Don't wear a sundress to the Scrap Metal Yard....and other tales from the field

This morning was beautiful and sunny....and I am trying to milk everything left out of summer so I decided I would wear a sundress even though it's past Labour Day. 

After a lovely long walk on the boardwalk with the 3 dogs (we are looking after 2 of my sister's plus our own) and then supervising the drop off of pea gravel and stones for our new schoolyard project, I realized I needed to get some yeast so I could make some homemade pizza for dinner tonight.

I popped in the car since it had started raining and off I went.  But I couldn't stop thinking about that Beef Cuts Chart and how to mount it on the wall.  I wanted something that would be industrial and interesting and decided upon sheet metal as a backdrop.  I would then magnet the chart to it.

On my way to the grocery store there is a scrap metal yard that I often visit and thought they might have something for me.

Upon arriving there I quickly realized wearing a sundress to such a venue was a pretty bad idea.  I'm sure I looked the perfect part of ditzy, bored, soccer mom.  It's still raining and I just had my hair straightened and was trying to save it so I was huddled under an umbrella looking for someone who worked there.  I ended up being hassled by a customer dropping off a load of aluminum who assured me "I'll be thinking about you for the next couple of days that's for sure"....ewww!!  Reason #1 for not wearing such ridiculous attire to a scrap yard.

Finally found the guy who worked there and asked about some sheet metal...turns out they didn't have any.  About to leave, I spied a huge chunk of wood in a dumpster.  I asked if I could have it and he shrugged....apparently the strong, silent type.  Not so strong as it turns out because he couldn't lift it out of the dumpster for me.  Cut to me perched on dumpster, in sundress hauling out filthy wood.....nice huh?  Reason #2 for no dress at metal yard.

Hope you'll understand if I just don't have pictures of that! But here is the beam of wood in my trunk...perfect fit!

Next stop was a sheet metal fabricator just past the grocery store...I had been there before and had some luck so I drove there.

I got out of the car and was greeted by the welcome wagon.

Not too sure how valuable sheet metal might be but I guess it's better safe than sorry?

They had exactly what I needed there and cut me a piece.  Success!

Back home, I cleaned up the border of the sheet metal with my drill and wire brush attachement.  Then mounted it to the wall with screws, washers and nuts. 

Attach print with magnets and voila!

I think it sets off the print perfectly and with interest.  I also think this is a great idea you could put to use for a photo collage, memo board etc...I plan to make a few more of these.

Not sure what I am going to do with the old beam of wood but I'm sure I will come up with something.