Thursday, October 4, 2012

Thanksgiving sign

I can't stand it...I was going to post this next week but I'm dying to show it off! I know, I know, now I will have to come up with a new post for next week. That's ok. I'm having fun with this and so enjoy it. You make it so much more so! So thanks for reading and leaving comments. I am thankful for you! Anyway, here's my farm mantel post:

My mantel needed help. Everything I placed there got lost against the brick. Painting it isn't an option - that was voted down very emphatically! However, I painted the trim around the fireplace to match the surrounding walls and ah, that looks better - blends instead of sticking out like a sore thumb.



 Also, it doesn't quite line up with the fireplace. Or the fireplace isn't centered on the wall. Who designed this anyway?! I can't tell you how many quirky things we've found in this house. I think it's  called character! ha.

To help it look better, I decided it needed a wooden sign. I picked a favorite scripture - this one is on being thankful - and got busy! I like the idea of remembering to be thankful and what better time to do so than the Fall when there's a whole season dedicated to it?

To make it I used 5 old fence pickets - I cut them to the correct length, wired them together, sanded, then painted them white. Next, I printed out my phrase in the font I wanted, then took it and had it enlarged to fit the size of the sign. Then I traced the letters onto the wood, painted them black, and added the leaves in shades of whites, tans, browns, and silver. Lightly distressed it and added wood supports on the back. Are you ready for it?
Yes?



Ok then, take a peek!




I found some urns at Home Depot to place on the mantle (which of course make me rearrange everything). I went outside and gathered some weeds  dried seedheads to place in the urns, and then put a couple of the burlap pumpkins next to them.  Mr. Crow got to stay along with the wooden block with the letter "B". oh yes, and that votive holder...hm.



the finished mantle and fireplace
The white shows up nicely against the brick too. The bottom stayed mostly the same, except I added the stool and the white lantern and moved one of the burlap pumpkins down.




I think it looks way better. One of these days, maybe we can replace the mantle with one that actually lines up with the fireplace and all. But at least this makes it look better and for that I am thankful! :o)

42 comments:

  1. Cecilia,
    This is gorgeous! I love the sign you made. Everything just looks beautiful the way you put it together. Have a great week!
    Blessings,
    Nici

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    1. thank you Nici! I think it turned out quite nicely if I may say so myself! :o) Have a good week too!

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  2. It looks fabulous! I love the sign, the distressing is just lovely. It's often just about making the best out of what we have, and you've certainly done that. Everything goes together so perfectly.

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    1. Oh Tuula, thank you! I needed to hear that. It can be very frustrating sometimes but I'm making the best of it!

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  3. That's a great idea for the mantel. The white shows up nicely and I love the sign!

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  4. Wow! You are so talented. I love the bible verse that you found. what a lovely place you have!

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  5. Thank you Joy! We are enjoying it. Thanks for visiting!

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  6. Hi Cecilia,

    I am stopping by via Debbie's Newbie Party. You are newer than me. I am almost a my one year mark. I started my blog on Halloween.

    I love your sign and everything about your fireplace is beautiful. :)

    I will sign up to follow your blog ok?

    If you'd like to stop by that would be nice.
    http://throughthewoods2.blogspot.com
    http://bearcountryprimitives.blogspot.com

    Take care, Janet W

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    1. I am now following you! Thanks for the visit.

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  7. I love your sign and I'm glad you posted it now! What a great project. I think it looks perfect against the dark brick!

    Have a blessed and wonderful day!
    karianne

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    1. Thank you Karianne for visiting and kind comments. Visited your blog, liked you on fb! :)

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  8. I love your fall mantle. Just beautiful... ! I'm ready for fall, but not for fall decorating! I hope it's not winter before I get a chance to enjoy the pumpkins!

    thanks for stopping by French Lique and visiting my canning jar light fixture post. I hope you'll drop by again!

    blessings. Dixie

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    1. Hi Dixie! Thank you for visiting! I will definitely visit you again and I am now following you!

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    2. Thank you Cecilia! I'm following you too!

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  9. Wow, you did an amazing job!! I love your sign. I want to make one after seeing yours. :) Your mantel is beautiful. Thank you so much for sharing at A Bouquet of Talent this week. So happy to have you share this beauty. HUGS

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    1. Thanks Kathy! Glad you like it - if you make one please share! I'd love to see it!

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  10. I love how you put together that sign! You did a fabulous job and your mantel looks beautiful. Very warm and welcoming!

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  11. The sign is wonderful. I love the light shades of the leaves - just so pretty! It does fill out that brick space a little and keeps that mantle from floating away!

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    1. thank you Karen! It did just what I needed it to do!

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  12. The only word that comes to mind is WOW! That sign is gorgeous, but then again you are an amazing artist! It does wonders for the whole wall. Great job!!

    ~Lynn

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    1. Oh! thank you, Lynn! That makes my day! :) You're sweet.
      Hugs

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  13. Your mantel turned out great...now I see what you meant when you stated that the items will be light and bright against the brick...I so love it...the sign is the greatest!!!...

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    1. Thanks Shirley! I appreciate it! Have a great week!

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  14. Hi Cecilia! I love your sign. I am all about a few signs here and there! Your mantel and hearth look terrific! So warm and cozy. I am stopping by as a fellow feature from Lakeshore Drive and am your newest follower! Hope you have time to visit me at Still Woods Farmhouse. Have a great day!

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  15. Hi! Thank you for your sweet comments and thanks for following - popped over to your blog and read some of your posts - love the decoupage pumpkins! I'm now following you back. :)

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  16. Hi Cecilia! I am in love with this sign! You did such a wonderful job on it! It all looks great! Thanks so much for joining in the Blissful Whites party!

    Have a lovely day!!
    Becky

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  17. Fantastic sign, it looks terrific and is so perfect for Thanksgiving...I might need to make a mini sign of this ...not enough wall space for the size you have. Nicely inspirational.

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    1. Thanks Lynnie! Please share if you make one. Would love to see it!

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  18. Love what you did! When we had such a lineup in a former home I used the sign between the mantle and fireplace and then decorated with the urns and a simple item on the shelf. LOVE what you've done!

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    1. You know, I thought about that and held it up there, liked it there but I already had a hanger above so that's where I put it. Thank you for the sweet comments.

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  19. What a fantastic sign!! Love it! You are very talented. Went to your other sight and those paintings are gorgeous!!

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    1. Thank you! It was quite easy to make and paint. And thank you for the sweet comment on my paintings. It is a late discovered talent!

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  20. LOVE your sign! I just built one and am ready to paint my first sign :-) I know I can do the font, but would love to do what you did with leaves and 'flourish'. Did you free-hand that?

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    1. I used actual leaves - just traced around them to get the shape. The flourish came from a piece of scrapbook paper - I used it for my inspiration and drew it out. You could trace it and take it to be enlarged to fit your sign. I've done that too. Good luck!

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  21. What font are you using? Thanks ahead of time! : )

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    1. Marjorie,
      It's been so long since I made it, I don't really remember. It was just off of Word so nothing hard to find. I'm sorry I don't remember - if I run across it, I'll definitely let you know!

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  22. The font is Harrington in Word

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  23. I love your sign!Do you have more indept instructions in how you wired the boards together?

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