Tuesday, January 24, 2012

Our Subway and Canvas Board Gifts

I promised I would share some of the Christmas presents I made.  I was just getting my energy back, when I caught a cold and didn't feel like doing anything again.  Late is better than never though, right?

I was making these Subway style quote boards for the kids, they were cooking up some handmade gifts for us that blew us away...but more on that later.  I asked each one for a quote from a song or bible verse that was special to them.  My daughter had pinned these boards on her pinterest.  I wanted to combine the two, using a silk cherry blossom (her favorite flower).



Source: etsy.com via Deborah on Pinterest


Here's the one I made for her:



It was an easy process using my new Cameo Silhouette.  Yes!!!  I got one for Christmas!  I thought I had blogged about it, but in looking back through my posts I couldn't find it.  I can't believe I haven't told you yet.  I am in serious love...with a machine.  I made several Christmas gifts with it (I got it early).  It cuts up to 12 inch wide material.

I used plain white contact paper for the lettering.  Instead of making a stencil, I did the reverse.  I wanted the words to be wood and the rest painted, so I adhered the letters to the raw wood first.  I made sure to place some of the letters on the natural knots in the wood.


Then I painted the board with Plaid Apple Barrel paint in Caribbean, toned down with a little brown paint.  After it dried,  I dry brushed the whole thing with watered down brown paint to age it.



Finally I let it dry and pulled the letters off to reveal the wood underneath.  I could not find just what I wanted for a flower, so I left it blank for now.  Jamie is pretty creative and may just find or make something herself.


Here is the one I did for Tyler.  




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Again, I centered some letters over a knot in the wood.  I think it gives it character.

After it dried I gave it a light sanding to age it a bit.  

Jared's favorite song is the contemporary version of Amazing Grace (My Chains are Gone), by Chris Tomlin.  We sing it often during worship at our church.  This is the board I made for him.

I didn't sand his.  It's more in keeping with his room.





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Christmas morning I had them tucked behind packages.  I removed the packages and they loved them.  I didn't even have to tell them which was whose.  A few minutes later Ken and I got a big surprise.  Our precious children had made two very special gifts for us.

One day before Christmas they all headed over to my mom's house.  I was led to believe they were wrapping gifts for us there, and helping Grandma with a project.  They were actually working on these gifts.  When I opened mine I almost cried, and I am not a cryer.  They are the most special gifts we've ever gotten besides the gift of our children themselves.  Take a look for yourself:


For Ken

I love their hand prints superimposed over top of one another!

For me

I was blown away!  I have the best kids in the whole world...of course I am a bit biased ;) They are hanging in our bedroom facing the bed.  When I someday get around to remodeling our bedroom, I'll show you.

I will share some other Christmas gifts I made later.  Have an awesome day!




I've joined in these fabulous parties:



Domestically Speaking RomanceOnADime.com
Organize and Decorate Everything
Button HouseofHepworths
> Raising Oranges
Funky Junk's Sat Nite Special>

18 comments:

  1. There is SO much lovliness and love in this post. First of all so cool that you got that machine! Second, the subway art is beautiful! I love that you left the wood exposed with the letters and third, your kids are amazing! what precious and loving gifts. It is such a wonderful feeling when they do things like this, kind of makes all those times when they threw tantrums and talked back go right out the window. :)
    Thank for you sharing!
    Hugs!
    xoxoxox

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  2. Oh my goodness, Debbie! Looks like everyone was on the same page this year! Love seems to abound in your home...all the way around. You definitely have a Christ centered home.
    xxxooo

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  3. These are beautiful I also got a cameo for Christmas, but have not tried anything like this! Would LOVE for you to link upm to our Uncommonly Yours link party!!;)

    www.uncommondesignsonline.com

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  4. Love these. I'm getting ready to start one soon. Can't wait til its done. Hope it looks as good as yours :)

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  5. Your signs are beautiful! I would love to you to share at our link party http://herestohandyandy.blogspot.com/2012/01/pinteresting-link-party-week-23.html

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  6. Sounds like you have very wise (and creative) children. Love them all!
    Fran

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  7. That's a talented family you have! Everything is so nice!

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  8. I REALLY like these - and the phrases that you've used are just perfect. In fact, I'll be honest, they brought a tear to my eye. That 'I am' being the answer...how moving. I haven't heard that before. Is it from a song?

    Sarahx

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  9. you have clearly taught your children about the joy of giving...isn't that the best gift of all??

    beautiful story, beautiful art!

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  10. Those are wonderful. What a great reminder!
    You should join me for Handmade 52 http://www.raisingoranges.blogspot.com
    Katie

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  11. Love these! Each of them are very unique and special!

    Thanks for linking this up to the Take it on Tuesday blog hop!!

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  12. I love this version. I've pinned it to my "Crafts I simply MUST Do" board. Thanks so much for sharing.
    I'm visiting from Someday Crafts

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  13. All away around, sweet gifts and precious memories.

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  14. So fun! Found you on pinterest!!

    Jen
    athomeinthenorthwestblog.com

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  15. Do you know what translation was used for the christmas gift to Ken? I'm very interested in something similar for Father's Day. Thank you!

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