(If you want to read the history, check out this post.)
When I started planning out what I really wanted in my living/dining room, I knew that I wanted to pay homage to my German roots. I've incorporated them here and here, but I really wanted to include a map of some sort.
The problem was, I looked around and couldn't find one that was right.
My friend, Kate, was looking around Country Roads one day, sending me pictures of all the things she thought I should have. Then I got this one -
Immediately a lightbulb went on and I knew what I wanted to make.
Cities in Germany. Eislingen/Fils is the small town where my family is from. It is one of the most beautiful places I've ever seen. Plochingen is another family town and the others are some of the most widely known cities in German. The cool part? I've been to all of them.
To make the sign, I purchased a long piece of basic wood, and had them cut it into five equal pieces that were about two feet each.
I then sanded the wood a bit and stained it with Minwax grey stain (awesome stuff!!).
Here's where I ran into trouble. I tried to hand paint the letters, but let's face it, I suck at freehand painting.
So, I emailed one of my bloggy besties, Pamela from PB&Jstories, who makes GORGEOUS handpainted signs for her shop. She cut me some stencils with her silhouette and shipped them to me, FROM VIRGINIA!
How awesome is that???
Once I had the stencils, I used some Martha Stewart creamy white craft paint I got on clearance at Michael's to paint the city names.
I spaced the planks just slightly apart and nailed some thin scrap pieces of wood to the back to hold the planks in place.
I haven't decided where to put it yet, so it's sitting on my mantel. I kinda like it there, but I'm planning on hanging it up soon as I get the hardware.
I kinda think it's the coolest thing I've ever made!
Don't forget the Ready 4 Summer Blogger Block party starts on Monday!
See you then!
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Jennifer Rizzo
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Bravo well done! I think your sign is amazing and a beautiful way to pay homage to your German roots! It ia perfect piece to your already beautiful home!
ReplyDeletexoxo
Kate
Love this! So cool to have a piece that is meaningful to you!
ReplyDeleteI feel like I say this about EVERYTHING you make/do... but, once again, I LOVE this! I love, even more, that it has a story. What a wonderful/beautiful/cool/sweet/professional looking sign!
ReplyDeleteLove love love this... I want that gray stain that you used. Where did you get it?
ReplyDeleteI love that you used cities you've visited and where your family is from. That really personalizes the sign, which looks great!
ReplyDeleteWhat a cool idea! Being a military family, it would be neat to make one of these with all the places we've been stationed!
ReplyDeleteGreat idea, and I like your lettering! I just finished a bread/cutting board in the shape of Minnesota.(that I found at Goodwill) I used rubber stamps and paint and it has the towns and the lake that I visited as a child. It's so much fun because it's personal.
ReplyDeleteThat turned out wonderful! And how meaningful too!! Awesome.
ReplyDeleteThis looks great! Glad to have found your blog! I’d love it if you’d link up to TA-DA TUESDAY <3 from your newest follower I’d be delighted if you’d follow back!
ReplyDelete~Misty
413 Sparrow Lane
I love that this piece has a story. You did a wonderful job on the finish and your dining room look great.
ReplyDeleteA beautiful sign and I love how you have personalized it. How neat!
ReplyDeleteLooks fantastic, Kristin! Megan
ReplyDeleteLove your sign and the meaning it holds for you, I love decorating from the heart! I'm now a follower
ReplyDeleteDoesn't Munchen need an umlaut over the U (which I clearly have no clue how to type, LOL!)? It's been quite a while since my high school German but I'm pretty sure it does. Other than that, cool sign!
ReplyDeleteI love it. You are lucky to have a friend who made the stencils for you. Good job...Connie
ReplyDeleteHi!Just found you thru my uncommon slice of suburbia and am your newest follower-LOVE your blog!
ReplyDeleteSusan
OMG, I love it! I think it's so great that you are incorporating your ancestry into your decorating!
ReplyDeleteTania
Is it this the grey stain that you used?
ReplyDeletehttp://www.minwax.com/wood-products/stains/minwax-wood-finish#Colors
Classic grey 271 ?
Your sign is very beautifull.
Have a nice day!
Yes, it's the Classic Gray.
ReplyDeleteHow many times did you put on the stain? Only one time? How long did you left it on the wood before you wiped the excess stain?
DeleteIf i pay you, could you buy Minwax Classic gray 271 and send it to Sweden? I cant find any reseller in Europe. I will pay you more than it cost.
How many times did you put on the stain? Only one time? How long did you left it on the wood before you wiped the excess stain?
ReplyDelete"viele Grüße!" I simply love that sign...it made me do a little "Happy Dance" because my mother is from Stuttgart and moved to the states in 1962. Half of my family lives in Esslingen and it is a beautiful place...I just came back from visiting in September :) I've been to all the places except Berlin...hopefully next time. I'm so happy to see you're paying homage to your German heritage.
ReplyDeletegreat! I want to make one. I'm also from Germany.
ReplyDelete