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How to Tear Apart a Pallet

November 1, 2015 By Erica Deuel 1 Comment

Disclosure: I received the saw for free to review, but all opinions and words are my own! I really do love this Ryobi Cordless Circular Saw!

stacked_pallet_woodDo you have those moments where you realize how pathetically weak you are? Maybe you encourage your kids to eat their chicken and finish their carrots, so they can be strong. You might hope those words are true for you too and you consider yourself relatively in shape. Then something happens (like a slap in the face) showing you how totally not strong you actually are?

That moment happened the one time I tried to pull apart a pallet. I had my hammer and a crowbar and was attacking and using my whole body’s weight to try to pry those boards apart. It was horrible.

I ended up getting a few pieces of wood that I was able to use for this poster size frame, but the experience left me never wanting to try that again…and nursing blisters.

I learned the hard way that pallet wood is some of the strongest wood. Although I never ever wanted to use a hammer and crowbar on a pallet again, I did want that beautiful, weathered, free wood.

Since we have moved into our new home (almost a year ago now!), I have dreamed of having a pallet wall around the fireplace. I put some thought into how there must be a simpler way to get this wood.

Ryobi_circular_sawWith the help from my friends at Ryobi, I found the simplest way to get this wood! Don’t mess with the nails. Use the ONE+ 18-Volt 6 1/2 inch Cordless Circular Saw and literally cut the boards off the posts.

how_to_take_a_pallet_apart

DIY_pallet_breakingWe sliced the wood right off the crossbar posts with our saw. We lost some wood by this technique, but we saved so much time and energy. We’d run the saw up one side and then down the other to free the pallet boards from the side posts. Then we’d go back and make cuts on each side of the center crossbar.

how_to_make_a_pallet_wallWe ended up with a huge stack of pallet wood that was about half the size in length as a normal pallet. It was so quick. Since we were cutting boards so fast, they didn’t have the straightest ends. We used our Ryobi Miter Saw to cut the ends even and straight.

ryobi_miter_saw

wood_shavingsOnce we had a bunch of wood with straight ends we were ready to get creating. What was at one time the worst job on earth became such a breeze and FUN.

pallet_woodWe did our wall from start to finish all in one Saturday with breaks, meals, and caring for four kids. If you have a pallet wood project you want to conquer, use this saw. You wont be sorry.

I had never used a circular saw before. Now that I have used this cordless Ryobi one, I can’t imagine another. It was amazing. Here are a few facts:

  • 40% more powerful motor provides corded performance with cordless convenience compared to previous model P506
  • 24-tooth ultra-thin kerf carbide-tipped blade for fast, clean cuts
  • 0-56° bevel cut capacity allows user the ability to cut the most common angles
  • Front pommel handle with overmold for 2-handed operation
  • Left side blade for better cut line visibility

I can’t wait to show you how we put our wall together. I will post more soon. For now, here is a sneak peek!

pallet_wallThis wall is in what we call our snow room. It’s the best room in the house to watch the snow fall. Now that temps are lowering, leaves are falling, and jackets are needed, snow will not be that far off. I can’t wait to sit in this room and watch the fluffy white stuff come down. This pallet wall makes the room feel so warm and welcoming!

Have you ever tried pulling a pallet apart? Did it make you want to pull your hair out too?

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DIY Wood Christmas Tree Stand

December 6, 2013 By Erica Deuel 2 Comments

outdoor_christmas_tree_standHave you ever loaded your family up (like on Christmas Vacation) and headed out to cut down a Christmas tree? Matt and I were a little excited our first year of marriage and took up that task. It was a good three-hour drive, where my youngest brother (who we took with us) kept asking why we didn’t just buy one from the lot in front of Cicis pizza.

Memories. Isn’t that something we love about Christmas?

Now that we have our own kids and they are old enough to appreciate the experience, we loaded up and headed north to the tree farms once again. Bonus: we live a lot closer to the farms now.

cutting_down_your_christmas_treeWhile shopping for trees, my J and I fell in love with all the little trees they had. We decided we needed one of those as well and cut one to take it home.

oh_christmas_treeI had visions of creating a wood box to hold the little tree on our front porch. I started out on my dream by getting a long 12″ piece of wood.

