Wood Pallet Cross Tutorial

Wood Pallet Cross DIY @savedbyloves

Today’s project is a great way to use up those wood scraps leftover from previous projects. I will show you how to make this sturdy wood cross using pallet scraps and pocket holes. You will also learn how to easily create the chippy, distressed paint look seen here.

Wood Pallet Cross DIY

To start, I cut one scrap wood piece (2×4) to 18 inches and two pieces to 5 inches long.

I attached the 5 inch pieces to the 18 inch piece using pocket holes with my Kreg Jig (see How to Use Kreg Jig). The pocket holes are circled in the photo.

*Place a pocket hole on the bottom of the 18 inch piece for attaching the finished cross to a base. You want to do this before attaching the patchwork pieces in the next steps.

Folk Art Home Decor Chalk

I used Folk Art Home Decor Chalk to create the distressed paint look. It is super easy!

How to Distress Wood

I brushed base coat on thin pallet wood pieces and let that dry.

Create Chippy Paint Look

Using the Layering Block, I added more colors.

Create Weathered Wood Look with Paint

Lightly dragging the block across the dry painted board adds color in a chippy, random distressed fashion. Layer as many colors as you want, drying between each layer.

Patchwork Wood Cross

Once I had all the boardws painted, I cut them into random sized pieces and placed them on the cross. I made necessary cuts to the patchwork pieces with my mitre saw until everything fit into place.

Reclaimed Wood Projects

I glued the pieces into place and used my Ryobi AirStrike Nailer with one inch brads to secure them.

Reclaimed Wood Cross Tutorial

To finish, I centered the cross on a 2×4 rectangle and attached it with a pocket hole on the back of the cross and wood glue.

For more inspiration, visit our 50+ Scrap Wood Projects:

And our 50+ Wood Pallet Projects:

Psalm 93 DIY Wood Pallet Nursery Sign

DIY Nursery Decor Wood Pallet Sign Psalm 93 @savedbylovesMy friend Jordan will be a momma any day now. I wondered if I would end up delivering the little guy the day she came over to make this nursery wall art, but he is not here yet! Today I am sharing how we created this lovely Psalm 93:4 sign for next to nothing out of pallet wood. It is so perfect in her nautical themed nursery! Download the cut file below and follow the steps to make your very own!

SUPPLIES:

Five pallet wood planks (Here is my video: How to Break Down Wood Pallets)

White chalky paint

Blue acrylic or chalky paint

Black vinyl for your die cut machine and transfer tape if you are die cutting the letters (if you don’t have a die cut machine, you could download the phrase below and transfer the letters to the sign to hand paint it like I showed you here: DIY Hand Painted Rustic Wood Signs)

Die Cut machine and software to trace jpg file provided below (this is not needed if you are hand-painting the sign as shown in the previous link)

Drill and 1/2 inch hole saw bit

Rope

Kreg jig

1 1/4 inch Pocket Hole Screws

2 inch flat paint brush and round stencil brush

Psalm 93:4 text download

Free Anchor Clip Art

Mod Podge Matte Finish

TUTORIAL:

DIY Nursery Decor

Cut your boards to about 45 inches wide and attach them with pocket holes, staggered as shown – (Here is How to Use a Kreg Jig).

DIY Nursery Decor2

Paint the sign white with chalky paint (we used Folk Art Home Decor Chalk).

Let that dry, then dry brush blue randomly as shown.  We used a round stencil brush for this.

Let dry and cut or print and transfer text and anchor.  We used a 12×24 inch mat  and filled the entire area with the text.  We sized the anchor to 5 inches and cut everything in black vinyl.

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Center and adhere vinyl letters and anchor using transfer tape. Seal letters and sign with Mod Podge Matte or desired finish.

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Mark desired placement of holes and drill with spade bit to fit diameter of rope you are using. (We have the letters covered in this image because the Mod Podge wasn’t dry and the saw dust would stick in it.  Don’t judge, we were in a hurry)!

DIY Nursery Decor8We inserted the rope and hung it from a cool anchor hardware piece that Jordan found at Hobby Lobby for just $3!

