For many years I had been looking for something to hang over our bed. I had lots of ideas or possibilities but nothing I really really loved. I started looking for something with these lyrics from the Snow Patrol song "Chasing Cars":
Would you lie with meAnd just forget the world
I found some decals to buy that could then be stuck on the wall but I didn't like those much. Then my favorite food blogger, Annie-Eats, posted this tutorial for making a sign and I decided that is what I would do.
I pinned it in late February/early March with the intent of doing it after tax season. Then Matt needed some plywood for a project so he just bought one huge piece, enough for multiple projects, this being one. Then began my 2 month project...
First step cutting, which Matt did when working on his project. Then I painted them white with some leftover trim paint we had in the basement.
Second step was doing all the lettering. I had thought about printing letters and tracing them onto the board but then really liked the idea of it being in my handwriting. It probably took about 2 1/2 hours per sign to make the letters. This sounds long but I just did it while catching up on DVR'd shows or as an excuse to watch some Friday Night Lights.
After the lettering came the taping. I taped and used a knife to cut on my pencil lines. This was probably another 3 hours per board (again, caught up on tv shows and watched FNL). I used the green painters tape because it held better than the blue.
Then it was the painting. I tried to spray paint them so they would match the frames I was also painting for our room but that wasn't a good plan. I ended up buying a sample jar of paint from Lowes for around $3 and rolling them. This was pretty easy because I did it in the basement while watching Cougar Town (my basement workout show). I watched a lot of tv making these.
This is where I left off before going to NYC. I figured it would give them plenty of time to dry and then they'd be quick to finish when we got home.
Then Luke happened.
On Matt's second week off I finally got back to my signs. Just had to peel off the tape.
Luke helped by sleeping during this process (he's in the bouncy seat).
Did a few touch-ups, mostly to cover up the pencil lines that showed.
Then they were finally ready to be hung. They sat around our room for a few (3...) weeks waiting for us to figure out how to hang them. Then Mother's Day came and I told Matt what I really wanted (besides a lemon tree) was help hanging things in our bedroom (also had the previously mentioned frames, now all painted too).
So now, finally, 7 years after moving in, we have something hanging over our bed. And it makes me happy every time I walk up the stairs. They aren't perfect but they are the words I wanted and I made them!! And I really like that they are in my handwriting, as imperfect as it is.
I have no idea how much time I spent on these overall...probably getting close to 15 hours but it was so spread out it didn't seem that bad. They were only around $20 to make too, way cheaper than anything I considered buying. Plus, I'm big on doing things myself. =)
Overall...project success.
3 comments:
Nice work!!!!!!
I think they, and the picture frames look really nice in your room...I need to do something to hang above our bed, but as long as I get it done in the next 3 years we'll still beat you =)
Hahahaha...I'm glad I give you very low expectations. =)
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