Home frugal living/saving money On Building a House and Scrap Wood

On Building a House and Scrap Wood

by Kelly Crawford

Things are coming along nicely with our house! (If you’re new, read about our storm.) Through God’s providence, my husband has been working for my Dad in construction for the last 4 years or so. So this project–his first house–has been challenging, but not too much for him to do. It has been a wonderful learning experience. My oldest son has been able to join him most days and all he is learning is invaluable as well. Another blessing from the storm!

We’ve come this far mostly by the generosity and pure love of volunteers helping Aaron. We are so grateful! Our goal is to celebrate Christmas in our new home. It will likely be a race with time, but we’re going for it! My husband is tired, battling pneumonia but a real trooper. He’s like Superman crossed with the Energizer Bunny and I think he is so awesome!

I asked him to bring home some scrap wood and a few of us are working on some home decor projects. It satisfies my creative urge and my passion for upcycled decor at the same time. 😉 AND…I am toying around with a pickled-pine look to do in our bedroom. We have an abundance of trees to mill since nearly every last tree in the whole place was blown down. I think it’s kind of cool to be able to use the trees both for the cost-efficiency and the sentimental value.

I glued together some rough-cut 2 x 4’s.

To get the pickled look, I painted with glaze (you could also use watered-down paint). It’s hard to see the actual color in this picture but I used a light teal/blue shade. I was thrilled to discover that this exact look is what I was trying to achieve for my bedroom walls. When dried, I sanded around the edges and corners for a distressed look.

 

Then I revealed that my son, indeed, got all of my artistic ability.  I’m probably going to rub a light coat of stain over this to distress it a bit more.

Alexa’s turned out MUCH better. I’m thinking of making her an offer for it 😉 She painted her boards with watered-down acrylic paint and used stencils.

Thank you for your continued prayers as we walk in faith and trust Him for all our needs. He is more than sufficient.

You may also like

22 comments

6 arrows August 26, 2011 - 9:03 am

*smiles* So beautiful! I’m so happy for you all with the progress you’ve made on your house.

We’ll be praying for your husband, Kelly, as he battles the pneumonia. God bless you all as you continue your walk of faith.

Reply
jen in AL August 26, 2011 - 9:25 am

Amazing!!!! It looks so beautiful!!!!! we are praying for you all! love your projects! blessings, Jen

Reply
Kelly L August 26, 2011 - 10:01 am

So excited for you and your house! Praying for Aaron for supernatural healing and strength and for discernment on rest (if he should rest or keep going).

Reply
Mrs. Santos August 26, 2011 - 1:51 pm

Me too. Praying for your husband and the progress of the house. You are so creative and that little Alexa is Beautiful!

Reply
Janet August 27, 2011 - 7:59 pm

In 2004 and 2005 I had penemonia both years twice be careful not to let Aaron push himself too much this stuff can be deadly take it from someone who almost didn’t make it out of icu.

Reply
Word Warrior August 28, 2011 - 6:14 pm

Thank you, Janet. Yes, we both know how serious it is. Aaron actually took off a full week and seems to be improving.

Reply
6 arrows August 28, 2011 - 9:01 pm

Thankful to hear of Aaron’s improvement! We will continue praying for a full return to robust health.

Jo Ann August 26, 2011 - 4:20 pm

I am so glad that your home is coming along and everyone is doing well. I have such respect for how your family and the many other families have all handled your losses in the storms and how you are always open to seeing your gain as they go hand in hand. Thank you for blessing me and my family so much by your testimony. I have such deep respect for how you all have glorified God through this time in your life. It’s been so touching to read your words Kelly. I hope your husband is feeling better soon. You guys are always close in our prayers. You guys are incredible and I am so grateful to have found your blog!

