The Joyful Nest

Hey all!  So if you didn't know already, my mom is a creative genius.  I seriously think she came into this world with a glue gun in hand!  Well, she has finally opened up a shop on Etsy called The Joyful Nest!  She makes awesome rustic barn wood and found metal signs and flower art.  She has been busy collecting metal and wood from our great wide open desert and has created some amazing items.  Below are a few of the pieces she has for sale and I have also added her Etsy mini shop to the right on my side bar.  She also does custom orders so if you don't see what you want she can make you anything, from your last name to you dog's name to your wedding date.  Whatever your little heart desires!  So, go check out her shop, I promise you won't be disappointed.

You Can Never Go Wrong with the Office

So if you know me then you know I love The Office.  The American version.  I put it on Netflix and watch it all day, everyday.  It provides the comforting background that is necessary for my well-being.  And what does every Office fan need, why a painted tribute of course.  I went with the quote, "Fact: Bears Eat Beets" said by Jim Halpert whilst imitating Dwight. (Side note: don't you love the word, whilst...I like to incorporate it into any conversation I can.  It provides a little sophistication, whilst also being a terrific bit of word flavor.)

Here is a quick and awesome how-to for putting your own delightful Office quote on your wall. 

 The Result (plus my new living room :)

First, print out your letters whatever size you desire, trace them onto transparencies with a black marker and cut them out.  Keep both the pieces that you cut out. 

If you can tell, I cut them out by cutting through the transparency to the letter, instead of trying to keep a complete, solid border.  You can just tape it closed as seen in the next photo.

see.  just tape it back together and it will all be okay. promise.  Do however, try your best to line up the cut exactly or you might end up with a jagged spot in you final results, but the papers thick and this was very easy to do.  Do the same thing with inside cuts too, like the inside part of the "e".

Next step, trace the letters onto your wall, start by tracing the outside of the letter first, as seen on the "e". 

Then take the inside part of the letter you cut out, match it up to your tracing and trace any inside holes.

You should end up with a delightful little tracing like this.

 Next enlist your nephew (or whomever) for a little free labor.  I made the outline of the letters a little thicker to make it easier for my nephew to stay in the lines, but you don't have too.  Just go ahead and start painting in your letters with a paintbrush and some acrylic paint. It's super fun, trust me, they will love to "color on the walls."

And there you have it.  Your very own Fact statement.  You could put whatever you want on your wall, don't be scared.  The cool thing is if you hate it, you can always paint over it.  BUT I love mine!  Next up: BEARS  BEETS  BATTLESTAR GALACTICA