Thursday, July 11, 2013

Easy Pallet Sign and Above Ground Pool Camouflage

Last summer we made a family decision to buy an above ground pool.  I don't know why in the world we never did this before! We have had the best time with it and for only $250, I figure that if we can get 3 summers out of it, then we will definitely have gotten our money out of it.

I saw a great idea on Pinterest to use reed fencing around it and decided to try it.  2 rolls and $50 later we have a dressed up pool that we fondly refer to as "The Redneck Swimming Hole".


Above Ground Pool, Pallet Sign, Redneck Swimming Hole, Crosby TX
 I really enjoy seeing the pool in the backyard now.  It's not just a big blue blob and blends in with the landscaping a little more.

Above Ground Pool, Pallet Sign, Redneck Swimming Hole, Crosby TX

We got the reed fencing at Lowe's for $25 a roll -  


I measured the side of the pool, marked the fencing with a sharpie and cut it easily with our shears. You could use a heavy duty pair of scissors or even a box cutter for this too.  It cut very easily.


Then I simply tied it on to the pool supports with twine!

After cutting the fencing to fit, we had a left over piece that wasn't tall enough to cover the side of the pool.  So I just cut it in half, and then wired it together to cover the last bit on the back side.  You can't really see it there, but I know that it is covered and that you can't tell that it is patched together.

I've also been dying to make a pallet sign so we made a welcome sign for the pool.  Mr. Crafty was nice enough to cut a pallet apart for me to use.

Above Ground Pool, Pallet Sign, Redneck Swimming Hole, Crosby TX

Making the sign was really easy - 

1.  Cut out your stencils - I cut mine on my Cricut, but you could also purchase stencils.
2.  Determine the length your boards will need to be and cut the boards.
3.  Paint your boards - I used spray paint
4.  Paint the words using your stencil.  I found it easiest to use a small brush and actually paint the letters in instead of dabbing the paint on.  The pallet wood is just to uneven and I got tired of touching it up.
5.  Then I used twine 2 lengths of twine for each side and tied the boards together.

That's all there is to it! I finished this one in one afternoon.  The hardest part was deciding on the font to use!

Above Ground Pool, Pallet Sign, Redneck Swimming Hole, Crosby TX


Above Ground Pool, Pallet Sign, Redneck Swimming Hole, Crosby TX

I hope no one takes offense to my Redneck sign! But hey, down here in Crosby we are proud of our roots! And it just makes me smile every time I look out in the yard.

I've been on a business trip out of town for the past three days and I sure am looking forward to taking a dip in the Redneck Swimming Hole this weekend!

Photobucket



We're on the Fence! Won't you take a minute and vote for us?

52 comments:

  1. what a great idea! i love that you were able to camoflage the pool and make it fit in more with your yard. looks great!
    -- jackie @ jade and oak

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    1. We just love how it looks now. It feels so tropical now and I'm trying to come up with an easy cabana to put next to it. Thanks for stopping by!

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    2. How tall is your pool? It looks like the fencing comes as 6’ height. Our pool that I just bought is 42”. Do you think cutting that much off will still be ok (sturdy enough to stand upright)?

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    3. You can buy it in 4' high sections at Home Depot. That's what I used on mine!

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  2. Love that it now blends in with your landscaping! How clever! If you set up your pool yourelf, was it very difficult? Thanks! :)

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    1. Thanks Carolyn. It was extremely easy to put up and take down. We stored it last winter and then set it up again this spring. The entire family loves it! I would tell anyone out there to go buy one!

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    2. We did the SAME exact thing only we draped duck blinds along the reed screens all the way around and tied citronella torches to the posts for night swimmin!! :)

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  3. Hey, I'm a new follower from the FF blog hop. I think the sign is amazing! Also, that swimming hole is perfect for Summer!

    I'd love it if you can follow me back :)

    xoxo
    ochibernadas.blogspot.com

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    Replies
    1. Thanks for stopping by Ochi! I'm following you now via Bloglovin - Hope you are having a wonderful weekend!

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  4. Cute! Like what you did with the pool.

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    Replies
    1. Thank you Leslie! We love it! Thanks for dropping by!

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  5. Love this idea! We've had two above ground pools and loved them, although we don't currently have one, I do want another... but somebody else will be installing it! I love the fact you can do walking exercises in them, which helps "old" knee joints. Great job on covering the blue, and super cute sign!

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    Replies
    1. We are going to use this one until the liner or pump gives out and then we think we will get a nice one installed. Our neighbors next door got an in ground pool last year, but we just aren't ready to commit that much money to one. Thanks for stopping by!

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  6. Great idea.....love how it turned out!

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    Replies
    1. We love it too! Appreciate you stopping by and hope you come back soon!

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  7. Totally love this idea.

    Hugs,

    Valerie
    Cottage Making Mommy
    www.lovingmyheartandhome.blogspot.com

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    Replies
    1. Thanks Valerie! Following you now via Bloglovin!

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  8. Cool pool sign! Your pool looks awesomely fun!

    Navy Wifey Peters @ Submarine Sunday Link Party

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    Replies
    1. So glad you left a comment because somehow when I transferred everything over from Google Reader to Bloglovin I lost your blog! But no worries, just added you back! So I'll be sure to join the party this week. Thanks so much!

