Friday, March 2, 2012

A green tree in my heart

My sister is coming to my house later this afternoon, so that gave me some motivation to bring some “spring” into my home.  The Valentine’s stuff went down probably 10 days ago, but nothing had replaced it.  I’m sure that never happens to you!

spring 014

Anyway, a couple of weeks ago I came across this wall hanging in a store:

image

(You can find it online at Chez Renee.)

The quote is a Chinese proverb:  “Keep a green tree in your heart and perhaps a singing bird will come.”

It spoke to me!

The problem? On sale it was about $170.  <cough, cough>

So I decided to make my own!

spring 011

I bought a great big bundle of wood lathe at Home Depot.  You could buy individual pieces for 55 cents/each, or the bundle for about $12.  The funny thing was—the lathe isn’t by the other wood; it’s over by the concrete stuff. Obviously I don’t know what wood lathe is SUPPOSED to be used for!

spring 010

I used pieces of lathe to make a frame with a support bar running through the middle, and then used my pneumatic stapler to attach 20” pieces across the front.

spring 012

I stained the whole thing, and then used my Silhouette to cut letters out of vinyl and apply them to the wood.  Then I painted over the whole thing—first with Heirloom white spray paint, but then with touches of acrylic paint in cream and green.  I removed the vinyl, so the letters are actually in stained wood.  Finally I distressed and glazed the whole thing.

spring 014

I don’t know exactly what my version cost—but it was a LOT less than $100!

I dressed up my vintage European canning jars with some moss, eggs, and flowers, and added a little bird to the display for fun.  It seems to bring a little sunshine into the house!

Do you have a green tree in your heart?

*********************************
Linking up here:
Coastal Charm’s Nifty Thrifty Tuesday Elizabeth & Co.
Domestically Speaking’s Countdown to Spring Censational Girl
  No Minimalist Here’s Open House Thursday
Friday Remodelaholic 2805
My Simple Home Life’s Simple Creations Friday Mod Vintage Life
Funky Junk’s Saturday Night Special The DIY Show Off
Primitive & Proper I Heart Naptime
Beyond the Picket Fence’s Under $100 Party My Uncommon Slice of Suburbia
Perfectly Imperfect {Primp}
Simply Klassic Sundays My Repurposed Life
From My Front Porch to Yours It’s So Very Cheri
Common Ground {aka} design

28 comments:

Rachel said...

Brilliant!!

I don't know about a green tree but I did have a lot of singing going on in my heart this morning as I was out in the blustery morning shoveling.

Sharon @ Elizabeth & Co. said...

I'm working on spring today too! I love the sign and the quote! I think I might need a Silhouette!

Sherri said...

I have to agree with Rachel just brilliant!! I love it! I think I like your version of this saying better! The letters show up on the whitewashed boards better. Good job! Have a great weekend!

Kathy @ Creative Home Expressions said...

Definitely one way to get what you want without spending a lot of money, Korrie! Thankfully you are talented to pull something like this off. I couldn't imagine paying $170.00 for something like that, but I guess someone would.

Twice Nice said...

I love that saying! What a great knock-off! GENIOUS~

Full Circle Creations said...

I love this! You did a great job. I think I just might have to have one of these too...I have some old lathe...I also have some sections of old wooden snow fence that might be perfect. Thanks for the inspiration!

Holly

Ann said...

Your project is wonderful. What a creative solution. I most have a green tree in my heart, as the cardinals were singing a powerful song when I walked this morning.

Welcome to the Garden of Egan said...

So darn cute!
You are most creative.

Doris said...

I like yours better. Lath was once used for lath and plaster interior walls. I think that was the pre-sheetrock era.

SImple and Serene Living said...

I like yours much better than the original, but of course I have never seen anything of yours that I didn't like, especially my wonderful sign:)

ANNE said...

Sweet! Love that you put your own spin on the look, too.

Vicki B said...

I love that sign especially the way you changed it up from the original.

I see a sign in my future! LOL

KimMalk said...

Your sign turned out so well, Korrie. Thanks for letting me know where they hide the lathing strips! I thought you were going to say this was pallet wood ;).

Mary Ann said...

Just found your blog and I think you're projects are COOL!

Amy Kinser said...

Love your sign! It looks great and I love the price!

Ali Richardson said...

SO gorgeous!! I've heard that saying before and LOVE it. Well done! I may need to go get a bundle of that lathe stuff (which I have never heard of btw).

Bliss said...

We were suppose to take down the Valentines deco's?

Like your version better, love the little natural colored eggs, and if you really really liked your sister you would let her take that sign home and make yourself another one. She paid me to say that.

~Bliss~

Anonymous said...

i like it better. did you get an answer about your table?

{oc cottage} said...

awesome!

m ^..^

Laura @ 52 FLEA said...

Always in awe of your DIY projects. Wise words!
Hope you are enjoying your weekend.
:)

Brooke said...

I know the post was about the sign, but I love, love, love that dresser. It is so unique and almost looks broken! I love it!

Roeshel said...

I love your DIY version so much more! As usual, beautiful job, Korrie! :)

The Painted Parlor said...

love this!! even if i looked at the original piece, i would not have known how to make one myself!! youre uper duper talented :)

Pamela said...

Love the sign Kori!! I keep wanting to make ea sign with something out in the garage but Ijust haven't don it yet. Thanx for coming to the party!

reFresh reStyle said...

Love it Korrie, I think I saw that at Pottery Barn too! You are so good! I hope this spring tablescape comes to my tablescape party next week ;) for the Spring'tacular!!
Debbie

Debbiedoos said...

That is fantastic! I love your version and it looks so cute!

Gypsy Heart said...

Love it! Your version is great...and yes, my kinda price too. :-)

xo
Pat

Sarah @ Imperfect Patina said...

I love it!! Always more fun to make your own anyway! Sarah