Friday, November 7, 2008

Sign of the Season

I thought it might be fun to make a little sign of the season, a visual reminder of what we need to be thinking. I started with little manilla tags and then added strips of fall colored scrapbook paper to the bottom. I wanted an aged look, so I took out my craft stain and rubbed it around the edges. (You professional scrapbookers would have probably used a different product.) When I was finished, I didn't really like the look. Luckily, the stain is water based so I gently rubbed a wet towel over the entire tag to even out the stain. Now I had the aged look I was after. You could probably achieve this same look by staining the tags with tea or coffee, if you have those products in your home.
(The left side is the "after" look)
I added some self adhesive scrapbook letters. I couldn't find any in black, so I bought some blue ones and spray painted them before taking them off the page. At this point, I could have used ribbon to string all the tags together to make a cute banner, but I had other plans.
I cut a piece of 6" wide wood and a piece of trim molding to the length I needed.
I painted the wood black and the trim red. Once dry, I did a second coat of the opposite colors. Then I sanded both pieces to reveal the original paint. I glued the trim molding onto the wood and then used painters tape to make a straight edge for placing the tags. I adhered the tags using spray adhesive. For the final touch I nailed furniture tacks into the tag holes.
The finished sign looks like this:
I strung some fall colored ribbon through the remaining tags and hung them onto a metal tree that I bought at the thrift store a few years ago. This will be our Gratitude tree. My family is going to write things that they are thankful for onto the tags hanging on the tree. I plan on adding more tags because I know that we have a lot to be grateful for.If you like the idea of a gratitude tree, but you don't have a metal tree, just cut a pretty twig from your yard and plant it in a pretty pot with some Plaster of Paris or styrofoam. It's a wonderful tradition and a great way to record your family's blessings. And it's fun to tuck this years tags away with the Thanksgiving decorations and bring them out next year to read and add more.

58 comments:

Darlene said...

That tag sign turned out so CUTE!!! I just love it....I just bought some of those tags the other day........

Inspired Kara said...

So cute! And you can switch out the tags for Christmas!!

Gone said...

Very pretty Joy!

K and/or K said...

So stink'n creative! And I mean that as a compliment.

CMB said...

You are amazingly creative...love seeing all your fun projects!

Kathleen Grace said...

What a wonderful project! Love it:>)

Cat Nap Inn Primitives said...

I love the tag sign...you did a great job and I learned a new technique...have a good one...:)oh and I am thankful for talented people like you and getting great tips...:)

Mommy Mac said...

Well, slap me backwards, Joy.

Lawzie day in the mornin' you are the machine!!!!

I have been doing some wood "texturizing" as of late inspired by this blog I read often. It's this lady who rocks at decorating and shows her readers all the tricks. Sh even made a coffee table from a old door. Have you heard about this blog?


:-) .mac

Anonymous said...

What a great idea.. as usual!!!

Leacayoungart said...

very cute idea.

Ruby Red Slippers said...

I love it! That didn't look so hard...I'm gonna do that!

Anonymous said...

I'm not sure what happened to my first comment. I love that idea. I'm jealous did I see snow in one of your pictures?

Have a great weekend.

Amanda@Imperfectly Beautiful said...

What a wonderful idea...I love it! I'm definitely going to make us a gratitude tree. I think we all need to be reminded how much we truly have to be grateful for. Thanks for the inspiration!

Karen said...

What a great idea! I'm going to give that a try! Love the blessing tree idea! I've been trying to focus constantly on all my blessings, this would be a fun family project. Karen

Unknown said...

I love your thankful tree! What a great idea

Ashlie said...

I love this! It turned out so well. I can picture something like that being sold in a store! And the idea of a gratitude tree is really neat. I bet my mom would love that!

julie & joe said...

What a great project! You have such good ideas.

Holly said...

That is ADORABLE!! I am intrigued. Love the way this turned out. Good Job!!

Patricia said...

I love it! You inspire me to be a better homemaker!
I am going to "try" and make one this weekend.
One thing you can use too to make the tags looks aged is "walnut powder"
Great job as always!
Patricia

tammy said...

Coming out of stalking you to say how much I love this. I love vintage hang tags. In fact, I love everything you do. I wish you lived next door to me or were related to me so I could bribe you to make me stuff all the time.

Ceekay-THINKIN of HOME said...

Very neat idea. So creative!

Julie said...

