What’s in a Name

I’ve been looking for blank wooden letters for Claire’s door since before she was born. I wasn’t willing to pay $4 or $5 a letter when you can get decent wood letters at the dollar store, but the letters in Claire’s name are popular indeed and never available. Since her birth, and move into the nursery, Callum’s name was on the door. Not that long ago Steve gently suggested that maybe it was time to, at the very least, put Callum’s name on his own door.
I procrastinated a little longer, of course. Then for Christmas Steve gave me the book Green Crafts for Children, and on the very first page is a project where you make letters for your door with salt dough.

And just like that, everything comes together, because you know, door labels are of the utmost importance. Still, procratination sometimes serves you well! (Right Chrispy?! )
I’ve made salt dough many, many times before but it never occured to me to make a name plate. I have no idea why. So, voila, Claire’s door appropriately labeled.

I picked a font that I liked, printed it and then traced it over the dough. Once it was baked I sanded the edges (with a nail file because I was far, far too lazy to walk out to the shop and get sand-paper) and painted it with craft paint. I’m mighty pleased with the result. Of course, less than 2 minutes after I took the first picture, I broke the “C”. The “C” on the door is the replacement, and it’s a little off but not too noticably. I didn’t use the standard colors when I painted it, I mixed my own, and couldn’t re-mix the exact shades. This is what I do, welcome to my life.
The little froggie was a clip-art that I printed, traced, and painted so I certainly can’t take credit for him, but he sure is cute.
Now the rotten’s are sleeping exactly where their names say they should. heh.