Here is another fence picket scraps project.  I laid down 5 fence picket scraps and drew a pumpkin on them.  I used my jigsaw to cut the shapes out, one picket at a time and then I numbered the backs.  Clamping the boards down was helpful in the cutting process.  It was hard to hold them and cut them at the same time.

Then I took my orbital sander with the heavy grit pad (I don’t remember the number grit) and sanded all the rough edges.

Then I bought some orange and green outdoor acrylic paint at Joanne’s (the kind with the flip tops).  I squirted some into a cup and added water, then applied with a sponge brush.  I still have some exterior deck stain so I lightly rubbed all the edges and a bit over the orange and green.  It drys pretty quickly.

I then used wood glue and my nail gun to attach strips to the back to hold them together and to the bottom scrap for a stand.

Voila!! How stickin’ cute is that!!

I try to give a little “thank you” whenever I’m hosting a gathering.  Since I’d decided on a “pulled meat” competition I thought I’d make some dry rub meat seasoning for a little gift.

I found these cute little kraft boxes at Hobby Lobby and I made the tags on my computer using a “business card” template.  I forgot to take a picture of all the spices but I just put everything together and used a mini food processor to combine.  Then I scooped them into tiny baggie type bags and then put the bags of seasoning into these boxes.  Here’s the original link ( http://kneadtocook.com/sweet-spicy-and-smoky-dry-rub)  & recipe:

Ingredients:

3/4 cup of light brown sugar
2 tablespoons of salt (I used Lo Salt reduced sodium alternative)
1 tablespoon of chipotle chili powder
1 tablespoon of smoked paprika
1 tablespoon of garlic powder
2 teaspoons of ground cumin
1/2 teaspoon of cayenne pepper
1/2 teaspoon thyme
1/2 teaspoon of ground cinnamon

Directions:  Place everything into a mini food processor, Vitamix or you can mix by hand or by adding everything to a tupperware container with a lid.  Process until well-combined.  Store in a container with a lid for up to 6-9 months.

This can be used on chicken, pork or beef.  Rub a generous amount on the meat and refrigerate for best results up to 24 hours or a minimum of 1 hour.  Place the meat on a hot grill and cook until desired temperature is achieved.  Enjoy!

I have a few projects in my mind to use up a bunch of fence picket scraps I’ve been storing, here’s one of them.  The fence picket scraps are 3 1/2″ wide and various lengths.  My Harvest Party is this weekend and I wanted something cuter to put some tin foil trays in.  I’d seen something similar on Pinterest a long time ago.  These are the large bread tins you use at Christmas time for your give-away banana bread.

The long sides and bottoms are 8″ long and the ends are 5″ long.  The fence picket scraps were not wide enough for the bottom piece so I had some scrap siding laying around that  happened to be the perfect width.  I just cut it to 8″.  Then I used some wood glue and my finish nailer (well my 10 year borrowed finish nailer, lol – thanks Wayne!).

Not sure if I’ll stain them or just clear coat them but they will be the perfect size for pickles and hot peppers.