Gearing Up for Canada Day!

2006

Canada Day is just around the corner and we are looking forward to it as always. My 'little' girl just turned 10 and as soon as that birthday rolls around I know our next big celebration is not far away.

Last week I got out my trusty ole fence boards and made a new sign for the mantle. Yes, I still have those hideous Canadian Tire sconces and the tile fireplace. They are closer up to the top of my hit list than they are on Mr. CF's hit list. Sigh. 

Start by selecting old fence boards from your carefully cataloged and meticulously stored stock from under the deck. I screwed two flat pieces of scrap board vertically to the back to join the boards.

Our flag has a 1:2 ratio and the centre white square is the dimensions of the height of the flag. I was happy to learn this when making this sign; I'll be sure to get that right on my future mini flags! My boards measure 17x33. Technically it should be 34" wide, but I didn't want to trim the weathered boards and lose the perfectly aged ends. I used a clip art flag and enlarged it in PS Elements to get the right size for the maple leaf. It took 3 pieces of letter sized paper taped together to get the right size. Then I just printed and transferred it with graphite paper.

Following Funky Junk Donna's tutorial here I painted a bright first coat.

Followed by two coats of outdoor latex. I plan to hang this on our fence after it's had it's run on the mantle.

I let it dry for a couple of days and then took the mouse sander to it. I love how the turquoise peeks through.

I haven't ever done a Canada Day mantle, so I am now going to be on the lookout for some vintage red/white bits. For now I went with what I had on hand: a woodsy camping theme.

 I love the vintage trailer art of Paige Bridges and chose this print as it was closest to the 1964 made-in-Alberta TeePee that I grew up camping in. (The same trailer I'm peeking out of with the birthday cake at the top of my blog) The vintage Winnebago motorhome was one of two that I got from my dear neighbour friend across the street.

My Dad, sister and I, 1970, in front of our TeePee. This campground was a favourite -- except for the knee high red ant nests that crawled with activity. I still remember those vividly.

I have had this tree, birdhouse and the same photo in the fish frame for at least 20 years. The photo is one of my absolute favourites and here is why...

My dad is in the beanie, neighbour Harold sports wool pants and no shirt, my great grandmother, Eliza Anne, does her best Granny Clampett impersonation about five years before they first aired in 1952, and my dear Aunt Marlene takes the cake. My eldest niece at age 12 hit it spot on when she exclaimed that Marlene looked just like Margaret from Dennis the Menace! I am happy to report that Marlene is still full of mischief today. :)

I've got a few more perches to decorate in the house before July 1st is upon us. School will be out in a week and summer will be here! There is nothing better. :)

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