Simple Craft: Repurpose a Sign

This is a sign that used to hang in my kitchen. I liked the look, and yes it was funny--but not very motivating. I thought it might have served its time, till I had an idea.






I popped the board out of the frame and flipped it over. Painted the frame white and the board pale blue. Penciled "Simplicity" on the board and painted it in a darker blue. Popped the board back in the frame and hung it up!




I've always wanted a sign in my kitchen that said Simplicity. But here's the thing. I didn't have a sign, didn't know how to stencil, didn't have the proper supplies. This was a time to ask, "What do I have in my hand?"

As mentioned, I repurposed the sign I already had. I had an assortment of kids paint, but nothing the right color--so I mixed my own on a paper plate. (While I was stirring, I kept hearing Julia Roberts say, as she did in Ocean's 12, "That's too oxblood.") Tempera white and Crayola washable kids mystery paint in royal blue--would it work? Didn't know till I tried!

The only brushes I had were a couple kids plastic brushes, you know, the kind that come in the little watercolor kits. But hey--it was what I had.

And I freehanded the lettering. All this meant that I had to let go of perfectionism and having it come out just right. But how fulfilling to have a pretty new piece of art, expressing the sentiment I've always wanted, for free! It's not perfect, but I like it. You don't have to spend a lot of money to be creative!

It's a Great Time to be Alive!

Somewhere in my blog wanderings lately I stumbled across a post where someone was talking about all the connections, friends, and inspiration she’s experienced through blogging. She said something like, “Isn’t it a great time to be alive?”

Eureka! I’ve spent much of my life mourning the loss of the “good old days” and wishing things were different, more conservative, less modern, whatever. More recently I’ve gotten better, at least accepting that I was put on earth for such a time as this, but I have difficulty really rejoicing in the era into which I was born. I’ve enjoyed technology but didn’t fully embrace it. I’ve appreciated the luxuries and benefits that are mine as a middle-class Westerner, all the while feeling guilty because people around the world have so little (even when I did my best to help those in need). I’ve felt strangely out of place in my culture, with the keen understanding that this minute slice of history is so radically different from all the past ages. So I needed to hear the voice of someone who is just thrilled to be alive here and now.

It’s totally changed my perspective. I’m really enjoying my days, and I’m finally thankful for technology, rather than mostly seeing the bad in it. Yeah, I know, I have weird hang-ups. But I’m so happy that, while the days are uncertain, who on earth has had the opportunities we have right now? Yippee! It is a great time to be alive!!!

Simplify the Holidays

SouleMama links to this great article on simplifying the holidays. I enjoyed it--hope you do too.