Sunburst Scrap Wood Art Feature

Last summer we built a deck on our house and, of course, we had a ton of scraps left over.  My husband wanted to burn them but my crafty side convinced him to let me keep some of them for a project or two.  Here is what I came up with:

 Since I spend a TON of time in front of the computer in the office I wanted it to be a space that I don't mind hanging out in, so I painted it a bright, cheerful purple (which happens to be my favorite color!).  Most of the art work in the room is done in shades of sunny orange for a dynamic pop.  

I started the Sunburst Scrap Wood Art Feature by sanding the rough edges off each selected board.  Then I painted each board.  I used five shades of paint that I got from a local hardware store.  I bought the small test pots of color that the store offered for a few dollars so that I wouldn't have a ton of paint leftover.  

Then I laid out the design on a flat surface.  It was a nice day so I arranged everything outside.  I was going for an organic, sunburst shape but I knew I would need the boards in the center to tie everything together.  

Then I pulled out the drill (yay! power tools!) and screwed the boards together.  I started with the five larger boards, screwing the bottom four into the darker large board. Then I connected the rays to the larger boards from the back of the project.  (Note: I didn't want screw holes to be visible so I screwed most everything in from the bottom side.  Only the top two center boards were connected from the top of the project.)  When I got done I only had to fill in one visible screw hole in the center of the top board.  I filled it with wood putty, sanded, and painted to match so that it is barely visible.

The final step is to hang it on the wall.  Here is were some strong help comes in handy.  The finished project weighs approximately 50 lbs because I  was going for a big statement.  Getting it onto the wall was a bit tricky because it was a dispersed, unwieldy weight.  My husband graciously helped with this portion.  I affixed a picture wire to the back of the piece that can be used to hold up to 100 lbs (just to be safe)!  And I attached the hook into the wall with a screw into a stud so that it wouldn't rip the drywall down.

This feature makes me smile everyday when I see it!

Creativity is only limited by people, so look around your house and be inspired! 

Lord move..... or move me.

I listen to Slacker radio throughout the day.  It seems I am more productive with some great background music.  If I am working on an assignment or project, I prefer to listen to classical.  I switch between movie scores and the classical greats.  )You know you listen to a lot of classical music when you start to recognize snippets of songs during commercials!)

However, when I am doing laundry or something else I enjoy listening to the Christian station.  As I was listening today FFH's song entitled "Lord move, or move me" came on.  The song lyrics are below:

Lord move, or move me

I can't find the words to pray

I'm a little down today

Can you help me?

Can you hold me?

I feel like a million miles away

And I don't know what to say

Can you hear me anyway?

What I need is for you to reach out your hand

You have taught me

No matter what you'd understand

CHORUS:
Lord move in a way, that I've never seen before

Cause there's a mountain in the way and a lock on the door

I'm drifting away, waves are crashing on the shore

So Lord move (move), or move me.

I've look every where to find 

A simple peace of mind 

I can't find nothing on my own

So I got to leave myself behind

Take up this cross of mine

Give away everything I hold onto
Lord I know the only way is through this

Lord I know I need you to help me do this

CHORUS
Lord move in a way, that I've never seen before

Cause there's a mountain in the way and a lock on the door

I'm drifting away, waves are crashing on the shore

So Lord move (move), or move me.

Out of this place of complacency

To a place of fellowship with thee

Cause I am weak but Lord you are so strong

And you know it's been way too long (been way too long)

Lord move in the way, that I've never seen before

Cause there's a mountain in the way and I'll knock on the door

I'm drifting away, waves are crashing on the shore

So Lord move (move)...

CHORUS

The chorus really struck a chord with me today.  I am such a control freak!  I like to (think) I am in control.  But in reality, this need for control is more frequently my way of getting in His way.  

You ever have those times when you want something and then while you are waiting and praying, it appears, that everyone else ends up with what you are praying about?  

I remember in high school wanting that "insert label name here" pair of jeans...  Instead I am wearing Joyce Scherer originals (that's my mom).  Its amazing how something I used to be embarrassed about is now one of my most cherished memories...

Later it was the dream job.  Fresh out of college and hoping to conquer the road and no doors seem to open up.  But everyone I know is relocating, starting over, moving on, growing up and out. Then a window opens and I thought "here it is" but it was only temporary.  Multiple let-downs later and I ended up in back in school, which is something I love (most days).

Then it is baby-fever.  Start thinking about a family and then everyone starts procreating.  Everyone's facebook pictures start changing from their own beautiful faces to the faces of their plethora of offspring.  

Then there are the larger, more personal mountains.  The demons that creep into our thoughts and we don't tell anyone about.  Those voices that say you aren't good enough, pretty enough, smart enough, tough enough.... enough.  I may, will, never be enough but He is.

2 Corinthians 12:9 ~ He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.”  Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me.

John 16:33 ~ “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace.  In this world you will have trouble.  But take heart!  I have overcome the world.”

2 Corinthians 4:8-9 ~ We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed. 

Ephesians 3:20 ~ Now to him who is able to do immeasurable more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us.

Somehow, deeply struck by the FFH lyrics and these verses, I realize that the issue is me, my perspective, and it needs to change.  His plan is bigger then my timing.  His plan has eternal timing in mind.  How grateful I am for that truth.  So today I pray, 'Lord move, or move me' so that I continue to see your hand in all aspects of my life, especially those that make no sense to this mortal mind.