Okay, Hubby really doesn't have everything...but he usually puts everything he needs on his Christmas list for his parents, and I
This past Christmas was no exception. So I decided to get artsy. Not really, as I don't have any artistic ability as a painter. However, using some wood, stencils, and paint I created a low-budget piece that really had some personal meaning to our relationship...
a subway sign -- using streets, or "stops" from our relationship. Our first date, first apartment, first engagement, second engagement, etc...and then ending with the three streets we have now owned homes on.
I priced having it done professionally, and that would have been several hundred dollars. I did the project myself for $30 {most expensive part being the stencils, which I can use again for other projects!}
I've always loved these signs that have been all over the place for quite a while.
It seemed like a simple project. Stencil on the letters and paint them. I wanted it to be a wood sign that I handpainted. So I used a 2'x4' piece of birch wood ($8) and painted it black with paint I already had.
Then I placed my letters, which took quite a bit of time. I had to decide on the order, what size lettering, etc. Then I had to make them even. Precision is not my forte, nor is patience. So this was a daunting task. Plus, I had to do all of this whenever the baby napped. Needless to say, not much cleaning got done for about 3 full weeks. A baby-free person could probably get this done in a weekend. It needs two coats of white paint.
Here is the sign nearly completed. See the pile of towels in the background? Yeah, those probably sat there a while.
And here is the finished sign! This is not where we're going to put it, as I made it with the thought that we would hang it in our new home, whenever we actually move into it. That could be a while, as we have to sell our current house first. But I had to take a picture, right?
Can't wait to see where this ends up!
Happy Monday, friends!
g
Love seeing those MN street names! Very cute project!
ReplyDeletegreta! it's awesome. you did such a good job, i bet paul loved it!
ReplyDeleteGreat job!!!! :) Super cool. My mum made one of those, too!
ReplyDeleteMy new way of thinking. Our house is always going to be messy...laundry will always need to be done....but who cares. ;) deal with it.
i remember you talking about wanting to make this -- it's gorgeous!! you did a fabulous job! :) paul must have been thrilled!
ReplyDeleteSo cool! I love it. Homemade/heartmade gifts are the best :)
ReplyDeleteHi Greta! Stopping by from Whipperberry link party. Your subway sign turned out great! I want to make one myself but streets name in spanish aren't so cool, and I don't have any story with streets in english so I'll have to think of something else I can use...
ReplyDeleteGreat blog, I'm your newest follower, it would be great if you stopped by my blog someday..
http://handmadebyizz.blogspot.com/
Greetings from Spain