Four Score & Seven Years Ago

Authored By: ellie g Author/Writer
June 30, 2011 --11:16 AM

I’ve mentioned how I love the 4th. I love the food. I love the parties. I love the heat. And I love that no presents are involved. Having to plan gifts sometimes ruins all the fun!

I’ve been a US History junkie for as long as I can remember.

One of my favorite times to learn about is during and around the Civil War. That obsession started when I saw Gone With the Wind for the first time and was bound and determined to get a dress with a skirt that big.
(still working on that one. I came close, in a play once….but the dress wasn’t pretty enough)

I am fascinated by Abraham Lincoln and all the things he went through as our President. And what an important role he had in making sure that we still celebrate July 4th today.

I remember every second of reading “Team of Rivals” by Doris Kearns Goodwin a few years ago. A fantastic read about Mr. Lincoln and his presidency. I sobbed when they got to the ending. Even though, obviously I knew what was going to happen.

I just had to incorporate my admiration for him into our decor this year.

I thought up this idea in the middle of the night one night. (Yay insomnia journal!) And I was SURE that I could whip it up in no time. However, it ended up being a lot more detailed than I’d anticipated and was a craft FAIL at least 3 times. I don’t know whether the universe didn’t want me to have it.
Or I’m an idiot.
Probably the 2nd thing.

I started with this piece of metal art that I found on clearance at the Hob Lob. I think I paid around $8 for it. I hope I won’t be struck down for messing with a piece that talks about God. But, hopefully he understands.

I gave it a GOOD shot of primer.
And then several thin coats of glossy red spray paint. I used Rustoleum’s 2x spray paint for the first time, and REALLY liked it!
Again, if it’s hot outside….remember that spray paint and HOT metal don’t get along. I DID have to sand it down after realizing that little fact. But the second coat went on fine.
Then I went about taking my favorite address from Mr. Lincoln….THE GETTYSBURG ADDRESS and making it into text that would fit on my art piece.

Here’s where the process got hairy. So……..

Text and vinyl. They’re the best, right?

Tiny text and vinyl….not so much. I spent at least 4 hours weeding tiny pieces of vinyl. Tiny triangles out of the A’s and tiny ovals out of the P’s. It was PAINSTAKING! And after I’d done a good portion, I went to put it on my art.

NO DICE! It wouldn’t stick! WHAAAHH!!!!!???

(I might have said a swear. Sorry Mr. Lincoln.)

But the vision in my head was so clear, and I KNEW it could be so cool.
So I decided to deep breathe and order some OUTDOOR VINYL from Expressions Vinyl. I had heard great things about it and I thought it was worth one more try. (this is not a commercial for them….but they did save my creative life….just sayin’)

Once I got the vinyl I started in again…

It took over an hour for Scarlett {my Silhouette machine} to cut this sucker out.
I weeded for a whole day.
My neck hurts.
It was WORTH IT!

I love the justified text. (obviously….it’s kind of my thing) And I love the few words in the scroll-ee font. (JF Ferrule for anyone who’s wondering. You can get it free.)

The whole entire Gettysburg address. In gleaming white vinyl. On my shiny red metal frame.

The speech gives me chills everytime!

That we here highly resolve, that these dead shall not have died in vain. That this nation shall have a new birth of freedom.

What a beautiful thing to think about as we celebrate the freedom and foundation of this nation!

I love every single word of this speech. Every word. It is probably one of the shortest speeches ever given. Sometimes words don’t need to be many, just powerful.

I hope you and your families have a very safe and fantastic holiday. And that you take a minute to remember the people who made these celebrations possible.
From the Founding Fathers
to the Presidents
to the Servicemen and Women
to the immigrants
to the Native Americans
to the Women who fought for equal rights
to the Civil rights activists

to your Great-Grandparents
to your Grandparents
to your Parents

and now to you.

May we all continue to fight for this country. That it may EVER BE FREE!

*edit: July 2012–there is a free printable download of this speech now available on this Gettysburg Address Part 2 post.*

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Filed Under: Comin' to America, decor diva

The Art of Independence Day

Authored By: ellie g Author/Writer
June 27, 2011 --6:40 PM

THE WINNER OF THE PICK YOUR PLUM CRAFTING SUPPLY KIT IS AT THE BOTTOM OF THIS POST.

I know that the 4th is fast approaching. And decorating is probably off your radar. But it’s still on mine. Partly because I’m slow. And partly because our state celebrates the red, white & blue all month. We have a state wide holiday on the 24th as well, to celebrate our statehood. Everyone leaves their decor up all month. So technically, I’m not THAT late. (right?)

Anyway, I actually started this little project a couple weeks ago, and had a few snags. (that I will TOTALLY share with you…..so you don’t have the same snags. You’re welcome.)

But it’s finally all done, and ready to grace my home with patriotic pride.

I started with some UBER clearance metal art that I picked up at a local home decor store. (Tai Pan) These were in the “Clearance Tent” for……..drumroll please…….$0.89 each!!! NOT KIDDING!!

Can you believe that?

It’s totally worth it to take a quick gander at clearance isles, and trying to look past something you might not use “as is.” I just knew the frames had some fun texture, and that I’d find something to do with them.

The best friend of semi-ugly stuff….with great lines?

SPRAY PAINT….OF COURSE!

I spray painted these first with a primer.
(and yes….before you can even ask…..that IS necessary.
You MIGHT be able to get away without primer sometimes. But when you can’t, it’s sad to have to start over. You’ll never regret using it.)

My other tip for spray painting on metal?

If it’s hot outside, DON’T spray paint hot metal. Or else you’re gonna be heading out for some sand paper. Just sayin’. (read: snag #1 in this project that was supposed to be SUPER quick!)

