Free Craft (wall redo part 2)

My husband travels alot and when he is gone I like to work late into the night crafting! So a few weeks ago he was gone and I had an itch to do something. I went out to my garage trying to get some inspiration. I came across this finial (I took it off an old swivel mirror I took apart years ago) That got my wheels turning, so I grabbed a small (8") piece of 1x1, and a chunk of 2x2.

I routed the 2x2 (for those of you that might not know what "routed" means) - you take a plain piece of wood, and run it through a tool called a router to give it a decorative edge like this:

I then drilled a couple of holes in the base so that my nails wouldn't split the wood, then nailed the base to the 1x1 post.

I drilled a hole in the center top of the post that was the same size as the screw on my finial. Somehow I deleted the picture of the finial on top. Oops. (you will see the finished holder at the end of the post)

Now for something to hang on my cute new holder:
I went online, and googled "printable wall quotes" or something to that effect, and there were hundreds of great designs! This one was perfect, simple, and about family. It was as easy as putting a piece of scrapbook paper in the printer and printing it! I then cut a scrap of wood to fit the paper, and of course routed the board as well.

I painted the wood with brown where I would be sanding (for a distressed look)
After the brown dried I gave it a coat of white paint, then sanded it till I got the look I wanted.

Put on a layer of modpodge and adhere the printed saying:

A little black ribbon is the perfect finishing touch

Like the professional way I attached the ribbon? (thumb tacks!)

Now you can see the finished holder (I spray painted it with OIL RUBBED BRONZE spray paint)

I attached the sign with just a little nail through the ribbon.
I LOVE my new sign! And best part it was FREE!!! (I love vinyl but seldom want to pay for it)


I am linking up to the CSI challenge- wish me luck!!!