Tuesday, March 8, 2011

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 
(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.

29 comments:

  1. You are so talented. I love the mail box and your recreated the graphic perfectly. I am sure he will cherish it and it looks wonderful in the room :)

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  2. I am so impressed! And I love that you have heirlooms created by family members.

    So cool.
    =)

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  3. that turned out so cute! while it is technically not furniture, i will let you keep it up as it is neat-o! :) yes, i said neat-o.

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  4. Super cute! i love this...xoxo
    ~tracie

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  5. Looks fantastic, great job on the art work!

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  6. Now the mail box looks like an heirloom to be treasured too. Very nice.

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  7. You make a good team with his building skills and your artist ability. I love it. The desk is wonderful and so special that it is from family. ~~Sherry~~

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  8. What an amazing idea and functional too. I love that. Frankly, anything made with barn board is a wonderful thing for me! Happy VTT!

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  9. That turned out so cool. Thanks so much for sharing on my Swing into Spring party.

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  10. You did a great job! Happy VTT!!

    Love,
    Susan and Bentley
    xxoo

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  11. Well, that turned out great. You gotta love The Graphics Fairy.

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  12. it's gorgeous and so too are all your vintage pieces..LOVE them all!!

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  13. Wow great mail holder! Very creative!

    Jocelyn
    http://justalittlesouthernhospitality.blogspot.com

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  14. You did such a great job! I love the barnwood & the graphic...absolutely darling!!!
    Thank you for stopping by my blog and leaving such sweet comments...made me sooo happy! As for the crown moulding on my cabinets...I am going to post a tutorial next week so be sure to check it out.
    -emily
    nestnestingnested.blogspot

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  15. Gorgeous! It fits so well with the other antique pieces.

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  16. What a wonderful idea. You have a very steady hand.. as I wouldn't have been able to do that... when I concentrate on trying to do anything straight and pretty is when my hand usually shakes the most!
    Leslie
    Your newest follower
    Tranquil Acres of Alexandria

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  17. This post is wonderful. Your creative mail catcher box turned out so nice. Yes, it fits in with your lovely vintage things. Love the little house on the window sill and everything you shared.

    Hugs, Jeanne

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  18. That's such a great idea, and it looks like you paid big money for it at some home store. I can just see it in a catalogue. Love the desk and all the pieces you have around it.

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  19. I wish the wind would blow the bills away, too, but they seem to just blow right to my door!

    I am floored by your drawing skills! Your inked weather vane embellishment is amazing -- you're a rock star!
    ~Amanda

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  20. Thanks for all your fun comments, everybody. I really appreciate each one. It was a fun project.

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  21. Beautiful work! I'm jealous of your steady hand!

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  22. Looks great - I can't believe how talented you are to do it freehand.

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  23. I love that you took it a step further for him. Like looks simple there on the farm. We are striving for simplistic and praying for peace. I love your piece.

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  24. I'm definitely stopping at your house the next time I'm at Dan's

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  25. This turned out great! I love the design on it. Just came across your blog and I'm a new follower.

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  26. Wow! You did that freehand??? I am stunned! What a fabulous job you did. I think the mail holder looks absolutely fantastic now. And I love all your handmade treasures. SO sweet!
    Visiting from the Graphics Fairy. TFS!

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  27. Thanks so much for sharing your awesome creative talent on Fresh Clean and Pure Friday last week on la bella vita. The things that you do are so amazing!

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  28. That's fantastic! I love the graphic and can't believe you did it by hand -- wow!

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