Can you even believe that it is already November? Where is time going? I feel like I blinked and I missed fall. What exactly is happening? Is time literally going faster? I need to look into that. Can you even imagine scientists saying the millisecond is actually shorter now. It’s probably true. I want credit for that discovery. Write that down.
So this post was supposed to go up earlier…like I said, time flies….BUT I am obsessed with it. I am so glad that I did this project and I absolutely love it! It’s so easy to customize and it is something that is full of sentimental value!
That may look like just a framed piece of paper….and that is exactly what it is. Those are the wedding vows that Jeremy and I memorized and recited during our wedding. It may not make sense if you just read it how it is written but imagine two people going back and forth, reciting part by part, back and forth, back and forth. I might just cry thinking about that moment in my life and how much perfection was in that single minute. It’s kinda crazy now but truly – that was my favorite thing about the entire wedding…more than the food, or dress, or venue or decor. It was just us in that moment…and as stressful as memorizing it and saying it in front of hundreds of people was….it represents the beginning of our story! I really wanted to make something to commemorate that!
So the paper itself was actually just the words typed out and printed to 24×36 size at Office Depot. They do a large format print (it’s called an engineer print at Staples and a large format b&w print at Office Depot) and they charge per square foot (I had six square feet so mine cost under $3).
Always make sure you buy the Ninja Turtle Pencil
The wood frame was relatively simple too. It’s a thin 1/4″ piece of plywood that is cut to 24×36 and then 1×3’s that are cut to fit around the plywood.
We don’t have a router (SHAME) so in order to get the groves in the frame part, we run each piece through the table saw. It takes a couple passes but the grove can be chiseled out with a screwdriver.
See how the groove is in there? Now the plywood can fit in the groove and when you nail the frame edges together, it is sturdy and not too difficult to make!
For the frame part, I used Rust-Oleum’s Kona stain and semi-gloss poly. The stain I did REALLY lightly because I like the grain showing more.
Isn’t it so purdy!?! Like a chocolate bar that I want to chomp into!
Since I would be trimming my paper to fit perfectly, I also did the inside corners really well. It helps hide any cutting issues
I used Mod Podge to glue the paper down and I am gonna warn you….this was probably the hardest part because it dries pretty fast!
I poured a ton out and then spread it out with a foam brush. The paper got laid in after that….this is what was hard.
As I was smoothing it out, Jeremy said that he liked it more wrinkly….so then I had to go back quickly and try to put some wrinkles in it. Using two hands, I would slowly push the page together till I got a little crease and then moved to another area to repeat.
Once it was dry, it was ready to hang. I just used a nail in the wall (the plywood is inset just a little forward so it gives you a little lip to hang on!).
We hung it right next to our bed (excuse the lack of duvet and euro pillow covers….there was a ‘burp incident’).
I love the simplicity of it and how I know that nobody else will have that in their room
And the wrinkles are growing on me. I think I liked it straight better but I see how this looks more aged.
And now Jeremy never has an excuse to forget our anniversary
So that is our most recent DIY anniversary gift. Have you ever made something for your spouse or for celebrating your big day? I’d love to hear all about it. I’d even go so far as to VOW to be wowed
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