I love reclaimed wood projects. Mostly I use weathered fencing, but I recently got some great blue pallet wood. So for this month’s power tool challenge I decided to make a printable pallet frame. It’s a fun printable that my friend Jocie made for me. I have never really posted a printable on this site, so I searched and searched for the perfect quote for the kind of work I do. I think you’re going to love it the printable AND the very unique pallet frame that is free standing!
Old pallet wood
Look at these yummy blue pallet boards! I got them from my neighbor Rodney. I cut away the bad boards before storing the boards. It seemed like it made more sense than storing pieces that I wouldn’t end up using for projects.
The theme for this month’s power tool challenge is a picture frame. I chose to do a frame for a printable.
You know I keep it real. This was my first attempt at making this month’s project. I was less than thrilled with how it turned out. That is why I went with plan B, the printable pallet frame.
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Sand pallet wood to bring out the details
I wanted to tone down the blue paint a little. My Ryobi orbital sander made quick work of that. It was a very cold day and I was anxious to get back indoors.
Glaze will enhance details even more
I LOVE the look of the boards after sanding. BUT, I think they needed a little something to age them a little. I reached for my favorite Smoked Glaze to darken the wood a little. Ohhh, so much better, don’t you think?
Watch my video of How To Glaze Painted Furniture
I carefully cut the pallet boards on the miter saw. The wood had a lot of staples and I made sure to stay away from them. I’m working in the basement shop for this project.
Mark for pocket hole screws
The boards were marked for pocket holes on the back. I prefer to mark my boards to make sure I don’t make any mistakes. Been there, done that!
I used my Kreg Jig to drill the pocket holes in the pallet boards. I keep this K4 in a handy tool box tray which makes it easier to bring it in from the garage shop.
Staggering the pocket holes gives a good hold on the pallet wood rustic frame.
I love the way the paper looks against the blue paint and gray glazed boards.
Picture Frame Clips
I’ve had these picture frame clips for years. I wish I had these black picture frame clips available on Amazon. In this photo I was trying to figure out how I wanted to space out the clips in order to best hold the printable.
I used the tip of the screwdriver to make a dent in the wood in order to make a pilot “start” hole for the small screw.
A combination square is really handy to make sure all the clips are in the same distance from the side and bottom edge of the frame.
I have made easels of various sizes to hold chalkboards and such. But this frame was sort of large and I didn’t want to add bulk to it. I had a plan! I used a piece of scrap pallet wood to trace the bottom edge of the pallet frame.
A starter hole was made with a drill bit and the jigsaw cut the traced line. I use these great quick cut jigsaw blades. Do you see where I’m going with this? Do you see my vision?
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Genius! Don’t you think? I googled to see how others have done this and couldn’t find a single thing. Surely I am not the first person to come up with this idea. After seeing if it actually worked, I trimmed the ends to make it shorter.
Are ya ready to see it?
Free-Standing Printable Pallet Frame !
I made two different stands for the pallet frame. It can rest horizontally or vertically. This printable probably looks familiar. It is the design I used for my Bless The Food sign that hangs in my kitchen. I got it from Tanya Siekman @ The Funky Farmhouse.
I found this quote online. It may or may not be Thomas Edison. I just love how it describes me. I had my friend Jocie from One Project Closer hand letter it for me. She has an awesome Busy Girl's Guide to Hand Lettering video course. I could just watch her all day. I've tried my hand at hand lettering, but I’m telling you—I’m THE most non-artistic person there is. I took a class with Jocie at Haven Conference where I made an awesome Eat Sleep Hustle Repeat sign. The sign needed just a slight embellishment and I made her do it for me because I didn’t want to mess it up.
Click here to get the FREE Edison quote printable
I’ve never really printed a lot of these things. But I had this Presentation Paper and I love the way the ink showed up on it. It’s a lot better than regular printer paper. I’m so please with out this pallet frame turned out. Sometimes Plan B is a good thing!
PIN IT!
Now you’ll want to check out all of these great projects from my friends!
H2OBungalow - Easy Rustic Picture Frame
Create and Babble - How to Make a Magnetic Scrapbook Display
Just the Woods - How to Make a Printable Display for Kids Chore Charts
The DIY Village - DIY Wood Shim Picture Frame
The Kim Six Fix -Acrylic and Perforated Metal Floating
My Repurposed Life - Printable Pallet Frame
Refresh Restyle - How to Make a Photo Display
Are you inspired? I am! Which one will you make?
gail
Gail Wilson is the author and mastermind behind My Repurposed Life. She is obsessed with finding potential in unexpected places and believes that with a little hard work and imagination, any old thing can be made useful again, including herself!
Gail reinvented herself during a midlife crisis and has found purpose again. She hopes you will find new ideas for old things and pick up a few tools along the way.
Lori
I love everything about this project You did a fantastic job on this. Thanks for sharing.
Gail Wilson
Thank you Lori! So happy you like my project!
gail
Tracey Bradshaw
I love this - such a great idea. Pinning for a future project to chip away at my stash of pallet wood.
Wendi@H2OBungalow
How smart! Love the stand and the clips you used. I need one of these on my shelf!
DIY Home Sweet Home
What a cute idea. I have a pallet that is that exact same color.
Gail Wilson
Thanks! What will you do with your blue pallet?
gail
DIY Home Sweet Home
I already used a couple boards to make some frames for a couple chicken prints. They turned out really cute (you can find them on my blog). I really like the way you made yours so that you can change out the artwork. I may do a few of those too!!
girlfromwva
wonderful color on the wood! i like how this looks! thanks for sharing.
Gail Wilson
ohhh, how I love the color too Nova! I think this might be a keeper!
gail
Jennie
I love it. Iāve spray painted those little picture holders with a can of flat black. I also paint the top of the screw. I use a piece of styrofoam and pins to hold the picture holders from blowing off the foam.
Gail Wilson
When I looked for them on Amazon to share, I noticed they had black ones now. These really would look better black. But there are so many other options for holding the printables in place as well.
thanks for sharing your tips Jennie!
gail
Fonda
I love the color of the blue wood!!! What a treat to be able to use it for this frame. Love it!!!