I used my Ryobi Compound Miter Saw to cut the board into 12″ square pieces. I then stained the five pieces I cut and handed my dream project off to my awesome husband.

He used wood glue and nails to create a wood box.

building_a_wood_boxOnce the box was created, he measured for the middle and drilled a huge hole into the center of the box. This hole was wider than the circumference of our tree trunk, which was perfect.

building_a_christmas_tree_standMatt is creative and took it even a step further than I had imagined. He screwed an old spaghetti jar lid to the inside of the box, so when the jar was twisted onto the lid, it could hold water for our tree. I was merely going to put a pitcher under our box to hold the water. Both ways work, so you could go whichever way you want, if you want to create this same tree stand.

Wood_christmas_tree_standI love the simplicity of the design. It’s simple, yet so pretty. The natural look with a few shiny lights at night is so pretty.

front_porch_christmas_treeThis wood Christmas tree stand looks so good with my wreath from a chicken feeder. I am loving the more simple decor we are doing around our house this year. I hope you too are able to enjoy the simple things this Christmas like the joy of finding your tree.

Natural_christmas_decor

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Ryobi Sliding Compound Miter Saw

August 16, 2013 By Erica Deuel 9 Comments

Disclosure: I received the saw for free to review, but all opinions and words are my own! I really do love this Ryobi Sliding Compound Miter Saw!

I have a tool in my life that I am quite giddy about. I am now the proud owner of a Ryobi Sliding Compound Miter Saw. The world of new projects and potential by having this saw is flooding my mind. I already have a specific miter saw to do list a mile long. A new entertainment center, a bunk bed, a dinning room table, and a pallet planked wall are just a few of the coming projects that we will be tackling and sharing along the way because of my new saw!

Ryobi_compound_sliding_miter_saw

I must first say that I have always been afraid of power tools, especially saws. When the saw came I knew that I needed to get comfortable with it. It was time to conquer my fear and try something new that would stretch me. Although working with wood is no new task for me, being the one to make the “cuts” would be. I typically design, measure, and attach all my wood pieces but bribe my husband or brother to make cuts for me.

Instead of just starting to get used to my new saw by cutting boards, in total Erica fashion, I came up with a project to try my saw out on. I literally was so scared and my heart was racing as I set it all up. I read the manual, cleared my workspace off, and tried to wear all the protective gear. Note: I forgot the mask as a newbie wood worker, but I wont forget that again!

scared_to_use_saws

I started by cutting pallet wood, which is hard treated wood. This saw cut through it like butter! I was amazed immediately with how easy it cut. I carefully  marked my wood to cut 45 degree angles, and rotated my blade to do so. The laser light helped me to make accurate cuts!

Ryobi_miter_saw

There are lots of features that I love about this saw. I love the clear protective guard around the blade, the sliding bar that allows wider pieces of wood to be cut, and the clamps that allow the table and wood to be tightly held down. Those are just a few of the many awesome features!

I tackled this saw and my first project with it, while my husband was out-of-town. I did it completely on my own. If I could figure it out, conquer my fear, and have my six-year-old document the process in pictures for me-you can too! I highly recommend this saw!

conquering saw fears

Using this Miter saw to create something that I had pictured in my head all on my own is an awesome feeling. I did something new and am better for it. I will be sharing the full tutorial next week, but I am so excited to show you that I made this!

united_states_of_america

I must say, I will still be cautious (because it is a powerful tool), but as a fellow DIY blogger has said “there should always be a healthy level of fear with saws.” I would say mine is now a healthy fear. I will be cautious and slow, but the fear to turn the saw on, be intimidated, and give my “cut tasks” away is no longer there! I can do this! My world of projects and possibilities has been opened and I am so excited to use this saw over and over again.

I highly recommend it! Ryobi products, like this Sliding Compound Miter Saw, are found at Home Depot.

