Mo's Place

Now, this is rustic, like really beat up.

Some random wood,

paint I already had mixed up from other projects,

and  a sign is born.

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JUST DO IT

I Made a Sign

It has been a rough week. My 4 year old daughter and I have been out of commission sick ALL week. However, even in my foggy sudafed induced state, I had to do something....so I made a sign.

I found a free piece of wood in the garage and layered that baby with 4 different colors/coats of paint.

 

 

{1} I spray painted the entire piece red

{2} I added a strip of painters tape, so that stripe would stay red and then painted the piece white

{3} I added 2 more strips of tape to get 2 white stripes and painted the whole piece yellow

{4} I added another strip of tape to get a yellow stripe and painted the entire piece gray.

Then I took off the tape and sanded so the different colors were showing through all over the entire sign.

I printed out my wording and used carbon to transfer my message to the sign.

Then, I had myself a sign.

 Breckenridgeis a mountain town we head to for skiing and fun all the time.

 Yeah, it's high.

 The colors give me a kinda retro vibe.

There is a fun split in the wood, which makes it feel "old."

On a high note, I went to see Paul Simon last night! P-A-U-L S-I-M-O-N people. 

I have been waiting for YEARS and YEARS to see him. It has never worked out and I accidentally found out he was playing here just 2 weeks before the show. Other than feelin a bit down, it was perfect!

When he started playing I forgot I was sick and danced with my husband and I felt like I was young and carefree again. A fab date night for sure.

So, don't feel too bad for my mopey sickish self-I got the night of my life and  a little sign amidst this illness!

Rustic Blue Candle Sconces

I really love the rustic southwest style.

I found these perfectly ugly 1980's  brass candlestick sconces at the thrift store and I knew something could be done to improve them.

Our family room has some southwest elements, and I thought these would be a fun addition. 

I used Blue Hyacinth Krylon Fusion. This paint is awesome. It covers plastic, metal, wood, anything with no sanding or priming! Seriously!

I have used it bunches and it makes it super easy to paint over lovely items (like 1980's brass) cleanly and smoothly.

It is my first time using this color and I am in love with it! The blue is so bright and cheerful.

I toned it down a bit with the hemp and gave it a slightly rustic feel.

Those candles are from a 6 pack at Dollar Tree of emergency candles-great bargain!

So simple, but that bright pop of color makes them awesome!

Reclaimed Wood Sign

My son, Everett, was named after Everett Ruess. He was a young adventurer who explored my favorite spots in the Desert Southwest in the 1930's. He was a gifted artist and sensitive writer who touched both my husband and I.  Which is why our son is named after him. 

Nichole Tipton Photography

I decided I wanted a sign to display one of his many memorable quotes and this is what I came up with.

"While I am alive, I intend to live."

-Everett Ruess

 This young man did live life to the ultimate, and disappeared at the tender age of twenty. While, I don't want my son to leave home with 2 burrows and $8 in his pocket when he is 17, I would like him to appreciate nature and the beauty we are surrounded by everyday.

 I used some old wood, stenciled the quote, painted the wording black, and then stained the whole piece.

I wrapped the sign in chicken wire and secured it with my trusty staple gun.

Then I snagged some scrap fabric and printed Everett Ruess on a piece of cream colored card stock. I tied it to the chicken wire with some jute and we are ready to go!

Just a little reminder to appreciate our lives and take advantage of the opportunities we have!

Beach Cottage Sign

When we were back east in June, my Aunt Karen handed over the keys to her house on the bay in Virginia and let my family and parents stay for a few days. We had a fantastic time and I wanted to find a way to say thank you.

I thought it would be fun to make something beachy, since I live in Denver and never get to make anything beachy.

I started with a solid wood sign I found at my fave thrift store for $1.89. It said "Home is Where the Heart is" and had lots of flowers and country stuff all over it. Just not my thing, but a great piece of wood and a nice shape to start my transformation.

I sanded, primed, and painted it with two coats of a creamy white.

Then I added 2 coats of a lovely soft blue.

A-Ha, my favorite part, the sander. I went after it and roughed that thing up good!

Since I was going for a weathered look, I decided to use Citra-Solv to transfer the saying onto the sign. I did some experimenting and have more info on Citra-Solv transfers  here.

I used Open Office to create the saying I wanted for the sign (cottage by the sea) and then printed out the reverse image and had my husband copy it for me at work (SHH, don't tell).  An ink jet printer copy will not transfer, so definitely use a copier or laser printer and don't forget to reverse the image!

Next, I just taped the copy upside down and applied the Citra-Solv concentrate in a thick layer. Depending on your surface, too much will bleed, and not enough will not transfer, so you need to be careful. It really depends on the finish on the wood you are transferring to. The rougher the finish the easier time I have had. A shiny finish will bleed more and the ink will rub off.

Then I used my brush to rub and burnish the ink onto my sign. I lift and check as I go to make sure everything is coming off clearly.

Yeah, that's what I'm talking about people!

Next, I grabbed my faux glaze and tinted it with a medium walnut wood stain. I painted it on and rubbed it off in certain places. I just had fun finding the worn out look I was going for.

I added these simple hooks to each end.

Then I grabbed floral wire and attached it to small Ball jars like so...

Then I threw in some sand I stole from the kids sandbox and votives from my stash.

And hung it on my wall for a photo shoot!

I almost wish I could keep it....

it look so nice right here...


but I don't have  a beach house...

or live remotely close to a beach....

so I said goodby and mailed it off to my sweet Aunt.

Hope she loves it, if not I will take it back and dream about a beach house!

Ladybug, Ladybug

My daughter has a ladybug themed bedroom.

I wanted to make a canvas with a ladybug quote, but the only one I knew of was the one about the ladybugs home being on fire and her children being home and seemingly burning up. 

 Not exactly the feeling I was going for to create a calm and serene haven for my four year old.

After some research I found a sweet one

With a butterfly kiss and a ladybug hug, sleep tight little one, like a bug in a rug.

Muuuuch better.

I painted the canvas a spring green color to match the comforter and then went to town with  my stencils...again!

I found little butterfly and ladybug stencils to add a bit of color.

It still needed something, so I used some fabric scraps to make the little gingham bows on each corner.

It coordinates with her bedding perfectly and the little ladybug decals are on their way from this print out her door and window.

It is just so sweet and she loves it, which is really all that matters!