Sunday, September 30, 2018

Sunday Verses

Devotional on Working Together
Happy Sunday! I am sure most of you have heard about geese and how they support each other and work together to fly hundreds of miles (if you haven't, look that up!). God created us to work together. He puts people and relationships in our lives that encourage us to work together. God wants us to accept each other, faults and all, and to just love each other where we are at. It is not always (or ever?) easy, but it builds our faith and it teaches us about HIS unconditional love for us. Working together in unity enables us to accomplish more. Supporting each other, forgiving each other, loving each other makes Jesus smile.  

Friday, September 28, 2018

Hand Lettered Give Thanks Sign

Fall is here (at least in Montana) for real now--the leaves are changing, there is frost in the mornings, and I have started making for fall shows.

I put together some sign blanks with the same thin reclaimed boards I recently acquired (SEE HERE). Sign blanks are simply boards joined together that are initially left blank to later use for painting signs.
Hand Lettered Give Thanks Sign
After an Instagram poll, I decided to make a sign for fall. ( I was already to go for Christmas signs, but readers voted for fall). Of course, giving thanks is really a yearly thing, or should be, but it is especially perfect for autumn. 
Hand Lettered Give Thanks Sign
I sketched out my sign with a pencil first. I used a dart board to make a circle and hand-lettered the give thanks. I use white, semi-gloss, latex paint and a small liner brush to paint the sign.
Hand Lettered Give Thanks Sign
For the circle or wreath, I painted the main line or circle first and then I added more lines and leaves. When the paint was dry, I stained over everything, wiping the stain from the paint. this gives the paint a nice off-white warmth rather than stark white.
Hand Lettered Give Thanks Sign
Comment with one thing you are thankful for!

Wednesday, September 26, 2018

Barnwood Wall Cubby

Where do I get my ideas? Everywhere, really--Pinterest, Facebook, catalogs, nature, need. I try to never copy (an when I do I give credit whenever possible!!) and rather be inspired to create something that is unique and my own. And sometimes I am inspired by the material.
Barnwood Cubby Wall Shelf
I recently acquired some nice, thin barnwood boards (these are cut-offs from a cabinet builder). I will be using most of them to make signs, but I knew they would also make a nice wall shelf that wouldn't be too heavy, because a'int nobody likes trying to hang up heavy stuff.
Barnwood Cubby Wall Shelf

Sunday, September 23, 2018

Sunday Verses

Devotional on Blooming Where You are Planted
Happy Sunday! I am sure you have heard the saying, "Grow (or bloom) where you are you planted." But, sometimes that is difficult and it feels like we are stuck. We wait for our circumstances to change and when they don't, we feel discontented. To be content where we are takes a change of attitude. It requires us to be grateful for the things and opportunities that are in front of us, to choose to find joy in the small things, to forgive those who have hurt us, and to be faithful right where we are. Practice choosing contentment wherever you are planted and let God work where you are.

Wednesday, September 19, 2018

Pallet Wood Pocket

I Have had this pallet scrap piece hanging around since I wrote my second book, Wood Pallet Wonders 
Wood Pallet Wonders

Pallet Wood Pocket
I am not sure what it was leftover from, but I suddenly saw a wall pocket.
Pallet Wood Pocket

Sunday, September 16, 2018

Sunday Verses

Inspiring verse about second chances
Happy Sunday! While watching a recent football game, the officials blew the whistles and called a do-over. The announcers discussed how rare it was to see a do-over in a college game. They said that when they were younger a do-over was the common call in a game of backyard football, but getting another "free" chance in college ball is rare. I think as we get older we live and act as if we are never allowed a do-over. Thankfully, God does not feel this way. He is a God who gives second, third...hundredth chances. Jesus gives us a fresh start daily. Better yet, he does not remember our past mistakes, but he wipes the slate clean and does not see or recognize our past mistakes. God says, "It is never too late to make a different choice, to turn around, to get a do-over." Let's rest in and be grateful for that truth.

Friday, September 14, 2018

Thrift Store Rolling Cart Makeover

I bought this rolling cart from the thrift store about six months ago...
Thrift Store Rolling Cart Makeover
It was in rough shape, but for the price, I decided if I only used the locking,rolling wheels off of it, it was worth it.  It had a rusted, holey metal top on it that I removed when I brought it home. And then somehow, it became a wood storage shelf in the workshop.
Thrift Store Rolling Cart Makeover
I finally decided to clean it out and see if it was salvageable as a kitchen cart. After some sanding and scraping of the glue (wood putty, caulking??),
Thrift Store Rolling Cart Makeover
 I decided some paint and reclaimed wood and this little cart would be ready to roll into a new life.

Sunday, September 9, 2018

Sunday Verses

devotional on helping and loving others.
Happy Sunday! Have you ever been stuck between a rock and a hard place? We all have and it can be paralyzing. When we find ourselves stuck in life, it is hard to act or do anything for fear of making the wrong choice. When I find myself in these tough, tight spots, the one thing I know I can do to get "unstuck" is to love and help others. We need each other, we need to share our lives with each other. When we encourage and inspire others to do good, we find the hard choices become easier and the weights that bog us down lighten. Support and uplift others, and you will free yourself. 

Thursday, September 6, 2018

Farmhouse Sign for Fall

Before I share my newest sign for fall, it is time to announce the 
WINNER of the Fusion Mineral Paint Giveaway...
Kristen Decker! Kristen, please email me to receive your paint! Thanks to all who entered.
Fusion Mineral Paint
Hubby recently took apart some old pallets we had lying around. Some narrow, grey, boards were calling to be joined together for a sign. Mind you, I had no idea what sign, but I secured them together to create a 40" x 28" blank sign board.
stencil a sign for fall
I decided I wanted a farmhouse look which for me, means white and black. After painting the background, I used individual letter stencils to create a sign perfect for fall.

Sunday, September 2, 2018

Sunday Verses

Inspiring Verse on Being the Light for Others
Happy Sunday! It takes less than five minutes of listening to the news to know that there is a great deal of despair and darkness in the world. We also know that light overcomes darkness, but the thought of trying to shine in overwhelming gloom can be daunting. Do not feel like you have to be the biggest and brightest light around. Be a light in small ways right where you are to the people in front of you: give someone a kind word, ask people how they are and LISTEN, check in on people, take a friend's children for an hour or two, share a meal, spend actual time with someone (not virtual, social media time). And, remember to take care of yourself and power YOUR light be spending time with Jesus.