Saturday, April 14, 2012

Signs, Signs, Everywhere A Sign!

"Stopping By Woods On a Snowy Evening"
Robert Frost, 1922


Whose woods these are I think I know.
His house is in the village, though;
He will not see me stopping here
To watch his woods fill up with snow.

My little horse must think it queer
To stop without a farmhouse near
Between the woods and frozen lake
The darkest evening of the year.


He gives his harness bells a shake
To ask if there's some mistake.
The only other sound's the sweep
Of easy wind and downy flake.


The woods are lovely, dark and deep
But I have promises to keep,
And miles to go before I sleep,
And miles to go before I sleep.

TODAY'S SEEDS OF WISDOM
  • JUST BLOOMED TODAY
  • GARDEN UPDATE
  • SIGNS, SIGNS, EVERYWHERE A SIGN!
  • FAUNA
  • GARDEN GIGGLE
  • GARDEN GOODIES~ GARDEN SAYINGS
  • FEEDBACK
JUST BLOOMED TODAY
 
Cherry Blossom

 GARDEN UPDATE
We didn't get any snow but it sure felt like it could! No frost damage to speak of, but a little wind damage to leaves. Keeping everybody covered up as much as possible.

We've had a roaring fire going all day, and it was making me drowsy so after a short nap with softly snoring puppies, I was ready to go! I'm SO jazzed because we got a composting bin today! It is a 120 gal one, nice and big and brand spanking new. Aunt Ruth has promised to send me a composting wheel and give us some hints on composting so I can't wait!

SIGNS, SIGNS, EVERYWHERE A SIGN!
I made this sign out of a free TV tray thrown away after a rummage sale
 
So today I promised to help the creatively challenged with the design of a simple sign. These instructions are for a simple wood sign, but alternatively, you could use an old metal TV or serving tray, and spray paint it first; or simply put the saying on a big smooth rock; but if that idea is a little out of your comfort zone, here's the way to make a simple wooden sign, either standing or hanging.

You will need the following:
  • Wood for your sign...pick a size. All the big box hardware stores will have smaller pieces of pre-cut wood in various sizes. You will want a wood that is not made from sawdust (like MDF) or laminate. These have a tendency to peel apart after a few seasons in the weather. Pine is the cheapest, or alternatively you can use a single fence slat. Many of them come with cute top edges like spires, etc. (NOTE: If you are planning to have a hanging sign and do not have a drill at home, have the hardware store put two holes in it for you, one at each end at the top)
  • Post. A good size would be a 1" by 2" (or, if you are planning to have a hanging sign, you will need a coat hanger or a length of heavy wire).
  • Sandpaper Medium grade
  • (3-5) Drywall screws, 3"long
  • Clear High Gloss Spray acrylic
  • Paint pens (you can find these at Michael's or online)
  • a ruler and pencil with eraser
NOTE: Check out today's GARDEN GOODIES for sign sayings!
Instructions: Take your wood and sand it thoroughly. Don't forget your edges as well.Then take a slightly damp cloth and remove any left-over sawdust.

Once dry, use your ruler to mark the lines where you will writing. Here's a helpful hint to make your sign look professional! I print out my sign saying on the computer and use it as a guide. You can slide a piece of carbon paper underneath and simply outline the letters. Or you can simply eye it.

Either way you decide to do it, figure out where the center point is and make a small mark. That way you can figure out where the letters go so they will be evenly spaced. Work your way forward and backwards. For example, BLESS OUR GARDEN. There are 16 letters and spaces in this saying. So, the letter "U" would be lined up with your center mark.

Once you have pencilled your words in, go over them with your paint pen. Paint pens are permanent, unlike most markers. Let dry thoroughly (I let it sit overnight to make sure).

Once dry, erase the pencil marks that are left showing. Spray the entire sign with several coats of clear acrylic spray, letting them dry thoroughly in between coats.

Again, once dry, you can now screw in your screws through the sign to your post. Or, if you did a hanging sign, straighten out a coat hanger and stick it through one hole on your sign.


 Leave about 2 inches on each end. Then wrap the ends around a pencil to form a circle curlique that will hold the wire in place.

 Some people like the string buttons or beads on the wire before fastening into the holes. 

You're done! And you've made a one-of-a-kind sign for your garden that is sure to bring you compliments.

GARDEN GIGGLE


FAUNA
 

GARDEN GOODIES
One of my most popular art chats was the one on Garden Sayings. Here are just a few to spark your creativity!:
One is never nearer to God than in a garden
Like life, few gardens have only flowers
May all your weeds be wildflowers
Thyme began in a garden
Gardeners know the best dirt
Bloom where you are planted
Garden of Weeden
I fought the lawn and the lawn won
Never enough thyme
Old gardeners never die, they just go to seed
If friends were flowers, I'd pick you!
God bless the hand of the person who gardens
Mothers are flowers in the garden of life
Mom's garden, Dad's weeds
Welcome to our Patch!
My reality check bounced!
Laundry Room-Drop Your Pants Here!
Love, laughter and friends always welcome
Sit long, laugh often, talk much
Ladybugs welcome
A day hemmed in prayer seldom unravels
Count only the sunny hours
Gardening is for the birds!
Gardening forever, housework whenever
I'm not aging, I just need repotting!
Forget the dog- beware of the kids!


Do you have a favorite garden saying? Share here!


EEDBACK
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1 comment:

Virginia said...

A Spock doggie! WAHOOOOOOOOOOOOIE!