Joy I love this idea the tag board looks great and the tree is awesome I'm going to use this in Sunday School for everyone. and I just got tags today. cool
have a great weekend
julie

Salmagundi said...

That is a wonderful project - so original and meaningful!! Sally

Free Art Printables said...

It looks great! I love the sanded wood!

AJ said...

Great idea! I think I need to make me a little tree:)

Rhoda @ Southern Hospitality said...

Very cute, Joy! You sure come up with some good projects.

Linda - Behind My Red Door said...

Another wonderful idea! Though our styles are different, I so enjoy seeing everything you create. You really do think outside the box and your home doesn't look like it comes from the local home decor shop. I love it!!

Suzann said...

This is GREAT. I want one too!!!

edie said...

Love it but about 3 steps too many for my ADD self!

Valarie Lea said...

This is way cute! I love the sign :)

Becky said...

I love seeing all these great projects that you do! I saw in a different project you had used canvas cloth...where do you buy that?

Shell in your Pocket said...

That is just too cute!! I love the idea of gratitude tree..something we need around here!
-sandy toes

Chris said...

You are a genius. Pure genius! The wood looks a little out of my league, but I love the use of the tags! I JUST got back from Michaels, darn it! :)

the undomesticated wife said...

Love your gratitude tree! I have a gratitude journal, and it really does help having those little reminders around!

Capegirl said...

What a wonderful idea.

Natalie Meester said...

love the 2 colors you used and the finished result. Very creative and talented. Kudos to you!

Empty Nest Full Life said...

What a clever Idea! You creatively blessed. I think I may just have to try this. Jackie

Janene said...

What a neat idea! This is something that even I can do!!
Thank you so much for sharing these wonderful ideas.
I will have to attempt this before thanksgiving. Actually this can be left up all year long!

~Janene~

Mimi Sue said...

Love that idea. The sign is fabulous. Mimi

the author said...

Look at you go! I love the cone below, the pumpkins, and now the tag sign! You are full of great ideas!

Bonnie the Boss said...

Such a cute idea!!!! I love the idea of remembering what you are grateful for!

Mommy Mac said...

Joy,

Girl, you don't live in the south, do you??

I will keep you abreast of all the neccessary colloquialisms from 'round these parts.

Is there a good spray can shiney gloss type coat product you would recommend for wood? You know kinda like a sealer, but leaves the end result like how your fingernails look with a good top coat.

Also, like how much should one consider spending on what "JOY" calls good spray paint?

You better not say anything over $3 a can...my index just hurts thinking about it.

Just put this next round of decor do-it-yourself therapy on my tab.

.mac :-)

Unknown said...

Just beautiful as always. You're amazing

Twice as Nice said...

We're having a give away and would love for you to be a part of it :o)

Cathy said...

I had a delightful time sauntering through your wonderful blog last night. You are one creative woman with wonderful taste!

SarahJarnagin said...

Yet another amazing idea!!!

Amy @ Literacy Launchpad said...

I go gaga over these ideas of yours! keep 'em coming!

Victorian Lady said...

That turned out great! :) I never know where to find those stains! I even went to an art store and she told me just to water down brown paint. Wish I could find it! Great job!

Mere

onlymehere said...

Love this idea of the gratitude tree and the tags turned out great!

Pam @ Frippery said...

Great idea! You are so clever. I have a little something for you on my blog. Stop by and see. Pam

Mrs. B said...

Hi Joy! I love the sign. And I really love the cone turned upside down. What a great idea! Hope you had a nice weekend!

Wendy said...

You are so creative. Love checking in here to see what you're coming up with next.

I love the thought of the blessing tree.

Thanks for sharing this idea!

Wendy said...

Another great project from you! Thanks!

The Style Sisters said...

Great blog and fabulous ideas! I will be back often.

Lettered Cottage said...

Hi Joy, thanks for stopping by!

My consultations are a lot more in depth than what you see posted on my blog. They are very personal and specific to each clients space and taste. I post a summarized version of some of the consultations because it's a great way to advertise my services. But, to answer your question, yes, I always get permission from the client before I blog about their consultation. Most people are happy to share their potential new design with everyone, which is truly heart-warming.

:-)
Layla

joyh82 said...

I love the little sign you stamped out! Very cute.

Debe said...

You are just so dadgum clever!! What a great idea. It must be amazing to be you. Good job!

V. said...

I'm loving this one!

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