A Small Tutorial...

Mother's Day is coming! I need my booth to be prepared! What is something fast and easy for me to make several of? 

Small pallet signs! 

Problem: I don't have any pallet wood right now. Solution: 5 1/2" x 6' cedar fence board. This stuff is rough, so plan on sanding it down and creating lots of sawdust. You can absolutely save time if you use other wood, but in this case it was faster to sand than go shopping. 

I cut the boards to 10 3/4" lengths. Why, you ask? Because I wanted the signs to be square, and 2 boards next to each other measures 10 3/4". (There's that sneaky math creeping up on me again!)

I then cut some wood lath 8" long. I glued and screwed 2 on the backs of the cedar board to hold them together.

Two cedar boards and 2 wood lath gave me enough pieces for 6 pallet signs. I had 2 - 5" lengths of the cedar board left over, so I made them into smaller signs. Waste not, want not!

Here's my stack, all ready to go!

All I had to do now was decide how I wanted them to look. I stained all of them in either Minwax Jacobean, Ebony, or Gray, and added some clear coat spray. Then I found some cute quotes about mothers on Pinterest. I got out my new favorite tool, a white chalk marker (yes, I have a new favorite tool for just about every project I do), and free-handed the quotes. I finished with a last spray of clear coat.

Viola! 

And the smaller signs:

Now my booth will be full and ready for Mother's Day!

How It All Began...

I mentioned in my first post that I would tell you how I got started creating with wood. Well, here goes...

My husband (Hubby) used to work for a manufacturing company. He was the go-to tool repair guy. He soaked up all kinds of knowledge on how to fix all kinds of things, which I have benefited from greatly. (Think washer, dryer, dishwasher, toys!) 

Anyhoo, Hubby now works at the local technical college as an Automation Technology Instructor. He was born to be a teacher! He is also a people person, making friends easily. So, one day a co-worker mentioned she needed to buy a new scroll saw. Hers had quit working after years of making wood cut-outs for her yard and decorations. This wonderful lady said Hubby could have the old saw and see if he could fix it. Of course, he did! He thought I would enjoy using the scroll saw to make my own things out of wood. He saw potential in me when I couldn't. He has always believed in me and I am so very lucky to have him in my life. (Shout out to Hubby!) 

Now, about the same time, my wonderful In-Laws had to replace their old wood fencing. I had been thinking about making a fireplace screen out of wood. I just never got the gumption to go buy what I needed. It was fate. Fate I tell you! I asked for some of the old wood to play with. Thankfully, my In-Laws only gave me strange looks and indulged me.

Fireplace Screen (a.k.a. My First Project)

I love how it turned out! I had so much fun and felt so impressed with myself. I love turning my ideas into reality. I didn't know what I was capable of until I tried. So, I tried some more...

Apple Basket Hanging

Seasonal Door Hanging

...and more...

Memo Board/Organization Center

Porch Snowflakes

...and even more!

Monogram Porch Sign

Paisley Painting

Now I have a booth of my very own, featuring my creations, at the Quilted Bear in Ogden! Stop by and check it out if you are in the neighborhood! (Booth R-10)