A Sign... (a painted finish)

After I made the cross earlier in the week, I decided to expand my experience and paint a few scrap boards and add a Bible quote on each. No reason for it, I just like the idea.

After digging through Richard's small pile of scrap lumber, I sanded down the pieces I chose and painted them using craft paint. I was going for a watery feel. Or maybe a sunset. Whatever it wants to be.



Except this small pink one on the right. Nope, not liking it so I've repainted over some of the orange and red stripes. But even so, it needs more work. The one on the left, however, sings my song! I've already added a quote.

Choosing a favorite quote, just one, that's impossible I suppose. So I didn't. Instead I picked out several used them all. In all but two I used a deep brown vinyl because I've been unable to find black vinyl in any of the local stores. 

There was a little bit of black left over from a previous project so I squeezed in this phrase that my mom used to say all the time. Even when we grew up, she would sign cards and letters, with her favorite closing: Say your prayers. I couldn't resist.

There are still a couple of boards that are painted, but cutting and weeding the letters is time-consuming. And I make mistakes that makes the process more difficult. Hopefully, I'll figure out all the steps and get it right soon. But really, I'm having fun and who knows where this might lead. For me, it's all over the place all the time. (Hmm, maybe that should go on a sign.) What do you think? Are they Pinterest-worthy or an "Epic Pinterest Fail"?

Old wooden cross ~~ finished

Our church fair is coming up in just a few weeks. Richard and I try to do something extra to donate. This year we decided that he would make a cross from some cypress wood that he has in the shed and I would add a short Bible quote. First, the cross. 

I asked him to include as much of the character of the wood as possible. I love this piece. After he made the cross, sanded, and painted a clear-coat of varnish, he delivered it to me. 

I decided on the quote from Psalm 86:11, "Teach me your way, O Lord, that I may walk in your truth." 

It took several attempts, but eventually I got the foil adhesive cut and "weeded." Then came the difficult part: deciding on a layout for the quote. 

It's possible to choose a layout, put all the letters in, then realize that there's a problem. Thank goodness for cameras. I find more errors looking through the viewfinder than any other way. So back to the letters. I gently, carefully, slowly removed all five, keeping them in line and spaced correctly with a strip of tape that wanted to stick to everything. 

in the sun

in the shade

Then I took it outside to take pictures both in the sun and in the shade in the hopes that I might see any additional problems. I will go back and add "Psalm 86:11" in small letters. I just can't decide where it should go. Any suggestions?

Edited to note: I've added the quote text and decided it would go just below the end of the quote all the way to the right. And I like the finished product. Plus, thanks Anonymous for the tip: I've fixed the photo-loading problem. (I hope.) Every now and then Google just won't cooperate.

Pin It Weekly #106

How's this for an unusual building?  If you love books, these are the buildings for you.

I haven't written anything about books and libraries in quite some time, but I read Willa Cather's O Pioneers! yesterday, so I've been thinking about both.  That means sharing some pins with you.  
This pin is from my "bookworm, books" board.

A couple of pins from "book, quotes"....

from O Pioneers!

If you'd like to see more pins like these, go to my "public, library"  page where there are photos of libraries from around the world.

A Week with Eleanor Roosevelt

I can’t believe how quickly the week is going!  I’ve done nothing but school work since Sunday and I’m far from catching up.  I was hoping to get everything graded befoe we get off for the holidays, but it’s looking less and less like that will happen. 

One of the readings that my senior English class is covering is Eleanor Roosevelt’s article on citizenship.  What a great piece!  Written in 1930, it is just as relevant today as it was during Depression times.  The following are just a few lines from her work that really touched me.

On voting: “men [owe] something at all times, whether in peace or in war, for the privilege of citizenship and…the burden [rests] equally on rich and poor…the blame lay no more heavily on the politician …than on the shoulder of the average citizen.”

On teachers: “I have known some less learned teachers who had the gift of inspiring youth and sending them on to heights where perhaps they themselves were unable to follow.”

On family responsibility: “Our home surroundings are the determining factor in development, and the example of those dear to us and constantly with us is what makes the warp and woof of our lives.”

Are these not pertinent today with the questions of Common Core and the COMPASS rubric that grades teachers?  Is it possible to grade a teacher using ER’s definition?  Click on the title for the full article “Good Citizenship:The Purpose of Education”

Have a great week,

Mary