Monday, April 8, 2013

Curbside find turned advertising sign

My first dumpster dive...okay I did not have to dive into the dumpster, because this baby was leaning up against the wall behind the dumpster. But I like the sound when I hear myself say "I went dumpster diving"...Yay!
 
Anyhoo! It was quite a challenge getting this baby to my house, but so much fun turning her into a big poster/advertising sign!
 
 
When I passed the dumpster on my way to catch the bus to work, I spotted two of these boards propped up against the wall. My heart jumped outta my chest like this!
It was pure adrenalin pumping through my veins, blood pressure dangerously rising. I had no idea whether I could just take it and walk off. It felt really weird, and I had two voices shouting in my head!
 
Daredevil: "Take it, Sumaya. Take it"
Scarredy cat: "Nooo, it feels like stealing"
Daredevil: "Take it, take it. It's there for the taking"
Scarredy cat: "Uhm, I'm not sure. I'm a little bit scared...no I am petrified"
Daredevil: "Take it, take it, its now or never!"
 
That song is playing in my head right now...

It's now or never,
Come hold me tight
Kiss me my darling,
Be mine tonight
Tomorrow will be too late,.... LOL!

I bravely scooped up a board and started down the road, expecting a booming voice calling " Hey, come back here"
But no call came...lol and I made a run for it with board tucked under my arm!
 
So, now another dilemma! I can't carry this big thing through the bus and arrive at the office with people looking at me funny!!!!
Uhm, think, think. Aha, I asked my sweet friend at the discount clothing store to stash it till the weekend. She jokingly said "it will cost you a can of soda". I said "I will throw in a big slab of chocolate"
 
When I got the board home, I was so excited to start, so I can only share the before, with one side already stained. I just thought it would be cool to try some color blocking!
  
 
You can see the lovely knots and texture of the wood veneer.  I did'nt bother to try and fix the splits as it adds to the character. Here you can see the two sides, one side stained, the other with a layer of paint!

 
I went over to The Graphics Fairy for the corset advertising signage. The hand was an afterthought, but I think it looks pretty cool!

I made the image bigger on my computer and used the graphite transfer method. I used the same method to transfer the hand, but kept the dimensions the same. Then it took me hours to paint in all the details by hand.

I aged the painted side up a bit as well as the actual image!

 


 
What do you think? Was it worth sending my blood pressure sky high??
 

You can often find me at these fabulous parties:

22 comments:

  1. It is always a good sign that your blood pressure rises when spotting a roadside treasure. This sign look so cute hanging in a bath. It looks great!

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    Replies
    1. I haven't decided yet what I'm gonna do with the sign. I like your idea of hanging it in the bathroom.

      Thanks Donna:0)

      Delete
  2. Sumaya, that is so funny, I would like to have been there, I would have been your look out. The sign is great. I can't imagine anyone throwing it away. I'm so glad you rescued it. Have a Blessed day.

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    Replies
    1. I had a good laugh at myself after this episode. I wish I had a 'partner in crime'...LOL

      Thanks Trisha!

      Have a blessed day too.

      Delete
  3. I once saw a chair on the side of the street and I picked it up and carried it home. I was worried all the way home.

    Your sign looks great. I am a fan of hands so that is my favorite part.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Its a funny and weird feeling is it not. You know that its there for the taking, but you still feel like you are committing a sin...lol

      I love the hand too!

      Hugs
      Sumaya

      Delete
  4. Replies
    1. I think it will be easier to zap a roadside find next time...lol

      Delete
  5. hahaha, too funny. but yes, I am like that too, thanks to 23 years with a hubby that lives to garbage pick. hahaha. my kids were always afraid to ride with us on trash day, cuz if there was something cool on the side of the road, sure enough, hubby would pull over. even if we were dressed up for a wedding!
    Debbi
    -yankeeburrowcreations

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  6. hahaha....my hubby would never do that, he will drive right past and I will dream about that cool thing for months...hahaha!

    Thanks Debbi:)

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  7. WooHOOOOOO!! I am so impressed. Now that you have scored your first Dumpster piece, it just gets addicting!!! That counts as Dumpster Diving if it is next to or anywhere near the dumpster. Love the sign, that is awesome!

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  8. The thrill of the dumpster dive! Even if it's leaning there, that definitely counts! Glad you got it and you get extra points if you carried it on a bus!
    Liz

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    Replies
    1. Hee,hee,hee, I've learnt that if its anywhere near the dumpster it counts!

      Thanks Liz:0)

      Delete
  9. Looks great!! I haven't done much dumpster diving myself...but one time a house down the street had piles of "free" stuff outside. I grabbed some glass jelly jars...living dangerously ;)

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    Replies
    1. I am sure you did something great with those jars. One man's junque is another's treasure:o)

      Thanks so much Laurel!

      Delete
  10. Haha! Hilarious commentary! I love the sign too...especially the hand! THank you for sharing with us at the Give Me The Goods Link Party!
    www.dimplesandpigtales.blogspot.com

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    Replies
    1. I still laugh at my goofiness on the day...lol. Thanks Amber, love your party!:)

      Delete
  11. LOL love the story and love the sign. You should listen to that voice more often.

    Hugs,
    Peggy~PJH Designs

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    Replies
    1. Lol Peggy, I will remember that! Thanks for stopping by.
      Have a lovely week:)

      Delete
  12. Oh you are brave! I haven't braved dumpster diving yet ;) But if I saw that piece of wood, I probably would have done the same thing. Your sign turned out so fun and cute! Thank you for sharing it at to What We Accomplished Wednesdays. Have a lovely week!

    Hugs,
    Deborah

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  13. Thanks Deborah. I love it at WWW. Keep up the fantastic work!:)

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