Don’t be selfish . . .

So, we have this large tree that we call “the dirty tree” whith reaches into our side yard from our neighbors house. It is dirty because of how bad it sheds in the fall into our pool and everytime that the wind picks up, even a little, it drops sticks all over the yard and the little mini “dirty trees” grow like weeds in every garden, nook and cranny and fence line around the house.

Since it is not our tree and we enjoy the shade it offers, I can’t cut it down. To make use of the thing, I decided, one impulsive afternoon, to turn it into a swing set.

I made a baby swing and a few other fun swings and attached them to the limb.

For the baby swing I just did a lot of eyeballing but I originally got the idea from pinterest and this tutorial – http://www.themakerista.com/2013/07/baby-swing-tutorial-giveaway.html

 

Here is what I did!

First I cut up some of my painting canvas that I use to cover the floor for protection. I think you could use just about any fabric just be doubling it up. But I like the look of canvas and it’s durability.

I just eyeballed what I thought would work. You will need to cut three pieces. Remember to leave room for seams. Then sew them together to form the bottom and sides out of the longest piece, the back out of the wide one and the narrow one is the crotch part.

  

 

I love our local Habitat for humanity Restore. If there is one where you are located I highly recommend making yourself acquainted with it.

I found what had been stair railings and I have used them for curtain rods, ladders, tents and this project… so far.

You can also use large dowels found at your local hardware, building supply store.

You will need 4 with holes drilled into each end.

Again, I eyeballed to cut mine. About a foot and a half. A helpful, time saving tip here is to make sure that the bit you use will produce holes large enough for the rope to fit through

    

 

Now all the hard stuff is done.

Just insert through the seat and line the holes up over each other and run a sturdy rope through to hold them together with gravity and for attaching to the tree.

Tie knots into the bottom of each rope. for extra stretch I ties the knots around a large metal nut.

 

Any there you have it!

I also made a classic swing and a monkey pole swing. Just because . . . Why Not.

  

Don’t be selfish . . .