Ryobi Nation - leaderboard1

For loads of inspiration on projects and the chance to enter your own projects for prizes, visit Ryobi Nation!

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Disclosure: I received the saw for free to review, but all opinions and words are my own! I really do love this Ryobi Sliding Compound Miter Saw!

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Haven Conference 2013

August 6, 2013 By Erica Deuel 22 Comments

I can now say I have been to a blog conference. It was everything I thought it would be and so much more.

For those of you who might wonder what a blog conference is, it is an event over a few days where bloggers come together to learn, network, and inspire one another. I went to the Haven conference in Atlanta that was geared towards other DIY and crafty bloggers. It was awesome.

I roomed with one of my really good friends, Erin, at DIYontheCheap. We had a blast!

haven conference

For 2.5 days we ate really well, were around gorgeous decor, and learned so much. I met so many incredible people and hung out with some of my favorite bloggers. It was like a dream. I am so thankful for this weekend.

Going into it I felt a bit drained from all the travel, foster care training, and getting back from the beach the day before. I felt I didn’t have much time to prepare, although I did have my business cards ready to hand out. I was tired, knew another homeschool year was coming quickly, and was wondering how I was going to balance it all.

I knew the weekend was going to be huge when I felt my heart opening up in the first session.

ana_white

Ana White was the opening speaker and I love what she said. One thing that stuck out to me was “be good at one thing…good enough at everything else.” It’s so easy to get discouraged and over whelmed at all the components of having a blog. When she said that, there was an immediate freedom for me.

I went to lots of sessions where I learned so much. My head is spinning-in a good way. I’m still processing all I heard, and I have lots of ideas and a to do list a mile long (that I am excited about). One of my favorite sessions was a hands on session with Ryobi power tools. Getting hands on with some tools gave me confidence and took some of the intimidation away that powerful tools can bring. I can’t wait to use my new miter saw! Stay tuned to hear more about it.

Ryobi toolsAfter two days of hearing and absorbing information, staying up late talking, mingling with other bloggers, and eating lots, we were a group of tired bloggers. I think every blogger in that conference left tired yet excited and inspired.

tired bloggers

I came home with so many goodies that I can’t wait to start using on some new projects! The sponsors of Haven were incredible and blessed us all with so much!

blogger_swag

I actually won one of the giveaways from Home Depot, and I literally squealed with excitement! I got an incredible basket of products that I have already started using. I am obsessing over it all, but the solar mason jar is my favorite!

Home Depot swagAs I went about the conference, I was constantly encouraged by other bloggers about my story. I had friends new and old ask about my family, homeschooling, and our journey to foster care. My heart was uplifted. I can easily question our life style on hard days, yet this weekend I was encouraged that our way of living is inspiring others to go for their dreams as well.

The closing talk for the conference was a challenge to use our gifts and skills for good. It was all I could do to not cry through the whole talk. It felt like everything that I had been feeling and processing all weekend was brought together.

I love to craft and do fun projects, but more importantly I love to inspire. I have a renewed sense of purpose. I am excited to continue to share my projects and ways I decorate our home to be a warm welcoming place, but I hope through it all I can share parts of our story and journey that inspire you. We are not perfect but we are trying to live simply. walk humbly. and love Jesus and people. Thank you for caring and being in it with us!

Thank you to Haven and everyone who attended for creating and being apart of something so marking on me. Thank you to YOU for being in this journey with me!

giveaway

Now, a little something for one of YOU! I mentioned in my Haven Is Coming post that I would have a way for you to win some of my swag. Here is the deal. On my instagram feed during the conference a fun conversation started on “how many bloggers does it take to use a saw?” Enter the answer in the comments below to be entered to win some of my swag: Ryobi Flashlight, Rust-oleum Spray Gripper, and a roll of 3m painter’s tape! I will use random.org to pick the winner on Friday!

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If you went to Haven, and we didn’t get to meet, I wish we had! There were so many people who I wish I had gotten to meet. We needed two more days 😉 Please introduce yourself, so we can kind of meet here!

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