Farmer's Market Sign

Have you seen this Farmer's Market sign on Funky Junk's blog?  I've loved it ever since she first posted about it, which was years ago.   I've even contemplated (for a few minutes) trying to figure out the fonts and make it.  Problem is that I wanted the lettering to come out just like hers!

Well, guess what?  She sells the stencil now!  Yay for me!  Even though it was a bit more expensive than I wanted to spend I bought it anyway, knowing in the end I would be glad that I did.

Then I headed to a little junk store in our town that had great pieces of  barn wood for just a few dollars a piece.  I found the perfect piece of wood and got started.

Here are the ingredients you'll need along with your stencil.  Some paint, a stencil brush, spray glue, and a board.

I cut my board to size, then lightly sanded the wood.  I didn't want to lose any of the aged look, but I didn't want it rough and splintery either.

Then I adhered the stencil to the wood by spraying the back of it with Spray Glue.  It worked amazing.  When I've made my wooden signs before (you can read about the Fresh Eggs Sign I made here), I drew on my letters and actually painted them with a tiny little brush.  Working with a stencil was so much easier.

I just dobbed the paint on kind of rough because I didn't want a perfect look.

I liked having some of the wood show through the paint.

When the paint was dry I carefully removed the stencil.

Then I put some light sand paper on my Mouse sander and lightly sanded the letters.  My goal was to have it look old and weathered.

I measured and evenly spaced two hangers on the back.

And it's sitting on the floor with a collection of other things waiting to be hung.  More on that in a few days!  

This was the easiest sign I've ever made.  Other than the drying time, I literally only spent 15 minutes on it.  And I'm so happy with the way it came out.  Now, hopefully the vision I have for it on the wall will make me just as happy!

How is your Spring?  My husband has returned from being on an Engineering Consulting job for NINE WEEKS and it is amazing how everything feels right in my world again!  And just in time for all the Spring jobs around the farm!

Update On Butcher Block Countertops!

 

It's kind of interesting that I get numerous emails every week asking about my Butcher Block Countertops.  Mostly what people want to know is how I feel about them now that we've been in our house almost two years.  

I decided I should take pictures and write an update post!   (You can read my original post here.)

I love my counter tops more than I ever thought I would.  Especially once I have quit stressing that I was going to ruin them!

The biggest thing I love about them is how forgiving they are.    I've gotten a couple scratches and one really deep gouge.  All I had to do was sand it out and re-oil.  

The dark Tung Oil was such a perfect choice for the finish and I'm so happy that I went that route.  They took on such a nice rich color from the dark Tung Oil and since it is an all natural product and food safe I've never had to worry about it.  

I've only oiled again twice since installing the counter tops.  And both times I used regular Tung Oil instead of the dark.  I didn't feel the need to darken them any more so the regular was what I chose.  I also ordered that from Real Milk Paint, as I have discovered that their Tung Oil is the best on the market.  I've made the mistake of purchasing Tung Oil from Lowes and from a local hardware store and it was absolutely not the same.  

I have oiled around my faucet and sink more frequently as I want to be sure that it repels water.  A lot of readers have asked if I have any water damage around that area.  I have absolutely none, and I'm not that careful either.  I always wipe it dry when I'm finished in the kitchen, but I don't worry about it while I'm cooking or prepping food.  The oil causes the water to bead up so nicely that it doesn't worry me at all.  

The next most common question is if I would do things differently if I had it to do over again.  The answer is absolutely not.  I think the butcher block is timeless and beautiful.  I also think it adds a very warm glow to my kitchen and fits the farmhouse style perfectly.  

I think my counter tops are one of my most favorite things in our house!  

March Monthly Moos {There's A Spring In My Step!}

I cannot believe that a month has gone by and I didn't write a single post.   However, my husband was gone on a consulting job for the last couple of months and I think it is safe to say that my life has been a little off kilter.  (The pictures above are of my favorite cow, Old Red.  When I drive up in the Ranger she is always the one that comes running!)

So... this is what has been happening around the farm for the last month:

Ten darling calves were born, all without the assistance of any outside help!  

Three of those Momma Cows were heifers, meaning that they had never had a calf before.  That also means that there could easily be complications.  But I think all three of them are keepers because they had those babies like pros.

It snowed.  And we FINALLY got to sled down our  hill!  I'm here to tell you that it was more fun than I can even express!

Here's a video of my daughter and I to prove it!

And then it rained.  And rained.  And rained.  My road was terribly muddy, to the point of almost being impassable.  And my husband wasn't here to fix it!

My son in law took care of hauling hay to the cows a couple times a week and I tried to help by cutting off the hay twine.  (Big help right?!  Smile!)

My wonderful friend Michelle came to visit for a week.  We did a few fun things, but mainly we talked and talked and talked.  My favorite kind of girlfriend visit!

I took an Advanced Master Beef class.  It was every Thursday night for three hours.  I was really dreading the class, but I learned a lot and I took my crochet work with me and it made for a nice relaxing time!

My grand-girls spent quite a bit of time with me, that really helped the time go by fast.

Whenever we had a glimpse of warm sunshine, the little girls and I took off in the Ranger to check on the farm!

The grass started turning green and the cows got busy grazing.  One afternoon while the little girls and I were checking cows I was taking pictures and this was the conversation that went on behind me:

Jillian:  The cows like the green grass.  I ate grass one time.
Rosetta:  GWOSS!
Jillian:  It's not that gross.  It was pretty good actually.
Rosetta:  Weally?
Jillian:  It was actually sweet.  
Rosetta:  Seewiously?
Jillian:  But the grass was stuck on my sucker so maybe that is why.  

I tried really hard not to laugh out loud at that!

Belle went everywhere with me the last couple months as we checked cows, fence lines, and muddy roads!  She's always a happy dog.  

The calves grew out of their cute stage and now the little bulls have taken on the "bully" look!

And did I tell you it rained?  And there was mud everywhere?  (Smile)

And then.... the sun came out, the grass turned green and spring arrived!  And I'm pretty certain I'll be mowing in a couple weeks!

Hope your Spring is the happiest ever!