Monday, July 31, 2017

Making a Statement


During one of the Planned Spontaneous Trips we take bi-yearly 
with our dearest friends in the world,
we found out that Vintage Market Days was going on in the town we ended up in, Knoxville, TN. It was definitely an event that we all wanted to go to, being all four of us love antiques and fun vintage finds.  I was so excited when I first entered, I could hardly breath and was definitely waaaay too giddy.  Can you tell these events make me happy?!?  

Booth after booth held sooo many wonderful, old, vintage things that it almost was overwhelming. But, we found this one particular booth there sold handmade metal signs.  We thought it would be fun if we each picked out a sign that had special meaning.  
I found the perfect one. 
The sign I chose said it all...
  
Live simply.
Dream big.
Be grateful.
Give love.
Laugh lots. 



Like most of my projects, they usually sit in my art studio for quite awhile before I get around to working on them, but this one needed to get up on my wall quickly because it was so awesome!  I knew it had to be mounted on something special but finding that "just right piece" could be a task.  I searched many local antiques stores and then found this gem of a chippy old barn door, that still had a nice rusty hinge attached at the top.
 It needed some work but, 
 Oh My Gosh...it was PERFECT!!  
I couldn't wait to get it home and work on it.  



Being it was pretty old with lots of peeling paint, I didn't want to loose any of that chippy goodness, so after gently cleaning it, I glued down the paint pieces that were really coming off.  Then I sealed the whole thing with Minwax Polycrylic (clear matte) to make sure it stayed just as it was. Next, I cut 1/8" pieces of wood and glued them on the back to raise the sign off the door a bit, just so you could read it easier.  It was my first time using Gorilla Glue and man, the stuff works like, well, a Gorilla! 



Now it was time to find that "just right spot" to hang that beauty.  I'm funny about placement of things.  The Feng Shui has to be just right or I get irritated...is that obsessive?? (Ok, I admit I have a problem, people even need to sit 
in the "right place" around a table and such.) Aaaaaanyway..... 
I think this spot beside our stone fireplace is perfect!! 

 
These simple phrases are so true. 
Now I can be reminded of them 
each and everyday.


Live simply.  We don't need alot of stuff or happenings to be fulfilled.  
I don't need 10 pair of shoes.  Stay in on a Friday night, sit on the porch and listen to the wonderful sounds of nature.  Turn off the TV and talk to each other.  Pick wildflowers.

Dream big.  God has put dreams in my heart, and I'm sure yours too if you think about it. He's a pretty big God, so why shouldn't they come true?

Be grateful.  We ALL have been given SO VERY MUCH.  Always be grateful, even in the little things!

Give love.  No matter the belief system, race, color, those who disagree with you, 
tall, short, pretty or not... ALWAYS LOVE!

Laugh lots... especially, at your self. 



Also...
while on the little trip with our friends, 
I picked up some new goodies that just might help me 
get back into the painting groove.  I haven't painted in awhile and definitely need a boost.  I'm finding out that if I don't have a goal or a purpose in a certain area, I just don't work at it.  I need to get it though my head that it's OK to create just for the love of it, 
even if no one will ever see it but me. 



As always, thanks for taking the time to see what I've got going on and sharing in my creative journey.