DIY Nursery Decor Ideas

We LOVE it!! Jordan did a fantastic job with this nursery, and our sign tops it off perfectly.

We hope you are inspired to create your own!

DIY Reclaimed Wood Craft Paint Storage Shelves

DIY Craft Paint Storage from Reclaimed Wood @savedbyloves

Paint storage is an issue in my new craft space.  Bookshelves are not a great solution since they are so deep and tall.  I like to be able to see my paints for inspiration, and to get to the colors I need easily.  I decided to make my own shelves that are shallow and closely spaced so that I could fit as many as possible in the allotted area.  This was a quick and easy project, made with reclaimed wood I had on hand, so I spent zero dollars.

SUPPLIES:

Reclaimed wood cut to length and width you want your shelves

Shims cut from 2x wood, the same length as the shelves (mine are 24 inches), 1/4 inch thick

2 1/2 inch Kreg Screws Kreg Jig

Ryobi Air Nailer

Wood Glue

Leveler

Stud Finder

Pencil

Tape Measurer

Straight Edge

TUTORIAL:

How to build wood pallet shelves

Cut shelves to 24 inches.  I used tongue and groove boards that I had on hand and ripped to 3.5 inches to fit my 3.25 inch paint jars.  I cut the groove edge off when I ripped them, so that the tongue edge would create a lip for the wood shims to sit on as the front of the shelf in a later step.

Drill Pocket Holes with Kreg Jig

Find studs and mark shelf boards in 2 spots where you will create pocket holes with Kreg Jig.  Create pocket holes like I showed you here:  How to use a Kreg Jig.  I decided to stagger my shelves, so I created pocket holes four inches from each end on half of my shelves and on the other half, 1 inch from one end and 7 inches from the other end.

Use Kreg Screws to attach shelf to studs

Use tape measurer and straight edge to draw lines on the wall where your shelves will go.  I spaced my shelves 5.75 inches apart.  Use 2.5 inch Kreg Screws to attache shelves into studs on your marked lines.  After placing the first screw, use leveler to level shelf, then place second screw in the other stud.

Attach Shelf Lip with Wood Glue and Air Nailer

Add wood glue to the tongue lip and place wood shim, creating front of shelf.  Nail shim into place with 1 inch brads in air nailer.

Craft Storage Ideas

Attach all shelves and place paint!


DIY Craft Paint Storage from Reclaimed Wood @savedbyloves

So easy, and free, this paint storage solution is tops!

What do you think?  How do you stay organized in your creative space?

DIY Craft Storage from Reclaimed Wood @savedbyloves

DIY Welcome Sign From Reclaimed Wood

[pinit]DIY Reclaimed Wood Sign tutorial @savedbyloves[pinit]

Today’s project is a DIY reclaimed wood sign, perfect for the front porch or entryway!  I was looking at my pile of scraps and before I knew it, I had this sign.  It works up quickly and gives the look of chalkboard, using Chalky Finish Paint from DecoArt.

DIY Wood SIgn From Pallet Wood

I won’t bore you with the details of how to make one of these signs, since I have covered that thoroughly in this DIY Rustic Reclaimed Wood Sign.

Welcome Cut File

I used the font “Always in my Heart”.  You can click the thumbnail for the full resolution version and print it for transferring the image to wood like in the tutorial linked above, or use it to make a stencil on your Cricut or other die cut machine.  I used Cricut and SCAL software.

DIY Wooden Sign Tutorial

To finish the frame, I went with Natural Oak Wood Finishing Cloths from Minwax.  These things are so awesome.  One step finishes and seals.  Yay!

How to Make a Sign

This color is subtle and natural.  I generally run from the word oak when it comes to stain color, but I like this one.

How to make a reclaimed wood chalkbaord sign

When the stain dried, I sealed with Clear Creme Wax from DecoArt.  You see the darker wax in this picture, but I ended up not using it because I was satisfied with the look after applying the clear wax.  The sign looked aged enough on its own!

Make a sign from pallet wood

Not bad for scraps I had on hand and under 2 hours of my time!  What do you think?  Have you created anything from reclaimed wood lately?

