Sunday, June 1, 2008

Fun Monday - Making It Myself (Sorta)

The lovely, talented, and witty Karisma of Karisma and Kids is this week's Fun Monday hostess. Our topic for this week is "I made it myself." Although growing up in a family of artists, marrying an artist, and being mother to an artist/cartoonist, I am not particularly artistic or adept at creating crafts. Both of my parents earned scholarships to an art school, and my father was offered a four year scholarship. My sister won several awards and ribbons for her works of art during her school years. Our son, Luke, had a cartoon published in his college newspaper, The Purdue Exponent. My husband had his name on his high school art cup for two years, which is usually an honor reserved only for seniors. On the other hand, my grade in art was usually a C or a B if the teacher was generous. My grade in home economics was a B-, a grade reserved for incompetent students, who tried. My artistic genes seem to be woefully lacking.


Thus, for this week's display, I am showing something that I made with the aid of my computer and with a little help from Daddy D. For some reason, I have inherited or claimed the task of making bulletin boards at our church. For the bulletin boards, I choose non-fading background paper, a theme, and a font for the letters. The letters are computer-generated, and Daddy D, the craftsman, cuts them with his Exacto blade.

This first bulletin board is actually a big wedding invitation. The pastor and his bride were married on St. Patrick's Day 2006, and they wished to invite the entire congregation to the festivities. Smaller take home invitations were available in the box.



This next display is an advertisement for our church website ComeGrowInGrace.Org, which was brand new at the time. Fellow blogger, Gawilli, is the webmaster.



Our current theme at church is "Light up the Darkness, which is based on the Bob Marley quote. "The people, who were trying to make this world worse... are not taking a day off.
How can I? Light up the darkness." Here is my attempt at interpreting that concept.

Even though my displays are modest and not exotic, I do enjoy creating each bulletin board and updating the board with the various activities and ministries of our church. To see other handmade, homemade creations and actually talented folks visit Karisma for a list of participants.

32 comments:

Margaret said...

Your bulletin boards are very impressive! I can't even do that. (that's why I'm a high school and not elementary school teacher!)

karisma said...

Hey you! Never underestimate what you can do! I LOVE your displays, especially the last one! You captured the theme beautifully! You know I did not pick up a pencil or paint brush for over twenty years! I did not think I was good enough, why? the same reasons as you, my husband and kids are all extremely talented, I thought I was not as good. It wasn't until my daughter dragged me out the back and insisted I play with the chalk that I realised, hey I like this. Then my dh turned around and said to me, remember how you did at school? (I came first in my year for art!)So you see when we talk ourselves down we start to believe ourselves. I no longer worry what others will think of my work, I just enjoy myself with it! Thanks for playing Molly, I enjoyed your post!

Sayre said...

Don't sell yourself short! An attractive bulletin board IS a work of art! And yours are lovely.

daddy d said...

Your work is good stuff. It does light up hall way at church. The "light up the darkness" should be good for a long time.

IamwhoIam said...

Hey good job and worthwhile =^)

Alison said...

You did a wonderful job on those boards Molly...they are all very creative and perfect for the theme!!

Faye said...

I especially appreciate you "light up the darkness" design--especially the asymetrical look. Always been fond of bulletin boards, although now it has to be the front of the fridge.

i remember you writng about Luke's cartoons in an earlier blog post. Glad to hear that he's still involved in art.

debi said...

Well I love your work and think you do have a talent there. I think the Bob Marley quote is a great one. Cool church! Oh yeah, congratulations again Grandma. How exciting.

Anonymous said...

Love the wedding invitation, the advertisement and the current theme at church. Very creative bulletin board(s).

Jo Beaufoix said...

I agree with everybody else. Those are really cool and definitely creative. Have a great week.

ChrisB said...

These are really eye-catching notice (oops bulletin) boards. You are very creative :)

Hootin Anni said...

Excellent!!! I would think that this work has a high purpose! Great stuff.

Happy Fun Monday.

Anonymous said...

You create awesome bulletin boards! Creativity at it's best!

Joy T. said...

Well I personally think it takes real talent to do ANYTHING on a computer. This from a gal who is oh so pleased if she manages to get the computer on in the morning. Your bulletins are fantastic and I bet everyone at church really appreciates them.

Anonymous said...

I never would have thought to use a Bob Marley quote in a church, but it totally works.

It takes a special talent to be able to create an attractive inspired board that is beneficial to all.

Anonymous said...

Molly, those are great bulletin boards, so, how do you print them if I may ask? like the first one? I am totally clueless but I am so interested in knowing how to do that.

storyteller said...

What a nifty ‘Fun Monday’ logo! Did you make that yourself? Seeing your bulletin boards reminds me of my decades in the classroom where I spent time regularly creating such things. Well done ;--)

My 9th Fun Monday post is up at Small Reflections today. I hope you’ll find time to stop by.
Hugs and blessings,

Pamela said...

I am sure the other members always look forward to your displays. I know I would.

This is where art and communication meet.

I hope you keep offering yourself!

Sauntering Soul said...

Your bulletin boards are great!

Have you ever read Jan Karon's "Mitford" series books about Father Tim? Your first bulletin board with Pastor Tim on it made me think of the books.

Jan said...

I love the Light Up The Darkness bulletin board. It is really artisic. Great layout.

Heather said...

I forgot about the art of creating bulletin boards! I used to be a teacher and enjoyed making those displays. Yours are very cute!

Anonymous said...

You've always done a nice job with the bulletin boards you make! I loved the Coats for Kids one you did a couple of years ago. Those are always fun.

karisma said...

Okay Molly, Your it for next week. Thanks for offering! Put me on the list straight away! Okay?

Cazzie!!! said...

The church down the corner from us, Church of Epiphany, has different signs out the front every week. Short sentences, usually no more than 5 words grace the board in all colourful ..colours :)
We always read it out loud driving past.

Aoj and The Lurchers said...

See? You do have a talent!

Anonymous said...

Makes me want to get back in the classroom and do this. Love your bulletin boards. Great job.
Amazing what kind of messages can be sent using them.
OH, and sign me up for Fun Monday. I'll try to follow the rules.

Hula Girl at Heart said...

How creative! I love these, and I love how you took a task that others would just "phone in" and turned it into something special. That speaks well of your character.

Cruise Mom said...

I love 'non-traditional' art! And I especially love your "Light up the Darkness" board. I'm already thinking about how I can scraplift that!

Melanie said...

I love your bulletin boards! As a former teacher I know how much time goes into that!!

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the planet of janet said...

bulletin boards! you need a vision to do those (sadly, something i lack)! love "light up the darkness"

and hey... are you hosting next week?

Unknown said...

I love your displays! I'm sure it takes some planning to make sure everything fits correctly. And I know that I would probably end up with a huge blank spot somewhere and things looking uneven. Your's looks great!

Anonymous said...

This is one of those oft overlooked things that people have come to depend on for information and don't even realize it...it's kind of taken for granted.

You're communicating information that people "need" to know at church, and then they're acting on it. See? How cool is that? Your service is affecting others' lives :).

Interesting to me how each board has its own "feel", they're all seem to fit the message. The last one seems to have hit a nerve with many--it's my favorite, too :).