Friday, July 2, 2010

Tree Swing at Grandma's House

In less than 24 hours the most wonderful little girl in my world will appear before me. I haven't seen my granddaughter in almost a year now, as she lives in L.A. and I am outside DC.

Going to Grandma's house should be a special event. I have so many memories of visiting my own grandmothers and how wonderfully different their homes were from mine.

I decided that my own granddaughter needs a tree swing here. I'm pretty sure that the young one has never been in a tree swing, as there aren't that many big old trees where she lives. Trying to locate a swing to purchase around here was fruitless. Ordering one off the internet was pricey. ($69 and up???? Come on!) So I decided to make one on my own. There were enough instructions on the internet that I could figure out how to make one on my own.

First stop: Home Depot. Scrap wood cut to size: 51 cents.


I did a little sanding.

A couple of eye bolts cost $3 a piece. An old piece of climbing rope was a freebee from another time in my life.

Knot tying, I'm not so good at. I had to look up the instructions on the web and follow along. It was slow going, but I did it.

I can picture my little one swinging high over the edge of the hill in the backyard. It just won't be complete until that happens.

11 comments:

Victoria Lee Stark said...

Hi Snippety Gibbet! Thanks for inspiring us with your sweet posts and your lovely art. I like to do paper cuts, too! Creating makes the heart sing! Victoria
keikichinese.blogspot.com

GratefulPrayerThankfulHeart said...

I can feel your excitement! And how she will love every moment with a grandmom as creative and resourceful as you! Great swing ~ it looks so picturesque in the old, tall tree. It will look even better with a delighted child swinging on it.

You didn't mention one thing in your instruction... HOW did you get it tied up on those tall branches? Are you a tree climber too!

Have a great time, you skilled knot tier person!

Unknown said...

Wonderful job grandma!! I am most impressed and have no doubt it will be greatly appreciated. Enjoy your time together :-)

Julie said...

How wonderful, Jan!!! I am impressed. I have a rubber one that I had bought years ago at a playground parts store we have here...I need to re-hang it in the tree for our grands...but I think I may need a second one now, to avoid fighting over it! Oh bother... LOL :)

Sweet Virginia Breeze said...

I'm sure your granddaughter will love the swing. You are very talented. Have a wonderful time with her.

Snippety Gibbet said...

Getting the rope over the limbs involved tying the rope to a Birkenstock sandal and pitching it over the limb. It was way more comedy routine than finesse. jan

Kathy said...

What a great post to tell us how your new swing was created! Your granddaughter is sure to have loads of fun. I'm hoping she will have a chance to do an art lesson with you on her vistit.

Chan Bliss said...

Oh wow one of the best memories I have of my grandparents were the swings. Papa had a swing that was attached high up between two hickory nut trees. It must have been 50 feet in the tree so that swing really swung a long way. We would load up two or three of us on that swing. Papa Chandler had a smaller swing but while we were out there swinging Grandmother Lilly would be baking. I can still taste that chocolate cake.

sallgood said...

How fun! Grandkids are great!!! (Mine visit in week, so I'm already planning all the things we'll make- hope we have the boxes unpacked and beds put together by the time they get here!)

jackie said...

I am in awe of your carpentry skills! I hope you have a wonderful time with her.

Lori said...

awesome! :^)