First Craft Post

Up until recently, I never considered myself a crafty or creative person. It wasn't until I was giving a tour of our new place to some friends did I realize I've made and or refurnished several things in our house. Ever since I found out about Pinterest thanks to Alexis at Joyful Momma's Kitchen, my addiction to crafting and passion for cooking has been reignited. This project wasn't my first pinterest project, but so far it's my favorite. I LOVE how it turned out. With the help of my new Cricut mini machine, given to me by my kids (my pups) for Christmas I was able to make this project. Growing up my mom had this small plaque that said, "Home is where the Air Force sends you," attached were hearts with the bases my dad was stationed at. This project kinda takes a spin on that.

For the sign, I got semi directions from 3FlyGirls. I found the plaque from Michaels and first painted the sign a light gray, I think I did about 3 coats. While it's drying I used the Sophisticated cartridge on my Cricut machine and printed on white contact paper found in the kitchen section at Walmart. Then I measured the sign for where I wanted to put my letters. (This process took the longest). After the letters are where I want them, make sure the contact paper is stuck down really well. Then I painted over the sign with black paint. I think I used three or four coats. Wait until it is dry to peel off the letters. I had the hubby nail on picture hanging hardware so we can put it on the wall.

I've had several people ask if I cut out the states using an old map. I actually didn't, I got the maps from http://www.yellowmaps.com. I found the website at Kayladanelle.blogspot.com she has all the directions there on how to print your maps. I printed them on photo paper. I also found the picture frames at Michaels they were originally $9.99 and I got them on sale for $4.99. The hubby asked me not to use the maps in a heart shape or put a heart sticker to indicate the city we were in, he thought it'd be way too girly. I obliged mainly because I make all the decision when it comes to decorations around the house. Gotta give him some say right? I used star stickers instead and for the slips of paper I used card stock. The slips of paper have the years we were there, why we were there, and where we were.

For example:
2005 - Where we met - Beale AFB, CA
2005-2009 - ROTC - Salt Lake City, UT
2009-2011 - ENJJPT - Sheppard AFB, TX
2011 - F-16 Training - Luke AFB, AZ

Many of you don't know before my husband became a pilot he was enlisted and his first base was at Beale AFB and that is where we met. I chose to include this state because if it wasn't for the Air Force sending him here, we never would have met. :) He received a scholarship from the Air Force which allowed him to get out of his enlistment contract early and attend college for four years and then commission. He worked his butt off to get where he is and I'm a very proud wife. We've already been 4 places together and his pilot career is just getting started. Imagine what the wall is going to look like by the time we retire.

A little tip before you hang anything up, lay it out on the floor exactly how you want it before you even start making holes in the wall. Hope these directions help. If you have any questions, just leave a comment.