This past summer after browsing the interweb, feeling full of crafty inspiration I came up with the idea that I was going to build a swing for my backyard. I saw a photo of a regular chair with the legs sawed off that had been painted, hung and converted into a nice little swing. I posted it to facebook stating my intentions to go build one of my very own.
Well that very same week I learned that my great grandma was about to pass away. I put all plans on hold - and traveled with my mom and kids to Southern California to go visit GGGG (for short) one last time. It was a really hard week emotionally. We had a sucessful trip - made it down to Oceanside in time to give our goodbye hugs.
When I arrived back up in Santa Cruz I found this chair waiting for me at the back door and attached to it an absolutely perfect card from my dear friend Julie. She had scored it from her bargain hunter landlady and very thoughtfully dropped it off for my craft project.
What a sweet surprise. I immediately went to work. Seth let me use his power tools... but I didn't want him helping me - I wanted to build it on my own.
First I sawed off the legs. That part was fun.
Then came time for sanding. I did the large areas with an electric sander and the more intricate parts by hand. I had to take a couple of trips to the hardware store to buy primer, paint, chain and a 2x4.
. . .
I bought spray cans for both the primer and final coats of paint thinking that it would be easier that way, but if I could go back in time and do it over I would totally use a can and just brush it out. That way I could apply the paint thicker. The wood just soaked up the paint and so I had to apply way too many coats of both the primer and the final colour.
I finally settled on candy apple red. I painted the 2x4 portions to match and then screwed the chair onto the boards for a base, and for somewhere to hang the chain from.
I really love the way it turned out - HAHA ↓
Thank you again Julie. I love you friend.
