Time Flies.....when you're creating a bulletin board

I apologize for how long it has been since my last post. I've been very busy getting several bulletin boards created and installed. 

The one that took the most amount of time was for my kid's school, Hackensack Christian School. Over a year ago, I had created a board for their side entrance. This year I wanted to change it to a board that could be in place for several years and serve as a primary "advertisement" for the school. What better promotes a school than the school itself, so using pictures I started "creating" a foam board replica of the school's front facade. 

To make sure the school adequately fit the size of the bulletin board (which is quite large), I split it into 5 sections.

The first step in the process was penciling on the foam board all of the window and door openings. You can see in the picture above one window section prior to cutting. All openings were cut using an exacto knife.

Here is a picture of all 5 sections with the openings cut out. This was a time consuming process but not the most time consuming part of this project. 

I made the decision to create the brick facade using colored pencils. First, I outlined all of the trim work and colored that in with a yellow tinted color. Then using a tan colored pencil, I drew all of the lines for the bricks. Using 4 different brown/red shades, I alternated coloring in all the bricks. I did not count how many bricks there were in all, all I will say is that I was outlining and coloring for days.

Here is a picture of the school's entrance section colored in.

Although the coloring process took several days, the outcome was worth all of the work.

This past Monday I installed the new bulletin board. The school was the first item put in place. Then, I created a banner highlighting the school's verse for the year using poster/banner paper. I wrote the verse freehand in pencil, then went over with black marker. To give it that parchment look, I used a dauber and an ink pad to "color" the banner. Finally, I used my Cricut to cut the other letters and secured them to the board. The school emblem I made last year for another board and used it here.  

Last year, we did a tribute section to the graduating seniors on the bulletin board outside the school office. This year we will be placing pictures of the seniors in the windows of the school. 

When I first had the idea of creating this board, I wasn't quite sure I could make it all work together or up to my expectations. I am happy to say that I am very pleased with the end result. 

Dinner Revisited

Sadly, I must confess that since school started my meal planning has fallen by the wayside. 

Several things have attributed to this lack of meal organization. First and foremost is the amount of catching up I'm doing on bulletin board projects. I came to the realization this summer that school break and these style of projects do not play well together. When the kids went back to school, I had 5 bulletin boards needing to be done. To date, I've completed 2 and a half. One board at my kid's school is dependent on another being completed so elements can be transferred. All in all I've made good progress but I am still in working mode. 

The other factor to this "meal" disorganization, is that our daughter, Emily, decided to join the school soccer team. We are so very pleased that she is part of an organized sports team and being it is the school team makes its a little less hectic. However, 2 and sometimes 4 out of the 5 school nights she has practice or games that end around 5:30 or 6 pm. I haven't quite mastered the task of picking up one child at 3, coming home doing homework with him, then returning to get Emily at 5:30 (or later that is if it isn't a game we attend), assisting her (if needed) through homework all the while getting dinner on the table. I'm getting better at this planning process but I'm not nearly as organized as I usually am. 

Anyway, I do have two recipes to share that we've tried since the start of school. See I do get a few meals planned in here and there. 

This first recipe is Greek Marinated Chicken that I got through Pinterest from the website Budget Bytes. I used only chicken thighs and it did cook for a little longer than required due to a late arrival of my husband from work and the distraction of homework. Still it was very yummy. Dave & I really enjoyed it, the kids were so so but I plan to try it again and cook it for the allotted time. 

The other dish I made was a hit for everyone, even Emily who is not always a "fan" of Mexican cuisine approved of it. The Chicken & Black Bean Enchilada Casserole I found at the website Sweet Treats and More (also, via Pinterest) was absolutely wonderful and so very easy to make. 

Matt LOVED it and LOVED it even more when he put Red's Hot Sauce on it....he puts that stuff on everything. This is a meal we will definitely make again. Emily ate everything on her plate and quickly, usually if she's not a "fan" it takes her a long time to eat her meal. 

Please try out these recipes and let me know what you think.

As always, thanks for stopping by!

Its Iconic

As most of you know, I not only create bulletin boards for my church but another local church. The Pastor will usually send me a graphic that leads me in the direction of how the board should look. Of course, there is always the understanding that I may not be able to reproduce it exactly and variations may occur. 

