Scrap wood

With two young children, I can attest to the fact that a stool is a necessity in the bathroom and can also be helpful if you’ve a little chef in the kitchen. While plastic stools get the job done, they just aren’t nearly as pleasing to the eye as a personalized wood stool like this one from Jaime at That’s My Letter. Jaime followed plans from Ana White to build her stool for next to nothing using scraps she had on hand. The hand painted personalization is just the icing on the cake!

Gretchen over at Gretchen’s Garage teamed up with her son on a snow day to turn scrap wood and leftover paint into a piece of wall art. The duo drew out their design on a piece of paper and then made the puzzle come to life with the cuts of wood and paint. For only $10 for the plywood backing, Gretchen got new wall décor AND a day of quality time with her son. Now that is something Pottery Barn can’t compete with!

Paula from Sweet Pea fulfilled a little girl’s Christmas wish by making a balance beam for her American Girl McKenna doll. The balance beam was on back order until March so Paula and her husband really came to the rescue. Their little friend tells everyone that her balance beam was crafted by “real live elves.” Too cute!

I know we all love a little DIY wall art, and Sarah from Thrifty Décor Chick delivers with this fab Pottery Barn inspired project! In need of a piece of wall décor for an awkward wall in her living room, Sarah used wood scraps and leftover paint to create this rustic wood art for only $15. Besides saving money, creating your own artwork like Sarah’s allows you to customize it to your liking. Sarah says, “The size is PERFECT for that spot, and the colors work perfectly in our family room!”

After getting bunk beds for her boys’ room, Jen from Scissors and Spatulas wanted a wall-hanging book bin like those from Land of Nod for her little guy on the top. There was no way though she was paying $70 for “a few pieces of wood.”  Jen’s hubby grabbed some scrap wood and trim pieces from the garage and put a book rack together with just a few screws and nails.
Jen painted it blue, and it’s just like the real deal. The only difference… about $65!