Sorry this post is so late, we have been doing a lot of this lately...
We really did have a very nice father's day here at the Hess house. C made it through church this year (unlike last), we had a nice lunch, Jay got some photography equipment and we packed to take a trip to the beach with Jay's parents.
Just before father's day we were busy cutting, sawing, painting and burning. We decided that since both parents were now in their retirement homes that they needed something to build some memories on, like a homemade tree swing.
I had this idea for a while and of course I was very sure of myself that this was the gift that we must give, but no idea how to actually build one. That is were Jay always comes in, I have the crazy ideas and he has to figure out how to pull them off. So after some research on Jay's part this is how we built our swings.
First we gathered the supplies at the local hardware store. You will need (to make two swings): 10x8x2 pressure treated wood, braided rope, three inch outdoor deck screws, four metal quick links and a wood burning tool.
Then Jay cut the long piece of wood (8x10x2) into sections. Each swing needed a piece that was 32" and two pieces that were 4" for support.
Before you attach the three pieces together draw a design and use a wood burning tool to create a message or picture on the swing (this was my job!) I decided about halfway in to put some safety glasses on due to the fumes from the burning gun making my eyeballs burn!
After you are happy with your decoration it is time to assemble. Screw the 4" pieces onto the bottom of the 32" piece. This will offer some support for when grandparents and grandchildren alike pile on the thing in years to come.
After you are finished assembling the swing, polyurathane the whole thing so it will last for years.
-melissa