Friday, November 22, 2013

"Meet Me at the Mistletoe" Calligraphy Sign with Printable


Before we get into this really easy DIY, I want to show you my inspiration.  Many of my Christmas ideas start with Christmas songs...only because I'm completely obsessed with Christmas songs.   If you want to know the honest truth, I am actually writing this post way back in September and, yes, I'm listing to Christmas music way back in September.  I'm probably listening to Christmas songs right now, too.

I discovered this song while I was studying abroad (also the time Tyler and I were separated by 8,063 miles for 6 months).  Dave Barnes' Christmas songs are very cozy, homey, and warm - and most definitely romantic.  I think in that time, this Christmas album brought me a little bit of home and a little bit of the same feelings I would have normally felt in America at Christmas with Tyler.  Two years later, these songs still make me feel the same way...and I love them!



 I love how in the song, the couple wants to be together, but their friends are all over for a Christmas party.  They're having a great time hosting the party, but they want some alone time for just a second.  That's when the boy wants the girl to "meet me at the mistletoe."  I love the idea that couples remain attracted to each other, and want that little time together.  Because, seriously, let's face it...Christmas time blows Valentines Day out of the water on the romance scale.  (I might even venture to say that it is such a gaudy holiday that it isn't even romantic...but obviously it just isn't my favorite holiday.)  That's why I wanted to make a decorative "meet me at the mistletoe" sign for Christmas.

In my mind, I'd initially wanted to make this a rustic pallet board project.  I started to paint it on and I thought the lettering looked disastrous.  I gave up, and decided to do something on paper with my calligraphy pen and colored pencils.  I love colored pencils.
(After I finished this drawing, I went back to my pallet board sign and found a way to fix it - so now I have two "Meet me at the Mistletoe" signs.)

Now, obviously I don't really know how to write calligraphy.  I faked it as much as possible, and I think it turned out okay.  (I would love to learn, though!)  I'm an artsy person, but I generally have awful handwriting.  This one is pretty good for me.

I made some little mistletoe branches on each side of the quote.

After I drew the design and traced it with the calligraphy marker, I used my PrismaColors to shade in the leaves and berries.
Seriously, PrismaColors are the best colored pencil brand.  Hands down.  I wouldn't have a life without them.  I don't know if you read this, but thanks Mrs. Cox for giving them to me for graduation all those years ago!

I had an old beat up frame that I decided to make look like it had been purposefully distressed by sanding.  I thought the black would be the best border for this picture, so I used this particular frame.  I'm really liking how it turned out.

Christmas warmth and festivity with the glowing lights...yeah, meet me at the mistletoe.  ;)

Finally, I found the place for my sign, above the window that goes between our living room and kitchen!



And what's the best news of all about this post?  You can print one just like this for free!


Here are your links to the printable!
5x7 Meet Me at the Mistletoe Printable
8x10 Meet Me at the Mistletoe Printable

In case you missed my Thanksgiving printable from a few weeks ago, they are all designed to fit into one frame so all you have to do when a new season comes around is switch the print.


Do you have any favorite quotes from Christmas songs?  Are you solely into the traditional songs, or do you like the contemporary songs too?




27 comments:

  1. that is super cute! & i LOVE Dave Barnes! we actually have his Christmas cd in our car right now! :D

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    1. I keep hoping he'll put his new one up on Spotify - I just feel bad to break down and buy it when I know I shouldn't spend the money on a cd. lol I want to buy it though!

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    2. ha - i am right there with you! i don't need to buy it, but i want it so bad!

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    3. Glad to know I'm not alone! C'mon Dave, let's get it on Spotify! lol

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  2. Very cute!! Christmas songs are always the ones most likely to bring me to tears when I'm listening to them. So beautiful!

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    1. Thanks Rachel. I love Christmas music, I really don't know why society says we need to limit it until just once a year. You'll honestly catch me listening to it at different times of the year!

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  3. I absolutely love your beautiful script here. So simple yet elegant - no better combination. Visiting via "DIY Chic" from over at www.ritewhileucan.com where I gush over all things paper and the lost art of letter writing - I think you may enjoy. Thanks for introducing me to Dave Barnes - I will be searching for his CD.

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    1. Thanks so much for stopping by, Barb! You'll love his Christmas music - and cool thing is he actually has two Christmas albums out as of this year!

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  4. Awww... I love it!!! I will definitely be printing this out! :-)

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    1. Yay, I'm glad someone else will be using it! I went out to buy a kissing ball because I thought it would go perfect with this sign! haha

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  5. Love it! You and Veronica are so crafty and artistic - makes me jealous!

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  6. This is so sweet. (And I love that you were listening to Christmas music in September!) Thanks so much for linking up to the Handmade Holiday Link Party. Pinning! :)

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    1. Thanks Alexis! Ha! Yeah, strange enough you'll probably always find me listening to Christmas music way before that time of year rolls around. :)

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  7. This is SO cute, Saxon! Thanks for sharing at the Handmade Holiday Link Party :).

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  8. This is really cute! I love your handwriting.

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  9. Fun idea and thanks for sharing with us!

    We've featured your post at BeBetsy Brag About It No. 32 - hope you check it out and thanks so much for sharing.

    Best to you,
    Sharon and Denise
    BeBetsy

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    1. Thanks so much for the feature, Sharon! I definitely enjoyed your blog hop! :)

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  10. It's Deonna from the Child at Heart blog! Thank you so much for linking up at the Merriest Blog Hop! I can't wait to see all of your holiday ideas this month! I am like you...I'm artsy so people assume I have good hand writing but it can be kinda bad. I have to slow way down when writing on my chalkboards and usually copy some font from the computer...this is such a cute sign.

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    1. Haha, I think poor handwriting is really an artist problem! I've only met a few very artistic people who just have great handwriting! I also have to write really slow if I want it to work out okay! And I'll also look at fonts on the computer - it helps keep some consistency in the font! haha

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  11. I love this printable! Thanks for sharing at A Handmade Holiday. Pinning and sharing on Facebook!

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  12. Love it, pinnend it, featuring it! Thanks for joining us on Craft Frenzy Friday!

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  13. So cute! Would love to have you link up with us at our party on my blog today please :) Happy Thanksgiving!
    Kendra @ www.joyinourhome.com

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