$\"My$ <\/a>

My husband unloads his roadside find.<\/p><\/div>\n

<\/p>\n

$\"The$ <\/a>

The more tattered, the better!<\/p><\/div>\n

This roadside find was beat up, cracked and weathered to perfection. And after my husband pulled it apart, he used the slabs to build a manger that can easily be assembled and disassembled.<\/span><\/p>\n

$\"P1040989\"$ <\/a><\/p>\n

The only thing I had to do was remove the white paint that I’m sure was not around when Jesus was born. \u00a0A good power washing did the trick. Then I just added a few touches of black and white paint to accent the age and give it a little more dimension.<\/span><\/p>\n

$\"Power$ <\/a>

Power Washers are great for removing old paint.<\/p><\/div>\n

$\"Yes,$ <\/a>

Yes, I removed the paint only to add more. But think theater here. I needed the cracked wood grain exaggerated.<\/p><\/div>\n

I used a similar technique with a kissing booth I built for a photographer who was going to use it for a Valentine’s Day photo shoot. (Quick plug: If \u00a0you’re in the Phoenix area and ever need a super creative photographer, check her out at Lizziebeephotography.com)<\/span><\/p>\n

$\"finished$ <\/a><\/p>\n

This project was super fun because I got to use a skill saw.<\/span><\/p>\n

$\"Tool$ <\/a>

Tool Time Marcy<\/p><\/div>\n

But back to the painting technique. \u00a0I use both a brush and sponge whenever I’m trying to give something a weathered look. \u00a0In this case I white washed it with random brush strokes, then I put a few drops of black paint on a moist sponge and just rubbed it along the edges.<\/span><\/p>\n

$\"up$ <\/a><\/p>\n

$\"paint$ <\/a><\/p>\n

$\"wiping\"$ <\/a><\/p>\n

I’ll throw in one more prop just for fun. \u00a0This backdrop for a puppet show was made out of PVC pipe and lots of black fabric stitched to hang like drapes. \u00a0(It was a super easy sew project. \u00a0And check out the drapes! \u00a0I found a square piece of velvet at a thrift store, and it already came with the over-embellished gold roping. \u00a0I’ve never been so happy to find something so tacky in my life!) \u00a0Once the sewing was done, I cut out a window from a lightweight piece of wood veneer, and I painted it with gold swirls reminiscent of old time theater.<\/span><\/p>\n

$\"P1030030\"$ <\/a><\/p>\n

$\"P1030033\"$ <\/a><\/p>\n

Before I close the curtain on this post, I encourage you to use your creative talents and volunteer at your church, your child’s school, and anywhere in your community that may need a hand. \u00a0You’d be surprised how many things are needed, and how rewarding it is to lend your talents to a good cause…whether or not they give you props.<\/span><\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

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