Friday 20 July 2012

Handmade Trugs

Apologies for my lack of posting lately, life appears to be getting in the way and I seem to be mainly completing cards rather than any other kind of project.
I figured I would re-post an old post - nothing like a good recycle huh! As it's gardening time of year I figured maybe this trug tutorial would be of use to you.
Enjoy!

Handmade Trug

How many of you are like me I wonder?
Do you have a million and one projects on the go followed by a million more in your head yet to start on and then after spending too much time on craft sites you have a fair few more to add to the mix?
Well that's me too! Problem is I now have so many projects going on and in my head that nothing is getting done at all - I really need to learn to limit myself to a couple of projects until each one is done.
Take this week as an example - I've a trunk ready for painting (haven't a clue where to start), I'm making another scrapwood lamp like 'this one' (just different), I'm in the middle of sorting out my scrap room (which doubles as an office and trebles as a mini gym), I'm trying to make a quilt out of fabric swatches (never going to work as they're upholstery fabrics but I'm determined anyways), I'm trying to get good images with my DSLR so that I can post about about a fabulous Ebook I found and I'm trying to produce 3 wedding cards (which aren't needed until July but with my track record..........).
On top of all that I scan the web and have decided that on top of all the other million things I need to make for our home such as towel hooks, chair reupholster, quirky bathroom signs, blocks to sell .......you get the idea huh...........I now need to make my holiday beach bag (which isn't urgent as we don't go till January) and crochet some slippers!!!!!!!! THAT wouldn't be an issue but I can't even crochet - duh! I can knit pretty well but I can't find a pattern for knitted slippers that I like so I'm going to have to learn to crochet!
Be still my mind!

And..... breeeeeathe!

On to better stuff - I've entered a 10k run with my daughter so we're running together - yay!
4 miler round the forest today - double yay!
Mind you it was a walk / run as I have to build my fitness back up (my daughter appears to be uber fit already. Working with horses does that!)

But who cares bout all that. You wanna see something - anything that you can have a go at making yourselves don't you?
Well it's not finished yet - those pictures will follow soon - but I made this:

 garden trug, wooden trug, scrap wood trug

Here's the thing! Haven't a clue why I made it or what i'll use it as - that's probably why it's not finished.
I thought maybe I could put 3 small herb pots in it for the kitchen window sill after it had some kind of finish to it but the sides are too tall really.
I need an egg collector................ but not this.
Maybe a trug for my garden tools?

Who knows. Anyway here's how I made it and what you'll need:

  • Scrap wood - I used old fence panels.
  • Old broom handle.
  • Jigsaw - or handsaw.
  • Sander if the wood is a bit dodgy looking.
  • Hole cutter - I used one to fit my battery drill.
  • Battery drill.
  • Nails
My wooden fence panels were pretty grotty looking:

 scrapwood trug, garden trug, herb trug

I just gave them a good sand with my electric sander.
Next I decided on the width I wanted and cut 2 pieces exactly the same.
Then to make the two end pieces I made a template of the style I wanted on paper, traced this to the scrap wood and cut it out using a Jigsaw.
Then use this wood as a template to make a matching piece for the other end.
I cut a base that was slightly shorter than the side pieces because the side pieces were going to be nailed to the outside edge of the end pieces but the bottom would sit inside the rectangle created by the sides and ends. (hmmmmm, that makes no sense even to me but I don't know how else to explain it).

 diy trug, garden trug, herb holder

For the holes for the broom I marked the centre of each end piece and used a hole borer attached to my drill

 herb box, tool box, garden trug, wooden trug



Once the broom was cut to size it was a simple case of putting the whole thing together with nails and hammer.
It will need some kind of wood treatment and maybe some stencilling of some kind but voila! A trug that costs nothing if you have scrap wood.

Have you made any of these? If so I'd love to see em.


 


Linked to:

'Nifty Thrifty Things' 
'I heart Naptime' 
'My 1929 Charmer' 
'The Southern Institute' 
'The Three Mango Seeds' 
'Sew can do' 
'C.R.A.F.T' 
'The girl creative' 
'Creative Jewish mom'

11 comments:

Full Circle Creations said...

I have made several of these of different sizes and shapes. But I like the rustic look of yours. Nicely done. I have five active projects going on. I have to have several as I can't sit still and need something else to work on while I wait for paint to dry. Good luck getting ready for the race/run!

Holly

ANNE said...

I'd be using this to tote my garden tools around with. Very cute!!

farmhouse-story said...

what a great project, linda! wtg on the run!

Rosie Nixon Fluerty said...

This is just so useful Linda - I've seen big price tickets on some trugs in the shops. It would be great for storing my gardening tools as I worked around the borders.

cathy@my1929charmer said...

Stopping by from Nifty Thrifty. I am going to make a couple of these, I love them, found at antique shops that are pretty pricey. What I like about making these you can make them in any size you want. Thanks for showing us how. My fingers are crossed that you will share this at Sunday's Best going on now.

Andrea said...

Oh my my, why I never thought of making one of these myself I will never know. I am drawn to these whenever I see them. But I don't know what I would do with it either, I just want them all over my yard lol!
Great job!!!
Andrea

SaltAndPepperMakers said...

Love these and so easy to make!

cathy@my1929charmer said...

Just wanted to stop by and say thanks for sharing this over at Sunday's Best. I know everyone enjoyed it. PS - following you on Linky, hope you follow back. Hope to see you again at Sunday's Best, it can always use inspiration like your.

Simply Tasheena said...

This is such a great project! I would love for you to Link up at my Linky party via: www.ourdelightfulhome.blogspot.com

Mrs. Delightful
www.ourdelightfulhome.blogspot.com

creativejewishmom/sara said...

love it! it would look great anywhere with a few pots of flowers, especially some trailers or vines.....so impressed by your handiness and great to "meet" you! Thanks so much for sharing on craft schooling Sunday!

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Crafting Tools