I can still hear my mom asking that … and not in a sing-songy voice.
It was more like …
In her clenched-teeth frustrated you better make a decision now and that decision had better be final because there is no going back once your decision has been made voice.
You know that voice, right?
Because chances are you’ve used that very same voice with your very own kids …
Can you remember the first time you sounded just like your mother? I can’t pinpoint the exact moment. Or the exact phrase uttered …
… but I do know it must’ve been sometime when my first-born was two or three years old.
And when your next door neighbor tells her third child of a husband that those piles of scrap lumber hanging around inside the house must go out, out, out …
… and you see that neighbor in his backyard cutting up that lumber to make it easier to go out, out, out into the alley…
Naturally you’d ask him for a few boards. You know, so you can hop on that making distressed signs and hanging them up around the house trend …
And what did I make? Not one but two EXIT signs.
Two EXIT signs to hang over the two doorways in my kitchen. Two doorways on the same wall. Two doorways that, essentially, EXIT to the same place.
The first attempt at this project involved an EXIT and and ENTER sign.
But ENTER was bugging me. And since I spend a lot of time in the kitchen each day I knew ENTER would taunt me to no end …
So I cracked open the red paint and started again …
I dry brushed with the leftover Yarmouth Blue I put on the kitchen walls …
… followed by the glossy white I used on the trim.
For the letters I went old school.
Stencils.
The arrows were free-formed using painter’s tape …
Next up: Sanding. By hand. Followed by a white washing.
I just mixed my white paint with some glazing medium (you can get the same effect using water) and brushed it on … and wiped it off with rag.
So, where do you stand?
In or out?
To be honest, when my mom asked us that question in her frustrated you-need-to-make-a-final-decision-now voice …
… I’m pretty sure she was silently rooting for out.
P.S. If you’re “out” ... but still “in” with reading more of my finely honed prose … then you can check me “out” @ At The Picket Fence today by clicking here …
Sharing:
* Thrifty Decor Chick * The 36th Avenue * At The Picket Fence * French Country Cottage * Redoux * Funky Junk Interiors * Savvy Southern Style * A Bowl Full of Lemons *
Hi there! My name is Linda and I’m a Jersey-born-and-bred Midwestern transplant who lives in Chicago with my husband and two children. We've lived in our home since 1995 and over the years our style has changed and evolved. I wouldn't call my home a work-in-progress -- more like a rework-in-progress as I refresh and remodel things around here ... one room at a time.
Most days I feel like I am on the fence so I guess that’s neither?
I love these signs they look great!
Cute signs….
You are one of my most favorite bloggers. I just added you to my sidebar so I can keep a closer eye on you. I just read your post At the Picket Fence…love those curtains. The whole room is truly amazing. I am so sorry about your dear sister Janet. One of my friends just found out she has breast cancer in both sides – 20 weeks of chemo before surgery and 40 weeks after. I’m so scared for her. 3 little boys and she is only 39 years old.
I remember that voice! It usually came after the screen door had slammed for the upteenth billionth time. Your signs are great. Thanks for sharing.
I like it, and I like that I would be able to find my way OUT of the kitchen.
~Bliss~
you know I have a few (ahah), a lot of wood scraps hanging out in my garage…what a fun project!
Ummmm…..I’m still saying the same thing
Along with….”Get your feet off the couch” and “If everyone else did that….would you?”
Love your signs
LOVE those!
Love it Linda. Your stencils look armyish. Not amish, armyish. The amish don’t stencil.
What a very cute and simple idea. This one I am stealing, like today!!! I can see making a whole bunch of these. Funny, I could hear myself saying these words as I read this post. Too fun!
Hahaha… I can still hear my mom asking me that same question in the EXACT same way!
You did a great job (surprise, surprise) on the sign! Pinning.
They are awesome. And now in case of fire, your family will know exactly how to escape.
This weird comment brought to you by the terrible dream I had last night in which we could not get to Weston’s room during a fire. No more junk food at 11 p.m.
very cute signs…love them!
Love the sign! Great idea – I just might make one for my own door(s)!
Great signs! I’ve been wanting to make an EXIT sign for ages… now because you’ve gone this road I know to make one sign. Whew. Thanks… you’ve saved me lots of ‘splainin’ to my mother.
Tone of voice… ? I have NO idea what you’re talking about.
(says the mom who had a melt down yesterday)
Oh, and the signs are real cute too
LOL!
i just peed my pants over kelly’s comment. and i love your signs. thinking of making some that say exit only….. do not enter…
Too cute….and I love Kelly’s comment too.
I can hear mother saying “in or out” too….Oh those memories.
Haha! I’ve always been a decisive person, when it comes to certain things, but not choosing a restaurant! I can never pick a restaurant!
Linda,
Oh yes I do remember hearing that LOL! LOVE these signs!
xx
Anne
Oh my goodness..that is what my mom used to say to us kids….especially when we got the new air-conditioner…!!….Your signs are so awesome…love them!!…
Don’t make me pull this car over!
Because I said so!
Go to your room!
Yes, I have officially become my mother – help me!
Now instead of clenching your teeth – just point to one of those signs!
Kelly
I wish you’d just take over my house and fix it. Make it look like this blog. Please?
I love that, Linda! How fun! And actually my mom never said that. She just booted us out and locked the door on a lot of summer days. We did find things to keep us busy! lol!
Oh my…I do find myself sounding more and more like my mother, at least I am following in the footsteps of many others. I love the 2 EXIT signs, they turned out really well. Though, your In and Out has me daydreaming about In N Out burgers…mmmm…burgers
Ha ha do I remember my mom saying THAT!! Usually accompanied with a “you weren’t born in a barn” (i.e. shut the door/quit air conditioning-heating the outdoors).
Awesome signs and a total score on the lumber!
xo Heidi
Hahaha, my mother used to say that, too! I love your signs. They’re like hints to everyone who is cramping your style in the kitchen.
Ooooh I love this. I think I need to make one for the Chicago teen’s bathroom “Pick up your clothes” Maybe I need to shame her into action by putting some photos on my blog.
I’m loving this. I’ve never sounded like my mother *snicker*
Beautifully beachy. Yep, my mom used to say that, too. And we were OUT the door to go play…
LOVE it!
I just love this – have to copy it!!!
Love your signs! What is really wonderful is hearing your children using that tone of voice with their kids! Yay! Pay back is wonderful! [shhh....Don't tell my kids that I said that]
Thank you so much for linking up to my party. I am sharing this tomorrow afternoon. -K
Simple and Great! i love your concept that idea didnt come up to my mind! lol your genius!