Wood Pallet Burlap Monogram Sign DIY

[pinit]DIY Sign from Reclaimed Wood Pallet and burlap @savedbyloves[pinit]

Today I am going to show you how to make a rustic monogram sign using recycled pallets and burlap!  This would be perfect on a front door, as mantel decor or wall art.  Not only that, but it is an eco-friendly way to decorate your house on the cheap.

DIY Rustic Decor Hand painted sign burlap reclaimed wood

SUPPLIES:

Shipping Pallet Pieces

Wood Glue

Kreg jig and Kreg Screws

Walnut Wood Finishing Cloths

Burlap

Stiffy

Chalky Finish Paint in Escape (Blue)

Foam Brush

Super 77

Scissors

Cricut or other die cut machine, or monogram stencil

TUTORIAL:

I showed you how to make a wood pallet sign using a Kreg Jig in this DIY Pallet Sign Tutorial.  Kreg makes joining wood slats super easy.  I LOVE IT.

Once your sign is created, stain it with your choice of color.  My favorite way to stain these days is Minwax Wood Finishing Cloths.  Stain and seal in one step with an easy swipe.

How to make a Monogram Reclaimed Wood Pallet Sign

I used my cricut to make a stencil with a design I created in Photoshop.  The software I use to connect my Cricut and my laptop is Sure Cuts Alot, but I am pretty sure that is no longer available.  Cricut has software for this purpose, which I have not used.

Use Chalky Finish Paint and Burlap DIY Sign

I used sticky back paper for my stencil so it would stick to the Burlap.  I prepared the burlap with Stiffy fabric stiffening spray so that it wouldn’t fray when I cut it.

Paint with blue Chalky Finish Paint by DecoArt.  I am loving this line.

Rustic Home Decor Monogram Sign

Adhere to pallet sign with Super 77.  That is it!!

How to Make a Chevron Table from Reclaimed Wood Pallet

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Chevron coffee table DIY from Reclaimed wood shipping pallets @savedbyloves[pinit]

I am a little smitten with today’s project, which is made from shipping pallets and a $5 table I picked up at Habitat Restore.  Reclaimed wood projects are here to stay, folks – at least for this DIYer.  This modern chevron wood plank table took an afternoon to create, but will be enjoyed indefinitely!

Make a Chevron Table

SUPPLIES:

Pallet wood

Ryobi AirStrike Nailer

1 3/4 inch 18 gauge brad nails

Wood Glue

Circluar Saw

Mitre Saw

Wood Clamps

Random Orbital Sander

Rustoleum Wood Stain Dark Walnut

CeCe Caldwell Satin Finish

Lent free cloth

Paint brush

Tack cloth

Yard stick

Pencil

How to Build Furniture for Beginners

TUTORIAL:

How to make a reclaimed pallet wood table

Find a really awesome hairpin leg table for $5 at Habitat Restore and tackle anyone in the way of you and it.  Bring it home.

Make a Chevron Table from Pallet wood

Cut pallet wood to 45° angles using mitre saw.  Meet wood in center to form 90° angles(I drew a line down center of table with pencil using a yardstick).

Glue and nail down with air nailer or hammer and finishing nails.  This is where I use my Ryobi AirStrike brad nailer.  The thing is amazing.  I can’t believe how powerful, lightweight and inexpensive it is.  I use it in all of my reclaimed pallet wood projects and it makes my life worth living, or at least way easier when building.

How to Resurface a Wood Table

Use the circular saw to cut off excess wood extending over edge of original table top.  This is way easier than cutting each individual plank to size.  Way.  Easier.  And.  Faster.  Trim with 1x2s or rips from 2x8s like i did.  I mitered the edges to 45° for a more finished look.

Ryobi Air Strike Nailer

Again with awesome nailer (this is not a Ryobi sponsored post, btw) – glue and nail the trim in place.

Reclaimed Wood Furniture Projects

Orbital sander on wood top

Sand with orbital sander.

Rustoleum Wood Stain

How to apply wood stain

Staining a Wood Table Top

Wipe on Stain per directions, with the wood grain.  This is the first time I have used this Rustoleum stain and I love it.  Gorgeous color, easy to use, what is not to love?

