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We built this portable, folding pallet wall for a booth in which to promote Steph's book at a professional conference. There was never any question we would DIY all the elements of the booth!

Steph had this idea for a pallet wall and other elements, and I just went along with what she wanted. Actually, I really never had a clear idea of the end result, but just completed the tasks as she gave them to me.

It wasn't until everything was done and put together that I saw the "vision!" Read on to see how we made it and then check out some of the applications it could have in your own home.

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This post is sponsored by The Home Depot.

Several years ago, I found a small collection of vintage magazines including copies of Woman's Day at a yard sale. I eagerly read through them marveling at the advertisements, the article topics, extensive pull-out recipe sections, and the crafts! Oh, the crafts!

The issue that really caught my attention was Woman's Day, November 1964. (Let's see...I was 11 at the time of publishing, in the 6th grade, it had been a year since president Kennedy was killed, and I was in 4-H where I was learning to sew and cook.)

​In that issue was an article on 100 Christmas gifts to make--everything from scarves to woodworking. Every one of the 100 things were similar in that they offered scant instructions. In the sixties, I guess they assumed you already knew all the things! 

The mid-century bird sculpture was the one thing that I knew I wanted to make, but without the proper tools, this had to wait! 

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We almost never say that a project is quick and easy, but this one actually is! We purchased the materials and made it all in a couple of hours. 

Steph was fostering a cat, which took a liking to her new sofa. That wasn't going to work, so Steph came up with this scratching post idea to give her a better option other than her sofa!

Take a look at how it all came together. 

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This was such a fun project! Upcycle projects are my favorite and this one turned out even better than we imagined.

Steph's neighbor was cleaning house and offered us the lamp you see in the BEFORE pic. These end table/floor lamps used to be pretty popular, but since I see them at yard sales and thrift stores a lot these days, I think their popularity has waned!

Lucky us, they didn't want it anymore. I had a couple of ideas on how to reuse it, but we went with this coat rack upcycle for my house!

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Shortly before Steph got her dog Mac, my son Stephen and his family were adopted by a tiny little kitten! Stephen's mother-in-law found the kitty outside, under the car and brought her inside. (We thought the kitty was a he because of a blue hair dry around her neck. Surprise! She was found to be female after a trip to the vet).

No one claimed the kitty, so she was named Axel and became part of Stephen's family. 

The grands have been asking for a cat condo/tower/tree for Axel, Tyler even drew up a design! Although, really cute and well thought out, it would have taken far too much space.

We settled on a Pinterest idea and designed with that idea in mind. 

As we were working out the design, we decided simple was better. We decided we'd use "found" material rather than going out and buying new. It was fun to gather items and see if they'd make it into the final design.