Sunburst Orange Ombre Pallet Sign {It Is Well}

Well, Hello there!

It’s been a week since my last post.  And I know I owe you an update on the progress of the nails. I’ll have that up for you later.

I’m just so excited to show you what I’ve been up to lately!

I have actually been working on our office.  Finally!

No, I mean really working on it.

Now, if you've been reading blogs or pinning on Pinterest, I'm sure you've seen the surge of DIY projects with pallets.

I love it!  There are so many varieties.  

Pallet furniture, pallet flags, pallet subway signs, pallet art.

I think it's awesome to take what is trash and 

make something beautiful out of it! 

I was looking at our office the other day and trying to figure out how I wanted to do a “gallery wall”.  I was actually thinking about what to do with that wall, way back in a post I called "We are Moving". 

So, I've been on Pinterest a lot (You can check out my boards here.) looking at my office board. I've done searches on gallery walls and shelves… and I came across some pallet art. Hmmm… I was thinking I needed something large to balance out the wall. Bingo!  I have a pallet in the garage.  I am sooo doing this!

I just have to show you!!!

Are you loving this?

I LOVE the way it turned out!

I did this! I still can't believe it!

(Well, most of it.)

First, I attacked this pallet and worked 4 boards off of it.  (That wasn’t easy.)

Then I found in hubby’s woodpile, and found a small piece of wood that would work to attach them altogether.  

I cut that in half, with a hand saw, mind you….  :D I was a little nervous about getting the power saw out.  But I overcame my fear… you’ll see!

Ok. Then I pre-drilled the holes for the screws. (I know hubby is so proud of me, because I usually don’t pre-drill ANYTHING! I’m just impatient)

This is where I had to overcome my fear or wait for hubby…. Well, he was out of town overnight, and I wanted to finish this. (See, I told you I’m impatient)

So, I drew the line I had to follow, got out the power saw, put my trusty safety glasses on and just went for it.  

He showed my how to use it when we made our planter boxes. I just like to have him there in case I screw up.

Come on, Lori, it’s just a straight line, do it already!

And I did!!

Not bad, if I say so myself…. confidence is growing!

Now, a quick sanding.

Prime that baby.

Let the fun part begin!

Painting!  I looked in my basement first, because I thought that I had some orange paint in there, but it was totally wrong.  Dropped in at the local hardware and picked up a quart of this gorgeous color!!  Oh yeah! Lovin this!!

Then I thought, maybe try some of that ombre technique that is going around. 

So, after about 10 inches, I added white to some of the paint.  I added too much of course, so I painted the rest of it that color… sorry I forgot pics of that part.

Then added more orange to darken it for the middle.  I played with it here and there.

It worked out pretty good.  I didn’t want a huge contrasted ombre, just something subtle. I really like it!

More fun is coming!

I printed up the words on my computer,

 I used Edwardian Script size 350 and Modern No 20 size 450.

Then laid them out and figured out where I wanted them.

I just had to show the picture with the flowers in it.  The more I have fresh flowers on the table the more I need them.  

It just brightens up the room and me!

Then I had to cut all of the excess paper and tape them back on.

I tried to use the technique I used on my damask stencil post, but that didn’t work very well.  The wood wasn’t as soft and with the semi gloss paint it didn’t want to indent too well.  Ok, plan B, I tried a fine tipped sharpie to trace the letters and let it bleed through the paper as I traced. Perfect!

You can see the two ways I tried. 

I was seriously having to dig to get anything to show the first try, but with the sharpie, I just had to go slow enough for it to bleed.

Now, for some tedious work, but well worth it! Plus, I actually really enjoy this part.  It makes the whole project come to life! I did 2 coats of white on the lettering.  My artist/graphic design student, daughter, drew the tree branch and bird.  Adorable, right? She painted some and I painted some.

Ooooo! I can’t wait to put it up in the office and show you all!

Soon!

I feel like this pallet art sign is going to be a great addition to the office.

I chose this phrase, because it gives me such comfort and assurance!

Have you ever heard the true story behind the song, “It Is Well”?

If not, it’s very moving and shows incredible faith and strength. 

I’ll share it with you.

This hymn was written by Horatio Spafford, after several traumatic events in his life.  In 1871, their only son perished from scarlet fever, then shortly after he lost all of his real estate ventures in the great Chicago fire.  Which basically ruined him financially, even though he was a very successful lawyer.

In 1873, he planned for the family to go on holiday to Europe, but due to some business he was delayed and sent the family on ahead and would catch up with them later.

Tragically, while his family was crossing the Atlantic, the ship collided with another and sank in less than 12 minutes.  All four of his daughters died, his wife was the only to survive.  When she arrived in Europe she sent Horatio a telegram, “Saved alone…”

Soon after, on his way to meet his grieving wife, the captain called him to the bridge and informed him that he believed they were passing where the ship went down.

Horatio went to his cabin and penned the words to this wonderful hymn.

It Is Well With My Soul

When peace like a river, attendeth my way,

When sorrows like sea billows roll;

Whatever my lot, Thou hast taught me to say,

It is well, it is well, with my soul.

Refrain:

It is well, (it is well),

With my soul, (with my soul)

It is well, it is well, with my soul.

Though Satan should buffet, though trials should come,

Let this blest assurance control,

That Christ has regarded my helpless estate,

And hath shed His own blood for my soul.

My sin, oh, the bliss of this glorious thought!

My sin, not in part but the whole,

Is nailed to the cross, and I bear it no more,

Praise the Lord, praise the Lord, O my soul!

For me, be it Christ, be it Christ hence to live:

If Jordan above me shall roll,

No pang shall be mine, for in death as in life,

Thou wilt whisper Thy peace to my soul.

But Lord, 'tis for Thee, for Thy coming we wait,

The sky, not the grave, is our goal;

Oh, trump of the angel! Oh, voice of the Lord!

Blessed hope, blessed rest of my soul.

And Lord, haste the day when my faith shall be sight,

The clouds be rolled back as a scroll;

The trump shall resound, and the Lord shall descend,

Even so, it is well with my soul.

Horatio Spafford

I pray this song gives you strength when you feel weak!

Be blessed!