Ever feel the need to purge and start over? If you haven’t noticed, I’ve been working through my stash to simplify my life. There’s been some events that have caused me to have that need and this is one way that I can achieve my goal while finding peace as well. Take for instance this cut fence panel I adopted from the curb many years ago. In that time, I’ve used it for staging my projects and product. However, today it’s going to meet my saws so I can create reclaimed wood star art for you.
It’s kinda puzzling to think that someone just decided to cut short their perfectly good fence panel, but hey…who am I to judge, right? Either way, when I saw it set out for city spring clean-up, I knew it definitely didn’t need to be gracing the landfill piles. Unfortunately, because the wood is so aged and parched, and as well as the panels are held in by twisted nails intended to hold forever, I have to cut it in pieces.
CUTTIN’ UP
First, once I have my pieces cut, I find that they are about 12″ long. That affords me the ability to have enough pieces to make my reclaimed wood star. Then, I create a design on a piece of paperboard to use as template.
I trace then cut five of the pieces on my miter saw and also my jigsaw. After that, I use a whitewash of paint to run down the center of each star ray to add a little dimension.
However, before I can finish my project, I need to find a backing of sorts to attach my star to. Enter in more #trashure finds…this piece of weathered ply from this loot:
- bread box makeover
- panels we cut into baseboard for our girls’ bedroom remodel (coming soon)
- wicker table I fixed up and sold in my online shop
- an 80’s waterbed frame I already upcycled (SEE HERE)
- small tongue & groove shed door became my friends kitchen door
- dog-earned fence panels already painted white (COMPLETE HERE)
- two patina-perfect plywood panels became for today
- the old ladder tiered stand
and create some typography art because…well…you know me. You can find my tutorial how to make your own DIY transfers HERE.
If you recall, I use this same saying on a bum antique desk that was pawned off on me, but instead of painting I wood-burned it into the top. mwahahaha.
Last, after I paint in my design, I assemble it all to reveal this…
LIFE IS BETTER
Isn’t that much better than residing at the local landfill? You betcha!
Not only is it rustic, but also fun for most any room in your home. Now to get me one of those farms…sigh. Have you ever had the bliss of living on a farm? I’m sure not everyone would call it bliss, but I definitely have fond memories of growing up interlaced with nature between my toes.
Whether or not you’re on a farm, you can find this sign and much more available in my online shop. Here’s what Libby had to say about her shopping experience:
5 stars! Quality product, super fast shipping, great customer service. 100%!
In addition, leave me some comment love below. What would you have done with the fence panel or even the weathered ply? I’d love to hear! Oh, and pin and share too. Thanks!
Likewise, stay tuned in for my next project which is focused on this remnant bamboo shade…hmmm… See it now HERE. Be sure to sign up for my newsletter. PLUS, you will get your FREE Furniture Buying Checklist and special discount to my shop. Until next time!
Also, more upcycles like this reclaimed wood star:
Love it!! The star absolutely makes it. I love the 3d effect. Gorgeous!!! You are sooooooo TALENTED! This is a real work of art!!!! Thank you for sharing!!!!!!!!!!! ? ????
Thanks! I was bummed I couldn’t get the pieces off because of the twisted nails used to hold them on, but this was fun too. 😀
Hey there, I just love this piece! It looks GREAT! I always get inspired to renew, reuse or upcycle out of our scrap wood pile. ?
Another fantastic job!
That’s the spirit, Jill! 😀 Endless options with wood for sure.
Cute sign Larissa. Life is better on the farm. The soft color pallet is soothing as well, rustic doesn’t always have to mean rugged. ? it’s why I enjoy your designs so much. We lived on the farm for about 18 months with my MIL while waiting for house to become available. The wind was incessant and drove me to near insanity. But I enjoyed the solitude and the quiet days- cow patty smell aside. Getting back to the country is not completely off the table yet, ? but I think if my hubby doesn’t give me some hope soon I’ll just give up.
aww…that has to be so hard. I’ve basically put my dream of country living aside and getting rid of things I saved for many years. It’s not what I want, but I need to simplify my life extremely now. Thanks so much, Niki!
Wow Larissa – The sign with the star is a head turner! I had to do a triple take because the “dimension” to the star looks SO real, I didn’t believe just paint could do such a thing!! As usual the end result was nothing like I envisioned…much, much better! Love the weathered color of the piece too. Praying for your dream as you wait in Grace for God’s perfect timing. Waiting can be SO hard. You are being faithful though, and putting one foot in front of the other each day. Praying God will answer the cry of your heart soon dear one! ❤️
Your kind words made my day, Mary. Thank you! It was fun to do to use up my local #trashure. 😀 I am anxious for my heavenly home in many ways as I feel no place on earth will compare.
Hi Larissa! Great star! I am about to purge my craft/thrift ING stuff room for smalls and furniture. I live in a 2 bedroom apartment now and one room holds all of my thrift store finds just waiting for me to either paint or make and it has gotten so bad that I can’t create. I am so overwhelmed with all of the stuff and I need the room for my grandchildren so they can come spend the night. My physical health is not the greatest (arthritis causing chronic pain) so Ii am going to slow down, get rid of stuff and enjoy life. Wish me luck. It’s just me and my dog.
Cheryl, I have been there oh so many times, so I fully understand. I will say this is the FIRST summer in many, many years that didn’t fly by because I purged and slowed down. Our house is done enough that I didn’t need to remodel and I could just be. I even got back to laying in the sun for a few minutes a day…my therapy! 😀 I hope you find that happy place too.