Finishing Wood Table Top

How to Finish Wood Table

DIY Storage Boxes from Recycled Pallets

DIY Numbered shipping pallet crates

Wanna make cool DIY storage boxes from old shipping pallets?  That is what you will find here.  This project came about because I have never really loved my tapered bookshelf and decided it was time to make it lovable.  I found these DIY storage crates from pallets at Ana White, and came up with a plan to make small, medium and large ones to custom fit to my shelves.  During the process of getting the numbers on there, I found a cool, accidental image transfer to wood technique.  I finished the three boxes over 2 days, including letting stain sit overnight.  Keep reading to see how.

reclaimed wood storage boxes

SUPPLIES:

Wood from shipping pallets – (There are 1000 ways to break down pallets.  I use a pry bar and circular saw.  Google it to find videos.)

Kreg jig and screws (My wood was .75 inches thick so I used 1.25 inch Kreg screws)

1×12 board for bottoms of crates

Wood Glue

Clamps

Mod Podge (I used Antique Mod Podge)

Wood Stain and Conditioner or preferred finish

Scrapbooking Attitude or materials for your preferred transfer technique

TUTORIAL:

How to make a storage box from recycled wood pallets

Based on my 3 shelf sizes, I decided to make three boxes sized as follows: 12×12.5 inch, 13×12.5 inch and 14×12.5 inch.  To do this, I cut 6 sides from pallets, each 11 inches for the box sides.  I cut a front and box in 12, 13 and 14 inches for each box.  The bottom of the box I cut from 1×12 board to 1.5 inches shorter than the front/back pieces of each box (to account for the width of the sides).  See all the pieces above.

Use Kreg Jig Pocket holes to join pallet wood

Here you can see that I drilled pocket holes on each edge of the inner surface of the side boards for each box (to see how to use Kreg Jig and join wood with it, go to my Pallet Sign Tutorial)

Drill pocket holes in the bottom of the box

Drill pocket holes in the bottom of the box for attaching it to the front, back and side box boards as pictured.

PalletCrates7

Start by attaching side to bottom using holes you drilled in bottom.

How to screw in kreg screws in tight space

PalletCrates12

Here it is with all the boards attached.  I used wood glue in addition to the screws.  I always do.  I learned that from Ana.

Sand before wood conditioner

I sanded with 80 then 120 grit paper.

How to use Minwax Wood Conditioner

Clean away debris from sanding with damp lint free towel, then apply wood conditioner.  Let sit 15 min, wipe away excess.

Stain wood after wood conditioner

I stained with Minwax Classic Gray Wood Stain.  I did an extremely quick and dirty finishing job on these since the wood is rustic and uneven anyway.  That is one of the many things I love about pallet wood projects.  I get to move quick and messy fits right in with the look.

How to image transfer onto wood

I used these free cool vintage numbers from The Graphics Fairy.   To get them filled in, I just pulled them into Photoshop and painted the open spaces black.  I flipped them backwards and printed them onto Scrapbooking Attitude, an image transfer product you can read all about in my Image Transfer Halloween DIY using the product.

How to use Scrapbooking Attitude for Image Transfer onto Wood

Cut out around number. Set aside and go to next step.

Apply Mod Podge to area for image transfer

Apply a thin layer of Mod Podge where the image will be placed.

How to transfer images onto wood

Peel film away from backing and place image, ink side down, onto the surface.  Smooth out any wrinkles and press into Mod Podge/wood with fingers.

How to make a wood pallet storage box

O.k.  Here is where the happy accident starts.  You can see the transfer film where you cut out the number and the clear “paper” around it.  At this point I would just mod podge over everything, hoping that hid the edge of the film to an acceptable degree.  What happened here was I realized I accidentally put the 2 on the largest box, where I really wanted the three.  So, I tried to remove it, and the film came away leaving the ink behind!  Yay!  I did sanded it off the box so I could put the 3 on there, but removed the film for the rest of the numbers.  I love how it looks!

remove film, leaving ink behind for the image transfer

PalletCrates24

Here you can see me removing the film, and the ink staying behind!

