History repeats itself... Before & After

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I have had my eye on this sign for awhile now. Lately it seems I have been gravitating to the Ballard Design creations.  There isn't too much I don't like from their vintage collection.  They make my heart sing.  Their pieces speak to me... I love the challenge of stepping out of my comfort zone.

I loved the shape of this sign, rather than a straight board.  It promptly went in my inspiration file for future consideration.  The first thing I do when I am bored is pull up the file and see if something bites and hope it will motivate me to get back down to the workshop.

Yesterday, was one of those days.  Housework was all done, outside work was on hold due to rain... hence a guilt free play day. 

A friend gave me this board a year or so ago and there it sat in my garage along with all the other piles in waiting.  I didn't quite know what to do with it... I knew that heart absolutely had to go and that was the last I thought about it...

until I needed a large board for my newest creation...

I cut it on each side of the heart, then screwed the two pieces together and drew the design...

using my miter and jig saw (first time using that, another one mastered) it was starting to take shape... 

I attached the two pieces using my Kreg Jig, Gorilla glue and a couple brackets for reinforcement...

I pulled a frame back out of my trunk that was destined for the Sally Ann...

cut it and used it for the top border...

glued and air nailed it in place.

Now onto the fun part...

this was my inspiration for the wording... if pictures could only talk,

I'd have a thousand questions for you.

This is my Great Great Grandfather, Andrew McNutt at his store in Nova Scotia.  Circa 1880 - 1910.   He was a very successful business man in his day... 

he went on to own the whole block, which was named after him.

My niece put me on to a long lost relative that provided me with this information along with numerous photos of the family.  Thanks so much Tim, I can't thank you enough. 

Who would have thought that making a piece of history would open so many doors. 

Before I made this I knew very little of my history.   

I used the Cricut to cut the letters (thanks Gail, I used contact paper to save on vinyl, worked great)... applied them to the board which I had previously painted black... painted the second colour over the letters... not so patiently waited for the paint to dry and peeled them off... (wait for the paint to dry,  not that I messed up a few because "Impatient" is my middle name)

I gave it a good sanding with 150 grit...

then applied ebony stain and a coat of Light Pine Briwax...

It now proudly hangs in my kitchen...

Now I have my own little piece of history to enjoy.

Looks like a piece that has been hanging around for 100+ years...

don't you think?

The best part is that it didn't cost me a penny... I had all the materials left over from other projects, even the paint was given to me.

Now you wanna know what Ballard Design charged?

So what do you think? 

I'm off to see what new piece I can steal borrow from them next...

Hugs,

I also found a great tutorial while snooping researching, check it out...
http://www.gwennypenny.com/2011/05/ballard-wall-plaque-knock-off-tutorial.html

Linking  to:
http://funkyjunkinteriors.blogspot.com/2011/10/sns-103-fall-mantels.html