Thursday, February 07, 2008

Valentine Tree


I'm not sure if any of you saw this idea in the February Country Home, but I thought it was so cute, I immediately knew I wanted to try and make one. I continue to be a big fan of Matthew Mead's ideas and style and this project was just another example!

I will say that this project required more improvising than lots of crafts I've tried and there were many comments on the above link saying similar things. My biggest problem was that we don't have a color printer, so I just wasn't satisfied with the download quality. So, I will share with you what I did to sort of re-create the same project.

Supplies I used:
Unfinished wood 10 inch oval plaque
Pale yellow paint
Brown crayon
Steel wool
Cutting board
X-Acto Knife
Brown marker
1 piece of ivory cardstock
Mod-Podge glue
Ribbon
Staple Gun
Red Felt
Scissors

First, I painted the plaque a pale yellow (simply because I already had this paint and didn't want to purchase the off-white he suggested). It looked too new to me, so I wanted to age it somehow. I had lots of ideas, but the one I settled on was to rub it all over with a brown crayon (paper peeled off). After rubbing with crayon, rub with steel wool to desired "distressed" look. Here's how mine looked after this step:

Next, I needed some way to get script as the background. I didn't have any script scrapbook paper, no color printer and no access to a store that would have the appropriate paper. So, I decided to handwrite it myself. I wrote 1 Corinthians 13: 4-8a over and over until I filled the entire plaque with a skinny brown marker. Note: I realized after I had finished this that my marker was washable, so I had to use a polyurethane spray over top to keep it from smearing. Here is how it looked after all this:


After this, I cut out the pattern, found here, using an x-acto knife. I used off-white card stock to make the tree. Then, I used Mod Podge to attach the tree to the plaque. After this dried, I cut out red felt hearts and glued them on by brushing Mod Podge onto the back. I haven't had good success with glue drying nicely on felt, but this worked great. Note on downloading the pattern: if you save the image to your computer and then open in Word, you can resize it to fit the plaque you have. I could not find a 14" plaque, so mine is 10".

When this was finished, I used a staple gun to attach a ribbon to the back and made a bow to hang the finished product from. I added a button over the nail to hide the head and here is the final outcome:

I like this so much, I may just leave it up past Valentine's Day! I've thought of several ways a tree can be paralleled to love in our lives. It grows, it reminds me of the tree that Jesus died on for our sins, it has seasons, etc...

What thoughts come to mind for you?

30 comments:

Unknown said...

I love that idea! And actually, I especially love that you handwrote the verse!!

Leanne said...

I love this idea and I love your handwriting also! Another neat thing would be to write John 15- The Vine and The Branches and then place that tree template on top... plus or minus the little hearts!
I love making my husband things for holidays, so I might just attempt that! I hope things are going well with Samuel!
Have a great day!
Leanne

Blessings from Chestnut Hollow said...

Lovely idea Monica - thanks so much for sharing! I like your idea of using 1 Cor. 13 as the script.

Wendi said...

Love this! This could certainly stay up past Valentines Day. 1 Cor 13 is one of my favorite verses. Great idea to use a button to cover the nail.

Tracy said...

I love that you persevered and made the plaque your own, not just someone else's idea of what's right. It's great!

*carrie* said...

Monica,

I love how that turned out. Your handwriting looks really cool, though I didn't recognize it as your regular style. Did you write it with your new pen?

Beth said...

I also like that you handwrote the verse on the plaque! It would be neat to make some kind of note of that on the back, so your great-grandkids will know someday....
very pretty.

<><

Christi said...

Absolutely LOVE this idea! I'll definitely be using this one!

Anonymous said...

That's awesome! And I adore your Valentine's Wreath! Now, we are ready for more baby pictures of Samuel Joseph! :)

Anonymous said...

p.s. Carolina Mama is here http://carolinamama1@blogspot.com.
Anyone have ideas on mergine my blogs.... :)

Anonymous said...

WOW! You amaze me! You're so creative and your handwriting is lovely! I couldn't get away with free-handing the text. Another great job, Monica. Thanks for sharing.

Andrea L.

Katy said...

I love it! It looks fantastic! :)

Gena said...

I like yours better than the one in the magazine! I did see that idea and loved it. I just haven't had the time to get to the craft store.

I would leave it up, too. It is just a beautiful reminder of love and family.

You amaze me with your ability to get these beautiful things done AND be mommy to a new little one.

Monica Wilkinson said...

Carrie - I was trying to make it look like old script sort of like what was pictured in the magazine, so did embellish my handwriting somewhat. I just used a skinny brown marker from the girls art supplies!

Gena - Don't be too amazed, I did this before Samuel was born. I had all my Valentine posts written and ready to post - so I'm spending about 2 minutes on my blog every day!

As for the supplies, I will mention that I got what I needed at Wal-Mart without making a longer trip to a craft store. If you have a craft store closer - that would work too!

Anonymous said...

Oh my gosh! I love this project so much! I am going to do one this weekend!! Thanks for sharing!

Kristina

Amy said...

This is such a cute idea, Monica! I just love how you wrote out that verse. My penmanship is horrible and not half as elegant so I would probably stick to the scrapbook paper, but what an excellent idea! Thank you for sharing!

~katie~ said...

Lovely! :-) I love that you handwrote the scripture ~ I think that makes it that much nicer and memorable!

Thanks for the ideas!
Katie

Anonymous said...

Love it!! I think it would make a great Wedding or anniversary gift too. tammyp

Sharon said...

I just love seeing all you craft ideas. Someday, I may just get the courage to try some myself! :)
In the meantime, I appreciate all that you share.

Misslisslee said...

What a precious idea! Your handwriting is lovely, and this could lend itself to lots of other verses, as well. I can do all things with Christ who strengthens me, perhaps?

Best wishes as you adjust to your new son. I only have boys, so I can't imagine what a difference it must be after two girls!

Sugarplum Cottage said...

You are so talented. I must try to make this. I have some old cabinet doors, think I'll use one of them.
RoseMarie

Unknown said...

that is too cute! i always love trees and that one is wonderful!

Michelle-ozark crafter said...

That is beautiful!

asnipofgoodness said...

When I saw this idea in Country Home, i had a feeling it would show up on your blog. It is fun to be getting to know you so well just through your blog! I must say, that i truly like yours better then the mags! The addition of the scripture, and the fact that it is in your own written hand will make it priceless for generations to come. Thank you for your encouraging words on my blog. It has been a very trying week for our family.

Monica Wilkinson said...

I love the wedding gift idea! Wouldn't it be so cool to make it look like the couples' initials were engraved on the tree trunk with heart around it?!

Liberty said...

I could never make this, but that is our family verse. It is our "family rules". Love pretty much covers all the matters of the heart. I would love to pay you to make one like this for me. Would that be something you would be interested in?

Connie from Beverly Hills California said...

Oh! I love this idea. You did a great job!! This would make a wonderful gift!!! Thanks for sharing!! And not only could you do this for Valentine. But, You could make this into Christmas by changing the tree and ornies and words!! Connie

April said...

I might use this for my mother's birthday with the lyrics to Jesus Christ the Apple Tree written on the plaque and little felt apples placed on the tree! What a neat idea!!

Anonymous said...

This really is SO beautiful. i've thought about this everyday for the past few days. I really want to make one as a wedding gift. Does that sound too cheasy to you???

Monica Wilkinson said...

Margaret - I think this would make a lovely wedding gift - I may even have to take that idea and do it myself!