During one of Hubby’s deployments I found myself holding onto certain lines from songs as a lifeline. I remember writing one of them on my bathroom mirror in lipstick like you see in the movies. It may have been ill-advised, but it led to a special relationship between me and the music around me. I took to printing out pretty versions of lyrics I could tape up in different places so I could see them in rough moments. I had the idea for this project several years ago and bought all the supplies, but didn’t manage to actually do it until this week. Below are the basics for the theory of the project, read them all before you begin so you have a good understanding and can plan things well, that will pay off in the end, I promise!
Gather Your Supplies
As I said, I had this idea several years ago so these exact products may not be available anymore, but you should be able to find suitable substitutes. First off, you need your sign base. I like the look of a pallet sign for this project, but any wood blank would work. You can either use the raw wood as I did or paint on a base coat first if you want more contrast or to match a specific color pallet. Next, some form of paint markers. I used chalk paint markers, but you can use any type of paint markers. In a pinch, permanent markers would work as well, but they won’t stand out as much. Just be sure to not use your best markers on this project as the wood can tear up the tips a bit. Next, consider some sort of embellishments. I had some leftover flowers from a previous project that I thought would work well, but you really could use any type of embellishment that would make you smile. I could see some pretty buttons or small favorite toys working well here as well. I do recommend picking something that is three-dimensional so it gives a bit of depth to your sign. To attach my flowers I used some school glue judiciously applied. Remember what my art teacher always said, “A Dab Will Do Ya!”
Figuring Out Your Layout
You’ll want to decided which particular song lyric you want to be the centerpiece of the sign before you begin (more on picking out songs below.) I chose a line from one of my favorite Pink songs for mine. Depending on how many words in the line and how long each is, you will wand to decide on the spacing and size of everything before you begin. I also wanted to change the way each line appeared to give it more character. Take time to sketch this out on paper if need be, so you are sure you know exactly where to start each part. After you do the centerpiece decide where you want the embellishments. You want to do this before you start writing in the other lyrics so that you don’t end up trying to fit them in the space you have left. Once they are in place and secured, you can start writing all of your lyrics in. I wanted to use all different types of colors except for black and the pink I used for the main line. I also chose to vary the way I wrote each of the lines to try and distinguish them from one another a bit more. One special note for the markers, I struggled to get good coverage with my markers at first, until I put them tip down in a cup. This made all the difference and I wish I had thought of it sooner! I also had to go over anything written in white twice so that it was bright enough to see.
Choosing Your Songs
When it comes to choosing your songs you want to be sure they are all ones that make you feel better in bad times or pump you up in some way. I have a few playlists of favorites that I went through to grab lines from which also helped me remember all of my favorites. It was really weird I sat down to do this and suddenly forgot all my favorite songs! If you have a way to view the lyrics that will also help you isolate your favorite lines from each as well. Don’t feel pressured into picking lines that someone else would recognize, pick ones that when you see them it will help you remember that song. This sign is for you after all! You also have to be aware of the space you have to write each line in as you do not want to run out half way through. Think of the songs you pick as a friend waiting for you to say, “You can do it!” each time you see it. I also had fun mixing genres together and choosing unexpected “fonts” for some of the lines, really anything that could make me smile when I needed to. You can also draw little pictures if you like, although I limited myself to a heart and a firework.
A Very Personal Sign Just for You
I am really happy with the way this turned out! It has all of my favorite songs on it, with space to add more as I find them. The colors are bright and inviting and the white flowers add a bit of contrast to the whole thing. I cannot wait to hang this in my dressing room (my fancy name for our walk in closet) and be able to see it as I get ready each day. I also retreat there when I am having a tough moment and I know seeing it will certainly help me feel better. I hope you love the sign you make for yourself as much as I love mine. No two signs will be the same which I find somehow comforting, that the signs are made just for us. Tell me how it goes for you in the comments below, I cannot wait to hear how yours turned out!
