Let’s talk New Year’s Resolutions. On the 14th of January.
I like to set one resolution. Nate thinks resolutions are dumb. Ike has no idea it’s 2013.
My resolution for 2013 is to be tough. Tough physically and tough mentally. The physical aspect is pretty self-explanatory. I exercise regularly but avoid weights. Therefor I am a weenie. I will not be a weenie in 2013. As for the mental part of this resolution. I am big on homeostasis. I like to be a certain temperature. I need a certain amount of sleep. I need a certain amount of food. I am Type A and things must go as planned. If the above things don’t go as scheduled, I shut down. I am going to be tougher in 2013. I will not shut down. Tough. Tough. Tough.
I wanted something to remind myself of my resolution. I thought a sign by our front door would appropriate.
Okay, so a “Be Awesome Today” sign doesn’t really have anything to do with being tough. Just go with it. I wanted to make a “Punch Today In the Face” sign but Nate said that was too violent. Being awesome is all encompassing.
I originally saw this phrase from LuciusArt. There are a bazillion and twelve “Be Awesome” prints on Etsy today but that one was my inspiration.
I’ve been getting questions about how I sign paint. I’m still learning my way. I generally freak out about 17 times while painting. I think this sign was only 15. Tough. Tough. Tough. Bring it 2013.
I learned the basic skills from the wonderful Jen of Onion Grove Mercantile. (Jen painted the Locally Grown sign hanging next to our laundry room.) I highly recommend checking our her work! She is beyond talented. Jen taught me the basics at a fundraising event hosted by the lovely Kim of NewlyWoodwards. I’ve been painting away ever since. It’s very therapeutic…minus the freak outs.
My sign painting steps are as follows:
- Purchase whatever wood is cheapest at Lowe’s. (This sign is 24”x24”.)
- Paint the background color. I also usually do a border. I use painters tape for a crisp edge.
- I use any kind of paint I have laying around in the basement.
- Design the sign in Photoshop Elements.
- Print the design poster sized. (If anyone has interest in a tutorial on this, let me know!)
- Tape carbon paper on the back of the design.
- Trace the design with a ball point pen.
- Carefully paint away with a small brush.
I have found that I am only capable of painting large letters. I totally fail at small letters. It’s okay. I don’t like little letters anyways. I’m going to blame my paint brush.
Ike just remembered his resolutions for 2013. The rug can never be straight and the mudroom doors can never stay closed. He’s totally showing 2013 who is boss.
Do you make New Year’s resolutions? Tell me about them!
Linking up to: Home Stories A to Z
I personally like "punch today in the face" that's something we'd have in our house! Also, my dogs have the same resolutions...Rugs are to be ripped out from every piece of furniture and any piece of paper on the floor is to be eaten.
ReplyDeleteAwesome sign! & great painting tips. I'll have to keep them in mind the next time I try to paint letters (which really didn't work out well last time...)
ReplyDeleteThat's a great resolution! I don't usually articulate New Year's resolutions...probably because I don't want to risk failing. So therefore, I guess I fail at making NY's resolutions? #allaroundfail
ReplyDeleteI'm pretty sure I've heard Jillian Michaels yell "Punch today in the face!" at a Biggest Loser contestant before. Much tougher than "Be awesome today", but it still works. Love the sign.
ReplyDeleteThat's an awesome sign! Thanks for sharing - I might have to save this for when I need to make some decor. :)
ReplyDeleteI love your sign! Ike is clearly taking your sign's advice and being awesome today. I can only assume you're doing the same.
ReplyDeleteOoo, that's an awesome resolution. I like it. A lot. I'm also the queen of the freak outs, shut downs and failure to be flexible.
ReplyDeleteI also really really like your weight lifting resolution. Duh.
I love it. Maybe you can write 'Punch today in the face' on your mirror in lipstick (or white board markers). I want to make one that says 'Rock today's face off'!
ReplyDeletethat sign is doing it's job of being awesome!
ReplyDeleteI like it!
ReplyDeleteI really need to get on painting my own sign - thanks again for answering all my questions in email! I guess if I had just been patient all would have been answered here anyways :)
haha this made me laugh. I used to hate using the weights at the gym, but now I feel like the strong, awesome, independent woman who knows how to use the weights at the gym. God only knows what I really look like to others, but either way, no more being a weenie in 2013!
ReplyDeleteLove the sign! It is indeed awesome, and so what if it doesn't say anything about being tougher? You know what it's telling you to do. Also, Nate was probably right that "Punch Today in the Face" might be too violent for a sign. Although I think it would be fun to write something like that on the cover of a day planner or a notebook.
ReplyDeleteSarah
Michelle - this sign is fabulous! Seriously, I think the whole "Be Awesome Today" mantra encompasses your goal pretty well, actually. And, THANK YOU for giving some help to those of us who wish we could paint signs. And lettering. :)
ReplyDeleteAnd I like your "one resolution" idea. Pretty great.
Maybe you put "punch today in the face" on an index card on your bathroom mirror. Compromise? Please tell me I'm not the only one who grew up doing that. The sign looks great. I love the handmade painted look. Where do you buy your carbon paper?
ReplyDeleteAmber @ Wills Casa
I had the carbon paper from long ago. I wonder if they still sell it. Hmmm. Hoarding office supplies is valuable.
DeletePunch today in the face is not violent as long as your punches are "Punches of Awesome."
ReplyDeleteI definitely need to punch something in the face today. Better "today" than one of my students :oP (I kid...I would never actually punch someone!) I think you should write "Punch Today in the Face" on your mudroom chalkboard. That way it isn't permanent, but it is still awesome.
ReplyDeleteThat's an awesome reminder for you just as you head out or in everyday. I love it and I want that tutorial please.
ReplyDeleteI looooove that sign. I'm in the middle of painting my own. I'm praying it turns out 1/8 as good as yours!!
ReplyDeleteI love how it turned out! Great message and great resolution! Good luck in not being a weenie- haha!
ReplyDeleteI'd love a tutorial on printing poster size. Still trying to learn Photoshop because I'm light years behind everyone cool on the internet.
ReplyDeleteHave you tried paint markers for small letters? Perhaps "Punch Today in the Face" would be more appropriate in a 5x5 inch sign for the bathroom, say? Then you basically just need cute handwriting.
Love Ike's resolutions.
That's a good one. Resolution and sign both. Punch today in the face would have been pretty tough too though. Maybe for 2014!
ReplyDeleteAnd yes, I would like a tutorial, please. :)
Love the sign! You are giving me ideas, and I really don't know if that's a good ting ;). Ike is too cute, he reminds me of my two little monsters, they do the same thing with my bath rugs. As for resolutions, don't do them, and can't stand them, because they always disappoint!
ReplyDeleteBig letters are way tougher than little letters, anyway. Your sign looks so good!
ReplyDeleteAny ideas if we don't have photoshop?
ReplyDeleteI adore the sign :)
Word or PicMonkey might get you there. I'm not sure if you can enlarge them at home or if you would need to take them somewhere to enlarge them. I think either would work for a small project.
Deleteoh boy. Word! I totally should've thought of that!
DeleteI love this sign so much. And seriously? You ARE awesome. And you are tough. I mean, for Gods sake, you drow to Minnesota with me!
ReplyDeleteSo, all that to say that I think you are tough and I loe your sign and want one in my house. And my office.
I kind of like "punch today in the face." But I get Nate's point. You did a GREAT job!!! Be tough!
ReplyDelete-Katie
oooo i would also freak out a trillion times while painting! I dont blame you!!
ReplyDeletemy resolution is to take better care of my skin!
Sign came out great! Your lettering skills are awesome and enviable. I also lack a fancy cutting machine and have done the old transfer and hand paint method, and I swear I always end up doing it at the latest of hours causing myself to go cross-eyed!
ReplyDeleteBut Homeostasis - I can't help but share a clip from Big Bang Theory! - http://youtu.be/gxoDUz_UMMg
Saw this on home stories A to Z. Really digging your blog. New follower.
ReplyDeletehttp://inthekitchenandonthecouch.blogspot.com/
Cute sign! I hope you are being awesome today!
ReplyDeleteNow I am trying to think of where I can hang a hand painted sign. =)
I love the sign. As far as resolutions go, I am still making my list although I need to be tougher too. I worry way too much! Have an "awesome" day!
ReplyDelete-Shelley
You go girl! And I totally love the idea of "being awesome and punching today in the face" ;)
ReplyDeleteAlso I'm super jealous of your sign painting skills!
I saw this on pinterest and loved it - didn't even know it was yours! I'd feel super inspired to put on my awesome-hat as I left the house every day.
ReplyDeleteLOVE your sign!! I'm going to have to up my marketing...you and Kim are going to run me out of business! ;-) Keep up the great work girlie!
ReplyDeleteIke is awesome every day! :D
ReplyDeleteMy husband and I tried this project this weekend. We used spray paint and craft paint and the craft paint would not stick to the spary paint. What kind of paint did you use?
ReplyDelete