When the Wind Blows the Mail In.

My farmer made himself a mail holder a few years back from some old barn wood.

It looked great as a rough piece,

but I wanted it finished off a little nicer to go with the other things in the hallway.

His birthday seemed like a good time to finally get around to it.

I base-coated it white

and then penciled in a weather vane I saw on 

The Graphics Fairy. 

(I love The Graphics Fairy blog!)

Of course, an easier version could have been made using Modge Podge,

or by "tracing" the image as I did for the lettering on the milk can in a previous post;

but I gulped and chose to try it unaided

using my pencil and calligraphy pen for this.

I worked from left to right,

so that my hand would not drag through the wet ink.

When it was finished and dry,

I lightly sprayed a polyerthane coat on the image. 

(Although the calligraphy ink says it is waterproof,

I found when I stained another piece,

that it was not waterproof

and all the work washed off.

Yes,

it was a crying moment.

I am very careful now.)

After the polyerthane had thoroughly dried,

I chose to lightly sand the edges of this and then stain it.

I then used a matte sealer to finish it.

I like the way it looks under the framed pictures of our first farmette

as well as our current farm.

I put some smaller designs on the back side
(just so it can be switched around for fun sometimes).





I think the finished mail-holder box
looks more in place with the other detailed items in the room:

This cabin on the windowsill and the chicken in the window

were created by my husband's grandfather.

I love all his amazing pieces; he has passed on now

but his houses always make me think of him;...

as does the unique antique desk and old bread box remind me

of the aunt who gave them to us;...

and the crocheted rug my sister made for me makes me think of her.

Now paying the bills will be so much more fun to do.

(Yes, I am dreaming, I guess.

How about:

I wish the wind would blow all of the bills away!


Yes, that sounds more like it.)

Truth be told,

I think my farmer appreciated the gesture...

but enjoyed these birthday gifts a tad bit more.

Linked to:
Graphics Fairy: Brag-Monday
Between Naps on the Porch: Metamorphosis Monday
Funky Junk Interiors: Saturday Nite Special
Under the Table and Dreaming: Sunday-showcase-party 
Finding Fabulous blog: Frugalicious-Friday
la Bella vita: Fresh-clean-and-pure-Friday 

Domestically-Speaking: Power-of-paint-party
Savvy Southern style: Wow-us-Wednesdays
Primitive and Proper: Piece-of-work-Wednesday-link-party
Someday crafts: Whatever-goes-Wednesday
and to: