{"id":6170,"date":"2016-12-09T06:00:53","date_gmt":"2016-12-09T11:00:53","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/blog.elfster.com\/?p=6170"},"modified":"2023-03-29T10:42:22","modified_gmt":"2023-03-29T14:42:22","slug":"easy-projects-transform-reclaimed-scrap-wood-rustic-diy-christmas-gifts","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.elfster.com\/blog\/2016\/12\/09\/easy-projects-transform-reclaimed-scrap-wood-rustic-diy-christmas-gifts\/","title":{"rendered":"Easy Projects to Transform Reclaimed Scrap Wood into Rustic DIY Christmas Gifts"},"content":{"rendered":"
\"barnwood<\/a>
Christmas stables | Image courtesy flick\u2019r user Thomas James Caldwell<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Fall is my favorite time of year\u2014the leaves change colors, the weather starts to cool, and there\u2019s always a lovely autumn breeze. But every once in awhile, in my little Texas town surrounded by nothing but wide open plains, that lovely autumn breeze turns into a gust of destruction. \u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

About two weeks ago, we were bombarded with winds that were just too much for our old weather-beaten fence to stand up to. A section broke free from the support posts and began flailing about, hanging on only by a few nails near the ground. Bundled up against the cold, my husband and I went out and removed all of the fence boards and posts that seemed like they were on their last days. Now, with a heap of scrap wood at hand, the fun begins. <\/span><\/p>\n

I love working with reclaimed scrap wood because the possibilities are endless. And with the holidays coming up, my loved ones are going to get some whimsically woodsy homemade gifts! Depending on where the wood came from\u2014old pallets, a broken tree branch, a new construction project in the neighborhood\u2014I like to let the character of the wood speak to what I can transform it into. And our recent fence troubles told me I was going to get to make some new Christmas home d\u00e9cor items for my family and friends.<\/span><\/p>\n

Prepping the Wood for a Transformation<\/h4>\n
\"old,<\/a>
Lord bless ‘The Menders of Fences’ | Image courtesy flick\u2019r user Bobby McKay<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The first step of any reclaimed wood project is to make it safe for the indoors. When wood is left outside for a long while, it can become a home for insects and bacteria that your gift recipients probably don\u2019t want in their houses. <\/span><\/p>\n

The easiest way I\u2019ve found to prep wood is to bake it in the oven at 250 degrees for an hour. I usually use this option when the scraps I have to work with are small, or I\u2019ve already cut the pieces to size for my project. When the pieces are long, I soak the wood in a bleach solution of one part bleach to 30 parts water. Sometimes I even bake <\/span>and<\/span><\/i> bleach the wood. <\/span><\/p>\n

Then, with the rustic boards prepped and ready to become something new, I\u2019m ready to dive into a world of possibilities. <\/span><\/p>\n

Christmas Tea Light Candle Holders<\/h4>\n

I decided to make tea light holders for my aunt who loves the cozy atmosphere candles create. This was also the easiest project on my to-do list, so I tackled it first. <\/span><\/p>\n

\"wood<\/a>
Reclaimed wood candle holder | Image courtesy Etsy seller GFTWoodcraft<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The Materials:<\/b><\/p>\n