Here is a picture of one the two graphics he forwarded to be considered for reproduction in bulletin board form.

As soon as I saw this graphic, I knew I wanted to try and reproduce it even though it is out of my creative comfort zone. Of course, I took the pic to review with my friend, Debbie, who always helps me talk through how I can make the possibility given come to completion.

My goal was to make the main element look like a slab of stone with the icons etched in the stone. Now, I've become pretty proficient in cutting items from foam board. However, I also know foam board is not really paintable as it likes to warp during the drying process. It wasn't until I took a trip to Hobby Lobby that I found how to resolve this "problem". There I found large sheets of picture mat board. I purchased two pieces in a sand color. 

Then, the icon process began. 

First, I sketched the 3 icons from the graphic and an additional icon (not pictured) in the form of a cloud on to sketch paper.

Then using a utility knife,  I cut out the "templates" that would be traced onto the mat board pieces.

After measuring and tracing the icons onto the mat board, I used a utility knife to cut out the icons. 

I also cut out the word "The Journey" using letters I cut with my Cricut cutter and I traced onto the mat board.

Over the next few days, I applied stone texture spray onto the board. I used 1 1/2 cans for the base. Then, I used a light gray and pebble stone colored acrylic paint to add some shading to the edges. Once the shaded areas were dry, I sprayed the entire mat board with the remaining stone spray to soften the shading a touch. I also, put a black luster card stock behind each icon and the words to give it the look that they were etched into the stone. Finally, using my Cricut cutter I cut out the title words "Exodus God's Story Continues".

Last Thursday, I installed the board at the church. It was placed off center and on the right side of the board I attempted to do an accordion fold with the background paper to give it a little texture.

The board will be up until the end of November, so the Pastor is going to apply (via ink pad) some sandal "footprints" in some of open the blue space.
This was a first attempt at "mimicking" a slab of stone. There are several things I would do differently. I would back the mat board with foam board to give it some more dimension. I would also give the sides a rugged cut to give that "look" of a stone that has been quarried.
All in all though I am pleased with the outcome.
As always, thanks for stopping by!

Remembering Anthony

For our family, today is a day of remembering a sweet, loving little boy - Anthony Pantano.

A year ago today, Anthony was unexpectedly taken home to be with Jesus. The last few days have been filled with memories today being the hardest. 

Anthony captured people's attention with his bright, beautiful red hair and then drew them in with his sweet face and amazing smile. In the short time he was here, he touch so many people's lives.

Today please keep his family in your prayers, hug your kids and tell them you love them. 

We love and miss you Anthony! 

Saying "Goodbye"

Saying "goodbye" is never easy. We have been attending our church, Bible Baptist Church, for 5 years. Sadly, at the end of this month, our beloved Pastor is retiring. Our family has been blessed by his preaching for 5 of the 25 years he has been leading this church. He is an amazing man of God who passionately brings the Word every time he is behind the pulpit. Personally, I can say that I have grown spiritually stronger under his shepherding.

Pastor Bill also has a special place in my heart because he has been a strong supporter of me using the abilities God has bestowed upon me to create bulletin boards at the church. He has such a creative side and is always so appreciative of the work that is done. 

With his leaving, it only seemed appropriate to create a bulletin board in tribute to Pastor Bill's service to God's call of preaching the Gospel. This was a hard board to do because I wanted it to show how truly thankful everyone is for his service. After brainstorming with my creative side kick, Debbie, the decision was to go the route of listing the names/titles of what a man called to bring forth God's Word is called in the Bible. Then, also list the character attributes they should possess.

To make it even more of a personal thank you, I asked, Debbie, who has been under Pastor Bill's shepherding for many years & has also been working with him in the church office, to write a "thank you" note that we placed in the center of the board. 

This has been such a bittersweet board. Bitter because it means Pastor Bill will be leaving soon and I will truly miss him. Sweet because I can pay tribute to the amazing ministry he has had. Also, it is my thank you to him for always supporting my effort to minister through bulletin boards.

Thank you Pastor Bill, you will be greatly missed!!