Seal with Antique Mod Podge

Brush a coat of Mod Podge over the entire surface, and the entire box to seal.  I used Antique for an aged effect.  Let dry and you are done!

DIY wood pallet storage boxes

DIY storage from wood pallets

So, they are awesome, am I right?

Wanna make everything under the sun from wood pallets?

Check out our 50+ Wood Pallet Project Round-up!

We also have 50+ Image Transfer Projects to inspire your creativity!

How to Resurface a Table with Reclaimed Wood

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reclamiedwoodtable8[pinit]

Are you tired of your table, but not in a spot to spend money on a new one?  Do what I did and cover your worn out kitchen table with reclaimed wood from pallets, fences and whatever scraps you have on hand.  This project was fast, easy, cheap, and I am in love with the new look.  I used milk paint for the legs, a first for me.  I finished with CeCe Caldwell wax and aging wax.  Read on for the full scoop from planning to finish!

25centChairs11 copy

I told you about this table/chair set I got at Habitat Restore for $6 and revamped a couple of years back.  I spray painted the table top black and the legs silver, the chairs blue and green and this has been our kitchen table since 2010.

Make a table from reclaimed wood #upcycle #woodworking #reclaimedwood

I measured the table’s length and width and cut 1×2 pieces I had on hand to frame the it.

Connect frame with Kreg Jig Pocketholes

I connected the sides to each other with  wood glue, a Kreg pockethole and 1 1/4 inch Kreg screws and held them together with corner clamps while the glue dried..  I glued the frame to the table sides with wood glue and 2 inch brad nails, holding in place with clamps until glue set.

For the boards on the top, I just placed them and marked where I needed to cut the ones that stuck over the edge.  I cut them, glued the boards in place, and used my nailer to nail some down for added security.  I let that dry overnight, planed and sanded the top, stained with weathered wood from Minwax.

How to use milk paint, distressing furniture with milk paint

I used this milk paint, which comes in a powder that you mix with equal parts warm water.

SONY DSC

milk paint on table legs

This is after one coat.

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This is after the second coat with 1 hour dry time between.

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I love where this chippiness happened!  I wanted the look everywhere, but it happend where it wanted.

Reclaimed wood resurfaced kitchen table diy #furnituremakeover #woodworking @savedbyloves

I painted a few of the boards with the leftover milk paint.  I distressed the legs with my hand sander in some spots.  To finish, I sealed with a coat of CeCe Caldwell clear wax, followed by aging wax all over.

Resurface a table with Pallet Wood

Make Wood Pallet Wall Art

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Make #WoodPallet Moulin Rouge Quote Wall Art with Template and #Tutorial @savedbyloves

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Do you love the wood shipping pallet signs infiltrating home decor lately?  Learn how to make your very own aged pallet art.  The quote from Moulin Rouge is provided for you to use in your die cut machine, or as a tracing template.  You will also see how to age your sign with Cece Caldwell wax!  This project is easy and can be completed in an afternoon.

Make #WoodPallet Moulin Rouge Quote Wall Art with Template and #Tutorial @savedbyloves

Supplies:

WOOD PALLETS

KRYLON DUAL – WHITE FLAT

STENCIL TEMPLATE – for mine, just click thumbnail below and save full res version that appears

Make #WoodPallet Moulin Rouge Quote Wall Art with Template and #Tutorial @savedbyloves

DIE CUT MACHINE – to create stencil from vinyl or contact paper

-OR-

TRANSFER PAPER – to outline letters onto pallet

CECE CALDWELL CLEAR WAX

CECE CALDWELL AGING CREAM DARK

STENCIL BRUSH

WAX BRUSH

DRY BRUSH

Make #WoodPallet Moulin Rouge Quote Wall Art with Template and #Tutorial @savedbyloves

TUTORIAL:

Make #WoodPallet Moulin Rouge Quote Wall Art with Template and #Tutorial @savedbyloves

That is it!  I love my new sign.  It is proudly displayed in our guest room, which is quickly becoming my favorite room in the house.

Make #WoodPallet Moulin Rouge Quote Wall Art with Template and #Tutorial @savedbyloves

Check out our Wood Pallet 50+ Roundup for more inspiration:

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