It is Well with my Soul!

I received a text the other day from a friend, asking if I could recreate a sign* that she saw and loved!  Of course I texted her back, ASAP, with a YES!  I mean, really, I can recreate anything…at least that is what I was hoping.  After numerous texts back and forth, to figure out the exact measurements and color selection, I went to work.  It was not difficult to make at all, but since I am stilling learning how to use my Cameo, it was a little time consuming.  The end result looks amazing!  And I hope that my friend loves it (she better) even more than the original one she saw!

 

 

Many people have heard the song “It Is Well With My Soul'”, but probably do not know the story behind these now famous words.  The following story, shortened by me, is written by Tiny Truelove. 

To read Tiny Truelove’s full story visit here.

When Horatio Spafford wrote the heart gripping words to the hymn, he was not insinuating that all things were going well in his life. In fact, Spafford's words were meant as a song of thanksgiving and praise to our God in the midst of deep grief and loss as a result of a series of tragedies that can only be imagined by most.

In 1870, in spite of a successful career, Horatio and Anna Spafford began to suffer a series of tragedies that would change their lives forever, beginning with the death of their son. His death was the result of Scarlet Fever at the tender age of four. Approximately one year later, a large portion of Spafford's real estate holdings were lost as a result of the Great Chicago Fire. Spafford lost his life's savings.

In 1873, Horatio sent his wife and daughters on a ship to Europe. He planned to join them later. Nine days later, Spafford's wife, Anna, sent him a telegram from Wales. The telegram read, "Saved alone."

On the way to Europe a French ship collided with the English ship. It took only 12 minutes to sink, taking 226 lives with it. Anna's last memories were of her daughter being ripped from her arms by the raging waters. She alone had been rescued from the debris. All four daughters died in the accident.

Horatio boarded the next ship out of New York to join Anna. During the voyage to Europe, the ship's captain called Horatio Spafford to the ship's bridge. It was there that the captain explained to Horatio that they were passing over the spot where his daughters had perished. Horatio returned to his cabin and wrote It Is Well With My Soul .

 

I was going to share with you a step by step on how I made this sign, but I think after that amazing heart wrenching story, it just doesn’t seem right.

I leave you to reflect on your own life’s tragedies and blessings you have encountered! God Bless!

*Please note: The original design of the sign came from 13pumpkins on etsy.  To purchase her amazing ‘it is well with my soul’ or her other amazing signs visit: http://www.etsy.com/shop/13pumpkins.

 

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Dance in the Rain!

I’m baaaccckkk!  Did you miss me?  Of course you did!  And by you, I mean my mom and 2 friends that read every one of my posts! 

Anyhoo…I spent an amazing fun filled week in Sedona with my husband and son.  Before we left for our vacation my awesome husband gave me a CAMEO for our 10 year anniversary!!!  I was so super excited to get it, but bummed cause I didn’t get a chance to use it before Sedona.   My family did not want to come home because that meant that they had to go back to work and school, but I was thrilled to get home!  Let me tell you…I was itching to get back home to use my new toy!  So today, I will be sharing with you my very 1st project using my Cameo!!! 

After I pulled the Cameo out of the box, downloaded the software, and connected it to my computer, there is only one word to describe the way I felt…INTIMIDATED!  Eek!  I just sat there at my computer looking dumbfounded at the Silhouette program. There were soooo many different buttons and options that I was completely overwhelmed.  So I did what any normal person would do…I eat a bowl of ice cream and read a novel!

The next day, I  decided I needed some encouragement to conquer my Cameo so I hit Pinterest.  There are so many projects on Pinterest made using the Cameo.  Heck, if they can do it, so can I!  Encouragement found! 

 

I am loving how my pallet turned out!  This saying is so awesome.

      

What was so great about this project was that I only needed a few supplies.  I purchased 1 furring strip from Lowes and cut it into 6 pieces about 15” long.  I did not want them all the same exact length so I varied the length a little on each.  Then I cut a square dowel into 2 pieces about 10” long and 1 piece at 8” long.

Next I used my Dremel Trio to drill 6 holes in the 2 dowels, which I then hand screwed (yes, I know, totally lame) into each furring strip to hold it all together.  Then attached the smaller dowel to the top and put wall hooks into that.  After everything was attached I stained my pallet.

Ummm…why not just use an electric screwdriver you are wondering?  Well, because ours got ruined by being left outside.  So dumb…I know.  So every project I have done, I have had to use a hand screwdriver.  Let me tell you…it sucked. 

But, don’t you worry about me.  My husband just gave me, yesterday, for my Birthday a Makita Compact Cordless Combo Kit!  NO more killing my arm and back.  In case you missed that little Birthday plug for myself, yesterday was my BIRTHDAY!

Now onto using my new toy.  I thought that I could just cut my whole saying at one time, slap it onto my pallet, add some paint and voila I would be done!  Right…that SO did not work.  My Cameo did not like that at all.  The vinyl was a disaster.  So, I then did each line by itself.  It worked, but not as great as I thought it would.  Some of the words did not cut all the way through so I used scissors to fix them.  I played around with the different settings and honestly I am not even sure if my blade is in correctly.  I was quite discouraged by it all. 

Once all the vinyl was cut, I attached it to the pallet.  I thought that the adhesive vinyl would stick to anything, but it did not want to stick to my stained wood.  Anyone else have this problem?  It stayed well enough that I was able to paint, using a stencil brush, the saying onto the pallet.  I had to do three coats of paint.  Once it was dry enough, I removed the vinyl and sanded the words to give it an older look.  This project took way longer than I thought that it would…but I love how it turned out, so it was totally worth it!

 

 

 

I have realized that I need to play around a lot more with my Cameo to figure out everything it can and can not do.  Hmmm…now what should my next project be???

 

Let’s Party!