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  9. Hi there! I am co-hosting this week on the My Favorite Posts Showoff Weekend Blog Party. Thanks for connecting up!

    I host a (Not SO) Wordless Wednesday Blog Hop and a TGIF Link Party over at my place -- A Peek Into My Paradise... http://apeekintomyparadise.blogspot.com/ I would love for you to link up and follow if you like what you see. =) I follow back - I love making new friends!

    Have a terrific week!

    Hugs, Cathy

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    Replies
    1. Thanks Cathy! I'm following you via Bloglovin and will try to make the other parties too! Hope you have a fantastic week!

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  10. Love your swimming spot!!! We have debated getting one of these and now we just might:) Pinned to my beachy board. Great job! I posted anchors aweigh pillowcases to Lake Shore Drive. Stop by:)

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  11. Replies
    1. It is a 15'round pool. We got it at Academy last year for around $240. We absolutely love it and plan to take it down for the winter again and hopefully, the good Lord willing and the creek don't rise, to get another year out of it!!! Thanks so much for stopping by!

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  12. Love the dress up and the sign. Plus I'm jealous. I miss our pool and I can't put something like in my yard without deed restriction committee sending a letter and I guess I better behave since the husband is currently the HOA Board President.

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  13. I love the whole look of the pool. We're having an above ground pool installed this week. I know a little late in the summer, but we got a REALLY good deal and since we're in Texas we can swim until October!

    I have two questions for you. Where did you buy the "natural reed fence"? What font did you end up using for your sign?

    Good work!

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    Replies
    1. The reed fencing came from Lowes and it was $25 a roll. Two rolls almost covered the whole thing. As for the font, I think it was from the George and Basic Shapes Cartridge. I cut out the words and then cut the letters apart so that I could make them a little wonky.

      What size pool did you get? I really want to buy a nicer one next year and have it installed. I'm hoping we can swim until October too. What part of Texas? We are just outside Houston.

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  14. Simply amazing! Now that's a nice built above-ground pool you got there. It has the tropical or Polynesian feel in it like it asking you or waving you to take a dip and enjoy the water while you’re on the pool... In short it's tempting... If I were here in front of this pool I believe I have to get my swim suit on every time i have to visit this place...
    USAPoolPros.com

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    1. Thanks Olivia - we sure have enjoyed it this summer!

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  15. Love the reed fence idea! I do have a question...how has the reed fence held up?? :)

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    1. Thanks Sarah! I just used twine and tied it on to the supports. We are getting ready to put the pool back up and we will be using the same reed fencing again. I think we can get one more year out of it.

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  16. Love this soo much!! I love our "redneck" pool, but I hate looking out and seeing the big blue thing!! Pinning this and doing this - if it ever stops raining here we might be able to get our pool up!

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  17. Shelley Hill Pools has over 40 years of experience providing beautiful quality pools in the Hudson Valley area. Our focus on quality and aesthetics has made us one of the leading providers of high-end pools in the community, which is why we are the top choice for many of your neighbors. you can look us up at shelleyhillswimmingpools.com

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  18. What did you do on the side that has the hoses leading to the pump?

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  19. The most important thing to do is to place the pump facing on the back side of the pool where it won't be seen as often because there isn't quite enough fencing to completely cover it. We started at the input house (water into the pump) leaving that section from the hose to the next support loose, then work your way around the pool to the output hose (out of the pump into the pool). There was enough of the fencing left to just lay over that hose so that you can easily roll it back when you need access. The fencing held up really well for two years but faded so much that we did replace it this year. If you would like to send me your email I would be happy to send you a picture - jeanette@craftyincrosby.com Thanks for stopping by and good luck with your pool!

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  20. Just ran across this post and I am totally copying this idea for our pool! So fun and creative! Love it!

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    1. Thanks Melissa! We are on our fourth year for our little pool and our second set of reed fencing. Still love it just as much as we did the first year. Hope your enjoy yours too! Thanks for stopping by!

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  21. We have wanting to put one up. But the stray cats. Wonder if they would tear the reed up. Great idea. Any ideas to keeping animals away from pool.??

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    1. Karen - I'm not sure about that. We have dogs so there aren't any cats in our back yard. It would probably depend on how destructive they were. Good luck! We are going to be putting our pool back up in April! Or maybe sooner since it's already hitting 90 hear!

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  22. LOVE LOVE LOVE!!!!! Planning on doing this. We are looking at a 22 x 52 so I know that will need double the fencing! I can't wait to do this!

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  24. I just did this yesterday and I made the sign out of some wood that was in the old tool shed. I changed it up a little. The reed went up without a problem and so easy to cut. I didn't even think about the fact that I have to take it down and store it for winter. Thanks for the great ideas.

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  25. This comment has been removed by the author.

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  26. Looks great and I think I'm gonna steal your idea. :)

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  33. My kids will really love to have one like this.i am going to bulid one for them.and i will follow your ideas and make it real.Thanks for this nice concept.

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  34. What a great idea! I'd like to try this with our backyard pool. Such a necessary thing for my summertime sanity here in Texas. And yours came out looking so cute and fun! :)

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