with the shelf that I wanted to try my hand at something else.  Soooo, I went to lowe's, took my material list and spent about $20 on wood and a bit for my drill.  I cut all my pieces, which took about 20 minutes and then I had to paint them.  That took forever!  If you are going to put furniture outside, she recommends painting it before you put it together so that all the cuts are sealed.  So, here is my pile of pieces before I got to put it all together.  I painted them sand and then used a black glaze to antique it.  I love the look of worn pieces, it makes me feel like they have a story, as if they have history and have been loved.

I followed the instructions and now I have this adorable little bench for my new front porch.  My kiddos love it and now think that I need to make a pillow for it.  "It's great mom, but it's kind of hard after a while."  Rotten kids! 

Seriously, I rave about this site to all of my friends when they say that they want new furniture, but can't afford it or find exactly what they want.  "Just make it!", I tell them!  So, for plans to the simple bench above, go to knock-off wood or just check out the blog, knock-off wood.  You won't be disappointed!