Reply
Renata August 27, 2011 - 4:17 am

Hi Kelly
It looks like it is coming along well. Praying for your hubby ~ for healing & for extra energy to get it done in time for Christmas. I love your creations – & you & your daughter sure are gifted artists!
We continue to pray for you guys
Blessings
Renata:)

Reply
Charity August 28, 2011 - 5:29 pm

What a precious post. So wonderful to hear a woman talking so highly (admiring) her husband. We continue to pray for you and your family. 🙂

Reply
Kim M August 28, 2011 - 10:15 pm

Very nice! I love it that you are going to use the trees.

Reply
Miss Laura August 29, 2011 - 3:16 pm

Like like like the art!!!!
Now I feel like going on a creative binge… gotta get me some scrap wood:))

Reply
Laura August 29, 2011 - 3:34 pm

Hello Kelly,
An owner of a natural food store gave me a suggestion for anyone struggling with lung difficulties. She said that she had been a smoker for years, and after she quit, she still contracted bronchitis every year for years. So some book she read suggested to do this:
Buy 7 regular sized bottles of hydrogen peroxide.
Every night for 7 consecutive nights, draw a a bath as hot as you can stand it and deep enough to soak in it(as much as possible). Add the whole bottle of peroxide and soak until the water gets cool. She said that after doing this, she had a few days of violent coughing and hacked up all the black ashy stuff in her lungs and nver contracted bronchitis again. I have never tried it, but at about .50 a bottle, if it doesn’t work all you are out is a few dollars and a little time. God bless!
Laura Ayars

Reply
Word Warrior August 29, 2011 - 5:51 pm

Trying this! It makes perfect sense because of the oxygenation of peroxide. I read it’s a good protocol for treating some cancers. Thank you!!

Reply
Marcie September 8, 2011 - 10:17 pm

Funny that you used the term energizer bunny – Zach has used the same term to describe your hard working man!

Reply
Meredith_in_Aus September 11, 2011 - 10:41 am

Hi Kelly,

So happy for your progress on your home. Praying that Aaron continues to recover well.

Out of curiosity, did you keep the same floorplan from the old house? Or did you iron out any problem areas?

Hope you have a lovely week.

God bless you all.

In Him

Meredith

Reply
Word Warrior September 11, 2011 - 10:44 pm

The basement is the same–it was not destroyed in the tornado but heavily damaged with water and so we had to “gut” it. But on the main level, though we had the same “footprint” (minus the large dining room where we hosted catering events/weddings), we changed it up. Very open–living room, dining room and kitchen are all in the same open space. I hope to post pictures as it gets nearer completion.

Reply
Meredith_in_Aus September 19, 2011 - 8:22 am

Sounds good. I do hope you are able to get into your new home on schedule.

In Him

Meredith

Reply
Cheri September 13, 2011 - 2:15 pm

Lookin’ good! 🙂

Reply
mine mind and November 29, 2011 - 1:56 pm

Hello, your internet site isn’t working for me for some reason…I’m utilizing IE six and getting very little on this site… house hour

Reply
Brian Eyman December 27, 2011 - 6:07 am

Now to business: this is not an exploitation/grindhouse movie, don’t let the title fool you.

Reply
Tornado, The Crawfords | August 7, 2012 - 8:07 am

[…] Update: On Building and Scrap Wood […]

Reply

Leave a Comment

Facebook Twitter Youtube Instagram

Post Category

motherhood/family/parenting Uncategorized christian living homeschooling pregnancy/birth control marriage frugal living/saving money large families public school abortion feminism dating/courtship church/children's ministry entrepreneur pictures

Author's Picks

Why We Should Encourage Our Kids to Marry Young 220 comments Two Children are a Heritage From the Lord (After That, You Should Know... 173 comments Population Control Through Tetanus Vaccine 127 comments

Latest posts

The Power of Gathering Around the Table: Beyond Hospitality 0 comment Weddings, Getting Older, Navigating a Large Family & God’s Goodness 33 comments Help My Friends Find Their Child Through Adoption 0 comment The Shocking Truth About Education 2 comments

Copyright ©2023 Generationcedar. All Right Reserved. Designed and Developed by Duke