After the spray painting was all done, I found some really simple graphics to cut out of my vinyl. I love the basic flag shape, and the cutout of the country.

here’s where snag #2 comes in: metal and regular vinyl DON’T like each other very much. I ended up ordering some OUTDOOR VINYL from Expressions Vinyl and it was MUCH better.

I also decided to do some text. (what’s new…right? I LOVE QUOTES AND TEXT!!) How about a twist on the “Established” sign that you see around sometimes?

When looking at the text I made the decision to use the negative space vinyl instead of just the letters. It was a fun look, and matched the bold design of the other two better than just the letters. I liked the big blocks of color.

Just be aware that “weeding” vinyl with tiny text can sometimes become extremely time consuming. And very detailed.
And also that peeling vinyl and spray painted metal don’t always like each other. I had to do a tiny bit of touch up.

Aren’t they just so patriotic all lined up together? I love them!

And total (with a bottle of spray paint….which I actually already had) they cost about $6. NICE!

So make sure you’re always on the lookout for things that you can pick up for a bargain, and transform into decor. You’ll be SO HAPPY with the results. (I LOVE America!)

And NOW without further adieu……..

THE WINNER OF THE PICK YOUR PLUM CRAFTING BASKET IS……

AMANDA

Congratulations, Amanda! I will send your info over to the Pick Your Plum girls. And if you haven’t already, don’t forget to sign up to get the PICK YOUR PLUM daily e-mail. So you can be sure to get the daily deal “Before Your Neighbor Does.”

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Filed Under: Comin' to America, decor diva, NOT crafts

Coming to America-TODAY!

Authored By: ellie g Author/Writer
June 21, 2011 --10:14 AM

I have a lot of loves in my life. I’m kind of a passionate person.
Of course, my husband and kids are loves of mine.
And my family.

I’m in love with DIet Coke.
And Mickey Mouse.
And scores of other things……

One thing you may not know that I’m in love with, is American History. {nerd!}
I don’t care.
I will watch the History Channel for embarrassing amounts of time. It’s true.

And I ADORE this time of year!
The fireworks, the parties, the traditions, the ice cream, the barbeques, the swimming…
And the singing of my favorite patriotic songs.
(And I may or may not physically STAND UP, NEXT TO YOU when the Lee Greenwood number comes on! It’s that good!)

Moving on.

In the wise words of Bob Wiley (please tell me you too LOVE “What About Bob?”)…

“There are two types of people in this world, those who like Neil Diamond, and those who don’t….”

Well I LOVE HIM!!

Photo: Wikipedia

Another one of my many loves.

Why? Well, there’s 10,000 reasons. But most of them boil down to:

He reminds me of my Dad (who introduced me to Jazz Singer at a super young age)
He wears sparkly shirts
I drink my hot chocolate from a mug that says “Diamond Girl”
No one can sing OR perform like him

My most favorite Neil thing: is that he combines his fantastic-ness (it’s a word) with my love for Independence Day in the amazing song from “The Jazz Singer”:

AMERICA

I love this song. I listen to it all year round. But on the 4th….it’s special.

Also, I fondly remember seeing Neil in concert not long after 9/11. I remember thinking, “please, oh, please Neil…..just sing THAT SONG!” And sure enough. The music STARTED the concert. But no Neil on stage.

Picture it:
Duh, nuh, nuh nuh, Duh nuh nuh,….
And then he appeared.
The crowd went NUTS!
I cried.

And then, on the part when he says “My Country ‘Tis of thee”?
4 super long flags dropped from the top of the set and draped the walls in Red, White & Blue.
I tell you, I get chills just recalling it.

The 4th of July just isn’t right without Mr. Diamond beckoning everyone to Come to America…..TODAY!

Look at the brand new project I made to grace my Independence Day walls! I had it printed out poster size (I love to use Costco but lots of places offer this service) and put it in my 16×20 frame.

There just isn’t a single thing that makes me happier than having Mr. Diamond’s lyrics hanging in my home! It makes me feel SUPER ready for fireworks, and celebrations, and marathon programs on the History Channel about the Founding Fathers.

(yes. I’m aware that I’m a titch nerdy. But I might beat you at Jeopardy. Just sayin’.)

Usually I don’t offer the full 16×20 poster as a downloadable printable. Partly because the file is huge, and partly because it’s usually available for a small price on my digital design site.

But, since this holiday makes me SOOOOO happy….I decided to just DO IT! You readers are so stinkin’ fantastic, and you deserve it!

So, if you’d like your very own poster to print for your home…..

Click on the image above to be taken to the BOX website. There is a button in the top right corner that says “DOWNLOAD”. Just press it, and the image file should download right to your computer! Easy Peezy!

You can then send the file anywhere you’d like. Your home printer, an online printer, the grocery store. Wherever!

ISN’T AMERICA GREAT???1

This file is sized at 16×20. It will not print optimally at a bigger size. (But you can print it at a smaller size if you’d like.)

As usual PLEASE follow the following rules for Less Cake {more frosting} printables:
(and really, I’m BEGGING you to follow these. I’d hate have to stop offering them. It would make me sad!)

LCMF prinatables are for PERSONAL USE only. You may not re-sell, re-distribute, or claim them as your own.
Please do not remove the watermark.
If posting on the internet, you MUST post a link back to this website.
Personalization, color changes, and other customizations are not available on freebie printables. They are offered “as-is”.

I hope you are prepping for your 4th of July festivities. I’d LOVE to hear what you do to celebrate. Actually what I’d LOVE is if you share what your favorite patriotic song is in a comment. Wouldn’t it be fun to get a list together? I actually have an iPod list compiled just for the 4th. And I LOVE it!

So……print off the poster…..and tell us…..what will be playing during YOUR fireworks soundtrack?

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Filed Under: Comin' to America, decor diva, print it